Nottingham, July 8 (IANS) England produced a clinical all-round performance to thrash Team India by 125 runs in the third T20I at Trent Bridge, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening game was washed out.

With two more matches to go, England can't lose this series against the reigning T20 World Cup winner.

Asked to bat first, England piled up an imposing 201/7 in their 20 overs, riding on a fluent 70 off 44 balls from Phil Salt. The opener struck aggressively at the top before Sam Curran’s late cameo of 41 off just 24 deliveries ensured the hosts crossed the 200-run mark. Jos Buttler chipped in with 36, while England recovered well despite losing a couple of quick wickets in the middle overs.

For India, debutant Prince Yadav was the standout bowler, claiming 2-30 and making an immediate impact by dismissing Harry Brook and later removing the dangerous Salt. The visitors also effected three run-outs but failed to contain England’s scoring rate in the death overs.

In reply, India’s batting crumbled under sustained pressure from England’s pace attack. Chasing 202, the visitors were bundled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs, suffering one of their heaviest defeats in T20I cricket. England’s bowlers struck regularly, leaving India with no opportunity to build partnerships as wickets fell in clusters throughout the innings.

The comprehensive victory gives England complete control of the series, while India must win the remaining two matches to avoid a series defeat.

Brief scores:

England 201/7 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 70, Sam Curran 41*, Jos Buttler 36; Prince Yadav 2-30) beat India 76 all out in 11.4 overs (Josh Tongue 4-28, Jofra Archer 3-29, Adil Rashid 2-14) by 125 runs.

—IANS

cs/bsk/

Nottingham, July 8 (IANS) Prince Yadav and Harshit Rana claimed two wickets each, but England rode on a 43-ball 70 by opener Phil Salt and some late hitting by Sam Curran (41*) to post a challenging 201/7 in 20 overs in the crucial third T20I of the five-match series at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Tuesday.

Yadav, who was brought in place of Ravi Bishnoi for his first match against England, claimed his first two international wickets in claiming 2-30 while Rana bagged two in two balls in the middle overs for 2-40 as India fought back after Salt and Jos Buttler (38) had given the hosts a slow but good start in what is a must-win match for the visitors who have lost the second match in Manchester after the first game was abandoned without a result because of heavy rains.

They reached 49/1 in the Power-play with Buttler back in the den after being castled by him with a yorker, which deflected off the batter's toes onto the leg stump, for his first wicket,

The pacer from Uttar Pradesh then got England captain Harry Brook, getting him to offer a catch to Abhishek Sharma for 16 off 12 balls. Rana then got into the act, taking the wickets of dangerman Jacob Bethell (13) and Tom Banton off successive balls as England slipped to 111/4 at the 12th end of the 12th over.

Salt, who had kept going from the other end, raised 47 runs for the fifth wicket with Curran, going on to reach his fifty in 36 balls, hitting six boundaries and one six. He was eventually out for 70 off 43 balls, caught by Arshdeep Singh off Axar Patel. He slammed seven fours and three sixes, claiming 18 runs in one over before Axar had the last laugh.

Curran then took over the mantle of scoring quick runs for England, hammering four fours in his 24-ball 41 not out. Will Jacks struck a couple of sixes in his 14 off seven balls to help propel England past 200.

This is the first time that India will be chasing 200 against England in a T20I, as they need to win the match to prevent the hosts from taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with two matches remaining.

Brief scores:

England 201/7 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 70, Sam Curran 41*, Jos Buttler 36; Prince Yadav 2-30, Harshit Rana 2-40) against India

--IANS

bsk/

Wayanad, July 8 (IANS) Rescue operations at the landslide site in Kalladi, Wayanad, will continue on Wednesday, with Kerala Ministers T. Siddique and A.P. Anil Kumar announcing that a comprehensive search will be carried out to trace the five persons still missing.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who is in the state capital, will reach the disaster site at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

He will leave for Wayanad immediately after briefing the media following the weekly Cabinet meeting.

After visiting the affected area, Minister T. Siddique told reporters late on Tuesday night that only three people have been confirmed dead in the landslide, while five others remain missing.

The deceased have been identified as Chandrabhan from Madhya Pradesh, Vikas Kumar from Bihar and Anmol from Jharkhand.

Those missing are Vikram, Rahul, Mohammed Imran, Rakesh and Asraruddin Ansari.

