82 more persons have tested positive for #COVID19 in Rajasthan taking the total number of cases to 2666; 62 deaths due to the virus recorded in state till date: Rajasthan Health department https://t.co/C2UtCfl5kI

Rajasthan recorded three more coronavirus deaths on Friday, while 33 fresh cases of the virus were reported, an official said. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said while two people died in Jaipur, one died in Nagaur.  The death toll due to the virus in the state has climbed to 61. Jaipur alone has reported 34 deaths. As many as 33 new cases, including 11 in Ajmer, seven each in Chittorgarh and Kota, six in Jaipur and one each in Jodhpur and Rajsamand have been reported, the Health Department official said. The state now has 2,617 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of which 644 have been discharged from hospitals.  There are 1,656 active cases, Singh said. Jaipur has reported the highest number of cases with 913 infections, followed by 511 in Jodhpur. The COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan includes two Italian citizens and 61 people brought from Iran, who have been put up in Army health centres in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The state is under lockdown since March 22 and a massive survey and screening is underway to track the people infected with the virus.  PTI AG DV DV


An image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi cycling with West Bengal’s Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leader, Pamela Goswami, in a rally has gone viral on social media.  This comes after Goswami’s arrest from the Hooghly district on Friday, 19 February, along with a friend, for allegedly possessing 100g of cocaine.  The image, however, is morphed.  An image shared by PM Modi on a cycle back in 2017 has been edited onto another image shared by Goswami, of a rally in 2020.  CLAIM Several users shared the image with the caption, “Photo-jeevi with cocaine-jeevi”, taking a dig at the Prime Minister’s remarks calling those protesting against the farm laws as ‘andolanjeevis’ or ‘professional protesters’.  WHAT WE FOUND OUT Through a keyword search we came across similar images of PM Modi on a cycle, in several news reports dating back to 2017.  The original image had been shared by the Prime Minister on Instagram on 28 June 2017, thanking the Prime Minister of Netherlands, Mark Rutte, for gifting him a cycle.  A flipped version of the original image has been used in the viral image.  We also found the original image of Goswami cycling in a BJP rally on 1 December 2020.  The BJYM leader had shared the image on Facebook.  A comparison of the original images with the viral image can be seen below.  Evidently, the image of PM Modi cycling with BJYM leader Pamela Goswami has been morphed.


CLAIM As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies across India and the world, several organisations have stepped forward to offer free services and subscriptions to help people cope with social distancing and self-isolation.  Several links on WhatsApp and Twitter started doing the rounds, claiming streaming platforms Netflix and Amazon Prime are offering their subscriptions for free till ‘April 31’.  The website, www. netflix-usa. net, says ‘Free Netflix during quarantine’ and adds “during COVID-19 pandemic, we are giving away totally free access to our platform for the period of isolation, until the virus is contained. ” TRUE OR FALSE?  False.  Contrary to the claims, the website does not belong to Netflix.  The streaming platform is available only on netflix. com.  The tab thumbnail, however, is identical to the genuine site and bears the red ‘N’ symbol.  WHAT WE FOUND The URL ‘netflix-usa. net’ is fake and intended to deceive users.  The Quint contacted Netflix India regarding the claims made by the website.  A senior official confirmed that the subscription rates of Netflix have not changed during the COVID-19 lockdown and remain the same.  The site redirects to a spam site which may contain malicious code that may infect an individual’s system or attempt to steal information from it.  A number of key differences make it easy to tell it apart from the actual website as well as reveal the dubious nature of the claim.  The only change Netflix and Amazon have announced is that they will be reducing their video streaming quality in order to cope with the sharp spike in demand during this period.


Mueller's report looks bad for Obama | @ScottJenningsKY for @CNNopinion https://t.co/2ZlEn1rK7f https://t.co/iDhYOGv63k

Robert Mueller’s report somehow represents everything and nothing. Biggest bombshells, biggest questions from Mueller reportThe TAKE with Rick KleinTwenty-two months, 37 indictments, 448 pages … but how many minds changed in the political world? Special counsel Robert Mueller's report somehow represents everything and nothing to just about everybody.  It ends a prolonged chapter by being simultaneously climactic and anti-climactic -- seen as vindication for both those loyal to President Donald Trump and those committed to his ouster. In fact, the report is neither an exoneration nor an indictment.  It details and exposes presidential behavior that has no precedent but could be both what Trump fans expect and what Trump opponents see as making him unfit for the presidency. When it comes to politics, few arguments are likely ended at the conclusion of this long process.  Mueller's conclusion instead clarifies the political stakes of this moment with a reminder that politics represents choices -- between people, philosophies and even basic norms of behavior from leaders. The Trump phenomenon and the Trump presidency were borne of a particular set of political circumstances.  It will be up to a messy and divided political process to sort things out from here. The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice ParksThe president tweeted "Game Over" and his campaign took a victory lap, too, writing in a statement after the special counsel's redacted report was released, "President Trump has been fully and completely exonerated yet again. "All told, it was a lot of celebration and back-slapping over a report that sought only to answer whether sufficient criminal conduct had occurred and could be proven in a court of law. Typically, more stringent standards apply to elected officials -- standards of morality, truthfulness and transparency.  Republicans have argued as much in the past. Mueller's team, in fact, outlined several instances where investigators found evidence of contacts between members of the Trump campaign and Russians that the president, his staff and his family ultimately dismissed or denied to the American public.  The investigators also looked into 10 actions by the president dealing with law enforcement and reached no final conclusion about whether those actions explicitly did or did not constitute obstruction. With Russia so intent on finding a way into the Trump campaign, Mueller's team wrote in a section of the report dealing with Russian government outreach and contacts, “Schemes involving the solicitation or receipt of assistance from foreign sources raise difficult statutorily and constitutional questions. ”In other words, it is now up to Congress and the federal government to decide if laws and regulations should be tougher, and it's up to voters to decide what their standards are. The TIP with John VerhovekThe frustration across the Democratic field with the release of Mueller's much-anticipated report was palpable and the calls for his public testimony swift and widespread. But in a post-Mueller report world, with a Republican incumbent president ready to "TURN THE TABLES" on his opponents, some Democratic hopefuls will have to recalibrate their political message on an issue most voters are likely ready to move on from. The trio of presidential hopefuls who sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee -- Sens.  Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar -- will have an opportunity to dig in deeper than the rest of the field and put pressure on the Justice Department to reveal more about Mueller's investigation.  But they cannot afford to let those efforts interfere with gaining needed momentum in the early stages of the 2020 race. Even as the well-funded Trump political machine is poised to turn its ire toward them, no Democratic presidential contenders have made Mueller, his investigation or the specter of impeachment the centerpiece of their campaigns. ONE MORE THINGSomething happened on the path to "complete and total exoneration. " Mueller's long-awaited report did not result in a legal case that will be brought against Trump, despite 22 months of a special counsel inquiry.  But Mueller's team of investigators constructed an intricate and detailed political case against the president, with vast implications for the current Congress and for leaders inside both parties in advance of the 2020 election.  https://abcn. ws/2ZkwdGfTHE PLAYLISTABC News' "Start Here" podcast.  Friday morning's special edition of "Start Here" features a full breakdown of the Mueller report.  ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos, Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl, Senior Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce and more tell us the moments that mattered, how lawmakers are reacting and where we go from here.  http://apple. co/2HPocULABC News' "The Investigation" podcast.  On the day of the release of the Mueller report, the ABC News Investigative team breaks down all the critical elements from the special counsel's report.  Former Governor of New Jersey and ABC News contributor Chris Christie shares his own experience being interviewed by the special counsel and says he never believed the Russia investigation was a hoax.  Kate Shaw, former Obama White House associate counsel and ABC News contributor, offers her legal perspective as well.  https://abcn. ws/2Gx1oH4FiveThirtyEight's "Politics Podcast. " On this episode, the crew reacts to special counsel Robert Mueller's findings that the Trump campaign did not criminally conspire with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election and that President Donald Trump did attempt to intervene in the Russia investigation.  The report came to no conclusion about the criminality of Trump's actions during the investigation.  https://53eig. ht/2V8swE7WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAYDownload the ABC News app and select "The Note" as an item of interest to receive the day's sharpest political analysis every weekday. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Delhi: Locals in Shakarpur area serve food to needy, amid lockdown due to Coronavirus threat https://t.co/SUUZtMGOIN

