RAJOURI: Irmim Shamim who became the first Gujjar woman in Rajouri district to qualify for medical studies at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in June, was felicitated by the Army, yesterday. #JammuAndKashmir https://t.co/EMSwjchRTR

“I am the first girl from my village in Bihar to move out for higher studies.  But now, neighbours and relatives back home want their children to study in Jawaharlal Nehru (JNU),” said 22-year-old Priyanka Bharti, the youngest presidential candidate in this year’s JNU students’ union elections. Born and brought up in Patna’s Fatuha village, Bharti first stepped into JNU in 2016 for a Bachelors’ degree in German Studies from the School of Languages, Literature and Culture Studies.  She is now pursuing her masters in the same. “I remember shivering when a boy sat next to me in class for the first time.  I discovered pizza and was pleasantly surprised when a friend recharged my mobile using his phone.  JNU has been life-changing,” she said. She is the president of Godavari hostel.  “My mess fee was waived because of the post.  Assuming the same rule would be applicable for hostels, I had contested hostel elections,” she said, laughing. “We are BPL card holders.  There was no money to support higher education.  We get a little rent and my father does some paperwork jobs but it is not enough,” she said.  While she had cleared the Joint Entrance Examination, lack of financial assistance obstructed her from pursuing engineering. Ask her about the switch from engineering to German and the response is quick.  “I wanted to enrol in an affordable professional course which would provide job opportunities after graduation,” she said.  “I am glad I chose this subject because I learnt a lot about Nazism culture and politics which helps me understand the present political atmosphere better,” she said. A staunch believer of socialism, Bharti said she joined the Chhatra Rashtriya Janata Dal (CRJD) as it is closer to her own ideology.  “The binary of left and right must be broken.  We are here to assert our ideas and will continue doing that,” she said. Her campaign promises include ensuring gender justice and proper implementation of reservation, minority rights, fighting caste and racial discrimination, facilitate metro passes for students, and ensuring the campus is inclusive and accessible to those with disabilities.


West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee holds a roadshow from Dhakuria Bridge to Kalighat Crossing in Kolkata.

The state reported 7,713 fresh COVID19 cases and 34 deaths yesterday. https://t.co/VVd6qkJ54j

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday asked people to stay indoors till April 30 to break the chain of rising coronavirus infection. The CM's appeal triggered speculation that the ongoing "corona curfew", which is in force in many parts of Madhya Pradesh till April 23, maybe extended till April 30. "It is very necessary to break the chain of the coronavirus infection in view of the rise in the cases. . . No one should come out of house unnecessarily till April 30," Chouhan said in a statement. The CM also said the people should observe a "Janata curfew" in villages, localities, colonies and buildings etc during which only two to four persons should bring necessary items for others. Chouhan appealed to people to wear a face mask and follow social distancing norms. He said Madhya Pradesh has received about one lakh Remdesivir injections since April 8. "A government supply of 12,000 injections is received on Sunday.  The state will start receiving about 20,000 injections from April 20," he stated. Currently, "corona curfew" is in place in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Bhopal and Indore, till April 23. Besides, there is the weekend "corona curfew" in the state on Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the corona curfew will come into effect in Damoh, where the Assembly byelection was held on April 17, from 10 pm on April 19 till 6 am on April 26. With 12,248 fresh cases on Sunday, the highest single-day spike, Madhya Pradesh's case tally went up to 4,08,080.  The death toll stood at 4,557, as per the state health department.


As India records 126,260 new #COVID19 cases, curbs in more states

https://t.co/h1aG6dfhIg https://t.co/dW1ny9MsRK

More regions on Wednesday were forced to reintroduce lockdown-like curbs on social movement due to rising cases of the coronavirus disease with second wave of infections continuing on a relentless march as India, for the second day in a row, set a new record for daily surge in infections with 126,260 new infections. On Tuesday, a complete lockdown was announced in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur from April 9 till April 19, while the Punjab government extended its state-wide night curfew till April 30, even as Bengaluru ordered a ban on use of swimming pools and gyms in the city. These are the latest in a string of regions across the country that have again started enforcing a wide range of curbs ranging from night curfews to limits on public assembly as they struggled to reel under the second wave of Covid-19 cases. Pushed by Wednesday’s new infections, the seven-day average of daily cases touched 100,761 new cases a day on average, which means that India’s second wave has now surpassed the peak of the first wave, which peaked at 93,617 new cases for the week ending September 16, 2020.  The seven-day average of daily cases is taken as a representation for the Covid-19 case curve of a region. Also Read| Covid-19: Urban hot spots drive surge, in greater need of jab scale-upOn Tuesday, Delhi had clamped a night curfew on movement and assembly of people between 10pm and 5am every day until April 30, joining the growing list of major cities such as Mumbai, Chandigarh that have been forced to reintroduce curbs on social movement.  In Maharashtra, which is contributing roughly half of all cases in India, authorities have imposed a night and weekend curfew, ordered non-essentials businesses to shut down, and asked most offices to switch to remote working. Night curfews are among the most common non-pharmaceutical interventions used by governments to check the pandemic in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. In Chhattisgarh, which is currently India’s second-largest Covid hot spot after Maharashtra, the administration in Raipur district imposed an 11-day complete lockdown.  In an order, Raipur collector, said entire district, including the capital, has been declared as containment zone and restricted several activities from 6 pm on April 9 till 6am on April 19.  Raipur had reported 76,427 Covid-19 cases, including 1,001 deaths till Tuesday.  In the last six days, the district witnessed 10,755 cases and 93 deaths. “During the lockdown period, the border of the district will be completely sealed and shops, including liquor, and commercial establishments will remain closed except medical stores,” the order stated adding that essential services such as hospitals, ATMs etc have been kept out of purview of restriction. On Wednesday, the state recorded 10,310 cases, the highest single-day spike since the outbreak of infection in March last year. In Punjab, chief minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ordered a ban on political gatherings and extended a night curfew to the whole state while capping numbers at indoor funerals and weddings to 50 guests and 100 for outdoors.  He said those violating the ban on political gatherings, including leaders, will be booked under the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemics Diseases Act. Also Read| PM Modi to interact with CMs on Covid-19 situation, vaccination strategy on ThursdayThese restrictions, coupled with the ones imposed earlier, which include closure of schools and educational institutions, shall remain effective till April 30.  However, there was some respite for shop owners in malls, as the chief minister allowed entry of 10 people per shop at any given time, as against the earlier order of not allowing more than 100 people in the entire mall at a given time, according to the order.  On Wednesday, Punjab recorded 2,963 new cases. In light of the rising number of cases in Karnataka, the Bengaluru Police has ordered a ban on the use of swimming pools and gyms within the city limits and imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the city, banning gatherings at party halls, apartment and residential complexes.  Of the 6,976 new cases reported in Karnataka on Wednesday, 4,991 were from Bengaluru Urban.


Officials are about to speak at a news conference about the shooting at a synagogue near San Diego.

