The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has developed and operationalised a digital portal to facilitate the electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin to stakeholders seeking Access and Benefit Sharing exemptions for cultivated medicinal plants.

According to an official press note, the portal functions as a single-window, end-to-end online system for processing applications and issuing Certificates of Origin. It can be accessed at https://absefiling.nbaindia.in/.

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, was enacted by Parliament with the passage of the Bill by the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2023 and the Rajya Sabha on 1 August 2023. MoEFCC notified the Biological Diversity Rules in 2024 and 2025.

To operationalise the provisions of the amended Act and address procedural requirements across stakeholder groups, including the AYUSH sector, seed sector, and research institutions, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Biological Diversity Rules in 2024 and 2025.

The amended Rules provide for the electronic generation of Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants through a designated digital platform.

Social media lit up after an email allegedly linked to Deepak Chopra and Jeffrey Epstein began circulating online. The line that set people off was blunt, smug, and impossible to ignore: “God is a construct. Cute girls are real.”

The internet did what it does best. It dug, it shared, and it judged.

Soon after, actor Richa Chadha added fuel to the fire with a sharp tweet quoting Chopra: “If life makes you a Deepak, be a Mohammad, not Chopra.” The line went viral, and for many, it summed up the moment perfectly.

What does Richa Chadha’s comment mean

If life makes you a Deepak,
be a Mohammad, not Chopra.

https://t.co/fT92ymFClz

— RichaChadha (@RichaChadha) February 5, 2026

Richa Chadha’s tweet confused some people at first. What did she mean by “be a Mohammad, not Chopra”?

She was pointing to a completely different incident in Uttarakhand that had gone viral around the same time. In Kotdwar, a gym owner and bodybuilder named Deepak Kumar stood up to a mob allegedly linked to the Bajrang Dal. The mob was harassing an elderly Muslim shopkeeper and demanding he change the name of his store.

Deepak Kumar confronted them. When asked his name to identify him, he replied, “My name is Mohammad Deepak.” The video spread fast. Many saw it as an act of courage and moral clarity.

On one side, there is a man with muscles and no platform, standing up to a mob to protect a stranger. On the other, a famous author with global influence, exchanging cozy emails with a convicted sex offender and calling dropped abuse cases “good.”

Deepak Chopra breaks his silence

I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case, and I unequivocally condemn abuse and exploitation in all forms.

I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and…

— Deepak Chopra (@DeepakChopra) February 4, 2026

Once his name appeared in the newly released Epstein files, Chopra issued a statement. He said he was “deeply saddened” by the suffering of victims and that he “unequivocally” condemned abuse and exploitation. He insisted he was never involved in criminal or exploitative conduct. According to him, any contact with Epstein was limited and unrelated to abuse.

He did admit something, though. Chopra said some past email exchanges showed “poor judgment in tone.” He claimed he regretted how those messages read today.

For many readers, that apology felt thin. Not angry. Not shocked. Just carefully worded damage control.

Who is Deepak Chopra, really?

Deepak Chopra is an Indian-American author and doctor who became big name in alternative medicine and New Age movement. He built global brand around meditation, mindfulness, holistic living. His books sold millions. His talks filled halls. And, his voice carried authority for people searching for peace and meaning.

But critics have long accused him of promoting vague ideas mixing science with spiritual fluff, avoiding accountability. Still his reputation stayed mostly intact, until now.

The Epstein files changed that.

The Epstein emails raise red flags

Recently released documents by the US House Oversight Committee revealed Epstein’s network of powerful contacts. Chopra’s name appeared among them. The files show email exchanges between Chopra and Epstein from 2016 to 2018. That timeline matters. Epstein was already a registered sex offender by then.

In July 2016, Epstein emailed Chopra about Donald Trump’s second wife, Marla Maples. He joked about losing a $10,000 bet to Trump over her pregnancy and claimed he paid it off by sending “a truck of baby food.” It was tasteless banter, and Chopra did not shut it down.

Instead, Chopra replied with a line that made many uncomfortable: “Anything we share is between us.” Epstein answered, “I share nothing with anyone but trust you.”

Also Read: Finneas fires at ‘old white men’ upset by sister Billie Eilish’s Grammy speech: ‘Your names are in the Epstein files’

Another email exchange from November 2016 made things worse. Epstein shared a news link about a woman who had filed and later withdrawn a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault by Donald Trump at a gathering linked to Epstein.

Chopra’s response was not concern for the alleged victim. Instead, he asked Epstein, “Did she also drop the civil case against you?”

When Epstein replied “YuP,” Chopra answered with one word: “Good.”

The files also show Epstein emailing a contact for Chopra asking whether Leonardo DiCaprio would want to have dinner with Woody Allen. Chopra replied, “I can certainly ask him if he is around.”

Nothing illegal there, but again, it showed Chopra acting as a connector for a man already known for serious crimes. It painted a picture of someone willing to stay friendly, useful, and quiet.

The trade deal finalised by India and the United States is likely to be signed next month, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. The two countries are likely to sign and issue a joint statement on the trade deal in the next four to five days, the minister added.

