Sunburn Festival, India’s iconic EDM event, will host its 2025 edition in Mumbai for the first time on December 19–21.
Backed by the Maharashtra government, the move aims to boost music tourism and cultural growth. Ranked #8 in DJ Mag’s 2025 Top 100 Festivals, Sunburn has featured global EDM stars since 2007.
Organizers see Mumbai as the next step in expanding Sunburn’s legacy and energy. (IANS)
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Mumbai to host Sunburn 2025
Gaming apps case: Deverakonda clarifies after ED visit
Actor Vijay Deverakonda has clarified that he has endorsements for gaming apps and that there is no relation between them. He clarified that gaming apps are completely legal, recognized by the government, and licensed as a business.
He also explained that gaming apps, such as A23, sponsor the Indian Cricket team, Olympics, Indian Women’s cricket team, and IPL.
Deverakonda stated that the Supreme Court and state governments should decide what is right or wrong.
Actor Prakash Raj also appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to address an alleged betting app case. He stated that this was a case of money laundering and that he did not pursue it.
The Telangana police filed a First Information Report against 25 celebrities and influencers for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling apps through their social media platforms. (IANS)
Willem Dafoe to play cold-blooded tycoon in new film
Willem Dafoe, a versatile actor, has revealed his upcoming film, The Birthday Party, which stars him as a Greek billionaire planning an elaborate birthday celebration for his daughter.
The film, adapted from a Greek novel by Panos Karnezis, is directed by Miguel Angel Jimenez and produced by Heretic, a Palme d’Or-winning production outfit. The film stars Emma Suarez, Joe Cole, and Vic Carmen Sonne, who recently starred in Magnus von Horn’s The Girl With the Needle.
Dafoe plays Marcos Timoleon, a shipping magnate who throws a lavish birthday celebration for his daughter, Sofia. The celebration serves as an excuse for Timoleon’s associates and hangers-on to approach him with their own agendas. The film explores the ruthlessness of the billionaire and his secret plan for his daughter’s decision. (IANS)
Why Matthew McConaughey didn’t star in Titanic
Matthew McConaughey, the actor known for his role in the 1997 film Titanic, was reportedly offered the role of Jack Dawson due to his Southern accent. The film’s producer, Jon Landau, wrote a memoir about the situation, stating that McConaughey’s accent did not resonate with the director, James Cameron. However, McConaughey remained positive and said that his accent was “pretty good.” The iconic role of Jack was played by Leonardo DiCaprio, but his career was not affected.
Titanic’ is a 1997 epic romantic disaster film based on the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, and features an ensemble cast including Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner, and Bill Paxton. McConaughey has spoken about his audition for the iconic role, stating that it was an on-screen test time and that he was never offered the role.
Despite rumours that he had the role in Titanic and turned it down, McConaughey confirmed that he was never offered the role. He shared that he had been trying to find an agent for the role but never received an offer. (ANI)
Entertainment Buzz
Matt Smith to play villain in Star Wars: Starfighter
Matt Smith, known for his roles in House of the Dragon and Star Wars: Starfighter, is set to join Shawn Levy’s film Star Wars: Starfighter. The film, set five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, will feature Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. Smith, who previously revealed his involvement in The Rise of Skywalker, will play the antagonist. He has a successful career, including his role as the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who and Netflix’s The Crown. Levy has previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine and The Adam Project on Netflix. Star Wars: Starfighter is set to release on May 28, 2027. (PTI)
Justin Bieber’s son Jack debuts in new music video
Justin Bieber’s son, Jack Blues, has made his music video debut on August 5. The black-and-white video features special appearances by Bieber’s wife Hailey Bieber and their 11-month-old son, Jack. The video starts with Bieber playing with Jack on a boat, then switches to Jack’s legs kicking in the water. The video includes Bieber kissing Jack’s toes, a close-up of the nearly 1-year-old reaching for the camera, a shot of the family sitting together on the back of a boat, and a clip of Hailey holding onto her son in the water. This is not the first time Bieber has brought his son into his musical endeavors. On July 7, Bieber shared snaps of his son joining him in the music studio, with Jack standing by a coffee table surrounded by Bieber and his friends. The couple married in September 2018 and announced their first child together in May 2024. (IANS)
Joe Jonas reflects on raising daughters after life with brothers