Live updates: https://t.co/ZnKlQZFisK

Watch it here on CNNgo: https://t.co/9eyGMgsaH6 https://t.co/amwZbRJSix

The incident occurred at the Chabad of Poway synagogue. 1 dead, 3 injured in synagogue shootingA woman was fatally shot and three others were injured in a shooting during a Passover celebration at a San Diego synagogue Saturday, officials said. The shooting happened about 11:30 a. m.  local time at the  Chabad of Poway synagogue. The suspect, identified as 19-year-old John Earnest of San Diego, appeared to fire more than 10 rounds before leaving the synagogue, a law enforcement source told ABC News, noting that it all happened very quickly. "[We were] outside in front of our house and heard about six gunshots, a pause, some yelling and then another six or seven gunshots," neighbor Chris Folts said, adding that he went inside to call 911. During a news conference, San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore said that the shooter had an AR-15 style assault weapon. The four victims were transported to Palomar Medical Center, where one of them, a 60-year-old woman, died.  She was identified by the synagogue as Lori Gilbert Kaye. The three others, including a 1-year-old girl, are in stable condition, said Dr.  Michael Katz, a trauma doctor where the victims were taken. The sheriff said “some digital evidence” possibly ties Earnest to last month's mosque arson in Escondido, California, but would not elaborate.  While authorities are reviewing writings Earnest allegedly posted online, they have confirmed he has no known connection to white supremacist groups. Minoo Anvari, whose husband was inside the synagogue, said that she was with a customer when he called her. Anvari said that he told her, "One of my friends . . .  is down.  They took her to [the] hospital.  The rabbi lost two fingers.  But in spite of bleeding, he was trying to finish his speech.  He was telling all the people who know him, 'Be strong.  . . .  God helps us, God helps [our] country. '"Katz said the rabbi and the deceased woman were hit by "shrapnel from bullets. "An off-duty border patrol agent was inside the synagogue during the shooting.  The agent chased Earnest outside as he attempted to flee and fired at the alleged gunman, striking his vehicle, Gore said. Earnest was taken into custody after a K-9 officer saw him on the freeway, after which he jumped out of his car and put his hands up, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said during the conference. Officers saw a rifle in the front seat of the Earnest's vehicle, he added. The mayor of Poway tweeted Saturday afternoon, saying "hate has no place in ANY community. . . least of all Poway. ""The Poway I know comes together as we did just a few weeks ago. . .  We always walk with our arms around each other and we will walk through this tragedy with our arms around each other," Mayor Pete Vaus said during the news conference.  "We will get through this. "President Donald Trump also tweeted about the incident, praising law enforcement for their "outstanding job. "Relatives looking for their loved ones and synagogue-goers who were separated from the shooting were advised to go to Poway High School at 15500 Espola Road. The shooting comes six months to the day that 11 people were killed in a shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.  It also occurred on the last day of Passover in a synagogue whose members are part of one of the largest and most widely known Orthodox Jewish communities in the world. With the Chabad movement based in Brooklyn, New York, the New York Police Department said it was "closely monitoring" the situation and increasing patrols and presence at houses of worship out of an abundance of caution. ABC News' Christopher Donato contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as the picture of Home Minister Amit Shah having fish-biryani in West Bengal.  The post claims that Amit Shah is eating Biryani while farmers are protesting on the streets in the heavy cold.  Let’s verify the claim made in the post. Claim: Photo of Amit Shah eating fish biryani in West Bengal. Fact: Photo shared in the post is a morphed one.  In the original photo, Amit Shah was provided with a vegetable platter with Bengal delicacies.  This photo was captured while Amit Shah was having lunch at a farmer’s house in Midnapore district of West Bengal.  Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. On reverse image search of the screenshots shared in the post, the original photo is found in an article published by ‘The Economic Times’ on ’19 December 2020’.  In the original photo, Amit Shah was seen eating rice and vegetable dishes.  In the article, it is reported as the photo of  Amit Shah having lunch at farmer’s house in Midnapore district, West Bengal.  This event took place on ’19 December 2020’ during Amit Shah’s two-day rally programme in West Bengal.  The farmer’s family provided Amit Shah a vegetable platter with Bengal delicacies. Amit Shah shared this photo on his Twitter handle while expressing his gratitude to the farmer’s family.  BJP West Bengal also shared the original photo on their official Twitter handle.  More articles about Amit Shah’s visit to the farmer house in West Bengal can be found here and here. During his November 2020 visit to West Bengal, Amit Shah had a similar lunch in a tribal BJP party worker’s home.  Amit Shah was provided with a similar vegetable platter by the tribal family. To sum it up, a morphed image is being shared as the photo of Amit Shah eating fish biryani in West Bengal while farmers are protesting in the streets.


Outside Senior Editor Grayson Schaffer, who has climbed Mount Everest and written about it, joins Full Circle to discuss the growing risk and what might be done about it following an 11th death of a mountaineer. Tune in on Facebook Watch: https://t.co/4kLg95NOgB https://t.co/07ieBhzuH7

Kulish, of Boulder, died during the descent from the mountain, his family said. Lawyer becomes second American to die on Mount Everest this week A Colorado man has become the eleventh person to die climbing Mount Everest this year. Chris Kulish, 62, of Boulder, died Monday while descending from the highest summit in the world, his family confirmed in a statement.  The circumstances surrounding his death were not clear. A record number of climbers have summited Mount Everest in April and May, the peak climbing months.  Last week, there were reports of massive crowding, especially near Hillary Step, where climbers had to walk single file. Kulish, a lawyer and member of the "7 Summit Club," climbed Everest with a small group in "near ideal weather," according to his family.  He died after returning to the camp below the peak. "He saw his last sunrise from the highest peak on Earth," the family said. Kulish was "an inveterate climber of peaks in Colorado, the West and the world," his family said, adding that he "passed away doing what he loved. "The tenth person to die this year was 41-year-old British climber Robin Haynes Fisher, officials said. The death of another climber, 55-year-old Donald Lynn Cash of Utah, who fainted shortly after reaching the Everest peak due to altitude sickness, was reported last week.  Cash had conquered the Seven Summits -- the tallest mountains on each continent, guide company Pioneer Adventure said on its website. This year has been the deadliest for climbers on Mount Everest since 2012, when 10 climbers died.  All 11 deaths in 2019 occurred during peak climbing season. Officials have issued 367 permits to foreigners and another 14 to Nepalese mountaineers to climb Everest this year, according to a government liaison officer at base camp. There have only five days when conditions were safe enough to summit, Alan Arnette, a mountaineering expert who runs a Mount Everest blog, told ABC News.  Some climbers spent up to 20 hours above 8,000 meters due to a combination of exhaustion and wait times, Arnette said.  The average time is between 10 and 12 hours, he said. ABC News' Edit Honan and Clayton Sandell contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A man with a knife slashed several people and bit off part of the ear of a pro-democracy politician in Hong Kong. https://t.co/UYniu0aO8n

By Harmeet Kaur, CNNUpdated 12:20 PM ET, Sun November 3, 2019 (CNN)In cities around the world, among the sea of demonstrators who have taken to the streets, one image has stood out: the stark white face and creepy red grin of the Joker.  CNN's Yency Hernandez contributed to this report.


Twitter says it took action against four tweets that President Trump shared from the official POTUS account. "As we’ve said, using another account to try to evade a suspension is against our rules," a Twitter spokesperson said. https://t.co/NpsqiMOKoj https://t.co/h2PfnGgSW8