According to Goyal, the first tranche of documents on the bilateral trade agreement announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump is almost ready.

The two countries hope to sign a joint statement on the trade deal in the next four to five days, said Goyal, adding a formal agreement is likely to be signed around mid-March.

The minister informed that the US will issue an executive order after the signing of the Joint Statement to reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, from the existing 50 per cent.

#WATCH | Delhi | On the US-India trade agreement, Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal says,” The first tranche of the bilateral trade Agreement is almost ready. We hope to sign a joint statement in the next 4-5 days. After the joint statement ther will be a formal… pic.twitter.com/lQIviyff83

— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026

India is likely to reduce its tariffs imposed on US goods after the signing of the trade agreement.

Speaking at the signing of the Terms of Reference with the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE), Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the joint statement will need to be converted into a legal agreement before it is signed.

Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal says,” The fast-paced growth at which India is going ahead towards Viksit Bharat 2047, we will need large volumes of energy, data centre equipment, our steel capacity will double…When we estimated what we will need from the… pic.twitter.com/O2pr1i3Iv3

— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026

“Once the joint statement is issued, it needs to be converted into a legal agreement. We are targeting for March for this agreement to come into force. This legal agreement will give us the authority to reduce our tariffs. Their tariffs are executive tariffs. Our tariffs are MFN tariffs. Our MFN tariff reduction can only take effect after the legal agreement has been signed,” the official explained.

Trump had announced on Monday night that the two countries had agreed to the much-delayed trade deal and the US was immediately reducing its tariffs imposed on Indian imports to 18 per cent from the 50 per cent imposed last year. PM Modi had shortly later confirmed the agreement, stating Made in India products will attract lower US tariffs.

Horror stories have been emerging from Balochistan, where severe violence has broken out over the past couple of days. With the Pakistan establishment facing severe losses at the hands of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), fears of the ‘kill and dump’ policy have surfaced yet again.

The ‘kill and dump’ policy has been used by the Pakistan Army and ISI several times in the past. This operation has been carried out to silence voices who have spoken out against the establishment and in favour of Balochistan. An Intelligence Bureau official stated that, after suffering severe losses at the hands of the BLA, the security forces are likely to make a slight retreat. The Pakistani security forces are looking for a breather as they have found it hard to battle against the BLA.

The official added that while the retreat takes place, the establishment would boost its ‘kill and dump’ operations. This is something that the Baloch people fear, and this time, even ordinary people would be targeted. Pakistan is facing immense pressure from both China and the United States. The US has signed a minerals deal with Pakistan, and a major part of this would involve Balochistan. Beijing, too, is exerting pressure on Pakistan as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, worth $46 billion, faces constant risks from the BLA.

The people of Balochistan say that their mineral-rich region is benefiting only the high and mighty in Pakistan and the foreigners. It is a well-known fact that Pakistan is cash-strapped, and hence dealings with China and the US become extremely crucial for its economy.

An official explained that while Pakistan does want to do business with these nations, the problem is that it does not want to hear the voices of the Baloch people. Cases related to extra-judicial killings by the Frontier Corps are nothing new. The unit that operates with total impunity has been told to step up extrajudicial killings. Under the garb of killing of BLA cadres, whom Pakistan brands as terrorists, even the common people are getting killed.

Unable to counter the on-ground offensive, the Frontier Corps would now go on a rampage and target innocent people, including women and children, the Intelligence agencies say. The Baloch people once termed such killings as slow-motion genocide, but today the fear is that the security forces will go on a rampage.

Another official explained that the people of Balochistan back the BLA blindly as they feel that their cause is what is being fought for. This support by the people is what is making operations hard for the security forces. The people act as a barrier between the BLA and the security forces.

Owing to this, no Intelligence comes out, and recent operations where the security forces have failed miserably are a clear indicator of that. Indian Intelligence agencies have learnt that the genocide that is being planned is on levels that Balochistan has never seen before. The instruction to the Frontier Corps is to target as many people as possible. They have also been told not to hold back against when and children irrespective of their age.

Human rights organizations say that such operations are carried out by the Frontier Corps along with the army and ISI. Currently, a lot of information coming out of Balochistan has been blocked. Journalists are not allowed, and the rights organizations are completely barred from entering the region. These are clear signals of what is about to come, and the consequences for the people could well become catastrophic in nature, an official explained.

Data would show that between 2003 and 2012, there were 8,000 enforced disappearances. The manner in which these are carried out is brutal in nature. People are randomly picked up, taken to jail, tortured, and then their bullet-ridden bodies are thrown on the road. This is meant to create fear and panic in the minds of the people, so that they fall in line and stop backing forces such as the BLA. For the establishment to ensure absolute control in Balochistan, it either has to have constructive talks or control the people.

Another official said that talks are something that Pakistan would never opt for. Currently, it wants to control the region, and to do so, it would indulge in genocide and try to create fear. It wants the people on its side so that groups such as the BLA are subdued. Moreover, Intelligence gathering has become almost nil in the region, and the establishment seeks to improve that by enforcing the ‘kill and dump’ policy in a manner that Balochistan has never seen in the past, officials say.