Describing the incident as an extremely painful tragedy, Minister Anil Kumar said the government had completed all possible monsoon preparedness measures well before the rainy season.

Rescue teams had reached the spot without delay, and operations would continue through the night as long as weather conditions remained favourable.

Minister Siddique said work to restore road connectivity to the affected area would begin immediately.

A scientific assessment of the landslide site will be conducted by dividing the area into four zones.

Cadaver dogs will be deployed to assist the search, while volunteers will also be involved in the rescue efforts.

He added that the deceased’s bodies will be sent to their native states.

Rahul is among those still missing, and his wife is currently at the site awaiting news.

The victims are natives of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Two injured persons are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with the condition of Dileep reported to be critical.

Entry to the landslide site will remain restricted on Wednesday to facilitate an intensive scientific search and ensure the safety of rescue personnel, the minister said.

Meanwhile, former Wayanad Lok Sabha MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed grief over the tragedy in a message posted on his social media account.

"The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected," he wrote.

He said relief and rescue operations were underway and that every possible effort was being made to reach those still trapped.

Gandhi also appealed to Congress and UDF workers to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

"Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy," he said.

--IANS

sg/uk

Kolkata, July 8 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court has rejected the "exemption petition" from former Trinamool Congress legislator Saokat Molla seeking exemption from the criminal cases registered against him by both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the West Bengal Police on various charges like involvement in bomb blast, corruption, extortion and sexual offences.

Incidentally, on June 5 this year, the NIA arrested Molla in connection with the bomb blast at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, officials said on Tuesday.

Later on June 19, the Jibantala Police Station took him into their custody in a rape case filed against him seven years ago.

Another rape case was filed against Molla.

In the last case, there were allegations of kidnapping the child and torturing the mother day after day.

A case was filed in the court in the 2019 incident.

Meanwhile, last month, the police made him walk through Jibantala Bazaar to reconstruct the crime spot in the blast case.

Molla approached the Calcutta High Court accusing the police of resorting to his human rights violation and seeking exemption from the cases registered against him.

The matter came up for hearing at the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya on Tuesday.

After a detailed hearing in the matter, Justice Bhattacharya refused to entertain the exemption petition and said that considering the seriousness of allegations against the former Trinamool Congress leader, it was not possible for his bench to entertain the exemption petition.

Justice Bhattacharya also said that Molla had the option to approach any other court with a similar exemption petition.

However, Justice Bhattacharya also added that the recent trend of the police taking the accused persons to a public place and making them walk there should be stopped immediately.

According to Justice Bhattacharya, the trial process should be conducted as per the existing legal provisions and on humanitarian grounds the accused persons should not be made to walk publicly by the policemen.

--IANS

src/khz

Patna, July 8 (IANS) Police carried out a major raid against an alleged prostitution racket in the Bharatiya Nagar area of Saharsa district on Tuesday, detaining 18 people, including four minor girls.

The operation was conducted by a joint team of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), the Cyber Police Station, and the Sadar Police Station following a specific tip-off.

The raid, led by Cyber DSP Kalyan Anand, was conducted at around 11:30 am after police verified confidential inputs regarding alleged illegal activities at the location.

During the search, police recovered objectionable materials and some suspicious tablets. Authorities are examining the recovered items as part of the ongoing investigation.

According to the police, 10 women, four minor girls, and four young men were detained during the operation. However, several suspects managed to flee before they could be apprehended. Police said efforts are underway to identify the absconding individuals, and legal action will be initiated against them.

Anand said the area had been under police surveillance for some time. He noted that a raid had also been conducted at the same location a few days earlier, during which several premises were sealed. The officer warned that if illegal activities resume at those sealed properties, strict legal action will be taken against the owners and operators.

All detained individuals are currently undergoing identification, verification, and detailed questioning. Police stated that appropriate legal action will be taken after the investigation is completed, and those detained will be produced before the court in accordance with the law.

The four minor girls have been placed under special care, and authorities are expected to follow the legal procedures applicable to minors and potential victims of trafficking.

Anand said some individuals managed to flee the scene during the raid. They are being identified, and legal action will be taken against them. He added that all detained persons are undergoing verification and questioning.

Police have appealed to the public to report any information regarding similar illegal activities, stating that the campaign against human trafficking and organised prostitution will continue across Saharsa district.