The social media platform has been his preferred method of communication. Social media platforms temporarily block Trump’s accountsIt appears President Donald Trump will have to find a new preferred platform to share his views with the world. Twitter announced Friday evening that it had permanently suspended Trump. "After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them -- specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter -- we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence," Twitter wrote in a statement. Trump's final tweet said he would not be attending the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Hashtags for "TrumpBanned" and "Thank you Twitter" quickly rose to the top of the social media site in the wake of the permanent suspension. Hours after his suspension, Trump released a statement criticizing the ban, and teasing a possible new platform. "I predicted this would happen," he wrote in part.  "We have been negotiating with various other sites, and will have a big announcement soon, while we also look at the possibilities of building out our own platform in the near future.  We will not be SILENCED! ""Twitter is not about FREE SPEECH.  They are all about promoting a Radical Left platform where some of the most vicious people in the world are allowed to speak freely," he added. Trump had attempted to post the same statement on Twitter, using the official @POTUS account, but the platform deleted the thread, saying users who are banned cannot post from other accounts.  The @POTUS account, rarely used by Trump himself over the past four years, will be transferred over to the Biden administration following his inauguration. The blog post from Twitter announcing the ban cited the events of Wednesday's raid on the U. S.  Capitol as a reason for the suspension.  Trump's account had been temporarily suspended in the wake of the rioting, but warned the president another violation of its terms of service would result in a permanent ban. "In the context of horrific events this week, we made it clear on Wednesday that additional violations of the Twitter Rules would potentially result in this very course of action," the company wrote. Five people died in the rioting at the Capitol on Wednesday, including one police officer, just hours after Trump held a rally and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. "We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women and we're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them," he said at the rally.  "Because you'll never take back our country with weakness.  You have to show strength and you have to be strong. "Rioters ended up pushing past police and ransacking legislative offices, spraying graffiti on the walls and stealing property.  In a video message posted to Twitter hours later, he called on the rioters to leave the Capitol, but also said, "We love you. "Since his election loss in November 2020, the president has constantly used the social media platform to baselessly claim the election was rigged or rampant with fraud.  Twitter began labeling his tweets in the run-up to the election to say some of the information was disputed.  However, they were not taken down. Facebook suspended Trump's account indefinitely on Thursday, with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg writing in a post that "the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great.  Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete. "Reddit on Friday removed the subreddit r/donaldtrump from its platform, with a spokesperson saying, "Reddit's site-wide policies prohibit content that promotes hate, or encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence against groups of people or individuals. "Twitter has defended keeping Trump's account active in the past based on politicians and world leaders providing information in the public interest -- even if they go against Twitter policy for average users.  But Twitter said Thursday they felt that was no longer the case with Trump. "Our public interest framework exists to enable the public to hear from elected officials and world leaders directly," Twitter wrote.  "It is built on a principle that the people have a right to hold power to account in the open. "The statement continued, "However, we made it clear going back years that these accounts are not above our rules entirely and cannot use Twitter to incite violence, among other things.  We will continue to be transparent around our policies and their enforcement. "A number of Trump associates were banned from Twitter earlier in the day Friday.  Michael Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser, whom the president pardoned late last year for lying to the FBI during the Russia investigation, was banned, as well as lawyer Sidney Powell, who briefly served on Trump's legal team following the election. Trump has used Twitter as his main outlet for disseminating information for a decade.  His posts during his presidency, sent from the same personal account he's used since March 2009, often generated headlines themselves. Calls for Twitter to ban Trump, while increasing in the months since Election Day, are nothing new.  Vice President-elect Kamala Harris repeatedly said while she was running for president that he should be banned. She wrote a letter to CEO Jack Dorsey in October 2019, citing a handful of tweets she said broke the platform's policy.  Twitter pointed to its public interest policy and said they did not plan to ban his account. He had approximately 79. 5 million followers on Twitter at the time of his removal -- the eighth-most followed account on the platform.  Former President Barack Obama has the most followers at over 127 million, followed by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Cristiano Ronaldo, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. ABC News' Ben Gittleson, Zohreen Shah, Matthew Fuhrman and Evan McMurry contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Ted Cruz is an embarrassment to Texas | @CNNOpinion https://t.co/Ss60EwzSBW

"Our girls asked to take a trip with friends," Cruz said. Ted Cruz responds to Mexico trip backlashSen.  Ted Cruz returned to Texas Thursday evening a day after flying to Mexico with his family even as his state reels from a historic storm that has left hundreds of thousands of people without power and safe drinking water. Several airport employees and fellow passengers told ABC News the Republican lawmaker went out a back exit escorted by officers after arriving at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Cruz faced backlash after initial reports emerged on social media that he had jet-setted to Cancun despite the widespread crisis in Texas.  Speaking with reporters outside his home upon his return Thursday evening, Cruz said in hindsight, "I wouldn't have done it. ""I have to admit, I started having second thoughts almost the moment I sat down on the plane," Cruz said.  "On the one hand, all of us who are parents have a responsibility to take care of our kids.  . . .  But I also have a responsibility that I take very seriously of fighting for the state of Texas. ""I understand why people are upset," he later said, adding he found some of the criticism "unfortunate. " "My intention was to take care of my family. "Cruz reiterated his regret over the trip in an interview at his home with ABC's KTRK Thursday night, saying it was not his intention to "somehow diminish all the Texans that were going through real hardship" by flying off to Mexico with his family during the state's crisis. The senator was initially scheduled to return to Texas on Saturday with his family, but changed his reservation in the morning to return Thursday evening, according to a source familiar with his travel schedule. Cruz's office told ABC News the senator was tested Thursday morning for COVID-19 to comply with the new mandate requiring citizens to present a negative test before traveling to the United States. "Leaving when so many Texans were hurting didn't feel right, and so I changed my return flight and flew back on the first available flight I could take," Cruz told reporters. In a statement Thursday afternoon, Cruz said the trip was for his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine, and their friends. "This has been an infuriating week for Texans . . .  Like millions of Texans, our family lost heat and power, too," Cruz said in a statement with ABC News. "With school canceled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends.  Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon," he said. "My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas.  We want our power back, our water on, and our homes warm.  My team and I will continue using all our resources to keep Texans informed and safe," Cruz added. Cruz headed to Cancun for a long-planned family vacation, various media outlets had reported, including The Associated Press, CNN and Fox News. The Houston Police Department confirmed to ABC News that Cruz's staff contacted police personnel on Wednesday requesting assistance upon the senator's arrival at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, though they did not specify what type of assistance. Police said he arrived at Terminal E and officers "monitored his movements" through the terminal. Critics slammed the senator on Twitter after photos emerged on social media of a man who appears to be Cruz aboard a plane. The Lone Star state is in the midst of a crisis in the wake of a powerful storm that started Sunday, creating widespread power outages and burst pipes.  Nearly 500,000 customers in Texas remained without power Thursday morning. Gov.  Greg Abbott avoided commenting on Cruz's trip, saying, "I haven't been following people's vacation plans. "Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, "Well it's certainly much warmer where he's going" when asked about Cruz's trip during a press conference Thursday. "My job is to stay here until the situation is resolved so that's it you know, I'm gonna let the senator speak for the senator," he added. "That's something that he has to answer to his constituents about," state Republican Party Chairman Allen West told the AP about Cruz's travel.  "I'm here trying to take care of my family and look after my friends and others that are still without power. "Texas Democrats called on Cruz to resign for seemingly abandoning his constituents in the midst of the storm. Texas Democratic Party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said, "Ted Cruz jetting off to Mexico while Texans remain dying in the cold isn't surprising, but it is deeply disturbing and disappointing. ""The Texas Democratic Party calls on Ted Cruz to resign or be expelled from office… We must restore ethics, competence, and a government that works for the people," the group said in a statement. Just on Monday, Cruz had urged residents to stay home in a radio interview that was shared on YouTube by his office in which he said: "So don't risk it.  Keep your family safe and just stay home and hug your kids. "One day later, Cruz issued a public apology on Twitter after an old tweet of his from August resurfaced, in which he castigated California's "failed energy policies" and mocked their power grid system. This week's winter storm has also pushed Texas' grid system to the limit and resulted in millions being left without power on Wednesday. "I have no defense," he wrote apologetically.  "A blizzard strikes Texas & our state shuts down.  Not good. "In December, Cruz eviscerated Austin Mayor Steve Adler as a "hypocrite" for vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, during the pandemic after telling residents to stay home. ABC News' Meredith Deliso and Frank Elaridi contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Maharashtra: Farmers from Nashik camp at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

They have marched from Nashik to Mumbai in support of farmers agitating against three agriculture laws at Delhi borders. https://t.co/4L1HMOsYEK

The Punjab Aam Aadmi Party said that all their MLAs would move towards Delhi on tractors from Shambu at Punjab-Haryana border on January 25 to support the tractor parade of farmers. "All MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party will move towards Delhi on Jan 25 on tractors from Shambu at Punjab-Haryana border to support the tractor parade of farmers," the state party unit said as quoted by news agency ANI. For the tractor march, the Delhi police has approved total routes spanning up to 170 km, of which over 100 falls in the national capital.  The parade would commence after the Republic Day parade, but there is no clarity regarding when it would conclude.  The police has also estimated that about 15,000 tractors were present at the three border points, Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, and more would trickle in later. The police has suggested three short routes for the farmers with respect to the border points.  Those at Singhu border have been asked to follow the Kanjhwala-Bawana route, while the protesters at Ghazipur border must take the Apsara border-Duhai route.  The protesters at Tikri have been asked to take the Nangaloi-Najafgarh-Badli route. The tractor parade will feature a number of tableaux from across states depicting village life, the protest against the farm laws, and hailing the courage of the farmers as per organisers.  Arrangements for 'langar' have been made along the national highway for the journey to the national capital's borders, as per farm leaders. Each protest site has had a war room set up to ensure smooth and effective coordination during the parade.  There will be 40 members, including doctors, security personnel and social media managers, in each of these rooms. Thousands of farmers have been protesting the Centre's three contentious farm laws, that were passed in September, around the national capital for several weeks, braving the bitter cold. The agitators demand a complete rollback of the laws and have refused to accept anything less, while the Centre has remained adamant that it would not withdraw the laws. These laws are the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.


