Shashi Tharoor (file photo)

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday fueled the debate on singing of Vande Mataram by questioning whether the national anthem should be sung in full at every public function. Describing such a requirement as “unnecessary and burdensome” for audiences, Tharoor said respect for Vande Mataram should not be confused with making its full presentation mandatory on every occasion.His comments come amid the growing controversy over the demand for playing the full version of the national anthem at official functions. Speaking to reporters, the senior Congress leader said that although everyone respects Vande Mataram, it is difficult to justify the need to sing the entire song at every event.Referring to the commonly sung part of the song, he said, “Vande Mataram is the national song and when it is sung we stand in respect. The first stanza, or the first few stanzas, is something most people know by heart.”The senior Congress leader said it has been a tradition for a long time that Vande Mataram is sung once at the beginning of any program and often the national anthem is played separately at the end. He said, “Now they want all five verses to be sung at the beginning of every program and then again at the end. I think this is an unnecessary imposition.”Tharoor pointed out that while the Kerala government has said that singing the full version is optional, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has a different view. “Ultimately this may have to be ruled on as there is no law passed by Parliament that requires it. It’s more a matter of tradition,” he said.Emphasizing that he had no objection to the national anthem, Tharoor said, “We all respect Vande Mataram. I can happily sing it for you.”Recalling a book launch event held in New Delhi in the presence of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Tharoor said the entire song was played at the beginning and end of the event. He said, “It became an issue for the audience to watch a relatively unfamiliar and long song twice.”He described the dispute as “unfortunate” and expressed hope that it would be resolved amicably. He said, “I can understand singing it once during ceremonies involving the President, the Vice President or the Prime Minister. But it is difficult to understand singing the entire song twice during a small event. I don’t see any justification for it, and it is not particularly effective.”However, the ruling-BJP party criticized the Thiruvananthapuram MP over his stance on Vande Mataram. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “Congress is succumbing to the pressure of Muslim League.”

actress Trisha Krishnan Recently she returned to social media with another set of memories from her memorable month of May. The actress shared a new collection of photos and moments that hold emotional significance for her. The importance of this month increased further as he celebrated his birthday on 4th May. Trisha turned 43 this year and was seen reminiscing about some of those happy experiences.

Trisha Krishnan’s photos offer a glimpse of personal moments

The photo series consisted of several snapshots from various occasions. The initial picture shows Trisha sharing a sweet moment with her pet dog. In another image she is seen holding a prayer journal.A mirror selfie also caught attention. Trisha was seen in a floral dress and flashed her bright smile in the frame. The collection also included bouquets that appeared to be birthday gifts she received during the celebration.Another slide shows the actress in a natural no-makeup look. The last photo once again attracted the attention of his pet companion. Amidst the images, a particular slide emerged. It featured a message that immediately caught the attention of followers.The quote reads, “The idea isn’t to make you look 25 at 40. The goal is to show women in their 20s that 40 is something to look forward to.”

Trisha Krishnan’s caption and fans’ reaction

Sharing the pictures, Trisha wrote, ‘Some more pictures of the magical May, I will keep smiling for a long time to come.’Soon after the post appeared online, fans flooded the comments section with reactions. One commented, “May the happiness brought by this magical happiness stay with you always and multiply in the days to come my queen.”Another fan commented, “Only good for you my queen.” Another wrote, “When your post suddenly comes to me, it makes my heart skip a beat by making me feel your presence, Trish”One comment read, “Unforgettable and luckiest May of the year.” One wrote, “Oh! Beautiful pictures.”

Box office journey of ‘Karuppu’ continues

Meanwhile, recently Trisha was seen with suriya In ‘Karuppu’. The action drama continues its theatrical run and is adding to its total collection.According to Saknilak’s estimates, the film grossed Rs 2.40 crore in India on its 18th day. The latest figure shows a decline of 59.3 per cent compared to the earnings of Rs 5.90 crore on the 17th day.Despite the decline, the film has continued to record strong numbers overall. Karuppu’s total earnings in India have now reached Rs 184.85 crore. India’s gross collection currently stands at Rs 213.75 crore.

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, attention is gradually shifting beyond the Strait of Hormuz to another highly strategic maritime chokepoint – the Bab al-Mandab Strait.According to Iranian state-linked media outlet Tasnim, Iran, through its allies in Yemen, is considering this narrow sea route as a potential pressure point against its adversaries. That has raised concerns that the conflict could spill into global shipping lanes and disrupt the movement of oil and goods through one of the world’s busiest trade routes.The renewed focus on Bab al-Mandab comes amid a broader escalation in the regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. According to Gulf News, if hostilities continue to escalate, Tehran’s partner in Yemen, the Houthi movement, could potentially target or disrupt maritime traffic through the strait.The development comes at a time when Iran has suspended indirect talks with the United States citing ongoing Israeli military operations in the region. The growing scope of the conflict has raised fears that the crisis could extend beyond traditional battlefields to vital global trade routes.

