#YogaDay2019 | Prime Minister @narendramodi performs yoga at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi on #InternationalDayofYoga

Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/UW0MKlpK08 https://t.co/pJYsupOlLr

Kick-starting the global celebrations marking International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation by participating in a mega event in Ranchi on Friday.  Setting the stage for International Yoga Day, which is being celebrated on a global scale from 2015, PM Modi has been sharing an asan a day on social media urging people to join the movement. Home minister Amit Shah participated at an event in Rohtak and defence minister Rajnath Singh was seen in the national capital at a morning yoga session at Rajpath.  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) working president J P Nadda performed yoga, along with other party leaders and workers, at a park opposite the headquarters of the saffron party on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Marg in the national capital. Highlights:Sri Lanka Prez praises Modi for bringing yoga to international stageOn the occasion of International Yoga Day, Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bring the “common heritage” of India and Sri Lanka to the international stage. He also urged everyone to practice yoga.  “I compliment my friend @narendramodi for his efforts at bringing our common heritage of Yoga to the international stage.  I urge all to practice yoga like me,” he tweeted. Yoga is above everything, make it integral part of life: ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi said yoga is above caste, religion, colour, gender and region as he meticulously performed various asanas with around 40,000 enthusiasts at the Prabhat Tara ground here to mark the fifth International Day of Yoga. Modi also urged people to make yoga an integral part of life. BSF’s equestrian team performs yoga on horsebacksBorder Security Force’s equestrian team performs yoga on horsebacks at the BSF camp in Gurugram.  #Haryana: Border Security Force's equestrian team performs Yoga on horsebacks at the BSF camp in Gurugram.  pic. twitter. com/Vp7ytXqDRgYoga practise at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata Yoga practise on 5th International Yoga Day in front of Victoria Memorial in Kolkata on Friday. Gautam Gambhir performs yoga in DelhiGautam Gambhir performs yoga on the occasion of international Yoga Day at Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi. Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary, performs yoga in Trivandrum Kerala: Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary, performs yoga at an event in Trivandrum.  #InternationalDayofYoga pic. twitter. com/DQCpOa4HZTIndo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel performed yoga at Rohtang PassIndo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel performed Yoga at Rohtang Pass on the occassion of #InternationalDayofYoga, today.  pic. twitter. com/Ekd8bvbqzsS Akbaruddin: Yoga will reinforce values of cleaner, greener & more sustainable futureS Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador,in New York, says, “ I hope this indoor yoga session in Gen Assembly hall,the first of its kind, will reinforce values of cleaner,greener&more sustainable future that all of you yogis are committed to,” reports news agency ANI.  S Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador,in New York: I hope this indoor yoga session in Gen Assembly hall,the first of its kind, will reinforce values of cleaner,greener&more sustainable future that all of you yogis are committed to. #InternationalDayofYoga pic. twitter. com/CtigpecuGcHimachal governor, CM Jai Ram Thakur celebrate yoga day Himachal Pradesh: CM Jai Ram Thakur, Governor Acharya Devvrat and others observed two minutes of silence to pay last respects to the people who died in Kullu bus accident yesterday.  They are present at an event organised in Shimla on #InternationalDayofYoga.  pic. twitter. com/qgpzS8u3SfSmriti Irani celebrates yoga day in Delhi Celebrated #YogaDay2019 by performing Yoga with citizens of Bijwasan in Delhi.  pic. twitter. com/zjPqhKYnjGInternational Day of Yoga not just an event, says President KovindPresident Ram Nath Kovind says, “I’m happy that like previous years, we are celebrating Yoga Day this year too.  It’s not just an event, but a way to make yoga an integral part of our life,” reports news agency ANI. Pres Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan,Delhi:#InternationalDayofYoga is being celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhavan since 2015. I'm happy that like previous yrs,this yr too we're celebrating Yoga Day here.  It's not just an event, it's a way to make yoga an integral part of our life pic. twitter. com/Rcq9C4hcdoPM Modi interacts with people after performing yogaPrime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with people after performing yoga at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi on International Day of Yoga, reports news agency ANI. International Yoga Day celebrations at RajpathITBP personnel perform yoga in Ladakh in minus 20° CelsiusITBP personnel perform Yoga at an altitude of 18000 feet in northern Ladakh in minus 20 Degrees Celsius temperature, reports news agency ANI.  ITBP personnel perform Yoga at an altitude of 18000 feet in northern Ladakh in minus 20 Degrees Celsius temperature.  pic. twitter. com/csvfZNJc1tSchool children celebrate International yoga daySchool children celebrate International yoga day at Bandra reclamation in Mumbai. ITBP personnel of the 26th Battalion practice yoga in Ludhiana Punjab: ITBP personnel of 26th BN practice Yoga on #InternationalDayofYoga at Baddhowal Ludhiana pic. twitter. com/6ko85L2JbQLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla along with parliamentarians and parliament staff perform Yoga Lok sabha speaker Om Birla and Staff of Parliament house take part in 5th International Day of Yoga celebrations at Parliament house in New Delhi On Friday. Amit Shah and Haryana CM ML Khattar perform Yoga at Rohtak Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Haryana CM ML Khattar perform Yoga at Rohtak on #InternationalDayofYoga .  pic. twitter. com/Qidq9WV5RxActor Shilpa Shetty participates in celebrations in MumbaiMaharashtra: People perform Yoga at the Gateway of India in Mumbai, actor Shilpa Shetty also present, reports news agency ANI.  #Maharashtra: People perform Yoga at the Gateway of India in Mumbai; Actor Shilpa Shetty also present.  #InternationalDayofYoga pic. twitter. com/tRV1J1nTTMITBP personnel participate in yoga practice session in LehJammu & Kashmir: ITBP personnel participate in yoga practice session in Leh on International Day of Yoga, reports news agency ANI. Defence Minister’s tweet on Yoga Day On #YogaDay2019 I urge everyone to make Yoga an integral part of their lives.  Join us live from Rajpath, New Delhi on my YouTube channel : https://t. co/XkgAaG7EkfYoga being performed on-board INS Viraat at Western Naval Dockyard in Mumbai Indian Armed Forces personnel take part in a yoga sesssion to mark International Yoga Day on the Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Viraat in Mumbai. We can see yoga from streets to wellness centres: PM Modi“We can say that today yoga has reached every corner, every class of India.  From drawing rooms to board rooms, from city parks to sports complexes.  We can see yoga from streets to wellness centres,” says PM Modi.  Modi performs yoga at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi Jharkhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi on #InternationalDayofYoga pic. twitter. com/gUAEYg8Gr6I urge you all to embrace Yoga: PM Modi PM in Ranchi: I thank ppl across the world for joining #InternationalDayofYoga celebrations.  World over,the first rays of the Sun are being welcomed by dedicated Yoga practitioners, it's a beautiful sight.  I urge you all to embrace Yoga&make it integral part of your daily routine pic. twitter. com/yeyhGKTEYlI thank people across the world for joining International Day of Yoga celebrations: PM ModiPrime Minister Modi says, “I thank people across the world for joining International Day of Yoga celebrations.  World over,the first rays of the Sun are being welcomed by dedicated Yoga practitioners, it’s a beautiful sight.  I urge you all to embrace Yoga&make it integral part of your daily routine. ”PM Modi: Yoga is ancient and modernPrime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Yoga is ancient and modern.  It is constant and evolving.  For centuries, the essence of Yoga has remained the same: Healthy body, Stable mind, Spirit of oneness. ”“Yoga provides a perfect blend of knowledge, work and devotion,” he added. Yoga has always been an important part of our culture: PM ModiPM Modi says, “We all know the importance of Yoga very well.  It has always been an important part of our culture.  But now we all have to take the practice of Yoga to another level,” reports news agency ANI.  PM Narendra Modi at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi: We all know the importance of Yoga very well.  It has always been an important part of our culture.  But now we all have to take the practice of Yoga to another level.  #InternationalDayofYoga #Jharkhand pic. twitter. com/bPlcOBi5nsPM Narendra Modi addresses crowd at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi‘I extend my good wishes to all of you, in India & across the globe, on the occasion of International Day of Yoga ,’ PM Narendra Modi.  PM Narendra Modi at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi: I extend my good wishes to all of you, in India & across the globe, on the occasion of #InternationalDayofYoga .  Today, lakhs of people have gathered in different parts of the world to celebrate Yoga Day.  #Jharkhand pic. twitter. com/KzMhIEYVRVPM Narendra Modi all set for Yoga Day in RanchiPM Narendra Modi all set for the Yoga Day 2019 programme in Ranchi.  All set for the #YogaDay2019 programme in Ranchi.  pic. twitter. com/11kc1vFOo3Preparations galore at Prabhat Tara groundAll necessary arrangements have been made at the Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, amid tight security, ahead of PM Modi’s mega event.  Around 30,000 people are expected to participate in the event, for which security has been beefed up across the city.


