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US Bans Visas for Georgians Accused of Undermining Democracy
Deutsche Welle
13 Dec 2024, 18:31
Photo: Irakli Gedenidze/REUTERS
The United States has denied visas to about 20 people accused of "undermining democracy in Georgia," the State Department said late on Thursday.
"We are committed to seeing that senior officials responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy will be subject to visa restrictions," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The department did not name the individuals who would be barred from receiving US visas, but it said sitting ministers and members of parliament were among them, as well as law enforcement and security officials.
Protests in Georgia
The Black Sea country has been in turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in parliamentary elections in October. Hundreds of people have been arrested in Georgia since nightly protests erupted nearly two weeks ago against the ruling party's decision to delay the former Soviet republic's longstanding goal of joining the European Union.
"The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party's ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures," the State Department said.
It added the department was "preparing additional actions, including sanctions, to hold to account those who undermine democracy in Georgia."
Escalation feared before the presidential election
More unrest is expected on the streets of Georgia's cities on Saturday when Georgian Dream is expected to tighten its grip on power by appointing far-right former soccer star Mikheil Kavelashvili to replace pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, who has refused to step down.
Zurabishvili has supported the opposition's allegations of electoral fraud and declared the newly elected parliament and government "illegitimate." She has also vowed to remain in office until Georgian Dream organizes new parliamentary elections.
It remains unclear how the government will respond to Zurabishvili's refusal to step down.
She is a popular figure among the protesters, and many have expressed their willingness to defend her against any attempt to evict her from the presidential palace.
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Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali's Durga Passes Away
Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali's Durga, actress Uma Dasupta has passed away after a prolonged illness. The film, based on the novel of the same name by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay saw the actress play the elder sister to lead 'Apu' a role, which would later be immortalized by the late Soumitra Chatterjee. Uma Dasgupta who never entered mainstream cinema after Pather Panchali, remained in collective memory for her powerful performance.
The actress passed away at 8.15 am on Monday (November 18, 2024), in a private hospital, with reports indicating that she had been battling cancer.
The news of Uma Dasgupta's death was confirmed by actor Chiranjit Chakraborty, according to a Times Now report. Chiranjit said that he received the heartbreaking news from Uma Dasgupta's daughter.
Trinamool Congress Leader (TMC) MP and author Kunal Ghosh has shared a note in Bengali for the actress on Facebook. The note roughly translates to, "Durga from Pather Panchali is now really gone."
Earlier this year, rumors of the actress's death spread rapidly, sparking discussions across social media. However, it was later revealed that she was in good health. Actor Chiranjit Chakraborty has expressed his condolences following her passing. The iconic roles of Apu and Durga from the black-and-white era remain etched in the hearts of audiences, still vivid after all these years.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Triumphs Over Singham Again in Box Office Battle
The highly anticipated showdown between Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has taken an unexpected turn, with the latter emerging as the clear winner. Despite an ensemble cast featuring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Salman Khan, Rohit Shetty’s action-packed Singham Again has been overshadowed by the horror-comedy appeal of Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Singham Again started strong, raking in ₹173 crore in its opening week. However, its pace slowed considerably, earning ₹47.5 crore in its second week and reaching ₹230.16 crore domestically after 17 days. With a hefty ₹350 crore production budget, the film now faces challenges in turning a profit.
Conversely, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, produced on a modest ₹150 crore budget, has turned into a runaway hit. Maintaining a steady box office performance through its third week, it has collected ₹230.92 crore domestically and ₹356 crore globally, securing substantial profits.
Kartik Aaryan’s mix of humor, horror, and charm has captivated audiences, pushing Singham Again into the shadows in this unexpected box office rivalry.
AR Rahman and Saira Banu Separate After 29 Years of Marriage
In a surprising turn of events, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage. The news was disclosed late Tuesday by Saira’s lawyer, who confirmed that the split was a mutual decision.
The couple attributed their decision to emotional distance and mental strain, despite their deep love for each other and efforts to reconcile. Saira expressed that the choice was a painful one, made after much anguish, and requested privacy as they navigate this difficult time.
Married in 1995 through an arranged match influenced by Rahman’s mother, the couple had faced cultural differences over the years but had managed to overcome them with mutual understanding. They have three children—Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen—with their eldest daughter having married a few years ago.
Rahman, whose career has spanned over three decades and earned him prestigious awards like the Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe for Slumdog Millionaire, faces this personal setback despite his professional triumphs. The announcement comes as a surprise, especially after the couple was last seen together at a recent Ambani family event.
