"Ready To Move Towards Real, Guaranteed Peace": Zelensky After Meeting Vance

US Vice President JD Vance pledged Friday that Washington sought to secure a "lasting" peace as he held a first meeting with Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss Donald Trump's push for a deal with Moscow.

The talks in Munich were seen as a key moment for Kyiv as it tries to keep Washington on its side after Trump stunned allies by announcing peace efforts with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"We want to achieve a durable, lasting peace, not the kind of peace that's going to have Eastern Europe in conflict just a couple years down the road," Vance said as the meeting wrapped up.

He said "good conversations" had been had with Zelensky about how they could reach that goal, and they would have more talks "in the days, weeks and months to come".

Zelensky also hailed a "good conversation", saying the encounter with Vance was "our first meeting, not last, I'm sure".

"We are ready to move as quickly as possible towards a real and guaranteed peace," Zelensky wrote later on X, adding that an envoy from Washington would visit Kyiv. 

Trump rattled Ukraine and its European allies on Wednesday by agreeing to launch peace talks in his first publicly announced call with Putin since returning to office. 

The dramatic thaw in relations sparked fears Ukraine could be left out in the cold after nearly three years battling against Moscow's invasion. 

US officials have insisted that Zelensky will be involved in negotiations -- and the Ukrainian leader said he would be prepared to sit down with Putin after agreeing a "common plan" with Trump. 

"Only in this case I'm ready to meet," Zelensky told the Munich Security Conference before seeing Vance. 

Vance said ahead of the meeting that the United States was prepared to pressure Russia, adding that Europe should "of course" be at the table. 

But he also told Europe to "step up" on bolstering its own defence to allow Washington to focus on threats elsewhere in the world. 

US officials have sent mixed messages over Washington's strategy after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth appeared to rule out Ukraine joining NATO or retaking all of its territory. 

Trump's Phone Number 

That has sparked major worries in Kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be forced into a bad deal that leaves the continent facing an emboldened Putin. 

But Vance told The Wall Street Journal that Trump would put everything "on the table" in potential talks, and that Washington could even use "military leverage" against Russia to force a deal. 

He did not give more away in a keenly awaited keynote speech, as he avoided addressing the war in Ukraine and focused instead on scolding Europe over immigration and free speech.  

Saudi Arabia, after being named by Trump as a likely venue for a meeting with Putin, said it would welcome holding any talks between the two leaders. 

Zelensky appeared to play down fears that Trump was leaving Kyiv out in the cold, saying the US president had given him his personal number when they spoke. 

"If he will choose our side, and if he will not be in the middle, I think he will pressure and he will push Putin to stop the war," Zelensky said. 

In a bid to keep Washington close, Kyiv has held talks over granting access to its rare mineral deposits in return for future US security support. 

European allies, who along with Washington are Ukraine's strongest backers, demanded that they too be included in negotiations that will impact their continent's security. 

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that forcing Ukraine into a bad deal would harm US interests. 

"I believe that by working together, we can deliver that just and lasting peace," she said. 

Chernobyl Strike 

While Europe nervously monitors the US stance on Ukraine, there is little ambiguity on Trump's determination to get Europe to spend more on its defence. 

Fears that Vance could announce a major US troop reduction in Europe did not materialise, but he repeated warnings that Washington needs to focus more on other parts of the globe. 

Amid the diplomatic flurry in Munich, Zelensky said that back on the ground in Ukraine a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, though he added that radiation levels were normal.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 133 drones across the country overnight, including attack drones, targeting northern regions of the country where the Chernobyl plant lies.

Zelensky said the attack was evidence that "Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations -- he is preparing to continue deceiving the world".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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After Trump's Peace Talks Announcement, Zelensky Meets JD Vance In Munich

US Vice President JD Vance met Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich on Friday for crunch talks on ending Russia's war, as Kyiv insisted it wanted to hammer out a joint plan with Washington.

The sit-down in Germany was seen as a key moment for Kyiv as it seeks to keep Washington on its side after US President Donald Trump stunned allies by launching peace efforts with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"I will meet with Russians -- with only one Russian guy, with Putin -- only after we will have a common plan with Trump, Europe," Zelensky told the Munich Security Conference before seeing Vance.

"Only in this case I'm ready to meet."

Vance in the run-up insisted the United States was prepared to pressure Russia to end its three-year war on Ukraine, as he said Europe should "of course" be at the table.

But the vice president also told Europe to "step up" on bolstering its own defence to allow Washington to focus on threats elsewhere in the world.

US officials have sent mixed messages over Washington's strategy after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth appeared to rule out Ukraine joining NATO or retaking all of its territory.

That has sparked major worries in Kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be forced into a bad deal that leaves the continent facing an emboldened Putin.

But Vance told the Wall Street Journal that Trump would put everything "on the table" in potential talks, and that Washington could even use "military leverage" against Russia to force a deal.

The vice president did not give more away in a keenly-awaited keynote speech, as he avoided addressing the war in Ukraine and focused instead on scolding Europe over immigration and free speech.

- Trump's phone number -

Trump rattled US allies on Wednesday by agreeing to launch peace talks in his first publicly announced call with Putin since returning to office.

After being named by Trump as a likely venue for a meeting with Putin, Saudi Arabia said it would welcome holding any talks between the two leaders.

Zelensky appeared to play down fears that Trump was leaving Kyiv out in the cold, as he joked the US president had given him his personal number when they spoke.

"If he will choose our side, and if he will not be in the middle, I think he will pressure and he will push Putin to stop the war," Zelensky said.

In a bid to keep Washington close Kyiv has held talks over granting access to its rare mineral deposits in return for future US security support.

- Chernobyl strike -

European allies -- who along with Washington are Ukraine's strongest backers -- demanded that they too be included in negotiations that will impact their continent's security.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that forcing Ukraine into a bad deal would harm US interests.

"I believe that by working together, we can deliver that just and lasting peace," she said.

While Europe nervously monitors the US stance on Ukraine, there is little ambiguity on Trump's determination to get Europe to spend more on its defence.

Fears Vance could announce a major US troop reduction in Europe did not materialise, but he repeated warnings that Washington needs to focus more on other parts of the globe.

Amid the diplomatic flurry in Munich, Zelensky said that back on the ground in Ukraine a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, adding that radiation levels were normal.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 133 drones across the country overnight -- including attack drones -- targeting northern regions of the country where the Chernobyl plant lies.

Zelensky said the attack was evidence that "Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations -- he is preparing to continue deceiving the world."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Bihar Teacher Allegedly Asks Student To Be His Girlfriend, Cites Ekalavya

A village in Bihar is witnessing a massive row after a teacher at a school asked a girl student to become his "girlfriend" as "honorarium". No police case has been filed despite the girl complaining to the school. The school authorities have complained to the state Education Department, but no action has been taken against the teacher yet.

Vikas Kumar -- a teacher of Kisan High School in Kisanganj district -- had called up the student of Class 12 and harassed her multiple times. He even proposed that the two of them go to Siliguri, and made vulgar suggestions, the girl has alleged. 

He cited the example of Mahabharat's archer Ekalavya, who had parted with the thumb of his right hand to please Dronacharya, whom he considered his teacher. Why can't his student follow this example and become his girlfriend, he had questioned, she has alleged.

