In Khamenei's Will, He Didn't Want Son To Be Iran's Supreme Leader: Report

Few people wanted Mojtaba Khamenei to become Iran's next supreme leader, not US President Donald Trump, and not even his own father.

The late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in airstrikes on February 28th, had made clear in his will that he did not want his son to succeed him, according to a report by the New York Post. However, the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ultimately pushed Mojtaba into the position anyway.

According to experts, the elder Khamenei had serious reservations about his son's suitability for the role.

"In Khamenei's will, he explicitly asked Mojtaba not to be named as successor," said Khosro Isfahani, research director at the opposition group National Union for Democracy, which has ties to Iranian intelligence networks.

Read | When A Young Mojtaba Khamenei Was Witness To Father's Assault

Isfahani said the late leader believed Mojtaba lacked the experience and political stature needed to run the country.

"Mojtaba is an impotent young cleric who has achieved nothing in terms of political life," Isfahani said.

"All these years, he has been nothing without his father's name," he added.

Iran's leadership succession is typically determined by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for selecting the supreme leader. But according to Isfahani, Mojtaba's appointment did not follow the normal process.

Instead, he said the IRGC pressured the Assembly while it was deliberating last week and ultimately forced the decision.

Read | Why US Sanctioned Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei In 2019

Isfahani, citing sources inside Iran, said Mojtaba did not even secure a majority of votes from the council. The pressure from the IRGC reportedly led several clerics to boycott the session where the successor was formally announced.

"The Assembly of Experts that was supposed to pick the replacement of Khamenei didn't vote for Mojtaba," Isfahani said.

"There was a lot of pushback against him, but under pressure from the IRGC, he was named as the successor."

According to Isfahani, the powerful military force sees Mojtaba as someone they can easily control.

"They see him as a puppet - a blank canvas that they can paint anything on," he said.

Trump On Mojtaba Khamenei

Trump said that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not be able to "live in peace". He has expressed strong disapproval after Iran elected the second son of Ali Khamenei as the new leader.

Prior to Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment, Trump insisted that the US should have a say in selecting the next leader for Iran, similar to past US involvement in Venezuela.

In an interview with Axios, Trump said that Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, succeeding his father as the new head of the Islamic republic is "unacceptable" and that he wants someone who would "bring harmony and peace to Iran".

Read | "I Don't Believe He Can Live In Peace": Trump's Warning For Mojtaba Khamenei

Trump said that making someone a leader who would continue Khamenei's policies would force the US to be back to war "in five years".

On Sunday, Trump told ABC News, "He's going to have to get approval from us. If he doesn't get approval from us, he's not going to last long."

Mojtaba, 56, had never held an official government position before his appointment. Much of his influence came from operating behind the scenes within his father's inner circle as the Islamic Republic tightened its conservative grip on power.

Leaked US diplomatic cables from the 2000s described him as "the power behind the robes". Around the same time, he was accused of helping manipulate Iran's presidential elections to ensure victories for regime loyalists.

Meanwhile, Israel's military has previously warned that any Iranian leader who continues Tehran's campaign of terrorism would be considered an "unequivocal target for elimination".

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Gurugram Techie Reveals Rs 89,500 Monthly Expense Breakdown, Internet Reacts

The internet is filled with videos of professionals sharing details about their salaries, monthly expenses, and savings. Such posts often go viral because they offer a rare glimpse into the financial lives of working individuals. From tech employees and consultants to freelancers and entrepreneurs, many people are increasingly opening up about how much they earn and how they manage their money. These videos spark curiosity among viewers and trigger discussions about the cost of living, personal finance, and whether certain salaries are enough to sustain a comfortable life in major cities.

Recently, a software engineer and digital creator garnered attention after sharing a detailed breakdown of her Rs 89,500 monthly expenses while living in Gurugram. Her monthly budget is heavily weighted toward financial future-proofing, with the majority of her income going toward investments rather than daily living costs. 

The video begins with Nikkita Yadav introducing the topic and explaining that she will walk viewers through her monthly spending while living in Gurugram, often called India's Millennium City. She lists her key expenses, including Rs 16,000 for rent and electricity, Rs 3,000 for groceries, and around Rs 1,500 for transportation. She also sets aside Rs 5,000 for skincare and shopping, along with Rs 4,000 for leisure activities such as watching movies and dining out.

