Odisha | Weekend lockdown imposed in all urban areas of the state till 5 am on Monday; Exemption of one hour (5am -6am) for morning walk & other physical activities

Visuals from Bhubaneswar https://t.co/bGjAqGAxcP

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues to affect Indians as people cope with news of increasing deaths and rising numbers of infections in large parts of the nation.  Major cities in India reel from crumbling hospital infrastructure as lack of medical oxygen and hospital beds drive families of those infected to despair.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi held two review meetings with chief ministers of states which have been adversely affected in the second wave.  He also held another virtual meeting with leading oxygen manufacturers to address the oxygen shortage in several cities. The US decided to resume J&J vaccines despite fears of blood clotting.  Brazil recorded more than 69,000 cases but its daily death toll remained close to 3,000 as the South American nation along with India and the US drove most of the global infections.  An outbreak in Australia has led neighbour New Zealand to pause its newly opened travel bubble with Australia.  Kuwait also banned travellers from India due to surge in cases. Follow all the updates here:West Bengal logs 14,281 fresh Covid-19 casesWest Bengal reported 14,281 new Covid-19 cases, 59 deaths and 7,584 discharges in the last 24 hours. Delhi reports 24,103 new Covid-19 cases, 357 deathsDelhi on Saturday reported 24,103 new Covid-19 cases, 357 deaths and 22,695 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Pune reports nearly 10,000 new Covid-19 casesPune district in Maharashtra reported 9,989 fresh Covid-19 cases, 138 fatalities and 8,853 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Haryana logs over 10,000 new Covid-19 casesHaryana registered 10,491 new Covid-19 cases, 5,104 recoveries and 60 fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the case tally to 4,13,334. Covaxin to cost ₹600 for states, ₹1200 for private hospitals in Phase 3 Covid vaccination, announces Bharat BiotechMadhya Pradesh reports 12,918 new Covid-19 casesMadhya Pradesh on Saturday reported 12,918 fresh Covid-19 cases, 104 deaths and 11,091 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Tamil Nadu reports 14,842 fresh Covid-19 infectionsTamil Nadu reported 14,842 new Covid-19 cases, 9,142 recoveries and 80 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the active cases at 1,00,668. Mumbai reports 5,888 new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hoursMumbai reported 5,888 new Covid-19 cases, 71 deaths and 8,549 in the last 24 hours, taking the case tally to 6,22,109. Bihar reports 12,359 new Covid-19 casesBihar reported 12,359 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the count for active cases to 81,960. ,Goa logs 1,540 fresh Covid-19 infections in last 24 hoursGoa on Saturday reported 1,540 new Covid-19 cases, 485 recoveries, and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours. Uttarakhand reports over 5,000 new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hoursUttarakhand on Saturday reported 5,084 new Covid-19 cases, 1,466 recoveries and 81 deaths in the last 24 hours. Kerala reports 26,685 fresh Covid-19 infections in last 24 hoursKerala reported 26,685 new Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths in the last 24 hours.  Death toll in the state stands at 5080, active cases are1,98,576, reported ANI. Weekend curfew in Jammu and Kashmir from tonight 8pm to Monday 6am to curb Covid-19 spreadUnion minister Nitin Gadkari receives second dose of Covid-19 vaccineUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari took his second dose of #COVID19 at AIIMS, Nagpur today pic. twitter. com/s73f2N2r39DRDO to assist in construction of 1000-bed temporary hospital in Bina, says MP CMMadhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will fully assist the state government in the construction of a 1,000-bed temporary hospital at Bina, reported ANI. Tamil Nadu govt sets up 24x7 call centre to assist hospitals in oxygen supplyTamil Nadu government on Saturday said a 24x7 call centre has been set up to aid in the resolution of 'any issues' faced by the hospitals.  Health facilities can call 104 for assistance in issues pertaining to medical oxygen supply, the government said, reported PTI. Haryana govt to provide free Covid-19 vaccination to all adultsHaryana government, state-level Covid monitoring committee chaired by the chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, decided to administer Covid-19 vaccine doses free of cost to people aged above 18 years at government hospitals of the state.  Registration to begin from April 28, only those who have registered will get vaccinereported ANI. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi asks govt to consider reducing patients intakeSir Ganga Ram Hospital on Saturday requested government to consider decreasing the patients intake amid dangerous oxygen crisis in the national capital, reported ANI. Australia stands with our friends in India: PM Morrison on difficult second wave"Australia stands with our friends in India as it manages a difficult second #Covid-19 wave.  We know how strong and resilient the Indian nation is.  PM Narendra Modi and I will keep working in partnership on this global challenge," said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Delhi HC asks Delhi government to arrange tankers for transport of oxygenThe high court asked Delhi govt to arrange for tankers for transporting oxygen to hospitals.  Delhi HC says that if admissions are turned down it could create law and order situatin"Let's face the reality, if admission are turned down, you know how people may react when they lose their near and dear ones.  There might be a law and order situation.  what would happen if there are mass deaths," the Delhi HC questioned Centre.  MHA officials inform Delhi HC that shortage of tankers due to high number of casesMHA officials inform Delhi HC that because of a high number of cases across the country there is a shortage of tankers.  He also said that State governments are working very hard.  Delhi and the Centre have to work together, he added. The MHA officials also said that governments of states and Union Territories are working very hard in this regard.  They further added that both governments have to work together.  RSS asks people to be cautious of anti-India elementsIt's also possible that anti-India forces in the society can take advantage of these adverse circumstances to create an atmosphere of negativity&mistrust in the country.  People should be cautious of the conspiracies of these destructive forces: Dattatreya Hosabale, Gen Secy, RSSRSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said that RSS Swayamsevaks are helping the government in dealing with the crisis and asked people to stay away from 'anti-India' elements who might want to create an atmosphere of 'negativity and mistrust'.  Pakistan PM expresses concern over Covid-19 situation in IndiaI want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID-19.  Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood & the world.  We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity togetherPakistan PM Imran Khan tweeted expressing solidarity between citizens of both nations during these times of crisis.  Max flags shortage of oxygenSOS - Less than 2 hour's Oxygen supplies at Max Hospital Gurugram and attached Dedicated Covid Centre.  Over 70 covid pts admitted across.  Supplies expected at 10am diverted @cmohry @mlkhattar @anilvijminister @dc_gurugram @drharshvardhan @PMOIndia @PiyushGoyal need urgent help 🙏🏼Max Hospital in Gurugram says they have less than 2 hours worth of oxygen supplies left in their hospitals.  They had tweeted asking for help at 11. 20am.  Moolchand Hospital says its has less 2 hours of oxygen supply@VishnuNDTV @dcptsrMoolchand Hospital says it has less than 2 hours of oxygen supply left.  Delhi HC says Capital need Centre's help in oxygen procurementDelhi HC on Saturday said that the Capital city needs Centre's help to procure oxygen as it does not have nitrogen and argon tanks.  The court observed that if anybody is seen obstructing oxygen supply then the person will be punished.  Lok Narayan Jay Prakash Hospital says need 40-50 ltr/oxygen per patientDelhi | All ICU beds at our hospital are full for the last 4-5 days.  Some critical patients need 40-50 ltr of oxygen per minute to maintain oxygen saturation level.  The oxygen supply chain is compromised: Dr.  Suresh Kumar, MD, LNJP Hospital pic. twitter. com/P6akymIJtjLNJP MD Dr Suresh Kumar says critical patients need 40-50 litres of oxygen and also said that there are chances that the oxygen supply chain in compromised.  Centre clarifies on vaccine pricingThe government of India’s procurement price for both #COVID19 vaccines remains ₹150 per dose.  GOI procured doses will continue to be provided totally free to States: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare pic. twitter. com/KJDzMQRXSlThe Union ministry for health and family welfare said that the Centre will continue to provide the vaccine doses it procured to states for free.  Saroj Hospitals closes admissions due to oxygen shortageDelhi | We are closing the admissions because of an oxygen shortage.  We are discharging the patients: COVID in-charge, Saroj Hospital pic. twitter. com/bXNioSfarySaroj Hospitals in Delhi said that it will not be able to take in patients due to lack of oxygen.  Jaipur Golden Hospital says oxygen supply at hospital to last for 30 minsDelhi | Oxygen supply to last only half an hour now, more than 200 lives are at stake.  