Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan turned 50 on February 5, 2026, and fans, friends, and family celebrated the milestone with warm messages. The highlight was a heartfelt Instagram post from his wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, which quickly went viral.

Aishwarya shared a black‑and‑white childhood photo of Abhishek, focusing on his expressive eyes, and captioned it with an affectionate message calling him “Babyyy‑Papa.” She wished him love, peace, happiness, contentment, and good health, ending with “Stay Golden… Shine on Love.” Fans praised the heartfelt simplicity, marking a rare intimate glimpse into the couple’s bond.

Earlier, Abhishek’s father, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, also shared an emotional note, thanking fans for their birthday wishes and expressing gratitude for their support over the years.

The celebrations also shone a light on Abhishek’s career, which spans more than two decades. Films like Yuva and Guru established him as a serious actor, while later projects such as Dasvi, Manmarziyaan, and I Want To Talk (2024) showcased his range. His performance in I Want To Talk earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award, reaffirming his place in Bollywood.

From ensemble hits like Bunty Aur Babli and Dostana to intense dramas like the Sarkar series, Abhishek’s versatility has won both critical acclaim and audience admiration.

As fans continue to shower birthday love online, Abhishek’s milestone celebration reflects not just his cinematic journey but also the warmth and support of his family, making the day memorable both personally and professionally.

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Veteran Malayalam actor and producer Maniyanpilla Raju was arrested by the Thiruvananthapuram Museum Police on Friday, February 6, 2026, in connection with a hit‑and‑run accident that left two young men seriously injured. He was later released on station bail after cooperating with investigators and undergoing a routine medical examination.

The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday near Vazhuthacaud in the city. Raju’s car reportedly collided with a Royal Enfield motorcycle carrying Sooraj (20) from Sreekandeswaram and Nivedith Krishna (20) from Sreevaraham. Both were rushed to hospital for treatment.

CCTV footage reportedly showed Raju’s car hitting the motorcycle and continuing without stopping. Based on the evidence, police registered a case against him under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act for rash driving, negligence, and failure to provide assistance, as well as provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Raju, 70, who has had a long and respected career in Malayalam cinema, appeared voluntarily at the police station. Speaking briefly to the media, he admitted to the accident but explained that he panicked and returned home. He cited health concerns, he is a cancer survivor currently recovering from chikungunya, and said his wife was alone at home. He added that he had requested nearby people to help the injured and insisted that he had not consumed alcohol before driving.

Authorities confirmed that Raju surrendered his vehicle and is cooperating fully with the investigation. The police are reviewing CCTV footage and witness accounts as part of ongoing inquiries.

Meanwhile, the injured youths remain hospitalized, and the case continues to draw attention due to Raju’s high public profile. The actor’s statement of panic and immediate surrender has been noted by investigators, and further proceedings will follow in accordance with the law.

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Jeet Adani expressed gratitude to his parents after father Gautam Adani’s wishes for his first wedding anniversary with Diva Shah. The couple continues their Mangal Seva initiative, supporting 500 differently-abled brides annually with ₹10 lakh each.

Ola, Uber, and Rapido drivers will hold a 6-hour nationwide strike on February 7, seeking government-mandated minimum fares, stricter regulations to protect earnings, with possible commuter disruptions during peak hours.

The United States has warned all its citizens in Iran to leave immediately, citing growing safety risks and unstable conditions. The advisory comes as the US and Iran begin indirect negotiations in Oman to discuss Iran’s nuclear activities and broader regional security issues. The US Virtual Embassy in Iran urged Americans to make independent plans to leave as the government cannot ensure their safety or provide routine assistance.

The warning highlighted road closures, public transport disruptions, internet outages, and flight delays or cancellations across Iran. Americans in the country have been advised to stay safe, avoid protests, keep a low profile, and stay in touch with family and friends while monitoring local news for updates.

The advisory also reminded US citizens that Iran does not recognize dual nationality. Those holding both US and Iranian citizenship would be treated solely as Iranian nationals, raising the risk of detention or questioning for anyone openly connected to the United States.

These warnings come as US and Iranian officials hold indirect talks in Muscat, facilitated by Oman, to address the nuclear programme and other security concerns. The negotiations follow months of rising tensions between the two countries, including targeted attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran’s officials have said they are ready to defend their interests against any “excessive demands,” while US officials aim to discuss nuclear development, missile programmes, and Iran’s influence in the region. Both sides are approaching the talks with mutual suspicion and caution, making the outcome uncertain.

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A powerful blast tore through the Terlai Imambargah, a Shia meeting hall in Islamabad’s Shehzad Town, on Friday, leaving at least 15 people feared dead and dozens more injured. Emergency teams rushed to the site, rescuing victims and transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. Thick smoke and debris filled the area, sending shockwaves through surrounding neighborhoods.

Authorities immediately declared a city-wide emergency, with police and rescue personnel securing the site and aiding victims. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, though early reports suggest it may have been a targeted attack during a gathering. No group has claimed responsibility.

Hospitals in Islamabad are treating the injured, while forensic teams work at the blast site to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Officials have urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue.