THE NOTE: What looks like a national security crisis of Pres. Trump's making is sparking renewed interest in Congress in looking back, as well as forward, in ways that could constrain the president and shape his reelection race. https://t.co/5BqQCtSeEs

By Eric Bradner, CNNUpdated 2:56 PM ET, Tue January 7, 2020 Des Moines, Iowa  (CNN)Less than four weeks from the Iowa caucuses, former Vice President Joe Biden in many ways appears to be in a stronger position now than he was when he entered the 2020 presidential race.


Karnataka reports 5,007 new #COVID19 positive cases and 110 deaths today. The total number of cases in the State stands at 85,870 including 52,791 active cases and 1,724 deaths: State Government https://t.co/zR1chQ1FC8

Iran shut down a newspaper on Monday after it published remarks by an expert who said the official figures on coronavirus cases and deaths in the country account for only 5% of the real toll. Mohammad Reza Sadi, the editor-in-chief of Jahane Sanat, told the official IRNA news agency that authorities closed his newspaper, which began publishing in 2004 and was mainly focused on business news. On Sunday, the daily quoted Mohammad Reza Mahboobfar, an epidemiologist the paper said had worked on the government’s anti-coronavirus campaign, as saying the true number of cases and deaths in Iran could be 20 times the number reported by the Health Ministry. He also said the virus was detected in Iran a month earlier than Feb.  19, when authorities announced the first confirmed case.  He said they held up the announcement until after the commemorations of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and parliamentary elections earlier that month. “The administration resorted to secrecy for political and security reasons,” he said, and only provided “engineered statistics” to the public. He also criticized testing efforts and warned of a renewed outbreak next month as universities hold entrance exams and people mark major Shiite holidays. Iran’s Health Ministry has reported a total of nearly 330,000 cases and 18,616 deaths, including 189 fatalities in the last 24 hours. Authorities in Iran have come under heavy criticism since the start of the pandemic because of their reluctance to impose the kind of sweeping restrictions seen elsewhere in the region.  Iran is home to the deadliest outbreak in the Middle East.


A video is being shared widely on social media with a claim that it shows Bangladeshis entering into Assam after the introduction of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (CAB) in the Parliament.  Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.  Claim: Video of Bangladeshis entering into Assam after the introduction of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Parliament. Fact: The posted video is an old one.  Amit Shah has introduced the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha on 09 December 2019.  But the posted video can be found in circulation from January 2019.  Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING. When the screenshots of the video were run through the Yandex Reverse Image Search, a video of ‘News Nation’ with the same visuals was found in the search results.  The ‘News Nation’ video has the following description: ‘Exclusive: Bangladeshi immigrants infiltration video from Silchar border’ and was uploaded on 22 January 2019.  But, Amit Shah has introduced the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha on 09 December 2019.  So, an old video is being shared again to mislead the people.  To sum it up, the video was not taken after the CAB’s introduction in the Parliament. Did you watch our new Episode of the DECODE series?


#WATCH Mumbai: A woman being rescued by NDRF personnel from the debris of the building that collapsed in Dongri, today. 2 people have died & 7 people have been injured in the incident. #Maharashtra https://t.co/tmzV3Dmm7C

A century-old building collapsed in south Mumbai’s congested Dongri area on Tuesday, killing at least ten people as rescuers struggled to reach the several others who are trapped under the debris, officials said. A toddler was among the seven people to be pulled alive from the Kesarbai building in Tandel Street in Abdul Hamid Durga, an area with narrow by lanes, and rushed to a hospital.  Doctors said the condition of the child was stable. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said authorities are focussing on rescuing those who are trapped and that an investigation will be launched to find the cause behind the collapse. “It was a 100-year-old building.  It was not in the list of dangerous buildings.  A developer was appointed for redevelopment.  We will probe if there was any lapse on part of the developer,” Devendra Fadnavis said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and expressed his anguish over the fatalities after the 100-years-old building came crumbling down on Tuesday morning.  He said the state government and the National Disaster Response Force are working on rescue operations.  Collapse of a building in Mumbai’s Dongri is anguishing.  My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.  I hope the injured recover soon.  Maharashtra Government, NDRF and local authorities are working on rescue operations & assisting those in need: PM @narendramodiHome Minister Amit Shah termed the building collapse tragic.  The collapse of a building in Dongri, Mumbai is very tragic.  My condolences with the bereaved families and prayers for early recovery of those injured.  Rescue operations are in full swing.  State government, NDRF and local authorities are doing their best to assist people in need. Local residents reported the incident to the police at 11:40am after they heard a loud crashing sound and saw the Kesarbai building had given way.  There were at least 13 to 14 families living in the building. Follow live updates hereWatch | Four-storey building collapses in Mumbai, 50 people feared trapped Officials said rescuers had a tough time manoeuvring a fire tender through the narrow approach to the crash site.  “Access is a very big challenge for us at this time.  The lanes are narrow, so we cannot take any machinery inside.  We are manually doing all work, clearing debris, cutting iron girders,” a senior officer of the Mumbai Fire Brigade said. “Since these are all old buildings that were renovated at some point, they have been supported with iron rods around the structure of the building.  This is making rescue challenging and is very problematic for those stuck in the debris.  If I could take a JCB inside, by now all debris would be cleared,” the officer added. Rescue workers from the fire department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and civic body staff were on the scene as sniffer dogs looked for survivors amid the ruin. A video from the spot showed firemen being helped by neighbours in removing debris as they formed a human chain to clear the pieces of concrete and brick with bare hands. Adjoining buildings, which authorities said were in a dilapidated condition, were vacated after the collapse.  According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) building has a ground floor and three other storeys. MHADA chairperson Uday Samant said the building was given to a private builder for re-development. “If the developer has delayed re-development of the collapsed building, then he will face action.  If some MHADA officials are responsible for the delay in its development, then they will also face strict action,” he said, according to news agency PTI.


A video is being shared widely on social media with a claim that it shows the cruelty of police in Kashmir.  Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.  Claim: Video shows the cruelty of police in Kashmir.     Fact: The video is not related to Kashmir or Indian Police.  The incident took place in Lahore and the people in the uniform are Pakistan Police.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.     In the comment section of the post, it can be found that a person commented that the incident took place in Lahore and also, at 24 seconds in the video, it can be seen that the description reads, ‘Zulfiqar Butt from Manga Mundi being arrested’.  While no relevant news related to the incident was found from the available information, the location ‘Manga Mandi’ was found to be located in Lahore.  The uniform and protective gear of the police in the video also matches with the uniform and protective gear of the police in Lahore. At 26 seconds in the video, a logo (‘Hawk’) can be seen in the background.  So, when searched for that logo, it was found that the logo belongs to ‘Hawk – School, College Uniforms and Bags’, which has shops in Lahore.  Hence, it can be concluded that the incident took place in Lahore. To sum it up, the incident in the video took place in Lahore, not in Kashmir. Did you watch our new Episode of the DECODE series on Indian Rivers?