The largest share of her income, however, goes toward financial commitments and investments, which together amount to Rs 60,000. She spends that amount on EMIs and systematic investment plans (SIPs). With these commitments included, her total monthly expenditure comes to about Rs 89,500, offering viewers insight into the spending and saving habits of a young professional working in the tech industry.

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This breakdown has sparked online discussion, particularly as it contrasts with other recent viral posts from techies whose "regular" lifestyle expenses often exceed Rs 1.4 lakh due to higher rent and frequent socialising. 

One person was surprised by her low travel costs and asked how her spending on transportation was so minimal, noting that services like Uber and Ola are usually the main options for commuting. In reply, Yadav explained that her office provides a cab service, which she uses for most of her work travel. She also mentioned that she only has to go to the office about 10 days a month, so most of her transport spending happens during outings outside work.

Another viewer congratulated her on her progress and asked about her cost-to-company (CTC) and work experience. Yadav said she could not publicly reveal her exact salary but shared that it is more than Rs 15 lakh per annum, with 2.9 years of work experience. 

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Fuel Prices Up, Salaries Cut: Energy Shock To Pakistan Amid Iran War

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a sweeping austerity and energy-saving plan, saying the steps were necessary as the country confronts a global fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Pakistan, like several other economies, is facing fuel supply disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies.

The disruption began after Iran retaliated against US bases in the Middle East following joint strikes by the United States and Israel, complicating oil shipments across the region.

Amid tightening supplies, Pakistan increased petrol and diesel prices by 20 per cent and rolled out nationwide austerity measures aimed at cutting fuel consumption and government spending.

Region "In A State Of War"

In a televised address to the nation, Sharif said the wider region had been engulfed in conflict and stressed that Pakistan was working through diplomatic channels to help ease tensions.

"The entire region is currently in a state of war," the PM said, adding that Pakistan was making every effort through diplomatic channels to help resolve the situation.

Sharif also condemned the attacks on Iran that resulted in the killing of Ali Khamenei, while also criticising retaliatory strikes targeting friendly Gulf countries.

Oil Prices Surge

Sharif said global energy markets had already reacted sharply to the conflict.

"The price of crude oil in the international market has suddenly jumped from around $60 to more than $100 per barrel," he said, adding that Pakistan's daily economic activity depended heavily on oil and gas imports from Gulf countries.

He said the government had been forced to take difficult economic and administrative decisions to manage the situation.

"We have taken difficult decisions to reduce the energy crisis and stabilise the economy despite challenging circumstances," he said.

Sharif acknowledged that the recent fuel price increase was a painful decision.

"The increase in petroleum prices was a difficult decision taken with a heavy heart," he said.

"My mind told me that there was no option but to increase fuel prices, while my heart worried that it could place a burden on the poor," he added.

He warned that prices could rise further as the global crisis continues but assured the public that the government would try to limit the burden.

"I assure the nation that we will make every possible effort to ensure that the burden on the public is kept to a minimum," he said.

Government Announces Austerity Measures

Sharif said both federal and provincial governments had agreed to implement austerity and simplicity measures to conserve energy and reduce expenditure.

Under the new plan, fuel allocations for vehicles used by government departments will be cut by half for two months.

"For the next two months, the fuel provided to vehicles of government departments will be reduced by 50%," he said.

The prime minister added that 60 per cent of vehicles across government departments would remain off the roads during the same period.

Members of the federal cabinet, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for two months, while members of parliament will face a 25 per cent pay cut.

"All government departments will reduce their expenditures by 20%," he said.

Travel Ban And Work-From-Home Policy

Sharif also announced a ban on foreign travel by ministers, advisers, special assistants and government officials unless the visit is deemed essential.

"Only extremely necessary visits for national interest will be allowed," he said, adding that teleconferencing and online meetings would be prioritised.

The austerity measures also include a deduction of two days' salary from Grade-20 and above officers earning more than 300,000 Pakistani rupees per month.

The government will also impose a complete ban on official dinners and iftar parties, while seminars and official events will be held only at government venues to reduce costs.

Sharif said 50 per cent of staff in both the public and private sectors would work from home, except for essential services.