"My promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and political biases aside."

In an emotional address, GOP Sen. Mitt Romney announced he would vote to convict Pres. Trump on the first article of impeachment. https://t.co/x6tWqM8VGq https://t.co/c7xRcFat7K

By Alex Rogers, CNNUpdated 1:57 PM ET, Wed February 5, 2020  (CNN)If there were any senator to vote against his party on the impeachment of President Donald Trump for the sake of his own political preservation, it should be Doug Jones. CNN's Jeremy Herb and Ali Zaslav contributed to this report.


Tyson Foods announces recall of more than 69,000 pounds of frozen chicken strips that may have been contaminated with pieces of metal. https://t.co/h7lEYIncWP https://t.co/GO9E3mOIhX

    Tyson Foods has significantly expanded a recall of its chicken strips over concerns that some might be contaminated with pieces of metal, federal food safety officials said Friday.

    The recall affects about 69,093 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products produced on November 30, 2018, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said in a news release.

    In the previous recall, the products had only one use-by date: November 30, 2019.

    All affected products have a use-by date of November 30, 2019.

    The Food Safety and Inspection Service said it initially discovered the problem because of two consumer complaints about extraneous materials in chicken strip products.

In January, Tyson recalled 36,420 pounds of chicken nuggets after a consumer reported finding rubber in the chicken nuggets.

    Also in January, Perdue issued a recall after receiving three complaints from consumers who reported finding wood in gluten-free chicken nuggets.

    There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury from consumption of these products, FSIS said.

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


Hemendra Singh, Asstt. Inspector General, Public Relations Officer, CISF: A passenger J Roychowdhury, scheduled to travel to Bagdogra by GoAir flight, suddenly fell down after complaining of chest pain, near Security Hold Area of Kolkata Airport yesterday at about 1130 hrs. https://t.co/RStwPO8PXb

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials saved the life of a 53-year-old passenger who collapsed at the Kolkata airport by administering him an emergency medical procedure, a senior official said on Sunday. J Roychowdhury suddenly fainted and fell in the terminal area of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport Saturday noon when he was in the security-hold area, he said. On-duty CISF Sub Inspector Partha Bose saw the man collapsing and he immediately rushed to the man’s side, he said. WATCH | Kolkata airport: CISF personnel save passenger’s life by performing CPR“The passenger was unconscious but was breathing.  SI Kumar with assistance from Inspector Shampa Karmakar immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) medical procedure to the passenger.  The passenger soon regained his senses,” the official said. The medical team that attended to the Bagdogra-bound passenger later reported him to be stable, he said. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is designated as the federal civil aviation security force guarding 61 airports in the country.  It has trained a number of its personnel in conducting CPR and similar medical procedures for helping travellers in emergency medical conditions.


Maharashtra: People queue up outside Yes Bank's Fort Branch in Mumbai. The bank was placed under moratorium by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the withdrawal limit was capped at Rs 50,000, yesterday. https://t.co/SEUglndblM

People have started queuing up outside the branches of Yes Bank as its ATMs have stopped functioning after the bank was placed under moratorium by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). “It was shocking that the RBI put a limit of Rs 50,000.  I have tried to take out cash from ATMs but they were blocked by Yes Bank.  NEFT transactions were also not taking place.  I came here at 7 am to withdraw money,” Yogesh Sharma, a Yes Bank customer at Fort Branch in Mumbai told news agency ANI. Yes Bank’s own net banking facilities have not been operational since Thursday evening.  Other fintech operators who rely on Yes Bank to settle their transactions are also down.  “We sincerely regret the long outage.  Our partner bank (Yes Bank) was placed under moratorium by RBI.  Entire team’s been working all night to get services back up asap (as soon as possible),” the app’s chief executive Sameer Nigam tweeted on Friday morning. He added that the app hopes to be live in a “few hours”. Yes Bank was placed under a moratorium Thursday evening, with the RBI capping deposit withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account for a month and superseding its board.  The RBI action came after the Rana Kapoor-promoted bank failed to raise capital to address potential loan losses. The withdrawal limit, however, can be relaxed in case of medical emergencies, higher education and for expenses related to marriages, it said. The taking over by RBI means Yes Bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment. For the next one month, Yes Bank will led by the RBI-appointed administrator Prashant Kumar, an ex-chief financial officer of SBI. The RBI action showed its impact on banking stocks.  The NSE Nifty 50 index fell as much as 3. 92 per cent on Friday to an over five-month low of 10,827. 4 points, led by a 40 per cent slump in the shares of component Yes Bank.  The broader BSE Sensex dropped as much as 3. 79 per cent to 37,011. 09.


"Anyone who tells you we're going to have a vaccine in three or four months—that's just not the reality of how biology and research works." https://t.co/CdeLlVu4jY

By Maegan Vazquez and Betsy Klein, CNNUpdated 9:25 PM ET, Thu April 9, 2020 Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump said Thursday that there have been more than two million coronavirus tests completed in the United States but suggested that mass testing is not going to happen. Jason Hoffman, Holmes Lybrand and Tara Subramaniam contributed to this story.


Centre has not paid GST compensation to the states for the last 4 months. Today, the situation is fearful: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel at Sonia Gandhi's virtual meet with CMs of 7 states https://t.co/JTdTypIGnX

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at the Centre and said that refusal to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation to States is nothing short of betrayal on the part of the Narendra Modi government.  Her remarks came during a meeting, held via video conferencing, with chief ministers of Congress-ruled states and their counterparts of West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand on the issues related to GST dues of states, Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) (Main) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) (UG) exams. “There are a number of issues related to Centre-State relations and since Parliament is expected to meet in less than 3 weeks.  I thought we should have an interaction so that we can have a coordinated approach.  GST compensation seems to be a big issue.  GST compensation being paid to States on time according to laws passed by Parliament is crucial.  But it is not happening.  Dues have accumulated and finances of all the States are badly affected,” she said.  “In the meeting of the Standing Committee of Finance on August 11, 2020, the Finance Secretary clearly stated that the Central government is not in a position to pay their mandatory compensation of 14 per cent for the current year.  This refusal to compensate the State is nothing short of betrayal on the part of the Narendra Modi government, betrayal of State governments and people of India,” she said.  Also read: Let’s appeal to Supreme Court to postpone NEET, JEE: Mamata Banerjee to non-BJP chief ministersStating that GST was enacted as an example of cooperative federalism, the Congress interim chief said that the GST regime came into existence because States agreed to forgo their constitutional powers of taxation in the larger national interest on the sole promise of compulsory GST compensation for a period of five years. She alleged that the Central government continues to profiteer from unilateral cesses which are not shared with the States. She said that ordinances have been issued without consulting the States on agricultural marketing and called Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2020 as “anti-democratic”. “There has been a national outcry against draft EIA notification 2020 which is deeply anti-democratic,” Gandhi said.  She said that public sector assets created over decades are being sold out and 6 airports have been given into private hands and Railway is also being privatised.  Also read| Sonia Gandhi holds meet with 7 state CMs on JEE, NEET and GST collection: Who said whatGandhi termed the New Education Policy as a set back for progressive, secular and scientific values. “Announcements such as those related to the National Education Policy should really worry us as it is actually a setback.  Other problems of students and exams are also being dealt with uncaringly,” she said.


Thiruvananthapuram: Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) and vocational higher secondary education (VHSE) examinations are underway till May 30 in the state, amid COVID19 lockdown.