Incensed, the girl had informed her teachers and made a formal complaint against him at the school.

Sources said the teacher had even made similar propositions to a woman teacher of the school to whom he is now married.

Now that a complaint was filed, headmaster Shafiq Ahmed informed the District Education Office. But the Education Office took no action other than calling for an explanation from Vikar Kumar. 

The teacher is yet to reply and is serving as an invigilator in the Matriculation examination at a private school in Kishanganj.

Asked about the allegations against him, he refused to respond.

The lack of action infuriated the villagers, who held a dharna outside the school yesterday. The police had to be called in to deal with the situation.

Asked about the matter, the District Magistrate said they are taking the matter seriously. "After investigation, action would be taken," he said.

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"Life Bigger Than Exam": Gautam Adani After UP Student Dies By Suicide

Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, on Thursday said that failure is never the final destination, adding that life always gives a second chance.

He wrote a post on X about an 18-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur who suicide after failing to clear the JEE exams.

"I have just this request to all of you - never consider failure as the final destination. Because life always gives a second chance…!" the Adani Group Chairman said on X.

अपेक्षाओं के बोझ तले दबकर एक होनहार बेटी का यूं चले जाना हृदयविदारक है।

जीवन किसी भी परीक्षा से बड़ा होता है- यह बात अभिभावकों को खुद भी समझनी होगी और बच्चों को भी समझानी होगी।

मैं पढ़ाई में बहुत सामान्य था। पढ़ाई एवं जीवन में कई बार असफल भी हुआ, लेकिन हर बार जिंदगी ने नया… https://t.co/3s1WnINLcb

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) February 13, 2025

Expressing sadness over the death of the student, Mr Adani said: "It is heartbreaking to see a promising daughter go away under the burden of expectations".

The teen had left a note for her parents stating that she was "sorry" for "not fulfilling their dreams".

Sharing the lesson of life, he also advised parents to keep pressures away from themselves and their children.

"Life is bigger than any exam – parents will have to understand this themselves and also explain it to their children," Gautam Adani said.

Further, the Adani Group Chairman also opened up about his personal failures and how he came out of them.

"I was very normal in my studies," he said, adding that he "failed many times in studies and life".

"But every time life showed me a new path," Gautam Adani said.

Meanwhile, to help students fare well in their lives and reduce their exam-related stress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the eighth edition of "Pariksha Pe Charcha' has also discussed mental health and wellbeing.

During the session, the Prime Minister shared valuable lessons on nutrition and wellness; mastering pressure; challenging oneself; the art of leadership; beyond books – 360-degree growth; finding positives and more.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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NDTV Exclusive: Sooraj Barjatya On His First Meeting With Salman Khan

Sooraj Barjatya and his penchant for heartfelt family dramas were all the rage back in the '90s, and his secret ingredient still works wonders today.

The ace director also recently made his OTT debut with the show Bada Naam Karenge, as a showrunner. One who has followed his trajectory of films can instantly feel the warmth of the show.

Not just viewers, but the ace director says that Amitabh Bachchan, too, had once appreciated his signature style of storytelling.

Amitabh Bachchan On Sooraj Barjatya's Simple Stories

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Sooraj Barjatya recalls a moment while shooting for Uunchai (2022) with Amitabh Bachchan, and the compliment he received.

Barjatya says, "I remember Mr. Bachchan once told me, 'Sooraj, in your films, one suddenly realizes that life can be simple. Life can be simple and there's joy in those simple things, this was when we were shooting for Uunchai."

Every filmmaker comes with a unique style of bringing a story to life, on the big screen. Sooraj Barjatya ruled the '90s and early '20s with commercial blockbusters such as Hum Saath-Saath Hai (1999), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hai Koun..! (1994), and Vivah (2006), to name a few.

Sooraj Barjatya's Favourite Films

Upon asking him the kind of films he grew up watching, and how that impacted his outlook towards making films, he rewinds back to his favourites.

Sooraj Barjatya says, "We have grown up watching movies by legends like Bimal Roy and Raj Kapoor. But the films that made the biggest impact on me were our own Rajshri films which we grew up on, and LV Prasad movies. They influenced my understanding of cinema, and finding my voice, greatly."

"I Just Wanted To See How Rishi Kapoor Ji Would Dance To Om Shanti Om In Karz"

The ace filmmaker is not on social media. Like every individual who has seen the world of cinema before this phenomenon, Barjatya fondly recalls the craze back when films used to be released.

He says, "Those were very different times. I remember there were times when we would go and buy costumes for the actor, or sometimes the actor came and we just picked up subsidies. It was never about to create an impact. But today you have WhatsApp messages to check everything. The technical bit is okay, but life was simpler at that time. The entire marketing used to be just for trailers and posters, and then we used to do a lot of songs and radio plays. But there was magic at that time, things were hidden."

He adds, "I clearly remember, Om Shanti Om was such a rage when it was released. I was a youngster and I just wanted to see how Rishi Kapoor ji would dance and what he would wear. But now songs are released 15 days prior, so I know exactly what I'm going to see. So there are lessons, but the magic of cinema will always remain."

Sooraj Barjatya's Films With Its Ensemble Cast

One of the other trademark styles of a Sooraj Barjatya film is the ensemble cast he would bring together. Massive sets, and a starry cast that got the excitement soaring all the more.

Hum Saath-Saath Hai was a musical blockbuster with the lead cast featuring Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Tabu, and Mohnish Behl. As was the stellar lineup in Hum Aapke Hai Koun..! with the lead cast featuring Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Renuka Shahane, Mohnish Behl, and Anupam Kher.

It is no easy feat to manage such a huge cast, brimming with A-listers. Wouldn't it be a challenge? But Barjatya remarks that he has always had the knack of bringing people together.

The filmmaker says, "It was a challenge but I always tend to end up bringing everyone together, bringing in all the elements—a chattering dining table, the temple scenes, dancing and singing, and celebrating. Maybe it is the way I have grown up, I always end up in that world."

"I Remember Renuka Making Toast For Salman"

A director can never pick and choose between his films, Sooraj Barjatya, however, has a favourite moment from the sets of the cult classic Hum Aapke Hai Koun..!, starring Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit.

He says, "I think we had great fun on the sets of Hum Aapke Hai Koun..! when we were filming the song Didi Tera Devar Deewana. We shot for 9 days and it was great fun because everyone was together. Everyone had gotten to know each other. I clearly remember on one of the days on the set,  Renuka making toast for Salman also, right there. So we were living those characters. I would rate all the sets as good, but I think that film set was the most fun."

Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan's Enduring Friendship

When you think of romance in Bollywood, it has always been a constant echoing of Shah Rukh Khan in every alley. But one look at Salman Khan's iconic character 'Prem' in Sooraj Barjatya films, and maybe, romance peaked for the actor during that phase.

Sooraj Barjatya takes a trip down memory lane, as he recalls his first meeting with Salman Khan.

The filmmaker says, "I met him for Maine Pyar Kiya because someone told me that Salim saab ka beta hai Salman. However, I came to know later that he was already doing a film. But I was not moving anywhere with my lead, so I contacted him and the first meeting was at our Rajshri office."

