Time magazine has named Swedish teen climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg as its Person of the Year https://t.co/9j4qzjb6Th https://t.co/5JTN0T814U

The shortlist included Hong Kong protesters and politicians. Greta Thunberg is Time’s Person of the YearGreta Thunberg was named Time magazine's 2019 Person of the Year.  She is youngest figure to receive the distinction in its 92-year history. "She became the biggest voice on the biggest issue facing the planet this year, coming from essentially nowhere to lead a worldwide movement," Time Editor-in-Chief Edward Felsenthal said at the announcement on Wednesday.  "She embodies youth activism. "The 16-year-old Swedish climate activist has become an iconic face in the fight to save the planet from climate change.  Last year, she began spending her Fridays protesting by herself outside the Swedish parliament, and that effort grew to her leading a host of student-led climate strikes involving millions of people all around the world. Thunberg sailed on a solar-powered boat from England to New York this fall for a United Nations climate summit instead of flying, emphasizing it's less harmful to the environment.  She then drew worldwide attention for her fiery speech at the U. N. , where she accused world leaders of stealing her dreams and childhood with their inaction on climate change. "Entire ecosystems are collapsing.  We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth.  How dare you! " she asked at the U. N.  in September.  "The eyes of all future generations are upon you.  And if you choose to fail us, I say -- we will never forgive you. "Thunberg, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in March, has vowed the marches will continue until world leaders give serious attention to protecting the environment for future generations. "Her rise in influence has been really extraordinary," Felsenthal said Wednesday.  "She was a solo protester with a hand-painted sign 14 months ago.  She's now led millions of people around the world, 150 countries, to act on behalf of the planet, and she's really been a key driver this year taking this issue from backstage to center. "Felsenthal added that Thunberg "represents a broader generational shift in the culture that we're seeing from the campuses of Hong Kong to the protests in Chile to Parkland, Florida, where the students marched against gun violence, where young people are demanding change urgently. "Thunberg has been very vocal about her diagnosis of Asperger's, a neurological disorder characterized by difficulty with social and communication skills, and has compared it to a superpower, as she believes it's helped her stay focused on her goals. As Time announced its distinction, Thunberg was attending U. N.  climate talks at the COP25 conference in Madrid. Instead of runner-ups, Time announced winners of four additional categories for 2019. It named the World Cup-winning U. S.  National Women's Soccer Team as Athlete of the Year, Grammy-nominated artists Lizzo as Entertainer of the Year, Disney CEO Bob Iger as Businessperson of the Year and recognized "Public Servants" as the "Guardians of the Year" -- including the anonymous intelligence community whistleblower and "all of the career public servants who took great professional risks in pursuit of the truth. "Known as "Man of the Year" or "Woman of the Year" until 1999, the annual issue of Time magazine profiles a person or group, idea or object, that "most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year, for better or for worse," former Time Managing Editor Walter Isaacson wrote in the 1998 issue.  Though the outlet runs an online poll for People's Choice, the final decision is made by editors. The other finalists for the magazine's annual title this year were President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the whistleblower and the Hong Kong protesters. The top 10 contenders included Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, U. S.  Women's National Team Captain Megan Rapinoe, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and Trump's personal lawyer. Time's 2018 Person of the Year was "The Guardians" -- journalists who have faced persecution, arrest or murder for their reporting -- including Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa and the staff of the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland. Time's first Man of the Year was aviator Charles Lindbergh following his trans-Atlantic flight in 1927. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


PM @narendramodi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha

Follow live updates here: https://t.co/9YNfaWQuPn https://t.co/f0iMtAvopC

The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitching for consensus among all political parties to push crucial legislations, including a bill that seeks to criminalise the practice of instant divorce among Muslims. Addressing an all-party meeting about a month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an impressive mandate in this summer’s general election, Modi told floor leaders of various political parties to keep their differences aside to avoid disruptions in proceedings. Follow highlights here:I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India: Rahul GandhiMy 4th consecutive term as a Member of the Lok Sabha begins today.  Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India: Rahul Gandhi.  My 4th consecutive term as a Member of the #LokSabha begins today.  Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India 🇮🇳Samajwadi Party MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/jAV1MtmCNCSmriti Irani receives longest applause while taking oath as Lok Sabha memberUnion Minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, received the longest applause when she took oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha on Monday. As soon as she was called for oath taking, ruling BJP members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, other union ministers and MPs were seen enthusiastically thumping the desk for a long time, reports news agency PTI. BJP Parliamentary board likely to meet later todayDelhi: BJP Parliamentary board likely to meet later todayCongress MP from Kerala takes oath in HindiCongress MP from Kerala, Kodikunnil Suresh, surprised everyone on Monday by taking oath in Hindi as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha. The Kerala MP’s move was welcomed by the House with loud thumping of desks. Suresh was the second member to take oath after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  The oath was administered by pro tem Speaker Virendra Singh, reports news agency IANS. Sonia Gandhi to wait her turn this timeSonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, will take oath along with other lawmakers from Uttar Pradesh.  In 2014, the Lok Sabha secretariat had made an exception for the former Congress president.  She and BJP patriarch LK Advani had taken oath right after the ministers to reflect their seniority.  This time, the secretariat did not extend the special gesture to Sonia Gandhi.  After Union Ministers take oath, newly-elected MPs are called to take oath in the alphabetical order of the states they were elected from.  Within a state, too, the MPs are called in an alphabetical order of their names. Union Budget will be presented on July 5The Union Budget will be presented on July 5. The fresh bill to ban instant triple talaq will be introduced in Parliament to replace an ordinance issued in February.  Under the proposed law, instant triple talaq will be illegal and attract a jail term of three years.  The previous bill lapsed as it was passed in the Lower House but could not be cleared in the Rajya Sabha. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament.  Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from ChhindwaraDelhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament.  Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara.  Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath & his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament.  Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara.  pic. twitter. com/bRwMUF9xF4The session will see tabling of triple talaq bill and a legislation to allow the voluntary use of AadhaarThe session, which will conclude on July 26, will see the tabling of the triple talaq bill and a legislation to allow the voluntary use of Aadhaar as an identity proof for opening bank accounts and getting mobile phone connections. Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/Rrx1OpzYq8BJP MP from Bihar’s Madhubani, Dr.  Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani artDelhi: BJP MP from Bihar’s Madhubani, Dr.  Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art.  Delhi: BJP MP from Bihar's Madhubani, Dr.  Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art pic. twitter. com/w8oZ4dhg4SSunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP MPs Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: BJP MPs Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha pic. twitter. com/1HeXigKKbeIt’s a great institution which has shaped country’s past, present and future: Tejasvi SuryaTejasvi Surya,BJP MP at Parliament: It’s a great institution which has shaped country’s past, present and future.  I am entering it with lot of gratitude for people who have elected me and also with sense of idealism to ensure Bharat Mata reaches pinnacle of glory which it’s destined to do.  Tejasvi Surya,BJP MP at Parliament: It's a great institution which has shaped country's past, present & future.  I'm entering it with lot of gratitude for people who've elected me&also with sense of idealism to ensure Bharat Mata reaches pinnacle of glory which it's destined to do pic. twitter. com/0pWIa7AaPxBJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Smriti Zubin Irani takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaBJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Smriti Zubin Irani takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Union Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Union Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. BJP president and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/zL5yKYdYCuBJP MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/sPtter3DO4First session of 17th Lok Sabha commences; Newly elected MPs take oathFirst session of 17th Lok Sabha commences; Newly elected MPs take oath. PM Modi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok SabhaPM Modi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha. New Parliament session beginsNew Parliament session begins. We should work in larger interest of nation: PM ModiIn Parliament, we should forget ‘Paksh’, ‘Vipaksh’ and think about issues with ‘nishpaksh spirit’, work in larger interest of nation: PM Modi. Opposition need not bother about their numbers: PM ModiOpposition need not bother about their numbers, I hope they speak actively and participate in House proceedings: PM ModiNew friends will join today and they will bring new energy: PM ModiWe are working to fulfill people’s aspirations.  New friends will join today and they will bring new energy.  We value the Opposition and their role.  The Opposition should play an active role in the Parliament: PM ModiRequest all parties to support the decisions that are in favour of people: PM ModiPM Modi at the Parliament for the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha: After several decades, a government has won absolute majority for the second term.  People have given us the chance to serve the country again.  I request all the parties to support the decisions that are in favour of people. There are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session: PM ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament: Today, a new session is starting, there are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session.  Since independence ,this Lok Sabha elections saw highest number of women voters and women MPs.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament: Today, a new session is starting, there are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session.  Since independence ,this Lok Sabha elections saw highest number of women voters and women MPs.  pic. twitter. com/YGGGDInX99‘Proactive opposition key to democracy’, says PM Modi ahead of new Parliament sessionProactive opposition key to democracy.  Opposition need not bother about their numbers.  I hope they will speak actively and participate in house proceedings, says PM Modi ahead of new Parliament session. Inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha will start with swearing of its membersThe inaugural session of the 17th Lok Sabha will start on Monday with the swearing in of its members.  After getting elected to the House, members have to take the oath before any other business, including the election of the Speaker, takes place. BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as protem speaker of 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as the protem speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, at Rashtrapati Bhawan.  Delhi: BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as the Protem Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, at Rashtrapati Bhawan.  pic. twitter. com/74wzfKf9uwPM Modi to be first to take oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok SabhaPrime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first to take oath in the new Lok Sabha on Monday while United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi might get a special slot to do so over the two-day-long swearing-in ceremony, officials said on Sunday. Request ruling and opposition parties to make effort to find solutions: Thawar Chand GehlotThawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha ahead of parliament session of 17th Lok Sabha today: I would request ruling party as well as opposition parties that any problem can be resolved through discussions.  So, during the session, parties should make an effort to find solutions.  Thawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha ahead of parliament session of 17th LS today: I would request ruling party as well as opposition parties that any problem can be resolved through discussions.  So, during the session, parties should make an effort to find solutions pic. twitter. com/FcWZOmXNdQFirst session of 17th Lok Sabha will begin todayThe first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin today.  Delhi: The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin today; Union Budget to be tabled on 5th July in this session of Parliament.  pic. twitter. com/BMHOu656hB