Why is Bab al-Mandab strategically important?

The Bab el-Mandab Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, it connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and provides direct access to the Suez Canal, a vital artery for global trade between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

A significant portion of global energy shipments, including oil and liquefied natural gas, pass through this narrow waterway. Estimates suggest that approximately 4 to 7 million barrels of petroleum products transit through it every day, while a large portion of global maritime trade depends on its uninterrupted flow. Any disruption here would force shipping routes to detour around Africa, causing costs, delivery times and insurance premiums to rise sharply.

Iran’s strategic calculations

Although Iran does not share a border with the Bab al-Mandab Strait, it maintains close ties with the Houthi movement in Yemen. This relationship has allowed Tehran to project influence in key sea corridors without direct military involvement.Analysts believe Iran’s approach relies on indirect pressure through allied groups to create strategic uncertainty in global shipping lanes. In this context, Bab al-Mandab is being seen as part of a broader network of leverage points along the Strait of Hormuz that could be used during an escalating confrontation with Israel and the United States.The Strait of Hormuz remains the world’s most important oil transit route, carrying approximately one-fifth of the global oil supply. However, repeated tensions in recent years have demonstrated how quickly the corridor can become unsafe during conflict.Against this backdrop, Bab al-Mandab is emerging as a secondary but equally important pressure point. If both routes suffered simultaneous disruption, the impact on global energy markets and trade flows would be severe, with far-reaching economic consequences.

Houthis’ role and previous attacks

The Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran, has already demonstrated its ability to disrupt maritime security in the Red Sea. During the Gaza conflict, the group carried out repeated attacks on commercial vessels belonging to Israel and its allies, forcing shipping companies to divert routes and avoid high-risk areas.While the Bab el-Mandab Strait has not been completely blocked, the threat environment in the surrounding waters has already changed global shipping behavior. Many ships were forced to take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa, significantly increasing operating costs.

broad regional growth

Along with increasing conflict on several regional fronts, maritime risks are also emerging. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in Lebanon, with both sides increasing military operations despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to curb the violence.Iran has warned that continued Israeli military action could trigger wider regional reactions, linking developments in Lebanon and Gaza with broader strategic consequences. This has raised concerns that sea corridors such as Bab al-Mandab could become part of a broader de-escalation strategy.Any disruption in the Bab al-Mandab Strait would have immediate global consequences. Energy prices could rise sharply as markets react to reduced supply security, while shipping and insurance costs are likely to increase due to rising risk premiums.

Global supply chains, already strained by previous Red Sea disruptions, could face renewed delays and inefficiencies. Even temporary instability in this corridor would have a profound impact on inflation and trade flows in many sectors.Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries rely heavily on access to the Red Sea to export energy products. Reports suggest that regional governments are closely monitoring developments, concerned that any expansion of the conflict could expose additional vulnerabilities in their export routes.At the same time, diplomatic efforts are ongoing behind the scenes to prevent tensions from escalating, especially as global energy stability is closely linked to unhindered maritime trade through both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.Although there are currently no confirmed plans to close or blockade the Bab al-Mandab strait, its strategic importance highlights the growing geographic scope of the Middle East conflict.

New Delhi: While breast and lung cancer are among the most common cancers in India. kashmir Facing a distinct burden of cancer, colon cancer is emerging as a major concern. Concerned over the high prevalence of gastrointestinal cancer in the Valley, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a special initiative to strengthen cancer screening, early diagnosis and treatment in Jammu and Kashmir.More than 14 lakh cancer cases are reported every year in India, and Jammu and Kashmir is expected to record more than 67,000 cancer cases between 2018 and 2024. According to ICMR, gastrointestinal cancer, especially stomach cancer, is highly prevalent in the Kashmir Valley, followed by esophageal and colorectal cancer.To address the increasing burden, ICMR has invited research teams from Jammu and Kashmir to develop and test a model for large-scale cancer prevention and screening through the public health care system. The initiative will focus on oral, breast, cervical and gastrointestinal cancers.Under the programme, adults aged 40 years and above will be screened for gastrointestinal cancer, women aged 30 years and above for breast cancer, sexually active women aged 30-60 years for cervical cancer and adults aged 18 years and above for oral cancer. The screening will be done through district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centers and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.Dr Rommel Tikku, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Saket, said Jammu and Kashmir continues to have a high burden of stomach, esophageal and colorectal cancers due to a combination of traditional dietary practices, Helicobacter pylori infection, tobacco use, genetic susceptibility and changing lifestyles such as obesity and physical inactivity. He stressed that early detection through timely screening, especially in people over 40 years of age and those with risk factors, can significantly improve survival and help reduce cancer-related deaths in the region.The main focus will be on improving screening coverage, ensuring early diagnosis and connecting people who test positive to treatment services. The program will also involve health workers and communities to encourage participation in cancer prevention and screening.The four-year project aims to develop an evidence-based model for prevention, detection, early diagnosis and treatment that can be integrated into the National Program for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and potentially scaled up across Jammu and Kashmir.

