Picture of a residential project constructed by the West Bengal government under ‘Amar Bari’ (My House) scheme for slum dwellers in Kolkata.

With elections in West Bengal around the corner, every political party and their supporters are eager to showcase their achievements and development projects before the electorate.  On social media, a picture of a residential project is circulating with the claim that the buildings have been constructed for slum dwellers under one of Mamata Banerjee’s schemes. The picture has been shared with a caption in Bengali that translates to, “Is it true?  Does it happen in reality?  Slum dwellers of Golf Green have received keys for flats developed under Didi’s ‘Amar Bari’ (My House) scheme.  Flats for slum dwellers might seem to be a dream but it has been made true by Mamata. ”The archived version of the post can be seen here. India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found the claim along with the picture to be misleading.  The Bengal government did initiate a housing scheme for slum dwellers along Golf Club Road, adjacent to Golf Green locality in South Kolkata.  But the picture used in the post is of a residential complex built by the Bangladesh government for slum dwellers in Cox’s Bazar city. AFWA probe With the help of reverse image search, we found the original picture on a Bangladeshi news website.  This website had uploaded the picture along with an article on July 23, 2020.  According to information provided in the website, the picture is of a residential complex built by the Bangladesh government in Cox’s Bazar city. The complex was constructed under the “Ashrayon Prakalpa” scheme of the Bangladesh government to rehabilitate slum dwellers evicted from Jhau Bagan and Baliari areas on the western side of Cox’s Bazar airport.  The slum dwellers were evicted to give way for the airport expansion project. Several Bangladeshi media had published articles on the same residential project with similar pictures. To confirm the part about the Bengal government’s scheme for slum dwellers, India Today got in touch with local correspondent Jyotirmoy Dutta.  He arranged the original picture of the buildings constructed by the state government on Golf Club Road for slum dwellers. Hence, we can conclude that though the claim of a residential project for slum dwellers in Kolkata is true, the picture used along with it is of a similar scheme by the Bangladesh government for evicted people. (With inputs from Srijit Das)The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.


102 new #COVID19 cases & 7 deaths have been reported in Rajasthan today, taking the total number of cases to 2185 & deaths to 41. 629 patients have been discharged from hospitals after being cured of the disease: Rajasthan Health Department https://t.co/I2HGOkSu5s

A 60-year-old coronavirus-infected woman, with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, died and 69 more people tested positive in Rajasthan on Sunday, bringing the number of confirmed virus cases to 2,152 in the state, an official said.  Thirty-six COVID-19 patients have died in the state, with Jaipur accounting for 19 deaths.  “A woman died in Jodhpur today.  She was also suffering from diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease.  As many as 69 fresh cases have been reported in 11 districts of the state, including 23 in Jodhpur,” Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said.  Besides Jodhpur, 20 new cases were reported from Nagaur, 11 from Ajmer, six from Jaipur, three from Kota, two from Dholpur and one each in Sikar, Bharatpur, Hanumangarh and Jhalawar.  A total of 2,152 cases of the virus have been reported in the state so far.  He said so far 518 patients have tested negative for the infection after treatment, of which 213 have been discharged from hospitals.  Jaipur has maximum number of 798 coronavirus positive cases in the state followed by 349 in Jodhpur.  The total number of COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan includes two Italian citizens and 61 people brought from Iran to Army health centres in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.  The entire state is under lockdown since March 22 and a massive survey and screening is underway to track the people infected with the virus.


"This is what democracy looks like!"

Participants in the third annual Women's March chant as they march through the streets of New York City. Events are planned for cities across the country. https://t.co/L2PCtwQh3h https://t.co/sxXeXIpBgt

    Thousands of demonstrators gathered Saturday for the Women’s March in Washington and related rallies across the country, with many looking to channel two years of momentum and common cause against President Donald Trump into progressive policies.

Why they marched: Participants reveal why they rallied across the nation

    The marches came as allegations of anti-Semitism against the leaders of the national Women’s March Inc.  and the main Washington march – which those leaders have denied – pushed some rally organizers in other cities to disassociate themselves from that group.

    In Washington, leaders of the national group addressed the controversy on stage at Freedom Plaza.

    “My sisters in Women’s March and I have faced accusations that have hurt my soul – charges of anti-Semitism and neglecting our LGBTQIA family,” co-chair Carmen Perez said.  “And I want to be unequivocal in affirming that Women’s March and I and my sisters condemn anti-Semitism and homophobia and transphobia in all forms.

    “I vow to anyone who doubts their place in the Women’s March: You are welcome here.  I vow to Jewish women: There is a place at the table for you. ”

    Now in their third year, the rallies appeared less star-studded than in 2017 or 2018.  But marchers still flocked to Washington, New York and elsewhere – with some of the events affiliated with Women’s March Inc.  and others not.

    Before the rally in Los Angeles, Yanti Palleschi sat at a table and joined others who were writing messages on placards.

    “I come every year.  I’m proud of the work (that) women have done in the last election, but we need more powerful women,” said Palleschi of Sherman Oaks, California, and a member of a non-profit for women.

    In Washington, Gina Lopez and her daughter, Leah, said they had booked their flights from Houston the day after Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings ended.

    “We just had enough – the wall, Kavanaugh, the whole thing.  We just finally decided it’s time – it’s time to come here and march,” Lopez said.

    These marches stemmed from the ones that started in January 2017 as a display of resistance to Trump’s election.  In 2018, the movement shifted to focus on midterm elections.

The Women's March is evolving, but its enemies are the same

    This year, organizers say, was about not only commemorating victories such as unprecedented wins for the Democratic Party by women of color in the midterms, but also agitating for progressive laws and positions they say will benefit women across race, class, sexual orientation and other identities.

    That included pushing for a policy document they call the “Women’s Agenda,” addressing issues including immigrant rights, violence against women, civil rights and liberties and climate justice, among others.

    “The agenda is specifically focused on legislative and policy actions that are achievable by 2020,” Women’s March Chief Operating Officer Rachel Carmona said earlier.

    Jessica González-Rojas, executive director at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, described the agenda as a policy tool that organizers in different cities can use to take on issues that matter to their communities.

    What makes it unique is how it takes typically gender-neutral issues such as immigration and offers policy solutions that specifically benefit women and families, she said.

    “It’s about looking at different identities among women and femmes and the policy solutions to address attacks on those identities,” she said.

No other Congress has ever looked like this

    At the Washington march Saturday, Perez pivoted toward the “Women’s Agenda” after addressing the bigotry allegations.

    She congratulated listeners for helping to “elect hundreds of women” and told members of the crowd to keep their eyes on 2020.

    “Women’s Agenda will give clear marching orders to every grassroots activist in this nation and establish a solid platform on which truly progressive candidates can run and win in 2020,” she said.

    In New York, demonstrators gathered for at least two separate events, including one at Foley Square for a “Women’s Unity Rally. ” Organizers there said they aimed “to demand equal justice for black women, immigrant women, women of color and gender nonconforming people. ”

    Rep.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York freshman whose following among progressives has made her one of the most high-profile House Democrats, attended both that event and a march near Central Park.

    At Foley Square, the 29-year-old lawmaker said marchers were picking up “where the civil rights movement left off. ”

    Discussions of racial and social justice are being extended to economic and environmental justice, Ocasio-Cortez said.

    “Justice is not a concept we read about in a book.  Justice is about the water we drink; justice is about the air we breathe; justice is about how easy it is to vote; justice is about how much ladies get paid,” she said.

    “Last year we took the power to the polls, and this year we’re taking power to the policy, because we have taken back the House of Representatives – and that’s just step one.

    “We’re going to keep pushing, because in 2018 we took the House of Representatives, and through 2020, we’re going to take the White House and the Senate, too. ”

    The marches came as concerns about diversity and inclusion have rattled groups across the country.  Allegations of bigotry against leaders of Women’s March Inc. , the national group formed by organizers of the 2017 march, threaten to overshadow the work of grassroots activists.

Here's what to know (and where to go) for the 2019 Women's Marches

    One of the national group’s leaders, co-chair Tamika Mallory, has been criticized in particular for her association with the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.  Farrakhan, who has led the black nationalist group since 1977, is known for hyperbolic hate speech aimed at the Jewish community, and made remarks such as “the powerful Jews are my enemy” in February.

    Then, an article last month in the Jewish online magazine Tablet, citing unnamed sources, accused Mallory and Perez of making anti-Semitic comments to a Jewish woman who invited them to organize the march.

    The group has released numerous statements condemning anti-Semitism and vowing to learn from its missteps through training and discussions – pledges that people associated with the group say are underway.

    In Washington, marcher Carmella Ormando told CNN the controversy gave her no reservations about participating.

Gillibrand condemns anti-Semitism at Women's March

    “Because nothing is perfect,” the Arlington, Virginia, resident said, when asked why.  “Because they have worked to solve some of their problems and use it as an opportunity to make some changes.

    “And because we need to support each other, because the cause is much bigger. ”

    She and Marian Klymkowsky, also of Arlington, said they marched in 2017.  Klymkowsky said they were back because they’re dissatisfied with the President.

    “He’s not uniting the country.  He has pat solutions for problems of his own making,” she said.  “Why wouldn’t you be out here marching? ”

    Jarfa Ashrafi said she wanted to have her voice be heard on topics she is passionate about.

    “I thought a women’s march, it would be a great first march for me to attend,” she said.