Manipur: A mother names her newborn baby ‘Emmanuel Quarantino’ after she gave birth to the baby boy at a quarantine centre in Imphal; says, “The baby is healthy, I am also fine now. I appreciate the efforts of the doctor who helped us in this critical time." (05.06.2020) https://t.co/Yeq1NQPoVx

Sep 08, 2021-Wednesday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

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

											Powered by
Tamil Nadu man dies of Covid-19 in PuducherryWith 370 fresh cases, UP's Covid-19 tally crosses 10K-mark3 new cases of Covid-19 in Pondy, tally reaches 107All mild, asymptomatic patients to be discharged within 24 hrs: Delhi govt to hospitalsHotels, restaurants can re-open if norms are followed: CMOne more dies of Covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir as the toll rises to 3713 new Covid-19 cases in Nagaland; total rises to 1074,286 special trains ferried over 58 lakh migrants to destined placesCovid-19 cases in Delhi cross 26,000, 1,000 admitted in last 3 daysCovid-19 cases in Bihar near 5,000, 147 fresh cases reportedCovid-19 cases in Indonesia cross 30,000, 993 new cases reportedRussia reports 8,855 Covid-19 cases in a single dayDelhi CM says some labs and hospitals acted 'unruly' amid the pandemicDelhi CM says asymptomatic people should not testAnybody facing breathlessness or any symptoms will have to be taken in: Delhi CMCoronavirus will change the way people travel globally.  Travel restrictions are likely to be eased considerably in Europe, with European Union asking for coronavirus restriction free travel across the Schengen area as well as between EU member nations.  India and China have started their domestic flight operations with the latter opening up its airspace to international travellers as well. Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemicCoronavirus in Europe has now found a new epicenter in the UK as the death rate crossed 40,000, making it the worst-hit nation in Europe.  The US, Mexico, Brazil, Russia and India continue to see a large number of cases.  India on the other hand has a lower mortality rate compared to these other nations.  India has recorded 9,887 cases in the last 24 hours.  The death toll has reached 6,642. Tamil Nadu man dies of Covid-19 in PuducherryA 43-year-old man from neighbouring Tamil Nadu died here on Saturday of Covid-19 as three more tested positive for the virus in the union territory. The apparently asymptomatic man from Chennai, who visited his in-laws here a couple of days ago died of heart attack and an autopsy disclosed that he was positive for the infection, a spokesperson of the Health Department told PTI. With 370 fresh cases, UP's Covid-19 tally crosses 10K-markThe number of coronavirus positive cases in Uttar Pradesh crossed the 10,000-mark with 370 fresh cases reported on Saturday even as the number of casualties rose to 268. The number of Covid-19 cases in the state now stands at 10,103 as on Saturday. 3 new cases of Covid-19 in Pondy, tally reaches 107Three new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Puducherry on Saturday, taking the overall tally of infections in the union territory to 107. A release from the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services said five patients taking treatment in the territorial government run Indira Gandhi Medical college hospital in neighbouring Kadirkamam were discharged. All mild, asymptomatic patients to be discharged within 24 hrs: Delhi govt to hospitalsAll asymptomatic Covid-19 patients and those having mild symptoms are to be discharged from hospitals within 24 hours of admission, and district surveillance officers should be reported, according to a Delhi government order. All hospitals have been asked to strictly comply with the directions, officials said. Hotels, restaurants can re-open if norms are followed: CMKarnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday said hotels and restaurants would be allowed to re-open, but the precautionary measures laid down by the Centre against coronavirus were mandatory. CM Yediyurappa on Friday held a meeting with the tourism and transport department, also stakeholders, regarding revival of tourism in the state. One more dies of Covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir as the toll rises to 3713 new Covid-19 cases in Nagaland; total rises to 107The number of Covid-19 cases in Nagaland crossed the 100-mark on Saturday as 13 more people tested positive for the disease, taking the tally to 107, an official said. All the 13 Covid-19 patients were lodged at a quarantine facility in Dimapur since their arrival in a Shramik Special train from Chennai on May 22, said state Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme Dr Nyan Kikon. 4,286 special trains ferried over 58 lakh migrants to destined placesVinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman of the Railway Board said that 4,286 shramik special trains carrying migrants to their destined places have been operated till now.  The demand has decreased from 250 trains to 137 trains per day.  He also mentioned that 56 trains were operated in the last 2 days, reports ANI.  4,286 shramik special trains carrying over 58 lakh migrants to their destined places have been operated till now.  The demand for these trains has decreased from 250 to about 137 per day.  We operated 56 trains in the last 2 days: Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman Railway Board pic. twitter. com/eWNUwx0HKICovid-19 cases in Delhi cross 26,000, 1,000 admitted in last 3 daysDelhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain  said that the national capital has so far reported 26,334 coronavirus cases and over 1,000 patients have been admitted to hospitals in the last three days, reports ANI. Covid-19 cases in Bihar near 5,000, 147 fresh cases reported147 people tested positive for coronavirus in Bihar, taking the total number of cases in the state to 4,745, reports ANI.  Covid-19 cases in Indonesia cross 30,000, 993 new cases reportedIndonesia reported on Saturday its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections, with 993 new cases, taking its total number to 30,514, a health ministry official said, reports Reuters. Russia reports 8,855 Covid-19 cases in a single dayRussia has reported 8,855 cases and 197 deaths in the last 24 hours.  Death toll and cases continue to rise in Russia. Delhi CM says some labs and hospitals acted 'unruly' amid the pandemicDelhi CM said that some labs had discrepancies and deliberately did not correct them bringing a bad name to the efforts Delhi's frontline workers have put in to curb the pandemic.  He said, tests were being conducted regularly, and testing numbers will also be ramped up.  Delhi CM says asymptomatic people should not testDelhi CM says that asymptomatic people remain fearless and not start testing themselves.  He said there is a chance that the 'system can collapse' if everyone begins or starts demanding tests even if the people wanting to test are asymptomatic. Anybody facing breathlessness or any symptoms will have to be taken in: Delhi CMDelhi CM says that hospitals cannot demand Covid-19 tests if any person complaining of breathlessness or high fever comes in.  He said that an order will be passed to make sure that these patients are taken in and there is no demand for a Covid-19 tests.  First published: Jun 06, 2020 06:26 IST


"That's my boy!" A man in New York was overjoyed when Spike Lee took home the #Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, having grown up watching his movies. #Oscars https://t.co/nFfda5pUYn https://t.co/63wSXZ5IUc

  The 91st Academy Awards was a night marked by historic firsts, inclusiveness and a final twist.

  The following is a list of nominees and the winners.

  “Black Panther”

  “BlacKkKlansman”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody”

  “The Favourite”

  “Green Book” *WINNER

  “Roma”

  “A Star Is Born”

  “Vice”

  Amy Adams, “Vice”

  Marina de Tavira, “Roma”

  Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk” *WINNER

  Emma Stone, “The Favourite”

  Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”

  Mahershala Ali, “Green Book” *WINNER

  Adam Driver, “BlackKKlansman”

  Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”

  Richard E.  Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me”

  Sam Rockwell, “Vice”

  “Capernaum”

  “Cold War”

  “Never Look Away”

  “Roma” *WINNER

  “Shoplifters”

  “Black Sheep”

  “End Game”

  “Lifeboat”

  “A Night at the Garden”

  “Period.  End of Sentence. ” *WINNER

  “Free Solo” *WINNER

  “Hale County This Morning, This Evening”

  “Minding the Gap”

  “Of Fathers and Sons”

  “RBG”

  “All The Stars” - “Black Panther”

  “I’ll Fight” - “RBG”

  “Shallow” - “A Star Is Born *WINNER

  “The Place Where Lost Things Go”  - “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” - “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

  “Incredibles 2”

  “Isle of Dogs”

  “Mirai”

  “Ralph Breaks the Internet”

  “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” *WINNER

  “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

  “BlacKkKlansman” *WINNER

  “Can You Ever Forgive Me? ”

  “If Beale Street Could Talk”

  “A Star Is Born”

  “First Reformed”

  “Green Book” *WINNER

  “Roma”

  “The Favourite”

  “Vice”

  Christian Bale, “Vice”

  Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”

  Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

  Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”

  Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”

  Glenn Close, “The Wife”

  Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”

  Olivia Colman, “The Favourite” *WINNER

  Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me? ”

  Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman”

  Pawel Pawlikowski, “Cold War”

  Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Favourite”

  Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma” *WINNER

  Adam McKay, “Vice”

  “Black Panther” *WINNER

  “The Favourite”

  “First Man”

  “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “Roma”

  “Cold War”

  “The Favourite”

  “Never Look Away”

  “Roma” *WINNER

  “A Star Is Born”

  “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

  “Black Panther” *WINNER

  “The Favourite”

  “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “Mary Queen of Scots”

  “A Quiet Place”

  “Black Panther”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  “First Man”

  “Roma”

  “Black Panther”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  “First Man”

  “Roma”

  “A Star Is Born”

  “Animal Behaviour”

  “Bao” *WINNER

  “Late Afternoon”

  “One Small Step”

  “Weekends”

  “Detainment”

  “Fauve”

  “Marguerite”

  “Mother”

  “Skin” *WINNER

  “Black Panther” *WINNER

  “BlacKkKlansman”

  “If Beale Street Could Talk”

  “Isle of Dogs”

  “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “Avengers: Infinity War”

  “Christopher Robin”

  “First Man” *WINNER

  “Ready Player One”

  “Solo: A Star Wars Story”

  “BlacKkKlansman”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  “Green Book”

  “The Favourite”

  “Vice”

  “Border”

  “Mary Queen of Scots”

  “Vice” *WINNER
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


A video of a large group of Sikh men holding a protest carrying swords and sticks in their hands is being shared on social media claiming it to be related to the farmers protest in Punjab.  In the video, we can hear ‘Khalistan zindabad’ chants from the protestors.  In the wake of ongoing farmers protest over the new farm bills, this video going viral on social media.  Let’s verify the claim made in the post. Claim: Sikh farmers carrying swords, sticks and chanting ‘Khalistan zindabad’ in the ongoing protest against farm bills. Fact: Video shared in the post is an old one.  This video shows a rally conducted by a large group of Sikh men in 2016.  This rally was conducted in protest of the Lalkar Rally planned by Akhila Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti (ABHSS) in Amritsar.  This video has nothing to do with the ongoing farmers protest over the new farm bills.  Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. On reverse image search of the screenshots in the video, similar visuals were found in a video posted by a YouTube channel ‘Khalsa Gatka Group’ on ‘25 May 2016’.  In the description of the video, it is mentioned as the live video from Beas river bridge and warns Shiv Sena not to come to Amritsar.  Mentioning more details about this rally, Khalsa Force published an article on their website mentioning that thousands of Sikhs assembled at the Beas river bridge on ‘25 May 2016’ to challenge the Hindu right-wing party Shiv Sena who announced to take out a ‘Lalkar Rally’ at Amritsar. The Sikh groups named this rally as ‘Anakh rally’ (rally of pride).  We can see the same visuals both in the shared video as well as the video on YouTube. According to the articles published by ‘Hindustan Times’ and ‘The Indian Express’, though Akhila Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti (ABHSS) had called off their ‘Lalkar Rally’, Sikh groups organized ‘Anakh Rally’ in protest of the cancelled rally.  These reports can be read here and here.  Punjab local channel ‘Global Punjab TV’ also reported about the ‘Anakh Rally’ organized at Beas river bridge. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that the video shared in the post has nothing to do with the ongoing farmers protest over the new farm bills passed by the Government of India. To sum it up, 2016 video of a rally organized by the Sikh groups is now being shared as the farmers protest over the new farm bills.


Protest at Ghazipur (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) border against the  Centre's three farm laws continues for the 65th day

(pics: ANI)

Updates: https://t.co/hxmpVYuGvW https://t.co/7ugFbseEzI

Numerous farmer leaders said on Saturday that there would be a record gathering of peasants and farm labourers on border points in Delhi on Tuesday as more and more farmers were moving towards the national capital.  The protest against the three news farms laws passed by the parliament in September has entered day 67. Also Read| ‘Not going to war’: Farmers’ leader calls for peaceful protestThe Union home ministry on Saturday had temporarily suspended internet services at Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders till 11pm tonight.  An official said that the decision was taken in order to “maintain public safety and averting public emergency” under Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017.  The services were first suspended in some parts of Delhi and NCR on Republic Day (Tuesday) when violence erupted during the tractor rally. Also Read| ‘Repeal of laws must to resolve impasse’: SAD president Sukbir Singh BadalMeanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat Radio broadcast said that the country was shocked to see the insult of the Tricolour on Republic Day after a religious flag was hoisted at the Red Fort during the tractor march taken out by the farmers. Follow all the updates here:Haryana government extends suspension of mobile internet servicesHaryana government extends suspension of mobile internet services in 14 districts till 5 pm on February 1 to "prevent any disturbance of peace and public order" amid protests,. Opposition leaders coming out of empathy: Rakesh Tikait"The Opposition leaders must be coming out of empathy.  There's no point for them to look for votes here.  We will talk to the government as we believe that the issue can only be solved with dialogue," says Rakesh Tikait of Bharatiya Kisan Union. Farm bills will neither affect APMC nor MSP, reiterates Tomar"The latest farm bills will neither affect APMC nor MSP.  I think Sharad Pawar Sahab has been misinformed about the facts of the bill.  I hope he will understand the correct facts and change his stand," says Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal meets Rakesh TikaitShiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal meets farmers' leader Rakesh Tikait.  "I congratulate Rakesh Tikait ji for his fight against the farm laws.  All farmers are grateful to him, our party stands with him," said Badal after meeting Tikait at Ghazipur border. Agriculture minister responds to Sharad Pawar's criticism of farm lawsUnion agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday responded to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar after he posted a critique of new farm laws that have fuelled massive protests over the last two months in the country.  Tomar hoped that Pawar "will change his stand" and "explain the benefits of the laws to farmers. " He also said Pawar is such a veteran leader, "I would like to believe that he was genuinely misinformed of the facts. " Read moreInternet services being restored: Haryana CMWe spent all year under Covid's shadow.  Everything went digital including students' classes.  I believe govt has taken steps to curtail internet due to situation after Jan 26 but services are being restored.  PM said again the possibility for talks are open: Haryana CM ML KhattarAAP writes to Punjab CM, seeks deployment of policeAam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha writes to Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh seeking deployment of Punjab police at protests site.  "AAP demands that you deploy Punjab Police in sufficient numbers to surround the camps where the peaceful protests are being held from all sides," Chadha said in the letter. Farmers 'ill-treatment' by PM Modi, Shah, may trigger unrest: Sanjay RautShiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday cautioned the Central government over its handling of the ongoing farmers' protests against the three farm laws and said that the country has already experienced what happens when a spark of revolt was lit in the Sikh community.  Read moreFarmers' agitation enters 65th dayProtest at Ghazipur (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) border against the Centre's three farm laws continues for the 65th day. INLD's Abhay Chautala on his way to Gazipurथोड़ी देर में हजारों किसानों के साथ गाजीपुर बॉर्डर पहुंच रहा हूँ!  सरकार की हर साजिश का मुंह तोड़ जबाव देंगे ||#farmersrprotest #किसान_एकता_जिंदाबाद pic. twitter. com/4etFiDL0dtIndian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala is on his way to Gazipur border.  "Reaching Ghazipur border with thousands of farmers in a while!  Will reply to breaking the government's conspiracy, " Chautala tweeted. There won't be any agreement under pressure, says Rakesh TikaitThere won't be any agreement under pressure.  We will hold discussions on the issue, Prime Minister is ours also, we are thankful for his initiative, we will respect it.  We want our people to be released: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait https://t. co/K4oi2VcQnW pic. twitter. com/pyfSHpfH5XResponding to PM Modi's message on Saturday where he said that the Centre's offer on farm laws made to the farmers on January 22 would still remain, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait thanked the Prime Minister for this initiative and added that there would be no agreement made under pressure. Govt should release our men, says farmer leader Naresh TikaitFarmer union leader Naresh Tikait requested the Centre to release the protesters and also prepare a platform for talks.  “A respectful solution should be reached.  We will never agree to anything under pressure,” Tikait told news agency PTI. Jan 26 violence was a conspiracy by the BJP, says SisodiaDelhi chief minister Manish Sisodia said that the violence which broke out during the Republic Day tractor rally was a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).  Sisodia further added that not only the BJP's, but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility had been dented due to lies over farm laws. India was shocked to witness the insult of Tricolour on January 26Speaking about the violence that broke out during the farmers' tractor rally on Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country was shocked to witness the insult of the Tricolour on that day. Haryana Congress to begin peace march in support of protestersHaryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Kumari Selja said on Saturday that the party would organise a peace march in every block of the state between February 3 to 5 in support of the protesting farmers.  "BJP government was crossing all limits of shamelessness.  All tactics were being adopted by the party to declare the farmers as traitors," she further alleged. Security remains tightened at Singhu border in DelhiDelhi: Security deployment continues at Singhu border as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws enters 67th day; latest visuals from near the protest site.  pic. twitter. com/tEUzhpjwjSHeavy security deployment continued at the Singhu border in the national capital as the farmers' agitation against the central government's three new farm laws entered day 67.  On Friday, clashes broke out between the protesters and local residents at the protest site and a minimum of 44 people have been arrested by the Police. Delhi Police file 38 FIRs, arrest 84 people in connection with Republic Day violenceThe Delhi Police said on Saturday that it had registered 38 FIRs and arrested 84 people in connection with the violence that broke out during the tractor rally on Republic Day.  The Police added that the crime branch had obtained 1,700 mobile clips and CCTV footage of the chaos in the national capital from the general public. Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