The total number of COVID19 cases in Kerala is 964. https://t.co/znKgzTUZIF

Even as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise in India, the government on Monday pointed out that no news cases have been reported from 25 districts in 15 states where people have been affected by coronavirus.  “No new cases have been detected in the last 14 days in 25 districts across 15 states which had earlier reported coronavirus cases,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry said at the daily briefing. The total number of infections in the country rose 9152 by Monday afternoon. “There have been 796 COVID-19 cases, 35 deaths reported in the last 24 hours,” Agarwal said. Follow coronavirus latest updates here. Maharashtar continues to be the worst affected with 1,985 positive cases, followed by Delhi at 1,154 and Tamil Nadu with 1,043. He said the Core Strategy Group on Coovid-19 is working on molecular surveillance, rapid and economical diagnostics and new drugs. The government also said that there are enough testing kits as the pace of testing is being raised.  “Till yesterday we conducted 2,06,212 Covid-19 tests.  There is no need to worry.  We have enough stock to conduct tests for six weeks,” said Raman Gangakhedkar, ICMR’s top scientist. Gangakhedkar also said the first consignment of Covid-19 testing kits from China will arrive on Tuesday.  India has recently stepped up testing with the government authorising dozens of private labs to carry out tests.  But even as the number of testing facilities has increased, there are also fears of false testing posing a danger to the fight against Covid-19.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) had earlier said that more testing was the only way to know the actual scale of the pandemic.


#COVID19 | Government allows home, hotel isolation for milder patients

(reports @RamblingBrook)

https://t.co/u4KhEw5auj https://t.co/fVibiaHBAT

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients with mild symptoms can stay in hotels and service apartments in case they don’t have space in their own residences to confine themselves in isolation, according to the Union health ministry’s revised guidelines on home quarantine for Covid patients. The facility can be offered on paid basis as is being done by certain states for travellers and contacts of covid-19 cases.  The price can be pre-decided by state governments. “There are large number of facilities such as hotels, service apartments, lodges which remain unoccupied due to impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism.  There are also instances where people who don’t have requisite space at home may opt for such facilities.  This is likely to reduce the pressure on the family, give comfort to the person, and protect the family members and immediate neighborhood,” read the health ministry guidelines. The ministry has issued standard operating procedures that are applicable both for facility quarantine, facility isolation in hotels, service apartments, lodges etc. “It is an extension of health ministry’s earlier guidelines on home quarantine for positive patients.  Since about 80% positive cases have mild symptoms they do not really require to be in a hospital, and many people do not have adequate space in their homes to be able to successfully isolate themselves, for such people it was decided to allow them to use private facilities.  Earlier also hotels, lodges, hostels etc have served as quarantined centres, it will be the same with extra precautions,” said an official from the health ministry, requesting anonymity. It will be states’ responsibility to ensure that the quarantine and isolation facility will not co-exist. These facilities will offer single room on paid basis to contacts, cases with attached washrooms.  The tariff for the accommodation and services shall be fixed by the facility in consultation with the state government and widely publicized. “The facility dedicated for isolation will follow the norms established for COVID Care Centre as available.  The cases shall only be kept in an isolation facility, if the cases are clinically assessed to be pre-symptomatic or very mild.  Such facility that opts for isolation will have separate earmarked areas for keeping suspect cases and confirmed cases and will ensure no inter-mingling of these two categories,” the guidelines further reads. The facility owner will have to make additional arrangements for an in-house trained doctor and a nurse on 24X7 basis.  The doctor will monitor the contacts, cases in quarantine, isolation facilities once a day on basic parameters of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and pulse oxymetry and keep record of the same. The doctor engaged by the facility will inform the District Surveillance Officer regarding the list of admitted cases or contacts, and their health status.  The facility should network with an approved laboratory for testing samples as per ICMR guidelines.  The patients should not be allowed to meet visitors.  However, they can talk on phone.  The facility will provide Wi-Fi facility and ensure that the client downloads the Aarogya Setu App on mobile. The linens, towels etc.  and rooms should be disinfected and the facility will follow infection prevention control practices as per health ministry guidelines. The in-house catering should only provide room services for freshly cooked food duly following physical distancing and environmental sanitation.  The discharge of patients from the facility will be as per the health ministry directive for discharged of covid-19 patients from the hospital. “The most important discharge criteria is that these people should test negative twice in a span of 24 hours, and should be certified fit to be discharged from their treating medical doctor,” the official added. Experts say as long as the protocol is followed, there is no harm in home or facility isolation of mild positive cases. “I am a big believer of home isolation as at least 90% of the cases, according to me are mild enough to not require hospitalization.  As long precautions are taken and there is regular medical consultation, it is a good idea,” said T Jacob John, senior virologist.


A fishing crew lobstering off the coast of Maine rescued a deer that had been swept five miles out to sea. https://t.co/59kXImpj3e https://t.co/CEkJU4akWS

Three lobstermen helped rescue the animal off the coast of Maine. Lobster boat saves deer 5 miles offshoreA group of fishermen on a lobster boat reeled in an unexpected catch off the coast of Maine. Jared Thaxter, who was aboard Warren (Ren) Dorr's commercial fishing boat, told ABC News the three men were off the coast of Addison, Maine, just south of Nash Island when the incredible rescue took place. Dorr shared a series of photos on Facebook that showed how he and two other lobstermen helped rescue a deer that they spotted swimming five miles offshore. "Couldn’t let the poor guy suffer and drown so we brought him aboard and sailed him half hour to land and dropped him off on the beach," Dorr wrote on Facebook.  "And sailed back out to haul! "Dorr, a captain aboard the Ryss & Stace 32-foot commercial fishing vehicle, received countless thank yous and congratulatory comments on the Facebook post, which has over 5,600 likes and nearly 1,000 comments as of the time of publication. "We had to circle a few times to get a hold of him," Thaxter said.  "They grabbed him by the spikes and maybe a leg or two and just dragged him in. "Once the deer was safely aboard the boat, they gave the animal space and let it rest, Thaxter added. Thaxter, who worked alongside Shawn Dowling, his stern man, told ABC News he "just started going [out] with them as the third man about a week ago. ""It was a great feeling once they helped him back into the water, headed in the right direction, and to see him finally touch land," Thaxter said. ""It was definitely worth the time and effort," he added.  "You can't let anything suffer like that when you can easily help. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


On 8 October 2020, the BJP youth wing’s march to the State’s secretariat (‘Nabanna’) in West Bengal turned violent as clashes erupted between the BJP party workers and the West Bengal police.  A video of a man kicking the tear gas canister back towards the police is being shared widely on social media with a claim that it shows a BJP worker kicking the smoke bomb in West Bengal.  Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. Claim: Video of a BJP worker kicking the tear gas canister back towards the police in West Bengal. Fact: The video is neither related to West Bengal nor India.  The video was taken in Indonesia.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When the keyframes of the video were run through the Google Reverse Image Search, the same video was found to be uploaded by ‘redfish’ media page on Facebook.  In the description, it was written that the video is from Indonesia.  The same video was also found on their Twitter page with the same description. Also, the police vehicle in the video resembles the police vehicles in Indonesia (Same colour scheme and ‘Polisi’ written on the vehicle).  On 8 October 2020, there were protests and clashes in Indonesia over a new law, which people claimed will affect their jobs.  While there are similar visuals of recent clashes in Indonesia, we could not confirm whether the posted video is related to the recent protests.  But, it can be concluded that the video is from Indonesia. To sum it up, a video from Indonesia is falsely shared as ‘BJP worker kicking back the tear gas canister in West Bengal’.


Today: Pres. Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen will testify before Congress.