He continues, "When I saw him personally, I thought he was very short. At that time his photos were outstanding. I just started narrating, he heard and I think by the time we reached the kabutar sequence (Maine Pyar Kiya), we both knew that we had got what we wanted."

That Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan have had a rock-solid friendship for years, is known. In recent interviews, Barjatya has also dropped hints on finding a new 'Prem' for the current generation, and writing a character for Salman Khan that is befitting of his age.

Casting Shahid Kapoor In Vivah

Another actor who recently spoke about Sooraj Barjatya was none other than Shahid Kapoor. 

Kapoor had a breakthrough with Barjatya's Vivah, and this came to be after a series of flops he had delivered with films like Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005), and Shikhar (2005).

Shahid had also mentioned in a few media interactions that he had requested Sooraj Barjatya to replace him in Vivah for the above reason.

But does a rough patch define an actor's calibre?

Barjatya remarks, "We all have seen enough life. We all know I have also had lows, and hits, and flops are going to be part of this journey. The law of average catches up with everyone, so as long as I knew Shahid has done his best, it hardly matters because finally, it is the film. It is the innings that you play."

Dealing With Backlash

Having years of experience behind him, and the changing tides of Indian cinema and audience's reception, does dealing with the backlash get easier?

The director says, "We always feel a little anxious. But with time you realise that I should do my best. I think that grounding comes with age and experience and it gives me more chances to do something. I did Uunchai just out of my comfort zone, without bothering about first-day collections, because you don't want to run the race anymore."

Sooraj Barjatya is synonymous with bringing families together, and with each production, he truly adds gravitas to the saying, "Home is where the heart is."
 

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Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed As Trump's Director Of National Intelligence

The US Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI) under the Trump administration.

Although she has never served on an intelligence committee, as a former Representative from Hawaii, Gabbard brings a distinctive combination of legislative and military experience to the role. Her service in the US House of Representatives, which spanned from 2013 to 2021, was marked by her commitment to various causes. Additionally, her time in the Hawaii Army National Guard, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait, has earned her recognition.

In her new position, Gabbard will oversee the United States' intelligence community, coordinating operations among various agencies to ensure national security and effective information-sharing. This role comes with significant responsibility, as the DNI plays a critical part in advising the President on intelligence matters.

Gabbard's appointment has raised some eyebrows due to her lack of direct experience in intelligence oversight. Furthermore, her past remarks on US adversaries, including Russia and Syria, have sparked controversy.

Some senators have expressed concerns about Gabbard's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and her 2017 visit to Syria, where she met with then-President Bashar al-Assad while he was under US sanctions. Her previous defence of former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has also been cited as a point of contention.

Despite these concerns, Gabbard has pledged to bring transparency and efficiency to the intelligence community. Her military background and congressional experience will undoubtedly influence her approach to this complex role. As she assumes the position of Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard will oversee 18 intelligence agencies with a budget of approximately $100 billion, advising President Trump on critical intelligence matters.
 

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Ahead Of Bumrah Shockr, Ball Was In BCCI Court. Star "Medically Fit But..."

Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, a BCCI released confirmed on Tuesday night. The Sports and Medical Science team of National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru has left it on the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to decide on Jasprit Bumrah's selection for the Champions Trophy. There are two parameters of fitness that the NCA checks before clearing a player's return to action. It is understood that once Bumrah completed his rehabilitation for his lower back injury under strength & conditioning coach Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi, he was declared medically fit.

However, doubts still remain over whether he is bowling fit or not before a tournament as big as the Champions Trophy. The ball has now been put in Agarkar's court and it is learnt that the chairman of selection committee, who is in Ahmedabad, had a chat with skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir on the issue.

While there is a debate whether it is worth taking a world class bowler who might be half fit or opt for a rookie like Harshit Rana who is fully fit, but if Bumrah is available for the back end, they would not want to miss out on a chance to have him on the roster.

Rana in any case will be a travelling reserve and can always come in if Bumrah is eventually ruled out. The other factor that's stopping them from completely resting Bumrah is optics. If he misses the Champions Trophy and is then available for the cash-rich IPL, it wouldn't look good.

India will send their final squad for the tournament by Tuesday midnight, and the ICC will release it on Wednesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ahead Of Bumrah Shockr, Ball Was In BCCI Court. Star "Medically Fit But..."

Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, a BCCI released confirmed on Tuesday night. The Sports and Medical Science team of National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru has left it on the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to decide on Jasprit Bumrah's selection for the Champions Trophy. There are two parameters of fitness that the NCA checks before clearing a player's return to action. It is understood that once Bumrah completed his rehabilitation for his lower back injury under strength & conditioning coach Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi, he was declared medically fit.

However, doubts still remain over whether he is bowling fit or not before a tournament as big as the Champions Trophy. The ball has now been put in Agarkar's court and it is learnt that the chairman of selection committee, who is in Ahmedabad, had a chat with skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir on the issue.

While there is a debate whether it is worth taking a world class bowler who might be half fit or opt for a rookie like Harshit Rana who is fully fit, but if Bumrah is available for the back end, they would not want to miss out on a chance to have him on the roster.

Rana in any case will be a travelling reserve and can always come in if Bumrah is eventually ruled out. The other factor that's stopping them from completely resting Bumrah is optics. If he misses the Champions Trophy and is then available for the cash-rich IPL, it wouldn't look good.

India will send their final squad for the tournament by Tuesday midnight, and the ICC will release it on Wednesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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EasyJet Plane Makes Emergency Landing After Pilot Collapses Mid-Flight

An EasyJet flight bound for Manchester made an emergency landing in Athens, Greece, after the pilot suddenly collapsed at the controls. Chaos erupted on board as cabin crew rushed to the cockpit, abandoning their drink carts and shouting for medical help. The cabin crew quickly set up a screen around the pilot, who was in a grave condition, before announcing that an emergency landing was necessary. 

The co-pilot then took control and landed the plane at Athens airport, where paramedics and emergency vehicles were waiting on the tarmac to provide urgent medical care to the stricken pilot.

Passengers lauded the co-pilot's heroic efforts, praising him with a "very big well done." The cabin crew also received accolades for their exceptional handling of the crisis, with passengers describing them as "fantastic."

A passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted to the Manchester Evening News that about two hours into the flight, they sensed something was amiss. At the time, cabin crew were serving drinks when they suddenly rushed to the cockpit, where a man had collapsed, sparking a frantic response.

"At first we thought this may have been a passenger as nothing much was being said other than the screams asking if anyone is medically trained, where a few passengers got up and assisted the cabin crew," one passenger told the Manchester Evening News.

They added, "The following call was from the cabin crew to advise this was the captain/pilot who was seeking medical attention and has fallen unwell and we again would be further updated with what was going to happen. At this point, the passengers were starting to get rather worried and anxious including myself knowing that it was a pilot and not the passenger."

An EasyJet spokesman said: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY2252 from Hurghada to Manchester yesterday evening was diverted to Athens due to the Captain requiring medical assistance. The First Officer performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by paramedics on arrival in Athens."