A crowd gathered in the Atlanta suburb of Decatur to watch the removal of a Confederate monument -- the latest controversial symbol toppled in the wake of the George Floyd protests. https://t.co/qV5xeTbtuv

"There's a difference between reverence and remembrance," a city official says. Revising a divisive historyThey're the faces in communities that can hide in broad daylight.  Many residents admit that before George Floyd's death, they never even noticed the chiseled and controversial figures. But for those who have, monuments -- especially Confederate monuments -- can spark a range of emotions from honor to hate. Over the weekend in New Orleans, a group ripped down a statue of John McDonogh, a wealthy pre-Civil War slave owner who helped fund the city's public school system. The protesters then rolled the bust into the Mississippi River. "It's time for the statues to go," said Malcolm Suber, a protester with Take 'Em Down NOLA.  "The death of George Floyd and what it really represented was the straw that broke the camel's back. "Some cities, including Jacksonville, Florida, have preemptively started taking their monuments down.  But many statues are still standing, including a massive monument of a Confederate soldier in Jasper, Alabama. In Gulfport, Mississippi, a monument of a Confederate soldier sits next to the Harrison County Courthouse with the words, "Lest We Forget. " The statue was unveiled in 1911, 46 years after the end of the Civil War. 1911 was a big year for putting up Confederate monuments in a number of states; across the South, numerous statues were erected during the Jim Crow era.  Then more were erected while the KKK flourished, during the civil rights era. Critics say monuments were meant to intimidate, while supporters believe they were built to remember. "I do believe that those monuments were put up in good faith by people who wanted to honor what they perceive to be the sacrifice of their own flesh and blood," said Bruce Roberts, a Harrison County resident. Roberts, like many other whites in the South, isn't shy about his Confederate pride.  While talking to us, he was holding the state flag of Mississippi -- the only state flag in the United States that still incorporates the Confederate battle flag. "I still think that this should be our state flag.  I don't think it should be offensive," Roberts said. But Gulfport city leaders, and some residents, disagree.  On Tuesday, the Gulfport City Council voted to take down the Mississippi flag and replace it with a neutral magnolia flag.  The magnolia is the state flower of Mississippi. "If somebody says that they are offended, people of goodwill, if they are offended, and they don't like it, I mean I do have to be cognizant of that," Roberts said. Supporters like Roberts believe the legacy of the Confederacy is being turned into one of hate and racism, even though the facts are clear that the Confederacy fought to maintain the institution of slavery and its economics, resulting in a war that split up families and left at least 618,000 dead. "If we just can't agree then at some point, with the democratic process then OK . . .  if we're going to change things, let's change them, but let's do it in an orderly fashion," Roberts said.  "And we can do it without mob violence.  We can do it without disrespecting one another. "Down the street, Spencer Schultz and his brother, Jared, were getting haircuts.  Spencer's heading into the army after graduating from a high school not far from the Confederate monument that sits outside the Harrison County courthouse. "I think states kind of idolize those figures," said Spencer, who is white.  "And I don't think we should idolize people who owned slaves. ""[The monument] shouldn't really be outside.  It should be somewhere to memorialize at least soldiers but not what they stood for," Jared added. But proving this isn't simply a black-and-white issue.  Avery Sullivan, a black Gulfport resident, said he's fine with the monument.  What matters to him is racial justice for all. "To me, it's just a part of our history, it really doesn't bother me that much," he says.  "It's not about that, it's about the people. "It's a debate striking cities across the country.  A number of Southern states have passed laws which make it difficult to remove or alter Confederate monuments. In Mobile, Alabama, however, city leaders ignored their state law when they decided to take down a statue of a Confederate naval officer, sparking anger from members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a nonprofit made up of descendants of Confederate soldiers. Arnold, who did not want to give his last name, is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a veteran himself.   "If you would speak to veterans of different wars, not that they would have the same political or social views or opinions, but most of us, I do believe, I'm not speaking for anyone but myself, but I believe most of us respect the dignity and honor of the other's service," he said. The Confederate symbol is no stranger to New Orleans, a city known for its diverse culture, rich food, and, of course, Mardi Gras.  Once the home of the largest slave market in the United States, New Orleans erected Confederate monuments across the city following the Civil War.  But in 2017, at the direction of then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the city took down a handful. "There's a difference between reverence and remembrance," Landrieu told ABC News.  "We should always remember, so that we never repeat.  That's a whole lot different than using a prominent public space to revere people for doing something that, in my opinion, should not be revered. ""When these statues, Confederate statues particularly, but when others went up as well . . .  it wasn't a community decision," said Molly Mitchell, a history professor at University of New Orleans.  "It was a decision by certain groups of people, and those were the white people in power. "In New Orleans, some groups are now calling for more statues to come down, like the monument to President Andrew Jackson in the French Quarter's Jackson Square -- sparking more conflict in the Big Easy.  Critics say the pre-Civil War president was a brutal slave owner who brought some of them to White House. "I just view it as an attack on our history," said Jeff Crouere, a radio show host for WGSO 990 AM.  When asked if he thinks it's an ugly history, Crouere, who is white, said, "I would say it's certainly a history that's got some terrible things about some of these people, and some things that were pretty exemplary. "Crouere points out that after the Civil War, General P. G. T.  Beauregard, whose statue was taken down in New Orleans in 2017, advocated for voting rights for former slaves.  Beauregard, though, according to historians, thought blacks were "ignorant" and could be persuaded to vote his way. "Let's look at that history," said Professor Mitchell.  "It's ugly -- it's very ugly.  It's state violence, and it's intimidation, and it's denial of the political power control process. "And now, some are taking history into their own hands. Remember that bust of John McDonogh that sank to the bottom of the Mississippi in New Orleans? That statue was later fished out by a group of what appeared on tape to be white men.  It's unclear where the statue is now. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Precaution being taken at polling booths in West Bengal as voters step out to cast their votes amid #COVID19 pandemic

Till 2:30pm, 54.90% (provisional) of voter turnout recorded in phase 1 of #BengalElections, as per ECI

