Big win for American journalists: Judge criticizes Pentagon’s ‘unlawful policy’, asks to restore press access

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled Thursday that the Pentagon was in violation of his earlier order to restore press access for journalists.Reuters reports him as saying that the new restrictions were imposed by the Defense Department because its prior rules were deemed unconstitutional.In his ruling, Friedman said the Pentagon “cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking ‘new’ actions and expect a court to look the other way.”As part of an ongoing lawsuit brought by The New York Times, the court ruled in March that changes made by the Pentagon last year to press access, including stripping the credentials of several major outlets, violate the First Amendment as reported by the AP.However, the Pentagon responded to the March decision with even tougher sanctions.“The very next business day, the department announced it was immediately closing the ‘Correspondents’ Corridor,’ the area of ​​the Pentagon from which journalists had worked for years,” Friedman said.The Pentagon completely banned journalists from entering military headquarters without official escort, instead providing a new workspace “in an annex facility”.

‘An attempt to deny the order of the transparent court’

For decades, verified journalists from major outlets have been given badges, allowing them to roam freely around parts of the Pentagon to engage with officials and public affairs staff. The Defense Department has cited security risks for the tighter restrictions.Friedman wrote that the stringent sanctions “are not safeguards or attempts to fulfill prior commitments, but rather transparent attempts to negate the effect of this Court order.”He ordered the Defense Department to allow Times journalists and “all regulated parties” access to the Pentagon.

Pentagon disagrees, plans to appeal

Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media that the department disagrees with the decision and intends to appeal.“The Department has complied with the court’s order at all times – it has reinstated the PFAC of each journalist identified in the order and has issued a significantly revised policy that has addressed every concern identified by the court in its March 20 opinion.”He added: “The Department is committed to press access to the Pentagon while meeting its statutory obligation to ensure the secure operation of the Pentagon Reservation.”

Times lawyer: Verdict ‘affirms First Amendment’

Times lawyer Theodore Boutrous said Thursday’s decision “powerfully vindicates both the court’s authority and the First Amendment’s protection of independent journalism.” AP report.The lead plaintiff in the suit, The New York Times, had told Friedman that the Pentagon had not complied with his order, but instead issued a new “interim” policy in defiance of the court’s decision.

Widespread tension between the press and the Trump administration

Pentagon press access has become a point of broader tension between the media and the Trump administration, with officials often attacking coverage it deems distasteful.Among other measures, the Defense Department last year forced eight major outlets to vacate their verticals to make room for new, mostly conservative outlets.AFP, along with the Times, Fox News, the AP and others, have refused to sign on to the new policy, resulting in their Pentagon credentials being stripped. The current Pentagon press corps consists mostly of conservative outlets that agree with the policy.

‘Viewpoint discrimination, full stop’

Friedman, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Bill Clinton, said recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela and Iran underscore the need for public access to information about government activities.“The drafters of the First Amendment believed that the security of the country required a free press and an informed people and that such security was endangered by government suppression of political speech. That principle has protected the country’s security for nearly 250 years. It should not be abandoned now,” the judge wrote last month.Friedman said the challenge policy was apparently designed to weed out “disgraced journalists” and replace them with people who are “involved and willing to serve” the administration.“That,” he wrote, “attitude is discrimination, full stop.”

Actor Suriya has enthralled the audience with his versatile acting for almost three decades. His films, ranging from inspirational dramas like ‘Soorarai Pottru’ and ‘Jai Bheem’ to action-packed entertainers like ‘Singham’ and ‘Ghajini’, are widely available on OTT platforms. These films showcase his ability to portray diverse characters and cement his status as a beloved Indian film star.

actor Suriya He has enthralled the audience with his excellent acting for almost three decades. His films are action-packed, romantic, heart-touching themes and even motivational films, which prove that he is ready for a variety of roles. Over the years, he has built a solid fan following not only in Tamil films but also in the Indian film industry. Most of his movies are available on OTT platforms for fans to watch his famous movies at leisure. Here are five films of Suriya which remain popular among the audience on OTT.

‘Soorarai Pottru’ (2020) – An inspiring story of dreams and determination

‘Soorarai Pottru’ is one of Suriya’s most successful films in recent years. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the film is based on the inspiring true story of a man determined to make air travel affordable for the common man. Suriya’s stellar performance earned him the Best Actor award and many accolades. Suriya’s much-awaited film, which could not release in theaters in 2020 due to the pandemic, is now streaming on Prime Video.

