United States: Joe Biden sworn-in 46th President of the United States of America. https://t.co/FHlqyzZpG3

When he assumes office on Wednesday, President-elect Joe Biden will inherit a stock market near all-time highs, along with a gaping budget deficit, a weakening dollar, elevated economic uncertainty and a Federal Reserve that may have less ammunition to fight the next crisis. Here is a look at what has changed in markets over the last four years and what investors have to look forward to over Biden’s term. 1.  MARKETS UNDER TRUMPThe S&P 500 is up about 68% since President Donald Trump took office.  Its 73% surge since late March has been aided by massive fiscal and monetary stimulus, as well as expectations that a Covid-19 vaccine will spur economic reopening. Ultra-low Treasury yields - which plunged after the Fed cut interest rates to near-zero - have also increased the allure of stocks. 2.  100 DAYSIf history is any guide, the stock market should give Biden a warm welcome.  The S&P 500 has risen in the first 100 calendar days in eight of the last 10 presidential terms. Still, Biden’s first 100 days may be more fraught than those of his predecessors: while he needs to stimulate the economy quickly, the slender Democratic majority in Congress means the final size and timing of a proposed $1. 9 trillion stimulus package remain uncertain. 3.  DOES THE BUCK STOP HERE? Biden is also inheriting a dollar that’s fallen 12% from last year's highs.  A weaker dollar aids exporters by boosting the competitiveness of US.  products abroad and increases the appeal of US stocks by making them more affordable to foreign buyers. Rallying US yields have recently lifted the dollar off its lows, and a more sustained move in the greenback risks sparking an unwind of the market’s near-record bearish dollar position and sparking more gains in the currency. Regardless of where the dollar goes, the incoming administration has signaled it will be less likely to comment on the currency’s fluctuations than Trump, who periodically railed against a strong dollar. 4.  MORE DEBTThe national debt ballooned by almost 40% under Trump to nearly $28 trillion, fueled by the passage of tax cuts in 2017 and a flood of spending to counter the economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic last year. Some investors worry the country's exceedingly cloudy fiscal picture risks tarnishing the appeal of US government debt over the long term, an outcome that may eventually weigh on the US dollar's attractiveness as a reserve currency. In July, Fitch Ratings revised the outlook on the United States’ triple-A rating to negative from stable, citing eroding credit strength. The US national debt is likely to continue growing under Biden.  Janet Yellen, his nominee for Treasury secretary, urged lawmakers on Tuesday to "act big" on the next coronavirus relief package, adding that the benefits outweigh the costs of a higher debt burden. 5.  BLOATED BALANCE SHEETBiden will inherit a Federal Reserve balance sheet that is bigger than ever, thanks to ramped-up spending in the wake of the pandemic. Some worry that interest rates already at rock-bottom levels and asset purchases currently at $120 billion a month may give the central bank less scope to maneuver if the economy worsens or a fresh crisis hits, putting an additional focus on fiscal policy. The Fed’s balance sheet is expected to grow to $9. 1 trillion by the end of 2021, a December Reuters poll showed. 6.  UNCERTAIN TIMESThe coronavirus pandemic ratcheted up economic concerns during the last year of Trump's term.  Earlier years of his presidency were marked by flaring trade frictions between the United States and China that rocked asset prices. Policy-related economic uncertainty as measured by Economic Policy Uncertainty, based on mentions of economic uncertainty in news articles, is currently higher than it was following 9/11 or the Great Financial Crisis.


"We have the votes."

JUST IN: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announces that a Senate impeachment trial of President Trump would begin without deciding the question of witnesses as Democrats are demanding. https://t.co/OAfCCkQqsG https://t.co/NuSy4912QD

By Manu Raju and Phil Mattingly, CNNUpdated 5:17 PM ET, Tue January 7, 2020  (CNN)Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he has the votes to set the ground rules of the impeachment trial for President Donald Trump -- without Democrats' support. CNN's Alex Rogers contributed to this report.


An awareness video being circulated by the Tirupur Police in Tamil Nadu regarding the spread of COVID-19 and the importance of social distancing has gone viral among social media platforms.  The video shows the police officers rounding up three men on a bike and forcefully pushing them into an ambulance in which an alleged COVID-19 infected patient is resting.  The full video uploaded on YouTube can be found here.   However, the video is being shared tagged with misinformation regarding the context of the video.  Social media users have misunderstood the people on the bike to be common citizens that is being taught a lesson by the police force.  This information is being spread on many platforms like Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp.    ANI tweeted about the video and as speculation rose which had around 2300 retweets, later clarified that the video was staged.    #WATCH: Tamil Nadu Police put lockdown violators in an ambulance with a fake #COVID19 positive patient as punishment, in Tiruppur.  (Video Source: Tamil Nadu Police) pic. twitter. com/fj8xEJPTXh — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020 PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN ENACTMENT VIDEO; ‘VIOLATORS’ WERE ALSO PART OF THE SKIT.  — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020 Tiruppur Police catches #COVIDIOTS who don’t follow lockdown strictly and lock them up with a Covid19 patient in an ambulance 😂😂😂 Wait… They didn’t know he was a fake Corona patient.  What an innovative way to teach them a lesson @tiruppursmc 😂👏👏👏#StayAtHome @ABPNews pic. twitter. com/yfMlC6sXl1 — Pinky Rajpurohit (ABP News) 🇮🇳 (@Madrassan_Pinky) April 24, 2020  Archive  The video being circulated is orchestrated completely by the Tirupur Police and constitutes actors that are being pushed into the ambulance and are not actually citizens that have violated the lockdown restrictions but are simply enacting them.  Towards the end of the video, the police officer is clearly heard stating that the video is indeed a staged portrayal and all of them including the alleged COVID-19 positive patient is an actor.  ANI also cleared there tweet later, they replied to their originat tweet with following text
“PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN ENACTMENT VIDEO; ‘VIOLATORS’ WERE ALSO PART OF THE SKIT. “ PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN ENACTMENT VIDEO; 'VIOLATORS' WERE ALSO PART OF THE SKIT.  — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2020    When people don’t follow #StayHome #WearAMask rules set by Govt, and roam around not practicing #SocialDistancing, The #Tiruppur Police comes up with an innovative way to teach these youth a lesson they’ll never forget! 😂😂 #coronavirus #COVID #TNFightsCorona #CoronavirusIndia pic. twitter. com/M1CHOxBSRp — Apoorva Jayachandran (@Jay_Apoorva18) April 24, 2020 Many newspapers such as Times Of India , Deccan Herald and The Hindu carried news concerning the same but did not mention the video to being an enactment which fuelled further speculation.  Fact checking website BOOM in conversation with IPS Disha Mittal, Superintendent of Police in Tirupur District confirmed that the entire video was staged and everyone included in it were actors.  She added, “”All precautionary measures have been taken before shooting this video.  Those boys (in the video) were all civilians who were acting.  When something is not visible to naked eyes people will not care.  But in the video, the fake corona patient becomes corona itself – and now people are scared of going near him.  That is the idea behind the video. ”


Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un’s second summit in Vietnam has come to an abrupt ending.

Why? Trump says North Korea wanted sanctions lifted in their entirety but the US "couldn't do that." Read more: https://t.co/nmOLmGp4lv https://t.co/rVQExaRcxW

Experts say it's likely the two countries will return to "working-level" talks. Trump on no deal with North Korea: 'Sometimes you have to walk'President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were not able to come to a formal agreement during their second summit in Hanoi this week. So what happens next?  Experts say it's likely the U. S.  will return to "working-level" talks with North Korean officials, as countries in the region urge a sustained dialogue between the two countries. During a press conference following the summit on Thursday, Trump told reporters that while he decided not to pursue "some options" that were on the table during talks "it was a very productive two days. ""But sometimes you have to walk," Trump said.  "And this was just one of those times. "The president said that the North Korean side "basically. . . wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety," but in a midnight press conference North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho disputed that saying Pyongyang was requesting the removal of about half of the United Nations-imposed sanctions, but not all. In return, Ri said that North Korea was willing to dismantle its Yongbyon nuclear facility – only one of the sites where the country is capable of producing fissile material, but "the United States insisted that we should take one more step" in addition to Yongbyon. "Therefore, it became crystal clear that the United States was not ready to accept our proposal," he added. Ambassador Robert Gallucci, who negotiated with North Korea in the 1990s for the Clinton administration, thinks a return to discussions between lower-level officials, referred to as "working-level" talks, could work to "bridge this gap" between the two sides. "Can the gap be closed?  Well, we won't know until we try," said Gallucci, who is now with the Stimson Center, a nonpartisan international policy think tank. He said the outcome of the Hanoi summit was "potentially perfect" because the U. S.  didn't make concessions, yet the discussions revealed what North Korea was willing to give up at this time for sanctions relief. "Yongbyon is clearly on the table, it's just that the price was too high," Gallucci said. "Everyone thought President Trump was going to give away the store, and he didn't," said Joel Wit, the director of the North Korea-focused think tank 38 North. He agreed that working-level talks would be needed to keep making forward progress.  But it's unclear how much those talks could really move the needle. “Our principled stand will remain invariable, and our proposal will never be changed, even though the United States proposes negotiation again in the future," Ri said during the press conference in Hanoi. "I feel that [Chairman Kim] may have lost the will for future dealings," top North Korean diplomat, Choe Son Hui, told reporters. One win for Trump?  Kim committed to not test missiles and nuclear weapons, the president said.  However, this doesn't mean the regime can't produce the material necessary for those weapons in the meantime. "We know exactly what the risks are of them using negotiations to drag out the length of time they have to continue their nuclear, chemical, biological weapons programs and ballistic missiles," Ambassador John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, told CBS News in July after the first summit in Singapore. Trump has asked South Korean President Moon Jae-in to "perform the role of a mediator" between Washington and Pyongyang, according to a spokesperson for Moon's office. In a statement, Moon's spokesperson called the collapse of this week's summit "regrettable," but that Trump and Kim "have made more meaningful progress than at any time prior. ""We hope that the United States and North Korea will continue to have active dialogues on various levels going forward on the basis of the discussion results from this summit," the statement read. Lu Kang, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, similarly noted that "dialogue and consultation is the only way out. ""Therefore, we hope that the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and the United States will continue to maintain dialogue, show sincerity, truly respect and take into account each other's legitimate concerns, and work together to promote the denuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of a peace mechanism," Kang said. ABC News' Ben Gittleson contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


While Republicans say Speaker Pelosi’s performance “dishonored the House,” Pelosi contended that Pres. Trump “disrespected the chamber” and used it “as a backdrop for a reality show” for a speech “that had no connection with reality.” https://t.co/BOHVVEVlHx

By Paul LeBlanc, CNNUpdated 8:37 AM ET, Wed February 5, 2020 Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi clashed in two stunning moments at Tuesday night's State of the Union address, when Trump appeared to ignore Pelosi's attempt at a handshake and she later ripped up her copy of his speech after he concluded. Democrats will never stop extending the hand of friendship to get the job done #ForThePeople.  We will work to find common ground where we can, but will stand our ground where we cannot.  #SOTU pic. twitter. com/ELJqR9q4xDCNN's Meg Wagner and Manu Raju contributed to this report.