"As a result the onward flight was delayed overnight and passengers will continue their journey to Manchester today. We did all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption and arranged hotel rooms and meals where available. We would like to apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience and understanding."

The pilot's current condition remains undisclosed. Meanwhile, passengers were accommodated in hotels overnight and were able to rebook their return flights for Sunday, February 9.

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"Jihadist Extremists": Taslima Nasreen's Publisher Vandalised In Bangladesh

A group of madrasa students on Monday attacked a stall at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka over the display of book written by Taslima Nasreen, who is in exile in India as per police and eyewitness' accounts.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the incident took place at the book stall of Sabyasachi Publication, the publisher of Nasreen.

"A group of agitators came to Sabyasachi Prakashani and started shouting first why Taslima Nasreen's book was kept in the stall. Later Publisher Shatabdi Bhava was attacked by the people. They threw away Taslima's book", a witness said.

"Later, the situation came under control after police picked up Publisher Shatabdi Bhava and the agitators from the spot", they added.

"Additional police were sent after receiving information about the disturbance at the book fair. The panic was there due to tensions between some students of the Qaumi Madrasa and the publisher of Sabyasachi Prokashoni", Police Official Masud Alam told ANI over the phone.

"We brought both parties to the police station. We are trying to find out the reason of the tensions. The situation is completely under control", he added.

Today, jihadist religious extremists attacked the stall of the publisher Sabyasachi at Bangladesh's book fair. Their "crime" was publishing my book. The book fair authorities and the police from the local station ordered the removal of my book. Even after it was removed, the... pic.twitter.com/ypddpQysiu

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) February 10, 2025

Purported videos of the attack has gone viral on social media. Taslima Nasreen shared one such video on X.

"Today, jihadist religious extremists attacked the stall of the publisher Sabyasachi at Bangladesh's book fair. Their 'crime' was publishing my book", Taslima Nasreen wrote on X.

"The book fair authorities and the police from the local station ordered the removal of my book. Even after it was removed, the extremists attacked, vandalized the stall, and shut it down", she added.

"The government is supporting these extremists, and jihadist activities are spreading across the country", Nasreen said.

Taslima Nasreen is a Bangladeshi writer, physician, feminist, secular activist.

On February 21, 1952, some valiant sons of the then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla as the state language. For remembering their sacrifice a book fair is organized by Bangla Academy and featured as the Amar Ekushey book fair held annually in the month of February.

It is one of the largest book fairs in South Asia held at Bangla Academy courtyard and the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. Books of different genres and subjects are available in the fair.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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PM Modi Arrives In France On 3-Day Visit, To Co-Chair AI Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Monday on a three-day visit during which he will co-chair an AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and hold bilateral talks with him.

In the evening, PM Modi will attend a dinner hosted by President Macron at the Elyse Palace in honour of visiting Heads of Government and State.

The dinner is also likely to be attended by CEOs from the tech domain and a number of other distinguished invitees to the summit.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi will co-chair the AI Action Summit along with President Macron.

PM Modi and Macron will also hold discussions in both restricted and delegation formats and address the India-France CEO's Forum.

On Wednesday, the two leaders will visit Mazargues War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Marseille, to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers in World War I.

They will inaugurate the newest Consulate General of India in Marseille.

PM Modi and Macron will visit Cadarache, the site of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a high-science project.

This is PM Modi's sixth visit to France, according to officials.

From France, PM Modi will travel to the US on the second leg of his two-nation tour.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Woman, 23, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest While Dancing At Wedding In Madhya Pradesh

A 23-year-old woman died of cardiac arrest while she was dancing during a marriage function at a resort in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district.

The woman has been identified as Parinita Jain, a resident of Indore, who had come to Vidisha to attend the marriage function of her cousin's sister.

A video surfaced on social media showed that Parinita was dancing on stage during the 'haldi' function where more than 200 guests were present.

A viral video showed while Parinita was dancing to a Bollywood song 'lehra ke balkha ke', she collapsed all of a sudden on stage on Saturday night.

It came to light when the video of the incident surfaced on social media.

Family members, who are doctors and were present at the function, tried to give her CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), however, she didn't respond.

She was immediately rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared her dead.

Parinita, who was a MBA graduate was living with her parents in Indore's South Tukoganj.

According to official information, one of her younger brothers also died of a heart attack at the age of 12.

However, this is not the first such incident when people dancing to music tunes collapsed and died in Madhya Pradesh.

In October last year, a 15-year-old boy died of cardiac arrest while he was playing cricket in Agar-Malwa district.

Similarly, a 73-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died on the spot while dancing on stage during a yoga programme in Madhya Pradesh's Indore.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Please Free My Brother": Kanye West Asks Donald Trump To Release Diddy

Rapper Kanye West is back in the headlines. After his controversial entry at the Grammys with his wife Bianca Censori, West is now demanding US President Donald Trump's help in freeing music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who is currently in jail on serious charges, including alleged sex trafficking and racketeering.

On Friday, West took to his X account to slam Hollywood celebrities for staying silent on Diddy's arrest, accusing them of letting Combs "rot" in jail instead of speaking out in his defence, while requesting Trump to "free his brother."

"Donald Trump, PLEASE FREE MY BROTHER PUFF," read his X post.

@realDonaldTrump PLEASE FREE MY BROTHER PUFF

— ye (@kanyewest) February 7, 2025

Kanye also shared a video of a FaceTime call with Diddy's son, Christian Combs. "A SON TO HIS DAD FOR EVERY SON WHO DAD IS LOCKED UP WRITE OR WRONG I WANT YALL TO LISTEN TO DAVE CHAPELLES JOKES VERY CLOSE THIS TIME LETS SEE HOW FUNNY IT GETS WHEN FAMILIES ARE SEPARATED ESPECIALLY BLACK FAMILIES," read the caption of his post.

The rapper continued his online rants, reigniting his long-standing feud with liquor company Diageo. He accused corporate executives of controlling the music industry, specifically targeting Jewish and white business leaders.

"WHAT Y'ALL GONNA DO? CANCEL MY SNEAKER DEAL? CANCEL MY RECORD DEAL? FREEZE MY ACCOUNTS?," read one of his posts.

WHAT YALL GONE DO CANCEL MY SNEAKER DEAL CANCEL MY RECORD DEAL FREEZE MY ACCOUNTS FUCK ALL YALL NIGGAS SLAVERY IS A CHOICE IM SPEAKING MY MIND NOW I AINT EDITING SHIT AGAIN EVER

— ye (@kanyewest) February 7, 2025

Combs is currently in jail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, awaiting his criminal trial, set to begin on May 5. He faces multiple charges, including running a criminal enterprise, drugging victims, and using violence to silence them. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Massive Fire Breaks Out At Sonmarg Hotel, Nearby Shops Destroyed

A massive fire broke out at a hotel and quickly spread to nearby accommodations and shops in Sonmarg district of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday. 

There was no immediate report of any casualties. Sources, however, said several shops and hotels were destroyed in the blaze.

 The cause of the fire also could not be immediately ascertained. 

According to IANS, the fire erupted at Hotel Sounsar in Sonmarg market.

