In the last 24 hours, more than 400 cases have been reported in Delhi. Positivity rate is less than 1%, however, it has increased from 0.4% to 0.6%: Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan https://t.co/W13m5C1T1G

India recorded 103,558 new cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Monday which pushed the country's infection tally to 12,589,067.  478 new fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours which pushed the death toll from the virus to 165,101.  The spike in the infections prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a high-level meeting on Sunday morning to take stock of the situation.  In the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said that states must take the necessary steps and impose the required restrictions to contain the outbreak. Globally, the confirmed cases of Covid-19 reached 131,896,980 on Monday, according to data collated by worldometer.  The tracker also said 2,865,509 people have succumbed to the viral disease and 106,183,010 have recovered from the infection across the world so far.  The US, Brazil and India occupy the first, second and third positions, respectively in terms of the caseload of Covid-19. Follow all the updates here:Delhi records 3,548 new Covid-19 cases, 15 deathsDelhi reports 3,548 new #COVID19 cases, 2,936 recoveries, and 15 deathsTotal cases: 6,79,962Total recoveries: 6,54,277Death toll: 11,096Active cases: 14,589 pic. twitter. com/3BneDVtsjiMumbai records 9,857 new Covid-19 cases, 21 deathsMumbai records 9,857 new Covid-19 cases, taking the city-wide tally to 4,62,302.  21 deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours, the death toll now stands at 11,797, reported news agency ANI. Kerala records 2357 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hoursKerala reports 2357 new #COVID19 cases.  Number of active cases now at 28,372; so far 11,04,225 patients have recovered from the disease.  pic. twitter. com/rVtyhGESx6Delhi govt orders hospitals to run 1/3 of its vaccination centres 24/7The Delhi government on Monday ordered all its hospitals to run 1/3 of its inoculation centres round-the-clock.  S Sunil, deputy secretary of Delhi’s health and family welfare department, sent an order to hospitals asking for the same to be implemented.  Read MoreThailand confirms Covid-19 outbreaks in prison and nightspotsThai health officials have been mulling over closing entertainment venues in Bangkok after an outbreak in nightspots in the capital, reported the Associated Press.  An official confirmed to AP that 194 cases have been detected in entertainment venues and the Narathiwat prison. 573 new cases push Odisha's Covid-19 tally to 343,268Odisha's Covid-19 tally Monday mounted to 3,43,268 after 573 more people tested positive for the infection, the highest single-day spike this year.  The new cases were detected in 28 of the state's 30 districts, with 337 cases reported from different quarantine centres, while the remaining 236 were local contact cases. Russia reports 8,646 new Covid-19 cases, 343 deathsRussia on Monday reported 8,646 new Covid-19 cases, including 1,876 in Moscow, taking the official national tally to 4,589,540.  The government coronavirus taskforce said 343 people had died in the past 24 hours, pushing its death toll to 100,717.  The statistics agency has kept a separate count and reported a much higher toll of 225,000 from April 2020 to February. Thailand reports highest daily Covid-19 cases in almost 2 weeksThailand on Monday reported 194 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day increase since March 23, taking total confirmed infections to 29,321, authorities said.  Some of the new cases reported were found from clusters discovered at entertainment venues in downtown Bangkok, as well as a prison.  Authorities cautioned Thais to go to bars and nightclubs, to spokeswoman said.  The increase in new infections comes before a national holiday next week. No fresh Covid-19 case in Arunachal Pradesh for 2 daysArunachal Pradesh did not report any fresh Covid-19 case in the last two days, a senior health department official said here on Monday.  The Covid-19 caseload in the northeastern state remained at 16,849, while 16,785 people have recovered from the disease, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.  Arunachal Pradesh currently has eight active Covid-19 cases, while 56 people have died due to the contagion so far, the SSO said. Telangana reports 1,097 new Covid-19 cases, 6 deathsTelangana reported 1,097 fresh Covid-19 cases pushing the tally to over 3. 13 lakh, while the death toll rose to 1,723 with six more fatalities, the state government said on Monday.  Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 302, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri 138 and Rangareddy 116, it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8 PM on April 4. One new Covid-19 case in Mizoram, tally rises to 4,491Mizoram on Monday reported one new Covid-19 case, pushing the coronavirus tally in the state to 4,491, an official said.  The state now has 41 active Covid-19 cases, while 4,439 people have recovered from the disease, the official said. The Covid-19 death toll in the state is 11. Philippines extends lockdown as Covid-19 infections spikeThe Philippine government extended a lockdown by another week Monday after an alarming spike in coronavirus infections continued to surge and started to overwhelm many hospitals in the capital and outlying regions.  President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metropolitan Manila and four outlying provinces, a region of more than 25 million people, under lockdown last week as daily infections breached 10,000.  Roman Catholic leaders shifted Holy Week and Easter events online after all public gatherings, including in places of worship, were temporarily banned. CM Adityanath receives first shot of Covid-19 vaccine, urges people to follow health normsUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday received his first jab of the Covid-19 vaccine at Civil Hospital in Lucknow and urged people to take all precautions amind growing cases of coronavirus.  "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Ministry for making the vaccine available free of cost.  I also thank the scientists of the country.  The vaccine is completely safe.  We all should take it when our turn comes," Adityanath said after taking the first dose.  "I appeal to the people to take all precautions even after taking the vaccine.  The new Covid-19 wave is the result of our complacency in observing Covid appropriate behaviour," he added. Argentina registers 9,955 new Covid-19 cases, 93 deathsArgentina registered 9,955 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the national tally to 2,393,492, according to the country's ministry of health. The ministry also reported 93 more deaths from the disease, taking the nationwide death toll to 56,199.  A total of 2,140,480 patients have recovered from the disease so far, while 196,813 cases remain active, it said. Covid-19: Indonesia to extend limitations on movementRestrictions on people moving around the country will remain in place for two weeks starting April 6, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s Covid-19 task force said, with more areas included in this round. China reports biggest daily Covid-19 case jump in over 2 monthsChina reported its biggest daily jump in new Covid-19 cases in more than two months, as a city on the border with Myanmar in southwestern Yunnan province accounted for all new local cases.  Ruili's local government put residents in its urban area under home quarantine, launched a massive testing drive and began restricting people from leaving and entering the city from last week after reporting Covid-19 patients.  The city accounted for all of the 15 new local cases reported on April 4.  The total number of new Covid-19 infections, including imported infections originating from overseas, stood at 32, marking the highest total since Jan.  31. Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


.@evanperez explains takeaways from AG Barr’s letter to Congress: “One of the main conclusions is that they could not find evidence that anybody, any US person, anybody associated with the campaign, any associate of the President was involved with that disinformation campaign" https://t.co/St73xCTibD

