A Nepal court last week lifted the ban on Hindi films, including Prabhas-starrer “Adipurush”, asking authorities not to halt the screening of any movie passed by the country’s censor board. A dialogue of “Adipurush”, in which Sita is mentioned as “India’s daughter”, had led to the ban on all Hindi films, which was announced by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Shah said he is ready to face any punishment but will not allow the film’s screening as the matter pertains to “Nepal's sovereignty and independence”. A single bench of the Patan high court judge Dhir Bahadur Chand issued a short term order, stating that the screening of films that have acquired permission from the censor board should not be stopped.
Hindus urge gift-shop to withdraw Lord Ganesha socks
Upset Hindus have urged Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire, Wales) based online gift-shop “Wisdom Wares” to immediately withdraw socks carrying images of Hindu deity Lord Ganesha; calling it highly inappropriate. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), said that Lord Ganesha is highly revered in Hinduism and is meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to adorn one’s legs/feet/ankles/calves or absorb sweat. Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, also urged “Wisdom Wares” to offer a formal apology, besides withdrawing Lord Ganesha socks.
Imran Khan gets pre-arrest bail
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court cancelled the arrest warrants against former PM Imran Khan and granted him pre-arrest bail till July 7 in two cases related to arson attacks during the May 9 violence which erupted following his arrest in a corruption case. The PTI party chief appeared before Lahore’s anti-terrorism court amid high security and challenged the arrest warrants issued against him. “After a brief argument from Khan’s counsel, the ATC granted him pre-arrest bail till July 7 in both cases and asked him to submit surety bonds worth Pakistani Rs 1,00,000,” a court official said.
B’day wishes for Suu Kyi lead to arrests
Pro-democracy activists in Myanmar say that more than 130 people, most of them women, have been arrested for participating in a “flower strike” marking the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader who was ousted by military in a February 2021 coup. She turned 78 on June 19. The protest drew nationwide support, and many shops were reported to have sold all their flowers. Most of the arrests occurred on June 19, but they continued through the week as the military tracked down participants and supporters. In some cities and towns, soldiers seized women in the streets for holding a flower or wearing one in their hair. Some were beaten, witnesses said.
31 killed at China restaurant after gas leak blast
China’s president ordered a national safety campaign after a massive cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the northwest killed 31 people and injured seven others. The blast tore through the restaurant in Yinchuan, the capital of the traditionally Muslim Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Xinhua reported. An hour before the explosion, employees noticed the smell of cooking gas and discovered that a gas tank valve was broken. The blast occurred while an employee was replacing thevalve. Nine people have been detained by authorities, including the owner of the restaurant, shareholders and employees.
Chinese millionaire fails exam for 27th time
After failing to achieve a high enough score on China's dreaded college entry exam for the 27th time, 56-year-old millionaire Liang Shi is beginning to wonder if he will ever make it to his dream university. Shi, a self-made millionaire, has taken the gruelling "gaokao" exam dozens of times over the past four decades, hoping to earn a place at top-tier Sichuan University and fulfil his ambition of becoming "an intellectual". By most measures, Liang has had a successful life but his university dreams have so far eluded him.
48 women die in Honduras prison riot
A grisly riot at a women’s prison in Honduras left at least 48 women dead, the spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office said. The violent incident took place and most of the victims were burned to death, while others were shot. The riot had been planned by gang members with guards’ knowledge, Honduran President Xiomara Castro said on Twitter moments after the incident. The riot was likely in reaction to a government crackdown in recent months on corruption within prisons, said Julissa Villanueva, head of the penal system.
Australia gives Twitter 28 days to clean
An Australian cyber regulator said it has demanded Twitter to explain its handling of online hate as the microblog has become the country’s most complained about platform since new owner Elon Musk lifted bans on a reported 62,000 accounts. The demand builds on a campaign by the eSafety Commissioner to make the website more accountable after Musk bought with a promise to restore its commitment to freespeech. The regulator has called on Twitter to detail its handling of online child abuse which it said has picked up on the website since Musk’s takeover.
Lost Rembrandt portraits to be sold after 200 years
As family heirlooms go, it doesn’t get much better than a pair of Rembrandt portraits that the world had forgotten about for 200 years. A British family “rather casually enjoyed” the oil paintings by the 17th century Dutch master until an expert from Christie’s auction house spotted them. Now the last pair of Rembrandt portraits to remain in private hands are set to fetch between £5 million and £8 million when they go under the hammer at Christie's in London.
Ailing Thai jumbo in Lanka to fly back home for recovery
Twice a day carers in Sri Lanka lead Sak Surin, an elephant donated by Thailand over 20 years ago, into a custom-made crate, where he stands patiently, training for a special six-hour flight to carry him home and recover his health. The 29-yearold weighs 4,000 kg and stands nine feet tall, but he suffers from abscesses and a stiff foreleg that makes it tough to walk and stand. “This is possibly the first time in history we are attempting to fly an elephant this large to a new destination,” said Madusha Perera, a veterinary surgeon at the national zoo in Colombo. The jumbo is set to travel on July 1 to Chiang Mai city and spend two weeks in quarantine.