LIVE updates: https://t.co/BpactJ4AHE

#ElectionsWithHT https://t.co/nES5FUTQ4e

Polling for phase 1 of the assembly elections in the states of West Bengal and Assam ended at 7pm on Saturday.  In the first phase, voters in 77 assembly constituencies-30 in West Bengal and 47 in Assam- cast their votes.  The two states have 294 and 126 assembly constituencies, respectively. Click here for all assembly election 2021 updatesThe West Bengal assembly elections are scheduled to take place in eight phases, while Assam will vote in three.  In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces a stiff challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, in office since 2011, seeks a third consecutive term as the chief minister of the state.  Meanwhile, in Assam the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is pitted against the Congress-led 'Mahajoth'. Also Read | Battle for the east kicks off in 1st phase of voting todayOther than West Bengal and Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will also go to polls in a single-phase on April 6.  Counting of votes and result declaration for the four states and one Union territory will be held on May 2. Follow all the updates here:Nearly 80% turnout in Bengal, 73% in Assam as polling ends: ECBengal reported 79. 79 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the 2021 Assembly election while Assam reported 73. 38 per cent turnout. Visuals from a polling booth in Contai, West BengalPoll ends for the first phase of #WestBengalAssemblyElection2021; visuals from a polling booth in Contai pic. twitter. com/H0g3B1SeshPoll ends for the first phase of West Bengal assembly electionsPoll ends for the first phase of #WestBengalAssemblyElection2021; visuals from a polling booth in Purulia pic. twitter. com/w6Caj5QU3hPoll ends for the first phase of Assam assembly electionsPoll ends for the first phase of #AssamAssemblyElections2021; latest visuals from polling booth number 10 in Jorhat.  pic. twitter. com/XYE5J7rj7rOver 79% turnout in Bengal, 72% in Assam till 6pm72. 14% and 79. 79% voter turnout recorded till 6 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. In Photos: Voting underway at a polling booth in Contai in the first phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly electionsVoting underway at a polling booth in Contai in the first phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/58NgxCe2rJOver 70% turnout in Bengal, 62% in Assam till 4pm62. 36% and 70. 17% voter turnout recorded till 4 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. 62. 36% and 70. 17% voter turnout recorded till 4 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. Over 55% turnout in Bengal, 47% in Assam till 3pm47. 10% and 55. 27% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. 47. 10% and 55. 27% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. BJP delegation meets EC following attack on BJP leader Soumendu AdhikariWB: BJP delegation met EC following attack on BJP leader & Suvendu Adhikari's brother, Soumendu Adhikari1st election in 6 years with fewer instances of rigging & violence.  To avoid even 10% of such cases in 2nd phase, we demanded EC round-up anti-social elements: BJP Gen Secy pic. twitter. com/DCnNtukI0oSisir Adhikari, father of TMC-turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, casts his voteSisir Adhikari, father of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, casts his vote at a polling booth in Contai, in the first phase of #WestBengalPolls pic. twitter. com/5P1gPLQsUQSisir Adhikari, father of TMC-turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, casts his vote at a polling booth in Contai, in the first phase of West Bengal elections. 54% turnout in Bengal, 45% in Assam till 1:30pm: EC45. 02% and 54. 90% voter turnout recorded till 1:30pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India (ECI)Over 37% turnout in Assam, nearly 41% in Bengal till 1pm: EC45. 24% and 54. 90% voter turnout recorded till 2 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. 37. 06% and 40. 73% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India (ECI)TMC demands local polling agents from phase 2 onwardsThe new system is not acceptable to us.  We demand that from the next phase the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth.  CEO has assured us to look into the matter: TMC's Sudip BandyopadhyayTMC delegation meets West Bengal CEO, demands that from phase 2 onwards, the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth. Poll rigging was underway at three booths: Soumendu Adhikari, BJPUnder the leadership of TMC block president Ram Govind Das and his wife poll rigging was underway at three polling booths.  My arrival here created problem for them to continue with their mischiefs so they attacked my car and thrashed my driver: Soumendu Adhikari, BJPBengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh casts his voteWest Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh casts his vote at a polling booth in Jhargram in the first phase of state assembly elections.  pic. twitter. com/bAL4RulEMyWest Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh casts his vote at a polling booth in Jhargram in the first phase of state assembly elections. People know CAA-NRC won't affect them, says Assam CM SonowalCongress and other parties are only seen in the media but BJP and its allies are the ones on the ground.  People of Assam now know that CAA-NRC will not affect them.  My aim is to make the BJP government in the State again: Assam CM Sarbananda SonowalTMC knows it's losing, says BJP Bengal chief Dilip GhoshTMC knows that it is losing and that's why it is saying all this.  For such complaints, TMC should go to the Election Commission.  TMC and Mamata Banerjee are under pressure and that is why they are saying such things: BJP West Bengal Pres Dilip Ghosh on TMC alleging rigging of pollsTMC alleges 'discrepancy' in voter turnout appVoter turnout for ACs Kanthi Dakshin (216) and Kanthi Uttar (213) at 9:13am was 18. 47% and18. 95% respectively, 4 mins later at 9:17am voter turnout reduced to 10. 60%and 9:40%.  Such discrepancy raises question on genuineness of data issued by EC: TMC's Derek O'Brien writes to ECCongress leader Gaurav Gogoi casts voteIt's a very emotional moment for me as it's the first time after many yrs that I'm coming to a polling station without my parents.  Confident that people are going to vote out politics of lies & deceit & voting for politics that guarantees that their future is bright: Gaurav Gogoi pic. twitter. com/1ybYHGSEn0Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, son of late former CM Tarun Gogoi, casts his vote at polling both in Jorhat.  "It's a very emotional moment for me as it's the first time after many years that I'm coming to a polling station without my parents," says Gogoi. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal casts voteAssam CM Sarbananda Sonowal casts his vote a polling centre in Dibrugarh"We will get more than 100 seats," CM says pic. twitter. com/nHpEdNpVssAssam CM Sarbananda Sonowal casts vote at polling booth in Dibrugarh, says that the BJP will win "more than 100 seats. "BJP delegation to meet West Bengal CEO at 2pmBJP delegation, led by state in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, to meet West Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) at 2pm today. 10-member TMC delegation to meet EC at 12pm10-member TMC Parliamentary delegation led by Sudip Bandyopadhyay, leader Lok Sabha and Derek O'Brien, leader Rajya Sabha to meet Election Commission in Kolkata at 12 noon. Bengal's daughter will defeat traitor, says TMC's O'BrienTMC will win Bengal.  Bengal's daughter will defeat Bengal's traitor in his own backyard at Nandigram, members of tourist gang will continue to do what they do best - try and destroy institutions in India.  Women in Bengal will continue to wear sarees any way they want: Derek O'Brien, TMC leader on BJP's Suvendu AdhikariOver 6% and 2% polling in Assam, Bengal in first two hoursAssam records 6. 69% turnout while Bengal sees 2. 44% polling in the first two hours across 47 and 30 assembly constituencies, respectively, in phase 1 of polls. TMC scared, says BJP leader Soumendu AdhikariWe approached EC that there should be free and fair polls.  People will choose whom they want.  TMC is scared.  We've given name of one Alauddin to EC, he creates disturbance there: BJP leader Soumendu Adhikari, brother of party's Nandigram candidate Suvendu AdhikariTMC workers trying to create disturbance, alleges BJP candidateVoting underway smoothly in Midnapore town.  But, at some places in rural areas, TMC workers are trying to create a disturbance.  At booth no.  266 and 267, seven-eight TMC workers entered the booth to influence the voters.  We've complained to EC: Samit Das, BJP candidate from West MidnaporeMamata Banerjee tweets as polling begins in Bengalবাংলার সকল মানুষকে আমি অনুরোধ করব নিজের গণতান্ত্রিক অধিকার প্রয়োগ করুন, সবাই আসুন, ভোট দিন।I call upon the people of Bengal to exercise their democratic right by coming out and voting in large numbers. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appeals to voters to exercise their democratic rights by voting in large numbers. HM Amit Shah requests voters to cast votes in large numbersUnion home minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi, Bengali and Assamese, urging voters to cast their votes in large numbers as phase 1 polling began in the two states. Large turnout in Assam's Nagaon#WATCH Voters turn out in large numbers in Rupahi, Nagaon District, for voting in the first phase of Assam Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/5vjn7GgVNnNagaon district in Assam witnesses large voter turnout as first phase of polling gets underway. Scene from a polling booth in Assam's DibrugarhAssam: Voters waiting in a queue at a polling station in JP Nagar, Dibrugarh, as polling gets underway for the first phase of Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/VFHIGvoOJBVoters waiting in a queue at a polling station in JP Nagar, Dibrugarh, as polling gets underway for the first phase of Assembly electionsExercise right to franchise in record numbers: PM ModiToday, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin.  I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today in West Bengal to exercise their franchise in record numbers. PM Modi tweets as polling begins in AssamThe first phase of elections begin in Assam.  Urging those eligible to vote in record numbers.  I particularly call upon my young friends to vote. PM Modi urges voters to vote in "record numbers" as first phase of voting begins in Assam. 509 'vulnerable' booths set up in East Midnapore, says officialWe've 509 vulnerable booths in our district.  We've deployed 169 companies.  We're monitoring booths with CAPF & non-CPF measures.  Over 50% of polling booths have webcasting facility & CCTV, videographer.  We've 800 micro-observers for phase 1: District election officer, East MidnaporeFirst phase of voting to begin at 7amFirst phase of polling in both West Bengal and Assam will begin at 7am, and conclude at 6pm.  Total 77 assembly constituencies-30 in West Bengal and 47 in Assam-will cast their votes. Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


A court has approved a settlement totaling $800 million from MGM Resorts International and its insurers to more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting. https://t.co/o6LC9Hqvdy

By Andy Rose and Hollie Silverman, CNNUpdated 10:33 PM ET, Wed September 30, 2020  (CNN)A judge approved a $800 million settlement on Wednesday for victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting, which is considered the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.


Covid-19 vaccines allegedly stolen, expired and inappropriately administered in Tennessee county, state investigation finds https://t.co/dNHMbj9qjt

Shelby County's health director resigned Friday.  On Location: September 10, 2021Coronavirus vaccines were allegedly stolen and two children were wrongly administered shots in Shelby County, Tennessee, the state's top health official disclosed Friday. The incident is the latest in a string of embarrassing hiccups in the county's vaccine rollout. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee's health commissioner, said that the state has alerted the FBI about the alleged theft. The latest disclosures come on the heels of an announcement made earlier in the week that more than 2,400 vaccine doses in Shelby County had been wasted over the course of a month, and that the state was transferring control over the storage and distribution of the county's vaccine inventory to the city of Memphis. To culminate the tumultuous week, the county's health director submitted her resignation Friday. According to Piercey, a volunteer is believed to have stolen multiple doses from a vaccine event on Feb.  3, apparently by drawing the vaccine into syringes before leaving the site with the syringes. Piercey's office contacted the FBI Thursday evening about the alleged theft. An FBI spokesman told the Associated Press Friday that the bureau had been made aware of the situation, but the spokesman did not say whether an investigation had begun. The state is also trying to determine how two children got vaccinated at a separate site on Feb.  3, since none of the coronavirus vaccines have been approved for use in children. Piercey said the kids arrived with their mother at the site, apparently with appointments, and a volunteer gave them the vaccines. Neither the theft nor the administration of the vaccines to the children were reported to the state until Thursday, weeks after they occurred. Piercey said she brought up rumors of stolen doses to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who told her he was aware of the reports.  He later sent the state more information about the theft, along with details about the children who were mistakenly vaccinated. Harris, in a press conference Friday, said he knew of "suspicious activity" at the site of the theft within a day of the incident, and that the issue was taken up with law enforcement but was not reported to the state. Harris also announced that Alisa Haushalter, the Shelby County Health Director, had resigned earlier in the day. Gov.  Bill Lee, in a trip to a Shelby County vaccine site Friday "to get eyes on the ground on what's happening," told reporters there have been some "very serious challenges" in the county's vaccine rollout and "very disappointing circumstances that have unfolded over the last several days. "Of the move to transfer control over vaccines to the city of Memphis, Lee said, "That speaks to the great deal of concern we have. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Slab of elevated corridor in Sohna Road, Gurugram collapsed. There have been two injuries and both are admitted to hospital. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) team, SDM and civil defence team are at the site: Dushyant Chautala, Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana https://t.co/PL4j5cmaDl https://t.co/psGQttswbv

