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Prayagraj: A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh event in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday claimed 30 lives at the Sangam. Hours later, a second stampede at Jhusi, 3 km away from the Sangam nose, resulted in seven more deaths, taking the total toll to 37. According to Kalpvasi police station circle officer Rudra Kumar Singh, “Seven people were found dead at Jhusi due to excessive crowd pressure.” However, the Yogi Adityanath government initially remained silent on the second stampede, only addressing the first incident during a media briefing at 7 PM. District Magistrate Mahakumbh Nagar Vijay Kiran Anand and Mela DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that the first stampede occurred between 1 AM and 2 AM on Wednesday. Meanwhile, before the UP government acknowledged the full scale of the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and President Droupadi Murmu extended condolences to the victims’ families. In response, the state government has taken safety measures, including scrapping VVIP passes and restricting vehicle entry. However, opposition parties have strongly criticized the administration over mismanagement, with the issue expected to be raised in Parliament as the session begins today.

Punjab Police dismantled a terror module linked to foreign-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, arresting four individuals after a brief exchange of fire in Tarn Taran, officials said on Thursday. The module was reportedly operated by US-based Gurdev Singh alias Jaisal Chambhal and Canada-based Satbir alias Satta Naushehra, said DGP Gaurav Yadav. The arrested individuals have been identified as Robinjeet Singh alias Robin, Harpreet Singh alias Happy, Navjot Singh alias Nav, and Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga. Police recovered two hand grenades, two sophisticated .30 bore pistols, ammunition, and three magazines from their possession. During interrogation, the accused revealed that the weapons and explosives were supplied by Jaisal Chambhal and that they were plotting an attack at the behest of Chambhal and Naushehra. The suspects have been linked to multiple criminal cases, including extortion and gang-related violence. Tarn Taran SSP Abhimanyu Rana detailed that police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle near Thathian Mahantan village on Sirhali Road. Upon being stopped, the accused opened fire, prompting retaliation. Robin sustained a bullet injury and was hospitalized. Subsequent interrogations led to the arrests of Navjot and Jagdeep, along with the recovery of additional weapons. Further investigations are ongoing to uncover wider connections in the case.

Bhopal: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, conducted search operations on Wednesday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, uncovering documents related to immovable assets worth over ₹66 crore linked to Kishan Modi, his family members, and associated companies. The searches were carried out at multiple locations in Bhopal, Sehore, and Morena districts in connection with M/s Jayshri Gayatri Food Products Pvt Ltd. Residential premises of key individuals, including Kishan Modi, Payal Modi, and Amit Kuklod, as well as the company’s offices and factory, were raided. The ED initiated the probe based on an FIR and charge-sheet filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhopal, revealing the company was involved in the production and export of adulterated milk products using forged laboratory certificates. Investigations have identified 63 forged lab certificates, originally issued to other firms or fraudulently obtained, which were used to secure export approvals from the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) Indore. The adulterated products were exported internationally and sold domestically. During the searches, ED froze fixed deposits worth ₹6.26 crore, seized ₹25 lakh in cash, and confiscated luxury cars. Further investigations are underway. 4o

British rock band Coldplay has set a new benchmark for live concerts in India, attracting an estimated 1.34 lakh fans to their final show in Ahmedabad on January 28. This record-breaking turnout surpasses previous attendance records set by Diljit Dosanjh and Justin Bieber, whose concerts had 50,000 attendees each. A Historic Tour Across India Due to overwhelming demand and sold-out shows, Coldplay performed a total of five concerts in India, with three in Mumbai and two in Ahmedabad. Their final performance marked the first time a ticketed concert in India crossed the one-lakh milestone, making it not only the largest concert in India but also one of Coldplay’s biggest shows globally, surpassing their Sydney show (83,000 attendees). Record-Breaking OTT Viewership The final Ahmedabad gig was also streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar, drawing a staggering 83 lakh viewers and recording 16.5 crore minutes of total watch time.According to the OTT platform, the highest engagement came from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. An Unforgettable Setlist Coldplay treated fans to a spectacular setlist featuring some of their biggest hits, including:🎵 Yellow🎵 Charlie Brown🎵 All My Love🎵 Clocks🎵 People of the Pride🎵 Hymn for the Weekend🎵 Viva La Vida Coldplay’s Message to India As the tour concluded, the band expressed their gratitude on social media, posting:“Thank you, Ahmedabad. Thank you, India. We’ll never forget these two weeks. Your love and kindness will stay with us forever.” Following the concert, Chris Martin and his actress girlfriend, Dakota Johnson, were spotted heading to the Kumbh Mela, adding a spiritual end to their India tour. 4o

