Unwarranted row over burqa
The controversy over a burqa-wearing woman being stopped at Mumbai’s Dr R.N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital is unfortunate, but the attempt to turn an apparent lapse in security procedure into a sweeping constitutional battle over the burqa is equally unwarranted. The first point must be made unambiguously: the security guard was wrong to demand that…
Proud I could call action and cut on legend like her: Kunal Kemmu on directing Sharmila Tagore in ‘Vibe’
Mumbai: Actor-director Kunal Kemmu on Wednesday said approaching mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore for a cameo in his upcoming movie “Vibe” was a shot in the dark and she was gracious enough to do the part. Kemmu, who is married to cinema icon Soha Ali Khan, recalled how his mother-in-law asked him for the film’s synopsis before…
Cinema is ‘fundamentally, unavoidably political’, says Venice jury chief Maggie Gyllenhaal
London: Actor-filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal, who serves as jury president at this year’s Venice Film Festival, on Tuesday said cinema is “fundamentally, unavoidably political”, asserting that films and their audiences must remain open to all kinds of stories and storytellers. Gyllenhaal, the director of “The Bride” and “The Lost Daughter”, made the remarks at the film…
Restored ‘Pakeezah’, Haryana docu-drama in 2026 London Film Festival line-up
London: The 4K restoration of the 1972 classic ‘Pakeezah’, Haryana filmmaker’s docu-drama ‘The Calf Doll’ and Chilean Indian writer-director Shalini Adnani’s ‘Our Share of Sand’ make up the South Asian highlights of the 2026 London Film Festival (LFF) programme unveiled on Wednesday. The annual British Film Institute (BFI) festival celebrates its 70th year between October…
India’s 7.8% growth despite global disruptions remarkable: FM Sitharaman at investors meet in US
New York: India recorded a “remarkable growth” of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 despite global disruptions, and against all odds, remains the fastest-growing major economy in the world, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Sitharaman on Wednesday participated in a high-level business roundtable with investors, organised by the Consulate General…
India retains status as fastest-growing large economy with latest GDP growth of 7.8%: Kwatra
New York: India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026-27 fiscal year continues the country’s trajectory as the fastest-growing large economy in the world, Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, said as he rang the opening bell here at Nasdaq. “India is undergoing a significant economic and technological transformation, driven…
Trump Suggests Renaming Strait of Hormuz the ‘Trump Strait’ Amid Renewed Iran Hostilities
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” asserting US control of the vital waterway even as fighting raged there with Iran. It is the latest in a series of geographical name changes floated by Trump, and comes after he claimed US sovereignty over the strait that…
Sports Ministry approves 246-strong contingent of support staff for Asiad
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry on Wednesday approved a contingent of 246 team officials and coaches for the 503 athletes who will compete in the 20th Asian Games with athletics and cricket getting the largest support staff for the showpiece beginning September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Ministry had originally approved 492 athletes in 35…
Iran, India not talking trade: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meet
Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said he did not think India and Iran were talking of a trade deal, and many countries around the world talk to the regime in Tehran. Rubio’s remarks came during an interview on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio in response to a question…
Uttarakhand CM hands recognition certificates to 26 minority institutions; 5 madrasas sealed
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami handed over recognition certificates to 26 minority educational institutions in the state on Wednesday, while five madrasas operating without recognition were sealed in Udham Singh Nagar district. Speaking at an event titled “New Identity, New Respect – A Bright Future through Modern Education,” Dhami described the granting of…