Government offices will operate four days a week, though the policy will not apply to banks.

Schools across the country will also be closed for two weeks starting at the end of the current week as part of the energy conservation drive.

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First-Time Father Holding Newborn Melts Hearts, Video Hits 207 Million Views

A heartwarming video of a first-time father's nervous and emotional reaction to holding his newborn has captivated millions after being shared by Dr. Suganya Saravanakumar on Instagram. The clip, filmed at Sugan Multispecialty Hospital in Chennai, shows the doctor gently guiding the trembling father as he experiences a mix of awe, fear, and joy. In the video, the father's hands are visibly shaking as he prepares to touch the infant. He appears stiff and unsure, prompting the doctor to calmly coach him on how to position his hands safely.

"The strongest person has trembling hands to hold the tiny joy. Moments are lived. Memories are cherished every day, every minute, every second; the new joy joins the family," the video was captioned on Instagram.

Watch the video here:

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Shared on March 7, the video has already garnered over 207 million views and 9.9 million likes on Instagram. Netizens have praised the doctor's patience and the father's raw, authentic vulnerability, with many commenting that it perfectly captures the "real father's fear" of holding something so precious and fragile. 

One user wrote, "The weight on his shoulders, he felt like lifting a whole world." Another commented, "The purest form of love, fear of hurting unknowingly, to stay away to keep it protected."

A third said, "He must have lifted so much weight in the gym, but he is scared of holding his baby." Think how sensitive and caring a man can be when he loves someone.

"Those whose first baby is a girl can truly understand this feeling," a fourth stated, while a fifth appreciated the doctor saying, "Such a beautiful moment." I love the way you comfort him."

"The way he was getting scared to hold the baby for the first time and then held his breath while carrying the baby very carefully so that the baby doesn't wake up. Best moment ever," added a sixth. 

Tips for New Fathers Holding a Newborn

• Support the head: Always support the baby's head and neck, as their muscles are still weak.
• Keep the baby close: Holding the infant firmly against your chest makes them feel secure and safe.
• Move slowly: Avoid any sudden or jerky movements. Moving with quiet confidence helps both you and the baby stay calm.
• Involvement: Bonding often takes time. Starting with daily care activities like bathing or skin-to-skin contact from day one can help build your confidence. 

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"What's Not Worth It? Wife Or Marriage": TVK Worker To Party Leader Vijay

A worker of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam or TVK has publicly criticised actor-turned-politician Vijay over the remarks he made while indirectly referring to the controversy surrounding his reported marital dispute.

Ranjana Nachiyar, who joined TVK about a year ago after leaving the BJP, issued a strongly worded Women's Day message questioning the tone and implications of Vijay's comments and warning that leaders must be careful not to set the wrong example for young followers.

Her remarks came a day after Vijay, speaking at a TVK Women's Day event, appeared to respond tacitly to the ongoing controversy over reports of a divorce plea filed by his wife. Addressing supporters, he said: "Over the recent developments I shall deal with it. Don't be hurt. It's not worth it. We shall look after only public issues."

Read: Vijay Breaks Silence Amid Cheating Allegations And Divorce Row: "Not Worth Bothering About"

The comments came days after reports of a divorce plea filed by his wife, Sangeetha, came into the public domain. Around the same time, Vijay also appeared at a wedding reception in Chennai along with actress Trisha Krishnan, drawing significant attention and speculation on social media.

Reacting to Vijay's remarks, Ranjana asked pointedly what exactly he meant by saying it was "not worth it".

"When you said it is not worth it, what did you mean, leader? Is it your wife that is not worth it? Or your marriage?" she asked in her message.

She also pointed to what she described as a contradiction between Vijay's public promises to empower women and the tone of his remarks. Referring to his political outreach and pro-women welfare promises, she said it appeared inconsistent for a leader to speak about women's welfare while failing to show dignity in words concerning his own family.

Ranjana also noted that Vijay had spoken about welfare measures such as providing free LPG cylinders to households while, according to reports cited in the divorce case, his wife had approached court seeking access to the matrimonial home.

Read: Vijay's Wife Sankgeetha Asks Court For Permission To Stay In His Home Till Divorce Case Ends

"When allegations are being discussed that your wife has had to approach court seeking entry into her own home, how does it appear when you speak on stage about giving free gas cylinders to households?" she asked.