We lost 20 people due to an oxygen shortage last night: DK Baluja, Jaipur Golden HospitalJaipur Golden Hospital's DK Baluja fears that more people will lose their lives as oxygen reserves worth 30 minutes left in hospitals. India records 2,624 fresh fatalities in last 24 hoursThe nation has recorded 16,610,481 total cases.  The number of new cases recorded reached 346,786. Odisha observes weekend lockdownOdisha | Weekend lockdown imposed in all urban areas of the state till 5 am on Monday; Exemption of one hour (5am -6am) for morning walk & other physical activitiesVisuals from Bhubaneswar pic. twitter. com/bGjAqGAxcPOdisha observes strict weekend lockdown in a bid to curb cases.  Pune, one of the worst-affected, remains under lockdownMaharashtra: Weekend curfew continues in Pune, amid rising COVID19 cases.  Only medical shops allowed to remain open, all other shops to remain closedPune district reported 9,810 fresh #COVID19 cases and 137 deaths yesterday pic. twitter. com/ch03h7n1EnPune which is reeling from one of the worst outbreaks is under a complete lockdown as it tries to stop the chain of transmission. Johnson extends assurances, says UK looking at avenues to help IndiaBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he was looking at what he could do to help India, where the coronavirus pandemic is entering a deadly new phase with which its health services are struggling to cope: Reuters pic. twitter. com/LIQU30Tvo6UK PM Boris Johnson said that UK is looking for avenues to help India fight the Covid-19 second wave. Ahead of Olympics, Japan imposes emergency in several areasSuga govt declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other regions, three months ahead of the games as Covid-19 infections rose in these prefectures. Hong Kong vaccine bookings doubleHong Kong's vaccine booking increased as the administration brought all residents aged 16 and older under the ambit of the vaccination drive. Kumbh returnees asked to isolate themselves for 14 days in TelanganaTelangana Health Department urges people who are returning from Kumbh Mela to isolate themselves for 14 days and if they have any symptoms then they must get tested immediately: State Govt#COVID19Telangana urges Kumbh returnees to isolate themselves for 14 days. Biden faces pressure from US Chambers of Commerce, lobbies to help IndiaUS Chamber of Commerce pushed Biden administration to release medical supplies, vaccines and life-saving support to India.  Several other lawmakers along with the influential Indian-American community are also putting pressure on the US administration to send supplies to India. Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


Chairman, DDMA Leh notifies the extension of ongoing Corona curfew from 24th May (7 am) till 7th June (7am) in Leh https://t.co/zMzC3lHrrB

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to extend the ongoing partial Corona curfew till 7am on May 31.  The restrictions, which have been in place since April 30, were supposed to come to an end on May 24.  The restrictions have been extended in several phases in the first and the second week of May.  There will be no new curbs, as essential and emergency services, including medical, groceries, industries, e-commerce, will remain exempt.  Vaccination too will continue in this period, the government said. "The Uttar Pradesh government is committed to safeguard the life and livelihood of people of the state.  Keeping this in mind, the policy of partial coronavirus curfew was adopted,” the statement, issued by the government announcing the extension of the lockdown said.  It also said that the restrictions yielded positive results.  Several states remained under lockdown for the entire month of May as the authorities are not taking the risk of reopening in the last week of the month, at a time when the situation is improving with a steady dip in the number of daily infections. In April, the Covid-19 situation of Uttar Pradesh was precarious with Varanasi emerging as one of the hotspots.  After three weeks of 'Corona curfew', the situation seems to have come under control as there has been a 68 per cent fall in the number of active Covid cases since the peak.  However, the daily toll in the state is still above 100.  From over 3 lakh active Covid-19 cases, the figure has now nosedived to below 1 lakh. On Saturday, the state's active caseload was 94,482, while 226 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.  Out of these deaths, Lucknow recorded 21 fatalities, followed by 14 in Varanasi and 12 in Gorakhpur and Kanpur and Meerut 10 each, among others. Uttar Pradesh has also become the first state to condict over three lakh tests in a day, the government said on Saturday.  Over 3. 06 samples were tested for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours.