Cohen is expected to detail a wide range of allegations against Trump https://t.co/cV0ieytie1

Watch live on CNN at 10 a.m. ET: https://t.co/UYpqI3w42L

Special coverage begins at 9 a.m. ET https://t.co/SCLlvKqEYw

Trump and Cohen go back more than a decade.  Who is Michael Cohen? Michael Cohen, once undeniably devoted to Donald Trump, is now about to spend days on Capitol Hill testifying against him. A Manhattan-based lawyer, Cohen began working for him well before the 2016 campaign and election.  During the campaign, he was a prominent spokesperson, often appearing on news shows and vehemently defending then-candidate Trump. In fact, for more than a decade, Cohen stood by Trump's side as his personal attorney, fixer and confidant, famously proclaiming that he would "take a bullet for the president" and "never walk away. "But over the first two years of Trump's administration, as investigators targeted Cohen's personal finances, he flipped on his former boss and cooperated in multiple investigations, including special counsel Robert Mueller's probe. It was ultimately hush-money deals with two women who said they had affairs with Trump -- affairs the president's denied -- that brought Cohen into the spotlight. In December 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for various crimes, including campaign finance violations, tax evasion and lying to Congress. Cohen initially came under scrutiny after acknowledging that he made a $130,000 payment to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels as she was shopping her story of an alleged affair with Trump in 2006 to major media outlets shortly before the 2016 election, a story first reported by The Wall Street Journal at the beginning of 2018. A few months later, in April, Cohen's home and offices were raided by the FBI -- a turning point in his relationship with the president.  A source close to Cohen said the FBI seized documents related to the Stormy Daniels matter, as well personal, financial and banking records dating back to 2013. Initially, Cohen said the president had no knowledge of two payments made -- one to Karen McDougal and one to Stormy Daniels, both of whom claimed past affairs with Trump.  But federal prosecutors later alleged he acted "in coordination with and at the direction of" Trump.  Trump has argued the payments amount to nothing more than a "simple private transaction," and do not qualify as campaign finance violations. In the midst of it all, Cohen stopped representing the president as his personal attorney. In August, Cohen agreed to a deal with federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and pleaded guilty to eight counts, saying that he made illegal campaign contributions "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office," who was Trump. A month later, news reports broke that Cohen had participated in a month-long series of interviews with investigators from Mueller's office.  In November, Cohen struck a second deal -- this time with Mueller -- pleading guilty to lying to Congress about the Russia investigation. When he was sentenced at the end of 2018, the judge on the case said "Cohen plead guilty to a veritable smorgasbord of fraudulent conduct" and "lost his moral compass," adding that "as a lawyer, Mr.  Cohen should have known better. "In addition to three years in prison, Cohen will have to pay $1. 39 million in restitution, plus $500,000 in forfeiture for the financial and campaign finance crimes.  He will face an additional fine of $50,000 for lying to Congress. Cohen sat for an interview with ABC News after his sentencing. "I knew what I was doing was wrong," Cohen told ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos in December 2018.  "I stood up before the world [Wednesday] and I accepted the responsibility for my actions. "Cohen said he was "angry at himself" for his role in the deals, but that he did it out of "blind loyalty" to Trump. "I gave loyalty to someone who, truthfully, does not deserve loyalty," he said. His testimony before the House Oversight Committee will be the first time he publicly pulls back the curtain on 10-plus years by Trump's side.  He's also testifying behind closed-doors before the Senate Intelligence Committee and the House Intelligence Committee. Like Trump, Cohen supported Democrats in the past, including then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008. During his 2011 interview with ABC News, when Trump was publicly speculating about running for president in 2012, Cohen said that he was "prepared to put the fact that I voted for Obama to the side. "But Cohen, reportedly referred to as "Tom" around the Trump Organization offices in a nod to "Godfather" character Tom Hagen, who was the consigliere to Vito Corleone, was clear about his support for the president. "It means that if somebody does something Mr.  Trump doesn't like, I do everything in my power to resolve it to Mr.  Trump's benefit," Cohen told ABC News in 2011. "If you do something wrong, I'm going to come at you, grab you by the neck and I'm not going to let you go until I'm finished," Cohen added. Fast-forward to Trump's actual presidential bid and Cohen was an ardent supporter of his friend in the Republican primary. It wasn't until after Trump was in office, however, that Cohen officially became a Republican.  On March 9, 2017, Cohen posted a picture of himself appearing to sign the paperwork and "[make] the official move" to joining the Republican Party. "It took a great man (@POTUS) to get me to make the switch," he wrote. His party switch was followed shortly by an announcement from the GOP that he was added to the Republican National Committee's finance leadership team as national deputy chairman. This isn't the first time that Cohen switched to the Republican Party, however, having run a failed bid as a Republican for an Upper East Side city council seat in 2003, according to real estate news site The Real Deal. Well before that, his other earlier forays into professional politics came on the Democratic side, including volunteering for Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign and working as a legislative intern for former Rep.  Joe Moakley, D-Mass. While Cohen's public image is intrinsically intertwined with Trump, he has shared some tidbits of information about his personal life online as well. Cohen has used his online presence to praise his "Ivy League daughter," which prompted some outcry since it was accompanied by a picture of her modeling in tights and lingerie. And he's defended himself against claims of being a racist by posting that he is the "son of a Holocaust survivor" along with a collage of photos of him with various African-American Trump supporters. But the most constant topic of conversation on Cohen's Twitter account was undeniably the Trump administration, members of the Trump family, and Trump himself. It shows the long history between the current president and his former fixer, which dates back long before Twitter was even around but was well documented on Trump's preferred social media site. In a declaration of support for Trump's birthday in July 2017, Cohen shared a picture of them together in what looks like Trump's New York City office. "I stand with you every day as you work to #MakeAmericaGreatAgain for all Americans! " Cohen wrote. ABC News's Meghan Keneally contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


ROYAL BIRTHDAY: Princess Charlotte celebrates her fourth birthday today.

William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, shared three new photographs of their daughter to mark the occasion. https://t.co/a5kCWN5RqA https://t.co/2Y0JWv3zdL

    This little princess keeps growing up.

    In honor of Princess Charlotte’s fourth birthday on Thursday, Kensington Palace released three new photos of the royal.

    Taken by her mom, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate, Charlotte poses for the camera in three photos around the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

    In one photo, Charlotte sits in the grass, looking sweet and innocent with her hands crossed over her blue flowered dress.  In the others, the energetic princess runs around wearing a gray cardigan, a plaid skirt and dark-colored leggings.

    Charlotte is the fourth in line to the British throne.

    Prince William and Kate also released new photos of Prince Louis last week for his first birthday.
  © 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


Supreme Court's single-judge bench will hear today four petitions seeking modification of its earlier order of June 18, which had stayed the annual 'Rath Yatra' in Puri and all other places in Odisha, due to COVID19 pandemic.
(file pic) https://t.co/DmbC5GI42T

Modifying its earlier order, the Supreme Court on Monday said it is up to the temple authorities and Odisha government to decide on the annual Rath Yatra in the state.  The Yatra is scheduled to begin on June 23, this leaves the state government with half a day to come up with a plan. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, shortly after the breather given by the court, has called for a Rath Yatra preparatory meeting in Bhubaneswar.  The Centre and the Odisha government had petitioned the top court against stopping the Yatra, citing years of tradition and faith. “It is a matter of faith for crores.  If Lord Jagannath will not come out tomorrow, he cannot come out for 12 years as per traditions,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court. The famous Yatra, running uninterrupted for 285 years, the court was requested be allowed this year without public participation. The apex court had earlier cancelled the Yatra, underscoring public health and safety of citizens amid a raging coronavirus pandemic.  The court added that “Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow” it. “In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, we restrain the state from holding the Rath Yatra and associated activities.  We direct that there shall be no Rath Yatra and associated activities this year”, the CJI SA Bobde headed bench had ordered last week. Three heavily built wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are traditionally pulled by thousands of devotees over a distance of three kilometres twice during the nine-day festival of the Trinity at Puri.


Why some Americans don’t want the vaccine, and what would change their minds. https://t.co/Sdh79yUG5G

By Holly Yan, CNNUpdated 2:38 PM ET, Mon July 19, 2021  (CNN)Americans have an easy way to crush Covid-19 -- one that would let more businesses fully reopen safely, reduce the need for masks and help prevent more dangerous variants from emerging.  CNN's Ryan Prior, Richard Allen Greene and Megan Marples contributed to this report.


Militia group agrees to leave their encampment in New Mexico near U.S.-Mexican border. https://t.co/KleewsgKaf https://t.co/IdSqoCLstL

    Members of a militia that has held hundreds of migrants at the US-Mexico border are expected to leave their camp near Sunland Park, New Mexico, by Wednesday, police said.

    The United Constitutional Patriots group has been camped on the land, which is adjacent to property owned by Union Pacific Railroad, for about two months, according to Sunland Park Police Chief Javier Guerra.

    On Monday, the city of Sunland Park placed “no trespassing” signs near the camp.  Union Pacific Railroad has also put up “no trespassing” signs, and asked the militia members not to trespass on railroad property to access the camp.

    Members of the militia are “getting their stuff ready to head out,” Guerra said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

    He said some members plan to spend the night because of problems with vehicles.  The camp “should be clear tomorrow,” Guerra said.

This militia group detained migrants at the border.  Then their leader got arrested

Larry Mitchell Hopkins, the militia’s leader, was charged Monday with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition in a case that stems from the 2017 search of his Flora Vista home, according to a criminal complaint.  He remains in custody.

    Hopkins was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he had been convicted of at least three felonies, including criminal impersonation of a peace officer in Oregon in 2006, according to the criminal complaint.

    “I think after the detention of Mr.  Hopkins discouraged them,” Guerra said.  “That’s what they said today.  They’re just going to pack up and go home. ”

    Last week, videos posted online purported to show migrants being held by the militia before being turned over to the US Border Patrol.  In the footage, people in full military fatigues had handguns strapped to their sides and wore gloves and black masks.

    The footage drew condemnation from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.  In a letter, the group likened the militia’s actions to kidnapping.

    When the militia arrived at the camp, Guerra said he told the members he didn’t want them to stop people illegally and point their guns at anyone.

    “When I saw that video, I decided I had to go back up there and talk to them because I saw that they had started using those tactics I told them not to use,” he said, referring to the recent footage posted online.

    According to Guerra, members are frustrated with the way they say they are being portrayed in the media, and fed up with the attention.

    “There was already some dissension among them,” Guerra said, “My understanding is they’re all going home. ”

  CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian and Catherine Shoichet contributed to this report.
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


Sensex at 41,101.94, up by 207.56 points. Nifty at 12,053.85, up by 61.55 points. https://t.co/NhaBuUrzFV

Equity benchmark Sensex dropped over 600 points in opening trade on Monday tracking losses in index-heavyweights Reliance Industries, HDFC twins and ICICI Bank amid weak cues from global markets. Investors were also cautious as crude prices surged after top oil-producing nations agreed on output cuts to shore up oil prices. After hitting a low of 30,541. 97, the 30-share index was trading 581. 75 points or 1. 87 per cent lower at 30,577. 87. Similarly, the NSE Nifty was quoting 169. 85 points, or 1,89 per cent, up at 8,942. 05. Bajaj Finance was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, shedding up to 8 per cent, followed by Mahindra and Mahindra, Maruti, ONGC, Titan and Bajaj Auto. On the other hand, Bharti Airtel, L&T, Infosys and NTPC were the gainers. In the previous session on Thursday, the BSE barometer ended 1,265. 66 points or 4. 23 per cent higher at 31,159. 62 and the NSE Nifty soared 363. 15 points, or 4. 15 per cent, to 9,111. 90. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital market, as they bought equity shares worth Rs 1,737. 62 crore on Thursday, according to provisional exchange data. Market remained closed on April 10 for Good Friday. According to experts, weak cues from global markets amid concerns over mounting Covid-19 cases and spike in crude prices weakened investor sentiment. Bourses in Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul were in the red, while those in Hong Kong were trading on a positive note. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, surged 4. 29 per cent to USD 32. 83 per barrel after Opec producers dominated by Saudi Arabia and allies led by Russia thrashed out a compromise deal on Sunday to cut production by nearly 10 million barrels per day from May. The death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 308 on Monday after 35 new fatalities were reported, while the number of cases climbed to 9,152, according to the Union Health Ministry. Global tally of the infections has crossed 18 lakh, with over 1 lakh deaths.


Punjab: Few Pakistani nationals who were stuck in India due to #COVID19 lockdown crossed over to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah border today.

"I came in March & got stuck here due to lockdown. I thank MEA & Pakistan High Commission for helping me," says a Karachi resident. https://t.co/X4oINuIP79

Several Pakistani nationals, who were stranded in India due to the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown, crossed over to the neighbouring country through the Attari-Wagah border on Thursday. One of the Karachi residents, Salma Chaudhary, who was stranded in India said that she faced a lot of problems due to the pandemic and lockdown but thanked the Ministry of External Affairs and Pakistan High Commission for helping her. “I came on March for 15 days for the renewal of my passport and got stuck here due to lockdown.  I also faced some problems, but finally, I am going home today.  I thank MEA and Pakistan High Commission for helping me,” Chaudhary told ANI here. The Karachi resident said that she is an Indian married to a Pakistani national. “My family, including my husband and seven-year-old son, lives in Pakistan.  I am feeling quite excited as I am going back home after months and am going to meet them,” she added.


US President @realDonaldTrump and PM @narendramodi at the #NamasteTrump event at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad

Follow live updates: https://t.co/hyA9uYtr5m

(Pics: ANI)

#TrumpInIndia #TrumpIndiaVisit https://t.co/pr6h1CCWun

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

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

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


Protesters attempted to storm the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, scaling the walls and forcing the gates of the compound, as hundreds demonstrated against American airstrikes on an Iran-backed militia group in Iraq. https://t.co/NmlwtIKwkT https://t.co/sKPIqcBYh9

About 750 soldiers were authorized to deploy to the Middle East "immediately. "Pentagon to deploy troops after Iraqi protesters storm US embassyAn infantry battalion of about 750 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division has been authorized to deploy to the Middle East "immediately," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement Tuesday night, after hundreds of protesters, fomented by pro-Iranian militias and seemingly permitted by Iraqi security forces, attempted to storm the U. S.  embassy in Baghdad earlier on New Year's Eve. The violent scene on Tuesday marked another escalation in tensions between the U. S.  and Iran, with President Donald Trump blaming Iran for "orchestrating" the "attack" and calling on Iraqi officials -- caught between their two allies -- to defend U. S.  personnel and property. Additional forces from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division are also prepared to deploy over the next several days, according to Esper's statement. "This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against U. S.  personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad today," Esper's statement continued. U. S.  officials, concerned about a breach of the compound, were drawing up plans for an evacuation if needed, according to a former senior administration official.  A State Department spokesperson later told ABC News they do not intend to evacuate at this time, with all personnel "secure"  and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that U. S.  personnel are there to stay at the embassy. The assault grew out of anger over U. S.  airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia Sunday.  With tensions between the U. S.  and Iran and its proxy forces sky-high, one U. S.  official told ABC News the soldiers could be deploying as soon as late Tuesday night. There are already 5,000 U. S.  troops in the country, there to train and support Iraqi security forces in the fight against the Islamic State. A number of U. S.  Marines from Kuwait had already arrived at the Baghdad embassy to bolster security, according to two U. S.  officials, one of whom said it was about 100 Marines.  Two Apache helicopters conducted a show of force over the embassy, firing flares as a warning to protesters, another official said. Making entry into the Green Zone by Iraqi security forces, hundreds of protesters made it past an outer wall right up to the embassy gates, where they hurled water bottles at retreating security guards, The Associated Press reported.  Outside the compound, hundreds of protesters smashed security cameras and chanted "Down, down USA. "Photos from the scene showed a compound sentry box had been set on fire, and footage showed the crowd waving yellow militia flags and chanting. The embassy itself, however, was never breached, according to the State Department spokesperson. The protests came after mourners held funerals for fighters from the pro-Iranian militia Kata'ib Hezbollah who were killed in U. S.  airstrikes Sunday -- a response to an attack on U. S.  forces last Friday in Kirkuk, Iraq, that killed one civilian contractor. Protesters then marched through the Green Zone until they reached the U. S.  embassy, reportedly allowed to pass by Iraqi security forces into the otherwise heavily fortified section of Baghdad.  Iraqi security forces eventually arrived on the scene to push protesters back after U. S.  forces used non-lethal means to repel an attack, according to a law enforcement source. The Iraqi government has been caught in the cross-hairs of high tension between the U. S.  and Iran -- with analysts saying Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi appeared to be trying to let anger from the U. S.  strikes dissipate by letting protests happen, without angering U. S.  officials and endangering American lives. "This is all about Iraqi domestic politics.  After the U. S.  retaliation, the Iraqi government had to let anger by local members of Katai'b Hezbollah play out publicly, appeasing both a key element of their political base and Tehran," said retired Col.  Steve Ganyard, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and now an ABC News contributor. But Trump demanded Iraqi forces protect U. S.  personnel, calling Prime Minister Mahdi Tuesday to say so. "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many.  We strongly responded, and always will.  Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U. S.  Embassy in Iraq.  They will be held fully responsible.  In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified! " Trump said on Twitter after the protests began. A former senior administration official told ABC News that Ambassador Matthew Tueller is out of the country and on leave for the holidays after false reports that he and embassy staff had been evacuated.  The State Department spokesperson later confirmed Tueller was not there and said he will return to the embassy. At this point, the embassy remains on lockdown.  Officials in Washington continue to closely monitor the situation. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "made clear the United States will protect and defend its people" in separate phone calls with the Iraqi Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and President Barham Salih on Tuesday. "Both Abdul-Mahdi and Salih assured the Secretary that they took seriously their responsibility for and would guarantee the safety and security of U. S.  personnel and property," State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said. For months now, Iraq has been swept by a wave of anti-government protests, rallying against corruption and, often, Iranian influence.  Iraqi security forces have violently cracked down on those demonstrations, blocking them from entering the Green Zone, where Iraq's central government and several foreign embassies, including the U. S. , are housed. But these pro-Iranian protesters made it through the Green Zone to the U. S.  embassy Tuesday, infuriating some U. S.  officials.  Unlike the anti-government protests, the crowds on Tuesday have been a mix of real and Iranian-backed protesters, the former official said, angry at U. S.  strikes on Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH). "The Iranian backed demonstrations in front of the U. S.  Embassy should not be confused with the Iraqi protesters who have been in the streets since October to decry the corruption exported to Iraq by the Iranian regime," the State Department spokesperson added. Representatives of Kata'ib Hezbollah, which the U. S.  has designated a foreign terror organization since 2009, posted on Twitter that it was not the intention of the protesters to attack the embassy, but to hold a sit-in until the embassy is closed and the U. S.  ambassador is expelled, the AP reported. The attack on the embassy follows those American airstrikes on the group in Iraq and Syria over the weekend.  Strikes were conducted against five facilities affiliated with KH, which the Pentagon described as a group linked to Iran's Quds Force and blamed for recent attacks in Iraq including the rocket attack that killed a U. S.  civilian contractor at the K1 Iraqi military base near Kirkuk on Friday. In the aftermath of those strikes, a top Iraqi militia chief warned of a strong response against the U. S. A senior State Department official downplayed the threat of retaliation from Iran or Iran-backed proxies Monday, saying, "We don’t have any fears. "The Iraqi authorities have a duty to protect the embassy from any attempted seizure by the protesters, Mick Mulroy, a former United States deputy assistant secretary of defense in charge of Mideast policy, told ABC News. "If given the authority to repel an assault, there is no doubt the security forces at the embassy would be able to do so," according to Mulroy, now an ABC News National Security and Defense Analyst.  "However, the authority to engage civilians, especially if they are unarmed, even if they are breaching the perimeter is the issue.  That is the issue in all embassy protests, and it is why Iran may try and use civilians and a protest as cover for an attempt to seize the embassy.  The Iraqi government has an absolute obligation to prevent this from happening. "ABC News' Josh Margolin contributed to this report, as well as Bader Katy from Baghdad. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa arrives in Delhi. https://t.co/8gFoteVBN1

