BENGALURU: As Karnataka readies for Christmas and New Year celebrations, winter has tightened its grip across the state. Despite variations in minimum temperature readings from KSNDMC and IMD, the cold is palpable, with dense early-morning fog reducing visibility and disrupting travel in parts of Bengaluru and its nearby districts.“Clear skies will continue over Bengaluru, with a dense blanket of fog and mist during mornings. While the city’s outskirts with thick vegetation are likely to record minimum temperatures below 10°C, areas in and around the central business district will see minimum temperatures between 12°C and 13°C,” an IMD scientist noted.According to KSNDMC data, Bengaluru Urban and Rural recorded minimum temperatures of 8.5°C and 8.7°C, respectively.In contrast, the IMD observatory on Palace Road reported a minimum of 14.4°C for Bengaluru, while HAL airport station recorded 14.1°C.However, there was unanimity between meteorologists from both the agencies that minimum temperatures had dipped 2-3°C below normal and was likely to fall by another one or two degrees during the weekend, with the chill expected to persist till month-end.Meanwhile, foggy conditions have already begun affecting routine life and holiday travel in southern interior districts. In Bengaluru Rural, dense fog between 4am and 9.30am has made driving difficult on several state and national highways, including NH-648, NH-48 and Yelahanka-Gauribidanur state highway.The cold has intensified across the state, with minimum temperatures plunging sharply in several districts, making this one of the coldest spells of the season.The sharpest dip has been recorded in north-interior Karnataka, where early mornings have turned biting cold. KSNDMC data show that Bidar recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 5.3°C Friday night, followed by Belagavi at 5.9°C and Dharwad at 6.4°C.Districts such as Vijayanagara, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Gadag, Haveri and Kalaburagi reported minimum temperatures between 6.5°C and 8°C, indicating that the cold spell is widespread rather than confined to a few pockets.

There appears to be no slowing down the extraordinary box office run of Bollywood blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’. The Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna starrer has stormed into its third week after delivering a record-breaking second week. The film continues to outperform its opening weekend figures, indicating continued audience interest and robust word of mouth.

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collection Day 16

According to early estimates from Sacnilk, ‘Dhurandhar’ earned an impressive Rs 33.50 crore net on Saturday from 5,398 shows across multiple regions. As per the report, the film saw good growth after opening its third week at the box office on Friday with Rs 22.5 crore at the ticket windows.

‘Dhurandhar’ week 3 collections

The film had closed its first week with an impressive Rs 207.25 crore net collection and went on to surpass that figure in its second week, adding an estimated Rs 253.25 crore. This pushed the two-week total to approximately Rs 460.5 crore. With its strong third-week performance, the film’s total net collections have now shot past the Rs 516.5 crore mark, thus cementing its blockbuster status.

‘Dhurandhar’ becomes second-fastest film to hit Rs 500 crore mark

With this achievement, ‘Dhurandhar’ has emerged as the second-fastest Hindi film to cross the Rs 500 crore net milestone. The record is currently held by Allu Arjun-led Telugu blockbuster ‘Pushpa 2 – The Rule’, which achieved the feat in just 11 days. However, ‘Dhurandhar’ has beaten Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan’ which was previously the fastest film, taking just 18 days to reach the mark. It also beat this year’s blockbuster ‘Chhaava’ which hit the mark in 23 days.

‘Dhurandhar’ becomes Ranveer Singh’s highest grossing film

‘Dhurandhar’ has also become Ranveer Singh’s highest-grossing film to date and his first to enter the Rs 500 crore net club, surpassing his previous blockbusters by a significant margin.

‘Dhurandhar’ gross collection

On Day 16 alone, the film’s gross collections stood at an estimated Rs 40.20 crore. Overall, its India gross has now crossed the Rs 700 crore mark, with total domestic gross collections estimated at around Rs 780 crore. The film’s rapid climb has been fuelled by strong performances, an intense narrative and exceptional weekday holds, translating into repeat viewership nationwide.

‘Dhurandhar’ to enter Rs 1000 crore club

At the international box office, ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to register solid numbers, with overseas collections now estimated at approximately Rs 160 crore. As a result, the film’s total worldwide gross has climbed to around Rs 940 crore. Given the current trend, industry trackers believe it is only a matter of time before ‘Dhurandhar’ enters the coveted Rs 1,000 crore worldwide club.

Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, addressing the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi at Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday, said the nation would remember Sharif Osman Hadi forever and work to fulfil his dream.He noted that while millions had gathered at the venue in waves, crores of people across Bangladesh and Bangladeshis living abroad were waiting to hear about Hadi. “We have come to make a promise to you-that what you told us, we will fulfill,” Yunus said, as cited by the Daily Star. “You have given us such a mantra that this nation will never forget. It will echo in our ears forever.”The chief adviser noted the message would guide every Bangladeshi throughout life, instilling a sense of dignity and resilience, with a reminder that “our heads will never bow down.”Emphasising Hadi’s enduring legacy, he said Hadi would live on in the nation’s memory, continuing to inspire people through his ideals for generations to come.“Today, on behalf of all of us, we make a promise to you that we will move forward imbued with your mantra,” Yunus said while concluding his address. Hadi, a prominent youth leader, was shot in the head by masked gunmen on December 12 while attending an election campaign in the Bijoynagar area of central Dhaka. He was later taken abroad for advanced medical treatment but died from his injuries in Singapore on Thursday.Bangladesh held Hadi’s funeral earlier on Friday in Dhaka, with a large crowd attending under heightened security arrangements.Officials said investigations into the killing and the security lapse were ongoing, with law enforcement placed on high alert to prevent further violence. The murder sparked widespread protests in Dhaka, where thousands took to the streets late Thursday and early Friday, demanding justice. The unrest soon spread beyond the capital, with demonstrators attempting to march toward Indian diplomatic sites and vandalising properties linked to the former ruling Awami League.During the violence, offices of prominent media houses, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were targeted, while protesters also vented their anger at the partially demolished home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.In a late-night Facebook post on Thursday, Inquilab Monchi said, “Through destruction and fire, certain groups aim to render Bangladesh an ineffective state. They seek to undermine the independence and sovereignty of our country. You must understand — 32 and 36 are not the same.”The government on Friday highlighted the importance of the upcoming elections and referendum, describing them as “not merely political exercises, but a solemn national commitment.” It added, “this promise is inseparable from the dream for which Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi gave his life. Honouring his sacrifice demands restraint, responsibility, and a firm commitment to reject hatred.”

NEW DELHI: Govt has ordered a probe into the case of an Air India Express pilot allegedly beating up a passenger at Delhi airport’s Terminal 1 on Friday. The two had a spat after which Captain Virender Sejwal allegedly assaulted passenger Ankit Dewan. Why no one, including CISF personnel posted at the entrance, intervened when the matter had escalated to such an extent, is being examined.“The ministry of civil aviation has taken serious cognisance of the incident and directed the airline to ground the pilot with immediate effect. A formal inquiry has been ordered. Detailed reports have been sought from Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF),” the ministry said on X Saturday. No police complaint has been lodged.The Air India Express pilot was “dead heading” to Bengaluru — travelling as a passenger to another place to operate a flight from there — on IndiGo. Dewan was travelling with his family on SpiceJet. After the fight, they went to their destinations. AI Express grounded Captain Sejwal and he didn’t operate the flight he was rostered to from Bengaluru.What allegedly happened: While Captain Sejwal was at the staff entry gate, CISF personnel directed Dewan to this gate as he was travelling with children. He was on one side of the entrance and the pilot was on the other. “Captain Sejwal was going ahead of his side of the queue being a crew member. Dewan started questioning this, but allegedly in not a decent language or tone. The CISF personal asked him not to speak like that. When he did not stop, the captain hit him. The personnel on duty separated them,” a CISF source said.“Our personnel asked Dewan if he wanted to file a police complaint so that they could take him to the airport police station. He gave in writing that he did not want to do so. Both the pilot and Dewan went to their destinations,” the CISF source added.On reaching the destination, Dewan said on X: “…one of (AI Express) pilots, Captain Virender Sejwal, assaulted me physically at T1, Delhi airport. Me & my family were guided to use the security check that the staff uses, because we had a 4-month-old baby in a stroller. The staff was cutting the queue ahead of me. On calling them out, Captain Virender, who himself was doing the same thing, asked me if I was anpadh (uneducated), and couldn’t read the signs that said this entry was for staff. A verbal scuffle broke out. Not able to exercise restraint, the AI Express pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody.”Dewan added that he had to “see a doctor” and that his “7-year-old daughter, who saw her father get assaulted, is still traumatised & scared.” “I have no clue how DGCA and Air India Express can allow such pilots to fly. If they can’t keep their cool in a scuffle, can they be trusted with the lives of hundreds of people in the sky? How can Delhi airport get away with such mismanagement, combining staff entry with passengers carrying infants!”An AI Express spokesperson said: “We unequivocally condemn such behaviour. The employee concerned has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending investigation.”Dewan added on X: “I was forced to write a letter stating that I will not pursue this matter. It was either write that letter, or miss my flight and throw the 1.2 lakh holiday bookings down the drain. Delhi police, why can’t I file a complaint after coming back?”

