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In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Usha Uthup reminisces about her musical journey and reveals what she thinks about the new crop of talent

Usha Uthup is no ordinary pop icon. She was one of the reigning music sensations in the 1970s and 80s and thrived in the likes of legends like RD Burman and Bappi Lahiri. Like her statement bindi and gajra, her songs such as Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Ramba Ho Ho Ho, and Shaan Se, too never went out of vogue.

Usha Uthup takes us back to her heyday, when she began her musical journey as a nightclub singer in Chennai in 1969. That she was different from the rest was something she was constantly reminded of from the very beginning — her deep contralto voice was unique. She recalls being asked to leave her music class in school because of that very voice that still makes people stand up and dance to One Two Cha Cha Cha.

“If any adult wants Aadhaar, we want to conduct a thorough inquiry first and allow only the DC (district collector) to issue Aadhaar to them,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said

The Assam government is considering empowering only district commissioners (DCs) to issue Aadhaar to adults in a bid to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining the unique biometric identity number.

The state in the northeast bordering Bangladesh has been grappling with the issue of illegal immigrants, especially Bangladeshis, coming in large numbers for decades.

“We decided in the cabinet meeting today to tighten the process of issuing Aadhaar to adults,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today.

“Many people who come to Assam from Bangladesh are adults. We have already achieved hundred per cent Aadhaar coverage. So if any adult wants Aadhaar, we want to conduct a thorough inquiry first and allow only the DC to issue Aadhaar to them,” he added.

“I feel that this process will deter people who come from Bangladesh from getting Aadhaar. And it will be easy to catch them without Aadhaar

The rankings were compiled and released by The Best Pizza Awards, a Europe-based organisation. Two establishments from North India were featured on the 2025 list.

A reputed list of the world’s 100 best pizzerias for 2025 has just been unveiled. Two Indian establishments have been featured on it. Da Susy in Gurgram and Leo’s in Delhi have been named among the top 100 for this year. The rankings were compiled and released by The Best Pizza Awards, a Europe-based organisation. The annual ceremony took place in Milan on June 25, 2025. The global voting panel reportedly consisted of 512 experts from 60 countries. Find out more below: Da Susy in Gurugram, helmed by Susanna Di Cosimo, occupies the 71st position on the list this year. Chef Susanna, also known as Susy, hails from Naples. She established her own pizzeria in Gurugram in 2021. The menu reflects her celebration of traditional techniques as well as innovative offerings. Da Susy currently has two branches in Gurugram.

MPPSC FSO Exam 2025: Now, candidates have been asked to pay the fees once again for a revised notification – leaving many feeling frustrated, demoralised and betrayed.

After a gap of 17 years, when the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) finally issued a recruitment notification for the post of Food Safety Officer (FSO), it rekindled hope among thousands of aspirants across the state. However, those dreams were short-lived. The exam was abruptly cancelled after forms were filled, fees were collected, and study preparations had begun. Now, candidates have been asked to pay the fees once again for a revised notification – leaving many feeling frustrated, demoralised and betrayed.

The FSO recruitment notification was released in December 2025 for 120 posts. Nearly one lakh students applied, each paying a non-refundable fee of ₹540 – an estimated total of Rs. 5.4 crore collected by the commission. But in March 2025, the Central Government revised the eligibility criteria for the post. Despite this, MPPSC cancelled the exam only a month later, in April, and has now reissued a notification – with fewer posts and a demand for fresh fees.

Ironheart, a Marvel mini series, has finally debuted on your digital screens.

Created by Chinaka Hodge, Ironheart is a Marvel mini series that has finally landed on your digital screens. The plot of Ironheart follows Riri Williams, portrayed by Dominique Throne, who creates a highly advanced armor suit, since Iron Man. This series comprises intense action sequences and a blend of technology with magic that will blow away the audience’s minds. The series has 6 episodes in total, where the launch has been hit with the release of three episodes for the viewers. Directed by Samantha Bailey and Angela Barnes, Ironheart is a mini series that revolves around the invention of young techie Riri Williams. She was introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and now that she is back home in Chicago, the mystery follows. This season, her invention of armor will clash with the magic. Also, she will cross paths with The Hood. The series is full of mystery and exceptional performances by the star cast.

Kaalidhar Laapata, starring Abhishek Bachchan, streams on ZEE5 from July 4. A moving tale of hope, memory, and friendship.

