Janhvi Kapoorillustration of the latest Ram Charan The starrer ‘Peddi’ is being liked a lot on the internet, where the audience has named her character as Achiamma for its visual appeal. Following the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana issued a public apology and revealed that changes would be made in parts.

Director Buchi Babu Sana Sorry

Buchi Babu Sana shared a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he mentioned that his team listened to the feedback and understood the concerns raised by the audience.“As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire and connect with the audience. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected. We have heard the feedback about some of the scenes in Peddi and take it seriously. I have always had immense respect for women, both on and off screen, and it was never our intention to make any objectionable comment or disrespect any female character. If any part of the film was viewed in this manner, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised and sincerely apologize.

The producers have confirmed that changes will be made

The ‘Uppena’ director also confirmed that they will be making changes in the relevant parts. He said, “After reviewing the feedback, we have decided to make changes in the relevant portions. Cinema grows through engagement with the audience, and as storytellers, we have a responsibility to be mindful of emerging perspectives and sensibilities.”Concluding her statement, she wrote, “Every woman deserves to be represented with respect, importance, and dignity. We are committed to telling stories that celebrate strong characters and uphold those values. Thank you to everyone who shared their views honestly and honestly.”

About ‘Pedi’

Talking about the film, it is a sports drama starring Ram Charan in the lead role with Janhvi Kapoor playing his love interest. The story is about a man who fights for his village and its identity while facing many challenges.Talking about the box office, the film has earned more than Rs 150 crore globally in two days. The film received positive to mixed reviews and fans praised Ram Charan’s performance.

Representative Image (AI)

As conflict escalates in the Middle East, Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran depends on the Trump administration agreeing to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets.In an interview with CNN, Rezai said: “The talks are at an impasse and (US President Donald) Trump must break this impasse. The ball is in Trump’s court.”His comments come amid efforts to revive talks between Washington and Tehran after months of military confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States. Although both sides have expressed an interest in avoiding broader regional conflict, significant differences remain over the terms of any agreement.According to Rezaei, Iran has proposed that $12 billion of frozen assets be released immediately after the interim agreement is signed, with a further $12 billion to be released at a later stage. He described this proposal as a test of trust between the two countries.

‘Test of Trust’

Rezaei argued that releasing the funds would signal a new phase in relations between Washington and Tehran.He said, “If he (Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of the trust that Iran wants to have with Trump – this is a test that America has to pass and the door will be open. This is our own money, not America’s money.” However, this demand is likely to face resistance in Washington. US officials have expressed concern that releasing frozen funds at this stage could weaken one of the key pressure points available to the United States during negotiations.Trump has repeatedly criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under former US President Barack Obama and has sought a framework that would be considered significantly stricter than the previous agreement.

Warning against renewed conflict

During the interview, Rezaei warned against any return to military confrontation, saying Iran would increase the scope of its response if attacked again.“We will give another dimension to the war by attacking these other American targets that we have been attacking so far,” he said.They suggested that any future conflict could spill beyond the Persian Gulf and potentially affect strategic waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

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Despite the warning, Rezaei said he believed the likelihood of a new war was low.Rezaei also rejected suggestions that a meeting between Trump and Khamenei could take place in the near future.He said, “It will not happen, right now we are in the first phase of negotiations and Mr. Trump has stopped the negotiations. It will not happen.”His comments come days after Trump said he would be “honored” to meet the Iranian leader and claimed the two sides were “getting along very well.”

Strait of Hormuz and regional impact

The veteran Iranian official also reiterated Tehran’s long-term position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.He said Iran and Oman share sovereignty over the waterway and should jointly manage it. Rezaei also suggested that Iran should not be expected to bear the financial burden of maintaining the route alone and proposed charging a maintenance fee for its management.The Strait of Hormuz remains a highly strategic passage, with a large portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it.Rezaei is considered one of the most influential figures in Iran’s security establishment. A member of the old guard of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he fought during the Iran–Iraq War and served as commander of the IRGC between 1981 and 1997.He later joined the Expediency Council, which advises the Supreme Leader, served as vice president under former President Ibrahim Raisi, and unsuccessfully ran in several presidential elections.Discussing the prospects for diplomacy, Rezai expressed doubts about the durability of any future agreement with the United States.He cited Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and accused Washington of adopting a strategy of ambiguity during negotiations.Rezaei said Iran was prepared for a possible military confrontation if talks did not take place.He said, “If the United States attacks Iran, the world will understand Iran’s true capabilities, because our land power is many times greater than our missiles.”Rezaei also claimed that the recent conflict marks a historic turning point for Iran.He said, “This is the first time that Iran has emerged victorious in wars, whereas in previous wars Iran has always lost.”