As Bangladesh heads to elections next week, radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, in its election manifesto, pledged to pursue peaceful and cooperative relations with neighbouring countries, including India, rooted in “mutual respect and fairness”.

“Constructive relations with neighbouring countries: Peaceful, friendly, and cooperative relations will be built with neighbouring and nearby countries — including India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Thailand — based on mutual respect and fairness,” read the manifesto issued by Jamaat.

Highlighting its foreign policy priorities, the party said it would focus on strengthening ties with countries of the Muslim world.

It also outlined a plan to enhance cooperation with developed nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Canada — and to expand diplomatic, economic, and strategic engagement with Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America.

“Engagement with the developed world: Constructive and mutually beneficial relations will be fostered with developed countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Canada,” the party stated.

“Expanding ties with Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America: Effective steps will be taken to broaden and deepen diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America,” it added.

The manifesto emphasised strengthening Bangladesh’s engagement with the United Nations and other international organisations to tackle global issues, including peace, security, human rights, and economic development.

“Active engagement with the United Nations and international organisations: Bangladesh’s active participation in the United Nations and its affiliated agencies will be further strengthened to address global challenges such as peace, security, human rights, and economic development,” it noted.

Jamaat also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s continued participation in regional organisations like SAARC and ASEAN.

“Active participation in regional organisations: Bangladesh will continue its active engagement in regional organisations such as SAARC and ASEAN,” it added.

The party further said that in collaboration with the international community, “a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis will be pursued, ensuring their safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation.”

Jamaat also committed to continuing “Bangladesh’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions,” while pledging to “support and cooperate in the establishment of transparent, orderly, and lawful migration management systems.”

Jamaat’s election manifesto, ahead of the February 12 election, promises a broader and cooperative foreign policy outreach across several countries; however, it strikingly avoids any direct mention of Pakistan.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Thursday confirmed that five LCA Mk1a fighter jets are fully ready and an additional nine aircraft have already been built and flown.
The company, in a statement, assured that it will meet the guidance projected for the current Financial Year.

“HAL confirms that five aircraft are fully ready for delivery, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications. An additional nine aircraft have already been built and flown. Upon receipt of engines from GE, these aircraft will be made ready for delivery,” the public sector aerospace and defence company said.
HAL said that they are in active discussions with the Indian Air Force to deliver the aircraft at the earliest”HAL has received five engines from GE as on date. The supply position from GE is positive, and the future delivery outlook aligns with HAL’s delivery plans. HAL assures that it will meet the guidance projected for the current Financial Year.” They said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force will review the LCA Mark 1A combat aircraft project in May this year before deciding on the acceptance of delivery of these planes, of which 180 have been ordered by the force.

The project was discussed in detail in December last year. Since most aircraft projects are expected to be completed in April 2026, the Indian Air Force will review the project in detail again in May. The delivery timeline would be decided only after that, defence sources told ANI.
The Indian Air Force has ordered 180 of these aircraft in two tranches, but deliveries have been delayed.

The planes were likely to be delivered last year, but the Indian Air Force has insisted that HAL provide the aircraft in a fully operational configuration.
HAL conducted the first flight of the first Tejas Mk1A prototype from its Nashik facility on October 17.

The deliveries of the aircraft were supposed to be done almost a year ago, but supply chain issues faced by the engine have pushed them back for some time.

It was supposed to be a quiet Sunday in Bollywood’s plush Juhu lanes. Instead, gunshots broke the calm outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s home and now the plot keeps getting thicker. Just when it felt like the police had almost wrapped things up, a fresh arrest has added a new twist to this real-life crime drama.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested one more accused in connection with the firing incident outside Rohit Shetty’s residence. The arrest was made in Pune by the Anti-Extortion Cell, taking the total number of people held in the case to five.

The newly arrested accused has been identified as Asharam Fasle. According to police officials, he allegedly supplied the gun that was used in the firing outside the filmmaker’s house.

Five accused in custody, court appearance today

The 37th Esplanade Court has sent all the accused to police custody for 6 days.

All accused have been sent to police custody for 6 days by the 37th Esplanade court.

Judge observes: It appears that the offence is of a serious nature and there is a criminal conspiracy. The case diary indicates progress in the investigation. However, for further detailed… https://t.co/ZxQu6cM7md

— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026

The judge noted that the crime seems serious and involves a criminal conspiracy. The investigation has made some progress, but the police need more time with the accused for a detailed investigation.

Accused number 5 was arrested only today. Because of the serious nature of the case, it’s important to question all the accused together. Accused numbers 1 to 5 will remain in police custody until 11th February.

Shooter is still on the run

Despite multiple arrests, the person who actually fired shots outside Rohit Shetty’s Juhu bungalow is still absconding. Police teams say finding this shooter is key to cracking the case fully.