Kaalidhar Laapata gives us a glimpse of Abhishek Bachchan as a middle-aged man suffering from memory loss and family betrayal decides to disappear in the crowd of Maha Kumbh Mela. he meets Ballu on his escape, who is a confident and aspiring boy of eight years. Their bond strengthens through laughter, warmth, and opportunities for the second time. The trailer promises a heartfelt story of rediscovery and happiness. Both of them start to fulfil their bucket list and leave the tension behind. The film beautifully explores the theme of transformation, dignity and abandonment.

The story features Abhishek Bachchan as the protagonist, with Daivik Baghela, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Shruti Vyas, Prakash Belawadi, and Varun Buddhadev. It has been directed by Madhumita and produced under the banner of Zee Studios. The writers are Madhumita and Sreekar Prasad. Music has been given by Karthikeya Murthy, and cinematography done by Balasubramaniem.

Its clout on the world stage is diminished. Facing major funding cuts from the United States and others, it has been forced to shed jobs and start tackling long-delayed reforms.

The United Nations, a collaborative global dream built into reality out of the ashes of World War II, marks its 80th anniversary this month. There’s little to celebrate.

Its clout on the world stage is diminished. Facing major funding cuts from the United States and others, it has been forced to shed jobs and start tackling long-delayed reforms. Its longtime credo of “multilateralism” is under siege. Its most powerful body, the Security Council, has been blocked from taking action to end the two major wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

And as conflict between Israel, Iran and now the United States flares, it watched from the sidelines.

Four generations after its founding, as it tries to chart a new path for its future, a question hangs over the institution and the nearly 150,000 people it employs and oversees: Can the United Nations remain relevant in an increasingly contentious and fragmented world? With its dream of collaboration drifting, can it even survive?

When the United Nations was born in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, the overriding goal of the 50 participants who signed the UN Charter was stated in its first words: “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

China committed to easing some non-tariff countermeasures, but US officials later accused Beijing of violating the pact and slow-walking export license approvals for rare earths

The White House signaled trade progress with China on Thursday, with an official saying both sides have reached an understanding on issues including expediting rare earth shipments to the United States.

After talks in Geneva in May, Washington and Beijing had agreed to temporarily lower steep tit-for-tat tariffs on each other’s products.

China also committed to easing some non-tariff countermeasures, but US officials later accused Beijing of violating the pact and slow-walking export license approvals for rare earths.

Both sides eventually agreed on a framework to move forward with their Geneva consensus following talks in London this month.

On Thursday, a White House official told AFP that President Donald Trump’s administration and China have “agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement.”

This clarification came after Trump told an event that Washington had “just signed” a deal relating to trade with China, without providing further details.

Asked about Trump’s remarks on Bloomberg TV, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick referred to the London negotiations, saying the framework deal — which needed top-level approval — has now been “signed and sealed.”

Separately on Thursday, the White House also indicated that Washington could extend a July deadline when steeper tariffs impacting dozens of economies are due to kick in.

While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 percent levy on most trading partners this year, he unveiled — then halted — higher rates on dozens of economies while negotiations took place.

That pause is set to expire July 9.

Asked if there were plans to further the pause, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “Perhaps it could be extended, but that’s a decision for the president to make.”

“The deadline is not critical,” she said. “The president can simply provide these countries with a deal if they refuse to make us one by the deadline.”

This means Trump can “pick a reciprocal tariff rate that he believes is advantageous for the United States,” she said.

Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that Washington will announce some deals in the next week or so.

“Those who have deals will have deals, and everybody else who’s been negotiating with us, they’ll get a response from us,” he said.

“July 9 will go forward. And as the president said, if people want to come back and negotiate further, they’re entitled to, but that tariff rate will be set, and off we’ll go,” Lutnick added.

On the progress of trade negotiations, Leavitt added that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is “working very hard” and has had “good and productive discussions with many of our key trading partners.”

The demolition of a Durga Temple in Dhaka had led to a sharp response from India over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. Authorities in Bangladesh have justified the move, calling it a ‘makeshift structure’, built illegally. 

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We understand that extremists were clamouring for the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as a case of illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple today.”

“This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was relocated. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and their religious institutions,” Mr Jaiswal said. 

India has repeatedly voiced concern about the targeting of minorities in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Mr Yunus during the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. 

Prime Minister Modi had also underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them, during the meeting with Muhammad Yunus. 

The demolition of a Durga Temple in Dhaka had led to a sharp response from India over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. Authorities in Bangladesh have justified the move, calling it a ‘makeshift structure’, built illegally. 

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We understand that extremists were clamouring for the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as a case of illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple today.”

“This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was relocated. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and their religious institutions,” Mr Jaiswal said. 

India has repeatedly voiced concern about the targeting of minorities in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Mr Yunus during the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. 

Prime Minister Modi had also underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them, during the meeting with Muhammad Yunus.