देश-विदेश

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    Sushmita Sen breaks silence on marriage plans with…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen has once again sparked curiosity about her personal life after giving a witty response when a fan asked whether she plans to get married. The actress recently interacted with fans during an Instagram Live session where she answered questions about her career and personal life. Among the questions was one about her plans for marriage. When a fan asked Sushmita Sen if she was considering getting married the actress responded playfully saying that both she and the fan would continue searching for the answer to that question. Her lighthearted response quickly drew attention, particularly because Sushmita has spoken openly in the past about her decision to remain unmarried and her views on relationships. During a conversation in 2022, the actress discussed why she had never married despite having relationships over the years. She explained that some interesting men had entered her life, but the relationships did not progress toward marriage. 1open-minded and supportive when it came to her personal choices. Sushmita Sen has previously been linked romantically with model Rohman Shawl. The two dated for several years before separating in 2021. She was also briefly linked to businessman Lalit Modi, although that relationship later ended. Despite continued public interest in her personal life, Sushmita has generally maintained that marriage is a personal decision rather than something that should be pursued because of social expectations. Her latest response suggests that she is still comfortable keeping her future plans private while maintaining a sense of humor about questions surrounding marriage. The actress, who has built a successful career in Bollywood and remains popular among audiences, continues to receive strong attention whenever she discusses her personal life. For now, fans may have to wait to find out whether Sushmita Sen eventually decides to walk down the aisle. Her playful answer during the Instagram Live session has certainly kept the question open.

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    Ravi Valecha reveals childhood abuse during his ti…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Former child actor Ravi Valecha has opened up about a painful chapter of his childhood revealing that he experienced sexual abuse while working in the Indian film industry. Valecha became known for portraying younger versions of Amitabh Bachchan’s characters in several popular Hindi films. Speaking to Indian media, Valecha said the incidents began when he was around eight years old. He recalled that the abuse happened three times and said it was extremely difficult for him to tell anyone what he was experiencing. Valecha described one incident that allegedly took place at a dubbing studio. He said an older person associated with the film industry behaved inappropriately toward him. He also recalled another distressing experience involving a young secretary when he was around 11 or 12 years old. The former child actor said fear kept him silent for years. He was worried about speaking out because his work required him to continue travelling with people connected to the industry. He also feared that his parents might not believe him if he told them what had happened. As a result, Valecha carried the memories and emotional pain into adulthood. He said the anger connected to those experiences eventually affected his personal life and made it difficult for him to move beyond the past. After years of struggling with the trauma, Valecha sought professional help. He said he underwent six months of therapy, which helped him process his childhood experiences and begin recovering emotionally. Valecha was a well-known child performer during the 1970s and 1980s. He reportedly appeared in around 300 films made in different Indian languages. During his career he frequently played childhood versions of characters portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan. His film credits include Coolie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Mr. Natwarlal, Fakira, Tumhare Bina, Khud-Daar, Nastik, Parichay, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Karz, Seeta Aur Geeta and Desh Premee. His appearance in Coolie, released in 1983, remains one of the notable highlights of his childhood acting career. Working alongside major Bollywood stars made Valecha a familiar face to audiences at a young age. Despite his extensive work in films Valecha eventually left acting. His recent decision to speak publicly about his experiences has brought attention to the challenges faced by children working in the entertainment industry. His account also highlights the importance of creating safe working environments for young performers and ensuring that children have trusted adults and professional support available when they experience abuse or exploitation. Valecha’s story serves as a reminder that childhood fame and professional success do not necessarily protect young performers from difficult experiences behind the scenes. By discussing his past after many years he has also encouraged greater awareness of the emotional impact that childhood trauma can have later in life.

