PM Modi in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh: The first two decisions that the Congress govt took, you must think about them. The first thing they did was to remove Chhattisgarh from 'Modicare' and second decision was to not let the CBI enter the state, Why? What are you afraid of? https://t.co/QwJN1Aa06g

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district.  The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a rally in West Bengal’s Maynaguri on Friday,This will be the prime minister’s first rally in Chhattisgarh after the BJP suffered a massive loss in the state assembly elections in December last year. “All the preparations have been completed for the PM’s rally in Kodatarai village in Raigarh,” a spokesperson of the party said. The rally is aimed at energising party workers and supporters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, he said. Also Read | For Congress, BC is before Cong, AD is after dynasty: PM Modi in Lok SabhaIn Bengal, the prime minister laid the foundation stone for the four laning of the Falakata-Salsalabari section of National Highway-31 D in Jalpaiguri.  This 41. 7 km-long section of National Highway falls in the Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal, and will be constructed at a cost of about Rs 1938 crore, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said. Here are the highlights:Didi is scared, not because of me but because of the people of Bengal: PM ModiDidi is scared, not because of me but because of the people of Bengal, says PM Narendra Modi. This chowkidar will spare neither the perpetrators of chit fund scams nor those protecting them: PM ModiThis “chowkidar” will spare neither the perpetrators of chit fund scams nor those protecting them.  The people of Bengal are our inspiration, energy and strength, says PM Narendra Modi at rally in Bengal. Congress ready to scrap triple talaq law for appeasement’: PM Modi in BengalThe Congress has shown it does not care for the Supreme Court that has said instant triple talaq is not valid.  The Congress is not only trying to resist the triple Talaq Bill in Parliament, it is also trying to destroy the bill altogether.  Let me assure my Muslim sisters that we will bring the law against instant triple talaq , says PM Narendra Modi.  Trinamool hooligans have had a field day in West Bengal, now BJP is here to protect you:PM ModiTrinamool hooligans have had a field day in West Bengal, now BJP is here to protect you, says PM Narendra Modi. Current state government is following in the footsteps of the Communists: PM ModiThe current state government is following in the footsteps of the Communists.  Didi wants to become the PM, leaving the middle class and the poor at the mercy of alliance of syndicate, says PM Narendra Modi. Didi’s government welcomes infiltrators but stops BJP leaders: PM ModiDidi’s government welcomes infiltrators but stops BJP leaders.  Attempts to stop BJP leaders are a signs that Trinamool is frustrated, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To all those associated with Mahamilawat, I will not spare those who protect scamster: PM ModiTo all those associated with Mahamilawat, I will not spare those who protect scamsters.  Mahamilawat is a group of all those who have no vision, says PM Narendra Modi. Our govt is taking all efforts to provide the best facilities to the poor: PM ModiToday our government is taking all efforts to provide the best facilities to the poor.  I urge the people here to take the facilities given by central government schemes, says PM Narendra Modi. Workers employed in tea plantation fields will now be entitled to pension: PM ModiWorkers employed in tea plantation fields will now be entitled to a pension due to a scheme announced in the recent budget.  This is going to benefit around 40-42 crore workers working in the unorganized sector.  They will get pension after attaining the age of 60, says PM Narendra Modi. West Bengal CM sits on dharna to save the corrupt: PM ModiThis the first time a chief minister is holding a dharna to defend those accused of looting money of the poor.  The chief minister sits on dharna to save the corrupt, says PM Narendra Modi. BJP uprooted the red flag in Tripura: PM ModiBJP uprooted the red flag in Tripura, whatever happened there will happen in West Bengal too, says PM Narendra Modi. Didi is keen to go to Delhi, but has left the people of Bengal suffocated with syndicates: PM ModiDidi is keen to go to Delhi, but has left the people of Bengal suffocated with syndicates, says PM Narendra Modi. North Bengal is known for three Ts - tea, timber and tourism: PM ModiNorth Bengal is known for three Ts - tea, timber and tourism.  All three were neglected by all the previous state governments.  The government never paid attention to the sustained development of this region, says PM Narendra Modi. All the facilities you are getting are being done from Delhi by the Central govt: PM ModiAll the facilities you are getting are being done from Delhi by the Central government, says PM Narendra ModiLaw and order situation in North Bengal has worsened over the years: PM ModiThe law and order situation in North Bengal has worsened over the years.  Industries were not developed, youth are migrating, and projects of schemes are stalled, but all this doesn’t bother the West Bengal governmen, says PM Narendra Modi. Trinamool is Communist Part Two: PM ModiWhy does Didi hate chaiwalas?  Trinamool is Communist Part Two, says PM Narendra Modi. This is a ‘tea-relation’.  You grow tea, I make the tea: PM ModiThis is a ‘tea-relation’.  You grow tea, I make the tea, says PM Narendra ModiPeople of Jalpaiguri will get justice in Jalpaiguri itself: PM ModiBrothers and sisters, your demand for ages has finally be fulfilled.  The people of Jalpaiguri will get justice in Jalpaiguri itself.  They won’t have to go to Kolkata to get to the High Court. Congress, TMC or Left not concerned about you: PM Modi in North BengalCongress, TMC or Left not concerned about you, says PM Modi in North BengalJalpaiguri circuit bench of Calcutta High Court would benefit local population: PM ModiPM Modi mentions how the NH upgradation project for which he laid the foundation stone will make communication easier.  He says how the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of Calcutta High Court inaugurated would benefit the local population. PM Modi pays homage to Rajbanshi reformer Panchanan Verma and Nepali poet Bhanu BhaktPM Modi pays homage to Rajbanshi reformer Panchanan Verma and Nepali poet Bhanu Bhakt. Come to Jalpaiguri and see the support for BJP: PM ModiCome to Jalpaiguri and see the support for BJP, says PM Narendra Modi. PM Modi inaugurates New High Court Circuit Bench in JalpaiguriWest Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Falakata – Salsalabari section of NH -31 D and inaugurates New High Court Circuit Bench in Jalpaiguri.  West Bengal: PM Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Falakata – Salsalabari section of NH -31 D and inaugurates New High Court Circuit Bench in Jalpaiguri.  pic. twitter. com/JzXPR5uVo4PM Modi lays foundation stone for upgradation of section of National Highway 31DPM Modi lays foundation stone for upgradation of section of National Highway 31D.  The stretch is a part of the 3,300-km-long East-West Corridor that connects Porbandar in Gujarat and Silchar in Assam. PM Narendra Modi’s helicopter lands at venuePrime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter lands at venue.  He will lay the foundation stone for the four laning of the Falakata-Salsalabari section of National Highway-31 D in Jalpaiguri. Corrupt parties will ruin health of country’s democracy: PM ModiTaking a veiled jibe at Opposition’s proposed mahagathbandhan, PM Modi said, “Corrupt parties and leaders are rallying to defeat the BJP government.  But you will have to defeat these forces as these will corrupt the health of the democracy of the country,” said PM Modi in Raigarh. Interim budget exempted people with Rs 5 lakh annual income from ambit of income tax to help taxpayers: PM“The BJP has exempted people with Rs 5 lakh annual income from the ambit of income tax.  This will benefit approx Rs 3 crore taxpayers.  If a chowkidaar could do so much, it is because you voted for a mazboot (strong) government,” said PM Modi. BJP is of poor and for poor people: PM“Our govt is a pro poor government.  It is of poor and for poor people.  And, to this end, the BJP government has included several schemes in this year’s budget.  This is one section, which has remained a mere poll plank for the previous governments.  But, now we are working for them,” said PM Modi. BJP has rolled out a scheme through which farmers can get loans upto Rs 7 lakh without any bank guaranty: PM“BJP has rolled out a scheme through which farmers can get loans upto Rs 7 lakh without any bank guaranty.  This scheme will help farmers in the long run,” said PM Modi. Congress used the plank of farm waivers to benefit middlemen: PM“Congress used the plank of farm waivers to benefit middlemen and the corrupt.  The Congress’s scheme can’t benefit all the farmers.  On the other hand, the BJP government has included a scheme in budget 2019 ‘PM kisan samman nidhi yojna’.  This scheme is not a poll plank like the Congress's which will benefit the farmers just during the election year.  BJP’s scheme will bring benefit the farmers every year,” said PM Modi. Farmers vote bank for Congress: PM Modi“Farmers are just vote bank for the Congress.  I want to ask, how many of you got any of the farm benefits?  Did your farm loans get waived off?  They have garnered votes, so farmers aren’t their concern anymore,” said PM Modi. Cong’s agenda is to do corruption and help those who are doing it: PM“Congress leaders are in a race to abuse Modi.  They chant Modi-Modi throughout the day.  Their agenda is to do corruption and help those who are in doing it.  But, I want to tell them that the chowkidaar is alert," said PM Modi. Cong stalling CBI as they want to make Chhattisgarh their ATM: PM“The history of corruption within the Congress has led it to stall institutions like CBI.  They want to make Chhattisgarh their ATM, which is why they are stalling CBI,” said PM ModiBJP empowered poor to fight poverty: PM Modi“Congress knows that poor people are with Modi, which is why they are doing this.  Let me remind you (Congress), you ruined the country in 55 years, we, on the other hand, filled the aspirations of poor with new resolve.  The BJP empowered poor to fight poverty,” said PM Narendra Modi while addressing a public rally in Raigarh. Congress wants to exclude people of Chhattisgarh of health benefits: PM“After coming to power, Congress excluded Chhattisgarh of Modi care, they said they won’t let CBI enter the state.  I want to ask what is their problem.  Congress wants to exclude people of state of health benefits,” said PM Narendra Modi. After these elections results, our resolve to work for the marginalised have strengthened: PM“After these elections results, our resolve to work for the marginalised have strengthened,” said PM Modi. PM addresses rally in Raigarh, ChhattisgarhPM Modi is addressing a public meeting in Raigarh district, ChhattisgarhFormer Chhattisgarh CM to attend PM Modi’s rally in RaigarhFormer Chief Minister Raman Singh, Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai, Rajya Sabha MP Ramvichar Netam are among those who will be present on the occasion, said a spokesperson of the BJP to news agency PTI. PM’s rally aimed at energising party workers, supporters ahead of polls: BJP leader“The prime minister’s rally is aimed at energising party workers and supporters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections,” said a spokesperson of the party said.


A video of brutal beating of a man by cane is viral.  CNN News-18, News Nation shared the video claiming it’s Pakistani driver being caned by Chinese in Karachi.  They all claimed that the people beating were Chinese Engineers working on CPEC Project (China–Pakistan Economic Corridor) in Karachi and the man they were beating was a Pakistani driver, reason of beating being, he submitted wrong bills.  They deleted their tweet but archived here  Screen recording of the tweet –    The source of this fake news which has been retweeted by approximately 8K people Graphic Content : Chinese Engineer in Karachi caught on video beating Pakistani driver for submitting fake petrol bill.  Engineer from PowerChina Gansu Energy Co came to Pakistan under CPEC.  My Dear Pakistani brothers & sisters we must raise our voice against this this behaviour pic. twitter. com/SuJK72C1TS — 🇵🇰Zaidu🇵🇰 (@TheZaiduLeaks) June 28, 2020  Sudhir Chaudhary (Editor In Chief, Zee News), quoted above tweet with a question that if this claim with the video is true, Pakistani Gov.  should arrest the Chinese nationals or do they have courage to do so ?    If this is true Pakistani Govt should arrest this Chinese national.  Do they have the courage?  https://t. co/OvPTWgUNCL — Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) June 29, 2020      This video is from Malaysia, Year 2016, not recent from Pakistan The handle on which these news channels based their news on, which Sudhir Chaudhary quoted is a parody account itself claiming it is merely for fun.   The yellow T-shirt, the man looking over was wearing had a logo Berish-5 on it which is actually a pro-democracy Malasyian group   Tweeted in 2016 Dah mintak maaf pun kena pukul lagi dengan majikan tu.  Besar pulak batang kayu tu.  Kesian pulak admin kat pekerja asing ni haih.  pic. twitter. com/ZqHU52XLOi — Maukerja (@MauKerjaMY) November 28, 2016  This was also reported widely only by ‘Malaysian’ Mainstream news houses.     https://stomp. straitstimes. com/singapore-seen/from-around-the-world/another-shocking-attack-caught-on-camera-man-gets-whacked-by https://www. malaysia-today. net/2016/11/28/man-repeatedly-assaulted-with-bamboo-stick-video-goes-viral/ https://www. thestar. com. my/news/nation/2016/11/28/huan-caning-viral-video https://www. asiaone. com/malaysia/video-man-repeatedly-assaulted-bamboo-stick-goes-viral https://www. straitstimes. com/asia/se-asia/police-seek-information-on-violent-caning-shown-in-viral-video-in-malaysia https://coconuts. co/kl/news/netizens-shocked-viral-video-man-being-violently-caned-using-bamboo-stick/ http://www. mci. my/2016/11/video-of-man-repeatedly-assaulted-with. html https://www. mstar. com. my/lokal/semasa/2016/11/29/polis-perlu-maklumat-lelaki-dipukul Pekerja Asing Dipukul Majikan Kerana Bermain Ketika Kerja


Protesting farmers reach Red Fort in Delhi

#RepublicDay https://t.co/SaN8uVn2CD

The Delhi Police were gearing up for a protest march by farmers protesting near the national capital on Republic Day.  After multiple rounds of discussions, the farmers were told to start their rally only after the official Republic Day parade gets over.  They were also given alternate routes for the march. Farmers Tractor Rally: Track Live UpdatesBut as the day progressed, farmers deviated from the approved routes and started moving towards central Delhi which led to clashes with the policemen. Tens of thousands of protesting farmers drove long lines of tractors on roads in central Delhi (ITO and Minto Road) on Tuesday, breaking through police barricades and defying tear gas. The protesters stormed the Red Fort and waved farm union flags from its ramparts, where prime ministers annually hoist the national flag to mark the country's Independence. A group of farmers marched on foot and rode on horseback while shouting slogans against the central government. Clashes took place between the police and the protesters at the Red Fort too in which a few cops were injured.  They were rushed to hospital. The farmers parked their tractors right outside the Red Fort. Also Read: Security beefed up outside Rashtrapati Bhavan, PM's residenceMeanwhile, clashes continued in other places too as the protesters tried to enter the national capital. Riot police fired tear gas and used water cannons at numerous places to push back the rows upon rows of tractors, which shoved aside concrete and steel barricades.  Authorities blocked roads with large trucks and buses in an attempt to stop the farmers from reaching the centre of the national capital.  The farmers were seen ramming their tractors into those buses. Some Delhi Police officials even sat on the road in Nangloi to stop the farmers.  In view of protesters entering parts of Delhi, gates of several metro stations were closed and the traders in Connaught Place decided to down their shutters. "Since morning we had been appealing to farmers to go by pre-approved route but some of them broke police barricades, attacked police personnel.  Appeal to farmer unions to help maintain peace.  This isn't a peaceful protest on Republic Day," said Shalini Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police, in Nangloi. The farmer leaders are making appeals, urging farmers to avoid dhoing things which will tarnish the movement.  "I appeal on behalf of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to all farmers not to pay attention to rumours, also appeal to them to return to their designated routes.  Please don’t do any thing that tarnishes the farmers’ movement," said Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav. Speaking to Hindustan Times, SKM leader Darshan Pal condemned the "undesirable and unacceptable events that have taken place today".  He also said, "We dissociate ourselves from those indulging in such acts. "News agency ANI reported that internet services have been snapped in some parts of Delhi-NCR in view of the prevailing law and order situation. For nearly two months, farmers have camped at the edge of the capital, blockading highways and other important roads.  They are demanding the withdrawal of three new laws - passed in September last year - which they say will commercialise agriculture and devastate farmers' earnings. The government has rubbished these allegations terming the three laws "historic".  it has also offered to amend the laws and suspend their implementation for 18 months.  But farmers insist they will settle for nothing less than a complete repeal.  They plan to march on foot to Parliament on February 1, when the country’s new budget will be presented.


Michael Cohen to Republican lawmaker: "I just find it interesting, sir, that between yourself and your colleagues, that not one question so far...has been asked about President Trump. That's actually why I thought I was coming today." https://t.co/30CGQYvspQ https://t.co/Uc88fqsIz4

