Author: Alwin Joe Varghese

Seasoned filmmaker Amal Neerad, renowned for his cult-status movies like Big B and Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, has once again taken the director’s seat with Bougainvillea, starring Fahadh Faasil and Kunchako Boban. After captivating audiences with his blockbuster Bheeshma Parvam in 2022, Neerad is back with his latest venture, Bougainvillea. The much-anticipated film’s first look poster has finally been revealed, offering a glimpse into the “red” world crafted by Neerad. Amal Neerad Brings Back His Action and Aesthetics Neerad, who started as a cinematographer with Ranjith’s Black, starring Mammootty, in 2004, made his directorial debut in 2007 with Big B,…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to be sworn in for his third consecutive term on June 8 in New Delhi, is likely to embark on his first overseas trip to Italy shortly after the ceremony. The trip coincides with the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Rome on June 13 and 14, marking a significant diplomatic engagement early in his new term. Swearing-In Ceremony: A Grand Event in New Delhi The new government’s swearing-in ceremony on June 8 in New Delhi is set to be attended by leaders of South Asian nations, underscoring India’s prominent role in the…

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Ishana Night Shyamalan is well aware of the substantial legacy that comes with her last name. Her father, M. Night Shyamalan, has carved out a significant niche in the film industry, particularly known for his twist endings and unique approach to storytelling. Ishana, however, is undeterred by the expectations. In an interview with The New York Times back in 2021, she shared, “There are certain expectations the last name brings. But I love that because it’s something for me to knock down. Hopefully, I put my own artistic stamp on what I create.” A New Vision in Horror and Fantasy…

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Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a British-Mexican national who was apprehended in a sting operation on the gay dating app Grindr, is facing a six-month suspended sentence as well as a £2,100 fine by a Qatari court after being found guilty of drug possession yesterday. His family has responded by calling his arrest a “honeytrap operation”. Human rights organisations and HIV charities have also criticised the case as representative of Qatar’s homophobic state and security policies. Grindr Sting On February 4, 2024, Manuel Guerrero Aviña, 44, a resident of Doha and an employee of Qatar Airways for seven years, was taken into…

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On Monday, Slovenia’s parliamentary group for foreign affairs endorsed the government’s decision to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state. The right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), led by former premier Janez Jansa, subsequently proposed a consultative referendum on the recognition bid, which would have postponed the vote for at least a month. Despite this attempt, the parliament proceeded with an extraordinary session on Tuesday, overcoming several procedural hurdles. The vote concluded with 52 votes in favour and zero against, as reported by Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenija. Despite the SDS’s efforts to delay the decision, the overwhelming support highlights…

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In a landmark judgment, the Additional Sessions Court in Nagpur has sentenced Nishant Agarwal, a former senior system engineer at BrahMos Aerospace, to life imprisonment for espionage activities. Agarwal, who was found guilty of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has also been handed 14 years of rigorous imprisonment under the Official Secrets Act and fined ₹3,000. Conviction and Sentencing Additional Sessions Court Judge M.V. Deshpande delivered the verdict, convicting Agarwal under Section 235 of the Criminal Procedure Code for offences punishable under Section 66(f) of the Information Technology Act and various sections of the Official Secrets Act…

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A tragic knife attack at an anti-Islam rally in Mannheim, Germany, resulted in the death of a 29-year-old police officer and left five rally participants injured. The incident has sparked significant public outcry and raised questions about the motivations behind the attack, as well as the ongoing tensions surrounding issues of radical Islam and immigration in Germany. Attack and Immediate Aftermath On Sunday, June 2, 2024, a police officer succumbed to injuries sustained during a knife attack at a rally organised by Pax Europa, a group campaigning against radical Islam. The officer, who was on duty at the event on…

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On May 29th, South Africans went to the polls in what many consider the most critical general election since the end of Apartheid. The African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled the country since Nelson Mandela’s presidency in 1994, faces unprecedented challenges. The outcome could redefine South Africa’s political landscape and determine the future of the ANC’s long-held dominance. The Vote Count and Current Standings As of two days after the election, with over 90 per cent of the ballots counted, the ANC leads with just over 40 per cent of the national vote. This is a significant drop from…

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“Manjummel Boys,” a Malayalam survival thriller starring Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Bhasi, has been making headlines for reasons beyond its box-office success. Directed by Chidambaram and inspired by a true story, the film follows a group of friends on a perilous vacation in Kodaikanal. The movie’s ensemble cast includes Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., and more. Despite becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film, earning over Rs 200 crore, surpassing “2018,” India’s official entry to the 2024 Academy Awards, the film’s producers now face legal troubles. Allegations of Financial Misconduct A recent report by Manorama Online has brought to light…

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In an unexpected turn of events, Sony issued a formal apology to Neil Druckmann, the co-president of Sony-owned Naughty Dog, for editing a promotional interview that misrepresented his views on the role of AI in gaming. The interview, which was initially published last week, contained “several significant errors and inaccuracies,” according to Sony’s statement. The video has since been taken down from all platforms. Misquoted and Misunderstood The controversy erupted when the edited interview showed Druckmann seemingly praising generative AI as a revolutionary tool for game development, claiming it could “redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.” While Druckmann did express excitement…

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