--IANS

ajk/dan

Bengaluru, July 8 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and BJP Karnataka State President B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday condoled the demise of Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, the renowned engineer popularly known as the "Bridge Man" and "Visvesvaraya of Sullia," describing his death as an irreparable loss to the state and to the cause of rural development.

It is worth noting that M. Visvesvaraya (Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya) was one of India's greatest engineers and statesmen, renowned for his pioneering contributions to irrigation, flood control, and infrastructure development.

In separate condolence messages, the leaders paid rich tributes to Bharadwaj's pioneering work in rural connectivity through the construction of suspension bridges, which transformed the lives of people living in remote, infrastructure-deficient regions across the country.

Shivakumar said the passing of Bharadwaj had come as a profound shock and termed it an irreparable loss to Karnataka. He said Bharadwaj had played a remarkable role in bringing about a connectivity revolution in rural India by constructing more than 140 suspension bridges across the country, providing vital access to villages cut off by rivers and difficult terrain.

The chief minister noted that Bharadwaj's engineering excellence and selfless service earned him widespread admiration and the affectionate title of "Visvesvaraya of Sullia." He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara described Bharadwaj as a visionary engineer whose passing was an irreparable loss to the fields of science, technology, and social service. He said Bharadwaj's contribution to rural India's development and the transformation of rural connectivity was unparalleled.

Parameshwara said that by building more than 140 bridges across India, Bharadwaj had significantly improved connectivity and contributed to rural development. Remembering his simplicity and selfless service, he said the engineer had earned the enduring affection of the people, who fondly referred to him as the "Vishweshwaraiah of Sullia." He also prayed that the Almighty grant the family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

Expressing condolences on behalf of the BJP, state president and MLA Vijayendra said he was deeply saddened by the demise of the Padma Shri awardee. He said Bharadwaj's vast technical expertise and commitment to public welfare enabled him to build hundreds of suspension bridges, bringing hope and connectivity to lakhs of people in rural areas.

Vijayendra said Bharadwaj's achievements, dedication, and simplicity would always be remembered, adding that the distinguished son of Karnataka had earned recognition not only across India but also internationally. He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family and admirers.

Bharadwaj was widely celebrated for designing and constructing low-cost suspension bridges that connected remote villages across India. His pioneering work in rural infrastructure earned him the Padma Shri and made him a symbol of engineering innovation dedicated to public service.

--IANS

mka/dan

Atlanta, July 7 (IANS) Lionel Messi assisted and scored a goal while Enzo Fernández struck the winner in stoppage time as defending champions Argentina produced a comeback for the ages for a sensational 3-2 win over Egypt and sealed a place in the quarterfinals in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Argentina fought back from 0-2 down in the round of 16 match after Yasser Ibrahim (15th min) and Mostafa Zico (62nd min) had scored for Egypt and created the possibility of the defending champions ending their campaign early, joining the five-time winner Brazil and Germany on the scrap heap.

But Messi weaved his magic, first launching the attack and providing the assist to Cristian Romero's goal in the 79th minute and then getting onto the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute as Lautaro hooked a deep ball into the area, which dropped favourably for the Argentine captain, who laced it towards goal. Goalkeeper Shobeir gets a hand on it, but it hits the bar and goes in to make it 2-2.

Enzo Fernandez then sealed victory for Argentina by scoring an incredible goal in the third minute of stoppage time, making it 3-2 for Argentina. Lautaro swung a deep cross to the back post, and Enzo Fernandez met it and sent the ball back from where it came and into the far corner.

Earlier, Argentina conceded a goal in the first half of a World Cup match for the first time since their 2018 Round of 16 tie against France. They had not conceded in the first half in their last 11 matches before this match.

Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt into a shock lead, before Mostafa Shoubir protected it magnificently. The goalkeeper dived south-west to save a Messi penalty, which Nicolas Tagliafico had craftily earned, and made superb stops from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.

Egypt thought they had made it two just before the hour. Haissem Hassan made an imperial dash down the right and fed Salah, who enabled Zico to ripple the net. The goal was, however, ruled out for a foul in the build-up. It merely delayed the Al Ahly man doubling the lead, though, as he finished off a rapid counter-attack involving Salah and Hassan.

It left Egypt on the cusp of victory, but Argentina were not done yet. They missed many chances but did not lose patience as they attacked repeatedly and created opportunities, and scripted a great comeback.

Christian Romero pulled one back, Messi’s brilliant finish equalised, and Fernandez completed an epic survival story.

--IANS

bsk/

Jodhpur, July 7 (IANS) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said that Ram Katha serves as an important medium for taking India's cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, and moral values to the masses.

He made the remarks during his visit to Jodhpur, where he attended a Shri Ram Katha programme organised on the occasion of the consecration ceremony of the Shri Ardhanarishwar Shiva Temple at Raghuvanshpuram Ashram in Kelava Khurd. Birla offered prayers at the event, sought blessings from the Vyas Peeth, and listened to the Ram Katha narrated by revered storyteller Murlidhar Maharaj.

Addressing the gathering, Birla said India has a rich legacy of spirituality, yoga, Dharma, and cultural traditions. He noted that the teachings of sages and the country's spiritual practices have carried messages of healthy living, morality, and spiritual awareness to the world.

He also praised Yoga Rishi Baba Ramdev for inspiring people towards a lifestyle rooted in health, discipline, and cultural values. Birla said Murlidhar Maharaj has been spreading the message of Indian culture and ideals of righteous living through Ram Katha across India and abroad.

He added that the teachings of Lord Shri Ram inspire people to follow the principles of duty, truth, devotion, and morality. Highlighting the importance of temples in society, Birla said temples are not only places of worship but also centres for nurturing values, compassion, social harmony, and cultural awareness.

He said the Ardhanarishwar Mahadev Temple would emerge as a centre of spiritual energy and social harmony. Explaining the significance of the Ardhanarishwar form, Birla said Lord Shiva represents sacrifice and welfare of society, while Goddess Parvati symbolises compassion and affection. Together, the form conveys the message of balance, equality, and harmony.

During the programme, Birla also visited the Keshav Priya Gaushala at Raghuvanshpuram Ashram and appreciated the efforts towards cow service. He prayed for the happiness and prosperity of devotees and wished that the blessings of Lord Shri Ram and Lord Shiva-Parvati remain with everyone.

The event was attended by a large number of saints, seers, and devotees, including Yoga Rishi Baba Ramdev, Rajasthan Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar, former Union Minister and MP P.P. Chaudhary, and MLA Bhera Ram Chaudhary.

--IANS

arc/dan

Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

sj/rad

New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

sps/svn

New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

na/vd

Los Angeles, July 7 (IANS) Hollywood actress Tiffany Haddish has reacted to her not getting an invite for pop icon Taylor Swift's wedding.

The actress thinks it was a "waste" that she wasn't invited to the high-profile wedding, which saw the who’s who of Hollywood in attendance, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The 46-year-old actress,who made a cameo appearance for the pop star's Reputation Stadium Tour, joked that she was one of "the only two celebrities who weren't there" as the Anti-Hero hitmaker got married to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden last week.

She appeared in the latest episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, and showed off her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover.

She quipped, "Let me ask you a question. How can someone look this good and not get invited to the Taylor Swift wedding?”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, Tiffany, who joked that she and Kimmel's co-star Guillermo were the only famous faces who didn't make the cut, insisted she should have been there to compliment the male guests.

She said, “Like everybody was there. They had every famous person on Earth. Brad Pitt, Selena Gomez, J.Lo, Tom Hanks, Paul McCartney, Steven Spielberg, the bass player from Fall Out Boy, George Stephanopoulos. I mean, no offense to George Stephanopoulos, but why the f*** did they invite George Stephanopoulos? The f***”.

She added,“What a waste, what a waste! All those sexy men in tuxedos and no Tiffany to make them feel beautiful. That’s my job is to make men feel beautiful”.

Tiffany couldn't resist some X-rated remarks about what she would have brought to the nuptials, as she said, “If I was there, the bar wouldn’t have been the only thing that was open, okay! If you know what I mean. You know what I mean?”.

The actress joked that Taylor mustn't have had "the right email" to send the invite.

--IANS

aa/

.

Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Filmmaker Karan Johar expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a special mention to his iconic film 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' during his address in Jakarta. On Tuesday, KJo thanked the PM for making the song 'live forever'.

During his address, PM Modi stressed the massive popularity of Indian cinema in Indonesia with a special mention to the title track of 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji.

PM Modi was heard saying, “Yahan Bharat ka gana ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ bahut hi lokpriya hai. Aaj maine is par kaha ki jab Bharat aur Indonesia saath milkar chalte hain, toh ‘kuch kuch’ se bhi aage badhkar ‘bahut kuch’ hota hai. (Here, India's song 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' is very popular. When India and Indonesia move forward together, a lot more will happen.”

The witty wordplay by the Prime Minister points out the potential for a strong collaboration between the two nations.

Overwhelmed by the mention of his movie, Karan re-shared the video on the Stories section of his official Instagram handle.

The 'Dharma' head wrote, “Elated & honoured to have our esteemed Prime Minister @narendramodi ji speak about Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in Jakarta. There is indeed a language that transcends all it's love. Thank you for embracing & making this song live forever!!! (sic)”

Talking about 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', the film marked Karan Johar's debut as a director.

Backed by Karan Johar's father, Yash Johar, 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji in the lead, along with Salman Khan and Sana Saeed in significant roles.

Considered to be one of the most celebrated romantic dramas in Bollywood, the songs and dialogues of the movie remained ingrained in the memory of movie buffs across generations and borders.

--IANS

pm/

Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh, who is seen as DGP Bitta in Diljit Dosanjh starrer 'Satluj' revealed that he received praises for his character from Naseeruddin Shah and Shashi Ranjan.

Speaking to IANS exclusively, Kanwaljit shared that he was extremely surprised to receive the call from Shashi Ranjan.

"I was quite surprised to receive his call. After that, I even got a call from Naseer (Naseeruddin Shah). He started speaking in Punjabi, which he speaks rather poorly. I believe he is the 'God of acting' and hence anything coming from him has a lot of impact", he told IANS.

Kanwaljit further expressed his disappointment during an exclusive interaction with IANS, asking why there is a fear of letting people witness the movie.

Giving a shoutout to the makers of 'Satluj' for sticking to their guns despite all the pressure, the 'Mrs' actor told IANS, "I was shocked because it was like that for 2.5-3 years, the case went on and I really admire my director and the producer, Honey and Ronnie, that they stuck to their guns and they never succumbed to the pressure".

Pointing out how the film was finally released after overcoming so many hurdles, Kanwaljit added, "When it was said that 127 cuts have been given and you can send it to Canada, all of a sudden it was pulled back from the Canada Film Festival as well. So, this has been happening with the film for a long time"

"Eventually, they said that you should release it, 'what are you afraid of? What backlash will there be?' Time heals a lot of wounds, and after that all that is left to do is talk. You can talk and sort out something. No one retaliates like this after so long."

Previously titled ‘Punjab 95’, the project fought a long battle against censorship before finally getting a digital release. After the film finally premiered on the OTT platform, it was taken down in India only 2 days after release.

--IANS

pm/

Los Angeles, July 7 (IANS) English actor Jude Law is set to star in a new movie about a getaway driver. The film is written by Zach Baylin, who is the co-creator of OTT miniseries ‘Black Rabbit’, co-writer of Justin Kurzel’s ‘The Order’ and an Oscar nominee with ‘King Richard’.

The project was revealed at Karlovy Vary Film Festival on Tuesday by Ben Jackson and Katie Sinclair of Riff Raff Entertainment, reports ‘Variety’.

They added that Baylin is working on a new TV series produced by Law’s production company Riff Raff Entertainment.

Jackson said, “We’ve got a film idea about a getaway driver who wants to get from A to B to C, and there’s a lot of things in his way”.

Sinclair said, “I think it’s really exciting because Jude hasn’t really done action like that before. I think it’s a real example of his range as an actor, but also for us as a company. It moves us into a much bigger scale of project, but it still feels very character driven and anchored”.

As per ‘Variety’, she added that having Law star in it “sets it apart from other movies in the genre, and so we’re always looking for the best in class, most distinctive version of each genre”.

Jackson said, “Yeah, it came out of ‘The Order’, because we had car chases in that as well, and Jude was having a lot of fun doing that, and then we brainstormed an idea, and Zach has now written a really great script”.

Earlier, Jude Law portrayed the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’. The film is a political thriller helmed by Olivier Assayas, and premiered at the 2025 edition of the Venice Film Festival.

--IANS

aa/