In a post on X, Ganderbal deputy commissioner said the personnel from Gund Kangan fire services, the Army, the State Disaster Response Force and local residents are helping to douse the blaze.

"5 fire vehicles on-site, operations are in full swing, blaze has been brought under control. Efforts are on to extinguish the fire," the official said. 

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was in constant touch with the local administration to ensure all possible assistance.

"Deeply saddened by the devastating fire incident in the Sonmarg market. My office is in constant touch with the local administration to ensure all possible assistance reaches those in need. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected families and businesses. In this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with you and will do everything possible to support your recovery," he wrote on X. 

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Jennifer Aniston's Fitness Regime Is A Game-Changer For Menopausal Women

Jennifer Aniston constantly defies the age barrier. A recent insight on her impeccable fitness has been deemed the reason why and it is not surprising given how fit and fabulous she looks all the time.

She is known to follow a fitness routine called Pvolve – an at-home, low-impact resistance exercise programme that is incredibly effective for menopausal women according to a research by the University of Exeter. The study suggests that Pvolve is “effective at improving strength and balance in women during and post-menopause”.

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What Is Pvolve?

A pilates-inspired workout, Pvolve exercises include strength training and cardio bursts, which help in improving the body's overall balance and mobility. This method uses simple techniques of bending, rotating, walking and reaching to small limits gradually increased by the instructor. It significantly works in various parts of the body without putting much pressure on joints that may have become weaker due to age. 

Also Read: Natasa Stankovic's Power-Packed Stepper Workout Is The Best Way To Level Up Your Cardio

According to a report on Telegraph, the at-home exercise became popular during the COVID-19 lockdown phase when people were adapting newer means to stay fit and healthy. The iconic Jennifer Aniston stepped into this fitness programme in 2021, calling it a “game-changer.

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The same report claimed that the research, published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, study examined 70 moderately active women in the south-west of England, whether the fitness programme could improve strength, balance, and body composition. The study specifically clarified that the selective women belonged to that group who have not been undergoing the hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Surprisingly, a few women aged between 40 to 60 who followed the programme got better results than those who followed the standard government health advice to do 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

The findings saw the exercise had a 19 per cent increase in lower body strength and hip function, a 21 per cent improvement in lower body flexibility, a 10 per cent increase in balance and stability of the body, and a certain amount of increase in lean muscle without increasing the body mass, and shoulder strength in those who followed Pvolve for 12 weeks compared to those who didn't. Prof Francis Stephens of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the research, stated, “This ultimately increases the risk of falls and fractures later in life, particularly of the hip, which is why it's so important to find a way for women to maintain that strength and balance as they get older.”

He continued, “The great thing about these simple resistance exercises is they can easily be performed at home, and we've now shown they're effective at improving strength and balance in women during and post-menopause.

Also Read: Masaba Gupta Jumps Into A Single Arm Kettlebell Workout "With 10 Kgs To Shed" On Her Mind

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"Humility Shines Through": Harsh Goenka On Jeet Adani, Diva Shah's Wedding

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani had said his son Jeet Adani's wedding would be conducted in a "simple and traditional way". Staying true to his word, the billionaire industrialist not only kept the wedding simple but also donated Rs 10,000 crore for social causes.

Conspicuous by their absence were politicians, business leaders, diplomats, bureaucrats, film stars, entertainers and other celebrities. Speculation that it would be a lavish and spectacular affair were put to rest.

At the Belvedere Club in Ahmedabad's Adani Shantigram township on Friday afternoon, Jeet Adani married Diva, daughter of diamond trader Jaimin Shah. According to family insiders, the wedding was a simple affair, with the usual religious rituals followed by a traditional Gujarati ceremony attended only by close relatives and friends.

Many top personalities praised how the private wedding was conducted and gave their best wishes to the couple.

"Gautam Adani's son Jeet got married today in a small, private wedding ceremony in Ahmedabad. The family's simplicity, values and humility shine through in this intimate celebration, setting an inspiring example of grace and grounded living," RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka said in a post on X.

Gautam Adani's son Jeet got married today in a small, private wedding ceremony in Ahmedabad. The family's simplicity, values and humility shine through in this intimate celebration, setting an inspiring example of grace and grounded living. pic.twitter.com/0ky2HZFNGj

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) February 7, 2025

Renowned journalist and Editor-in-chief of India TV, Rajat Sharma, who has known Mr Adani for several years, congratulated Jeet Adani and Diva Shah and praised Gautam Adani's initiative to donate Rs 10,000 crore for social causes. Mr Sharma said, "Gautam Adani, one of the richest people in the world, got his son married in a very simple and traditional way. The marriage was not lavish or spectacular. A few guests were invited. But on this occasion, Gautam Adani announced a donation of 10,000 crores."

Mr Sharma added that he has known Mr Adani for several years and he is known for giving pleasant surprises and said, "This amount (Rs 10,000 crore) will be used to build low-cost hospitals, medical colleges, affordable schools and global skill academies."

"The simplicity with which he got his son married is commendable. It is a good thing that he donated Rs 10,000 crores," he said.

The distinctive wedding gift from one of the richest men in the world will be channelled into various social causes. Sources close to him said Gautam Adani's cause list for his sizeable donation has been shaped by his social philosophy of 'Seva sadhana hai, seva prarthana hai, aur seva hi parmatma hai".

The larger part of his donation is expected to go into funding massive infrastructure initiatives in healthcare, education and skill development. These initiatives will focus on giving all sections of society access to a network of affordable world-class hospitals and medical colleges, affordable top-tier K-12 schools and advanced global skill academies with assured employability. 

Gautam Adani posted on X (formerly Twitter):

परमपिता परमेश्वर के आशीर्वाद से जीत और दिवा आज विवाह के पवित्र बंधन में बंध गए।

यह विवाह आज अहमदाबाद में प्रियजनों के बीच पारंपरिक रीति रिवाजों और शुभ मंगल भाव के साथ संपन्न हुआ।

यह एक छोटा और अत्यंत निजी समारोह था, इसलिए हम चाह कर भी सभी शुभचिंतकों को आमंत्रित नहीं कर सके,… pic.twitter.com/RKxpE5zUvs

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) February 7, 2025

Interestingly, in the tweet, he addressed his daughter-in-law as "daughter Diva".

Jeet Adani currently serves as Director at Adani Airports, managing six international airports and overseeing the building of a seventh in Navi Mumbai. Jeet is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Just two days before the wedding, Gautam Adani announced 'Mangal Seva', a programme to support newly married women with disabilities. To begin with, every year, 500 such women will be provided financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each.

Jeet Adani met 21 newly married 'divyang' women and their husbands to launch this initiative.

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Punjab Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Actor Sonu Sood In Fraud Case

A court in Punjab has issued an arrest warrant against Bollywood actor Sonu Sood in connection with an alleged fraud case. The warrant was issued by Ludhiana Judicial Magistrate Ramanpreet Kaur.

The case involves an alleged fraud of Rs 10 lakh, filed by Ludhiana-based lawyer Rajesh Khanna against one Mohit Shukla, in which he claimed he was lured into investing in a fake Rijika coin.

Sonu Sood was summoned to court to testify but failed to appear, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant.