NEW DELHI: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in recent reports, flagged how railways failed to boost its non-fare revenue despite holding vast stretches of vacant land and how dues amounting to Rs 4,087 crore from 269 private siding owners remained unrecovered by different zones till March 2023, pointing to weak monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.CAG audit focussed on two activities of RLDA, the railway entity for development of its surplus land for commercial use and revenue generation, commercial development of vacant railway land and construction of multi-functional complexes (MFC), from 2018-19 to 2022-23. It found that as of March 2023, railways owned 4.88 lakh hectares of land, of which 62,740 hectares was lying vacant, with only 997.8 hectares (1.6%) having been entrusted to RLDA. During this period, the Railway Board had received 188 proposals for 657 hectares, and it entrusted 59 of the 188 proposals to RLDA, following which RLDA awarded 35 sites to developers.It found that despite availability of such quantum of land, RLDA, as of March 2023, could award only 8.8% (87.76 hectares) of land entrusted to it for development. It noticed that several sites were entrusted to RLDA despite unresolved land title issues, encroachments and other encumbrances, resulting in non-monetisation of such sites. It identified systemic and operational issues that had adversely affected timely monetisation of railway land and realisation of revenue.It observed that Railway Board, while processing proposals for entrustment of land to RLDA, should have ensured that the land parcels were free from encroachments and other encumbrances, noting that weak inter-agency coordination in Indian Railways had contributed significantly to delays. “Alarmingly, none of the awarded commercial sites were developed as of March 2023,” the report added.In another report, it detected the failure of railway zones to recover dues outstanding from private siding owners. It has recommended the railways various measures to improve and track recovery of dues.

GUWAHATI: PM Modi transformed his Guwahati rally on Saturday into a fierce political offensive against Congress, accusing it of “committing a sin” by preparing to join hands with the Muslim League and the British in a pre-Independence conspiracy to make Assam a part of what would later become “East Pakistan”.Modi said Congress had conspired to erase Assam’s identity and the conspiracy was not just for a few years. “The roots of this sin of Congress are connected to before Independence. At the time when the Muslim League and the British were together preparing the ground for India’s partition…”

Congress altered demography of Assam for poll gains: PM Modi

At the time when Muslim League and British rule were together preparing the ground for India’s partition, at that time a plan was made to make Assam a part of undivided Bengal or East Pakistan (sic). Congress was going to become part of the conspiracy,” PM Modi said.Modi’s remarks came a day after Bangladesh was engulfed in violent protests following the assassination of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering fears of fresh migration ahead of elections due in early 2026. Amid recent campaigns in Bangladesh by several groups seeking a “Greater Bangladesh” by including Assam and the northeast, analysts warn this unrest could spill over into India’s northeast, reviving old anxieties about infiltration and demographic change.By invoking East Pakistan and linking it to present-day turmoil across the border, Modi sharpened his message of vigilance against infiltration, political commentators said.Addressing a public rally after inaugurating India’s first nature-themed airport, named after Assam’s first post-Independence CM, Gopinath Bordoloi of Congress, Modi said, “Then Bardoloi stood up against his own party. He opposed this conspiracy to destroy Assam’s identity and saved Assam from being separated from the country.” He unveiled an imposing 80-foot statue of Bordoloi, describing him as Assam’s saviour.Modi claimed that though Bordoloi had saved Assam before Independence, Congress later resumed “anti-Assam and anti-national work”. “To increase its vote bank, Congress gave free rein to infiltrators of its vote bank in Bengal and Assam. The demography here has changed. These infiltrators have encroached upon our forests. They have encroached upon our land. The result of this is that the security and identity of entire Assam has been put at stake,” he claimed.The PM praised CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s govt for working to free Assam’s resources from illegal encroachment, while asserting that the Centre had taken strict steps to curb infiltration. “Their identification is also being done,” he said, claiming that “Congress and INDI alliance people have openly descended on an anti-national agenda.” He added that even SC had spoken about removing infiltrators, “but these people (Congress) are making statements in defence of infiltrators.”Modi said Election Commission’s SIR of electoral rolls was meant to ensure fair elections. But, he claimed, “these people (Congress) are facing problems in every corner of the country. Such people will not protect the interests of Assamese brothers and sisters. These people will allow someone else to occupy your land and forests. Their anti-national mentality can create violence of the old era.”Modi told the crowd: “We have to protect Assam, for whose integrity people like Bordoloi sacrificed everything in their lives. We have to keep defeating Congress’s conspiracies at every moment, at every step.”

LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opens up about how she was unable to love herself.(Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty)

LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has been a constant presence in the Lakers’ star player’s life, even before he joined the NBA.LeBron James has also often credited Savannah James for the support and strength she has provided to him for years. Amid this, Savannah James has opened up about how she has struggled with loving herself over the years.

LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opens up about how she has been unable to love herself over the years

A few months ago, LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opened up about lacking self love in her popular podcast, Everybody’s Crazy.LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, said, “I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my family. I love my friends…”The popular entrepreneur added, “But I wasn’t always in love with myself. So I would tell myself to open your heart. You’re worthy. You’re enough.”But this was not the first time that LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has spoken about not being able to fall in love with herself.Back during 2020, LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opened up to HARPER BAZAAR. as she said, “Sometimes I felt depleted…I wasn’t being the best version of a mother, of myself, to my husband. It was just hard to be fully present.”

LeBron James has often praised Savannah James for always being there for him and the success he has achieved

Despite all the things she has faced, LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has been a pretty important person behind the NBA legend’s success in the league.The Los Angeles Lakers’ star player has also been public about how she has supported him over the years.The NBA veteran said, “My wife takes care of the business, man…She’s the best. Without her, I wouldn’t even be in this position to be able to do what I do and love the game.”The Los Angeles Lakers’ star player added, “I love it. So, to have my wife and my two boys and my daughter here and the rest of my family here, it was everything.” LeBron James has been with Savannah James since they were teenagers and even welcomed their first child when she was only 16.Also Read: “We’re really mindful”: LeBron James’ wife Savannah James breaks silence on how their lives change during intense moments

Did the “Ice Maiden,” as Donald Trump calls his no-nonsense chief of staff Susie Wiles, who has quietly run the White House with a relatively steady hand unlike his chaotic first term, have a meltdown or was it a hit job?Washington was abuzz Tuesday with a bombshell Vanity Fair interview with the 68-year-old political operative dishing on everything from her teetotaller boss with an “alcoholic’s personality” to his oddballs team.

Comparing Trump to her alcoholic father, the legendary sportscaster Pat Summerall, she suggested Trump had “an alcoholic’s personality” because he operates with “a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing.” She called Vice President JD Vance a “conspiracy theorist,” White House budget director Russell Vought “a right-wing absolute zealot” and Trump’s one time pal Elon Musk “an odd, odd duck, as I think geniuses are” and “an avowed ketamine” user to boot. Wiles suggested there had been “huge disagreements” over implementing tariffs, acknowledged that the administration must “look harder” at its process for mass deportation and said she had to “get on board” with Trump’s decision to give blanket pardons to Jan. 6 defendants.

She had forged a “loose agreement” with the boss to end the “score settling” against his political enemies after 90 days “because she did not want it to distract from his real agenda,” but in the end Trump had his way – as always.“In some cases, it may look like retribution,” Wiles admitted. “And there may be an element of that from time to time. Who would blame him? Not me.”Wiles also glossed over Trump’s relationship with the sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, and faulted Attorney General Pam Bondi for having “completely whiffed” on “recognizing the fervor of the president’s right-wing supporters” about Epstein files.Then the Justice Department Friday released hundreds of thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein just ahead of a deadline imposed by a bipartisan law passed last month. Lawmakers cried foul as many of the documents released by the self-proclaimed “most transparent administration in history” were heavily redacted, with text blacked out.

Despite his well-publicised friendship with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, Trump’s name was rarely mentioned, while Bill Clinton featured prominently with several photos.Meanwhile, as late night show hosts had a field day with the Wiles interview with Jimmy Kimmel calling her “the future former chief of staff,”some wondered whether Donald and Susie were simply playing a good cop bad cop routine.Wiles herself dismissed the Vanity Fair article as “a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest president, White House staff, and cabinet in history,” without disputing any facts or quotes as Trump came to her defense calling her “fantastic.”The Real Clear Politics even suggested it was at Wiles’ instance that Trump made a surprise succinct sales pitch on television next nightabout affordability, the accomplishments of his first term, and the challenges ahead minus only his signature “weave.”“Good evening, America. Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it,” he said laying blame on his predecessor Joe Biden for everything from the economy to crime to healthcare to bad immigration policy.“What ‌a difference a year makes,” Trump said, dismissing the mood of consumers, to claim the US is “poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.”It was again Wiles who made him give the rare prime-time address, Trump disclosed after taking a swig of Diet Coke, according to a television pool report. “I told you 20 minutes,” Wiles reminded Trump as she complimented his message discipline, “and you were 20 minutes on the dot.”Then it was back to fun and games. Branding Washington in his own image, Trump had The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington renamed — the Trump-Kennedy Center.The signage change followed a vote by his hand picked board of trustees to rename the complex though such a move could require congressional approval.Earlier, new plaques were added under presidential portraits on display on Trump’s “Presidential Walk of Fame” in the White House colonnade, “many” of them written by Trump himself giving his distorted version of history.The one placed under the portrait of the “Autopen” representing Biden, refers to him as “Sleepy Joe Biden” and calls him “the worst President in American History” with derisive references to Biden’s “severe mental decline,” “the Biden Crime Family” and his “Radical Left handlers.”The plaque under “Barack Hussein Obama,” as right-wing circles often derisively use his full name, calls him “one of the most divisive figures in American history ” and repeats Trump’s conspiracy theory that Obama “spied” on his 2016 presidential campaign.The Trump 45 & 47 plaques make boastful claims about creating “the Greatest Economy in the History of the World,” his sweeping tariffs, hard-line immigration policies and building “right here at the White House, the magnificent Trump Presidential Ballroom after a 225 year wait — but THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”There was no word from the White House as to how the plaques were paid for, whether government funds were used and whether they were installed by government employees.Returning the compliment, California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom posted on X his own version of the Trump plaque in the Don style saying, “DONALD IS FINISHED – HE IS NO LONGER ‘HOT’… DONNIE J MISSED ‘THE DEADLINE’ (WHOOPS!) AND NOW I RUN THE SHOW.”And ‘DiaperDiplomacy’ posted an AI generated kiddified version of the Don’s speech with a little Trump boasting about sending every soldier $1,776 warrior dividend, tariffs, troops & TrumpRX with little political big wigs, including Obama listening with amusement — an apt commentary about a 79-year old juvenile ruler!(By arrangement with The American Bazaar, www.americanbazaaronline.com)

NEW DELHI: A woman doctor at the centre of the recent hijab row after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar lifted her naqab during an event did not join duty on Saturday, officials confirmed to news agency PTI. They also reported no contact with her or the family members.Patna civil surgeon Avinash Kumar Singh confirmed that Nusrat Parveen had not reported for duty till 7 pm on Saturday, after which the “possibility window for the day” closed.“I have been informed that the last date of joining has been extended beyond December 20. It remains to be seen whether Parveen joins on Monday or not,” he said, without specifying the new deadline.The controversy erupted earlier this week during an appointment letter distribution programme at the chief minister’s secretariat in Patna. The video circulated widely on social media, capturing the moment Nitish Kumar questioned Parveen’s naqab when she came forward to receive her appointment letter along with other Ayush doctors.Also Read: Hijab row: SCBA issues ‘strongest condemnation’ over Nitish Kumar’s act; seeks unconditional apology from Giriraj Singh, Sanjay NishadCivil surgeon Singh said he was not aware of the reason for Parveen’s delay, as he “had no contact with her or the family members.”Vijay Kumar, a surgeon at Sabalpur PHC in Patna Sadar, where Parveen was supposed to join, also confirmed she had not reported for duty.“Around five-six people have joined today, and Parveen is not among them… Her name is in the list but we have not received her appointment letter from the civil surgeon office in Patna,” he said. As per protocol, candidates must first report to the civil surgeon’s office before joining their assigned workplace.Meanwhile, governor Arif Mohammad Khan expressed disappointment over the controversy.“It pains me to hear the word ‘dispute’ in this case. Can there be any row between a father and a daughter?” he asked.“What have you people made out of it? This man (Nitish Kumar) considers female students as his daughters,” he added while speaking to reporters in Patna.Earlier, Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of Government Tibbi College & Hospital (GTCH), where Parveen is a second-year student, also suggested the joining deadline had been extended “in this special case”.“Ayush doctor Nusrat Parveen has not joined yet, and there is no update on her future course of action,” Rahman said.According to him, the family wants to avoid media attention. “Her family said that they want to escape media coverage, and that the woman doctor will rethink whether to join or not,” he said.Rahman also dismissed rumours that the family had shifted to Kolkata. “They have themselves rubbished such false news reports,” he said, quoting Parveen’s husband as saying the family is not upset with Nitish Kumar or the government.He added that “the family is disappointed with the row stirred by the media.”Rahman said Parveen last attended college on December 17 or 18 and noted that she still has the option to either join duty or pursue higher education.