Singer-songwriter Joe Jonas and his brothers Nick and Kevin Jonas have shared their experiences raising two daughters and how their perspective on life has changed since they grew up with only brothers. The brothers appeared on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang, discussing their brotherly bond and their experiences as parents. Joe compared his childhood to raising his and ex-wife Sophie Turner’s daughters, Willa and Delphine, and credited their “superstar” mother, Denise, for raising four sons. She instilled an understanding of how to be nice guys to women and was the boss in raising them. Jonas and Turner welcomed their daughters during their marriage from 2019 to 2023. Kevin and his wife Danielle Jonas also have two daughters, Alena Rose and Valentina Angelina. Nick is also the father of daughter Malti, whom he shares with his wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas. (IANS)
Rashmika Mandanna sports politician look, hints at new role
Rashmika Mandanna, an actress known for her glamorous style, has recently shared a photo of herself in a politician’s avatar, sparking speculation about her upcoming film or series. The striking look, which is more suited to a cabinet meeting than a red-carpet event, has sparked a strong, authoritative vibe. Rashmika is also gearing up for her upcoming film The Girlfriend, directed by Rahul Ravindran and starring Deekshith Shetty in the lead role. She also has Thama, an intense love story set against a violent backdrop, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. She will also star in Mysaa, an emotional action thriller directed by Rawindra Pulle and produced by Ajay and Anil Sayyapureddy. The actress is also gearing up for the release of her upcoming film The Girlfriend on September 5. (IANS)
Yunus’ February poll plan divides Bangladesh parties
DHAKA, Aug 5: Political divisions have deepened in Bangladesh following interim government Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’s announcement of general elections in February 2026, ahead of Ramadan. While some parties welcomed the move, others expressed strong reservations, reflecting the ongoing political instability in the country.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supported the decision, saying it removes uncertainty around the election schedule. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized the party’s commitment to ensuring a fair, impartial, and widely praised election, calling on the nation to prepare accordingly.
In contrast, the National Citizen Party (NCP) criticized the announcement, stating that it undermines the July Charter—a set of reform demands agreed upon during national dialogues. NCP leaders argued that announcing an election date before implementing the charter’s provisions contradicts the goals of political reform and raises doubts about the fairness of the upcoming polls. Senior joint convener Samantha Sharmin voiced concern over vague political statements and called for full implementation of the July Charter before any election takes place.
Yunus, in response to ongoing debates during the second round of the National Consensus Commission’s dialogue, stressed that consensus is being sought on reform proposals. He expressed hope that all parties would soon sign and implement the July Charter to ensure credible elections.
Bangladesh has been in a state of political flux since the Awami League-led government under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in violent protests last year. Although several parties united to remove Hasina, differences have now surfaced regarding electoral reforms and the timing of the next general election. Yunus’s announcement has exposed these rifts, raising questions about the path forward for democratic stability in Bangladesh. (IANS)
Yunus govt turned Bangladesh into ‘democracy’s graveyard’: Opp students
Dhaka, Aug 6: The Bangladesh Chhatra League, student wing of the Awami League, has launched a scathing attack on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, accusing it of dismantling democratic institutions and pushing the nation toward becoming a “failed and fragmented state.” The student body claimed that Bangladesh has effectively turned into a “graveyard of democracy” under the current regime.
The student body asserted that the defeated anti-liberation forces —“Jamaat-Shibir, fundamentalist-communal groups, and terrorist-militant factions”—under the command of Yunus, have continued their “spree of killings, attacks, terrorism, and destruction” that began in July-August 2024.
“Democratic norms, the rule of law, freedom of speech, human rights, and voting rights – all are now on life support in the ICU. Exploiting the emotions of the people, the ideals of justice and values, the collective strength, the protesting spirit and participation of the youth- killers infiltrated, struck at the heart, awakened pain, spread anger through brutal killings, lynched police officers, unleashed terror, and took society, the state, the law, and democracy hostage,” read a statement issued by the Students’ League.
“By attempting to assassinate Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister elected by the people’s vote, they have turned August 5, 2024, into a dark day of democracy, student, people, and police killings,” the statement added.
Slamming the Yunus-led interim government, the student body alleged that “jungle law has been established” in Bangladesh, as by granting indemnity, Yunus has provided “state protection to his terrorist-militant forces”, allowing them to “commit crimes against humanity under state patronage”.
“The killers of democracy, students, people, and police have been seated on the throne of power. The people have been reduced to worthless, honorless, hopeless beings. Venom of despair and hatred has been spread across minds and communities. The air is heavy with heart-wrenching cries, silent sobs, and suffocating groans,” the Students’ League mentioned.
“With deep respect for the collective strength of the people’s aspirations, rooted in the values of Bangladesh’s great Liberation War, and pledging justice for the victims and injured of this meticulously planned killing mission, we vow to put an end to this oppression and backwardness. Justice will be served,” it added.
The Students’ League vowed to uproot “all anti-Bangladesh evil forces” while restoring democracy, voting rights, the rule of law, progress, and human dignity.
Describing August 5 as “Democracy, Student-People-Police Killing Day”, the student body extended condolences to all the people killed and expressed solidarity with the injured, calling them its source of “strength and courage”. (IANS)
Ex-chiefs oppose Gaza war plans
JERUSALEM, Aug 6: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at wider military action in Gaza, despite former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs calling for an end to the nearly 22-month war. The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 61,000, with health officials reporting new deaths of hungry Palestinians seeking food at distribution points. The Israeli defense body coordinating aid announced a deal with local merchants to improve aid deliveries. Former leaders of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency, and the military, as well as ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, have called far-right members of the government holding Israel “hostage” in prolonging the conflict.
Netanyahu convened his Security Cabinet to direct the military on the war’s next stage, hinting that even tougher action was possible. However, the meeting wrapped up hours later without any announcements about Israel’s plans. US President Donald Trump said he was not aware of the “suggestion” but that “it is going to be pretty much up to Israel.”
Israeli forces opened fire on Tuesday morning toward Palestinians seeking aid and in targeted attacks in central and southern Gaza, killing at least 45 people. Health officials in Gaza said Israeli forces opened fire toward Palestinians seeking aid and in targeted attacks in central and southern Gaza, killing at least 26 people. (AP)
Amid chaos, young Gaza doctor strives to heal
Deir al-Balah, Aug 6: At Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, 27-year-old neurosurgeon Dr. Jamal Salha works under extreme conditions with no sterilized tools, electricity, or painkillers.
Once Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa is now crippled by war, repeated Israeli raids, and severe shortages of medical supplies.
Only three of its original 21 operating rooms function, and patients lie on floors or in tents due to lack of beds.
The hospital staff has halved, many unpaid and malnourished. Salha, who trained at Shifa, fled northern Gaza during the war and returned to find it in ruins.
He has performed over 200 surgeries amid worsening malnutrition and overwhelming casualties. Israeli forces claimed Shifa was used by Hamas but provided limited evidence. Equipment remains destroyed or unusable.
Some patients die waiting for care.
Despite the devastation, moments of recovery, like a young girl regaining her sight, offer brief hope. “We deal with patients in our sleep,” Salha says. “Then we wake up and ask: what just happened?” (AP)
Trump associate Witkoff holds talks with Putin, says Kremlin
MOSCOW, Aug 6: Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or face severe economic penalties. The meeting lasted about three hours and neither side gave an immediate readout of the talks. Witkoff took an early morning stroll through Zaryadye Park, a stone’s throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Dmitriev played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months. The negotiations made no progress on ending the three-year war following Russia’s invasion of its neighbor.
Trump’s deadline for Putin ends on Friday. Washington has threatened “severe tariffs” and other economic penalties if the killing doesn’t stop. Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Putin over Russia’s escalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine, intended to erode morale and public appetite for the war. The intensified attacks have occurred even as Trump has urged the Russian leader in recent months to relent.
Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Putin is stalling for time and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land. A Russian offensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the fall is advancing faster than last year’s push but making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities. The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defenses are not about to collapse, analysts say. (AP)