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    Iran, Oman move toward temporary Hormuz shipping c…

    ByJustpaste.in

    TEHRAN: Iran and Oman have agreed on a framework for establishing a temporary maritime corridor through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, in a move aimed at restoring safer shipping and reducing risks in one of the world’s most important waterways. The understanding emerged during talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, in Tehran on Tuesday. The two sides discussed measures to resume safe navigation while protecting the sovereignty and maritime rights of both countries. According to a joint statement, the proposed framework includes the creation of a joint temporary navigational corridor and a coordinated project to clear possible mines from the waterway. The initiative is intended to provide a practical mechanism for ships to move through the strait while longer-term arrangements are negotiated. The Strait of Hormuz has remained heavily disrupted since the outbreak of the wider Iran war in February. Before the conflict, the waterway handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making any prolonged disruption a major concern for energy markets and international shipping. The latest agreement, however, is being viewed as an interim measure rather than a final settlement. Iranian and Omani officials are expected to continue technical discussions on establishing a permanent navigational corridor, managing vessel traffic and sharing information about maritime movements. The two countries also intend to examine future arrangements for administering the strait and providing navigation and security services. They have stressed that any long-term mechanism should take into account the rights and interests of other Gulf states bordering the waterway. Iranian officials have also indicated that further technical negotiations could continue over the coming weeks. The proposed arrangement is particularly significant because the strait connects the energy-rich Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. Araghchi said discussions with regional partners had focused on diplomatic and regional solutions, while emphasizing continued technical-level contacts over navigation and the future management of the waterway. For Oman, which has traditionally played a mediating role in regional disputes, the initiative offers another opportunity to promote dialogue and maritime stability. For Iran, reopening a controlled shipping route could ease economic pressure while maintaining its position on sovereignty and security in the strait. The success of the temporary corridor will ultimately depend on security conditions, mine-clearing efforts and agreement over how commercial vessels will be guided. Still, the latest Iran-Oman talks provide a potentially important opening for restoring maritime traffic and creating a pathway toward a more permanent solution.

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    CIA chief John Ratcliffe makes surprise Moscow vis…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MOSCOW: CIA Director John Ratcliffe has made an unannounced visit to Moscow, drawing international attention as the United States and Russia remain locked in tensions over the Ukraine war and wider geopolitical disputes. Ratcliffe reportedly arrived in the Russian capital on Tuesday aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft. The plane had earlier travelled from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington to Riga, Latvia, before continuing to Moscow. The unusual flight immediately raised questions about the purpose of the visit. US and Russian officials have not publicly disclosed details of Ratcliffe’s schedule, while the CIA has also declined to provide information about his meetings. US media reports said the CIA chief was in Moscow for discussions with Russian officials. However, the identities of those involved and the subjects discussed remain unclear. The visit is particularly significant because direct, high-level contacts between senior US intelligence officials and Moscow have become rare since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ratcliffe’s trip is believed to be the first known visit to Russia by a sitting CIA director since William Burns travelled to Moscow in November 2021. Burns held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time. The latest development comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and broader disagreements between Washington and Moscow. It also follows growing tensions linked to Russia’s relationship with Iran and the wider security situation in the Middle East. Reports have also indicated that Washington asked Ukraine to avoid strikes on Moscow and St Petersburg during the period of the senior US official’s visit. US officials have not publicly confirmed the request or explained its circumstances. The secrecy surrounding Ratcliffe’s journey has fueled speculation about whether the talks could involve intelligence cooperation, Ukraine-related diplomacy, security concerns or other sensitive matters. No official confirmation has emerged to support any particular explanation. For now, the CIA director’s unexpected appearance in Moscow remains shrouded in mystery, but the trip underscores that high-level channels between Washington and Moscow remain active despite deep political and military differences.

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    Trump sends Saudi nuclear deal to Congress, ties i…

    ByJustpaste.in

    WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has submitted a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to the US Congress for review, but President Donald Trump has maintained that the deal will only move forward if Riyadh agrees to normalize relations with Israel. The agreement, reached between the United States and Saudi Arabia in July, would allow American companies to provide civilian nuclear technology to the kingdom. It was formally submitted to Congress on Monday under procedures required by US law, according to US officials. The move puts a potentially major energy partnership into a closely watched congressional review process while adding another layer to Washington’s efforts to reshape relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Trump has said the nuclear agreement is conditional on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, the US-backed framework that established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Riyadh has not agreed to normalize relations with Israel and has repeatedly linked such a move to progress toward Palestinian statehood. The nuclear agreement is intended for peaceful energy purposes and could support Saudi Arabia’s plans to develop nuclear power as part of its broader effort to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil. The pact would also open opportunities for US nuclear companies to participate in the kingdom’s planned nuclear infrastructure. However, the deal has already attracted scrutiny from lawmakers and nuclear nonproliferation experts. A key concern is whether the agreement would place sufficient restrictions on Saudi Arabia’s ability to enrich uranium or undertake other activities that could potentially be used for weapons development. Trump previously said the arrangement would not permit uranium enrichment and would be limited to civilian, non-military purposes. However, reports on the agreement have raised questions over the precise safeguards and long-term provisions surrounding Saudi Arabia’s nuclear programme. Congress now has a review period under US law during which lawmakers can examine the agreement and potentially object to it. The classified nature of the submitted document is expected to add to congressional scrutiny. For Saudi Arabia, the agreement could mark a major step toward nuclear energy. For Washington, however, the deal has become intertwined with one of the Middle East’s most sensitive diplomatic questions: whether Riyadh will ultimately establish formal relations with Israel.

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    Iran warns Oman deal does not mean Hormuz is fully…

    ByJustpaste.in

    TEHRAN: Iran has cautioned that its emerging understanding with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the strategic waterway will immediately reopen to normal international shipping. The clarification came after Iran and Oman agreed on a temporary maritime corridor intended to facilitate navigation through the strait. Iranian officials stressed that the arrangement remains limited and does not amount to a full restoration of commercial traffic. Mukhtar Haddad, editor-in-chief of Iran’s Al-Wefaq newspaper, told Arab media that Tehran and Muscat had been discussing the management of the waterway for some time. He said the talks could lead first to a temporary agreement and eventually to a permanent arrangement, but neither step should automatically be seen as a decision to fully restore shipping. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also sought to temper expectations, saying Tehran and Muscat had agreed on a new temporary route but that the understanding did not mean the strait would be completely and immediately reopened. Gharibabadi said Iran remained in a state of war and had made clear to mediators that conditions during an armed conflict could not be treated in the same way as normal circumstances. He added that the United States would need to fulfil its obligations under an earlier memorandum of understanding before Iran considers fully reopening the waterway. Under the joint Iranian-Omani framework, the proposed maritime corridor would be temporary. Russian media reported that vessels entering the Persian Gulf would pass through Iranian waters, while ships returning from the Gulf would use Omani waters. The reported corridor would operate like a two-way maritime route and have a width of about 11.25 kilometres. Iran and Oman are expected to hold further negotiations over the next 30 to 60 days to discuss the possibility of establishing a permanent navigation arrangement. The developments come as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of a wider regional security crisis. The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, claimed that the US Navy had removed or neutralised all mines in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that any vessel that attempted to lay new mines would be destroyed. Despite the temporary corridor agreement, Iran’s latest statements underline that a complete reopening of Hormuz remains a separate and politically sensitive issue. For shipping companies and global energy markets, the distinction could prove crucial: a limited navigation arrangement may ease some pressure, but it does not yet signal a return to normal maritime traffic.

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    China’s hypersonic arsenal expands with long-ran…