HighlightsSaurabh Jain a Delhi resident who distributed food among hundredsHe is a businessman and has his factory in East Azad NagarHe also feeds stray dogs and birdsSaurabh Jain believes in one simple thing in life, “live and let live. ” This mantra has now encouraged him to take up the responsibility of feeding hundreds of underprivileged people in Delhi on a daily basis amid the ongoing coronavirus lockdown. Since the announcement of the 21-day lockdown, there is a large number of people who have been left without food or shelter.  Jain is determined to provide help to as many as he can.  Jain, who runs a garment factory in East Azad Nagar, has hired people to prepare food for over five hundred people daily.  Be it Pulao, Chole-puri, or Aloo-puri, each day he gets different items prepared to offer to those in need. Some people visit his factory to collect the food packets and Jain ensures that they maintain proper norms of social distancing.  He even hired a few delivery men to ensure that the food packets reach those who are unable to come to his factory. It’s not just the humans that Jain is concerned about.  Since before the lockdown, he used to feed stray dogs and birds.  In fact, this 29-year-old man is feeding the animals for almost 10 years now. Here’s a video which gives you a glimpse of Jain’s efforts:“What will there be if everyone dies? ” Jain told Hindustan Times and added that he will continue his food service as long as possible. Do you know story of any such corona heroes?  Share with us on Twitter or FacebookAlso Read | Corona Heroes: Wives of CRPF jawans, couple make masks to help people fight Covid-19 in Bengaluru


A California law specifically prohibits hotel guests from peeling oranges in their rooms.

Readers love to chortle over lists of “loony laws,” or regulations that supposedly make it illegal to perform acts that range from the benign to the ridiculous.  Various examples claim laws do, or did, exist that prohibit activities that are highly improbable or downright impossible (e. g. , fishing for sharks in a landlocked state), ban actions so mundane that government has no conceivable interest in regulating them (e. g. , barbers eating onions on Sundays), establish rules that seemingly defy common sense (e. g. , requiring fire engines to stop at red lights), or are laughably anachronistic (e. g. , mandating that all taxis be outfitted with spittoons).  Nearly all such cited laws fall into one of three categories: Long, obsolete (and since stricken) laws that addressed conditions or concerns which no longer exist, interpretations of laws that posit a unrealistically narrow or far-fetched application of them, and out-and-out fabrications.  One very common example of a purported “loony law” holds that it is illegal to peel oranges in hotel rooms in the state of California: No such law exists, however, and the belief that it does stems from the category of “unrealistically narrow applications. ” Back in the early 20th century, California had a statute on the books (Act 6236) covering “the sanitation of food producing establishments, places where food is stored, prepared, kept or manufactured and in which food is distributed. ” Under that act, hotel rooms were deemed insufficiently sanitary premises for the storage and preparation of food, for obvious reasons.  Nothing in that law specifically barred peeling oranges in hotel rooms, however.  Peeling oranges was just one of the many, many activities that could be considered a form of food preparation or manufacture, along with cutting, slicing, chopping, dicing, peeling, skinning, trimming, or deboning any type of meat or produce or other consumable substance.  More important, this statute was primarily a commercial regulation, aimed at preventing the use of hotel rooms as facilities for storing and preparing foodstuffs that would be served, distributed, or sold to others for human consumption.  It was not intended to, and certainly would never have been used to, prohibit or punish hotel guests who might simply peel a single orange or banana in the privacy of their room for personal consumption.  We don’t know for certain how this law gained the current absurdly narrow interpretation that it specifically barred the peeling of oranges in hotel rooms, but that characterization is a very old one, as demonstrated by the following clipping of a newspaper article published in a Santa Cruz, California, newspaper in 1932:


Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party office decked up ahead of #DelhiElectionResults. https://t.co/No8TVk27nO https://t.co/KKQcdrRFNv

Shalimar Bagh falls under Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency.  Counting of votes is underway.  People of the constituency voted for the Delhi assembly elections 2020 on February 8.  The constituency had 1, 74,397 registered voters in 2015.  As per the officials from CEO office, Bandana Kumari of AAP has won the Shalimar Bagh constituency by around 800 votes .  Rekha Gupta is contesting from Bharatiya Janata Party against the incumbent MLA Bandana Kumari of Aam Aadmi Party .  In 2015 elections, AAP’s Bandana Kumari defeated BJP’s Rekha Gupta by 10,978 votes. Congress candidate Sulekh Aggarwal stood a distant third. The candidates who contested in Delhi Assembly Elections 2020 from Shalimar Bagh seats are:J S Nayol: INCBandana Kumari: AAPMohit: OTHERSRekha Gupta: BJPDr.  Ashwani Kumar: OTHERSSaurabh Gupta: OTHERSPoonam Kaushik: INDVandana: INDShehnaz: INDShyam Kumar: INDSharvan: INDSuresh: IND


"You gotta give it to Mitt."

Sen. Kamala Harris to @TheView on Mitt Romney marching in Black Lives Matters protest: "He understands that this is a matter of justice." https://t.co/rbKR52tyij https://t.co/rNDXTmr01p

By Alisha Ebrahimji, CNNUpdated 4:19 PM ET, Mon June 8, 2020  (CNN)What was supposed to be an intimate moment before a couple's wedding ceremony has turned into a symbol of solidarity and love seen and shared more with more than just their wedding party.


World War II veteran Capt. Tom Moore is once again going to great lengths for his countrymen.

The 99-year-old British veteran has raised more than £7 million for U.K. health services by walking laps in his garden while under lockdown. https://t.co/ZSO7B2ChfJ https://t.co/RFn2dE2Ijr

By Sara Spary, CNNUpdated 7:37 AM ET, Thu April 16, 2020  (CNN)A 99-year-old British war veteran has raised more than £4. 8 million ($6 million) for the country's National Health Service (NHS) as he aims to complete 100 laps of his garden, aided by a walking frame. CNN's Amy Woodyatt contributed to this report.