This incident has raised security concerns in Pakistan, a country that has faced periodic militant attacks and sectarian violence. Authorities are expected to release more details as the number of casualties and the circumstances of the blast are clarified.

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Donald Trump has launched a new website called TrumpRx.gov, aimed at helping people access lower-priced prescription drugs amid rising healthcare costs. The platform is designed to allow users to find discounted medicines and “save a fortune” on treatments that have long been costly for patients.

TrumpRx connects consumers with pharmaceutical manufacturers and provides links to purchase medicines online. Users can search for the drugs they need, compare prices, and download or print coupons that can be used at pharmacies to obtain reduced rates. The site does not sell medicines directly but serves as a portal to access manufacturer discounts.

The initial rollout of the platform includes over 40 commonly used drugs, with significant reductions on weight-loss and diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, fertility and asthma treatments, common medications including inhalers and topical ointments, and insulin and other chronic disease medicines. The administration says these discounts are made possible through agreements with major drugmakers to match prices offered in other developed countries, along with economic incentives such as tariff relief.

While the initiative has been promoted as a major step to reduce medicine costs, experts and consumer advocates have raised questions about its impact. For many insured patients, out-of-pocket savings may be limited, as purchases through TrumpRx often do not count toward insurance deductibles. Some of the discounted prices may also already be available directly from manufacturers, and the broader effect on medicine pricing remains uncertain without systemic healthcare reforms.

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A deadly explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has claimed the lives of at least 18 workers, while several others are still feared to be trapped underground. The blast occurred early on Thursday at a suspected rat-hole mining site, a dangerous and banned form of coal extraction.

Soon after the explosion, panic spread through nearby villages as families of the miners rushed to the site, desperately searching for information about their loved ones. Many of the workers were daily-wage labourers who depended on the risky mine work to support their families.

Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local volunteers were deployed immediately. Narrow tunnels, unstable ground, and poor visibility have made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Operations were paused after nightfall due to safety concerns and resumed the next morning with heavy equipment and additional personnel.

So far, the bodies of 18 miners have been recovered. One injured worker was pulled out alive and taken to hospital for treatment. Officials believe more people may still be trapped deep inside the mine, though the exact number is yet to be confirmed.

Authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine what caused the explosion and who was responsible for running the illegal mine. Rat-hole mining has been banned in Meghalaya since 2014 due to repeated fatal accidents and environmental damage, but the practice continues in remote areas because of weak enforcement and economic hardship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those who died and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families and the injured. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma assured strict action against those involved and promised support for the affected families.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revealed on Thursday that he had recommended Prime Minister Narendra Modi skip the House session earlier this week due to warnings of possible disruptions from opposition lawmakers, especially from the Congress party.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to respond to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address on Wednesday, but the reply was canceled after the Speaker received information that certain Congress MPs might attempt “unexpected acts” near Mr. Modi’s seat. Birla described this as a potential threat to parliamentary decorum and the dignity of the House.

“The decision was taken to prevent any unpleasant incident in the House,” Birla said, adding that it was his responsibility to ensure smooth functioning and uphold the traditions of Parliament. He also expressed appreciation to Mr. Modi for agreeing to stay away following his advice.

On Thursday, the Lok Sabha eventually passed the Motion of Thanks without the Prime Minister’s customary reply. The House witnessed repeated disruptions from opposition members during the session, reflecting ongoing tensions between the government and opposition benches.

Birla condemned the behavior of certain MPs as “unprecedented,” emphasizing that political disagreements should never lead to actions that compromise the dignity of the Speaker or the parliamentary process.

Congress leaders, however, strongly rejected the Speaker’s claims. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called them “completely false” and accused Mr. Modi of avoiding Parliament. She insisted there was no plan to target the Prime Minister and criticized the use of alleged security concerns as a justification for his absence.

The tension also stems from the opposition’s protests over procedural issues, including restrictions on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi speaking on a book by a former army chief. These disruptions contributed to a tense environment during the ongoing Budget session.

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In a significant turn in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, has been granted statutory bail by the Kollam Vigilance Court and released from prison on Thursday.

Potty, who had been in custody since late 2025, faces allegations of stealing gold from the door frames and guardian idol plates (Dwarapalakas) of the Sreekovil, the sanctum sanctorum of the revered Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. His bail comes after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file a chargesheet within the 90-day limit mandated under criminal procedure law, which automatically entitles an accused to statutory bail.

The court has imposed several conditions on his release. Potty must provide a bond with two sureties of ₹2 lakh each, refrain from entering Pathanamthitta district, avoid influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, report to investigators when summoned, and seek court permission before leaving the state. He is also required to surrender his passport.

This marks the second time Potty has been released on statutory bail in connection with the Sabarimala case. His departure from Thiruvananthapuram’s Special Sub Jail was witnessed by his family, while the case continues to attract intense public and media attention.

The case has also stirred political debate in Kerala. Opposition leaders have criticised the delays in the SIT investigation, alleging that procedural lapses allowed key suspects to secure bail. The ruling government, on the other hand, defended the SIT, emphasizing that complex investigations involving temple property require thorough evidence gathering.

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