    ByJustpaste.in

    BEIJING: China has developed a new generation of hypersonic weapons that could potentially threaten high-value military aircraft thousands of kilometres away, according to a Bloomberg report, highlighting the rapidly changing nature of long-range warfare and the growing strategic competition between Beijing and Washington. The reported development involves hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) capable of carrying air-to-air weapons. Such systems could potentially target aircraft that normally operate far behind the frontline, including aerial tankers, airborne command-and-control platforms and other support aircraft that provide fuel, communications and battlefield information to fighter jets. The report, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter, said China has also added air-to-air capabilities to some hypersonic cruise missiles and anti-ship capabilities to several other missile systems. The reported changes reflect Beijing’s broader effort to make its large missile arsenal capable of carrying out a wider range of missions. A New Threat Beyond the Front Line The significance of the reported technology lies in the type of targets it could threaten. Modern air forces rely heavily on support aircraft. Tankers allow fighter jets to remain airborne for longer periods, while airborne early-warning and command aircraft help monitor enemy activity, coordinate operations and share information with aircraft and ground forces. If these platforms could be attacked from much greater distances, commanders could be forced to move them farther away from contested areas. That could reduce their effectiveness and complicate air operations. A hypersonic glide vehicle released from a DF-17 missile is reported to have a range of around 2,414 kilometres, a distance slightly shorter than the separation between mainland China and the US territory of Guam, a major American military hub in the western Pacific. China’s more advanced DF-27 is estimated to have a range of about 8,000 kilometres, potentially putting much of the western and central Pacific within reach. However, details about the system remain limited, and several of its reported capabilities are based on intelligence assessments rather than publicly released Chinese specifications. Why Hypersonic Weapons Are Difficult to Counter HGVs differ from conventional ballistic missile warheads because they can manoeuvre while travelling through the atmosphere. Their ability to alter their flight path can complicate efforts to predict where they will go and how they can be intercepted. China’s DF-17 has already been publicly displayed and is considered one of the world’s operational hypersonic glide weapon systems. Recent Chinese state media footage showed multiple DF-17 launch vehicles, suggesting the system has been deployed on a significant scale. But the reported ability to use such technology against distant aircraft also presents major operational challenges. A missile travelling thousands of kilometres would require highly accurate and continuously updated information about a moving target. Analysts note that the longer the flight, the greater the opportunity for an opponent to disrupt the intelligence and targeting chain. There is also a potential escalation risk. A ballistic missile launch could be difficult to identify immediately, creating uncertainty over whether the weapon is carrying a conventional or nuclear payload. Washington Responds With Longer-Range Weapons The development comes as the United States is also expanding its long-range air-to-air capabilities. The US Navy has begun testing the AIM-424 MALICE, a new long-range air-to-air missile reportedly designed to engage targets at distances exceeding 463 kilometres. Washington is also pursuing other extended-range weapons, including the AIM-260 and AIM-174B. The emerging competition reflects a broader shift in military planning. Future air battles may not be decided solely by which side has more fighter jets, but by which side can protect its own support aircraft while threatening those that keep an opponent’s air force operating. For China and the United States, that could make long-range missiles and hypersonic systems an increasingly important part of the military balance across the Indo-Pacific. Still, some details of China’s reported new capabilities remain classified or independently unverified. The claims therefore offer an indication of Beijing’s evolving military ambitions rather than a complete picture of its operational capabilities. Even so, the reported progress adds another layer to the increasingly sophisticated missile competition between the world’s two major military powers.

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    Owaisi slams hijab ruling, calls it ‘Attack on Islam’

    ByJustpaste.in

    AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticised the Allahabad High Court’s recent decision rejecting a Muslim student’s plea to wear a hijab with her school uniform. Reacting to the ruling, Owaisi described the decision as an “attack on Islam” and argued that judges cannot determine which practices are essential to a religion. “Islam is our religion, and we will decide what is essential in it,” Owaisi said, while questioning the court’s approach to matters of religious practice. The AIMIM leader also pointed out that the Supreme Court is already considering issues related to essential religious practices and freedom of religion. He argued that the Allahabad High Court should therefore have avoided making a ruling on the matter while the broader legal question remains before the apex court. Owaisi further claimed that the judgment conflicts with Articles 19 and 25 of the Indian Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and religious freedom. Defending the student’s right to wear a hijab, Owaisi said the decision concerns a personal and religious choice. He remarked that the student was wearing a hijab on her head, “not on her brain,” stressing that wearing the religious garment should not be viewed as a barrier to education or academic ability. He also warned that the ruling could discourage Muslim girls from pursuing education, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. According to Owaisi, Muslim girls already have relatively low enrolment at the secondary-school level in the state, and restrictions on religious attire could create additional obstacles for them. The controversy follows an Allahabad High Court ruling issued on August 21, in which a two-judge bench dismissed a petition filed by a Muslim student from a private school in Prayagraj. The student had sought permission to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform. The student had already completed her high school education and wanted to continue in Class 11 at the same institution. Her petition challenged the school’s restriction on wearing the hijab as part of the uniform. The bench, comprising Justices J.J. Munir and Indrajeet Shukla, rejected the argument that wearing a hijab constitutes an essential religious practice in Islam. The judges noted that several High Courts have previously held that wearing a hijab is not an obligatory religious practice for Muslim women to the extent that failing to observe it would affect their faith. The court also maintained that students cannot unilaterally alter an institution’s prescribed uniform based on their individual preferences. The ruling has since sparked debate over the balance between uniform regulations, religious freedom and students’ rights in educational institutions.

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    Trump White House fires CIA veteran after trans identity revealed

    ByJustpaste.in

    WASHINGTON: A longtime CIA analyst who became the first agency officer to transition while serving has spoken publicly about her dismissal from the White House after her transgender identity was exposed online. Julia Curlee, who spent about two decades with the CIA, said she was retained by the White House when Donald Trump returned to the presidency in 2025, despite his administration’s strong opposition to transgender rights. Curlee told AFP that officials initially wanted her to remain in her position. She said senior members of the new administration treated her professionally and her gender identity did not appear to affect her work. However, the situation changed after far-right influencer Laura Loomer publicly identified Curlee as transgender in a post on X and questioned why she remained in the White House National Security Council’s intelligence office. Curlee said she was dismissed shortly afterward. She recalled receiving a phone call from her new supervisor while she was spending time with her family. According to Curlee, the supervisor told her she had been fired but could not explain the reason. She described the dismissal as evidence that her transgender identity became a problem only after it turned into a public and political controversy. Curlee transitioned in 2013 while working at the CIA, becoming the first officer at the agency to do so while in service. She later joined the National Security Council during Trump’s first presidency in 2017. During her time at the NSC, Curlee provided daily intelligence briefings to then-Vice President Mike Pence. Despite Pence’s conservative views and opposition to several LGBTQ rights, Curlee said her identity never affected their professional relationship. She said her experience during Trump’s first term had led her to believe that she could continue working under a second Trump administration. After Trump’s return to office, however, Curlee said she worked under considerable uncertainty. Several NSC employees were dismissed soon after the new administration took office, but she was initially allowed to remain. She continued working at the White House for roughly 10 weeks before her dismissal. The White House defended the decision, pointing to a 3,000-word opinion article Curlee later wrote for The Atlantic, in which she criticised the president. A White House spokesperson said that someone who publicly attacked the president was not suitable for government service. Pence, meanwhile, expressed support for Curlee and said he and his wife believed people should be treated with dignity and respect. Following her dismissal, Curlee returned to the CIA but remained there for less than a year. She said returning to her former workplace became difficult for several reasons and described having to use a unisex or family bathroom as a humiliating experience.

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    Fresh footage of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba K…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A previously recorded video of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has surfaced, offering a rare glimpse of the country’s new leader as speculation continues over his health. The footage, released by Iranian media, shows Khamenei attending an academic session and reviewing a student’s research paper on the “Islamic security model.” He is heard speaking publicly in the video for what is described as the first time since assuming the leadership, and he praises the research as flawless. The release comes amid unverified reports that Khamenei was seriously injured during military strikes that resulted in the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state media has sought to counter the reports by broadcasting the footage, although the exact date when it was recorded remains unclear. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also rejected claims about the supreme leader’s deteriorating health, describing him as “absolutely healthy.” Since taking office, the 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei has largely stayed away from public appearances, communicating mainly through written statements and official channels. His limited visibility has continued to fuel questions about his health and whereabouts.