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Bengaluru: Congress party backed candidate CM Ibrahim unanimously elected as a member of Karnataka legislative council in Karnataka on Thursday. Secretary of Karnataka legislature made the official announcement after no other candidates filed nomination papers for MLC seat.
Earlier, elections were scheduled for MLC post as a vacant seat emerged after the death of BJP backed MLC Vimala Gowda earlier this year.
(Agencies)
Bengaluru: Kannada small screen actress and an actor died on the spot after their car collided with a lorry tanker parked on the road side on NH 48 near Solur at Nelamangala in Bengaluru rural district on Wednesday late night.
The deceased, actress Rachana (23) and her co actor Jeevan were died on the spot soon after the accident. The incident took place when a group of small screen artists were returning to Bengaluru after a visit to Kukke Subramanya temple as part of birth day celebration of another actor Karthik.
Artists, Ranjith, Uttam, Honnesh, Eric and Karthik reportedly survived in the accident with minor injuries and are admitted to a local hospital here. A case stands registered at Kuduru police station on the incident. Deceased actress, Rachana had played a major role in Mahanadi television serial and was well-known in Karnataka for her roles in other TV serials.
(Agencies)
Producers: Junglee Pictures & BR Studios
Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Star Cast: RajKummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Seema Bhargava, Swati Semwal & Rohit Chaudhary
Music: Sameer Uddin
Ms. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari in her previous outing Nil Battey Sannata had created quite an impact with her decent enough tackling of a timely womencentric subject. But in her latest outing Bareilly Ki Barfi, an unusual title, she makes a good start by warmly introducing her 3 main characters namely Chirag – Bitty – Preetam caught in their own triangular web of their intertwined love stories but alas their love saga starts off with a whiff of fresh air and ends up on an awfully dragging not. But of course the silver lining in the cloud is its perfect setting of the North Indian milieu.
Since more than a decade, our filmmakers have started churning out films set in small towns, particularly North India. Such rooted stories work big time, especially if they provide ample entertainment. The success of Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Sultan, Dangal et al in recent times which have made it evident how such “desi” flicks have a large audience acceptance.
And Bareilly Ki Barfi, this week’s release, too is based in Bareilly, as the title suggests, and looked entertaining from the promos. So does it manage to tickle viewers’ funny bone or turns to be yet another flop in the season of debacles, let’s analyze.
The scripted scenario of Bareilly Ki Barfi is about a printing press owner who devises a unique plan to woo the girl he loves but the idea backfires. Chirag Dubey (Ayushmann Khurrana) runs a printing press in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
After being heartbroken, Chirag writes a book called “Bareilly Ki Barfi” on the girl he was in love with. Fearing that she’ll be slammed if he writes the book in his own name, he puts the name of Pritam Vidrohi (Rajkummar Rao), his shy, soft – spoken friend, as the book’s author. The book fails big time but 5 years later, Bitti Mishra (Kriti Sanon), the coolest girl in town, buys it one day from the railway station, when she was about to run away after her mother Sheela’s (Seema Pahwa) constant rants over her marriage. In the train, Bitti reads “Bareilly Ki Barfi” and is stunned to see that the girl described in the novel is very much like her – free spirited, break dance lover, smoker, film buff & quie progressive too.
She immediately returns back to Bareilly and meets Chirag, since he had printed the book, and asks him for Pritam’s contact details, since she is impressed by the book. Chirag slowly falls for Bitti but is not able to tell her that it’s him and not Pritam who wrote the book titled “Bareilly Ki Barfi”.
Chirag then devises a plan, he tells Pritam after tracking him down who has by now fled from Barilly fearing worst consequences, to have a makeover, meet Bitti, break her heart & run off again. At this point, Chirag would take over and hopefully woo Bitti successfully.
But sadly enough for Chirag, Bitti slowly starts falling for Pritam. How Chirag then attempts to ensure that doesn’t happen forms the rest of the story.
Bareilly Ki Barfi begins well and the introduction of characters is done in a neat manner. But the film really picks up steam when Pritam enters the narrative. His transformation & the whole process is hilarious and in several ways, is the best portion of the film.
Chirag & Bitti’s sequences in the 1st half aren’t great but make for a nice watch. One sequence which particularly stands out is Bitti celebrating Chirag’s birthday. Post interval, things look fine initially. The comic & dramatic moments continue and entertain but after a point, the film drags.
Barielly Ki Barfi never was illogical but yet, a few aspects of the film seem too difficult to digest. 1stly, why did Chirag not use a pseudonym to write his novel? His character is also shown to be quite a “dabangg” who has no qualms in ragging & terrorizing Pritam.
Yet, Chirag never gathers the courage to tell Bitti how much he loves her. There’s a twist in the tale in the finale which does catch viewers unawares and it brings a relief since the climax was getting clichéd. But the explanation given behind the twist again turns out to be too unconvincing.
Bareilly Ki Barfi is adapted from the book “The Ingredients Of Love” by Nicolas Barreau. Nitesh Tiwari & Shreyas Jain’s story is weak and needed quite a bit of polishing. Their screenplay is effective at places but otherwise, it drags. While their dialogues are terrific and probably the best thing of the film.
Yet credit goes to Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s direction which is uncomplicated & simple and that’s her biggest victory. But the director, who helmed the well – made Nil Battey Sannata last year, could have done a better job and kept the film tighter.
The music of the film is not memorable.
“Sweety Tera Drama” is the only track that registers. “Badass Babuaa” is relegated to the background during the entertaining montage of Pritam’s transformation. “Nazm Nazm” fails to make a mark while “Bairaagi” is wasted. “Twist Kamariya” is forced but since it’s added during opening credits, one won’t mind. Sameer Uddin’s background score is highly entertaining & uplifting.
Gavemic U Ary’s cinematography is nothing special but the very 1st scene is very well captured. Chandrashekhar Prajapati’s editing is pacy but goes off track in the 2nd half.
Performance wise Ayushmann Khurrana as always appears confident and dominates some of the sequences quite well. He looks convincing as the lover boy as well as the bully in his scenes with Rajkummar and this is quite praiseworthy. However, his friendzoned avatar does remind one of his act in his previous film Meri Pyaari Bindu. It’s amusing to see that he played a role in a similar zone in 2 back – to – back films. Kriti Sanon delivers a decent performance and has even worked on her accent, mannerisms et al to appear as a decent small – town girl. She doesn’t succeed completely but nevertheless, it works for her progressive character. But of course Rajkummar Rao is a scene – stealer. He’s seen as the shy, demure person and post the transformation, he turns out to be an outgoing, brash guy and he essays both the avatars brilliantly. If Barielly Ki Barfi will be remembered in the years to come, it will be primarily for this National Award winning actor’s performance!!! Pankaj Tripathi as Narrotam Mishra is funny and also excels nicely in emotional scenes. Even he has played roles in the similar setting but he manages to ensure each of his performance stands out. Seema Bhargava leaves a very huge mark. Her constant rants over Bitti’s marriage and the way she sparkles everytime she comes across a prospective groom is nicely done. Rohit Chaudhary as Munna is fine as Chirag’s sidekick. Same goes for Swati Semwal as Maya.
Tail Piece: On the whole, Bareilly Ki Barfi indeed has its moments of “Barfi” oriented sweetness & boasts of great performances but it’s too unconvincing. Also, lack of face value & low – key promotions coupled with insipid music as well as domination by Toilet – Ek Prem Katha will surely spell doom for the film at the Box – Office turnstiles. In fact Barielly Ki Barfi can be strongly recommended for the classy cine goer’s & more suitable for a film festival scenario.
Beijing: China on Thursday said India has “slapped its own face” by deciding to build a road near Pangong Lake in Ladakh and it would only worsen the Doklam dispute.
Beijing said the western sector of the boundary where India plans to build a road is not “delimited”. It warned that the move was not “conducive” to peace in the region.
India’s Home Ministry has reportedly approved the building of a road from Marsimik La to Hot Spring in Ladakh. Marsimik La is about 20 km from Pangong Lake, where Indian and Chinese troops scuffled last week.
India and China have a dispute over the Line of Actual Control in the western sector of Ladakh.
“It seems that the Indian side is slapping its own face,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said reacting to the development.
“The Indian side is closely following China’s road building, but India’s action itself has proven that the Indian side says something and does another,” she added.
“Its words are complete contradictions to its deeds on the border issues,” she added.
“Now, the current road construction in that area by the Indian side is not conducive to peace and stability in that area.”
“It will not help with settlement of the current situation,” Hua said referring to the Doklam crisis.
“I should stress that the western section of the China-India boundary has not been delimited and the two sides have agreed to uphold peace and tranquillity before the disputes are setlled,” Hua said.
Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim section for the past three months, which has led to escalation in bilateral tensions.
The dispute began when India stalled the construction of a Chinese road in Doklam, which lies in the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. Bhutan has also protested China’s road building activity in its territory.
New Delhi perceives the Chinese road in Doklam a threat as the region is very close to its Siliguri corridor which connects India’s northeast with rest of the country.
The 3,488 km de facto India-China border is divided into three sectors: west, middle and east.
(IANS)
New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on the right to privacy, saying the decision was “a major blow to fascist forces” and the rejection of BJP’s ideology of “suppression through surveillance”.
“Welcome the SC verdict upholding right to privacy as an intrinsic part of individual’s liberty, freedom and dignity. A victory for every Indian,” said Gandhi on Twitter.
“SC decision marks a major blow to fascist forces. A sound rejection of the BJP’s ideology of suppression through surveillance,” he added.
The Supreme Court on Thursday held that the right to privacy is a fundamental right and is an integral part of the right to life and liberty.
(IANS)
Will Ferrell recently surprised a college student, whose family had fallen on hard times, with a cheque for USD 100,000 to pay for her tuition. The House star shocked
Samantha Watts when he presented her with a cheque to cover the costs of her speech pathology course.
Lenny Kravitz To Perform
Leonardo DiCaprio has reportedly roped in singer Lenny Kravitz to perform at his annual gala. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Gala will be held in St – Tropez. Madonna will make a special appearance at the 26th Jul, 2017 event and will be a chair along with Prince Albert of Monaco, Emma Stone, Cate Blanchett, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks, Jared Leto, Kate Hudson, Tobey Maguire & Edward Norton.
Anthony Hopkins Feels That Transformers: The Last Knight Is A Big Film
Veteran actor Anthony Hopkins avers that Transformers: The Last Knight’ is one of the biggest movies he has ever made. He has joined the franchise as Edmund Burton, who devoted his life to the study of ancestries of humans & Transformers.
Michael Bay Stated That He Has An Idea For A Sequel To The Rock
Transformers: The Last Knight director
Michael Bay has revealed that he has an idea for a sequel to his 1996 hit action movie The Rock, which starred Sir Sean Connery & Nicolas Cage. Bay’s terrorism story is set in the notorious Alcatraz Island prison in San Francisco Bay and starred Sir Sean Connery, 85, and Nicolas Cage 53.
Tyrese Gibson Wants Denzel Washington
Tyrese Gibson hopes the next installment of Fast And Furious franchise goes to Africa and he wants actors Matt Damon & Denzel Washington to join. He joined the series in the 2003 movie 2 Fast 2 Furious: as Roman Pearce, said he wants to take the films to a new locale and is also keen to see the franchise attract some new talent.
Gal Gadot Was Paid The Same as
Recently, there were reports that the Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot was paid less than her DC counterpart Henry Cavillas Superman. A source familiar to both has said that the actors were paid the same amount of money for their debut standalone movies. The source said that Gadot made the same amount upfront if not slightly more on Wonder Woman than Cavill made on 2013’s Man Of Steel.
Carmen Ejogo Cast In Denzel Washington Thriller
Carmen Ejogo has come on board the Sony’s untitled Denzel Washington thriller. The legal drama will be helmed by Nightcrawler director Dan Gilroy, who has also written the script for the film. The story follows a Los Angeles attorney who is offered a job at a prestigious law firm after the death of his long time partner and takes on a case that has life – altering repercussions. Ejogo has been cast as one of the female leads, a worker at a civil rights organisation.
Anna Kendrick & Blake Lively In Talks
Anna Kendrick & Blake Lively are in negotiation to come on board Paul Feig’s upcoming film A Simple Favour. The project is in the process of being set up at Lionsgate, Production on the film is expected to begin in Aug, 2017 in Toronto.
Emily Carey To Star In Anastasia: Once Upon A Time
Emily Carey, who plays the young Wonder Woman in the latest DC blockbuster, is all set to star in Anastasia: Once Upon a Time. Carey will essay the role of the young Anastasia.
Paris Jackson Wants To Be A Good Role Model
Actress & model Paris Jackson averred that she aspires to be a good role model for young women. She is the daughter of pop legend Michael Jackson and stated that her ambition is to make a positive impression on the fashion world.
Miles Teller Arrested
Whiplash fame Miles Tellerwas arrested in San Diego for allegedly being drunk in public. She was taken into custody for being drunk in public over the weekend, which is a wrongdoing. The police started questioning the actor around 12.30 am on Sun, after she allegedly spent the night out with a group of guy friends.
Brad Pitt Spends Father’s Day With His 6 Children
Brad Pitt, who is caught up in a battle for custody of his children with former wife
Angelina Jolie, got an early Father’s Day gift by getting to spend time with their 6 children. Together, Jolie & Pitt were raising Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh & twins Vivienne & Knox.
Ryan Reynolds Wished His Dad On Father’s Day
Ryan Reynolds wished his dad on Father’s Day with the most insane photo of Hollywood veteran Sean Connery. He took to his Twitter page & celebrated Father’s Day with a photo of the former Bond star wearing the most appalling costume ever.
Sophie Marceau’s The Party Remake in Works
China’s Huayi Brothers Media is all set to produce a Chinese – language remake of Sophie Marceau starrer 1980 teen drama The Party. The Chinese film studio has joined hands with French mini – major Gaumont to co – produce the film.
Sam Taylor – Johnson had A Tough Time
Sam Taylor – Johnson regrets directing Fifty Shades Of Grey, a film based on the eponymous 2011 novel by E. L. James, as she said “every” scene in the movie was fought over. In an interview, the filmmaker reveals she & James had a lot of creative issues. “Her vision versus mine … they were polar opposite.Every scene was fought over. It was tough. It was like wading up hill through sticky tar.”
Leonardo DiCaprio Hands Over Brando’s Oscar
Leonardo DiCaprio has returned Marlon Brando’s “Best Actor” Oscar statuette to the US government as part of an investigation into the money laundering by a state – owned Malaysian investment fund. DiCaprio received Brando’s Oscar and other artefacts as his 38th birthday gift in 2012 from business associates at Red Granite Pictures, which also funded his film Wolf Of Wall Street.
Elizabeth Banks Was Asked To Get Plastic Surgery Done
Elizabeth Banks said that her 1st ever
Hollywood agent asked her to go under the knife to get role in films. The actress -director stated that she is happy she did not pay attention to the agent’s suggestion.
Ashley Tisdale Allows Herself Carbohydrates Once A week’
Ashley Tisdale only “allows” herself to eat carbohydrates “once a week” and has cut off dairy from her diet because she has discovered she has food sensitivities. “I recently found out what my food sensitivities are, so I had to cut dairy out & certain other foods that weren’t good for me… Also, as much as I love carbs, I cut them down a lot. I allow myself to have them once a week,” said Tisdale.
Naomi Watts’s Sons Are Sensitive
Naomi Watts, who has two sons — Alexander Pete, 9 & Samuel Kai, 8 — with her ex -partner Liev Schreiber, finds them sensitive but fantastic. She says still, there are moments when she thinks parenting is too much for her.
Miley Cyrus Opens Up
International pop sensation Miley Cyrus was once known as the “Disney Queen”, but before, puberty took a toll on her in a way that she never imagined herselF to be. From being touted as the Disney princess, to being an addict to intoxicated products that really messed her up, Miley definitely saw some really dark days in her life.
Rebel Wilson Wins Defamation Case
Rebel Wilson has won a defamation case against a magazine publisher, who claimed that she lied about her age, origins of her 1st name and her up bringing in Sydney. She had appeared in the “Pitch Perfect” series Bridesmaids, said the “nasty” articles resulted in her losing roles in films such as Kung Fu Panda 3 & Trolls.
A total gym buff, Sooraj Pancholi recently injured his hip while practicing martial arts, which resulted in his workout sessions taking a backseat. To be seen in Prabhu Deva’s highly anticipated directorial venture, the young actor cannot avoid the gym completely. Says Sooraj, “I have been training in martial arts. I got this injury a while ago, but I’d been ignoring it. So now, it has become worse and it’s tough for me to even do a squat. I have been going for physiotherapy. I didn’t take care of it earlier, but now I have to.” Sooraj manages to make it to the gym, despite the injury. Sooraj adds, “I’m still doing it, though I have been advised not to. But I am making sure that I don’t put much stress on my hips. I will start shooting for Prabhu (Deva) sir’s film in Oct, 2017. I want to be in good shape for that, so I can’t avoid the gym.”
SANA KHAN LAUNCHED SINGLE SONG OF ACTRESS KAYANAT KHAN
Model & actress Kayanat Khan who is from Delhi launched her debut single song “Love Ka Tonic” in Mumbai where Sana Khan came specially to launch the audio. Shivang Bagchi has composed the song which is written by Amitabh Ranjan & sung by famous singer Ritu Pathak. T Series has released the audio which is produced by Kayman Productions. Bhojpuri actress Sangeeta Tiwari also came to wish all the best to Kayanat Khan.
SANGEETA BIJLANI STUNS IN 5 NEVER –SEEN – BEFORE PICTURES!!!
Former Miss India, Sangeeta Bijlani has charmed the film & the fashion industry with her incredible good looks & screen presence. The stunner practices yoga, meditation & follows a strict diet. It is no surprise that Sangeeta has a radiant skin and is in fine shape. Check out her 5 never – seen – before pictures on the internet.
KALKI KOECHLIN SAYS SHE HAS NEVER BEEN ASHAMED OF WHATEVER SHE DOES
After Esha Gupta, Kalki Koechlin is the next celebrity to bare it all for her latest photoshoot. The actress took to Instagram to share a black & white nude photo of hers. Kalki said, “As women, we often are depicted through a man’s perspective, but this picture was clicked by a woman photographer. That’s why I found it significant to share the photograph. “Lately, body shaming has become very frequent especially amongst the actresses who are always the victims of hate. The actress continued, “I think it’s important to celebrate who you are and your body rather than ponder about what the world will think. I have always believed in the idea of wearing your personality on your sleeve. I have never been ashamed of whatever I do. People feel I don’t do mainstream cinema. But frankly, I haven’t been offered any good commercial film that has caught my interest, or one I feel is important enough for me to invest my time.” Recently, when Kalki was asked who she would like to make out with amongst the actresses, she revealed, “If I had to make out with a female actor it’d be Kangana Ranaut.”
SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA BRINGS HER DESI FLAVOR TO TORONTO!!!
Shilpa Shetty Kundra recently turned Grand Marshall at the India Day Parade in Toronto ,becoming a part of the “proud Indian” moment when she hoisted India’s flag at the 70th Independence Day celebrations. Thousands of fans & proud Indians gathered at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous star. Shilpa, who was accompanied by her husband Raj Kundra, also joined her in dancing to the ‘dhol’ beats. Dressed in an Arpita Mehta outfit with jewellery by Anmol Jewellers, the actress & wellness guru looked stunning at the India Day Parade in Toronto which took place recently.
VISHAL BHARDWAJ RENDERS A BEAUTIFUL MELODY FOR ‘SNIFF’!!!
Diving into an explored genre, Eros International’s Trinity Pictures, is all set to release Sniff!!!, a kids’ adventure film, about an 8 year old Sikh boy, who acquires a heightened sense of smell and turns a spy. With an eye for talent, Amole Gupte, better known for Taare Zameen Par & Stanley Ka Dabba, has roped in close friend Vishal Bhardwaj to sing for his highly anticipated film. Both know each other since Machis and have worked together in Kaminey, for which the former played a villain. Aware of Vishal’s musical & vocal skills, Amole insisted that he sing for his film and his friend gladly obliged. With a high emotional quotient, the song, “Aur Kitni Dur” has a melancholic tune, rendered in Vishal’s velvet voice. Composed on the lines of “Meri Maa” sung by Shankar Mahadevan, in Taare Zameen Par, the soulful ballad gives us a glimpse of Mujtaba Aziz’s music direction. The song’s video features, Khushmeet Gill brooding while going through an ordinary school boy’s routine. Says Amole, “Vishal is my dearest friend with whom I did Kaminey as an actor. He has been an inspirational person in my life. I got a kick off from Maachis, which he had composed. The whole album was a revelation. He went on to become one of the cutting edge filmmakers. He has a lovely voice which is under utilised. I just feel that the wisdom of a music director percolates into his voice, sometimes singers are self obsessed about having a correct voice, the correct thing and it gets a little over processed. When I heard Vishal sing, I was just floored and the best way to pay a tribute to a great voice like his is to use it in your film. It makes me believe that the song “Aur Kitni Dur” is in the range of Tare Zameen Par’s “Maa” sung by Shankar Mahadevan.” Written & Directed by Amole Gupte, Sniff!!!, produced by Eros International’s Trinity Pictures, will release on 25th Aug, 2017.
LAWRENCE D’SUZA LAUNCHED ‘FALOODA’ POSTER
Film maker Lawrence D’Suza launched the Poster of Shree S J Entertainment & Dev Gayatri Entertainment Present’s comedy movie Falooda last week at The View, Andheri West, Mumbai. Arav Negi, Goonj Chand & Pihu Sharma are in the main starcast. Producers: Akash Deep & Harendra Singh Negi. Writer – Director: Dheeraj Singh Thakur. DoP: Mohan Prajapati. Music: Soumya Deep. Lyrics: Alaukik Rahi.
“SAI ROOP SWAROOP” ALL SONGS RECORDED
Music director N K Nandan has recorded all Sai Bhajans for Devotional album Sai Roop Swaroop in the voice of Raja Hassan, Sarita Joshi & Pamela Jain. This album has 7 Bhajans penned by producer Mangal Hire herself. The video will be shot in the month of Sept, 2017.
HEMA MALINI BECOMES CULTURAL AMBASSADOR FOR BOLLYWOOD LIKE RAJ KAPOOR
Raj Kapoor became a cultural icon in Russia as he bridged the 2 countries with his stardom; He had also visited Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia in 1954 and invited the National Ballet of Georgia, SUKHISHVILI, to perform in India during Jawaharlal Nehru’s reign, even celebrating HOLI with them at R K Studios! She has invited SUKHISHVLI to India again after 50 years. Hema Malini now presents ‘SYNERGY’ – An Indo – Georgian dance fusion, SUKHISHVILI & Indian Dance Ensemble, will be a cultural Odyssey that will expose the world to 2 ancient cultures, India & Georgia, giving a platform to showcase their talent. The performance will be held in September in the 4 major cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Chennai, which will be attended by the A – list celebrities of Bollywood, Politicians, Industrialists & stalwarts from the Arts & Culture!!! Hema Malini has always been in the forefront of Indian art & culture, a true karma yogi, and strongest believer in “Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara”, which means the first & supreme culture of the World. She quotes “I am proud of Indian supreme culture, the pinnacle of human civilization, where dance, music, drama & theatre form the basis of performing arts and a part of the rich cultural heritage of our motherland. Our classical literature, religion & mythology is the fulcrum, the foundation of these performing arts” She adds “This year we are proud to associates with another rich ancient culture of GEORGIA, to create a fusion, a SYNERGY. We intend to grow every year under JAYASMRITI, and have such wonderful collaborations with different countries. India is so culturally rich, a golden bowl of culture & heritage and I want to safe guard our culture, and spread it across the world” No wonder looking at her contribution, service & mission like zeal to Indian culture & dance, Hema Malini is virtually considered as the uncrowned cultural ambassador of India!!!
KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN’S FAN VISITS HER IN GSTAAD!!!
Kareena Kapoor Khan who recently travelled to Gstaad, Switzerland for a vacation with Saif Ali Khan & son Taimur Ali Khan, was in for a pleasant surprise when she learned that a diehard fan travelled all the way from the Middle East to meet her. Says a source, “It’s a well – known fact that Saif & Kareena stay at the Gstaad Palace Hotel when in Switzerland and this year they returned to their favorite holiday destination with son Taimur. As soon as a die – hard fan of Kareena’s heard about her trip, she immediately flew down to Gstaad from the Middle East to meet her and even checked into the same hotel. Kareena who enjoys meeting her fans, interacted with the fan at length and even posed for pictures.”
Iran’s atomic boss says Tehran ‘loyal’ to nuclear deal but ready to respond if US renegotiates or walks away from it.
Salehi (right) was part of the Iranian delegation that negotiated the historic nuclear deal with the US and other world powers in 2015 [AP File]
by Al Jazeera
Iran’s atomic chief has warned that Tehran needs only five days to ramp up its uranium enrichment to 20 percent, a level at which the material could be used for a nuclear weapon.
The comments by Ali Akbar Salehi to Iranian state television on Tuesday followed repeated threats by US President Donald Trump to renegotiate or walk away from a historic 2015 nuclear deal.
“If there is a plan for a reaction and a challenge, we will definitely surprise them,” said Salehi, who also serves as one of Rouhani’s vice presidents.
“If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 percent enrichment in at most five days.”
He added: “Definitely, we are not interested in such a thing happening. We have not achieved the deal easily to let it go so easily. We are committed to the deal, and we are loyal to it.”
Iran gave up the majority of its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium as part of the nuclear deal it struck with world powers, co-signed by Trump’s predecessor, President Barack Obama.
The 2015 accord, which lifted sanctions on Iran, currently caps the country’s uranium enrichment at five percent.
Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York, said there is “ongoing concern” among diplomats that further US actions to hold Iran accountable for “unrelated but still very serious violations” of international laws and Security Council resolutions “could end up ruining” the entire deal.
In recent weeks, Trump had already signed new sanctions imposing mandatory penalties on people involved in Iran’s ballistic missile programme and anyone who does business with them.
The US legislation also applies “terrorism” sanctions to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and enforces an existing arms embargo.
Our correspondent said the moves made the Iranians “very upset”.
‘Breakout time towards a bomb’
In response, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned last week that Tehran could ramp up its nuclear programme and quickly achieve a more advanced level if the US continues “threats and sanctions” against his country.
While Iran has long maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, uranium enriched to 20 percent and above can be used in nuclear bombs.
As part of the 2015 deal, Iran processed its stockpile of near 20 percent uranium into a lower enrichment and turned some into fuel plates to power a research reactor and shipped the rest to Russia.
The Obama administration and most independent experts said at the time of the deal that Iran would need at least a year after abandoning the accord to have enough nuclear material to build a bomb.
Before the deal was struck, they said the timeframe for Iran to “break out” towards a bomb was a couple of months.
As part of the Trump administration’s effort to push back against Iran, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is heading to Vienna to meet UN monitors, and talk about whether Tehran is in full compliance with the nuclear deal, Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan reported.
“Her point is to try to go, and to not just hear from them but to also re-communicate the US concerns about Iran’s intentions,” our correspondent said.
While the economic benefits of the deal have yet to reach the average Iranian, it has paved the way for the reopening of the country’s economy, while also boosting its oil production and sales.
Businesses have also started to sign multi-billion dollar deals with international companies, including Airbus and the US-based Boeing.
Analysts said abandoning the deal would also put those economic gains in jeopardy.
Bombs hit close to Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, leaving dozens dead and injured, local media reports.
More than 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen and since February 2014, according to the UN [FILE: Reuters]
by Al Jazeera
An air strike on a hotel near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, has killed at least 35 people, a local medic said.
A local television channel run by the country’s Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa, blamed the Saudi-led military coalition allied with the Yemeni government for the strike on Wednesday.
“More than 30 martyrs in air strike on small hotel in Arhab,” Houthi-run television station Almaseera said in a newsflash.
Dozens of people were also wounded in the attack, which struck north of Sanaa in the Arhab area.
Hussein al-Tawil, head of the Sanaa branch of Yemen’s Red Crescent, confirmed the death toll as rescuers continued to pull bodies from the rubble.
Reuters reported that a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition was not immediately available.
Hakim Al Masmari, a journalist with the Yemen Post, told Al Jazeera from Sanaa that air strikes targeted several areas of the city.
“It is probably the biggest massacre Yemen has witnessed by the Saudi-led coalition,” Al Masmari told Al Jazeera by phone.
“The air strike targeted a motel late early this morning. It was part of at least 25 air strikes that targeted Sanaa and the outskirts of the city since midnight. The air strikes attacked every part of Sanaa. It was a deadly night,” he added.
More than 10,000 people have been killed and three million displaced from their homes since February 2014, according to the UN.
Yemen, which is on the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has been engulfed in war since September 2014, when Houthi Shia rebels swept into the capital and overthrew President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s internationally recognised government.
In March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition began a campaign against Houthi forces allied with overthrown President Ali Abdullah Saleh in support of Hadi’s government.
Since then, the Iranian-backed Houthis have been dislodged from most of the south, but remain in control of Sanaa and much of the north.