Several teams from Mumbai Police have been sent to different parts of the country to track down the shooters. Investigators believe that once the shooter is arrested, the real mastermind behind the attack will be exposed.

Gangster link and Bollywood targets

According to Mumbai Police, the case has links to Shubham Lonkar, a close associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Lonkar is a fugitive criminal and is believed to have targeted at least five major Bollywood celebrities.

Police say these celebrities allegedly received threatening calls demanding extortion money. However, due to fear, none of them has officially filed a complaint so far.

Fear in Bollywood, silence hurting the probe

Investigators have admitted that fear is slowing down the investigation. Intelligence inputs suggest that many people in the film industry are hesitant to approach the police.

A senior police officer said that several individuals received threatening calls, but no one is coming forward to give statements or lodge complaints. When facts are hidden, it becomes extremely difficult for the police to take suo moto action.

Police believe the firing outside Rohit Shetty’s house was not random. The incident, which took place last Sunday, appears to have been aimed at creating fear across the film industry.

A threatening social media post allegedly made by Lonkar has also surfaced. In the post, a warning was issued to Rohit Shetty and the entire Bollywood industry, calling the firing a “trailer” and hinting at worse consequences.

Despite the alarming post, Rohit Shetty has clearly stated that he did not receive any threatening calls.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has met the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Jay Shah in Milan. The meeting marks the crossover between two of the most important people in the world’s most popular sports.

Infantino shared a glimpse of the meeting with Shah through a post on Instagram. He lauded Shah’s work in the growth of cricket and also wished him luck as cricket is getting back to the Olympics.

“It was my pleasure to meet ICC Chairman Jay Shah today in Milan. The outstanding work he has done to grow the beautiful game of cricket is exemplary. I wish him and everyone the very best as cricket gets reintroduced to the Summer Olympic Games in two years’ time,” he wrote in a post.

Infantino also expressed his desire to work with Shah to unite the world with the help of sports. “I also look forward to working together and collaborating as we unite the world through sports,” he added.

Cricket is set to return to the Olympics in the 2028 Summer Games, to be held in Los Angeles, 128 years after its debut in Paris 1900, when Great Britain claimed gold in a one-off match against France.

At LA 2028, cricket will return in a much more modern avatar with separate T20 format tournaments for men and women – each with its own set of medals – gold, silver and bronze. The competitions for the men’s and women’s categories will run from 12 July to 29 July. The medal matches will be held on 20 July (women’s) and 29 July (men’s), respectively.

Six teams will be competing in each of the men’s and women’s tournaments, comprising 28 matches in all. A total of 90 athlete quotas have been allocated for each gender, allowing every team to name a 15-member squad.

All cricket matches at the LA 2028 Olympics will be held in a temporary, purpose-built venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona – a city located about 50 kilometres from Los Angeles.

However, the qualification scenario for the LA28 Olympics is yet to be decided. It is expected that the topic will likely be discussed during the ICC’s annual conference in Singapore, which will start on July 17.

Union Minister JP Nadda’s use of the term “abodh” to describe Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has triggered a sharp political pushback, with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioning the government’s intent and accusing it of trying to silence uncomfortable questions in Parliament.

Reacting to the remark on Thursday, Priyanka Gandhi said Rahul Gandhi should be allowed to speak freely in the House and asked what the ruling party was “scared of”.

“Is this a way to talk about anyone? What are they scared of? That he will quote from a book? Or are they scared of the Epstein files? Or that we will question them on this deal (US-India trade agreement)?,” asked Priyanka Gandhi.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Minister JP Nadda using the term ‘abodh’ in reference to LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, “He should be allowed to speak. Is this a way to talk about anyone? What are they scared of? That he will quote from a book? Or… pic.twitter.com/HZkXtiLxcP

— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026

What sparked the clash in the Rajya Sabha

The comments came amid a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session earlier today, where Nadda, the Leader of the House, clashed with Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge while debating the motion of thanks to the President’s address.

Addressing Kharge, Nadda acknowledged his seniority but urged him not to let the Congress be “held hostage” to what he called an “abodh balak (innocent child)”, a remark widely seen as a veiled reference to Rahul Gandhi. He went on to say that a mix of immaturity and arrogance was dangerous and should be avoided, further escalating tensions in the Upper House.

Kharge and other opposition members strongly objected to the remarks, resulting in loud protests and a charged atmosphere in the House.

Government says Rahul Gandhi was allowed to speak

Referring to recent Lok Sabha proceedings, Nadda said Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, had been allowed to speak for nearly 20 minutes beyond his allotted time and that the treasury benches had not raised any objections.

He accused the opposition of disrupting parliamentary functioning and said repeated interruptions were pushing democracy into a crisis. The Modi government, he insisted, was open to discussions on all issues at any time.

Nadda also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was always ready to respond to questions in the Lok Sabha, but persistent disruptions prevented the House from functioning smoothly.

India–US trade deal and opposition protests

On the India–US trade agreement, which opposition members have repeatedly raised, Nadda said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had made a suo motu statement in the House. He clarified that no questions were taken after the statement, as the “contours” of the deal were still being finalised and would be shared in the coming days.

