President Trump talked about a lot of things in his State of the Union address and painted an inspiring picture of the United States under his leadership. Here are 13 big things he left out. | Analysis by @zbyronwolf https://t.co/90PlDWTVRs

Pelosi later called the address "a dirty speech. "State of the Union: 5 key takeawaysIn a moment that bookended an already divided night at the Capitol, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore in half a copy of the State of the Union address given to her by the president just as he finished speaking. President Donald Trump didn't appear to notice as Pelosi, standing behind him in the gallery, ripped up the papers. When asked after the event why she ripped up the speech, Pelosi told reporters it was "because it was a courteous thing to do considering the alternative.  It was such a dirty speech. "The White House responded on Twitter, writing that Pelosi tearing up the pages was "her legacy. "The address put America's divided politics on display, with Republicans offering up raucous support while Democrats mainly glared on and kept quiet. One such moment was when Trump called California "a very terrible sanctuary," a comment not included among his prepared remarks. "The State of California passed an outrageous law declaring their whole State to be a sanctuary for criminal illegal immigrants -- a very terrible sanctuary --  with catastrophic results," Trump said. Pelosi's jaw dropped at the comment.  She represents California's 12th congressional district, which includes San Francisco. Other House Democrats at time could be heard booing, while Rep.  Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Rep.  Bill Pascrell, D-N. J. , walked out. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Madhya Pradesh: A farmer allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison as his standing crops were destroyed in a fire in Damoh.

Police said," The farmer was admitted to district hospital where he passed away. Further investigation is underway." https://t.co/hpHpyVqdKc

A farmer, troubled by the burning of a standing crop of wheat, has committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh by drinking pesticide. The deceased farmer has been identified as Bedilal Ahirwar (55), a resident of Damoh's Chilaud village. He reportedly drank the pesticide on Wednesday night and died while going through treatment at a hospital. "Ahirwar was troubled after having an acre of his standing wheat crop burnt in a fire caused by a short circuit in a high-tension line passing over the field," said Pappu Ahirwar, one of his family members. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA from Pathariya, Rambai Singh visited the village.  Reaching out to the aggrieved farmers, she said, "I have spoken to the Union Agriculture Minister and the district collector about the issue.  Aggrieved farmers will be compensated soon. "In the last four days, there have been several reports of fires in wheat crops in more than a dozen villages across the district.


Due to the oxygen crisis, hospitals had to reduce their bed capacity...I request all hospitals to now reinstate their bed capacity. I hope we will receive 700 tons of oxygen every day: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

#COVID19Vaccine https://t.co/9hNXSaElBo

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Union government to ensure 700 metric tonne (MT) of medical oxygen is supplied to Delhi every day, stating that even its judges feel “helpless” after hearing cries of people suffering due to shortage of oxygen, beds, and essential medicines in the national capital.  It asked the Centre to submit a plan in the court by Thursday morning detailing how this target would be met, including logistical details. The bench of justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and MR Shah also stayed the contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi high court against the Centre on Tuesday over deficit in oxygen supply, but not before clarifying that this is contingent on the Union government’s admission that the court order of May 2 required the Centre to supply 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi until further orders. “We are not only judges but also citizens of this country.  I and justice Shah have been continuously on phone trying to come up with some solution by using our good offices.  But we are also helpless.  So, we can understand what a common man and citizens feel.  We are ultimately answerable to the people,” the bench told solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre. Mehta requested that the court not insist on 700 MT for Delhi, adding that the Centre will try to supply as much as possible,but the bench declined to accept such a suggestion. “We can’t accept this as an institutional response.  Situation of Delhi is really critical.  We are answerable to the citizens, and we know with 550 MT (the amount that reached Delhi on Tuesday), what is happening on the ground.  Our friendships are limited because of our positions, but our offices are getting numerous calls, and the lawyers and others are crying.  They plead ‘please do something’.  When 550 MT is not solving the problem of Delhi, we cannot review our orders. . .  there is tremendous anxiety on the part of the citizens to run from pillar to post for oxygen and cylinders,” it told the S-G. Mehta, on his part, pressed for an audit to figure out the real requirement of Delhi and optimal utilisation of medical oxygen before determining the final number.  While the bench accepted the suggestion for having an audit and asked the Centre and Delhi government to suggest some names by Thursday morning for a panel that would examine this, it made it clear that the May 2 order on supplying 700 MT shall remain in force till the time this order is modified by specifying a higher or lower quantity. The Centre has consistently claimed that it cannot supply as much oxygen as Delhi wants, and also said that the Delhi government has not been able to transport supplies of oxygen allocated to it -- which is true; Delhi does not have the tankers required to do so. The oxygen crisis in the Capital has been due to the lower allocation by the Centre despite demands from the Delhi government for an enhanced oxygen quota, and the Delhi government’s failure to arrange for cryogenic tankers and trucks to lift even that allocated oxygen and seamlessly distribute it to its hospitals. ‘National disaster’“Nobody can dispute it is a national disaster.  Nobody can dispute there is a deficit of oxygen.  Nobody can dispute some people have lost their lives due to shortage of oxygen. . .  so, now let us ensure that lives are saved.  We want you to ensure 700 MT is given between today and Monday (when the special bench takes up the matter initiated on its own) so that it takes the sting off the immediate humanitarian crisis in Delhi,” it said. The bench asked the S-G to submit a tabulated statement by 10. 30am on Thursday, indicating the manner in which its order of supplying 700 MT oxygen to Delhi shall be complied with, and the details on sources of supply, transportation and other logistical arrangements.  “This plan will remain in operation till further orders,” it ordered. Referring to the contempt proceedings initiated by the high court on Tuesday, the bench expressed displeasure at the Centre’s law officers trying to misinterpret the Supreme Court’s order on 700 MT (on Sunday) to wriggle out of the liability. “Why did your additional solicitors general tell the high court that we didn’t order for 700 MT?  The problem is when your law officers argue like this and then you get into a crossfire.  Tell your ASGs not to misinterpret the orders of the Supreme Court.  The effort has to be to comply after our orders.  Hauling up anyone in contempt will not get anybody oxygen in the country.  We want the oxygen to come,” it told Mehta. “It must be clarified that taking recourse to contempt will not resolve the problems.  The country is faced with a serious pandemic of unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the efforts of courts should be to have active engagement and cooperation of all stakeholders,” the bench noted in its order, as it stayed the contempt proceedings against the Centre.  At the same time, the bench clarified that the Delhi high court shall continue to monitor the case before it relating to the supply of oxygen and other essential resources. ‘Examine Mumbai model’The court also asked the officials of the Centre and Delhi government to have a meeting on Wednesday evening for a deliberation on supply and distribution of oxygen, besides also examining the “Mumbai model” of optimal utilisation of oxygen. The S-G cited the “Mumbai model”, pointing out that despite having a case load of 92,000 cases as on April 10, Mumbai made do with just 275 MT of oxygen.  The city also made arrangements for a buffer storage for imminent requirements.  The court said that the Delhi government should consider replicating this model for the national capital. The top court also urged the Centre to revisit its oxygen allocation policy, saying the existing quantum of allocations were chiefly linked to the number of ICU and non-ICU beds in a state but did not consider the requirement of patients who could not get beds in hospitals but required oxygen support.  “Your allocation formula is not scientific but based on some generic assumptions,” it said. The bench also noted that the expert committee of the government did not include any eminent doctor associated with private hospitals, adding that it will consider setting up a committee on the next date of hearing for reviewing the formula of oxygen allocation. Raghav Chadha, MLA in-charge of overseeing the oxygen supply in Delhi, said that after the high court’s rebuke, the central government has given a maximum of 555MT oxygen a day to Delhi till date, while the city’s requirement is 976MT.  He said that the Centre’s responsibility doesn’t end there and added that it should also provide cryogenic tankers to ensure the transportation of liquid medical oxygen. “The oxygen supplied to us yesterday (Tuesday), only 57% (555MT) of the needed amount of 976 MT, was not done via regular sources, but on ad hoc basis.  It was a result of ‘jugad’ done by the Centre.  It was not supplied to us via our identified sources. . .  However, it was supplied only after the HC’s reprimand, through ad hoc and temporary means, like for example the trucks which were supposed to go to another state were diverted to the national capital… We really hope that we receive the oxygen with full certainty, and the plants which are designated to supply to us, must do so on a regular basis.  It shouldn’t be occasional, wherein whenever the HC denounces the central government, they supply the oxygen to us on that same day or the next day…,” he said.


Maharashtra: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the #SushantSinghRajput death case arrives at Bandra Police Station in Mumbai. https://t.co/qgWb9yPDA0

A man wanted in murder case was arrested here on Wednesday after police fired at him as he attacked a police official while trying to escape. The man, indentified as Prabhu, attacked a head constable near Acharya college towards Sasuveghatta road while trying to escape arrest.  The head constable was injured and shifted to a hospital.  The police were chasing Prabhu in connection with the murder case when the incident took place.  He allegedly killed a man, identified as Karan Singh, by stabbing him at the Sidedahalli road following an argument between them on May 4. “In the limits of Bagalagunte Police Station, a man Karan Singh was allegedly killed by Prabhu and others on Monday.  Arjun Singh, brother of Karan Singh, had a quarrel with Prabhu when they were playing a game (online).  He was stabbed and taken to hospital,” said Shashikumar, DCP Bengaluru North Division. “This information went to Karan Singh, who came with some of his friends to find out why Prabhu has done this.  In the process, Prabhu suddenly stabbed him twice in abdomen and chest.  Karan Singh died on the spot,” the officer said. He said police teams were trying to find Prabhu and another accused in the case.  “Today morning two teams were trying to find him near Acharya institute in under construction buildings.  Suddenly he came out and tried escaping.  In the process a round was fired in the air.  He started attacking police and one round was fired on his right leg.  He was incapacitated and taken in police custody,” Shashikumar said.