Ritabrata and (R) Sandipan (L)

Kolkata: The ‘Signgate’ controversy over alleged forgery of signatures of Trinamool MLAs hit the headlines for the first time on Monday, soon after Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari’s press conference, throwing the Trinamool into further disarray. Trinamool was forced to expel two of its MLAs, Sandipan Saha (Entally) and Ritabrata Banerjee (Uluberia East) following the act of defiance a month ago.The CM official revealed that both of them had complained to the Assembly Speaker about the alleged forgery of signatures of Trinamool MLAs during the process of choosing the opposition leader in the Assembly. This complaint, which was completely against the Trinamool party line, had earlier prompted the Assembly Secretary to file an FIR with the Hare Street police and strengthened the police case against the Trinamool leadership.“I have directed the CID to take all possible action (against this fraud),” he said. Those who do not cooperate will have to face consequences as per law. No one will be spared, the officer said. There is no role of BJP or the state in exposing the matter. Two Trinamool MLAs themselves filed the complaint,” he said, rubbing it in. He also announced a three-member special investigation team headed by a DIG rank officer to probe the issue.Eighty MLAs were elected to the assembly on Trinamool tickets; The party’s strength will be reduced to 78 once the expulsion process reaches its conclusion. A breakaway faction can defeat the anti-defection law if it can break away 27 MLAs (about a third of Trinamool’s current strength of 80). The development prompted Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee to appeal to party MLAs “not to take hasty decisions”. Referring to Ritabrata, he said, “It was a mistake to take on a person who had been expelled by the CPM.”

Ritabrata says, someone had to do it; Kunal called this act a ‘big betrayal’

Trinamool gave them a chance to become MPs and MLAs at the expense of others,” Mamata Banerjee said, referring to a Trinamool MP who wanted an (MLA) ticket for her son. Unaware of the rapidly unfolding scenario and disagreement from almost every side, the party ‘thanked’ Adhikari for bringing the issue to the fore.Party spokesperson and Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged a larger conspiracy led by Ritabrata to poach more MLAs to his side and referred to Ritabrata’s “meeting” with over 20 other Trinamool MLAs at a hotel in New Town, which was later refuted.CM Adhikari earlier told that Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had written a letter to the Bengal Assembly Speaker on May 9, in which the assembly opposition leader, deputy leader and chief whip were nominated. On May 18, the Principal Secretary of the Assembly asked Trinamool to submit the minutes of the resolution. Abhishek sent a resolution bearing the signatures of 70 MLAs, out of which the names of 14 were written in capital letters.“Two Trinamool MLAs complained to the Speaker and alleged that no resolution on the selection of the opposition leader was adopted in the Assembly on May 6. The complaint alleged that the resolution of May 6 was fabricated,” the official said. After this, the Speaker directed the Assembly Chief Secretary to lodge an FIR with the Hare Street Police. Later the case was handed over to CID.An official said the CID has so far conducted “videography, photography and signature verification” of 13 MLAs. “Three of them, Baharul Islam, Arup Roy and Subhasish Das, told the CID that the signatures were not theirs,”The officer said, “Trinamool has not given up its habit of theft even after losing. They are certified experienced thieves. They are highly corrupt.” The two MLAs who complained were adamant. Saha said they had acted against an illegal act within the party and did not regret their stance: “Abhishek signed and submitted the document, certifying that this was our resolution. But there are many errors in that list. It also includes signatures of those who are not MLAs. He said that if the party expelled him for exposing unethical and irregular acts, it shows that the leadership supports unethical conduct. Saha said, “We were not aware that the signatures on the attendance register would later be converted into a resolution and handed over to the Speaker. This is completely illegal.”“Someone had to do it,” Ritabrata said Monday. ”Sandipan and I jointly discussed and drafted and submitted the letter to the Speaker,” he said, adding that the way Abhishek managed the elections forced all TMC MLAs to declare support for him, which upset many MLAs. Ghosh described the action of the two MLAs as “a big betrayal”. “The workers will decide. The leadership will rebuild the party. Couldn’t we wait a little?” he asked.Trinamool MLAs spoke in different voices about the party’s controversial proposal. Islam (mentioned by the CM official) admitted that he had not signed the proposal. “I did not come out of my house on May 6 because of the violence. There is no question of signing (it),” he said. “I wrote my name in capital letters and then wrote the name of my constituency. After that there was no space left to sign the form. There was nothing fake or suspicious in it.