Delhi: Movement of vehicles resumes at ITO. https://t.co/ucaoTcwr0z

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that the Covid-19 situation is “very serious”, as it requested the Delhi high court to consider hearing urgently a plea that has sought suspension of the ongoing construction activity in some stretches of the Central Vista area of New Delhi due to spurt in Covid-19 cases. Taking note of the fact the high court had given a long adjournment, the bench of justices Vineet Saran and Dinesh Maheshwari observed that it would not be proper to issue any directive to another constitutional court to hear the case on an earlier date but it was certain that the chief justice of the high court will consider the request for an urgent hearing for the plea. “Since the matter is pending before the high court and the appeal is against the order of adjournment, we are not inclined to enter into the merits of the case.  In the given circumstance, we request Shri Sidharth Luthra (petitioner’s lawyer) or any other counsel to make request before the chief justice of high court on Monday to take up the matter as urgently as possible,” said the court order.  It added: “We hope and trust that high court shall consider the prayer for early hearing. ”Also Read | 20 heritage jamun trees may be uprooted in Central Vista revampThe Central government’s over ₹15,000 crore redevelopment plan for the historically significant Central Vista area of New Delhi envisages a new Parliament, Central Secretariat and union ministries’ offices. Petitioners Anya Malhotra and Sohail Hashmi had filed a petition before the high court, questioning the urgency in carrying on with the construction activity on three stretches of the Central Vista area during the subsistence of this peak phase of the pandemic in the capital when oxygen is in short supply and the healthcare system has collapsed. On May 4, a Delhi high court bench led by chief justice DN Patel adjourned the matter to May 17, saying he needed some time to read the Supreme Court judgment of January 5 giving a clearance to the Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project.  Petitioners challenged this order of long adjournment before the top court in an appeal, drawn by advocate Ketaki Goswami. Arguing for the appeal, senior advocate Luthra began by saying the petitioners were not at all challenging the project after the Supreme Court’s nod to it but the public health emergency has prompted them to seek a temporary suspension of the work for stretches where labourers’ lives were in peril and the construction activity could turn out to be a super-spreader. “Between April and May, the positivity rate in Delhi has gone up from 2% to around 30%.  Deaths have gone up many times.  This is a matter that needs urgent consideration.  We are concerned about 3. 5 km stretch.  We are in a stage where health infrastructure has completely broken down.  People cannot get beds and deaths are going up,” submitted Luthra. The counsel pointed out that the plea was confined to stopping work which entailed construction activity on Rajpath and the surrounding lawns from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan since there were no on-site accommodation facilities on these stretches and the workers were instead being ferried in buses every day. “My concern is that we are facing a humanitarian crisis of the greatest magnitude.  No adverse consequences will happen if this is adjourned by three or four weeks.  The ongoing construction activity have the potential of being a super spreader event since labourers travel from and back to their families from different parts of Delhi.  The situation is already very alarming,” said Luthra. The bench replied: “We are well conscious of the situation.  We are not making any observations because some other bench of this court is already hearing these matters. . . But the fact that you can see that we are wearing masks even inside our homes is a sign of how serious the situation is. ”Solicitor general Tushar Mehta opposed the plea, raising doubts over the bona fide of the petitioners but the court said that all this could be argued before the high court.


A post carrying the pic of Priyanka Gandhi is being shared by many Facebook users since the past few days.  In the post, it is alleged that Priyanka Gandhi has worn Christian Cross over her neck during her election rally in Kerala.  Let’s try to analyze the authenticity of the claim made in the post. The archived version of the post can be found here. Claim: Priyanka Gandhi has worn a Christian Cross over her neck during a Congress election rally in Kerala. Fact: The image in the post was the one captured during Priyanka Gandhi’s Uttar Pradesh election campaign in 2017.  It was photoshopped by a few to gain political mileage for the upcoming general elections.  Hence, the claim made in the post stands FALSE. When the photo in the post is searched using Google reverse image search technique, it was found in Bloomberg’s article titled “A New Gandhi Enters Politics and Shakes Up India’s Election”.  From the article, we can also find that the image was the one captured during Priyanka Gandhi’s Uttar Pradesh election rally-2017. In the original image, the chain worn by Priyanka Gandhi doesn’t carry any Cross with it as alleged in the post.  So, the image in the post is a photoshopped one.  The original image can be found on Getty Images. Finally, Priyanka Gandhi hasn’t worn a Cross over her neck during her election campaign and the photo is from UP Congress’s election rally-2017.