England: Fans in Leeds celebrate after India won by 7 wickets against Sri Lanka. #CWC19 https://t.co/joWsx4SuzV

If a week is a long time in politics, 30 years is an eternity.  It was in 1989 when Indian politics saw a decisive shift.  At the centre, the era of Congress hegemony ended - not to be replaced by another large national formation but a constellation of forces, where parties with strong regional roots played a key role.  In the states, specific regional parties, often rooted in movements of marginalised castes, became ascendant.  The 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2009 general elections all confirmed the trend.  The Union could only be run with the support of regional parties.  Coalitions, it seemed, were here to stay - and be it the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), they could only form the government if they showed a willingness to accommodate smaller parties from across the country. The 2014 election overturned this thesis - with the BJP winning a majority on its own.  But it felt like a one-off event.  Indian politics would return to the old normal, predicted most observers.  But the 2019 election saw Narendra Modi return with a bigger majority.  This, then, must prompt the question: Is there a new normal emerging, where the era of regional parties being the swing force at the Centre is ending?  While significant attention has been paid to the crisis in the Congress after the election results of May 23, there needs to be more focus on the state of the rest of the Opposition.  Both the results, and developments since then, show that those regional parties are now fighting a real battle for survival.  Take the south.  In Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is imploding.  N Chandrababu Naidu saw himself as a man who could select the next prime minister till six weeks ago, active in bringing together non-BJP forces.  Now, he is struggling to keep his own party intact, with four Rajya Sabha MPs defecting to the BJP and a steady stream of state leaders crossing over.  With the BJP targeting Andhra Pradesh (which sends 25 MPs to the Lok Sabha) for the next election, if this trend continues, do not be surprised if the saffron outfit becomes a key player and turns the politics of the state genuinely triangular.  In Karnataka, the Janata Dal (Secular) is in government.  But the defeat of party patriarch HD Deve Gowda, the fragility of its coalition with the Congress, and the major inroads made by the BJP in the state, is sounding alarm bells in the party.  In the east, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) protected its citadel of Odisha and Naveen Patnaik returned to power for the fifth time.  But the state voted differently in the Lok Sabha polls, with the BJP winning eight seats.  The saffron outfit is now biding its time, for it realises that after Patnaik, the BJD, in the absence of any second-rung leader, may well crumble.  In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress remains a dominant player.  But with the BJP making major gains in the state, emerging as the principal opposition, weaning away a substantial segment of leaders and voters from the rest of the political field, and posing a formidable challenge in the 2021 assembly polls, Mamata Banerjee can no longer rest easy.  In the west, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra faced a severe drubbing, with a member of Sharad Pawar‘s own family losing for the first time.  The state government’s decision to grant reservations to Marathas, now upheld by the Bombay High Court, will also have an electoral impact, and could well see a swing of Maratha votes - considered the NCP’s base - towards the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls.  But the real churn is happening in the north.  In Bihar, not only did the Rashtriya Janata Dal fail to win a single seat, it faces a crisis of relevance.  The party’s supreme leader, Lalu Prasad, is in jail, and unwell; his son, Tejaswi, is perceived as inadequate to the task and his disappearing act since the election has eroded his credibility severely.  The party’s own Yadav vote base has seen a dent with a section of the community moving to the BJP.  The Janata Dal (United), the BJP’s ally, has won 16 seats in the state - but it was primarily because it rode on the Modi wave.  On his own, chief minister Nitish Kumar is the weakest of the three forces in the state. And of course, the most telling example of this crisis is in Uttar Pradesh.  The Samajwadi Party (SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance has ended.  They fought the BJP separately in 2014 and 2017 and lost.  They fought the BJP together this time and lost.  Their own vote share has shrunk.  Communities which were seen as loyal are no longer captive vote banks.  And if the BJP wins the 2022 assembly polls yet again, both SP and BSP will struggle to make a comeback.  To be sure, there are vibrant regional formations.  Be it the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the DMK-AIADMK, or the YSR Congress Party, or even BJD or Trinamool, these forces are either in power or dominant forces in their states.  Even in the north, older caste-based parties will not suddenly disappear.  They will remain influential and strong electoral contenders.  This is in no way an obituary of the regional parties.  But it is to suggest that something fundamental is shifting in Indian politics.  The post-1989 normal is broken.  The rise of the BJP system - much like the Congress system of the early decades after Independence - has thrown regional parties off gear.  Till they return to their roots, widen their social alliances instead of relying on old arithmetic, improve their governance record, strengthen their organisations, and strike a balance between their regional outlook and national picture, their future may not be as bright as their past.


President Biden will host the family of George Floyd at the White House on Tuesday to mark the one-year anniversary of his death at the hands of police, a White House official confirmed. https://t.co/hNRv6KEVvT

Congress is unlikely to meet Biden’s deadline on a policing reform bill.  Remembering George Floyd: A year of protestPresident Joe Biden will mark the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death on Tuesday by meeting with members of the Floyd family at the White House as Congress is poised to miss the president's deadline for passing police reform legislation named in Floyd's memory. Floyd died a year ago Tuesday after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes, which Biden called "a wake up call to the country" and sparked protests around the world calling for police reform and an end to systemic racism. His death led to legislation called the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was originally introduced in June 2020 and passed by the House of Representatives in March.  Biden had held out the anniversary of Floyd's death as a deadline for the bill's passage, but Tuesday’s meeting is unlikely to include a signing of the legislation. Watch "After Floyd: The Year that Shook the World -- A Soul of a Nation Special" streaming now on HuluBiden previously met with the family ahead of Floyd’s funeral in Houston last summer and spoke with them both before and after Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death. "You've been incredible, you're an incredible family.  I wish I were there to put my arms around you," Biden told the family on the call following the guilty verdicts. "I'm anxious to see you guys.  I really am.  We're going to get a lot more done, we're going to do a lot.  We're going to stay at it til we get it done. "Biden, during his first joint address to Congress last month, set Tuesday as a deadline for signing the policing legislation into law. "My fellow Americans, we have to come together to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people they serve, to root out systemic racism in our criminal justice system, and to enact police reform in George Floyd’s name that passed the House already," Biden said in April. “We need to work together to find a consensus.  But let’s get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death. ”A day after that speech, the families of victims of police violence, including Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd, met with key lawmakers on Capitol Hill and went to the White House to talk about moving legislation forward. "This legislation has my brother blood on it and all the other families' blood on it," Philonise Floyd said at the time. While a bipartisan group of lawmakers has been engaged in negotiations over the legislation for weeks, White House press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged Friday that Congress was not expected to meet Biden’s deadline, as lawmakers remain at odds over key provisions of the bill, including the issue of so-called "qualified immunity" for police officers. Other provisions in the bill House Democrats passed on a mostly party-line vote of 220-212 in March include establishing a national standard for the operation of police departments, creating a national registry for data on police misconduct, streamlining federal law to prosecute excessive force and banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants. Democrats in the Senate blocked a competing measure in June by Sen.  Tim Scott, R-S. C. , that they said did not go far enough. "They're continuing to have good discussions.  And that is a positive sign.  So, you know, we are not going to slow our -- slow our efforts to get this done.  But, we can also be transparent about the fact that it’s gonna take a little bit more time.  That sometimes -- that happens, and that's OK," Psaki said. The White House did not give an updated deadline on when it would like to see the bill passed, saying only that Biden would like to "sign it into law as quickly as possible. "ABC News' Trish Turner, Allison Pecorin and Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Delhi | Security deployment at Tikri border as protesting farmers are gathered despite being given permission to hold their demonstrations at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari area #FarmersProtest

(reports ANI)

https://t.co/BVaF3Qotjp https://t.co/QbUQ9sHUGR

Several high-voltage stand-offs later, farmers protesting three contentious farm bills passed by the government in September entered the national capital on late Friday, marking a headway in their Delhi Chalo march.  Thousands in count, these farmers faced multiple flashpoints with the police in riot gear using tear gas, water cannon, barricades and barbed wires upon entering Delhi from adjoining states like Haryana as they insisted to protest the three laws cleared by the Parliament, alleging that these laws will reduce their earnings in the market and give more power to corporations.  Also read: Farmers let into Delhi after clashes at borderUnion agricultural minister Narendra Singh Tomar assured farmers on Saturday the government was ready for talks on December 3. On the other hand, Union minister Amit Shah on requested farmers to halt their protests and assured them that the Centre will discuss every issue that has been troubling them.  Here are the latest updates:Haryana BKU chief, farmers booked for attempt to murder, riotingBharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was booked by the Haryana Police for attempting to murder and rioting during the ongoing farmers protest, officials told news agency PTI.  UP farmers reach Delhi border to support ongoing protestsFarmers from Uttar Pradesh arrived at Ghaziabad - Delhi border expressing their support to the ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march.  Demands for guarantee in Minimum Support Price (MSP) were made and they said that further plans to be decided after discussion with other farmers, reports news agency ANI. Farmer union meeting ends, decides to halt protests at Delhi Haryana borderGeneral secretary of Punjab’s Bharatiya Kisan Union Harinder Singh has said that the protests will continue at the Delhi Haryana border, after farmers’ meeting.  He also said that meetings would be held everyday at 11am to discuss further strategies, reports news agency ANI.  Narendra Singh Tomar assures talks with farmers on December 3Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar has assured that government is ready for talks with the farmer unions on December 3.  He also asked all political parties to avoid ‘playing politics in the name of farmers’ and said that he hopes to meet the farmers during the meet, as reported by news agency ANI. Randeep Singh Surjewala calls out Haryana government In his latest tweet, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has accused that the Haryana government has ‘gone mad with ego. ’ He said that the government had no problem using water cannons on famers, but when a young man tries to stop it, he is charged with ‘attempt to murder. ’ अहंकार में पागल हो गई है ‘खट्टर सरकार’ ! खट्टर-दुष्यंत चौटाला किसान पर सर्दी के मौसम में ‘वॉटर केनन’ चलाएँ, वो ठीक,और. . . एक नौजवान उन ‘वॉटर केनन’ को बंद करे, वो ‘हत्या के प्रयास’ का आरोपी।डूब मरो, शर्म करो भाजपा-जजपा सरकार ! https://t. co/zqQHYziPtWThousands of protesting Indian farmers and police face-off at New Delhi borderA day after clashes ended with an agreement that the farmers could demonstrate in the capital, tensions rose again in the protests over laws that farmers fear could rob them of minimum guaranteed prices for their produce. Centre fails to address farmers’ issues, says Bharatiya Kisan UnionRakesh Tikait, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said that the Central government has failed to address the issues of the farmers. “The government has failed to address the issues of the farmers.  We are proceeding to Delhi now.  We demand that there should a provision stating that there will be no sale of produce below the Minimum Support Price (MSP),” Tikait told PTI.  .  After night halt, Punjab farmers resume march towards DelhiPunjab farmers resumed their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march against the Centre’s new farm laws on Saturday morning after halting for the night to join thousands who have already reached the national capital’s borders. Rahul Gandhi blames ‘PM Modi’s arrogance’ behind viral photo of farmer getting beaten बड़ी ही दुखद फ़ोटो है। हमारा नारा तो ‘जय जवान जय किसान’ का था लेकिन आज PM मोदी के अहंकार ने जवान को किसान के ख़िलाफ़ खड़ा कर दिया। यह बहुत ख़तरनाक है। pic. twitter. com/1pArTEECsUFarmers gathered at Singhu, Tikri border points refuse to head to north Delhi protest siteThousands of farmers gathered at the Singhu border held a meeting on Saturday morning amid heavy security presence and decided to continue demonstrating there even after being offered a site in north Delhi to hold their protest. Those gathered at the Tikri border continued to hold ground as well.  A decision on whether they would head to the designated protest site is expected soon. Farmers start gathering at Delhi’s Burari GroundFarmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana on Saturday morning began arriving at the Nirankari Samagam Ground on the outskirts of the national capital for a protest against the new farm laws. After days of a standoff with police and after facing teargas shells, water cannons and barricading on various points on the Delhi-Haryana border by police, the farmers ‘Dilli Chalo’ march was allowed to enter Delhi on Friday and proceed to the ground in Burari situated in its north-west.  The Tikri border was opened up for them. Security deployment at Tikri border Protesting farmers gathered at Tikri border despite being given permission to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari area. Delhi: Security deployment at Tikri border as protesting farmers are gathered here despite being given permission to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari area pic. twitter. com/mpYSvyQU5xFarmers from Fatehgarh Sahib on their way to Delhi to protest against Centre’s farm laws Punjab: Farmers from Fatehgarh Sahib on their way to Delhi to protest against Centre's Farm laws pic. twitter. com/0scMjWS6rlFarmers reach Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari Some farmers who managed to cross the border and enter Delhi yesterday have reached at the approved protest site -Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari.  A farmer says, “Our protest will continue till the Farm laws are not withdrawn.  We are here for the long haul. ”Delhi: Farmers at the approved protest site -Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari A farmer says, "Our protest will continue till the Farm laws are not withdrawn.  We are here for the long haul. " pic. twitter. com/lkOSHDllZISecurity measures scaled up at Delhi-Haryana’s Singhu borderHeavy security deployment is seen at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) where protesting farmers are gathered.  Heavy security deployment at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) where protesting farmers are gatheredDelhi Police yesterday gave permission to farmers to hold their demonstrations at the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Delhi's Burari area pic. twitter. com/AN9tVbMKyWProtest may intensify, farmers from 4 states look to join stirPunjab and Haryana farmers protesting in Delhi on Friday got support from their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, who will join the stir in the next few days, farmer leaders from these states said. Protests were observed on Friday in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh as well.  There could be a possible stand-off on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh interstate border on Saturday as farmers from UP, Uttarakhand and MP will try to enter the Capital from there. Read more hereProtesting farmers retire for the night at Singhu border, set up langarFarmers from Punjab who were part of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement retired for the night at the Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border on Friday, after a gruelling day of confrontation with the police.


Voting underway for the third phase of #BiharAssemblyElections2020, visuals from Kishanganj.

The fate of 1,204 candidates is being decided by close to 2.34 crore voters for 78 seats. https://t.co/XBQPpp73Ut

Fifth phase of polling for Jammu and Kashmir’s 37 district development council (DDC) seats has begun on Thursday along with voting for 58 vacant Sarpanch and 218 vacant Panch seats in Kashmir. Two-time former minister and senior Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin is contesting from Paranpilla DDC seat of Uri in Baramulla.  Mohiuddin was once tipped to be the chief minister candidate during PDP-Congress coalition government in J&K.  He is facing a tough contest from the PAGD (People’s alliance for Gupkar declaration) candidate, Shaukat Ali Khan, who is from Sajjad Lone’s Peoples’ Conference. On Tuesday night, police had stopped and questioned a close relative of Mohiudin near LoC following allegations that he was distributing money among the voters at Kamalkote. Sajjad Lone accused the administration of trying to hush up a case of money distribution. “Attempts to hush up a case involving distribution of money in Parenpeela, URI, DDC constituency.  The constituency goes to polls tomorrow.  The L-G has a moral duty to ascertain who all r(are) behind attempts to hush up the case,” Sajjad Lone tweeted late on Tuesday night. Police, however, denied the allegations. “A news is making the rounds in the media about the arrest of a close relative of a DDC candidate in Uri along with some government employees.  However, routine nakas viz a viz security beef up and for checking of violation of model code of conduct were established at many places along the length and breadth of Paranpilla DDC constituency.  During the search at one such naka in Kamalkote, a close relative of one DDC candidate was stopped and questioned along with his escort personnel.  He and his escort personnel were frisked and his vehicle was thoroughly checked but nothing was found,” police said in a statement. Out of the 37 DDC constituencies going to polls today, 17 are in the Kashmir division and 20 are in the Jammu division.  155 candidates including 30 females are in the fray for the 17 DDC seats in Kashmir division, said state election commissioner KK Sharma. “In the Jammu division, there are 144 candidates in the fray for the 20 DDC constituencies in this phase, including 40 females,” he added in a media briefing on Tuesday evening. Also Read: Roshni land scam: Ex-MLA Pathania’s late father, grandfather on list of beneficiaries The electoral officer said out of 125 sarpanch vacancies notified in the 5th phase, 30 have been elected unopposed. “There shall be a contest in 58 constituencies and 175 candidates, including 51 females are in the fray.  Out of the total 1,412 Panch vacancies notified in this phase, 218 constituencies will go for elections with 527 candidates including 137 female candidates. ”In this phase, Sharma said that 827,519 electors are eligible to cast their votes including 433,285 males and 394,234 females. “Among these 439,529 are from Jammu division and 387,990 are from Kashmir division.  And 2,104 polling stations have been set up across the UT for this phase, of which, 914 are in Jammu division and 1,190 are in Kashmir division. Of 2,104 polling stations, 1,193 are hyper sensitive, 472 are sensitive and 439 have been categorized as normal,” Sharma said.


A video of a mob destroying a railway station is being widely shared on Facebook with the claim that the incident took place in India.  Let’s analyze the authenticity of the claim. Claim: Video of a mob destroying a railway station in India.  Fact: The video shows a mob destroying ‘Brahmanbaria railway station’ in Bangladesh.  So, the claim is FALSE.    In the video, at one point, the name board of the railway station can be spotted.  The text on it is in Bengali; its English translation is ‘Brahmanbaria’. When searched on Google with the text ‘Brahmanbaria railway station vandalised’, an article of ‘The Observer’ was found in the search results.  From that article, it was found that, in 2016, few students of a madrasa have destroyed the furniture, machinery and other accessories at Brahmanbaria railway station in Bangladesh and it has caused a considerable loss to the station.  The same can also be read in the news report of ‘The Daily Star’. To summarize, a video of a mob destroying a railway station in ‘Bangladesh’ is being shared as that of ‘India’. Did you watch our video on the 10 Most Ridiculous Fake News of the Year 2019?


any type of poison (from snake poison to celphos poison) can be cured on call immediately.

The viral post is fake.  UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion prohibits forceful conversions.  It allows willing conversions with two months prior notice to the District Magistrate.
New Delhi (Vishvas News).  After Uttar Pradesh cabinet cleared a draft ordinance against forceful religious conversions in interfaith marriages, social media users have shared a post claiming Muslim boy falling in love with a non-Muslim girl is a criminal offence with 5 years imprisonment.  Vishvas News investigation revealed the viral claim is fake.
UP State Law Commission refuted the claims and clarified that the viral post
have misinterpreted the ordinance.  ClaimSeveral users have shared a viral post on Twitter that
reads, “UP cabinet passes ‘love jihad’ ordinance.  Now a Muslim boy falling in
love with a non-Muslim girl is a criminal offence with 5 years imprisonment.  P. S
It’ll be abused the most against Muslims…”We also found this claim on Facebook shared with pictures.  InvestigationUttar Pradesh cabinet on 24 November passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion ordinance that makes forced religious conversions punishable with a jail term up to 10 years.  “The ordinance was necessitated by the rise in cases of forced religious conversions under the pretext of marriage,” stated an article in the Jagran Josh.  The ordinance lays down a jail term of 1-5 years and a fine
of Rs 15,000 as a punishment for indulging in forced conversion and in case of
forcible conversion of minors or SC/ST women, the jail term will increase to
3-10 years and fine amounting to Rs 25,000.  In case of community mass
conversion, the violator will face jail term between 3-10 years and a fine
worth Rs 50,000 will be slapped on the organisation behind the move.  The
organisation’s licence would also be cancelled.  The article has also clarified that if an individual willingly wants to convert for marriage then, he/ she will have to give two months notice in advance to the concerned district magistrate.  If the person fails to do so then, the violator will invite a fine of at least Rs 10,000 and a jail term of six months to three years. However, we did not find any news report confirming the
viral claim.  Vishvas News contacted Uttar Pradesh Legislative Department for further clarification about the new ordinance.  Justice Aditya Nath Mittal (Former Judge, High Court, Allahabad), Chairman of Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission refuted the fake claims.  “UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion ordinance is to prevent unlawful religious conversions by means of force, misinterpretation, undue influence.  It allows voluntary conversion,” said Mittal.  He also explained to us the categories of punishment under
the ordinance where unlawful religious conversions would attract jail term from
three to ten years.  Responding to us on call, Sapna Tripathi, Secretary of Uttar
Pradesh State Law Commission also clarified to us that the ordinance is not
against any specific religion as in the claim, but prohibits unlawful
conversions.  Social scanning of the Facebook User Shaz Dar who shared the
viral post revealed that he lives in Dehradun and has 301 followers on
Facebook.


This rescued koala got some belly rubs after the Australian Defense Force saved it from fires burning on Kangaroo Island https://t.co/HIwlwhtqFt https://t.co/fNgycJkr69

The wildfires have devastated the koala population.  This young koala was rescued after he lost his mom in the Australian bushfires Soldiers with the Australian army came to the rescue of several hungry koalas saved from the bushfires ravaging the country. Several servicemen and women were seen cuddling the koalas -- swaddled in blankets -- during feeding time at the Cleland Wildlife Park in Crafers, South Australia, in a photo posted to Instagram by the army on Tuesday. The soldiers appeared attentive and content as they tended to their new furry friends. The army also helped to build climbing mounts inside the park, according to the army. Tens of thousands of koalas have perished since the bushfires began in September.  More than half of the population may have died, Sam Mitchell, co-owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, told The Guardian earlier this month. The slow-moving koalas are often unable to escape the flames fast enough as they burn from treetop to treetop. Australians are doubtful that the country's wildlife will be able to fully recover as the fire season continues for several months.  As many as a billion animals are feared dead, experts have estimated. ABC News' Isabelle Philippe contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


#CoronavirusOutbreak | National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) resumes toll collection on national highways from today. Visuals from Porur Toll Plaza in Chennai.

(ANI)

Live Updates: https://t.co/YaUS75sdRh https://t.co/5Nq3LN9fGm

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

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New York nurses file lawsuit against stateArsenal announces 12. 5% pay cutItaly gets a breather, fresh cases fall for first timeWHO lashes out at US' criticism regarding Covid-19Crude oil prices down to 34-year lowUK report 449 new Covid-19 deathsDelhi adds 1 more to containment zone listLord Badrinath temple to open on May 15'Economic revival only after Covid-19 is controlled': Fauci to agitatorsGujarat Covid-19 tally nears 2,000Covid-19 cases inch towards 1,200 in Uttar PradeshMaharashtra Covid-19 cases reach 4,666China's transparency on origins of Covid-19 'better for all': MerkelUnion minister Javdekar asks scribe to take precautionsGermany 'not out of the woods' yet: MerkelIndia has 559 deaths so far due to Covid-19 and has recorded 17,656 coronavirus cases.  India has also eased lockdown in certain areas of the nation to restart economic activity.  Nationwide containment zones still continue to be under the ambit of lockdown rule.  Global death toll has surpassed 1,60,000 and 2. 4 million continue to be affected.  The United States, continues to be the nation most affected by coronavirus, recording more than 746,000 coronavirus cases and 40,000 deaths so far.  US with 40,000 deaths and 700,000 cases has now become the epicentre of the coronavirus in the West. Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemicCatch live updates on how Covid-19 is affecting lives across the planet: New York nurses file lawsuit against stateNew York State Nurses Association sued New York state Department of Health, Montifiore Medical Center and Westchester Medical Center for being negligent towards providing adequate protection against the virus.  Arsenal announces 12. 5% pay cutArsenal is the latest football club where players have taken salary cuts as UK faces a tough economic as well as social fight as Covid-19 pandemic ravages the nation.  Italy gets a breather, fresh cases fall for first timeGovernment officials told AFP that total number of cases in the worst-hit nation have fallen.  108,237 people were under treatment in their home and hospitals. WHO lashes out at US' criticism regarding Covid-19WHO says they have hidden nothing from US regarding the dangers of novel coronavirus.  WHO further added that they have been vocal about the pandemic since Day 1. #BREAKING WHO chief insists 'nothing hidden from US' on COVID-19 pic. twitter. com/gPciA1bV14Crude oil prices down to 34-year lowAs demand fades in economies upturned by Covid-19 pandemic, the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude plummeted to $10. 01 per barrel. UK report 449 new Covid-19 deathsDeath toll due to Covid-19 has touched 16,509 in UK. #BREAKING UK #coronavirus death toll from those hospitalised rises by 449 to 16,509: health ministry pic. twitter. com/JCckLbB3H0Delhi adds 1 more to containment zone list84 areas in Delhi are under containment zones. Lord Badrinath temple to open on May 15Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said to ANI that Lord Badrinath temple will be open for visitors from May 15. 'Economic revival only after Covid-19 is controlled': Fauci to agitatorsDr Anthony Fauci told protesters who took to the streets demanding lockdown be eased in US so that economic activities can resume only after Covid-19 is brought under control.  Several right-wing supporters took to the streets across several states in US demanding easing of lockdown. Gujarat Covid-19 tally nears 2,000Covid-19 has infected 1,939 people in Gujarat.  93 fresh cases were reported in a span of 24 hours from the state. Gujarat reports 93 new COVID-19 cases; tally 1939: Health officialCovid-19 cases inch towards 1,200 in Uttar PradeshThe state health department told the press that 84 fresh cases were reported taking the statewide tally to 1184.  18 people have died so far due to coronavirus. 84 More #COVID19 cases reported in Uttar Pradesh today.  Total number of cases in the state is at 1184, including 1026 active cases, 140 discharged, and 18 deaths: State Health Department pic. twitter. com/LtIbpWYmW9Maharashtra Covid-19 cases reach 4,666Maharashtra reported 466 cases in 24 hours taking the state tally to 4,666.  232 people have died so far, 7 people have died in Mumbai.  China's transparency on origins of Covid-19 'better for all': MerkelGermany's chancellor Angela Merkel has asked China to be transparent regarding the origins of Covid-19.  Merkel said that it will be better for all. #BREAKING The more transparent China is on origin of #coronavirus, 'the better for all': Merkel pic. twitter. com/3HZ4AQ2In5Union minister Javdekar asks scribe to take precautionsUnion minister Prakash Javdekar said he was shocked to know that 50 journalists had been infected by Covid-19.  He asked journalists to take proper care while doing their duties. It is shocking that more than 50 journalists of electronic media, particularly Camera persons, have been found #Corona positive in Mumbai.  Every journalist should take proper care. Germany 'not out of the woods' yet: MerkelAs some relaxations were brought in the country following which Germans were seen flocking to local stores causing worry to the German chancellor Angela Merkel.  She reiterated the need for social distancing. #BREAKING German Chancellor Merkel urges discipline, warns country 'not out of woods' in pandemic fight as some curbs eased pic. twitter. com/XGGrsHaxpEFirst published: Apr 20, 2020 05:43 IST


Pres. Trump and the White House are preparing an aggressive response ahead of the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, sources tell @ABC News. https://t.co/D0qpECR27R

  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told CNN on Thursday that it would not be “worthwhile” for House Democrats to pursue impeachment in the aftermath of the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.

  “Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point,” Hoyer, the second highest-ranking House Democrat, told CNN.  “Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgment. ”

Mueller report unable to conclude 'no criminal conduct occurred' on obstruction

  Following the highly-anticipated release on Thursday, prominent congressional Democrats raised serious concerns about the President’s conduct as detailed in the report and made clear that their own investigations into the President and his administration will continue.  Democrats are now calling for Mueller to testify before Congress, reiterating demands for access to the full, unredacted report and criticizing the Attorney General’s handling of its rollout.

  But there is no indication as of now that House Democratic leadership will alter its strategy of avoiding impeachment proceedings.

  Ever since winning the House majority in the 2018 midterm elections, House Democratic leaders have worked to tamp down any talk of potential impeachment, while only a small, but vocal, fringe of House Democrats have argued that it should be pursued.  Last month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made headlines when she told the Washington Post, “I’m not for impeachment,” arguing that impeachment would be extremely divisive for the country and saying that Trump is “just not worth it. ”

  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said during a Thursday news conference that impeachment is “one possibility” among others to hold the President accountable, saying, “We obviously have to get to the bottom of what happened and take whatever action seems necessary at that time. ”

  But Nadler suggested that it would be premature to about talk impeachment now.

  “It’s too early to reach those conclusions,” he said.

  Asked if the Mueller report would provide a “road map” should Democrats initiate impeachment proceedings, the New York Democrat similarly said, “It’s too early to talk about that,” adding, “we will have to follow the evidence where it leads. ”

  House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said during a separate news conference that “the facts that are now established by this report are damning. ”

  But, when asked if what he saw in the report rises to the level where impeachment should be considered, the California Democrat responded, “We need to look at the full report. ”

  “The evidence would have to be quite overwhelming and demonstrable and such that it would generate bipartisan support for the idea that it renders the President unfit for office,” Schiff later told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, adding later, “But unless that’s a bipartisan conclusion, an impeachment would be doomed to failure.  I continue to think that a failed impeachment is not in the national interest. ”

  Democratic Del.  Eleanor Holmes Norton from the District of Columbia took a more blunt approach to the subject of impeachment, effectively warning her colleagues in a statement that it would be “futile” and a way to “squander our first majority in eight years. ”

  “With the release of the Mueller Report, questions about impeachment will be given new life,” Norton said.

  But, she cautioned, “Even if the House had a majority for impeachment, for sure, the Senate, controlled by Republicans, would not have the 2/3 necessary for conviction. ”

  “What a waste to squander our first majority in eight years on a futile impeachment process,” she said.  “The public expects Democrats to show something for the majority they have given us.  The question of Trump’s obstruction of justice, which many Americans believe they saw in plain sight, is still on the table.  That leaves a great deal of investigation to be done by Congress.  That does not change my view, however, that impeachment will take us down a road that goes nowhere. ”

  But not all members of Congress feel impeachment should be taken of the table.  Democratic Rep.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most high-profile members in the historic House freshmen class, tweeted Thursday that she would be signing on to an impeachment proposal led by fellow freshman Rep.  Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

  “Mueller’s report is clear in pointing to Congress’ responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President.  It is our job as outlined in Article 1, Sec 2, Clause 5 of the US Constitution,” she wrote in a series of tweets.  “As such, I’ll be signing onto @RashidaTlaib’s impeachment resolution. ”

This story has been updated with additional developments Thursday.

CNN’s Alex Rogers contributed to this report.
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


The Senate impeachment trial of President Trump starts in earnest on Tuesday. Here's what you need to know about the schedule and other details. https://t.co/VlUNMzqkSA

The Senate is following a script that dates back centuries.   This day in history: Dec.  19, 1998In contrast to the name-calling and partisan chaos that dominates current Washington politics, the Senate impeachment trial is a solemn affair, remarkably orderly and measured, and with its formal rules and 18th century language, a kind of scripted history in the making. Some of the first words spoken on Thursday could have come from a town crier. "Hear ye!  Hear ye!  Hear ye!  All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States articles of impeachment against President Donald John Trump, President of the United States," Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger read aloud to senators Thursday. The same words were spoken, the same way, in 1999 at President Bill Clinton's trial, and before that, in 1868, at the trial of President Andrew Johnson. Also on Thursday, in keeping with the same rules governing those previous such trials, the Senate floor was opened so the lead House manager, Rep.  Adam Schiff, D-Calif. , could ritually read aloud, and into the trial record, the articles of impeachment about "high crimes and misdemeanors," and the House resolution that appointed the managers who will present the case against the president. The oath taken by Chief Justice John Roberts -- who then administered the same to senators - is spelled out in Senate rules and dates back to the late 1700s. “I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of President Donald Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God,” it reads. In the age of electronic record-keeping, an old-school account of all senators taking the oath is kept as each one steps forward, in alphabetical order, to use a ceremonial pen to sign his or her name in an "oath book. "During the trial, senators are not allowed to speak, or have electronic devices, and questions must be submitted in writing. When and how long the Senate, sitting as a jury, must meet, are prescribed as well. According to the 1868 rules, the oaths must be administered beginning "at twelve o'clock and thirty minutes afternoon. "The rules also say that the trial must continue six days a week, every day except Sunday, until it is over -- though that schedule is subject to change. Just before adjourning Thursday, the Senate, just as it did more than 150 years ago, sent a ceremonial written summons to the White House, calling on the impeached president to appear and answer the articles against him. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


"If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation."

Seven memorable lines from Pres. Trump's second State of the Union address: https://t.co/K22n08RsG1 https://t.co/98ZaeOIUqc

  The state of Donald Trump is unrepentant and defiant.  And while he says he’s open to compromise and national unity – it must be on his terms.

  The President’s annual State of the Union address on Tuesday held up a mirror for millions of television viewers of the rancorous, apparently unbridgeable ideological divides that hold Washington hostage and stifle a latent yearning for national unity.

  In an often searing speech, Trump was who he was, is, and always will be: a sometimes awkward outsider, a disrupter and a President whose dominant leadership technique is to carve a political divide and pick a side.

  He deliberately stoked fresh tensions with Democrats over his border wall, using rhetoric that may make it more difficult to forge a compromise to defuse a standoff that is threatening to cause a second government shutdown.

Trump calls for rejection of 'politics of revenge' in speech that jabs Democrats

  Yet at times, he offered a tantalizing promise of something more, conjuring moments of poignancy, as when he honored a World War II veteran and a Nazi concentration camp inmate the veteran helped liberate, together in the first lady’s box.

  In a speech in which rhetorical calls for common ground jarred with the rigidity of his policy positions, Trump did make an apparently genuine effort to bring Americans together.  He tried to combine key themes from his 2016 campaign into a patriotic creed behind which everyone could unite.

  “I am asking you to choose greatness.  No matter the trials we face, no matter the challenges to come, we must move go forward together.  We must keep America first in our hearts,” Trump said.

  The question now is whether the President did anything to help his precarious political position or to narrow entrenched political battle lines.

  Apart from a pledge to work together on prescription drug prices, infrastructure and fighting cancer and HIV/AIDS, Trump offered few signs of flexibility on the political disputes that tear at national unity.

  He signaled no retreat on his most quintessential, and divisive, campaign pledge, saying, “walls work and walls save lives,” and raising the specter of “caravans” of migrants massing for a “tremendous onslaught” on the border.

  “I will get it built,” Trump said.

  After a day of White House spin about how the President meant to unify a divided nation, he sent a clear message: Compromise means everyone needs to line up behind him and embrace some of the most polarizing goals of his presidency at home and abroad.

  The calls for unity appeared oddly dissonant from the President’s fervent appeals to his base on immigration, abortion and a vow to make sure America never becomes a “socialist country. ” And on foreign policy and immigration there were characteristic falsehoods sprinkled along the way.

Trump gives the women of Congress a shoutout

  The contradiction underlying the speech – that is also a theme of Trump’s entire presidency – was evident midway through.

  Trump created a tableau of togetherness by pointing out Matthew Charles from Tennessee, an African-American man who was the first inmate freed from prison under a bipartisan criminal justice act passed last year.

  “Matthew, on behalf of all Americans: Welcome home,” Trump said.

  Yet the warmth from that special moment soon faded when the President pivoted directly to tales of “ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers and human traffickers” that recalled the racially charged rhetoric of his campaign.

  Time and again, the kind of national unity for which Trump’s scripted speech sometimes reached appeared on the verge of spontaneously breaking out.

  The chamber stood as one when Trump honored Judah Samet, a survivor of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre and 10-year-old Grace Eline, who turned her cancer diagnosis into a spur to raise money for fellow sufferers.

  When Trump mentioned that 58% of newly created jobs had been filled by women, female Democratic lawmakers – wearing white in a show of equality – stood and cheered, effectively claiming the President’s applause line for themselves.

  “You weren’t meant to do that,” Trump said with a showman’s timing and in a gesture of generosity, reclaiming the moment.

  “Don’t sit yet.  You’re going to like this,” he said, before adding: “And exactly one century after Congress passed the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in Congress than at any time. ”

First on CNN: New York federal prosecutors seek interviews with Trump Organization executives

  Trump came into the evening at one of the weakest moments of his presidency.  He came off second best in his government shutdown showdown with Pelosi.  He is in a box of his own making over the wall – and may be forced to trigger a constitutional conflagration by using executive power to get money to build it.

  In a sign of the darkening cloud of suspicion surrounding his life and presidency, CNN reported that New York prosecutors want to interview Trump Organization executives just hours before the address began.  Special counsel Robert Mueller may soon approach the end of his Russia investigation, which has already won a string of convictions and guilty pleas against Trump associates.

  The President responded with a threat, warning that a flurry of investigations against him and even the congressional oversight he never faced from the Republican House could derail economic growth and threaten the best job creation in decades.

  “An economic miracle is taking place in the United States and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan investigations,” Trump said.

  In an echo of President Richard Nixon who declared in 1974, that “one year of Watergate is enough,” Trump warned: “If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. ”

  Lawmakers in the House of Representatives offered an eloquent picture of how his speech was likely to be received in the country.

  To Trump’s left, Republicans raucously cheered like a campaign trail crowd, sometimes chanting “USA, USA! ”

  To his right, a larger block of Democrats, many newly elected women with some 2020 Democratic White House hopefuls sprinkled in, sat and mostly stared.

  There was much rolling of eyes, shaking of heads and looks of contempt and bafflement in the Democratic ranks.  Behind Trump, Pelosi at times scoffed or chuckled as Trump hit his most inflammatory lines.

  At one point, as the address stretched well past the hour mark, Pelosi picked up her paper copy of the speech as if to see how much longer it would go on.

  The evening was a clear sign from Trump that for all the speculation that he could finally broaden his appeal and court all Americans, his political course – solidifying his base – is set and irreversible heading into the 2020 election.

  For most presidents, a scripted occasion like the State of the Union address is a blueprint for days of events and remarks hitting on the same narrative.

  That’s rarely the case for Trump.  The most authentic version of the President is usually to be found on his Twitter feed or in spontaneous remarks so his behavior in the days ahead could well undermine his calls for unity.

  The President’s most poetic call for national unity came when he decried the toxic politics in Washington that jarred with his opening line that everyone was gathered “not as two parties but as one nation. ”

  “We must reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution,” the President said.

  If he can live up to his own admonition, the unifying sentiments of his address may prove to be more resilient than the President’s own recent history suggests will be the case.
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


The first lady's work, while stymied by the restrictions of coronavirus, has continued, according to her office, and one of the first lady's regular habits has included checking in with her counterparts in other countries
https://t.co/Fo8QBkJ4pq

The former first lady will livestream at noon E. T.  for the next four weeks. Michelle Obama is holding virtual story time for kids Get ready to spend "Mondays with Michelle Obama" and a good book. The former first lady partnered with Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books and PBS KIDS for a four-week series of videos that feature her reading a book to young people at noon ET every Monday beginning April 20 and ending May 11. The books included in the series are "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson (April 20), "There’s a Dragon in Your Book" by Tom Fletcher (April 27), "Miss Maple’s Seeds" by Eliza Wheeler (May 4) and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle (May 11). "As a little kid, I loved to read aloud," Obama said in a press release.  "And when I became a parent, I found such joy in sharing the magic of storytelling with my own children -- and then later, as First Lady, with kids everywhere. "The "Becoming" author added, "At this time when so many families are under so much stress, I’m excited to give kids a chance to practice their reading and hear some wonderful stories (and to give parents and caretakers a much-needed break). "The videos will livestream to PBS KIDS’ Facebook page and YouTube channel each Monday and on aPenguin Random House’s Facebook page. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif: US' act of international terrorism,assassinating General Soleimani—the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS),Al Nusrah,Al Qaeda,is extremely dangerous & foolish escalation. US bears responsibility for all consequences of rogue adventurism https://t.co/lMy5xgSS4t

Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif lashed out at the United States for carrying out airstrikes at the Baghdad International Airport which killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani on Friday morning.  The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani—THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism. The foreign minister termed the US decision to carry out the attacks as an ‘act of international terrorism’.  He said that United States is responsible for this ‘foolish escalation’ against ‘one of the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda. ’Watch: Qasem Soleimani killed by a US air strike, all you need to know  On Friday morning, United States fired three Katyusha missiles at the Baghdad International Airport killing Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander and head of the elite al-Quds force and Iraq ‘s paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces’ deputy head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.  The Pentagon then took out a statement saying that the killings were carried out ‘at the direction of the President’.  Qasem Soleimani was close to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini,and was viewed as a potential future leader of the nation which is at constant rift with United States since Donald Trump joined the Oval Office and decided to walk out of the nuclear deal with Iran.  Iran currently faces economic sanctions imposed by US due to Iran’s walking out of the nuclear deal.


Office of the Prime Minister (PMO) tweets, "Interesting discussions on stress free exams, life after exams and more awaits. You will surely enjoy #ParikshaPeCharcha2020." https://t.co/q1iP7XDAJm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students, teachers and parents in the Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2020 programme.  This is the third edition of PPC 2020. The programme was held in Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.  PM Modi answered to the questions of students, teachers and parent about beating exam stress ahead of the Board exams.  Around 2,000 students are participating from all over India in the programme. ”The HRD Ministry in partnership with MyGov launched a ‘short essay’ competition on five different themes for students of classes 9 to 12 for the programme, a government press release said.  Among all the students attending the event, 1,050 students have been selected through an essay competition. ”To make this programme more student-centric, first-time students will moderate the one-hour long program of Prime Minister.  This year, four Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) schools students will conduct the programme,” it read.  READ HIGHLIGHTS HERE:PM Modi asks students to read his book ‘Exam Warriors’Prime Minister Narendra Modi while answering a student’s question on failures in competitive exams like UPSC, JEE, NEET said that every student should read the book ‘Exam Warriors’ to deal with failures and exam pressures.  The book exam warriors is written by PM Narendra Modi. PM Modi talks about how to know your hidden potentialPM Modi said that it is difficult to know self, but if we come out from our comfort zone a challenge ourselves, we come to know if we can do that.  ‘Start with an easy question’ : PM ModiWhile attempting the questions during the exam, we should start with an easy question.  This makes other question easier to attempt.  Study at the time you feel you are more comfortable: PM ModiPM Modi said, “I believe that morning is a very good time to study.  But according to me you should do what you are comfortable at.  One’s mind is calm in the morning which is why it is said that morning is the ideal time to study, but you should study at the time you feel you are more comfortable.  But we should not make excuses for not studyingPM Modi advises parents to deal with exam pressureIf u pull a spring to a certain level it works, but if we pull it beyond a point it will become a wire and not remain useful.  Help your child to grow all through their life.  we should pursue but not pressurise our childrenWhen India celebrates 100 years of its Independence, students of today will be in leadership position: PMPM Modi said that when India celebrates 100 years of its Independence, students of today will be in leadership positionPM Modi asks students to manage ‘technology - free hours’PM Modi asked the students to take out one or two hours from their daily lives and talk to their family members in the ‘technology- free hours’. Life has become tech- driven, but utilise technology for your benefit: PMIn last years of last century and early years of this century, life has become technology driven.  We should try to be tech friendly.  We should think how we can use tech in our work.  Technology should not be able to steal our time, rather we should keep tech in our control. Extra- curricular activities become a fashion statement for parents: PMPM Modi said that extra-curricular activities of our child has become a fashion statement for some parents. Extra curricular activities are important: PM ModiOur whole education gives us an opportunity to learn or do something.  If you do not do any extra activity, u become like a robot.  We should manage our time but not stop from doing extra- curricular activities. Board exams should be considered important, but only exam is life is not correct: PM“Exams are a part of life.  Board exam is a milestone in one’s academic journey but it is not necessary to focus only on getting good grades. Board exams should be considered important, but only exam is life is not correct,” PM said. PM cites 2001 India vs Australia match at KolkataPM Modi also talked about India vs Australia match at Kolkata.  Citing the example of Anil Kumble who was injured during the match but still played and won the match he said that it depends on us how we deal with the troubles. PM Modi talks about Chandrayaan 2 says we can find lessons for success even in our failuresPM Modi while talking about failure and disappointment, said that failures are a part of life.  “Take the case of Chandrayaan 2.  Even I was disturbed by the failure of Chandrayaan 2, but then I went to talk to the scientists and motivated them.  We can find lessons for success even in our failures. ”PM says students should not get upset at the mention of Board examPrime Minister Narendra Modi advised the students not to get upset and nervous for the board examPM Modi says we will talk with #Without FilterPM Modi begins interacting with students.  He said let’s begin with hashtag without filter that is trending nowadays on social media.  PM Modi says that Pariksha Pe Charcha is very close to my heart“I have to take part in several programmes regularly but the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme is very close to my heart.  I feel very happy to interact with such talented and creative students,” PM Modi said. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020 begins, PM Modi congratulates the studentsPM Modi starts interacting with students in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020.  He congratulated the students to be the generation of this new decade. HRD minister says India has become the first country to include artificial intelligence in school syllabusHRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ while praising the development in education sector in the Modi government said, “India has become the first ever country to include artificial intelligence in the school syllabus. HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ interacts with the studentsUnion HRD minister Ramesh Pokriyal ‘Nishank’ arrives at the stage.  “Students registration up by 2. 5 times as compared to last year for the PPC programme,” he said. Over 2 crore students watched the Pariksha Pe Charcha 2019 via live telecastLast year, over 2 crore students had watched the previous edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2019 via live telecast across India. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020: Students, teachers and parents waiting for the PM ModiStudents, teachers and parents are waiting for the Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020 to begin, at Talkatora indoor stadium. Students display various paintings and art work to PM ModiStudents are displaying the paintings and artworks to PM Modi.  The paintings depict messages like say no to plastic, Fit India campaign, plant more trees, save water. PM Modi arrives at Talkatora StadiumPM Narendra Modi has arrived at the Talkatora Stadium.  He is interacting with the students at Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020 programme. PM Modi to talk about beating exam stress ahead of board examsPM Modi will talk about beating exam stress ahead of board exams.  He will advise the students on how teachers and parents help the students dealing with the exam pressure. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020: PM Modi to arrive soon at Talkatora StadiumPrime Minister Narendra Modi will soon arrive at the venue i. e.  Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.  Students, teachers and parents are waiting eagerly for the programme to begin. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020: PM Modi to interact with 2000 students shortlyPrime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with around 2000 students, teachers and parents shortly.


145 new #COVID19 positive cases have been reported in Uttarakhand today, taking the total number of cases to 5445: State Control Room COVID-19 https://t.co/LAVjcjStAE

Karnataka on Thursday recorded more than 5,000 Covid-19 positive cases for the first time since the very first case was detected on March 8.  The case count also took the state’s cumulative tally past 80,000.  13 of the 30 districts in the state recorded more than 100 new cases. In the last 24 hours, Karnataka recorded 5030 new Covid-19 cases taking the total to 80,863 cases which includes 1616 deaths and 29,310 people being discharged after being treated successfully.  Bangalore continued to account for the bulk of new cases as well as the total active cases in the state. Karnataka’s capital recorded 2,207 new cases and has 29,090 of the 49,931 active cases in the state.  The B S Yediyurappa led BJP government has made it clear that there would be no more lockdowns in the state as economic activities were important to ensure livelihood of people.  The continued rise of cases in the state comes even as the ruling party BJP and main opposition Congress are involved in a mud-slinging match over purchase of equipment related to treating Covid patients.


A post is being shared widely on social media with a claim that 22-year-old ‘Drone boy’ Prathap has been appointed as a scientist in DRDO  by PM Modi.  A short story regarding his achievements can be also seen in the post.  Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. Claim: PM Modi has appointed ‘Drone boy’ Pratap as a scientist in DRDO. Fact: In a video message, Pratap has himself clarified that he has not been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi.  Also, there is no concrete evidence to most of his achievements being shared on social media.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When searched about his appointment as a scientist in DRDO, a video message by Prathap was found on YouTube.  In the video, Prathap has himself clarified he has not been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi.  The same has also been confirmed by him in conversation with ‘Boom Live’.  On the DRDO website, it can be found that, for a post of Scientist ‘B’, the required qualification is ‘At least First Class Master’s degree in Science Subjects, Mathematics or Psychology or First Class Degree in Engineering or Technology or Metallurgy from a recognized University or Equivalent. ’Media and Celebrities:When searched about other things mentioned in the post regarding Pratap, it was found that there is no concrete evidence to most of his achievements being shared on social media.  But he was interviewed previously by various Kannada channels including ‘DD Chandana’ (video is not available now) for his achievements.  Also, in one such video by ‘Dighvijay 24X7 News’, it can be seen that B.  S.  Yediyurappa, H.  D.  Kumaraswamy (then CM of Karnataka) and other celebrities have wished Pratap on his achievements.  He has also received an award from ‘TV9 Kannada’ for his achievement in Multi-Drone Research.  Many other photos of Pratap with various political leaders and celebrities can be seen on an Instagram profile with the name ‘droneprathap’ (FACTLY could not confirm the authenticity of the profile and photos). Photos with Drones:While it is being claimed that he has built over 600 drones, there is no picture or video on the internet of a drone built by him.  There are some photos of him standing next to some drones, but they are built by reputed drone companies, not by him.  In the photo given in the post, Pratap can be seen standing next to a drone which belongs to ‘ACSL’ (Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory Ltd) company.  A Reddit user has posted an email response from ‘ACSL’ when they were asked about Pratap’s connection with the drone.  From the email response, it is clear that Pratap has no connection with the company or drone. Also, the remote of the drone used by Prathap during the Karnataka floods looks similar to ‘YUNEEC Typhoon H+’ drone remote. Young Scientist Award – ‘iREX 2017’ – Japan:In the post, it is mentioned that he won the first prize at an expo in Tokyo.  A certificate related to that prize can be found on multiple news blog websites.  On the certificate, it is written that the award was won at the ‘iREX 2017’ exhibition.  But, ‘iREX 2017’ is a trade expo where various companies exhibit their robots.  There is no official record of any such competition and Pratap winning the competition at the expo.  The organizers of the expo released a ‘Post Show Report’ after the 2017 event but there is no mention of the competition in the report.  Also, there is no mention of the ‘Airbus Defence and Space’ company, whose name can be found on the Pratap’s certificate. Albert Einstein Innovation Medal – ‘CeBIT 2018’ – GermanyThere is no evidence to the claim that he won ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ at ‘CeBIT Drone Expo 2018’ in Germany.  When searched about that award, only articles related to Pratap can be found in the search results.  On the certificate, it can be seen that it is written as ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ on the top whereas it is written as ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Award’ below.  Also, on the certificate, the name of ‘Deutsche Messe’ company CEO is given as ‘Wolfram von Fritsch’.  But, Wolfram von Fritsch has handed over his leadership role to Dr.  Jochen Köckler back in 2017 itself.  Still, the certificate awarded to Pratap in 2018 has Wolfram von Fritsch’s name as CEO.  Also, responding to ‘The Better India’, the organizers of the events in Germany have said that they did not host any such award. Japan visit and Bullet Train:In the post, regarding Pratap’s visit to Tokyo to participate in ‘iREX 2017’, it is mentioned that ‘somehow he reached Tokyo after going in his maiden flight to Japan all alone.  He had only Rs 1400 when he landed there.  He didn’t take the Bullet train since it was very expensive, so he went by normal train by changing trains at 16 different stations with his luggage to reach his last station.  He walked another 8 km to reach the ultimate destination with his luggage. ’ But, from Google Maps, it can be found that the exhibition’s location (‘Tokyo Big Sight’) is just 15 km (from Haneda International Airport) and 65 km (from Narita International Airport) from Tokyo’s two international airports.  There is no need to board on a bullet train to reach the exhibition and also, the bullet train is an intercity service.  Unless Prathap landed at a different city in Japan and wanted to come to Tokyo, there is no actual need to board a bullet train.  The ’OpIndia’ has previously published an article debunking the claims of Prathap.  But, talking to Kannada media, Prathap has said that he has enough evidence to prove that his awards are genuine and he will be holding a press meet in coming days to provide the evidence.  FACTLY has also tried to contact Prathap for clarification on the issue but there was no response.  This article will be updated upon receiving a response from him. To sum it up, ‘Drone boy’ Prathap has not been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi.  Also, there is no concrete evidence to most of his achievements being shared on social media. Update (17 July 2020):As on 16 June 2020, Prathap has not replied to FACTLY but came appeared on ‘Btv News Kannada’ channel to answer questions raised by one and all over his international achievements.  In this program, he just showed his certificates and claimed that they are authentic.  He did not provide any additional evidence to prove their authenticity.  But, as an answer to a question regarding the absence of his drone photos in the public domain, Prathap showed a drone photo on his mobile, claiming that it was built by him.  He said, ‘Today, I am going to show one of my drones’, showing the photo to the audience.  He has also said that he has won the award for this same drone. But the same photo is already in the public domain.  The photo can be found in an article published by ‘The Better India’ on Prathap in January 2020. However, just beside the drone, there is a paper with the name – ‘BillzEye’.  So, when we searched for that name, it was found that the ‘BillzEye’ is a German company which specializes in multicopter systems. The ‘BillzEye’ has posted a video with similar visuals as seen in Prathap’s photo on their Facebook account.  In the description of the video, it can be seen that the visuals are related to ‘CeBIT’ event at Hanover (Germany).  This is the same event where Prathap has claimed that he has won the ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ in 2018.  So, in the interview, he was referring to ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ when he said he won the award for the drone shown in the photo.  But, ‘BillzEye’ has not mentioned Prathap’s name or regarding the award anywhere.  Some users have also posted the image of the same drone showcased at ‘CeBIT2018’.  Those posts can be seen here, here and here. Other pictures of the same red drone and some components placed on the table in Prathap’s photo can be also found on the ‘BillzEye’ website.  The name of the drone is mentioned as ‘Thermographic copter BETH-001’ on the website.  The headset on the table has ‘FAT SHARK’ name on it.  It was found that the ‘FAT SHARK’ company produces ‘FPV’ (First-person view) goggles for drone pilots. On their website and Facebook page, ‘BillzEye’ has mentioned that they are official members of ‘BVCP’ (Bundesverband Copter Piloten e. V. ).  The same name and logo can be seen on the wall behind Prathap in the photo. It is in the ‘BVCP’ stall at ‘CeBIT2018’ where ‘BillzEye’ showcased the drone.  On the ‘BVCP’ website, an article with the heading ‘Impressions of CEBIT 2018’ (translated by Google from German) can be found.  The name of the ‘BillzEye’ owner, Bill Gutbier, is mentioned along with some other names in the article but Prathap’s name is not mentioned anywhere.  Also, nothing was mentioned about the drone in the photo winning an award at the event.  Prathap was not found in any of the photos posted in the article. Assuming Prathap is part of the ‘BillzEye’ team and really won the (not yet authenticated) ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ for the drone, then Prathap’s designation in ‘BillzEye’ company should have been mentioned on the certificate, not his college name.  But it can be seen that his college name is mentioned on Prathap’s certificate and there is no mention of ‘BillzEye’ at all.  FACTLY has tried to contact ‘BillzEye’ for clarification and this article will be updated when a response is received. Update 2 (17 July 2020):In reply to multiple requests, ‘BillzEye’ has issued a statement on the issue.  They have clarified that the drone in the photo, which Pratap claimed to be his drone, is the property of “BillzEye – Multicoptersysteme” and Prathap has nothing to do with the design, development, manufacture or distribution of the drone.  They said, ‘Mr.  Prathap had only taken a photo at CEBIT 2018 in Hanover.  If He says otherwise, it is a lie! ‘ (translated by Google from German).  So, it has been confirmed that Prathap has lied on television that the drone next to him in the photo is his drone and he won an award for it. Did you watch our new video?


.@GStephanopoulos: “Are you basically saying that Mayor Buttigieg has a race problem?”

Joe Biden: “No, I’m saying he hasn’t been able to unify the black community, that’s what i’m saying ... the assertion that he's ready across the board, I don't see it.” https://t.co/Fqro9qe3Nt https://t.co/U4C1A4W6bn

By Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Polling DirectorUpdated 11:26 AM ET, Sun February 9, 2020  (CNN)Vermont Sen.  Bernie Sanders' lead in New Hampshire continues to hold, according to the second release from a tracking poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire for CNN.


Delhi Police bring businessman Navneet Kalra to Khan Market.

Kalra has been sent to 3-day police custody in connection with a case relating to the alleged hoarding of oxygen concentrators in a restaurant in South Delhi. https://t.co/QHnKx9Htid

The Delhi Police on Monday said businessman Navneet Kalra, who has been charged with hoarding oxygen concentrators and selling them at inflated prices, was hiding at a farmhouse owned by his in-laws in Gurugram, along with his family.  He was arrested from there by a police team late on Sunday evening. Delhi Police spokesperson Chinmoy Biswal on Monday said a team from Maidan Garhi police station caught Kalra and then handed him over to the crime branch, which is investigating the case.  He was produced before the magistrate in the Saket court on Monday. Metropolitan magistrate Archana Beniwal sent Kalra for three days of custodial interrogation after the Delhi Police said his custody is required to unearth the whole nexus and conspiracy behind the black marketing and know the trail of money transaction.  Kalra will now be produced before the court at the end of his police remand on May 20. Kalra’s lawyer Vineet Malhotra said his client’s bank details, mobile phone, laptop and gadgets were already available with police and that his custodial interrogation was not required.  “Remand must be granted only in cases of real necessity.  For what purpose do they need custody?  They need to know the trail?  They can get any information they want from me.  Request for the police remand is absurd,” Malhotra said. Kalra was allegedly on the run since the recovery of 524 oxygen concentrators from three of his restaurants – Khan Chacha, Town Hall and Nege & Ju – and from the office of Matrix Cellular between May 5 and May 7.  A Delhi court on Thursday refused to grant protection from arrest to Kalra, following which he moved the Delhi high court.  The high court on Friday also declined to grant any interim relief to him. Five persons, including the manager of Nege & Ju restaurant, chief executive officer (CEO) and three senior officers of Matrix Cellular, were arrested since the recovery of the concentrators.  All five were later released on bail while the case was transferred to the crime branch for further investigation, the police said. While granting bail to the accused on May 13, the court said “no prima facie case under section 420 IPC is made out against the accused, at least from the contents of the FIR”, adding it was unable to understand the offence they had committed. Investigators said multiple teams were conducting raids in Delhi, Haryana and Uttarakhand to arrest Kalra, who left his house in Chhatarpur along with his family members soon after the raids at his restaurants.  They said he left without his driver and drove the car himself. A senior police officer associated with the probe said the south district police on Sunday received information that Kalra was at a farmhouse in Gurugram.  The information was checked and the location of the farmhouse was established.  Around 8pm, on Sunday, a team from Maidan Garhi police station raided the farmhouse and arrested Kalra.  His two cars – a Range Rover and a Thar jeep – in which he and his family members had left their Delhi home were also found parked at the farmhouse, the officer said. “The farmhouse is owned by Kalra’s in-laws.  We questioned Kalra and he told us that he had been there since May 5, the day 419 oxygen concentrators were seized in the first round of raids at his Nege & Ju restaurant and the office of Matrix Cellular.  We are verifying Kalra’s claims regarding his presence at the farmhouse since May 5,” said the officer. Police also said they also recovered Kalra’s two mobile phones from the farmhouse.  Both were switched off.  Investigators said they will analyse the call records and may send the phones to a forensic lab to find out of any “important and crucial data related to the case”. Another police officer privy to the development said Kalra’s in-laws may also be asked to join the investigation and if required, they may be booked on charges of harbouring a fugitive. “Kalra has told us that he never stepped out of the farmhouse.  Also, except him and his family members nobody else was staying there.  We are now trying to find out how they were arranging their daily household needs.  Was anybody helping them with such items is also a part of the probe,” the second officer added. Police have alleged that for each concentrator, Kalra and his partners made a profit of at least ₹55,000.  The concentrators were bought for ₹14,000-15,000 each and sold at ₹70,000-75,000.  Police said since October, they had bought nearly 7,500 concentrators and more than 2,000 concentrators were sold in Delhi.


Relief and restoration work underway by NDRF in Duttapur Pally, at West Bengal-Odisha border in the aftermath of #CycloneYaas https://t.co/vlooXNhLQ0

The severe cyclonic storm, Yaas weakened into a deep depression, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.  It will continue to move northwestwards and weaken gradually into a depression during the next 12 hours, it also said in its bulletin on Twitter. At least nine were killed as the severe cyclone storm, Yaas battered the eastern coast on May 26.  The storm packed lashing rain and winds gusting up to 155 kilometres (96 miles) an hour, the equivalent to a category two hurricane. In West Bengal, authorities said that around 1,100 villages had been flooded by storm surges, leaving at least 50,000 homeless, news agency Reuters reported. In the neighbouring Odisha, around 120 villages were swamped by heavy rain and sea water whipped up by the cyclone but people in most areas had already been moved to storm shelters. Cyclones are a regular menace in the northern Indian Ocean but many but over the last years the frequency of intense cyclones have increased.  Scientists say it is because of climate change warming the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. "As per the study, this increasing trend in intense cyclone frequency, can be related to climate change but analysis and studies (on this) are not sufficient," India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.  He also said that every year, around five cyclones develop in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Follow all the updates here:Houses damaged, Aadhar missing in Bengal due to waterlogging caused by cycloneCyclone Yaas-induced waterlogging had major impact in parts of West Bengal.  Gangarampur and Samay Basan villages in South Dinajpur district in West Bengal are facing several difficiluties with thier houses damaged, fileds submerged and documents like Aadhar and card and other valuables missing, reported ANI. Odisha issues high alert for 4 districts after increase in water levels of river BaitaraniFour districts in Odisha have been placed on high alert by the state government after water levels in the Baitarani river started increasing due to heavy rainfall triggered by the impact of Cyclone Yaas.  Keonjhar, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts have been ordered to take immediate measures as water levels of Baitarani are flowing above danger level at Anandapur and Akhuapada, special relief commissioner P K Jena said while speaking to reporters, according to news agency PTI.  Flight ops at Patna airport further suspended till 9am tomorrowFlight operations at Patna airport have been further suspended till 9am tomorrow.  Flight ops at Patna airport suspended till 10pm tonightFlight operations at Patna airport have been suspended till 10pm tonight in view of the bad weather conditions due to the impact of Cyclone Yaas, airport authorities told news agency ANI.  Heavy rainfall witnessed in several districts of North Odisha, says IMDSeveral districts in the northern part of Odisha witnessed heavy rainfall triggered by the impact of Cyclone Yaas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.  Ensure restoration of normal life in affected areas at the earliest: PM Modi tells officials during review meetingA day before his visit to Odisha and West Bengal to review the impact of Cyclone Yaas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a review meeting where he asked the central and state agencies to ensure that normal life is restored in affected areas at the earliest.  According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), officials in the meeting including home secretary, secretary Power, telecom secretary and DG of India Meteorological Department (IMD), informed PM Modi about the preparedness, assessment of damage and other matters related to the cyclonic storm.  Oxygen supply, steel production remain unaffected amid disruptions caused by Cyclone Yaas: CentreThe ministry of steel said on Thursday that supply of oxygen for Covid-19 patients and production of steel at steel plants remained unaffected in eastern states of the country despite the disruptions caused due to Cyclone Yaas.  PM Modi to visit Odisha, Bengal on May 28 to review Cyclone Yaas impactPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday will visit Odisha and West Bengal to review the impact of Cyclone Yaas, according to news agency ANI on Thursday.  He will hold review meetings in both states.  Modi will first land in Bhubaneswar and will later undertake an aerial survey of affected areas of the state such as Balasore, Bhadrak.  The Prime Minister will also undertake an aerial survey of the Purba Mednipur district in West Bengal. Shops, Houses damaged in West Bengal's DighaSeveral shops and houses in West Bengal's coastal town of Digha were damaged due to the after effects of Cyclone Yaas.  "We have faced many cyclones earlier, but did not face such loss.  This shop was the only source of income for my family," Shakti Pada Rana, a shopkeeper from Digha, told news agency ANI adding he lost materials worth ₹1 lakh to 1. 5 lakhs.  At least 800,000 affected in Jharkhand due to impact of Cyclone Yaas: ReportAt least 800,000 people in Jharkhand have been affected due to the impact of severe cyclonic storm Yaas, officials told news agency PTI on Thursday adding rescue operations are still on in some parts of the state.  As many as 15,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas and moved to safer places, the above officials said. Odisha CM undertakes aerial survey of cyclone-hit areasOdisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas to assess the damages caused by the calamity. 201 relief camps set up in SinghbhumAs many as 201 relief camps have been set up and 596 people are evacuated in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand as part of relief efforts ahead of cyclone Yaas, informed Ananya Mittal, District Collector, West Singhbhum. Deep depression over south Jharkhand as cyclone moves northwestwardsDeep Depression over south Jharkhand and adjoining north interior Odisha moved northwestwards with about 07 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred over south Jharkhand and neighbourhood, says IMD. It is very likely to move nearly northwards and weaken gradually into a Depression during the next 06 hours, the weather department also said. 7 Navy teams begins relief operations in West BengalSeven Indian Navy teams from Visakhapatnam undertake relief operations in aftermath of impending Cyclone Yaas.  The teams comprising 2 Diving and 5 Flood Relief Teams (FRT) are working at 3 separate locations-Digha, Fraserganj & Diamond Harbour in West Bengal, said Indian Navy in a statement on Thursday. Light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms likely in Kolkata, east and west MidnaporeThunderstorm with lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to affect parts of Kolkata, East and West Midnapore districts of West Bengal during next 1-2 hours from 0555 hours today: Regional Meteorological Centre. Severe cyclone storm 'Yaas' weakens into deep depression: IMDTHE CYCLONIC STORM ‘YAAS’ WEAKENED INTO A DEEP DEPRESSION AND LAY CENTRED AT 2330 HRS IST OF THE 26TH MAY OVER SOUTH JHARKHAND AND ADJOINING NORTH INTERIOR ODISHA.  LIKELY TO MOVE NORTHWESTWARDS AND WEAKEN GRADUALLY INTO A DEPRESSION DURING NEXT 12HRS.  pic. twitter. com/bVyybkJYaZGet our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


Reuters: Man who carried out a suicide bombing which killed 27 members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards near the border with Pakistan last week was Pakistani, a senior Iran Revolutionary Guards commander said https://t.co/cQJLUu1RYc

The man who carried out a suicide bombing which killed 27 members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards near the border with Pakistan last week was Pakistani, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Tuesday, according to the Tasnim news agency. One other member of the militant cell that planned the attack was also a Pakistani citizen, the head of the Guards’ ground forces, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said. Iran has repeatedly blamed Pakistan for sheltering militants connected with attacks in the border area, although Tuesday’s remarks appear to be the first time Tehran has said Pakistani citizens were directly involved in the attack.  Iran also accuses regional rival Saudi Arabia of promoting violence among members of Iran’s Sunni Muslim minority.  Pakistan and Saudi Arabia deny any role in attacks in Iran. Three Iranians from Sistan and Baluchistan province in southeast Iran were also part of the cell and two of them have been arrested, according to Pakpour.  The guards announced three arrests in the case on Monday. The Sunni group Jaish al Adl (Army of Justice), which says it seeks greater rights and better living conditions for ethnic minority Baluchis in eastern Iran claimed responsibility for the attack. “Today Saudi Arabia is the heart of evil in the region and the world,” Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the deputy head of the Guards, said on Tuesday at a ceremony commemorating those killed in the attack, according to the Fars news agency. Remnants of the car used in the suicide attack were given to the police, Pakpour said.  Once the owner of the car was identified, intelligence and security forces carried out arrests. The militants had planned to carry out multiple attacks, Pakpour said: “This group had prepared a lot of ammunition and equipment. ”