She said the words of a political leader do not remain confined to personal life but influence society at large. "Every word spoken by a political leader echoes not just within a family but across society," she said, urging Vijay to show dignity when speaking about matters involving women and marriage.

Ranjana also cautioned that the conduct and language of leaders could influence young supporters, especially Gen-Z that closely follows celebrities on social media. Careless remarks could create unhealthy attitudes about relationships and marriage among young people, she added.

Her comments come amid reports that Vijay's wife, Sangeetha, has filed a confidential divorce petition before a court in Chengalpattu district.

Sources told NDTV that the petition describes the marriage as existing "only on paper" and cites emotional pain, humiliation and neglect over a period of time. The couple married in 1998 in the United Kingdom and solemnised their marriage again in India in 1999. They have two children.

According to sources familiar with the plea, Sangeetha has sought dissolution of the marriage, permanent alimony and the right to reside in the matrimonial home. She has also requested that the proceedings be conducted in-camera given the sensitive nature of the matter.

A member of her legal team confirmed that a filing had been made before the Chengalpattu court but declined to elaborate further. Vijay or the TVK leadership have not yet commented on Ranjana Nachiyar's remarks. 

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Tomcats Down? Israel Strikes Iran's Prized American-Made Fighter Jets

The Israeli Air Force said on Sunday that it carried out strikes on facilities housing Iran's F-14 Tomcat fighter jets at an airport in Isfahan.

"In a wide-scale Air Force strike directed by Military Intelligence, facilities storing F-14 fighter jets belonging to the Iranian terror regime were attacked yesterday at the airport in Isfahan," the Israeli army said in a statement.

The operation followed earlier strikes targeting Iranian aircraft in Tehran.

"This attack joins the destruction of 16 aircraft used by the 'Quds Force' unit at the 'Mehrabad' airport in Tehran on the previous day, as part of efforts to deepen the Air Force's air superiority in Iranian skies," the statement added.

"The IDF will continue to deepen the damage to all of the Iranian terrorist regime's assets and expand air superiority throughout Iran," the military added.

Israeli forces had already targeted Iranian aircraft a day earlier at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.

The military said 16 aircraft linked to the Quds Force unit were destroyed as part of a campaign to gain "aerial dominance" over Iran.

Previously, in 2025, Israel released footage showing two F-14A Tomcat jets being struck by air-to-ground munitions while parked outside reinforced aircraft shelters at Mehrabad.

Iran's American Tomcats

The F-14 Tomcat is a Cold War-era fighter aircraft built in the United States. Iran received 79 of the aircraft in 1976 when the country was still ruled by the Shah. After the 1979 Isla

The F-14 became famous after appearing in the 1986 film Top Gun, but the aircraft was gradually phased out of service by the US Navy. In 2006, the United States retired the fighter jet and replaced it with the F-18.

Iran, however, continued flying the aircraft long after they disappeared from Western militaries. Today, the Islamic Republic remains the only country still operating the twin-engine fighter. However, it is unclear how many of those jets remain airworthy.

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Hungary Seizes Millions In Cash And Gold From Ukrainian Convoy, Seven Detained

A diplomatic dispute between Hungary and Ukraine has intensified after Hungarian authorities seized armoured bank vehicles carrying large quantities of cash and gold reportedly linked to a Ukrainian state bank.

Officials in Hungary said the convoy was transporting $40 million and 35 million Euro in cash along with about 9 kilograms of gold when it was stopped by customs authorities. Seven Ukrainian citizens travelling with the vehicles were detained.

Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration said it had opened a money-laundering investigation into the shipment. Authorities also claimed that one of the detainees was a former general from Ukraine's intelligence services, raising further suspicions about the origins of the funds.

However, Ukraine rejected the accusations. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Budapest of "taking hostages and stealing money." Ukraine's state savings bank, Oschadbank, said the convoy was on a routine transfer of cash and gold between Austria and Ukraine, carried out by road due to restrictions on air travel during the war.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's political director, Balazs Orban, questioned the legitimacy of the shipment. In a post on social media, he said armoured vehicles carrying large quantities of cash and gold across Hungary was not typical of normal financial transactions.

The incident comes amid wider tensions between the two countries over energy supplies and Hungary's opposition to additional European Union support for Ukraine. Recently, Orban blocked new EU sanctions against Russia and vetoed a proposed 90 billion Euro loan package for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also sparked controversy after warning that one EU leader should not obstruct the financial package, remarks that were widely interpreted in Hungary as directed at Orban.

Hungarian officials later said the detained Ukrainians would be expelled from the country, though it remains unclear what will happen to the seized money and gold.

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Abhishek Sent Brutal 'Headless Batting' Message After Flop Show vs England

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern regarding batter Abhishek Sharma's recent form following India's T20 World Cup semi-final against England. Abhishek made just nine runs off seven balls before losing his wicket to Will Jacks in the second over. This latest performance extended a difficult run for the 25-year-old left-hander, who has managed scores of 0, 0, 0, 15, 55, 10, and 9 - a total of 89 runs at an average of 12.71. Speaking on his YouTube channel, "Ash Ki Baat," Ashwin said that while he doesn't want Abhishek to be dropped for the final, he wants the team management to instill sense into him on how to play according to the situation.

"Abhishek Sharma has that factor. In the series against New Zealand, he was in top form. He has batted well against Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry in the past. So I wouldn't be too fussed about Abhishek. But I would like to have a conversation with him. I would tell him, 'Listen, there's a plan against you.' So don't try hard to hit the ball," said Ashwin.

Speaking on Abhishek's dismissal against England, Ashwin noted that there was no need for him to go after Jacks, especially after having already hit him for two boundaries earlier in the over. Ashwin argued that he should have instead taken a single to rotate the strike to the in-form Sanju Samson.

"In the semi-final against England, I think it was headless batting from him. I am a big fan of his gameplay. He scored eight runs against Jacks, but he intended to score 30 runs against him. Sometimes, you have to leave the ball. Sanju Samson is going so well at the other end, so you just need to take the single and get to the other end. You will get your tee time," he added.

The veteran all-rounder also urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav not to put undue pressure on Abhishek.

"Abhishek is a damn good talent, but I just want to know what sort of conversations are being had with him. Is he coming under too much pressure? If you give him more pressure, then he will look to hit the ball harder. He is a fluent player who relies on timing. You have to keep him in good space, and I will continue with him," Ashwin noted.

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'No Deal With Iran Except Unconditional Surrender': Trump

US President Donald Trump on Friday demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" as the only acceptable outcome to end hostilities, while promising to help rebuild the country's economy if Tehran complied and installed new leadership.

"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The post came as Israel bombarded regime targets in Tehran and Hezbollah positions in Beirut, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said US strikes against Iran were "about to surge dramatically."

Trump said that following any capitulation by the Islamic Republic, the United States and its allies would work to bring Iran "back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."

This would be contingent on the installation of what he called "a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)."

He closed with a new slogan — "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)" — a riff on his "Make America Great Again" political brand.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Mohammad Amir Predicts India's Defeat Against England. Gives Big Reason

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir did not hesitate to make another bold prediction about India's T20 World Cup campaign, despite seeing his earlier semi-final calls fall flat. Amir, who had backed West Indies to beat India in the Super 8 match, has now given England the upper hand against Suryakumar Yadav's men in the semi-final on Thursday. Sharing his analysis of India's performances so far, Amir feels the team has not been able to deliver as a unit. Hence, he believes England are likely to get the better of them in the semi-final.

The two teams will face off at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a venue expected to produce a high-scoring contest. Amir feels England will have a greater chance of winning if they bat second.

"It's a match on a good wicket. Like Rashid Bhai said, if England bat second, there will be more chances. Because it's a high-scoring game in Mumbai," the former Pakistan pacer said on the Haarna Mana Hai show.

Mohammad Amir said, "India are relying on just one or two players. Most of their batting is out of form. Right now, only a one or two players are carrying the team. When you depend on one or two players, you can't dominate, that's why England are favourites against India." pic.twitter.com/obJEjPWYAq

— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 5, 2026

With the likes of Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson performing only in isolated instances, Amir does not feel the Indian team is ready to sail into the final yet. The form of Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav is also a concern for the veteran left-arm pacer.

"But if you talk about India, only one or two of their batters are performing. That batter often takes it all the way, but only one or two are able to perform. If you look at their overall batting, it is not in form.

"Ishan Kishan only performed against us. Abhishek Sharma is out of form. Tilak Verma did not make an impact. Suryakumar Yadav has done nothing since he came into the Super 8s. Sanju has done it. Bumrah is doing it," he said.

"You cannot be sure that this team will dominate. I think England will be the favourites," Amir concluded.

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Nagpur Woman Pours Hot Water On Grandson, 4, For Spraying Colour On Her

Enraged over her four-year-old grandson spraying paint on her while playing, his grandmother allegedly poured boiling water on the child, resulting in scalding injuries, in Koradi area of Nagpur district, police said on Wednesday.

The incident, which occurred on March 3 in Ward No. 2 of the Aramshin area, was captured on a CCTV camera.

According to police, Om Harish Wange (4) was playing outside his house with a spray bottle filled with paint.

He accidentally sprayed paint on his grandmother, Sindhu Thackeray, who was filling a bucket with water heated on Holi wood. Enraged, she allegedly poured the boiling water on the boy," a police official said.

Om suffered severe burns below the waist and was admitted to a private hospital in Nagpur. Doctors estimate 45 per cent burns.

Police have initiated the process to register an offence against the woman. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Inside Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda's Star-Studded Hyderabad Reception

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's wedding reception in Hyderabad turned into a dazzling gathering of film stars, with several big names from the industry arriving to bless the newlyweds.

The grand celebration was hosted in Hyderabad, where the couple made a striking entrance, walking hand-in-hand and smiling warmly for the waiting photographers. 

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For the special occasion, Rashmika wore a bespoke ensemble designed by Monica Shah of Jade by MK. Styled by celebrity stylist Ami Patel, she looked elegant and regal, embracing classic Indian aesthetics with a modern touch. Vijay chose a simple white outfit that reflected understated charm. He completed his look with layered metallic chains, a neatly groomed beard, and styled hair, keeping it traditional yet contemporary.

Among the early guests was Rashmika's Goodbye co-star Neena Gupta, who arrived with her husband Vivek Mehra. Rashmika's Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu co-star Radhika Sarathkumar was also present, accompanied by her husband R Sarathkumar.

Although Mahesh Babu was unable to attend, his wife Namrata Shirodkar and their daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni were seen at the venue.

Actor Daggubati Venkatesh posed for the photographers, while Nani was also spotted but chose not to stop for pictures.

Megastar Chiranjeevi made a grand arrival, drawing cheers from fans gathered outside. Rashmika's Girlfriend co-star Dheekshith Shetty, attended as well.

In a light-hearted moment, Naveen Polishetty was seen trying to convince Nani to pose for the photographers, though his attempt did not quite succeed.

Also in attendance were Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Kamineni, along with filmmaker Nag Ashwin, who directed Kalki 2898 AD.

The reception was a star-studded affair, filled with warmth, tradition, and celebration, as friends and colleagues from across the film industry gathered to wish Rashmika and Vijay a happy new beginning.

ALSO READ: Viral Video: Rashmika Mandanna And Vijay Deverakonda Walk Hand-In-Hand At Star-Studded Hyderabad Reception

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"Concern For India As Well": Sri Lanka MP To NDTV After US Sinks Iran Ship

A United States submarine sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday. The incident occurred off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, far from the Persian Gulf where much of the current conflict has been concentrated.

Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that their navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors from the sinking vessel. However, officials say that as many as 148 crew members remain missing, with hopes of finding additional survivors fading as search operations continue.

The strike has prompted concern in Colombo and across the region, including in India, given that the incident occurred in international waters within Sri Lanka's search and rescue zone in the Indian Ocean.

Among those raising questions publicly is Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who said the incident has implications not only for Sri Lanka but also for the wider region.

"This is a serious concern for Sri Lanka and also the Indian Ocean, and I'm sure for India as well," Rajapaksa told NDTV.  "The war is happening miles away and we can see movements in the Indian Ocean just 40 nautical miles from the Gulf in Sri Lanka."

Rajapaksa also said the Sri Lankan government must clarify whether it had prior knowledge of the operation.

"I think the government of Sri Lanka must answer to the people of Sri Lanka and to the rest of the world whether they were aware of this particular situation or this particular attack on this vessel or they were kept on guard," he said. "If they have been kept on guard then they have to bring this up with the relevant authorities and especially with the United States."

Rajapaksa added that transparency was essential if Sri Lankan authorities had been aware of the movements involved in the attack.

"And if not, if they were aware of this kind of movement in the Indian Ocean and also in the Sri Lankan economic zone or the EZ of the international waters, then the government must make sure that they inform this properly to the Sri Lankan people and also have a proper broader dialogue with the regional partners as well," he told NDTV. 

Rajapaksa suggested that the Sri Lankan government should examine whether the operation had taken place without its knowledge.

"Yes of course, especially when it comes to the Indian Ocean because as we all know the Indian Ocean is something that is active at the moment compared to the Gulf region," he said. "So this is something that Sri Lanka should take very seriously."

He said that if Colombo had been informed of the US operation, it needed to explain why such information had not been disclosed publicly.

"If the government had a dialogue with the United States and they were aware of this particular action then they have to make sure why they kept it as a secret from the public and the parliament and how they got into that agreement," he said. 

But he added that if the government had not been informed, that raised an even more serious concern.

"If not, how come such an operation takes place in our waters in the Indian Ocean without our knowledge?" Rajapaksa asked, adding that  the incident should prompt regional discussions among South Asian nations.

"This is something I believe the government of India and also the South Asian region has to come together and look at and take this particular incident very seriously," he said. 

When asked about the broader context of this ongoing war, Rajapaksa said history had shown the difficulty of predicting what follows major military interventions.

"We have seen this before from that part of the world if you look at Libya and if you look at Iraq and even Afghanistan," he said. "The question is what is after, what's going to happen after."

He said that while political leaders may pursue military objectives, smaller countries often bear the consequences.

"There are international laws and regulations that must be respected and each and every country's sovereignty must be respected and protected," Rajapaksa told NDTV. "This is about the national security of the Indian Ocean and about Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, the regional part of the world, Pakistan." 

"So this is something that the region has to bring up together," he added. 

The Strike

At a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Iranian frigate had been destroyed by a US Navy submarine.

"An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo," Mr Hegseth said.

He described the strike as a demonstration of the United States' ability to target Iranian military assets globally during the ongoing war. Calling the operation a "quiet death", Hegseth said the attack highlighted the reach of American naval forces.

Senior US military officials said the strike was historically significant.

General Dan Caine, a senior American officer, said it was the first time since the Second World War that a US submarine had sunk an enemy ship.

The incident forms part of a wider US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on Saturday. According to the Pentagon, one of the central objectives of the campaign is to eliminate Iran's naval capabilities.

General Caine said US forces had already destroyed more than 20 Iranian naval vessels.

"We have destroyed more than 20 Iranian navy vessels and have effectively neutralized, at this point in time, Iran's major naval presence in theater," he said.

The Sinking Of IRIS Dena

Sri Lankan authorities identified the vessel as the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena.

According to Sri Lanka's foreign minister Vijitha Herath, the ship issued a distress call at dawn on Wednesday.

Within less than an hour, a Sri Lankan rescue vessel had reached the location. The incident occurred approximately 40 kilometres south of the southern port city of Galle. By the time Sri Lankan naval rescue boats arrived, the frigate had already sunk.

"The frigate had sunk and only an oil patch remained when the navy rescue boats approached," Herath told the Sri Lankan parliament.

The Sri Lankan navy immediately launched search and rescue operations. Two naval craft and an aircraft were deployed to search for survivors in the surrounding waters.

Officials say the operation is ongoing, though hopes of finding many additional survivors appear limited.

"We are keeping up a search, but we don't know yet what happened to the rest of the crew," a Sri Lankan defence official told nws agency AFP.

Sri Lankan navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath said the rescue operation was carried out under international maritime obligations.

"We responded to the distress call under our international obligations, as this is within our search and rescue area in the Indian Ocean," he said.

Sampath also confirmed that some bodies had been recovered from the area where the vessel sank.

"We have found a few bodies from the area where the ship had gone down," he said.

The 32 rescued Iranian sailors were transported to the main hospital in southern Sri Lanka. Security was tightened around the hospital as the injured crew members were brought in by Sri Lankan naval personnel.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/dUJbe0u

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