Uttar Pradesh: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner leave for Taj Mahal. https://t.co/das1mAj4QQ

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

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


A post with a video is being shared claiming to be the rare footage showing Savarkar in Andaman jail shot by a British journalist, which was also featured on BBC.  Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. Claim: Rare footage of Savarkar in Andaman jail shot by a British journalist. Fact: The video does not show real Savarkar shot by a British journalist.  This video is made by digitally stitching together visuals from the various films made on Savarkar by Prem Vaidya in 1983.  These films are available with the films division of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. YouTube search with relevant keywords led us to a 2014 video uploaded on the official channel of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.  The title of the video reads “Life of Shri Vinayak Damodar Savarkar” and according to the description, the video depicts important events of Savarkar’s life.  In this video, at a timestamp 25:08, we can spot exact visuals similar to the one in the post.  Also at timestamps 27:29 and 29:45, we can spot visuals similar to the one in the post. This video is credited to ‘Films Division’ as we can spot the watermark at 1:25 timestamp.  Taking a cue from this, search on the website of Films Division under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting website led us to three versions of the films on Savarkar directed by Prem Vaidya in 1983.  All these establish that the video in the post does not show real Savarkar but is a video made by digitally stitching together visuals from the films made on Savarkar by Prem Vaidya.  These were not shot by a British journalist. To sum it up, the visuals from various films depicting life events of Savarkar are shared as footage of Savarkar shot by a British journalist in Andaman jail.


Injured Indian soldier left his treatment midway to take revenge of the terror attack.

Social media has been flooded with posts of the Indian Army and it's valour following the Pulwama terror attack. A photo of an injured man in army clothes with bandages on his body has been doing the rounds on social media.  One Facebook post claimed that after the news that the Army was given a free hand to retaliate for the Pulwama attack, this soldier left his treatment halfway through and bounced back to teach the terrorists a lesson. After the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said security forces were given complete freedom to act. The Archived version of the post can be seen here. India Today's Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) found that the soldier in the viral photo is not from the Indian Army but is actually a Russian soldier. The image which has gone viral was posted on the Facebook page 'Mission 400+ saath hai to abhi jude' with the caption: "When this injured soldier got news of the Army getting a free hand, he left his treatment half way and returned to take revenge against the enemy.  (sena ke ghayal jawan ko pata chalte hi ki sena ko khuli chhoot milgai, ilaaj ke beech se uthkar dushman se badla lene hospital se bahar nikal aaya, ye hai hamari sena jazba, Jai Hind, Vande Mataram). "At the time this story was filed, the post was already shared by more than 12,000 people in two days. Facebook pages 'Political Tamasha', 'Kattar Modi samarthak group se jude aur apne 51 sathiyo ko jode' and 'Mera Bharat Mahan' have also shared the photo with the same claim. Using reverse search, we found that the soldier in the viral image is a Russian army man.  The image was taken back in 2004 in Russia when a few terrorists took around 1,100 people, mostly children hostage in the Beslan school siege on September 1.  The seige continued for three days.  The Russian military launched a counter-terrorist operation to rescue the hostages. The Russian army man in the viral photo is Maxim Alexandrovich Razumovsky.  During the rescue operation, he got injured thrice.  Whenever he got injured he ran for medical treatment and then returned to the school to save people. Western journalists later called him "Russian Tank".  We found many news articles covered by local media lauding his bravery. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.


#Kyrgyzstan | Prime Minister @narendramodi receives a ceremonial welcome in #Bishkek, as he officially begins his bilateral visit to Kyrgyzstan, after the end of SCO Summit. (ANI)

Follow updates here: https://t.co/OwTvEV1gAf

#SCOSummit2019 #SCO https://t.co/XUtbbFS0j0

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met president of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev today and hold bilateral meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.  PM Modi yesterday met Chinese president Xi Jinping and said that Pakistan is yet to take “concrete action” on India’s concerns and create an atmosphere free of terrorism, which is necessary to facilitate any possible engagement between the two sides. PM Modi is scheduled to meet president Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and president Khaltmaagiin Battulga of Mongolia today. Highlights:PM Modi signs documents at SCO summitKyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs documents at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.  Kyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs documents at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.  #SCOSummit2019 pic. twitter. com/htR3aaPDAIA message for deepening cooperationA message for deepening cooperation. PM @narendramodi outlines India’s commitment to peace and economic prosperity in the region.  Says India has enjoyed historic, civilizational and traditional ties with the SCO region.  Gives a template for strengthening cooperation - HEALTH: MEA.  A message for deepening cooperation. PM @narendramodi outlines India's commitment to peace and economic prosperity in the region.  Says India has enjoyed historic, civilizational and traditional ties with the SCO region.  Gives a template for strengthening cooperation - HEALTH.  pic. twitter. com/dmDsj5JyJdSigning of documents at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, KyrgyzstanSigning of documents at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  Signing of documents at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  #SCO pic. twitter. com/Mq9itkYgAEUS actions present a serious threat to stability in the middle east: Hassan RouhaniIran’s Hassan Rouhani says US actions present a serious threat to stability in the middle eastInternational community has been challenged more than ever by the plague of unilateralism: Hassan RouhaniIran president Hassan Rouhani says the international community has been challenged more than ever by the plague of unilateralism, reports Reuters. To tackle the danger of terrorism, all humanitarian powers should come forward together: PM ModiPM Narendra Modi addressing leaders of member states at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: To tackle the danger of terrorism, all humanitarian powers should come forward together.  Countries that provide encouragement, support and finances to terrorism must be held accountable.  PM Narendra Modi addressing leaders of member states at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: To tackle the danger of terrorism, all humanitarian powers should come forward together.  Countries that provide encouragement, support, & finances to terrorism must be held accountable.  pic. twitter. com/1h1vb9tgIUStop spread of radicalization among youths: PM ModiPM Modi in Bishkek: Literature and culture provide our societies a positive activity, stop the spread of radicalization among the youths.  During my visit to Sri Lanka I visited the St.  Anthony’s shrine, where I witnessed the ugly face of terrorism that takes the lives of innocents.  PM Modi in Bishkek: Literature & culture provide our societies a positive activity, stop the spread of radicalization among the youths.  During my visit to Sri Lanka I visited the St.  Anthony's shrine, where I witnessed the ugly face of terrorism that takes the lives of innocents.  pic. twitter. com/JeSoVtb3VgIndia has been a permanent SCO member for 2 years now: PM ModiIndia has been a permanent SCO member for 2 years now.  We have given a positive contribution in all activities of SCO.  We have continued engagements to enhance SCO’s role and credibility on the international stage: PM Modi.  PM Modi addressing leaders of member states at the SCO summit in Bishkek: India has been a permanent SCO member for 2 yrs now, we've given a positive contribution in all activities of SCO.  We've continued engagements to enhance SCO's role & credibility on the international stage.  pic. twitter. com/qjyx5unAWYCountries supporting, aiding and funding terrorism must be held accountable: PM ModiCountries supporting, aiding and funding terrorism must be held accountable: PM Modi at SCO Summit. PM Modi met president of BelarusPM Narendra modi had a ‘pull-aside’ meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus on the margins of SCO Summit.  The two countries share the common goals of development and cooperation in the region: MEA.  PM @narendramodi had a 'pull-aside' meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko of #Belarus on the margins of #SCOSummit.  The two countries share the common goals of development and cooperation in the region.  @amb_in @BelarusMFA pic. twitter. com/XpegeYGECgPM Modi address leaders of SCO member statesPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  pic. twitter. com/hiJzyVLhj0PM Modi highlighted spirit of SCO to strengthen cooperation in fight against terrorism: MEAPM Narendra Modi speaking at the SCO Summit 2019 highlighted the spirit and ideals of SCO to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism: MEA.  PM @narendramodi speaking at the #SCOSummit2019 highlighted the spirit and ideals of SCO to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism.  pic. twitter. com/MKb02FXRTOPakistan is yet to take “concrete action” on India’s concerns: PM ModiPakistan is yet to take “concrete action” on India’s concerns and create an atmosphere free of terrorism, which is necessary to facilitate any possible engagement between the two sides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Read More: At meeting with China’s Xi, PM Modi drives point home on terror from PakJoint photographs with heads of states of SCO member countriesStanding for peace, development and connectivity in the region. PM @narendramodi along with Heads of State of the SCO member countries at the #SCOSummit2019 in Bishkek: MEA Standing for peace, development and connectivity in the region. PM @narendramodi along with Heads of State of the SCO member countries at the #SCOSummit2019 in Bishkek.  @IndiaInKyrgyz @IndEmbMoscow @EOIBeijing @indembastana @IndEmbDushanbe @amb_tashkent pic. twitter. com/DQ5oRHRDKyIndia and China don’t pose threats to each other: Xi JinpingChinese President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday that India and China “do not pose threats” to each other as he expressed Beijing’s willingness to join New Delhi in pushing forward a closer development partnership between the two sides. Read More| India, China do not pose ‘threats’ to each other: Xi Jinping tells PM ModiKyrgyzstan president Sooronbay Jeenbekov welcomes PM ModiPresident Sooronbay Jeenbekov of #Kyrgyz Republic, current Chair of #SCOSummit2019 warmly welcomed PM @narendramodi as he arrived at the Ala Archa Presidential Palace ahead of the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting today morning: MEA.  President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of #Kyrgyz Republic, current Chair of #SCOSummit2019 warmly welcomed PM @narendramodi as he arrived at the Ala Archa Presidential Palace ahead of the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting today morning.  #SCOSummit2019 #IndiaInSCO @IndiaInKyrgy pic. twitter. com/HK4pf12ViRLeaders of SCO member states arrive for joint photograph at the summit in BishkekLeaders of SCO member states arrive for joint photograph at the summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  #WATCH Leaders of SCO member states arrive for joint photograph at the summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan pic. twitter. com/WAbA5Q6dCLPM Modi with leaders of member state at SCO summitKyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the leaders of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the SCO summit in Bishkek.  Kyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the leaders of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the SCO summit in Bishkek.  pic. twitter. com/xe7FMj3qn8PM Modi will meet presidents of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Mongolia and IranFollowing meeting with President of Kazakhstan, PM Modi is scheduled to meet the presidents of Belarus, Mongolia and Iran.  He will hold a restricted format meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and President Khaltmaagiin Battulga of Mongolia.  Later in the day, he will hold a bilateral meet with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani. PM Modi will arrive at Ala Archa Presidential Palace in BishkekPM Modi will arrive at the Ala Archa Presidential Palace in Bishkek this morning, where the summit is taking place.  The prime minister is scheduled to meet President Kassym Jormart of Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the summit. PM Modi to meet Iran President Hassan Rouhani in BishkekPrime Minister Narendra Modi to have a meeting with Iran President Hassan Rouhani in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. ’ #ExpectedToday | Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have a meeting with Iran President Hassan Rouhani in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  (file pic) pic. twitter. com/t3a3h8qLjL


