Author: TheStateLine

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Political intimidation alarm in Kerala after funeral wreath placed at critic’s residence

Kannur Feb 19 (IANS) In a chilling display of political intimidation, a wreath was discovered on Thursday morning outside the home of writer and social critic V.S. Anilkumar in Kannapuram, Kerala.The wreath was placed near the gate of his residence in the Marutham area, drawing immediate attention and concern from the public and political circles.Anilkumar is the son of the late renowned professor M.N. Vijayan.The incident comes in the wake of Anilkumar’s recent participation in the release of the book 'Nethruthtwathine Anikal Thiruthanam (The Leadership Must Be Corrected by the People)', authored by CPI(M) dissident V. Kunjikrishnan.Beyond attending the launch, Anilkumar has frequently criticised the CPI(M) leadership, both publicly during the book event and on social media posts.Reacting...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Barun Sobti shares his mantra for a perfect relationship

ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai, Feb 19 (IANS) Popular television actor Barun Sobti believes that the idea of a “perfect relationship” is a myth and says that it is something partners need to consciously build together over time.Speaking about relationships, Barun shared that perfection does not come ready-made.He told IANS: “There is no perfect relationship; you have to work on it. You work on a perfect relationship.”The actor, who enjoys a massive fan following across age groups, also reacted to women swooning over him. Calling it “adorable,” Barun said that receiving love from people is always a beautiful feeling.“It’s an adorable thing. Any human being, for that matter. Being loved is better than being hated. Of course, it’s a nice feeling,” he added.The actor is currently seen in the second chapter of the s...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Alcaraz sets QF with Khachanov in Doha

SPORTS

Doha, Feb 19 (IANS) Carlos Alcaraz progressed to Qatar Open quarterfinal with a straight sets 6-2, 7-5 win over Valentin Royer.Alcaraz reeled off five consecutive games from 2-5 in the second set, raising his level in typically classy fashion to round out a 96-minute second-round triumph."There were some moments when I thought about a third set, I’m not going to lie, but obviously it was just a small place in my mind that was thinking that. The rest was working to find solutions, to find the right way again.“I’m just really pleased and really happy I was able to find good rhythm again, and good tennis. It’s just about fighting. I know tennis. It’s just about one point, and sometimes it is really difficult to close out the set or the match. I just had to stay there, and I’m happy I turned i...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Sri Lankan Navy arrests 22 TN fishermen near Katchatheevu

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Chennai, Feb 19 (IANS) In yet another incident highlighting the continuing tensions in the Palk Strait, the Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday arrested 22 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.Four mechanised boats used by the fishermen were also seized.According to fisheries department sources, the fishermen hailed from Rameswaram and Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district. They had ventured into the sea on Wednesday night in four boats for routine fishing operations.The arrests took place in the early hours of Thursday near Katchatheevu, a small islet in the Palk Strait that has long been a sensitive issue between India and Sri Lanka.Sri Lankan naval personnel reportedly intercepted the boats while the fish...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Swanand Kirkire says Bollywood lyrics haven’t lost depth, just evolved with time

ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai, Feb 19 (IANS) National-Award winner Swanand Kirkire believes that mainstream Bollywood lyrics have not lost their poetic depth, asserting that they have merely evolved with changing times and sensibilities.Asked if he thinks lyrics have lost their poetic depth in mainstream Bollywood, or is that criticism unfair, Kirkire told IANS: “I don’t think lyrics have been lost. You know, newer kinds of sounds and newer kinds of words are coming into lyrics.”“Definitely, the old-world imagery goes away, and it has to, because younger people see a different world. A different kind of vocabulary will come into their lyrics. So, I don’t think everything new is bad, and everything old was good. Lyrics are still lyrics.”The National Award-winning lyricist pointed out that the industry has alway...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Ishita Dutta talks about toddler meltdowns, says ‘phase is difficult not just for child, but also for parents’

ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai Feb 19 (IANS) Actress Ishita Dutta has shared an honest video on her social media account where she has spoken about dealing with toddler meltdowns, further revealing how she handles emotional outbursts of her two-and-a-half-year-old son Vayu.The actress has suggested that instead of gentle parenting all the time, a more balanced approach is necessary, where parents remain calm while their toddlers are throwing a tantrum and not beat themselves if at all they themselves have a break down at times.Sharing her experience, she said, “Vayu is two and a half years old and I have seen a big change in his personality. The biggest one is that he wants to do things on his own. It can be simple things like eating by himself, wearing his clothes, putting on his shoes and tying his shoelace...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Hilary Duff: Wanted to make something that I could connect with people again

ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, Feb 19 (IANS) Actress-singer Hilary Duff, who is preparing to release her long-awaited new album, Luck... or Something, reveals what prompted her to return to making music after a decade-long hiatus.Duff told Glamour magazine: "I just felt really ready to share. One, I wanted to stretch creatively, and two, I wanted to make something that I could connect with people again on the level of who I am now. I felt like people have definitely gone through some of the similar large strokes that I have in the past 10 to 15 years."She first found fame playing the lead character in Lizzie McGuire, the hit Disney Channel comedy series. However, the actress shared that, contrary to public perception, she was a "totally normal teenager,” reports femalefirst.co.uk.She said: "I’ll say that ...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Air quality in Delhi-NCR improves to moderate level a day after light rain spell

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Following a brief period of light rain in Delhi-NCR, the air quality showed improvement on Thursday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) measured at 169, categorising it as 'moderate'.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several monitoring stations across Delhi continued to record AQI levels ranging from moderate to poor. Key readings included Anand Vihar (249), Ashok Vihar (181), Bawana (193), Chandni Chowk (227), DTU (130), Dwarka Sector-8 (152), IIT Delhi (128), Jahangirpuri (201), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (170), Mundka (203), Narela (157), Nehru Nagar (203), North Campus (120), Okhla Phase-2 (207), Pusa (156), RK Puram (175), Rohini (191), Sonia Vihar (203), and Wazirpur (193).In the NCR region, Noida also reported similar pollution ...

Feb192026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

North Korea leader’s sister hails Seoul’s pledge to prevent drone incursions, vows stronger border vigilance: KCNA

Priyanka Chopra wishes her parents on their anniversary, says ‘Today and always in my heart’

ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai, Feb 19 (IANS): Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Thursday took to her social media account to wish her parents on their wedding anniversary and also remembered her late father with an emotional tribute.Sharing a heartfelt post on her social media, Priyanka wrote, “Happy anniversaryToday and always in my heart @drmadhuakhorichopra”The picture shared by Priyanka captures a beautiful moment between her parents, late Dr. Ashok Chopra and Dr. Madhu Chopra. Her father is seen leaning forward towards her mother with a rose in his hand, smiling warmly looking at her while she took reciprocates the same warmth.On the occasion, Dr. Madhu Chopra also remembered her late husband and shared a series of throwback pictures on her social media account. One picture shows her seated with her husba...