  CNN’s Emanuella Grinberg, Madeline Holcombe, Stephanie Becker, Dakin Andone, Meg Wagner, Greg Clary and Jessica Dean contributed to this report.
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy today held a review of COVID19 situation in the state and measures being taken to contain its spread. https://t.co/OYjUkSaT40

A 42-year-old police inspector, who had recovered from coronavirus infection, died in a hospital in Indore in the wee hours of Sunday, said the district administration. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced Rs 50 lakh as ex-gratia payment for the cop’s family and a government job for his wife. The police officer who was in charge of Juni police station in Indore contracted the virus while performing his duties, said police officials.  As per police officials, this was the first coronavirus-linked death of a police officer in the state. Chief medical and health officer (CMHO) of Indore, Dr Pravin Jadia said, “The police officer was hospitalised on March 31 having tested positive for Covid-19.  After his treatment, he twice tested negative for the disease and was about to be discharged from the hospital, when his end came. ”Dr Jadia added, “The doctors at the hospital, where the cop was treated, suspect that the police officer died due to pulmonary embolism.  However, it remains to be seen if the problem was caused by Covid-19. ”Paying tributes to the cop, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “The state government will provide Rs 50 lakh to the family as ex-gratia and appoint the police officer’s wife as a sub-inspector in the police department. ”State Congress president Kamal Nath also paid tributes to the police officer. The HT Guide to Coronavirus COVID-19


A picture shows a young Donald Trump partying with his shirt off.

Online advertisements are not a recommended source for reliable information.  In the past, we’ve determined fact-check ratings for a number of misleading ads.  One ad claimed that Amazon Prime’s membership prices had increased.  Another one appeared to falsely claim that Monica Lewinsky had died.  We even fact checked an ad with a doctored picture of a shirtless David Muir.  So when another ad purported to display a photograph of a young and shirtless Donald Trump with his arms outstretched, we decided to take a closer look.  The ad that purported to show a young and shirtless Trump had a grammatical error: “Photos of Young Donald Trump You Never Seen Before. ” But this is not a picture of Trump.  A reverse image search for the shirtless man photograph showed that it had only appeared on a very small number of websites.  The picture had never appeared on any credible news source.  We were not able to identify the man in the photograph, nor did we find its source.  A picture of Trump graduating from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968 showed no resemblance between the two people: Readers who clicked the ad were led to a lengthy slideshow story on the website Bon Voyaged with the headline: “The Trump Family Tree Of Gold. ” If the President of the United States family tree was an actual tree, it would be completely covered in gold.  We have collected some of the best photos from the Trump family’s past.  Follow the path of this current American dream family from their first ancestors that arrived in New York on a steamship in 1885 from Germany.  Click Next to follow the curated gallery of images from throughout time.  The story featured genuine, decades-old photographs of Trump and his family.  We clicked through all of the pages to view the pictures.  The photograph of the shirtless man with his arms outstretched did not appear in the story on Bon Voyaged.  It was another unfortunate bout of clickbait for any readers who got sucked in to click through the entire gallery.  The initial ad that claimed “Photos of Young Donald Trump You Never Seen Before” was hosted by the Outbrain advertising network.  It has been displayed on an unknown number of websites that partnered with Outbrain.  The strategy behind the creation of the ad was known as arbitrage.  The advertiser paid Outbrain to display the ad.  The ad lured readers to the lengthy slideshow story.  The goal for the advertiser was to make more money on ads displayed on the slideshow pages than it cost to run the initial and misleading shirtless ad.   This was certainly not the first time we’ve assigned false ratings to photographs that purported to show Donald Trump.  For example, one claimed to show a toddler-aged Trump in a suit.  Another faked picture showed Trump in a raft saving a hurricane victim.


BACK HOME: Officials teamed up to help a 600-pound sea lion return to the Columbia River, after it was found blocking a road in Washington. They worked for several hours to contain the sea lion and used a transport trailer to take it back to the river. https://t.co/otZRe3Qr6g https://t.co/4TfwN7tszk

By Amanda Jackson, CNNUpdated 10:10 AM ET, Tue February 25, 2020  (CNN)Deputies in Washington state had an unusual road hazard call on Sunday -- a 500-pound sea lion.


Check out the most eye-catching looks from the #Oscars red carpet https://t.co/7OPAyZdTOu https://t.co/p8GiQDdQzR

There was glitz, glamour and so much more! Gaga, J. Lo, Glenn Close: Here's our round up of the best red carpet looks of the 2019 OscarsThe 2019 Oscars are officially here, and the red carpet is full of celebrities who have waited for this moment to bring their fashion A-game. We've rounded up some of our favorite looks of the night. Lady GagaConstance WuAngela BassettBilly PorterDiane WarrenStephen JamesRegina KingAshley GrahamAmandla StenbergSpike LeeYalitza AparicioCharlize TheronAdam LambertMelissa McCarthyEmilie ClarkeAwkwafinaGlenn CloseJennifer HudsonMichelle YeohHelen MirrenEmma StoneMaya RudolphTina FeyBrie LarsonTessa ThompsonSarah Paulson24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


PM Narendra Modi in Guruvayur, Kerala: I assure you that Govt of India is standing with you, with Kerala govt and is working towards providing you all facilities for protection against Nipah virus. https://t.co/DFXr3onH22

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pledged to build a new India after a visit to the famed Sri Krishna temple in Kerala’s Guruvayur. “Positivity reflected well in this election.  It won, negativity lost badly.  The entire world is watching our democracy.  From the land of Guruvayur I take a pledge that we can build a new India.  We can surge ahead with positivity.  We can rise up to expectations of 130 crore people,” Modi said in Guruvayur in an address to BJP workers. In his first public interaction after his thanksgiving visit to Varanasi, he also said that Kerala mattered to him as much his as his own constituency.  Watch | PM Modi: ‘Kerala is as much mine as Varanasi’“Those who made us win are ours, those who did not make us win are also ours.  You may ask BJP drew blank in Kerala then why Modi selected Kerala for his first political speech…. . Kerala is as much mine as Varanasi,” Modi said. He was addressing BJP workers after a visit to the Sri Krishna temple in Guruvayur to offer prayers. The PM said although elections have their own place, the government’s responsibility is towards the country’s entire population. He thanked voters for “the festive spirit of democracy”. “I salute the people.  People are my gods,” he said. Modi underlined that his government would work for all without any discrimination. “I am the servant of all.  I am here to lift my county to its glory.  I am for all.  Whether we win or lose we are committed to all,” he said,He also described BJP workers as ‘jan sevak’ who are committed to serving the people lifelong. “Jan Sevaks are forever, not for mere five years,” he said. Modi said there was nothing to worry or panic about Nipah virus which resurfaced for the second time in Kerala. “The Government is with people.  The State and Central government will work together to fight it.  The Centre is closely monitoring the situation,” Modi said.


Jaipur: Voting concludes for the 5th phase of #LokSabhaElection2019 in #Rajasthan https://t.co/kkCjy7tf3e

After the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) landslide victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi on a thanksgiving visit on Monday. He marked his visit by offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple before heading to address party workers. Modi won the Varanasi parliamentary seat by a margin 4,79,505 votes, defeating his nearest rival Shalini Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. Follow highlights here:Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


Two newborn babies in Wuhan, China, have been infected with the novel coronavirus, according to state media. The youngest baby was diagnosed at just 30 hours old. https://t.co/3mbMOtYKwQ