Pori Moni’s Ex-Husband Dies in Tragic Truck Accident
Ismail Hossain Jamaddar (40), the first husband of Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni, was killed in a high-speed truck accident on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway. The incident occurred early Friday (November 22) at Pachchor in Shibchar, Madaripur.
Ismail, the son of bank officer Zakir Hossain Jamaddar from Chhoto Shaula village in Mirukhali Union of Mathbaria Upazila, was a father of two.
According to Ismail’s uncle, Kabir Jamaddar, he was traveling to Dhaka on a motorcycle with his friend Monir on Thursday night. Early in the morning, a speeding truck hit their motorcycle from behind on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway, leaving both Ismail and Monir critically injured.
Locals rushed them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared Ismail dead. Monir received initial treatment and was later transferred to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Pangu Hospital) in Agargaon.
Abdullah Al Mamun, an assistant teacher at Bhagirathpur Secondary School, stated that after divorcing Pori Moni, Ismail remarried and is survived by his wife and two children.
Mohini Breaks Silence on A.R. Rahman Rumors: 'Respect My Privacy'
For the past three days, the topic dominating discussions has been the divorce of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman. Barely a day after the news broke, Bengali musician Mohini Dey's name has been linked to Rahman, sparking speculation. Amidst the ongoing rumors in the entertainment world, Mohini has broken her silence on social media.
On Friday (November 22), Mohini took to Instagram to address the situation, writing: "I’ve been receiving numerous calls over the past few hours, with requests for interviews. I know what they want to ask."
She further added, "With all due respect, I kindly decline. I do not have the time to entertain such rumors. I refuse to waste my energy on baseless gossip. I hope my personal life will be respected, and my privacy maintained."
The 29-year-old Mohini became a sudden focus of media attention after announcing her divorce. On the same day, A.R. Rahman also declared the end of his marriage on social media, prompting fans and netizens to connect the dots. However, Mohini has firmly denied the romantic rumors.
Mohini has been passionate about the guitar since childhood. She picked up the bass guitar at the age of nine and began performing at 11. Over the years, she has collaborated extensively with A.R. Rahman's music ensemble.
Vijay Deverakonda Drops a Hint: Is Rashmika the One?
Vijay Deverakonda has set the rumor mill spinning with his latest revelation—he’s no longer single! Fans are abuzz with one burning question: is Rashmika Mandanna the woman in his life?
For years, whispers of a relationship between the two South Indian stars have made headlines, though both have consistently dismissed the claims. However, during a recent promotional event in Mumbai, Vijay dropped a major hint. When asked about his relationship status, he cheekily replied, “I’m 35. Does anyone stay single at this age?”
He didn’t stop there. Vijay shared his thoughts on relationships, saying, “I don’t believe in dating. For me, a strong friendship is the foundation of everything. Once that bond grows, I think about the future.” Yet, he kept the identity of his partner a mystery.
Fans, however, are convinced the clues point to Rashmika. She has frequently called Vijay her closest friend and trusted advisor, and their undeniable chemistry on and off the screen only adds fuel to the speculation.
While Vijay’s admission has left everyone guessing, Rashmika has yet to comment. Could this finally confirm the long-rumored love story? Only time will tell.
First Death Anniversary of Pori Moni's Grandfather Today
A village girl named Shamsunnahar Smriti, her journey to become Pori Moni is like a movie plot. She lost her mother at a very young age; her father was also shot dead by miscreants. Later, her grandfather Shamsul Haque Gazi took over as her guardian. On November 23 last year, her grandfather passed away while undergoing treatment in the ICU of a hospital in the capital.
It has been a year since Pori Moni's grandfather passed away on Saturday (November 23). Pori Moni is in Barishal on the first death anniversary of her grandfather. She has organized a prayer-mahfil.
Meanwhile, Pori Moni has shared two lines from a popular song by singer Haider Hossain on social media. On Saturday (November 23), Pori Moni wrote on her Facebook page, "When you respond to the call of destiny, only silence remains. The one who lost can understand the pain of separation!"
In the comments section of the post, one of Pori's followers wrote, "The words are true..."
Another person agreed with the heroine and wrote, "The one who lost can understand."
On the other hand, actress Pori Moni's first husband Ismail Hossain Jamaddar was killed in a road accident in Shibchar, Madaripur on the Dhaka-Bhanga highway. The accident occurred in the Pachchor area of the upazila early on Friday (November 22). Later in the night, after the funeral, he was buried in the family graveyard of his home village of Chhoto Shaula.