The letter said Mueller's report did not identify "obstructive conduct. "SPECIAL REPORT: Attorney General Barr delivers Mueller report's main conclusions to CongressThis is the letter sent to Congress from Attorney General William Barr summarizing Robert Mueller's report. Dear Chairman Graham, Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Ranking Member Collins:As a supplement to the notification provided on Friday, March 22, 2019, I am writing today to advise you of the principal conclusions reached by Special Counsel Robert S.  Mueller III and to inform you about the status of my initial review of the report he has prepared. On Friday, the Special Counsel submitted to me a "confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions" he has reached, as required by 28 C. F. R.  § 600. 8(c).  This report is entitled "Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election. " Although my review is ongoing, I believe that it is in the public interest to describe the report and to summarize the principal conclusions reached by the Special Counsel and the results of his investigation. The report explains that the· Special Counsel and his staff thoroughly investigated allegations that members of the presidential campaign of Donald J.  Trump, and others associated with it, conspired with the Russian government in its efforts to interfere in the 2016 U. S.  presidential election, or sought to obstruct the related federal investigations.  In the report, the Special Counsel noted that, in completing his investigation, he employed 19 lawyers who were assisted by a team of approximately 40 FBI agents, intelligence analysts, forensic accountants, and other professional staff.  The Special Counsel issued more than 2,800 subpoenas, executed nearly 500 search warrants, obtained more than 230 orders for communication records, issued almost 50 orders authorizing use of pen registers, made 13 requests to foreign governments for evidence, and interviewed approximately 500 witnesses. The Special Counsel obtained a number of indictments and convictions of individuals and entities in connection with his investigation, all of which have been publicly disclosed.  During the course of his investigation, the Special Counsel also referred several matters to other offices for further action.  The report does not recommend any further indictments, nor did the Special Counsel obtain any sealed indictments that have yet to be made public.  Below, I summarize the principal conclusions set out in the Special Counsel's report.  AG March 24 2019 Letter to House and Senate Judiciary Committees by ABC News Politics on ScribdRussian Interference in the 2016 U. S.  Presidential Election.  The Special Counsel's report is divided into two parts.  The first describes the results of the Special Counsel's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 U. S.  presidential election.  The report outlines the Russian effort to influence the election and documents crimes committed by persons associated with the Russian government in connection with those efforts.  The report further explains that a primary consideration for the Special Counsel's investigation was whether any Americans -including individuals associated with the Trump campaign - joined the Russian conspiracies to influence the election, which would be a federal crime.  The Special Counsel's investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 U. S.  presidential election.  As the report states: "[T]he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. "[Footnote from letter: In assessing potential conspiracy charges, the Special Counsel also considered whether members of the Trump campaign "coordinated" with Russian election interference activities.  The Special Counsel defined "coordination" as an "agreement-tacit or express-between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference. "]The Special Counsel's investigation determined that there were two main Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election.  The first involved attempts by a Russian organization, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), to conduct disinformation and social media operations in the United States designed to sow social discord, eventually with the aim of interfering with the election.  As noted above, the Special Counsel did not find that any U. S.  person or Trump campaign official or associate conspired or knowingly coordinated with the IRA in its efforts, although the Special Counsel brought criminal charges against a number of Russian nationals and entities in connection with these activities. The second element involved the Russian government's efforts to conduct computer hacking operations designed to gather and disseminate information to influence the election.  The Special Counsel found that Russian government actors successfully hacked into computers and obtained emails from persons affiliated with the Clinton campaign and Democratic Party organizations, and publicly disseminated those materials through various intermediaries, including WikiLeaks.  Based on these activities, the Special Counsel brought criminal charges against a number of Russian military officers for conspiring to hack into computers in the United States for purposes of influencing the election.  But as noted above, the Special Counsel did not find that the Trump campaign, or anyone associated with it, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in these efforts, despite multiple.  offers from Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign. Obstruction of Justice.  The report's second part addresses a number of actions by the President - most of which have been the subject of public reporting - that the Special Counsel investigated as potentially raising obstruction-of-justice concerns.  After making a "thorough factual investigation" into these matters, the Special Counsel considered whether to evaluate the conduct under Department standards governing prosecution and declination decisions but ultimately determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment.  The Special Counsel therefore did not draw a conclusion - one way or the other - as to whether the examined conduct constituted obstruction.  Instead, for each of the relevant actions investigated, the report sets out evidence on both sides of the question and leaves unresolved what the Special Counsel views as "difficult issues" of law and fact concerning whether the President's actions and intent could be viewed as obstruction . .  The Special Counsel states that "while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him. "The Special Counsel's decision to describe the facts of his obstruction investigation without reaching any legal conclusions leaves itto the Attorney General to determine whether the conduct described in the report constitutes a crime.  Over the course of the investigation, the Special Counsel's office engaged in discussions with certain Department officials regarding many of the legal and factual matters at issue in the Special Counsel's obstruction investigation.  After reviewing the Special Counsel's final report on these issues; consulting with Department officials, including the Office of Legal Counsel; and applying the principles of federal prosecution that guide our charging decisions, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and I have concluded that the evidence developed during the Special Counsel's investigation is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offense.  Our determination was made without regard to, and is not based on, the constitutional considerations that surround the indictment and criminal prosecution of a sitting president. [Footnote from letter:  See A Sitting President's Amenability to Indictment and Criminal Prosecution, 24 Op.  O. L. C.  222 (2000). ]In making this determination, we noted that the Special Counsel recognized that "the evidence does not establish that the President was involved in an underlying crime related to Russian election interference," and that, while not determinative, the absence of such evidence bears upon the President's intent with respect to obstruction.  Generally speaking, to obtain and sustain an obstruction conviction, the government would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person, acting with corrupt intent, engaged in obstructive conduct with a sufficient nexus to a pending or contemplated proceeding.  In cataloguing the President's actions, many of which took place in public view, the report identifies no actions that, in our judgment, constitute obstructive conduct, had a nexus to a pending or contemplated proceeding, and were done with corrupt intent, each of which, under the Department's principles of federal prosecution guiding charging decisions, would need to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to establish an obstruction-of¬justice offense. 37,040-41 (July 9, 1999).  As I have previously stated, however, I am mindful of the public interest in this matter.  For that reason, my goal and intent is to release as much of the Special Counsel's report as I can consistent with applicable law, regulations, and Departmental policies. Based on my discussions with the Special Counsel and my initial review, it is apparent that the report contains material that is or could be subject to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6( e ), which imposes restrictions on the use and disclosure of information relating to "matter[ s] occurring before [a] grand jury. " Fed.  R.  Crim.  P.  6(e)(2)(B).  Rule 6(e) generally limits disclosure of certain grand jury information in a criminal investigation and prosecution.  Id.  Disclosure of 6( e) material beyond the strict limits set forth in the rule is a crime in certain circumstances.  See, e. g. , 18 U. S. C.  § 401(3).  This restriction protects the integrity of grand jury proceedings and ensures that the unique and invaluable investigative powers of a grand jury are used strictly for their intended criminal justice function. Given these restrictions, the schedule for processing the report depends in part on how quickly the Department can identify the 6( e) material that by law cannot be made public.  I have requested the assistance of the Special Counsel in identifying all 6( e) information contained in the report as quickly as possible.  Separately, I also must identify any information that could impact other ongoing matters, including those that the Special Counsel has referred to other offices.  As soon as that process is complete, I will be in a position to move forward expeditiously in determining what can be released in light of applicable law, regulations, and Departmental policies. As I observed in my initial notification, the Special Counsel regulations provide that "the Attorney General may determine that public release of' notifications to your respective Committees "would be in the public interest. " 28 C. F. R.  § 600. 9(c).  I have so determined, and I will disclose this letter to the public after delivering it to you. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Fans in the Philippines left flowers, wrote notes and lit candles outside a newly-built "House of Kobe" basketball court in Manila to pay tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant. https://t.co/wyz1Y6l4Cn https://t.co/JhRnjmqnB1

By Christina Zdanowicz, CNNUpdated 7:59 PM ET, Mon January 27, 2020  (CNN)A mural of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna smiling appeared in Los Angeles less than 24 hours after they died in a tragic helicopter crash.  CNN's Alisha Ebrahimji contributed to this report.


#LokSabhaElection2019: Elections to Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha to be held simultaneously with the general elections to the Lok Sabha. https://t.co/ponw8HtenY

The Election Commission on Sunday announced the schedule for bypolls in 18 of the 21 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections on April 18, in the second phase of the seven-phase polls. Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats while the Assembly has 235 seats. The constituencies of Poonamallee (SC), Perambur, Thiruporur, Sholingur, Gudiyattham (SC), Ambur, Hosur, Pappireddippatti, Harur (SC), Nilakkottai (SC), Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Manamadurai (SC), Andipatti, Periyakulam (SC), Sattur, Paramakudi (SC) and Vilathikulam will go to the polls. Byelections will not be held in Thiruparankundram, Aravakurichi and Ottapidaram since cases are pending in various courts.  Also read: Lok Sabha elections in 7 phases, voting starts April 11, results on May 23Eighteen of the 21 seats fell vacant on September 19, 2017 after Tamil Nadu assembly speaker disqualified 18 MLAs supporting rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran, just two days before a high court deadline for a floor test by chief minister Edapaddi Palaniswami. In October last year, the Madras high court upheld the disqualification of the 18 MLAs under the Anti Defection Law.  Also read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Model code of conduct now in force: What it meansThe AIADMK which had recently tied up with the BJP and the PMK had earlier announced that its alliance with the two parties will be valid for the bypolls.


#TrumpInIndia | US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump land in Agra.

They were welcomed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and governor Anandiben Patel

