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Tag: India

  • Indian election resumes as heatwave hits voters

    Indian election resumes as heatwave hits voters

    India’s six-week election juggernaut resumed Friday with millions of people lining up outside polling stations in parts of the country hit by a scorching heatwave.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely expected to win a third term in the election, which concludes in early June.

    But turnout in the first round of voting last week dropped nearly four points to 66 percent from the last election in 2019, with speculation in Indian media outlets that higher-than-average temperatures were to blame.

    Modi took to social media shortly before polls re-opened to urge those voting to turn out in “record numbers” despite the heat.

    “A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy,” he wrote on social media platform X. “Your vote is your voice!”

    The second round of the poll — conducted in phases to ease the immense logistical burden of staging an election in the world’s most populous country — includes districts that have this week seen temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

    AFP – MOHAMMED

    India’s weather bureau said Thursday that severe heatwave conditions would continue in several states through the weekend.

    That includes parts of the eastern state of Bihar, where five districts are voting Friday and where temperatures more than 5.1 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average were recorded this week.

    Karnataka state in the south and parts of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state and heartland of the Hindu faith, are also scheduled to vote while facing heatwave conditions.

    Earlier this week, India’s election commission said it had formed a task force to review the impact of heatwaves and humidity before each round of voting.

    The Hindu newspaper suggested the decision could have been taken out of concerns that the intense heat “might have resulted in a dip in voter turnout”.

    In a Monday statement, the commission said it had “no major concern” about the impact of hot temperatures on Friday’s vote.

    AFP – SHARMA

    But it added that it had been closely monitoring weather reports and would ensure “the comfort and well-being of voters along with polling personnel”.

    A wave of exceptionally hot weather has blasted South and Southeast Asia, prompting thousands of schools across the Philippines and Bangladesh to suspend in-person classes.

    The heat disrupted campaigning in India on Wednesday when roads minister Nitin Gadkari fainted at a rally for Modi in Maharashtra state.

    Footage of the speech showed Gadkari falling unconscious and being carried off the stage by handlers. He later blamed the incident on discomfort “due to the heat”.

    Years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

    AFP – SHARMA

    Friday will also see voting in the constituency of India’s most prominent opposition leader — Rahul Gandhi of the once-dominate Congress party.

    The 53-year-old is fighting to retain his seat in the southern state of Kerala, a stronghold for opponents of Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    “It is the duty of every citizen to become a soldier of the constitution, step out of their homes today and vote to protect democracy,” he wrote on X.

    Gandhi is the son, grandson and great-grandson of former prime ministers, but his Congress party has suffered two landslide defeats against Modi in the last two general elections.

    Gandhi has been hamstrung by several criminal cases lodged against him by BJP members, including a conviction for criminal libel that saw him briefly disqualified from parliament last year.

    The opposition alliance has accused Modi’s government of using law enforcement agencies to selectively target its leaders and undermine its campaign.

    More than 968 million people are eligible to take part in India’s election, with the final round of voting on June 1 and results expected three days later.

  • Palestinian stories shine at Arab film festival in Berlin

    Palestinian stories shine at Arab film festival in Berlin

    The ALFILM festival in Berlin is standing strong in its promise to highlight Palestinian stories, even when faced with tough opposition. Despite the difficulties and tensions around discussing Palestine in Germany, the festival organizers are determined to give these important stories a platform.


    Pascale Fakhry, the director of ALFILM, knows it’s harder now, but she’s still committed to the festival’s mission. She says, “It feels like an impossible task right now. It doesn’t even feel like an act of courage. It feels like a suicide somehow, honestly.”


    But the festival keeps going, knowing how important it is as a big part of Arab culture in Germany. Fakhry says it’s crucial to keep talking and sharing stories, even when things seem tough.


    Even though there have been some tough moments, like questions from authorities about the festival’s venues, the organizers stay strong in their goal of creating a diverse and welcoming cultural space.


    In a time when antisemitism is growing and tensions are high, the festival is a symbol of strength and unity. Filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to speak out, even on sensitive topics.


    This year, the festival is focusing on Palestinian cinema with a special section called “Here is Elsewhere: Palestine in Arab Cinema and Beyond.” One documentary, ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’ by Lina Soualem, tells stories of Palestinian women and their strength through generations, showing how history still affects them today.


    Stories like Soualem’s are important because they challenge stereotypes and make sure Palestinian voices are heard. Even when it’s hard, the ALFILM festival keeps fighting to share these stories and promote understanding through art and cinema.

  • Bushra Ansari connection with husband’s children is so wholesome

    Bushra Ansari connection with husband’s children is so wholesome

    Renowned actress Bushra Ansari recently shared a heartfelt revelation in her latest vlog, announcing her marriage to Iqbal Hussain. Despite being married for a few years, Ansari had kept her marriage private to avoid societal judgment. However, she felt it was time to introduce her husband to her fans.


    In her vlog, Ansari discussed the importance of transcending age differences, praising her husband’s maturity. She emphasized that a strong marriage requires mutual understanding and the ability to overcome past challenges, which both she and Iqbal have faced in their previous relationships.