Image shows Mamata Banerjee walking with a bandaged foot after her leg injury at Nandigram

An old image of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee with a bandaged foot is viral on Facebook with a false claim that she has been walking around despite injuring herself in Nandigram on March 10.  Banerjee, who filed her nomination in Nandigram for the upcoming elections, alleged an attack on her in Nandigram.  She said that she was pushed by four or five people against her car and the door of the vehicle slammed on her, injuring her foot and head.  She was rushed to SSKM hospital in Kolkata the same night.  A day after Banerjee claimed suffering injuries, eyewitnesses stated that no such attack took place.   According to doctors at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, there were injuries to her foot, shoulder and neck and she had been given painkillers.  The caption with the image shared on Facebook takes a dig at Banerjee for staging the attack and faking her injuries.  The photograph shows Mamata walking with her right foot bandaged, along with her security staff.  The caption shared with the image reads, "Z-plus security, sepoys, guards, bureaucrats, flatterers, officials, syndicate brokers, butchers . . .  among so many, the opposition pushed her away?  People have no other work!  What a screenplay!  After May, Didi will be hired to write a screenplay in Tollywood.  From now on, copying pictures of South will stop.  And May 10 will be celebrated as "International Melodrama Day". "  (Original text in Bangla: "জেড প্লাস সিকিউরিটি, সেপাই, সান্ত্রী,আমলা, চাটুকার, মোসাহেব, সিন্ডিকেট দালাল,বাটপার. .  এতজনের মাঝে বিরোধীরা ধাক্কা দিয়ে চলে গেলো?  লোকের আর কাজ নেই!  কি চিত্রনাট্য মাইরি! মে মাসের পর দিদিকে টলিউডে চিত্রনাট্য লেখার কাজে লাগানো হবে। এবার থেকে আর সাউথের ছবি নকল করা বন্ধ।আর ১০ই মে তারিখটাকে "আন্তর্জাতিক মেলোড্রামা দিবস" পালন করা হবে।") Archive of the post can be seen here.   Also read: Fake Edited Posters Welcome Sourav Ganguly Into Politics BOOM ran a reverse image search and found several Facebook and Twitter posts from November 2020 which showed the same image.  Social media posts stated that the image was taken at Keoratala burning ghat in Kolkata at the funeral of veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee.    We searched with some relevant keywords in Bangla and found the same image in a November 16, 2020 report by a Bengali news website, Mahanagar Barta.  According to the report, Mamata Banerjee walked with a bandaged foot in the funeral march of Soumitra Chatterjee to perform the last rites on November 15.   News outlet, Eisamay, also reported on the incident on November 16, 2020 which states that Banerjee walked with a bandaged foot along with the late actor's daughter, Poulami Basu.  The report carried an image from the same incident from a different angle.   Also read: 2019 Image Of Left Front Rally Now Revived By BJP Handles


Sen. Amy Klobuchar tells AG Barr that his 4-page letter was "clearly a summary and that's why Director Mueller called it a summary."

"We must hear from Director Mueller." https://t.co/6ZpX4pELwy https://t.co/tRF5qAqIQe

  Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday defended his use of the word “spying” to describe surveillance of President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, telling lawmakers his use of the word during a hearing last month was done “off the cuff” and that he wasn’t using it pejoratively.

  “I’m not going to abjure the use of the word ‘spying. ’ I think, you know, my first job was in CIA.  And I don’t think the word ‘spying’ has any pejorative connotation at all,” Barr said, responding to a question from Rhode Island Democratic Sen.  Sheldon Whitehouse during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

  He continued: “‘Spying,’ I think ‘spying’ is a good English word that in fact doesn’t have synonyms because it is the broadest word incorporating really all forms of covert intelligence collection. ”

  Barr said the Department of Justice did a review of press usage of the term and found that it was commonly used in the media, including when referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court as the “spy court. ”

  Challenged by Whitehouse that the term was commonly used by the DOJ, Barr retorted, “It’s commonly used by me. ”

  Last month, Barr, during testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, suggested that Trump’s campaign was spied on, saying he would be looking into the “genesis” of the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation that began in 2016 of potential ties between the campaign and the Russian government.

  “I think spying on a political campaign is a big deal,” Barr said at the time, echoing some of the more inflammatory claims lobbed by the President for months, but declining to elaborate on his concerns.  “I think spying did occur. ”

  The comments took the panel’s Democrats by surprise, many of whom were angered by Barr’s statements and accused him of mischaracterizing the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation in an effort to please Trump.

  CNN’s Laura Jarrett, David Shortell and Evan Perez contributed to this report.
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NEW: Asked if she knew what was Pres. Trump referring to by "large downpayment" on wall as part of short-term compromise to end shutdown, Speaker Pelosi replies, "I don't know if he knows what he's talking about, do you?" https://t.co/CkzcWHZcvD https://t.co/xeKbuFngM6

  President Donald Trump will NOT be giving his State of the Union speech on the House floor next Tuesday.

  That much now seems definite, following an exchange of hugely passive-aggressive letters between Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday – a battle of words that ended with Pelosi informing Trump that she would not be introducing a “concurrent resolution” allowing him to address a bicameral session of Congress on January 29.

  What it means is that we are now through the looking glass: On the 33rd day of the longest government shutdown in American history, the speaker of the House has disinvited the President of the United States from delivering his annual update to Congress – a tradition that has been around since George Washington delivered the first State of the Union address at Federal Hall in New York City on January 8, 1790.

  There are three certain conclusions as a result of Pelosi’s response to Trump’s letter earlier Wednesday, in which he insisted he was planning to show up to give his speech in the House next Tuesday, despite her previous letter asking him to postpone his speech or deliver it in writing a la Thomas Jefferson.

  There are a slew of questions that follow from these certainties: Will this cancellation further set back any attempt at compromise on reopening the government?  Will Trump give some sort of kind of, sort of State of the Union speech from some other location?  If so, where will it be?

Read: Pelosi says State of the Union won't happen during shutdown

  Knowing Trump – and watching what he and his surrogates have said over the last few days – it seems like a virtual certainty that Trump will speak somewhere and call it a “State of the Union” address.  (I outlined four potential alternate locations here. )

  “Whether he does that from the halls of Congress or whether he does that in another location, the President will talk to the American people on January 29, as he does nearly every single day,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in an interview on “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday morning.

  Seen through that lens, Trump’s letter to Pelosi on Wednesday afternoon was a purely political ploy – as this whole thing has been on both sides – designed to put the onus on the speaker to respond, and more accurately, to respond that Trump couldn’t speak from the House floor.  Shortly after Pelosi’s letter denying Trump that privilege was reported by CNN’s Manu Raju, Trump was asked about it and said this:

“I’m not surprised.  It’s really a shame what’s happening with the Democrats.  They’ve become radicalized, they don’t want to see crime stop, which we can very easily do on the southern border and it really is a shame what’s happening with the Democrats. ”

  In truth, none of this should be surprising.  Trump promised a totally and completely unorthodox presidency.  And literally every day of his two-plus years in the White House, he has delivered on that pledge.

  What’s changed over these past two years is Democratic tactics in dealing with Trump.  The party spent much of the first months of Trump’s presidency still shell-shocked that he had won – and concerned that they had grossly misunderstood the electorate.  But, as Trump’s conduct became more and more outrageous – and, to me, his mishandling of the aftermath of the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia was the tipping point – Democrats realized that treating Trump like an even semi-normal president was not a feasible strategy.

  Because Democrats were in the minority in the House and Senate through the first two years of Trump’s term, they had a relatively limited ability to follow through on that fundamental shift in their thinking about Trump.  But the 2018 election changed all of that.  Suddenly, Democrats had the majority in the House – due in no small part to their pledge to provide a check on Trump.

  What we have seen over the past week – Pelosi sent her original letter rescinding the January 29 State of the Union invite on January 16 – is simply one of a series of ways in which Democrats are using their power in the House to conduct asymmetric political warfare against Trump.  The idea of banning the president of the United States from the chance to deliver his “State of the Union” from the House floor was unimaginable under past presidents.  Yes, Democrats loathed many of George W.  Bush’s policies, but this sort of no-you-may-not-even-come-to-the-House strategy was never considered.  And yes, Rep.  Joe Wilson (R-S. C. ) shouted “You lie! ” at President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress, but Obama was given the right to speak.

Here are 6 scenarios that could ACTUALLY end the government shutdown

  This whole thing is unprecedented – and purposely so.  Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues have made the calculation that the only way you deal with a president like Trump – and unlike every president who has held the office before him – is to go beyond where you would have thought you would be willing to go.  To press to the political extremes and beyond, because you are dealing with a political opponent who has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to not just push the envelope but to act as though he is entirely unaware any sort of envelope exists.

  Let me repeat myself: None of this is even marginally normal.  That’s the way Trump likes it – and the way that Democrats have accepted it must be if they want to effectively combat him and the effects of the policies he wants to put into place.

  The loser in all of this political extremism is, of course, the 800,000 federal workers who are either furloughed or working without pay.  It’s impossible to think Wednesday’s ugliness does anything but make a compromise to re-open the government an even more remote possibility.  (And, to be honest, there wasn’t much of a chance of it even before today. ) That means days – and maybe weeks – more of working without pay or not working at all.  And that’s the real tragedy of all of this.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi today morning and offered prayers on the 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Teg Bahadur. https://t.co/jbWapgHPYo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the 17th-century Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib to offer prayers on the occasion of 400th Prakash Parab or the birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur on Saturday.  Modi visited the gurdwara without a security route and special security arrangements, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. PM Modi also extended his greetings to the citizens on Twitter.  “On the special occasion of his 400th Parkash Purab, I bow to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.  He is widely respected globally for his courage and his efforts to serve the downtrodden.  He refused to bow to tyranny and injustice.  His supreme sacrifice gives strength and motivation to many,” he wrote on the microblogging site. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib was built by Sikhs at the site where the ninth guru was beheaded by the Mughals in 1675. Prayed at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib today.  We can never forget the life, ideals and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.  pic. twitter. com/62teTxLJspEarlier this month, the Prime Minister held a high-level meeting to commemorate the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, where he suggested that it is important for the new generation of the nation to know and understand the stages of the Sikh guru’s life. He pledged that India would pay a fitting tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur on his 400th Parkash Purab, however, as the nation battles with the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic most celebrations have been called off.  The meeting was attended Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Union home minister Amit Shah. As most events stand cancelled, the Punjab government has decided to engage students in productive activities as schools are closed due to Covid-19 surge.  Punjab’s education department will hold online educational competitions from May 1 to commemorate the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.  Students will participate in competitions including essay writing, poem recitation, slogan writing, and debates.  They will make videos of the activity and share them on the class WhatsApp groups.  Similar activities were organised online last year in which over 40,000 students participated.  The topics of the competitions will be based on the life, teachings, and achievements of the guru.


A White man and a White woman who allegedly painted over a California community's Black Lives Matter mural this weekend are each facing a hate crime charge, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office says https://t.co/VKxsGAJv59

In video of the incident, a man said, "No wants Black Lives Matter here. "2 charged with hate crime in CaliforniaA white California couple has been charged with a hate crime after they were seen on video defacing a Black Lives Matter mural, according to a statement from the Contra Costa District Attorney's office. Two people, identified by the district attorney as Nicole Anderson, 42, and David Nelson, 53, were seen on July 4 painting over the B and L in the word "Black," which had been painted in yellow, with black paint. In the video, the man identified as Nelson can be heard saying, "There is no racism.  It's a leftist lie," and, "No one wants Black Lives Matter here. "When a woman could be heard asking, "What's wrong with you? " the man replied, "We're sick of this narrative, that's what's wrong.  The narrative of police brutality, the narrative of oppression, the narrative of racism.  It's a lie. "He was wearing Trump 2020 garb and yelled "Make America Great Again. "Anderson was the one seen painting over the letters, while Nelson stood alongside her and at one point fetched another can of paint from a car. Calls to Anderson and Nelson seeking comment were not immediately returned.  It's unclear whether they've obtained legal representation. The mural, in downtown Martinez in front of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, was approved through a permit on July 1, according to the district attorney's statement issued Tuesday.  It was completed on July 4. Other murals like it have been seen in cities across the U. S.  in the wake of protests against police brutality. The Martinez police said in a statement Sunday that the couple appeared to have come to the mural "with cans of paint and a roller with the specific purpose of vandalizing over the mural. ""The community spent a considerable amount of time putting the mural together only to have it painted over in a hateful and senseless manner," police said. Police included a link to the video with the statement in the hopes of identifying the suspects, who, three days later, were charged. In addition to the hate crime, Anderson and Nelson also face charges of vandalism and possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti. If convicted, each could receive up to a year in county jail. "We must address the root and byproduct of systemic racism in our country.  The Black Lives Matter movement is an important civil rights cause that deserves all of our attention," Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said.  "The mural completed last weekend was a peaceful and powerful way to communicate the importance of Black lives in Contra Costa County and the country. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Supreme Court to continue hearing tomorrow the petition filed by former Madhya Pradesh CM & BJP leader, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and others to hold floor test in the State Assembly. https://t.co/mcX0rM8gT7

The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday sought more time from the Supreme Court in the floor test matter, and demanded a probe in the resignation matter of its lawmakers. “Heavens are not going to fall that Congress government must go immediately and Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government must be saddled on the people,” party’s lawyer Dushyant Dave told the bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta. “The MLAs must go back to the electorate and win the election again,” said Dave adding that the lawmakers are expected to serve their constituencies and not get up one day and resign.  Also Watch | Congress Vs MP governor over rebel MLAs; Digvijaya Singh in preventive custody“Justice Hemant Gupta agreed with the statement and said, “That’s what they are doing.  They are giving up on their membership and may go back again to voters. ”The Madhya Pradesh Congress told the apex court that a probe is needed on the resignation letters of its rebel MLAs submitted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to the Speaker of the state Assembly. The party claimed that resignations of its rebel MLAs in Madhya Pradesh were extracted by force and coercion and they did not act as per their free will. It also said the Governor has no business to send messages at night asking the Chief Minister or Speaker to hold floor test. “The Speaker is the ultimate master and the Madhya Pradesh Governor is overriding him,” said Dave, the party’s lawyer. The BJP has claimed that the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, led by Kamal Nath, is in minority after the resignation of 22 MLAs and have demanded a floor test in the Assembly.  But Speaker NP Prajapati adjourned the House for 10 days on Monday, prompting the BJP to move Supreme Court.  The court sought responses from Chief Minister Kamal Nath and the Speaker. The Congress also filed a petition in the top court the next day saying that the floor test cannot take place in Madhya Pradesh because 16 of its lawmakers have been held captive in Bengaluru.


Karti Chidambaram in Chennai: It (arrest of P Chidambaram by CBI) is being done just to divert attention from the issue of #Article370. https://t.co/ym8t0TjRbH

A day after former finance minister P Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI in INX media case, his son and and an accused in the case Karti Chidambaram said that his father’s arrest was nothing but an attempt to silence the government’s most vocal critic. Speaking to reporters on his arrival in Delhi from Chennai, the Sivaganga lawmaker said: “I was summoned 20 times, raided four times.  They still don’t have a case. ” “This is a totally vindictive and malicious act done by a pliant agency.  This is only done to settle political scores.  There is absolutely no necessity to have done this.  It has been done only to create a spectacle on television and to tarnish the image of the Congress party, and to tarnish the image of the former Finance and Home Minister.  This is a completely trumped-up case in which he has absolutely no connection whatsoever.  This is being done only for political reasons,” Karti earluer told ANI in Chennai. When asked about comparison with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s arrest in 2010, Karti said, “I am not willing to make any kind of comparisons.  I can only comment on the case pertaining to what is happening right now.  All I can say is this is a completely trumped-up and vindictive act. ”Watch | Politically motivated witch-hunt’: Karti Chidambaram on father’s arrest P Chidambaram was arrested from his house in Delhi’s Jor Bagh, after he failed to get a hearing in the Supreme Court, after a 90-minute drama that saw the former union minister addressing a press conference, CBI team climbing a wall of his house and scuffles between supporters. “He (P Chidambaram) has been on anticipatory bail since May last year.  The judgment has been reserved since January.  And all of a sudden the judgment which came out, I respectfully disagree with it and that is why we have appealed in the Supreme Court.  The matter is coming up on August 23, now we will have to see its legal status.  We will fight this out politically and legally,” Kati told ANIAfter his arrest by the CBI from his Jor Bagh residence, Chidambaram, 73, was taken to headquarters of the probe agency.  He is likely to be produced before a CBI court at the Rouse Avenue on Thursday. In his press conference, P Chidambaram rejected charges against him and his son Karti in the INX Media case, Chidambaram said FIR does not impute any wrongdoing by him and there was no chargesheet either by the CBI or ED before the competent authority.


Telangana: Visuals from outside a counting centre in Hyderabad; counting of votes for #LokSabhaElections2019 to begin at 8 am. #ElectionResults2019 https://t.co/Mp550QffXk

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A massively viral video on Facebook claims to show police action in France.  However, Spanish fact-checkers and local journalists confirmed to The Quint’s WebQoof team that the video in question was shot on 30 October and shows people protesting against the new coronavirus restrictions in Barcelona.  CLAIM The claim along with the video reads: “Police action in France. ” The video shared by Facebook account ‘Proud to be an Indian’ had garnered as many as 14 million views and was shared over 49,000 times at the time of publishing the article.  Several social media users shared the video on Facebook and Twitter with the same claim.  WHAT WE FOUND OUT While going through the comments of the video on Facebook, we found a user had mentioned that the video is from Barcelona.  We, then, searched on YouTube with keywords “Barcelona police” and came across videos uploaded by Ruptly, The Telegraph, among others that showed visuals of people protesting in Barcelona on 30 October against new coronavirus restrictions.  We could find similar elements in the videos uploaded by news outlets and the viral video which suggested that the latter is from Barcelona.  For instance, we could see ‘Bus, Taxi’ written on the road in both the cases.  GOOGLE EARTH SHOWS VIDEO IS FROM VIA LAIETANA STREET With the help of shops seen in the visuals shared by news organisations, we were able to find out that the video is from Via Laietana street in Barcelona.  The exact street in Barcelona on Google Earth can be seen here.  We were also able to match several elements in the viral video and the Google street view.  The below comparison shows similar physical structures in both the cases in terms of the positioning, design and shape.  Same blue signboard along with the text written on the road can be seen in viral video as well as Google street view of Via Laietana street.  While this was one side of the road seen in the viral video, it then pans to show the other side of the road.  We matched the other side too and found similar demarkation on the road.  LOCAL JOURNALISTS, FACT-CHECKERS CONFIRM THE LOCATION Speaking to The Quint’s WebQoof team, Nacho Doce, visual journalist at Reuters who had covered the Barcelona protest, said that the viral video is indeed from Via Laietana street in Barcelona.  Joaquin Ortega from Spanish fact-checking website Newtral and Clara Jiménez Cruz from fact-checking portal Maldita. es also confirmed to us that the video is from Barcelona.  Spanish media outlets such as La Vanguardia and and El Periodico had also reported on the protests against new coronavirus restrictions.  The new restrictions reportedly include a curfew and ban on leaving the city over the then holiday weekend.  Evidently, a video of protests in Barcelona was falsely claimed to be from France.


A Kar Sewa vehicle carrying food for Farmers' representatives arrives at Vigyan Bhawan during 5th round of talks between Farmers Unions and Centre

Farmers are carrying their own food at the venue

(pics: ANI)

https://t.co/kqVAv1ex4U https://t.co/BGJ2jdFlrT

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”.


Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan inspects the management and preparedness for #CoronaVirus, at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport

Get the latest updates on the #Covid19 global outbreak here: https://t.co/tkvgg4tEwA

(pics: ANI) https://t.co/w3JsxZSYWz

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

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France reports three more coronavirus deaths'Long list' of countries not doing enough against virus, says WHOSpecial flights to start between Iran and India for the stranded passengers, says Iran embassy official: ANIArrangements being made to facilitate return of stranded Indians in Iran: MEAAir travellers coming from Italy, South Korea to carry medical certificate, says DGCAPaytm shuts Gurugram office for 15 days after employee tests positiveNew York confirms two more coronavirus cases, state total at 13Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi to remain closed for primary classes till March 31Iran reports 15 more deaths, toll goes up to 107Ghaziabad man tests positive, total cases in India go up to 30Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan to be closed from March 72 suspected cases in Telangana test negative for COVID-19: MinisterGreece reports 21 new coronavirus cases in group travelling from IsraelBMC launches helpline to report coronavirus cases in Mumbai'Have to be careful next 10-15 days': Uddhav ThackerayAs coronavirus scare looms across the world with at least 30 people infected with the novel Covid-19 in India, airports in the country are all set for a mammoth screening exercise. Health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said in the Parliament that 28,529 persons across the country have been brought under surveillance. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Brussels to attend India-EU Summit was cancelled on Thursday and the meeting has been rescheduled, said the MEA spokesperson. Here are latest updates on coronavirus:France reports three more coronavirus deathsFrance reported three more deaths due to coronavirus infection on Thursday, taking the total toll to seven.  The number of confirmed coronavirus infections rose by 138 to 423, a health official said according to a report in Reuters. A total of 23 people are in a very serious condition, health agency director Jerome Salomon said at a daily briefing about the virus. 'Long list' of countries not doing enough against virus, says WHOThe World Health Organisation on Thursday warned that many countries were not taking necessary steps to fight the spread of coronavirus. “This is not a drill.  This is not the time for giving up.  This is not a time of for excuses.  This is a time for pulling out all the stops,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a daily briefing in Geneva, according to a report in AP. "Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades.  Now is the time to act on those plans," he added. Special flights to start between Iran and India for the stranded passengers, says Iran embassy official: ANIFrom tomorrow, special flights will start between Iran and India for the stranded passengers.  Over 2000 Indians are stranded in Iran.  We can send them back to India only after proper approval of Indian authority, an Iran embassy official said. Arrangements being made to facilitate return of stranded Indians in Iran: MEAArrangements are being made to facilitate the return of stranded Indians from Iran in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak through normal civil aviation channels, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.  MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said as of now there are no Indians infected with the virus in Iran. Air travellers coming from Italy, South Korea to carry medical certificate, says DGCAAir travellers having visited or arriving from Italy and South Korea will require to submit a certificate of having "tested" negative from a health authorities-designated lab in their countries for coronavirus at the departure airport, a senior DGCA official said on Thursday.  The fresh travel curbs, which are in addition to the visa restrictions already in place, would come into effect from midnight of March 9 and will remain in place until cases of coronavirus subside, he said. Paytm shuts Gurugram office for 15 days after employee tests positivePaytm has shut its Gurugram office for up to a fortnight after one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus, the company said, as it looked to contain the spread of infection to other employees. New York confirms two more coronavirus cases, state total at 13New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday announced there were two more confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected patients in the state to 13, reports ReutersKendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi to remain closed for primary classes till March 31Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi to remain closed for primary classes till March 31 in view of coronavirus: PTI quotes officialsIran reports 15 more deaths, toll goes up to 107Iran on Thursday reported 15 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, raising the national toll to 107, and said it would keep schools and universities closed until early April, reports AFP. Ghaziabad man tests positive, total cases in India go up to 30A suspected case of coronavirus from Ghaziabad has been confirmed by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.  The man, with travel history of Iran, has been found to be covid-19 positive.  This takes the total number of infected cases in India to 30. Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan to be closed from March 7The Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan will be closed for public from March 7 in view of coronavirus outbreak.  "Continuing the precautionary measures at Rashtrapati Bhavan in view of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus, the Mughal Gardens will close for public from Saturday, March 7 to avoid any large gathering of people," a Rashtrapati Bhavan tweet said on Thursday evening. 2 suspected cases in Telangana test negative for COVID-19: MinisterTwo suspected coronavirus cases in Telanagana have tested negative, the health administration announced on Thursday.  The administration said there are no fresh cases of COVID-19 in the state. The samples were of a man having travel history to Italy and a sanitation worker in Secunderabad's Apollo Hospitals who had come in contact with the techie who had tested positive on Monday, said the state health minister E Rajender. Greece reports 21 new coronavirus cases in group travelling from IsraelGreek health officials on Thursday reported 21 new coronavirus infections among a group that had recently travelled to Israel, raising the country's total to 31, reports Reuters. "Twenty-one out of 24 people tested positive," Sotiris Tsiodras of the national public health organisation (EODY) told a news conference. BMC launches helpline to report coronavirus cases in MumbaiMumbai's civic body.  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has launched a 24x7 helpline number '1916' to report coronavirus cases in the city. 'Have to be careful next 10-15 days': Uddhav ThackerayMaharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked people of the state not to panic but added the need to be careful over the next few days. "Municipal corporations and administration of the state are on alert.  We have to be more careful in next 10 to 15 days.  It is advised to avoid big gatherings during Holi as already requested by PM Modi," Thackeray said, reports ANI. First published: Mar 05, 2020 05:25 IST


In echo of unfounded claims made by Pres. Trump, Russia has promoted allegations attempting to undermine integrity of mail-in voting, according to intelligence bulletin obtained by @ABC News. https://t.co/h1FbTx9EY9

By Zachary Cohen, CNNUpdated 9:43 AM ET, Fri September 4, 2020 Washington (CNN)An intelligence bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security warns that Russia is attempting to sow doubt about the integrity of the 2020 elections by amplifying false claims related to mail-in voting resulting in widespread fraud, assertions that have been repeatedly pushed by President Donald Trump, according documents obtained by CNN.  CNN's Jake Tapper, Katelyn Polantz, Marshall Cohen and Pamela Brown contributed to this report.


Delhi: 10 MLAs of Sikkim Democratic Front join BJP in presence of BJP Working President JP Nadda and General Secretary Ram Madhav https://t.co/7bsdcEfdDP

Ten MLAs of the Sikkim Democratic Front joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Monday, making the BJP the main opposition party in the northeastern state.  The SDF, a former ally of the BJP, was ousted from power after 25 years in this year’s assembly election. The SDF won 15 seats in the April election, but two of its leaders got elected from two seats.  “So the effective strength of the SDF legislature party is 13 and 10 of them joined the BJP today,” BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said.  “With this the BJP will become the main opposition party in Sikkim, and we will play the role of a constructive opposition. ”Former chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling of the SDF, who is currently the leader of the opposition in Sikkim, did not join the BJP. Also Read| With extension of membership drive, BJP target 5 crore new joineesSDF MLAs who joined the BJP include Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Ugyen Tshering Gyatso, Narendra Kumar Subba, Dilli Ram Thapa, Karma Sonam Lepcha, Krishna Bahadur Rai, Tashi Thendup Bhutia, Farwanti Tamang, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha and Raj Kumari Thapa. “We will work to expand the BJP’s base in Sikkim,” said Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, also a former minister.  “We want lotus to bloom in Sikkim.  The younger generation has accepted look east policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ”Both Chamling and Lepcha successfully contested assembly election from two seats and they will vacate one seat each. Ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha legislator Kunga Nima Lepcha, also a minister in Prem Singh Tamang government, also successfully contested the assembly election from two seats and will vacate one. “By-election to three assembly seats will take place shortly.  If the BJP wins all three its tally will go up to 13 MLAs in a house of 32,” a BJP leader said.  Seventeen is the magic figure in the assembly and if the SKM loses it seat, its tally will come down to 16.  “We can get within a striking distance of forming a BJP-led government in Sikkim if we win all these three bye-election,” the BJP leader said.


US President @realDonaldTrump and the First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) arrive at Motera Stadium, in Ahmedabad

#NamasteTrump event to be held here shortly

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

#TrumpInIndia #NamasteyTrump
#TrumpModiMeet https://t.co/hZ9W7hZzh8

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

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

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


ITBP troops guard booths and help senior citizens in Tamluk, East Medinipur, during second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls: ITBP https://t.co/Q6w71d0tKq