A section of the under-construction flyover in Gurugram’s Sohna Road collapsed on Saturday night.  The incident occurred at 9. 47 pm when three girders installed recently between two pillars came crashing down in front of Vipul Greens condominium.  At least two people have been injured in the incident.  The police confirmed that two labourers were injured but a serious accident was averted as it was night time and traffic volume was low since markets and offices were closed on Saturday as part of the weekend restrictions enforced by the state government to curb the spread of Covid-19.  Aman Yadav, assistant commissioner of police (Sadar), said they received information within few minutes of the collapse and a patrolling car and along with riders reached the spot in five minutes.  No casualty was reported.  “Two labourers at the site have suffered minor injuries,” he said. The 21. 66 km-long Sohna road project is being constructed in two packages.  The first part comprises an underpass and an elevated road from Subash Chowk towards Badshahpur covering 6 km.  The section that collapsed was a part of the first package. The second part comprises the expansion of 12. 72-km road from Badshahpur to Sohna and involves construction of flyovers and underpasses at major crossings to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on the entire stretch.  The deadline for both these projects is July, 2021.  National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials confirmed the collapse and said that a team reached the spot to assess the situation.  The area has been sealed off.  Ashok Sharma, project director, NHAI said, “We sent a team of officials immediately to. the spot after the incident.  No work was going on today and the area was secure and barricaded.  Normally such incidents don’t happen and there must be a technical reason which caused this.  The technical. team will probe it.  ”A senior official from Oriental Engineering, the contractor on condition of anonymity said it primarily appears that stressing wire which bears the load of the girders had some problem.  “The real reason for this collapse will need a structural probe,” he added.  Locals said they heard a loud bang at around 9. 50 pm and rushed outside.  Sarika Jindal, who lives in Tower 7 of Vipul Greens, which is adjacent to Sohna Road said she heard a loud noise and felt it was a major earthquake.  Her family came down and saw that the elevated road had collapsed.  “My children got so scared and asked us to vacate the building and go down.  It was scary,” she said. Puneet Ambwani, another resident of Vipul Greens, said it was around 9. 47 pm when he thought it was an earthquake.  “Our furniture literally shook for a few seconds,” he mentioned.  Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala tweeted that the injured have been admitted and are undergoing treatment.  NHAI team, SDM, and civil defense team are at site, he added.  Slab of elevated corridor Sohna Road Gurugram collapsed.  There have been 2 injuries and both have been admitted and under treatment.  NHAI team, SDM and civil defence team are at site.  pic. twitter. com/9JTCMaaoEA


Pope Francis has used his New Year message to denounce violence against women, hours after slapping a woman's hand to free himself from her grip. https://t.co/TEq6kOJFaj

The pontiff had a run-in with a pilgrim on New Year's Eve. Pope Francis apologizesPope Francis  apologized for slapping the hand of a woman who grabbed him and pulled him off balance at a New Year’s Eve event in St.  Peter’s Square. Video from Vatican TV shows Francis, accompanied by what appear to be security officers, greeting pilgrims across crowd barriers after he had inspected a nativity scene on New Year's Eve. As Francis greets a nearby child, the woman can be seen making the sign of the cross.  As the pope turns to move on she grabs his hand, briefly pulling him off balance as she forcibly pulls him toward her. It is unclear from the video what the woman said to Francis as she locked hands with him. When the woman doesn't let go, Francis can be seen slapping her hand to break her grip.  Once free, he turns and walks away with a frown on his face. In his New Year's Day Angelus address, Francis said: "Love makes us patient.  At times we lose our patience - me too.  And I am sorry for the bad example I gave yesterday. "The incident is not Pope Francis’ first security scare.  During a visit to Morocco in March 2019, a man charged towards his motorcade, before being tackled by security officials. The scene of the incident also recalled a previous, far more serious, papal security threat, when Pope John Paul II was shot in an attempted assassination in 1981 in the St.  Peter’s square. Francis also presided over a New Year’s Eve service in St.  Peter’s Basilica, where he called on the Catholic Church to “connect with others and listen to what they are living and their cry for help. ”Phoebe Natanson contributed reporting. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Ex C.M.Mr OMAR ABDULLAHs residence in Jammu and Kashmir.Literally he might have destroyed Complete J&K Forest it self

Multiple images of wooden furniture and home decor are viral on social media with false claims that they are from former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence.   The set of photographs consists of intricately carved wooden furnishings and furniture.   The posts have been captioned on Facebook as: “Ex C. M. Mr OMAR ABDULLAH's residence in Jammu and Kashmir. Literally he might have destroyed Complete J&K Forest it self. " (sic) The misleading post is viral on Facebook.   Abdullah has been under house arrest after Article 370 was revoked from Jammu and Kashmir and the state was stripped of its autonomous status by the Indian government on August 5, 2019.  The same set of images is doing the rounds on WhatsApp as well with a similar narrative.    In fact, the same images have been used in a blog post with the title, Omar Abdullah’s Bungalow Glance.   ALSO READ: Pak Netizens Share Video Of Apple Trees Felled In Himachal Pradesh As Kashmir BOOM found that the images of the wooden furniture and home decor have been curated from multiple websites which featured these images as part of Do It Yourself (DIY) tricks to make wooden furniture.   A couple of the images have also been sourced from American wooden furniture makers as well.    Image 1  This dining table has been hosted on the website pencol. co, which features home decor and furnishing items that are used by clients for referring  while designing their own home.    Image 2 The image was uploaded on Toolcraft, an American website that deals in hardwear.  In an article post by the website, the dining table is said to be the creation of George Nakashima, an American woodworker and furnituremaker.  The article was uploaded on May, last year.   Image 3 BOOM observed that the photograph has a watermark of Edenwood 2014.  Upon relevant keyword searches, we found the same zipper table, that has been a patent for the American furniture company Edenwood, for quite some time now.   The zipper table features in the video titled '20 Amazing WoodWorking Skills Techniques Tools.  Wood DIY Projects You MUST See | FW Channel 2018' that was uploaded to YouTube on April last year.    Image 4 BOOM could trace the outdoor dining table with a planter in the centre to this DIY project and crafts making website.   Image 5 The image of an intricately carved dining table, photographed with crockery placed on it, also features in the article titled '18 Of The Most Insane Table Designs You Will Ever See', that was uploaded on September, 2014.   It was traced to an Imgur post, that was uploaded on 2013.   Image 6  BOOM observed that the image has a watermark of Halcyon Furniture Ltd.  We found that the same image was uploaded on Halcyon Furniture’s official Facebook page on January, last year.    Image 7 BOOM found that the image of the outdoor cat tower was uploaded to a website that curates designs for people planning to decorate their houses.  The photo was uploaded in January this year.    Image 8 An image of a horse shoe candle stand was also traced to a DIY website, that uploaded the same image on June this year.    Image 9  The photograph of the same wedding cup cake holder was uploaded on Facebook in May last year.    Image 10  The image of the wooden bar was traced to a United States-based furniture website Woodland Creek which is selling it from $4195.    Image 11 The image of the wooden clock is a designer clock conceptualised by Indiana-based designer Treemendous Designs.   The same clock can be found here.   Image 12 BOOM could trace the image of the kitchen countertop to a website that uploaded the same photograph on March 2011.     Image 13 An image of a wooden table was traced to a website that deals in wooden handcrafted table tops and decorated interiors.   Debunked images revived to claim that they are Omar Abdullah's residence The post also featured a series of old images of hotels, which were earlier debunked by BOOM, to falsely claim that they are Abdullah's present residence.   ALSO READ: Photos Of Former J&K CM’s And Politicians Bungalows?  A FactCheck


The Los Angeles Times reported allegations that deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash scene where Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed. https://t.co/3dACwxlewV

By Jay Croft and Paul Vercammen, CNNUpdated 1:44 PM ET, Sun March 1, 2020  (CNN)Kobe Bryant's widow is "absolutely devastated" by allegations that first responders shared photos from the helicopter crash that killed the NBA legend, their 13-year-old daughter and seven other people, an attorney for Vanessa Bryant says.