By Meg Wagner, Veronica Rocha and Amanda Wills, CNN Michael Cohen said it's possible that the entire Trump family was compromised by Russia in the months before the 2016 election. Rep.  Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Florida, asked if the President's son, daughter and son-in-law were involved in the Trump Tower Moscow project. "Was Ivanka, Jared or Don Jr.  still involved in the Russian tower deal at that time? " she asked. "The company was involved in the deal, which meant that the family was involved in the deal," Cohen said. Wasserman Schultz followed up: "If Mr.  Trump and his daughter Ivanka and son Donald Jr.  are involved in the Russian Trump tower deal, is it possible the whole family is conflicted or compromised with a foreign adversary in the months before the election? ""Yes," Cohen said. In an exchange with GOP Rep.  Jim Jordan, Michael Cohen disclosed that he was offered a job in the White House. But Cohen said he turned the job down after being advised it would violate attorney-client privilege. Here's the exchange:Jordan: "Mr.  Cohen, how long did you work in the White House? "Cohen: "I never worked in the White House. "Jordan: "That's the point, isn't it, Mr.  Cohen? "Cohen: No, sir. "Jordan: "Yes, it is. "Cohen: "No, it's not, sir. " Jordan: "You wanted to work in the white house. . . "Cohen: "No sirJordan: ". . .  you didn't get brought to the dance. " Cohen: "Sir, I was extremely proud to be personal attorney to the president of the United States of America.  I did not want to go to the White House.  I was offered jobs.  I can tell you a story of Mr.  Trump reaming out Reince Priebus because I had not taken a job where Mr.  Trump wanted me to, which is working with Don McGahn at the White House general counsel’s office.   One second.  What I said at the time -- and I brought a lawyer in who produced a memo as to why I should not go in, because there would be no attorney/client privilege.  And in order to handle some of the matters that I talked about in my opening, that it would be best suited for me not to go in and that every president had a personal attorney. Jordan: "Here's what I see.  I see a guy who worked for 10 years and is here trashing the guy he worked for for 10 years, didn't get a job in the White House, and now, now you're behaving just like everyone else who got fired or didn't get the job they wanted like Andy McCabe, like James Comey, same kind of selfish motivation after you don't get the thing you want.  That's what I see here today and I think that's what the American people see. "  Watch the moment:Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. , who are apparently watching the hearing, disputed Cohen's claim on Twitter.  They tweeted:House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings just asked Michael Cohen about checks he brought as evidence in today's testimony. Cohen said one of the checks — which he said was signed by President Trump — was made out to him to reimburse him for "illegal hush money I paid on his behalf. " "So let me make sure I understand.  Donald Trump wrote you a check out of his personal account while he was serving as president of the United States of America to reimburse you for hush money payments to Ms.  Clifford.  Is that what you are telling the American people today? " Cummings asked. "Yes, Mr.  Chairman," Cohen responded.  From CNN's Brian StelterMichael Cohen is wall to wall across America right now.  Not only is his testimony being carried live on CNN and all the other cable news networks, but he is also appearing on the country's biggest broadcast networks. ABC, CBS and NBC are all showing the hearing live, and will continue to air it for several hours, according to representatives for the networks.  This means that Cohen's damning testimony will reach an even bigger audience, likely to be in the tens of millions. Broadcast's power has receded in recent years, but it still makes a big statement when the broadcasters decide to interrupt their usual talk shows and game shows for big news events. In the minutes before the hearing began, television anchors emphasized the stakes of this day.  Fox-affiliated stations don't carry news events as often as ABC, CBS and NBC stations do, but Fox News is providing an optional special report to those stations as well. Michael Cohen said he wouldn't accept a pardon from President Trump. "I have never asked for it, nor would I accept a pardon from President Trump," he said. In his opening statement, Cohen apologized again for lying to Congress and the country:Cohen went on to claim Trump and his lawyer tried to intimidate him so he wouldn't appear before the committee. House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings asked Michael Cohen, who previously pleaded guilty to lying to Congress, if he understands the "gravity" of testifying under oath today. Here's how the exchange went down: Cummings: Mr.  Cohen, before I start, I want to make sure you really understand something.  You have admitted lying to Congress, to this very body.  And now you're going to prison for it.  Do you, Mr.  Cohen, recognize the gravity of your offenses?  You are a lawyer, right?  Cohen: As of yesterday, I am no longer a lawyer.  I have lost my law license amongst other things.  Cummings: But you understand the gravity of this moment?  Cohen: I most certainly do, Mr.  Chairman.  Cummings: I want you to really hear this, Mr.  Cohen.  We will not tolerate lying to this Congress by anybody.  We're in search of the truth.  Do you understand that?  Cohen: I do.  From CNN's Dan BermanHouse Democrats are going to bring people from Trump’s orbit in front of Congress all year long.  After complaining that the GOP-led Congress did nothing to investigate the President for two years, Democrats are taking advantage of their majority powers. "We will continue after today to gather more documents and testimony in our search for the truth," Chairman Elijah Cummings said. "Mr.  Cohen’s testimony is the beginning of the process— not the end.  The days of this Committee protecting the President at all costs are over. "Michael Cohen said he has no evidence suggesting President Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. "Questions have been raised about whether I know of direct evidence that Mr.  Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia.  I do not, and I want to be clear. "Then he added, "But I have my suspicions. "From CNN's Michael WarrenAmong the audience for this morning’s hearing is Lynne Patton, a high-ranking political official in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Patton is sitting behind Republican committee member Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a conservative who is very close with President Trump. She tweeted about the hearing and Michael Cohen's allegations:HUD spokesperson Raffi Williams released this statement: “Lynne is on leave today and is at the hearing in her personal capacity. ”Some background: Patton has a long history with both the Trump family and Michael Cohen.  Cohen introduced Patton, a paralegal, to the Trumps.  She went on to serve as vice president of the Eric Trump Foundation and even planned Eric’s wedding in 2014.  Her appointment in 2017 to head HUD’s New York and New Jersey office was met with criticism, and she has continued to court controversy in office with her outspoken activity on social media. It’s unclear why Patton, who works out of Manhattan, is on Capitol Hill.  Asked for comment about her presence, Meadows told CNN “she has information. ” Patton is black, and Cohen testified Wednesday that Trump is a “racist” who has said disparaging things about black people. Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.


The flood situation in Assam continued to remain grim with nearly 1.5 million people affected in 23 of the state’s 33 districts

(report by @utpal_parashar)

https://t.co/7rJ8AdrT9J

The flood situation in Assam continued to remain grim on Tuesday with nearly 1. 5 million people affected in 23 of the state’s 33 districts.  Three more deaths were reported during the day taking the total to 27 so far in this season. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 2,235 villages in 66 revenue circles of the state remain affected by flooding.  Over 75,700 hectares of crop area have also been inundated. Most rivers in the state continued to remain in spate on Tuesday.  As per a Central Water Commission bulletin, Brahmaputra and several of its tributaries were flowing above the danger mark at several places. In all, 25,461 people uprooted by flooding are residing in 265 relief camps in 21 districts.  Rescue and relief personnel evacuated 3,245 stranded people during the day using boats. Flooding was also reported at the Kaziranga National Park, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park and Pobitora wildlife sanctuary with several camps used by forest personnel affected.  Twenty five animals were rescued in Kaziranga.


Delhi: Congress holds protest outside Shastri Bhawan against holding of the JEE & NEET examinations in September. https://t.co/SIfStMV39z

NEET, JEE mains 2020: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy along with other party members on Friday staged a protest here against conducting NEET and JEE Exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Congress party has staged a protest to put forth the demand of postponing NEET and JEE exams.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in Delhi and KCR government in Telangana must not risk the lives and health of the candidates in Hyderabad.  This is quite risky for the students.  We are protesting for student’s safety.  We demand that these exams should be postponed,” Reddy said while speaking to ANI. The agitated protesters were sloganeering and holding placards written ‘Postpone NEET-JEE Exams’, ‘No Exams in Pandemic’ and ‘Exams in COVID-19 is a suicide’ on it. A heavy police force was also deployed at the protest site to avoid any sort of untoward incident.


Here's a look back at the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, in photos.

Ginsburg died Friday due to complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 87. https://t.co/sicMLaFT9C https://t.co/Tr8Gbw2JR2

Aug.  10, 1993: Ruth Bader Ginsburg sworn in as Supreme Court justiceToday in HistoryToday is Monday, Aug.  10, the 223rd day of 2020.  There are 143 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History:On August 10, 1944, during World War II, American forces overcame remaining Japanese resistance on Guam. On this date:In 1680, Pueblo Indians launched a successful revolt against Spanish colonists in present-day New Mexico. In 1861, Confederate forces routed Union troops in the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in Missouri, the first major engagement of the Civil War west of the Mississippi River. In 1921, Franklin D.  Roosevelt was stricken with polio at his summer home on the Canadian island of Campobello. In 1945, a day after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Imperial Japan conveyed its willingness to surrender provided the status of Emperor Hirohito remained unchanged.  (The Allies responded the next day, saying they would determine the Emperor’s future status. )In 1962, Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man made his debut in issue 15 of “Amazing Fantasy” (cover price: 12 cents). In 1969, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson’s cult, one day after actor Sharon Tate and four other people were slain. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a measure providing $20,000 payments to still-living Japanese-Americans who were interned by their government during World War II. In 1991, nine Buddhists were found slain at their temple outside Phoenix, Arizona.  (Two teenagers were later arrested; one was sentenced to life in prison, while the other received 281 years. )In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U. S.  Supreme Court. In 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were charged with 11 counts in the Oklahoma City bombing (McVeigh was convicted of murder and executed; Nichols was convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to life in prison). In 2006, British authorities announced they had thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up 10 aircraft heading to the U. S.  using explosives smuggled in hand luggage. In 2016, Lonnie Franklin Jr. , the Los Angeles serial killer known as the “Grim Sleeper,” was sentenced to death for the murders of nine women and a teenage girl.  Franklin was found dead in his cell on March 20, 2020. Ten years ago: The House pushed through an emergency $26 billion jobs bill that Democrats said would save 300,000 teachers, police and others from layoffs; President Barack Obama immediately signed it into law.  Hollywood producer David L.  Wolper, 82, died in Beverly Hills, Calif. Five years ago: A draft of a secret study obtained by The Associated Press found that air traffic controllers’ work schedules often led to chronic fatigue, making them less alert and endangering the safety of the country’s air traffic system.  A power plant operator in southern Japan restarted a nuclear reactor, the first to begin operating under new safety requirements following the Fukushima disaster. One year ago: Jeffrey Epstein, accused of orchestrating a sex-trafficking ring and sexually abusing dozens of underage girls, was found unresponsive in his cell at a New York City jail; he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.  (The city’s medical examiner ruled the death a suicide by hanging. )Today’s Birthdays: Actor Rhonda Fleming is 97.  Singer Ronnie Spector is 77.  Actor James Reynolds is 74.  Rock singer-musician Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) is 73.  Country musician Gene Johnson (Diamond Rio) is 71.  Singer Patti Austin is 70.  Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly is 68.  Folk singer-songwriter Sam Baker is 66.  Actor Rosanna Arquette is 61.  Actor Antonio Banderas is 60.  Rock musician Jon Farriss (INXS) is 59.  Singer Julia Fordham is 58.  Journalist-blogger Andrew Sullivan is 57.  Actor Chris Caldovino is 57.  Singer Neneh Cherry is 56.  Singer Aaron Hall is 56.  Former boxer Riddick Bowe is 53.  Actor Sean Blakemore is 53.  Rhythm-and-blues singer Lorraine Pearson (Five Star) is 53.  Singer-producer Michael Bivins is 52.  Actor-writer Justin Theroux is 49.  Actor Angie Harmon is 48.  Country singer Jennifer Hanson is 47.  Actor-turned-lawyer Craig Kirkwood is 46.  Actor JoAnna Garcia Swisher is 41.  Singer Cary Ann Hearst (Shovels & Rope) is 41.  Rhythm-and-blues singer Nikki Bratcher (Divine) is 40.  Actor Aaron Staton is 40.  Actor Ryan Eggold is 36.  Actor Charley Koontz is 33.  Actor Lucas Till is 30.  Reality TV star Kylie Jenner is 23.  Actor Jeremy Maguire is 9. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Vietnam ahead of his two day summit with President Trump in the capital Hanoi. @willripleyCNN is there, and says that all roads en route to Kim Jong Un's hotel have been closed: https://t.co/15JT9BXHVr https://t.co/THS6vLIWDI

The two leaders have much to discuss at their forthcoming meeting. Trump talks North Korea summit, China trade talks to US governorsEight months after the summit in Singapore between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un of North Korea ended in a vague declaration about the "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the U. S.  hopes to put some meat on those bones this week as the two meet again, this time in Vietnam. The Trump administration is pushing for concrete steps toward its goal of dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program.  But the U. S.  intelligence community and several top experts have warned that North Korea has no interest in giving up its nuclear weapons, which it sees as critical the Kim regime's survival, instead playing for time and sanctions relief. Top U. S.  officials said they're moving ahead with diplomacy to test that premise.  But the initial steps that the administration has called for have been rejected by North Korean negotiators since June, and with an enormous gulf between the two sides, it's unclear how much can be accomplished in another sit-down -- a question complicated by Trump's own impulsiveness. What the US wantsWhen Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his North Korean counterparts had their first post-summit meeting last July, the U. S.  sought a declaration of the regime's nuclear capabilities: a list of facilities, weapons, scientists, budgets and more.  But the North Koreans refused, releasing a scathing statement afterward that accused Pompeo of "robber-like demands. "Since then, the U. S.  seems to have abandoned a push for the whole pizza upfront and instead has settled on a slice-by-slice approach: a timeline of how the two sides can maintain each other's confidence and move toward their respective goals, meaning sanctions relief and security for North Korea and the Kim regime's elimination of nuclear weapons for the U. S. That's where Special Representative Stephen Biegun's talks with his counterpart, Kim Hyok Chol, are focused now -- on "a roadmap of negotiations and declarations going forward," he said in a speech on Jan.  31.  Biegun, Kim and their teams met for three days in Pyongyang at the start of February, and they've been negotiating a second agreement for Trump and Kim over the past week in Hanoi. But Biegun's efforts have been undercut by Trump, who has eased some pressure on North Korea by saying he's in "no rush. ""I'm doubtful they'll actually get even a roadmap out of the North Koreans, given that the president wants to do the negotiating himself and the North Koreans are very likely to not give anything to the negotiators going in," said Michael Green, a former George W.  Bush administration official and now Asia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Even if the North Koreans do agree to a roadmap, it's unclear if it will be anything new or slivers of things previously offered. Biegun said last month Kim has committed to "the dismantlement and destruction of North Korea's plutonium and uranium enrichment facilities" beyond Yongbyon, the well-known, sprawling facility where North Korea has produced material for nuclear bombs.  But North Korea has never corroborated that. Instead, Kim has dangled access for international inspectors to Yongbyon, but only if the U. S.  takes "corresponding measures. " Inspectors have visited Yongbyon twice before, with no success of shutting the facility down. The other two sites likely to be offered are North Korea's nuclear test site Punggye-ri and a missile engine test site, known as Sohae.  The regime said it has taken steps to dismantle both, but no outside observer has verified that, and neither site is particularly important to the nation's nuclear program anymore. "The roadmap declaration is going to be in these three facilities . . .  because what the North Koreans are really good at is kind of reselling the stuff that they sold before," said Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and now senior fellow at CSIS. But if they offer new access, including to the centrifuge facility at Yongbyon or previously undisclosed sites, that would be a promising step, several analysts said. "A revelation of a few undeclared facilities is meaningful.  . . .  Inspectors on the ground or electronic monitoring in place, perhaps with an IAEA relationship -- that would be meaningful," said Rebecca Hersman, director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at CSIS.  "I start to think this is serious, even if I don't get a full declaration. "That seems unlikely to happen, however, and if it does, it will require the U. S.  to pay some price. What North Korea wantsThe priority for North Korea is sanctions relief. Although sanctions enforcement has relaxed since the first summit and China has resumed more normal ties, the country is still hurting from U. N.  Security Council sanctions on everything from oil imports to seafood exports. Pompeo said Sunday those sanctions will remain until there is "full, verified denuclearization. " But he left an opening for some relief, telling CNN there are "lots of other ways that North Korea is sanctioned today that if we get a substantial step and move forward, we could certainly provide an outlet, which would demonstrate our commitment to the process as well. "North Korea also made clear in state media in December that its definition of that crucial term "denuclearization" means the removal of U. S.  forces from South Korea and the surrounding area, the so-called nuclear umbrella the U. S.  military provides to allies. While Biegun said last month U. S.  withdrawal has never been discussed, there are concerns Trump could agree to it, as he agreed in Singapore to unilaterally suspend U. S. -South Korean military exercises, taking the Pentagon and Seoul by surprise.  Withdrawal would also be more in line with his instincts, as he's expressed opposition to U. S.  bases overseas since at least the 1990s, accusing allies like South Korea and Japan of ripping America off. The North also wants normalized relations with the U. S. , but there are conflicting reports about the nation's interest in opening diplomatic facilities in each other's capitals -- so-called liaison offices.  Sources briefed on the negotiations said North Korea is less interested in the idea, even though the administration has pushed it. What Trump may wantWhat complicates the talks are Trump's own impulses, sometimes at odds with U. S.  policy goals.  In addition to his doubts about U. S.  troops in South Korea, he could seek a positive headline like an end of war declaration amid his domestic political troubles. The Korean War ended in an armistice in 1954.  While an end-of-war declaration isn't going as far as a peace treaty, it would change the calculus on the peninsula, and it's something the president is seriously considering. "President Trump is ready to end this war.  It is over.  It is done," Biegun said last month. But several former officials warned that such a declaration could have disastrous effects long term.  In particular, it would "make for good headlines, but ultimately have no impact in the nuclear program, and in many ways will be used by the Chinese, North Koreans and Russians to create mischief" and push for an end to the U. S. -South Korean military alliance, Green said. North Korea would continue to posses 20 to 60 nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, short- and medium-range missiles that threaten U. S.  allies, in addition to chemical and biological weapons. "The situation on the ground has to reflect peace before you can declare it.  You can't just politically declare peace while the situation has not changed.  That is actually a dangerous situation," said Victor Cha, a top Korea expert in the Bush administration and one-time leading choice for Trump's ambassador to South Korea. Even the promise that Trump holds out for Kim is not necessarily appealing to the young dictator.  In a wild video Trump played for Kim and afterward showed the media, he promised a dazzling future of economic prosperity if Kim gave up his nuclear weapons. But while Kim has taken steps to open up some markets and stated his intention to focus on economic development, he sits atop a communist system that relies on tight information control and would be undermined by the very things Trump is promising. "It's a Confucian, communist, hereditary dynasty.  . . .  Would Kim risk dynastic succession, his own regime's power? " Sue Mi Terry told former deputy CIA director Michael Morrell on his podcast "Intelligence Matters. " "I really question, is he this kind of transformative leader?  I don't see any indication of that. "Trump has strongly said otherwise: "North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, will become a great Economic Powerhouse.  He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," he tweeted on Feb.  8. That sentiment, based on one day of meetings and a series of letters since, will be tested when they are together in person this week for only the second time. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Himachal Pradesh #COVID19 positive cases tally rises to 4,472 cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,343 active cases, 3,066 recoveries and 21 deaths till date: State Health Department, Govt of Himachal Pradesh https://t.co/bzSZFGFQnd

In another steep rise in its single-day cases, India has reported 64,553 fresh Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours.  With 1,007 more deaths reported in the last 24 hours across the country, the Covid-19 death toll in India has jumped to 48,040.  With this, India’s total Covid-19 count rises to 24,61,191 which includes 6,61,595 active cases and 17,51,556 patients who have been cured from the disease or discharged from hospitals, Ministry of Health stated on Friday. Also read: Daily Covid-19 tests inch closer to targeted 1 million markIndia’s cumulative Covid-19 caseload makes it the third worst-hit country in the world after the United States and Brazil.  However, the government maintains that the Covid-19 situation across the country is improving as more number of people are getting cured.  India’s recovery rate at present is over 70 percent while the death rate stands at 1. 95 percent, among the lowest across the globe.  India is relentlessly trying to up its game in the number of Covid-19 testing being done on a daily basis.  On Wednesday, India tested in excess of 800,000 samples for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), inching closer to its target of conducting a million tests a day. Nearly 27 million tests have been conducted across the country since January 22 when Covid-19 testing started with a single lab at the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Virology in Pune.  At present, over 1,400 labs are equipped and functional to carry out Covid-19 testing across India.  As many as 947 of those are in the public sector while 486 are private.


A fabricated screenshot has been taking rounds claiming that Samajwadi Party President – Akhilesh Yadav claims that he will reconstruct Babri Masjid at the place of Ram Mandir for their Muslim brothers if they win the UP elections next year.     archive 😡😠 ऐसे लोगों को वोट देना  सनातन धर्म का अपमान है।देख लो क्या विचार हैं  अखिलेशुद्दीन के👇#नहीं_चाहिए_सपा                 ।।जय श्री राम।। pic. twitter. com/KdCyD17QcH — भारतीय🇮🇳 #3ह (@khayal_a_vakt) July 20, 2021  😡😠 ऐसे लोगों को वोट देना  सनातन धर्म का अपमान है।देख लो क्या विचार हैं  अखिलेशुद्दीन के👇#नहीं_चाहिए_सपा                 ।।जय श्री राम।। pic. twitter. com/gu1T8UYbvm — विवेक पाण्डेय (@IND_vivekpandey) July 20, 2021  As the screenshot was viral all across the internet including twitter and Facebook, we decided to run a fact check to determine the credibility of the post.   This is the screenshot of the search we run to verify the tweet.  So, the screenshot was viral this week i. e.  it was forwarded mostly between 18 July 2021- 22 July 2021.  and the above screenshot doesn’t show any such tweet between these dates.  3.  Moreover there were no news reports published regarding this.  If such a tweet would have been posted by Akhilesh Yadav, it would surely have been reported by the major news outlets.  But there are none.  4.  Secondly, in 2019 when the verdict was given over the Ayodhya dispute by the Supreme Court, Akhilesh Yadav responded in a positive way and welcomed the judgement.     Akhilesh Yadav takes to poetry reacting to Ayodhya verdict, terms it ‘step in right direction’- The New Indian Express    Ayodhya Verdict, Ayodhya Case: Akhilesh Yadav Reacts To Ayodhya Verdict With A Poem On Twitter (ndtv. com) Akhilesh Yadav himself tweeted and appreciated the judgement by the Supreme Court.  जो फ़ैसले फ़ासलों को घटाते हैंवो इंसा को बेहतर इंसा बनाते हैं — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 9, 2019      5.  Above all, the viral tweet is not perfectly aligned like the original one.  You can see the name is not aligned with the text but in the screenshot from his timeline we took, it does.     6.  This is not the first time that such a screenshot has been forwarded regarding Akhilesh Yadav and Babri Masjid.  In July 2020, a similar kind of tweet was circulated under political agenda.  This was the tweet which was viral but it turned out to be fake and was debunked by several fact-checking outlets: Akhilesh Yadav Viral Tweet on Ram Mandir Fact Check: Akhilesh Yadav Tweeted Against Ram Mandir?  No, It’s Fake!  (thequint. com) Akhilesh Yadav Tweet Against Construction Of Ram Mandir Is Fake (boomlive. in)   These evidences prove that the screenshot is deliberately made to spread fake information and increase hatred.  Hence, the tweet is fake.


PM Narendra Modi visits Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, pays tributes to Guru Teg Bahadur for his supreme sacrifice

https://t.co/z8YkZrOG4V https://t.co/0L2ym792eH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Guru Teg Bahadur for his supreme sacrifice as he went to Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi in an unscheduled visit.  There were no security arrangements or traffic barriers for people during the visit, officials said.  In a tweet after his visit PM Modi wrote in Gurmukhi, “Paid homage to Shri Guru Teg Bahadur ji today at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.  Guru ji did a lot to protect the Hindu religion and gave the message of communal harmony. ” ਤਿਲਕ ਜੰਵੂ ਰਾਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤਾ ਕਾ ॥ਕੀਨੋ ਬਡੋ ਕਲੂ ਮਹਿ ਸਾਕਾ ॥ਧਰਮ ਹੇਤਿ ਸਾਕਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਆ ॥ਸੀਸੁ ਦੀਆ ਪਰ ਸਿਰਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਆ ॥🙏🏻ਅਜਿਹੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੁ.  ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਕਾਬ ਗੰਜ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਨਤਮਸਤਕ ਹੋਇਆਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪ ਵਾਰ ਕੇ ਸਰਬ-ਸਾਂਝੀਵਾਲਤਾ ਦਾ ਸੁਨੇਹਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ pic. twitter. com/zhHH1dscUwPM Modi had also paid tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on his Shaheedi Diwas in a tweet on Saturday.  “Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life epitomised courage and compassion.  On his Shaheedi Diwas, I bow to the great Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and recall his vision for a just and inclusive society. ” Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life epitomised courage and compassion.  On his Shaheedi Diwas, I bow to the great Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and recall his vision for a just and inclusive society.  Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of 10 Gurus of the Sikh religion and was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind.  He was born in Amritsar in 1621.  His martyrdom is remembered as the Shaheedi Divas of Guru Tegh Bahadur.


The president provided no evidence for the assertion.

The attacks on doctors and leading infectious disease scientists, amid a pandemic, came as the White House has sought to discredit Anthony Fauci, a member of its own coronavirus task force. https://t.co/kUet7WNTMN

By Kristen Holmes and Kaitlan Collins, CNNUpdated 6:03 PM ET, Mon July 13, 2020 Washington (CNN)The White House is making a concerted effort to discredit Dr.  Anthony Fauci as he becomes increasingly vocal about his concerns over reopening the country amid a national surge in coronavirus cases.  The moves to undercut Fauci come just days after he gave an unvarnished look at his relationship with President Donald Trump, including that they have not spoken in weeks. CNN's Kevin Liptak, Paul LeBlanc and Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.


A photo of BJP MP Pragya Thakur being lifted into an ambulance on a stretcher is being circulated to mock and ridicule her for her recent statement where she said that drinking cow urine prevents coronavirus

The image is being used to insinuate and claim that Thakur was recently admitted to AIIMS after she complained of respiratory distress.    While many others shared the photo to claim that Thakur was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai for allopathic treatment after she got infected with covid.    à¤à¥à¤à¤¿à¤²à¤¾à¤¬à¥à¤¨ à¤à¤¸à¥à¤ªà¤¤à¤¾à¤² à¤®à¥à¤ à¤à¤²à¥à¤ªà¥à¤¥à¤¿à¤ à¤à¥à¤°à¥à¤à¤®à¥à¤à¤ à¤¦à¥à¤à¤° à¤à¤¹à¥à¤ à¤®à¤¾à¤°à¤¨à¥ à¤à¥ à¤à¥à¤¶à¤¿à¤¶ à¤¤à¥ à¤¨à¤¹à¥à¤ à¤¹à¥ à¤°à¤¹à¥ à¤¹à¥. . ?  à¤à¤¾à¤¶ !  à¤à¤¨à¤à¥ à¤²à¤¿à¤ à¤à¥à¤ à¤à¥à¤®à¥â¦ https://t. co/1lkyxsRTO8— UPENDRA BHARDWAJ (@UPENDRA57815086) 1621955421000TRUTHThe image was taken in 2013 when Thakur was diagnosed with breast cancer and was admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru cancer hospital in Bhopal.  VERIFICATION AND METHODOLOGYWe ran a reverse-image search using relevant keywords like âPragya Thakur Ambulanceâ via different search engines and found a post dated April 22, 2019 from news portal Organiser carrying the same image.  Titled âHindu Hatred versus Hindu Perseveranceâ, the article captioned the image as âSadhvi Pragyaâs struggleâ but did not specify the time and place where the image was taken.  Digging further using relevant keywords, we found a post dated January 10, 2013 from The Hindu carrying the same image.  The image is captioned as âIn this January 9, 2013 photo, 2008 Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragnya Singh Thakur is being taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital for medical examination, in Bhopal. â This proves that the photo is from pre Covid-19 pandemic times and was neither clicked in AIIMS nor in Kokilaben Hospital.  However, in March 2021, Thakur was airlifted to Mumbai from Bhopal and admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in the city after she complained of breathing problems.  BJP MP Pragya Thakur flown down to Mumbai from Bhopal, admitted to hospitalIn December last year, she was admitted to AIIMS-Delhi after showing Covid-19-like symptoms.  Pragya Singh Thakur complains of breathing trouble, airlifted to Mumbai hospitalIt should be noted that earlier this month, Thakur had prescribed cow urine to prevent coronavirus.  Bhopal: BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur prescribes cow urine to prevent corona


Huge explosion in Lebanon's capital Beirut. More details awaited. https://t.co/JfnWyUhDuN https://t.co/YRnqOibfpY

The Trump administration is closely tracking the deadly explosion in Beirut, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told a news briefing on Tuesday, but she offered no details about the causes of the blast. Witnesses and security sources in Beirut said the huge explosion near the center of Beirut killed at least 10 people and sent shockwaves across the Lebanese capital.


NBA star Kobe Bryant's legacy extends beyond his time on the basketball court. He was also known for his entrepreneurial achievements in venture capital, media and philanthropy. https://t.co/7UkJVw1OLg https://t.co/YN8bR2tcqL

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


Grateful to British Oxygen Company for gift of another 1350 oxygen cylinders that arrived from the UK. This is part of their generous contribution of 5000 oxygen cylinders: MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

#COVID19 https://t.co/0ytHyKe0Mg

India on Monday thanked Qatar Airways for facilitating British Oxygen Company shipment of 1350 oxygen cylinders as part of Covid-19 assistance for India's fight against the surging coronavirus cases. "Thank Qatar Airways for facilitating this shipment from the UK," tweeted Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs. "Grateful to British Oxygen Company for gift of another 1350 oxygen cylinders that arrived from the UK.  This is part of their generous contribution of 5000 oxygen cylinders," he added. Earlier, a total of three oxygen generators and 1,000 ventilators arrived from the United Kingdom on Sunday. British High Commission (BHC) had said that the Indian Red Cross will help transfer the UK aid to the hospitals.  This support, previously announced, is in addition to 200 ventilators and 495 oxygen concentrators, which the UK sent to India in late April, said the High Commission. The High Commission said that the latest assistance package has been sourced by the Department of Health and Social Care and is fully funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had said that, "The UK is sending surplus oxygen generators from Northern Ireland to India.  This life-saving equipment will support the country's hospitals as they care for vulnerable Covid patients. "India is currently dealing with a second Covid-19 wave that has swept through the nation, straining the country's health infrastructure and overburdening frontline medical workers.


Former vice president Joe Biden’s campaign is raising alarms about Pres. Donald Trump’s decision Friday night to fire U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffry Berman, who declined to step down. https://t.co/4rxD9izGrM

By Erica Orden, Kara Scannell and Evan Perez, CNNUpdated 12:02 PM ET, Sat June 20, 2020 Washington (CNN)In a fast-escalating crisis Friday night, Attorney General William Barr tried to oust Geoffrey Berman, the powerful US attorney for the Southern District of New York who has investigated a number of associates of President Donald Trump, but Berman defied him by refusing to step down. CNN's Sheena Jones, Kevin Liptak and Caroline Kelly contributed to this report.


At least eight people were killed and several others wounded in a mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility on Thursday night, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Genae Cook said. https://t.co/ejUi4bAwGE

The 19-year-old suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Indianapolis community mourn victims of mass shootingEight people were shot dead and several others were injured in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis Thursday night, according to authorities. The suspect, 19-year-old Brandon Hole -- who FedEx says was an employee at the facility from August to October 2020 -- was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Craig McCartt, deputy chief of Criminal Investigations at Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said at a Friday news conference.  He was armed with a rifle, McCartt said. When officers arrived at the FedEx facility near the Indianapolis airport just after 11 p. m. , they found a "chaotic and active crime scene," McCartt said. "This suspect came to the facility . . .  he got out of his car and pretty quickly started some random shooting outside the facility.  There was no confrontation with anyone," McCartt said.  "That began in the parking lot and then he did go into the building. "Four victims were found outside and four were inside, police said.  They ranged in age from 19 to 74. Those killed were identified Friday night by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department as Matthew R Alexander, 32; Samaria Blackwell, 19; Amarjeet Johal, 66; Jaswinder Kaur, 64; Jaswinder Singh, 68; Amarjit Sekhon, 48; Karli Smith, 19; and John Weisert, 74. Five surviving victims suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and two others had minor injuries, McCartt said. Hole last worked at FedEx in 2020, McCartt said. "We can confirm that the perpetrator was a former employee at the facility," FedEx said.  The company deferred further information to the police. Police said they do not have a motive. There is no indication that the shooting is connected to terrorism, two law enforcement officials told ABC News. In March 2020, Hole's mother "contacted law enforcement to report he might try to commit 'suicide by cop,'" Paul Keenan, special agent in charge of the FBI's Indianapolis field office, said in a statement.  "The suspect was placed on an immediate detention mental health temporary hold by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. "A shotgun was taken from Hole's home and "based on items observed in the suspect’s bedroom at that time, he was interviewed by the FBI in April 2020," Keenan said. "No Racially Motivated Violent Extremism (RMVE) ideology was identified during the course of the assessment and no criminal violation was found," Keenan said.  "The shotgun was not returned to the suspect. "The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Monday night issued an updated press release regarding the shooting and an incident report from the search they performed of suspect Hole’s home in March of 2020.  The report includes a testimony from an officer who said he saw what seemed like white suprematist websites on Hole's computer.  Police haven’t commented further on what was in the report and have not yet discussed a motive in the killings. About 100 employees were in the vicinity of the FedEx facility at the time of the shooting, according to the company.  Many employees were changing shifts or on their dinner break at the time, McCartt said. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Randal Taylor called FedEx a major employer for the city. FedEx said in a statement Friday morning, "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our team members following the tragic shooting at our FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis. ""Our most heartfelt sympathies are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence," FedEx said.  "The safety of our team members is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with investigating authorities. "FedEx told ABC News that no COVID-19 vaccine shipments were impacted by the shooting. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement Friday, "This morning, Indianapolis residents are confronted with the horrific news of yet another mass shooting, an act of violence that senselessly claimed the lives of eight of our neighbors. ""As law enforcement works to learn more about this tragedy, our prayers are with the families of those whose lives were cut short," Hogsett said. The mayor said at the Friday news conference, "We must guard against resignation or even despair.  The assumption that this is simply how it must be and we might as well get used to it -- we need the courage that compels courageous acts that push past weariness. "In a statement, President Joe Biden called the shooting "just the latest in a string of tragedies, following closely after gunmen firing bullets in broad day light at spas in and around Atlanta, Georgia, a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and so many other shootings. ""It’s a mass shooting just a week after we met, in the Rose Garden, with families who lost children and dear friends as bullets pierced their bodies and souls in schools, a night club, in a car at a gas station, and a town meeting at a grocery store.  And it came just the night before 14th anniversary of the shooting at Virginia Tech, in which a gunman murdered 32 people," Biden said. "Last night and into the morning in Indianapolis, yet again families had to wait to hear word about the fate of their loved ones.  What a cruel wait and fate that has become too normal and happens every day somewhere in our nation," Biden said. He went on, "Last week, I called on the Justice Department to better protect Americans from gun violence.  I also urged Congress to hear the call of the American people -- including the vast majority of gun owners -- to enact commonsense gun violence prevention legislation, like universal background checks and a ban of weapons of war and high-capacity magazines.  Too many Americans are dying every single day from gun violence.  It stains our character and pierces the very soul of our nation.  We can, and must, do more to act and to save lives. "Biden once again ordered White House flags to be lowered to half-staff, as he has done following other mass shootings. Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday, "Yet again, we have families in our country that are grieving the loss of their family members because of gun violence. "“There is no question that this violence must end," she said. ABC News' Luke Barr, Alexandra Faul, Ben Gittleson, Josh Hoyos and Aaron Katersky contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli today held talks with members of House of Representatives which was dissolved by the President yesterday.

Oli is scheduled to address the Himalayan nation later in the day.

Yesterday, Nepal announced to hold national polls in April-May next year. https://t.co/M5Wny4VtmJ

The Union government has invited farmers’ representatives for the next round of discussions on Tuesday (December 1), as farmers protesting a set of laws enacted recently to liberalise the farm sector intensified their agitation.  The next round of talks was originally scheduled for December 3.  The decision to advance the talks came after home minister Amit Shah and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar met twice in a span of 24 hours on Monday to discuss course of action.  Thousands of farmers, who are marching from various states toward the national capital to protest against new farm legislation they say will hurt their interests, appeared to harden their stand.  They threatened to block all entry points to New Delhi, demanding a repeal of three farm laws.  “On November 13, during our last meeting, we decided to conduct next round of talks on December 3.  However, farmers have continued their protests and with the Covid situation and the cold wave, we decided that we needed to talk before December 3,” agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters after sending the invitation late on Monday evening.  The discussions will be held at the capital’s Vigyan Bhawan at 3 pm.  The agriculture ministry has prepared a fresh set of presentations and videos on the farm reforms, an official said.  The government is expected to have a few economists from the Niti Aayog to join the discussions.  “We have not closed our doors for discussions.  The talks should be without any condition, sincere and inclusive.  We are not interested in going left or right, we are saying ‘repeal these laws’.  At least, the government should make clear that it will rethink the laws,” said Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India, one of the leaders spearheading the farmers’ agitation.  On Sunday, farm leaders had rejected an offer from home minister Amit Shah to advance the date of talks scheduled for December 3, saying they would not accept the government’s condition that farmers first move to their allotted protest site in Burari on the capital’s outskirts.  Monday was the fifth day of farmers protesting a set of laws, approved by Parliament in September, to allow businesses to freely trade farm produce outside the so-called government-controlled mandi system, permit private traders to stockpile large quantities of essential commodities for future sales and lay down new rules for contract farming.  Farm leaders say the new changes will leave them at the mercy of private buyers and vulnerable to exploitation.  On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Varanasi, slammed Opposition parties for misleading farmers and defended his farm laws as “historic”.  He said the opposition has created unfounded fears in the minds of the farmers.


The funeral for Prince Philip, the late husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, began with a procession. A Land Rover carried his coffin, followed on foot by his children, other members of the royal family and royal aides. https://t.co/pF64RpNkq4 https://t.co/kSDpg9IyxL

The family, including the Queen, followed COVID-19 guidelines. Ceremony honors life of Prince PhilipThe funeral for Britain's Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was held at 3 p. m.  local time, 10 a. m.  ET, at St.  George's Chapel in Windsor, England. The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9 at the age of 99. The funeral was limited to 30 guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a roughly 50-minute funeral service, Prince Philip was interred in the royal vault in St.  George's Chapel. But that is not his final resting place.  Following the Queen's death, his body will be moved and they will be buried alongside each other in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is also at St George’s Chapel. At the end of the service, the Queen departed the chapel in a state Bentley. The other family members walked, including Prince William and Prince Harry, who were seen side by side. Before entering St.  George’s Chapel, members of the royal family who walked in the procession -- including Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry -- put on face masks. The only people speaking at the service were the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Right Reverend David Conner, KCVO, Dean of Windsor, said, "We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith. "The family, including the Queen, sat spaced out per COVID-19 protocol. Family members only sat with members of their own household: Prince Charles and wife Camillia together; Prince William and Kate Middleton together; and the Queen and Prince Harry each sitting alone. The royal family did not give eulogies, and per COVID-19 guidelines, they could not sing. Prince Philip’s funeral was a reflection of his own wishes and displayed both the professional and personal aspects of his life: his family and his military service. The music at the service was selected by Philip himself. The song sung near the start of the service, Britten’s Jubilate in C, was commissioned by Philip for the St.  George’s Chapel Choir. Later in the service, the adaption of Psalm 104 was set to music by William Lovelady at the request of Philip.  The words of the Psalm, performed at a concert for Philip’s 75th birthday, “evoke themes of creation, the environment and wildlife,” which reflect Philip’s interests, according to Buckingham Palace. One of the final moments of the service saw the Buglers of the Royal Marines play the Bugle Call, which signifies the end of the day, or, in Philip’s case, when a soldier has gone to his final rest.  Philip also requested that the Royal Marines sound Action Stations, a Naval tradition that announces that all hands should go to battle stations. A national minute of silence was held at 10 a. m.  ET ahead of the service. Heathrow Airport said it was stopping all arrivals and departures for six minutes to coincide with the national minute of silence. "During the funeral service no Heathrow arrivals or departures will fly over the area, but we don’t expect this to require any rerouting of aircraft," the airport said. The flowers in the wreath on the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin were chosen by the Queen. The coffin was topped by Philip's Admiral of the Fleet Naval Cap and a sword given to him by his father-in-law, King George VI, for his 1947 wedding to then-Princess Elizabeth. The funeral is at St George's Chapel, where Harry and Meghan Markle married in May 2018. Prince William and Prince Harry were seen together for the first time in over one year as they joined the royal procession.  Standing between the brothers was Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son. The last time the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex were seen together was March 2020 at the Commonwealth Day Service. Prince Charles, the heir to the throne and Philip's oldest child, also walked in the procession ahead of his sons, along with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Queen Elizabeth II, traveling by car, joined the back of the procession as she mourns her husband of 73 years on a very public stage. Joining the Queen in the car was Lady in Waiting, Lady Susan Hussey. The procession follows Prince Philip's coffin, which was placed onto a Land Rover designed by Philip himself. It was repainted in military green at his request and he designed the open-top for his coffin, BBC News reported.


Democrats running for their party's presidential nomination in 2020 took aim at AG William Barr and demanded that special counsel Robert Mueller testify on Capitol Hill now that the full -- yet redacted -- version of his report has been publicly released https://t.co/Yqdr67KaRa https://t.co/FVKjDF9TPb

The much-anticipated 448-page report was released Thursday by the DOJ. Biggest bombshells, biggest questions from Mueller reportDemocratic presidential candidates were quick to vent their frustration on Thursday at the conduct of Attorney General William Barr, swiftly called on special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before Congress and demanded that the full unredacted report be released to the public. The ire directed at Barr comes after he held a press conference defending President Donald Trump's actions and to speak publicly and take questions from journalists before the report from the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election was released. None of the sitting U. S.  senators who have declared a presidential bid voted for Barr's confirmation. On Twitter, Sen.  Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N. Y. , called Barr's presser a "complete farce," while Sen.  Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. , said it's "a disgrace to see an Attorney General acting as if he's the personal attorney and publicist for the President of the United States. "Sen.  Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on Twitter, "while we have more detail from today's report than before, Congress must continue its investigation into Trump's conduct and any foreign attempts to influence our election. "Sen.  Kamala Harris, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Barr's presser was "full of spin and propaganda," and called on Mueller to testify before Congress, as did fellow committee member and Sen.  Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigeg, who has seen his presidential fortunes rise in recent weeks and officially launched his campaign last week, said Mueller's report "shows a president putting his own interests ahead of the country’s," and "demonstrates why we need to change the channel in 2020. "Former Massachusetts Gov.  Bill Weld, who recently announced that he will run against Trump in the Republican presidential primary in 2020, also called on Mueller to testify publicly, writing in a statement, "It is essential that Special Counsel Bob Mueller come before Congress and address the validity of his report that has been redacted and released. ""Release Mueller's full report now," Sen.  Cory Booker, D-N. J. , tweeted. He also posted a searchable version of the special counsel's 448-page redacted report. California Congressman Eric Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopolous that Mueller's report makes clear that "the Russians attacked us," and that there is "a multiplicity of contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign.  Swalwell also called on Barr to resign. "I think you can be the attorney general of the United States, or the present's lawyer, but you can't be both," he told Stephanopolous. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, also called on Mueller to testify publicly, while former Colorado Gov.  John Hickenlooper and Washington Gov.  Jay Inslee expressed similar displeasure with Barr's actions. Former Alaska Sen.  Mike Gravel's campaign tweeted that they "won't be doing tweets about the mueller report because it's pointless. "Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney said Mueller's report underscores the need for "a President free on conflicts, conducting themselves with honor and integrity, and possessing a moral compass that guides their actions. "Democrats put spotlight on election securityWhatever the fallout from the Mueller report, the newly empowered Democratic majority in the House has sought to put the spotlight on election security, pushing a number of bills aimed at shoring up the country’s electoral infrastructure. The party’s first sweeping piece of legislation addressing election security, H. R.  1 or the "For the People Act," was introduced in January with broad support within the Democratic caucus. The ambitious bill, introduced by Rep.  John Sarbanes, D-Md. , largely focuses on anti-corruption and campaign finance-related issues and would also give $1. 5 billion in new voting technology funding. It also includes provisions to enable automatic voter registration, mandates that states use paper ballots in elections, better protect against cybersecurity threats and make Election Day a national holiday for federal workers. In February, the House Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Rep.  Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. , convened a series of panels on various security-related measures including H. R.  1, urging more support for local governments that bear the brunt of conducting and securing the country’s elections. "Local election officials are on the front lines of securing our elections, and their success depends on the support they received from federal and state governments," Thompson said in his opening statement during the hearing. Republicans on the committee said the provisions in H. R.  1 are too broad and that more funding is not the only solution to the problem. "I hope that when H. R.  1 stalls in the Senate, which it will, we revisit the issue of election security in a bipartisan manner," Rep.  Mike Rogers, R-Ala.  said during the hearing. In March, following the bill’s passage, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "H. R.  1 ensures clean, fair elections and fights voter suppression.  It cleans up corruption, returning integrity to Washington D. C.  … It honors the vision of our founders, gives hope to the American people that their interests are served. "Despite its passage in the House, the bill stands little chance of passing the GOP-controlled Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has decried the legislation as the "Democrat Politician Protection Act. ""I hope the two bodies can find common ground and build on the bipartisan successes of last Congress -- but this outlandish Democrat proposal is not a promising start.  My colleagues and I will proudly defend your privacy and your elections," McConnell wrote in a Washington Post op-ed earlier this year. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


"It's not about how many times you get rejected... It's about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going."

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper performed their hit song "Shallow" from the film "A Star Is Born" at the Oscars Sunday: https://t.co/xAZWsDSH6f https://t.co/nbdpdptWfO

So sweet.  These celebrities brought their moms to the Oscars and we can't handle the cutenessWhen it comes to the Oscars, moms always win best supporting role. Several celebrities melted our hearts by having their mom on their arm on the 2019 Oscars red carpet. Bradley Cooper had not one, but two beautiful dates at the Oscars: his girlfriend, Irina Shayk and his mom, Gloria Campano. The "A Star Is Born" director arrived at the red carpet with his two best gals on each arm.  It isn't the first time he's brought his mom along for the big night.  The two previously attended together in 2014, when Cooper was nominated for best supporting actor his role in "American Hustle. "Cooper wasn't the only one to bring his mom as a date.  Michael B.  Jordan, whose film "Black Panther" was nominated for best picture, also posed for pictures on the red carpet arm-in-arm with his mom, Donna Jordan. He shared a photo of the two on Instagram, writing, "My mama about to make me have to fight somebody she looking so pretty. "Best actor winner Rami Malek also brought his mom with him to the Oscars.  He thanked her in his speech, saying, "My mom is here somewhere.  Oh, I love you.  I love you lady. "The camera then panned to her in the audience, hands on her face and overcome with emotion. Malek posted a picture of the two of them on Twitter with a tweet that read, "So fortunate to have the most supportive woman in my life.  Love you mom! ! ! "Actors weren't the only ones who brought mom along to the show -- several actresses had their moms by their side for their big night as well. Best actress nominee Yalitza Aparicio had her mom by her side on the Oscars red carpet.  The two held hands and looked stunning in gowns of different shades of blue. Best supporting actress winner Regina King also brought her mom along on the Oscars red carpet. In her acceptance speech, King thanked the people in her life for her Oscars win, saying, "I'm an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone. "Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron also brought her mother to Oscars.  This isn't Theron's mom's first rodeo; she was sitting right next to Theron as she won best actress for her portrayal of convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2004. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Hearing in West Bengal CBI matter: Supreme Court issues notice to Commissioner Of Police Kolkata, DGP and West Bengal govt on contempt plea. https://t.co/kETVJKoW6A

Soon after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed “moral victory” following the Supreme Court ruling that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can question Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar but not arrest the Bengal top cop, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) interpreted the apex court order to its own advantage.  Union Law Minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Supreme Court order was “a great moral victory for the CBI”. “This order was given by the Supreme Court to investigate the conspiracy angle and also money laundering angle.  This investigation must be done in a fair manner.  Let’s not politicise it.  This is a great moral victory for the CBI,” the Union law minister said. Ravi Shankar Prasad further accused Mamata Banerjee and “other political parties” of maintaining a “silence” even as lakhs of small investors were cheated” in the chit fund scams in West Bengal.  Follow live updates herePrasad said, “Today we have to ask larger questions on behalf of the party (BJP).  Lakhs of small investors were cheated and looted of their money.  Is it not our moral obligation to push for an investigation?  Why is Mamata ji silent on this?  Why are the other political parties silent on this? ”The law minister’s comments followed Banerjee’s claim that the Supreme Court order vindicated her sit-in protest in support of the police officers of West Bengal.  Banerjee said, “Rajeev Kumar never said he will not be available.  He said we want to meet at a mutual place, if you want to ask for any clarification, you can come and we can sit. ”“But what they (CBI) started doing?  They wanted to arrest him.  They went to his house, on a secret operation, on Sunday, without any notice.  That court said ‘no arrest’.  We are so obliged.  It will strengthen the morale of the officers,” Banerjee said in Kolkata, where her protest entered third day on Tuesday.  Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court directed Rajeev Kumar to “faithfully” cooperate with the CBI and appear before the central agency, which is probing cases related to the Saradha chit fund scam.  A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi fixed Meghalaya capital Shillong as the venue for meeting of CBI officials and Koltaka top cop Rajeev Kumar.  The CBI had told the Supreme Court that it had apprehension that Rajeev Kumar, who header a special investigation team in the case earlier, may tamper with evidence related to the chit fund scam.  The matter will come up for hearing next in the Supreme Court on February 20. Banerjee began her sit-in after a CBI team reached Kolkata on Sunday to question Rajeev Kumar in connection with Sharada and Rose Valley chit fund scams in West Bengal.  The CBI officials were allegedly detained at a police station in an unusual chain of events that also saw Banerjee rushing to Rajeev Kumar’s residence.  The CBI officials were later released apparently under instructions from Banerjee. The BJP has alleged that the leaders of ruling Trinamool Congress party were the beneficiaries of the chit fund scams in which crores of rupees were fraudulently collected from small investors.  Banerjee has said it was her government, after coming to power for the first time in 2011, which probed the chit fund scams and arrested Saradha chairman Sudipta Sen.  She said Rs 250-300 crore was returned to the duped depositors due to action taken by her government.


Tamil Nadu: Two medical camps have been set up at Madurai Airport to screen passengers flying down from foreign countries. #CoronaVirus https://t.co/4X740dbRQo

In a first, Kerala has set up a walk-in Covid sample collection kiosk at the Ernakulam medical college hospital.  The walk-in sample kiosk (WISK), the first in the country, is a mobile cubicle with heavy sealed glass front, which will have an extended glove attached to its front.  A medical practitioner, standing inside the cubicle, will be able to collect swab samples through this glove without exposing himself.  Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemicErnakulam district collector S Suhas said these kiosks will be set up in all four dedicated Covid-19 hospitals in the district.  A safer method to collect swab samples, Suhas said it will help in expediting the testing process.  After a medical practitioner collects the swab sample, gloves can be santitized from the outside and the practitioner will not have to change the heavy personal protection equipment (PPE) after every patient. “We need more such kiosks in Kerala.  It will help conduct more tests.  It will also reduce the growing demand for PPE kits which we will need if we enter the state of community spread.  These kiosks will also encourage suspected patients to get in and take tests quickly without undergoing rigours in the hospital,” said Dr A S Anoop Kumar, head of the critical care unit in Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikkode. Each kiosk is expected to cost around Rs 40,000 and at least 40-50 samples can be taken in about an hour.  The state health department said it will set up more such kiosks in some of the worst-affected areas after gauging its success.  The model of the kiosk testing is based on similar tests which were conducted in South Kerala.  The model helped the country contain the spread of the disease.  Following this, the World Health Organisation had urged all countries to emulate the model.


West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee leads procession in a wheelchair on Nandigram Diwas

https://t.co/5P8HRQiQP0 https://t.co/feR1N0xv2A

West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee made her first public appearance in a wheelchair on Sunday afternoon to pay homage to the 14 villagers of Nandigram, who died in police firing on March 14, 2007, marking the beginning of a long agitation against the acquisition of farmland by the Left Front government. Banerjee was the face of that agitation which played a key role in ending the Left Front’s 34-year-long rule in 2011.  She observes March 14 as Nandigram Diwas every year and leads a silent procession in the heart of Kolkata. Nandigram is once again in news as Banerjee is contesting against her protégé-turned-adversary, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Suvendu Adhikari, at the Nandigram assembly seat in East Midnapore.  Nandigram goes to the polls in the second phase of eight-phase state assembly elections on April 1. Adhikari, who hails from East Midnapore, has claimed that it was he, who led the Nandigram agitation which continued till 2009 and witnessed many deaths. Sending a clear message to the BJP before the procession started around 2 pm, Banerjee tweeted, “We will continue to fight boldly!  I'm still in a lot of pain, but I feel the pain of my people even more.  In this fight to protect our revered land, we have suffered a lot and will suffer more but we will NEVER bow down to COWARDICE! ”Also Read: 14 yrs on, Nandigram, cradle of Bengal's anti-land acquisitionBanerjee was injured in Nandigram on Wednesday evening when the door of her SUV slammed against her left foot.  She alleged that four or five people in the crowd that had surrounded the vehicle, deliberately pushed the door.  Opposition leaders have accused Banerjee of using the incident to gain political mileage. Sitting in a wheelchair that was pushed by her security personnel, the chief minister led the procession along a five kilometre route from Gandhi’s statue in the Maidans to Hazra Road intersection, located close to her home at Kalighat in south Kolkata.  She was driven down to the Maidans in a car.


The company Eisele & Stern posted an ad on Indeed.com seeking applicants for a "reverse financed internship" where people are asked to pay $15 per hour to work for them.

An apparent prank job listing first spotted in January 2020 has continued recirculating through Facebook, with some readers taking it as a sign of late-stage capitalism’s descent into pure self-parody.  The ad was posted on the job listing website Indeed. com and was initially attributed to an unknown company based out of New York, advertising a data analyst position with a “$15 an hour” rate before revealing who would actually be paying that wage.  It reads: You will compete various applied research projects for data analysis.  Strong critical thinking skills and some programming experience is a plus.  Knowledge of machine learning techniques is a bonus!  Note, this is a reverse financed internship so you will pay $15/hr to work here.  Job type: Full-time.  Photographs of the listing subsequently spread online, including several Reddit boards, and at least one tweet mocking the ad has gone on to be shared nearly 10,000 times.  IT FINALLY HAPPENED RECRUITMENT TWITTER! ! !  A. MAZING pic. twitter. com/7hFiwIhBUx — Matt Buckland (@ElSatanico) January 8, 2020 Another iteration of the post listed the company responsible as “Eisele & Stern”: But as Storypick reported at the time — and as we can confirm — no company by that name appears in web searches.  Despite being debunked, the meme has continued to find life on Facebook, where a search under “reverse financed internship” produces several results with varying reach: As the ad first spread on Twitter, Indeed said that it had been removed and that the website was “investigating further. ” We contacted Indeed seeking more information on their findings but have yet to hear back.  Article Sources +'Reverse Internship' Where Intern Pays for Position Advertised in New YorkSomeone Posted A Fake 'Reverse Internship' Job Where Interns Have To Pay ₹1000/Hour To Work


Senate Democrats announced they have reached a $3.5 trillion budget agreement. This is the first step in unlocking a process that Democrats plan to use to pass many of Pres. Biden's American Families Plan priorities with a simple majority of votes. https://t.co/FgyPzqCHQD

By Ryan Nobles and Lauren Fox, CNNUpdated 11:11 PM ET, Tue July 13, 2021  (CNN)Senate Democrats on the Budget Committee announced late Tuesday they struck an agreement on a $3. 5 trillion budget resolution that includes spending for President Joe Biden's sweeping social agenda -- and would be a first step toward unlocking their ability to pass their own infrastructure bill later this year.  CNN's Annie Grayer contributed to this report.


Punjab: Police seized 9 kgs of heroin worth Rs 45 crores and arrested one person in Firozpur, yesterday. https://t.co/F01IhZZQf7

Three persons were arrested after drugs worth nearly Rs 35 lakh were seized in simultaneous raids on Saturday night, including one at the famous Arambol banyan tree - a hermitage-like hideaway that is a haven for tourists seeking a spiritual experience that sometimes involves smoking marijuana. The overnight raids were all conducted in Arambol village in North Goa that is a big draw among tourists. In the raid at the Arambol banyan tree, Chandan, 35, a native of Barmer in Rajasthan, was found in illegal possession of 2. 390 Kg of charas worth Rs 11. 95-lakh. In another raid between 5. 20 and 10:50 pm on Saturday evening at a rented room also at Arambol, one Chhatra Singh alias Shiva, 36, a native of Haldwani in Uttarakhand, was arrested with 2. 100 kg of charas totalling Rs10. 50-lakh, while Raju Lama, 35, a native of Manali in Himachal Pradesh was arrested with 2. 500 kg of charas worth Rs 12. 50-lakh. “These raids were conducted after tracking the peddlers for quite some days,” Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar said. The Goa police say it has seized narcotics worth Rs 6. 8 crore this year compared to the Rs 5. 5 crore last year. “We have given instructions to reach the source, we have reached the source in some cases.  Our focus is on the source,” Goa’s Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena, while speaking late last week, said.