Hollywood music giant Universal Music Group (UMG) has purchased a 30 per cent minority stake in Excel Entertainment, co‑founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, according to an official statement issued here on Monday.

The partnership was officially announced at a press conference in the presence of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

As per the deal, Excel Entertainment co-founders Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani will continue to retain creative control and majority ownership, ensuring Excel’s artistic vision remains in their hands, while UMG’s 30 per cent minority stake is expected to bring new strategic energy to Excel’s upcoming projects across film, music and digital platforms, according to the statement.

Headquartered in the US, with offices in the Netherlands, Universal Music Group is one of the world’s leading music and entertainment conglomerates. The company’s investment in Excel Entertainment is among the largest minority-stake deals for an Indian production house.

Under the deal, Excel Entertainment’s value will cross Rs 2,400 crore and will accelerate the Farhan Akhtar-owned banner while also strengthening Universal Music India’s (UMI) domestic operation in a high-growth and strategically important market.

“The deal will provide the foundation for a new strategic partnership between UMI and Excel to accelerate Excel’s growth and further enhance UMI’s position in the important Indian market,” the statement mentioned.

As per the terms of the deal, UMG will gain global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks created for projects owned or controlled by Excel. The alliance also includes the launch of a dedicated Excel music label, to be globally distributed by UMG.

Universal Music Publishing Group will also become Excel’s exclusive music publishing partner, creating opportunities for existing UMG and UMI artists and repertoire to be included in Excel’s future productions.

The announcement came as Excel Entertainment marked its 25th year, having debuted with ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ in 2001. The banner has backed several noted titles over the years, including the ‘Don’ franchise, ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, ‘Gully Boy’ and the ‘Fukrey’ series.

On a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s article “1,000 Years of Unbroken Faith” — commemorating the ancient Somnath Temple and its history since the first attack in 1026 AD — appeared in leading newspapers, the BJP linked India’s present economic trajectory with its historical reconstruction, saying that the vision articulated at that time was now approaching fulfilment under his leadership.

Addressing the media, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi recalled the remarks of late President Dr Rajendra Prasad during the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple to make his point. He also criticised the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for “opposing” the temple’s reconstruction.

He also accused the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi of harbouring a ‘Macaulay mindset’, contrasting historical interpretations of Mahmud of Ghazni (who plundered the revered temple in Gujarat, destroying the Shiva Lingam and looting its immense wealth) by historians like Utbi and those written by Nehru in his book ‘Discovery of India’. Highlighting the resilience of Indian culture, Trivedi said the answer to the Macaulay factor of 19th century and the Marxist factor of 20th century is “also the M factor, that is, the Modi factor”

“I want to remind you that when Somnath was being reconstructed, India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, had said that the consecration of Somnath would be truly complete on the day India’s prosperity once again reaches the same height — the very prosperity that had once attracted the attack. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving steadily towards that prosperity, as India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy,” Trivedi said.

The BJP spokesperson said that the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple carried out despite opposition from Nehru marked the realisation of a long-cherished national aspiration. “Even in 1951, despite strong opposition from Jawaharlal Nehru, this dream was realised in the presence of the country’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is progressing towards prosperity, and that dream is now nearing its fulfilment. The vision of the Somnath resolution is becoming a reality,” he said.

According to officials, a year-long series of spiritual, cultural and social activities will be organised at Somnath to commemorate the Somnath Swabhiman Parv from January 8 to January 11. The programme will feature events highlighting India’s spiritual heritage, cultural pride and social values. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Somnath on January 11.

In his op-ed, the Prime Minister commemorated 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD, describing its resilience as an eternal symbol of India.“Jai Somnath! 2026 marks 1,000 years since the first attack on Somnath took place. Despite repeated attacks, Somnath stands tall. This is because Somnath’s story is about the unbreakable courage of countless children of Bharat Mata who protected our culture and civilisation,” he wrote on X, along with his article.

The end of 2025 was heartbreaking for Bollywood as the legendary Dharmendra left us at 89. But long before the sad goodbye, the Deol family had to battle another relentless storm of paparazzi chaos that left even Sunny Deol snapping in public. Hema Malini has now opened up about the emotional rollercoaster her family endured during the final days of Dharmendra.

Hema Malini speaks out on paparazzi’s harassment

In a candid conversation with The Times of India, Hema Malini recalled the media frenzy during Dharmendra’s final days.

“Sunny was getting upset and angry. We were all going through an emotional time, and the media was running behind our cars… harassment bahut hua,” she revealed.

The veteran actress explained how the constant flashes and cameras made a difficult situation even harder. “It was very stressful. We were trying to focus on Dharmendra’s health, but the attention from outside was overwhelming,” she said.

Hospital scares and false rumours on Dharmendra

Dharmendra had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in early November 2025. On November 10, the internet lit up with rumours claiming the actor had passed away.

Fans panicked, but Hema and daughter Esha Deol quickly set the record straight: Dharmendra was stable and recovering.

Soon after, he was moved back home for continued care. But the relief at being home didn’t come with peace. Paparazzi swarmed the Deol residence turning a private recovery into a public spectacle.

Sunny Deol’s fiery reactions

Sunny Deol, known for his calm yet fiery persona, couldn’t hold back. At one point, he confronted photographers outside the family home, calling their behaviour “shameless.” The intensity didn’t ease even after Dharmendra’s passing on November 24.

During the immersion of his father’s ashes, Sunny’s frustration boiled over. He was heard challenging the photographers: “Paise chahiye tereko, kitne paise chahiye?” (Translation: Do you want money? How much money do you want?)

Global star Priyanka Chopra frequently treats netizens with glimpses of her precious moments with her little bundle of joy, Malti Marie.

Little Malti enjoying dad’s song

In her latest social media post, PeeCee captured her daughter enjoying a relaxing car ride while listening to her father’s song. Soaking in the view, the little munchkin was also seen humming the words along in her adorable voice.

Sharing the clip on her Instagram Stories, Priyanka wrote, “#Handprints”, and tagged Nick.

Holiday moments with Malti

Recently, PeeCee was seen enjoying the Holiday season with her daughter and husband. The ‘Barfi’ actress uploaded glimpses of Malti enjoying the snow season on her Instagram. In one of the videos posted by Priyanka on her Instagram handle, she and Malti were seen taking a stroll around the snow-clad city. The mother-daughter duo looked simply adorable twinning in white.

Unable to contain her excitement, little Malti ran on the snow-covered path while holding her mother’s hand. “0 visibility but…joy at a 100% (sic),” Priyanka captioned the post.

 

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Snowy strolls and family time

PeeCee shared some other family moments with Malti and her mother, Madhu Chopra, along with some other wholesome holiday glimpses.

“Proof that sometimes happiness falls from the sky,” PeeCee simply captioned the post.

 

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An Indian princess

Before stepping into the Holiday season, Priyanka graced the first episode of “The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show” season 4 with her appearance. During the conversation, Priyanka shared that her daughter Malti loves the idea of ‘Indian Princess’.

“Whenever she wears Ghagra Choli, she calls herself an Indian princess. She loves her bindi, bangles, and accessories,” shared Priyanka. Commenting on this, Navjyot Singh Sidhu pointed out, “A queen’s daughter will obviously call herself a princess,” referring to Priyanka as the queen.

Also Read: Desi beats, Nick Jonas style: Priyanka Chopra and Jonas brothers dance to ‘Aap jaisa koi’

In a significant administrative initiative aimed at expediting development works and eliminating execution delays, the Haryana Government has constituted a high-level monitoring committee to closely oversee the progress of development projects across the state. The committee will conduct fortnightly reviews, while comprehensive assessments will also be undertaken at the Chief Minister’s level, preferably once every two months.

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, the move reflects the state government’s renewed commitment to strengthening efficiency, accountability, and timely delivery of public infrastructure projects.

The committee comprises Dr Saket Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Narender Pal Malik, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister; and Karan Ahlawadi, Senior Consultant to the Chief Minister. Rajeev Batish, Chief Engineer (Public Health) and Incharge, will provide technical assistance during the review process, particularly on matters related to the Haryana Engineering Works Portal (HEWP) Portal.

The committee has been entrusted with a wide-ranging mandate covering critical stages of project execution. Its responsibilities include monitoring timelines from administrative approval to award of work, examining delays in architectural approvals, and assessing the time required between project award and commencement, including permissions needed from other departments.

The panel will also review the timely completion of projects, identify reasons behind delays and cost escalation, assess revised timelines following fresh administrative approvals, ensure completion within prescribed or revised schedules, and monitor the maintenance of assets created.

In addition to conducting regular reviews, the committee will submit monthly progress reports to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, ensuring sustained oversight and enabling corrective action at the highest administrative level.

It seems that some old tensions between Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump might finally be easing. On Sunday, January 4, the Tesla CEO shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter) that got everyone talking.

In the image, 54-year-old Musk is seated across the table from Trump, 79, and first lady Melania Trump, all smiling over what appears to have been a cozy dinner.

Musk captioned the post: “Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS. 2026 is going to be amazing!”

Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS.

2026 is going to be amazing! pic.x.com/1Oq35b1PEC

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2026

According to Fox News, the dinner took place on Saturday evening at Trump’s luxurious Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Fans of both men immediately began speculating: Could this be the start of a thaw in their rocky relationship?

Elon Musk’s rocky ride in government

Their renewed public warmth comes after a tumultuous 2025 for Musk in politics. Earlier in the year, he headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as a special government employee from January until May 30.

Musk’s tenure at DOGE was anything but smooth. By February, over 20 civil service employees resigned in protest.

Engineers, data scientists, product managers, and designers claimed in a joint letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles that they refused to use their skills to “dismantle critical public services.”

“We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services,” they wrote. “We will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions.”

The mass resignation drew national attention.

Explosive social media moments between Elon Musk and Donald Trump

After leaving DOGE, Musk didn’t exactly pull back from making headlines. He expressed frustration over the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a massive Congressional spending package, writing on X: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore… This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it.”

He then stirred even more controversy by linking Trump to the Epstein files, suggesting that this was the reason certain documents were not public. This post quickly sparked backlash, and Musk deleted the message later the same day.

Also Read: Trump warns Elon Musk of deportation to South Africa over criticism of tax and spending bill

Epstein’s former lawyer, David Schoen, also clarified that his client had no information that could harm Trump.

The White House weighed in too. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Musk’s claims “an unfortunate episode.”

Despite Musk walking back some of his comments, media outlets reported that in June 2025 that his relationship with Trump had “soured beyond repair.”

Public feuds throughout 2025

The tension wasn’t just behind the scenes. In June, Trump told CNN that he was “not even thinking about Musk” and that he “won’t be speaking to him for a while.” He added bluntly: “He’s got a problem. The poor guy’s got a problem.”

Musk responded to political frustrations by creating a new political party, the American Party, in July. This prompted Trump to call Musk a “train wreck” and accuse him of going “off the rails.”

Clearly, 2025 was not a quiet year for these two.

Despite the drama, there were hints over the last few months that the pair might be softening toward each other. On September 21, they were both seen at a public memorial for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Then, on November 19, during an address at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump mentioned the “Big Beautiful Bill” and even referred to Tesla while talking about tax deductions for domestic car purchases. He paused mid-sentence to tell Musk: “You are so lucky I am with you, Elon.”

Musk responded with gratitude on X, writing: “I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world.” It was a far cry from the fiery exchanges earlier in the year.

Now, the dinner at Mar-a-Lago seems to confirm that Musk and Trump are at least publicly on better terms.

A massive gas leak from a Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) well triggered panic among residents of Irusumanda village in Malkipuram mandal of Andhra Pradesh’s Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday.

Following the leak, crude oil–mixed gas spread across the village like thick smog, severely reducing visibility and leaving villagers gripped by fear.

Panic-stricken residents immediately alerted ONGC officials, prompting a swift emergency response involving the corporation, the fire department, and the police.

Officials said efforts are underway to contain the leak. The production well has been shut down, and repair work is being carried out using a workover rig.

Congress slams Modi’s personal diplomacy as US signals higher tariffs over India’s Russian oil purchases

According to reports, a loud explosion was heard, after which a fire also broke out. Authorities have reportedly evacuated villagers from the affected area as a precautionary measure.

Electricity supply has been cut in the area and people have been directed not to use stoves.

“A massive gas leak occurred in Irusumanda village of Malkipuram mandal. Local residents informed ONGC officials about the incident. ONGC officials, along with fire and police personnel, are dousing the fire,” said Balakrishna, a fire department officer.

Visuals shared on social media show a thick white layer of gas enveloping the village, heightening concerns among locals.

ONGC statement on gas leak

ONGC confirmed the incident in a press release and stated that no injury or loss of live was reported.

“Incident of gas leak during the workover operations at Well Mori#5 was informed by the PEC Operator Deep Industries Limited, for the Mori Field in Andhra Pradesh on 5 January 2026. The well is located in a remote area with no human habitation within a radius of approximately 500–600 metres. No injury or loss of life has been reported,” ONGC said in a press release.

It said that the area was cordoned off shortly after the leak was reported and cooling operations commenced. “ONGC has mobilised the Crisis Management Teams (CMT and RCMT). Preparatory work is in progress to facilitate well-control and, if required, capping of the well.”

ONGC has also initiated coordination with international well-control specialists, including mobilisation arrangements to support advanced well-control and casing-cutting operations, subject to site assessment.

It further added, “ONGC’s senior management and technical experts are closely monitoring the situation, with additional equipment being mobilised from nearby locations, including Narsapuram. Further updates will be shared as the situation evolves.”

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief party spokesperson Sanjay Raut lashed out against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde here on Monday for allegedly utilising the police to force an SS (UBT) election candidate to meet Shinde, who “persuaded” him to “withdraw” his candidature for the municipal corporation election scheduled for January 15.

“If you (Deputy CM Eknath Shinde) have any manliness still left in you, then fight us (Uddhav-led Sena) openly from the front. You stole our party and our party symbol, but we are still fighting resolutely. If Eknath Shinde had any courage or manliness, he would not have done such things, but he has been stabbing people in the back all his life. Now he is so afraid of the original Shiv Sena and the MNS that he even prevents their candidates from contesting the election. All this proves that he is afraid of us.

”The ruling party is under the illusion that the voters of Mumbai and Thane will change their minds by receiving Rs 15,000 or by kidnapping their candidates. People are very angry due to such dirty politics, and this anger will definitely be visible through the ballot box,” Raut said.

Earlier, following reports of 68 BJP-led Mahayuti candidates “winning unopposed” even before voting began, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Avinash Jadhav publicised a video and claimed that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena candidate Vikrant Ghag, who was supposed to contest the Thane Municipal Corporation election, was “forcibly” taken to meet Deputy CM Shinde’s residence by a police officer, after which Ghag “withdrew” his candidature.

After publicising the video, Thane-based Uddhav-led Sena leader Rajan Vichare and MNS leader Avinash Jadhav accused the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Sena of allegedly using money power and police machinery to influence the Thane Municipal Corporation election. Avinash Jadhav also demanded an inquiry into the video and warned of street protests if the election officers responsible were not “replaced” within two days, while Uddhav-led Sena leader Rajan Vichare alleged that officials and the police helped “reject” nomination forms, in order to facilitate “withdrawal” of candidature.

Reacting to these developments, Uddhav-led Sena MP Sanjay Raut told media persons here that “The video from Thane is very serious. The video shows the police bringing candidates to Eknath Shinde’s house in Thane. Candidates were abducted from their homes, put in a vehicle and brought to Shinde’s house in Thane. The police did this work without even maintaining the dignity of their uniform. Obviously, the police were pressured or threatened to do such work”.

“Even the Election Commission will never take any concrete action on this matter, and it will merely ask for a report and buy time by promising an investigation. Therefore, now the only way left is to go to court against this injustice,” Raut said.

Sanjay Raut also ridiculed the Election Commission’s decision to cover up a statue of Balasaheb Thackeray in Mumbai, as “stupid”.

“Balasaheb Thackeray is a national hero. If you have covered up his statue, then why are the statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Mumbai not covered up as well? Shinde and Fadnavis are afraid of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. But what do you hope to achieve by covering up his statue? Today, all parties use his photographs,” Sanjay Raut said.

The Congress on Monday launched a strong critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following renewed US warnings linking higher tariffs on Indian exports to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of relying on a personality-driven foreign policy that has failed to deliver concrete benefits for the country.

In a post on X, Ramesh pointed out that the Prime Minister’s widely publicised personal rapport with the US President has not prevented economic pressure on India. “The PM’s good friend in the White House continues his ‘blow hot, blow cold’ approach to India,” Ramesh wrote, referring to repeated US threats on trade and energy issues. “He has once again threatened higher tariffs on US imports from India if India does not stop buying oil from Russia.”

Ramesh also criticised the optics-heavy diplomacy of recent years, saying, “All those Namaste Trump, Howdy Modi events, all those (forced) hugs, and all those social media posts praising the US President have done very little good.”

The comments come amid growing uncertainty in India-US trade relations as the US ramps up pressure on countries trading energy with Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. India maintains that purchasing discounted Russian crude is a sovereign decision to secure affordable energy and that these transactions comply with existing international sanctions.

While the Modi government highlights the strengthening India-US strategic partnership—citing defence cooperation, technology collaboration, and rising bilateral trade—Congress argues that the high-profile public events have not translated into consistent policy advantages for India. Ramesh’s remarks echo broader opposition concerns that India’s foreign policy has become overly dependent on personal chemistry between leaders rather than robust institutional diplomacy, making India vulnerable to sudden shifts in US trade and tariff policies.

With the prospect of tariff hikes looming again, the issue is set to intensify political debate over how India can balance strategic autonomy, energy security, and economic interests amid escalating global power rivalries.

Singer Jasmine Sandlas, on the success of her yet again hit song “Shararat” from the blockbuster “Dhurandhar”, shared a realistic and emotional note capturing the rush and vulnerability she feels moments before stepping on stage, calling live performances her greatest high.

A moment of truth

Sandlas took to Instagram, where she shared a video of herself as she stepped onto the stage dressed in a pink lehenga to perform. She also revealed that just a minute before a show, her vision turns blurry, her heart races and her hands tremble as she holds the microphone.

“1 minute before I step on the stage, my vision gets blurry, my heart is pounding, my hands tremble when I grab the mic,” she wrote as the caption. She also added: “My fans give me life. I am the most alive when I’m on stage. It’s my only drug. At the end of the show, I have to ask my team, What happened ? Did we do good ? Was I singing on key ? What a life. Waheguru.”

 

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About ‘Shararat’ and ‘Dhurandhar’

Her latest song “Shararat” is features actresses Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza as dancers at a wedding celebration sequence in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar starring Akshaye Khanna, Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal. The film also stars Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera and Naveen Kaushik in supporting roles.

Also Read: Jaaved Jaaferi critiques today’s dance reality shows, says Boogie Woogie was original and must return fresh

The first installment of a two-part film series, it depicts an anti-terror covert operation, where an undercover agent infiltrates Karachi’s criminal and political underworld in Pakistan.

A career of chart-toppers

Her first song, “Muskan” in 2008 became a hit. In 2014, she began her Bollywood playback singing career with the song “Yaar Na Miley” for the film Kick.

Her latest hits are “Taras” for the movie Munjya 2024 and “Nasha” for Raid-2 2025. She also received several awards, including the “Most Popular Song of the Year 2016”. She was also featured on the TEDx Talks, MTV Coke Studio and Spoken Word platforms.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has a reason to celebrate as his grandson, Agastya Nanda, makes a strong cinematic debut with the war biopic ‘Ikkis’. The film, released on January 1, 2026, has already opened the year on a high note at the domestic box office.

Also Read: Ikkis screening: From Rekha’s flying kiss to Amitabh Bachchan’s tears as grandson Agastya Nanda makes debut

‘Ikkis’ box office collection

Taking to X, Amitabh shared the film’s impressive earnings. Within just four days, ‘Ikkis’ has raked in Rs 22.05 crore in India. The movie kicked off with Rs 7.28 crore on Day 1, followed by Rs 4.02 crore on Day 2.

Weekend audiences turned up in full force, helping the film earn Rs 5.05 crore on Day 3 and Rs 5.70 crore on Day 4.

Big B’s pride was clear in his social media post, where he simply wrote: “YO .. Agastya .. way to go ..”

T 5616(i) – YO .. Agastya .. way to go .. pic.x.com/CfwV2sFhUQ

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 5, 2026

About ‘Ikkis’

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, ‘Ikkis’ tells the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

Alongside Agastya, the cast includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Suhasini Mulay, Sikander Kher, and Rahul Dev.

Also Read: Ikkis cast explained: Who plays what in Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat-starrer film on Arun Khetarpal

Amitabh Bachchan pens blog post on ‘Ikkis’ and Agastya Nanda

Amitabh Bachchan recently attended a screening of the film and shared a deeply personal note on his blog. Recalling Agastya’s birth and early childhood, Big B wrote about holding him for the first time, watching him grow, and the small moments like Agastya playing with his beard.

He reflected on the grandson’s journey from those early days to the big screen, describing the experience of watching him act as overwhelming.

Also Read: The story of Arun ‘twenty-one’ Khetarpal

“Emotions flow… As do they tonight when you witness the grandson excel in IKKIS … When he is in the frame you only watch him … and this is not a grandfather speaking, this is a hardened viewer of cinema,” he wrote.

Big B highlighted his grandson’s ability to portray Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal with “unfiltered honesty.”

Ending his note with quiet pride, Amitabh shared the emotional impact of seeing Agastya on screen. “And when it ends … the eyes filled with tears of joy and pride … unable to speak out … In silence. The silence that belongs to me … my understanding … no other.”

The BJP on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to refuse bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2020 Delhi riots case. Describing the outcome as a triumph of truth, “Satyameva Jayate (truth alone triumphs),” and the order as a “big slap” on the Congress’ face for supporting “poster boys” of divisive forces, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala asked the opposition party to apologise for supporting the “tukde-tukde gang”.

The Congress ecosystem was projecting them as “innocent victims” to protect them, said Poonawalla, calling the decision “Satyameva Jayate (truth alone triumphs)” and “validation” that the Delhi riots were an organised conspiracy, not spontaneous unrest.

Last week, there was a major controversy when a note for Khalid from newly sworn-in New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani went viral on social media. The handwritten note to Khalid, posted by his partner, said, “Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume oneself. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you,” resulting in BJP calling Mamdani a part of an “anti-India lobby” spread globally with the support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Khalid and Imam had moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court’s order that denied them bail in the 2020 Delhi riots case. While denying them bail, the apex court held that Khalid and Imam played a “formative role” in the alleged conspiracy and therefore stood on a different footing from other accused.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday highlighted the transformative impact of the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform in expediting major developmental projects across Jammu & Kashmir, stating that it has emerged as a powerful instrument for resolving long-pending issues and ensuring the timely execution of big-ticket initiatives.

Addressing a press briefing, the Chief Secretary underscored the significance of PRAGATI@50, noting that the technology-driven governance mechanism has successfully unlocked several projects that had remained stalled for decades due to inter-departmental bottlenecks and procedural delays.

Citing the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project as a prime example, the Chief Secretary said that despite being initiated in 1995, the project witnessed minimal progress for nearly 25 years. However, after being taken up under PRAGATI for close monitoring, the project gained substantial momentum due to enhanced inter-departmental coordination and direct intervention at the highest level by the Prime Minister himself.

He said that all projects with an outlay of more than Rs 500 Cr are monitored by the Prime Minister’s Group (PMG) headed by the Cabinet Secretary, while the most critical among them are directly reviewed by the Prime Minister through PRAGATI meetings.

Elaborating further, the Chief Secretary stated that the PMG is currently monitoring 61 projects in Jammu and Kashmir, with a cumulative investment of over Rs 4.12 lakh crore, spanning key sectors such as connectivity, energy, and social infrastructure. Out of these, 15 projects with an outlay of Rs 69,000 Cr have already been completed, while the remaining projects are at various stages of execution.

He specifically pointed out that 15 major projects in J&K are under direct monitoring of the Prime Minister through the PRAGATI platform, enabling swift resolution of issues related to land acquisition and financial and physical constraints and ensuring timely and fair compensation to affected families.

Highlighting the high effectiveness of the mechanism, the Chief Secretary revealed that out of 59 issues pertaining to J&K taken up in earlier PRAGATI meetings, 57 have already been resolved on merit, placing the Union Territory among the top performers nationally, supplemented by robust district-level follow-up by the administration.

On the tangible outcomes achieved, he said that six high-impact projects worth approximately Rs 53,000 Cr have been completed in Jammu & Kashmir under PRAGATI monitoring. These include the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link, the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project along with its transmission line, AIIMS Jammu, the challenging Banihal stretch of NH-44, and the Alsteng–Kargil–Khaltse–Leh transmission line.

He further informed that nine additional projects being monitored under PRAGATI are progressing at a satisfactory pace. These include the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway Corridor, AIIMS Awantipora, Pakul Dul Hydroelectric Project, 4G mobile connectivity under USOF, and several other energy and connectivity projects across different parts of the UT.

Concluding the briefing, the Chief Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implement the directions issued through the PRAGATI mechanism at the Union Territory level. He emphasised that by leveraging this platform, J&K is poised to sustain the current momentum, ensuring that all developmental initiatives are outcome-oriented and completed within approved deadlines for each of them.

Golden boy of India, Neeraj Chopra, has begun a new chapter in his career with the launch of his own athlete management firm, Vel Sports.

On Monday, Chopra and JSW Sports jointly announced the conclusion of their long-standing formal partnership. The association began in 2016 under the JSW Sports Excellence Program (SEP) and played a pivotal role in Chopra’s rise as one of India’s greatest track and field athletes.

During the partnership, Chopra achieved several historic milestones, including India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in track and field at the Tokyo 2020 Games, a World Championship gold in 2023, and an Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games, along with multiple podium finishes in competitions.

As Chopra continues his recovery from the back injury sustained in September last year, the javelin thrower has now turned his focus toward his entrepreneurial ambitions with the launch of Vel Sports.

CEO of JSW Sports, Divyanshu Singh, praised Chopra’s journey and achievements.

“Working with Neeraj has been an incredible experience for all of us at JSW Sports. His success story reflects our shared philosophy of excellence and purpose. We’re immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together and wish him continued success in all his future pursuits,” Singh said.

Chopra also expressed gratitude for JSW Sports’ role in shaping his career.

“Over the last decade, our journey together has been one of growth, belief, and achievement. JSW Sports has played a defining role in my career, and I’ll always remain grateful for their support and vision. As we conclude this chapter, I carry forward the same values into the next phase of my journey,” Chopra said.

Earlier, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced the qualification criteria for the upcoming Asian Games, making it mandatory for athletes to compete in a minimum of three events, one representing their respective state and two national-level competitions.

Chopra, however, has been granted an exemption from domestic competitions to allow him adequate time to recover from injury and prepare for the Asian Games.

Explaining the rationale behind the selection policy, AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla stressed the importance of consistency.

“People qualify in January and then do nothing before the Asian Games, and when they go there, they don’t perform. We want to see whether an athlete is improving or declining. One good day is not enough at this level,” Sumariwalla stated.

“We are not foolish enough to restrict our athletes. Neeraj Chopra is only one Neeraj. But for everyone else, the same rules apply,” he added.

James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is proving once again that the director knows how to pull audiences into his otherworldly universe. Despite rumours swirling about the future of chapters 4 and 5, the third installment of the ‘Avatar’ franchise has smashed through the $1 billion mark worldwide halfway through its third weekend. And there’s no sign of it slowing down.

Billion-dollar milestone in just 15 days

The numbers tell a story of unstoppable momentum. In just 15 days, ‘Fire and Ash’ earned $300 million in North America and $700 million internationally.

To put that in perspective, it was only one day slower than ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ in 2023.

This pace makes ‘Fire and Ash’ the eighth-fastest film ever to hit the $1 billion global milestone. It even overtook Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’, which had a massive opening weekend earlier in the year, by two days.

By Sunday evening, the global box office tally was already close to $1.1 billion, with Asian-Pacific markets, including China, contributing heavily to the total.

Also Read: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ reviews: James Cameron returns with a visual explosion, but fans clash over shaky story

Dominating the weekly box office

When comparing weekly earnings, ‘Fire and Ash’ has been doing more than double what ‘Zootopia 2’ earned in the same timeframe.

While ‘Zootopia 2’ currently sits at $1.5 billion worldwide, giving it a lead of roughly $400 million, ‘Fire and Ash’ still has strong weeks ahead that could see its total climb closer to $1.4-1.5 billion.

Even in a “worst-case scenario,” where its weekly earnings begin to decline normally, Cameron’s latest film would still rank as the third-highest-grossing movie of the year.

Box office earnings are only part of the story. Merchandising, home video sales, and streaming rights add extra revenue with even higher profit margins.

That means that even if ‘Fire and Ash’ doesn’t overtake ‘Zootopia 2’ at the box office, the film’s financial success is already undeniable.

China remains a key Avatar market

China, one of the biggest contributors to global box office totals, has been supportive of ‘Fire and Ash’, though its take there is $100 million, modest compared with the blockbuster hits like ‘Ne Zha 2’, which earned $2.1 billion mostly from Chinese theaters.

Meanwhile, ‘Zootopia 2’ also drew heavily from the Chinese audience.

Teams from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), AIIMS Bhopal, and Madhya Pradesh Health Department have been deployed to collect random samples of water from the Bhagirathpura locality of Indore, where 17 deaths have been reported from consumption of contaminated Narmada river water supplied through household taps by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).

A team of scientists Dr Gautam Chaudhary and Dr Pramit Ghosh from Kolkata arrived in Indore. As per Indore Collector Shivam Verma, the team would collect samples of drinking water from Bhagirathpura and conduct scientific investigations.

Other teams of doctors and scientists are also engaged in collecting water samples and interacting with residents and patients to assess their symptoms and problems.

Meanwhile, a 17th death was also reported from the city on Sunday evening.

The deceased was identified as Om Prakash Sharma (69), a retired policeman. He was admitted to a private hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration, but he died during treatment.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday strongly criticised the Modi government for its “disgraceful” and “pro-US” response to the recent US military operation in Venezuela, which involved the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The party accused New Delhi of abandoning India’s historic commitment to national sovereignty and adherence to international law.

In a statement from its PolitBureau, the CPI(M) said the Ministry of External Affairs’ mild reaction—expressing only “deep concern” and calling for dialogue—fell short of India’s traditional foreign policy values. The statement highlighted the absence of any condemnation of the US violation of the United Nations Charter and noted that even some US allies in Europe had openly criticised the operation.

Labelling the US action as “blatant aggression,” the Left party condemned the government’s stance as “craven” and unworthy of India’s longstanding defence of national independence and sovereignty. It contrasted India’s response with the firm condemnation from BRICS partners Brazil and South Africa, who demanded the immediate release of President Maduro and his wife.

The CPI(M) further alleged that India’s muted stance reflected ideological alignment and strategic closeness to the Trump administration, describing the position as a “pro-US stand” consistent with the Modi government’s right-wing ideology. The party warned that this approach undermines India’s claim to represent the interests of the Global South.

This controversy follows a rapid escalation in Venezuela, where US special forces detained President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores in Caracas, prompting widespread regional and international concern over the implications for international law and stability.

India’s official response, issued over the weekend, stopped short of condemning the US, urging restraint and dialogue instead—a position that has drawn criticism not only from CPI(M) but also other opposition voices questioning whether India is drifting from its traditional non-aligned foreign policy.

The CPI(M) demanded that the Modi government reject this “disgraceful position” and unequivocally oppose US aggression, reaffirming India’s commitment to sovereignty, non-intervention, and international law.