If not this time, then we will try again: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on her way to meet the family of the alleged gangrape victim in #Hathras (UP), with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi https://t.co/Ryl2nd1dGB https://t.co/zLPOecfhGd

A journalist and three others on way to Hathras and arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police earlier this week have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sedition, according to an FIR registered in Mathura on Wednesday. The four, who had been arrested in Mathura on Monday, had been placed under preventive detention but an FIR was registered against them in the Mant police station of Mathura today and subsequently they were presented before a court. These four include Atiq-ur- Rehman from Muzaffar Nagar, Siddiq from Malappuram (Kerala), Masood from Bahraich and Alam from Rampur.  Siddiq is a journalist.  They were arrested on Monday night after a laptop and some objectionable literature relating to ‘Justice for Hathras Victim’ was allegedly recovered from their possession while they were en route to Hathras. They are allegedly linked with Popular Front of India’s (PFI) student wing Campus Front of India (CFI) and were coming from Delhi and moving towards Hathras in a car and were stopped, said police.  The UP government has maintained that there is a conspiracy to whip up caste and communal violence in the state and the Hathras police are now investigating a conspiracy angle in the case, which has created a political storm.  The Superintendent of Police (SP) for Mathura Rural Sheerish Chand confirmed that these four are now booked for sedition and other charges.  He informed that all four were presented before Court on Wednesday and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.  The FIR has been registered under section 153-A of IPC (promoting enmity between two groups), 295A of IPC (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage feelings) 124 (A) (Sedition) beside section 17 and 14 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and Sections 65, 72 and 76 of Information Technology Act. The FIR blames them for attempting to incite riots in Hathras and fuelling caste violence for which they were collecting donations through those working for website Carrd. co. It further said that money transfer was not through lawful method and the money so gathered from international sources was to cause riots.  It was alleged that pamphlets ‘Am I Not India’s Daughter’ were to serve these unlawful purposes.  The men are accused of attempting to incite a riot, spread rumours, gather people and wage a hate campaign against India through its website.  The website, said police, was teaching ways to cause riots and to move out safely after achieving the objective.  All four arrested were blamed to be involved in all these activities through the website, alleged Prabal Pratap Singh, the sub inspector and complainant in the case, according to whom, these unlawful acts make all four liable for sedition charges.


Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Sen. Bernie Sanders told her in 2018 a woman couldn't win the presidency, following a CNN report Monday. Sanders denies it. https://t.co/I4cj9HOMzL

Sanders said he didn't personally approve such talking points. Bernie Sanders tops new poll ahead of Iowa caucusesIOWA CITY, Iowa -- Following a report that talking points distributed to Sen.  Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign volunteers instructed them to attack Sen.  Elizabeth Warren over her support from wealthy Democrats and perceived inability to expand the Democratic electorate, the Massachusetts senator expressed disappointment Sunday in her long time friend and Senate colleague, who, in turn, denied responsibility for the criticisms. "I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me," Warren, D-Mass. , told reporters in Marshalltown, Iowa on Sunday in response to questions about a Politico story on the script purportedly given to Sanders', I-Vt. , volunteers.  "Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time, he knows who I am, where I come from, what I have worked on and fought for, and the coalition and grassroots movement we’re trying to build.  Democrats want to win in 2020, we all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016 and we can’t have a repeat of that. "Politico reported that the script provided to Sanders volunteers instructs them to tell people who are supporting the Massachusetts senator to say: "People who support [Warren] are highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what” and that Warren is “bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party. ”It is unclear if the talking points were intended for telephone conversations, door-to-door canvassers or other purposes, Politico reported. ABC News has not independently acquired a copy of the script. Several Sanders volunteers contacted by ABC News about the script said that they did not recognize such talking points.  The Sanders campaign said it would not comment when contacted about the story. On Sunday, several members of a Sanders campaign volunteer Slack group wrote that the script containing the talking points had been deleted from the channel. "We cannot nominate someone who takes big chunks of the Democratic coalition for granted," Warren continued.  "We need someone who will bring our party together.  We need someone who will excite every part of the Democratic party, someone who will -- who will be there.  Someone that every Democrat can believe in.  I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction. "By Saturday night, Warren's campaign not was not only pushing back -- they were fundraising off the news.  Her campaign manager, Roger Lau, sending out a rare blast with his name to her supporters on the "disappointing news," and asking voters for donations. "When I heard that description, I didn’t recognize it.  That doesn’t describe me or many of the passionate volunteers and organizers I know," Lau writes.  "This type of attack isn’t about disagreeing on issues — it’s about dismissing the potency of our grassroots movement. . .  we can’t afford to repeat the factionalism of the 2016 primary," he continues, "If you want the Democratic primary to be about a substantive vision for a country that works for everyone, I'm asking you to support our campaign with a contribution right now. "Asked about the controversy following an event in Iowa City on Sunday afternoon, the Vermont senator denied responsibility, pledging to continue to work together with Warren, a progressive ally in the primary race. "I think this is a little bit of a media blow-up that kind of wants conflict," Sanders said.  "Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine.  We have worked together in the Senate for years.  Elizabeth Warren and I will continue to work together and we’ll debate the issues.  No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren. ""We have hundreds of employees.  Elizabeth Warren has hundreds of employees, and people sometimes say things that they shouldn’t," he continued.  "You have heard me give many speeches.  Have I ever said one negative word about Elizabeth Warren?  OK? "Asked if he personally approved of such talking points, Sanders gave a straightforward answer. ""No, of course I did not," the senator said. ABC News' Averi Harper contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Delhi reports 888 new #COVID19 cases, 565 recoveries and 7 deaths.

Total cases: 6,48,872
Total recoveries: 6,33,975
Deaths: 10,963
Active cases: 3,934 https://t.co/hXtWmCo3np

Navratri and Ramzan, during which devotees observe fasts and participate in special prayers, began on Tuesday with several places of worship in Delhi enforcing Covid-19 protocols at a time when the Capital is going through its worst phase of the pandemic. The city on Tuesday reported 13,468 cases, the highest ever single-day spike, and 81 people died of the infection, according to the Delhi government’s daily health bulletin. At Kalkaji Mandir, devotees were seen waiting in long queues for their turn to enter the temple.  Authorities also issued e-passes to regulate the crowd.  No prasad or offerings were allowed in the temple. At Jhandewalan temple, the aarti was performed only in the morning in the presence of priest and temple staff, with no members of the public allowed.  Similarly, at the Chhattarpur Temple, the aarti was performed by the temple staff, while it remained closed for devotees. Many other temples in the city saw few devotees turn up due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases and strict vigil by the authorities.  During Navratri, Hindus offer prayers to the different avatars of the goddess Durga, and fast for nine days. Surendra Nath Avdhoot, mahant (head priest) Kalkaji Mandir, said the footfall of devotees on Tuesday was much lower compared to previous years, even as the management of the temple ensured that those who visited the temple followed physical distancing norms. “On the first of Navratri today (Tuesday) only 10,000 to 15,000 devotees turned up for darshan.  In previous years, around 100,000 people used to visit the temple.  To discourage crowding, we have put in place a system of e-passes.  However, some devotees who were without passes were also allowed darshan.  Nobody is being allowed to enter without a mask.  We have deployed volunteers to ensure that no one violates social distancing norms even while they stand in queue,” Avdhoot said. At local mosques across the city, the management put up posters on the gates, warning people to wear masks and maintain social distancing. At several mosques, spots to place prayer mats were marked to ensure social distancing, while hand sanitisers were provided at the gates. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Tuesday appealed to Muslims to follow all Covid-19 protocols during Ramzan and try to pray at home as far as possible to ensure there is no crowding at mosques. In a video posted on social media, Bukhari said, “I have been getting news of people dying of the infection.  We must follow the Covid-19 protocols.  People have been lax in following the mask rule.  They must wear a mask in public places.  We have removed the carpet from Jama Masjid and put stickers so that those coming to perform namaaz follow social distancing.  I appeal to all local mosques that they should remove mats/carpets and put stickers.  I also appeal to the people to not crowd the mosques and try to perform taraweeh (special night prayers during Ramzan) at home as much as possible. ”During Ramzan, Muslims fast for a month between sunrise and sunset and perform special night prayers.  The month culminates in the festival of Eid-ul fitr.  Crowding in mosques and markets is common during Ramzan. The popular Jhandewalan Devi Mandir also remained closed for devotees on Tuesday.  Some people were seen offering prayers outside the temple.  Only the temple staff attended the morning and evening aartis. “It is sad that we can’t go inside the temple and take the blessings of Matarani (goddess Durga) during Navratri.  But the safety of people is also equally important, so it’s a wise decision to keep the temple closed for the public,” said Ramesh Chandra Gupta, a devotee, outside the Jhandewalan temple. A functionary at the Jhandewalan Devi temple, who asked not to be named, said: “The safety of the devotees is paramount for us.  We have made arrangements of live broadcast of aarti on the temple website. ”The district administration maintained vigil to discourage crowding at temples. Vishwendra, district magistrate (south-east), said the Kalkaji Mandir is the biggest temple in the region, so elaborate arrangements were made to ensure that there is no crowding and people follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. “We have deployed over 100 civil defence volunteers in and around Kalkaji temple to keep a vigil.  We have also issued fines against violators.  In the temple premises, we have also shut shops that used to sell prasad, flowers and other offerings.  People were largely seen following Covid guidelines,” he said. A senior official of the central district, who also asked not to be named, said, “Constant vigil was maintained around temples and also in residential neighbourhoods to ensure that religious gatherings do not take place.  We are strictly enforcing Covid-19 guidelines. ”Talking about arrangements at the Kalkaji temple, deputy commisioner of police (southeast) RP Meena said that nearly 100 police personnel were deployed around the temple for security, and to ensure that the devotees followed the Covid guidelines. “The temple management has issued e-passes and only those who had valid passes were allowed to enter the temple.  Inside the temple, circles have been made on the floor for the devotees to wait in a queue.  Nobody was found violating the rules,” said Meena. Meanwhile, at the Jhandewalan temple, police personnel were deployed in adequate numbers as part of their anti-terror measures as well as to enforce Covid-19 appropriate behaviour in the premises, said DCP (central) Jasmeet Singh. “All the rituals were performed behind the closed gates,” he said. As per data released by the Delhi Police, 3,155 people were prosecuted for mask violations and 56 challans were issued for not following social distancing across the city till 4pm on Tuesday.