PM Narendra Modi: Water crisis hits many parts of the nation every year. You will be surprised that only 8% of the rain water in the whole year is harvested in our country. https://t.co/IiQsi1UCvm

Introducing the second edition of his radio programme Mann ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the citizens to resort to conservation of water, saying that there is a pressing need to make water conservation a mass movement in the country akin to Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.  This was the first ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme in Modi’s second consecutive term as the Prime Minister after he led the party to a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha polls of 2019. In addition to his pitch for water conservation, the prime minister touched upon voting exercise, 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the celebration of democracy by citizens who exercised their right to vote in the recently concluded elections, his learnings from the books he has read, the criticism surrounding his Kedarnath pilgrimage and the global recognition of Yoga.  Highlights:Only 8 percent rain water conserved in India: PM ModiThe prime minister reminded citizens today that water scarcity is affecting many parts of the country every year.  “You will be surprised that only 8 percent of the water received from rains in the entire year is harvested in our country,” PM Modi said. PM introduces India’s exclusive ministry for waterThe country saw an addition to the list of ministries with PM Modi-led BJP returning to power.  The PM re-introduced Jalashakti Ministry in his radio programme today, which was founded on May 31 earlier this year.  “Keeping the importance of water in mind, a new #Jalashakti Ministry has been created in the country.  This will allow faster decision-making on all subjects related to water,” PM Modi said.  PM Modi lauds global celebration and recognition of YogaTalking on Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, “Yoga was not just practised everywhere, but was also celebrated collectively.  There must hardly be a place where a human being exists without a bond with Yoga. ” He also mentioned the resounding success of Yoga in Japan and Europe among other places.   The 5th Yoga Day was marked with immense enthusiasm across the world.  #MannKiBaat pic. twitter. com/ot0x8CVWGHVisit 200-year old tank in a house behind Bapu’s house in Porbandar: PMEven as the PM continued to recollect how different parts of the country are working towards water conservation, he told people about a 200-year-old tank behind Mahatma Gandhi’s house.  “If any of you gets an opportunity to go to Porbandar, then there is a house behind the house of revered Bapu, where a 200-year old water tank still exists,” PM Modi said.  Suggest ways to conserve water using #JanShakti4JalShakti: PM ModiPM Modi has asked people across the country to share methods unique to region and people using the #JanShakti4JalShakti on social media platforms.  “Want Swachh Bharat like national movement for water conservation”Pitching a national movement for conserving and preserving water - akin to Swachh Bharat- PM Modi said, “I appeal to all Indians, including eminent people from all walks of life to create awareness on water conservation.  Please share knowledge of traditional methods of water conservation.  If you know about any individuals or NGOs working on water, do share about them. ”Let us conserve every drop of water: PM ModiAs India finds itself in the midst of a water-crisis, PM Modi has requested Indian citizens to conserve water.  “There is no fixed way to conserve water.  In different parts, different methods may be adopted but the aim is same- to conserve every drop of water,” the PM said.  Let us conserve every drop of water.  #MannKiBaat pic. twitter. com/ffUs8G5EnpPM Modi replugs his ‘No bouquet, just a book” requestPM Modi talks about the book he has read in the recent past and shared the morals from his readings on Mann ki Baat.  “Just recently, someone gave me a book entitled, popular short stories by Premchand.  It was a great feeling,” PM Modi said.  It is my request to you all- please devote some time to reading. I urge you all to talk about the books you read, on the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App. 'Let us have discussions on the good books we read and why we liked the books: PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaatIndia saw over 61 cr voters exercising their franchise in 2019 polls: PM ModiPM Modi also talked about the recent concluded Lok Sabha elections and congratulated voters for exercising their franchise.  “Just recently, our country celebrated a mega festival of democracy, a mammoth election campaign, from rich to poor, all were happily eager in this festival to decide the fate of their country.  In the 2019 Lok Sabha Election, India saw over 61 crore voters exercising their franchise.  It was the largest democratic Election ever held in the world,” PM Modi said. Emergency saw outrage in conscience of one and all: PM ModiIn his radio address, PM Modi said, “When Emergency was imposed, resistance against it was not limited to the political arena or politicians; the movement was not curtailed to the confines of prison cells.  There was an outrage in the conscience of one and all. ”Went to Kedarnath to meet myself: PM ModiTalking about his visit to Kedarnath temple, the prime minister said, “Amidst hectic election engagements, many people asked me a flurry of questions on why I had gone to Kedarnath.  For me, it was an opportunity to meet myself. ”Through ‘Mann ki Baat’, I tell your story in my voice: PM ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi started his radio programme by mentioning the intervening period between the last episode of Mann ki Baat from February and the episode aired today.  “There came a moment when I felt the need to reach out to you immediately after Elections concluded.  Then I thought no, the established Sunday sequence should be maintained.  But this Sunday has made one wait endlessly! ”Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP workers expected to tune in from DwarkaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to listen to the radio programme with other party workers at the Kakrola stadium in Dwarka, reported ANI. PM Modi announces return of ‘Mann ki Baat’ after four monthsPrime Minister Narendra Modi announced the return of ‘Mann ki Baat’ after four months in a tweet today.  The PM had last spoken on the radio programme in the episode which aired in February this year.  He had expressed confidence of the BJP-led NDA’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections and said the programme will return after the polls.  After four long months, #MannKiBaat is back to do what it has always loved- celebrate the power of positivity and the strengths of 130 crore Indians!  Do tune in at 11 AM tomorrow morning!  pic. twitter. com/aVxLXGqeAh


A video is viral showing a man is throwing Currency notes in air while mob around him collecting them. It’s claimed as $100000 given away at Diamond market in New York as celebration of PM Modi’s victory. This has been viral since yesterday claiming “Happened Today” i.e 23rd May 2019 – Declaration of Indian Loksabha Election 2019.

A video is viral showing a man is throwing Currency notes in air while mob around him collecting them.  It’s claimed as $100000 given away at Diamond market in New York as celebration of PM Modi’s victory.  This has been viral since yesterday claiming “Happened Today” i. e 23rd May 2019 – Declaration of Indian Loksabha Election 2019.  Viral Text along with the video – “Happened today on 47 street ( Diamond Market) New York one businessman given away $100,000” “Happened today on 47 street ( Diamond Market) New York $100,000 given away. in ref to modi victory . .  see how this millionaire Indian doing . . ”     Viral on Facebook    Viral on Twitter MODI WIN!  Indian giving away 💵 100K!  Happened today on 47 street ( Diamond Market) New York $100,000 given away. 👇🏼👇🏼in ref to modi victory . .  see how this millionaire Indian doing . .  COURTESY WA! @ArnabSpeaks__ @arpitajtweets @bittusempire @Ind4Ever @LawrenceSellin @smritiirani pic. twitter. com/0PX9ZPAamt — Rhea Balchandani (@Rhea10QUniverse) May 24, 2019  Viral on WhatsApp  Viral on Youtube  This video has nothing to do with the election results and victory of PM Modi or even India.  This was uploaded on YouTube on 15th May 2019 i. e.  a week before the Election results were announced The video is by an artist TheGod Joe Kush who make such music videos showering money in the air.   You can see the same event, but from different angle and closer look   There are two man who are throwing the money into the air and both are wearing clothes which looks like what Hip Hop artists or Rappers wear.  Both are dark skinned which most of the rapper and hip hop artists are (Eminem is a brilliant exception though)  Photos from the same event   They did the same at Times Square also in the evening, i. e.  after Diamond Market         More such Videos of showering money by TheGod Joe Kush            Happened today on 47 street ( Diamond Market) New York $100,000 given away. 👇🏼👇🏼in ref to @narendramodi victory . .  see how this millionaire Indian doing . .  pic. twitter. com/HpjpKopgIb — J V NAIDU (@JVNAIDU) May 24, 2019


Barreling into what could be the final day of Pres. Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, the spotlight is on moderate Republicans who could vote with Democrats to allow new witnesses. https://t.co/LVr5Vq2TBk

By Jeremy Herb, Phil Mattingly, Manu Raju and Lauren Fox, CNNUpdated 7:27 AM ET, Fri January 31, 2020  (CNN)Republican Sen.  Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said late Thursday he would oppose calling witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, a decision that means the trial is all but certain to come to a swift end without hearing from witnesses or subpoenaing documents. CNN's Ellie Kaufman and Ali Zaslav contributed to this report.


As former Pres. Trump's impeachment defense begins, two new attorneys step into the spotlight. https://t.co/XFvKN7M86M #impeachmenttrial

By Jeremy Herb, Manu Raju, Kaitlan Collins and Pamela Brown, CNNUpdated 10:07 PM ET, Fri February 12, 2021  (CNN)The Senate's second impeachment trial of Donald Trump raced toward a conclusion on Friday, with the former President's legal team quickly finishing its presentation and senators taking their turn to pose written questions to the legal teams. CNN's Ted Barrett, Daniella Diaz, Clare Foran, Sarah Fortinsky, Lauren Fox, Annie Grayer, Ryan Nobles, Alex Rogers, Kristin Wilson, Ali Zaslav, Jim Acosta and Gloria Borger contributed to this report.


Curfew continues in Jammu for the fourth day following #PulwamaAttack on 14th February. https://t.co/gmEL1QADVu

A man was arrested in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad for allegedly posting objectionable message glorifying the Pulwama attacker, who rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus killing at least 40 soldiers last week, on social media late on Sunday night. Police said that Vijay Patel had posted the message on Facebook and also forwarded it to WhatsApp groups he is the member of.  Patel later deleted the post from Facebook on receiving backlash from other users. “We have to pay the price for suppressing Kashmiris.  We might call the attackers terrorists, but for them they are separatists, who sacrifice their life.  They see our soldiers as terrorists,” the post in Hindi read, according to police. A spokesperson of Ahmedabad Police said Patel, a resident of Chandkheda area of the city, was arrested by the cyber security cell. “The 37-year-old, who works at a medicine shop, had later deleted the post (on Facebook).  The cyber cell team traced the post’s origin to his account,” the spokesperson said. Police said that after the Pulwama attack, the cyber cell has been keeping a close watch on social media posts that can potentially lead to untoward incidents. Gujarat – which shares the land and marine borders with Pakistan – has stepped up security across the state after the Pulwama attack, the worst in decades in the restive state, on February 14.  Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack.


