Popular
Madhya Pradesh: Mild earthquake sparks panic in Betul, Pandhurna
Bhopal/Betul, May 17 (IANS) A series of sudden seismic disturbances accompanied by a mysterious loud sound sent waves of panic across multiple towns in Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
According to initial reports from National Center for Seismology, an earthquake measuring 3.91 on the Richter scale was felt across a widespread region, including the Betul, Pandhurna, and Multai areas at around 9:30 p.m., 9:41 p.m., 9:43 p.m. and 10:17 p.m. on Saturday.
While the initial tremors put residents on alert, a second, more intense disruption later in the night triggered absolute chaos within the local communities.
The situation escalated dramatically around 11:24 p.m. when certain parts of the region experienced a sudden and intense tremor.
According to eyewitnesses, the event began with an unsettling and incredibly loud boom that echoed through the night air.
Immediately after the sound, the earth began to shake violently.
The impact of the tremor was severe enough that the walls of houses vibrated, and household items rattled on shelves for several consecutive seconds, locals said.
Fearing an impending natural calamity or structural collapse, terrified residents who were still awake, as well as those jolted from their sleep, immediately fled their homes to seek safety in open grounds.
The suddenness of the tremors left the population visibly shaken.
Almost instantly, a massive flurry of phone calls ensued as anxious citizens reached out to family members, friends, and neighbours to check on one another's safety and ascertain the extent of the damage.
Residents living in the central parts of the town reported that the sequence of events was identical, with a thunderous noise preceding the physical shaking of the ground.
Within minutes of the event, news reports and personal accounts detailing the earthquake in Multai flooded various social media platforms, with citizens sharing videos of households vibrating.
--IANS
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Stop politicising, Cong must answer for own disastrous record on exam scams: BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari
New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised the Congress, accusing it of playing politics with the academic futures of twenty-two lakh students across the country.
Highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Saturday asked the Congress to "stop politicising" the actions of Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and instead focus on its own historical shortcomings regarding national examinations.
Taking to his official X account, Bhandari challenged the Congress to answer for its past record on major academic scams.
He pointed out numerous high-profile examination paper leaks and scandals that took place under previous Congress administrations, specifically referencing the "All India Pre-Medical Test leaks, Staff Selection Commission scams, and Central Board of Secondary Education paper leaks".
He also noted that multiple recruitment scams had repeatedly occurred in states ruled by the Congress.
Bhandari claimed that the people have not forgotten how "the name of Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra was linked to past examination paper leak scandals", accusing the current Congress leadership of continuing to provide patronage to those involved.
In stark contrast, the BJP spokesperson defended the performance and integrity of the current BJP administration.
He emphasised that the Narendra Modi-led Union government responded with swift accountability following the emergence of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
Bhandari said that the NEET examination was cancelled quickly to protect honest students, and an immediate re-examination was scheduled for June 21 without placing any additional financial burden on the aspirants.
He further credited the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for publicly addressing the issue and accepting institutional responsibility, while noting that the investigation was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation immediately.
Detailing the law enforcement action taken so far, Bhandari listed the arrests of key individuals, including alleged mastermind PV Kulkarni and Biology lecturer Manisha Mandhare.
He added that various operations have led to the apprehension of related operatives from multiple locations, including Jaipur, Gurugram, and Nashik.
Bhandari also said that the Union government is neither executing a cover-up nor maintaining silence, but is rather taking decisive action.
He added that the Narendra Modi government stands firmly in support of honest students over political opportunists and exam mafias.
--IANS
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Raj BJP core committee meet: Madan Rathore, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma to finalise names for RS polls
Jaipur, May 17 (IANS) The Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Core Committee meeting was held in Jaipur to review various ongoing campaigns and organisational activities across the state, veteran party leader and former State party President Arun Chaturvedi said.
He told that the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections were discussed during the meeting on Saturday.
Keeping in view the dedication of party workers, their loyalty to the party organisation, and the overall interests of the party, all members, both physically present and virtually connected, informed State BJP President Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to hold consultations and forward suitable names to the Central Election Committee.
The meeting expressed satisfaction over the Rajasthan government's "Gram Rath Yatra" campaign aimed at promoting farmers' welfare.
Chaturvedi added that the initiative has enabled the state government to effectively reach farmers and communicate its schemes, policies, and commitments at the grassroots level.