In its order, the Ludhiana court directed the Officer In-Charge of Oshiwara Police Station, Andheri West, Mumbai, to arrest Sonu Sood.

The order states, "Sonu Sood, (S/o, W/o, D/o) resident of R/O H.NO 605/606 Casablanc Apartment, has been duly served with summon(s) or warrant(s) but he/she has failed to attend (absconds and keeps out of the way for the purpose of avoiding service of a summon(s) or warrant(s)). You are hereby ordered to arrest and bring the said Sonu Sood before the Court..."

"You are hereby directed to return this warrant on or before 10-02-2025 with an endorsement certifying the day on and the manner in which it has been executed, or the reason why it has not been executed," the order further read.

The next hearing of the case is scheduled for February 10.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Babar Azam Suffers Mishap Ahead Of CT 2025. Pak Star Says: "I Have Lost..."

The Champions Trophy 2025 is just days away with all the teams in the final phase of their preparation. This time the Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan and Dubai (all India matches). All eyes will be on Pakistan and India, the two arch-rivals who will be facing for the first time after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar Azam will be a crucial cog in Pakistan's wheel at the Champions Trophy 2025. Being the hosts, Pakistan will be expected to do well. The last time Pakistan did well in an ICC event was at the 2017 Champions Trophy which it won. 

However, off the field, Babar Azam has suffered a mishap. He took to X and wrote about it: "I have lost my phone and contacts. Will get back to everyone as soon as I find it."

I have lost my phone and contacts. Will get back to everyone as soon as I find it.

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) February 6, 2025

Tickets for the highly-anticipated clash between archrivals India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai were snapped up within minutes of going on sale on Monday. The rush was so intense that over 1,50,000 eager fans queued online, causing waiting times to exceed an hour. The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. It is a group-stage match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held on a hybrid model in Pakistan and UAE.

Residents and cricket enthusiasts alike were taken aback by the overwhelming demand for tickets for the marquee clash.

Sudhashree, a Dubai resident, expressed her astonishment, saying, "I anticipated a long queue, but the speed at which tickets vanished was shocking. By the time I secured my place, only two categories remained, both beyond my budget."

Fans patiently queued for nearly an hour, only to find that tickets for the India-Pakistan showdown got sold out across nearly all categories, including the Dh2,000 (approx Rs 47,434) Platinum and Dh5,000 (approx. Rs 1.8 lakh) Grand Lounge sections. With the Dubai International Cricket Stadium accommodating 25,000 spectators, the race for tickets highlighted the match's immense popularity and significance.

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Men Carrying Assault Rifles 'Play' Football In Manipur. Video Viral

A man in a fluorescent green football jersey came walking towards the camera. In knee-high socks and running shorts, he appeared prepped for a football match on the dusty ground. But this 'football player' carried two automatic assault rifles - one slung from the right shoulder, the other in hand. He raised the gun and laughed.

This 'football match warmup' video first appeared in an Instagram post by a social media influencer from Manipur's Kangpokpi district. It has gone viral now.

The visuals showed a dozen men in football kits carrying AK and American-origin M series assault rifles, kicking a football around. The guns have red ribbons tied around the barrel.

An event poster visible in the video showed the place as (L) Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground, K Gamnomphai. There is a village which locals identify as 'Gamnomphai' in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, some 30 km from the state capital Imphal.

The word 'Sanakhang' is written on the front side of the football jerseys, and one of the men carrying an AK assault rifle has the name 'Ginna Kipgen' written on the back of his jersey. He is player No. 15.

The text on the event poster seen in the video showed the football match began on January 20.

The social media influencer, Nampi Romeo Hansong, deleted the Instagram video which carried the watermark 'Kukiland' and a hashtag in his name. Mr Hansong, who has 11,000 followers, later posted a short video of the football match on Instagram - without the men carrying assault rifles.

On his YouTube channel, which has 1.09 lakh subscribers, he posted a nearly six-minute-long video showing the men with guns -- from the earlier video that he deleted -- for the first three seconds.

While the rest of the video has cultural performances and scenes from the football match, heavily armed men in dark green battledress are seen dancing at the venue towards the end of the video. Their helmets and shoulder patches carried a red logo usually seen worn by militants of the Kuki National Front (P), or KNF-P, whose turf is Kangpokpi.

A civil society organisation of the Meitei community in a post on X asked the authorities to "investigate this open display of assault rifles".

"This video of a football tournament in Manipur has gone viral on social media. What is deeply disturbing is the open display of sophisticated weapons by the so-called footballers. Or is it a football tournament of Kuki Militants? We urge the authorities to investigate this open display of assault rifles," the Meitei Heritage Society said.

This video of a football tournament in Manipur has gone viral on social media. What is deeply disturbing is the open display of sophisticated weapons by the so called footballers. Or is it a football tournament of Kuki Militants?

We urge the authorities to investigate this... pic.twitter.com/3IC5uY9BkH

— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) February 6, 2025

The 'P' in KNF-P means "president"; it is used to indicate KNF-P is the original KNF, hence the letter "president", the supreme. The KNF was founded in 1987. In 1994, it split into two factions i.e. KNF-MC led by SK Kipgen, and the original became KNF-P led by ST Thangboi Kipgen.

So, KNF is the KNF-P; the rest are its factions.

The KNF is a signatory to the controversial suspension of operations (SoO) agreement signed between nearly two dozen Kuki militant groups and the state and the centre.

Under SoO, the militants are to stay at designated camps and their weapons kept in locked, monitored storage.

The Manipur government has been asking the joint monitoring group, which reviews the SoO agreement every year, to scrap it for good, over allegations that the SoO groups have been involved in the Manipur violence from the beginning. The SoO agreement lapsed in February this year.

The Kuki tribes and the Meiteis have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation.

Manipur's Gun Problem

In 2023, the year the Manipur violence began, young men armed with automatic assault rifles from both communities were frequently seen roaming in the open. Hundreds of videos have surfaced on social media.

Members of the Meitei militia Arambai Tenggol armed with military-grade grenade launchers and AKs were often seen 'patrolling' the foothills, while their Kuki counterparts were seen in bunkers on the hilltops with similar weapons.

Both sides claim they are "village volunteers".

With the security forces and the government authorities themselves using the word "village volunteers", these groups of young people may have become more and more confident of showing off lethal weapons and normalising the act in the absence of effective deterrence, local activists have alleged.

Many senior officers of the security forces have publicly said militants from both sides are involved in the Manipur violence. These include violations of the SoO agreement by Kuki militants, and Meitei militants who had been dormant for the last 10 years returning to Manipur from war-torn Myanmar.

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Sheikh Hasina's Father's Home Set On Fire By Mob In Dhaka During Her Speech

A large group of protesters on Wednesday vandalised and set on fire Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence in Dhaka during a live online address of his daughter and deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Witnesses said several thousand people rallied in front of the house at the capital's Dhanmondi area, which was earlier turned into a memorial museum, since early evening following a social media call for “Bulldozer Procession” as Hasina was supposed to make her address at 9 pm (BST).

Hasina delivered her address organised by the Awami League's now-disbanded student wing Chhatra League and called upon the countrymen to organise a resistance against the current regime.