The exchange reflected wider tensions in the ongoing Budget Session, with frequent disruptions in both Houses over demands for discussions on several national and political issues. Kharge, earlier in the debate, had flagged what he described as the government’s reluctance to address key concerns, prompting sharp responses from treasury benches.

Hollywood legend Harrison Ford appears at peace with the trajectory of his decades-long career. The actor recently shared that if Apple TV+’s Shrinking were to be his final acting project, he would consider it a fulfilling conclusion.

Also Read: Hold Onto Me Review: Father-daughter bonds forged in loss, laughter, and sunlit waves of Cyprus

A career without regrets

The 83-year-old star, who plays Dr. Paul Rhoades in the acclaimed series, described the show as creatively rewarding and emotionally meaningful, qualities he says are increasingly rare even after a lifetime in cinema.

‘If it ends here, that would be sufficient’

Speaking during a panel discussion at Apple TV’s inaugural press day this week, Ford reflected on the experience of working on Shrinking and questioned what could possibly follow it.

“Where do you go from here?” he said. “The kind of work that we’re able to do is remarkable, given the tools we have and the idea behind this series. And if it was all over here, that would be sufficient.” Ford added that the project stands apart from much of his past work, not in scale, but in emotional depth and purpose.

Also Read: American Doctor Review: Bombed wards, broken lives, and the doctors who refuse to quit in Gaza

Why Shrinking feels different

Calling the show a “very special” chapter in his career, Ford explained that Shrinking offered something beyond performance, a sense of personal connection. “This is a different kind of job for me,” he said. “It nurtures me. It makes me feel like what we’re doing has value and importance. That’s something I look for in my life, and I’m happy to have found it here.”

Also Read: Finneas fires at ‘old white men’ upset by sister Billie Eilish’s Grammy speech: ‘Your names are in the Epstein files’

The series also stars Jason Segel, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams and Michael Urie, and blends humour with grief, vulnerability and mental health themes.

Working alongside Michael J Fox

One of the most meaningful aspects of the show for Ford was sharing the screen with Michael J Fox. Ford admitted he initially felt nervous, as his character also lives with Parkinson’s disease, the condition Fox has battled publicly for years.

Also Read: Nancy Meyers returns to direction after 11 years, eyes Penélope Cruz and Owen Wilson

“It felt like a responsibility,” Ford said. “Michael has the real thing, and I wanted to get that part of the story right.”
He went on to praise Fox’s presence on set, calling him generous, courageous and deeply inspiring. “He has such grace and indomitability. Some of that, I hope, finds its way into my portrayal.”

Why Harrison Ford remains a Hollywood icon

Few actors have shaped popular cinema the way Harrison Ford has. Rising to global fame in the late 1970s, Ford became the rare star who could anchor blockbuster franchises while maintaining a grounded, everyman appeal.

Also Read: Drew Barrymore says she’d never date a man in his 20s: ‘It just feels wrong’

Known for his understated charisma and reluctant-hero persona, Ford’s performances often balance toughness with vulnerability, a quality that has allowed his characters to resonate across generations.

His most unforgettable roles

Ford’s legacy is closely tied to some of cinema’s most enduring characters. As Han Solo in Star Wars, he redefined the sci-fi hero with wit and swagger. His portrayal of Indiana Jones brought adventure filmmaking to new heights, turning the fedora-and-whip archaeologist into a cultural icon.

Beyond franchises, Ford delivered acclaimed performances in films like Blade Runner, The Fugitive, Witness, and Air Force One, proving his range extended well beyond action-driven roles.

Also Read: Kristen Stewart opens up on leaving the US, saying reality feels ‘broken’ under Donald Trump

Kerala Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Central Government to withdraw the newly enacted The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.

The resolution also demanded that the Centre restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.

This comes as the opposition continues its protest against the VB-G Ram G Act, accusing the government of attempting to strip citizens of their right to work.
Earlier, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal said, “They took away the right of employment through the new MNREGA bill. Again, the economic survey points out that the right to information, one of the most effective rights for the common man in this country, is useless. Intention is very clear. They want to take away all the rights of the common people of this country, which cannot be accepted.”

Congress has launched ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’, organising nationwide protests against the VB-G RAM G Act Pawan Khera said that a government that insults workers and farmers will not last long.

Khera told reporters, “Such peaceful protests are being held in the capitals of all states. Saving NREGA means saving the voice of the worker. In this country, any government that has insulted the worker and the farmer has not lasted long.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “New law guarantees only centralisation in New Delhi.”
In a post on X, Ramesh lauded MGNREGA as a “transformative law” and called the new scheme “a flaw.”

“MGNREGA as a transformative law, the Modi Government’s new scheme that bulldozed it away is a flaw,” he wrote.
The Opposition has opposed the VB-G RAM G Act, which removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme, and seeks a 60:40 fund share between the Centre and states, rather than the employment guarantee being fully funded by the Central government.
The new legislation extends the 100-day employment guarantee to 125 days.

