Bhubaneswar, July 7 (IANS) The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police on Tuesday arrested a 19-year-old youth from Angul district for allegedly creating and circulating AI-generated, morphed and defamatory content targeting high constitutional dignitaries, including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on social media.

The accused, Manoranjan Pradhan, is a resident of Patakumunda village, under the Bagedia police station limits in Angul district. He was arrested in connection with a case registered at the Bhubaneswar Cyber Crime and Economic Offences Police Station on July 4 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

According to the police, the case came to light during routine social media patrolling on July 4, when officers detected allegedly objectionable content posted through the Instagram account, "funny_boy_manoranjan".

The account was reportedly found to have uploaded and circulated AI-generated or morphed images and reels targeting high constitutional dignitaries, containing obscene language, vulgar gestures and defamatory content.

Police sources claimed that Pradhan, who is running an Instagram account (Funny Boy Manoranjan) and a Facebook account (Manoranjan Pradhan), had reportedly shared a number of videos (reels) on his account abusing the chief minister and other constitutional dignitaries using obscene language and digitally altered photos of the CM in an objectionable manner.

The accused also allegedly used derogatory comments, lewd gestures and defamatory remarks to describe various events. It is also alleged that he intentionally created and circulated the content via digital means to damage the chief minister's reputation and mislead the youth.

It is worth noting that the Commissionerate Police on Sunday arrested a 22-year-old youth on the alleged charges of circulating objectionable reels with morphed obscene photos and videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Majhi on his social media account.

Meanwhile, reacting strongly against the arrests made for alleged objectionable posts on social media, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the state government is attempting to suppress the voice of the people by misusing its power.

--IANS

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Patna, July 7 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Abhishek Kumar Sinha as its candidate for the upcoming Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar on Tuesday.

Following the announcement, Sinha expressed gratitude to the party leadership and said he would work to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Reacting after his name was announced, Sinha said the candidature was both an honour and a responsibility. He said the party has entrusted him with a responsibility, and he must deliver. He added that they are party workers, have worked hard, and will seek votes based on that work.

Speaking to reporters, he added that he had begun meeting party workers and was seeking the blessings of senior leaders, supporters, and the constituency's people.

Sinha currently serves as the Bihar State Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). He has been associated with the party and its youth wing for nearly 26 years.

Beginning his political journey as a grassroots worker, he has held several organisational positions over the years, including Mandal Secretary, Mandal General Secretary, Mandal President, President of the Patna Metropolitan BJYM, and State Vice President, BJYM Bihar.

The party has projected him as an organisation-focused leader with extensive experience in booth-level management, membership campaigns, and strengthening the party's grassroots network.

During his tenure in Bihar, Sinha worked to expand the party organisation, coordinate with workers, and convey local issues to the leadership. As Patna Metropolitan BJYM President, he was involved in mobilising youth and bringing new members into the party.

The BJP has highlighted this organisational background while selecting him for the high-profile urban Bankipur constituency.

Following the announcement, Sinha's wife, Amrita Krishna, thanked the BJP leadership for placing its trust in her husband and said he would strive to live up to the party's expectations. His father, Ravindra Prasad, also expressed gratitude to the party and welcomed the decision.

The Bankipur Assembly by-election has emerged as one of Bihar's most closely watched political contests. Besides the BJP's Sinha, the election will feature Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor and RJD candidate Rekha Gupta, making it a high-profile three-cornered contest ahead of polling on July 30.

--IANS

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Guwahati, July 7 (IANS) The BRICS nations on Tuesday adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking and transnational organised crime, with a strong focus on real-time intelligence sharing, digital technologies and coordinated law enforcement, officials said.

According to an official statement, the declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held in Guwahati under India's BRICS Chairship 2026.

The member countries pledged to enhance the timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices in accordance with national laws and international obligations while promoting the use of innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to counter drug trafficking.

The declaration expressed concern over the growing menace of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), diversion of precursor chemicals, misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets, and the exploitation of maritime routes and digital platforms by transnational criminal networks.

The BRICS nations also stressed the need for specialised initiatives to reduce drug demand, promote healthy lifestyles and protect vulnerable groups, particularly children and youth, through evidence-based and people-centric approaches.

Leading the Indian delegation, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Anurag Garg called upon BRICS anti-drug agencies to build a partnership based on speed, mutual trust and seamless real-time intelligence sharing to dismantle transnational drug syndicates.