Apart from films, celebrity endorsements are a major source of income for actors, with brands carefully selecting ambassadors who resonate with their target audience. Back in 2023, Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan was roped in as the brand ambassador for Manforce Condoms, replacing Sunny Leone. Now, Mankind Pharma’s Managing Director and co-founder, Rajeev Juneja, has revealed why the brand chose Kartik and who else he believes would be a great fit. Why Kartik Aaryan? During his appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Juneja explained that the decision to bring in Kartik Aaryan was strategic, as they wanted to shift focus more towards male consumers. Through this partnership, Kartik and Manforce aimed to educate the youth on the importance of consent in sexual relationships. Who Else Would Be “Apt” for Manforce? When asked to name another ideal brand ambassador for Manforce, Juneja chose Janhvi Kapoor as the best female choice, saying, “She is apt! She’s the best choice.” For a male ambassador, he named Ranbir Kapoor, while also praising Lakshya (of Kill fame) as a promising young face for the brand. Anushka Sharma & Deepika Padukone for Prega News? Mankind Pharma also owns Prega News, a popular pregnancy test kit. Currently endorsed by Anushka Sharma, Juneja called her the perfect fit, praising her as “disciplined and professional.” He also mentioned that Deepika Padukone—who welcomed her daughter Dua Padukone Singh last year—would be a great choice, but admitted that signing her might not be financially feasible: “Maybe her asking is too much for us.” With Bollywood stars becoming key faces of healthcare and wellness brands, it’s clear that endorsements are about more than just money—they’re about credibility, relatability, and impact.

Prabhas and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga are teaming up for the much-anticipated cop action drama Spirit. According to reports, the film is set to commence shooting in May 2025, with pre-production currently in full swing. Sandeep Reddy Vanga has nearly completed the writing process and aims to reinvent the cop genre with a gripping cat-and-mouse chase. The director is determined to deliver one of the biggest commercial successes of his career with this project. Prabhas will play an honest yet complex cop and is undergoing physical transformation for the role. The film will kick off its shoot in Hyderabad, with schedules planned in India and abroad. Backed by Bhushan Kumar, Spirit is expected to hit theaters in the latter half of 2026. This marks Vanga’s third collaboration with the producer after Kabir Singh and Animal. Following Spirit, Sandeep Reddy Vanga will begin work on Animal Park, starring Ranbir Kapoor, which is slated to go on floors by 2027.

Popular YouTubers Samay Raina, Tanmay Bhat, and Bhuvan Bam made a special appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, sharing lighthearted moments with Amitabh Bachchan in a viral clip that has taken social media by storm. Samay Raina Roasts ‘Sooryavansham’ During the episode, Samay Raina, known for his roast show India’s Got Latent, humorously recalled that Sooryavansham was one of the first movies he ever watched—thanks to its endless reruns on TV. He playfully questioned Amitabh Bachchan about his character consuming poisoned kheer twice, leaving the Bollywood legend in splits. “Aapne Beta Bana Hi Diya, Toh Property Mein Hissa?” The fun continued when Big B recreated his iconic Shehanshah dialogue:🗣️ “Rishte mein toh hum tumhare baap lagte hain, naam hai Shehanshah.” Seizing the moment, Raina quipped, “Aapne beta bana hi diya hai toh property mein thoda hissa?” (Now that you’ve made me your son, can I get a share in the property?). Bachchan, amused, laughed at the witty remark. Samay’s Attempt to Enter ‘Jalsa’ The comedian also shared a hilarious anecdote about trying to enter Amitabh’s house, Jalsa, only to be stopped by security guards. As the conversation wrapped up, Raina cheekily said,“Mujhe believe nahi ho raha sir, aapko humare sath baithna pad raha hai.” (I can’t believe, sir, that you are being made to sit with us.) 25 Years of KBC The episode was part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of Kaun Banega Crorepati, a show that has remained one of India’s most beloved quiz programs. Meanwhile, Samay Raina, who rose to fame as the joint winner of Comicstaan Season 2, continues to make waves with his bold and unfiltered roast show India’s Got Latent in 2024.