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


Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on July 30, has been discharged today. Her condition at the time of discharge was stable: Chairman (Board of Management), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,Delhi.

She was admitted for routine tests & investigations https://t.co/74HcJxcYr7

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Thursday, was discharged on Sunday afternoon, a senior doctor said. The 73-year-old Gandhi was admitted to the hospital on Thursday evening for what the doctors called “routine tests and investigations”. “Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi who was admitted on 30th July 2020 evening at 7 p. m to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, has been discharged today at 1 p. m.  Her condition at the time of discharge was stable,” Dr DS Rana, the chairperson of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s board of management, said. Gandhi had on Thursday held a virtual meeting with her party’s Rajya Sabha lawmakers to discuss the political situation and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.  The meeting was attended by Congress’ top leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Gandhi was admitted to the Ganga Ram Hospital in February this year after she had complained of stomach ache.


Vice President-elect Kamala Harris addresses the nation: "When our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of America at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America" https://t.co/lhUqwcWuBD https://t.co/ksRTsHFpjz

Harris is set to make history after being elected vice president.  Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivers speech ahead of Joe BidenKamala Harris addressed the nation Saturday night after her historic election as vice president of the United States. Harris, the California senator and daughter of immigrants who broke many barriers in her political career, is set to become the first female vice president in the nation's history after her apparent win with former Vice President Joe Biden in the state of Pennsylvania. That victory put the Biden/Harris ticket over the threshold of 270 electoral votes needed to defeat Donald Trump and Mike Pence and head to the White House, according to ABC News analysis. "You chose hope and unity, decency, science, and yes, truth! " Harris told the ecstatic crowd in Wilmington, Delaware. During the speech, Harris paid tribute to her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Biden's late son and her good friend, Beau, the women who struggled for the right to vote and "the Black women who are often, too often overlooked but so often proved they are the backbone of our democracy. ""This is a country of possibilities," she said. Here is her full speech:Good evening!  Good evening.  Good evening.  Good evening.  Thank you, thank you.  Good evening.  So, thank you, good evening.  So, Congressman John Lewis -- Congressman John Lewis before his passing wrote "Democracy is not a state, it is an act. " And what he meant was that America's democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.  To guard it and never take it for granted.  And protecting our democracy takes struggle.  It takes sacrifice.  But there is joy in it. And there is progress.  Because we, the people, have the power to build a better future. And when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election with the very soul of America at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America.  To our campaign staff and volunteers, this extraordinary team, thank you for bringing more people than ever before into the democratic process. And so making this victory possible.  To the poll workers and election officials across our country who have worked tirelessly to make sure every vote is counted, our nation owes you a debt of gratitude. You have protected the integrity of our democracy.  And to the American people who make up our beautiful country, thank you for turning out in record numbers to make your voices heard.  And I know times have been challenging, especially the last several months. The grief, sorrow, and pain, the worries and the struggles, but we have also witnessed your courage, your resilience and the generosity of your spirit.  For four years, you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives and for our planet and then you voted! And you delivered a clear message.  You chose hope and unity, decency, science, and yes, truth!  You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America! And Joe is a healer, a uniter, a tested and steady hand.  A person whose own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us as a nation reclaim our own sense of purpose.  And a man with a big heart who loves with abandon.  It's his love for Jill, who will be an incredible first lady. It's his love for Hunter and Ashley and his grandchildren and the entire Biden family.  And while I first knew Joe as vice president, I really got to know him as the father who loved Beau, my dear friend who we remember here today. And to my husband Doug and our children Cole and Ella and my sister Maya and our whole family. I love y'all more than I can ever express.  We are so grateful to Joe and Jill for welcoming our family into theirs on this incredible journey.  And to the woman most responsible for my presence here today, my mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts.  When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn't quite imagine this moment. But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this  is possible, and so I am thinking about her and about the generations of women, Black women, Asian, white, Latina, native American women, who throughout our nation’s history, have paved the way for this moment tonight. Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality and liberty and justice for all.  Including the Black women who are often, too often overlooked but so often proved they are the backbone of our democracy. All the women who have worked to secure and protect the right to vote for over a century.  One hundred years ago with the 19th Amendment.  Fifty-five years ago with the Voting Rights Act and now in 2020 with a new generation of women in our country who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard. Tonight I reflect on their struggle, their determination and the strength of their vision to see what can be unburdened by what has been.  And I stand on their shoulders.  And what a testament it is to Joe's character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his vice president. But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.  Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities and to the children of our country regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not simply because they've never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way.  And to the American people, no matter who you voted for, I will strive to be a vice president like Joe was to President Obama, loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your family, because now is when the real work begins, the hard work, the necessary work, the good work, the essential work to save lives and beat this epidemic. To rebuild our economy so it works for working people, to root out systemic racism in our justice system and society.  To combat the climate crisis, to unite our country and heal the soul of our nation.  And the road ahead will not be easy.  But America is ready.  And so are Joe and I. We have elected a president who represents the best in us, a leader the world will respect and our children will look up to.  A commander in chief who will respect our troops and keep our country safe and a president for all Americans. And it is now my great honor to introduce the president-elect of the United States of America, Joe Biden! 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Names of 20 #GalwanValley martyrs to be inscribed at National War Memorial as tribute

https://t.co/cEERYspyML https://t.co/utOJSUSmUp

The names of the 20 Indian soldiers killed in the brutal clash at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15 will be inscribed on the National War Memorial in Delhi, officials said on Wednesday.  The soldiers fought off numerically superior Chinese troops in the remote sector amid a border standoff that has been marked by several skirmishes.  Col B Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of 16 Bihar, was among the 20 soldiers killed in the seven-hour clash near Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan Valley, where outnumbered Indian troops inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).  The names of all battle casualties are inscribed on the memorial, the officials said.  During a recent visit to Ladakh, defence minister Rajnath Singh met and acknowledged the bravery of soldiers from 16 Bihar in the presence of the military’s top brass.  Beijing has not disclosed the number of fatalities it suffered in the Galwan Valley clash but according to India’s assessment the PLA suffered twice as many casualties.  Apart from 16 Bihar, soldiers from 3 Punjab, 3 Medium Regiment and 81 Field Regiment were involved in the first deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) in more than five decades.  The Indian soldiers confronted the Chinese troops, who refused to remove their installations and vacate the area, triggering a violent clash that involved more than 600 rival soldiers at its peak.


Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned residents about a surge of Covid-19 cases in the southern state and said that seven children are in the state's ICUs, including two children on a ventilator https://t.co/yskW4NvPZH

Masks are still an important tool for anyone unvaccinated. Parents in limbo as kids face school returnWhile all adults in the United States are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, parents with young children find themselves in an uncomfortable limbo state.  Fully vaccinated parents are protected against the virus, but their kids under 12 aren't even eligible for a shot. While children are less likely to  have serious infection than in adults, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noting that "most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or have no symptoms at all," in rare instances, children have developed severe COVID-19 cases that led to hospitalization or death. As of early June, 4,000 children nationwide had developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19.  There's also an element of uncertainty associated with any COVID-19 infection, since the long-term health consequences of having COVID-19 are not yet known. Navigating kids and COVID is complicated.  Come fall, vaccines are likely to be approved for children younger than 12, but until then, some parents are wondering how to keep their kids safe as guidelines about masks and social distancing loosen. ABC News spoke with Dr.  Judith Flores, a pediatrician and former chief of ambulatory care at NYC Health + Hospitals, who has been in practice for more than 30 years, about how parents can lower their kids' COVID risk. You should start planning and ask questions, Flores says. "I would also inquire who is vaccinated at school and keep an eye on what their environmental controls are," Flores said. According to the CDC's guidelines for K-12 schools, "consistent and correct use of face masks reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and, with some exceptions, is recommended for use indoors among people aged 2 and older who are not fully vaccinated. " The CDC also recommends handwashing, improving ventilation, staying home if sick, social distancing and testing in schools to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks. Depending on school guidance and your risk tolerance as a parent, send your child to school with a mask.  Flores noted that if she had a small child, she would have them wear a mask at school, especially in the beginning, while you determine whether or not the school is doing a good job of keeping the environment safe. But ultimately, it's important to keep in mind that schools have been reasonably safe settings so far.  "It's been well documented that kids get sicker when they're home with family," Flores said. Despite that reality, some parents are rightfully nervous.  Flores works with families that were hit hard by COVID-19's initial wave in New York City.  Some parents and children are anxious about returning in person, she explained, adding that behavioral and mental health support are critical, especially for kids who lost family members during the pandemic. "It's not just, 'let's make sure we have your supply list for the teacher this year,'" she said.  "You really have to prepare your children mentally -- and yourself," she said. "The best way to take care of your child is for you, your family and your community to be vaccinated," Flores stressed.  "Your kid's risk goes up depending on the community you live in or go to school in.  If your community has a low vaccination rate and high infection rate, there's a greater risk your child will get sick. "If I were in Mississippi, I'd be very concerned, because the vaccination rate is low.  So there, I'd keep a mask on my child and keep social distancing.  If I lived in Massachusetts, I might breathe a little easier," she said. Mississippi's vaccination rate trails the national average.  As of Monday, 37% of residents had received at least one dose, and 33% were fully vaccinated, according to the CDC, compared with 71% of people in Massachusetts who've gotten at least one shot and 63% who are fully vaccinated. Your child doesn't need to wear a mask in most outdoor settings because the risk of transmission is low, Flores noted, but it's a good idea to have them wear one in indoor public spaces, especially if ventilation is poor or if the space is crowded. The same fundamental practices the CDC recommends for schools, like handwashing and social distancing, are useful for reducing kids' risk in non-school settings.  You can also model wearing a mask for your child, even if you're vaccinated and don't technically need one yourself.  If you're not going to wear a mask around your child, having a conversation as a family explaining why masks are important is key, Flores suggested. "This is an added protection for you.  Just like I would put a seatbelt on you, I would put a mask on you for this time," she said.  "Kids understand seatbelts. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


"If I had not been elected President of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea."

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

  For the second year in a row, first lady Melania Trump departed the White House solo, 40 minutes ahead of her husband for his State of the Union address.

  “Mrs.  Trump knows this is an important night, and wants to ensure the experience of her guests is special, and that they feel comfortable,” the first lady’s deputy chief of staff for communications Stephanie Grisham told CNN.

  Those guests are 13 invited citizens who represent a broad range of President Donald Trump’s administration policy interests as well as causes championed by the first lady.

  Trump has made a show of hosting the State of the Union guests a grander to-do than previous first ladies, spending more one-on-one time with them, without the President, than her recent predecessors.

Trump's State of the Union guests highlight themes of his speech

  Typically, the invited State of the Union guests attend a relatively brief Oval Office meet-and-greet with the President for a quick photo op and chat, prior to departing the White House for the Capitol.

  But beginning last year, a second reception was added, this one hosted solely by Melania Trump in the Diplomatic Room, just inside the doors of the lower level White House South Lawn entrance.  There, Trump took separate photographs with the guests, as she will again on Tuesday night.

  This year’s guests also took a tour of the White House State Floor, which includes the East Room, the Cross Hall, the Red Room, the Blue Room, the Green Room and the State Dining Room, Grisham told CNN.

  When the guests arrived to the Capitol building, they attended yet another Melania Trump meet-and-greet, this one in an anteroom near the Gallery, where they are also scheduled to be joined by second lady Karen Pence.  After the tours and the conversations and the photographs, they were led to their seats inside the first lady’s box, where they were acknowledged individually at some point during the President’s remarks.

Melania Trump's poll numbers plummet

  Last year, the first lady disrupted the longstanding tradition of the first couple exiting the White House together, and both getting into “The Beast,” the armored limousine of the President, for the brief drive to the Capitol.

  Instead, the first lady made a previously publicly unannounced decision to take an entirely separate motorcade to the State of the Union.  At the time, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told CNN the separate first lady motorcade was used for “no reason other than she can greet the guests and he can go straight in. ” Grisham, meanwhile, told CNN Trump’s independent decision was done as part of “honoring the guests for the true heroes they are. ”

  The 2018 State of the Union address took place on January 30, just weeks after the Stormy Daniels scandal made headlines, putting the first couple’s marriage under a very public, and very speculative, microscope.  When the first lady emerged in the gallery for the address last year, wearing a white pantsuit, it was the first time the public had seen her in a month.

  Tuesday night’s State of the Union appearance was also the enigmatic first lady’s first public event in quite some time – save for photographs of her with the President this weekend traveling to and from Mar-a-Lago.

  Prior to last Friday afternoon, the last public photographs of Trump were taken December 27, when she returned from a surprise Christmas visit to Iraq, almost six weeks ago.
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


Delhi: MoS Finance Anurag Thakur offers prayers at his residence, ahead of the presentation of the #UnionBudget 2021-22 in the Parliament today. https://t.co/EtVFtzrNj7

As part of his two-day visit to poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda on Saturday offered prayers at Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.  He was accompanied by party leaders and supporters. Nadda reached Madurai on Friday night.  He will attend a public meeting at Thamarai Thidal at Masthanpatti in the city at 6:15 pm today. In Tamil Nadu, BJP is the alliance partner of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). BJP spokesperson and program media coordinator Gopal Krishna Agrawal Party had earlier said that Nadda will review the party's poll preparedness for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. This is Nadda's second visit to the state this month.  He had visited Tamil Nadu on January 14. Elections are likely to be held in the state for the 234 seats of the legislative assembly in April-May, this year. Nadda will also visit poll-bound Puducherry for a day during his trip.