Outbreak of drug-resistant infection linked to pet store puppies, CDC says: https://t.co/wKpJLUuJHn

By Christina Maxouris, CNNUpdated 2053 GMT (0453 HKT) December 18, 2019  (CNN)Puppies: cute balls of fur.


Medical aid from Israel arrives in India.

#COVID19 https://t.co/gxSvpwJPCN

American technology conglomerate Facebook has partnered with the Indian government to roll out a vaccine finder tool on its mobile app in India, which will help people identify places nearby to get vaccinated. According to Mashable, earlier this week, Facebook announced a USD 10 million grant for emergency response efforts for the Covid-19 situation in the country.  The vaccine tracker tool will allow users to find the nearest vaccine centre locations and their hours of operation as shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The tracker tool will also aggregate and display walk-in options (for 45 years and above) along with a link to register on the Cowin portal and schedule vaccination appointments. Facebook said in a post on its platform, "Partnering with the Government of India, Facebook will begin rolling out its Vaccine Finder tool on the Facebook mobile app in India available in 17 languages to help people identify places nearby to get the vaccine. "The company said that it is also will be joining hands with NGOs and agencies -- namely, United Way, Swasth, Hemkunt Foundation, I Am Gurgaon, Project Mumbai and US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) -- to deploy the funds announced to help build up a stock of critical medical supplies with over 5,000 oxygen concentrators and other life-saving equipment like ventilators, BiPAP machines. As per Mashable, Facebook also said that the Covid-19 Information Center and in Feed will also have information on how to seek emergency care and how to manage mild Covid-19 symptoms at home, and this will be provided by UNICEF India.


The #Grammys is traditionally one of the most bold and outrageous award ceremonies, fashion-wise. Some attendees found last-minute ways to pay homage to late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. https://t.co/AqYVDCe87v https://t.co/fXbDFef024

The crash resulted in a fire on the scene in the upscale suburb of Calabasas. This is the story of Kobe Bryant’s life Basketball legend Kobe Bryant is among nine people who died in a helicopter crash in the wealthy Southern California residential neighborhood of Calabasas, ABC News has confirmed. Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died alongside her father, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. Bryant was 41 years old. There were no survivors in the crash around 10 a. m.  local time Sunday, fire officials said in a press conference. Orange Coast College head baseball coach John Altobelli was also on board the aircraft, the school said in a statement.  The family later confirmed Altobelli's wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa, were also among those killed. The names of the other victims will not be publicly identified until next-of-kin are notified, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters. "God bless their souls," Villanueva said, adding that members from the coroner's office are on their way to assist in the recovery of the remains. The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances, a spokesperson from the National Transportation Safety Board told ABC News.  Firefighters worked to contain the quarter-acre brush fire that resulted, which was difficult to extinguish due to the presence of magnesium, which reacts to oxygen and water, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby told reporters. The debris from the aircraft was scattered on steep terrain, Osby said.  Paramedics on board an air ambulance were hoisted down to the scene but were not able to locate any survivors, he added. Witnesses who were mountain biking in the area saw the helicopter in distress, Los Angeles County Fire Capt.  Tony Imbrenda told reporters.  It is not known whether the pilot alerted over radio that the aircraft was in distress, Imbrenda said. It is unclear who the helicopter belonged to or where it originated from and was going to.  The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. The FBI will also be helping the NTSB in its investigation because it has evidence response teams. While the cause of the crash is still unclear, the Los Angeles Police Department told ABC News it was not flying choppers on Sunday morning since the weather, specifically visibility, did not meet LAPD’s standards for flying. Bryant was drafted to the NBA out of high school in 1996 and spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships.  He was awarded NBA MVP in 2008 and NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. Bryant won gold medals as a member of the U. S.  men's basketball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. LeBron James surpassed Bryant on the all-time scoring list on Saturday during the Lakers' game against the Philadelphia 76ers. "I'm happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant -- one of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers," James told reporters after the game.  "The man got two jerseys hanging up in Staples Center.  It's just crazy. "Bryant tweeted at James congratulating him on beating his record. In 2018, Bryant won an Academy Award for his animated short "Dear Basketball," based on a poem he wrote in 2015 when he announced his retirement. Bryant told "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts in December 2015 that he wrote a letter to his fans upon retirement because he wanted to show how much they meant to him. "The letter itself still doesn't do it justice and how important they've been -- how vital they've been in my career," he said.  "And I mean, we grew up together.  And that's such a beautiful thing. "Bryant was embroiled in controversy during a 2005 trial when he was accused of sexual assault by an employee at a Vail, Colorado, hotel.  Bryant always denied the encounter was nonconsensual and the case was later dismissed after the victim said she did not want to testify and the two parties settled a civil suitSilver said in a statement that the "NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing" of Bryant and his daughter and offered condolences to Bryant's wife, Vanessa, and their family. "For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning," Silver's statement read.  "He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary:  five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.  But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability.  He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna. "Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti described Bryant in a statement as a "giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court -- and awed us with his intellect and humility as father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved. ""He will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles, and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes," Garcetti said.  "This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe's entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief. "The Lakers' next game will be against the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday at the Staples Center at 7 p. m.  PT. Fans flocked to the scene of the crash, the Staples Center and the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium at the Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where Bryant played basketball prior to being drafted, to mourn the fallen NBA star. In a statement, the school praised Bryant to raising "the profiled of the high school" and the school district, according to ABC Philadelphia station WPVI.  Bryant led the team to the 1996 state championship. "Our school community will always be grateful for his ongoing generosity to his alma mater, including his dedication of our Kobe Bryant Gymnasium and his support of our boys' and girls' basketball teams. The NBA Player's Association wrote in a statement that it was "stunned and devastated" by the news of Bryant's death. "Words cannot express his impact on our Players, the NBA and the game of basketball," the statement read.  "This is a monumental loss for the entire basketball community and our hearts are quite simply broken.  We send love and prayers out to his wife Vanessa and the entire family. "ABC News' Matthew Furhman, Matthew Foster, Darren Reynolds and Matthew Vann contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Several states are reporting a spike in coronavirus cases, raising fears more hotspots will emerge in the US after New York as soon as next week. https://t.co/3IqvSkuMBJ https://t.co/dXvW8J1qBb

The vast majority of cases in New York are in the city. Coronavirus crisis explodes in New York CityWhen Dr.  Darien Sutton saw what was happening in Italy, he braced himself. Sutton, an emergency medicine physician in Queens, New York, anticipated that the reality in Italy during the novel coronavirus pandemic -- not enough hospital beds, a lack of protective gear -- would soon become the reality in the U. S. In New York City, he was right. "Right now, looking at a large hospital in Queens, the medical intensive care unit is already at capacity," Sutton told ABC News on Friday. He hopes it will serve as a wake-up call for other communities throughout the country on how to respond. "We should use this as an igniting event," Sutton said, encouraging other communities to test early and actively push for social distancing even if they aren't in a dire situation right now. Currently, there are more than 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U. S.  and at least 46,000 in New York.  More than 26,000 of the state's cases are in New York City and at least 450 city residents have died.  A breakdown of where the cases are shows that the areas with the most patients testing positive are in six neighborhoods in Queens and nine neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The city's density has helped aid the spread of the virus, according to health experts.  There are 27,000 people per square mile, the densest metropolitan area in the U. S. "As soon as a virus that is this transmissible gets into a population density that's this urban, you're gonna see exponential growth," Dr.  Eric Cioe-Peña, director of global health at Northwell Health, told ABC News. In Queens, Sutton said there has been a higher rate of cases than in the other boroughs because it's home to two major airports -- John F.  Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport -- and because many residents there don't have access to health care. "What we've seen is that when you don't have instructions, medical care or help, you increase the likelihood of transferring it to other people in your community," he said.  "If you're looking at New York City, you really have to get into the grid. "Health experts also noted that the numbers in New York are just a snapshot of the virus' spread. The rate of testing has to be accounted for, as well.  Gov.  Andrew Cuomo has said that New York is completing more testing than other states, leading to a rise in the numbers. And with all eyes on the city, more people are aware of the situation and residents may seek out testing at higher rates than in other areas, according to Dr.  Jon Zelner, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan. Heightened anxiety around coronavirus in the city is certainly on the rise.  On Thursday, the New York City Fire Department handled more than 6,000 911 calls, on what was the busiest day ever for FDNY paramedics in terms of individual medical incidents, according to the department. The record-high call volume was largely driven by calls from people who are scared or concerned they have coronavirus. The high number of cases has also put a significant strain on the city's hospital beds and protective gear. There are more than half a million health care workers in the city, according to a report released by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer.  He feared that many didn't have the proper equipment, noting that he heard stories from nurses who have only one mask because there aren't enough to go around. Stringer also noted that these workers are ones who "are too often ignored, underpaid, and overworked. "Though they are the ones protecting the city, 18% are living below twice the poverty line, according to city data.  The New York City poverty threshold was $33,562 in 2017. As for hospital beds, there were 53,000 hospital beds, but Cuomo said the city would need 143,000.  ICU beds were also lacking.  The 3,000 currently in place don't match up to the predicted 40,000 needed, according to Cuomo.  The USNS Comfort and a military hospital established at the Javits Center are both expected to take non-COVID-19 patients soon in order to free up beds in the city for those who are sick. Sutton said the notion that there is equal need across all five boroughs is a misconception. In Queens, there are just 1. 5 beds for every 1,000 people.  But in Manhattan, there are 5. 4 beds for every 1,000 people, according to Sutton. "This is a humongous difference," he said. Those differences need to be taken into account when looking at the city as an example, Sutton said. And as the city continues its uphill battle in facing the pandemic, Sutton pointed out that other communities could soon experience the same suffering. "It's a mess.  It's really a mess," he said.  "You may walk around being naive.  I just want you to know that we are already at a point of critical mass. "ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report. This report was featured in the Monday, March 30, 2020, episode of “Start Here,” ABC News’ daily news podcast. "Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes.  Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


More than two years after Ronald Greene died while in police custody, Louisiana State Police have released hours of video evidence related to his arrest. https://t.co/jSF0Y8vJ1a

By Aya Elamroussi and Dave Alsup, CNNUpdated 2:40 PM ET, Wed May 26, 2021  (CNN)Newly released videos show the sequence of events that led to the death of Ronald Greene, a Black man, in Louisiana in 2019, offering a graphic account of an encounter with the state police that has drawn fresh attention this week.  CNN's Chris Boyette, Ryan Young, Jamiel Lynch, Alta Spells, Hollie Silverman, Madeline Holcombe, Steve Almasy, Theresa Waldrop, Maggie Fox and Virginia Langmaid contributed to this report.


Air India Board has approved a scheme whereby employees can opt to take Leave Without Pay ranging from 6 months or for 2 years and the same can be extendable up to 5 years. https://t.co/Ikp3Rp2kwm

Air India has started the process of identifying employees, based on various factors like efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on compulsory leave without pay (LWP) for up to five years, according to an official order.  The airline’s board of directors have authorised its Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Bansal to send employees on LWP “for six months or for a period of two years extendable upto five years, depending upon the following factors - suitability, efficiency, competence, quality of performance, health of the employee, instance of non-availability of the employee for duty in the past as a result of ill health or otherwise and redundancy”, the order said on Tuesday.  The departmental heads in the headquarter as well as regional directors are required to assess each employee “on the above mentioned factors and identify the cases where option of compulsory LWP can be exercised”, stated the order dated July 14.  “Names of such employees need to be forwarded to the General Manager (Personnel) in headquarter for obtaining necessary approval of CMD,” the order added.  In response to queries regarding this matter, Air India spokesperson said,”We would not like to make any comment on the issue. ” Aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries due to the coronavirus pandemic.  All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, LWP and firings of employees in order to conserve cash flow.  For example, GoAir has put most of its employees on compulsory LWP since April.  India resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.  However, the airlines have been allowed to operate only a maximum of 45 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights.  Occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights has been around 50-60 per cent since May 25.  Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23.  The passenger demand for air travel will contract by 49 per cent in 2020 for Indian carriers in comparison to 2019 due to Covid-19 crisis, said global airlines body IATA on Monday.


On one side they say lockdown should be strictly maintained on other hand they're saying to open all shops. What should we do? There is lack of clarity between what Central govt is saying and their directives: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee https://t.co/F8VW487dDl

West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee on Monday accused the Centre of making contradictory statements about the enforcement of the lockdown and said there should be greater clarity on the Union home ministry’s order on reopening shops. “On the one hand they lockdown should be strictly maintained on the other hand they’re saying to open all shops.  What should we do?  There is a lack of clarity between what the Central government is saying and their directives,” she said at a briefing at the state secretariat according to ANI. Banerjee who was among the chief ministers who did not get to speak at the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday morning, said her government was in favour of the lockdown. “If you open shops, how would you enforce lockdown?  I think the Centre should come out with a clarification,” Banerjee said. She also said that the Centre should consult states before releasing circulars. “Central government is releasing circulars all of a sudden.  I don’t have any problem with it but there must be some consultation.  They should have asked the position of states,” she said. The lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus is scheduled to end on May 3 but a few chief ministers want it extended.  West Bengal has so far reported 696 cases of Covid-19. Last week, Banerjee clashed with the Centre over the visit of two Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to Bengal to oversee the state government’s efforts in the containment zones in teh fight against Covid-19. While the central teams complained that they did not get support in accessing hospitals and that local officials refused to accompany them, the ruling Trinamool Congress accused the two Central teams of spreading a “political virus” in the name of assessing the coronavirus containment efforts on the ground.


THE CLAIM A WhatsApp forward doing the rounds recently claims that India, in over 70 years of its Independence, the only period when India did not take a loan from the World Bank was from 2015 to 2018 – under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance.  The WhatsApp message, sent in by a WebQoof reader, reads: “In the 70-year history of Hindustan, there are only 3 years in which Hindustan did not take loans of one rupee from World Bank.  And they are – 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18. ” The same message has also been shared on several occasions throughout this year and last year on Facebook and Twitter: TRUTH OF FALSE?  World Bank data shows that for the three-year period in question (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018), India was granted projects/loans worth more than US$ 20,642 million for 50 projects.  The biggest of these approved loans was issued in favour of the Swachh Bharat Mission Support Operation on 15 December 2015, worth $3 billion.  The next five biggest loans approved were: In fact, India is the largest recipient of loans from the World Bank since its Independence ($102. 1 billion between 1945 and 2015), a recent lending report published by the Bank said.  (Not convinced of a story you came across on social media and want it verified?  Send us the details at WebQoof@TheQuint. com and we'll fact-check it for you.  You can also read all our fact-checked stories here. ) (At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience.  Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member.  Because the truth is worth it. )


"Now, it is upon you to use your lives for an #AatmaNirbharBharat", says PM @narendramodi.

https://t.co/FkTIqYWXoy https://t.co/PI7hVKeTvn

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday said India has fought against the coronavirus pandemic despite several roadblocks and lack of resources as it contained the spread of Covid-19 and strengthened the health infrastructure through the Make In India mission. "From mass production of masks and sanitiser in the country to develop the coronavirus vaccine, the people of India worked day and night to fight against the pandemic," PM Modi said while addressing the 18th convocation ceremony of Assam's Tezpur University virtually.  "Our Covid-19 management showed where there are resolve and resilience, resources come naturally," he said. The Prime Minister said India is not afraid of working on experiments for solving problems.  "The world's largest banking inclusion campaign is ongoing in India.  The world's largest toilet building, house-providing, clean-drinking water providing and vaccination drive is in India," he said. He said that the student's learning and knowledge will boost the nation's progress.  "It is an auspicious day for the graduating students.  The name of Tezpur University has been added forever in your professional journey.  Everything that you have learned in this university will help accelerate the development of the nation," he added. PM Modi innumerable people from Assam have contributed to the nation's freedom struggle.  "Several people had sacrificed their lives, their youth.  Now you have to live for New India, Aatmanirbhar India," he urged the students. PM Modi said that the grassroots innovations of the students add impetus to 'vocal for local'.  He added that the department of chemical sciences in the university has worked towards an easy and affordable technology for clean drinking water which has helped many villages in Guwahati and other states.  "These innovations are helping in solving local problems and thus, opening new doors towards development.  They have helped in accelerating and empowering the 'Har Ghar Jal' mission," he added. PM Modi also said the effect of converting waste into energy is massive.  "Remains of crops have been a big challenge for both our farmers and the environment.  The work that you are doing on a technology related to bio-gas and organic fertilisers can solve a major problem of India," he added. He said Tezpur University is working towards conservating the biodiversity and rich heritage of the northeastern region.  "They are documenting the languages of the tribal community; this is an appreciable work," he added.  Lauding the students, PM Modi said, "Young generation of New India has a zeal of fighting with the troubles with great enthusiasm. "He said that new technology has helped in the development of the nation.  "It is even possible that someday a whole university will be virtual and its functioning will be online where students and faculty from anywhere in the world can connect together," PM Modi added. Talking about the New Education Policy, PM Modi said that it strengthens the nation's education policy for data analysis, which would help the process of admission, teaching and evaluation.  "I am sure Tezpur University will play a major role in realizing these goals of the New Educational Policy 2020," he added. PM Modi also praised the Indian cricket team for their victory against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.  He said the performance by the players also teaches us big life lessons.  "Everyone should take risks without the fear of failure.  Self-confidence is a key to success," he said.


Telangana: Lesser number of people were seen making purchases today in Hyderabad ahead of #Eid festival amid #COVID19 lockdown. Mohammed Anwar Ali,a shop owner says,"There is only 20% sales in the market this year due to the lockdown." https://t.co/1MxGAvurxc

The Uttar Pradesh government has allowed the sale of certain categories of liquors in malls within the state amid the lockdown to clamp the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Sanjay R Bhoosreddy, the excise department’s principal secretary, said in a statement that the state cabinet has approved the Uttar Pradesh Excise (Settlement of Licenses for Premium Retail Vends of Foreign Liquor) Rules, 2020. Bhoosreddy said so far foreign liquor was being sold only in retail shops and model shops. “Earlier there was no provision for sale of foreign liquor in malls.  Licenses in form FL-4-C will be granted for the retail sale of foreign liquor in sealed bottles in malls.  These vends will be in addition to the existing shops,” he said in the statement. The principal secretary said the license for selling liquor in malls can be obtained by any eligible person, company, partnership firm, proprietary firm or society. Malls in which such vends can open should have a minimum plinth area of 10,000 square feet and include departmental stores, supermarkets or hybrid hypermarkets, he explained. “The premium retail vend should have at least 500 square feet carpet area and provide customers with the facility to walk in the shops and select his/her choice of a brand from the shelves.  It has to be air-conditioned and be well decorated with shelves so that various brands are displayed in shelves with a systematic layout plan,” Bhoosreddy said. The premium retail vends can sell only those categories of foreign liquor which have been authorised by the excise commissioner, he said, adding that consumption of alcohol on the premises of the vend will not be allowed. They can only sell brands of imported foreign liquor brands, Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brands of scotch or above category, all categories of brandy, gin and wine, brands of vodka and rum with a maximum retail price (MRP) of more than Rs 700 and above, and brands of beer with MRP of more than Rs 160 per can of 500ml or equivalent. “Keeping in view the increasing trend of shopping in malls, the rules have been framed allowing the sale of premium brands of liquor in malls,” Bhoosreddy said in the statement. “These vends will give choice and provide access to a wide variety of liquor brands both Indian and imported to liquor connoisseurs, besides giving a better shopping experience,” he added. (With agency inputs)


Maharashtra Congress Chief Ashok Chavan: Congress to contest on 24 seats, NCP on 20 seats, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi on 1 seat, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana on 2 seats, Yuva Swabhimani Paksha on 1 seat. https://t.co/nCwkWfo6Bp

The Congress and the NCP Saturday announced their seat-sharing pact in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls with the two parties agreeing to contest 26 and 22 seats respectively.  Addressing a press conference here, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar said 56 parties and organisations have come together to support the alliance to take on the BJP-Shiv Sena combine.  From its share of seats, the Congress will give Palghar seat to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi and another undeclared seat to Raju Shetti’s Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana.  From its 22 seats, the NCP will leave Hatkanangle seat for Shetti, who is the sitting MP from there, and give another to Independent MLA Ravi Rana’s Yuva Swabhiman Party.  Without naming any parties, Chavan and Pawar dubbed those who stayed away from the Congress-NCP alliance as the “B team of the BJP”.  The remarks were an apparent reference to Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, who refused to join hands with the alliance.  Pawar said the Congress-NCP combine was ready to give six seats to allies, adding that some parties tried their best to ensure the alliance doesn’t take shape.  “There is no doubt such parties were the B team of the BJP and their actions were intended to help the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance,” Pawar alleged.  Speaking at the press conference, Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil said like-minded parties had come together to “save democracy, protect the Constitution” and expose the BJP’s “hypocrisy and lies”.  Chavan accused the BJP of using muscle power and money to prevent parties from joining the opposition alliance.  “If the BJP had worked so well at the state and in the Centre, why are they poaching Congress and NCP leaders and giving them tickets,” Pawar asked.  Prominent among the parties which have joined hands with the Congress-NCP are Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), the Swabhimani Shektari Sanghatana (SSS), the Bahujan Vikas Agadhi (BVA), Independent MLA Ravi Rana’s Yuva Swabhiman Party, People’s Republican Party headed by Jogendra Kawade and the Republican Party of India (RPI Gavai).  While Kawade said he was happy all RPI factions had come together to fight the BJP, BVA leader Hitendra Thakur and Rana, who till some time ago supported the BJP-led state government, said they would try their best to ensure the opposition alliance wins maximum seats.  Overcoming their strained ties and grandiose declarations of going solo, the BJP and the Shiv Sena had announced their seat-sharing pact for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls last month.  The BJP will contest 25 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra and the Sena 23.  PTI MR BNM DIV BNM IND IND


Brazil's Bolsanaro says he 'loves' the Amazon. But his policies are designed to wreak havoc on it https://t.co/QBW5S6nGBX https://t.co/5YXCgUW3PL https://t.co/fDBwtjrC4W

Fires function similarly everywhere -- it's what's in them that's different.  Amazon rainforest on fire: ‘Lungs of the world’ in flamesTheir yellow fire suits were sodden from sweat.  Each of the federal firefighters was equipped with either an 8-foot pole with what looked like a car floor mat attached to the end or a water tank attached to a sprayer, kind of like a child's Super Soaker. They were alternately squirting water into the hip-high fire munching through the forest or slapping it down with those mats and using their snake-booted feet to kick dirt onto the embers.  That one team was out there for 29 hours, trying to block the fire from reaching a nearby village. Jefferson, a shirtless local villager, told us he had called in the fire and used his machete to hack a path for us through the jungle.  Smothered in soot, he showed us how during the initial hours of the fire, he'd hacked down a sapling and used it to beat the fire back.  The fire burned his cap, singed his hair and, he said, burned the shirt off his back. We are snug against the Bolivian border in Brazil, abutting the world's largest wetland, the Pantanal.  To find the firefighters, we'd joined up with the local head of the government agency IBAMA (the Brazil Institute of the Environment and Renewable Resources) that Brazil's President Jair Bolsnaro has talked about dissolving -- not because they are ineffective, but largely because he has said he wants to develop regions like Amazon and the Pantanal, so there's no need to protect the forests. The government has barred IBAMA's firefighters from speaking to the press, but we were allowed to accompany them to a fire.  Or, more accurately, their chief was allowed to accompany us -- because IBAMA's firefighters only have two trucks, both of which were being used by his teams, so the local head of the agency hitched a ride with us. He and his team don't have radios, so the firefighters rely on cell phones -- but reception is nonexistent outside of the main towns.  About 90 minutes out of the town of Curumba, our firefighter stopped at a tilting police shack by the side of the highway to ask whether anyone had seen his men.  The officer had gone on walkabout, so we went around outside to find him.  Wearing shorts and a T-shirt with a pistol packed against a love-handle, he pointed us down a dirt track, directing us vaguely 7 kilometers out. We drove over a series of six creaky wood slat bridges spanning the wetland's canals, ditches and streams, at one point startling a caiman, an alligator-like reptile.  Eventually, we reached a tiny village on the banks of the river surrounded by smoke.  We stopped again to ask a local and a firefighter from a different agency where the federal firefighters might be found. We moved on, passing bucket brigades -- villagers dousing fires scoop by scoop -- and it was getting dark when we finally found them. The next day, we flew over that same fire complex -- a curtain of fire and smoke drawn across the horizon.  Even at 3,000 feet, traveling a 400-mile round trip, it was impossible to see an end to the fire; it just kept going. In Glendale, California, where I typically work, 215 firefighters were dispatched Sunday night to battle a 30-acre brush fire.  Meanwhile, this region of Brazil, which is about twice the size of New Jersey, has 30 firefighters, who work seasonally. Aboard that plane, we weren't circling looking for fires.  We didn't have to.  They were nearly everywhere.  I've been covering wildfires in the American West for years and I've seen high flames and more intense heat, but never such an expanse of blackened earth. There were small brush fires sending up a cigarette's wisp of smoke curling from the forest and massive complexes that could have been one fire or hundreds lighting up palm oil-rich palm trees like matchsticks. We flew with Colonel Angelo Robelo, who heads the Institute of the Pantanal and has been working in this region for over 30 years.  Six feet tall, square jaw and sturdy with a thatch of salt and pepper hair, he prefers to be called Colonel. His withered right arm, the hand frozen into a semi-claw, is a testament to his time here -- he spent nearly 20 years chasing poachers in the Pantanal.  Over the years, poachers killed two of his troops and shot him in the shoulder, destroying his arm. Now a conservationist, he spends days perusing satellite data of the fires.  He was quiet up above the infernos.  He told us he'd never seen so much land lost to fires.  He estimated that just in our journey alone, we'd seen about 2. 5 million acres of forest burned -- an area a little less than the size of Connecticut. The smoke turned the sun orange.  At times it wafted into the cabin.  The heat generated thermals that bounced the plane around violently.  One jolt was so powerful we were slammed against the cabin's ceiling.  The pair of pilots apologized. The concept of firefighters making a difference is risible, said Robero.  Only mother nature can make a difference.  He said a series of rains often come in September, but it won't be enough.  The dry season -- drier this season than most -- won't come for months. On Saturday we drove out with Robelo toward a wetland just outside Corumba to watch a series of fires march towards this pristine habitat.  A pair of toucans fluttered from the burning palm forest.  We saw man-sized cranes called jabiru hang above that smolder, lifted by thermals.  Fires function similarly everywhere -- it's what's in them that's different. The firefighters we'd seen the day before had fought one fire -- out of the many hundreds burning in this region.  The chief had told us he knew it was futile, but if they could save a few homes, that was better than nothing. After darkness fell on the firefight, our team stumbled in the jungle trying to find our way back to the chief.  Finally we heard his voice.  He located us the same way he and his team often find each other -- hollering out in the woods and waiting for an answer. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


"Society has been programmed for a very long time that never saw beauty in a way that was black girl magic, but now we are slowing moving to a time where women like myself can finally find a place in society, can finally know they’re beautiful." https://t.co/qh3nBX8wdC

By Christina Maxouris, CNNUpdated 2105 GMT (0505 HKT) December 9, 2019  (CNN)Miss South Africa rules all.  The new #MissUniverse2019 is. . .  SOUTH AFRICA! ! ! !  🇿🇦 pic. twitter. com/gRW8vcuT3ACheering on the top 3 from backstage!  Who will be #MissUniverse2019? ?  pic. twitter. com/NUDsIjzsPn. @IAmSteveHarvey had it right: Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados is the winner of the #MissUniverse2019 National Costume competition!  Congratulations, Gazini.  🎉 pic. twitter. com/L8DpAyNL9I


On its daily show ‘Sau Baat Ki Ek Baat’, News18 India anchor Kishore Ajwani highlighted the ‘failure’ of the Imran Khan-led Pakistani government to control floods caused by heavy downpour in the country.  During the 9:50 am broadcast on August 25, the channel aired footage of an area drowned in water to depict the calamitous situation in Pakistan’s Karachi.  This can be watched from 18:10 minutes into the show. “After heavy rainfall in Pakistan’s Karachi, a video of a shocking stunt by a man became viral.  He can be seen jumping off a four-storied building in the video and he pulled off this stunt to showcase the failure of Imran Khan’s government.  The place where this incident took place experienced waist-deep flooding.  The streets and lanes resembled a swimming pool hence the man jumped from a four-storied building into the water,” narrated Ajwani. While visuals of a man diving into floodwater were played, a ticker on the screen read, “पाकिस्तान सरकार की पोल खुली” which roughly translates to “Pakistan government exposed” in English.
The same video was picked up by The Times of India on September 1 with the same claim that it’s from Karachi.
A day after the show was aired, Twitter user Shahnawaz Ansari took to the micro-blogging platform to inform that News18 India ran a three-day-old video of his brother’s friend “Bhura Bhai” from Indore as Pakistan. ये 3 दिन पहले की इंदौर की वीडियो है, जिसमे मेरे जानने वाले भाई के एक दोस्त "भूरा भाई" बारिश के पानी छत कूदकर गोता लगा रहे हैं।देश की गोदी मीडिया NEWS18 इंडिया ने भूरा भाई की इस वीडियो को, कराची पाकिस्तान का बताकर न्यूज़ चला दी है।@RoflGandhi_ pic. twitter. com/y6Wo2JsW0z— Shahnawaz Ansari (@shanu_sab) August 26, 2020

Alt News spoke with Ansari who connected us with Jafar, popularly known as “Bhura Bhai” in his locality.  “That’s me in the video News18 aired as scenes from Pakistan.  I had jumped into the water after we heard that a teenaged boy was drowning.  But he was already rescued by the municipal corporation by the time I plunged into the water,” said Jafar.  He also sent us the original footage of the clip aired by News18. The incident took place in Sikandrabad Colony and a mosque’s minaret is visible in both clips—the one aired by News18 (left) and the original sent by Jafar (right).
Jafar informed that the mosque is Sikandrabad Masjid located in the same colony.  The Google Maps screenshot below shows that the mosque is barely 50 metres from Sikandrabad Colony.
The area floods almost every year during the monsoons as the Sirpur Lake, located about 5. 5 km from the colony, overflows due to incessant rains.  Jafar sent us another clip where he is diving into the water from a different building.  He jumped a second time to show that the location is the same. News18 India, therefore, picked up a video from Madhya Pradesh and aired it claiming a man dived into floodwaters in Pakistan’s Karachi to send a message to PM Imran Khan for his ‘failure’ to tackle flooding in the country.  The man had jumped into the water in Indore’s Sikandrabad Colony to save a drowning boy. [Update: On September 2, four days after this fact-check was published, The Times of India also carried the video claiming it’s from Pakistan. ]Donate NowPooja Chaudhuri is a senior editor at Alt News. Assam-based media outlets DY365, Asom Live 24, and NorthEast Now reported that 26 Rohingya Muslims…On September 6, the Taliban claimed the complete seizure of Panjshir province, the last remaining…In a recent ‘breaking news’ segment, India Today claimed that Ahmad Massoud, head of the…After the Taliban claimed victory over opposition forces in Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan, Republic TV aired…In a September 6 broadcast, Times Now aired a piece of ‘breaking news’ where a…


Pres. Trump to give his second State of the Union address to the nation. https://t.co/J6gU7lqrJq https://t.co/D3Aar44gJC

  After a 35-day partial government shutdown that prompted the House speaker to postpone Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, the President will finally arrive Tuesday night on Capitol Hill.

  The President is expected to frame his policy agenda for the coming year and reiterate last year’s appeal to bipartisanship, but the prospect of a government shutdown will not be completely behind him.  Delivering the speech at the midway point of a three-week reprieve, his message will be colored by the prospect of yet another shutdown.

  And the makeup of the House chamber – with Democrats newly in the majority and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the chair behind him – will also be very much on display.

  Here’s what to watch for:

Trump hints at border wall action around State of the Union

  The President has deplored the bipartisan and bicameral budget negotiations taking place amid the short-term spending bill as a “waste of time” and indicated in recent days that he is once again leaning toward taking executive action to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

  And he has teased a potential announcement during the State of the Union address.

  Asked on Friday whether he would declare a national emergency during his speech, Trump said, “I don’t want to say,” and instead urged reporters to tune in to the speech.

  “You’ll hear the State of the Union,” the President said.  “And then you’ll see what happens right after the State of the Union. ”

  Still, Trump has indicated that any executive action would come at the end of the three-week negotiating period, saying in recent interviews that he has “set the table beautifully” to take action on February 15, the deadline for another agreement to keep the government open.  And White House officials have indicated Trump is not expected to declare a national emergency during his Tuesday evening address.

  There will be no better indication of the dramatic swing in the balance of power in Washington than the presence of Pelosi.

  Rather than Republican Paul Ryan, Pelosi will for the first time in this administration take her prominent position as House speaker, seated just behind Trump’s left shoulder for the speech.

  Her presence will be a reminder to the President and to the country of Democrats’ new position of power in Washington, which they are beginning to exercise this week with a series of new hearings and investigations into the Trump administration.

  And instead of majorities in the House and Senate, the President will face a majority of Democratic lawmakers during his speech – a makeup that is sure to swing the applause-o-meter and amplify the sense of political division around the country.

  Astute political observers will also be looking to the coterie of potential and announced 2020 Democratic presidential candidates who will be in the audience.  What lines will prompt applause from Sens.  Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren?  Who will Sens.  Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand bring as guests?

  The President and first lady’s guests, announced by the White House on Monday evening, will complement his remarks by representing a wide variety of issues, including the economy, the opioid epidemic, immigration and criminal justice.

  The theme of Tuesday’s speech, a senior administration official told reporters in a Friday briefing, is “choosing greatness,” and the President is expected to make an appeal for unity in a “bipartisan, optimistic” tone for his first State of the Union address to a divided Congress.

  According to an excerpt, the President will say: “Together, we can break decades of political stalemate, we can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. ”

  The speech will urge Democrats to work with Republicans on immigration, infrastructure, lowering drug prices and other areas.

  Trump also appealed for unity in much of his address last year – only to revert to his attacks against Democrats, on Twitter and elsewhere, within days of the speech.

  “This President is going to call for an end to the politics of resistance, retribution and call for more comity – c-o-m-i-t-y,” counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway said Monday.

  “He’s calling for cooperation, and he’s calling for comity, c-o-m-i-t-y, and also compromise.  And he’s going to point out a couple of examples of where this has actually happened on his watch,” she added.  “I think it’s also an address that celebrates so many accomplishments for the United States of America that he would like to highlight as the leader of our nation. ”

  Critics listening to the speech, Conway said, “should listen to the message, not always just look at the messenger,” and look for ways to work together.

GOP senators express concerns about a national emergency declaration to fund border wall

  Before the speech even begins, the White House is working to coordinate and shape the media’s response to it.

  In the Roosevelt Room on Monday evening, Vice President Mike Pence, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Conway briefed surrogates who are expected to speak about the address on television and radio about themes of unity in the address, multiple sources close to the White House said.  The President stopped by to give a pep talk, as well.

  Trump was “in a good mood, very upbeat,” and thanked the surrogates for their continued support, per one source in the room.

  Other aides are preparing fact sheets and messaging documents to distribute in support of the address – standard public relations exercises for any White House, but a sign that the State of the Union is one of the rare events the Trump White House approaches in a traditional, coordinated and structured way.

  The address is also being used as a fundraising tool for the President’s re-election campaign, soliciting input from supporters.

  “Tomorrow, I will stand before YOU, the citizens of this great nation, and give my second Official State of the Union Address as President.  Nancy & Chuck don’t want me to speak, Mainstream Media outlets don’t want me to speak, and the Hollywood Elites don’t want me to speak.  But I know, YOU want me to speak,” Trump wrote in an email to his campaign’s distribution list.

  CNN’s Pamela Brown and Sarah Westwood contributed to this report.
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


People gather at BJP office in Panaji, Goa to pay last respects to late Goa CM #ManoharParrikar

(News agency ANI)

For more updates: https://t.co/SMvOq6JOtV https://t.co/cGsgLRTUe4

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar died at his residence in Panaji on Sunday, prompting the Centre to announce a national mourning even as tributes flowed in from across the political spectrum for the 63-year-old former defence minister who was widely considered the tallest BJP leader from the state.  Also Watch: PM Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala pay homage to Manohar Parrikar in Goa Announcement of new Goa chief minister soon, says Amit Shah“BJP lost a great leader after death of Manohar Parrikar.  I have paid last respects to Manohar Parrikar.  The BJP is with the family of Parrikar.  The BJP leaders are discussing over the future course of action and the new chief minister of Goa will be announced soon,” said BJP chief Amit Shah. Thousands bid emotional farwell as Parrikar’s son Utpal lights funeral pyreThousands bid emotional farewell to Manohar Parrikar as his son Utpal lit the funeral pyre. Thousands of supporters and BJP workers accompanied the funeral cortege from the Kala Academy Arts and Cultural Centre, where the remains had been kept throughout the day for the public to pay last respects to the nearby Miramar beach. The mortal remains of Parrikar, wrapped in the national tri-colour, were placed on a pyre amid gun salutes at the beach and his elder son Utpal Parrikar consigned it to flames. Manohar Parrikar cremated with military honours, gun saluteManohar Parrikar was cremated with full military honours.  He was accorded with gun salute. US envoy to India condoles Parrikar’s deathUnited States Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, on Monday condoled the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. “Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go to the family and friends of Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former Indian Defence Minister.  He was greatly respected by the United States, and his loss will be deeply felt,” Juster tweeted. Parrikar’s funeral cortege reaches Miramar beach for final rites amid chants of ‘Manohar Parrikar amar rahe’Parrikar’s funeral cortege has reached Miramar beach for the final rites amid chants of ‘Manohar Parrikar amar rahe’. US, Russia condole Parrikar’s deathUnited States Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, on Monday condoled the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. “Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go to the family and friends of Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former Indian Defence Minister.  He was greatly respected by the United States, and his loss will be deeply felt,” Juster tweeted. Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev also expressed his deepest condolences to Parrikar’s family.  “Your party and India have lost a charismatic leader, an eminent politician and a statesman of perfect integrity, whose role in political and social life was significant and inspiring.  In his capacity as Defence Minister, he contributed greatly to the development of the mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation between our two countries and will be remembered in Russia as a true friend,” Kudashev wrote.  Russian Embassy in India tweeted, “#Russian Ambassador to #India H. E.  Mr Nikolay #Kudashev expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Chief Minister of #Goa H. E.  Mr Manohar #Parrikar, who passed away yesterday. ” Thousands in cortege to bid him farewellAs Parrikar’s funeral procession began, thousand of common folk were in cortege to bid him farewell. Manohar Parrikar to be accorded a state funeralManohar Parrikar would be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, according to the home ministry.  The central government has announced a national mourning on MondayParrikar’s last rites will be performed at 5 pmHis last rites will be performed at 5 pm at the Miramar beach in Panaji, next to the memorial of Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar, who was also cremated there, a state BJP spokesperson said. Haryana declares one-day state mourning as a mark of respect to ParrikarThe Haryana government declared a one-day state mourning on Monday as a mark of respect to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday. “The State government has decided to observe a one-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary.  The national flag will fly at half-mast on March 18,” an order issued by Haryana Chief Secretary’s office said. Thousands line up Goa streets to bid goodbye to Manohar ParrikarThe affection and popularity he enjoyed from ordinary Goans was on display as thousands of common folks, and his party workers lined up to pay tributes to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who died Sunday after prolonged illness. Sad that Cong playing politics after Parrikar’s death: BJP leader“It is so sad that Congress party is finding this as an opportune moment to play politics in Goa.  We all can wait for the politics but right now, here is a person whom not only his friends, followers and colleagues but also the adversaries always respected and liked as an individual,” Madhav said while reacting on the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Smriti Irani gets emotional as she pays last respects to ParrikarUnion minister Smriti Irani gets emotional as she pays last respects to Manohar Parrikar in Panaji. Panaji: Union Minister Smriti Irani gets emotional as she pays last respects to Goa CM #ManoharParrikar.  pic. twitter. com/NOOucOU8iOGoa cancels Shigmo festivitiesThe department of tourism, Goa, has cancelled Shigmo festivities scheduled between March 21 and 24 as a mark of respect and observance of state mourning following the death of Manohar Parrikar.  Shigmo is an annual spring festival celebrated in Goa with public parades and festivities. PM Modi meets Parrikar’s family membersPrime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Goa Governor Mridula Sinha meet family members of Manohar Parrikar, in Panaji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor Mridula Sinha meet family of Goa CM #ManoharParrikar, in Panaji.  pic. twitter. com/X11DkUJofUPM Modi pays last respects to ParrikarPrime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman pay last respects to Manohar Parrikar.  Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pay last respects to Goa CM #ManoharParrikar pic. twitter. com/aNUC7nEJPmRahul Gandhi observes two-minute silence at public rallyCongress president Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders observe two-minute silence at a public rally in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi to pay last respects to Manohar Parrikar. Karnataka: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and party leaders observe two-minute silence at party's public rally in Kalaburagi, to pay last respects to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar pic. twitter. com/QbLS5ls3xnCongress stakes claim to form govt in Goa“We met the Governor and staked claim to form the government as we are the single largest party in Goa.  We have 14 MLAs and we should be given the chance to form the government.  We have told that we will prove majority,” Chandrakant Kavlekar, CongressMGP refuses to comment on swearing in“I can’t say anything about the swearing in because we have a meeting of the executive committee.  Unless there is a decision there, we cannot give letters of support to them (BJP),” says MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar. Congress leaders meet Goa Governor Mridula SinhaMGP leaders huddle in a meetingWe will have a meeting of the executive committee of MGP now to see how to go forward.  Until that happens, I cannot confirm anything: MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar. Swearing in of new Goa CM today itself: State BJP chiefAs of now nothing is finalised (regarding CM candidate).  Things should become clearer by 2pm.  The swearing in will happen today itself, probably after 3pm: BJP Goa state president Vinay Tendulkar.  He doesn’t say who will be sworn in. Goa Archbishop pays last respects to Manohar ParrikarGoa Archbishop Filipe Néri Ferrão pays his last respects to Manohar Parrikar at Kala Academy, Panaji. Jayant Sinha offers condolences to Manohar ParrikarUnion minister Jayant Sinha offers condolences to Manohar Parrikar who passed away last evening. भाजपा मुख्यालय में श्रद्धेय मनोहर पार्रिकर जी को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।मनोहर जी द्वारा देशहित में किए गए कार्य देशवासियों के लिये प्रेरणा हैं।उनका जाना राष्ट्र के लिए अपूर्णीय क्षति है। मेरी ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि वे दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने चरणों में उच्च स्थान दें। ॐ शांति!  pic. twitter. com/4FWw0YfyFDCongress MLAs in Goa reach Raj BhavanCongress MLAs in Goa reach Raj Bhavan to try for an audience with the Governor. MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar meets Nitin Gadkari againMGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar meets Nitin Gadkari again.  There may be yet another attempt to arrive at a consensus for the CM’s candidate. Congress MLAs to go to Raj BhavanCongress MLAs in Goa to go to Raj Bhavan a short while from now to try for an audience with the Governor. Shatrughan Sinha expresses condolencesWords will never be able to condole the death of a true nationalist, rare leader & extraordinary administrator, CM, Goa & former Defence Minister, Shri.  Manohar Parrikar #manoharparrikar.  He was a kind, charismatic personality, with an approachable nature which helped empower the state to achieve remarkable development & progress.  His greatest contribution to the Indian military establishment was the one rank, one pension scheme (OROP).  The BJP stalwart fought his aliment courageously with dignity working till the end.  His exemplary service to the nation will never be forgotten: Shatrughan Sinha says in a series of tweets. WATCH: Political leaders condole Manohar Parrikar’s demise‘Definitely, BJP MLA should lead Goa’Definitely, one among the 12 of us BJP MLAs should lead Goa, it is but obvious: BJP MLA Glenn Ticlo tells ANI in Panaji. Indian national flag at half mast at Rashtrapati BhavanThe Indian national flag has been hoisted at half mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan as a mark of respect to Manohar Parrikar who passed away last evening. Union cabinet observes two minutes silenceUnion cabinet condoles demise of Manohar Parrikar , observes two minutes silence. People gather to pay last respects to ParrikarPeople gather at the BJP office in Panaji to pay last respects to late Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Goa: People gather at BJP office in Panaji to pay last respects to late Goa CM #ManoharParrikar pic. twitter. com/2jQpNMG60RGoa heading towards ‘suspended animation’Goa heading towards ‘suspended animation’ as consensus eludes ruling BJP dispensation on Manohar Parrikar’s successor. Parrikar to be accorded state funeral with full military honoursManohar Parrikar to be accorded state funeral with full military honours, according to the home ministry, reports news agency PTI. PM Modi to pay last respects to Manohar ParrikarPM Narendra Modi to leave for Goa to pay last respects to Manohar Parrikar who passed away last evening. Nitin Gadkari arrives to pay last respects to ParrikarMortal remains of Manohar Parrikar brought to BJP office in Panaji.  Union Minister Nitin Gadkari arrives to pay last respects to him. Parrikar’s mortal remains brought to BJP office in PanajiMortal remains of Manohar Parrikar brought to BJP office in Panaji. Goa: Visuals from BJP office in Panaji.  Mortal remains of Goa CM #ManoharParrikar will be brought here for people to pay last respects to him.  pic. twitter. com/zSHGEZqwBuParrikar’s mortal remains being taken to BJP office in PanajiMortal remains of Manohar Parrikar being taken to BJP office from his residence, in Panaji. Goa: Mortal remains of Goa CM #ManoharParrikar being taken to BJP office from his residence, in Panaji.  pic. twitter. com/Ksr8afYDNaVisuals from outside Parrikar’s residence in PanajiVisuals from outside the residence of #ManoharParrikar in Panaji, Goa.  pic. twitter. com/5M6lzmaVWvMGP leader demands CM’s chairBJP MLA Michael Lobo said that MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar demanded that he be made the chief minister, which has not found favour with the BJP as well as Goa Forward Party MLAs and independents. Nitin Gadkari in hectic parleys with alliance partnersThe BJP’s central leadership dispatched a team comprising Union minister Nitin Gadkari who held discussions with BJP MLAs as well as leaders of alliance partners — the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party — and independents. Deadlock over Goa CM candidate continuesDespite extensive discussions that continued late into the night on Sunday, the BJP failed to break the deadlock over who should fill the shoes of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar who passed away last evening.