‘Jai Bhim’ (2021) – A powerful social drama

With its thrilling story, ‘Jai Bheem’ could be one of the best courtroom drama films of recent times. Directed by TJ Gnanvel, the film shows a tribal family fighting for the justice they were denied. Suriya is a passionate lawyer who fights tooth and nail for the vulnerable and stands firmly against injustice. The crime thriller released directly on OTT and is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Ghajini’ (2005) – The thriller that changed Suriya’s career

‘Ghajini’ is a psychological action thriller directed by AR Murugadoss. In the film, Suriya plays a man suffering from short-term memory loss who sets out on a mission to avenge the murder of his girlfriend. In particular, his powerful transformation and one-of-a-kind plot made it a highly successful film. The Suriya starrer, which was a hit at the box office, can be streamed online on various sites like Amazon Prime Video, Sun NXT and ZEE5.

‘varnam aayiram‘ (2008) – A touching father-son story

Gautham Vasudev Menon’s film ‘Varanam Aayiram’ contains many poignant emotions. Suriya plays dual roles as both father and son, reflecting their relationship and life experiences. The film portrays love, grief and change in a very inspiring manner. Suriya’s unique avatar is available on Sun NXT and Amazon Prime Video.

‘Singham’ (2011) – action entertainer fans love

‘Singham’ is a big ensemble film starring Surya. Directed by Hari, the film features a fearless policeman who eliminates all the criminals in the story. The appeal of the film was enhanced by Suriya’s lively performance and some impactful lines. Surya’s first Rs 100 crore earning film is streaming on Sun NXT.

Suriya’s other fan-favorite movies to watch on OTT

Apart from hit films, Suriya has made many films which have become popular phrases used by many people. These films include titles like ‘Ayaan’, ‘Kakha Kakha’ and ‘Nandha’.

CHENNAI: As Tamil Nadu’s main contenders – the DMK, ADMK and actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam – race to outdo each other with election promises ranging from refrigerators to Rs 8,000 appliance coupons for women and six free LPG cylinders a year, one player in the field has picked up a different script.Seeman, chief coordinator of the Nam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), dismissed freebies as an “insult” to the dignity of the people, and presented himself as a moral dissenter in an election shaped by welfare one-upmanship.It’s a familiar role for the 59-year-old. An outsider with no political friends in the Dravidian land, Seeman contests the election independently, insisting that an alliance would weaken both his politics and his cause. His basic proposal is simple, but central to his appeal: “Everyone has the right to live in Tamil Nadu. However, the right to rule belongs exclusively to us Tamils.”That message has helped Seeman carve out a distinct, if still electorally unfulfilled, niche in Tamil Nadu politics. Since making its electoral debut in the 2016 assembly elections, it has not won a single seat in the assembly or parliament. Nevertheless, NTK’s vote base has steadily increased. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party contested all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on its own and secured about 8% of the vote – up from 3.8% in 2019. Last year, the Election Commission had granted “recognized party” status to NTK.Seeman has continued to reject the alliance in principle. While campaigning in Coimbatore, he said that if parties with 1, 2 or 3% vote share could bargain for 20 or 30 seats – or even cash – his own leverage would have been far greater had he been willing to negotiate. But, he says that he is not in politics for money. He says, “I stand for my people.” This time too NTK has fielded its candidates in all 234 assembly constituencies.Born in Arnaiyur in Sivagangai district in 1966, Seeman made his name in Tamil cinema first as a director and later as an actor and then moved into full-time politics. He directed films including ‘Panchalankurichi’ starring Tamil actor Prabhu in 1996. However, over time, cinema gave way to activism as he became increasingly vocal on issues of Tamil identity, language, farmers’ rights, environmental protection and the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils.His support for the Sri Lankan Tamils ​​would define both his politics and his public persona. In 2008, as the Sri Lankan civil war was nearing its end, Seeman met LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, a figure he openly worships. Over the following years his image strengthened as a fierce Tamil nationalist. He spoke out strongly against the killing of Tamils ​​in Sri Lanka and was detained under the National Security Act in 2009 and 2010 for giving speeches in support of Prabhakaran. When he founded NTK on May 18, 2010 – the first death anniversary of the LTTE chief – its symbolism was unmistakable.Seeman has positioned NTK as a Tamil nationalist alternative to the two major Dravidian parties, DMK and ADMK. But his journey has hardly been linear. Once a staunch supporter of Dravidian icon Periyar EV Ramasamy, he now rejects the description of Tamil Nadu as “Periyar land”. Critic of the DMK and Congress on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, he supported Jayalalithaa’s ADMK in the 2011 and 2014 elections before contesting as an independent in 2016.The first outing was disappointing. NTK fielded candidates in all 234 assembly constituencies and deposits were forfeited in almost every seat. Seeman himself finished fifth in Cuddalore. But the setbacks did not stop the party’s slow progress. Its vote share increased to 6.6% in the 2021 assembly elections, from 1.1% in 2016. Seaman continues to present that incremental growth as evidence that his politics are taking root even without the support of larger structures.Part of that appeal lies in the man’s style as well as his message. Seeman is a mesmerizing Tamil speaker whose speeches often draw crowds willing to brave the rain and stand for long periods of time to hear him. At a recent meeting in Ariyalur, hundreds of people did just that. The NTK chief takes a dig at his rivals who rely on texts and teleprompters, saying, “A leader must speak with purpose, not just on paper. He must speak from his heart.”In his speeches, Seeman attacks corruption, vote-buying and what he calls “dependency-creating freebies”. He promises quality education, infrastructure, government jobs, state-supported dairy farms and prohibition. He has made women’s representation a key part of the NTK’s pitch, giving women half the seats in the party and promising equal representation in government, which he says is their birthright.For supporters, this explains his hold on a growing segment of young voters. NTK youth wing coordinator Idumbavanam Karthik says, “People become his fans through his speeches. He built the party by articulating his principles and ideologies.”However, Seeman’s politics is also marked by contradiction and controversy. He has made inflammatory remarks against Christians and Muslims. In his meetings he declared that Tamils ​​were followers of ‘Shaivam’ and ‘Vaishnavam’ and not ‘Hindu’. Yet, at an RSS event he said that he would use Brahmins to break the Dravidian fort. In line with that proposal, he has fielded six Brahmin candidates this time.This contradiction may be at the root of Seeman’s politics. But in a state where politics has long been dominated by two Dravidian stalwarts, Seeman has ensured that he cannot be ignored as a fringe player.