Voting across 30 assembly constituencies of West Bengal and 39 constituencies in Assam was conducted in the second phase of assembly elections on Thursday.  Over 11 hours into polling, the states recorded a voting percentage of 80. 43% and 77. 21% respectively, so far. The Election Commission notified on Thursday evening the second phase was conducted peacefully across 21,212 polling stations which were spread over the total 69 constituencies.  The second phase of polls in Bengal witnessed a crucial battle for the Nandigram assembly seat, from where chief minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting for the first time instead of her traditional Bhawanipore seat.  While Banerjee seeks to retain the chief minister’s post for the third term, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded her former aide Suvendu Adhikari against her from Nandigram. Click here for full assembly election 2021 coverageSoon after Banerjee reached a polling booth in the constituency, sloganeering was reported from the station, following which she spoke with the state governor Jagdeep Dhankar to look into the matter.  She also alleged that several voters were not being allowed to cast their ballot.  The governor has assured her that the issue has been flagged to concerned officials. Meanwhile, in Assam, over 7. 3 million voters decided the fate of 345 candidates.  The main electoral battle in the northeastern state is between BJP and Congress.  The BJP this time as teamed up with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) while the Congress as a part of the Grand Alliance is fighting the election with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the Anchalik Gana Marcha (AGM) and the Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF). Follow latest updates on Phase 2 voting hereFollow all the updates here:Cong seeks candidature disqualification of Assam minister Pijush HazarikaAs voting concluded for the second phase of the assembly election in Assam, the Congress Party on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the state's Chief Electoral Officer, seeking candidature disqualification of Assam minister Pijush Hazarika for allegedly threatening journalist, according to news agency ANI.  After Mahua Moitra’s ‘Chotiwala’ barb, Giriraj Singh reactsAs the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have engaged in a squabble over the ‘chotiwala’ jibe, Union fisheries minister and BJP leader Giriaj Singh on Thursday reacted sharply towards TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s recent tweet where she said, “There are chotiwalas and then there are chotiwala rakshasas who refers to gotra of Rohingyas as if it were a term of abuse.  Modiji should ask his cabinet minister to refrain from such filth. ” Read more90% of votes have gone to BJP in Nandigram, says Suvendu AdhikariExpressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would emerge victorious in West Bengal's Nandigram constituency, party leader Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday that 90% of the votes in Nandigram have gone to the BJP.  Polling across assembly constituencies done under strict security cover: Election CommissionThe EC added that polling across all assembly constituencies in Phase 2 was conducted under strict security arrangements.  "Central Armed Police Forces(CAPFs) along with the local police force have been deployed to ensure peaceful, intimidation free and conducive atmosphere for the smooth conduct of elections in a free, fair, inclusive and accessible manner," a statement from the Commission read.  Phase-2 of Assam, Bengal assembly polls conducted peacefully, says ECThe Election Commission said on Thursday that the second phase of the assembly elections in Assam and Bengal conducted peacefully across 21,212 polling stations which were spread over 69 assembly seats, ANI reports. Voter turnout in Bengal goes over 80%, Assam sees 73. 09% turnoutThe latest update by the Election Commission at 6. 06 pm showed that West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 80. 43% while Assam saw a turnout of 73. 09%.  Worried about democracy, not Nandigram, says Bengal CM BanerjeeWe have already lodged 63 complaints with Election Commission.  I am not worried about Nandigram, but I am worried about democracy.  I will win Nandigram with the blessings of 'Maa Maati Manush': West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pic. twitter. com/QD81ZMOahOWest Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hit out at the Election Commission (EC) and said, "Whatever you (Election Commission) try, BJP will not win.  In Nandigram, 90% of the votes will to TMC. " Banerjee also said that the TMC had already lodged 63 complaints with the commission adding that she was not worried about her constituency Nandigram but was worried about democracy.  "I will win Nandigram with the blessings of 'Maa Maati Manush,' the Bengal CM added. East Mednipur: ITBP personnel help senior citizens cast vote during second phase of pollingITBP troops guard booths and help senior citizens in Tamluk, East Medinipur, during second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls: ITBP pic. twitter. com/Q6w71d0tKqITBP personnel helps senior citizen to reach a polling booth in West Bengal's BankuraA personnel from of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was seen helping a senior citizen to reach a polling booth in West Bengal's Bankura to exercise his franchise.  West Bengal records over 71% voter turnout so far, Assam sees 63. 04%Latest updates by the Election Commission at 4. 12 pm showed that Bengal has recorded a voter turnout of 71. 07% while Assam has seen a turnout of 63. 04%.  Voters queue up at poll booth in MayongPhotos from polling stationsA look at Phase 2 Bengal, Assam voting in photos68. 81% voter turnout recorded in Bengal so far, Assam sees 61. 86% turnoutAs of 3. 17 pm, 68. 81% voter turnout has been recorded in West Bengal while Assam sees a voter turnout of 61. 86%, according to the Election Commission. TMC acting desperately due to fear of losing, says BJP's Suvendu AdhikariWith polling currently on for the second phase of the assembly election in West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikrai said on Thursday that the rival Trinamool Congres (TMC) was acting desperately due to the the fear of losing this year's election.  "They (TMC) tried to capture two booths but the police observer caught them.  They tried to use fake IDs at other booths and now three people have been held," Adhikari said while speaking to reporters, according to news agency ANI. Locals not being allowed to vote in Nandigram, Bengal CM tells Governor Dhankar#WATCH: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee speaks to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar over the phone at a polling booth in Nandigram.  She says, ". . . They didn't allow the local people to cast their vote.  From morning I am campaigning. . . Now I am appealing to you, please see. . . " pic. twitter. com/mjsNQx38BBWest Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday phoned state governor Jagdeep Dhankar where she alleged that local people are not being allowed to exercise their franchise in Nandigram, reports ANI.  Read more58. 15% voter turnout recorded so far in Bengal, Assam sees 48. 26% turnoutAs voting for the second phase of assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam continues, 58. 15% voter turnout was recorded in Bengal till 1. 30 pm in 30 constituencies while Assam saw a turnout of 48. 26% till 1 pm in 39 constituencies. Assam sees peaceful polling in phase twoThe situation in Assam was peaceful with a significant number of voters turning up during the morning hours to exercise their franchise in the 39 seats where voting was underway in the second phase on Thursday. There were reports of EVM glitches from some polling stations and upon their immediate replacement voting continued uninterrupted, an election official said. 29. 27% voter turnout recorded till so far in Bengal, Assam sees 21. 71%21. 71% and 29. 27% voter turnout recorded till 11. 17 am in the second phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal, respectively: Election Commission of IndiaAssam polls: Women turn out in large numbers in morning hours, overall situation peacefulLong queues were seen outside most of the booths as women stepped out in large numbers during the early hours of polling at 39 seats in the second phase of the assembly elections in Assam. Though there were reports of EVM glitches from some polling stations, the exact figure was yet to be ascertained, an official said. No reports of violence so farThere have been no reports of violence or clashes among political activists in the constituency, barring an incident in the Bhimkata area in Nandigram where the BJP candidate faced an agitation by a group of TMC workers who shouted slogans against him, an Election Commission official said. Mamata to stay for whole day, TMC complains agents not allowed in several boothsWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided to stay at her war room in the Reyapara area during the polls on Thursday in the Nandigram assembly constituency where she is locked in a fierce prestige battle with confidante-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP. She is monitoring the situation in the high-profile constituency where polling began at 7 am as local TMC leaders complained of their election agents not being allowed to enter several booths, according to the party sources. 10. 51% and 13. 14% voter turnout recorded till 9 amA voter turnout of 13. 14 per cent was recorded till 9 am on Thursday in the second phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal. Paschim Medinipur recorded the highest turnout among districts, while among constituencies, Indus reported the maximum voter turnout. Suvendu Adhikari appeals people to voteBJP candidate and Mamata Banerjee's rival stepped out to vote and said,"I appeal to people to come out in large numbers to cast their vote as the whole country is looking at Nandigram.  People are waiting to see if development or politics of appeasement will win here. "Voting begins in Bengal#WestBengalElections2021 | Polling begins at booth number 137 in Bankura, in the second phase of voting for Assembly elections pic. twitter. com/BrcmczzsJZPolling begins at booth number 137 in Bankura, in the second phase of voting for Assembly electionsPM Modi urges West Bengal to vote in 'record numbers'PM Modi also voted for West Bengal and asked people to vote in record numbers.  "Urging the people of West Bengal in whose seats there is polling taking place today to vote in record numbers," PM Modi said in a tweet. 'Festival of democracy': PM Modi tweets ahead of votingAhead of the voting, PM Modi urged voters to go out and vote.  "Second phase of the Assam polls takes place today.  Requesting all eligible voters of this phase to strengthen the festival of democracy by exercising their franchise," PM Modi said in a tweet. Voting begins in 39 seats in Assam, 30 seats in West Bengal in phase 2 of Assembly electionsGet our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