A detailed discussion was also held on the NEET examination controversy.
The Core Committee criticised the Congress for allegedly politicising the issue and termed such attempts unfortunate.
According to former State BJP President Chaturvedi, the irregularities in the NEET examination originated in Nashik and later spread to Pune, Gurugram, and other parts of the country.
He said the Central government acted promptly by cancelling the examination and handing over the investigation to the CBI.
He also added that during the tenure of the previous Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan, the BJP had repeatedly demanded a CBI inquiry into the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) examination paper leak case, but no such action was taken.
He said that after the BJP government came to power in Rajasthan, efforts were made to connect various aspects of the case and take action against those involved.
Most BJP members attended the meeting physically, while several senior BJP leaders joined virtually due to prior engagements or other reasons.
Those attending the meeting online included veteran BJP leaders such as Union Ministers C.P. Joshi, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Alka Gurjar, and Satish Poonia.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav could not join virtually due to technical issues but participated through telephone.
Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje conveyed her best wishes for the meeting through a message, citing the ill-health of a close relative as the reason for her absence.
Among those present at the meeting were State BJP President Madan Rathore, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Bhagirath Chaudhary, and former State BJP President Ashok Parnami.
Chaturvedi said the meeting also reviewed the organisational training camps currently being conducted across Rajasthan.
The Rajasthan BJP Core Committee expressed satisfaction over the participation of senior party workers and the guidance being provided to party cadres in line with the organisation's objectives.
The meeting further discussed the rise in petrol and diesel prices due to international circumstances.
Chaturvedi said that because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and prevailing global conditions, fuel prices have increased significantly in many countries.
However, former State BJP President Chaturvedi claimed that in India, the increase in fuel prices has remained comparatively limited and that the Central government has provided subsidies over the past four months to shield consumers from additional burden.
He accused the Congress of politicising the fuel price issue and said that during the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government, the BJP had demanded relief in VAT rates but no action was taken at the time.
In contrast, he said, the present Rajasthan government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has provided relief to the public on two separate occasions.
--IANS
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‘Incredible India’ tourism takes spotlight in streets of Rome with popular buses
Rome, May 17 (IANS) India's cultural and tourist attractions are being promoted across Rome through popular 'Hop On Hop Off' buses, the Embassy of India in Rome said.
"'Incredible India' on the move in Rome, India's cultural and tourist attractions are being promoted across Rome through popular 'Hop On Hop Off' buses," the Embassy of India in Rome said on social media platform X on Saturday.
According to the Embassy, the campaign was flagged off by Deputy Chief of Mission Gaurav Gandhi.
'Hop On Hop Off' (HOHO) buses are red tourist buses that offer a panoramic tour of Rome with multilingual commentaries.
Tourists can hop on and hop off the buses as many times as they want.
The campaign was launched by the Indian Embassy ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Italy from May 19 to May 21.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting Italy at the invitation of PM Giorgia Meloni.
The Prime Minister had last visited Italy in June 2024 for the G7 Summit.
During the visit, PM Modi will call on the Italian President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Meloni.
The visit comes after intense leader-level engagement and is anchored by the Joint Strategic Plan of Action 2025-29, which serves as the operational roadmap for the partnership.
Italy increasingly views India not just as a market, but as a major power and an indispensable partner for Europe.
Italy's championing of India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) as a founding member, with the Sparkle-Airtel Blue-Raman submarine cable to Genoa now activated, makes it the western anchor of the corridor.
IMEEC ensures not just stability of supply chains but also gives a boost to India's energy security.
Italy is India's fourth largest trading partner in the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $16.77 billion in 2025 and a target of €20 billion by 2029.
Tata Motors' €3.8 billion acquisition of the Iveco Group is the largest Indian investment in Italy till date, while Italy has opened a SIMEST office in Delhi with a €500 million funding line, and SACE has added €200 million for SMEs.
The post-India-EU Free Trade Agreement environment unlocks fresh scale for both sides.
--IANS
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IPL 2026: Score of 200‑210 was par, but we dropped too many catches, admits GT skipper Gill
Kolkata, May 16 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders ended Gujarat Titans’ five‑match winning streak with a 29‑run victory at Eden Gardens on Saturday, a result that lifted them to sixth place on the points table and kept their playoffs hopes alive. GT skipper Shubman Gill admitted his side’s fielding lapses proved costly, including dropping Finn Allen twice as he went on to smash a fiery 93.