People around the world are talking about how animals and plants have a chance to rejoice while humans are forced to sit indoors during the Covid-19 lock down.  Claim: A video of a deer running on a beach shore has been going viral on social media.  The video is doing rounds in India stating that the video is amidst the lock down from Chandrabagha Beach in Puri, Odisha, India.  An interesting thing is that the video has also been going viral in other countries stating it is from the respective countries during the lock down.  One of the caption state the clip is from Matalascañas beach, Spain and another claims it is from Nilaveli beach,  Sri Lanka.     The video has been extensively viewed and shared by many with various captions claiming it to be from different beaches from various countries.  The only common theme among all captions is that it is claimed to be during the Covid-19 lock down and states the incident is a result of a lack of human interventions in the nature.     Archive    Archive 738 Shares of the post below –   Archive    Archive     Indians have also been tweeting the same video on Twitter.  Beach near Puri…A delighted deer playing….  during #lockdownindia pic. twitter. com/j2EZH8PpSg — SKN – #StayHomeStaySafe (@SKNonline) April 4, 2020  Archive   Beach near Puri…A delighted deer playing….  during@SaiAA_DHF ide vesadu  #lockdownindia pic. twitter. com/V7Kqylf74K https://t. co/XyUDhCMhOy — JulayiAADHF Fan™ ✊ (@__Rishi22) April 4, 2020  Archive     The same video has also been uploaded on YouTube by multiple accounts stating it is from Chandrabagha Beach, Odisha, India.   Archive    Archive      None of the claims that have been floating around are true.  Upon doing a key word and reverse image search, it was found that video is from 2015.  The video is shot by Anthony Martin, a French film maker in 2015.  He posted the video on his Facebook page 4 years ago and he also stated in the caption that he would be using this clip  in a long feature film that he has been working on for the past 3 years.  Upon checking Martin’s YouTube Channel, the clip was found in a trailer of a movie named “Bambi, The True Story – La Véritable Histoire De Bambi”.  The video was widely loved and shared after Anthony Martin posted it in 2015.  Various websites like Little Things, Outdoor Hub and Sun Gazing have featured the video along with an article describing it.  The claim that the video has been shot during the Covid-19 lock down is absolutely false, The claim has also been fact checked by AFP, HIndustan Times,etc.    Source: Anthony Martin . TV    Source: Anthony Martin . TV    Source: Outdoor Hub    Source: Little Things    Source: Sun Gazing


HDFC Group, today committed Rs 150 crores to the #PMCares Fund to support the Government of India for its relief and rehabilitation measures towards the ongoing #COVID19 pandemic: HDFC Group https://t.co/DudoZYNAJS

India on Thursday announced a Rs 170,000 crore package under a new scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGKBY), to address the immediate economic distress in the wake of the lockdown prompted by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, and ensure food and cash reaches the marginalised segments of society.  Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at a press conference in the Capital, announced a series of measures which focused on additional food transfers at no cost, cash for vulnerable segments, concessions on government schemes aimed to help households reduce their expenditure, and support those on the frontline of the battle against the pandemic.  The primary beneficiaries of these measures include those below the poverty line, farmers, women, elderly citizens, the physically challenged, construction workers, and workers in both the unorganised and organised sectors. Sitharaman underlined that within 36 hours of the lockdown — Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed a national lockdown for three weeks on Tuesday night — the government had come up with measures to immediately take care of welfare concerns of the poor.  She, however, did not address questions about the fiscal implications of the scheme, or announce measures for other sectors which have also got severely affected in the wake of the restrictions and the lockdown.  There has been a talk of a stimulus aimed at businesses, large and small, as well as salaried individuals, but there was no mention of this during Thursday’s conference — nor any indication as to when one such package could be expected.  Sitharaman announced a medial insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh per person for doctors, health care personnel and sanitation staff, acknowledging their contribution at this crisis hour. The PMGKY had two broad components: the first was centred on ensuring food availability and support; and the second, on income support. On food, Sitharaman said 800 million people — two-thirds of the country’s population — would now be eligible for, in addition to the existing allocation of five kg of wheat or rice, another five kg of wheat or rice per month, for the next three months, for free.  They will also get one kg of pulses, according to the specific regional variant of the pulse in their geographical area, in this period.  “This is meant to ensure that no one stays hungry,” emphasised Sitharaman. In terms of direct financial support, the FM announced support under eight distinct categories using the direct benefits transfer framework. The first was targeted at farmers who get direct cash support of Rs 6,000 annually under the PM-Kisan scheme.  Sitharaman said that the next instalment of the money — Rs 2000 — would be “front-loaded” and given immediately.  “This will benefit 86. 9 million farmers,” said the FM. The second was for workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS).  From a daily wage of Rs 182, they will now be entitled to get Rs 202.  “It will help increase the income to ₹2,000 per worker,” said Sitharaman. The third measure was for economically poor widows, citizens above the age of 60, and the physically challenged.  “They will get an ex-gratia amount of ₹1,000.  The measure will benefit 30 million poor citizens,” the FM said.  The amount is to be given in two instalments. The fourth measure was targeted at women who held Jan Dhan Accounts.  “There are 200 million women Jan Dhan account holders.  The government will give them ₹500 per month, for three months, to ensure they can run their households in this period of disruption. ” A related announcement was for the beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala scheme, in which over 83 million households got gas cylinders.  “For three months, these households will get free cylinders. ” Anecdotal evidence suggests that many households have found the cost of refilling their gas cylinders burdensome.  Minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur, sitting alongside Sitharaman, underlined that with these measures, the government was seeking to ensure that poor families had access to food, to incomes, and to cooking gas. The fifth measure was targeted at women self-help groups (SHGs).  Sitharaman pointed out that there were 6. 3 million SHGs in the country, with members from 70 million households being members of these groups.  “They were eligible for collateral-free loan up to Rs 10 lakh till now.  This amount will now go up to Rs 20 lakh.  Self-help groups are eligible for increased collateral free loans, which will give more money in their hands,” said the finance minister. The sixth measure was targeted at organised workers.  This had two components.  The government, the FM announced, would contribute both the share of the employee and the employer of the Employer Provident Fund for the next three months.  “The government will give both the 12% share of the employees, and the 12% share of the employers — so a total of 24% per month for three months, to ensure there is no break in the continuity of EPFO contributions.  This will apply to establishments which have fewer than 100 employees, and where 90% of the employees earn less than Rs 15,000 per month. ” The second inter-related measure was the government’s decision to amend the provident fund regulation scheme, to allow employees to withdraw, on a non refundable advance basis, 75% of the amount, or up to three months of wages, whichever is lower, from their accounts. The seventh announcement was for construction workers.  The FM said that there already existed a fund for the welfare of construction and other workers.  This had, at the moment, Rs 31,000 crore and 35 million workers were registered under it.  “We have given directions to state governments to utilise the funds to provide assistance to construction workers to protect them. ” And the final announcement was with regard to district mineral funds, with the FM requesting state governments to utilise these funds to supplement medical testing and screening activities to fight the coronavirus. Congress parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi said the government’s announcement “of a financial assistance package” is the first step in the right direction.  “. . . India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown,” he tweeted. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said the measures were similar to what states have already announced.  “Centre takes cue from relief plans already rolled out by state governments like West Bengal a week ago— free six months ration for the poor, health insurance for champion frontliners fighting corona and ~1000 for daily wagers under new Prochesta scheme,” he said, adding that the Centre’s move will supplement state efforts. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that Rs 1,000 to the aged, widows, differently abled, is too little; and that the health workers’ insurance comes at no cost to the government.  Experts welcomed the announcement of income support to farmers.  But its implementation may confront challenges.  Aadhaar-based enrolment and cash transfers, slow internet connections in many rural centres and messy land records have slowed the PM-Kisan programme, the farm ministry had told a parliamentary panel in January. Deloitte India partner Gokul Chaudhri hoped for a larger comprehensive economic stimulus package and said the efficient implementation of the Rs 1. 7 lakh crore relief for the poor is the key.  “The first set of measures rightly focused on basic welfare for the weaker section of society.  The concerns of other stakeholders in society, such as those impacted in tourism, aviation and hospitality sector is awaited. ”Confederation of Indian Industry director general Chandrajit Banerjee said, “The entire package is expected to alleviate the difficulties currently being faced by the poor and the distressed.  However, the government could be more aggressive in its spending with an overall fiscal stimulus at 2. 5-3% of GDP if the disruptions continue for the next three months. ”Experts also said the 24% relief for employees’ provident fund (EPF) contribution is a measure to dissuade retrenchments.  Richa Mohanty Rao, partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said, “In the midst of such uncertain times, the decision of the government to bear the provident fund cost under the EPF Act for three months, will provide much needed relief to both employers as well as the employees.  However, this initiative will largely benefit the MSME (medium and small enterprises) sector. ”The Sensex rallied over 5% in anticipation of a comprehensive economic stimulus package ahead of the finance minister’s press conference, but lost some of the gains immediately after the announcement to close at 29,947, 4. 9% up.


Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told @ThisWeekABC that the world is a safer place as a result of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani's death.

"This was a bad guy. We took him off the playing field." https://t.co/dJdvzlRDAo https://t.co/3e3lLIT1lx

Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNNUpdated 9:56 AM ET, Mon January 6, 2020  (CNN)The Trump administration is already in danger of losing control of the swift chain reaction and political storm unleashed by its killing of Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani.