Heavy Rain Lashes Odisha: Holiday Declared For Schools In Puri; Waterlogging In Konark Sun Temple

Smith's extraordinary career spanned over six decades, earning her two Oscars, four Emmys, and a reputation as one of the greatest talents in film and television history.

Apart from her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, the actors was also best known for her role as the sharp-witted Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the hit series Downton Abbey. Her work in these roles made her a household name to a new generation of fans, but her career started long before, and her early accomplishments were equally remarkable.

Smith earned her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1970 for her portrayal of an eccentric and strong-willed schoolmistress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969). Nearly a decade later, she won a second Oscar, this time for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in California Suite (1978). In this film, she played an Oscar-nominated actress attending the awards ceremony, a role that brought her both critical praise and her second Academy Award.

Over her career, Smith was nominated for four other Oscars, including for her work in Travels With My Aunt (1972), Othello (1965), A Room With a View (1985), and Gosford Park (2001). Her performances ranged from tragedy to comedy, showcasing her incredible versatility as an actor. Smith could easily move between dramatic roles that delved into deep emotions and comedies that brought out her characters' quirks and wit.

Despite her incredible talent, Maggie Smith was famously press-shy, often avoiding media appearances and promotion tours. This became a running joke at the 2016 Emmys when host Jimmy Kimmel made fun of her absence, saying no one would win unless they accepted the award in person. Smith wasn't there to collect her Emmy that night, but she still won and responded to the joke with good humor.

Her career extended far beyond the screen, with notable performances in theater as well. In 1990, Smith won a Tony Award for Best Actress for her role in Lettice and Lovage, further establishing her as a force on the stage. Her ability to perform a wide range of characters, from serious to comedic, made her one of the most admired British actors of her time.

In recognition of her contribution to drama, Queen Elizabeth II honored Smith with the title of "Dame" in 1989. In 2014, she received another prestigious title, becoming a member of the Order of Companions of Honor, an honor shared with other notable British figures like Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench.

Throughout her career, Smith played a variety of memorable roles in films. She was part of the ensemble cast in Murder by Death (1976), starred as the strict yet humorous Mother Superior in Sister Act (1992), and appeared in Hook (1991) alongside Robin Williams as Granny Wendy. Later in her career, she played a cantankerous retiree in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), delighting audiences with her wit and charm.

Her television work was also impressive. In addition to her Emmy-winning role in Downton Abbey, Smith starred in My House in Umbria, which also earned her an Emmy Award. She was nominated for other television roles, including as Mrs. Venable in Suddenly Last Summer and as Betsey Trotwood in the BBC miniseries David Copperfield, where she worked alongside a young Daniel Radcliffe before he was cast as Harry Potter.

Maggie Smith's personal life was marked by her long-lasting marriage to playwright Beverley Cross, whom she married in 1975 and stayed with until his death in 1998. Before that, she was married to actor Robert Stephens, with whom she had two sons, both of whom followed in her footsteps and became actors themselves. Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens have enjoyed successful careers in film and television, carrying on their mother's legacy in the acting world. (ANI)

Amrendra Kumar Amar, the representative of Union Minister Giriraj Singh, said that they received a WhatsApp call from a Pakistan-based number (+923276100973) on Friday at around 11:28 AM. 

“The caller initially assumed he was speaking with Giriraj Singh and began threatening with dire consequences. Upon learning that he was speaking to me, the caller continued to threaten both me and the Union Minister,” said Amar.

He said that he wrote a complaint to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Begusarai, requesting them to register an FIR and initiate an investigation into the matter.

Amar urged the authorities to take the necessary steps to identify the caller and assess any potential security threats.

“This move highlights the seriousness of the incident, as any call from a foreign number, particularly from Pakistan, can raise concerns about possible security risks or harassment targeting public figures,” Amar said.

Amar also mentioned that he informed Jay Krishna, the Personal Assistant of Union Minister Giriraj Singh, about the suspicious call. 

“During the call, the caller reportedly mentioned the arrest of an individual,” he said.

Giriraj Singh, the BJP MP from Begusarai, is known for his strong stance on issues related to Hindutva and often makes statements on religious lines, which has positioned him as a prominent hardcore Hindu leader in Bihar.

Given his political profile and vocal advocacy on sensitive topics, incidents like this are taken seriously as they may indicate potential security risks or attempts at intimidation. The involvement of law enforcement and the request for an investigation underscore the gravity of the situation. (IANS) 

The assets, including agricultural land in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district and bank accounts, are linked to popular content creators Siddharth Yadav alias Elvish Yadav, Rahul Yadav alias Fazilpuria, and Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd.

According to an ED statement, the properties were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

"ED, Lucknow has provisionally attached properties comprising agricultural land at Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh) and bank deposits worth Rs 52.49 lakh belonging to Rahul Yadav alias Fazilpuria, Elvish Yadav and M/s Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the "wildlife case," posted the ED on X.

Earlier in July this year, popular YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav had appeared before ED's Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow-based unit for questioning in connection with a money laundering case linked to a snake venom-rave party incident.

In May, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the FIR and charge sheet filed by the Noida police against Elvish Yadav and others involved in the snake venom case.

In November last year, the People for Animals (PFA) organisation filed an FIR against six people, including Elvish.

The FIR was registered against the six people in Noida Sector 49 police station for allegedly supplying snake venom suspected to be used as a recreational drug at a rave party in Noida.

The case was transferred from Noida's Sector 49 police station to Sector 20 police station on the orders of Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh.

Elvish was arrested on March 17, by the police along with five others and all were charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and Section 120A (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Elvish was granted bail by Gautam Buddha Nagar District Court five days after his arrest.

Later, police arrested two more suspects in the case who were identified as Ishwar and Vinay, both residents of Haryana and said to be known to Elvish.

On April 6, the Noida police filed a chargesheet against the YouTuber and seven others in connection with allegations ranging from snake smuggling to organising rave parties.

The 1200-page chargesheet stated that Elvish was in touch with snake charmers and that a poisonous snake and 20 millilitres of venom from the Krait species were also recovered from the location. (ANI)

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