“They are yet to have the strength to destroy the national flag, the constitution and the independence that we earned at the cost of lives of millions of martyrs with a bulldozer,” Hasina said in an apparent reference to Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus's incumbent regime, installed by the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement.

She added: “They can demolish a building, but not the history … but they must also remember that the history takes its revenge.” The student movement earlier promised to scrap Bangladesh's 1972 Constitution as they promised to bury the “Mujibist constitution” while some far-right groups also suggested change of the national anthem adopted by Sheikh Mujib-led post-independence government.

The house became an iconic symbol in Bangladesh history as Sheikh Mujib largely led the pre-independence autonomy movement for decades from the house while during the successive Awami League rule when it was turned into a museum, foreign heads of state or dignitaries used to visit in line with state protocol.

The 32 Dhanmondi residence was set on fire earlier on August 5 last year when Hasina's nearly 16-year Awami League regime was toppled and she secretly left the country along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana for India on a Bangladesh Air Force flight.

Hasina said she and her only surviving sibling had donated their ancestral house to a trust as a public property, turning the building into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, as Sheikh Mujib was fondly called “Bangabandhu” or “Friend of Bengal” since the late 1960s when his movement for autonomy from Pakistan turned into a mass upheaval in 1969.

He was killed along with most of his family members in a coup staged by a group of junior or mid-ranking military officers on August 15, 1975 when Hasina and Rehana were in Germany.

The deposed premier in a slight emotion-choked voice said that the Pakistani troops also looted the house during the 1971 Liberation War but did not demolish or set it on fire.

“Today, this house is being demolished. What crime it had committed? Why they were so afraid of the house… I seek justice from the people of the country. Didn't I do anything for you?” she said.

Witnesses said a group of army troops emerged at the scene to persuade the protestors but they were greeted with boos.

The protesters first damaged a mural of the assassinated leader on the building's boundary wall and wrote “There won't be 32 anymore”.

A key-organiser of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Abdul Hannan Masud, meanwhile, called for the demolition of all residences belonging to former Awami League MPs and ministers in a Facebook post proposing new buildings be constructed on those sites. Earlier in the day, convenor of the platform Hasnat Abdullah warned Bangladesh media outlets against broadcasting Hasina's speech, saying it would be seen as facilitating her agenda.

In her speech, Hasina, however, said the ordinary students were used by Yunus for an orchestrated movement to grab the state power and urged them to go back to their studies to build their future to serve the country.

Meanwhile, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Wednesday that the interim government is making all efforts to bring back Hasina and others from India under the extradition treaty.

Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's 16-year regime.

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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How A Three-Way Trade War With China, Mexico And Canada Could Weaken The US

The United States and China have officially kicked off a trade dispute that could either be a short-lived skirmish or a prolonged and painful trade war. The conflict began when the US imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese goods, prompting China to retaliate with tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on certain US products, including coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-displacement cars.

China's countermeasures, set to take effect on Monday, also include adding two American companies, Illumina and PVH Group, owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, to its unreliable entities list. This move severely limits the companies' ability to operate in China, citing violations of normal market trading principles.

The situation remains uncertain, with some experts speculating that the two nations may agree to postpone further action to engage in dialogue. Clark Packard, a research fellow at the Cato Institute's Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, warned that if a deal isn't reached, the conflict could escalate rapidly, per CNN. "If a similar deal isn't reached, then I think it has the potential to be fairly intense," Packard said.

The tariffs imposed by the US could lead to higher prices for American consumers, affecting a wide range of goods, including consumer electronics, toys, and apparel. Additionally, the increased costs of importing raw materials, such as rubber, plastic, and chemicals, could negatively impact American businesses.

The conflict may also have far-reaching consequences, including job losses in both China and the US. Morgan Stanley economists predict that the US will impose additional tariffs on China later this year, which could lead to further retaliation from China.

A potentially more devastating scenario is a three-way trade war involving the US, China, and other nations, such as Mexico and Canada. Citibank economists warn that this could lead to significant economic contraction in the US, with the economy predicted to shrink by 0.8% this year and -1.1% next year.

China's economy would be impacted less this year and next as compared to the US, despite heavy tariffs, on the other hand, the economies of Mexico and Canada will be hit majorly as compared to the United States.
 

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Nurse Uses Fevikwik Instead Of Suturing Wound In Karnataka, Suspended

A nurse at a government hospital in Karnataka, who used Fevikwik instead of stitching the wound, has been suspended.

The decision to suspend her was taken in a meeting convened on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of the state government.

According to a statement by the Commissioner's Office of Health and Family Welfare Services, "Fevikwik is an adhesive solution not permitted for medical use under regulations. In this case, the staff nurse responsible for dereliction of duty by using Fevikwik for the child's treatment has been suspended following a preliminary report and pending further investigation as per rules." The incident occurred on January 14 at the Adoor Primary Health Centre in Hanagal taluk, Haveri district, when seven-year-old Gurukishan Annappa Hosamani, who was bleeding profusely from a deep wound on his cheek, was brought in by his parents.

The parents had recorded a video of the nurse shrugging off their concern by saying she had been doing this for years and that this was better as stitches would leave a permanent scar on the child's face.

Later they lodged an official complaint and submitted the video, as well.

Despite the video evidence, instead of suspending Jyoti, the authorities transferred her to another health facility-the Gutthal Health Institute in Haveri taluk-on February 3, sparking more public outrage.

The child who underwent this treatment is reported to be in good health, and directions have been issued to health authorities concerned to monitor for any adverse effects, added the press release

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Meet Akash Bobba, Indian-Origin Engineer With Key Role In Elon Musk's DOGE

Tesla chief Elon Musk headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has hired a team of six young engineers, some barely out of college, Wired reported on Monday. The team, aged between 19 and 24, includes Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran. Some are fresh out of college, while one is reportedly still a student. Among them is also Indian-origin Akash Bobba. 

These engineers now hold key positions within agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA), with access to sensitive government data. The lack of experience in government affairs, combined with their roles overseeing crucial data, has sparked concerns among critics.

Who is Akash Bobba?

Akash Bobba attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he was part of the Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MET) programme, designed for future tech industry leaders, according to his now-deleted LinkedIn account.

Before joining DOGE, the 22-year-old interned at Meta, Palantir, and the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, working in AI, data analytics, and financial modelling.

His genius in coding gained viral attention after a Berkeley classmate shared an anecdote about his problem-solving abilities. "During a project at Berkeley, I accidentally deleted our entire codebase 2 days before the deadline," the classmate wrote in an X post. "I panicked. Akash just stared at the screen, shrugged, and rewrote everything from scratch in one night - better than before. We submitted early and got first in the class," he wrote, adding, "I trust him with everything I own."

Let me tell you something about Akash. During a project at Berkeley, I accidentally deleted our entire codebase 2 days before the deadline. I panicked. Akash just stared at the screen, shrugged, and rewrote everything from scratch in one night—better than before. We submitted…

— Charis Zhang (@gmchariszhang) February 3, 2025

Mr Bobba is now listed as an "expert" at the OPM, reporting directly to Amanda Scales, DOGE's new chief of staff and a former talent acquisition lead at xAI and Uber.