“Looking at the wicket, 200‑210 was par score, but we dropped too many catches. Pitch was good, the odd one was stopping, but I felt we batted well to get to the score we did. No concerns, but our fielding could've been a lot better.
“We set a certain standard, and dropping 3 sitters - we didn't deserve to win this one. Looking at it that way, best to have a game like this now than in the Qualifiers. I think rest and recover for a couple of days, travel back to Ahmedabad, see how the wicket is, and then plan accordingly (for the next game),” Gill said at the conclusion of the game.
KKR are now at sixth spot and behind the Punjab Kings, who are at fourth place. GT, who had thrived in bowler‑friendly conditions during their winning run, were undone by Eden Gardens’ batting surface and a poor fielding display, with Allen’s explosive 93 proving to be the difference.
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane lauded his batters for their intent, as they posted a massive 247/2. “Very good game, really happy with two points. Amazing to see Allen, Angkrish, and Green's knocks. Credit goes to these batters. Preparation has always been fantastic. Talk was all about taking one game at a time. Intent was amazing. Don't forget they're a quality bowling attack. It was amazing to see batters going out there and dominating.”
Speaking of bowlers, Rahane lauded Saurabh Dubey and Sunil Narine. “It's all about trusting their ability. All these guys have been doing well in the domestic season. Saurabh Dubey played well in the Vidarbha league. When he came here, all the coaches thought he had the talent.
“Credit to these guys who have been doing well, working hard, it's all about belief and confidence. Makes my job easy when you know Sunil Narine is in the team. Varun was struggling, but credit to him as well. The courage to play with a sore foot,” he said.
Player of the Match Sunil Narine reflected on his milestone appearance, as his spell of 2-29 ensured GT ended 29 runs short. “It comes with hard work. The guys have been training really well, putting in the hard yards, and it's showing. Hope it continues, no matter what the tournament has in store for us.
“It's all about planning what is in front of you. Every game brings a different challenge. All about trying to win the scenarios and trying not to overthink. Being a senior guy, God has given me the talent and health to play 200; hopefully, I play many more,” he said.
Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who struck a career‑best 82 not out, said: “Yes, I did, especially because we won. Got so easy for me, just had to give him (Allen) a strike and watch from the other end. That was my role at the start of the innings.
“I'm not used to the keeping duties; it's taking everything out of me. The score says it all. I thought it was a great surface. Hope we can play on these surfaces every game. They have to kick me out of the nets, I play a lot of balls. Ever since I was a kid, my coach, Abhishek Nayar, has gotten me used to hitting 1000 balls a day.”
--IANS
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Top Stories
International
India, Dominica exchange an MoU on pharmacopoeia and QIP
Roseau, May 16 (IANS) Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, on Saturday, exchanged an MoU with Domina Minister of Foreign Affairs on Pharmacopoeia and another on a Quick Impact Project(QIP) in Dominica.
MoS Marghertia on Saturday, met with Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy of Dominica and exchanged ideas on strengthening partnerships across a wide range of sectors.
“Glad to exchange an MoU on Pharmacopoeia and another on a Quick Impact Project in Dominica,” he wrote on X, “also had the opportunity to interact with the Ministers of Health and Agriculture during the meeting,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Margherita also called on Irving McIntyre, Acting Prime Minister of Dominica, and conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen people-to-people ties,” said Margherita on X.
He also called on Dominica's President Sylvanie Burton in Roseau, where the two sides reviewed ways to deepen the bilateral partnership between the two nations.
Sharing the details of the meeting on his social media on Saturday, the MoS posted: "Honoured to call on President Sylvanie Burton, Dominica’s first woman President, who hails from the indigenous Kalinago community. Conveyed greetings from the Honourable President and Prime Minister of India. Discussed ways to further strengthen the relations between our two countries.”
Following his successful visit to Belize and Honduras, Margherita arrived in Dominica on Friday, aiming to enhance bilateral partnerships across key sectors.
The MoS was warmly received by Dominica’s Foreign Minister Vince Henderson upon his arrival at the airport.
“Arrived in the beautiful 'Nature's Island of the Caribbean' – Commonwealth of Dominica. Thank you, Foreign Minister Vince Henderson, for the warm welcome at the airport. Looking forward to productive discussions with the leadership of Dominica,” Margherita posted on X.