    Ansari also spoke warmly about her relationship with her husband’s sons, who are now studying in Canada. She shared the close bond they have developed with her own daughter, who resides in the same neighborhood. Ansari highlighted how their shared experiences, including having a grandson around the same age, have strengthened their family ties.


    Furthermore, Ansari candidly addressed the sensitive topic of divorce, acknowledging that sometimes relationships simply do not work out despite efforts to make them succeed. She emphasized the emotional toll of divorce, stressing that “no one enters marriage with the intention of ending it.”

  • Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s daughter joins acting school

    Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s daughter joins acting school


    Bollywood actor Bollywood thespian Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s daughter has enrolled in an acting school.
    Despite not having a film background himself, Nawazuddin made a name for himself in the industry as one of its most talented actors. Now, he wants his daughter, Shora Siddiqui, to join the film world too.


    In an interview, he said he wished for her to follow his footsteps. Nawazuddin and his wife have resolved their differences for the sake of their children.
    “I want for Shora to achieve her dreams. At 13-years-old, she’s ready to excel in the performing arts.”


    He added, “I’ve enrolled her in an acting school. If she chooses to pursue acting as a profession, I want her to be a skilled actress.”
    Nawazuddin also said that acting is an art, and he will always support her in every possible way.

  • Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ breaks sales records worldwide

    Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ breaks sales records worldwide

    Taylor Swift’s album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ just made history by selling the most vinyl copies in a single week, achieving the incredible feat in just three days.


    During the weekend, fans bought a whopping 700,000 LP copies of Swift’s album, breaking her previous record set by ‘1989’ (Taylor’s Version), which sold 693,000 copies in a week last October.


    Billboard shared the news, highlighting Taylor Swift’s ongoing success in the vinyl market.
    Back in October 2022, Swift’s album ‘Midnights’ also made waves by selling 570,000 copies in a week on vinyl.


    These records are specific to the ‘modern era’ since 1991, when SoundScan started tracking sales across different formats. While there might have been albums selling more than 700,000 vinyl copies per week in the past, we didn’t have data like this back then.


    Still, Taylor Swift’s incredible achievements in LP sales are unmatched in recent history.

  • Shah Rukh Khan will be back as ‘Don’

    Shah Rukh Khan will be back as ‘Don’

    Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up to return as Don in his next movie, ‘King’, but this time not as the main character in Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don 3.’

    Directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, ‘King’ will feature the Badshah in the role of Don, marking his daughter Suhana Khan’s debut in the film industry.


    According to a report by Pinkvilla, Shah Rukh understands the audience’s desire to see him in complex roles and is passionately involved in every aspect of the production alongside directors Siddharth Anand and Sujoy Ghosh. The movie features a character with shades of grey, exuding attitude and swag.
    Shah Rukh is actively involved in the creative process and is training with Suhana for some modern action scenes.


    Throughout his career, Khan has portrayed negative characters in films like the 1993 romantic thriller ‘Darr,’ Abbas-Mustan’s 1993 revenge thriller ‘Baazigar,’ and the 1994 psychological thriller ‘Anjaam.’ However, his most iconic negative role is that of Don in Farhan Akhtar’s crime thriller franchise.
    Earlier reports suggested that Shah Rukh Khan has invested a significant amount, around INR 2 billion, in ‘King.’

  • Are you ready for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2?

    Are you ready for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2?


    The script is ready and Producer Radha Mohan has confirmed that it is ready to be presented to Bollywood’s Salman Khan.

    Mohan is currently in Hyderabad promoting Ayush Sharma’s upcoming film, ‘Ruslaan’.
    He said, “Scriptwiter Vijayendra Prasad has written two stories for me, including ‘Vikram Rokkudu 2’, the sequel to ‘Rowdy Rathore’ in Hindi. The story is complete, and now we are searching for a good cast.”
    However, it is uncertain if Akshay Kumar will take part in the sequel of Rowdy Rathore.

    Bajrani Bhaijaan was released in 2015 and starred Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

    The movie is about a man who helps a girl return to Pakistan. Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi, a devotee of the Hindu deity Hanuman, embarks on a journey to take a mute six-year-old Pakistani Muslim girl, Shahida, separated in India from her mother, back to her hometown.

  • Fake videos of Bollywood stars stir up election worries in India

    Fake videos of Bollywood stars stir up election worries in India

    In some fake videos spreading widely on the internet, two top Bollywood actors from India are shown speaking out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They’re asking people to support the opposition Congress party in the current general election. In one video, Aamir Khan talks for about 30 seconds, and in another, Ranveer Singh speaks for about 41 seconds. They say Modi didn’t fulfill his promises during his time as prime minister and didn’t solve important economic problems.

    The fake videos made by artificial intelligence show the symbol and slogan of the Congress party at the end. The slogan is “Vote for Justice, Vote for Congress.” These videos have been watched more than half a million times on social media since last week, according to Reuters.