BREAKING: Donald Trump will win the state of Louisiana, @ABC News projects. https://t.co/AGFFE0XcA9 #ElectionNight https://t.co/JC471phAiM

By Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya, Veronica Rocha, Melissa Mahtani and Amanda Wills, CNNOur live coverage has moved.  Go here for the latest results and news from the election. From CNN's Allison GordonResults from Milwaukee have flipped Wisconsin to Joe Biden, who has a lead in the state right now, CNN's Phil Mattingly says. Earlier, the city of Milwaukee's absentee ballot information was delivered with a police escort, CNN's Ryan Young reported. "When they have those three officers walking with them, you understand the importance of the event," Young told CNN's Chris Cuomo. The election is far from over with millions of votes still outstanding in key states, including in battleground Wisconsin. Joe Biden will win Hawaii, CNN projects. There are four electoral votes at stake in Hawaii.  It takes 270 electoral votes to win the 2020 presidential election. Who won in 2016: Former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton carried the state, and President Trump won the general election. From CNN's Josiah Ryan Republican insiders are crediting a $300 million get-out-out the vote effort organized by the Trump campaign and allies for narrowing the gap in many states, CNN's Ryan Nobles reported early this morning.  "Republicans are talking about. . .  the ground game that the Republican National Committee and the Trump Victory Organization put into place shortly after President Trump was inaugurated," said Nobles. Nobles reported on Friday that the campaign had spent more than $300 million on a data and ground operation and less on television and digital advertising in the final leg of the campaign.  "They firmly believe that that ground game was going to be a big part in narrowing the gap, in many of these key states and they're now saying that we're seeing that play out in realtime as these votes come," added Nobles.  From CNN's MJ LeeJoe Biden's campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon issued a strongly worded statement following President Trump's White House speech, calling it "outrageous, unprecedented, and incorrect. " O’Malley Dillon went on to say that "the counting will not stop. ”From CNN's Maeve Reston and Stephen CollinsonVotes are still being counted in several key states across the US, and no winner has been determined in the presidential election. If you're just reading in, here's what you need to know about the race:From CNN's Leinz ValesBenjamin L.  Ginsberg, a longtime Republican election lawyer who co-chaired the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, said Wednesday that President Trump should “let all the votes be counted,” following his attacks on legitimate vote counting efforts. “If you have objections to either the particular ballots or to the process, then you have remedies after the fact from each state individual contests laws or recount laws if the margins are close enough,” Ginsberg told CNN’s Jake Tapper during CNN’s special election coverage.  Hear Ginsberg explain: From CNN’s Mark MoralesPhiladelphia won’t have an updated number on mail-in ballots until 9 a. m.  on Wednesday, said Lisa Deeley, head of the Philadelphia City Commissioners, which is a bipartisan board of elected officials in charge of elections and voter registration. Election officials are waiting on in-person voting numbers to be reported by some individual precincts and ingested into their system before they can report the number of mail-in ballots, Deeley said.  “That’s just the configuration of our system,” said Deeley, adding that it was a reporting issue, not mechanical. The delay in in-person results from the field are slowing down the reports, particularly in West Philadelphia, Deeley said “We are counting, we have been counting, we are going to continue counting until it's done,” Deeley said.  “We’re just waiting for the rest of the in-person results to come in from voting machines. ”Another update with mail-in votes will come at 9 a. m. , Deeley said. As of 1:10 a. m.  ET, with 1,598 of 1,703 divisions reporting, former Vice President Joe Biden has received 73. 3% of the city’s votes, and President Trump has received 25. 67% of the city’s vote. From CNN's Allison GordonBased on CNN's current projections, Joe Biden has 220 electoral votes while Donald Trump has 213 electoral votes. Here's the latest look at where things stand:Reminder: Each candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.


#WATCH Rajasthan: Swarms of locusts continue to create menace in different parts of the state , visuals from Kota. https://t.co/hRaMBmCQLM

The locals in Rajasthan’s Ajmer were seen clanging utensils on Tuesday in an attempt to drive away the locusts. Children and women were seen clanging utensils on their roof. Earlier on Sunday, the Agriculture Department of Rajasthan Government had said that locust attacks were controlled in 11,6091 hectares at 383 places after surveying 14,80858 hectares. In a report, the department had said that the first locusts attack was witnessed in Jaisalmer and Sriganganagar districts on April 11 and the latest attack was witnessed in the Alwar district on May 30. The desert locust is a species of locust, a swarming short-horned grasshopper.  They are known to devour everything in their path, posing an unprecedented threat to food supply and livelihoods of millions of people.


Photos show the Canadian Army giving winter warfare training to the Chinese PLA to deal with the Indian Army

A set of old photos from a joint military exercise between Canada and China is being falsely shared claiming in a recent exercise Canadian army has started training Chinese army to combat against India.  The photos are viral with a false claim that the Canadian army is training soldiers from the People's Liberation Army in winter warfare.   BOOM found that three of the pictures are from a 2018 joint military drill and not recent while the other photo is from 2014 and shows an internal training exercise for Canadian soldiers.  The set of four photos are viral on the Facebook page Defence 360 claiming, "Important: Canadian Army giving winter warfare training to Chinese PLA to deal with Indian Army in Peaks & Mountains of LAC Post their failure to hold on to key Positions.  CC: Ministry of Defence, Government of India" Click here to view, and here for an archive.  The first photo was also tweeted by the Twitter user (@captjasdeep) with the caption, "I hope our country knows that Canadian Army is giving winter warfare training to Chinese PLA in Canada. " Click here to view an archive.  Viral on Facebook On searching with the same text on Facebook, we found that the photos are being shared with the false claim.  Click here to view, and here for an archive.  Also Read: Video Of Canadian And US Soldiers Shared As Indian And Pakistani Troops BOOM found that the viral photos are unrelated and old and not from any recent Canada - China military exercise or winter warfare training as being falsely claimed.  Photo 1 A reverse image search using Google Images showed results from 2014.  We found the same photo tweeted by the Joint Delegation of Canada to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) about Canadian soldiers were training in Canada's Arctic in February 2014.  #Canadian soldiers training in Canada's #Arctic, February 2014.  pic. twitter. com/vkVJUir3Ei Photos 2, 3, 4 We found that the other photos in the post are from a 2018 joint military drill conducted by China and Canada.  The same three pictures were tweeted by the Canadian Army Twitter handle in February 2018 saying, "The Army deployed a team of four observers from the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre to China.  The Chinese PLA accepted a reciprocal invitation from the CA to observe winter survival training in Petawawa. " #FactFriday - The #Army deployed a team of four observers from the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre to China.  The Chinese PLA accepted a reciprocal invitation from the CA to observe winter survival training in Petawawa.  #StrongSecureEngaged #StrongProudReady pic. twitter. com/eARdeIXggz We further checked for a recent military exercise between Canada and China and found no recent reports.  On December 11, 2020, Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan told the House of Commons, "Canada is no longer training with the Chinese military".  Canada's Department of Global Affairs, which is the country's foreign ministry had responded to the cancellation of the military exercises with China by stating, "Given the heightened scrutiny, any decision by Canada to reduce/cut ties should be carefully considered to avoid sending any unhelpful or unintended messages," reported The Week on December 10, 2020.     Also Read: Old Photo Of Sikh Man Offering Namaz Falsely Linked To Farmers' Protest


A screenshot of the tweet by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is being shared on social media claiming that Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party supported the alleged tweet posted by Bollywood singer Caralisa Monterio on Hindu Mukt Bharat.  The purported tweet also mentions that Caralisa Monterio has orgasmic pleasure every time a Hindu is killed.  Let’s verify the claim made in the post. Claim: Bollywood singer Caralisa Monterio’s tweet on Hindu Mukt India. Fact: The Bollywood singer Caralisa Monterio’s tweet shared in the post is not real, but a morphed one.  One can notice that the alignment of this tweet is different to that of a normal tweet posted on Twitter.  Caralisa Monterio also clarified that the tweet is fake and also informed that a case has been filed against it.  Also, the Aam Aadmi Party’s tweet shared in this post is from December 2016.   Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. When we searched for this tweet on the official Twitter handle of Bollywood singer Caralisa Monterio, we could not find this tweet on her timeline.  On observing carefully, one can notice the alignment of Caralisa Monterio’s tweet shared in the post is different from a normal tweet posted on Twitter.  The bar that shows the number of quote tweets and likes is absent on this purported tweet of Caralisa Monterio.  Singer Caralisa Monterio usually tweets from her android device.  But, there is no mention of her device in this viral tweet. OpIndia founder Rahul Roshan shared this screenshot in response to Caralisa Monterio’s tweet in which she shared the screenshot of a morphed OpIndia article.  This tweet is now unavailable on Twitter.  The archived version of Rahul Roshan’s tweet can be seen here. When a user posted this fake screenshot, Caralisa Monterio responded through a tweet saying ‘Tell your dad WhatsApp University band kar lo.  And a case has been filed against this fake tweet. ’Tell your dad WhatsApp University band kar lo.  And a case has been filed against this fake tweet.  https://t. co/7kLkBY7LrxAlso, the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) tweet shared in the post is an old tweet.  AAP posted this tweet on 20 December 2016. Bollywood Singer Caralisa Monteiro explains why Goa needs AAP.  pic. twitter. com/OAg7w0N7DLTo sum it up, Bollywood singer Caralisa Monterio did not tweet saying that we will soon see a Hindu Mukt India.  It is a morphed tweet.