During a grand wedding ceremony, Abhira finds herself caught in a whirlwind of family tension while attempting to uncover Meher’s secret betrayal. As she welcomes the guests, the stern gaze of the relatives, especially Vidya, weighs heavily on her, yet Damayanti’s encouraging presence fills her with resolve.

The episode starts with Aryan, Abhira and Tanya talking about the evidence against Meher. Aryan asks, since he has deleted it from the school server, what will they do now? However, Abhira tells them that Meher has taken copies on her phone and she can get them from there; All he has to do is attend the wedding and distract Meher so that he can catch them.

Abhira attends the wedding Directionside of

Disha’s family is welcomed by the Poddar family in the wedding procession. When it comes to Damayanti welcoming Aryan’s family, Abhira steps up with the plate. Vidya refuses to be welcomed by Abhira and tells everyone that she feels insulted because Abhira is not family. Damayanti says that since Disha has called her elder sister, Abhira is now a part of her family. Abhira welcomes Kaveri, but before she moves on to the next family member, Vidya pushes Armaan, Meher and Myra in front of her with a smile. Abhira welcomes them, however, oversteps Meher, leaving her and Vidya angry.The wedding procession continues, and Disha’s father tells everyone that they have a ritual where the bride’s father washes the groom’s feet. However, Aryan refuses, and Abhira and Armaan tell them that it should be the other way around. Myra watches everything and in the background Tanya comments that Abhira and Armaan are in perfect sync.

Myra learns the truth about the gifts and Meher’s lies.

Later, Abhira goes to Myra and both talk about tomorrow’s gift. Myra tells her that she is lying, and that Meher is the one who saved everything of her childhood; However, Abhira corrects him and then lists all the things in the box, along with the memories associated with them. She tells Myra that she was going to give her favorite item from her memories as a gift; However, she couldn’t decide and decided to give him everything. She asks Myra to think about it and says who else but a mother will save all this? She tells Myra that Meher is lying and explains how she would have any of these items, leaving Myra confused.

Abhira and Tanya try to steal Meher’s phone

Later, Tanya and Abhira plan to take Meher’s phone without informing her. Tanya bumps into him and picks up Meher’s phone with the duplicate phone; However, she forgets which one is whose. Abhira watches all this, as Tanya hesitantly hands over a phone to Meher. They eventually fail to switch the phones.

This week’s OTT calendar is one of the most curated of the year so far, offering something truly compelling across every genre and platform. The long-awaited fifth and final season of ‘The Boys’ heads to the airwaves on Amazon Prime Video, arriving on April 8 with Homelander’s grip on America stronger and more terrifying than ever. On Netflix, Dan Levy’s dark comedy series ‘Big Mistakes’ promises sharp humor and organized crime chaos from April 9, while Tamil blockbuster ‘Thai Keezhavi’, which is critically acclaimed, is debuting on JioHotstar on April 10 after a strong dramatic performance.Check out some of these OTT releases that you can enjoy in your comfort zone this week and we are sure you will love all of them.