The Punjab Police have rejected claims that an abandoned vehicle, found in Delhi carrying ₹1.1 crore in cash, liquor bottles, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pamphlets, belonged to the Punjab government. The police clarified that the number plate on the vehicle was “forged and fake.” Delhi Police’s Allegations On Wednesday, the Delhi Police reported that a suspicious vehicle with a Punjab registration plate and ‘Punjab Sarkar’ written on it was discovered near Punjab Bhavan on Copernicus Marg. Upon inspection, officials found a significant amount of cash, liquor bottles, and AAP-related materials inside. The vehicle was seized, and a case was registered at Tilak Marg Police Station. Punjab Police’s Response Refuting the allegations, the Punjab Police stated that the vehicle is not owned or hired by the Punjab government. They identified the registered owner as Maj. Anubhav Shivpuri, a Maharashtra resident, who was previously posted at the Army Dental College in Pathankot three years ago. Further investigation revealed discrepancies in the vehicle registration details: The Punjab Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) reiterated that no such vehicle is in Punjab’s government records. BJP’s Attack on Kejriwal and AAP Following the incident, the BJP launched a scathing attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP, accusing them of attempting to manipulate the upcoming elections. Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva criticized Kejriwal, saying:“Until now, we thought Kejriwal institutionalized corruption in Delhi, polluted the Yamuna and the city’s air. But today, we realize he has polluted Delhi’s political system too.” He further alleged that AAP was resorting to cash and liquor to influence elections, stating:“Since Arvind Kejriwal is losing the Delhi elections, his focus is now on liquor and money.” Political Fallout The controversy has triggered a heated political exchange, with AAP dismissing the incident as a “planted stunt”. The BJP, however, has demanded a thorough probe, intensifying political tensions ahead of crucial elections.

From fighter jets and armored combat vehicles to missiles and aero-engines, the Trump administration is set to push India to further increase its military purchases from the US. Since 2007, India has already procured US defense equipment worth over $25 billion, but President Donald Trump’s transactional approach signals a demand for more. In a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Trump reportedly urged India to ramp up its procurement of US-origin weapon systems and platforms. This comes just months after India signed a $3.3 billion deal for 31 weaponized MQ-9B Predator drones and another $520 million agreement with General Atomics to establish an MRO facility in India. However, these deals were finalized during the final days of the Biden administration, and Trump is now expected to push for new big-ticket contracts. India, while acknowledging the technological superiority of US military equipment, remains firm on its “Make in India” policy, focusing on co-development and co-production rather than outright purchases. “India will have to negotiate carefully with the new Trump administration,” said a senior official, emphasizing the need for foreign collaboration at a reasonable cost. Major Deals on the Table Strategic Implications The Trump administration’s push for increased defense sales aligns with US-India strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific but also brings challenges. India aims to maintain technological self-reliance while leveraging American military expertise. Negotiations will focus on balancing cost, technology transfer, and local production, ensuring that India’s long-term defense needs are met without excessive reliance on foreign suppliers. With high-profile defense discussions set to take center stage, the coming months will be crucial in shaping India-US defense cooperation under Trump’s renewed presidency.

A devastating stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj early Wednesday morning claimed the lives of at least 30 people and left nearly 60 others injured. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a judicial inquiry, appointing a three-member committee led by former judge Harsh Kumar to investigate the tragedy. Additionally, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of the victims. The stampede occurred between 1 am and 2 am at the Sangam on the Mela premises as a massive crowd of devotees surged toward the Sangam Nose at Triveni for a holy dip during the second Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya—one of the most auspicious bathing days of the festival. According to Mela Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna, 30 people lost their lives, with 25 victims identified so far. Among the deceased, four were from Karnataka, and one each from Assam and Gujarat. The rush also left over 90 people injured, 36 of whom remain hospitalized, while 24 have been discharged after treatment. Authorities revealed that the tragedy unfolded due to immense crowd pressure, which led to barricades breaking as devotees pushed forward. As a result, many individuals—some sitting or lying down while waiting for the holy dip—were crushed. Women and children were among the casualties. In the wake of the incident, the state administration has decided to suspend VIP protocols for the remaining religious baths at the Mela to ensure smoother crowd management. DIG Krishna also announced the launch of a helpline (1920) to assist families in tracing missing persons. A judicial committee, comprising former High Court judge VK Gupta and retired IAS officer BK Singh, will conduct an in-depth probe into the root cause of the tragedy. The police have also initiated a separate investigation. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) will visit the site on Thursday to assess the situation and oversee the inquiry proceedings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via a post on X, calling the incident “extremely saddening.” Initially, the Uttar Pradesh government remained tight-lipped about the number of casualties, but the scale of the tragedy has since become clear. Despite the devastating loss, members of the Akhara later gathered in smaller numbers at Triveni Sangam in the afternoon to take an Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya. The administration continues its efforts to ensure the safety of the remaining pilgrims attending the Mahakumbh Mela.