A viral video showing streamer Jack Doherty being handcuffed and led to a police car has sparked widespread debate online. While some viewers were shocked, many social media users questioned the authenticity of the footage and called it a staged stunt. The controversy comes just weeks after Doherty claimed he was placed under house arrest, adding further uncertainty to the situation and sparking speculation on the internet.

Jack Doherty is back at the center of online debate after a short video showing the controversial streamer being arrested quickly circulated on social media. Rather than raising alarm, the footage sparked a flood of skepticism, with many viewers wondering whether the sighting was real or a ploy to attract attention.The viral clip has sparked a new wave of discussion about Doherty’s content style and public image. As reactions to

jack doherty arrest video fuel false arrest theory Online

The 14-second video, shared on May 31, shows Jack Doherty in handcuffs while a police officer leads him to a cruiser parked outside a residence. As the streamer is placed inside the vehicle, several spectators can be seen watching.However, social media users were quick to point out what they believed to be discrepancies. Rather than accept the footage at face value, many argued that the arrest seemed fake and lacked the signs typically associated with a legitimate police operation.One user wrote: “Once again a poorly staged caper. Jack’s Doherty failed to give me even the slightest pleasure in his material.”Others focused on the vehicle shown in the clip. “This is fake, LAPD patrol cars do not have “POLICE” in capital letters on the back. This is a hired actor for a clickbait video”Another commenter added:“It’s… fake, the lights are orange and the car doesn’t specify which PD it is, just says police”Growing skepticism helped the video gain even greater popularity, with thousands of users debating whether the footage represented an actual arrest or carefully planned material.

Jack Doherty’s detention claim adds another layer to speculation

Additional questions have been raised over the timing of the viral video as Doherty recently claimed he was already under house arrest.In a video shared on social media in May, the 22-year-old addressed followers and discussed his legal situation, saying: “Well, guys, I just got put under house arrest, and yes, I have to stay at my house for the next few months. But, at least, I get to stay here; it’s like the best crib ever. All my haters would probably be so happy that I have been put under house arrest. But still, look at my crib. Now come one. “I want to stay here.”The streamer was arrested in 2025 and has been facing several charges since then and his legal issues always remain a topic of discussion online. His history of headline-grabbing controversies and public feuds has made him the subject of intense scrutiny, and the latest footage only adds to the scrutiny surrounding his content.There has been no official confirmation yet that the viral arrest video that has begun circulating online is legitimate. For now, the Internet is divided between those who believe the footage is real, and those who believe it’s just another version of the Jack Doherty material playbook – until more information comes to light.

It seems Britney Spears is on the road to recovery after her drunk driving scandal and the legal controversy that followed. Collaborating with a popular celebrity hair stylist and social media influencer, the ‘Toxic’ singer adopted a brand new look and hairstyle and posed with him in a newly posted selfie.

Britney Spears changes hairstyle in rare update

Hair stylist Chris Appleton, 42, who is known for working extensively in the celebrity world, recently took a rare selfie with the singer in a new post. On June 1, she shared a sweet and emotional post about getting the opportunity to meet the singer and style her hair, calling it a dream come true.He posted her selfie on his account and further wrote in the caption that “As a child growing up in England, Britney Spears was the soundtrack to many moments. Never in a million years did I think that one day I would be standing behind a chair (or in this case she would be standing behind my chair, hahaha) styling her hair.Referring to the ‘Gimme More’ singer, the hair stylist also added that “she is not only an icon, but one of the kindest and gentlest souls I have ever met.” He also called this moment in life “coming full circle”.In the photo, Spears had straight blonde hair with a middle parting, unlike her usual wavy hair. In the selfie, she was holding several curling irons and other hair-styling tools as she posed next to the hair stylist with her tongue out.

Chris Appleton has expressed that he wanted to style Britney Spears

Appleton has repeatedly mentioned that he would very much like to work with Britney Spears. Last year, when a fan commented how Spears needed a change and that Appleton should work with her, he couldn’t contain his excitement.In response to the comment, he wrote, “I wanted to do Britney’s hair, but you know what? If I was going to do her hair, it wouldn’t just be like a little touch-up thing. It has to be like a total revival. I feel like she’s been through a lot. She deserves some big, major hair comebacks.

about britney spears

The pop icon recently made headlines after she was detained in California on DUI charges. Following a court hearing, the singer officially settled the case earlier this month. At that time, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months of summary probation, as well as a fine of US$571. He was also sentenced to one day in jail. Subsequently, she also checked herself into a rehabilitation facility, where her representatives said that she regretted what happened and that she would spend time with her family to recover and reflect.