Two newborn babies are among those who've tested positive for the virus. Quarantined patients speak out as concern grows for Olympic organizersTwo newborns reportedly are among the more than 28,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus, which now has killed more than 560 people since it was detected in December. The infants, one just 30 hours old, tested positive for the newly discovered virus on Wednesday at a children's hospital in Wuhan, China, the outbreak's epicenter.  Both babies, believed to be the youngest to contract the virus, were reported in stable condition, but now concerns have been raised over whether mother-to-fetus transmissions are possible, according to China Daily, a state-owned newspaper. At a news conference in Geneva on Thursday morning, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said 28,060 confirmed case of coronavirus have been reported in China, where 564 have died from it. China National Health Commission officials said at a news conference Thursday morning that nearly two dozen cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong and that two patients have died there. Ghebreyesus said another 225 confirmed cases have been reported outside of China, resulting in one death, a 44-year-old man in the Philippines. In the United States, 12 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported in Wisconsin, California, Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts and Illinois. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a global health emergency. Ghebreyesus urged the international community to invest in preparedness.  He said the WHO is asking for $675 million for its Strategy Preparedness Response plan to tackle the virus on a global scale. "Invest today or pay more later," he said. A 12th coronavirus case in the United States was confirmed by health officials in Wisconsin on Wednesday.  The patient, who recently visited Beijing, tested positive for the disease and has not been hospitalized, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The individual is isolated at home and is in good condition.  Health officials will monitor the patient's close contacts, as well as the health care workers who cared for the individual, for signs of illness. "The risk of getting sick from 2019 novel coronavirus in Wisconsin is very low," Jeanne Ayers, a state health officer, said in a statement Wednesday. The U. S.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shipped newly approved coronavirus tests to labs across the country so states can begin their own diagnostic testing instead of shipping all samples to CDC headquarters in Atlanta. The United States has evacuated a number of its citizens from China amid the health crisis. Two charter flights from Wuhan, containing about 350 passengers total, landed at the Travis Air Force Base in Northern California on Wednesday.  One of the planes refueled at the base before continuing on to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, according to a statement from U. S.  Army Lt.  Col.  Christian Mitchell. All travelers will be screened by CDC medical personnel at their final destinations and placed under a federally mandated 14-day quarantine.  The U. S.  Department of Defense "will work closely with our interagency partners and continue to provide support to the situation as requested," Mitchell said. Health officials in Nebraska and Texas are preparing for the arrival of Americans being rescued from Wuhan. Officials said on Thursday 70 American patients would be quarantined at the Camp Ashland National Guard base in Ashland, Nebraska.  Jeffrey Gold, chancellor of the Nebraska Medical Center, said the patients are being evacuated from the Wuhan area and all currently were healthy. He said anyone showing symptoms of the virus after arriving in Nebraska would be taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and treated in isolation. Capt.  Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of CDC's Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, said on Thursday that health officials are prepared to quarantine up to 250 people with American connections being evacuated from the Wuhan area at the Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio. McQuiston said the patients would be placed in a hotel, isolated from the rest of the base and ringed by a fence, guarded by federal marshals tasked with enforcing quarantines. She said the U. S.  State Department has identified about 1,000 Americans in China's Hubei Province, which includes Wuhan, who have requested help in evacuating to the United States. The CDC confirmed Wednesday that its staff had completed health screenings on all 167 evacuees from China who had arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.  Three adults and one child "were determined to have fever or a cough that warranted them being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation," the CDC said in a statement. The passengers who were quarantined last week after returning from Wuhan are expected to be released Feb.  11, officials said, as long as they and their immediate family members remain healthy. "As of today, based on what we know about this virus, the far outside of incubation period is 14 days, "Dr.  Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a news conference Wednesday. The new coronavirus causes symptoms similar to pneumonia -- sometimes mild, such as a slight cough, to more severe, including fever and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC.  There's no vaccine yet for the virus. Meanwhile, officials have expressed fears that the outbreak could disrupt the 2020 Summer Olympics slated to take place in Tokyo in July. "I am extremely worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the Games," Toshiro Muto, chief executive of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, said during a meeting Wednesday with officials from the International Paralympic Committee.  "I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible. "In an updated statement released Thursday, the Tokyo 2020 Press Office said "countermeasures" are being taken against the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases ahead of the Olympic Games to ensure a "safe and secure" event.  For instance, the Japanese government has established the Novel Coronavirus Headquarters, while the Tokyo metropolitan government has set up an internal task force. "Tokyo 2020 will continue to collaborate with all relevant organizations which carefully monitor any incidence of infectious diseases," the statement said, "and we will review any countermeasures that may be necessary with all relevant organizations. "Concerns about how the outbreak could affect the Olympics bubbled to the surface this week as at least 20 people aboard a cruise ship docked in Japan tested positive for the coronavirus. Since arriving at the Japanese port of Yokohama on Monday, the Diamond Princess has been quarantined at sea while all passengers and crew aboard undergo health screenings.  Those who tested positive were taken ashore to a hospital in the coastal prefecture of Kanagawa.  Those patients include elderly people and foreign nationals, according to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. "Quarantine of the cruise ship continues to be implemented," the ministry said in a statement Thursday.  "We are currently conducting a new coronavirus test for those who need it, and the results will be announced later. "A spokesperson for Princess Cruises, which operates the ship, said that those who tested positive included seven Japanese guests, three from Hong Kong, three Americans, two Canadians, two Australians, a guest from Taiwan, another from New Zealand and one crew member, from the Philippines. There were 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew members aboard the ship.  Approximately half are from Japan, with more than 400 passengers from the United States, according to the cruise line spokesperson. "The health and safety of our guests and crew remains our top priority," the spokesperson said in a statement.  "We continue to work closely with the Japan Ministry of Health on all protocols and procedures while ensuring the comfort of our guests. "The outbreak has caused several major U. S.  airlines to suspend all flights to China, and U. S.  companies and government agencies have evacuated staff from the country. The University of Southern California and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced this week they're suspending overseas programs in China after the U. S.  State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for China on Jan.  30, warning people to avoid all travel to China. ABC News' Erin Schumaker contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Sensex at 38,297.29, down by 1448.37 points. Nifty at 11,201.75, down by 431.55 points. https://t.co/b0UTEfhyvQ

Equity benchmark Sensex dropped over 400 points in opening trade on Wednesday tracking losses in index heavyweights HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank amid weak cues from global markets. After hitting a low of 29,602. 94, the 30-share BSE barometer pared most losses to trade 14. 98 points or 0. 05 per cent lower at 30,052. 23. Similarly, the NSE Nifty was quoting 9. 50 points, or 0. 11 per cent, down at 8,782. 70. Axis Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, falling up to 3 per cent, followed by Reliance Industries, TCS, ITC and IndusInd Bank. On the other hand, Sun Pharma, HUL, M&M and HDFC rallied up to 5 per cent. In the previous session, the BSE barometer surged 2,476. 26 points or 8. 97 per cent to settle the day at 30,067. 21; while the NSE barometer Nifty zoomed 708. 40 points or 8. 76 per cent to close at 8,792. 20 -- the best session ever for both indices in absolute terms and the biggest since May 2009 percentage-wise. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) turned net buyers in the capital market, as they bought equity shares worth Rs 741. 77 crore on Tuesday, according to provisional exchange data. Indian markets, in sync with global benchmarks, turned negative as worries over the economic impact of the pandemic continued to weigh on investor sentiment. According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, investors are awaiting an ease in lockdown procedures, so companies can get down to generating business.  In a holiday shortened week, any news regarding peaking infections will be bought into. Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul were in the red, while those in Tokyo were trading on a positive note. Benchmark exchanges on Wall Street ended lower in overnight trade. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 2. 26 per cent to USD 32. 59 per barrel. The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in India has crossed 5,000. Global tally of the infections has crossed 14 lakh, with over 82,000 deaths.


Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was today discharged from Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru after he recovered from #COVID19: Karnataka Chief Minister's Office (CMO)

The CM had tested positive for the disease on August 2. https://t.co/j9XIanY7FH

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa was discharged from hospital on Monday afternoon after recovering from Covid-19 .  “After recovering from COVID-19 completely, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has been discharged from the Manipal Hospital,” news agency PTI quoted an official statement from the state government. Thanking everyone for their wishes and prayers soon after being discharged, the chief minister said he will continue to be in self-quarantine.  “Thank you everyone for your wishes and prayers.  I have been discharged from the hospital and will be in self-quarantine.  Deeply grateful for your affection and support.  I look forward to getting back to the routine very soon,” he said in a tweet.   Thank you everyone for your wishes and prayers.  I have been discharged from the hospital and will be in self-quarantine.  Deeply grateful for your affection and support.  I look forward to getting back to the routine very soon. Yediyurappa had tested positive for the coronavirus disease on August 2 and had been hospitalised in Bengaluru’s Manipal Hospitals since then for treatment.  Tweeting about testing positive, he had asked all those who had come in contact with him to go in self- quarantine.  A day later, the CM’s elder daughter, BY Padmavati too had tested positive for the infectious disease. Many other leaders in the state have been infected with the virus in the state including former CM Siddaramaiah who tested positive on August 4. Most recently, Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, August 9.  Taking to Twitter, Sriramulu said that he was tested after he went down with flu-like symptoms.  He added that he was hospitalised because he had been visiting the state’s 30 districts amid the spike in coronavirus cases in the state.  The health minister has been admitted to the state-run Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru. The southern state reported 5,985 new Covid-19 cases and 107 deaths on Sunday, taking its tally to 1. 78 lakh and the toll to 3,198.


#UPDATE: BJP takes lead on four out of the eight #Gujarat Assembly seats which voted in by-polls, as per Election Commission trends. https://t.co/VjyWv9sTvA https://t.co/sFJNKIb7pw

The ruling BJP appeared set to retain six seats while the Samajwadi Party may get re-elected from the one it held earlier as counting of votes in the bypolls for seven Uttar Pradesh Assembly constituencies continued on Tuesday.  BJP’s Usha Sirohi was leading in Bulandshahr, Prem Pal Dhangar in Tundla, Shrikant Katiyar in Bangarmau, Satya Prakash Mani Tripathi in Deoria, Upendra Nath Paswan in Ghatampur and Sangeeta Chauhan in Naugawan Sadat, according to the latest trends .  In Malhani, SP’s Lucky Yadav was ahead of independent candidate Dhananjay Singh by 3,029 votes.  The seat was earlier with SP’s Parasnath Yadav.  A tough contest was on for the Naugawan Sadat seat held earlier by Chetan Chauhan, the former cricketer who was minister in Yogi Adityanath’s BJP government.  SP’s Javed Abbas was trailing there by 1,862 votes to his BJP rival Sangeeta Chauhan.  In Bulandshahr, BJP’s Usha Sirohi was leading by 9,841 votes over Bahujan Samaj Party’s Mohammed Yunus.  In Tundla, BJP’s Prempal Singh Dhanghar was ahead of SP’s Mahraj Singh Dhangar by 4,945 votes.  BJP’s Shrikant Katiyar was leading by 12,978 votes over Arti Bajpai of the Congress in Bangarmau.  In Ghatampur, BJP’s Upendra Nath Paswan was leading by 3,618 votes over the BSP’s Kuldeep Shankhwar.  In Deoria, BJP’s Satyaprakash Mani Tripathi had a lead of 5,443 over SP’s Brahma Shankar Tripathi.  The bypolls for the seven UP seats recorded a voter turnout of 53 per cent on November 3, when 88 candidates were in the fray.  Barring Malhani, which was with the Samajwadi Party, the other seats were earlier held by the BJP.  The Naugawan Sadat seat fell vacant after the death of minister Chetan Chauhan who died of COVID-19.  The Ghatampur constituency in Kanpur Nagar district was held by another minister, Kamal Rani Varun, who too died of the disease.  The Tundla seat fell vacant after its MLA S P Singh Baghel was elected to the Lok Sabha.  The Bangarmau seat in Unnao was vacated by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar after his conviction in a rape case.  The bypolls to the Bulandshahr, Deoria and Malhani seats were necessitated by the deaths of BJP MLAs Virendra Singh Sirohi and Janmejay Singh, and SP’s Parasnath Yadav.  Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party has fielded Mohammad Yameen from Bulandshahr to test its electoral popularity.  The Bulandshahr seat had the highest number of 18 candidates while Ghatampur seat had the lowest of six.  Sixteen candidates were in the fray in Malhani, 14 each in Naugaon Sadat and Deoria and 10 each in Bangarmau and Tundla.