Highlighting India's anti-narcotics strategy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Garg said the country has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and launched a three-year roadmap (2026-2029) based on a network-centric approach aimed at dismantling criminal networks, preventing drug abuse through awareness campaigns and strengthening treatment, de-addiction and rehabilitation.

In his concluding remarks, Garg proposed the creation of a BRICS Virtual Working Group and enhanced cross-border training initiatives, saying anti-drug agencies must work together to break increasingly interconnected global trafficking networks.

Delegates from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates also deliberated on challenges such as darknet-enabled trafficking, digital drug networks, precursor chemical diversion and strengthening global supply chains against chemical leakage.

India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

--IANS

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Dausa, July 7 (IANS) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to inspect the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on Wednesday, days after a devastating bus-trailer collision and fire in Rajasthan's Dausa district claimed eight lives and left 28 others injured.

According to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, Gadkari will travel by road from Delhi and proceed towards Kota-Ratlam through the expressway.

He is expected to pass through Dausa district at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where he may visit the site of the fire incident.

During the inspection, the Minister is likely to review the condition and maintenance of the expressway, ongoing construction work, safety measures, and arrangements at the Dara Tunnel in Mukundara Hills, Kota. The inspection will also extend to sections of the expressway in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Following the announcement of Gadkari's visit, NHAI officials and other concerned departments have begun preparations along the expressway. Authorities are reviewing safety arrangements and other facilities ahead of the Minister's inspection.

The proposed visit comes after the deadly bus-trailer collision and fire incident in Dausa, which claimed eight lives and raised concerns over highway safety, vehicle movement, and emergency response systems on the expressway. Eight people, most of them from Madhya Pradesh, were killed, and 28 were injured after a private sleeper bus rear-ended a multi-axle trailer truck in the early hours of July 1.

The collision triggered a devastating blaze in which six passengers were burnt alive and charred beyond recognition, while two others died later of severe head injuries.

The accident, according to a police technical report, unfolded around 2.50 a.m. when the air-conditioned sleeper coach travelling from Haridwar to Indore with 36 passengers on board collided with a truck coming in the same direction. The impact was followed by what survivors described as a loud explosion, with fire engulfing the bus within moments and leaving passengers scrambling to escape through thick smoke and intense heat.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 7 (IANS) The Kolkata Dock System (KDS) of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, recorded its highest-ever single-day container handling volume of 3,186 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) on Monday (July 6).

This achievement came on the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, after whom the country's oldest operating port facility is named. This surpasses the port's previous record of 3,081 TEUs, which was established just weeks prior on June 12, 2026.

“The single-day record caps off a remarkably successful first quarter (April–June 2026) for the port. SMP Kolkata registered a robust 8.40% year-on-year (YoY) growth in total container volume compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. From April to June, 2026, SMP Kolkata handled 2,53,945 TEUs against 2,34,272 TEUs handled during April to June, 2025, registering a growth of 8.40%,” an official said.

In another important development, JSW Infrastructure, concessionaire for the mechanised Berths 7 and 8 of KDS, commenced commercial operations with the handling of the first vessel at the facility. This marks the operationalisation of one of the port’s flagship Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects and represents a major step towards enhancing cargo handling efficiency, productivity and customer service.

JSW Infrastructure has also secured the concession for the proposed Outer Berth Project, which will be the first Outer Berth ever developed in the history of SMP, Kolkata. Along with the modernisation of existing berths, this pioneering project is expected to significantly augment the port’s capacity and reinforce KDS's position as the premier riverine gateway of Eastern India.

On Monday, SMP Kolkata successfully revived the mechanised Thermal Coal Handling Berth-3 at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), reopening one of the most efficient thermal coal handling facilities on the eastern coast. With this, mobilisation of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) for supply to southern thermal power utilities has commenced, and the first railway rake has arrived.

"Equipped with state-of-the-art wagon tipplers, mechanised conveyor systems and high-capacity ship loaders, Berth-3 is capable of handling thermal coal at among the most competitive tariffs across ports on the eastern coast of India," the official said.

"The integrated rail-sea logistics model offers substantial freight advantages by enabling movement of ECL coal to Haldia through rail, followed by economical coastal shipment to thermal power plants, making the facility an attractive and cost-effective logistics solution for power producers," he noted.

Rathendra Raman, chairman, SMP Kolkata, said that these milestones highlight the port’s continued focus on operational excellence, infrastructure optimisation and customer-centric service delivery. With ongoing modernisation initiatives and an improved cargo handling system, SMP Kolkata is well positioned to achieve higher benchmarks in the coming years, he said.

He also congratulated all trade partners, officers, employees and unions for these achievements.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that out of the 138 sanctioned fast-track courts in Maharashtra, only 58 are currently functional. The government is continuously following up with the High Court to make judges available for the remaining courts.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Rahul Kul, Fadnavis stated that while plans were made to establish a total of 138 fast-track courts across the state, only 58 could be made operational as the appointment of judges falls entirely under the purview of the judiciary.

He added that over the past year, consistent requests have been made to provide judges for the sanctioned courts through correspondence and joint meetings with the Chief Justice.

The High Court has informed the government that the process for recruitment and promotion of new judges is in its final stages. Once this process is completed, judges will be assigned to all sanctioned fast-track courts, he said.

He explained that until then, some courts have been granted 'designated' status for specific cases, though they must continue to hear other regular lawsuits as well.

Speaking on the judicial infrastructure in Pune and other parts of the state, the chief minister noted that over the last 10 to 12 years, sessions courts and additional district courts have undergone a massive expansion in Maharashtra. He assured that the government is providing the necessary funds and facilities to build judicial infrastructure.

The requirement for additional courts is determined by a High Court committee based on the volume of pending cases. If demands for additional courts are received from Pune or elsewhere, they will be verified against the caseload and new courts will be approved as required, he noted.

Intervening in the matter, Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar pointed out that large-scale vacancies in the lower judiciary are causing severe delays in the delivery of justice.

He highlighted that many criminal cases, particularly in Pune's MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) court and various other courts, have been pending for years, causing immense hardship to common citizens.

The Speaker directed that vacant judgeships be filled immediately and that the process be expedited in coordination with the Chief Justice.

Responding to the Speaker's directives, Fadnavis assured that this issue will be on the agenda for the next meeting with the Chief Justice and will be given priority.

He reiterated that the government will make every effort to accelerate the recruitment process by bringing areas with acute shortage of judges or need for new appointments to the attention of the High Court.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 (IANS) The Kerala government has removed V.A. Arun Kumar, son of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, from the post of Director of the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), ending a tenure that had been mired in controversy over his eligibility.

Prof. M.V. Rajesh, Principal of the IHRD College of Engineering at Poonjar, has been appointed as the new Director.

Rajesh, an alumnus of IHRD, replaces Arun Kumar, who had been serving as Director-in-Charge for the past three years.

Arun Kumar's appointment had triggered widespread criticism and multiple petitions before the Kerala High Court, questioning whether he possessed the qualifications prescribed for the post.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the High Court had last June ordered an inquiry into his eligibility and whether political influence had enabled him to secure the appointment by bypassing the prescribed norms.

The court observed that the post of IHRD Director is equivalent to that of a university Vice-Chancellor and noted that, under the 2018 University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, a candidate must have a minimum of seven years of teaching experience to be eligible for appointment.

It expressed doubts over whether Arun Kumar fulfilled these criteria.

The court also directed that the investigation examine whether political influence had played a role in the appointment, remarking that appointing a person who had been serving in a clerical post to a position equivalent to that of a university Vice-Chancellor appeared highly unusual.

The observations came while considering a petition filed by Dr Vinu Thomas, former Principal of the Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, and currently Dean of Kerala Technical University.

This was not the first time Arun Kumar's appointment had come under legal scrutiny.

His earlier appointment as Assistant Director of IHRD and subsequent promotion, made during the tenure of the E.K. Nayanar-led Left government, had also been challenged.

In that case, however, a Vigilance inquiry concluded that the appointment and promotion had been made in accordance with the prescribed norms.

Based on the investigation report, the Vigilance Court accepted the agency's closure report and gave Arun Kumar a clean chit.

He was also acquitted by a special court in Thiruvananthapuram in the related proceedings.

The latest government decision brings to a close a prolonged controversy over the leadership of the higher education institution.

--IANS

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Los Angeles, July 7 (IANS) Rapper Jay-Z knows how to keep his fans happy. The rapper has added an extra pitstop to his string of ‘Jay-Z 30’ shows celebrating his three-decade career in music.

