Timelapse video shows the Apple Fire burning in Southern California. The blaze has grown to more than 20,000 acres, forcing at least 7,000 people to evacuate. It's only 5% contained, officials say. https://t.co/CpyqjxXRml https://t.co/2VSu4MKOHD

The fire has been burning since Friday afternoon. Arson investigators on the scene of California’s ‘Apple Fire’After more than two days, firefighters are starting to contain the enormous Apple Fire burning in Southern California. As of Sunday night, the blaze had burned more than 20,500 acres in Riverside County, officials said. The fire was 5% contained as of Sunday night, according to officials with the San Bernardino National Forest Service. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate as the massive wildfire continues to rage. More than 2,200 firefighters, along with several air tankers and helicopters, have been deployed to battle the blaze from the ground and air, the Riverside County Fire Department said.  The northern and eastern edges of the fire are in steep, rugged hillsides not accessible to firefighting vehicles, officials said. About 7,800 people in 2,586 homes in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties were under evacuation orders as of Saturday evening, authorities said. At least one home and two outbuildings in Cherry Valley were destroyed by the fire, officials said.  No injuries have been reported. The wildfire has been burning since Friday afternoon.  Fire officials reported at least two separate fires -- one about 3 acres, the second about 20 acres -- burning near each other shortly before 5 p. m.  on Friday.  Three hours later, the fire was 700 acres, officials said, prompting evacuation orders. By Saturday morning, the blaze had more than doubled in size, to 1,900 acres.  More evacuation warnings and orders were issued throughout the day, with several remaining in place Sunday. The San Bernardino National Forest Service is in unified command with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, among other agencies. As of Friday, 38 large fires had burned more than 196,000 acres across the country so far this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


West Bengal: BJP MP Saumitra Khan's wife Sujata Mondal Khan joins Trinamool Congress in Kolkata. https://t.co/xBukTrfEWB

Sujata Mondal Khan, wife of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Bengal youth front president Saumitra Khan, joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday, saying the state’s main opposition party was filling its ranks with corrupt and ambitious leaders from other parties by promising them high posts.  She alleged that she was not shown any respect in the BJP although she worked hard for it when the party was struggling.  The 32-year-old woman did not hold any important post in the BJP.  Her sudden move unfolded an unprecedented family drama in Bengal politics with Khan, 39, quickly calling a media conference and declaring that he will send her divorce papers within 24 hours.  “I am heartbroken to see 10 years of companionship coming to an end in this manner.  The Lakshmi (the Hindu goddess of prosperity) of my home has been stolen,” said Khan as tears rolled down his cheeks.  “Sujata, I will send you papers for mutual divorce.  Please sign them and do not use Khan, my surname, from today,” he said.  “We had some differences during the past few months.  She wanted an important position in the BJP but I had no inkling that she was drifting away from me,” said the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) state president and Lok Sabha member.  Saumitra Khan is a former TMC leader who joined the BJP in January 2019.  He was the TMC’s Lok Sabha member from Bishnupur in Bankura district.  He retained the seat by contesting for the BJP and was made president of the state BJYM about three months ago.  “I observed with pain that people who are corrupt and over-ambitious, those who can be called rotten apples, are being herded into the BJP.  There is no place for hardworking people who fight for their principles,” Sujata Khan said at the TMC headquarters in Kolkata about two hours before her husband reacted.  “I married him going against the wishes of my family.  I love him and will always do so.  I still have the red sindoor (vermilion) on my forehead,” she told the media an hour after her husband talked of divorce.  “Can a personal relationship end in divorce because of politics.  No TMC leader told me that I have to divorce him to join the ruling party,” she added.  Sujata Khan was welcomed into the TMC by Lok Sabha member Saugata Roy and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.  “Sujata is like my daughter.  We are happy to have her in the party,” said Roy.  When she was asked about her husband at the TMC office, Sujata Khan said, “Who knows whether he, too, will not join the TMC in future. ” Her husband ruled out such a possibility.  “I am a die-hard soldier of the BJP.  In the coming polls I will present all seven segments in my Lok Sabha constituency to Narendra Modi Ji,” he quipped.  Without naming Suvendu Adhikari, the former TMC minister who joined the BJP in presence of Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday along with six other TMC MLAs and three more from the Left and Congress, Sujata Khan said, “Some people are joining the BJP with the hope of becoming the next chief minister or deputy chief minister.  Dozens of people have been promised these posts.  Imagine having a dozen deputy chief ministers. ” Her husband, however, refuted this.  “This is baseless.  Everybody has a role allotted to him or her.  Nobody is big or small in the BJP,” he said.  “I am happy to see the TMC going through a cleansing process as the greedy and the bad apples are flocking to the BJP,” said the BJYM state president’s estranged wife.  “Only those who realized that they are not going to be fielded by the TMC in the assembly polls in 2021 are leaving,” she said at the TMC headquarters.  Jay Prakash Majumdar, state vice-president of the BJP, said, “Unlike Saumitra Khan, his wife does not have a history in politics.  This does not have any political significance for us. ”


India invites you to invest in finance and insurance. India has raised FDI cap for investment in insurance to 49%. Now 100% FDI is permitted for investment in insurance intermediaries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at India Ideas Summit hosted by US-India Business Council https://t.co/MLAEkunHB7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is delivering the keynote address at the India Ideas Summit today.  The summit is being hosted by the US-India Business Council.  “This year marks the 45th anniversary of the formation of the Council.  The theme for this year’s India Ideas Summit is ‘Building a Better Future’,” a statement from the PMO said. “Looking forward to addressing the India Ideas Summit, organised by @USIBC today at 9 PM.  Will be sharing my views on ‘Building a Better Future. ’ Do watch,” PM Modi tweeted. Other key speakers at the Summit include Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, among others. Follow highlights here:•The US-India friendship has scaled many heights in the past.  Now it is time our partnership plays an important role in helping the world bounce back faster after the pandemic: PM Modi•For this vision, there are few better partners than the United States of America.  India and the USA are two vibrant democracies with shared values.  We are natural partners: PM Modi•The rise of India means: a rise in trade opportunities with a nation that you can trust, a rise in global integration with increasing openness, a rise in your competitiveness with access to a market which offers scale: PM Modi•Every year, we are reaching record highs in FDI.  Each year is significantly higher than the earlier one.  FDI inflows in India in 2019-20 were 74 billion dollars.  This is an increase of 20 percent from the year before that: PM Modi•When the markets are open, when the opportunity is high and the options are many, can optimism be far behind!  You can see the optimism when India rises in key business ratings.  Particularly the Ease of Doing Business ratings of the World Bank: PM Modi•India invites you to invest in finance and insurance.  India has raised FDI cap for investment in insurance to 49 percent.  Now 100 percent FDI is permitted for investment in insurance intermediaries: PM Modi•India invites you to invest in defense and space.  We are raising the FDI cap for investment in defense sector to 74 percent.  India has established two defense corridors to encourage production of defense equipment and platforms: PM Modi•Civil Aviation is another area of great potential growth.  The number of Air passengers are expected to more than double within next 8 years.  The top private Indian airlines plan to include over a thousand new aircraft over the coming decade: PM Modi•India invites you to invest in infrastructure.  Our nation is witnessing the largest infrastructure creation drive in our history.  Come, be a partner in building housing for millions, or building roads, highways and ports in our nation: PM Modi•India invites you to invest in energy.  As India evolves into a gas-based economy, there will be big investment opportunities for US companies.  There are also big opportunities in the clean energy sector: PM Modi•India invites you to invest in healthcare.  The Healthcare sector in India is growing faster than 22 percent every year.  Our companies are also progressing in production of medical-technology, tele-medicine and diagnostics: PM Modi•India has done historic reforms in the agriculture sector recently.  There are investment opportunities in: Agricultural inputs and machinery, Agriculture supply chain management, Ready-to-eat items, Fisheries and Organic produce: PM Modi•Opportunities in technology also include opportunities in the frontier technologies of 5G, Big data analytics, Quantum computing, Block-chain and Internet of things: PM Modi•India is emerging as a land of opportunities.  Let me give you one example of the tech sector.  Recently, an interesting report came out in India.  It said for the first time ever, there are more rural internet users than even urban internet users: PM Modi•India is contributing towards a prosperous and resilient world through the clarion call of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.  For that, we await your partnership: PM Modi at India Ideas Summit hosted by US-India Business Council•During the last six years, we have made many efforts to make our economy more open and reform oriented.  Reforms have ensured increased ‘Competitiveness’, enhanced ‘Transparency’, expanded ‘Digitization’, greater ‘Innovation’ and more ‘Policy stability’: PM Modi•Global economic resilience can be achieved by stronger domestic economic capacities.  This means improved domestic capacity for manufacturing, restoring the health of the financial system and diversification of international trade: PM Modi•We all agree that world is in need for a better future.  And, it is all of us who have to collectively give shape to the future.  I firmly believe that our approach to future must primarily be a more human-centric one: PM Modi at India Ideas Summit by US-India Business Council• PM Modi delivers keynote address at India Ideas Summit hosted by US-India Business Council (USIBC), via video conferencing. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the India Ideas Summit today.


AIADMK, DMK, MNM invite applications from ticket aspirants for Tamil Nadu assembly polls

https://t.co/2WuYjutYJD https://t.co/MCsSrYOq50

Archrivals AIADMK and DMK, besides the Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam on Monday announced distribution of applications for aspirants for party tickets to contest the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Assembly polls in the coming days. While both the ruling AIADMK and main opposition DMK have been actively campaigning for the polls, the ruling party was the first to invite applications from party workers for the polls, followed by its rival later in the day. Haasan, whose party will distribute the applications online also, said even non-members were welcome to apply for a ticket if they believed they had the due qualifications. Aspirants for party tickets can get applications between February 24 and March 5 from the party headquarters here, AIADMK top leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami said in a release. The applications should be duly filled and submitted at the headquarters during the period by paying a fee of ₹15,000 for Tamil Nadu and ₹5,000 for Puducherry, they said. Those desirous of fighting polls in neighbouring Kerala may also get the applications by remitting ₹2,000, the party said. DMK general secretary Durai Murugan announced that ticket aspirants can submit filled-up application forms, priced at ₹1,000, from February 17 to 24. The fee for general constituency was ₹25,000 whereas it was ₹15,000 for women and reserved segments, he said in a DMK release. The money will be refunded later if the constituency for which a DMK member had applied for was allotted to an alliance party, he added. Seat sharing parleys with allies like the BJP in the AIADMK camp and with partners, including the Congress in the DMK front, are yet to commence. Haasan's MNM also fixed a price of ₹25,000 for applicants but made it clear the amount was non-refundable. "This sum will be used for party's expenses.  Whether or not your application is accepted, the money will not be refunded.  It will be your contribution towards honest politics," Haasan said. Application forms will be available both digitally as well as in party offices and ticket aspirants can submit the filled-in ones starting February 21, he said in a release. Haasan invited applications from interested persons for all 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and the 30 in neighbouring Puducherry. The party will also contest the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha bypoll, slated to be held along with TN polls, he said. The vacancy arose due to the death of Congress MP H Vasantha Kumar last year due to Covid-19.


What a moment! #Oscars https://t.co/zSrvQG8ZE6 https://t.co/3hZPoOgp0c

  The 91st Academy Awards was a night marked by historic firsts, inclusiveness and a final twist.

  The following is a list of nominees and the winners.

  “Black Panther”

  “BlacKkKlansman”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody”

  “The Favourite”

  “Green Book” *WINNER

  “Roma”

  “A Star Is Born”

  “Vice”

  Amy Adams, “Vice”

  Marina de Tavira, “Roma”

  Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk” *WINNER

  Emma Stone, “The Favourite”

  Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”

  Mahershala Ali, “Green Book” *WINNER

  Adam Driver, “BlackKKlansman”

  Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”

  Richard E.  Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me”

  Sam Rockwell, “Vice”

  “Capernaum”

  “Cold War”

  “Never Look Away”

  “Roma” *WINNER

  “Shoplifters”

  “Black Sheep”

  “End Game”

  “Lifeboat”

  “A Night at the Garden”

  “Period.  End of Sentence. ” *WINNER

  “Free Solo” *WINNER

  “Hale County This Morning, This Evening”

  “Minding the Gap”

  “Of Fathers and Sons”

  “RBG”

  “All The Stars” - “Black Panther”

  “I’ll Fight” - “RBG”

  “Shallow” - “A Star Is Born *WINNER

  “The Place Where Lost Things Go”  - “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” - “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

  “Incredibles 2”

  “Isle of Dogs”

  “Mirai”

  “Ralph Breaks the Internet”

  “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” *WINNER

  “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

  “BlacKkKlansman” *WINNER

  “Can You Ever Forgive Me? ”

  “If Beale Street Could Talk”

  “A Star Is Born”

  “First Reformed”

  “Green Book” *WINNER

  “Roma”

  “The Favourite”

  “Vice”

  Christian Bale, “Vice”

  Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”

  Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

  Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”

  Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”

  Glenn Close, “The Wife”

  Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”

  Olivia Colman, “The Favourite” *WINNER

  Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me? ”

  Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman”

  Pawel Pawlikowski, “Cold War”

  Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Favourite”

  Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma” *WINNER

  Adam McKay, “Vice”

  “Black Panther” *WINNER

  “The Favourite”

  “First Man”

  “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “Roma”

  “Cold War”

  “The Favourite”

  “Never Look Away”

  “Roma” *WINNER

  “A Star Is Born”

  “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

  “Black Panther” *WINNER

  “The Favourite”

  “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “Mary Queen of Scots”

  “A Quiet Place”

  “Black Panther”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  “First Man”

  “Roma”

  “Black Panther”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  “First Man”

  “Roma”

  “A Star Is Born”

  “Animal Behaviour”

  “Bao” *WINNER

  “Late Afternoon”

  “One Small Step”

  “Weekends”

  “Detainment”

  “Fauve”

  “Marguerite”

  “Mother”

  “Skin” *WINNER

  “Black Panther” *WINNER

  “BlacKkKlansman”

  “If Beale Street Could Talk”

  “Isle of Dogs”

  “Mary Poppins Returns”

  “Avengers: Infinity War”

  “Christopher Robin”

  “First Man” *WINNER

  “Ready Player One”

  “Solo: A Star Wars Story”

  “BlacKkKlansman”

  “Bohemian Rhapsody” *WINNER

  “Green Book”

  “The Favourite”

  “Vice”

  “Border”

  “Mary Queen of Scots”

  “Vice” *WINNER
© 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


‘MH-60 Romeo in all its glory’: Lockheed Martin shares photo of chopper for Indian Navy

https://t.co/afUZzK0mAE https://t.co/3gc5aEPWdl

American defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin on Friday shared the photo of MH-60 Romeo chopper in Indian colours.  The chopper will be inducted in the Indian Navy. “This #NavyDay, we are proud to share the first look of the #IndianNavy’s #MH60R in all its glory.  #RomeoForIndia,” Lockheed Martin posted on Twitter.  This #NavyDay, we are proud to share the first look of the #IndianNavy’s #MH60R in all its glory.  #RomeoForIndia 🇮🇳#NavyDay2020 pic. twitter. com/vZoOgFq4DHIndia had signed $2. 6 billion deal in 2019 to buy 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin. Designed for hunting submarines as well as knocking out ships and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea, the Lockheed Martin-built helicopters would replenish India’s aging fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters. The multi-mission helicopters can detect, track and attack submarines and surface ships. On Friday, the US also approved the sale of $90 million worth of military hardware and services to India in support of its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft. The Pentagon said that the proposed sale ensures the previously procured aircraft operates effectively to serve the needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Army and the Navy transport requirements, local and international humanitarian assistance, and regional disaster relief. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and improve the security of a “Major Defence Partner”, according to the the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the Department of Defence. The DSCA also said that India continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region. India and the United States have been ramping up defence ties in recent years with joint military exercises, exchanges and exchanges.  They held their first 2+2 ministerial in September 2018 - a simultaneous meeting for their defence and foreign ministers.  They ended years of discussions and back-and-forth and signed two enabling agreement LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) and COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in recent years to improve interoperability between their militaries. In 2016, the US had designated India as a “Major Defence Partner” intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners.


Panaji: Prime Minister @narendramodi and Defence Minister @nsitharaman pay last respects to Goa CM #ManoharParrikar (ANI)

For more updates: https://t.co/SMvOq6sdCn https://t.co/siSPcWoYHi

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


A post accompanying an image that resembles Hindu God Hanuman is being widely shared across social media platforms with a claim that the image shows a statue of an ancient American God known as ‘Monkey God’ in the Denver Art Museum.  Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. Claim: Image showing statue of an ancient American God known as ‘Monkey God’. Fact: According to Denver Art Museum, the sculpture was carved by an unknown artist during the 1800s in Southern India and the sculpture shows Hanuman, the Hindu monkey-god.  As per the information the sculpture was purchased by the museum in 1991.  This is not a sculpture of American ‘Monkey God’.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. Reverse image search of the photo in the post led us to Denver Art Museum website which provides information related to the sculpture.  According to the details provided on the website, ‘this wooden sculpture was carved by an unknown artist during the 1800s in Southern India (perhaps in the regions of Tamil Nadu or Kerala).  This sculpture shows Hanuman, the Hindu monkey-god, kneeling in devotion to the god Rama’.  Also, as per the information the sculpture was purchased by the museum in 1991.  This establishes the fact that the sculpture is of Hindu God Hanuman but not American ‘Monkey God’. The same image is being shared in other languages with a claim that the sculpture was excavated during the time of Obama’s Presidency and thus he is an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman.  Further, the posts recommend a book titled ‘The Lost City of The Monkey God’ to get more insights about the excavation.  However, our research found that the sculpture has nothing to do with Obama as it was purchased by the museum much before Obama’s Presidential years.  In an interview, Obama said that he carries a small statuette of Hindu God Hanuman which he received from a woman.  However, there is no credible evidence to prove that Obama is an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman. Further, the book recommended in the post is actually a book written by Douglas Preston about series of expeditions starting from the 1920s to the latest one using LIDAR in 2012 in which it is revealed that there is indeed a hidden city under the pristine forests of Honduras.  The hidden city is also known as ‘City of Monkey God’ as it is believed by indigenous people that there is a huge statue of Monkey God under the forest.  An article written by Douglas Preston about the expeditions much before he penning the book can be read here.  However, the book has nothing to do with the sculpture shown in the post. To sum it up, this is an old sculpture of Hindu God Hanuman, not American Monkey God.


The Oscar for best costume design went to Ruth Carter, and in her own words, it was "a long time coming." Carter won for "Black Panther" and became the first African American to take home the statue. https://t.co/9KGOWwKBl1 #Oscars https://t.co/LVaMf5Ze4y

Regina King won the award for best actress in a supporting role. Regina King dedicates 1st Oscar win to James BaldwinRegina King won the award for best actress in a supporting role for her performance in "If Beale Street Could Talk" at the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. The 47-year-old actress beat Marina de Tavira from “Roma,” Amy Adams from "Vice" and Emma Stone from “The Favourite” to win the award. During her acceptance speech, King praised the late James Baldwin, author of the 1974 novel the movie is based on. "To be standing here, representing one of the greatest artists of our time, James Baldwin, is a little surreal," she said. I'm an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone. "James Baldwin birthed this baby, and Barry, you nurtured her, you surrounded her with so much love and support, so it's appropriate to be standing here," she added, referencing the film's director, Barry Jenkins. "I'm an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone," she said. "Mom, I love you so much," she added, directly addressing her mother.  "Thank you for teaching me that God is always leaning -- always has been leaning in my direction. "King also thanked the cast and crew of "If Beale Street Could Talk. "Of her fellow nominees, she said, "It has been an honor to have my name just said with yours.  This whole step of the way, it's been pretty amazing. ""God is good all the time," she said, concluded her acceptance speech. King also spoke about the significance of being at the biggest award show in Hollywood during a pre-show interview with E! . “I can’t say that I didn’t expect to ever be at the Oscars, but to be at the Oscars representing James Baldwin is kind of mind blowing," she shared. King also shared how she was able to draw personal connections with her character in “If Beale Street Could Talk. ”“Well my mom, that’s the woman that she is, just giving, heart so huge, holds so much love in her heart, and that’s what Sharon was to me when I read her on the page, so I knew where to pull that from –- from my mother and my grandmother. ”King has had a whirlwind award season this year. She took home the Golden Globe for best performance by an actress in a supporting role, as well as a Critics' Choice Movie Award for best supporting actress for her role in "If Beale Street Could Talk. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


The message went viral on social media claiming that Barkat Ali, 25, who alleged that he has been beaten because of his Muslim identity on 25 May in Gurugram appears regularly on NDTV as an audience.  The viral message: NDTV का आदमी निकला गुरुग्राम का बरकत अली, बरकत अली ने फर्जी आरोप लगाया था मेरी टोपी उछाल दी गयी, जय श्री राम बुलवाया गया, हिन्दुओ के खिलाफ बड़ी भयंकर साजिश। वो NDTV के पुराने टीवी शोज में देखा गया ये शख्स NDTV का ऑडियंस है नफरत फैलाने के मकसद से सेकुलरों और वामपंथियोंने मिलकर”। Translation: Gurugram’s Barkat Ali turned out to be an NDTV’s man, Barkat Ali who had falsely alleged that his cap has been removed and he has been forced to chant Jai Shree Ram.  This is a very big and dangerous trap against the Hindus.  He has appeared on the old television shows of NDTV.  He is an audience member of NDTV and secular and leftist are spewing hate together.    NDTV का आदमी निकला गुरुग्राम का बरकत अली, बरकत अली ने फर्जी आरोप लगाया था मेरी टोपी उछाल दी गयी, जय श्री राम बुलवाया गया, हिन्दुओ के खिलाफ बड़ी भयंकर साजिश वो NDTV के पुराने टीवी शोज में देखा गया ये शख्स NDTV का ऑडियंस है नफरत फैलाने के मकसद से सेकुलरों और वामपंथियोंने मिलकर pic. twitter. com/2XwOkjq2NC — पप्पू मूत्र विक्रेता👉🇮🇳राष्ट्रप्रथम🇮🇳🙏 (@xmDzAvxz8qRn2eT) May 29, 2019  A Journalist from DD, Ashok Srivastava also shared a similar image while asking the question of whether Barkat has been trained at NDTV to spread venom and fake news #गुरुग्राम में #FakeNews का "नायक" @ndtvindia के स्टूडियो में। एंकर के बगल में खास सीट पर बैठाया गया है।बरकत आलम को #FakeNews और आपराधिक घटना को सांप्रदायिक रंग देने की ट्रेनिंग क्या #NDTV में ही दी गई ? #FakeNewsMedia pic. twitter. com/mCu8CEcDK3 — Ashok Shrivastav (@ashokshrivasta6) May 29, 2019  As Barkat Ali claims, he was been beaten on May 25 in Gurugram, and forced to chant Jai Shree Ram, his shirt was torn apart because he hailed from Muslim community.  “According to the police, CCTV footage of the spot shows that he had an argument with one passer-by and that resulted into a scuffle,” said Gurugram Police spokesperson Subhash Bokan, who has been stressing that there is “no communal angle” in the case,” reported by The New Indian Express.  The image is from a video of a NDTV program aired after the incident, never before.  According to the viral message, Barkat Ali is a regular member as an audience in NDTV.  The photograph used to promote this claim is the screenshot during the program We The People’s broadcast on May 26 regarding the Gurugram’s incident.  Barkat Ali was the present on the show to talk about the allegations he had made.   The link of the show is given below.  Barkat Ali can be heard describing the incident at 49:30 minute.   So, the claim of Barkat’s being a regular audience at NDTV is false as he has been invited only on 26 May to talk about the specific incident happened with him on the night of May 25 in Gurugram.    Further, What Barkat Ali claimed also came out to be false later when Police checked the CCTV footage of the same place where the incident took place.
हरियाणा के गुरुग्राम में सदर बाजार स्थित जामा मस्जिद के पास शनिवार रात एक कथित तौर पर एक मुस्लिम युवक की टोपी फेंकने और उससे ज़बरदस्ती ‘जय श्रीराम’ बुलवाने वाले मामले में नया मोड़ आ गया है.  पुलिस ने जांच में पाया है कि मुस्लिम युवक मोहम्मद बरकत अली के साथ मारपीट ज़रूर हुई है, लेकिन न तो उसकी टोपी फेंकी गई और न ही उसकी शर्ट किसी ने फाड़ी थी.  CCTV फुटेज से हुआ खुलासा पुलिस की शुरुआती जांच में ही मुस्लिम युवक के आरोप निराधार नज़र आ रहे हैं.  सीसीटीवी की फुटेज देखने पर सामने आया है कि युवक को आरोपी ने नहीं, बल्कि एक अन्य युवक ने रोका था.  फुटेज में न तो शिकायतकर्ता युवक की टोपी फेंकी गई है.  न ही उसके कपड़े फाड़ने की कोई घटना है.  पुलिस ने बताया कि कहासुनी के बाद दोनों में हाथापाई हुई थी, जिससे मुस्लिम युवक की टोपी गिर गई.  ‘टोपी को उसने खुद ही उठाकर जेब में रख लिया था, किसी और ने उसे हाथ भी नहीं लगाया.  हालांकि, सीसीटीवी फुटेज में दिख रहा है कि आरोपी बरकत अली की बाजू पर डंडा मारता नज़र आ रहा है.  CCTV proves that no one threw his cap or tore his shirt, the cap fell down because of the scuffle which he picked up and kept in his pocket.    Several users on Twitter and Facebook shared a similar text and image as it went viral on social media platforms.  NDTV का आदमी निकला गुरुग्राम का बरकत अली, बरकत अली ने फर्जी आरोप लगाया था मेरी टोपी उछाल दी गयी, जय श्री राम बुलवाया गया, हिन्दुओ के खिलाफ बड़ी भयंकर साजिश वो NDTV के पुराने टीवी शोज में देखा गया ये शख्स NDTV का ऑडियंस है नफरत फैलाने के मकसद से सेकुलरों और वामपंथियोंने मिलकर pic. twitter. com/YEuj4e2Lnw — Kala Chaturvedi (@kala_chaturvedi) May 29, 2019  NDTV का आदमी निकला गुरुग्राम का बरकत अली, बरकत अली ने फर्जी आरोप लगाया था मेरी टोपी उछाल दी गयी, जय श्री राम बुलवाया गया, हिन्दुओ के खिलाफ बड़ी भयंकर साजिश वो NDTV के पुराने टीवी शोज में देखा गया ये शख्स NDTV का ऑडियंस है नफरत फैलाने के मकसद से #secular #libtards pic. twitter. com/tae9ln010Y — Ashok Singh (@TheAshokSingh) May 29, 2019  NDTV का आदमी निकला गुरुग्राम का बरकत अली, हिन्दुओ के खिलाफ बड़ी भयंकर साजिशबरकत अली ने फर्जी आरोप लगाया था की मेरी टोपी उछाल दी गयी, जय श्री राम बुलवाया गया, हिन्दुओ के खिलाफ बड़ी भयंकर साजिश pic. twitter. com/dSPVK2XrAO — Anil Kumar Upadhyay (@Anil_k_upadhyay) May 29, 2019


On social media, a video of Ambedkar statue being vandalised by a person is being shared with the claim that the incident took place at Wayanad in Kerala.  Let’s try to check the veracity of that claim.  Claim: Video of Ambedkar statue being vandalised at Wayanad. Fact: The video shows the Ambedkar statue being destroyed at Nagapattinam in Tamilnadu.  So, the claim is FALSE. When searched on YouTube with the keywords “Ambedkar statue vandalised”, many search results were obtained.  A search result among them carried the same video clip that was in the Facebook post.  That video was uploaded by “Kanak News” on August 25, 2019.  As per this video, the incident has taken place in Tamilnadu state. When searched further, a news video of “BBC News Tamil” that covered about the incident was found and it corroborated that the incident has taken place at Nagapattinam in Tamilnadu. To conclude, this video doesn’t show Ambedkar statue being vandalised at Wayanad.  The incident took place in Nagapattinam of Tamilnadu. Did you watch our new Episode of the DECODE series on Indian Rivers?


Foreign envoys who are on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir meet the civil administration in Jammu https://t.co/uauzDekA2o

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit West Bengal at least twice in the next two weeks to bolster the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) campaign in the poll-bound state, party leaders said.  While the Prime Minister is scheduled to flag off the extension of the city’s north-south Metro corridor from Noapara to Dakshineshwar on February 22, he is also likely to address a public rally in Hooghly district.  Then, he is again expected to visit the state to address a rally from the Brigade Parade Ground in the heart of Kolkata on March 7.  “The March 7 rally would mark the closing ceremony of the Poriborton Rath Yatras, which are presently passing through all the 294 assembly constituencies,” said a BJP leader on the condition of anonymity.  Also Read | Amit Shah promises ‘Sonar Bangla’, Mamata steps up attack on BJPThe BJP had launched five rath yatras as a part of its mega outreach programme, one each from the party’s five organisational zones.  The fifth and final yatra was flagged off by Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday.  “All zones have been asked to complete their rath yatras before March 7.  The participants, including top party leaders, both from the state and the Centre, including central ministers along with BJP workers, would be present at Modi’s Brigade rally,” said the leader.  The crucial assembly elections are due in West Bengal in March – April this year and the BJP, which had made deep inroads in the state during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls by winning 18 of the 42 seats, is targeting more than 200 of the 294 assembly seats.  Modi had addressed his maiden public rally in poll-bound West Bengal on February 7 at East Midnapore district.


President Trump said that there have been more than two million coronavirus tests conducted in the United States, but conceded that mass testing is not going to happen https://t.co/XaLcHXIMIP

He also believes election reform needs to happen before November.  Coronavirus daily update: April 08, 2020Dr.  Zeke Emanuel, one of the key architects of the Affordable Care Act and a special adviser to the director general of the World Health Organization, said on ABC News’ "Powerhouse Politics" podcast that he doesn’t anticipate life fully returning to normal for another 18 months, based on guidance from health professionals in the Trump administration. "The kind of normal where we go traveling, we go to restaurants, we go to concerts, we go to religious services, we go on cruises, until we have a vaccine that protects everyone.  That's 18 months, it's not going to be sooner," Emanuel told ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and Political Director Rick Klein. "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," the oncologist, bioethicist and professor and vice provost at the University of Pennsylvania said. Emanuel joined the show to promote his new podcast, "Making the Call," where the hosts evaluate the ethics surrounding governmental responses to the pandemic.  He is a former special adviser on health policy to the director of the Office of Management and Budget and National Economic Council in the Obama administration.  His brother, ABC News contributor Rahm Emanuel served as President Barack Obama's chief of staff. For the nation to be prepared to operate normally, Emanuel said, the number of new cases needs to be brought down to zero -- but the United States doesn’t have the infrastructure in place to handle that kind of oversight. "You have to have a structure and infrastructure that allows you to test and quickly quarantine and isolate people who are suspected or test positive for COVID.  We're not there yet," he said. Tune into ABC at 1 p. m.  ET and ABC News Live at 4 p. m.  ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis. Karl highlighted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for how the nation functions are set to expire on April 30. "What happens on April 30? " Karl asked. The plan is going to expire, Emanuel said.  The government has no choice but to renew it. "We're going to have to renew it because some places in the country will have reached the top of the curve and coming back back down, some patients in the country won't have reached the top of the curve," Emanuel said, adding that rural areas of the country likely won’t have reached their peak by the time the guidelines are set to expire. "We watch the daily response from federal health officials.  What goes through your mind, what are the things that should be said now, and done now, from the federal level that are glaring in your mind that that aren't happening? " Klein asked. "Well, I do think we need a more strategic plan for what do we do in the next 18 months," Emanuel said. "I noticed that every bailout bill seems to be … we have this bailout for small businesses, keeping people on their payroll (for) eight weeks, we have an extension of unemployment (for) 13 weeks, as if somehow at the end of three months it's going to be magically different.  This is an18-month process," Emanuel said. He also called on the federal response for distributing ventilators and personal protective equipment to be stronger. "The federal government in this case is competing with the states for new ventilators, for PPE.  And that's not helpful.  The federal government ought to be bulk purchasing it and ought to be then distributing it based upon need at the moment," Emanuel said. If life can’t return to normal for 18 months, that has key implications for November, Karl said, "What's the outlook there?  It's obviously going to be well before we have a vaccine. ""I think we need to plan now -- you're going to have to have a different model, either voting by internet, voting by mail, voting early, so that people have a chance to go over time," Emanuel said. "I think this is, you know, this is unfortunately a perfect model for Republican suppression of voting," he said. On Tuesday, Wisconsin held in-person voting after Republicans blocked Democrats from delaying the election or moving to an entirely mail-in system. "This is a perfect storm situation for, you know, just not getting a lot of those people who want to vote, even though everyone was predicting this would be a super record turnout because of the high stakes of this election," Emanuel said. Emanuel, who helped build the Affordable Care Act, a topic of discussion in recent weeks as Americans struggle with health care coverage, said a universal health care system is the best way to fill in the gaps during a pandemic. "COVID-19 is a great argument for universal health care coverage that isn't 'hole-y' and doesn't allow, you know, millions of people to slip through.  It is an argument for simplification of the system," Emanuel said. "Sen.  (Bernie) Sanders is right, we definitely need to have a universal coverage system where all 100% of people in the United States are covered," he continued.  "Certainly the Affordable Care Act was not put in place thinking about a pandemic, I can say that categorically having been involved and also having thought about pandemics. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Maharashtra: 2 more #COVID19 positive cases (one male & one female) reported in Dharavi, Mumbai today, taking total number of positive coronavirus cases in the area to 5. https://t.co/LHhwEeZprT

India on Saturday entered the eleventh of the 3-week coronavirus lockdown.  On Saturday, the health ministry updated the number of Covid-19 cases in the country to 2,902 including 2,650 active cases, 183 patients who have recovered and 68 fatalities.  Maharashtra continues to be on the top of the coronavirus tally with over 400 active cases.  The national capital saw a dramatic rise in Covid-19 cases and now stands with over 350 cases outnumbering Kerala.  Here’s the statewise breakup of coronavirus cases in the country.  MaharashtraWith 423 Covid-19 cases, Maharashtra has registered the highest number coronavirus cases in the country.  The state has recorded 19 deaths so far while 42 patients have recovered. Tamil NaduIn a dramatic turn of events, the southern state has seen a rapid rise in the Covid-19 cases which now stand at a whopping 411 - second highest in the country.  Tamil Nadu has seen six recoveries and one Covid-19 death. DelhiDelhi closely follows with the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in the country.  As many as 386 people have tested positive of coronavirus in the national capital.  Six people have died from the infection while eight people have made a recovery, as per the health ministry’s data. KeralaWith 295 coronavirus cases, Kerala is the fourth most coronavirus-affected state in the country.  As per the latest data by the Ministry of Health, Kerala has witnessed two deaths due to Covid-19 while 41 people have successfully recovered. RajasthanThe state has 179 positive cases of coronavirus with no reported cases of fatalities.  Three patients have recovered from the infection. Uttar Pradesh174 people have been infected from Covid-19 in the state.  While 19 people have recovered from coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh, two have died from the infection here. Andhra PradeshThe state has witnessed a sudden spike in its Covid-19 cases.  161 positive Covid-19 patients have been reported in the state and one case of recovery.  One person has died. Telangana158 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported from the state so far.  One person has made a recovery from the virus while seven people have died from Covid-19. KarnatakaThe state has recorded 128 Covid-19 cases and three deaths.  12 people have been cured and discharged. Madhya PradeshThe state has reported 104 positive cases of coronavirus.  Six people have died from Covid-19 here. GujaratPrime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state has registered 95 coronavirus cases and 0 recoveries so far.  Nine people have died from the infection in the state. Jammu and KashmirThe union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has seen the number of Covid-19 patients rising to 75.  Two people have died from the infection while three were cured. Haryana and PunjabThe neighbouring states have 49 and 53 Covid-19 cases respectively.  While 5 people have died in Punjab, Haryana has seen no deaths.  Twenty four people have recovered from Covid-19 in Haryana, one in Punjab. Sixty three people have been affected by the Sars-CoV-2 virus in West Bengal.  There have been three deaths and three recoveries in the state.  In Chandigarh, 18 people have contracted the Covid-19 disease.  Andaman has recorded 10 coronavirus cases.  Chhattisgarh has recorded nine cases of coronavirus, and three people have recovered.  In Bihar, 29 people have tested positive for coronavirus, one has died. Uttarakhand has 16 coronavirus patients, two patients have recovered from the infection.  Goa has reported six cases of Covid-19 disease.  Himachal Pradesh has six cases, one patient has died and one has recovered.  Odisha has five Covid-19 positive patients and Pondicherry has reported five cases, one has recovered. States and Union territories with just one positive Covid-19 case include Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. India is under a 21-day nationwide coronavirus lockdown announced by PM Modi to break the chain of Covid-19 infection in the country.  In a video message released on Friday, the Prime Minister appreciated the discipline shown by the citizens during the lockdown.  The 21-day lockdown will end on April 14. Note: Figures are from official data released by the Ministry of Health, and may differ from realtime numbers released by various state governments subject to confirmation from the Centre.


Delhi: Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray and Minister in Maharashtra Government, Aaditya Thackeray arrive to meet Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi at her residence at 10, Janpath. https://t.co/yHNfvGryvr

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday accused some political leaders of instigating people against the amended citizenship law that is being opposed by people in several parts of the country.  Thackeray, who stressed that there was no reason for people to be worried about the citizenship law or the national population register.  “Those people who have instigated it, they need to understand CAA… Why are we opposing it, why are we supporting it.  First we need to understand it,” Thackeray said to , when asked if he would make efforts to convince people about CAA. Thackeray, who was on his first visit to Delhi after becoming chief minister, started his visit with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the media briefing that followed, Uddhav Thackeray said he had fruitful discussions with the prime minister and had spoken about issues concerning Maharashtra.  The discussion at some point veered to the citizenship law and the protests around it. Watch | No one needs to fear CAA, NPR: Uddhav Thackeray after meeting PM Modi Thackeray said he did discuss citizenship law, National Population Register and the National Register of Citizens with the prime minister and no one has any reason to fear the CAA. This isn’t the first time that the Shiv Sena chief has made this point about the citizenship law. But the last time he spoke about the topic, he had been ambivalent about the population register.  Thackeray had then said that though there did not seem anything out of the ordinary in carrying out the exercise, he would need to personally go through the NPR questions before he makes up his mind. At Friday’s meeting, there were no such riders. Asked if he was all right with the questions, Uddhav signalled that he wasn’t going to block the population register update due to begin soon. “NPR also, no one is going to throw anyone out (because of the population register).  It is about the census that happens every 10 years.  But if it starts and we think that there is something dangerous about it, then there can be a dispute at that point,” he said. The Maharashtra chief minister’s public assertions on the CAA and the NPR ahead of his meeting with Sonia Gandhi a few minutes later is significant.  One Congress leader wondered if the timing of Uddhav Thackeray’s briefing was designed to signal to his allies that he was not going to change his stand on this topic.  He also pointed out that the contents of Uddhav Thackeray’s stand on CAA and the NPR appeared to mirror the stand of its ex-ally, BJP and the ruling national coalition NDA. The Shiv Sena had exited the NDA last year when it broke up with the BJP over its refusal to let him be the chief minister.  Thackeray had, even after his exit, acknowledged that the Sena was ideologically aligned with the BJP rather than its two allies, the Congress and the NCP.  He had, however, underscored that the three parties would be able to work it out.  Thackeray made the same point at the briefing even as he struck a discordant note on CAA and NPR.  “There is no friction among allies.  We are going to run Maha govt for 5 years,” he said.


Kenosha County, Wisconsin, district attorney will not be charging any of the law enforcement officers involved in the August 2020 shooting of Jacob Blake, who was paralyzed in the shooting. https://t.co/hhpttEhQ2P https://t.co/uOQkcX8Whv

By Amir Vera, CNNUpdated 6:45 PM ET, Tue January 5, 2021  (CNN)The Kenosha, Wisconsin, District Attorney's Office is nearing its decision on whether to charge the police officer who shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, last year. CNN's Casey Tolan, Nicole Chavez, Eliott C.  McLaughlin, Christina Maxouris, Madeline Holcombe, Brad Parks, Scott Glover, Sarah Jorgensen, Polo Sandoval, Kelsie Smith, Omar Jimenez, Kay Jones, Scottie Andrew, Raja Razek, Artemis Moshtaghian and Theresa Waldrop contributed to this report.


When Vice President Mike Pence walked into the Mayo Clinic, he wasn't wearing a face mask.

Everyone else in the building was, according to reporters traveling with him. That has been the policy at the Rochester, Minnesota, facility since April 13. https://t.co/VBp1abObl9

The Mayo Clinic said the vice president's office was informed of the policy. Practical steps to get your kids used to masks during pandemicWhen Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the nation's coronavirus task force, visited the Mayo Clinic Tuesday in Minnesota and greeted patients, he did so without wearing a face mask, even though everyone else around him did. And that's despite his office being made aware of the Mayo Clinic's policy requiring all patients and visitors to wear face coverings, according to a clinic statement. Pool video of Pence's visit showed him shaking hands with at least one patient and coming closer than the six feet of separation recommended by White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Tune into ABC at 1 p. m.  ET and ABC News Live at 4 p. m.  ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis. Afterward, Pence responded to a pool reporter's questions about why he didn't wear a mask and how often he was tested. "Well, let me say, as vice president of the United States, I'm tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus, and when the CDC issued guidelines about wearing a mask, it was their recognition that people that may have the coronavirus could prevent the possibility of conveying the virus to someone else by wearing a mask," Pence said. "And since I don't have the coronavirus, I thought it'd be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and and say thank you. "ABC News has asked Pence's office how often he is tested "on a regular basis. "Health experts, including those on Pence's task force, note that you can test negative for the virus one day, and then become infected the next, possibly without symptoms, and are capable of spreading the virus. You wear a mask, they say, to protect others. ABC News' Jordyn Phelps contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Effective implementation of NEP is likely to restore India’s glory as a great centre of learning. One of the targets of NEP 2020 is to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035. Technology can help in achieving this target: President Ram Nath Kovind https://t.co/xbM8Cvrkpm

The new National Education Policy (NEP) aims to reorient the education system towards meeting the needs of the 21st century by achieving the twin objectives of inclusion and excellence and will also restore India’s glory as a learning centre, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday. Speaking at the inaugural address of Visitors’ Conference on ‘Implementation of NEP in Higher Education’, Kovind said the policy sets the vision of developing an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing quality education to all. Also read: Delhi HC tells schools to provide gadgets, Internet to poor students for online classesThe president emphasised that fundamental principles of the policy include creativity and critical thinking in order to encourage logical decision-making and innovation.  He drew inspiration from Bhagvad Gita and the Krishna-Arjun dialogue while reiterating the concept of free communication and discussion between the teacher and the student.  The NEP also seeks to encourage critical thinking and spirit of enquiry. “Effective implementation of the NEP 2020 is likely to restore India’s glory as a great centre of learning as during the times of Takshashila and Nalanda,” Kovind said. He said a key feature of the NEP is the system of Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).  It would digitally store the academic credits earned from various higher education institutions so that degrees can be awarded, taking into account the credits earned by students. This would allow students the freedom to take courses as per their vocational, professional or intellectual requirements in addition to giving flexibility of suitable exit and re-entry points, he said.  The need for strict monitoring of BEd. , vocational and distance-learning courses is also being taken care of in this policy, he added. Kovind also highlighted that the target of the NEP 2020 is to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio or GER in higher education to 50% by 2035.  He observed that the online system of education can also be utilised to reach this target, especially while catering to the female students or those who do not have physical access to educational institutions as well as international students.  Citing statistics, he added that according to All India Survey of Higher Education for 2018-19, GER for females is slightly higher than that for males.  However, the share of female students is extremely low in Institutions of National Importance and particularly low in technical education.  Emphasising that NEP has focus on equity and inclusion, he said that such gender disparity in higher education should be corrected. Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the aim to strategise the implementation of this policy was initiated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  This policy has given access to foreign universities to open campuses in India and vice versa which will be instrumental in the process of making India a soft power, the minister added. The conference saw the participation of vice chancellors of all Central universities and directors of IITs, NITs, SPAs etc.


What Rep. Rashida Tlaib gets totally wrong about attacking President Trump | Analysis by @CillizzaCNN https://t.co/YOm8tk3Cu4 https://t.co/erAtgf9Km5

Rashida Tlaib was sworn in as a congresswoman on Thursday.  Trump responds to congresswoman who cursed him out in call for impeachmentFreshman Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is not apologizing for profane comments she made Thursday about impeaching President Donald Trump. Tlaib, who was sworn in as Michigan's representative from the 13th Congressional District on Thursday, was speaking at an event for progressive advocacy group MoveOn. org when she relayed a conversation with her son to the crowd: "And when your son looks at you and says, 'Momma, look you won, bullies don’t win,' and I said, 'Baby they don't,' because we’re gonna go in and impeach the motherf-----. "After the comments drew fire, especially from conservative quarters, Tlaib tweeted Friday morning, "I will always speak truth to power.  #unapologeticallyMe"Although he didn't mention her specific comment, Trump tweeted Friday morning that Democrats "only want to impeach me because they know they can't win in 2020. "The 20-second clip of Tlaib's profane declaration, which was shared on Twitter by Nestor Ruiz, a digital organizer for immigrant advocacy group United We Dream, quickly made the rounds Thursday night.  Several journalists in attendance at the event also confirmed she made the comment. The call for impeachment earned raucous applause, according to the video.  ABC News has reached out to MoveOn. org for comment. Tlaib, a mother of two, has called for the president's impeachment in more-restrained language previously, including in an op-ed for the Detroit Free Press on Thursday. "President Donald Trump is a direct and serious threat to our country.  On an almost daily basis, he attacks our Constitution, our democracy, the rule of law and the people who are in this country," she wrote, in an op-ed with a byline shared by John Bonifaz, co-founder of Free Speech for People. "Each passing day brings more pain for the people most directly hurt by this president, and these are days we simply cannot get back.  The time for impeachment proceedings is now," the column concludes. The organization Free Speech for People has routinely pushed to start proceedings to impeach Trump. New House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hesitant to talk impeachment in relation to the president.  In an interview on NBC's "Today," hours before being named speaker, she hedged and said she preferred to wait until special counsel Robert Mueller wraps his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election -- a delay Tlaib specifically said was unnecessary. "We have to wait and see what happens with the Mueller report," Pelosi told "Today" on Thursday morning.  "We shouldn't be impeaching for a political reason, and we shouldn't avoid impeachment for a political reason.  So we'll just have to see how it comes. "The 42-year-old Tlaib has garnered attention as being part of a new crop of progressive lawmakers pushing the Democratic Party further left.  Tlaib and Rep.  Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. , both sworn in Thursday, are the first two Muslim-American congresswomen in history. Tlaib and Omar have regularly joined with Reps.  Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass. , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N. Y. , Sharice Davids, D-Kan. , and Deb Haaland, D-N. M. , as minority women newly elected to the 116th Congress. Pressley is the first-ever black congresswoman from Massachusetts, Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever elected at 29, and Davids and Haaland are the first two Native American women elected to Congress. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A Rolling Stone story about Oklahoma ivermectin overdoses was a "hoax," was "debunked," and the "media fell for it."

A viral September 5 2021 tweet thread “debunking” a series of stories about ivermectin use and hospitals shows that disinformation and the way it is delivered is mutating.  Republican public relations strategist and freelance writer Drew Holden’s thread began by addressing a Rolling Stone piece about Oklahoma ivermectin overdoses, its claims quickly solidifying into an article of faith across social media: 🧵THREAD🧵 We’ve got to talk about the Rolling Stone invermectin article.  Turns out the story about rural hospitals so flooded with ODs that they couldn’t treat other patients was made up, entirely invented.  A lot of people took the bait, and I’ve got the screenshots. ⤵ — Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) September 5, 2021 Drew Holden’s Tweets About the Rolling Stone Ivermectin Article.  Holden started with a seemingly established premise — that Rolling Stone had “entirely invented” a story about Oklahoma ivermectin overdoses, and that this was widespread, accepted knowledge.  Clever people knew the Rolling Stone story was “made up, entirely invented,” but a bunch of dummies “took the bait” (and Holden had “the screenshots. ”) (Holden also misspelled “ivermectin” as “invermectin. ”) Among details missing from Holden’s first tweet were: A link to “the Rolling Stone invermectin [sic] article”; Details about the article in question; Its name, author, or date of publication; Whether it was disproved, and; By whom it was disproved.  Holden’s sleight of hand continued in the thread’s second tweet: First, for context, here’s the original piece from @RollingStone and the follow up from the actual hospital saying the story was BS and that the one (one! ) person the story quotes doesn’t work at that hospital anymore (and hasn’t in months).  pic. twitter. com/6k4FjaQWD3 — Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) September 5, 2021 Alongside two screenshots (one of a tweet by @RollingStone, and one of a purported press release from NHS Sequoyah) Holden said: First, for context, here’s the original piece from @RollingStone and the follow up from the actual hospital saying the story was BS and that the one (one! ) person the story quotes doesn’t work at that hospital anymore (and hasn’t in months).  Not only did Holden not link to the “original piece” so readers could review its claims, he also didn’t screenshot the article itself.  His first screenshot was of a tweet which presumably linked to the original article, and his second tweet was of a statement.  That statement did not, on the surface, in any way “debunk” or disprove the screenshot; Holden had yet to describe the initial article.  Notably, Rolling Stone‘s tweet referenced “Oklahoma hospitals,” and the second screenshot was from a hospital clarifying the employment status of a Dr.  Jason McElyea and adding that their single facility had not treated any patients for ivermectin overdoses.  The remaining tweets in Holden’s thread were individual callouts, and Holden primarily tagged “a certain variety of Twitter bluecheck”; Holden himself was a certain variety of “Twitter bluecheck. ” After several individuals were tagged to target them with mocking tweets, Holden added: It should go without saying, but inventing a narrative out of thin air simply because it confirms your priors is not going to help rebuild trust in the media.  It would’ve taken a single phone call to shoot this story down.  Why didn’t that happen?  And the same people who purport to be concerned about misinformation and how it spreads on platforms like Twitter will surely be silent on this.  Where’s the nashing of teeth from the “disinformation” reporters?  Where are the Twitter content warnings?  Where’s the outrage?  You won’t hear any.  Because this is the acceptable type of political lie.  And none of these people or outlets will learn anything.  They’ll keep doing this.  Because they care more about scoring cheap dunks on their opponents than getting the truth.  Holden’s thread and comments in summary alluded to a massive journalistic misstep on the part of Rolling Stone, but it was something of a paradox.  Holden criticized a story without addressing its content — even as he lectured Twitter users for not doing sufficient due diligence.  Google Trends data demonstrated “Breakout” popularity for the week ending September 10 2021 for the following searches: “ivermectin hoax,” Lie – Topic,” “Oklahoma ivermectin,” “the great ivermectin deworming hoax,” “ivermectin overdose hoax,” “ivermectin overdose,” and “Rolling Stone ivermectin. ” Finding the Rolling Stone Ivermectin Article, and What it Initially Reported.  Holden’s thread was virally popular, and we attempted to answer his plea — as disinformation journalists, to “shoot this story down. ” First we had to find it, and Holden was no help.  Neither was Google; a search for “Rolling Stone ivermectin” led primarily to pieces reiterating Holden’s unsupported assertions: We found an archived copy of a September 3 2021 Rolling Stone article by Peter Wade, headlined, “Gunshot Victims Left Waiting as Horse Dewormer Overdoses Overwhelm Oklahoma Hospitals, Doctor Says. ” A subheading pointed at a claim affecting more than one facility in a regional health system: “The ERs are so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting to facilities where they can get definitive care and be treated,” Dr.  Jason McElyea said[. ] The article’s first five paragraphs were apparently derived from a KFOR report in which McElyea was quoted.  For clarity, we’ve applied boldface to every direct quote attributed to McElyea: The rise in people using ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug usually reserved for deworming horses or livestock, as a treatment or preventative for Covid-19 has emergency rooms “so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting” access to health facilities, an emergency room doctor in Oklahoma said.  This week [of September 3 2021], Dr.  Jason McElyea told KFOR the overdoses are causing backlogs in rural hospitals, leaving both beds and ambulance services scarce.  “The ERs are so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting to facilities where they can get definitive care and be treated,” McElyea said.  “All of their ambulances are stuck at the hospital waiting for a bed to open so they can take the patient in and they don’t have any, that’s it,” said McElyea.  “If there’s no ambulance to take the call, there’s no ambulance to come to the call. ” People getting sick from ivermectin — especially as some people take a formulation of the drug used in livestock — has become so frequent that [in August/September 2021] the Food and Drug Administration released a statement imploring Americans to stay away from the drug that has not been approved to treat or prevent Covid-19.  “You are not a horse.  You are not a cow,” the agency said while linking to an explainer about the dangers of ingesting ivermectin designed for livestock.  In the excerpt above, Wade first quoted McElyea saying that emergency rooms were “backed up,” affecting trauma cases, like gunshots.  After interspersing McElyea’s quotes with paraphrasing, Wade reported the Food and Drug Administration’s statements about Americans using ivermectin formulated for livestock.  The piece was brief, and Wade circled back to McElyea at the end of the article: As people take the drug, McElyea said patients have arrived at hospitals with negative reactions like nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and cramping — or even loss of sight.  “The scariest one that I’ve heard of and seen is people coming in with vision loss,” the doctor said.  [. . . ] “There’s a reason you have to have a doctor to get a prescription for this stuff because it can be dangerous,” McElyea said.  Actual Quotes by McElyea in Rolling Stone Now we’ll remove comments not directly attributed to McElyea, to get a better picture of how Wade quoted him in the Rolling Stone ivermectin piece: [Oklahoma emergency rooms are] “so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting” [treated in a timely fashion].  “The ERs are so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting to facilities where they can get definitive care and be treated. . . ” “All of their ambulances are stuck at the hospital waiting for a bed to open so they can take the patient in and they don’t have any, that’s it . . . If there’s no ambulance to take the call, there’s no ambulance to come to the call.  “The scariest [incident] that I’ve heard of and seen is people coming in with vision loss . . .  “There’s a reason you have to have a doctor to get a prescription for this stuff because it can be dangerous”[. ] Reducing the article’s paraphrasing to quotes only indicated that McElyea did address ivermectin usage and its dangers.  Moreover, McElyea described overwhelmed emergency services in Oklahoma — but in terms that could have been read as either general or specific.  On September 5 2021, Rolling Stone changed the title of the article from “Gunshot Victims Left Waiting as Horse Dewormer Overdoses Overwhelm Oklahoma Hospitals, Doctor Says” to “One Hospital Denies Oklahoma Doctor’s Story of Ivermectin Overdoses Causing ER Delays for Gunshot Victims. ” An Editor’s Note was appended, along with an update.  KFOR’s Source Article.  Once again, we started with an archived copy, due to a targeted outcry against the source material.  On September 2 2021, KFOR published “Patients overdosing on ivermectin backing up rural Oklahoma hospitals, ambulances,” which began: A rural Oklahoma doctor said patients who are taking the horse de-wormer medication, ivermectin, to fight COVID-19 are causing emergency room and ambulance back ups.  “There’s a reason you have to have a doctor to get a prescription for this stuff, because it can be dangerous,” said Dr.  Jason McElyea.  Dr.  McElyea said patients are packing his eastern and southeastern Oklahoma hospitals after taking ivermectin doses meant for a full-sized horse, because they believed false claims the horse de-wormer could fight COVID-19.  “The ERs are so backed up. . .


Safety protocols are being followed at polling booths in Assam as citizens cast their vote amid #COVID19 pandemic

Till 2:40pm, 45.32% (provisional) of voter turnout recorded in phase 1 of #AssamAssemblyElections2021, as per ECI

LIVE: https://t.co/BpactJ4AHE

#ElectionsWithHT https://t.co/fsRbWRO75C

Polling for phase 1 of the assembly elections in the states of West Bengal and Assam ended at 7pm on Saturday.  In the first phase, voters in 77 assembly constituencies-30 in West Bengal and 47 in Assam- cast their votes.  The two states have 294 and 126 assembly constituencies, respectively. Click here for all assembly election 2021 updatesThe West Bengal assembly elections are scheduled to take place in eight phases, while Assam will vote in three.  In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces a stiff challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, in office since 2011, seeks a third consecutive term as the chief minister of the state.  Meanwhile, in Assam the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is pitted against the Congress-led 'Mahajoth'. Also Read | Battle for the east kicks off in 1st phase of voting todayOther than West Bengal and Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will also go to polls in a single-phase on April 6.  Counting of votes and result declaration for the four states and one Union territory will be held on May 2. Follow all the updates here:Nearly 80% turnout in Bengal, 73% in Assam as polling ends: ECBengal reported 79. 79 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the 2021 Assembly election while Assam reported 73. 38 per cent turnout. Visuals from a polling booth in Contai, West BengalPoll ends for the first phase of #WestBengalAssemblyElection2021; visuals from a polling booth in Contai pic. twitter. com/H0g3B1SeshPoll ends for the first phase of West Bengal assembly electionsPoll ends for the first phase of #WestBengalAssemblyElection2021; visuals from a polling booth in Purulia pic. twitter. com/w6Caj5QU3hPoll ends for the first phase of Assam assembly electionsPoll ends for the first phase of #AssamAssemblyElections2021; latest visuals from polling booth number 10 in Jorhat.  pic. twitter. com/XYE5J7rj7rOver 79% turnout in Bengal, 72% in Assam till 6pm72. 14% and 79. 79% voter turnout recorded till 6 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. In Photos: Voting underway at a polling booth in Contai in the first phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly electionsVoting underway at a polling booth in Contai in the first phase of polling for West Bengal Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/58NgxCe2rJOver 70% turnout in Bengal, 62% in Assam till 4pm62. 36% and 70. 17% voter turnout recorded till 4 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. 62. 36% and 70. 17% voter turnout recorded till 4 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. Over 55% turnout in Bengal, 47% in Assam till 3pm47. 10% and 55. 27% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. 47. 10% and 55. 27% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. BJP delegation meets EC following attack on BJP leader Soumendu AdhikariWB: BJP delegation met EC following attack on BJP leader & Suvendu Adhikari's brother, Soumendu Adhikari1st election in 6 years with fewer instances of rigging & violence.  To avoid even 10% of such cases in 2nd phase, we demanded EC round-up anti-social elements: BJP Gen Secy pic. twitter. com/DCnNtukI0oSisir Adhikari, father of TMC-turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, casts his voteSisir Adhikari, father of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, casts his vote at a polling booth in Contai, in the first phase of #WestBengalPolls pic. twitter. com/5P1gPLQsUQSisir Adhikari, father of TMC-turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, casts his vote at a polling booth in Contai, in the first phase of West Bengal elections. 54% turnout in Bengal, 45% in Assam till 1:30pm: EC45. 02% and 54. 90% voter turnout recorded till 1:30pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India (ECI)Over 37% turnout in Assam, nearly 41% in Bengal till 1pm: EC45. 24% and 54. 90% voter turnout recorded till 2 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India. 37. 06% and 40. 73% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively: Election Commission of India (ECI)TMC demands local polling agents from phase 2 onwardsThe new system is not acceptable to us.  We demand that from the next phase the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth.  CEO has assured us to look into the matter: TMC's Sudip BandyopadhyayTMC delegation meets West Bengal CEO, demands that from phase 2 onwards, the polling agent must be local of the concerned polling booth. Poll rigging was underway at three booths: Soumendu Adhikari, BJPUnder the leadership of TMC block president Ram Govind Das and his wife poll rigging was underway at three polling booths.  My arrival here created problem for them to continue with their mischiefs so they attacked my car and thrashed my driver: Soumendu Adhikari, BJPBengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh casts his voteWest Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh casts his vote at a polling booth in Jhargram in the first phase of state assembly elections.  pic. twitter. com/bAL4RulEMyWest Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh casts his vote at a polling booth in Jhargram in the first phase of state assembly elections. People know CAA-NRC won't affect them, says Assam CM SonowalCongress and other parties are only seen in the media but BJP and its allies are the ones on the ground.  People of Assam now know that CAA-NRC will not affect them.  My aim is to make the BJP government in the State again: Assam CM Sarbananda SonowalTMC knows it's losing, says BJP Bengal chief Dilip GhoshTMC knows that it is losing and that's why it is saying all this.  For such complaints, TMC should go to the Election Commission.  TMC and Mamata Banerjee are under pressure and that is why they are saying such things: BJP West Bengal Pres Dilip Ghosh on TMC alleging rigging of pollsTMC alleges 'discrepancy' in voter turnout appVoter turnout for ACs Kanthi Dakshin (216) and Kanthi Uttar (213) at 9:13am was 18. 47% and18. 95% respectively, 4 mins later at 9:17am voter turnout reduced to 10. 60%and 9:40%.  Such discrepancy raises question on genuineness of data issued by EC: TMC's Derek O'Brien writes to ECCongress leader Gaurav Gogoi casts voteIt's a very emotional moment for me as it's the first time after many yrs that I'm coming to a polling station without my parents.  Confident that people are going to vote out politics of lies & deceit & voting for politics that guarantees that their future is bright: Gaurav Gogoi pic. twitter. com/1ybYHGSEn0Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, son of late former CM Tarun Gogoi, casts his vote at polling both in Jorhat.  "It's a very emotional moment for me as it's the first time after many years that I'm coming to a polling station without my parents," says Gogoi. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal casts voteAssam CM Sarbananda Sonowal casts his vote a polling centre in Dibrugarh"We will get more than 100 seats," CM says pic. twitter. com/nHpEdNpVssAssam CM Sarbananda Sonowal casts vote at polling booth in Dibrugarh, says that the BJP will win "more than 100 seats. "BJP delegation to meet West Bengal CEO at 2pmBJP delegation, led by state in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, to meet West Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) at 2pm today. 10-member TMC delegation to meet EC at 12pm10-member TMC Parliamentary delegation led by Sudip Bandyopadhyay, leader Lok Sabha and Derek O'Brien, leader Rajya Sabha to meet Election Commission in Kolkata at 12 noon. Bengal's daughter will defeat traitor, says TMC's O'BrienTMC will win Bengal.  Bengal's daughter will defeat Bengal's traitor in his own backyard at Nandigram, members of tourist gang will continue to do what they do best - try and destroy institutions in India.  Women in Bengal will continue to wear sarees any way they want: Derek O'Brien, TMC leader on BJP's Suvendu AdhikariOver 6% and 2% polling in Assam, Bengal in first two hoursAssam records 6. 69% turnout while Bengal sees 2. 44% polling in the first two hours across 47 and 30 assembly constituencies, respectively, in phase 1 of polls. TMC scared, says BJP leader Soumendu AdhikariWe approached EC that there should be free and fair polls.  People will choose whom they want.  TMC is scared.  We've given name of one Alauddin to EC, he creates disturbance there: BJP leader Soumendu Adhikari, brother of party's Nandigram candidate Suvendu AdhikariTMC workers trying to create disturbance, alleges BJP candidateVoting underway smoothly in Midnapore town.  But, at some places in rural areas, TMC workers are trying to create a disturbance.  At booth no.  266 and 267, seven-eight TMC workers entered the booth to influence the voters.  We've complained to EC: Samit Das, BJP candidate from West MidnaporeMamata Banerjee tweets as polling begins in Bengalবাংলার সকল মানুষকে আমি অনুরোধ করব নিজের গণতান্ত্রিক অধিকার প্রয়োগ করুন, সবাই আসুন, ভোট দিন।I call upon the people of Bengal to exercise their democratic right by coming out and voting in large numbers. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appeals to voters to exercise their democratic rights by voting in large numbers. HM Amit Shah requests voters to cast votes in large numbersUnion home minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi, Bengali and Assamese, urging voters to cast their votes in large numbers as phase 1 polling began in the two states. Large turnout in Assam's Nagaon#WATCH Voters turn out in large numbers in Rupahi, Nagaon District, for voting in the first phase of Assam Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/5vjn7GgVNnNagaon district in Assam witnesses large voter turnout as first phase of polling gets underway. Scene from a polling booth in Assam's DibrugarhAssam: Voters waiting in a queue at a polling station in JP Nagar, Dibrugarh, as polling gets underway for the first phase of Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/VFHIGvoOJBVoters waiting in a queue at a polling station in JP Nagar, Dibrugarh, as polling gets underway for the first phase of Assembly electionsExercise right to franchise in record numbers: PM ModiToday, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin.  I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today in West Bengal to exercise their franchise in record numbers. PM Modi tweets as polling begins in AssamThe first phase of elections begin in Assam.  Urging those eligible to vote in record numbers.  I particularly call upon my young friends to vote. PM Modi urges voters to vote in "record numbers" as first phase of voting begins in Assam. 509 'vulnerable' booths set up in East Midnapore, says officialWe've 509 vulnerable booths in our district.  We've deployed 169 companies.  We're monitoring booths with CAPF & non-CPF measures.  Over 50% of polling booths have webcasting facility & CCTV, videographer.  We've 800 micro-observers for phase 1: District election officer, East MidnaporeFirst phase of voting to begin at 7amFirst phase of polling in both West Bengal and Assam will begin at 7am, and conclude at 6pm.  Total 77 assembly constituencies-30 in West Bengal and 47 in Assam-will cast their votes. Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


Video shows medal mix-up in Tokyo Olympics 2020.

A 2019 video of a ladies free figure skating tournament in France where the third place winner was mistakenly awarded a gold medal, is going viral in India with a false claim that the mix-up took place during the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.   The video shows one of the officials at the event placing a gold medal on the skater who came in third in the competition.  Realising the faux pas, the third place skater from the US graciously places the medal on the Russian skater who came in first.  The clip has been shared and falsely linked to the Tokyo Olympics.  Boxer Lovlina Borgohain entered the semi finals and assured India a medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.  Manipur's Mirabai Chanu won a silver in the games on July 24.   The caption with the video says, "Olympic - Mistake moment".  Click here and here to see the Facebook posts.  Click here and here to see archives of those posts.  The video has also been viral on WhatsApp with a distasteful message.   The video was shared on Twitter as a recent Olympics faux pas.   😳 Wait a minute! !  🙈🙈🤣🤣 pic. twitter. com/M9okcWaeXL Click here to see an archive of the tweet.  Also Read: 2015 Video From Mongolia Viral As Surya Namaskar Performance In Olympics BOOM ran a reverse image search on one of the screenshots from the viral video and found the same video uploaded on YouTube on November 19, 2019.  The description with the video states, "Medal mix-up at ISU Grand Prix 2019 in Grenoble - Ladies Victory Ceremony.  Mariah Bell receives gold medal by mistake (instead of Alena Kostornaia).  Alina Zagitova points it out. . . " Taking cue from the caption, we searched with the words "Alina Zagitova of Russia, Alena Kostornaia of Russia and Mariah Bell of USA " on international stock photo sharing website Alamy and Getty images.  We were directed to an image where Mariah Bell from the USA, who secured the third position, can be seen handing over the medal to Alena Kostornaia from Russia.  According to the caption of the image, the women were winners of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019 held at Patinoire Polesud on November 2, 2019 in Grenoble, France.  Below is a screen comparison between a screengrab from the video and the image we found on Alamy stock images.   More images from the tournament can be found here and here.  BOOM also found a report by Russian state-affiliated media outlet RT published on November 3, 2019 about the medal mix-up.  The report states, "Alena Kostornaia, 16, who won her first-ever senior Grand Prix in Grenoble, burst into laughter after discovering that her medal had been awarded to American counterpart Mariah Bell, who finished third. " It further reported, "The awkward confusion was caused by Christophe Ferrari, the president of the Grenoble metropolitan area, who was invited to award medals on Saturday. "    Also Read: Wrestler Priya Malik Won Gold At The WCWC, Not Tokyo Olympics


According to Nita Ambani, the Ambani family will help Kangana Ranaut with Rs 200 crore to construct a new studio.

Support has poured in for Kangana Ranaut after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation demolished her office in Mumbai following a long spat between the actor and Shiv Sena leaders.  From common people to outfits such as Karni Sena and Republican Party of India (A), many have expressed solidarity with the “Tanu Weds Manu” actor. Social media too now resembles a warzone with supporters and opponents of Kangana hitting out at each other, and related hashtags dominating Twitter since Wednesday.  Amid this, a viral message on Facebook says the Ambani family has come forward to help Kangana with Rs 200 crore to build a new studio.  The claim attributes the announcement to Nita Ambani. The caption of the post reads, “To make Kangana a new studio Ambani family will help 200 crores Nita Ambani”.  India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found that no such announcement was made.  The Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited has denied the claim, calling it fake. The archived versions of the posts can be seen here, here and here.  The claim is being widely circulated on Facebook. AFWA found no credible news report that even remotely hints at Nita Ambani recently expressing or announcing her family’s eagerness to help Kangana with Rs 200 crore to build a studio or office. We reached out to Reliance Industries Limited whose officials denied the viral claim and called it “fake”.  The officials said no such announcement was made on their part following the Kangana-BMC controversy. Earlier too, the Ambani family was at the receiving end of social media rumours, which have been debunked by several fact-checkers.  Some of these articles can be read here, here and here. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.