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Rapper Sidhu Moose Wala: uncanny death by murder, and politics

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Famous Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down in his home town of Mansa in the north Indian state in a shocking incident. The singer, with millions of fans, was 29 and killed in broad daylight.

While the murder is bound to open a can of worms in a state that just saw government changing hands and less than 24 hours after his security cover was reduced, the death of the singer has invoked a travesty of fate given that his last song released on May 15 and was titled The Last Ride.

The song was uploaded to Sidhu’s official YouTube channel, where it garnered close to 10 million views. Ironically, that song was Moose Wala’s tribute to rapper Tupac Shakur (also referred to as 2Pac), who was shot dead in his car at the age of 25 in 1996). The song’s cover pic was the car Tupac was in that day.

Canadian-based gangster Goldy Brar has claimed responsibility for the incident saying his local module carried it out. Two cars, a Toyota and a Balero, followed his black jeep for a while before the occupants pulled the trigger. Ironically another album of Moose Wala was 295, which also became the date of his death.

The inspiration for the manner of killing may have a model in place but the circumstances around the incident are very murky.

Punjab DGP VK Bhawra said the incident seemed to be a result of inter-gang rivalry, and that special investigation team (SIT) had been formed to probe the matter. “Sidhu Moose Wala had a private bulletproof car that he didn’t take with him. On the orders of the CM, IG range has been directed to form an SIT. Three weapons were used. SSP Mansa and SSP Bathinda deployed there. ADG law and order has mobilised additional forces,” Bhawra said.

He loved to travel in an open jeep like on Sunday when he was with two friends, who are also admitted in serious condition. According to police, Moose Wala suffered bullet injuries and was rushed to a local hospital in Mansa. Dr Ranjeet Rai, civil surgeon at the Mansa hospital, said the singer was brought dead.

But social media was abuzz with speculation about the politics behind it. The singer, whose original name is Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, joined the Congress in December 2021 and unsuccessfully contested the Punjab assembly elections as a candidate from his home district of Mansa.

He lost to Aam Aadmi Party leader Vijay Singla. While he travelled to Dubai for a concert weeks after the election, Singla and his Aam Aadmi Party assumed power for the first time in Punjab as voters elected it to power in the hope of a welcome change.

While Moose Wala himself was in the headlines for wrong reasons – he had four cases against him – Singla also was sacked as health minister after a court sent him to judicial custody on May 27 for corruption charges.

The Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab had said Moose Wala’s songs promoted drugs and gun violence. The singer also has several cases registered against him for promoting weapons in his videos.

His debut album PBX1 and later Moosetape charted in the Canadian Hot 100 tracks. He also had to apologise for using a revered figure in Sikh Culture, Mai Bhago, in one of his singles.

During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Moose Wala got into a controversy when he was seen firing a rifle at a shooting range of the Punjab Police, who were accompanying him during a public health programme.

Opposition parties reacted strongly and blamed the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab. The singer’s party, the Congress said Mann had “blood on his hands”.

The chief minister is being blamed by opposition leaders for withdrawing his security and then for posting the order of the withdrawal on social media.

Chief minister Mann appealed for calm and said those involved will not be spared. “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the gruesome murder of Siddhu Moosewala. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his fans across the world,” he tweeted.

Filmstars and celebrities also have started expressing their condolences and shock at the incident.

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Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

  • Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
  • Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
  • Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
  • Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
  • Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
  • Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

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UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

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