Sen. Tammy Duckworth told @martharaddatz she believes the Senate has enough votes for a joint resolution to terminate Pres. Trump's national emergency declaration: "Now whether we have enough for an overriding veto, now that's a different story." https://t.co/CBREdU7Sui https://t.co/9gZGJHOFon

  President Donald Trump’s long list of Twitter foes has a new addition.

  Alternative rockers R. E. M.  are not happy that Trump retweeted a snarky video clip from his State of the Union address that features the band’s early ‘90s song “Everybody Hurts. ” The earnest ballad plays over clips of Democrats looking none too pleased with the speech.

  The video was created by pro-Trump memester Carpe Donktum and has become the latest in a long line of disputes between politicians and rock stars.

  R. E. M.  bassist Mike Mills blasted Carpe Donktum and Trump, calling them both a name we can’t use here.  “Measures have been taken to stop it.  @jack you need to get on this,” he tweeted, calling out Twitter honcho Jack Dorsey.

  R. E. M.  tweeted a more family-friendly response: “World Leader PRETEND! ! !  Congress, Media–ghost this faker! ! !  Love, R. E. M. ”
World Leader PRETEND! ! !  Congress, Media--ghost this faker! ! !  Love, R. E. M.  @realDonaldTrump https://t. co/KlqXrvRZ4D
  The group’s song “World Leader Pretend” included the lyrics, “I raised the wall and I will be the one to knock it down. ”

  The clip was removed from  the President’s account but can still be found elsewhere.

  Later on Saturday, Trump retweeted another video of his State of the Union speech by Carpe Donktum – this time with the backtrack “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood.  The singer performed at the President’s inauguration in 2017.

  Athens, Georgia-based R. E. M.  was one of the country’s top rock bands through the 1980s and ‘90s.  Other hits include “Losing My Religion,” “Stand” and “Orange Crush. ” The band broke up in 2011.

  In 2015, lead singer Michael Stipe blasted Trump for playing another R. E. M.  tune on the campaign trail, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine). ”

  “Go f*ck yourselves, the lot of you – you sad, attention-grabbing, power-hungry little men,” Stipe said in an email to The Daily Beast.  “Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign. ”

On Facebook, the band was more polite.

  “While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here,” R. E. M.  said.

  “The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign. ”

  Other rock ’n’ roll dust-ups include:

  • Trump angered Canadian Neil Young for using his “Rockin’ in the Free World” in 2015.

  • The same year, one of the writers of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” said he was “gobsmacked” when Kentucky clerk Kim Davis used the anthem in her crusade against same-sex marriage.

  • As far back as the 1980s, Bruce Springsteen criticized President Ronald Reagan using his anti-war “Born in the U. S. A. ” to stir up patriotism on the re-election trail.

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


NEW: Twitter flags tweet from Pres. Trump, saying it violates its rules about "glorifying violence." https://t.co/UD9VTzribp https://t.co/rOKRZXmAL7

By Brian Stelter and Donie O'Sullivan, CNNUpdated 10:40 AM ET, Fri May 29, 2020 New York (CNN Business)Twitter says President Donald Trump and the White House's official Twitter (TWTR) account have violated its rule against glorifying violence and has affixed a warning label to tweets on both, marking the first time such action has been taken against the accounts.


Farmers' protest against three central farm laws at Tikri on Delhi-Haryana border enters 66th day; visuals from the protest site. https://t.co/JXcw4FGy7I

Patna, Jan 30 (PTI) Supporters of the opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar on Saturday formed human chains across the state as an expression of solidarity with the farmers who have been agitating in the national capital seeking the repeal of the contentious farm laws. Leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav took part in the demonstration in front of the Buddha Smriti Park here, a stone's throw from the Patna Junction, where he was joined by alliance partners, most notably party emblem waving workers from the Left who have been enthused since the CPI(ML), the CPI and the CPI(M) showed signs of recovery in the recently held assembly polls. The opposition leaders stood at their designated spots for close to 30 minutes, beginning half past noon.  Many of them held hands but many others chose to simply stand with a safe distance from each other in view of the physical distancing norms in force because of Covid-19. The RJD leader bristled when asked about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's remark suggesting that the opposition seemed to have taken a leaf out of his book. Also read| Centre stands by offer made to farmers: PM Modi at all party meetWhen approached by journalists with questions about the "manav shrinkhla", Kumar had replied with a broad grin "we had organised human chains in 2017 in support of prohibition and against dowry and child marriage the following year.  Last year, a human chain held to spread awareness about climate change in addition to the issues we had previously raised broke all records". "It is nice that others are also drawing inspiration.  Everybody has the right to hold such programmes," he had said with a smirk. Yadav responded with distaste "it is a petty remark.  Is he the first person to have ever held a human chain?  He should instead make his stand clear on the new farm laws". RJD national spokesperson Manoj Jha, who stood nearby, said, "The human chains sponsored by the chief minister depended upon the bureaucracy for its success.  Officials concerned were given targets of turnouts to achieve.  What is happening here today is spontaneous. "Notably, the RJD had taken part in the 2017 human chain while it shared power with Kumar.  Its jailed supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was then out on bail, had famously stood at Gandhi Maidan to demonstrate his support for liquor ban. Also read| Internet suspended till Jan 31 at border areas in Delhi amid farmers' protestJha, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, also described the Centre's talks with agitating farmers as "a monologue, instead of a dialogue, a reason why Delhi's borders at Singhu and Ghazipur have been on fire". Prominent among those who took part in the human chain at the state capital were CPI(ML) secretary general Dipankar Bhattacharya and Congress legislature party leader Ajeet Sharma. The human chain was also formed in districts.  In Nawada, local Congress MLA Neetu Singh was among those who participated in the demonstration.  In Begusarai, Congress, RJD and Left workers stood in front of the district headquarters and other places. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere so far though the officials said the human chain was held without permission. Leaders of the ruling NDA in the state came out with statements claiming that the human chain was a "flop".


Pakistan forces resorted to mortar shelling in Sheltan district of eastern Kunar province in Afghanistan

https://t.co/x47hU48xyd

Pakistan forces resorted to mortar shelling in Sheltan district of eastern Kunar province in Afghanistan, TOLO news reported. “Pakistani forces have fired 29 artillery rounds into Sheltan district of eastern Kunar province over the last 24 hours,” Abdul Ghani Musamim, spokesman for the provincial governor, was quoted as saying. He further said that there have been no casualties so far.


A post with a girl’s photo is being shared on Facebook with the claim that she is the sister of Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh and recently, converted herself into Islam.  Let’s try to check the authenticity of the news in the post. Claim: Raja Singh’s sister Maya Devi has accepted Islam. Fact: The girl in the photo is Athira/Ayesha, a Kerala girl who got converted into Islam two years back.  She has no connection with Raja Singh.  A similar claim which went viral on social media four years back was condemned by Raja Singh previously.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.     When the girl’s photo is cropped and ran through Google Reverse Image Search, a ‘The News Minute’ article with the same photo can be found in the search results.  According to that article, the girl in the photo is Athira (aka Ayesha – converted name), who accepted Islam two years back in Kerala.  She has no connection with the MLA Raja Singh. Also, when searched on Google with the keywords ‘Raja Singh sister accepted Islam’, another ‘The News Minute’ article published four years back can be found in the search result.  According to that article, in 2015, Raja Singh filed a defamation case against a newspaper which published that Raja Singh’s niece accepted Islam without verifying the facts. The image in the post shows that the news was published by ‘The News Minute’ on June 6th, 2019.  But no such news was found on the The News Minute website. To sum it up, a Kerala Hindu girl’s conversion to Islam is being falsely shared as Raja Singh’s sister conversion. Update: TNM has denied publishing any such article and has published a clarification on the spread of the fake post on their name. Did you watch our Facebook live on Fake News (Misinformation)