In this season finale, the stakes reach a crescendo of carnage as Homelander (Antony Starr) installs a fascist regime, leading to the core vigilante team being captured and weakened. While Annie (Erin Moriarty) and A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) lead a desperate resistance with the Gen V Supers, a terminally ill Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) plots to spread a deadly virus to destroy all Super-types. Caught in the crossfire with the chaotic return of Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) and Ryan (Cameron Crovetti)Release date: 8 AprilStreaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Starring Daniel Levy, Taylor Ortega, Laurie Metcalf. Created by Dan Levy, this comedy-thriller tells the story of two siblings whose desperate attempt to help their grandmother goes horribly wrong, plunging them into the chaotic world of organized crime. Blending sharp humor with a crime-inspired twist, it promises to be an unpredictable and entertaining ride.Release date: April 9Streaming Platform: Netflix

Thai Kizhavi, starring Radhika Sarathkumar, is one of the most talked about Tamil releases this week on 10th April. With strong performances and a compelling narrative, it is also available in Telugu, expanding its reach to a wider audience. Radhika Sarathkumar’s performance received good reviews from the audience. The film has already become a blockbuster at the box office.Release date: April 10Streaming on: JioHotstar

‘You and me’

The official adaptation of the 2018 Thai hit ‘The Pool’, ‘Tu Ya Main’ is a high-tension survival thriller directed by Bejoy Nambiar. The story is based on the collision of two different worlds: Maruti (Adarsh ​​Gaurav), a struggling rapper from Nalasopara, and Avni (Shanaya Kapoor), a high-profile social media influencer. The film stars Mona Singh, Parul Gulati and Amrita Khanvilkar in supporting roles.Release date: April 10Streaming on: Netflix

‘O’Romeo‘

Set against the grim backdrop of the underworld of post-independence Mumbai, ‘O’Romeo’ is a romantic action thriller directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Inspired by a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’, the story is based on Hussain Ustara (Shahid Kapoor), a flamboyant contract killer who wields a barber’s razor, whose life takes a sharp turn when he falls in love with Afshaan (Tripti Dimri), a grieving widow who seeks revenge for her husband’s murder by powerful criminal Jalal (Avinash Tiwari). Is determined to. The film has a strong supporting cast, including Nana Patekar as an eccentric intelligence officer.Release date: April 10Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

‘spanking’

‘Thrash’ is a high-stakes survival thriller that tells the story of residents of a coastal town as they face a double disaster: a Category 5 hurricane and an influx of hungry sharks driven inland by the storm. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, the film stars Phoebe Dynevor playing a pregnant woman trapped in her car alongside Djimon Hounsou and Whitney Peak.Release date: April 10Streaming on: Netflix

‘Kakki Circus’

‘Kaki Circus’ is a Tamil-language fantasy comedy-thriller web series marking the directorial debut of Amin Barif. Set in a fictional coastal town, the seven-episode series tells the story of a book-obsessed jailer and a feisty constable whose routine is upended when an eccentric thief attempts the impossible: breaking into a high-security sub-jail to steal a temple donation box. It stars Munishkanth, Subhash Selvam and Rajesh Madhavan in lead roles.Release date: April 10Streaming On: Zee5

‘outcome’

In this dark comedy, Keanu Reeves plays Reef, a damaged Hollywood star who must dive into his dark past to confront his demons and make amends. After being extorted through a mysterious video clip from his past, Reef sets out on a journey to redemption while dealing with the idiosyncrasies of the industry. Directed by Jonah Hill, who also stars in the film, the cast features a stellar lineup including Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, and Kaia Gerber.Release date: April 10Streaming on: Apple TV Plus

‘Euphoria’ Season 3

Returning after a four-year hiatus, ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 introduces a dramatic five-year time jump, transporting the characters from the chaos of East Highland High to the complexities of young adulthood. The new season continues to explore heavy themes like addiction, identity and changing relationships as the group moves toward life beyond adolescence. Zendaya returns as Rue Bennet, leading a star-studded cast that includes Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Hunter Schafer (Jules), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Alexa Demie (Maddie), and Maude Apatow (Lexi), along with new high-profile additions Sharon Stone and Natasha Lyonne.Release date: April 15Streaming on: JioHotstar

‘Toaster’

‘Toaster’ is a quirky dark comedy that focuses on a common household appliance that causes utter chaos. The story revolves around Ramakant (Rajkummar Rao), a notorious miser who gives away gifts of Rs. 5,500 toaster at a wedding, but becomes obsessed with getting it back when the wedding is suddenly cancelled. Directed by Vivek Daschaudhary and produced by Patralekha, the film stars Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Seema Pahwa and Abhishek Banerjee, with a special appearance by Farah Khan. Release date: April 15Streaming on: Netflix