The Chennai Central-New Jalpaiguri Express derailed near Jakhapura railway station in Odisha’s Jajpur yard on Thursday morning with no loss of life or injury reported following the derailment, East Coast Railway officials said.

Senior railway officials have rushed to the site and are closely monitoring restoration and safety-related activities, they further said.

“A minor derailment involving Train No. 22611 Chennai–New Jalpaiguri (MAS–NJP) Express occurred at 8.51 am on today morning while the train was passing through Jajpur Yard (JKPR). An AC coach and two General coaches derailed within yard limits. The train was moving at a very slow speed at the time of the incident”, the ECoR said in a statement.

There has been no loss of life or injury to passengers. Passenger train operations remain unaffected, it added.

The passengers are being suitably accommodated, and the affected coaches are being detached. To ensure passenger convenience, additional coaches will be attached to the train as required, they concluded.

The ICC has unveiled the broadcast plans for the Men’s T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams and 55 matches, running from February 7 to March 8.

Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the tournament will be accessible worldwide through TV, digital, audio, and emerging platforms.

Alongside the main tournament, official warm-up matches will be broadcast on select TV and digital platforms, allowing fans to get an early look at the teams before the opening game.

In India, JioStar will broadcast the tournament to fans via Star Sports on linear TV and through the JioHotstar digital platform.

All fixtures will be accessible in five languages—English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada—on JioStar’s TV and digital coverage, with additional regional feeds in Bengali, Bhojpuri, and Haryanvi available on JioHotstar.

Coverage in Marathi and Indian Sign Language will also be provided for all team India matches, semi-finals, and the final on JioHotstar.

Building on the success of earlier ICC events, a vertical live feed will be offered in English and Hindi on JioHotstar, catering to mobile-first viewers.

In addition, on JioHotstar, viewers will also have the option to enjoy the games in 360 view and via the Multi-cam feature, which allows engagement with the live match from specific POVs/vantage points, including Hero, Stump, Battery, Field view, and Multi-View.

JioStar has partnered with PVR – Inox for nationwide screenings of multiple matches during the T20 World Cup.

Star Sports will also be accessible to viewers in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives through its distribution partners across the subcontinent.

For co-host Sri Lanka, Dialog TV will serve as the official broadcast partner, offering extensive coverage across the island. This includes live telecasts on linear TV, the ThePapare.com website, and the Dialog Play mobile app.

Additionally, Dialog TV will provide a Sinhala language feed for all matches on both their linear and digital platforms.

Coverage will be further expanded through Dialog TV’s free-to-air partner, TV Supreme, as well as Sri Lanka Telecom’s PEO TV platform.

Fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland can watch the action on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with digital streaming through NOW. Sky Sports will also offer Hindi commentary for the semi-finals and the final.

Furthermore, since Italy is participating in their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Sky Italia will broadcast all Italy matches, along with the semi-finals and the final, live on their platforms.

Proteas fans can catch all the live action through SuperSport’s extensive TV and digital services across sub-Saharan Africa.

In Australia, coverage will be on Prime Video, with an extra Hindi commentary feed accessible for all India matches, semi-finals, and the final.

Fans in New Zealand can watch the matches on SKY Sport, which will also provide Hindi commentary for all India games, including the semi-finals and the final.

In Pakistan, coverage will be provided by PTV and Myco, with support from digital partners Tamasha, ARY Zapp, and Tapmad. Additionally, the ICC will create an Urdu commentary feed for Pakistan matches, which will be broadcast on PTV Home and streamed by digital partners.

Willow TV will continue providing live coverage of ICC events in the United States and Canada. All 55 matches will be streamed in both English and Hindi, with free access to all USA matches for viewers in the US and Canada. These matches will also be available free of charge on Willow’s official YouTube channel.

Commentary in English and Hindi will be accessible via Willow DTC and CricBuzz DTC platforms, while other Willow platforms will carry only the English commentary. In partnership with popular social media personality Jomboy, Willow will offer fans an alternative commentary option for the USA vs. India and USA vs. Pakistan matches.

In the UAE and the larger MENA region, the tournament will be broadcast on CricLife Max, which is accessible via StarzPlay. Moreover, fans throughout the Middle East can watch StarzPlay’s coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on the big screen, thanks to partnerships with VOX (UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman), Reel (UAE), Roxy, Cinepolis, Star (UAE), Mukta (Bahrain), and Epix Cinema (Bahrain).

ESPN will broadcast all matches live in the Caribbean Islands, while the Disney+ app will stream the event across Latin America. Additionally, some matches will feature Portuguese commentary on ESPN’s linear TV platforms in Brazil.

Total Sports Management (Bangladesh) will broadcast the event via leading linear channels T Sports & Nagorik TV, as well as on the digital platform Rabbithole.

Additional broadcasters include PNG Digicel (Pacific Islands), Hub Sports 4 (Singapore), and Lemar TV (Afghanistan), which will also offer commentary in Pashto and Dari. In Nepal, Kantipur TV will air the tournament, with some matches produced locally in Nepali.

The Nepali commentary will also be accessible in certain regions through ICC.tv, expanding reach to Nepali-speaking viewers. In the Netherlands, NOS will live stream all matches involving the Netherlands, catering to cricket fans in the country.

For viewers in Malaysia and Hong Kong, matches can be watched on the CricBuzz channel through their partnerships with Astro Cricket and PCCW.

Additionally, the tournament will be available in-flight and at sea on Sport 24, allowing fans to stay up to date on the action while travelling.

All remaining territories will be streamed live and free via the ICC’s own platform, ICC.tv. Besides live match coverage, ICC.tv will offer commentary in multiple languages, including Japanese and Bahasa, with some matches also available live on the ICC’s official YouTube channel.

Besides live video, the ICC mobile app will also offer worldwide access to commentary in English. In the UK and Ireland, BBC will broadcast radio coverage, while in Australia, listeners can tune into ABC and SEN.

For Indian audiences, All India Radio will offer live audio commentary, and in Sri Lanka, Derana FM will provide live ball-by-ball commentary for all matches.

Actor Arjun Bijlani, one of the most recognisable faces on Indian television, has spoken candidly about the demanding working hours in the TV industry, describing them as “extremely difficult” and often underestimated.

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‘Television shoots are extremely demanding’

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the actor reflected on how a standard 12-hour shift rarely remains limited to just those hours once preparation time, overtime, and travel are factored in.

Early call times and late pack-ups

Explaining the reality behind daily shoot schedules, Arjun pointed out that the day often starts much earlier than the official call time. For a 9 am shift, actors need to wake up by 7 am and leave for work by 8 am. Female actors, he added, are frequently called even earlier due to the time-intensive makeup process.

“Shooting usually goes on till 9 pm or even later,” Arjun shared, adding that removing makeup and costumes takes additional time. “After that, you still have to battle traffic while returning home, which makes the day even longer.”
‘The same routine repeats every day’

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The actor highlighted how the exhaustion compounds because the schedule remains unchanged the next day. With little time to rest or recover, the routine becomes mentally and physically draining over time.

Recalling earlier days in his career, Arjun said there were times when he ended up working 35 days in a 30-day month once extra hours were accounted for. “It used to be very, very difficult — mentally and physically,” he admitted.

Has the situation improved?

While acknowledging that the workload was harsher in the past, Arjun noted that things have improved slightly over the years. According to him, many producers now make an effort to wrap up shoots within the stipulated 12-hour window.

“Earlier, shoots would go on for 14, 15, even 18 hours. That has reduced now,” he said.

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Why 8-hour shifts aren’t practical

When asked whether television should move towards an 8-hour workday, Arjun explained why that isn’t technically feasible.

“If you’re doing a seven-day-a-week telecast, finishing work in eight hours is almost impossible,” he said, adding that shorter shifts would inevitably affect the quality of the final output. “If you want to deliver quality content, you have to put in those 12 hours.”

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India all-rounder Tilak Varma, who joined the national side after recovering from an injury recently, expressed gratitude to the BCCI and the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for helping him return to action sooner than expected.

Inspired by the aggressive batting around him, he said the atmosphere was electric and added that both he and the Indian team feel ready for the World Cup.

Tilak described the packed DY Patil Stadium and the crowd chanting his name as a big confidence boost, even in a warm-up match as India wrapped up their T20 World Cup preparations in style, defeating South Africa by 30 runs in a high-scoring warm-up match in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

“To be honest I did not expect but I will be back on the field this early. Really thankful for COE and BCCI. I always say that World Cup is my biggest dream to play. The way, I entered the ropes and, everyone was shouting ‘Tilak Tilak.’ So I didn’t expect that. I really felt nice and it also boost me when I was going in. The way Ishan was batting, I have seen him, the way Abhishek and everyone was batting, so I was also a bit like ‘Mai bhi maarunga jaake.’ I did not expect full crowd, the DY Patil was fully packed. It was just a warm up game but still the craze… Really thanks to everyone. The vibe was really terrific, and yeah- Tilak and the Indian team is ready for the World Cup,” Tilak said in a bcci.tv video.

Opting to bat first, the hosts put on a batting exhibition, led by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 53 off just 20 balls. Kishan and Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start, racing to 80/1 inside six overs before both openers retired out to give others game time.

Tilak (45 off 19) and captain Suryakumar Yadav continued the onslaught with a rapid 66-run stand, while late cameos from Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, and a blistering 30 off 10 balls from Hardik Pandya powered India to an imposing 240/5.

In response, South Africa’s chase was rocked early when Arshdeep Singh dismissed George Linde for a duck. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton briefly revived hopes with a 65-run partnership, but Markram retired out, and Dewald Brevis, Rickelton and David Miller’s wickets fell in quick succession, swinging momentum firmly back to India. Despite fighting contributions from Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen, South Africa fell short by 30 runs.