We are planning to reopen schools, colleges and educational institutions from 1st September. However, final decision will be taken by the Centre: #Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma https://t.co/mWKZYSR99D

The Assam government has made preliminary plans to reopen educational institutions on September 1 but the final decision will depend on the directives of the Centre, state education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. All teachers and employees of the schools will have to get themselves tested, and the Education and Health departments will coordinate the efforts for the tests that will be conducted from August 23-30, the minister said while addressing a press conference here. “We have drawn up a preliminary plan for reopening schools but it is still open for further discussions with parents and other stakeholders, and will be implemented only in accordance with the directives of the Union government,” Sarma said. Schools will remain closed for students up to Class 4 till September-end, he said. Classes will be held in open spaces such as the playground or courtyard of the school for students of standard 5-8, he said. The classes will be divided into sections of 15 students and only these many students can attend classes at a time, he said. Students of standard 9 and 11 will attend classes in their classrooms for two days a week with 15 students being present at a time.  Those in standard 10 and 12 will attend classes four days a week. Only 15 students will be present at a time in a classroom and classes will be held for only three hours in a day, the minister said. “Efforts will be made to ensure maximum social distancing with schools initiating shift systems with a particular class coming at an allotted time of the day,” he said. At the degree level, classes will be held only for the final semesters while for the post-graduate students, the universities will take a decision. All these proposals will be put up on the website of the Education Department and people are welcome to give their suggestions till August 20, Sarma said. “We will work on these suggestions but also wait for the Centre’s directive before taking a final decision,” Sarma said. The minister further said that the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) and Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) have also been asked to consider either reducing the syllabus or providing maximum options in the question paper so that students do not face any difficulty if a portion of the syllabus has not been covered.  Educational institutions in Assam are closed since March 20, following the outbreak of the coronavirus.


Mumbai: Actor Arjun Rampal arrives at Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

NCB had conducted a raid at his premises on November 9. https://t.co/CrM5NqvvxD

Actor Arjun Rampal arrived at the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for questioning in a drug-related case on Friday morning.  He was summoned by the NCB on Wednesday after the agency conducted raids at his premises on November 9. Gabriella Demetriades, Rampal’s girlfriend, was also summoned by the NCB to appear before it on November 11.  Gabriella’s brother Agisilaos Demetriades was arrested by the agency based on reports that said he was a part of a drug syndicate linked to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The NCB had carried out searches at Rampal’s residence a day after arresting film producer Firoz Nadiadwala’s wife Shabana Saeed.  The NCB officials had allegedly recovered 10 gm ganja at Nadiadwala’s residence in suburban Juhu.  Shabana Saeed was granted bail on November 10. The NCB launched an investigation into the consumption and possession of drugs by people in the Hindi film industry after it received official communication from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in which there were various chats related to drug consumption, procurement, usage and transportation in connection with Rajput’s death. Rhea Chakraborty, Rajput’s girlfriend, was arrested on September 9 and subsequently released on bail by the bureau after she spent nearly a month in jail on charges of procuring drugs for him.


Ministry of Home Affairs order for the 21-day countrywide lockdown. #CoronavirusLockdown https://t.co/Hz1KDfYHIA

Amid the lockdown and restrictions across the country clamped to stop the outbreak of Covid-19, the coronavirus disease, the functioning of the government has also been affected.  India has reported 482 cases of Covid-19 so far and nine deaths across the country. Here is how various ministries in the government of India are coping with the lockdown and enhanced restrictions while continuing to do their work. Finance ministry“We are strictly following DoPT’s [Department of Personnel and Training] OM [office memorandum] dated March 22, 2020,” a finance ministry spokesperson said. “Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19”, directs heads of departments of all central government offices to draw up a roster of staff that includes all officers and employees, including consultants, contract and outsourced employees, who are required to render essential services within each department.  “They alone may be asked to attend office from 23rd March until 31st March 2020.  In other words, the office should function with a skeletal staff,” it said. Officials working from home should be available on telephone and electronic means of communications at all times, it said.  They should attend office if called for, in case of any exigencies of work, it added. Also read: Each new coronavirus infected Indian could spread it to 4 others, finds ICMR studyIt has directed the Department of Financial Services (DFS), which is the administrative authority for public sector banks and insurers, to implement the same directive.  The office of DFS is not located at the North Block.  It functions from a building about 2km of North Block that houses the finance ministry. Ministry of railwaysMajority of the 1. 3 million-strong Indian Railways’ workforce has also been asked to ensure bare minimum staff to come to work. Maintenance staff at railway locomotive sheds, however, are still working “at a bare minimum level as goods train loco needs attention,” the railway ministry said.  Goods trains’ locomotives also require minimum maintenance work on a daily basis. There is a lack of clarity at some such sheds over directions issued by the ministry on how the daily functioning would be affected. Also read: 16 private labs can now conduct coronavirus testsOn Monday, an employee of the Eastern Railways zone in West Bengal who had contracted Covid-19 died. For now, given an unprecedented cancellation of all passenger, mail express and suburban trains, the ministry has put on hold all priority projects and is focusing on monitoring the situation on the ground.  The priority will be to make arrangements from March 31 when the ban on public transport is scheduled to be lifted.  “Railways is working 24X7. . .  We are ensuring supply by moving goods like food grain, coal, POL, milk, vegetables etc, which is very important for society.  We clearly understand our responsibility during the next few months.  Please support us in fighting the spread of corona and ensuring essential supplies to the public,” the ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday.  External affairs ministryOnly the most essential divisions in the external affairs ministry handling Covid-19 related matters and the issues of stranded Indians are currently functioning, though, with reduced staff, people familiar with developments said.  Among the divisions that are currently working are administration, the Covid-19 cell, the foreign secretary’s office and the foreign minister’s office, the people said.  Rosters have been created for officials to come to work by turns.  Other divisions have resorted to working from home and are using teleconferences to discuss important issues, the people said.  Also read: EC defers Rajya Sabha polls as Covid-19 positive cases spike in country“It’s all coronavirus related issues now, anyway.  Nothing else is happening.  Even the limited bilateral and multilateral engagements underway are related to coordinated efforts to tackle Covid-19, such as the engagement at the level of Saarc or G20,” said a person who declined to be named. Housing and urban affairs ministryFollowing the order issued by DoPT, the ministry issued a detailed advisory to its employees.  It also suggested that as a precautionary measure, leave be granted expeditiously to all employees who apply for it whenever a request is made for self-quarantine. At a project monitoring level, the ministry has not stopped work on any of its key projects especially its most ambitious project— the Central Vista redevelopment plan.  Click here for complete coverage of coronavirusOn March 20 as the Centre was preparing for a countrywide lockdown, the housing ministry notified the land-use change of over 86-acre area in Lutyens’ Delhi that currently houses some of India’s landmark buildings like the Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block and South Block, among others, to expedite completion of the Rs 20,000-crore Central Vista redevelopment project.  Earlier in March, the Hindustan Times had reported that Centre’s application seeking environmental clearance for the construction of a new Parliament complex has been deferred by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), and the proposal is likely to be reconsidered after pending court cases related to the project are resolved. Defence ministryThe defence ministry and the armed forces have been at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19, setting up quarantine facilities across the country and carrying out evacuations from hotspots like Wuhan and Tehran.  The focus of the ministry is to ensure that the armed forces stay prepared for all challenges not just along the borders but also inside the country where Covid-19 cases are soaring.  Another focus is to make sure the disease does not spread within the military’s ranks.  Work in the ministry appears to be progressing well despite the coronavirus situation --- the ministry had green-lighted a Rs 38,000-crore jet deal and unveiled a new draft policy for arms acquisition that seeks to promote indigenisation.  The armed forces are issuing instructions to their personnel almost on a daily basis on how to stop the spread of Covid-19 and stay prepared for tasks assigned to them. Department of military affairsThe department of military affairs, under the chief of defence staff, has issued a letter directing all staff to adhere to the government’s fresh guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. The letter, issued on Monday, said except for officials engaged in essential services, the rest are directed not to attend office from Match 23 to March 31. “However all the officers/officials are requested to be available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times,” said the letter. Last week, the Indian Army announced home quarantine for soldiers posted in its headquarters here, staggered office timings and imposed a temporary freeze on postings and foreign assignments.  The Indian Air Force (IAF) also plans to work with 50% manpower in rotation to prevent the spread of disease within its ranks. Rural development ministryIn the rural development ministry, just 5% of the officials are coming to office.  But many senior officers are working overtime from office because the financial year is coming to an end and the individual ministries need to submit their reports in the government’s expenditure management system. These reports include both receipts as well as claims.  “Our team is working on skeletal staff.  Most of the rooms as closed but many officers are working from home too,” said a senior bureaucrat of the ministry. Department of Personnel and TrainingFor the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), work has been streamlined to ensure a smooth flow of information.  All senior officers are communicating via calls and the internet, officials said while speaking to HT.  “Our priority right now is to ensure a seamless exchange of information.  Key decisions are being taken, yesterday, the UPSC results were declared and uploaded on the website and released by our officials from home,” an official said. Nearly 80% of DoPT staff is now working from home. “The aim is to curtail the spread of the virus and the best way to ensure that is to follow government directives, especially on social distancing,” the official said. WCD ministryThe Union ministry of women and child development, in an office memorandum dated March 18, sent a set of preventive measures to all the employees of the ministry as well as those of its autonomous organisations and attached agencies. These include the National Commission for Women, Central Adoption Resource Agency and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.  Employees, who are unwell, are to work from home and asked to keep meetings at a minimum and rely on videoconference and telephones instead.  The ministry also asked its employees to not crowd the chambers and corridors of offices and asked officers to ensure that staff attached with them be allowed to work in shifts.  It also directed employees to rely on the DoPT notification from March 17, which detailed the steps all central employees and offices must take to halt the spread.


Kerala: Devotees offer prayers on the occasion of #Onam festival; visuals from Vamanamoorthy temple and Shiva temple in Kochi. https://t.co/0qgKNlGZUj

Chief of the Army Staff General MM Naravane on Wednesday visited forward areas in eastern Ladakh and reviewed the operational situation on the ground.  General Naravane commended the troops for their high morale and encouraged them to continue working with zeal and enthusiasm.  The Army chief also awarded commendation cards to the soldiers who fought with Chinese troops in the face-offs in eastern Ladakh sector.  General Naravane is on a two-day visit to Ladakh and on the first day, visited the forward locations in the eastern Ladakh area today.   Also read: Diplomatic border talks today to spell out steps to India-China disengagementGeneral MM Naravane #COAS visited forward areas in Eastern #Ladakh and reviewed operational situation on the ground.  #COAS commended the troops for their high morale and exhorted them to continue working with zeal and enthusiasm. #NationFirst pic. twitter. com/gc0rmw69FsThis comes a week after 20 Indian Army soldiers were killed in a brutal face-off with the Chinese army on June 15 in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.  ALSO WATCH | Army chief meets soldiers at Ladakh hospital amid China tension General Naravane’s visit comes on the sidelines of a crucial meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs (WMCC) that will take place today.  Also read: Latest updates on India-China border face-offArmy Chief Gen MM Naravane today awarded commendation cards to the soldiers who fought with Chinese troops in face-offs in Eastern Ladakh sector.  Indian&Chinese troops have been engaged in violent face-offs in Pangong Tso lake, Finger area & Galwan river valley: Army Sources pic. twitter. com/SQlhUAnVVfIndia and China are expected to have a candid conversation on ways to resolve the stand-off at four points in East Ladakh in today’s meeting. A “mutual consensus to disengage” was reached after a marathon meeting of military commanders of both sides was conducted on June 22. The meeting saw senior Indian and Chinese commanders in attendance at Moldo on the Chinese side of the LAC on Monday.  “Modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both the sides,” said an official privy to the matter.  The two officers of corps commander rank earlier met on June 6, when the two sides reached an understanding to implement a de-escalation plan to ease rising tensions along the contested border.


Punjab chief minister announces 2-hour window for use of green firecrackers on Diwali, Gurpurab

https://t.co/8blBKOkz3H https://t.co/cdynhNZgPL

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announced a two-hour window for the use of green firecrackers on Diwali and Gurpurab, with curb for Christmas too, except in Mandi Gobindgarh where a total ban is imposed from midnight of November 9-10 till November 30-December 1 midnight due to the poor Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed cities and towns in India with ‘moderate’ air quality (or below) to only allow the sale of green crackers and restricted timings to burst them during festivals. The NGT published its November 5 order on Monday that specified that average air quality for each city was to be calculated for November 2019 and then declared whether it was ‘poor’ or ‘moderate’ or otherwise.  For NCR and those cities with ‘poor’ (or worse) air quality, the NGT directed a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers from November 9-10, 2020 to the midnight of November 30-December 1, which would be reviewed thereafter. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorises AQI levels in the 0-50 range as good; 51-100 as satisfactory; 101-200 as moderate; 201-300 as poor; 301-400 as very poor.  Green crackers have 30% lower emissions of toxic gases than traditional ones and they do not contain barium nitrate, a metal oxide that increases both air and noise pollution. To address the issue of pollution which could aggravate the Covid-19 situation, NGT said the timings for bursting crackers other than green ones be restricted to two hours during festivals for cities and towns with ‘moderate’ air quality, as may be specified by the state concerned.  “If nothing is specified by the state, timing will be 8pm to 10pm on Diwali and Gurupurab, 6am to 8am on Chatt and 11. 55 pm to 12. 30 am during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  All states may initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of potential of aggravation of Covid-19,” read the order. The chief secretaries and director-general of police were directed to issue orders with enforcement guidelines, while pollution control boards were asked to monitor air quality status during this period.


Madhya Pradesh: Pragya Singh Thakur reaches BJP state headquarters in Bhopal. She defeated Congress' Digvijaya Singh with a margin of 3,64,822 votes from Bhopal parliamentary constituency. https://t.co/xwViGeTUNE

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes charge for a second time, after a long, divisive and gruelling election campaign, it is time for India’s political leadership to shift gears and turn on their governance lens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on Friday to form a new cabinet to tackle a stuttering economy and other challenges facing his second term after winning a big majority. Official data from the Election Commission showed Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party had won 296 of the 542 seats up for grabs and was ahead in seven more, up from the 282 it won in 2014. Also read: Lok Sabha elections done, what next 5 years hold for key leadersThe BJP would have the first back-to-back majority in the lower house of parliament for a single party since 1984.  Votes will be fully counted by Friday morning. Here arse the highlightsUnion Cabinet passes resolution to dissolve the 16th Lok SabhaUnion Cabinet passes resolution to dissolve the 16th Lok Sabha. Govt is safe: Karnataka deputy CM after BJP sweeps state“The chief minister called an informal cabinet meeting and we discussed the results of the Lok Sabha elections, including the results in Karnataka.  This election mandate was for the Lok Sabha and the country and not for the state government,” said Dr G Parameshwara, deputy Karnataka chief minister.  The rumours that this government is unstable that is coming from the opposition has also been discussed.  All ministers have expressed their confidence in the governance of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.  All our MLAs are with us and there is no danger to this government, he said.  Coordination committee chief Siddaramaiah too is of the view that this government shouldn’t fall for any reasons. To pave way for Deve Gowda, grandson Prajwal Revanna offers to resignPrajwal Revanna offers to resign from Hassan MP post so that his grandfather HD Deve Gowda can go to parliament.  Their family hasn’t taken a decision on this yet.  Results of 535 seats declared, BJP wins 301535 results have been declared so far of which 301 have gone to BJP, 52 to Congress, 23 to DMK, 22 to AITC, 21 to YSR, 18 to Shiv Sena, 16 to JD(U), 9 to TRS and BSP, 6 to LJSP, 5 to SP and NCP, 3 to IUML and TD, 2 each to JKNC, SAD and rest to Others, the Election Commission tweeted. Mamata Banerjee to meet TMC leaders tomorrowWest Bengal chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee will tomorrow hold a meeting with her party leaders at her residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat tomorrow.  UP Congress chief Raj Babbar quitsIn the wake of the Congress’ dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, state party president Raj Babbar has sent his resignation to Rahul Gandhi. Babbar has sent his resignation to Congress president Rahul Gandhi , a spokesman of the party’s state unit Rajiv Bakshi told PTI in Lucknow. He has sent his resignation taking responsibility for the party’s showing in the just-concluded polls, Bakshi said. Aung San Suu Kyi sends congratulatory letter to PM ModiState Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his big win in the Lok Sabha elections 2019.  PM Modi meets BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi“Dr.  Murli Manohar Joshi is a scholar and intellectual par excellence.  His contribution towards improving Indian education is remarkable.  He has always worked to strengthen the BJP and mentor several Karyakartas, including me,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi after meeting BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi. Gratitude for all who stood by me, voted for me: Urmila Matondkar“Gratitude. . is all I have for all of you who stood by me and who voted for me.  In my defeat also I stand a winner because of all of you.  And I promise to stand by you and never let you down,” Urmila Matondkar, tweeted Congress leader from Mumbai-North.  2019 performance could boost BJP’s assembly prospects in BengalTen years ago, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which was in the opposition, won 19 out of the 42 seats in West Bengal, then considered a Left bastion.  Mamata Banerjee’s party swept the subsequent assembly elections in 2011, winning 184 seats in the 294-member assembly and drawing curtains on the 34-year rule of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or the CPI(M). The outcome in this year’s national elections could be equally significant for the Centre’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which registered a vote share increase of about 23 percentage points — from 17. 02% in the 2014 elections to 40. 2%, say experts.  In face of Modi wave, all Opposition unity efforts come to a noughtThey came, they met and then they lost the game.  The opposition league, which was toying with names such as Secular Democratic Front, failed to dent or stop the Narendra Modi wave.  “Today I won’t go into what led to the loss,’’ said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.  “It is a fight of ideologies and I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ’’To defeat Modi, Gandhi had agreed to give up several things.  He hadn’t insisted on being the opposition’s PM candidate and he let regional leaders Sharad Pawar and Chandrababu Naidu take the lead in stitching the alliance.  Here’s how Opposition failed to stop the Modi wave, despite unity effortDecoding Lok Sabha election results 2019The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has improved its seat tally of 282 in 2014 to 303 (wins and leads as of 10pm) in 2019.  The BJP has maintained its near dominance in the northern and western regions of the country. Read: Decoding Lok Sabha elections 2019 in 10 questions‘BJP’s successes because of greats like him’: PM Modi meets LK Advani“Called on respected Advani Ji.  The BJP’s successes today are possible because greats like him spent decades building the party and providing a fresh ideological narrative to the people,” tweeted PM Narendra Modi after meeting senior BJP leader LK Advani.  Results of 527 seats declared, BJP wins 298, Congress win 52The Election Commission has so far declared the results of 527 seats.  Of the 527 Lok Sabha seats, 298 have gone to BJP, 52 to Congress, 23 to DMK, 22 to AITC, 21 to YSR, 18 to Shiv Sena, 16 to JD(U), nine each to TRS and BSP, six to LJSP, five each to SP and NCP, three to IUML and TD, two each to JKNC, SAD rest to Others. ‘Will you live up to your words now’: Babul Supriyo to Navjot Singh Sidhu“Will you live up to your words now,” tweeted Babul Supriyo to take a jibe at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu who had earlier said that he world quit politics if Rahul Gandhi doesn’t win from Amethi Lok Sabha seat.  Congress chief Rahul Gandhi faced a tough fight and lost the seat to BJP’s Srmiti Irani.  However, he won from Kerala’s Wayanad, the second seat he had contested the Lok Sabha election 2019 from.  Will you live up to your words now @sherryontopp, now that Amethi has clearly demonstrated their support for @smritiirani and BJP?   https://t. co/Qv7IRj8mJDSometimes overconfidence can make you say things but it's okay @sherryontopp , it's up to you to declare.  After all you are in the league of people who like to make sweeping declarations, not us!  #VijayiBharatPM Modi meets LK AdvaniPM Narendra Modi today arrived at senior BJP leader LK Advani’s residence.  He is accompanied by BJP president Amit Shah.  PM Modi to hold talks to form new cabinetPrime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on Friday to form a new cabinet to tackle a stuttering economy and other challenges facing his second term after winning a big majority.


All devotees coming from outside J&K for Vaishno Devi Yatra require valid #COVID19 negative test report not more than 48 hours older at the time of arrival. Without negative test report, they won't be allowed for the yatra: Ramesh Kumar, CEO, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, J&K https://t.co/xGmiGHtGGm

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Monday said pilgrims coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir are required to bring ‘valid Covid-19 negative test report’ not older than 48 hours on their arrival at Katra or else they will not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.  The pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple resumed on August 16, nearly five months after it was suspended due to the pandemic on March 18. The shrine board is abiding with all central health norms to contain the spread of virus.  Only 2,000 people are allowed to visit the shrine per day.  Shrine board CEO Ramesh Kumar said, “It was already decided that pilgrims from outside J&K will not be allowed without a valid Covid-19 negative report but we noticed that few yatris were not following the guidelines.  Therefore, they were not allowed to undertake the pilgrimage. ” “We have reiterated our guidelines again for the wider dissemination of people living outside the UT.  We would like to inform them again that pilgrims from outside J&K must come with valid Covid-19 negative report not older than 48 hours when they reach Katra so as to avoid any hardships.  Those without it shall not be allowed under any circumstances. ” For local pilgrims, rapid antigen tests are being conducted at the Katra base camp before allowing them to undertake the yatra.  On August 21, two pilgrims from Bihar had tested positive at Katra.  Kumar said, “They had not entered the track and were not in Ban Ganga.  They were in a colony,” he added.  Last week, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the shrine board, had paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.


Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reach Delhi-Noida flyway.

They are en route to #Hathras in Uttar Pradesh to meet the family of the alleged gangrape victim. https://t.co/VLWrj6vCPX

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

Other cities -  Noida,
											Gurgaon,
											Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhopal
											, Chandigarh , Dehradun,
											Indore,
											Jaipur,
											Lucknow,
											Patna,
											Ranchi

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Former Lok Sabha MP Jayant Chaudhary to visit Hathras on Sunday'All parents must teach their daughters good values': BJP's Surendra Singh'Determined to ensure the harshest punishment': UP CM AdityanathUP CM Yogi Adityanath recommends CBI probe in Hathras casePriyanka Gandhi meets Hathras gang-rape victim's familyRahul, Priyanka Gandhi reach Hathras, to meet victim's family soonLeft, Congress protest in Kolkata over Hathras incidentSP workers booked for protesting against Hathras incident in MuzaffarnagarSIT will look into all issues raised by victim's family: OfficialsMamata Banerjee to protest Hathras gang-rape, to take out a rally'Want to know whose body was burnt that day': Kin seek answers5 people to meet Hathras victim's family, says Rahul GandhiValmiki community members clash with police in AgraRahul, Priyanka Gandhi at Delhi Noida borderHigh security at DND as Rahul Gandhi leaves for HathrasMarking key developments in the case on Saturday, top officials of the Yogi Adityanath-led government have been rushed to meet the family members of 19-year-old Dalit woman who was allegedly gang-raped and assaulted by four men in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras village on September 14. The district administration had clamped prohibitory orders in the village, restricting access of people to the victim's family members on Saturday. In a second attempt, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have decided to go to Hathras on Saturday afternoon to meet the family of the 19-year-old victim who died earlier this week in Delhi. Catch all the major highlights from Saturday here: Former Lok Sabha MP Jayant Chaudhary to visit Hathras on SundayFormer Lok Sabha MP from Rashtriya Lok Dal Jayant Chaudhary said he will reach Hathras on Sunday at 11 am via a tweet.  कल ११ बजे, भूलगढी गाँव, हाथरस पहुँचूँगा!  बलात्कार_से_UP_शर्मसार'All parents must teach their daughters good values': BJP's Surendra SinghUP BJP MLA from Ballia Surendra Singh said that parents who have daughters should emphasize upon imparting good values.  He said these incidents can be curbed if the government and people work together.  He said harsh punishments might not deter people from committing such acts again.  #WATCH Incidents like these can be stopped with help of good values, na shashan se na talwar se.  All parents should teach their daughters good values.  It's only the combination of govt & good values that can make country beautiful: Surendra Singh, BJP MLA from Ballia.   #Hathras pic. twitter. com/47AmnGByA3'Determined to ensure the harshest punishment': UP CM AdityanathUP CM Yogi Adityanath said the state government is seeking an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation for a probe into all aspects linked to the Hathras episode. “We are determined to ensure the harshest punishment for all those responsible for this incident,” he tweeted in Hindi. हाथरस की दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण घटना और जुड़े सभी बिंदुओं की गहन पड़ताल के उद्देश्य से @UPGovt इस प्रकरण की विवेचना केंद्रीय अन्वेषण ब्यूरो (CBI) के माध्यम से कराने की संस्तुति कर रही है।इस घटना के लिए जिम्मेदार सभी लोगों को कठोरतम सजा दिलाने के लिए हम संकल्पबद्ध हैं।UP CM Yogi Adityanath recommends CBI probe in Hathras caseमुख्यमंत्री श्री @myogiadityanath जी ने सम्पूर्ण हाथरस प्रकरण की जांच सीबीआई से कराए जाने के आदेश दिए हैं।Priyanka Gandhi meets Hathras gang-rape victim's familyHathras: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra interacts with the family members of the alleged gangrape victim.  pic. twitter. com/1yPItFq1EGRahul, Priyanka Gandhi reach Hathras, to meet victim's family soonHathras: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reach the residence of the victim of #HathrasIncident.  pic. twitter. com/oswFEhSjHnLeft, Congress protest in Kolkata over Hathras incidentLeft and Congress activists protested in Kolkata on Saturday against the alleged gang rape of a Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras that has triggered a nationwide outrage. Carrying placards having slogans such as "Defeat fascist BJP at Centre and TMC in Bengal" and "Down with fascists who throttle democracy", around a 1,000 members of the CPI(M), Congress and their affiliates marched from Moulali to Esplanade in the heart of the city in the afternoon. SP workers booked for protesting against Hathras incident in MuzaffarnagarSamajwadi Party workers, including its youth wing vice president Gaurav Jain and district media in-charge Sajid Hasan, were booked for violation of prohibitory orders in Civil Lines area, police said on Saturday. SIT will look into all issues raised by victim's family: OfficialsThe SIT will look into all issues raised by the family of the 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras, and the strictest action will be taken against the culprits, Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Awasthi, said on Saturday after meeting the victim's kin.  Mamata Banerjee to protest Hathras gang-rape, to take out a rallyWest Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee takes out rally in Kolkata in protest against alleged gang-rape and assault of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras.  'Want to know whose body was burnt that day': Kin seek answersTalking to media after two days, the 19-year-old victim's family questioned hurried cremation by the government.  "We want to know whose body was burnt on that day.  And if it was our sister's body then why did they burn her (the body) in this manner?  All of us requested the police and the administration to allow us to see her one last time," said the victim's brother after the media was allowed in the village and to speak with the victim's family. 5 people to meet Hathras victim's family, says Rahul GandhiA maximum of 5 people will meet Hathras gang-rape victim's family in view of Section 144, says Rahul Gandhi in address at Delhi-Noida border. Valmiki community members clash with police in AgraScores of Valmiki community members who were protesting against the Hathras incident clashed with the police in Agra on Saturday. The protesters pelted stones at the policemen and official vehicles. Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi at Delhi Noida borderCongress leader Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, on their way to Hathras, stopped at Delhi-Noida border.  High security at DND as Rahul Gandhi leaves for HathrasHeavy police deployment has come up on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Noida on Saturday, ahead of a scheduled visit of a Congress delegation that plans to meet the family of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras who died after allegedly being gang-raped. First published: Oct 03, 2020 12:15 IST


#GujaratByPolls: BJP wins three seats, leads on five out of the total eight assembly seats that went into by-poll in the state. https://t.co/7H77ld8FiP

The first phase of Bihar Assembly elections will be held on October 28.  This phase will cover 71 assembly constituencies. The notification for the first phase of Bihar assembly elections was issued on October 1, and the last date of nominations was October 8.  The withdrawal of candidature was allowed till October 12. Among the constituencies where voting will be held in the first phase is Kahalgaon.  It is located in Bhagalpur district and comes under the Bhagalpur Lok Sabha constituency. Full Coverage: Bihar Assembly Election 2020According to the 2011 census, 93. 05 per cent of Kahalgaon constituency’s population is rural and 6. 95 per cent, urban.  The scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) comprise 11. 71 per cent and 1. 12 per cent of Kahalgaon constituecy’s, respectively. Ajay Kumar Mandal of Janata Dal (United) is the present Lok Sabha MP of Bhagalpur and Sadanand Singh of the Congress party is the present MLA from Kahalgaon. What happened in 2015? Nine-term MLA Sadanand Singh won the seat in the last Assembly election, defeating Niraj Kumar Mandal of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) by 21,220 votes.  While Singh secured 64,981 votes in the 2015 elections (over 36 per cent votes share), Mandal got 43,752 votes (24. 70 per cent of vote share). This time around, the Congress has fielded Sadanand Singh’s son Shubhanand Mukesh from Kahalgaon. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has, meanwhile, gave ticket to Pawan Kumar Yadav candidate from Kahalgaon.  The party has decided to raise the issue of dynastic politics. The seriousness of Congress can be gauged from the fact that its former president Rahul Gandhi chose Kahalgaon as one of the venues for his two rallies on October 23.  Sadanand Singh is the chief of the Congress legislature party in the outgoing assembly. The Bihar Assembly elections will be fought in three phases.  While voting in the first phase will be held on October 28, the other phases will be held on November 3 and 7.  The results will be announced on November 10. The BJP is fighting these elections along with the Janata Dal (United); the Congress has joined Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and three other Left parties to form Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) to challenge the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).


Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for downsized hajj amid pandemic

https://t.co/r8kOie2LYM https://t.co/kQJbmUPU50

Muslim pilgrims have started arriving in Mecca for a drastically scaled-down hajj, as Saudi authorities balance the kingdom’s oversight of one of Islam’s key pillars and the safety of visitors in the face of a global pandemic. The hajj, which begins on Wednesday, normally draws around 2. 5 million people for five intense days of worship in one of the world’s largest gatherings of people from around the world. This year, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Ministry has said between 1,000 and 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage.  Two-thirds of those pilgrims will be from among foreign residents in Saudi Arabia and one-third will be Saudi citizens. The kingdom has one of the Mideast’s largest outbreaks of the coronavirus, with nearly 269,000 reported infections, including 2,760 deaths. Fatin Daud, a 25-year-old Malaysian who is studying Arabic in Saudi Arabia, was among the select few whose application for hajj was approved.  After her selection, Saudi Health Ministry officials came to her home and tested her for the COVID-19 virus.  She was then given an electronic bracelet that monitors her movements, and told to quarantine for several days at home. After that, Daud was moved to a hotel in Mecca, where she remains in self-isolation, still wearing the electronic wristband.  A large box of food is delivered to her hotel room three times a day as she prepares to begin the hajj. “It was unbelievable.  It felt surreal because I was not expecting to get it,” she said of her excitement when she found out she was selected.  Daud said she’s praying for the end of Covid-19 and for unity among Muslims around the world. “I am confident that safety measures are being taken and that the only thing that we need to do as pilgrims is follow instructions, and try our best to support each other,” she said. While self-isolating has been emotionally challenging, Daud said she is part of a group of about 10 Malaysian and Singaporean pilgrims connecting online and sharing tips and religious exercises to keep busy. The Saudi government is covering the expenses of all pilgrims this year, providing them with meals, hotel accommodation, transportation and health care.  Normally, the hajj can cost thousands of dollars for pilgrims who save for a lifetime for the journey.  It also generates billions of dollars in revenue each year for Saudi Arabia. Saudi kings have for generations assumed titles as custodians of Islam’s holiest sites, and their oversight of the hajj is a source of prestige and influence among Muslims globally.  Saudi Arabia has never canceled the hajj in the nearly 90 years since the country was founded. King Salman, who typically oversees the hajj from Mecca, underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder at a hospital in the capital, Riyadh, the royal court said last week.  The 84-year-old monarch was to remain at the hospital to recover and be observed by doctors. For the first time in Saudi history, no pilgrims from abroad were permitted to take part in the hajj due to concerns about the coronavirus and overcrowding.  It’s a stark departure from previous years, when some 2 million pilgrims from more than 160 countries flocked to Mecca for the spiritual rituals, mostly from across Asia and Africa. Although the hajj often draws all age groups, pilgrims this year were required to be between the ages of 20 and 50, and in good health. The physically demanding rituals of the hajj offer a profound experience for Muslims, with the faithful often weeping, their palms stretched toward the sky, in prayer and repentance.  The hajj is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in a lifetime. This year, international media were not given permission to cover the hajj from Mecca. Also this year, pilgrims must wear face masks and will only be able to drink holy water from the Zamzam well in Mecca that has been prepackaged in plastic bottles.  Pebbles for casting away evil that are usually picked up by pilgrims along hajj routes will be sterilized and bagged before being distributed to the pilgrims. Pilgrims are also bringing their own prayer rugs and will be required to pray at a distance from one another, rather than packed shoulder-to-shoulder.


Amidst multiple reports of dead bodies of COVID-19 fatalities being dumped in the river Ganga in Bihar, a post accompanying an image of dozens of dead bodies floating along the shore is being widely shared across social media platforms with a claim that the image shows the recent incident of floating dead bodies in river Ganga in Buxar, Bihar.  Through this article, let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. Claim: Image of floating dead bodies in river Ganga in Buxar, Bihar. Fact: While it is reported that dead bodies of COVID-19 fatalities are being dumped in the Ganga in Bihar, this image actually shows dead bodies floating along the shores of Ganga near Pariyar in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh back in 2015.  Multiple news agencies have reported the incident back then.  This image has nothing to do with Buxar or COVID-19.  Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING. Reverse image search of the photo in the post led us to the same image on Getty Images, a stock images repository.  As per the description accompanying this image on this website, the image shows dead bodies floating along the shore of the Ganga near Pariyar in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh.  As per the details provided on this website, this image was clicked on 14 January 2015. Taking a cue from the stock image, Google search with relevant keywords yielded multiple news articles which reported the incident back in 2015.  As per one such news article, this image shows dead bodies floating along the Ganges (Ganga) in Unnao, UP.  As per this article, ‘the officials believed that these are probably those dead bodies which were given water burial at a nearby cremation ground area called Pariyar Ghat’. Indian Express and Zee news have also reported the incident back in 2015.  Even these reports establish that the image is from Unnao, UP. It has been reported that suspected COVID-19 dead bodies were found floating in Ganga and in particular along the shores of Ganga in Buxar, Bihar.  These reports can be read here and here.  However, the image in the post has nothing to do with COVID-19 or Bihar. To sum it up, 2015 image of dead bodies floating in Ganga in UP is being shared as image of floating dead bodies in river Ganga in Buxar, Bihar. .


Chaos unfolded at Hong Kong's airport when riot police clashed with protesters who flooded the airport to rally against a proposed law, which would have seen people extradited into mainland China's opaque justice system.

Here's what the unrest looked like https://t.co/kgUc7DeXyq https://t.co/Qmghgpcnr8

Demonstrators have been occupying the airport. Pro-democracy protests turn violent as Hong Kong airport cancels flights againHONG KONG -- Riot police stormed the Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday as protests by thousands of anti-government demonstrators forced flights to be canceled for the second straight day. Travelers at one of the world's busiest airports were advised that check-in had been suspended and hundreds flights were cancelled, and that they should leave the terminals as quickly as possible and contact airlines for more information. The clashes appeared to represent an escalation 10 weeks after the protest's massive, peaceful beginnings in early June, when hundreds of thousands marched in the semi-autonomous city against a now-suspended extradition bill.  A Chinese official said Tuesday that protesters "have begun to show signs of terrorism," and China appeared to be weighing a crackdown on the democratic movement. Bolstered by anger over the crackdown by Hong Kong police, the protests has grown more confrontational in recent weeks and reached new levels last Monday with a city-wide strike that disrupting traffic and hundreds of flights. After weeks of issuing warnings, but deferring to Hong Kong authorities to quell protests, Beijing has hinted at a more assertive posture.  Chinese paramilitary police were seen in video released by the state holding exercises in Shenzhen, China, which sits across the border from Hong Kong.  Images circulated online showing a convoy of armored personnel carriers from the People’s Armed Police traveling to the site. U. S.  President Donald Trump meanwhile took to Twitter to say that U. S.  intelligence "has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong.  Everyone should be calm and safe! "Earlier on Tuesday, Trump told reporters he hoped the situation in Hong Kong "works out for everybody, including China, by the way," and that "nobody gets killed. "The U. S.  State Department has urged "all sides to exercise restraint," according to a spokesperson, but it has vocalized more support for the protesters than Trump, saying the U. S.  is "staunch in our support for freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Hong Kong. "The spokesperson also urged China "to adhere to its commitments. . .  to allow Hong Kong to exercise a high degree of autonomy" and noted "concerns about the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy. "China resumed control of Hong Kong in 1997 after 156 years of British rule and pledged to respect the autonomy and way of life of the city, which had become an economic powerhouse and bastion of freedom in the region. Tensions come as the United States and China have been locked in a year-long trade war and both sides have accused the other of engaging in unfair practices and dragging their heels to reach a deal.  Senior U. S.  officials like Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have been sharply critical of China, especially its increasingly strong hand around the world and human rights record at home, and last month Pompeo called China’s treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority the “stain of the century. ”On Tuesday, Pompeo met in New York with China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi, the director of the Central Foreign Affairs Committee.  The two men "had an extended exchange of views on U. S. -China relations," according to State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.  The State Department would not say how long the meeting had been planned in advance and whether they discussed Hong Kong. The protests in semi-autonomous Hong Kong began in June, when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to march against a proposed change to Hong Kong’s extradition law that would allow individuals to be sent to mainland China for trial.  The proposal prompted fears that China would use it to round up political dissidents. Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, suspended consideration of the bill indefinitely but stopped short of completely withdrawing it from the legislative agenda.  She refused to say Tuesday whether she had the authority to do so, prompting outrage from protesters who call her a puppet for Beijing. Tuesday marked the fifth consecutive day that the black-clad demonstrators have occupied the airport.  Protesters held an orderly sit-in at one of the terminals and elsewhere clashed with police in chaotic scenes that unfolded on live television. At one point, a group swarmed around and detained one man, believed to be an undercover police officer, and some protesters attacked him while others tried to shield him.  Medics eventually arrived and cared for him before he was carried out of the airport. Hu Xijin, the editor-in-chief of China's state-owned nationalist newspaper Global Times, later said the man was one of his reporters and had been sent to the hospital. Sean Lavin, an American who is in Hong Kong on vacation, said that he and his travel companions are slated to fly out of the airport on Wednesday, but the protests have left that in question. "I'm supposed to leave tomorrow late afternoon so I've been monitoring the airport [to] see if we can," Lavin told ABC News Live by phone.  "Right now we don't know if we can leave so we're watching very closely. "Lavin said his group arrived in Hong Kong from Phuket, Thailand, several days ago, and that they were surprised to find throngs of protesters after making their way through customs. "It was something I've never experienced before," he said, adding that the protesters were "very polite" and helped his group find their way out of the airport. ABC News' Morgan Winsor, Meghan Keneally and Benjamin Gittleson contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Jim Boeheim, longtime head coach of the Syracuse University men's basketball team, hit and killed a pedestrian who was walking along Interstate 690 late Thursday night in upstate New York, according to police https://t.co/AxstenJH5C https://t.co/qxYzHeR9CC

Jim Boeheim was cooperating with the investigation, police said. Syracuse basketball coach involved in fatal car accidentSyracuse University men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim struck and killed a pedestrian late Wednesday night, according to local police. No criminal charges are expected in the case, Syracuse police officers said at a Thursday news conference, calling it a "tragic accident. "Boeheim stopped at the scene and tried to render aid and is cooperating with the investigation, police said. The legendary college coach underwent "field sobriety and alco-sensor tests" which "were negative for any signs of impairment," according to police. Boeheim released an emotional statement Thursday morning. "I am heartbroken that a member of our community died as the result of last night’s accident," Boeheim said. The deadly accident took place around 11:20 p. m. , police said. The victim, Jorge Jimenez, 51, of Syracuse, had been in a car that lost control on the highway, hitting a guard rail, police said. The car was in the middle of the road when the accident occurred, according to police. We are saddened by the death of a member of our Central New York community. Jimenez and the three others in the car with him were walking along the highway when, according to authorities, Boeheim noticed the vacant vehicle and tried to avoid it, according to police. "As a result," Boeheim, 74, "struck the victim who was standing on the side of the road," according to a police statement.  One other person suffered minor injuries, according to police. The collision was on a dark stretch of road, police said, and Boeheim used his cellphone light to try to warn other drivers and prevent additional crashes. Weather may have played a role, according to police. The coach said he and his wife "extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family. ""Out of respect for those involved, I will not be providing further comment at this time," Boeheim said. Boeheim's speed was not immediately clear, according to police, but Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick told ABC Syracuse affiliate WSYR the coach was driving at an appropriate speed. Coach Boeheim is understandably heartbroken by the loss of life. The crash came shortly after Syracuse won its home game against the University of Louisville. "We are saddened by the death of a member of our Central New York community," Syracuse Athletics Director John Wildhack said in a statement.  "We extend our deepest condolences to all impacted by this tragic accident. "Wildhack said "Boeheim met briefly with his team" on Thursday "but did not attend or participate in practice. ”Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud added, "I am deeply saddened by the news that a member of our Central New York community was tragically killed in an accident last night involving Coach Jim Boeheim. ""Coach Boeheim is understandably heartbroken by the loss of life," Syverud said, offering his "deepest condolences to the Jimenez family and all those grieving this terrible loss. "ABC News' Ben Stein contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Delhi: PM Narendra Modi digitally launches the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and e-Gopala App for farmers along with several other initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors in Bihar. https://t.co/9YVmK0AMpf

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country. PM Modi also inaugurated the e-Gopala App, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “People engaged in pisciculture will benefit largely from this scheme.  It is our aim that in the next 3-4 years we double our production and give fisheries sector a boost. ”He spoke Jyoti Mandal, Raju, Brijesh and Monica, farmers who are engaged in animal husbandry and fisheries sector and said that their stories have encouraged the prime minister and are a source of inspiration to farmers across the nation.  “PMMSY will pave the path for a renewed White revolution (dairy sector) and Sweet revolution (apiculture sector),” the prime minister said.  He further added that 21 states in India will launch the scheme and will boost for the fortunes of several milkmen and apiculturists. The PMMSY scheme will see an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore from 2020-21 to 2024-25 as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) package.  According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), this is the highest ever investment in the fisheries sector. Prime Minister also outlined that the project will also boost Ganga cleanliness projects and subsequently the aim to provide clean environment to dolphins under Project Dolphin will also receive a boost.  Prime Minister Modi also lauded Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s chief minister, for providing farmers with support during the times of coronavirus pandemic.  Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that the project will allow people involved in pisciculture and animal husbandry to help bring variety and new technologies in the sector.  He said that the steps taken by the government will boost India’s aim to become self-reliant.  PM said that farmers played a pivotal role in providing food to the nation during the lockdown phase and when coronavirus was spreading.  Highlighting the success of the PM KISAN scheme in the state, the Prime minister said that Bihar’s 75 lakh farmers have received more than Rs 6,000 crore due to the scheme.  The project in Bihar envisages investment of Rs 1,390 crore with the central share of Rs 535 crore and the additional fish production target pegged at three lakh tons.  During the current fiscal, the Union government has sanctioned Bihar’s proposal costing Rs 107 crore. At present, no digital platform is available in the country for farmers managing livestock including buying and selling of disease free germplasm in all forms, availability of quality breeding services and guiding farmers for animal nutrition, treatment of animals using appropriate medicine. There is no mechanism to send alerts on due date for vaccination, pregnancy diagnosis and calving among other issues and inform farmers about various government schemes and campaigns in the area. The e-Gopala app will provide solutions to farmers on all these aspects. The PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25, increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 1,00,000 crore by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25 per cent to about 10 per cent and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.


President Donald Trump suggested to a Florida crowd he may fire Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases, after the election. https://t.co/UFMkZear1k

Weekly cases and deaths are both up more than 15% over the previous week. US crosses 250,000 coronavirus deathsA pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1. 2 million people worldwide. Over 46. 5 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.  The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their outbreaks.  The criteria for diagnosis -- through clinical means or a lab test -- has also varied from country to country. Since the first cases were detected in China in December, the virus has rapidly spread to every continent except Antarctica.  The United States is the worst-affected nation, with more than 9. 2 million diagnosed cases and at least 231,003 deaths. Nearly 200 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are being tracked by the World Health Organization, at least 10 of which are in crucial phase three studies.  Of those 10 potential vaccines in late-stage trials, there are currently five that will be available in the United States if approved. New COVID-19 cases are on an upward trajectory in 49 states and territories, according to an internal Health and Human Services memo obtained by ABC News. Three jurisdictions are at plateau, while cases in four jurisdictions are going down, the memo said. In total, 565,606 new cases and 5,782 deaths were reported during the period of Oct 24-30, representing a 15. 8% increase from the previous seven-day period. The national test-positivity rate also increased to 6. 8% from 6. 4% in week-to-week comparisons. And 21% of hospitals across the country reported having more than 80% of their ICU beds filled, compared to 17-18% during the summertime peak. -ABC News' Josh MargolinNearly 200,000 children in the United States tested positive for COVID-19 last month including 61,000 new cases reported in the one-week period ending Oct.  29, according to state health department data compiled by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association. That one-week stretch marks the greatest single weekly increase in new cases among children seen thus far in the U. S.  outbreak. "This is a stark reminder of the impact this pandemic is having on everyone – including our children and adolescents," Dr.  Sally Goza, president of AAP, said in a statement.  "This virus is highly contagious, and as we see spikes in many communities, children are more likely to be infected, too. "In total, more than 853,000 kids have tested positive for COVID-19, a number AAP believes to be low, given that children often experience mild COVID symptoms and aren’t tested as frequently as adults. Gov.  Charlie Baker rolled out a series of executive orders in Massachusetts Monday as COVID-19 cases in the state continue to rise. According to the governor's office, residents are to be at home between 10 p. m.  and 5 a. m. , although going to work, essential trips for food and medicine and exercising outdoors are still permitted.  In-person dining in restaurants will end at 9:30 p. m. Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people; 25 for outdoor events.  Anyone found not to be in compliance with the new rules can be fined up to $500 for each person above the limit. The new orders, which take effect on Nov.  6, come after Massachusetts reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases for nine consecutive days. ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos contributed to this report. The world can learn from countries that have successfully reduced the number of COVID-19 cases, WHO Director General Dr.  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a remote press conference Monday. Tedros, who is currently quarantining after being exposed to someone with COVID-19, invited professor Yae-jean Kim, an infectious disease expert from Seoul's Samsung Medical Center in South Korea, to explain how the country brought its outbreak under control.  According to Kim, the key elements of South Korea’s response were rapid PCR testing and isolation; transparent communication with the public through press releases and conferences; and public participation and compliance with public health measures. ABC News’ Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.