This is the first ministerial-level visit from India to the country since October 2018.
--IANS
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UN urges continued dialogue after Somalia election talks fail to reach deal
Mogadishu, May 16 (IANS) The United Nations on Saturday urged Somali leaders to continue dialogue after three days of talks ended without resolving key political disputes related to the transition process.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) welcomed the stated commitment by both sides to continue efforts to find a constructive way forward.
"As Somalia enters a period of transition, UNTMIS hopes that, during this phase, the Federal Government of Somalia will prioritise engaging all stakeholders to build consensus around an electoral model that is practical and unifying," the UN mission said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
The conclusion of the three-day talks on Friday coincided with the official end of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's four-year term.
Lawmakers approved constitutional amendments in March to extend presidential and parliamentary terms to five years, but the opposition and some federal member states have rejected the extension.
The UN mission expressed regret that the latest round of dialogue, convened by foreign diplomats, once again ended without resolving major disputes.
UNTMIS urged Somali leaders to find a constructive way forward and unite to address the country's severe challenges, including the humanitarian crisis and insecurity.
It called for restraint and reiterated its readiness to work with other international partners to support efforts to overcome divisions among Somalia's political leaders.
Analysts say a key focus of the talks was the dispute over electoral models, with the president advocating for universal suffrage while the opposition seeks to retain a revised version of the traditional indirect voting system.
Opposition leaders and some regional states have warned that, without a final agreement, they will cease recognising the government's legitimacy after May 15, which marked the end of Mohamud's original four-year mandate under the 2012 Provisional Constitution.
--IANS
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India strengthens semiconductor push with Tata-ASML partnership for Dholera chip facility
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) India’s semiconductor ambitions received a major boost as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted a new partnership between Tata Electronics and ASML aimed at strengthening the country’s chip manufacturing ecosystem.
The agreement was witnessed by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and PM Modi during high-level engagements focused on futuristic technologies and innovation-led cooperation.
Under the memorandum of understanding, ASML will support the establishment and expansion of Tata Electronics’ upcoming semiconductor facility in Dholera, marking a significant step in India’s efforts to emerge as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub. The collaboration is expected to bring advanced expertise and technology support to the ambitious project in Gujarat.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi described the partnership as an important milestone in boosting India’s semiconductor ecosystem and deepening international cooperation in advanced sectors.
He emphasised that India’s rapid progress in semiconductors is opening up immense opportunities for the country’s youth and creating a strong foundation for future innovation and employment.
"Prime Minister Rob Jetten and I witnessed the signing of the MoU between Tata and ASML for advancing the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India," PM Modi wrote on X.
"ASML will support the setting up and scaling of Tata Electronics’ upcoming semiconductor facility in Dholera, Gujarat," the Prime Minister said.
India’s strides in the world of semiconductors offer immense opportunities for the youth of our nation, PM Modi added.
"This is a sector in which we will keep adding vigour in the times to come," the Prime Minister added.
The Tata-ASML collaboration comes at a time when India is aggressively expanding its semiconductor ecosystem through policy support, global partnerships, and large-scale investments.
The Dholera semiconductor project is among the flagship initiatives expected to play a crucial role in reducing import dependence and strengthening India’s position in the global electronics supply chain.
Industry observers believe the partnership could accelerate technology transfer, skill development, and high-value manufacturing in India, while also reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a trusted destination for semiconductor investments.
--IANS
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India absolutely on right track under PM Modi’s leadership: Dutch CEOs
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting with leading Dutch CEOs, during which top business executives from sectors ranging from aviation and semiconductors to shipping, agriculture and technology praised India’s economic growth, innovation ecosystem and expanding global partnerships under his leadership.
Speaking after the interaction, Sander van ’t Noordende, CEO of Randstad, said India has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past decade.
“The last 10 years have seen a notable acceleration in everything — infrastructure, technology, consumer goods, as well as the labour market and employment. So, I think India is absolutely on the right track, and obviously that is under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Marjan Rintel, President and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, highlighted the airline’s long-standing presence in India and its growing operations in the country. She said KLM has been operating in India for 70 years and recently added Hyderabad as its fourth destination in the country.
“We have been connected for a long time, and business and innovation in India are also very important,” she said.
The maritime and shipping sector also featured prominently during the discussions. Derk Te Bokkel, CEO of Royal IHC B.V., said PM Modi possesses deep knowledge of the shipping industry from his earlier tenure in Gujarat.
He noted that the company supports Indian shipyards in building large dredging vessels and operates a workshop in Mumbai that exports advanced equipment globally.
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, echoed similar sentiments, recalling PM Modi’s detailed understanding of the port and transport sectors during earlier interactions at the Vibrant Gujarat Forum.
He said the Prime Minister understood the importance of ports and transport infrastructure in driving economic growth.
In the semiconductor sector, Maurice Geraets of NXP Semiconductors said the company has been operating in India since 1969 and currently employs around 4,000 people in the country.
He said the company sees major growth opportunities in India in the coming years and described PM Modi’s commitment to the sector as highly encouraging.
Technology investor Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of Prosus, said discussions are underway to significantly expand investments in India.
He described artificial intelligence as a major opportunity for collaboration between India and the Netherlands and said the company strongly believes in India’s growth story.
On the agriculture front, Martin Eggink from Rijk Zwaan stressed the importance of international cooperation in ensuring global food security. He said no country can sustain a food system entirely on its own and backed PM Modi’s emphasis on collaboration.
Hans Huistra, CEO of Royal HZPC, said the company has been active in India since 2014 and praised the government’s focus on agricultural development.
He added that the company’s products are helping support the growth of India’s farm sector.
The meeting also underscored growing India-Netherlands cooperation in maritime infrastructure and trade. Arnout Damen of Damen Shipyards said the company hopes to combine its shipbuilding strengths with India’s growth ambitions.
Meanwhile, Boudewijn Siemons said stronger ties between outward-looking economies like India and the Netherlands are essential in an increasingly volatile global environment.
--IANS
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ShowBiz
Katrina Kaif celebrates Vicky Kaushal’s birthday with their ‘little angel’ & ‘Happy Birthday Papa’ cake
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS) Actress Katrina Kaif marked husband Vicky Kaushal's first birthday with their 'little angel' Vihaan with a heartfelt post.
The 'Namastey London' actress took to her official Instagram handle and published a couple of lovely pictures with the birthday boy, while their little munchkin also made an appearance.
Katrina further dropped a picture of the 'Chhaava' actor's birthday cake with "Happy Birthday Papa" written on it.
Reflecting on their beautiful journey together over the years, she penned on social media, "Happy Birthdayyyyyy….Same place, 2 years later and how much has changed…Prayer, patience, and faith… And today we celebrate your birthday with the most amount of joy with our little angel …. My heart is full and grateful …(sic)".
The 'Tiger Zinda Hai' actress also praised Vicky for being her constant support, while maintaining a lot of patience and attempting to answer all her queries.
Lauding him as a person, she added, "Last few years you have been a pillar of strength, of love and light with the patience of a saint 99 % of the time (ok maybe 98) I love you not only for who you are (an exemplary human being with a integrity hard to find), but also because you entertain the endless questions that I ask you, about things you cannot possibly know the answer to …. (yes you are now a expert on mythology, AI, waterproofing, make up, health, business, all.“What if” situations in general and everything else in between … "
Revealing her birthday wish for her husband, Katrina concluded the post saying, "For your birthday I wish for you a few extra moments and time for a black coffee (or 2) between the time you wake up and the moment my questions start".
Katrina and Vicky tied the knot back in 2021 in a private yet beautiful ceremony. The lovebirds welcomed their firstborn, a son, on November 7, 2025.
--IANS
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Ameesha Patel stands by her statement on the PR game of younger actresses: Sabhi number one…
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS) Actress Amesha Patel stands strongly by her statement regarding younger actresses' alleged fake PR game.
On Saturday, the 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' actress was captured by the shutterbugs in Mumbai.
When questioned about her recent Tweets, Ameesha said that nowadays everyone considers themselves to be number one.
The 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' actress was heard saying, "Sahi to kha maine. Aajkal sabhi aapne aap ko number one samajhte hain. ( What I said was right. These days, everyone considers themselves to be number one)."
Earlier this month, Ameesha took to her official X (Formerly known as Twitter) handle and took a jibe at the younger actress’ and their alleged perception-buildingng games.
She wrote on the micro-blogging site, “Most female actresses who haven’t even achieved one film in their career where even a single film of theirs has done even 200 cr plus at the box office are paying their PR teams to cal themselves nos 1 and nos 2 ?like really ?its 2026 and not 2000, today 100 cr is nothing”.
Her series of posts further read, "Call ur self a super star only if u have achieved any sort of work that creates history and havoc at the box office . Untill then stop playing PR games to cal urself a super star...sorry but that’s the harsh reality", "A star becomes a global super star only when he or she delivers a huge hit all over the world ..it’s always a good feeling for any actor to be a part of any project anywhere in the world.but u only become a super star once u have delivered those big hits .stop PR machinery", and "Kaho na pyaar hai , Gadar 1 or Gadar2 … Ek nahin par 3 biggest solo blockbusters as a heroine with highest footfalls in all 3 films I’ve given and till date they are the biggest hits of my CO STARS as well .. but my FAKE PR machinery is weak unlike other actresses".
Work-wise, Ameesha last graced the screen in "Gadar 2", in which she was seen opposite Sunny Deol. Marking her return, she was seen reprising her beloved role as Sakeena.
--IANS
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Kushal Tanwar and Kaira Anu lift the trophy for MTV Splitsvilla X6
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS) Gullu aka Kushal Tanwar and Kaira Anu have been crowned as the winning couple of "MTV Splitsvilla X6 - Pyaar ya Paisa", taking home a cash prize of Rs 20 Lakhs.
Elated about the win, Gullu aka Kushal Tanwar said, “Thank you, guys, to everyone who supported me. I feel so good after winning. I feel like we were the deserving ones because if we look at the whole game journey - connection-wise, running the game, making alliances, no one did it better than us. Kaira and I had a bond since day one; she always supported me. Whenever there were tasks, she used to say, "Mujhe tere liye jeetna hai". Now that we look back at the end, it all feels worth it. I know people didn’t really like me much, but as the show progressed, we became their favourites."
Kaira Anu shared, “I can’t describe my happiness, and I'm still trying to process all of this! What a beautiful and emotional journey it has been. Winning MTV Splitsvilla X6 - Pyaar Ya Paisa with Gullu feels unreal. We faced every challenge together, stayed strong through all the noise, and knowing that the audience chose us for the first time makes this win even more special!”
Host Karan Kundrra added, “Big shoutout to Kaira & Gullu, who really stood out throughout the journey. Their chemistry, understanding, and the way they handled everything together was amazing to watch. Well deserved, guys!”
Sunny Leone expressed, “What really stood out this season was Kaira & Gullu’s connection and the way they supported each other and stayed strong together, which is what made their journey so special to watch. I’m truly very happy for them, and congratulations on winning this season. Keep shining and enjoy every moment together!”
The finale episode brought together the season’s strongest contenders - Yogesh-Ruru against Gullu-Kaira. Navigating through unexpected betrayals, shifting loyalties, and emotional confrontations, the finalists made their way to the grand finale.
"MTV Splitsvilla X6" is available on MTV and JioHotstar.
--IANS
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Kamal Haasan demands mandatory 8-week OTT window from Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS) Kamal Haasan paid a visit to the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and demanded a mandatory 8-week OTT window for all the projects releasing in the state.
The 'Indian' actor argued that this will help the theatre owners and distributors to sustain themselves in the competitive business.
Haasan took to his official X (Earlier known as Twitter) handle and shared a list of the 6 demands he presented in front of the CM for the betterment of the Tamil film industry.
"The demands were as follows:
1. Launch of Tamil Nadu Government OTT Platform – State-owned OTT platform where Tamil audiences can access Tamil cinema, independent films and documentaries.
2. Abolition of the local body entertainment tax levied at 4%.
3.Formation of a strong anti-piracy team within the Tamil Nadu Police Cyber Crime Department to protect Tamil cinema with powers to enforce real time takedowns of pirated content.
4.Permission for 5 shows per day for all films in Tamil Nadu. This will improve theatre revenues and support the recovery of the film exhibition sector.
5. Mandatory 8 week OTT window for all films released in Tamil Nadu - enabling theatre owners and distributors to sustain themselves.
6.To introduce a film production incentive scheme to 10% of the budget for Indian films that complete more than 50% of their shooting in Tamil Nadu. This will restore Tamil Nadu as India’s leading film production hub (sic)."
Haasan's latest Tweet further included the caption, “Today, I met in person with the Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Brother Vijay @TVKVijayHQ, and conveyed my best wishes. He enthusiastically shared many dreams for the betterment of Tamil Nadu. The humility and affection he displayed during the meeting filled me with pride.”
Refreshing your memory, after Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, Haasan had posted a congratulatory note on social media, wishing that the state of Tamil Nadu 'shine under the leadership' of his 'brother' Thiru Vijay.
--IANS
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Varun Dhawan reunites with his ‘Dilwale’ co-star Kriti Sanon for a fun evening of music & friends
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS) Varun Dhawan got together with his 'Dilwale' co-star Kriti Sanon for a fun evening of music and friends.
Joining them were Kriti's sister Nupur Sanon and her singer husband Stebin Ben. We could also see 'Fukrey' actor Varun Sharma as they all grooved to the "Tera Ho Jaun" track from Varun Dhawan's forthcoming laughter ride "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai".
The romantic number has been crooned by Stebin, along with Jonita Gandhi, with lyrics penned by Vayu.
"Tera Ho Jaun .. .. .. with the madness...Don’t miss the end (sic)," the caption on the post read.
As they all flaunted their moves on the recently released number, they were also seen having a fun time in each other's company.
Reacting to the post, Nupur commented, "MADDDDD. How did we do this!"
Previously, talking about the track, Stebin had said, “The emotion in the melody and lyrics felt very pure from the beginning, and I wanted to bring that honesty into my voice while recording it. Working with Jonita for the first time was special because her voice adds such freshness to the song. Working with Sachin-Jigar is always inspiring and I love their music”.
Directed by David Dhawan and backed by Ramesh Taurani under the banner of TIPS, “Hain Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hain” will see Mrunal Thakur, Mouni Roy, Chunkey Panday, Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Rakesh Bedi, Ali Asgar, Kubbra Sait, Rohit Saraf, Rajeev Khandelwal, Nitish Nirmal, and Sreeleela in significant roles, along with others.
Billed as a romantic-comedy, the title of “Hain Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hain” is believed to be inspired by the song “Ishq Sona Hai” from David Dhawan's 1999 blockbuster “Biwi No.1," featuring Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Sushmita Sen.
"Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai" is expected to hit the cinemas on 5th June this year.
--IANS
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Emcure Pharma receives 7 observations from USFDA after Gujarat plant inspection
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Emcure Pharmaceuticals on Saturday said the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) completed a current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) inspection at its formulations manufacturing facility in Sanand, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and issued a Form 483 with seven observations.
The inspection was conducted between May 6 and May 15, 2026, at the company’s facility located in the G.I.D.C. industrial area in Taluka-Sanand, Ahmedabad. According to the company, the observations raised by the USFDA are procedural in nature.
Emcure Pharmaceuticals said it is taking corrective steps to address the observations comprehensively and will submit its response to the US health regulator within the stipulated timeline. Under USFDA norms, companies are generally required to respond to Form 483 observations within 15 days.
A Form 483 is issued by USFDA inspectors after the completion of an inspection when conditions or practices are observed that may constitute deviations from cGMP regulations. The observations are discussed with the company during the closing conference, but the issuance of a Form 483 does not indicate a final determination on the facility’s compliance status.
The regulatory update came alongside the company’s strong quarterly earnings performance. Emcure Pharmaceuticals reported a 29 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit for the quarter at Rs 243 crore, compared with Rs 189 crore in the corresponding period last financial year.
Revenue from operations rose 16.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 2,469.7 crore from Rs 2,116.2 crore, driven by growth across key markets.
EBITDA increased 19.2 per cent to Rs 479.5 crore, while EBITDA margins improved marginally to 19.4 per cent from 19 per cent in the year-ago quarter.
The company’s international business continued to remain the primary growth driver, with revenue rising 25.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,493 crore, aided by expansion in the base business and new product launches.
Domestic sales grew 5.2 per cent to Rs 977 crore, though growth was partially impacted by weaker performance in the Zuventus portfolio and organisational restructuring initiatives.
Shares of Emcure Pharmaceuticals ended Friday’s trading session at Rs 1,702.30 apiece on the BSE, up Rs 28.90 or 1.73 per cent from the previous close.
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