Delhi: Heavy security deployment continues at the Tikri border (Delhi-Haryana border) as farmers' protest against three agriculture laws enters the 74th day.

(Latest visuals from near the protest site) https://t.co/wAyWzqYHnY

In symbolic protest on Saturday, farmers staged a 'chakka jam' for three hours in the country.  During the strike, farmers blocked major state and national highways.  Amid concerns over untoward incident, the protest took place without any violence, authorities have said.  The agitation against the new farm laws which began in the last week of November is continuing for more than 70 days now. Farmers also said that they ready to resume talks with the government, but asked it to come up with a fresh proposal as the existing offer to put the three farm laws on hold for 12-18 months is not acceptable to them.  However, the union asserted again that they would not settle for anything less than a repeal of the agriculture legislation. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at three Delhi border points --- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur --- demanding a repeal of the three farm laws. Follow all the updates here:Govt ready to resume talks, says Union minister Piyush GoyalUnion Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said the government is ready to resume talks with the farmers protesting the new farm laws but asserted that despite repeated proposals, the protesters have not come up with any "concrete suggestion" so far, reports PTI. 'Tractor kranti' creating buzz as protesting farmers oppose NGT's ban on old diesel vehiclesFarmers protesting against the Centre's new agricultural laws are rallying behind the call for a 'tractor revolution', while expressing disappointment over a 2014 NGT order banning diesel vehicles, including tractors, older than 10 years in Delhi-NCR, reports PTI. No 'ghar wapsi' till farmers' demands met, says BKU's TikaitAsserting that the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws is a people’s movement that will not fail, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said there will be no "ghar wapsi" till protesting farmers' demands are met. Ghazipur, Singhu border closed; Delhi traffic police asks to follow alternate routesGazipur border is closed both carriage way Traffic going Ghaziabad through Murga mandi and Gazipur R/A, Road no.  56, Vikas marg, Anand Vihar IP Extention, NH 24, informed Delhi Traffic Police.  Singhu, Piau Maniyari,Saboli, Mungeshpur borders are closed.  Lampur, Safiabad, Singhu school and Palla toll tax borders are open.  Pls follow alternate route, said the traffic police. Govt has time to withdraw bills and make laws on MSP: BKU's TikaitYouth here has asked for repealing of (farm) laws for now, what will happen if they asked to leave their posts?  Govt has time to withdraw bill and make law on MSP.  We will not tolerate how our people were deceitfully taken to Red Fort, said BKU's Rakesh Tikait at mahapanchayat in Haryana, reports ANI. Farmers' protest limited to certain areas, says TomarUnion Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday said the ongoing farmers' protest against the Centre's three new farm laws is limited to a certain area, and expressed hope to break the deadlock over the issue soon, reports PTI. Indo-Canadian groups rally to protest alleged Khalistani role in farmer protestIndo-Canadian organisations are stepping up their effort to counter the narrative related to the ongoing farmers’ protests in India, as they believe that the agenda has largely been hijacked by pro-Khalistan elements in Canada.  Read moreHeavy security continues at Tikri borderBKU's Tikait to address second mahapanchayat todayBharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait to address second mahapanchayat in Charkhi Dadri, today. Tikait’s decision to not have chakka jam in UP, Uttarakhand 'hasty': SKM leaderSenior farmer leader Darshan Pal Saturday said the decision by BKU leader Rakesh Tikait to not hold 'chakka jam' in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand was taken in "a hasty manner" and it would have been better had he first discussed his plan with the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha. Intervention from PM may resolve farm bills issues: Sharad PawarNationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that the highest level intervention from the Central government may help in resolving the deadlock between the Centre and farmers organisation over contentious farm bills which has resulted in over 70-day long protest, by the agrarian community.  Read moreRahul Gandhi to visit RajasthanCongress' Rahul Gandhi will visit Rajasthan next to extend support to the farmers agitating against the farm laws.  He will be in Rajasthan on February 12 and February 13. Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expresses her gratitude for the first responders on the scene of “this horrific tragedy” as at least one person dies after a multi-story building partially collapses in southern Florida. https://t.co/RLbWt7z100 https://t.co/7BA13XkH4j

By Jason Hanna and Leyla Santiago, CNNUpdated 10:08 PM ET, Thu June 24, 2021 Surfside, Florida (CNN)An intense search and rescue effort will continue through the night after part of a 12-story residential building collapsed early Thursday in the South Florida town of Surfside, killing at least one and leaving almost 100 people unaccounted for. CNN's Leyla Santiago reported from Surfside; Amanda Watts and Jason Hanna reported and wrote from Atlanta.  Curt Devine, Rosa Flores, Paul P.  Murphy, Melissa Alonso, John Couwels, Gregory Lemos, Steve Almasy, Hollie Silverman, Michelle Krupa, Joe Sutton and Hannah Sarisohn contributed to this report.


"Mr. President, let him answer!"

It took just minutes for the first presidential debate to spiral into chaos, as moderator Chris Wallace tried to contain squabbling, interruptions and shouting, largely from Pres. Trump's efforts to sidetrack his opponent. https://t.co/3V6ri7pVyx https://t.co/l45QyHxYm9

By Maeve Reston and Stephen Collinson, CNNUpdated 1:05 AM ET, Wed September 30, 2020  (CNN)At the end of a rancorous and chaotic debate -- in which President Donald Trump tried to bulldoze challenger Joe Biden with insults, slashing interruptions and callous attacks on Biden's family -- the President questioned the legitimacy of the November election, refused to say whether he would concede should he lose and declined to forcefully condemn White supremacists.


Delhi: Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh pays tribute to #MahatmaGandhi at Raj Ghat on his death anniversary. https://t.co/vWkyDlR7zn

The nation on Thursday remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 72nd death anniversary with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation. Kovind, Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and former prime minister Manmohan Singh offered floral tributes at Gandhi’s memorial Rajghat where an interfaith prayer meeting was held. Amidst echoes of Gandhi’s favourite bhajan ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and BJP veteran L K Advani were among those who paid homage at Rajghat. A gun salute was given at the memorial where school students and people from different walks of life gathered to pay respects to Bapu. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs - Admiral Sunil Lanba, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria and General Manoj Mukund Naravane - were also present.  Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated here on this day in 1948.


The policy announced in #Budget2021 will provide choices to the consumers, bring competition and eliminate monopoly of discoms. It is a big change: Union Power Minister RK Singh https://t.co/gP3HLFKR9c

The government has set a target to get around ₹18,000 crore investment in the electronics manufacturing segment by 2021-22. The finance ministry has allocated ₹2,631. 32 crore for various schemes to boost electronic manufacturing in the country, including Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS), Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) scheme and electronic development fund.  The government has set a target of getting "incremental investment by mobile companies and electronics manufacturing units approved under the PLI scheme" of ₹1,000 crore and expects one lakh people to be employed by the approved companies till FY 2021-22. A sales target of ₹10,000 crore for mobile sector PLI companies has been set for 2021-22 alone. Separately, the government has set a target to get capital investment of ₹5,000 crore from electronics manufacturing companies that have qualified for MSIPS and create employment for 25,000 people in the next fiscal. The government has set a target to attract investment of ₹6,000 crore under the EMC scheme and ₹5,000 crore under modified EMC scheme in 2021-22. It has kept "projected employment in EMCs" at 10,000. The companies that are under scheme for promotion of manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors are expected to invest ₹1,000 crore and employ 10,000 people in 2021-22, according to the budget document. Besides, the fund allocated for the electronic manufacturing sector includes ₹49 crore as the government's contribution in the electronic development fund that will be invested in 10 start-ups through daughter funds.


JUST IN: Donald Trump addresses nation on U.S. response to coronavirus outbreak: "We are marshaling the full power of the federal government and the private sector to protect the American people." https://t.co/Kvm6IH7lma https://t.co/J7XNMUYhJR

By Kevin Liptak, CNNUpdated 12:14 PM ET, Thu March 12, 2020 Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump has decided to use federal disaster powers to release more resources to combat the spread of coronavirus, people familiar with the decision said, and could declare a major disaster or emergency by Thursday afternoon. CNN's Jeremy Diamond, Kaitlan Collins, Jim Acosta and Phil Mattingly contributed to this report.