Follow LIVE updates https://t.co/t2y8SpABdV

#NamasteyTrump  #TrumpIndiaVisit https://t.co/x00g9HGqia

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

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Talks with PM Modi, state banquet on Prez Trump's Tuesday schedule'President and First Lady have promised to visit again': Taj Mahal guideTrumps lands in New DelhiYogi Adityanath presents Taj Mahal portrait to the Trumps'In America and India, we fight for the citizens we proudly serve'Trumps leave after visiting the Taj Mahal'Timeless testament of Indian culture': Trump on Taj MahalIvanka Trump, Jared Kushner pose at Taj MahalUS president, First lady visit Taj MahalPresidential cavalcade moving towards the Taj Mahal'India and US will make their future brighter than ever before': TrumpTrumps welcomed at airport with cultural programmeUS President lands at Agra airportArtists wait in Agra to welcome Trump25,000 students will line up on Trump's Agra routeUnited States president Donald Trump began his maiden two-day India visit on Monday.  Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration, arrived in Ahmedabad around 11. 40 am for the first-leg of his trip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the US president at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport in Ahmedabad.  The leaders then participated in ‘Namaste Trump’ rally at the Motera Stadium. After attending the rally, Trump flew to Agra where he and the First Lady Melania Trump spent about an hour at the Taj Mahal before sunset.  The delegation arrived in Delhi in the evening where Trump and PM Modi will hold talks on Tuesday. Talks with PM Modi, state banquet on Prez Trump's Tuesday scheduleUS President Donald Trump has a slew of official engagements in New Delhi on Tuesday, the second and last day of his India visit.  After a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the US president will visit the Rajghat, followed by a meeting with PM and signing of agreements at the Hyderabad.  The last official engagement will be a state banquet for the visiting president at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.  'President and First Lady have promised to visit again': Taj Mahal guideNitin Kumar Singh, president Trump's  tour guide at the Taj Mahal says that the president and the first lady  have promised to visit the monument again, reports ANI . "I gave every minute detail of the Taj Mahal to US President Donald Trump and the First Lady.  'Incredible' was the first word they uttered after seeing the Taj Mahal.  President and the First Lady have promised to visit once again," said Singh.  Trumps lands in New DelhiPresident Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania Trump, arrives in New Delhi. Yogi Adityanath presents Taj Mahal portrait to the TrumpsUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented a large portrait of Taj Mahal to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump as they left Agra for Delhi. 'In America and India, we fight for the citizens we proudly serve'Comparing the Constitutions of India and the US, President Trump said in a tweet that in America and India alike, "we honor, respect, trust, empower and fight for the citizens we proudly serve! "Our two national constitutions both begin with the same three beautiful words: “We the people. ” That means that in America and India alike, we honor, respect, trust, empower, and fight for the citizens we proudly serve!  🇺🇸🇮🇳 pic. twitter. com/hfKKSqlVfeTrumps leave after visiting the Taj MahalPresident Trump and others leave after visiting the Taj Mahal and are now on their way to the Agra air base. 'Timeless testament of Indian culture': Trump on Taj MahalDonald Trump says the Taj Mahal "inspires awe".  Writing in the visitors' book at the monument, Trump said, 'The Taj Mahal Inspires Awe, A Timeless Testament to the Rich And Diverse Beauty of Indian Culture"Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner pose at Taj MahalPresident Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner also looked around the Taj Mahal and posed for photos. Uttar Pradesh: US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner at the Taj Mahal in Agra.  pic. twitter. com/z1LtpUQJjeUS president, First lady visit Taj MahalUS President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited the Taj Mahal in Agra.  Thep president later wrote in visitor's book. Agra: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Taj Mahal.  pic. twitter. com/DOd4tu8iOQPresidential cavalcade moving towards the Taj MahalThe cavalcade of President Trump is moving towards the Taj Mahal.  Cultural events have been organised at stages created on crossings along the 14 km route. Agra: Artists perform, students line the streets as US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump head to the Taj Mahal.  pic. twitter. com/ezHd5pf2Vq'India and US will make their future brighter than ever before': TrumpPresident Trump says that India and the US will make their future brighter than eve before.  In a tweet in Hindi, the US president said, "India and the US will make their nations stronger, their citizens more affluent, give wings to people who dream big and their future brighter than ever before. . . and that is just the beginning. "अमेरिका और भारत अपने देशों को मजबूत बनाएँगे, अपने लोगों को सम्पन्न बनाएँगे, बड़े सपने देखने वालों को और बड़ा बनाएँगे और अपना भविष्य पहले से कहीं अधिक उज्जवल बनाएँगे. . .  और यह तो शुरुआत ही है।Trumps welcomed at airport with cultural programmeUttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the airport.  A cultural programme was presented for the guests who included the president's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump applauded the cultural event by clapping for the artistsUS President lands at Agra airportUS President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have landed at Agra airport.  They will visit the Taj Mahal shortly. Artists wait in Agra to welcome TrumpThe UP government and the Agra administration have made preparations to welcome President Trump and First Lady when they arrive in Agrra.  Artists are waiting at Phool Sayyad crossing in Agra on route to Taj Mahal25,000 students will line up on Trump's Agra routeAbout 25,000 school students will welcome US President Donald Trump along his 13 km long route in Agra, officials said on Monday, reports news agency IANS. A senior UP government official told IANS, "Over 25,000 students from government as well as private schools will welcome President Trump here. "He said, besides the government school students, about 500 women associated with self help groups will also welcome Trump in the historic city. The official further said that the students will be holding Indian and US national flags in their hands and they will wave the US President. First published: Feb 24, 2020 08:36 IST


Passengers and crew members who were killed in a plane crash in Tehran were mourned around the world, including by staff from Ukraine International Airlines and residents of Canada, where many of the victims were from. https://t.co/SAXwFFo0GT https://t.co/PV8bYaKBlN

By Tara John, Meg Wagner, Mike Hayes, Fernando Alfonso III and Veronica Rocha, CNNFrom CNN's Sebastian Shukla and Scott McLean in KievA steady stream of mourners have been leaving flowers and tea lights at the arrivals hall at Boryspil International Airport, in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, a day after 176 people died in the plane crash in Iran.  Eleven Ukrainians were killed, many of whom were crew members on the Ukraine International Airlines flight. Olena, who declined to give her surname, told CNN that she had come to the airport to pay tribute to her friend and former classmate, Serhii Khomenko -- one of the pilots onboard the Boeing 737 aircraft.  They had attended school together in the northern Russian city of Murmansk.  Visibly upset by the death of her friend, Olena said Khomenko has left behind a wife and two children, adding that he was an avid boxer.   Valeriy, who also declined to give another name, told CNN that his sister is godmother to the children of the flight's instructor pilot Oleksiy Naumkin.  Holding back tears, Valeriy told CNN that Naumkin was an experienced pilot who "was so funny and liked to joke. "Valeriy said he last saw his friend a couple months ago, adding that he was shell-shocked when he heard the news.  From CNN's Sebastian Shukla in KievUkraine is investigating multiple possible causes of Wednesday's deadly jetliner crash that killed 176 passengers and crew shortly after takeoff in Tehran.  Ukraine’s National Security and Defence council chief, Oleksiy Danilov, wrote on Facebook that a meeting is taking place Thursday with Iranian authorities, where various causes behind the crash are "being studied. " These include the theory that the plane was hit by an anti-aircraft missile, Danilov wrote.  It's still not clear what caused the crash and several explanations, including technical failure, have not been ruled out.  Other theories under consideration are whether the plane collided with a drone or “other flying object”; technical problems with the plane’s engine causing it to explode, or finally whether an explosion inside the plane was a terrorist act. By CNN's Faith KarimiTwenty minutes before the plane took off from the Iranian capital, Sheyda Shadkhoo called her husband from aboard the flight.  She wanted him to reassure her that everything would be fine, he says. She'd taken three weeks off from her job in Toronto to visit her mother and sisters in Tehran.  Her vacation was over, and she was heading back to Canada to her husband, Hassan Shadkhoo.  Her flight was leaving from Tehran to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. "I spoke to her . . .  20 minutes before the plane took off," he said Wednesday in Toronto.  She was worried about the tensions between Tehran and the United States after President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iranian top general Qasem Soleimani. "She wanted me to assure her that there wasn't going to be a war.  I told her not to worry.  Nothing's gonna happen," her husband told CNN's news partner CBC.  Then she said goodbye and turned her phone off in preparation for takeoff. Read the rest of the story here. Ukrainian International Airlines has released the names of the 176 people aboard Flight PS752 when it crashed in Iran Wednesday while en route to Ukraine. The names of those killed in the crash can be found here. The victims include 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister. The airline previously released the names of the pilots and crew, who died in the crash. The pilots were:The flight attendants were:The Iranian Civil Aviation authority has found that Ukrainian Airlines flight PS 752 was on fire before it crashed, it said in an initial report on Thursday, citing witnesses.  The report also mentions that the plane changed directions after a problem and turned back towards the airport.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared January 9 a day of national mourning. In the announcement published on his official website, Zelensky also said that he would speak with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to step up cooperation between the two countries to determine the cause of the plane crash. Forty-five Ukrainian experts have arrived in Tehran to assist with the investigation and to help identify the victims' bodies, Zelensky said. From CNN's Artemis Moshtaghian, Joshua Berlinger and Jack GuyEighty-two Iranians, 63 Canadians, and 11 Ukrainians died onboard flight PS752, according to a tweet from Ukrainian foreign minister Vadym Prystaiko.  There were also 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals among the victims, he said. The Boeing 737 jet operated by Ukraine International Airlines took off early Wednesday en route to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, carrying 167 passengers and nine crew before crashing between the cities of Parand and Shahriar.  Witnesses described seeing a fireball in the sky and images of the wreckage show charred parts of the plane strewn over a field. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 138 of the passengers were supposed to catch a connecting flight to Canada.  That flight landed in Toronto Wednesday afternoon with many seats empty. The captain of the crashed plane has been identified as Volodymyr Gaponenko, an experienced pilot with 11,600 hours flying on Boeing 737 aircraft under his belt.  The instructor pilot was Oleksiy Naumkin, also experienced with 12,000 hours on the aircraft.  Ukraine International Airlines president, Yevhenii Dykhne, said, "It is impossible that there were mistakes by the crew. "At a press conference in Kiev, he said Tehran airport was "not a simple airport" and the pilots required several years of training to use it. A plane's so-called "black boxes" — the flight data and cockpit voice recorders — can provide crucial evidence about what happened before a crash. After the black boxes from Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 plane were found, Ali Abedzadeh, the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Authority, told Iran's semiofficial Mehr news agency that the US would not be involved at any stage of the investigation. "We will not give the black box to the manufacturer [Boeing] or America," he said. Former FAA chief of staff Michael Goldfarb told CNN that move was not necessarily against protocol. Under international rules, Iran would be the lead investigator of the crash and Ukraine should participate as the state of registry and state of operator of the aircraft. But the US — where Boeing is designed and manufactured — is not required to be involved in investigations right off the bat, Goldfarb said. But Goldfarb added there was no way the Iranians could refuse to work with Boeing and do justice to the investigation. "They have to work with Boeing.  Boeing has all the data, owns all the drawings and designs, they have the engineers, they know the plane. "Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for "complete cooperation with any investigation into the cause of the crash," saying that the US would continue to follow the incident closely and was prepared to offer Ukraine "all possible assistance. "From CNN’s Anastasia Graham-Yooll  Given the level of the crew's experience, it's unlikely that the plane crash was the result of error, Ukrainian International Airlines vice president of operations Ihor Sosnovsky said in a statement on Wednesday. The airline also released the names of the pilots and crew, who died in the crash. The pilots were:The flight attendants were:Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.


FROM THE ARCHIVES: @ABC News' report on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's pending confirmation for the Supreme Court following her nomination by Bill Clinton in 1993. https://t.co/VFMKyL0sE6 https://t.co/CGwjfG78A5

Updated 11:18 PM ET, Sun September 20, 2020Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, died Friday, September 18, due to complications from pancreatic cancer.  She was 87. "Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature," Chief Justice John Roberts said.  "We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague.  Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice. "Ginsburg had several bouts with cancer.  She had radiation therapy for the pancreatic cancer in 2019.  In 2018, she underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her left lung.  She was also treated for early stages of pancreatic cancer in 2009, and she had surgery to treat colon cancer in 1999. Ginsburg was the oldest Supreme Court justice.  She was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and she led the court's liberal wing.


“India has taken into control 60–70 km of the Kailash mountain range and captured such peaks that were used by China earlier to prevent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.  Soldiers shouted slogans of Har Har Mahadev in the area,” reads a message on social media.  It accompanies a photograph of Indian army soldiers raising the tricolour flag atop a mountain. (Translated from: “कैलाश पर्वत श्रृंखला की भारत ने 60-70 किलोमीटर तक का वह पूरा क्षेत्र अपने अधिकार में ले कर ऐसी चोटियों पर कब्जा कर लिया है जिसके दम पर चीन हर बार कैलाश मानसरोवर की यात्रा रोकने की धमकी देने के साथ ही आंखें दिखाता था।वहां भारतीय सैनिकों ने लगाए हर हर महादेव के नारे. ”)From the Twitter account @RajSriv43245377, the claim drew over 300 retweets and close to 600 likes.
The photograph is circulating against the backdrop of the Indian army occupying the high ridgeline of the Kailash Range opposite the Chushul Bowl on the intervening night of August 29-30. The same was promoted by Twitter handle @Qweenofjhansi gathering over 900 likes.
The picture is also circulating on Facebook.  It has been shared with another message that read, “India’s Ranbakura took control of a large part of Kailash mountain occupied by China in 1962 and waved the tricolour flag.  (हिन्द के रणबाकुरों ने 1962 में चीन द्वारा क़ब्ज़ाये गए कैलाश पर्वत बड़ा हिस्सा अब अपने कब्जे में लेकर तिरंगा लहराया. ”)(कैलाश पर्वत श्रृंखला के उन पहाडि़यों को अपने अधिकार में लेने के बाद भारतीय सेना की यह तस्वीर) हमसे महज़ कुछ दूर है बस…Posted by Neeraj Kumar on Monday, 14 September 2020A similar image was viral in June with the false claim that India captured the Chinese side of the Pangong Tso lake.  Alt News Fact Check on the claim spread by a dubious website can be read here. A reverse-image search had led us to the original picture used by The Print in an article from May 13, 2020.  The photograph, credited to ANI, was used for representational purposes.
This image has clearly been morphed and shared recently.
We found another image of the same event in an India Today report from January 26, 2020.  As per the article, the image shows soldiers celebrating the 2020 Republic Day at the Line of Control (LoC).
Alt News also reverse searched the viral image on Yandex after blurring out the soldiers and the flag.  This led us to the original photograph that has been used in the background.
Therefore, a picture from 2020 Republic Day celebrations at the LoC was morphed and shared with the false claim that it shows the Indian army raising the national flag at Kailash mountain.  India recently occupied the heights in Chushul sector. Donate NowPooja Chaudhuri is a senior editor at Alt News. A picture of Tej Pratap Yadav has been making the rounds on social media recently…. A video of police tying a rope around an elderly person’s wrists has been circulating…A photo of a man being flogged with his hands tied has been gathering a…A set of two images, an alleged tweet and a video has been shared on…A photo of an idol of Hindu deity Nandi found buried in the ground has…


#Oscars flashback: @ladygaga when she first walked the Oscars red carpet as the face of Versace vs. tonight where she is nominated for best actress for @starisbornmovie. https://t.co/1F5SFjWsFK https://t.co/iBTixmSAlv

  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.


The political operative at the center of an election fraud controversy in North Carolina was indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony charges https://t.co/BpG8E60scO https://t.co/sYAjRptWam

Gemmel Moore was found dead in Ed Buck's apartment in July 2017.  Mother of man found dead in Democratic donor's home files wrongful death lawsuitThe mother of a man who was found dead in a Democratic donor's apartment nearly two years ago has now filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the donor and city officials in Los Angeles. Gemmel Moore was found dead in the apartment of Ed Buck on July 27, 2017. Moore's mother, Latisha Nixon, is suing Buck along with the Los Angeles County District Attorney and the county's assistant head deputy district attorney. Moore was the first of two men who were found dead in Buck's apartment.  The second man, later identified as Timothy Dean, died this January.  His death prompted the Los Angeles sheriff's department to investigate as well as revisit the investigation into Moore's death. The Los Angeles sheriff's office said in January that Buck, who has a history of donating to Democratic causes, was at the apartment when both men died. In addition to wrongful death, Nixon's suit goes on to list 10 additional causes of action, including sexual battery, assault, battery, hate violence, drug dealer liability, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil rights violations. The attorney for Buck, Seymour Amster, issued a statement Wednesday maintaining his innocence. "On behalf of Mr.  Buck we categorically deny all allegations of wrongdoing and look forward to litigating this matter in a court of law," Amster told ABC News. Amster told KABC in January that Dean's death was "a situation where Mr.  Buck has had longtime friends who unfortunately do not handle their life well. "The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office declined to comment. Moore's death was originally ruled an accidental methamphetamine overdose when the sheriff's department investigated Moore's death in 2017. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department confirmed to ABC News that the investigation into both Dean's and Moore's deaths is ongoing. According to Nixon's lawsuit, Moore "died after being injected with a lethal dose of crystal methamphetamine at the hands of Edward Buck, a wealthy older white man who has a well-documented history of isolating black men for predatory sexual encounters during which he injects them with crystal methamphetamine in the confines of a drug den in his West Hollywood apartment. "Buck's apartment was described in Moore’s autopsy report as "littered with multiple syringes with brown residue, a scale, several lighters and torches, a straw with white residue, glass pipes with white residue and burn marks, plastic bags with white powdery residue and a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance," the suit says. "Mr.  Buck had previously solicited sex from Mr.  Moore on numerous occasions.  During previous encounters, Mr.  Buck would insist upon injecting Mr.  Moore with crystal methamphetamine," the suit states. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Image shows Canadian PM Justin Trudeau holding a T-shirt in support of Tamil Nadu’s protest against the alleged "Hindi imposition" by the Centre on non-Hindi speaking Indian states.

Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, was recently questioned about her nationality by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official at the Chennai airport, as she did not know Hindi. The incident re-ignited the "Hindi imposition" debate in the state.  Following this incident, Kollywood celebrities and politicians took to social media to voice their opposition against the alleged Hindi imposition by the Centre in non-Hindi speaking states. People started posting photos of themselves wearing T-shirts with slogans such as, "I am a Tamizh pesum Indian" (I am a Tamil speaking Indian) and "Hindi theriyathu poda" (I don't know Hindi, Go! ). Amid this, an image of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holding a T-shirt with "Hindi theriyathu poda (I don’t know Hindi, Go! )" written on it is viral on social media.  The post claims that Trudeau has backed Tamil Nadu's fight against "Hindi imposition". One such claim uploaded on Facebook translates into English as, "I cannot stay silent if there is a problem for Tamil or Tamilians — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. " The claim is originally in the Tamil language. India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found that the viral image is photoshopped.  Also, the Canadian PM has not made any comment on the ongoing anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu. The archived versions of similar claims on social media can be seen here, here and here. AFWA ProbeDuring a reverse image search, we found a similar photo uploaded on multiple sites with a pro-vaccine slogan printed on the T-shirt PM Trudeau is holding, instead of an anti-Hindi slogan. We also found a similar image uploaded by Justin Trudeau himself on his verified twitter handle @JustinTrudeau on May 30, 2019, with the caption: "Vaccines are safe, and save lives.  Love this shirt, thanks @GinettePT!  #VaccinesCauseAdults. "The caption on the T-shirt in this original image reads, “VACCINES CAUSE ADULTS”. Vaccines are safe, and save lives.  Love this shirt, thanks @GinettePT!  #VaccinesCauseAdults pic. twitter. com/7TluU4E6VLIn the tweet, the PM has also marked Canadian MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor — seen standing next to him in the picture.  We also found a similar image uploaded by Taylor on her Twitter handle with both Trudeau and her wearing the pro-vaccine T-shirt. Vaccines are safe.  Vaccines are effective.  Vaccines save lives. Our Prime Minister is an incredible supporter of vaccination I was so excited to present him with one of @drgigiosler's #VaccinesCauseAdults shirts!  pic. twitter. com/tL0Yqp4COkPro-vaccine campaign“Vaccine cause adults” is a T-shirt campaign which was part of a pro-vaccine movement started in the year 2019 by Legacy Pediatrics.  Legacy, a pediatric office in New York, fights the anti-vaccination movement in the country. We also found an article by USA TODAY which carried an image of the staff of Legacy Pediatrics wearing similar T-shirts that Trudeau wore in the image posted on his Twitter handle. Moreover, no other credible sources reported the Canadian PM reacting to the "Hindi imposition" debate going on in non-Hindi speaking states in India. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.


Kobe Bryant "was constantly considering what would come after the game ended," writes @jeffpearlman for @CNNopinion https://t.co/sBEgLHAhxb

The two died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Kobe Bryant off the courtKobe Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, had a passion for basketball and was hoping to follow in NBA legend's footsteps before the two died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Bryant, 41, wasn't a frequent social media user, but his Instagram page was full of footage of Gianna on the court. One of his last posts featured an image of the teenager taking a jump shot on the hardwood while wearing a dress and stilettos.  He captioned the photo "#HoopsAndHeels #StealsAndStilettos. "The five-time NBA champion once shared a video of the two playing a game of one-on-one.  Bryant was barefoot and playing defense and Gianna was energetic and scoring on her dad. "A lil one on one with my baby Gigi #footwork #stringmusic #mambacita," the NBA player wrote in the video caption back in 2017. Ramona Shelburne, an ESPN Senior Writer who developed a friendship with Bryant, said the father of four daughters once told her that kids are "the greatest blessing that God can give you. "  The NBA legend "lived for" his family, according to Shelburne. "Every time I talked to him that’s all he wanted to talk about," she told "Good Morning America. " "The last few years all we would do is send each other texts about our kids. "Gianna reportedly wanted to attend the University of Connecticut and even got a chance to meet with the school's women's basketball team when they made a visit to Los Angeles in 2017. The team shared an image of the two on Sunday in the wake of their deaths. "Kobe and Gianna meant a lot to our program.  Our thoughts are with the Bryant family," the team posted.  "Mamba Mentality will live on forever, but they are deeply missed. "Back in 2018, Kobe revealed that he started coaching Gianna’s middle school team when he retired in 2016, ending his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. "It's been fun! " he said in an interview with "Entertainment Tonight" in 2018.  "We've been working together for a year and a half and they've improved tremendously in that time.  I've got a group of great parents, a group of really, really intelligent, hardworking girls, and -- they're all seventh graders, they're all 12 years old -- but they've been playing so well! ""They've been playing eighth and ninth grade, they've been winning tournaments.  But the most important thing is they keep improving, keep getting better and they love doing it.  They love being around each other," he added. Bryant spoke about his daughter urging him to make the film "Dear Basketball," which won an Academy Award. "My daughter gave me the best piece of advice.  I was a little worried about turning this into a film.  I’d never done something like that before," Bryant said after the Oscar win.  "We were in the house and talking about it as a family and my little 11-year-old Gianna goes, 'Well dad, you always tell us to go after our dreams so … man up. ' She’s 11.   Man up.  So I had to man up and go for it. "Bryant's "Dear Basketball" film, his books and podcasts for kids and his coaching were all part of the legacy he wanted to leave, according to Shelburne. "All he cared about going forward in his life was his legacy and what he could teach to not just his own kids but to all kids," she said.  "He wanted to reach that next generation. ""I remember his last year [in the NBA] we were doing a story and I wanted to do the ‘mic drop story’ that would encompass all of it," Shelburne recalled.  "He goes, 'I’m not into that … I only want people to learn what I’ve been through so that maybe I can inspire others. '"Last year, when late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel asked Bryant about Gianna's aspirations to play for the WNBA, he responded: "She does for sure. " He also recalled a short story about how the youngster once responded when a fan suggested that he should have a son to carry on his legacy. "The best thing that happens is when we go out and fans will come up to me, and she’ll be standing next to me.  And they’ll be like, 'Hey, you gotta have a boy.  You and V gotta have a boy, man, have somebody carry on your tradition, the legacy. ' And she’s like, 'Oy, I got this.  You don’t need no boy for that.  I got this. ' And I’m like, 'That’s right.  Yes, you do.  You got this. '"The father and daughter duo were among nine killed on Sunday, according to the NBA, when a private helicopter went down in Calabasas, California, killing everyone on board.  The other victims in the crash have not been officially identified. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Maharashtra: Idol of Lord Ganesha being taken from Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Mumbai, for immersion. (Earlier visuals) https://t.co/kIRwUr01rn

The immersion processions of Lord Ganesh idols began in Maharashtra’s Pune city on Thursday, with devotees bidding farewell to the elephant-headed God and urging him to come back fast next year. Amid beats of drums and the traditional dhol-tasha, devotees led the processions of the city’s five most prominent mandals - Kasba Ganpati, Tambadi Jogeswari mandal, Gurji Talim mandal, Tulshi Baug mandal and Kesariwada mandal - with much fanfare and zeal. As the processions passed through the city roads, devotees chanted “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudachya Varshi Lavkar Ya” (Hail Lord Ganesh, come back fast next year). After passing through various prominent areas of Pune, the idols would be immersed in the Mutha river here. More than 8,000 personnel have been deployed to guard the immersion processions while 169 CCTV cameras and drones have also been installed to keep an eye on them, Pune Police Commissioner K Venkatesham earlier said. The 10-day long festival began with the Ganesh Chaturthi on September 2. It is set to conclude on Thursday, on the occasion of ‘Anant Chaturdashi’, with the ‘visarjan’ (immersion) of idols. (The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text. )


Image shows two brothers and one sister who are IPS officers from the same family.

An image of three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers photographed together is viral on social media with claims that they are siblings and have cracked the civil service examinations, making their family proud.  BOOM found that the IPS officers in the photograph, identified as Shrut Kirti Somavanshi, Pooja Vashisth and Tushar Gupta respectively, are not related.    The image has been captioned in Facebook as, "Two Brothers And One Sister In The Same Family Are IPS OFFICERS.  Proud Moment For Their Parents.  Let's Congratulate them. " Posts in English are archived here and here.   The same image is doing the rounds with a similar narrative in Bangla, which translates to, "Not only jeans and cigarette. .  this shows equal rights and equal respect.  Three brothers and sisters from the same family are IPS officers.  A daughter is not a burden.  We need to understand women.  If there is a right opportunity, not only boys, even girls of the family will shine bright and make us proud.  Don't bring up the son and daughter differently.  Bring them up as your children, not based on the gender.  One day, you will be proud to say, 'She is my daughter'. "  (Original text in Bangla: ''শুধু জিনস, সিগারেট নয়. . . সমান অধিকার, সমান মর্যাদা বলতে এটা বুঝতে হবে সমাজকে। এক পরিবারে তিন ভাই বোন IPS  অফিসার! !  মেয়ে মানে "কাঁধের বোঝা" নয়, আমাদের উচিত মেয়েদেরকে "বোঝা! " সঠিক সুযোগ পেলে শুধু ছেলে নয়  মেয়েও বংশের মুখ উজ্জল করবে! !  ছেলেকে আলাদা করে মানুষ, মেয়েকে  আলাদা করে মানুষ না করে দুজনকে "সন্তান" হিসাবে মানুষ করুন, দেখবেন একদিন গর্ব করে বলবেন. . . "ও আমার মেয়ে! ") Click here to see the post and here, here and here for archived links.     Also Read: 2006 Picture Of Muslims Burning Danish Flag Revived With Fake Claim Fact Check BOOM ran a reverse image search on Yandex, a  Russian search engine which led us to an Instagram account of Pooja Vashisth.   Vashisth, an IPS probationer of the Haryana cadre, posted the image on August 22 in her Instagram profile.  The post has been captioned as, "People who make life easier.  #mypeople #ipslife #ceremonialwear #khaki".  Pooja Vashisth posted the image on her Instagram profile on August 22, 2020.   Shrut Kirti Somavanshi and Tushar Gupta were tagged as Shrutsom and Tusharg_ips respectively in the image.  BOOM reached out to Somavanshi (@shrustsom), an IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh Cadre, who rubbished the narrative associated with the viral image and said that the three of them are neither siblings nor are they related to each other.  Tushar Gupta an IPS 2018 batch, from the Punjab cadre,  further clarified, "The photograph was clicked in an IPS mess after a training session. "    The same photograph has been posted by Tushar Gupta, a 2018 IPS batch of the Punjab  Cadre.    The one with happy faces !  😊 #ips #indianpolice #indianpoliceservice #police #khakhi #svpnpa #upsc #civilservice #upscmotivation #cops A post shared by  Tushar Gupta (@tusharg_ips) on Aug 22, 2020 at 7:03am PDT Somavanshi and Gupta also shared Instagram stories after BOOM reached out to them to verify the fake narrative doing the rounds with the photograph.  Somavanshi wrote, "False information, refrain from sharing. "  Screenshot of Tushar Gupta's Instagram story on September 06, 2020.  Also Read: Photo Of Muslim Teen Made Cop For A Day Peddled With Communal Claim


Chennai: Congress leaders arrive at DMK headquarters for a meeting on seat-sharing for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections https://t.co/ZuDj6TUGWj

Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and senior Congress leaders including former CM Harish Rawat and party state president Pritam Singh on Tuesday visited the villages affected by the disaster caused by an avalanche on Sunday morning in Chamoli district. CM Rawat had left for Chamoli on Monday evening where he spent the night before flying off to the affected villages from Joshimath-based army helipad near the NTPC dam site in Tapovan. He went to one of the 13 border villages named Lata which were cut off after the lone bridge connecting them to the outside world was washed away by the flash floods in the disaster.  There he met the locals to know the issues they are facing while assuring all possible help, including providing ration to them. Also read: K’taka’s anti-cow slaughter law hits supplies, industry worth ₹500 cr affectedCM Rawat also met the injured admitted in the Joshimath-based army hospital and enquired about their health. Informing about the ground situation, the CM said, "Right now, the primary focus is on searching the missing and rescuing those trapped inside the tunnel.  The rescue workers are trying to get inside the tunnel with a rope after drilling it.  We hope they succeed in that. "The chief minister said, "Apart from this, relief material is also being provided to the affected people of the villages that have been cut off after the bridge collapsed.  Ration packets are being air-dropped as well as provided by the rescue workers on foot.  I urge people to keep calm as the government has all the required resources to tackle the situation. "Congress leaders Harish Rawat and Pritam Singh also visited the NTPC dam site at Tapovan where they assessed the ongoing rescue operation followed by a visit to one of the affected villages. Speaking to the media, Rawat said, "First of all, we are extremely thankful to all the rescue workers involved in the rescue operation.  The locals are also playing an important role by providing valuable inputs to the rescue workers. ""We pray to Lord Badrinath to save those trapped inside the tunnel and offer our condolences to those who lost their lives in this tragedy," he said. Rawat said solutions need to be found to "minimise the effects of global warming on the Himalayas. ""This disaster has once again shed light on the impact of global warming on the Himalayas, especially the Central Himalayas which include states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.  A solution is needed to minimise the impact on it," said Rawat.


Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including key Trump allies, reportedly cautioning the president against declaring a national emergency to build his desired border wall—and could move to block him if he does so. https://t.co/3SKjqPXbmV

  President Donald Trump met with contractors at the White House Monday to discuss building the border wall ahead of his State of the Union address, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told CNN.  That follows meetings he held last week with his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and contractors.

  Despite CNN reporting that several senior Senate Republicans and members of GOP leadership have raised serious concerns about the possibility of Trump bypassing Congress and using an emergency declaration to build his wall, the President’s meeting with contractors shows that he is seriously considering doing so.

  The President is so fixated on building the wall that he told a group of political allies on Monday that he wants to paint a section of current border fencing where it meets the ocean in San Diego, a person familiar with the exchange told CNN’s Jim Acosta.

State of the Union promises epic political drama

  Trump complained he was told by a general that painting that area could harm the environment.

  The White House declined to comment on the meeting.  White House counsel Pat Cipollone was also present at last week’s meetings.

  Trump came close to declaring an emergency after competing proposals to end the government shutdown both failed in the Senate at the end of January.  But aides convinced him that waiting three weeks while a special committee of senators and representatives attempted to hash out a deal was a better idea.  Then, if those congressional negotiators couldn’t come up with an agreement that funded the wall, he could declare a national emergency.

  Trump has expressed doubt in recent days that the committee will find a solution he accepts.

  “Listen closely to the State of the Union,” he said Friday when asked if he was ready to announce a national emergency.

CNN’s Jim Acosta and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.

  This story has been updated.
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Former BSF constable Tej Bahadur joins Jannayak Janta Party (JJP)

https://t.co/N7ZjW8gJhk https://t.co/lSn0kGGZ7Z

Tej Bahadur Yadav, the BSF constable who was dismissed from service after he had released a video in 2017 on quality of food served to soldiers, joined Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) here on Sunday in the presence of its leader Dushyant Chautala. The JJP had contested the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) where it had to suffer a humiliating defeat being unable to secure even a single seat.  Its subsequent alliance with the BSP also came to an end recently. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Yadav had filed his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate.  However, his candidature was rejected by the returning officer after he failed to submit a certificate on whether or not he was dismissed from the service for corruption or disloyalty to the government. In January 2017, he had posted four videos on social media which showed him complaining about unpalatable food at his camp along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. A JJP spokesperson said that former Congress MLA, Satwinder Rana also joined the party on Sunday.


We don't need to get our Hindutva certified from any party. We were, we are & we will always be Hindutvawadi. We don't play Hindutva politics like them. Whenever the country needs us, Shiv Sena will always come forward wielding the sword of Hindutava: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut https://t.co/An2ITlYWRO

The war of words between two former allies - Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - continues.  Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party will come wielding the sword of Hindutva whenever the country needs it. Raut also said that his party was and will always be Hindutvawadi.  “We don’t need to get our Hindutva certified from any party.  We were, we are and we will always be Hindutvawadi.  We don’t play Hindutva politics like them.  Whenever the country needs us, Shiv Sena will always come forward wielding the sword of Hindutva,” the Shiv Sena leader said, as quoted by ANI. This isn’t the first time Raut has hit out at the BJP on Hindutava.  After the Maharashtra government announced the reopening of religious places in the state from November 16, the BJP had called the move a victory of Hindutva. “This is not a victory or defeat of anybody,” Raut had said on Sunday.  The Shiv Sena leader slammed the party by reminding them that they were shut down on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s instructions. “The lockdown was imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the decision to shut the temples was also taken by him.  So there is no reason for BJP to take credit for the victory of Hindutva in this matter.  I believe that the Prime Minister will have to tell the meaning of victory and defeat to such people,” he added. Raut had also pushed for the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) announced by the Centre to be followed firmly as places of worship reopen.  “The SOPs drafted by the government need to be followed strictly.  There is no need to take credit.  It was God’s will that people stay at home, and now it is God’s will that places of worship reopen with precautions,” Raut said. All the religious places in Maharashtra reopened for devotees from Monday after being shut for several months due coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.


Here's why President Trump is more likely to incite people than persuade them at the State of the Union tonight | Analysis by Ronald Brownstein https://t.co/MD0FNAG1Bd https://t.co/aEfVpiwes2

Of the 15 possible choices, only nine were eligible to play the role.  State of the Union: What can we expect? Energy Secretary Rick Perry was tapped as this year's designated successor, known colloquially as the "designated survivor," in case an attack or disaster leaves top government officials gathered at the Capitol for the State of the Union incapacitated. Perry stepped into the role of secretary of energy in March of 2017, joining an agency he once sought to eliminate. Perry, the former governor of Texas, promised to shut down three federal departments, including energy, back in 2012.  Once President Trump tapped him for the position of energy secretary, he told the Senate committee deciding on his nomination that he regretted his 2012 proposal. Last year, the responsibility fell to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who, like others before him, spent the evening in a secret, secure and remote location. But this year, the pool of eligible survivors from the president's cabinet was a bit shorter than usual due to multiple vacancies in the president’s cabinet.  Of the 15 possible choices, only nine were eligible to play the role. The Presidential Succession Act specifies that only Senate-confirmed secretaries are eligible for the role, meaning that “acting” secretaries are not.  The individual must also be a natural-born U. S.  citizen. Of the 15 executive department heads specified under the law as being eligible, three are currently headed by acting leadership, and another is constitutionally ineligible. The Pentagon has been operating under temporary leadership since Jim Mattis resigned in December over a disagreement with the president’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Patrick Shanahan currently serves in the role of acting Defense Secretary. At the Department of Justice, Matthew Whitaker is serving in an acting capacity as attorney general, while the president’s nominee William Barr awaits a Senate confirmation vote. David Bernhardt has been serving as the acting Secretary of the Interior following Ryan Zinke’s departure at the end of last year amid multiple ethics inquiries.  On Monday, President Trump nominated Bernhardt to officially assume the role, subject to Senate confirmation. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is also not able to fill the role because she was not born in the U. S. , making her constitutionally ineligible. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Supreme Court reserves order on Rafale review petitions against its December 14, 2018 judgement upholding the 36 Rafale jets' deal. https://t.co/b9gC4s0qCp

For the second time in 12 months, the Supreme Court collegium has asserted itself against the executive on matters of judicial appointments and insisted on the elevation to the top court of two high court judges it has recommended, and proposed two more names, including the first Scheduled Caste nominee to the bench in a decade. The collegium, which comprises the five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice of India, reiterated its April recommendation that Jharkhand high court chief justice Aniruddha Bose and Gauhati chief justice AS Bopanna be appointed to the apex court.  The collegium, which met on Wednesday, recommended two more names, of Bombay high court judge BR Gavai and Himachal Pradesh high court chief justice Surya Kant, for elevation as Supreme Court judges, according to a statement posted on the Supreme Court website. The reiteration of its recommendation of justices Bose and Bopanna came after the department of justice, under the ministry of law and justice, sent back the recommendations to the collegium for its reconsideration.  It is believed that the ministry’s decision may have been driven by the fact that the two high courts to which the judges were first named (their parent high courts), Karnataka and Calcutta, are already well represented in the apex court.  Brushing aside government’s objection to the names, the collegium said in a resolution that it had kept in mind the twin parameters of seniority among judges and merit while recommending the names. “… the Collegium resolves to reiterate the afore-mentioned recommendation dated 12th April, 2019, especially since nothing adverse regarding competence, conduct or integrity of Mr.  Justices (1) Aniruddha Bose, and (2) A. S.  Bopanna, has been pointed out,” a resolution passed on Wednesday said.  A law ministry official did not respond to requests for a comment. This is the second time in a year that the government and judiciary have locked horns over the appointment of judges.  In April 2018, the government objected to the appointment of then Uttarakhand high court chief justice KM Joseph as a Supreme Court judge.  But then too, the collegium stood its ground and the appointment of justice Joseph came through, albeit after a delay.  Once the Collegium reiterates its recommendation, the government has to accept it, although there is no prescribed time-frame within which this needs to be done.  Clearing the names of justices Gavai and Kant for appointment, the collegium said: “While recommending the names of Mr.  Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai and Mr.  Justice Surya Kant, the Collegium has taken into consideration combined seniority on all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts, apart from their competence, conduct and integrity.  The Collegium has also kept in mind the desirability of giving due representation on the Bench of the Supreme Court, as far as possible, to all the High Courts as well as to all sections of the society including those belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories, women and minorities. “With the recommendation of justice Gavai to the Supreme Court, the top court has a Scheduled Caste judge on the bench after a gap of a decade.  ST and OBC are short for Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class, respectively. Clearing the air that the recommendation of justice Gavai — he happens to be fourth with respect to seniority among judges from the Bombay high court — the collegium said: “His recommendation, in no way, is to be misconstrued to mean that three senior-most Judges from Bombay High Court (two of whom are serving as chief justices) are less suitable than Mr.  Justice Gavai. ”Senior advocate Vikas Singh said, “The legal position on the issue is very clear.  The government can only object to it once and if the collegium reasserts its recommendation, the government has to go by the recommendation.  And this position is very important for the independence of the judiciary. ”


Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind performs yoga today on #InternationalYogaDay https://t.co/5UoM61pexI

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

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

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Indian Embassy in China celebrates International Yoga DayNaqvi performs 'asanas' with people of different communitiesYoga can be solution for stress created by Covid-19: Vice-presidentYoga practitioners have less chances of getting Covid19: AYUSH ministerYoga on the mountains of Uttarakhand'Yoga is a great gift of India to humanity'ITBP personnel twist and stretch with monks'Largest yoga class ever held'Yoga should be part of our lifestyle in fight against Covid-19: Nepal PMITBP personnel perform yoga at 18,800 feet of altitudeWhy it is celebrated on June 21 every year? Political leaders celebrate International Yoga DayITBP perosnnel performs yoga in sub-sero temperatureGlimpse of Indian Army celebrating International Yoga DayDelhi CM Arvind Kejriwal performs yogaPeople across the world celebrated International Yoga Day on June 21 from confines of their homes as restrictions continue due to the coronavirus outbreak. In India, the celebrations kicked off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation where he emphasised on the importance of yoga in our lives and urged people to practice Pranayam, breathing exercises, to improve their respiratory system amid Covid-19 pandemic. “It is a day of universal brotherhood,” said PM Modi in his address on the sixth International Yoga Day. Following PM Modi's address, a team from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga demonstrated a 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) which was live broadcast on the television as gatherings were cancelled to abide by the Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing. To encourage people to celebrate the occasion at home, with their family members, 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family' theme was set for this year's Yoga Day. Yoga is a set of physical exercises that calm the mind and benefit the body.  It originated in ancient India. Following International Yoga Day's inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, the day is celebrated every year since June 2015. Follow live updates on International Yoga Day here: Indian Embassy in China celebrates International Yoga DayThe Indian Embassy in China celebrated the 6th International Yoga Day while maintaining social distancing and other safety norms in view of coronavirus pandemic.  (ANI)Naqvi performs 'asanas' with people of different communitiesUnion minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi donned the role of a Yoga instructor as he performed various 'asanas' with people from different communities at his residence. The Minority Affairs minister marked the day by performing Yoga with people from Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian communities. Yoga can be solution for stress created by Covid-19: Vice-presidentVice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said people should be physically and mentally healthy to put up a united fight against the novel coronavirus as humanity cannot allow the pandemic to get the better of it. He also said that yoga can be an effective solution for the high level of stress that the pandemic has created in our lives, PTI reported. Yoga practitioners have less chances of getting Covid19: AYUSH ministerYoga practitioners have less chances of getting infected by coronavirus, Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik said on Sunday. Naik also said the propagation of yoga across the country and the world during the Narendra Modi-led regime has helped in the fight against Covid-19, news agency PTI reported. Yoga on the mountains of UttarakhandWith a breathtaking view in the backdrop, ITBP personnel practice Yoga at 14000 ft in Vasudhara, near Badrinath, Uttarakhand. #Himveers of ITBP practicing Yoga at 14000 ft in Vasudhara, near Badrinath, Uttarakhand on International Day of Yoga 2020. #Internationalyogaday2020 #YogaDay2020 @moayush pic. twitter. com/ZS0mPcntz9'Yoga is a great gift of India to humanity'"Yoga is a great gift of India to humanity, especially relevant today as it increases human's physical and mental wellbeing, resilience to diseases," says Russian ambassador to India. Congratulations to all my Indian friends, compatriots and fellow diplomats on the occasion of #InternationalYogaDayThis is a great gift of #India to humanity, especially relevant today as it increases human's physical and mental wellbeing, resilience to diseases.  pic. twitter. com/kcltBjNKRFITBP personnel twist and stretch with monksIn Leh, Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel twist and stretch with Buddhist monks at Thiksay monastery. 'Largest yoga class ever held'In 2015, 35,985 people, including PM Modi and dignitaries from 84 nations, performed various asanas in New Delhi, creating a record for largest yoga class ever held and with the largest number of participating nationalities. Yoga should be part of our lifestyle in fight against Covid-19: Nepal PMNepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on all to make Yoga an integral part of human lifestyle to stay physically and mentally fit in the fight against Covid-19. "Yoga should be made a part of human life to lead the society through a healthy, happy and positive psychology," Nepal PM said in his message on the 6th International Yoga Day. ITBP personnel perform yoga at 18,800 feet of altitudeIn the backdrop of serene hills of north Sikkim, Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel perform yoga at an altitude of 18,800 feet. Sikkim: ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel perform yoga at an altitude of 18,800 feet in North Sikkim on #InternationalYogaDay today.  (Source: ITBP) pic. twitter. com/rqhge9GA8fWhy it is celebrated on June 21 every year? In 2014, during his address at the United Nations, PM Modi had suggested June 21 date for International Yoga Day as it is the longest day of the year in the mass northern hemisphere and it is culturally significant in many part of the world. Political leaders celebrate International Yoga DayFrom Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and BJP president JP Nadda, all roll out yoga mats and participates in International Yoga Day celebrations. ITBP perosnnel performs yoga in sub-sero temperatureBeating all odds, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel celebrates International Yoga Day by doing asanas at an altitude of 18,000 feet, in sub-zero temperature in Ladakh, ANI reported. Glimpse of Indian Army celebrating International Yoga DayIndian Army's Jammu Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) Battalion performs yoga in Rangreth of Srinagar. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal performs yogaDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal performs yoga at his residence. First published: Jun 21, 2020 05:47 IST


Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on state assembly's resolution against Citizenship Amendment Act: This resolution has no legal or constitutional validity because citizenship is exclusively a central subject, this actually means nothing. https://t.co/GHPJ7lvlsR

Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday said the resolution passed by the state assembly demanding scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) did not have constitutional or legal validity.  “The resolution has no constitutional or legal validity,” he said while talking to media persons in Thiruvananthapuram, adding that the state had no role as “citizenship comes under the domain of the central government”. “Citizenship comes exclusively in the domain of the central government.  The state government has no role.  So, why are these people engaged in something which is a non-issue for Kerala? ,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.  He also criticised the Indian History Congress, held in Kannur, where protests were raised against him for his remarks on the CAA.  Khan said the History Congress has claimed that it has made some recommendations to the state government, including not to cooperate with the Centre. The recommendations are “totally illegal” and have “criminal content”, he said. On Tuesday, Kerala became the first state in the country to pass a resolution against changes to the citizenship law and the National Population Register.  “The Centre should come off its parochial and sectarian outlook and treat everyone equally,” chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said after the assembly voted 138:1 in favour of the resolution. The resolution was criticised by the Bharatiya Janata Party with the Union law minister and senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad hitting out at the Kerala government.  He said that state governments have the “constitutional duty” of implementing the laws passed by Parliament.  He also said chief minister Vijayan should seek “better legal advise”. However, CM Vijayan said the state assemblies have their own privileges.  Protests against the CAA have intensified over the past fortnight, often turning violent.  Opposition parties including the Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party have also criticised the amended law.  The Citizenship Amendment Bill, passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, is aimed at fast-tracking the grant of Indian citizenship to members of religious minorities from the Muslim-majority countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. (With inputs from PTI)


Delhi: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose with PM Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi after taking oath as the first Lokpal of India https://t.co/f5BeIaVmYq

President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday administered the oath of office to Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose as the country’s first Lokpal. The oath was administered at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a communique issued by the President’s office said. Justice Ghose, a former Supreme Court judge, was Tuesday named the country’s first Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman. Former Chief Justices of different high courts -- Justices Dilip B Bhosale, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Abhilasha Kumari -- besides sitting Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Ajay Kumar Tripathi were appointed as judicial members in the Lokpal. Former first woman chief of Sashastra Seema Bal Archana Ramasundaram, ex-Maharashtra chief secretary Dinesh Kumar Jain, former IRS officer Mahender Singh and Gujarat cadre ex-IAS officer Indrajeet Prasad Gautam are the Lokpal’s non-judicial members. Justice Ghose, 66, retired as a Supreme Court judge in May 2017.  He was serving as the member of the National Human Rights Commission when his name was announced for the post of Lokpal chairperson. The Lokpal and the Lokayukta Act, which envisages appointment of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states to look into cases of corruption against certain categories of public servants, was passed on 2013. According to the rules, there is provision for a chairperson and a maximum of eight members in the Lokpal panel.  Of these, four need to be judicial members. Not less than 50 per cent of the members of the Lokpal shall be from amongst the persons belonging to the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women, the rules say. Upon selection, the chairperson and members shall hold office for a term of five years or till they attain 70 years of age. The salary and allowances of the chairman will be same as that of the Chief Justice of India. The members will be paid salary and allowances same as that of a judge of the Supreme Court.


"I'm so proud to endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States"

Former President Obama offered his formal endorsement of Joe Biden on Tuesday, urging Democrats to form a unified front to defeat President Trump in November. https://t.co/9a3lA1V1sk https://t.co/DmFY1cJBm7

"Joe has all the qualities we need in a president right now,” Obama said. Barack Obama endorses Joe Biden for presidentFormer President Barack Obama gave his endorsement of his former vice president, Joe Biden Tuesday in a video message posted to his social media accounts. “I’m so proud to endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States.  Choosing Joe to be my Vice President was one of the best decisions I ever made, and he became a close friend.  And I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a President right now,” Obama said in a nearly 12 minute long message, which has received 1 million views in the first 39 minutes it was posted, according to data from Twitter. Obama praised Biden in language strikingly similar to that used in his 2017 speech honoring the former vice president with the Medal of Freedom. “Through all his trials, he’s never once forgotten the values or the moral fiber that his parents passed on to him, and that made him who he is.  That’s what steels his faith – in God, in America, and in all of us,” Obama said. A senior advisor to Biden previously told  ABC News that they anticipated that Obama’s endorsement would be done in a way so that “everybody will know how strongly he feels about this. ”Biden reacted to Obama’s endorsement in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon, writing: “Barack — This endorsement means the world to Jill and me.  We’re going to build on the progress we made together, and there’s no one I’d rather have standing by my side. ”The video message went far beyond a simple endorsement of the former vice president--it also served as a message to the Democratic Party over all about the need to unify ahead of the election in November.  Obama specifically praised Sen.  Bernie Sanders in the video for his impact on the party. “Bernie’s an American original – a man who has devoted his life to giving voice to working people’s hopes, dreams, and frustrations.  He and I haven’t always agreed on everything, but we’ve always shared a conviction that we have to make America a fairer, more just, more equitable society,” Obama said of the Vermont Senator. “We both know that nothing is more powerful than millions of voices calling for change.  And the ideas he’s championed; the energy and enthusiasm he inspired, especially in young people, will be critical in moving America in a direction of progress and hope. ”The former president also nodded to a major theme of Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign, arguing that “even before the [COVID-19] pandemic turned the world upside down, it was already clear that we needed real structural change. ”While Obama did not explicitly mention President Donald Trump in the video released Tuesday, he issued a stinging rebuke of the GOP, saying that “the Republicans occupying the White House and running the U. S.  Senate are not interested in progress.  They’re interested in power. ”“So our country’s future hangs on this election.  And it won’t be easy.  The other side has a massive war chest.  The other side has a propaganda network with little regard for the truth.  On the other hand, pandemics have a way of cutting through a lot of noise and spin to remind us of what is real, and what is important,” Obama added. Referencing the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Obama added that he believes Biden has the “character and the experience to guide us through one of our darkest times and heal us through a long recovery,” and surround himself with a team that can guide the country through the ongoing pandemic. “This crisis has reminded us that government matters.  It’s reminded us that good government matters.  That facts and science matter.  That the rule of law matters.  That having leaders who are informed, and honest, and seek to bring people together rather than drive them apart – those kind of leaders matter,” Obama said. Obama also acknowledged the ideological shift in the party since he held the presidency, saying that he would not have run the “same race,” that he did during his successful 2008 campaign. “I could not be prouder of the incredible progress that we made together during my presidency.  But if I were running today, I wouldn’t run the same race or have the same platform as I did in 2008.  The world is different; there’s too much unfinished business for us to just look backwards.  We have to look to the future.  Bernie understands that.  And Joe understands that,” Obama said. Obama also shared his support for Biden’s plan to expand his signature legislation, Obamacare, as the party continues to grapple with divisions over the issue of health care, and progressive calls for a single-payer system. “We have to protect the gains we made with the Affordable Care Act, but it’s also time to go further.  We should make plans affordable for everyone, provide everyone with a public option,  expand Medicare, and finish the job so that health care isn’t just a right, but a reality for everybody. ”While the campaign trail remains off limits as the COVID-19 crisis continues, Obama concluded his video by telling viewers he will “see you on the campaign trail as soon as [he] can. ”The announcement comes as Biden has continued to consolidate support within the Democratic party as the presumptive nominee.  Sources familiar with former President Obama’s thinking had previously said he would hold off on an endorsement during the Democratic primary, citing his belief that “ a robust primary in 2007 and 2008 not only made him a better general election candidate, but a better president, too. ”Biden also weighed in on the former president’s endorsement shortly after entering the 2020 race, saying he asked the former president not to throw his support behind him. “I asked President Obama not to endorse me,” Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Delaware the day he announced his candidacy.  “Whoever wins this nomination should win it on their own merits. ”The endorsement will be the second show of party unity in the last two days following Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ announcement yesterday that he is backing Biden’s bid. . “Today, I am asking all Americans, I'm asking every Democrat, I'm asking every Independent, I'm asking a lot of Republicans to come together in this campaign to support your candidacy -- which I endorse,” Sanders said Monday on a joint livestream event on the nation’s economic response to the novel coronavirus. Obama himself has spoken with several former 2020 candidates, including Sanders, in recent weeks about how to best position the Democratic Party to win in November, according to a source familiar with the conversations, and stressed that defeating Trump is “paramount. ”24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Gujarat: All gardens and parks in Ahmedabad closed for the public from today till further orders, due to a rise in COVID19 cases https://t.co/Y4X4dm7jcA

Polling for elections to municipal corporations of six major cities in Gujarat began at 7am on Sunday amid tight security and adherence to Covid-19 norms.  The polling will end at 5pm.  The six municipal corporations that are going to the polls include Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar.  These elections are being seen as a test for Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani as the state will go to assembly polls next year.  The counting of votes will be held on Tuesday. Here’s everything you need to know about Gujarat civic polls:1.  There are 575 seats with each ward having four corporators and 2,276 candidates, comprising 577 from the BJP, 566 from the Congress, 470 from AAP, 91 from NCP, 353 from other parties and 228 Independents who are in the fray in these elections. 2.  The total number of voters in the six cities is 11. 4 million, comprising 6. 06 million men and more than 5. 4 million women. Read more: PM Modi to address top military brass in Gujarat in March3.  The are 11,121 polling booths for the elections, out of which 2,255 have been designated as sensitive and 1,188 have been designated as very sensitive.  Extra forces have been deployed in sensitive polling booths.  Authorities have also created 97 checkposts along the state's borders in view of the polls. 4.  The counting of votes will be conducted on February 23 after which polls to 31 districts, 231 taluka panchayats and 81 municipalities will be held on February 28. 5.  More than 43,000 police personnel have been deployed for maintaining law and order during the polling process.  Of this 25,000 personnel are from regular units, 15,000 are home guards, and 3,000 are from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). 6.  Union home minister Amit Shah will be in Gujarat on Sunday to cast his vote in the Naranpura ward of Ahmedabad municipal corporation.  Chief minister Vijay Rupani, who is currently undergoing treatment for Covid-19, will cast his vote in a polling booth in Anil Gyan Mandir School in his hometown Rajkot. (With agency inputs)