The rapper will play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on September 4. The concert will mark his only U.K. stop of the year and joins previously announced performances in Paris on September 10 and Los Angeles on October 23, reports ‘Variety’.

This week, Jay-Z is playing back-to-back shows at New York’s Yankee Stadium on July 10 and July 11, marking the 30th anniversary of ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and the 25th anniversary of ‘The Blueprint’, respectively as part of the retrospective.

He also played at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on May 30, where he was backed by the acclaimed hip-hop band.

As per ‘Variety’, Jay-Z emerged as one of hip-hop’s most influential artistes during the 1990s. In 1995, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and released his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996. Over his career, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, including The Blueprint, The Black Album, and 4:44. Jay-Z is among the best-selling music artists in history, with multiple Grammy Awards to his name.

Beyond music, he has built businesses in entertainment, sports management, fashion, and technology. He founded Roc Nation in 2008. He has been married to Beyonce since 2008, and is widely recognized for his impact on both music and business.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 7 (IANS) Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg is currently stranded in Italy after nature unleashed its fury.

The country witnessed a volcanic eruption which has led to grounding of flights, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The actress has been enjoying a vacation on the island of Sicily and was due to return to work on her panel show ‘The View’ on Monday but Whoopi had to miss the episode as she was unable to fly back to the US because plumes of ash from Mount Etna led to the island's Catania airport being closed.

Joy Behar stepped in for Whoopi on Monday's episode of ‘The View’ and explained her absence, saying, "So you may be asking, 'Why am I here on a Monday?'. I asked myself the same question. But [producer producer Brian Teta] begged me to come in. Begged me, on his knees, where he belongs. Why? Because we are down three co-hosts today. Whoopi is using the old volcano excuse. Watch”.

As per ‘Female first UK’, Viewers were then shown a video of Whoopi explaining her predicament.

She said, "I am in Sicily right now. Mount Etna, who is one of our active volcanoes here in Italy, decided to go off today. We have spent most of the day trying to get back to (the) United States and all of the airports are closed here. So I will be back as soon as I can. And I know that we got all kinds of stories about our different vacations. Well, I think my story just takes the cake! A volcano ate my homework”.

Whoopi was missing from The View's line-up along with co-host Ana Navarra, who was unable to travel to the studio in New York City due to bad weather in Miami, Florida.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) The upcoming streaming series ‘The Tatas’ is set to tell the story of one of the most influential business clans of India, who helped in nation building.

The series is envisioned as a premium multi-season drama, and is adapted from Girish Kuber’s book, 'The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation'. The series will chronicle the architecture of a family whose corporate ethos, industrial breakthroughs, and philanthropic institutions became deeply intertwined with the birth and evolution of modern India.

The series will structurally chart the four distinct eras of the Tata lineage, tracing how each generation introduced foundational pillars to the Indian landscape, the 1st generation being the Founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata whose nationalistic vision gifted India its three vital assets of independent heavy industry, indigenous luxury hospitality, and scientific research.

The 2nd generation being Sir Dorabji Tata and Sir Ratan Tata) & Lady Meharbai Tata. This era will follow the execution of Tata Steel amidst global imperial skepticism, the creation of Tata Hydro-Electric Power, and the establishment of the foundational Tata Trusts, pioneering systematic philanthropy in India.

The 3rd generation being J.R.D. Tata with his pioneering work in Indian aviation with Tata Airlines (later Air India), automobile and the global tech revolution with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

And the 4th generation will document the journey of Ratan Naval Tata, who took the Indian empire to the global stage. This final arc will chart the aggressive modernization of the conglomerate, tracking high-stakes international acquisitions alongside consumer breakthroughs like Titan rewriting the Indian lifestyle landscape.

Talking about the scale of the series, writer Karan Vyas said, "The deeper I went into the archives of the Tata family, the more I realized that this isn't merely corporate history; it’s the foundational narrative of modern India. These were individuals who constantly looked past their balance sheets to build institutions that served the collective. Teaming up with Almighty Motion Picture allows us to approach this with the scale it demands, intimate in its human relationships, yet massive in its historical scope”.

The series follows the success of ‘Made in India: A Titan Story’. The series is co-produced by T-Series Films and Almighty Motion Picture.

--IANS

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