I promised that I’ll never glorify smoking in my films: Farah
Speaking at an event hosted on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on Friday, filmmaker Farah Khan said that she has taken a pledge never to glorify smoking in her films. “In my films, actors don’t smoke usually,” Farah added. The filmmaker further said that ‘Om Shanti Om’ was her only film which featured a character who smoked.
Reliance Entertainment clears Vikas Bahl of #MeToo charges
An internal complaints committee of Reliance Entertainment has cleared Hrithik Roshan starrer Supers 30’s director Vikas Bahl of #MeToo charges levelled against him by an employee of his erstwhile production company Phantom Films. Vikas was cleared of all charges after his accuser failed to appear before the committee despite multiple reminders. Reliance Entertainment holds 50% stake in Phantom Films.
Mamata has lost her mind after LS defeat: BJP’s Dilip Ghosh
After West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee stopped her convoy to scold people chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, “Banerjee seems to have either lost her mind or it’s her reality that has come out after the defeat in LS polls.” Ghosh added, “Dictators like her cannot accept defeat.” Ten people were arrested for chanting the slogan.
We have 52 lawmakers, will fight BJP every day: Rahul Gandhi
At the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting on Saturday, party chief Rahul Gandhi said, “We have 52 lawmakers, we will fight the BJP every single day.” He told party lawmakers to “be more aggressive,” adding, “You have to understand who you are first. You are fighting for every single Indian.” Congress LS and RS members were present at the meeting.
Owaisi gets out of vehicle, helps clear traffic in Hyderabad
Four-time MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi de-boarded his vehicle and helped clear a traffic jam at Fateh Darwaza Road in Hyderabad on Friday evening. Reportedly, he was also seen pulling children away from the road to ensure their safety. There was a lot of traffic as it was the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.
Sonia Gandhi to continue as Chairperson of Cong Parliamentary Party
Sonia Gandhi has been chosen to continue as the Chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party at the meeting of the party’s parliamentary committee on Saturday. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed her name. Rahul Gandhi was reportedly being considered as the candidate for the position amid rumours of him planning to resign from the post of Congress President.
India responds after US says it’ll end trade privileges on June 5
After US President Donald Trump said that the country would end its preferential trade treatment for India on June 5, the Indian Commerce Ministry said the US decision was anticipated. The Ministry added, “India had offered resolution on significant US requests to find a mutually acceptable way forward. It is unfortunate that this did not find acceptance by the US.”
Haven’t received report that bombers visited India: Sri Lanka Prez
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday said he has not received any report that the suicide bombers involved in the Easter Sunday bombings had travelled to India. He claimed he was not made aware of India’s warning about a possible attack. He added, “Had I known about a possible attack, I would have taken necessary steps to prevent it.”
Ticketless passenger hits railway guard, throws him off train
The guard of a Mumbai-bound train was hit with a bat and thrown off the moving train by a ticketless passenger near Bhachau town in Gujarat’s Kutch following an altercation on Thursday, police said. The body of the 58-year-old guard was recovered from the railway track section near Bhachau. The accused, identified as Anuj Kushwaha, has been arrested.
7k handmade bags made from waste plastic given at PM’s swearing-in
Around 7,000 handmade paper carry bags made from waste plastic were distributed at the oath-taking ceremony of PM Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers. Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI) at Jaipur supplied the bags, which were made by mixing waste plastic with paper raw material. They were given to the guests at the ceremony to keep water bottles.
Govt body ICMR recommends complete ban on e-cigarettes
On World No Tobacco Day on Friday, Indian Council of Medical Research recommended a complete ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, including e-cigarettes, saying their use can initiate nicotine addiction among non-smokers. ICMR said e-cigarettes adversely affect the cardiovascular system, impair respiratory functions in a way similar to cigarette smoking and cause severe respiratory diseases.
Duterte kisses 5 women on stage, says ‘women cured me from being gay’
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte kissed five Filipino women on stage during a speech in Japan, in front of his longtime partner, and said beautiful women helped him “get cured” from being “gay”. The 74-year-old leader was meeting the Filipino community in Tokyo when he asked for women volunteers sitting near the stage to kiss him to end the event.
Bidder pays record ₹32 cr for lunch with 4th richest man Buffett
An anonymous bidder agreed to pay $4,567,888 (₹32 crore) for a lunch with world’s fourth-richest man Warren Buffett, topping the record $3,456,789 offered by anonymous bidders in 2012 and 2016. Since 2000, Buffett’s auction raised $34 million for San Francisco-based charity Glide. The winner can bring up to seven friends to dine with the 88-year-old at a New York steakhouse.
Russian firm offers females ₹107 bonus to wear make-up and skirt
Russian firm Tatprof has been criticised for offering to pay its female employees 100 roubles (nearly ₹107) in bonuses for wearing make-up and skirt no longer than five centimetres from the knee, to work. The move is a part of the firm’s “femininity marathon” campaign. In order to receive the bonus, women must send the company a picture of themselves.
UK billionaire charged in US with spanking fitness instructor
British billionaire Philip Green has been charged with four counts of misdemeanour assault in the United States after an Arizona fitness instructor accused him of repeatedly touching her inappropriately. The 67-year-old is accused of spanking the instructor and grabbing her buttocks at the Canyon Ranch resort in Tucson in 2016 and 2018. However, Green has denied the charges.
North Face ‘hacks’ Wikipedia to promote brand on Google, criticised
US clothing firm North Face has apologised for manipulating Wikipedia to push images of its products higher in Google image search results. In April, its ad agency filled Wikipedia entries of Brazilian landmarks with images of models wearing North Face gear. In a video ad, the company boasted about the stunt, which led to strong criticism from Wikipedia-owner Wikimedia Foundation.
Manish is always fun: Neetu on pic with Manish Malhotra, Rishi
Neetu Kapoor shared a picture of herself and her husband Rishi Kapoor with fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who recently spent time with the couple in New York. “The language you have with your own fraternity is so easy!!! [Manish] is always too much fun,” Neetu captioned the picture. Rishi is currently undergoing treatment for cancer in New York.
I wanted to remove stigma associated with cancer: Tahira Kashyap
While speaking about battling breast cancer, Ayushmann Khurrana’s wife Tahira Kashyap said that she wished to remove the stigma and taboo associated with the disease. “[M]y doctor told me about…women who despite getting a few symptoms refuse to get themselves examined because of…humiliation associated with it,” Tahira said. “If you’re suffering from cancer, don’t let it define you,” she added.
Proud to follow on the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj: S Jaishankar
After taking charge of the Ministry of External Affairs, S Jaishankar wrote in his 1st tweet, “Thank you all for the best wishes! Honoured to be given this responsibility. Proud to follow on the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj ji.” S Jaishankar was the Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018 and upon retirement, he joined Tata Sons.