Akash Bobba reportedly has an active GSA email and A-suite level clearance, giving him access to all physical spaces and IT systems at the GSA, according to Wired. Sources have raised concerns that these hires may have bypassed regular security clearance protocols.

DOGE, under Elon Musk's leadership, aims to streamline government operations through technology and automation.

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"It Comes Full Circle": Ratan Tata's Aide Gets Top Role At Tata Motors

Shantanu Naidu has become General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors. Mr Naidu shared an emotional post on LinkedIn about the new position. 

He wrote on LinkedIn, "I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as General Manager, Head - Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors! I remember when my father used to walk home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy pants, and I would wait for him in the window. It comes full circle now."

See the post here:

As per Mr Naidu's LinkedIn profile, he earned his engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 and completed his MBA at Cornell University in 2016.

In 2018, he began working as Ratan Tata's assistant, and their close friendship soon captured public attention. A video of Mr Naidu singing a birthday song for Mr Tata went viral, highlighting their special bond.

A design engineer by profession, Mr Naidu developed an innovation in 2014 aimed at protecting homeless dogs from speeding vehicles. His work caught the attention of Ratan Tata, a well-known animal lover, who invested in the project and later became Mr Naidu's mentor, employer, and close friend.

In his book, 'I Came Upon a Lighthouse', Mr Naidu offers a personal and light-hearted perspective on their unlikely friendship, focusing on shared adventures and Tata's lesser-known personality traits, rather than just his business achievements. When Mr Naidu expressed his desire to write about their journey, Mr Tata agreed, remarking that no single book could truly capture his life.

In 2021, Mr Naidu founded Goodfellows, a startup dedicated to helping elderly people living alone in India. Ratan Tata reportedly gave up ownership in the company and, as a final gesture of generosity, waived Mr Naidu's education loan in his will.

On October 9, 2024, Ratan Tata died at the age of 86. Following his mentor's demise, Mr Naidu shared an emotional tribute on LinkedIn:

"The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse."

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"It Comes Full Circle": Ratan Tata's Aide Gets Top Role At Tata Motors

Shantanu Naidu has become General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors. Mr Naidu shared an emotional post on LinkedIn about the new position. 

He wrote on LinkedIn, "I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as General Manager, Head - Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors! I remember when my father used to walk home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy pants, and I would wait for him in the window. It comes full circle now."

See the post here:

As per Mr Naidu's LinkedIn profile, he earned his engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 and completed his MBA at Cornell University in 2016.

In 2018, he began working as Ratan Tata's assistant, and their close friendship soon captured public attention. A video of Mr Naidu singing a birthday song for Mr Tata went viral, highlighting their special bond.

A design engineer by profession, Mr Naidu developed an innovation in 2014 aimed at protecting homeless dogs from speeding vehicles. His work caught the attention of Ratan Tata, a well-known animal lover, who invested in the project and later became Mr Naidu's mentor, employer, and close friend.

In his book, 'I Came Upon a Lighthouse', Mr Naidu offers a personal and light-hearted perspective on their unlikely friendship, focusing on shared adventures and Tata's lesser-known personality traits, rather than just his business achievements. When Mr Naidu expressed his desire to write about their journey, Mr Tata agreed, remarking that no single book could truly capture his life.

In 2021, Mr Naidu founded Goodfellows, a startup dedicated to helping elderly people living alone in India. Ratan Tata reportedly gave up ownership in the company and, as a final gesture of generosity, waived Mr Naidu's education loan in his will.

On October 9, 2024, Ratan Tata died at the age of 86. Following his mentor's demise, Mr Naidu shared an emotional tribute on LinkedIn:

"The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse."

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Story Behind Kohli Dismissal By Himanshu Sangwan: "Bus Driver Told, Bowl..."

Virat Kohli's much-fancied Ranji Trophy return after 12 long years was short-lived after he was dismissed for just 6 by Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan in the first innings of the match at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. Kohli didn't get to bat in the second innings as Delhi handed Railways a defeat by an innings in the group match. Despite the negative result his team incurred, Railways' Himanshu Sangwan made headlines for the fact that he clean-bowled the great Virat Kohli.

Now, Sangwan has revealed what happened in the lead up to the delivery.

"Before the match, there were talks about Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant going to play for Delhi. At the time, we didn't know that the match would be aired live. We slowly learned that Rishabh Pant wouldn't play, but Virat would, and the match would be streamed live. I am leading the Railways' pace attack. Every team member told me that they thought I would dismiss Virat Kohli," Sangwan told Hindustan Times.

"The bus in which we were travelling, even the bus driver told me that you know that you need to bowl at the fourth-fifth stump line to Virat Kohli, and then he will get out. I had self-belief. I just wanted to focus on my own strengths rather than someone else's weaknesses. I bowled to my strengths and ended up getting the wicket," he stated further.

Sangwan said Kohli appreciated the delivery that got him.

"There was no specific plan for Virat Kohli in general. The coaches told us that the players from Delhi like to play attacking cricket. They are all stroke players. We were told to bowl a disciplined line," said Sangwan.

"When our innings ended, I was going to the dressing room and Virat Kohli was coming to the field. Ayush Badoni and Virat were there. Virat Bhaiya himself shook hands with me and said, 'Very well bowled'. He told me that I was bowling well. I then told him I wanted to take a picture with him during the lunch break. I went to Delhi's dressing room. I took the same ball with which I got him out. He even asked me whether it was the same ball. He then said jokingly, 'Oh teri ki. Maza aa gaya tujhe toh'," he added.

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Watch: PCB Gets Creative To Prevent Pitch Invasion In Champions Trophy

Amid concerns over its readiness, Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium is "ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy". On Friday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a sneak-peek of the newly-renovated facility in Lahore. The iconic venue is undergoing its biggest state-of-the-art upgrades since the 1996 World Cup, which Pakistan co-hosted alongside India and Sri Lanka. The stadium, which is set to host at least four matches as of now, will feature a deep moat, separating the stands and ground, to prevent pitch invasion.

The innovation, which is designed for both security and drainage, is 10 feet wide and as deep, and replaces the traditional stell cage.

As reported by The Nation, "Two VVIP enclosures, named after cricketing legends Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan, have been added to honor their contributions to Pakistan cricket. The installation of modern LED floodlights, high-resolution SMD screens, and upgraded seating has significantly enhanced the viewing experience, ensuring that the stadium meets the highest international standards."

Be cautious. Don't think of invading; a deep and wide moat has been built in #GaddafiStadium #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/3I0YEks4Av

— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) January 31, 2025

For smooth conduction, a protecting net will be placed on the trench to keep the ball in play. The stadium will be inaugrated ahead of Pakistan's tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in the leadup to the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the tournament in 2017. This time, Pakistan are hosting this 2025 edition, along with the UAE.

Mohammad Rizwan will lead the team, having done so since Babar Azam stepped down from the role after the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023. This is the first 50-over ICC tournament since then.

Rising star hitter Saim Ayub is a notable absentee, having sustained an ankle injury in Pakistan's New Year's Test in Cape Town, South Africa.

The hosts named a 15-member squad for the tournament, with four names being recalled to the side.

Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

(With ANI Inputs)

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