A 14th person has been charged in the alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to the Michigan attorney general's office https://t.co/BcaP9Dpqvr

The Democratic governor was targeted by militia members over COVID restrictions. Fallout after foiled anti-government kidnapping plot in 2 statesAn eighth individual has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in the foiled attempt to kidnap Michigan Gov.  Gretchen Whitmer, authorities said Thursday. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Brian Higgins, 51, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, has been charged with material support of an act of terrorism, a felony that carries up to a 20-year sentence. Authorities last week revealed they thwarted a monthslong plan to allegedly kidnap the Democratic governor before the November election and violently overthrow the state's government.  Higgins allegedly provided assistance in the plot to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home, authorities said. Higgins was arrested Thursday in Wisconsin and will be extradited to Michigan for an arraignment, authorities said.  Court dates have not yet been scheduled and it was not immediately clear if he has obtained an attorney. "While the political rhetoric in our nation may at times be divisive, I am encouraged by the united front our law enforcement community has displayed in response to this indescribable act of terror," Nessel said in a statement.  "These were very credible, and very serious threats to our elected officials and the public in general, and the swift actions taken by state and federal authorities this past week are nothing short of heroic. "In total, 20 state felony charges were filed against eight individuals allegedly involved in the plot.  Nessel said those arrested are known members or associates of the militia group Wolverine Watchmen.  Federal charges were also filed against six other individuals. At least some of the suspects facing charges participated in protests at the Michigan Capitol building over the past several months, according to Nessel. As the COVID-19 pandemic waged on, the Michigan's capitol building has been the scene of numerous protests by right-wing activists, including some who were armed, calling for Whitmer's resignation due to the strict lockdown orders she put in place. Whitmer has also been targeted by Trump over the COVID restrictions, and in a news conference late last week when the foiled attempt came to light, Whitmer lashed out at the president for "stoking" hate. "This should be a moment for national unity where we all pull together as Americans to meet this challenge head on with the same might and muscle that put a man on the moon," Whitmer said at a news conference.  "Instead our head of state has spent the past seven months denying science, ignoring his own health experts, stoking distrust and fomenting anger and giving comfort to those who spread hatred and division. "ABC News' Luke Barr, Libby Cathey and Alexander Mallin contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


BREAKING: 10 additional victims have been found in the rubble of the collapsed Surfside, Florida, apartment complex, raising the death toll to 46, officials say. https://t.co/THuUzq7D1F

By Madeline Holcombe and Eric Levenson, CNNUpdated 1:30 AM ET, Thu July 8, 2021  (CNN)The Surfside, Florida, condo collapse search and rescue efforts have transitioned to a recovery operation, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Wednesday. CNN's Rosa Flores, John Couwels, Amanda Watts, Rebekah Riess, Leyla Santiago, Gregory Lemos, David Shortell, Curt Devine and Paul Vercammen contributed to this report.


CLAIM A message which claims that Corporation of Chennai has closed all vegetable and fruit markets in various parts of Chennai has been shared on WhatsApp and Facebook amid the coronavirus outbreak.  The message goes on to add that all said shops in parts of Guindy, Mambalam, Mylapore and Koyambedu will remain closed till 31 March.  The Quint received a query to verify this message on its helpline number.  Click here for live updates on COVID-19.  Also visit Quint Fit for comprehensive coverage on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.  WHAT’S THE TRUTH Well, there is no truth to the claims made in the forward.  Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash has issued a statement to clarify that the message doing the rounds is not true.  “Except those establishments like malls, theatres etc other facilities like fruits, vegetables, meat and fish markets will remain open.  All small grocery stores, small trade establishments, supermarkets etc will remain open too.  The aim is to prevent the spread of virus, not to affect the common man’s life,” the statement read.  He further said that action will be taken against the people who are spreading rumours like these.  In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, misinformation has taken the internet by a storm.  The Quint has been debunking and fact-checking all these claims.  You can read all our fact-check stories here.


CNN PROJECTION: Donald Trump wins Mississippi https://t.co/Tw0qMESgyB #CNNElection https://t.co/RV8Tn2IC1r

The president-elect emphasized how he would handle the pandemic response. Joe Biden, Kamala Harris deliver 1st message of unity after historic winJoe Biden is set to become the 46th president of the United States, capping a tumultuous and tension-filled campaign during a historic pandemic against President Donald Trump.  ABC News characterized Joe Biden as the apparent winner of his home state of Pennsylvania, putting him over the 270 vote threshold needed to capture the presidency. The hard-fought battle against the president was set against the backdrop of racial unrest and the coronavirus pandemic and bitter divisions among the electorate. Trump had falsely declared on election night, when he held a lead in several key states, that he won the contest and alleged without evidence, after the count started to swing the other way, that the election was being stolen from him and that fraud had been committed. Painting the election as a "battle for the soul of the nation," Biden won on a message of unity over division, compassion over anger, and reality over what he called Trump's "wishful thinking" as the coronavirus pandemic cast a heavy shadow over the campaign. The 2020 election has shattered voting records with votes totaling 147 million and counting, surpassing the 138 million who voted in 2016. A Justice Department official confirmed Monday evening that Richard Pilger, a career official who was serving as director of the Elections Crimes Branch, has resigned from his role in the division because of the attorney general's memo authorizing U. S.  attorneys to "pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities," despite little evidence surfacing thus far of any widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Pilger has stepped back into a role in the DOJ's Public Integrity Section. The New York Times reported that Pilger wrote to colleagues in an email this evening, "Having familiarized myself with the new policy and its ramifications, I must regretfully resign from my role as director of the Election Crimes Branch. ”A DOJ spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on Pilger's resignation. When ABC News sought a response from Pilger, an automatic reply to the email said, "I am no longer the Director of the Election Crimes Branch, and have stepped back to the line at the Public Integrity Section. "-ABC News' Alexander MallinThe Biden transition team will not receive full intelligence briefings until the General Services Administration officially "ascertains" the former vice president to be winner of the presidential election, according to a statement from the Office of Director of National Intelligence on Monday. "ODNI follows the statutory direction provided in the Presidential Transition Act, which requires ascertainment of the candidate by the administrator of GSA prior to supporting a potential presidential transition.  ODNI would not have contact with any transition team until notified by the GSA Administrator," an ODNI spokesperson said in a statement. Meanwhile, outside government watchdogs are already warning that a continued delay in briefings could carry grave national security implications for the incoming administration. Aaron Scherb, the legal director at Common Cause, told ABC News on Monday that the "petty and unproductive" decision by GSA to withhold key resources to the Biden transition could have the "potential for catastrophic results. " "By GSA not signing off on this, there is certainly some classified intelligence information that the incoming administration would not have access to -- and would potentially not be fully prepared on day one to be able to counteract ongoing efforts from our adversaries like all previous incoming administrations have," Scherb said. "If the Biden transition team doesn't have access to some of the documents and information," he continued, "there are national security concerns. "-ABC News' Molly Nagle and Lucien BruggemanAttorney General William Barr sent a memo to U. S.  attorneys Monday evening authorizing them to "pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities," despite little evidence surfacing thus far of any widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. In the memo Barr says that such inquiries "may be conducted if there are clear and apparently-credible allegations of irregularities that, if true, could potentially impact the outcome of a federal election in an individual State. "But Barr emphasized in the letter that this should not be taken as the DOJ believing there was widespread fraud -- a baseless claim being made by attorneys for Trump and the RNC.  Rather, he's doling authority out to U. S.  attorneys in the event they might uncover any such credible evidence of a fraud conspiracy that might affect vote tabulations before election results are certified. "Nothing here should be taken as any indication that the Department has concluded that voting irregularities have impacted the outcome of any election," Barr wrote.  "Rather, I provide this authority and guidance to emphasize the need to timely and appropriately address allegations of voting irregularities so that all of the American people, regardless of their preferred candidate or party, can have full confidence in the results of our elections. ""While it is imperative that credible allegations be addressed in a timely and effective manner, it is equally imperative that Department personnel exercise appropriate caution and maintain the Department's absolute commitment to fairness, neutrality and non-partisanship," Barr said in the memo.  "While serious allegations should be handled with great care, specious, speculative, fanciful or far-fetched claims should not be a basis for initiating federal inquiries. "-ABC News' Alexander MallinBiden is slated to give remarks focused on the Affordable Care Act and the Trump administration's lawsuit to overturn it.  Biden will talk about his own plan "to expand access to quality, affordable health care. "The event in Wilmington, Delaware, is slated for 2 p. m. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments at 10 a. m.  in the case brought by Trump and 18 Republican-led states asking that the Affordable Care Act be eliminated in its entirety.


Copy and paste the viral post to circumvent Facebooks algorithm to avoid seeing posts from 26 Friends

A viral post claiming that if a Facebook user copies the same content and posts it on their timeline, the user would be able to circumvent the social media platform's algorithm and avoid seeing posts from only '26 friends' is false.  The post details that if these steps are followed it will bypass Facebook's algorithm and falsely claims that only posts from 26 friends are shown to Facebook users.  The same copy-paste hoax has been circulating since 2017 and has been debunked earlier by Snopes and The Washington Post.  (here, here) The viral post reads, "I was wondering where everyone went!  Thanks for the tip to circumvent Facebook. . . Works! !  I have a whole new profile.  I see posts from people I didn't see anymore.  Facebook's new algorithm picks the same people - around 25-who will see your posts.  Hold your finger anywhere in this post and click "copy". Go to your page where it says " what's on your mind".  Tap your finger anywhere in the empty field.  Click paste,,. " Click here to view, and here for an archive.  Viral on Facebook On searching with the same caption on Facebook, we found that the post is viral with the false claims Also Read: Old Video Of Patanjali CEO In Hospital Viral Amid Allopathy-Ayurveda Spat BOOM found that the viral message is a hoax and has been circulating since 2017, with the false claim that a user can circumvent Facebook's algorithm by copy-pasting the message and posting it on their timeline.  According to Snopes, which had fact-checked the same post in February 2018, these rumors and similar fake posts were followed on the heels of a Facebook blog post dated January 11, 2018, that had addressed changes to the service related to changes in the content mixture that users could expect to see in their newsfeeds.  In February 2019, Facebook had responded to a viral message that users see posts from only 26 friends in your news feed stating that, " Facebook does not set a limit on the number of people whose posts are shown in your News Feed. " It also stated that the persistence of the "26 friends" myth is understandable as the posts in a user's news feed are ranked in the order Facebook believes they'll be most interested in seeing.   Facebook further states that "The News Feed algorithms prioritize posts that are predicted to spark conversations among people, whether because of format — for example, live videos tend to lead to more discussions than regular videos — or because the posts were shared by people, groups or Pages you interact with frequently. " Read here   Also Read: Photo Of Sonia Gandhi With 'How To Convert India Into Christian Nation' Book Is Morphed


Krishna Murti, a 97-year-old man was admitted at the hospital on May 30 after being tested positive for #COVID19. The patient was discharged after his test report was negative for COVID-19: Kauvery Hospital, Chennai (12/6) https://t.co/jehhzvk3Sj

Over 300 junior resident doctors of Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital, the designated facility for treating Covid-19 patients, on Friday withdrew their agitation and resumed their duties following discussions with state health minister Eatala Rajender. “Keeping public health into consideration, especially in view of the pandemic we are fighting, and trusting the minister’s reassuring words, our association has decided to call off the strike conditionally,” Telangana Junior Doctors Association president Lohith Reddy, said. For Coronavirus Live UpdatesThe junior doctors had been on strike since Tuesday night after one of their colleagues was assaulted by relatives of a deceased Covid-19 patient with an iron stool and stand, holding him responsible for the death. The minister, who held two rounds of talks with the agitating doctors, assured to take up their demands with chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and see that they are resolved. The HT Guide to Coronavirus COVID-19The association representatives asked the government to resume the treatment of non-Covid-19 patients at the Gandhi Hospital, a super-speciality offering free treatment for a variety of acute and chronic diseases, to help the poor patients. The minister said it would be done after discussion in the state cabinet meeting.  He said the cabinet would also look into the demand for management of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and symptomatic Covid positive cases in a decentralized manner. He added that adequate provision has been made for treating Covid cases in district hospitals and private medical colleges, which should result in better patient care. The other demands made by the doctors including recruitment of medical staff to fill the shortage, provisioning for 30% reserve staff, deployment of special protection force in all government medical colleges and hospitals, will also be placed before the cabinet, he said. He also assured that doctors and paramedical staff will be given adequate and quality personal protection equipment (PPE) and the association will test the quality of the kits before a supply order is placed. The doctors’ association president added that a committee formed by the association will follow up on promises made by the minister.


Delhi: A delegation of Opposition leaders are heading towards Ghazipur border where farmers are protesting against #FarmLaws https://t.co/naCJnBSx42

Nepal's President dissolved the House of Representatives on Saturday for the second time in five months and announced snap elections in November, rejecting both embattled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and the Opposition alliance's claims to form a government, a "regressive" move that will be legally challenged yet again. President Bidya Devi Bhandari announced in an early morning statement that the House of Representatives has been dissolved in accordance with Article 76(7) of the Constitution, ending a day of high-voltage political drama in the Himalayan nation, amidst the raging COVID-19 pandemic. As per the Article, a date to conduct another election within six months must also be fixed.  The President has called early elections pursuant to the Article, the dates being set for November 12 and November 19. The announcement came after Prime Minister Oli in his last deal-sealing move on Friday midnight recommended the Office of the President to dissolve the 275-member House and announce dates for early elections. Earlier, Oli and Opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba had staked separate claims to premiership, both of which were rejected by the president, citing that none had adequate grounds for winning a vote of confidence. "It has been noted that Prime Minister Oli counted those lawmakers as his supporters who extended support to the Opposition alliance, whereas the UML and JSP-N have forwarded letters stating action would be taken against those who had gone against the party to endorse the Opposition's claim," Bhandari said in a statement late on Friday. According to the statement from the President's Office, 26 lawmakers of the CPN-UML and 12 lawmakers of the Janata Samajbadi Party had supported both Oli and Deuba. The president’s announcement plunged Nepal into further political crisis, a reminder of her December 2020 decision when she first dissolved the House at Oli’s recommendation, a move that swayed the course of Nepali politics towards uncertainty. The Supreme Court had annulled the duo's move in February. Alarmed by the duo's move yet again, the leaders of Nepal's Opposition alliance on Saturday decided to take all legal and political means to counter Prime Minister Oli and President Bhandari's "unconstitutional and undemocratic" move of dissolving the House. In a joint statement issued at the end of a meeting called to discuss their future strategy, the Opposition leaders termed the President’s move unconstitutional, undemocratic, autocratic and regressive. The President did not follow her constitutional responsibility of appointing a new prime minister on the basis of the constitutional claim as per Article 76 (5) of the constitution with signatures of majority lawmakers, the joint press statement said.  by the parties after a meeting on Saturday to chart out their future strategy. “Instead she sided with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli with malafide intentions and dissolved Parliament in an attack on the constitution and democracy.  This regressive move has pushed the country towards new political polarisation and complexity. "The statement was signed by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chairperson of Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal Upendra Yadav and Vice-Chair of the Rastriya Janamorcha Durga Paudel. The Opposition alliance is devising a strategy to approach the Supreme Court with all its lawmakers on Sunday demanding to scrap the president's decision. The parties blamed the president for making an assault on the Constitution and democracy in partnership with the prime minister, who had lost a trust vote in the House. The parties claimed that the government is hell-bent on its attempt to prolong the autocratic rule despite the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The Nepali Congress also accused President Bhandari and Prime Minister Oli of misusing the Constitution for their own benefit as their personal property. "Prime Minister Oli recommending forming a new government, President Bhandari announcing to stake a claim to form new government giving less than 24 hours, not appointing prime minister as per the provision of the Constitution and dissolving HoR and holding a Cabinet meeting in the middle of the night are unconstitutional and anti-democratic," the party said in a statement. "NC strongly objects to these kinds of activities,” it said.  Deuba, urging all the democratic forces to unite and act together for the protection of the Constitution and democracy, vowed to take political and legal action against the House dissolution. Speaker of the House of Representatives Agni Prasad Sapkota also said President Bhandari's decision to dissolve the House is against the spirit of the Constitution of Nepal. "The unprecedented move is against the political struggle and verdict of the apex court which had annulled Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's earlier move of dismantling the parliament on December 20, 2020," Sapkota said in a statement. Nepal’s political crisis took a dramatic turn on Friday as embattled Prime Minister Oli and the Opposition parties staked separate claims for the formation of a new government by submitting letters of support from lawmakers to the president. Oli claimed the support of 121 lawmakers from his own party CPN-UML and 32 lawmakers of Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N) for his reappointment pursuant to Article 76(5) of the Constitution. Nepali Congress President Deuba claimed to have garnered the support of 149 lawmakers.  However, a dispute emerged after a few lawmakers from the Madhav Nepal faction put out statements claiming that their signatures were misused and that they did not sign any paper to install Opposition leader Deuba as the prime minister against their own party chief. Earlier on Thursday, the president's office stated that the government had forwarded a request to invoke Article 76 (5) as Prime Minister Oli, it has been learnt, is in no mood to undergo another parliamentary floor test as there is no prospect of an otherwise result given the complex internal dynamics within parties represented in the federal parliament. Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 last year after President Bhandari dissolved the House and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by his rival 'Prachanda'.  In February, the apex court reinstated the dissolved House, in a setback to Oli who was preparing for snap polls.


A boy in West Bengal was beaten up badly for hosting a saffron flag atop his house.

Amid recent tension in West Bengal, a video claiming to be from the state is circulating on social media in which a group of men can be seen brutally thrashing a boy. In the video, a young boy is seen tied to a tree and some men are beating him with belts.  It is being claimed that the boy was beaten up for hoisting a saffron flag atop his house. This is the position of Hindus in West Bengal.  This Hindu boy hoisted saffron flag atop his house. Forwarded by LT Col Dilip Kumar Havanur. The day is not too far every Hindu crusified like this boy. Share it maximum to reach every Hindu.  pic. twitter. com/X941quhLKHIndia Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found that the video is from 2018, and the incident is not from West Bengal but Uttar Pradesh's Deoria.  The actual incident happened over a money dispute. Among many, the post is shared by Twitter user Chowkidar Jagdish Sethi who later deleted his tweet. The video is doing the rounds on Facebook as well.  The message with the video reads: "This is the position of Hindus in West Bengal.  This Hindu boy hoisted saffron flag atop his house.  Forwarded by LT Col Dilip Kumar Havanur.  The day is not too far every Hindu crucified like this boy.  Share it maximum to reach every Hindu. "With the help of In-Vid tool, we found a news report of The Indian Express, according to which the incident took place in UP's Deoria in March 2018. As per the report, the victim was identified as Shamshad who had lent Rs 1,500 to one Nasir.  Both of them had quarrelled over money matter and Nasir with his friends assaulted Shamshad at an isolated place.  Later, police arrested six accused in the case.  News agency ANI also reported this issue. Deoria: Miscreants tied youth to a tree & thrashed him after he asked them for the money lent by him.  Video of the incident went viral, Police took cognizance & arrested one accused, say, 'Main accused arrested, 4 others in video have been identified & are absconding. '(28. 3) pic. twitter. com/1IjLIm4rtwThe video with the same claim went viral last year too.  At that time, Boomlive debunked this fake news. Disclaimer: The video shows violence which some people may find disturbing. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.


Delhi: Farmers from Bilaspur, Uttarakhand reach Ghazipur border (UP-Delhi border) & join protesting farmers stationed at Delhi-Meerut Expressway https://t.co/aVh6rIhIwf

The fifth round of talks between the protesting farm union leaders and government to bring a solution to the deadlock over the new farm laws is going on at Vigyan Bhawan. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi hours ahead of the talks between the government and protesting farmers over the contentious farm laws. Four rounds of negotiations, conducted between three Union ministers and farmers’ representatives, have so far failed to break the deadlock between the two sides. The Centre has agreed to review the recently enacted legislation and bring amendments if required to address the farmers’ demands.  The farmers, however, said that they did not want amendments to the new laws but want them rolled back entirely. Follow live updates here:Tomar requests farmers to stop protesting in cold weatherI want to request protesting farmers to give up their movement so that they don't face inconvenience in this cold weather & citizens of Delhi can also live a life of convenience: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar after 5th round of talks at Vigyan Bhawan today https://t. co/nn1gRw7joB pic. twitter. com/sXBb1d83olUnion minister Tomar urges farmers’ union to have faith in Modi govt’s decisionUnion Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar after the fifth round of talks with the farmers’ union leaders asked them to have faith in the Modi govt.  He thanked the farmers’ union for maintaining discipline and said whatever the govt will do, it will be in the interest of the farmers.  Farmers’ leader hopeful govt will repeal lawsWe said at the beginning of meeting that our demand is withdrawal of laws, don't want amendment.  We took a firm stand.  Finally we were told that next meeting will be held on Dec 9.  It seems govt will definitely roll back the laws: Hannan Mollah, General Secy,All India Kisan Sabha pic. twitter. com/vNCJCagTJjUnion minister Tomar urges farmers to leave agitation, join discussionI’d not like to comment on program of Unions.  But I’d like to urge farmers & Unions to leave path of agitation and come to path of discussion.  Government has had several rounds of talks with them and is ready for further discussion for a solution, said Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Bharat Bandh scheduled for Dec 8, reports ANI. Doubts on MSP baseless, ready to resolve every suspicion, says CentreWe have said that the MSP will continue, there is no threat to it.  It is baseless to doubt this.  Still, if someone is suspicious then the government is ready to resolve it, said Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, reports ANI.  Bharat Bandh on Dec 8 to go on as announced, says farmers’ union leaderGovt will prepare a draft and give us.  They said that they’ll consult the states too.  Discussions were held on MSP too but we said that we should also take up laws & talk about their roll back.  Bharat Bandh (on 8th Dec) will go on as announced, said Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union, reports ANI. Farmers’ leaders say will hold internal discussion on govt proposal before Dec 9Central Government has said that they will send us a proposal on December 9th.  We will discuss it amongst ourselves after which a meeting with them will be held that day: Farmer leaders say after the fifth round of meeting with Central Government concludes#FarmLaws2020 pic. twitter. com/GidiFmEDYXNext talk of rounds between centre, farmers’ leaders on Dec 9It was decided at the meeting that the next round of talks between farmer leaders and central government to be held on December 9th, on the request of all stakeholders reports ANI.  We do not want corporate farming, law to benefit only govt: Farmers’ leadersFarmers’ leaders during the fifth round of talks said, “We do not want corporate farming.  The government will benefit from this law, not the farmer. ”  We do not want corporate farming.  The government will benefit from this law, not the farmer: Farmers to the centre, at the fifth round of talks over farm laws https://t. co/P412cKXOXeUnion minister Tomar appeals farmers’ leaders to send children,senior citizens homeAgriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar requests the farmer leaders during the fifth round of talks to send senior citizens and children home.  He said, “Iappeal to all of you to kindly ask senior citizens and children, at the protest site, to go home. ”, reports ANI. Farmers from Bilaspur, Uttarakhand reach Delhi borders to join protestFarmers from Bilaspur, Uttarakhand reach Ghazipur border (UP-Delhi border) & join protesting farmers stationed at Delhi-Meerut Expressway, reports ANI. Farmers’ leaders threaten to walk out of meeting if Centre fails to decide on demands raised‘The government should make a decision on our demands, otherwise, we are walking out of the meeting’, say farmer leaders participating in the fifth round of talks with the Central Government, at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi, reports ANI.  Why can’t our parliament discuss issue if Canada’s parliament can: farmers’ representativeIf Canada’s parliament can discuss the issue, why can’t our parliament do it, asks Kulwant Singh Sandhu, General Secy, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Punjab on Canadian MPs raising the issue relating to the farmers protest in the Parliament post which the Canadian PM wrote a letter to the government of India.  Farmers’ leaders have lunch carried by them to the fifth round of talks venue#WATCH Delhi: Farmer leaders, present at the fifth round of talks with Central Government, have food that they had carried to the venue.  A Kar Sewa vehicle that carried food for them arrived here earlier today.  They'd got their own food even during 4th round of talks on Dec 3.  https://t. co/hDP8cwzSGJ pic. twitter. com/XSR6m2lljSGovt gives written reply of minutes of meeting to farmers’ leadersThe government has given written response of the minutes of the meeting to the farmers’ leaders.  The fifth round of talks has been paused for a 15-minute break, reports ANI.  Farmers’ leaders ask centre its decision over farmers’ demandsFarmers’ union leaders during the fifth round of talks with the centre at the Vigyan Bhawan said they don’t want further discussion and instead just need a solution or commitment.  They want to know what the government has decided on the demands of the farmers. Union minister Tomar tells farmers’ unions Centre committed to talksUnion agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar tells farmers’ unions Centre committed to talks, welcomes feedback on farm bills, reports PTI. Farmers’ representatives bring their own food to fifth round of talks at Vigyan Bhawan Delhi: A Kar Sewa vehicle carrying food for Farmers' representatives arrives at Vigyan Bhawan during 5th round of talks between Farmers Unions & Centre. Farmers are carrying their own food at the venue today.  They'd got their own food even during the 4th round of talks on Dec 3.  https://t. co/EzZgHcoHTr pic. twitter. com/dKDreXetkyGovt agrees to give written reply of last talks on farm laws as per farmers’ leaders demand Farmers’ representatives during the fifth round of talks regarding the farm laws asked the centre to provide a pointwise comprehensive written reply of the last meeting, the government has agreed to do so.  Fifth round of meeting at Vigyan Bhawan between farmers’ leaders, Centre begins New Delhi: Fifth round of meeting between farmers' representatives and the Central government begins at Vigyan Bhawan.  pic. twitter. com/L4u2LaTi1rProtest to continue until laws rolled back, says farmers’ leaderWe want to complete rollback of the laws.  If the government doesn’t accept our demand, we will continue our agitation, said Harjinder Singh Tanda, state chief of Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, reports ANI.  Narendra Singh Tomar reaches Vigyan Bhawan to hold talks with agitating farmersUnion Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reaches Vigyan Bhawan to hold talks with agitating farmers. Farmers’ representatives reach Vigyan Bhawan to hold fifth round of talks Farmers’ representatives reach Vigyan Bhawan to hold fifth round of talks with the Central government on the farm laws. AAP workers in Mumbai protest against Centre’s farm billAam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers in Mumbai protest against Union government over farm bill and in solidarity with farmers protesting in Delhi. Rashtriya Janata Dal holds protest at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan against the Centre’s farm lawsRashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) holds protest at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan against the Centre’s farm laws. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, “We demand that the Centre repeals the black laws. ”Farmers’ leaders leave from Singhu border for Vigyan Bhawan to hold fifth round of talksFarmers’ leaders leave from Singhu border for Vigyan Bhawan to hold fifth round of talks with the Central government on the farm laws. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves from the Prime Minister’s residenceDefence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves from the Prime Minister’s residence. Farmers’ doubts will be cleared in today’s meeting with Centre: Kailash ChoudharyFarmers’ doubts will be cleared in today’s meeting with Centre.  In recent meetings, some issues were clarified.  It’s Opposition’s politics, they’re instigating the protest.  The meeting will be fruitful & we expect farmers will roll back protest: MoS Agriculture, Kailash ChoudharyWe are hoping today’s meeting with central leadership will be positive: Protestor Farmers protest at Burari’s Nirankari Samagam Ground against recent farm laws enters 10th day. “We’re hoping today’s meeting with central leadership will be positive.  We won’t stop until govt agrees to our demands.  We’ll make the movement bigger,” says a protestor. Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar reach PM Modi’s residence in New DelhiAhead of the fifth round of meeting with agitating farmers, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar reach PM Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi.  Union Minister Piyush Goyal also reaches the Prime Minister’s residence. Government should announce to withdraw the three black laws: Kisan Mahapanchayat presidentThe government should announce to withdraw the three black laws and give in writing that MSP will continue.  If any positive result doesn’t come out of today’s talks, farmers from Rajasthan will march along NH-8 towards Delhi and camp at Jantar Mantar: Rampal Jat, president, Kisan Mahapanchayat. Hopeful that farmers will think positively and end their agitation: Narendra Singh TomarA meeting is scheduled with farmers at 2 pm today.  I am very hopeful that farmers will think positively and end their agitation: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee prepares food for protesting farmersDelhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) prepares food for the farmers protesting at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana).  A volunteer says, “We are providing meals three times a day. ”Delhi: Farmers continue to hold a sit-in protest at Chilla border Farmers continue to hold a sit-in protest at Chilla border (Delhi-Noida Link Road) against the Centre’s farm laws. A farmer says, “If anything concrete doesn’t happen in today’s meeting with the Central government then we will gherao the Parliament. ”Gazipur border (UP-Delhi border) on NH-24 is closed for traffic Gazipur border (UP-Delhi border) on NH-24 is closed for traffic from Gaziabad to Delhi due to farmers protests: Delhi Traffic Police5th round of talks between farmers, Centre to be held todayThe fifth round of talks between the central government and farmers is scheduled to be held today. A large number of farmers have gathered in and around Delhi to protest against the three farm laws. Delegation of JJP leaders met Anil Vij and sought withdrawal of cases against farmers during protest A delegation of Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leaders met Home Minister Anil Vij seeking withdrawal of cases against farmers during protest. Digvijay Chautala said, “Home Minister has assured us that he will look into the matter and discuss the issue with Chief Minister”.


Harsimrat Kaur Badal ji's resignation has come very late. It's to calm down anger of people. Even today, if Sukhbir Badal ji realises, then he should 'gherao' the Parliament with lakhs of his workers: Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secy, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee #Punjab https://t.co/Hl4x6veUuw

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Friday called Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s resignation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet over the Centre’s farm bills a ‘compulsion. ’Jakhar further said the SAD has, in fact, ended up ‘making a laughing stock of themselves. ’ “It was a compulsion.  It wasn’t out of any love for farmers.  For four months they tried to fool farmers but ended up making a laughing stock of themselves.  I think people have seen through it,” he said. “In process, they also lost their respect in the NDA.  Precisely because they have no backing from farmers, Modi ji thought it well to dump them because without support from farmers, the SAD is nothing but a burden for them,” the Congress leader added.   In the process, they also lost their respect in NDA.  Precisely because they have no backing from farmers, Modi ji thought it well to dump them because without support from farmers, Shiromani Akali Dal is nothing but a burden for them: Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress chief https://t. co/7rzIkmZOAjCongress leaders have been among vocal critics of the bills, with four MPs from Punjab burning copies of the legislations inside the Parliament premises on Thursday.  They have called the bills a ‘death knell for the future of farming. ’Farmers across Punjab and Haryana have been protesting for the last few weeks against the central government’s three new farm bills, which, they say, will lead to the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP), thus leaving them at the ‘mercy’ of big corporates. The government, however, says the bills will help farmers across the country get a better market and price for their produce.  Prime Minister Modi has himself given assurance the MSP will stay. The SAD, which will continue to support the government from outside, for now, is the oldest ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the Centre. Badal was the sole representative of the Punjab-based party in the central government, as food processing industries minister.  Her portfolio has been allocated as an additional charge to Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar.


Did you miss the #Oscars last night?

These are some of the highlights. See all of the night's winners here: https://t.co/P24DHFd7Nq https://t.co/Zr6qczwADJ

There was glitz, glamour and so much more! Gaga, J. Lo, Glenn Close: Here's our round up of the best red carpet looks of the 2019 OscarsThe 2019 Oscars are officially here, and the red carpet is full of celebrities who have waited for this moment to bring their fashion A-game. We've rounded up some of our favorite looks of the night. Lady GagaConstance WuAngela BassettBilly PorterDiane WarrenStephen JamesRegina KingAshley GrahamAmandla StenbergSpike LeeYalitza AparicioCharlize TheronAdam LambertMelissa McCarthyEmilie ClarkeAwkwafinaGlenn CloseJennifer HudsonMichelle YeohHelen MirrenEmma StoneMaya RudolphTina FeyBrie LarsonTessa ThompsonSarah Paulson24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A plot to shoot up a Tennessee school was discovered. A pair of 6th-graders were arrested. https://t.co/HvT5mJMIIM https://t.co/ouK9HLlody

The students planned to hide the weapons in the locker room, officials said. News headlines today: April 29, 2019Two 6th grade students in Tennessee have been charged for allegedly planning a school shooting, according to officials. The students allegedly plotted to bring weapons to the South Cumberland Elementary School in Crossville, Tennessee, to shoot their classmates and faculty on the last day of school, according to a joint press release by Cumberland County Schools, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Crossville Police Department. Last week, the school resource officer caught wind of a rumor about the existence of a "hit list" that contained the names of students to be shot, officials said. While investigators did not find a list, they did uncover a hand-drawn map as well as a plot to bring weapons.  The accused students allegedly planned to hide the weapons in the locker room, to be used on the last day of school, officials said.  They allegedly intended to enter the building through the back door before shooting faculty and students and dying by suicide before law enforcement intervened, according to the release. The investigation also revealed "multiple conversations" between the two students in the past two weeks in which they devised the plot, officials said. After the rumor was uncovered, "immediate steps" were taken to ensure the safety of students, but authorities determined that students and staff were not in immediate danger, according to the release. No weapons were found at the school or in either of the students' homes, and their parents have been cooperative in assisting school administration and law enforcement, police said.  The students were arrested by Cumberland County Sheriff's deputies and transported to the Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Facility.  They were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and will remain in custody until they appear in juvenile court. "We take any threat to students and school faculty very seriously and we will respond, investigate and take swift appropriate action to manage each threat," Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox said in a statement. The students' identities were not released.  They will be charged as juveniles, prosecutors said. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


BREAKING: Joe Biden will win the state of Delaware, @ABC News projects based on analysis of exit polls. https://t.co/ngqFUFRkIb #ElectionNight https://t.co/UbPqBw7G7q

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


Total number of #Coronavirus positive cases in India rises to 2547 (including 2322 active cases, 162 cured/discharged and 62 deaths): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare https://t.co/5EaRlEfyKL

India’s coronavirus positive cases climbed to 2,547 on Friday, with the death toll across states rising to 62, the Union health ministry said. The number of active coronavirus cases stands at 2,322, while 162 people have either been cured or discharged and one had migrated, according to health ministry data. On Friday evening, six deaths were reported.  Four deaths were from Telangana and one each from Gujarat and Punjab. Maharashtra, which has reported the highest number of cases so far in the country, has also reported the most number of deaths (26) till date, followed by Gujarat (8), Telangana (7), Madhya Pradesh (6), Punjab (5), Delhi (4), Karnataka (3), West Bengal (3), Jammu and Kashmir (2), Uttar Pradesh (2) and Kerala (2). Also Read | Not religion, the Markaz crisis is about health, and irresponsibility | OpinionTamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh have reported one death each.  The total of 2,547 cases in the country also includes 55 foreign nationals. The highest number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection has been reported from Maharashtra followed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Delhi, out of the total 386 coronavirus cases, 259 are from the Nizamuddin Markaz, the Delhi Health Department has said.  The national capital reported 91 new coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hrs taking the total number to 386. Maharashtra’s state health department data revealed that 67 new coronavirus positive cases have been reported on Friday.  The total number of Covid-19 cases in the state stands at 490.  The death toll in Maharashtra has jumped to 26, according to news agency ANI. Also Read | Bookings closed for domestic, international travel till Apr 30: Air IndiaTo help states in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday approved the release of Rs 11,092 crore to all states under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF).  The money will be used for setting up quarantine facilities and arranging other necessities for containing the spread of coronavirus.  The Home Ministry said the fund has been approved following an assurance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chief ministers during his video conference on Thursday. The Ministry of Home Affairs too contributed Rs 205 crore, drawn from one day’s salary of staff under its command, to the PM-CARES Fund to combat the health crisis in the country.  The ministry has also written to state governments to take strict action against those who have been found attacking healthcare and frontline workers.  Reports of healthcare workers as well as security personnel being attacked have come in from several parts of the country amid the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.  A number of Tablighi Jamaat members quarantined at a Ghaziabad hospital allegedly misbehaved with nurses on Friday, making lewd remarks and other obscene gestures, provoking the Uttar Pradesh government to invoke the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against them. The six Jamaat members at the district hospital were shifted to an isolation ward set up at a private educational institute after complaints received against them. They are among the thousands who attended a religious congregation at the organisation’s New Delhi headquarters in Nizamuddin, now identified as a coronavirus hotspot.


Jammu & Kashmir political leaders meeting today

(reports Ashiq Hussain)

https://t.co/N0wpREUcbw https://t.co/mpE5boWawj

Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti will attend a meeting of major political parties in Srinagar on Thursday two days after she became the last of the major political leaders to be released from detention.  National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah has convened the meeting. Congress leader GA Mir, Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference, Awami National Conference’s Muzaffar Shah and MY Tarigani of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are those expected to attend the meeting. Also read: Farooq Abdullah never said Article 370 will be restored with China’s help, clarifies National Conference“It is an important meet to attend.  The agenda obviously is Jammu & Kashmir’s special status, “ said Shah. Mufti, 61, was released on Tuesday 14 months after she was among hundreds of people, including two other former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, detained to prevent protests against the Centre’s move to divest Jammu & Kashmir of its special status in August 2019. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were released in March.  They met Mufti on Wednesday to invite her for the meeting with the signatories of the Gupkar Declaration and to discuss the current political situation and the future course of action. The signatories met a day before the Centre moved to change Jammu & Kashmir’s constitutional status.  They vowed to defend the “identity, autonomy, and special status of Jammu & Kashmir against all attacks and onslaughts whatsoever”.  The statement has since been known as the Gupkar Declaration. On August 22, six political parties issued a statement backing the declaration.  This was the first statement issued after the nullification of the Constitution’s Article 370 that gave Jammu & Kashmir the special status.


A message that informs women to contact the Nirbhaya Helpline number ‘9833312222’ in case of emergency is doing the rounds widely on social media in the aftermath of the gruesome rape & murder of a veterinary doctor in Hyderabad.  Let’s check to what extent the message is true. Claim: ‘9833312222’ is the Helpline number for women safety during an emergency. Fact: The Nirbhaya Helpline number ‘9833312222’ was started by the Mumbai Railway Police in 2015 for the safety of women travelling on the city’s trains.  And, the helpline has been discontinued in February- 2018.  So, the claim is FALSE.  When searched on Google with the text ‘nirbhaya helpline number 9833312222’, many search results of it were obtained.  A link among them had the information that the Nirbhaya Helpline number ‘9833312222’ was started by Mumbai Railway Police for the safety of Mumbai women.  When searched on Google with this information, an article of ‘Mumbai Mirror’ was found.  The information in the article corroborated that, in 2015, the Mumbai Railway Police started the Nirbhaya Helpline number ‘9833312222’ for the safety of women travelling on the city’s trains. When searched if the Nirbhaya Helpline service is still operational, a search result indicated that the Mumbai railway police had closed the helpline number in 2018.  That webpage is not currently functional, but the same can be noticed in their archived version. To conclude, the Nirbhaya helpline number ‘9833312222’ was started by the Mumbai Railway Police in 2015 for the safety of women travelling on the city’s trains.  Its services were discontinued in 2018.  Did you watch our new Episode of the DECODE series?


Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for the Parliament, to address the joint session of both the Houses today. https://t.co/MNwWxOfU0F

President Ram Nath Kovind is addressing a joint sitting of both the houses of Parliament at the Central Hall today.  The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha is underway with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other lawmakers taking oath as MPs.  President Kovind shared the plan for the next five years as he touched upon issues such as National Register of Citizens, triple talaq, surgical strikes and One Nation, One Election in the joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Om Birla was on Wednesday unanimously elected speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha and pledged impartial oversight of the Lower House over the next five years after an acrimonious general election. The Parliament session will continue till July 26.  The Economic Survey will be presented on July 4 followed by the Union Budget for 2019- 20 on July 5. Here are the highlights:President Kovind stresses on ‘One Nation, One Election’ systemIn his concluding remarks, President Ram Nath Kovind says, “We need to bring in one nation one election system so that the country can grow faster. ”“My advice to all MPs is that you should always remember the fundamental mantra of Gandhiji.  He had said that every decision of ours should be guided by its impact on the poorest and the weakest person in the society.  You must also remember the voter who setting aside all his work and overcoming his difficulties went to the polling station to cast his vote and discharge his responsibilities towards the nation.  Your priority should be to fulfil his aspirations,” President Kovind said. National security paramount for my govt: President KovindPresident says,“National security paramount for my government, surgical strike and air strike on terror camps have made India’s intentions clear”, reports news agency PTI. Govt working to modernise armed forces: President KovindThe government is working to modernise the armed forces.  India will get its first Rafale fighter jet and apache helicopter in the near future, says President Kovind. MPs must consider one nation,one poll proposal: President Ram Nath Kovind‘It is important to implement ‘one nation, one election’ so that the country develops at a fast pace and benefits from it.  I urge the MPs to give this issue serious consideration. ”Govt will work to make rivers pollution free: President Kovind“My government will work to make rivers like Cauvery, Periyar, Mahanadi, Narmada and Godavari pollution free”, reports news agency PTI. 7. 3 lakh crore transferred to people under direct benefit transfer: President Kovind“7. 3 lakh crore transferred to people under direct benefit transfer in last 5 years.  Over 1. 41 lakh crore saved as 8 crore fake beneficiaries weeded out”, reports news agency PTI. Govt will implement NRC on priority: President KovindThe government will implement the NRC on a priority in areas where the problem of illegal immigrants in rampant, says President Kovind. World standing with India on issue of terror: President Ram Nath KovindPresident Kovind says, “World is standing with India on the issue of terror, UN’s declaration of Masood Azhar as global terrorist is the proof”, reports news agency PTI. Zero tolerance to corruption: President Ram Nath KovindPresident Ram Nath Kovind says, “My government will make its policy of zero tolerance towards corruption more expansive and effective”,reports news agency PTI. India’s scientists are preparing to launch Chandrayan 2: President KovindPresident Ram Nath Kovind says, “India’s scientists are preparing to launch Chandrayan 2.  Work on sending the first Indian to space is also progressing at a face pace. ”New govt main objective was to build a secure nation: President KovindPresident Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday told a joint session of Parliament that the new government’s main objective was to build a secure nation, reports news agency IANS. ‘One nation, one tax, one market’ has become a reality: President KovindThe concept of ‘One nation, one tax, one market’ has become a reality after the implementation of GST.  Efforts to simplify the GST will continue, said the president.  Govt working to increase seats in higher educational institutes by 50%: President KovindPresident Kovind says,“My government working to increase seats in higher educational institutes by 50 per cent by 2024, will create 2 crore more seats”, reports news agency PTI. India among the countries having most number of start-ups: President Kovind President Ram Nath Kovind addressing joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament: Today, India is among the countries in the world that have most number of start-ups.  pic. twitter. com/pM0vLVezRrRemoving practices like triple talaq will ensure equal rights for women: President KovindPresident Kovind says,“It is important to rid of triple talaq and halala practices to ensure equal rights for women in the country.  I appeal to the members to extend their cooperation in making the lives of our sisters and daughters better”.   President Ram Nath Kovind: To ensure equal rights for women, it is important to do away with practices like 'Triple Talaq' and Nikah-Halala. ' pic. twitter. com/gLEQmmJ7Lf26 lakh patients benefitted from Ayushman Bharat scheme: President KovindPresident Kovind says, “26 lakh poor patients have benefitted from Ayushman Bharat scheme, 1. 5 wellness centres likely to function by 2022”, reports news agency PTI. Govt providing residential, health facilities to poor: President KovindPresident Kovind says, “My government is giving residential, health facilities to poor as poverty can be removed only by empowering them”, reports news agency PTI. Work underway to develop the 112 ‘aspiration districts’: President KovindPresident Ram Nath Kovind addressing joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament: Work is underway on a large scale to develop the 112 ‘aspiration districts’ of the country, reports news agency ANI.  President Ram Nath Kovind addressing joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament: Work is underway on a large scale to develop the 112 'aspiration districts' of the country.  pic. twitter. com/UHkhrPuBN0Govt moving ahead to create strong, secure, inclusive India: President KovindPresident Kovind says, “My government moving ahead to create strong, secure and inclusive India”, reports news agency PTI. President Kovind: Govt working to ensure banking services are available in northeastPresident says, “The government is working at a fast pace to ensure that banking services are available in villages and the northeast. ”President Kovind: Scholarship amount for children of martyred soldiers hikedThe scholarship amount for children of martyred soldiers from the National Defence Fund has been hiked.  For the first time, children of slain state police personnel have been included in this scheme.  PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme will be extended to every farmer: President KovindIt has been decided to extend the scheme of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to every farmer in the country. One of the biggest challenges is water crisis: President KovindPresident says, “One of the biggest challenges of 21st century is water crisis.  Climate change and global warming will lead to worsening of this problem.  We have to conserve water for our future generations.  In this direction, creation of Jal Shakti Ministry is a decisive step. ” Govt working for Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas: President Ram Nath KovindPresident Kovind: “In this Lok Sabha elections, more than 61 crore citizens cast their vote and set a new record.  The people of India gave a clear mandate.  The govt is working for ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, reports news agency ANI.  President Ram Nath Kovind: In this Lok Sabha elections, more than 61 crore citizens cast their vote and set a new record.  The people of India gave a clear mandate.  The govt is working for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.  pic. twitter. com/x0pN7DovWOPublic has given a clear mandate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections: President KovindPresident Kovind said the public has given a clear mandate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.  “In the last 5 years, citizens were convinced the government is for them,” he said.  President congratulates Lok Sabha speaker Om BirlaPresident Ram Nath Kovind congratulates new Om Birla on his election as the speaker of the Lok Sabha. President Ram Nath Kovind begins his addressPresident Ram Nath Kovind begins his address of the joint session of both the Houses at the Parliament.  Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind begins his address of the joint session of both the Houses at the Parliament.  pic. twitter. com/hcqauYbyxZPresident Ram Nath Kovind has arrived at the ParliamentPresident Ram Nath Kovind has arrived at the Parliament.  Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi.  Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at the Parliament pic. twitter. com/v5kVCCSxiKPresident Kovind enroute to Parliament, to address the joint sitting of both the Houses Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind enroute to Parliament, to address the joint session of both the Houses today.  pic. twitter. com/ff6ngpzra1Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal commented on slogans Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on slogans raised by members during oath-ceremony in Lok Sabha: Our mantra is 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' with 'sabka vishwas', we want to win everyone's trust.  pic. twitter. com/JxgReCmqS0President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for ParliamentPresident Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament.  Both, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, will start proceedings after the conclusion of the president’s address.  ‘Won’t allow chanting of religious slogans in Parliament’: Speaker Om BirlaNewly elected Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said on Wednesday that he would not allow a repeat of the chanting of religious slogans or the heckling that greeted some Opposition MPs when they were being sworn in on Tuesday. “I don’t think Parliament is the place for sloganeering, for showing placards, or for coming to the well.  There is a road for that where they can go and demonstrate.  Whatever people want to say here, whatever allegations they have, however they want to attack the government they can, but they can’t come to the gallery and do all this,’’ Birla said after his unanimous election as speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha. PM Modi to constitute a committee on ‘one nation, one poll’After the conclusion of over three-hour long all-party meeting, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said that PM Modi will constitute a committee on the issue of ‘one nation, one poll’. ‘Will run the House in impartial manner’: Om BirlaNewly-elected Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday said he will run the House in an impartial manner, while asserting that the chair should not be biased, reports news agency PTI. Addressing the House after being unanimously elected as the speaker, Birla assured the members that he will preside over the proceedings in accordance with rules and regulations and “safeguard the interests of the members irrespective of the strength of their parties in the House”. ‘He will discipline and inspire us’: PM on Om BirlaPM Modi says, “ Now that such a sensitive person has been elected the speaker, he will discipline as well as inspire us. BJP MP Om Birla elected speaker of Lok Sabha on WednesdayBJP MP from Kota, Om Birla, elected speaker of 17th Lok Sabha after his name was proposed by MPs of various parties.  The motion was moved by PM Modi and passed by voice vote. First day of Rajya SabhaThursday will also be the first day of Rajya Sabha since the election of a new government. President Kovind to address the joint sitting of both the Houses in the Central HallPresident Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament in the Central Hall at 11 am today.  Both, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, will start proceedings after the conclusion of the president’s address.


The Virginia Cavaliers won't be going to the White House to celebrate with Pres. Donald Trump. https://t.co/HEHgdFUx6P https://t.co/rko7RU3k9q

  The University of Virginia men’s basketball team will not be celebrating its national championship with President Donald Trump at the White House, per a statement from the head coach released Friday.

  Head coach Tony Bennett said the team has “received inquiries about a visit to the White House” but will be declining an invitation because several players are pursuing opportunities beyond their time at UVA.

  “With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together.  We would have to respectfully decline an invitation,” Bennett said in the statement.

  CNN has reached out to the White House for comment on Bennett’s statement.

  The Baylor women’s basketball team, whose members also became national champions this year, announced Wednesday that it would be attending a ceremony at the White House on Monday that will include Trump.

  Trump’s invitations to sports teams faced scrutiny earlier this year, when a Washington Post report revealed that in the more than two years since he had taken office, the President had not hosted a women’s championship sports team for a solo event at the White House.  The Baylor Lady Bears will be the first women’s championship team to make a solo visit since Trump took office, according to the Washington Post.

  Trump has hosted victorious men’s athletic teams several times over the course of his presidency.  There have been events honoring the Clemson and Alabama men’s football teams, the 2017 Super Bowl champ New England Patriots, the Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals hockey team and NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series champion Martin Truex, among others.

  Coming to the White House, however, has been a controversial decision for some invited teams during the Trump administration.

  When the White House hosted a 2017 event honoring multiple NCAA championship teams from a variety of sports, the South Carolina women’s basketball team declined the invitation.

  Last year, Trump canceled a visit from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles team.

  “The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow,” Trump said in a statement at the time.  “They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.  The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. ”

  The NBA champion Golden State Warriors declined an invitation from the President to visit the White House after winning the 2017 championship.

  Individual players also have refused those invitations in the past – Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas declined to visit the White House in 2012 over disagreements with President Barack Obama’s policies.

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


PEOPLE POWER: Employees of the Russian Embassy in North Korea and their families left the country on a hand-pushed rail trolley to return home to Russia. https://t.co/iBFFwH1eEi https://t.co/aAWkL16eF0

By Paula Hancocks and CNN staffUpdated 5:04 AM ET, Fri February 26, 2021 Seoul, South Korea (CNN)Eight employees of Russia's Embassy in Pyongyang and their families spent more than 34 hours trying to leave North Korea this week, a grueling trip that ended with at least one diplomat pushing his luggage and young children on a railway trolley into Russian territory.  CNN's Jake Kwon and Ivan Watson contributed to this report.


BREAKING: Donald Trump will win the state of Indiana, @ABC News projects based on analysis of the vote. https://t.co/HIjccAs87U #ElectionNight https://t.co/khRVAsL3hY


Kristoff St. John's fiancée, co-stars and fans mourn his death https://t.co/euxrafj6Rl https://t.co/HsqNksLr4S

"Young and the Restless" actor Kristoff St.  John has died at age 52LOS ANGELES -- Kristoff St.  John, who played the struggling alcoholic and ladies' man Neil Winters for 27 years on "         Young and the Restless ," has died.  He was 52. Los Angeles police were called to his home Sunday and his body was turned over to the coroner.  The cause of death was not immediately available Monday. St.  John had played Neil Winters on the CBS soap opera since 1991, earning nine daytime Emmy nominations.  He won a Daytime Emmy in 1992 for outstanding younger actor in a drama series and won 10 NAACP Image Awards. His business guy character wended his way through romances, deaths of loved ones and other daytime travails that descended into alcoholism, until his Winters went to rehab. St.  John announced in September that he was engaged to model Kseniya Mikhaleva. "So early. . . . . so early," she wrote in her Instagram Stories.  "Why you are leave so early? ? ? ? Why. . . you are always in my heart. "St.  John was twice married and divorced and was the father of a son and two daughters.  His 24-year-old son, Julian, died in 2014.  On Jan.  21, St.  John         retweeted "Grieving the loss of a child is a process.  It begins on the day your child passes, and ends the day the parent joins them. "CBS and Sony Pictures Television said in a joint statement that St.  John's death is heartbreaking. "He was a very talented actor and an even better person.  For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on 'The Young and the Restless' for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him," the statement said. Fellow cast members and friends were shocked and saddened. "Sitting by myself in my car!  It's raining outside, with dark clouds   and wind outside. . .  am reading your tweets about my friend KRISTOFF!  Thank you all for your kind words!  I have none right now!  He was a hell of an actor and simply one of the nicest guys ever!  Can't believe it! " tweeted Eric Braeden, who plays Victor Newman on the show. Viola Davis and Yvette Nicole Brown were among others.  Brown tweeted: "No! ! !  This news has truly broken my heart.  Kristoff was pure & so kind.  I will never forget how wonderful he was to me and everyone else he came into contact with.  He was just a good, good man. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Pressure mounts on FAA as more countries ground or ban the Boeing 737 MAX 8. https://t.co/f4UZMXx2Tj https://t.co/iWjBS6bdO0

    The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday evening declined to order airlines to ground the Boeing 737 MAX 8 after two recent crashes.

    In a statement, the FAA said investigators have not yet determined whether the issue with the Ethiopian Airlines jet that crashed on Sunday is related to the issue that brought down the the same plane operated by Lion Air last year.

    “External reports are drawing similarities between this accident and the Lion Air Flight 610 accident on October 29, 2018,” reads the FAA’s Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community.  “However, this investigation has just begun and to date we have not been provided data to draw any conclusions or take any actions. ”

RELATED: Which airlines are still flying Boeing 737 MAX 8s?

    The FAA did say it would mandate “design changes” to the aircraft to be done by next month, in response to last fall’s Lion Air crash.

    The changes will include updates to the computer system and the flight crew manual, the FAA said.  It described them as “ongoing oversight activities” rather than a response to the Ethiopian crash.

Passengers have few options if they don't want to fly on a 737 MAX 8 plane

    A preliminary report by investigators found the Lion Air pilots were struggling with a safety system designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling.   But the system was receiving faulty data, and the pilots’ union has said the training manual does not provide details about the system nor how to counteract it.

    The FAA said said the changes will apply to both 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft, a population of 387 airplanes worldwide and 74 in the US.
  © 2021 Cable News Network.  A Warner Media Company.  All Rights Reserved.   CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.


JUST IN: The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000, the highest weekly total since September. https://t.co/faXSvMRHdf

By Paul R.  La Monica, CNN BusinessUpdated 9:53 AM ET, Thu December 17, 2020 New York (CNN Business)The US job market continues to suffer, and Thursday brought more bad news.  Another 885,000 people filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week -- an increase from the week prior and higher than the 800,000 claims that economists were expecting.


BC Patil, Karnataka Agriculture Minister, in Chitradurga (Karnataka): In my opinion there is need for a law that has to be brought in India - Shoot at Sight law has to brought in India for those who speak ill of India or raise pro-Pakistan slogans. It is very much needed. (23.02) https://t.co/dMz0r0eXu1

Days after a young woman in Bengaluru was arrested and slapped with sedition charges for raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans at an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act rally in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s agriculture minister B C Patil has called for law to “shoot at sight” those who speak ill of India or raise pro-Pakistan slogans. “In my opinion there is need for a law that has to be brought in India - Shoot at Sight law has to brought in India for those who speak ill of India or raise pro-Pakistan slogans.  It is very much needed,” Patil was quoted as saying by ANI. Patil said he would request Prime Minister Narendra Modi “to bring in a tough law to deal with traitors. ”“They’re enjoying food, water and air of India.  Why should they be here if they raise ‘Pakistan zindabad’ slogan?  In China, people are scared to talk against their country.  I request PM Modi to bring in a tough law to deal with traitors,” Patil said. Many BJP leaders have accused anti-CAA protesters of being traitors.  In the campaign for the Delhi assembly elections recently, Union minister Anurag Thakur was slapped with a ban by the Election Commission after he egged a crowd at a rally to chant ‘Shoot the traitiors’.  Over the past two months police across the country have slapped sedition charges against many anti-CAA protesters.  Punishment under the Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code that deals with sedition ranges from imprisonment up to three years to a life term, to which fine may be added.  A person charged under this law is also barred from a government job. Rights activists say the British era law has been used to suppress dissent in the country particularly against marginalised communities and minorities.


Thiruvananthapuram: Padmanabhaswamy temple opens for devotees from today since it was closed in March due to #COVID19 induced lockdown.

Devotees will be allowed inside the temple from 8 am to 11 am in the morning & from 5 pm till the time of Deep Aradhana in the evening. #Kerala https://t.co/GmMdc6G35h

Kerala’s Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple opened today for devotees after it was closed for several months due to Covid-19 lockdown. “Darshan will be allowed from 8 am to 11 am in the morning and 5 pm to till the time of Deeparadhana in the evening,” a press statement released by the temple on Tuesday said.  Covid-19 safety measures will be in place during Darshan, the statement added. Click here for Covid-19 coverageDevotees will have to register online one day prior to Darshan and produce a copy of their registration form and original Aadhaar card at the time of temple visit. “35 persons will be allowed inside the temple at a time and a total number of devotees will be restricted to 665 in a day,” the temple administration said. Meanwhile, with 67,151 fresh cases of Covid-19 and 1,059 deaths in a single day, India’s tally crossed 3. 2 million on Wednesday. (with agency inputs)


Ahead of the upcoming Assembly election in the state of West Bengal, a newspaper clipping claiming that 66 fake Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were seized from the house of a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has gone viral.  However, we found that the said clipping is related to Beawar in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district and not West Bengal, as claimed.  Further, a local reporter confirmed to us that it’s an old piece of news.  CLAIM The claim shared along with the image reads: “बंगाल में पूर्ण बहुमत से सरकार बनाने की पूरी तैयारी हो चुकी है भाइयों. ” (Translated: All preparations have been made to form a majority government in Bengal, brothers) The image was shared by several users on Facebook and Twitter with the same claim.  WHAT WE FOUND OUT We ran a keyword search on Twitter and Facebook using the headline of the viral newspaper clipping and found that several social media users had shared it in December 2018.  Since the 2018 posts carried a slightly clearer version of the newspaper clipping, we noticed that the said report is from Beawar in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district.  Using relevant keywords, we ran a search on Google and found that media outlet Patrika had carried a report on the incident in Beawar on 4 December 2018.  As per the article, the city police caught 66 “symbolic EVM promotional material” from a house.  “The election symbol and name of independent candidate Surendra Goyal from Jaitaran region was mentioned in them,” the report added.  Regarding political affiliation of Surendra Goyal, the viral clipping stated that he was a former BJP minister and had contested the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly election as an independent candidate.  As per the official website of the Election Commission of India, Goyal had contested from the Jaitaran region as an independent candidate in 2018.  Evidently, an old newspaper clipping on fake EVMs seized in Rajasthan was revived to falsely claim that the incident is from West Bengal.


Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut after party meeting in Mumbai: We are the big brother in Maharashtra, we were the big brother and will stay the big brother. https://t.co/xnjddcv3rz

Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant will be sworn in as a minister in Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi’s new cabinet, senior party leaders confirmed on Thursday, as the BJP’s leaders met in New Delhi to finalise the names of other members.  Prime Minister-elect Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are in a meeting since morning amid speculation about the likely composition of the new cabinet keeping in mind its allies, who helped it win a massive mandate in the Lok Sabha election. Click here for Narendra Modi Swearing-in Ceremony LIVEThe Shiv Sena, despite winning 18 of the 23 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, is expected to get only one ministerial berth even though it had sought at least three. Also Watch | PM Modi set to take oath before 8,000 guests: All you need to know In the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Sena too had only one minister in the ministry for heavy industries and public sector enterprises — Anant Geete — who lost the election to the Nationalist Congress Party’s Sunil Tatkare from Raigad.  This time, the Sena wants a plum portfolio with a more public profile. “Uddhav ji has chosen Arvind Sawant.  He will take oath today,” Sena leader and its Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said.  Sawant retained his seat by defeating Congress’ Milind Deora in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha election from the Mumbai South constituency.  The 68-year-old won with a margin of 1,00,067 votes against the Congress party’s Mumbai chief. Also Read | World leaders, SRK, Dravid and Dal Raisina: All about NDA II oath ceremonySawant, who is a deputy leader in the party’s hierarchy, joined the Sena in his early years.  He worked as an engineer with Mahanagar Telephone Network Ltd (MTNL) till 1995.  He took voluntary retirement after he was nominated to the Maharashtra Legislative Council when the Sena-BJP government came to power in 1995. Sawant was chosen as the best parliamentarian in the 16th Lok Sabha.  The MP has also said he had 98. 5% attendance in the last Lok Sabha and had participated in 287 debates. Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday evening, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah met for three hours on Wednesday after four hours of discussions the previous day on the allocation of cabinet positions. Shah also met Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, whose Janata Dal(United) with 16 seats, is the third largest partner in the NDA.  The JD(U) was not part of the previous government but is expected to get portfolios in this cabinet. The new council of ministers is expected to retain most veterans and speculation is also rife about Shah possibly moving to North Block if Modi decides to induct him in the government.


BREAKING: Carl Reiner, Hollywood legend and creator of “The Dick Van Dyke Show," has passed away at the age of 98, his assistant confirms to @ABC News. https://t.co/9lMutWQ2MD https://t.co/YP9NHv9AXT

By Todd Leopold and Lisa Respers France, CNNUpdated 12:58 PM ET, Wed July 1, 2020  (CNN)Carl Reiner, the writer, actor, director and producer whose many decades' worth of credits -- including "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The 2000 Year Old Man" -- showcased a ready wit and a generous spirit, has died, his son, director Rob Reiner, announced in a tweet.  Last night my dad passed away.  As I write this my heart is hurting.  He was my guiding light. My idol, Carl Reiner, wrote about the human comedy.  He had a deeper understanding of the human condition, than I think even he was aware of.  Kind, gentle, compassionate, empathetic and wise.  His scripts were never just funny, they always had something to say about us. Carl Reiner was comedy genius.  Often that genius made other funny people even funnier.  But give him a stage and he could spin laughter out of any moment.  I watched him do it time and again.  His contributions to comedy are eternal.  And a lovely man, as well.  #ripCarlReinerMy friend Carl Reiner died last night.  His talent will live on for a long time, but the loss of his kindness and decency leaves a hole in our hearts.  We love you, Carl.  pic. twitter. com/QWyNOYILhWSo sad to hear about @carlreiner Not only did he make my favorite TV& movies (see:Where's Poppa) but his humanity was beyond compare.  His heart was so full of love.  Never left his house empty handed- book, space pen, Swiss Army knife.  RIP to a man that embodies the word  mensch pic. twitter. com/mazBmwznkX


A post is being shared on Facebook with a claim that while the Manmohan Singh government has taken a large amount of loan from the World Bank, the Modi government is running the country without taking any loans.  Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.  Claim: Modi government did not take any loans from the World Bank. Fact: On the World Bank website, it can be found that an amount of $ 21,750 million was lent to India, under different categories, by the World Bank’s IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and IDA (International Development Association) for the period 2014 – 2019.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When searched on the World Bank website about the loans taken by India, it can be found that an amount of $ 21,750 million was lent to India, under different categories for different central and state projects across India, by the World Bank’s IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and IDA (International Development Association) for the period 2014 – 2019.   Also, the year-wise break-up of the total lending for the period 2014-19 can be seen here.  It is not true that the Modi government has taken zero loans from the World Bank. On the World Bank website, it can also be found that a loan agreement of $400 million US$ was signed between the World Bank and the Government of India for the Program Towards Elimination of Tuberculosis in June-2019. To sum it up, the total lending by the World Bank to India during 2014-19 is ‘ $ 21,750 million’, not ‘Zero’. Did you watch our new Episode of the DECODE series on Indian Rivers?