New Delhi: Amid the recent surge in Ebola virus cases in several parts of Africa, three suspected cases involving foreign nationals have been reported in Chhattisgarh, who were isolated in Durg and put under 21-day quarantine as a precautionary measure.State Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal on Saturday announced that the state is fully prepared to deal with any possible Ebola virus infection, stressing that hospitals and quarantine facilities have been put on alert and necessary arrangements have been made to ensure public safety.Speaking to reporters, Jaiswal said the three persons kept under observation were citizens of African countries and were being monitored in line with health protocols. He said that no Ebola infection has been confirmed so far and no person is showing symptoms of the disease.He said, “We are fully prepared at every level across the state for a month now. The three persons kept in isolation at Durg are citizens of African countries and have been kept in isolation for 21 days as a precautionary measure. So far, tests have not confirmed the presence of the virus, nor are they showing any symptoms.”The development comes days after a Ugandan woman was isolated in Bengaluru and tested following a global alert over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. The 28-year-old passenger, who arrived at Kempegowda International Airport from Uganda on May 23, was shifted to the Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar after health officials observed possible symptoms and collected samples for testing. Jaiswal also highlighted the launch of Chhattisgarh CM Helpline for public grievance redressal.He said, “We are launching this initiative with confidence, and it will definitely provide significant relief to the people of the state and increase their confidence in the government. If a Chief Minister provides a toll-free number to the public, it means that some issues cannot otherwise reach them. This initiative ensures that those issues reach the CM.”The heightened vigilance follows the World Health Organization’s decision on May 17 to classify the Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).India has not reported any confirmed cases of the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, which is currently responsible for outbreaks in parts of Africa. However, states have increased surveillance and screening measures as a precautionary measure.The Center has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. On Friday, a suspected case of Ebola was also reported in Rajasthan, when a Ugandan national who had arrived in Jaipur from Sharjah showed symptoms associated with the disease and was admitted to an isolation hospital pending test results.

YouTube Premium subscription prices are going to increase in the US from June 7, 2026. Existing YouTube Premium subscribers in the country will start seeing higher charges on their monthly bills. This comes after YouTube’s parent company Google announced a price increase for its premium plans in April. While the higher prices for new customers at the time were effective immediately, existing users were given a short grace period that ended with their June billing cycle.

New prices for YouTube Premium subscription

YouTube Premium services in the US have seen their prices rise for the first time since 2023. For most users, the monthly subscription is rising to $4 per month. The new prices are as follows:youtube premium personal plan: : Now $15.99/month, up from the previous price of $13.99/month.youtube premium family plan: : Now $26.99/month, up from the previous price of $22.99/month.YouTube Premium Lite Plan: Now $8.99/month, up from the previous price of $7.99/month.youtube music premium: : Now $11.99/month, up from the previous price of $10.99/month.The move follows several price adjustments in recent months. The YouTube Premium Family plan last saw a price increase in 2022, rising from $17.99 to $22.99 per month. Individual plans increased in 2023, increasing from $11.99 to $13.99 at that time.The low-cost YouTube Premium Lite subscription has been available for almost a year and is also included in this price adjustment. Features like background play and offline download have recently been added to this level,YouTube had informed the subscribers about the change by sending an email last month. It says: “To continue to provide great service and features, we are raising your price to $15.99/month.” [or the relevant plan price]. We don’t make these decisions lightly, but this update will allow us to continue improving Premium and supporting the creators and artists you watch on YouTube.Subscribers are advised to check their accounts and billing statements to see when their new, higher monthly fee will take effect, as determined by their individual June 2026 billing date.

Anthony Head, beloved Buffy and Ted Lasso star, dies at 72 / Image: File

British actor anthony headWhose career spanned more than four decades in television, theater and film, died at the age of 72. Known internationally for playing Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, Head was one of Britain’s most recognizable screen actors, his work spanning from West End musicals to some of television’s best-loved dramas. His family said he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones due to complications related to pneumonia.This news was announced by his daughters, actors emily head and Daisy Head, who paid tribute to her father in a statement shared with British media. She described him as an “extraordinary father” and said that his legacy would continue through the many productions he helped bring to life and that audiences loved his work.Long before achieving global fame in Hollywood, Head had become a familiar face to British audiences through the highly successful Nescafé Gold Blend advertising campaign in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Along with actress Sharon Maughan, he starred in a series of commercials, which became a cultural phenomenon in the UK and helped turn him into a household name.Born in London in 1954 into a family deeply involved in the arts, Head made his early career in theater and musical productions, including appearances in The Rocky Horror Show, Godspell and Chess. His distinctive baritone voice and commanding screen presence made him a natural fit for both stage and television roles.Head’s breakthrough role came in 1997 when he was cast as Rupert Giles in the iconic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As Buffy’s mentor, librarian, and father figure, he became one of the show’s most beloved characters and remained a central part of the series throughout its seven seasons. The role introduced him to millions of viewers around the world and cemented his place in television history.Although Buffy achieved international fame, Hades was never defined by any one character. He continued to have an extensive career in British and international productions, moving seamlessly between drama, comedy and fantasy.British audiences also knew Head from a number of popular television roles. He played King Uther Pendragon in Merlin, appeared as the Prime Minister in Little Britain, and starred in shows including Motherland, Silent Witness, Doctor Who, Spooks, and The Archer.A new generation of fans discovered him through Ted Lasso, where he played Rupert Mannion, the wealthy and cunning former owner of AFC Richmond. The role showcased her ability to portray charming yet complex characters and became one of the standout performances of the award-winning series.Her film credits include The Iron Lady, Repo! Attendance included! The Genetic Opera, The Inbetweeners Movie and many other productions.Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, with colleagues and fans remembering Head not only as a talented performer but also as a generous and respectful person behind the scenes. Many highlighted the warmth, humor and professionalism he brought to presentations throughout his career.His death came just months after the death of his long-term partner, animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, who died in December 2025. Friends and colleagues described the pair as devoted partners for many years.For many Britons, Anthony Head’s career reflects the development of modern British television. From iconic advertising campaigns and BBC dramas to global streaming hits, he has been a constant presence on screen for over 40 years. His performances as Giles, Uther Pendragon and Rupert Mannion have ensured that generations of audiences know his work, and his legacy is likely to endure long after his final curtain call.

Every holiday leaves a footprint. In the mountains of India, that footprint is becoming hard to ignore. It can be seen in trash left by tourists, snack wrappers among rocks and plastic bottles thrown on mountain paths. Not only this, in recent years it has become common to see headlines about landslides, road accidents, overcrowding at tourist places and hours-long traffic jams. But in all this, a difficult question often remains unresolved, is overtourism causing all this? Or is the reason for this not being able to manage tourism properly? Environmentalists believe the issue goes beyond tourist numbers. There are no lines to define the boundaries of our ecosystem. The real challenge is not tourism, but the gap between the popularity of these sites and the need to protect them.

mountain under pressure

When landslides occur or roads collapse after heavy rains, there is a tendency to blame nature alone. But it is not always appropriate to view it only as an environmental crisis or human intervention. “It’s not a one-or-two situation, both contribute to it,” says Ishan Shanavas, author, environmentalist and founder of Eco-Inspire, a national environmental education enterprise. “Of course, you have large-scale climate change that is certainly affecting the environment. And you have deforestation. So, I think it’s wrong to characterize it as either-or-both, which is affecting the disasters that we see from our understanding.“ The Himalayas are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world and are naturally prone to erosion and geological instability. Along with this, the risk may increase manifold due to changing weather patterns, road construction, deforestation and increasing tourism related infrastructure.

Is overtourism the real problem?

Image Credit: Sneh Rishav

The term “overtourism” has become a catch phrase for everything from traffic congestion to environmental degradation. But environmentalists believe the discussion should be more nuanced.In the interview, Shanawas says, “Trying to manage the amount of tourism and trying to manage the waste that is generated. That’s a challenge we’re facing.”Their observation highlights an important difference. Tourism itself is not the enemy. In fact, mountain economies in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh depend heavily on visitors for livelihood.The question is whether these tourist destinations have the systems and infrastructure to handle the increasing tourist numbers. If a destination sees heavy footfall of tourists but lacks adequate waste management or awareness, the consequences become visible over time. Plastic bottles, snack wrappers, disposable packaging and single-use products are increasingly becoming part of mountain landscapes that were once pristine natural beauty. However, unlike cities, mountains do not have the same capacity to absorb and process waste. “In cities you have active municipal bodies and they should be active in cleaning all this. But in some of the deep interiors of the mountains it is very difficult to remove garbage.” We can say that the problem is less of geography and more of behavior. Remote villages, high altitude routes and rough terrain make waste collection expensive and logistically difficult. A bottle discarded in a city may eventually enter the collection system. A bottle thrown into a remote valley may remain there for years.