    The spread of these videos shows how AI-generated content could affect the huge Indian election that began last Friday and will go on until June. AI, or artificial intelligence, creating fake videos, called deepfakes, are becoming more common in elections worldwide.


    Since 2019, in India, there’s been a big shift towards using WhatsApp and Facebook for campaigning. This year’s general election, where Modi is likely to win a third term, marks the first time AI is being used in Indian elections.


    A spokesperson for the Congress party named Sujata Paul shared actor Ranveer Singh’s video with her 16,000 followers on a platform called X on April 17. By Saturday afternoon, her post had been shared 2,900 times, liked 8,700 times, and viewed 438,000 times. Paul told Reuters on the phone that she knew the video was labeled as “manipulated media” by X, but she didn’t want to remove it. When she posted it, she thought the person in the video looked like Singh, and she thought it was ‘creative’.

    The post disappeared from X on Sunday, shortly after Reuters asked Congress’ social media head for comments, but received no response. Both actors have said the videos are fake. Facebook, X, and at least eight fact-checking websites have also confirmed they’re altered or manipulated, which Reuters verified too.


    Aamir Khan was worried about the viral “fake” video, and Ranveer Singh is planning to sue the account that originally released the video. Singh’s team is investigating, said a spokesperson for both actors. Singh warned on X on Friday: “Be careful of deepfakes, friends.”

  • Listen to your body, trust your instincts: ZaraNoor Abbas has advice for new moms

    Listen to your body, trust your instincts: ZaraNoor Abbas has advice for new moms

    Zara Noor Abbas just had a baby girl named Noor-e-Jahan with her husband Asad Siddiqui. Usually, people talk a lot about the happiness of having a new baby, but Zara wanted to talk about something else too. She went on Instagram to discuss the postpartum period.

    Zara posted pictures with her daughter and photos of cute things like white booties, a pink cake, and toys. There was even a poster saying ‘Welcome home, baby Noor-e-Jahan and Mommy.’ Zara also said thank you to everyone who has been supporting her, like her fans, friends, and family. She talked about how becoming a mom changed her life, making her feel like she had everything she needed.


    “First and foremost- Thank you to all my friends and family and my amazing fans for all the pyaar and duayein (love and prayers). I read all your comments and messages,” Abbas penned in the caption. “It’s just Insane. The journey from nothingness to everything. This rush of joy and power. The feeling that I can conquer anything now. The nourishment of empowerment and love.”

    She continued, “The tears, the all-nighters, the difficulties in understanding what the baby wants. Which cry will signal me of a particular task/action. How to position the head – how to lengthen the body, how to massage the fragile bones that you can hear sounds of.”


    Zara openly talked about the challenges of understanding her newborn’s needs, learning how to take care of a baby, and the confusing feelings that come with the time after giving birth. She stressed how important it is for new moms to accept help, take care of themselves, and be proud of what they’ve achieved without feeling like they have to be perfect.
    She added, “The questions that will only be answered by spending alone time with the baby. The pressure to know it all in these 40 days. It’s superior! It’s a lot! And I feel like we don’t talk much about the journey after the birth. Postpartum. It’s real. It’s as real as pregnancy.”


    Zara highlighted the strength that comes with being a mom, encouraging other new moms to recognize their own strength and ask for help when they need it. She wanted to make it normal to talk about the challenges after giving birth, hoping to reassure other moms that they’re not alone in their journey.


    The Jhoom actor had a message for new moms: take control of your post-baby journey. “To all the new moms, don’t feel like you have to be a superhero. You already became one by giving birth with God’s help. Now, take a break. Let others help you. Rest. Eat. Sleep. Nap. You can tell people to leave you alone. Don’t follow advice you don’t like. Swaddle the baby how you want. Feed the baby however you want. Do what feels right for you,” she commented.


    Abbas ended with an important reminder: “Listen to your body and your motherly instincts.” She emphasized the need to be patient, saying, ‘It will take time to recover, but you’ll be okay, I promise. You know why? Because you’re a mom. And moms, wow, we know how strong they are, don’t we?’”

  • Hareem Shah breaks silence on leaked videos

    Hareem Shah breaks silence on leaked videos

    TikToker Hareem Shah has broken her silence on allegedly viral leaked videos showing her in intimate settings, claiming that people are creating fake videos of her with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) to promote themselves and increase the following of their social media accounts.
    A trend called ‘Hareem Shah’s viral videos,’ showcased old videos along with some videos that were presented as the latest ones. After her alleged leaked videos went viral again, she has now broken her silence in an interview and claimed that her videos are being created and spread with the help of AI.

    “Some people are busy spreading my fake videos from the UK, and I can take legal action against such people,” she declared. “I rejected the impression that I myself spread the leaked videos. I am a chaste woman, and my accusers and those who spread fake leaked videos should be ashamed and fear God”

    Hareem Shah stated, “If I were in Pakistan and the Islamic system were implemented there, I would have whipped the suapects who spread fake videos. Such people should fear God, as slandering a chaste woman is the biggest sin.”