India now turn their focus to their World Cup opener against the USA on Saturday.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-sector ride-hailing platform, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The initiative is being positioned as a shift in India’s mobility landscape. Unlike commission-driven aggregator models, Bharat Taxi is built around cooperative ownership, with drivers placed at the centre of control, earnings and decision-making.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah said, “This launch of Sahkar Taxi is taking place in the presence of 800,000 Sarathi representatives and some cooperatives. Within three years, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Dwarka to Kamakhya, across the entire country, this Sahkar Taxi is going to become a very significant means for the welfare of our taxi Sarathis.”

Ahead of the launch, Shah had described the development as significant for taxi drivers across the country. He said the platform would allow drivers to earn more while also becoming owners of the service, giving them dignity and long-term security.

On social media platform X, Shah highlighted the idea behind the project, saying cooperation allows people to come together, invest small amounts of capital and build something impactful. He cited Bharat Taxi as an example of that approach.

सहकारिता से बहुत सारे लोग मिलकर छोटी-छोटी पूँजी लगाकर कैसे बड़ी शुरुआत कर सकते हैं, ‘भारत टैक्सी’ इसका उदाहरण है।

आज का दिन टैक्सी चालक बहनों-भाइयों के लिए बहुत ही अहम है। उनके द्वारा शुरू की गई सहकारी क्षेत्र की पहली टैक्सी सर्विस ‘भारत टैक्सी’ का नई दिल्ली में शुभारंभ होगा।…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 5, 2026

What sets Bharat Taxi apart

According to the Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi has been conceptualised as a corrective to what it describes as exploitative aggregator-based systems. Drivers, called Sarathis, sit at the heart of the platform. They are not just service providers but part-owners, with a direct stake in how the service runs and earns.

Bharat Taxi is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and was set up on June 6, 2025. It runs without commissions or surge pricing. Profits will go straight to the drivers. There are no exclusivity clauses, so Sarathis are free to work on other platforms if they wish.

The platform also puts strong emphasis on social security. Drivers are covered through health and accident insurance, retirement savings options and access to a dedicated support system for day-to-day assistance. Support centres are currently operational at seven locations in Delhi, offering emergency assistance, verified ride data and on-ground help.

To promote women’s participation, initiatives such as “Bike Didi” have been introduced. More than 150 women drivers have joined the platform so far.

Launch programme and expansion plans

During the launch programme, Shah honoured several top-performing Sarathis for their contribution to the cooperative mobility ecosystem and distributed share certificates, reinforcing the principle of “Sarathi Hi Malik”.

Each of the honoured drivers will be getting personal accident insurance and family health coverage of Rs 5 lakh each. On the occasion, nine Memoranda of Understanding were also exchanged with public and private stakeholders to strengthen digital integration, safety standards, operational efficiency and service delivery.

It was earlier reported that more than 1,200 Sarathis from across the country will attend the launch, reflecting the platform’s growing national reach.

According to official figures, about four lakh drivers and over 10 lakh users have registered on Bharat Taxi so far. Nearly Rs 10 crore has been distributed directly to drivers.

When ‘Melania’, the much-talked-about documentary on Donald Trump’s wife and current US first lady, finally hit UK cinemas, it arrived with drama, headlines, and plenty of political noise. What it did not arrive with was a box office bang.

Despite weeks of media buzz and controversy, the film quietly slipped into British theatres and quietly slipped out of public attention just as fast.

A loud build-up, a quiet opening

In its first weekend in the UK, ‘Melania’ opened at a modest No 29 on the box office chart. That’s not exactly the kind of number you frame on the wall.

The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, made just £32,974 across 155 cinemas. That works out to an average of £212.80 per screen. In box office terms, that’s pocket change.

The low numbers raised eyebrows, especially since Amazon reportedly paid a massive $75 million to distribute and promote the film. Compared to that figure, the UK opening looks tiny. Still, industry insiders say it wasn’t the total disaster many expected.

Why journalists rushed in

Amazon chose not to show the film to critics before release. That move only added fuel to the curiosity. On Friday, reporters rushed to cinemas across the UK to see what the secrecy was about.

The result? Lots of notes. Not many regular viewers.

Better in the US, still not a hit

Across the Atlantic, the film did slightly better but still stumbled. In the US, ‘Melania’ made $2.9 million on its opening day from 1,778 cinemas. That beat early predictions but didn’t change the bigger picture.

The film was soon overtaken by an unexpected rival.

The real winner of the week wasn’t political or glamorous. It was scary.

‘Iron Lung’, an independently made horror film by YouTuber Mark Fischbach, crushed expectations. Made for just $3 million, the film has already earned $21 million worldwide.

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In the UK, ‘Iron Lung’ reached No 4 at the box office with £948,731. It even beat Jason Statham’s action film ‘Shelter’ by a small margin.

At the top of the UK box office was ‘Hamnet’, Chloé Zhao’s emotional, Oscar-nominated drama. It made £1.4 million last week, taking its total to a strong £14.8 million.

Compared to that, ‘Melania’ barely made a ripple.

The documentary focuses on the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. Critics haven’t been kind. Reviews have been largely negative, with the film sitting at just 10 per cent on review platforms.