Trekking trails that require attention

While overcrowded hill stations often make headlines, trekking trails, remote campsites and interior mountain passes are fast becoming repositories of discarded waste.“Without this ethos it only takes 10 tourists to go there and permanently damage that place because it only takes 20 pieces of trash to change that ecosystem forever because there is no one to take it back,” Ishaan says. Concerns extend even further as many trekking routes pass through wildlife habitats and ecologically sensitive areas, impacting local communities and animals depending on that ecosystem.

What will happen if nothing changes?

Image Credit: Canva

The future that environmentalists envision is not necessarily one of dramatic collapse, but of gradual decline.Referring to Delhi’s mountain of garbage, the environmentalist says, “If we don’t pick it up, it will become such an eyesore that we will end up as a landfill.” If waste production continues to increase without suitable disposal systems, even the most beautiful landscapes will be affected. “I visited Shimla for the first time exactly 10 years ago. By now we have read enough news articles about how the hills have become hotter now. Half in despair and half in hope, I went to Shimla only to realize that the joy of reaching cool, breezy Shimla was snatched away from me. A three-hour long traffic jam ruined the hill-station for me. After that disappointment I never wanted to go to Shimla again.” says Precious Rongmei, an avid traveler and bird lover. The irony in the story of mountain tourism is that people go to mountains to enjoy the clean air, peaceful environment and beautiful landscapes, but their growing footprint can gradually harm the places they come to visit. Therefore, tourism will become a victim of its own success. But apart from this, there are some people who are conscious tourists and there are also organizations who are trying to help. That balance is important. Across India, local communities, volunteers, environmental groups and responsible travelers are already working to reduce the impact of tourism. The challenge is in scaling up those efforts.

What can be done to improve the situation?

Part of the solution lies in changing the behavior of travelers even before they reach the mountains. “I would like travel agencies to encourage tourists to be more aware,” says Ishan.Travel operators, trekking companies and even airlines serving mountain destinations can play an important role in promoting responsible tourism. Simple actions like encouraging travelers to carry reusable water bottles, reducing disposable packaging and recycling their waste can collectively make a significant difference.Another idea is to create incentives for responsible behavior. “If you can pool trash in a certain area there will be some incentive. I think that’s an interesting thing to think about.”Interestingly, this idea is already being tested in Himachal Pradesh. The state government has launched the Himachal Pradesh Deposit Refund Scheme 2025, under which consumers will have to pay a refundable deposit on selected non-biodegradable packaging. The deposit is refunded when empty packets are returned to the collection systems. The scheme is based on the idea of ​​”the polluter will pay” to improve waste recycling. Although these measures may not solve the problem immediately, they take an important step towards change through prevention.

Collective action is a means of power

While governments, local authorities and travel operators all have a role to play, small behavioral changes and a sense of responsibility are also essential. A small action by thousands of people can have a cumulative impact on the environment. Simple changes in behavior can go a long way. Carrying reusable water bottles, avoiding excessive plastic packaging, disposing of waste responsibly and ensuring that waste is brought back from tracking routes are small steps that can collectively reduce the pressure on the fragile ecosystem.“We need to start to reverse the situation,” says Ishan. The aim is not to discourage people from exploring the mountains, but to encourage them to do so more responsibly. The future of India’s mountains will depend on a collective effort, on officials who create better systems, businesses who promote responsible travel and tourists who recognize that every bottle, wrapper and piece of trash has an impact. Because in fragile mountain ecosystems, the true measure of responsible tourism is not the photos people take home, but what they leave behind

Anand was an H-1B visa holder. With Anand’s departure, his wife’s H4 status collapsed.

After a major tragedy last year, a mother decided to leave her property in Texas and return to India with her two children. The story of Priya Narayanswami, who visited India this April, emerged in a Bloomberg report on the real estate crisis that is looming over the US, with Indians deciding to leave due to the constant targeting. South Asians have been the driving force behind the rapid construction in many parts of Texas.According to the report, Narayanaswamy and her husband Anand bought their home in Keller in 2023 for $435,000. Keller is a suburb to the west, close to Fort Worth. And although they wanted to live in Frisco, the property price was right in Keller. At that time he had big dreams of settling in America. They were raising their two children as Americans.The report said Anand was on an H-1B visa and often worked 12 to 15-hour days at Citibank through an IT-staffing firm called Iris Software. Narayanaswamy was a human resources expert. In August, she came home and found her husband crying. She was fired from her job, which meant she could lose her visa if she didn’t find another job quickly. Then the family got the biggest shock. About a week later, Anand died by suicide. In his last note he wrote that he fears that he will not be able to compete with AI. Bloomberg reports that it contacted Iris Software and Citigroup, but they did not comment on the incident.Narayanaswamy was in the US on an H4 visa, which is for dependents of H-1B. After Anand left, her visa status was reduced to a six-month visitor visa, and she could no longer work legally. In October, Narayanswamy listed the five-bedroom brick home for $465,000. He reduced the price but no one made an offer. He said the bank has agreed to foreclose on the mortgage, but now the home is possibly going into foreclosure.Narayanaswamy told Bloomberg that when he saw viral videos of the Frisco City Council meeting criticizing Indians, including asking H-1Bs to leave the US and go back to India, he wondered how the economy would fare without Indians.(If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a global list of helplines is available at blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/)

Manav Suthar made his debut for India (Image: BCCI)

The dream of years finally became reality for Manav Suthar on Saturday, when the Rajasthan all-rounder got his first Indian Test cap ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.In a special moment during the pre-match presentation, senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav was handed the coveted Test cap, officially welcoming him into India’s Test fraternity.

Who is Manav Suthar?

Manav Suthar is a 23-year-old rising Indian cricketer who plays as a bowling all-rounder. A traditional slow left-arm orthodox spinner and utility lower-order batsman, Suthar represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket and is part of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). For Suthar, the occasion marks the culmination of a remarkable rise from the border town of Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan to the highest level of international cricket.The left-arm spinning all-rounder has long been seen as one of India’s most talented red-ball prospects. With Ravindra Jadeja rested for the Afghanistan Test, the selectors have given Suthar a chance to make his debut as they continue to assess India’s next generation of spin-bowling all-rounders.Suthar earned his first Test call-up after excellent performances in domestic cricket and for India A. He first gained national attention during the 2022–23 season. ranji trophy He finished the season as Rajasthan’s leading wicket-taker with 39 wickets in just six matches. Suthar entered international cricket with an impressive first-class record of 129 wickets and 945 runs in 29 matches. His performance for India ‘A’ has been excellent. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker during the unofficial Test series against Australia ‘A’ (which included an extraordinary 5/107) and excelled at the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Toss update, India batted first

India won the toss against Afghanistan in Mullanpur and captain Shubman Gill decided to bat first. The playing XI for the one-off Test match is as follows:India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh KrishnaAfghanistan (Playing XI): Sediqullah Atal, Rehmanullah Gurbaz, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Afsar Zazai (w), Azmatullah Umarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Ziaur Rehman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi.

Vladimir Putin with PM Modi

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin He said sanctions threats against India would be “immediately counterproductive”, reaffirming that New Delhi has always been “guided by its national interests”.Putin said India was free to choose the products that “they consider to be the most modern, best suited for them and clearly offer the best price-quality ratio”. “India always acts as a sovereign country and under the leadership of Prime Minister ModiAny potential threat of sanctions would be immediately reversed. We have been in close dialogue with Prime Minister Modi for a long time… All sanctions have been lifted and relations between the United States and India are developing successfully, as I understand… Indians are free to choose the products they consider to be the most modern, best suited to them and obviously offering the best price-quality ratio. Russian President Vladimir Putin said India is always guided by its national interests.The Russian President said the Kremlin’s cooperation with India is “not subject to the political environment” and Moscow will “live up to the commitments it makes to our partners, especially partners like India”.He further said, “Like all our other partners, our cooperation with India is not subject to the political environment. We cannot be directed not to give it to India. No one can direct us and no one will even try to do so… We will always live up to the commitments given to our partners, especially partners like India.”Putin on Friday said “BRICS has overtaken the G7” in terms of economic size, while also praising India as a “key partner” for its leading role in the IT and software industry.Speaking at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said developing countries are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, while the share of Western economies is declining.“If you look at the global GDP dynamics of the last five years, you will see that almost half of its annual growth, 49%, is contributed by the BRICS countries, while the contribution of the so-called Group of Seven is estimated at 18%…,” Putin Said.“The share of BRICS and world GDP based on purchasing power parity is 40%, while the share of G7 is less than 29%,” he said.He said, “So BRICS has already overtaken G7 and it happened in 2020 also, but this gap is increasing. This gap is expected to increase in favor of BRICS…”He also projected stronger growth for the BRICS economies compared to advanced countries. “The G7 is going to grow at a maximum of 1.1% per year, while the BRICS countries are going to grow at more than 4%,” he said. He said this trend is expected to continue.Putin praised India’s role in the digital economy, saying, “India, one of our key partners, is one of the leading players in the IT industry.”“It has a significant share of the global software market,” he said.