Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of systematically bulldozing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and cautioning that its replacement would have “catastrophic consequences” for India’s rural population.

Her remarks come days after Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill, amid strong protests by the Opposition.

In an article published in a leading national daily, Sonia Gandhi argued that MGNREGA, enacted in 2005 under the UPA as a rights-based legislation guaranteeing the constitutional right to work, was being effectively dismantled “without discussion, consultation or respect for parliamentary processes.”

“The removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name is only the tip of the iceberg,” she wrote, describing it as emblematic of a “deeper structural annihilation” of what she called the world’s largest social security programme.

According to Sonia Gandhi, the effort to “throttle” MGNREGA did not begin overnight. She said the ruling BJP had pursued a “death by a thousand cuts” approach over the years, gradually hollowing out the scheme through “stagnant budgets, delayed payments” and what she termed “disenfranchising technology”, rendering it increasingly ineffective on the ground.

The Congress, along with other Opposition parties, had demanded that the Bill be referred to a standing committee and later pressed for its withdrawal.

Despite these objections, the legislation was passed by both Houses after Opposition MPs staged a walkout. The Bill subsequently received President Droupadi Murmu’s assent and became law on Sunday.

Sonia Gandhi alleged that the new Act replaces a statutory employment guarantee with what she described as a “bureaucratic, discretionary programme”, fundamentally changing the nature of rural employment support.

“Demand-driven, uncapped employment has been replaced by fixed budget caps set by the Union government,” she wrote, arguing that this shift strikes at the heart of MGNREGA’s original promise.

She also highlighted provisions that, according to her, end year-round work, introduce up to 60 “no-work” days during the peak agricultural season, and sharply raise the states’ share of funding from 10 per cent to 40 per cent.

“By transferring a significant portion of the expense onto the states, the Modi government is discouraging implementation,” the Congress leader said, warning that already strained state finances would be “further devastated.”

Accusing the Centre of excessive centralisation, the Congress leader said the new framework sidelines gram sabhas and panchayats, replacing decentralised planning with a top-down model linked to the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

“This is centralisation with a vengeance,” she wrote.

Rejecting the government’s claim that the revamped scheme would guarantee up to 125 days of employment, Gandhi termed the promise “misleading and unachievable”.

Sonia Gandhi underscored MGNREGA’s role in bolstering rural wages, curbing distress migration and strengthening local self-governance, noting that during the Covid-19 pandemic, it remained one of the few mechanisms through which assistance reached the poorest households.

“The demolition of the right to work must not be seen in isolation,” she wrote, linking it to what she described as a broader assault on rights-based laws, including legislation related to information, education, forest rights and land acquisition.

“MGNREGA realised the Mahatma’s vision of Sarvodaya, or welfare of all, and gave effect to the constitutional right to work. Its death is our collective moral failure, one that will have financial and human consequences for crores of India’s working people for years to come. It is imperative, now more than ever, to unite and safeguard the rights that protect us all,” she added.

Meanwhile, with President Murmu granting assent to the VB-G RAM G Bill, the legislation has formally come into force. Following the approval, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan issued a detailed statement outlining the features of the ‘Viksit Bharat: G Ram G Act’ and countering what he described as misconceptions surrounding the new law.

The Union Minister said there was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public in the name of MGNREGA. “Rumours are being spread, whereas the truth is that the ‘Viksit Bharat: G Ram G Yojana’ is a progressive step forward from MGNREGA,” he said.

Union Minister Chouhan maintained that the new programme provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of employment, an increase from the earlier 100 days.

“The provision for unemployment allowance in case of non-availability of work has also been further strengthened. Additionally, if there is a delay in payment of wages, there is now a provision for additional compensation,” he added, asserting that the revamped law enhances both coverage and accountability.

‘Shararat’ song from Dhurandhar: Move over, action scenes! Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’ isn’t just making noise at the box office. It’s the music that’s getting everyone talking. While the title track and ‘Fa9la’ have already gone viral, one particular song, ‘Shararat’, is making waves for a very interesting reason.

Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza steal the show

The catchy wedding dance number ‘Shararat’ from ‘Dhurandhar’ featuring Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza has audiences tapping their feet and replaying it on loop.

Set in a lavish Karachi wedding, the song shows the two stars grooving for the guests. But here’s the twist behind the scenes.

Tamannaah Bhatia was the original choice!

According to choreographer Vijay Ganguly, the plan was to rope in Tamannaah Bhatia for the performance. “In my mind, she was the perfect fit,” Vijay revealed in a chat with ‘Filmygyan’.

But director Aditya Dhar had other plans. He didn’t want the song to turn into what people call an “item number,” taking the spotlight away from the story.

“If it were just about one girl, it would have taken attention away from the story,” Vijay said.

Two stars, one song

Aditya’s solution? Instead of one big-name star, why not two dancers? That’s how Ayesha and Krystle stepped in. Vijay explained, “He didn’t want the attention to be about just one person. If it were Tamannaah, it would’ve all been about her, not the story.”

He also added that with so much happening in the film, the song needed to stay connected to the plot. “If you stray from the story, the song becomes just a cut-to song,” he said.

Also Read: Dhurandhar age-gap debate: What the film’s team says about Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun and the 20-year gap

As pollution levels continue to fluctuate across Delhi and the NCR this winter, the Centre has said it is relying on a mix of fuel reforms, tighter regulation, and on-ground coordination to prevent a repeat of last year’s severe air quality episodes.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, speaking to news agency ANI, said the government’s approach is not limited to emergency curbs but is aimed at addressing the main pollution sources, such as vehicles, industry, dust and waste, while factoring in the role played by winter weather conditions.

What the government says it has done

One of the key focus areas, according to the minister, has been the shift to cleaner fuel. PNG connections have now been extended to 226 of the 240 industrial areas in the region, with industries being encouraged to move away from more polluting systems. Thermal power plants around Delhi, he said, have also been asked to adopt newer emission-control technologies.

Vehicular pollution remains another concern in a city that sees millions of vehicles on its roads every day. The switch to BS-VI fuel and the removal of regulatory protections for older, high-emission vehicles are examples of steps that will tighten environmental standards.

Delhi chokes under dense haze as AQI turns severe in several areas

On industrial emissions, the government has asked around 3,500 units in the NCR to install pollution-monitoring devices linked to a central system. About 1,200 such devices are already operational, while the remaining industries have been given time until December 31 to comply.

Dust, particularly from construction and demolition activity, continues to be a major contributor. The minister said construction itself is not the issue, but poor handling of demolition waste has added to the problem. Construction and demolition waste rules have been enforced, and all major civic bodies have been asked to draw up detailed plans for managing such waste through 2026.

He also said municipal corporations have been directed to follow standardised measures under the National Clean Air Programme, including debris management and regular mechanised cleaning.

To deal with short-term spikes, the Commission for Air Quality Management has been empowered to activate the Graded Response Action Plan based on pollution forecasts, in coordination with meteorological assessments. Winter weather, especially periods of still wind when western disturbances pass without rain, often traps particulate matter over the region, Yadav noted.

At the civic level, coordination among eight municipal bodies across Delhi-NCR has been stepped up. Legacy waste sites at Bhalswa, Okhla and Ghazipur are being cleared, with most of the work expected to be completed by June. Cities such as Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad have also begun converting old dump sites into Miyawaki forests.

The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong on Sunday announced the suspension of all visa operations. The announcement was made following a security incident at the Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) in the port city earlier this week. The suspension came into effect yesterday and will remain in place until further notice.

In an official statement, IVAC Bangladesh said, “Due to a recent security incident at AHCI Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong will remain suspended from 21 December until further notice.” The visa centre clarified that services would resume only after a thorough assessment of the local security situation. “The announcement for reopening the visa centre will be made after reviewing the situation,” the statement added.

Outrage triggered after recent youth killings

The security concerns arose in Bangladesh after a chain of violent incidents disrupted law and order situation in the country.

A 27-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Mymensingh over accusations of blasphemy on December 18, after which his body was set on fire. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. So far, authorities have arrested ten people in connection with the killing of the Hindu youth.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser of the Interim government, Muhammad Yunus, confirmed the arrests in a post on X. “Law enforcement agencies have arrested ten individuals in connection with the beating murder of Dipu Chandra Das (27), a Sanatan Hindu youth, in Baluka, Mymensingh,” he said.

According to officials, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) apprehended seven suspects, while the police arrested three others.

Also, tension remains high in the capital city, Dhaka, following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncho. Hadi, a prominent figure linked to last year’s July Uprising, was shot dead on 12 December in the Bijoynagar area.

After his funeral prayers at Dhaka University on Saturday, members of Inqilab Moncho rallied towards the Shahbagh area. Fresh protests erupted yesterday as activists gathered at the Shahbagh intersection, demanding justice for Hadi.

Also read: Bangladesh’s deepening crisis and strategic costs of prolonged inaction

The United States Department of Justice reposted a photograph from the recent batch of Jeffrey Epstein files featuring President Donald Trump, stating that no Epstein victims were depicted in the photograph.

The DOJ had temporarily removed the image for review after the Southern District of New York flagged it in order to protect victims.
“The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims. Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review. After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction,” DOJ said in an X post.
Earlier, CNN reported that at least 16 files released in the batch of Jeffrey Epstein documents appeared to have been removed from the website, as of Sunday morning (local time).

One of the files removed included a photograph of US President Donald Trump, CNN had reported on Saturday. Among other files that appear to have been removed, the majority depicted explicit artwork, showed mail slots filled with envelopes, a tiled hallway, and a notebook page with names and apartment numbers.

In a press release, the DOJ stated that it is committed to transparency and redacting only what is legally required. The Department is required by law to redact identifying information about the victims, minors, or potential victims, as well as privileged material.

No redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons, DOJ said in the release.
The Department of Justice has received incoming from individuals alleging to be victims and their lawyers, requesting that certain information be removed. The material is temporarily removed for review and released again with appropriate redactions if legally required

The Uttar Pradesh government notified the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple Trust Bill as an act following the governor’s assent on August 21.
The bill was passed by both the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. It was subsequently notified as an Act after receiving the Governor’s assent.
During the Monsoon Session of the legislature, the Banke Bihari Ji Trust Bill was introduced in both Houses. Following discussions on August 13 and 14, the bill was passed by voice vote.

The Principal Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Pradeep Dubey, will inform both Houses about the enactment of the law today.
With the enactment of the law, a legal framework has been established for the proposed trust to manage the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple, including its movable and immovable properties and offerings by devotees.
The objective of the legislation is to ensure better administration, enhanced transparency, and improved facilities for devotees, while safeguarding the temple’s religious traditions.
Earlier, the Supreme Court criticised the practice of allowing affluent people to do ‘special pujas’ in temples after paying money, saying that the “current setup” amounted to exploiting the deity.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, “After closing the temple at 12 noon, they do not allow the deity to rest even for a minute. They rely most on the deity at this time. All affluent people who can pay the most hefty amounts are allowed to do special pujas.”
It also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the court-constituted High Powered Committee on a plea challenging the revised temple ‘darshan’ timings and the discontinuation of Dehri Puja at the Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura.
The top court was hearing a petition filed by the Management Committee of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple. The apex court has posted the matter for hearing on January 7, 2026.

A group of local residents staged a protest against the flag-hoisting ceremony for the Santhanakoodu festival at the Hazrat Sikandar Dargah located atop the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

On Sunday, the protesters demanded that, in accordance with a court order, Karthigai Deepam be lit at the pillar near the dargah during the Tamil month of Karthigai.
The Thirumangalam Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has granted permission for the flag-hoisting ceremony for the Santhanakoodu festival at the Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badusha Auliya Dargah atop the Thiruparankundram hill. The festival will be held till January 6, 2026.

Meanwhile, preparations were underway for the Santhanakoodu festival, with the main event – the traditional Santhanakoodu chariot procession. Bulls were brought in to pull the chariot during the procession, reflecting shared cultural practices.
Earlier, a 40-year-old man, Poornachandran, died by self-immolation near a police booth in Madurai on Thursday evening, allegedly protesting the non-lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop Thiruparankundram hill despite a Madras High Court order.
A senior police official said preliminary inquiries confirmed that the deceased had circulated a voice message before the incident, explaining that he took the extreme step as the ceremonial Karthigai Deepam was not lit atop Thiruparankundram hill against the High Court’s directive.

Poornachandran, a medical representative and mini auto driver, is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 4 and 8. Speaking to reporters, Chandran’s brother, Ramadurai, said the deceased was deeply spiritual and frequently visited the Sathuragiri hills. Following a complaint filed by his wife, a case was registered under Section 194 of the BNSS at the Tallakulam police station.
Further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Madras High Court had earlier directed the lighting of the lamp, but the state government challenged the decision, citing law-and-order concerns

Fifteen people were killed and 19 others injured in the early hours of Monday in a bus accident at the intersection of the Krapyak toll exit in Semarang city, Indonesia’s Central Java province, local authorities reported.

According to the Semarang Search and Rescue Office, the passenger bus was reportedly travelling at high speed when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a road barrier and overturn.

“The evacuation process was quite difficult because some victims were trapped inside the bus, and access was obstructed by broken glass,” said Budiono, head of the Semarang Search and Rescue Office. “Rescue personnel had to enter the overturned bus, open access to the victims and evacuate them with extra caution.”

The office confirmed that all victims have been successfully evacuated and sent to local hospitals, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the officials, they are currently investigating the scene.

Further details are awaited.

This tragedy comes just days after a house fire killed five in Jakarta.

Five people were killed after a residential house caught fire in Jakarta, Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency head Isnawa Adji said on Friday.

The fire broke out at around 8:10 p.m. local time on Thursday and was extinguished by 11:00 p.m. after 10 fire engines were deployed. The victims were discovered at around 8:00 a.m. the next day.

The house also functioned as an accessories production warehouse, Adji said, adding that the fire was likely caused by an electrical short circuit.

Elton John and David Furnish giving couple goals this December. The iconic musician and his husband have reached a remarkable milestone: 20 years together as a couple.

On Sunday, December 21, they marked their 20th wedding anniversary with heartfelt messages on social media.

Sweet tributes on social media

Elton John, 78, shared a throwback photo of the pair, writing: “Happy anniversary to my incredible husband, @davidfurnish. Today we celebrate 20 years since our civil partnership, 11 years of marriage, and many more years of happiness to come!”

 

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David Furnish, 63, reciprocated the love with a collage of snapshots and a touching caption: “20 years ago today we were civil partnered. 11 years ago today we were wedded. Happy Anniversary to my magnificent husband @eltonjohn. I’m so grateful for the beautiful life we have built together. ❤️. Love you forever.”

 

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Elton John and David Furnish’s love story

Their journey started in 1993 at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend. Sparks flew instantly. And the very next day, they went on their first date. Over a decade later, in December 2005, they entered into a civil partnership. When same-sex marriage became legal in the UK, the couple officially tied the knot in 2014.

Building a family together

Love and family have always gone hand in hand for John and Furnish. The couple welcomed their first son, Zachary, in 2010 through a surrogate.

Three years later, in 2013, their younger son Elijah joined the family, also via surrogate. Both boys are now growing up surrounded by the warmth and creativity of their parents.

The secret behind their lasting love

Their long-lasting relationship has a simple but powerful formula: weekly love letters. Furnish shared in 2018, “Every Saturday we gave each other an anniversary card, because we met on a Saturday. We wrote down in a little card what had happened during the week and what was coming. We connect and tell each other we love each other.”

Even when touring the world, Elton John kept up with the tradition by sometimes sending the letters via fax. The legendary musician emphasizes that communication is key in any relationship.

“We go through difficulties as much as anybody else does in a relationship, but we sort through it by communication,” John explained. “And one way of communicating is writing down on a piece of paper or a card how you’re feeling.”

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

When Bollywood meets pop music, sparks are bound to fly. And this time, the dance floor was clearly owned by Priyanka Chopra and the Jonas Brothers. Before one of their big shows, the global star joined husband Nick Jonas and his brothers for their now-famous pre-show ritual. And the internet is loving it.

Also Read: National ‘jiju’ Nick Jonas shares sweet tribute to Priyanka Chopra on 7th wedding anniversary

A bollywood song, a global dance floor

 

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Nick Jonas recently shared a fun video on Instagram that instantly caught attention. In the clip, Nick, Priyanka (fondly called PeeCee), Joe Jonas, and Kevin Jonas are seen dancing like nobody is watching. The song playing? None other than the evergreen Bollywood hit “Aap Jaisa Koi” from the 1980 film ‘Qurbani’.

The old-school number, once picturised on Zeenat Aman with stars like Feroz Khan and Vinod Khanna, suddenly felt fresh again but this time with a Hollywood twist.

Nick captioned the video simply as, “Tonight’s pre-show hype song,” and honestly, it could not get more fun than this.

Priyanka steals the spotlight

While the Jonas Brothers were clearly enjoying themselves, all eyes were on Priyanka. Watching a global icon groove to a classic Hindi song alongside her pop-star husband felt like a perfect cultural crossover moment.

Priyanka has always been proud of her roots, and moments like these remind fans why she is such a global favourite. Bollywood beats, big smiles, and zero stress. It was a vibe.

Nick Jonas’ growing love for Bollywood music

This is not the first time Nick has shown his soft corner for Hindi songs. In fact, Bollywood music seems to be slowly becoming his go-to pump-up playlist before shows.

Recently, Nick shared another video of himself and his team dancing with full energy to “Shararat” from ‘Dhurandhar’. The track, sung by Madhubanti Bagchi and Jasmine Sandlas, has powerful vocals and energetic music composed by Shashwat Sachdev.

Nick called it his ‘“new pre-show hype song,”’ and fans were quick to cheer his growing desi taste. After all, he’s India’s own ‘national jiju’.

From “War 2” to world tours

Before “Shararat,” Nick had also chosen “Aavan Jaavan” from ‘War 2’, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani. He posted a fun clip dancing to the song and wrote that it had become his hype song before every show on tour.

Clearly, Nick Jonas has found his rhythm in Bollywood. And fans are not complaining.

A love story that keeps giving

Nick and Priyanka’s love story feels straight out of a movie. The two first met at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, where sparks reportedly flew instantly. Nick later proposed to Priyanka on her birthday in July 2018 in London.

The couple tied the knot later that year in December, celebrating their union with both Hindu and Christian ceremonies. Since then, they have continued to give fans major couple goals.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Sunday said that the responsibility for alleged irregularities in the voter list in West Bengal lies with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), claiming that they have acted under pressure from the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Speaking to IANS, Ghosh said, “In Bengal, just like Bihar, some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have committed serious irregularities due to pressure from the Trinamool Congress. Hence, lakhs of names will be deleted from the electoral rolls. If even a single name has been wrongly added to the voter list, the BLO concerned is to be held responsible.”

He asserted that strict action would follow against those found guilty of manipulating the voter rolls.

“All those involved will have to face action; some may receive show-cause notices, while others could be sent to jail. They should be prepared. The list will be cleansed,” Ghosh added.

Meanwhile, following the publication of the draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal on December 11, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to begin hearings for electors who are dissatisfied with mapping details or for unmapped voters.

These include individuals whose information could not be linked with the 2002 SIR data but whose names still appeared in the draft electoral rolls. The hearings are scheduled to commence after December 25.

The ECI has decided to develop dedicated software under which each elector summoned for the hearing will be assigned a separate account to streamline the process.

The Election Commission has also announced that more than 4,000 micro-observers will be recruited from various Central government organisations for the exercise.

These micro-observers will function as the eyes of the ECI at each hearing table, recording proceedings in detail and submitting their reports directly to the Commission.

A youth from Bangladesh has been arrested in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, the police said on Sunday.

The youth is accused of illegally residing in India for a long time.

The police arrested the youth on Saturday night after receiving a complaint from local residents.

According to police sources, the accused man has been identified as Riyad Hasan.

He originally hails from Barishal in Bangladesh.

After questioning him, it was revealed that the youth came to Kolkata nearly three years ago through an agent.

He had no valid documents with him, police added.

At first, the accused youth stayed in the Tollygunge area in Kolkata.

However, recently he moved to the Hooghly district and had been living in the Tinna area of ​​Pandua for some time.

Local residents became suspicious and informed the police.

The Pandua police arrested the youth on Saturday night.

A case has been registered against the accused Bangladeshi man on charges of illegal entering the country.

No visa or passport was found in his possession, police said.

Amid the violent situation unfolding in Bangladesh and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal, the arrest of a Bangladeshi infiltrator has become a cause for concern.

For last one month, several illegal residents from Bangladesh were caught living in Bengal for a long time.

Meanwhile, the police are investigating why the youth from Barishal was here and whether he has any relatives or acquaintances illegally residing in India.

Riyad was produced before the Chinsurah court on Sunday where the police sought his custody.

Kalyan Sarkar, the Additional Superintendent of Police of Hooghly Rural Police District, said, “A resident of Bangladesh was illegally residing here. He has been arrested. We are investigating the reason why he came to Pandua. We are also trying to find out through whom he came to the country and for what purpose.”

A day before announcing his new political party on Monday, the now-suspended Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir, on Sunday, gave a call to all “anti-Trinamool Congress” and “anti- Bharatiya Janata Party” (BJP) forces to get united and contest in alliance to oust the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal in the crucial Assembly elections scheduled next year.

“I am inviting all anti-Trinamool Congress and anti-BJP forces in West Bengal to unite. Let us contest the Assembly elections in the next year having a grand alliance. However, any such force thinks that they are supreme and cannot shed their ego; in that case, my party will contest alone. If necessary, I will field candidates from all 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. I have that strength,” Kabir told media persons on Sunday evening.

He also clarified that since his current move is totally political, he will think a number of times before taking any step.

“My task is to unite the minority voters. Our target is winning from at least 90 constituencies so that my party can play a role in forming a new government after the Assembly elections next year. Otherwise, my dream to set up Babri Masjid at Belding in Murshidabad district might remain unfulfilled,” Kabir said.

At the same time, Kabir, the suspended ruling party legislator from Bharatpur in minority-dominated Murshidabad district, also spoke about his choices for the logo for his new political outfit that he will be announcing on Monday.

“My first choice is ‘table’ as the logo. My second choice is ‘twin roses’. If I do not get either of the two, I will think of the third option,” he said.

Although, he did not specify the name of his new party, Kabir said that whatever might not be the name, the words “Congress” and “Trinamool” will not be associated with the name of that political outfit.

“But the people of West Bengal would be able to associate themselves with that party. My party will represent the masses. Our party will only speak of the mass development,” he added.

Sometimes, the weirdest stories are the ones people love the most. Aliens, ghosts, teenage crushes, and chaotic fights, ‘Dan Da Dan’ has it all. Now, fans finally have something new to cheer about. The hit anime is officially returning for Season 3, but there’s a catch: it will arrive in 2027.

The big announcement was made by animation studio Science Saru during Jump Festa 2026 on December 21. Along with the news, the studio also revealed a fresh key visual.

A look back at the first two seasons

‘Dan Da Dan’ first burst onto screens in October 2024 and ran till December the same year. Season 2 followed not long after, airing from July to September 2025.

The anime is based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga, which continues to release new chapters every Tuesday on Shonen Jump+. The manga has already crossed 12 million copies sold.

Readers and viewers alike are drawn to its fast pace, bold art style, and unpredictable storytelling.

Ghosts vs aliens: The story that started it all

At the centre of ‘Dan Da Dan’ are two very different teenagers.

Momo, voiced by Shion Wakayama, comes from a family of spiritual mediums and firmly believes in ghosts. Okarun, voiced by Natsuki Hanae, is obsessed with aliens and the occult.

After Momo saves Okarun from bullies, a silly argument turns serious. To prove each other wrong, Momo visits an abandoned hospital known for UFO sightings, while Okarun enters a haunted tunnel. Both are about to get more than they asked for.

They encounter real supernatural beings unlocking strange powers. Momo awakens her spiritual strength. Okarun gains cursed abilities.

Big names behind the scenes

The anime is co-produced by Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS). It is a respected name in anime production with over 50 years of experience. MBS has worked on iconic titles like ‘Attack on Titan’, ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’, ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’, ‘Akira’.

Science Saru has previously delivered hits like ‘Devilman Crybaby’, ‘Inu-Oh’, ‘Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!’. The studio is also preparing new shows like ‘The Ghost in the Shell’ and ‘Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia’ for 2026.

Also Read: Year-Ender 2025: Palestine in focus; films that illuminate lives, struggles, and dreams amid adversity

Eighteen years ago, a loud laugh echoed through cinema halls. It did not fade with time. Instead, it stayed. Today, that laughter is still alive playing on television screens, streaming apps, and endlessly on social media. ‘Welcome’ has completed 18 years and director Anees Bazmee is feeling the love all over again.

A film that refuses to grow old

Released in 2007, ‘Welcome’ did not arrive quietly. It burst in with over-the-top characters, rapid-fire jokes, and moments so absurd that they became unforgettable. On its 18th anniversary, Anees Bazmee took to Instagram to look back, not with pride alone, but with emotion.

He shared a video filled with the film’s funniest scenes; moments that fans still use as memes, reactions, and inside jokes.

 

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What made ‘Welcome’ special was not just the story. It was people who lived inside it. From the wild madness of Majnu bhai and Uday to Ghungroo’s silent suffering, every character felt larger than life.

Rajiv’s innocent confusion, RDX’s stylish fear, and the unpredictable world around them created a universe viewers loved to revisit. Over time, ‘Welcome’ stopped being just a movie. It became a “comfort watch”.

An ensemble that clicked perfectly

The film brought together a powerful cast of Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Paresh Rawal, Feroz Khan, and Mallika Sherawat.

Music, madness, and nonstop laughs

Beyond performances, ‘Welcome’ worked because it moved fast and never slowed down. The screenplay jumped from one joke to another, leaving little room for boredom. The music was catchy, the timing sharp, and the humour bold.

The film released during Christmas in 2007 and faced strong competition at the box office. Reviews were mixed. But audiences showed up in large numbers. Word of mouth helped it grow. And soon it became one of the biggest hits of the year.

‘Welcome’ also holds emotional value for fans as it marked the final screen appearance of Feroz Khan.

Also Read: Year-Ender 2025: Dark secrets, fierce women, and OTT that ruled every screen

Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday floated a new political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party, days after laying the foundation stone for a proposed Babri-style mosque near Beldanga in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.

Kabir, the MLA from Bharatpur Assembly constituency in Murshidabad, made the announcement from Mirzapur near Beldanga, the area that has been in focus as the proposed site linked to the mosque initiative associated with him.

Speaking to news agency IANS ahead of the formal launch, Kabir said his political journey was far from over despite his suspension from the ruling party.

“I am happy, I am giving a new message for the public to work… My aim for the next day is to work for the common man… I will face every challenge that comes in front of me to accomplish my goal,” Kabir said.

He said the party’s flag, unveiled on Monday, would soon be seen across the state, from Kolkata to north Bengal districts such as Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Malda, and Murshidabad.

“As far as Murshidabad is concerned, this is my birthplace and I have a special connection to it. My party’s flag being flown here is confirmed,” he said.

Kabir has claimed his outfit plans to contest more than 100 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and would emerge as a decisive player in government formation after the polls.

He has also appealed to political forces opposed to both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP to come together under his leadership, with the stated aim of dislodging the current state government while preventing the BJP from coming to power.

Kabir has further indicated that his party would field candidates against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and against Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram.

Kabir was formally suspended from the Trinamool Congress earlier this month following repeated reprimands from the party leadership. The suspension came days ahead of the foundation-stone ceremony for the proposed Babri-style mosque at Beldanga on December 6. The planned structure is intended to replicate the original Babri Masjid, demolished in Ayodhya in December 1992.

The national capital continues to choke as the city was blanketed in dense haze on Monday morning. Several hotspots across Delhi slipped into the ‘severe’ category, underscoring the persistence of the winter pollution crisis.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality worsened in some regions, with Anand Vihar slipping into the ‘severe’ category with Air Quality Index (AQI) of 402. Wazirpur (404), Bawana (408) and Narela (418) also remained in the ‘severe’ bracket. CPCB data showed Mundka registering an AQI of 400, Shadipur 306, Sonia Vihar 370 and Alipur 391, while the Delhi Technological University (DTU) area also recorded an AQI of 400.

Areas such as ITO witnessed thick smog with an AQI of 370, while prominent locations including India Gate, Kartavya Path and Sarai Kale Khan were also engulfed in a dense layer of pollution during the morning hours. Several residential and industrial pockets continued to record alarming levels of air pollution.

Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 366 around 8 am today, according to CPCB data.

Cold weather conditions worsen the crisis

Dense smog continued to disrupt normal life in the national capital. Due to a significant dip in visibility today, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued a passenger advisory. In a post on social media platform X at 7 am, passengers were advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates, as weather-related delays could not be ruled out. The airport authorities said all low-visibility procedures had been implemented.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) have forecast moderate fog across the city for the day. The IMD said the maximum temperature in Delhi is likely to settle around 21 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is expected to be near 9 degrees Celsius.

Anti-pollution measures take effect

Amid the ongoing pollution crisis, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) intensified enforcement measures against polluters. The civic body imposed fines amounting to Rs 54.98 lakh in December for violations, including biomass burning and illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste.

According to an official release, MCD issued 7,023 challans amounting to Rs 43.26 lakh as part of a special drive to curb illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste.

Additionally, challans worth approximately Rs 11.72 lakh were issued to 420 violators for burning biomass and garbage across various zones of the city. To mitigate pollution and improve sanitation, MCD deployed additional machinery, sanitation workers and waste-collection vehicles. Around 500 secondary collection points are being cleared during night hours, with daily monitoring to ensure cleanliness and hygiene, the release added.