The Karnataka unit of Congress will lay siege to Raj Bhavan on Wednesday against the three contentious farm laws, Congress state chief D K Shivakumar said on Tuesday. "Tomorrow (Wednesday) we are laying siege to the Raj Bhavan against the three laws and the failure to release grants for the control of coronavirus in the state," Shivakumar told reporters. Appealing to the farmers and people to participate in large numbers, Shivakumar said there will be pick-up vehicles at the Sangolli Rayanna Bengaluru city railway station for the protesters coming from outside to take them to the Freedom Park, venue from where the 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' march will take place.


Georgia Republicans have advanced a sweeping bill in the state Senate that further restricts voting — keeping a state that was pivotal to the 2020 elections at the forefront of the GOP backlash against expanded voting. https://t.co/lbJeeHdvwn

Republican Lt.  Gov.  Geoff Duncan and Democrats opposed the bill's passage. Ballot Watch: States target voting rightsOvercoming universal Democratic opposition, Republicans in the Georgia Senate on Monday narrowly passed a sweeping elections omnibus bill that would eliminate no-excuse absentee voting, which was enacted by Republicans in 2005, just months after a record number of Georgians opted to cast ballots this way in the 2020 presidential election. Four Republicans did not vote on the bill, which was approved 29-20. The legislation, SB 241, would also change the absentee ballot verification process.  Instead of using the subjective signature match process, voters would be required to include their driver's license or state ID card number when applying for and returning an absentee ballot.  Voters without these forms of identification would have to submit a photocopy of another form of accepted ID, as well as provide the last four digits of their Social Security number and their date of birth. Several Democrats spoke in opposition to the bill and urged lawmakers to vote against it. "SB 241 creates unnecessary barriers and burdens on voters.  It disproportionately impacts racial minorities, the elderly, those that live in rural Georgia, disabled and students," said Democratic state Sen.  Jen Jordan.  "The motivations are really suspect because it's introduced immediately after voters of color dramatically increase their use of absentee voting this past year. "Multiple Black Democratic lawmakers said they took personal offense to the piece of legislation, hearkening back to the Jim Crow-era and Black Americans' fight not just to earn the right to vote, but to eliminate barriers put in place to curtail it. "This is not about the process.  This is about suppressing the vote of the same group of people, especially me and people who look like me, and I take it personally.  I am here in this chamber because of the Voting Rights Act," state Sen.  Gail Davenport said.  "Some good-hearted legislators want to please a former selfish, racist leader and his followers.  Well, I tell you today, don't do it. "The omnibus bill was one of dozens of pieces of legislation on the agenda for the state Senate to consider Monday, which is "Crossover Day" for the Georgia General Assembly.  Bills that fail to advance through one chamber by this day are unlikely to become law this legislative session.  About one third of the bills on the Senate's agenda for "Crossover Day" addressed election law. Republican Lt.  Gov.  Geoff Duncan, the president of the Senate, did not preside over the body as SB 241 was debated because he doesn't support the bill. "Lt.  Governor Duncan has been crystal clear that he does not support the rollback of no-excuse absentee voting in Georgia, which currently is included in SB 241.  He staunchly opposes that provision," Macy McFall, Duncan's deputy chief of staff and communications director, told ABC News. According to the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice, as of Feb.  19, more than 250 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 43 states.  The organization described these bills as "grounded in a rash of baseless and racist allegations of voter fraud and election irregularities. "Without evidence, former President Donald Trump claimed for months leading up to and following the general election that the presidential contest was "rigged," specifically targeting mail-in voting, falsely claiming it led to widespread fraud. Georgia Democrats labeled Republican-sponsored legislation limiting voting as "voter suppression bills," claiming they offer solutions for problems that don't exist and will be challenged, and potentially invalidated, in court. "This bill amounts to walking into your house, seeing a sink full of dirty dishes, loads of laundry to be done, a lawn to be mowed, a refrigerator that's empty, and then deciding that instead of getting to any of that, you're gonna go to the hardware store and start building a deck -- a deck you don't need," said state Sen.  Sonya Halpern.  "The house is on fire, and you all are building a deck. "But Republicans argued the bills' purposes are to reduce costs, ease county election officials' workload, bolster election security and restore faith in Georgia's elections. "The two and a half million voters who voted in November who are Republican, who maybe have concerns . . .  they have a right to have their voice heard in this capitol," said Republican Sen.  Jason Anavitarte, speaking in support of SB 241.  "I'm sure, you know, I'll get more more tweets from LeBron James and other folks about how I'm suppressing votes, but at the end of the day, every vote should count in this state, and I pray over every single one of us as we move forward through this process . . .  that we find a way to make sure all Georgians trust the process. "Responding to Democrats' assertion that the bills are unnecessary, Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan, a Republican, went section-by-section explaining the reason each provision of SB 241 is necessary, and at one point, falsely claimed that the bill he co-sponsored "is not preventing anyone from voting by mail-in absentee," despite section six of the bill outlining the seven specific reasons a voter can be eligible to request a mail ballot. When closing the debate, Dugan conceded there wasn't widespread fraud, but said, "To say that no adjustments need to be made to address some of the issues that we see coming forward in the state is inaccurate.  You don't wait until you have wholesale issues before you try to meet the need.  You do it beforehand. "Republican lawmakers' focus on election law follows bruising defeats for the state party in the 2020 election cycle, which the Republican secretary of state has repeatedly defended as secure, accurate and devoid of mass fraud. "A defeated president to try to take his country down with him by spreading lies about voter fraud . . .  these lies are now stated as excuses for bills we are voting on today, bills that take voting options away and make it harder to vote," state Sen.  Sally Harrell, a Democrat, said Monday, before the bills were taken up. She added, "But lies can backfire . . .  these people, when they get mad -- they get organized. "The state House must still debate and vote on the Senate-passed elections bills.  The House passed its own elections omnibus bill, HB 531, on March 1.  This Republican-sponsored bill does not eliminate no-excuse absentee voting, suggesting there may not be the votes for it in the lower chamber. However, like the Senate bill, HB 531 does add a photo ID requirement for absentee voting.  Adding a photo identification requirement for absentee by mail voters is widely support by Georgia voters, according to a January poll conducted by the University of Georgia for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Democrats and voting rights advocates still blasted HB 531, citing the new ID requirement and other changes it would make to early and absentee voting. Earning much of the blowback is a provision that requires uniformity in the number of early weekend voting days -- which larger, more diverse counties took advantage of in November 2020. Every county would have to hold early voting Monday through Friday during the three-week period, as well as on the second Saturday, plus one additional day -- either Saturday or Sunday -- during the first weekend of advance voting.  Under current law, only one Saturday of early voting is required but counties can choose to open locations during the other three weekend days that fall in the period. The state's largest counties, which favor Democrats and are home to many Georgia voters of color, took advantage of this in November 2020, setting up more early voting locations and offering more days of weekend voting compared to past elections.  That, combined with the influx of electors voting by mail, resulted in shorter waits on Election Day compared to the hours-long lines that voters in these counties saw during the June primary and in prior elections. When HB 531 passed a week ago, Fair Fight Action, the voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams, described it as "a dangerous attempt to roll back voting rights" that "would add extra hurdles for voters of color and marginalized communities. "After the Senate bill passed Monday, its CEO, Lauren Groh-Wargo, issued a statement, which in part, warned Republicans. "This blatantly unconstitutional legislation will not go unchallenged," she said.  "We will continue to fight in Georgia, in the courts, and in Congress to make sure that Georgians’ voting rights are not infringed. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Democrats emulate the Nazi Women's Socialist League, who wore white to support Hitler's dream of a socialist paradise.

On February 5 2019, Facebook user Anna Love shared the following image in a status update, claiming that the photograph shows Nazi Socialist women wearing their customary white attire: In the status update field, Love wrote: The League of Nazi Socialist women who supported Hitler’s dream of a socialist paradise.  They always went to public events dressed in white.  Those two sentences contained several claims: that the photograph shows “the League of Nazi Socialist women,” that said organization “supported Hitler’s dream,” that Adolf Hitler’s goal was a “socialist paradise,” and finally, that Nazi women or women in the purported League “always went to public events dressed in white. ” An identical claim appeared on Twitter.  An unsaid but very clear parallel drawn was to the previous night’s State of the Union address and number of Democrats there wearing white attire: Behind him, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat in a white suit jacket and blouse.  Before him, a block of female lawmakers donned a range of white outfits and visibly unimpressed expressions.  Even his daughter Tiffany was pictured in white, with social media speculating that the choice may have been more than a coincidence.  President Trump’s State of the Union address was flooded with the color white.  [. . . ] In particular, the color is associated with the suffragette movement.  Early advocates for women’s voting rights wore white as a symbol of purity, often alongside purple for dignity and green for hope.  The suffragettes also used white to reassure onlookers that their protests were non-aggressive.  According to Rep.  Lois Frankel of Florida, the chair of the aforementioned working group, Tuesday’s move was a direct nod to the movement.  “Wearing suffragette white is a respectful message of solidarity with women across the country, and a declaration that we will not go back on our hard-earned rights,” she told CNN ahead of [February 5 2019]’s address.  Efforts to enfranchise women began in 1848, concluding in 1920 when American women secured the right to vote.  A 2014 Bullock Museum piece titled “The Fashion of Suffrage” explained the link between the color white and the women’s suffrage movement: No matter which side they stood on, this much is clear—suffragists used their clothing to communicate their message.  Women were often encouraged to wear white in suffrage parades, suggesting the purity and high-mindedness of their goals.  Regardless of the fact that women’s suffrage came long before the rise of Nazi Germany, it was possibly a coincidence that both suffragists and Nazi women adopted the same color of clothing.  But is that photograph of the “League of Nazi Socialist women,” or even Nazi women?  An image search returned results for the image shown in the Facebook post. The photograph shows just two (2) women, alongside several dozen white-clad children.  On its surface, the claim the image shows a “league” of women does not hold water.  One result suggested the photograph was archival, and had the following caption: A group of young girls parade in the Coburg Hauptplatz (market square), giving the “Hitler-Gruß” salute and singing the “Horst-Wessel-Lied,” the unofficial anthem of the Nazi Party.  The occasion was the 75th anniversary of the German gymnastics association in Coburg, 1936 . . .  (National Archives, RG 208) Next, we attempted to track down the “League of Nazi Socialist Women,” but the only results returned were for reiterations of the rumor seen above.  Historically, no such organization appeared to exist at all.  However, there was a “League of German Girls” (Bund Deutscher Mädel).  According to their Wikipedia page, their attire was largely black, and featured white summer tunics and accents (but not all white): The BDM uniform was a full blue skirt, middy blouse and heavy marching shoes.  In 1939, a new uniform was introduced for regional and national leaders within the League of German Girls, and along with the new uniforms came new rank insignia for leaders.  These new rank insignia took the form of a silver, and for higher ranks, gold bullion embroidered open-winged eagle on a black (white, on the summer tunic) shield with various types of borders to indicate grade.  They were worn on the left chest of the tunic.  In archival images, civilian Nazi women were shown wearing “peasant” style attire, which was a key tenet of accepted attire for women living under the Third Reich: Women were expected to copy traditional German peasant fashions.  They were told to wear plain clothes, flat shoes and have their hair in plaits or buns.  They were not to wear make-up, trousers or short skirts, or dye or perm their hair and they were not to smoke in public.  They were discouraged from staying slim or dieting, because it was thought that thin women had trouble giving birth.  However, there was a National Socialist Women’s League.  Although the Facebook and Twitter rumor suggested that women in Nazi Germany were politically supportive, their roles were in fact largely confined to the home: As the women’s wing of the Nazi Party, it was the responsibility of the NS Frauenschaft to teach Nazi women to be good housekeepers, which included using only German-made products.  Led by Reichsfrauenführerin Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, during the war the Women’s League held cooking classes, provided domestic servants to the military, collected scrap metal and handed out refreshments at train stations.  Whether Nazis used the word “socialist” is not in dispute, but history is in agreement that the Weimar Republic was not a socialist state.  A 1932 piece in The Atlantic focused less on nomenclature than ideology: In my first article (published in the March Atlantic) I set forth in some detail the dominant ideas which shape the political philosophy of Adolf Hitler.  I pointed out that almost everything this remarkable man believes stems from his conception of the Germans as a ‘chosen people. ’ From this source spring his rabid nationalism, his violent opposition to Socialism and Communism, his undisguised hatred of the Jews; even his distrust of democratic government and parliamentary institutions is based upon his tribal sense of leadership.  I now wish to turn to an examination of Hitler’s methods, —methods by which he has built up the National Socialist Party into a formidable organization commanding the fanatical loyalty of eight million people, and to foreshadow, from his own statements, some of the things he would like to accomplish if the Nazis, or Fascists, as his followers are commonly termed, should succeed in gaining control of the German Government.  The author, Nicholas Fairweather, referenced a previous piece published in March 1932, in which he previously explained Hitler’s impetus in the appropriation of the word socialist — and explained how the party was not at all “socialist,” except in name: The principal articles of Hitler’s political faith may be briefly summarized as follows. . . .  His violent animosity to Marxian Socialism as in essence opposed to his ideal of a nationally minded people and a racial state.  He condemns the Socialism of Marx as a poisonous teaching which by its humanitarianism, its internationalism, and its pacifism — all legacies of the unnatural an unwholesome democracy of the French Revolution — operates to undermine the clean ideal of Aryan (that is, German) overlordship.  His violent hatred of the Jews as the racial enemies of all Aryans, the subtle corrupters of pure Aryan states.  These parasites, says Hitler, have made Marxian Socialism, which they invented, the principal tool by which they insinuate themselves into healthy, pure blooded, racial states in order to debase simultaneously the national ideals and the national blood.  Destroyers of Aryan civilizations, they remain impotent to create a civilization of their own.  His concern for social betterment (‘true Socialism’) as a necessary prerequisite to the acceptance of his ideals by the masses. . . .  His contempt for parliamentary institutions as the organs of such a democracy, which substitutes for the decision of a competent leader the majority vote of the incompetent.  A parliament, moreover, says Hitler, is the natural field of operations for the Jewish Socialist enemy.  [. . . ] Living in the grinding poverty of the Vienna slums, Hitler soon realized that a wholesome national pride could not be aroused in men who lacked the necessities of life.  Hence his interest in social betterment, which ultimately brought the word ‘Socialist’ into the name of his party.  Like William Morris, he turned to Socialism as a necessary preliminary to the dissemination of his great idea.  Morris became a Socialist, bent on improving the living conditions of the English masses, in order to make them listen to his artistic gospel.  Hitler became a Socialist (in his sense of the word) so that the German masses would listen to his gospel of nationalism. . . .  In reacting against the internationalism and class-consciousness of the orthodox Socialists (‘Marxists’ is the term Hitler always uses), he has made himself the outstanding opponent of all Communistic tendencies.  This explains the ease with which Hitler appears to have got money for carrying on his movement from capitalists, who could hardly be thought anxious to see him come to power.  [. . . ] He perceived that the Socialist members of Parliament were mostly Jews, and, worst of all, that no paper controlled by a Jew was out and out nationalistic.  He concluded that in everything the Jews were poisonous, immoral, and un German.  In other words, Hitler and his party utilized the word “socialist” to rebrand a populist form of fascism, and as a means of enticement.  However, his ideology was not actually socialist.  The original claim pointed to a purported photograph of the “League of Nazi Socialist women who supported Hitler’s dream of a socialist paradise” and “always went to public events dressed in white. ” There was no “League of Nazi Socialist women,” Hitler did not “dream of a. . .


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

Bryant was one of nine people killed when a helicopter went down in Calabasas. Kobe Bryant’s career on the courtCelebrity sports fans from around the world are paying homage to NBA legend Kobe Bryant after he died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday. Fellow former NBA stars Dwyane Wade, Paul Pierce and Scottie Pippen were among the high-profile players who reacted to news of the beloved basketball player's death. Bryant was one of nine people on a private helicopter that went down in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, killing everyone on board.  He was 41 years old. Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also killed in the crash, according to the NBA. "Please no.  Please god no.  It can't be true," Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love added. NBA legend Michael Jordan released a statement saying, "I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe's and Gianna's passing.  Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling.  I loved Kobe -- he was like a little brother to me.  We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much.  He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. ""Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply -- and took great pride in his daughter's love for the game of basketball," Jordan continued.  "Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization and basketball fans around the world. ""I’m stunned.  Words can’t even come close to describing it.  Just an incredibly sad and tragic day," Pippen, an NBA Hall of Famer, tweeted. "It's a shocker to everyone, unbelievably said, and one of the more tragic days that -- well, for me the reality is just setting in," golfer Tiger Woods said in an interview after finishing his final round at the Farmers Insurance Open.  He said he was told of Bryant's death just after leaving the 18th green and was unaware why people were shouting "Do it for Mamba" during his round. Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell tweeted an image of he and Bryant along with a caption that said he was praying for his wife and children. "Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game!  Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls.  @kobebryant," Russell said.  "You were my biggest fan, but I was yours #RIPMAMBA "Twitter temporarily wasn't working at around 3 p. m.  ET as news of the player's death flooded the platform.  The term "Kobe" quickly became the No.  1 trending topic on Twitter, followed by "Mamba" and "BlackMamba. ""Can’t be true.  Just can’t be.  Truly truly horrific.  Rest In Peace Kobe," NFL player JJ Watt tweeted.  Similarly, Wade said, "Nooooooooooo God please No! " In another post, Wade added: "RIP Kobe + GiGi ❤💔 I know you said keep going but today we can’t.  We love you and we’re gonna miss you brother. "The world of hip-hop also mourned the NBA champion's death, with Drake posting a mural of Bryant on Instagram and R&B singer John Legend reminding fans to hold their loved ones close. "I'm so sad and stunned right now.  In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle," Legend, who was preparing for the Grammy Awards, tweeted.  "Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes.  Hold on to your loved ones.  We miss you, Kobe. "The mayor of Los Angeles, where Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, also mourned the player's death. "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," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. Here's a look at how other celebrity fans are mourning the basketball star's death:NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson"Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball.  We had so much in common off the court.  I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy.  I will miss those conversations and him so much. "Former President Barack Obama "Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.  To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents.  Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day. "Retired NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar"Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players.  But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. "New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady"We miss you already Kobe. "R&B superstar Mariah Carey"In shock right now.  RIP Kobe. "Rapper Wyclef Jean"A true gladiator in our life time.  You will be forever embedded in our memories, our childrens memories, and generations to come.  @kobebryant"Singer Demi Lovato"This makes me so sad.  Kobe you were always so sweet to me.  Known you over 10 years. .  not super well but we always joked about you coming over and playing that game of horse!  You will he so missed by so many.  You’re a legend with wings now.  RIP Kobe 💔💔💔"Actress Reese Witherspoon"Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant . 💔An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man.  Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family.  To his entire @NBA family as well. "Singer Justin Bieber"It can't be.  You always encouraged me mamba.  Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day. !  Love you man! "Former Lakers teammate Pau Gasol"Beyond devastated. . .  my big brother. . .  I can’t, I just can’t believe it. "Actor Vin Diesel"Heavy heart today. . .  to the family, please know how much he impacted all of our lives and will live on in our hearts.  Sending the deepest of condolences to all involved.  Our prayers. . .  for the family of this true hero. "Comedian Kevin Hart"This honestly doesn’t make sense. . . . I just saw you man.  This hurts my heart.  God please place your hands on his family and help guide them thru this unbearable time.  We love you forever man. . . Legends never die! ! ! !  #MambaMentality #RIP. . . .  RIP to the other passengers as well as sending prayers to their families. "Former LA Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal"There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant  I love u and u will be missed.  My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board.  IM SICK RIGHT NOW. "Former NBA player Jalen RoseOn Jan.  22, 2006, Rose, who was playing for the Toronto Raptors, faced off against Bryant with Lakers when Bryant scored a historic 81 points.  It was the best game of his career.  Rose is now an ESPN sports analyst. “We couldn’t’ stop him clearly,” Rose, who tried to block Bryant during that game, told ABC News.  “We joked after the game, at least we kept him under a hundred points -- how about that? ”“I’ll miss most somebody that continued to beat to their own drum, was never phony, but yet always found ways to not only stay true to himself but a lot of times early in his career… He was somebody that was in the gym working.  He wasn’t partying, he wasn’t out trying to drink, he wasn’t doing all of that,” he said. “He was really trying to be better than Michael Jordan.  And I’ll remember somebody that took that challenge head on and got as close as anybody will ever do. ”ABC News' Allie Yang contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Sixteen people tested positive for COVID-19 in Manipur in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 713. A total of 896 patients have recovered from the disease so far: State govt https://t.co/R2Bi78kkl2

The Odisha government is likely to announce a reduction in school syllabus for students for the academic year 2020-21 in the coming days, in view of COVID-19 pandemic, State School and Mass Education Minister, Sameer Ramjan Das said on Monday. Speaking to ANI, Das said, “We are working on the issue of syllabus reduction for students.  Though no decision has been taken yet on how much it will be reduced, a clear picture is likely to come in a couple of days. ”“All the schools in Odisha are now closed till August 31, as per the previous decision.  Odisha is now witnessing a peak in COVID-19 cases and the month of September is also going to be crucial in the ongoing fight against coronavirus,” Das added. The minister said that the percentage of reduction in the syllabus can only be decided after the dates to reopen schools. “It’s time to wait what guidelines are issued by the Centre, and then the state government will take a decision after reviewing the COVID situation.  The percentage of reduction can be ascertained only after the dates of the reopening of schools are decided,” he said. Recently, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) revised the syllabus for the classes IX to XII during the academic session 2020-21 in the wake of the situation created by COVID-19. In a circular issued to all the heads of the institutions affiliated to it, the CBSE said that the revision of syllabi has been done due to extraordinary situation prevailing in the country and different parts of the world.