#AssamElections | Miffed with handling of EVMs, Assam Congress wants CCTV links to strong rooms

(reports @utpal_parashar)

https://t.co/BtIZPSOvkD https://t.co/hyYfvuBoLq

A day after conclusion of polling for the third and final phase, Assam Congress on Wednesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to provide them links to close circuit television (CCTV) cameras of the strong rooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) are kept before counting of votes. The opposition Congress is unhappy with the management of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the election process, which witnessed several ‘unwanted incidents’ and is concerned about the machines before counting of votes on May 2. “Considering several unwanted incidents already been reported in respect of the EVMs and the discrepancy aroused in connection with them in several places of the state during election phases, it has now become essential to ensure protection of the EVMs from rigging by any means after conclusion of all the three phases of election in the state to protect the interest of democracy,” state Congress president Ripun Bora in a letter to chief electoral officer, Assam, Nitin Khade. Elections to the 126 assembly seats in Assam were conducted in three phases on March 27 (47 seats), April 1 (39 seats) and April 6 (40 seats). “As the strong rooms are already under CCTV surveillance with access to the concerned election officers to ensure its protection, it would also afford satisfaction to the contesting candidates if the access/link of those CCTV surveillances is provided to them and the same will definitely ensure holding of the present assembly election in the state in a fair and impartial manner,” the letter added. On March 28, a day after conclusion of the first phase of polls, Congress had written to the EC seeking permission to install CCTV cameras in the space allotted to candidates of the party in front of the strong rooms so that they could keep tabs on the EVMs. “Our party had made the request on March 28 and we are yet to get any response from the EC on it.  We request the authorities to look into this matter seriously,” Bora said at a press conference in Guwahati on Wednesday. Congress has already placed four party cadres from each constituency in front of the strong rooms across the state to keep an eye on any suspicious activity before counting of votes. On April 1, after conclusion of the second phase of polling, several electronic voting machines (EVMs) from a polling station in Ratabari seat were found in the vehicle belonging to the wife of a sitting Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from neighbouring Patharkandi.  Both seats are from the Barak Valley region of the state. Following uproar over this major lapse, the Election Commission suspended four officials and ordered re-poll in the polling station to which the EVMs belonged. In a statement, the EC mentioned that the polling officials used the MLA’s wife’s car, without knowing whom it belonged to, as the official vehicle in which they were carrying the EVMs broke down while taking the machines back after polling ended.  A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Reacting to Congress’ request to the EC, ruling BJP office bearers in Assam said that while they will be monitoring the strong rooms, the party has full faith in the poll body and its management of the EVMs. “We are monitoring the strong rooms as per routine.  But unlike the Congress, we have full faith in the EC and its conduct of the polls.  Congress’s worry stems from the fact that they are losing.  They always blame EVMs when they lose, but are happy with the machines when they win,” BJP Assam spokesperson Rupam Goswami said. (With inputs by Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha in Silchar)


"His life was cut far too short."

A procession took place to honor police officer Eric Talley, who was one of ten people killed when a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado on Monday. https://t.co/7zO1TFnB02 https://t.co/Kh4oI29pNc

By Holly Yan, Keith Allen, Rebekah Riess and Hollie Silverman, CNNUpdated 5:30 PM ET, Tue March 23, 2021  (CNN)When the call came in about someone at a grocery store possibly armed with "a patrol rifle," Officer Eric Talley headed straight toward the danger. CNN's Shawn Nottingham, Joe Sutton and Whitney Wild contributed to this report.


Aam Aadmi Party's Manish Sisodia: I am happy to become the MLA from Patparganj assembly constituency again. BJP tried to do politics of hate but people of Delhi chose a government that works for the people. #DelhiElectionResults https://t.co/sQ5UZLHHNA

People of Delhi have given a befitting reply to the BJP’s “politics of hate and violence,” CPI(M) said on Tuesday as it congratulated Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party for a resounding win. According to the Election Commission (EC), the ruling Aam Aadmi Party is leading on 57 seats while the BJP on ahead in 13.  “Congratulations @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty and the people of Delhi who have given a befitting reply to BJP’s politics of hate and violence.  Union ministers called for ‘gaalis’ and ‘golis’.  People have given their answer,” said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a tweet. He also said national security means securing lives, livelihoods, education and health and that “abuse and threats to shoot down the electorate in the face of a serious economic crisis in the country, jobs loss, democracy in tatters, all got a fitting rebuff. ” “BJP’s top leaders, its ministers and MPs cannot be allowed to get away with incitements and threats to murder.  Last time such an atmosphere of hate & violence was generated, Gandhiji was assassinated,” he said.


“Look, he wants to play all sides of the equation,” President Trump says when asked about Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony, where he cautioned that states reopening too early could lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases. https://t.co/xyNTDGeoUw https://t.co/BkdGnhK6f5

By Amanda Watts, Jacqueline Howard, Alex Rogers and Jeremy Herb, CNNUpdated 1531 GMT (2331 HKT) May 13, 2020  (CNN)Dr.  Anthony Fauci and three other top Trump administration officials testified before Congress on Tuesday, describing the administration's response to the Covid-19 outbreak and what reopening the country might look like in the coming months.


Video shows the aftermath of a devastating explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, severely damaging a number of structures, killing at least 135 people and injuring 5,000. https://t.co/vdrnDkgsGd https://t.co/2JoWYV6d4v

Story by Paul P.  Murphy; Photo Editing by Rebecca WrightUpdated 12:43 PM ET, Wed August 5, 2020 (CNN)Satellite images, obtained by CNN from Planet Labs Inc. , show a massive crater at the site of Tuesday's explosion in Beirut's port.


Here are three things to know about what has happened in the impeachment trial already: https://t.co/Lhot62UPaw

Updated 6:35 PM ET, Thu January 23, 2020  (CNN)CNN Opinion is curating commentators' smartest takes on the second day of President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial.  The views expressed below are their own.


45 home guards quarantined in Uttarakhand after 2 constables test #COVID19 positive

https://t.co/tlVq23u7NB https://t.co/JMnCDPcDlW

Two days after two woman constables tested positive for Covid-19 from Udham Singh Nagar district, over 45 home guards were quarantined and tested in the same district. On Friday, two women constables tested Covid-19 positive from ITI police station in Kashipur area of Udham Singh Nagar district after which the police station was sealed, informed officials. More than 45 home guards were found to have come in contact with the coronavirus positive patients during the contact tracing process. Dr.  Shailaja Bhatt, chief medical officer of Udham Singh Nagar district said that the sampling process of all the contacts was being done on Sunday which included the homeguard personnel. “We are taking samples of all the close contacts of the patients.  Soon after the police staff tested positive, the police station was sealed by the administration and no movement is allowed in that area,” said the chief medical officer.  Officials are looking for more people who are likely to have come in contact with the patients. Rajesh Bhatt, additional superintendent of police Kashipur said that the concerned building has only been sealed for complete sanitization and it has not been declared a containment zone. Till date, Udham Singh Nagar district has reported 229 Covid-19 positive cases, with 97 active cases in the district till Saturday evening.  The district has also reported the death of three patients due to the disease. With these two fresh cases, a total of nine police staff have tested positive for Covid-19 in Uttarakhand. As per official records, two police staff tested positive from Haridwar district, one from Dehradun, two from Champawat, one from Pauri Garhwal, two from Udham Singh Nagar and one was a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel.