Pintu Pohan Bengali writer, paan shop writer Kolkata, inspirational writer stories India, self-taught Bengali author, Behala writer success story,

‘My paan shop is also my writing desk’: Meet Pintu Pohan, Bengali author of over 200 works

Cities May 30, 2025

In the heart of Behala’s Madanmohan Tala, amid the hum of traffic and chatter, stands a small paan shop with an extraordinary tale. Behind its humble counter is 47-year-old Pintu Pohan — a prolific Bengali writer whose literary achievements have defied poverty, social ridicule, and years of struggle.

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‘Don’t give a sh*t’: JD Vance defends US airstrike on Venezuelan drug boat that killed 11

World 56 min ago

Vice President JD Vance stands by the recent US airstrike against a Venezuelan drug-smuggling boat, dismissing legalistic arguments. President Trump also supports the strike and warns others against bringing drugs into the US. The administration has designated Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, as a foreign terrorist organization and plans to use military force against them.

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Military Digest | Truckers, villagers and NCC cadets who fought 1965 Indo-Pak war

Cities 3 hr ago

Punjab, 60 years after the 1965 war, is now facing a new battle against floods. The villagers are displaying the same fighting spirit as they did during the war. The unsung heroes from the war, including truck drivers, civilians, NCC cadets, and a railwayman, played a vital role in defending the country.

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Expert Explains: After Modi-Xi meeting, what is the view in China

Explained 27 min ago

The last week saw significant developments in India's international relations, with PM Modi's meetings with Putin and Xi making headlines. Trump's comments on India's ties with China and the US have sparked curiosity in China, with three distinct views emerging - suspicion towards India, hope for closer ties, and caution against trusting the US.

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In November last year, the NCB arrested four people in connection with the massive cocaine seizure.

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To crack down on Dubai-based drug dealer, NCB gets its first Interpol silver notice issued

Cities 30 min ago

NCB receives Interpol silver notice for absconding drug dealer Pawan Thakur, wanted for 82 kg cocaine recovery in Delhi. Notice allows global agencies to share info on Thakur, who operates hawala network and runs drug trafficking and money laundering from Dubai. Interpol conducting pilot project with 52 countries. NCB urges cooperation in providing information.

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The tragic incident has created a tense atmosphere in Nischintapur, with a large number of police deployed to maintain law and order.

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Son of lynched couple among four arrested in child murder case in Bengal’s Nadia

Cities 48 min ago

A couple in West Bengal's Nadia district was lynched by a mob on Saturday, accused of killing an 8-year-old boy who had gone missing. The police have arrested their son and three other family members in connection with the boy's murder. The tragic incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about a possible motive, with police investigating past disputes and potential child trafficking.

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The meteorological department has predicted light rain or thundershowers scattered to many places across J-K

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Railways to run special train between Katra and Sangaldan

India 53 min ago

Northern Railway Jammu Division will operate a local train service between Katra and Sangaldan for five days starting September 8 to help residents reach their destinations due to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. The decision aims to provide relief to people stranded by flash floods.

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Navya Nair fined Rs 1.14 lakh at Melbourne airport for carrying jasmine flowers

Entertainment 1 hr ago

While women sporting gajras is a common sight in South India, actor Navya Nair recently learned a costly lesson: this isn't the norm everywhere else in the world. During her recent trip to Australia to participate in the Onam celebrations organised by the Malayali Association of Victoria, she was stopped at the Melbourne airport and fined over Rs 1 lakh for carrying a 15-cm-long jasmine gajra.

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Earlier, Geoffrey Hinton flagged that AI is already capable of generating harmful ideas and may soon develop beyond human comprehension (Representative image/Pexels)

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‘Godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton warns AI will trigger mass unemployment

Trending 1 hr ago

Geoffrey Hinton, widely known as the “godfather of artificial intelligence (AI),” has issued a stark warning about the economic fallout of rapid AI development. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Hinton said that while AI will drive up corporate profits, it will likely do so at the cost of human jobs, leading to widespread unemployment.

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Wilson, however, added that for an airline group as large as Air India, the incidence rate is “entirely normal”.

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Air India being ‘more transparent than usual’ in reporting incidents, CEO tells staff

Business 1 hr ago

Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson spoke about the recent rise in reported incidents, stressing the need for transparency to build trust. He emphasized staying true to the brand values of being grounded, focused, and acting with integrity. Despite some disruptions, the airline's performance has improved with an on-time rate of 80% and high net promoter score.

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The leader from Vidarbha said the OBCs will have to strategise the fight against the GR.

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Maharashtra quota row: Maratha groups file caveat to prepare for legal battle

Cities 1 hr ago

The Maratha-OBC conflict over the September 2 GR on Maratha reservation is intensifying as both sides gear up for a legal fight. The GR could grant Marathas OBC status, a demand they have been pushing for. OBC groups will convene a meeting and Maratha organizations have filed a caveat to protect their stance. OBCs fear their interests may be overlooked and are devising a plan.

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Speaking during the NLSIU’s 33rd annual convocation, Justice Surya Kant challenged the graduates to embrace their role as agents of social change.

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Justice Surya Kant challenges law graduates to become ‘social engineers for justice’

Cities 1 hr ago

Justice Surya Kant urges new legal professionals to prioritize integrity and use law for societal transformation. He challenges them to be agents of social change and offers practical guidance for ethical dilemmas. The ceremony was attended by Supreme Court judges and 52 gold medals were awarded to exceptional graduates.

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According to police sources, the victim was murdered after he threatened to “expose” the sexual assault he had allegedly been enduring at the hands of the suspects for the last six months.

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Minor murdered at madrasa in Odisha for threatening to expose sexual abuse; five arrested

India 2 hr ago

Five boys from a madrasa in Odisha were arrested for the sexual assault and murder of a peer who threatened to expose the abuse. The victim had been enduring abuse for six months and was killed after an attempt to push him into a water tank failed. The suspects have been sent to a juvenile home and the madrasa may be investigated.

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When Alia Bhatt walked us through her desi diet: ‘Mujhe salad nahi jamta hai…’

Lifestyle 1 hr ago

Actress Alia Bhatt follows a simple Indian diet to stay fit, turning vegan and avoiding sugar. Nutritionists suggest including various dals and rice types, and opting for healthier roti options like ragi and jowar. While quitting sugar has health benefits, it should be done under supervision and replaced with nutrient-rich alternatives.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrive at a military parade in Beijing, China, Sept. 3, 2025.

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China This Week | A summit and a parade, and how the world views China

Explained 2 hr ago

China's top news stories of the week were conveyed through powerful images, including President Xi Jinping's appearance at the Shanghai Cooperation Summit and a military parade in Beijing. China and Pakistan also signed a joint action plan, while the US identified Chinese cyber threat actors targeting global networks.

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Dasara row: BJP’s Pratap Simha moves Karnataka HC; marches announced for and against invite to Banu Mushtaq

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Banu Mushtaq Dasara row: BJP’s Pratap Simha moves Karnataka HC

Cities 2 hr ago

The selection of Banu Mushtaq as the Booker Prize winner to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations has sparked controversy, with BJP leader Pratap Simha seeking intervention from the Karnataka High Court. Two organizations have planned marches, one in support of Mushtaq and the other against her, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah believes the court will resolve the issue.

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This IIT graduate became the face of horror thanks to his work in Ramsay Brothers’ films

Entertainment 2 hr ago

There are several actors who are engineers by qualification, including R Madhavan, Sonu Sood, Taapsee Pannu and Kriti Sanon. But none of them has had a career graph as steep as Anirudh Agarwal, who went from graduating from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee to playing a formidable monster in Hindi horror movies.

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The top court had asked the political parties to submit their replies in response to the EC's note.

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Supreme Court to hear pleas against EC’s decision to conduct SIR in Bihar tomorrow

India 3 hr ago

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear pleas from political parties challenging the Election Commission's decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The top court has directed the EC to allow excluded voters to submit their claims online and has expressed concern over the high rate of objections filed. The final electoral roll will be published on September 30.

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Do reindeers really get high on mushrooms?

Lifestyle 3 hr ago

Reindeers in the Arctic and subarctic regions are consuming Amanita muscaria, a red mushroom with white dots, causing them to exhibit intoxicated behavior. This is due to the psychoactive compounds in the mushrooms, which the animals can digest but humans cannot. This may have inspired the idea of Santa's flying reindeers, originating from indigenous cultures.

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With the post, the techie also attached the screenshot of the WhatsApp conversation, showing that the candidate claimed better professionalism (Representative image/Pexels)

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Techie slams candidates’ response during hiring process, shares WhatsApp message

Trending 3 hr ago

The ongoing Gen Z vs millennials debate often sparks discussions online, with the former criticising 90s-born professionals for glorifying toxic work culture, while the latter points to Gen Z’s perceived ignorance about career expectations. A recent Reddit post has reignited the conversation after a software developer criticised a Gen Z candidate who refused to join his organisation.

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Urban Company Limited's shares are proposed to be listed on NSE, and BSE.

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Urban Company IPO subscription opens on Sep 10. Check price band, allotment date and more

Business 3 hr ago

Urban Company Limited's IPO will open on September 10, with a price band of Rs 98 to Rs 103 per share. The company plans to raise Rs 472 crore through new share sales and Rs 1,428 crore through stake sales. The IPO will be listed on NSE and BSE on September 17.

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Why EU fined Google $3.5B in adtech antitrust probe and what it means for other cases

Technology 3 hr ago

Just days after securing a major antitrust win in the US, Google has been slapped with a hefty penalty in an investigation by the European Union (EU) of the search giant’s digital advertising services. Google has been ordered to pay a 2.95 billion euro fine for violating the EU’s antitrust laws by favouring its own adtech services, according to a press release by the European Commission.

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How this Chandigarh woman is giving robots a brain

Cities 3 hr ago

Founder of robotics startup Terafac, Anubhi Khandelwal, shifted from biotech to industrial automation and returned to India due to the pandemic. With co-founder Amrit Singh, they are developing an AI integration layer for industrial robots, starting with welding. Terafac has raised Rs 6.5 crore and aims to build a deep-tech ecosystem in Chandigarh. Their focus is on making AI accessible.

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While schools across boards and managements have admitted that they have made counselling sessions, which were usually sidelined, as an integral part of their practice, some are even roping in psychologists for proactive sessions for parents.

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How Ahmedabad schools are reacting to stabbing death of student

Cities 3 hr ago

Ahmedabad schools are taking action against bullying after a student's death. Measures include bag-checking, revised policies, counselling, and disciplinary committees. However, experts suggest focusing on mental health rather than restrictions.

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Creative Arts Emmy Awards 2025: The Studio, The Penguin dominate

Entertainment 3 hr ago

Julie Andrews won her third Emmy Award at age 89 Saturday at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, while The Studio will take nine trophies and The Penguin will take eight into next weekend’s main Emmys ceremony. Andrews won for best character voice-over performance for her work on Netflix’s Bridgerton, her first Emmy since 2005.

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Her paintings range from detailed watercolours of Banaras ghats and forts to oil paintings of forests and farml

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From Pune to Jehangir Art Gallery: Krutika Parulkar’s dream solo show

Cities 3 hr ago

Pune-based artist Krutika Parulkar's solo exhibition, Soul Impressions, will be showcased at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai from September 8 to 14. After nearly a decade of dedication to her craft, Parulkar's paintings, featuring landscapes and detailed watercolours, have gained international recognition.

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Blood Moon tonight: What is it, how to watch, why you should care, in 5 points

Explained 3 hr ago

A rare Blood Moon or total lunar eclipse will be visible in India tonight at 9 pm. The red color is caused by the earth's shadow and can indicate the earth's events, such as past volcanic eruptions. This is due to the same principle that causes the blue sky and red-orange hues.

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With new Foreigners Act rules notified, why BJP is hoping for a 2019 repeat in Bengal

Political Pulse 4 hr ago

Within a year of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Centre has notified various rules and orders under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, implementing, from September 1, a sweeping overhaul of the system for regulating the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners.

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I’m very much against Botox: Kareena Kapoor Khan on cosmetic treatments and injectables

Lifestyle 4 hr ago

Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan promotes natural beauty and healthy living over surgical or cosmetic procedures like Botox. She emphasizes the importance of consulting qualified professionals and prioritizing safety over social media trends, as improper use of Botox can have temporary muscle weakening and atrophy.

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Railways restores stoppage of Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat train at this Bihar station

India 4 hr ago

Indian Railways has now restored a stoppage at a station in Bihar for the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri train. The train covers 562 km in 7.5 hours and offers AC and Executive chair car options. With convenient timings and modern amenities, it has become a popular choice for travelers between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri.

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Sanjay Bangar revealed Shubman Gill's first India net session stunned Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. (BCCI/PTI)

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‘Isko abhi khila do’: How Shubman Gill stunned Kohli, Shastri in first India net session

Sports 4 hr ago

Shubman Gill is making waves in Indian cricket as he gears up for his return to the T20I squad as vice-captain. After impressing in his first net session with Team India, he quickly rose through the ranks and has become a consistent opener in ODI cricket. His impressive performances have solidified his spot in the XI, making him a key player for India.

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OpenAI’s ChatGPT now lets you branch conversations: Here’s how to use it

Technology 4 hr ago

The feature announced on Friday, September 5, works much like creating a copy of a user’s ChatGPT conversation to explore different directions with the chatbot while keeping the original conversation unchanged. For instance, a marketing team that uses ChatGPT to brainstorm ad copies can create separate branches of the conversation to experiment with formal, informal, or humorous tones.

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Metro line 11 Mumbai: Construction on the line could start by 2027.

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All about Mumbai’s planned Metro Line 11, set to connect Wadala with Colaba

Explained 3 hr ago

Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the Metro Line 11 connecting Wadala to South Mumbai with 14 stations, 13 underground. The project will likely cost Rs 24,000 crore, funded by the JICA. It aims to ease traffic and improve connectivity to commercial centres, but construction will also involve cutting over 2,000 trees. Construction to begin in 2027.

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When It Rains, It … Is ‘Terrifying’

Lifestyle 5 hr ago

Flash floods are a growing concern in the US, leading to more flood warnings and causing anxiety among residents. The sound of rain, once calming, now brings fear for those in flood-prone areas. Coping mechanisms have been developed to deal with the constant worry, even for those who have not experienced flash floods directly.

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The Conjuring: Smurl Family home in West Pittston, 1986

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The Conjuring Last Rites aftermath: What happened to the new owner of the haunted house

Entertainment 5 hr ago

The Conjuring: Last Rites is inspired by the infamous Smurl Family Haunting. The story goes back to 1973, when Jack and Janet Smurl moved into a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, with their daughters and parents after putting in their life savings, only to be forced out by bizarre, terrifying events

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Ruturaj Gaikwad was dropped from the India A red-ball squad on Saturday. (PTI)

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Ruturaj Gaikwad’s India A omission is not selectors’ bias, says ex-India opener

Sports 5 hr ago

Despite his impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, Ruturaj Gaikwad was not selected for the India A red-ball squad against Australia A. Aakash Chopra believes his inconsistency and other players' exceptional domestic performances may have played a role. The selectors also seem to be taking a different approach, as seen with Rajat Patidar's exclusion.

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He also pointed to Meta's newly formed Superintelligence Labs as a factor in the increasingly competitive AI talent race (Representative image/Pexels)

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‘Waste of time’: Founder-CEO of AI startup reveals why he quit Meta frustrated

Trending 5 hr ago

Shawn Shen, a former AI research scientist at Meta, recently opened up about why he left the tech giant to launch his own startup, Memories.ai. His startup company is focused on building AI systems that can “see and remember” like humans.

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Jagapathi Babu says Ram Gopal Varma caused a fight between him and Gaayam co-star Urmila Matondkar.

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Jagapathi Babu reveals Ram Gopal Varma caused a fight between him and Urmila on Gaayam

Entertainment 5 hr ago

“He (Ram Gopal Varma) caused a rift between me and Urmila (Matondkar). He came to me and asked, ‘Why don’t you get along with Urmila?’ I said, ‘It isn’t like that. I get along with her. I don’t particularly like her. Neither do I hate her.’ He insisted I give him an answer. I stuck to my word. He took me to Urmila and said, ‘He hates you,'” recalled Jagapathi Babu.

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Salman Khan slams Amaal Mallik on Bigg Boss 19

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Bigg Boss 19: Salman Khan schools Amaal Mallik for his poor performance & abusive language

Entertainment 6 hr ago

Bigg Boss 19 Weekend Ka Vaar: Salman Khan gives contestants a reality check, specifically addressing Amaal Mallik and Gaurav Khanna. He schools Amaal for his lazy attitude and warns against using abusive language. Amaal apologizes for his actions and promises to improve. Salman also reminds contestants about the importance of making the most of their time in the house.

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Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil filed the defamation suit before a Bengaluru special court for elected representatives.

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Dharmasthala ‘secret burials’: Congress MP Senthil sues BLP MLA for ‘mastermind’ remark

Cities 6 hr ago

Sasikanth Senthil, Tamil Nadu Congress MP who was a Karnataka-cadre IAS officer before joining politics, sued BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy for criminal defamation after he accused the MP of being the “mastermind” behind the Dharmasthala secret burials case. Senthil filed the defamation suit before a Bengaluru special court for elected representatives.

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The situation worsened when two of the men admitted they were unable to pay. The owners asked for identification, but the men had no ID or cash to offer (Representative image/Pexels)

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Indian restaurant in UK shares frustration as local families leave without paying bill

Trending 5 hr ago

Indian restaurant owners in Greater Manchester recently condemned two local families after they left without settling their bill of over 200 pounds. The incident occurred at Sai Surbhi, a family-run restaurant operated by Raman Kaur and Narinder Singh Athwa.

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Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Asia, including India

World 5 hr ago

Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea disrupted internet access Sunday in parts of Asia including India, and West East, experts said, though it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the incident.

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According to the staffer -- 36-year-old Khitendra Pandey -- he had been making some snacks when he was called to the minister. Pandey has now filed a police complaint.

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Row in Chhattisgarh after minister accused of ‘assaulting’ guest house staffer

India 6 hr ago

Chhattisgarh’s Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap has been accused of assaulting a government guest house staffer in Bastar’s Jagdalpur, sparking a political row in the state. According to the staffer -- 36-year-old Khitendra Pandey -- he had been making some snacks when he was called to the minister. Pandey has now filed a police complaint.

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Who is Shabana Mahmood, first Pak-origin woman to be appointed UK’s Home Secretary?

World 6 hr ago

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reshuffled his cabinet after the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Shabana Mahmood, the first Muslim woman of Pakistani origin to lead the Home Office, was appointed Home Secretary. Mahmood has a background in law and has implemented reforms to reduce prison overcrowding.

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The Bengal Files Box Office Collection Day 2: Vivek Agnihotri’s film continues to struggle

Entertainment 6 hr ago

The Bengal Files Box Office Collection Day 2: Despite dominating headlines before its release, Vivek Agnihotri’s latest film, The Bengal Files, seems to have failed to attract audiences and is currently struggling at the box office.

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SIIMA 2025 winners list: Aadujeevitham, Amaran win big; Sai Pallavi bags best actor award

Entertainment 4 hr ago

The South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2025, held in Dubai, honoured films, actors, and technicians from the Tamil and Malayalam film industries. Amaran and Lubber Pandhu were the big winners in the Tamil category, while Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life dominated the Malayalam category.

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The Punjab government has declared 23 districts as flood-affected after rivers and dams swelled to near-critical levels (Image source: @thelogicalindian/Instagram)

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Boy offers money to rescue worker for water amid Punjab flood crisis, video goes viral

Trending 7 hr ago

Punjab has been hit by severe floods, displacing lakhs of people and destroying 1.75 lakh hectares of land across 1,996 villages. As devastating visuals of the crisis continue to emerge on social media, a clip of a young boy offering money in exchange for a bottle of water has moved people across the Internet.

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Ram Gopal Varma points out what didn't work for him in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal.

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Ram Gopal Varma told Sandeep Reddy Vanga he didn’t connect with father-son story in Animal

Entertainment 4 hr ago

“I don’t like the father-son relationship. I told that to Sandeep too,” said RGV, explaining why he didn’t connect to the father-son story in Animal. “I was fed up with Anil Kapoor. I lost my impression of the hero for sucking up to him. That’s my opinion, sir. But I differ with the lakhs of people who watched the film. I don’t know what they liked,” added Varma.

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Why does your house smell weird once you enter? Get rid of the stink with these tips

Lifestyle 7 hr ago

Digital creator Shashank Alshi reveals hidden culprits that can cause a musty, damp smell in your house, including dirty AC filters, sweaty shoes, and a kitchen sink with rotting food. It's important to choose a fragrance that fits the season, such as earthy notes for monsoon. Sampling fragrances on warm body parts is crucial for selecting the perfect scent.

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Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty on insecurity amongst young actors in Bollywood

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Sanjay Dutt calls out insecurity in new actors, says they go crazy with one hit film

Entertainment 4 hr ago

Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty's friendship was on full display in The Great Indian Kapil Show as they shared funny stories and discussed the lack of multi-starrer films in the industry. Suniel also revealed his lack of formal acting training and learning from top stars like Sanjay, Jackie Shroff, Govinda, and Sunny Deol. Humility and longevity were emphasized by both actors.

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The Conjuring Last Rites box office collection day 2

Entertainment 4 hr ago

The Conjuring Last Rites Box Office Collection Day 2: The Conjuring: Last Rites has smashed expectations with a massive opening. The fourth chapter in the franchise earned $34.5 million on Friday, including a record $8.5 million in previews.

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