Former FBI Director James Comey says Attorney General William Barr deserves "the benefit of the doubt" when it comes to transparency about the special counsel investigation https://t.co/fDG1J2Epiu https://t.co/uwnA6QNLxP

The president didn't go after Rosenstein the same way he went after others. News headlines today: Apr.  2, 2019Four months ago, shortly after President Donald Trump's Twitter account sent out an image suggesting Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein should be prosecuted and imprisoned for appointing special counsel Robert Mueller, the president took the rare step of telling Rosenstein it was a mistake, according to a former Justice Department official informed of the conversation. As described by the former official, the mea culpa came in a private phone call, within days of Trump retweeting the meme that showed Rosenstein, Mueller and several Obama-era officials behind bars. "[W]hen do the trials for treason begin? " the Trump-endorsed image asked. But on the private phone call afterward, Trump insisted to Rosenstein that he didn’t notice the veteran prosecutor in the image's background before it was retweeted, according to the former official. Publicly, Trump stood by the controversial post. The previously unreported anecdote reflects how — despite unrelenting attacks on Mueller, Mueller's team and others at the Justice Department — Trump often tried to avoid clashes with Rosenstein, the person who appointed Mueller in the first place. "There was a healthy respect between the two," Ian Prior, a former Justice Department spokesman under the Trump administration, told ABC News. "The bottom line," according to Prior, is "despite everybody's concerns" that Trump was trying to derail the Mueller probe, "at the end of the day, he really just let the investigation run its course, and he respected Rosenstein as a person. "Last year, Trump's outside advisers reportedly wanted the president to take a harder public stand against Rosenstein.  But appearing on Fox News at the time, Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani offered this philosophy: "Rod Rosenstein is one of the people in charge of this case, so I'm not going to get involved in critiquing his conduct unless at the end we have to. "As a Trump nominee and long-time Republican, Rosenstein wasn't just overseeing Mueller — he was also in charge of carrying out Trump's political agenda at the Justice Department, organizing federal efforts to fight terrorism, illegal immigration and gang violence. "[Rosenstein] was able to develop a good rapport with the president on things outside of the Mueller investigation," Prior said. From the start of Mueller's probe, Trump was more willing to criticize his then-attorney general, Jeff Sessions, than his deputy attorney general. To Trump's great dismay, Sessions had recused himself from overseeing the growing probe of Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election because of his previous work on Trump's campaign, forcing Rosenstein to handle the matter. At a press conference on May 18, 2017, the day after Rosenstein appointed Mueller, ABC News' Jonathan Karl asked the president for his reaction to "Rod Rosenstein’s decision. ""Well, I respect the move," Trump responded.  "But, the entire thing has been a witch hunt. "In the nearly two years since, Trump posted more than 50 messages to Twitter criticizing Mueller specifically or invoking Mueller’s name to attack the investigators looking at alleged ties between Trump's associates and Russian operatives. Mueller was the face of the investigation and the one driving it, but even Sessions — who had no role in the investigation — was chided by Trump at least 16 times on Twitter. By contrast, Trump posted three messages targeting Rosenstein by name, according to an ABC News review of online archives cataloging the president's tweets. At times, Trump even promoted Rosenstein as proof of his own innocence. Last year, Trump cited Rosenstein’s early push for the removal of then-FBI Director James Comey to dispute growing allegations that Comey’s firing in early May 2017 was intended to stop ongoing FBI investigations. "How could there be obstruction on firing Comey, when the man who’s in charge of [the investigation] wrote a letter that was far stronger than anything I would have written? " Trump said in a January 2018 interview with the Wall Street Journal. When Rosenstein then announced charges against 13 Russians for allegedly spreading false information ahead of the 2016 election, Trump highlighted Rosenstein's "news conference" and tweeted this quote from him: "There is no allegation . . .  that any American was a knowing participant in this illegal activity. "That praise for Rosenstein, however, has coincided with Trump's praise for Rosenstein’s sharpest critics, too. In particular, Trump has applauded Reps.  Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep.  Mark Meadows, R-N. C.  — two fiery Republicans who launched a battle against Rosenstein to obtain government documents and information they suggested would show the Justice Department abused its power in investigating Trump's associates. One thing they wanted to know more about: a classified document Rosenstein signed authorizing Mueller's investigators to continue eavesdropping on a former Trump adviser. In early April 2018, Trump tweeted one of his rare public criticisms of Rosenstein, calling Rosenstein "conflicted" for signing the document. Less than 14 hours later, Jordan declared on national TV that Rosenstein might need to be impeached or fired. When White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders was then asked about Rosenstein's fate, she said Trump was "consulting" with "a lot of different lawmakers" on the matter. "The president would like to see the requests of Congress to DOJ met," Sanders later said. Ultimately, Jordan and Meadows tried to remove Rosenstein themselves, filing articles of impeachment in July 2018 that accused the deputy attorney general of "high crimes and misdemeanors. "Republican leaders, however, blocked the impeachment effort, and as the political tussle with Rosenstein continued, Trump appeared on Fox News in October 2018. "The rumor is that the day after the midterms, you're going to fire [Rosenstein]," the anchor noted to Trump. "Well," Trump responded, "I actually get along well with Rod. "But Trump quickly added: "We have a witch hunt going on," and "smart, tough guys" like Jordan and Meadows are "folk heroes" for working "to get to the bottom of it. "According to sources close to Rosenstein, there was a "tense day" six months ago when Rosenstein was convinced he would be fired by the day's end. News outlets were reporting that, in meetings after Comey's departure a year earlier, Rosenstein raised the possibility of secretly recording Trump or invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him. But Trump, attending the U. N.  General Assembly in New York, ultimately took a phone call from Rosenstein, who disputed the news accounts.  At the time, sources told ABC News that the controversial remarks being reported were likely in jest. "He said he has a lot of respect for me," Trump recalled three days after his call with Rosenstein.  "He was very nice. ""My preference would be to keep him and to let him finish up," Trump concluded. So, Justice Department insiders were surprised two months later when the image of Rosenstein and others locked in a jail cell appeared on Trump's Twitter feed. "Why do you think he belongs behind bars? " a New York Post reporter asked the president hours after the Twitter post. "He should have never picked a special counsel," Trump said of Rosenstein. That was Trump’s public story, despite what he privately told Rosenstein afterward, according to the former Justice Department official. Three months later, discussion of the 25th Amendment resurfaced after former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe claimed in media interviews that he personally heard Rosenstein make the remarks attributed to the deputy attorney general months earlier.  That prompted Trump to fire off his third and final tweet targeting Rosenstein by name, accusing Rosenstein and McCabe of "planning a very illegal act. "The same day, the Justice Department announced that Rosenstein planned to step down in the coming weeks and that a likely successor had already been picked. Just days before Mueller sent his final report to Rosenstein two weeks ago, Trump did something he'd hardly done before: He belittled Rosenstein in front of TV cameras. Trump insisted "people will not stand for" a report from 13 "angry Democrats" and a "conflicted" special counsel, who was appointed by "a deputy that didn't get any votes. "Asked whether Trump's public attacks on Mueller's probe could amount to obstruction of justice, one source close to Rosenstein said tweets and other public statements would be "in the mix" of any obstruction investigation, but "they're far from conclusive in proving corrupt intent. "And, the source noted, "there is a First Amendment. "Trump has defended his actions as motivated by politics, not criminal intent. "There was no obstruction — unless you call obstruction the fact that I fight back," Trump insisted last year. In his final report, Mueller left the question of obstruction to Rosenstein and Attorney General William Barr, declining to conclude Trump committed a crime but making clear the evidence he gathered “does not exonerate” Trump. Rosenstein and Barr later decided Mueller's evidence didn’t prove the "corrupt intent" or "obstructive conduct" needed to file charges against Trump, as Barr put it in a letter to Congress last week. But Mueller never obtained one substantial piece of evidence: an interview with Trump. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment for this article and a White House spokesperson did not respond to requests seeking comment. ABC News' Katherine Faulders contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Delhi: Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha https://t.co/NWjIz4ccim

The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitching for consensus among all political parties to push crucial legislations, including a bill that seeks to criminalise the practice of instant divorce among Muslims. Addressing an all-party meeting about a month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an impressive mandate in this summer’s general election, Modi told floor leaders of various political parties to keep their differences aside to avoid disruptions in proceedings. Follow highlights here:I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India: Rahul GandhiMy 4th consecutive term as a Member of the Lok Sabha begins today.  Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India: Rahul Gandhi.  My 4th consecutive term as a Member of the #LokSabha begins today.  Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India 🇮🇳Samajwadi Party MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/jAV1MtmCNCSmriti Irani receives longest applause while taking oath as Lok Sabha memberUnion Minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, received the longest applause when she took oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha on Monday. As soon as she was called for oath taking, ruling BJP members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, other union ministers and MPs were seen enthusiastically thumping the desk for a long time, reports news agency PTI. BJP Parliamentary board likely to meet later todayDelhi: BJP Parliamentary board likely to meet later todayCongress MP from Kerala takes oath in HindiCongress MP from Kerala, Kodikunnil Suresh, surprised everyone on Monday by taking oath in Hindi as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha. The Kerala MP’s move was welcomed by the House with loud thumping of desks. Suresh was the second member to take oath after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  The oath was administered by pro tem Speaker Virendra Singh, reports news agency IANS. Sonia Gandhi to wait her turn this timeSonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, will take oath along with other lawmakers from Uttar Pradesh.  In 2014, the Lok Sabha secretariat had made an exception for the former Congress president.  She and BJP patriarch LK Advani had taken oath right after the ministers to reflect their seniority.  This time, the secretariat did not extend the special gesture to Sonia Gandhi.  After Union Ministers take oath, newly-elected MPs are called to take oath in the alphabetical order of the states they were elected from.  Within a state, too, the MPs are called in an alphabetical order of their names. Union Budget will be presented on July 5The Union Budget will be presented on July 5. The fresh bill to ban instant triple talaq will be introduced in Parliament to replace an ordinance issued in February.  Under the proposed law, instant triple talaq will be illegal and attract a jail term of three years.  The previous bill lapsed as it was passed in the Lower House but could not be cleared in the Rajya Sabha. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament.  Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from ChhindwaraDelhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament.  Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara.  Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath & his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament.  Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara.  pic. twitter. com/bRwMUF9xF4The session will see tabling of triple talaq bill and a legislation to allow the voluntary use of AadhaarThe session, which will conclude on July 26, will see the tabling of the triple talaq bill and a legislation to allow the voluntary use of Aadhaar as an identity proof for opening bank accounts and getting mobile phone connections. Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/Rrx1OpzYq8BJP MP from Bihar’s Madhubani, Dr.  Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani artDelhi: BJP MP from Bihar’s Madhubani, Dr.  Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art.  Delhi: BJP MP from Bihar's Madhubani, Dr.  Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art pic. twitter. com/w8oZ4dhg4SSunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP MPs Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: BJP MPs Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha pic. twitter. com/1HeXigKKbeIt’s a great institution which has shaped country’s past, present and future: Tejasvi SuryaTejasvi Surya,BJP MP at Parliament: It’s a great institution which has shaped country’s past, present and future.  I am entering it with lot of gratitude for people who have elected me and also with sense of idealism to ensure Bharat Mata reaches pinnacle of glory which it’s destined to do.  Tejasvi Surya,BJP MP at Parliament: It's a great institution which has shaped country's past, present & future.  I'm entering it with lot of gratitude for people who've elected me&also with sense of idealism to ensure Bharat Mata reaches pinnacle of glory which it's destined to do pic. twitter. com/0pWIa7AaPxBJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Smriti Zubin Irani takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaBJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Smriti Zubin Irani takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Union Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Union Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. BJP president and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/zL5yKYdYCuBJP MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  Delhi: Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.  pic. twitter. com/sPtter3DO4First session of 17th Lok Sabha commences; Newly elected MPs take oathFirst session of 17th Lok Sabha commences; Newly elected MPs take oath. PM Modi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok SabhaPM Modi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha. New Parliament session beginsNew Parliament session begins. We should work in larger interest of nation: PM ModiIn Parliament, we should forget ‘Paksh’, ‘Vipaksh’ and think about issues with ‘nishpaksh spirit’, work in larger interest of nation: PM Modi. Opposition need not bother about their numbers: PM ModiOpposition need not bother about their numbers, I hope they speak actively and participate in House proceedings: PM ModiNew friends will join today and they will bring new energy: PM ModiWe are working to fulfill people’s aspirations.  New friends will join today and they will bring new energy.  We value the Opposition and their role.  The Opposition should play an active role in the Parliament: PM ModiRequest all parties to support the decisions that are in favour of people: PM ModiPM Modi at the Parliament for the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha: After several decades, a government has won absolute majority for the second term.  People have given us the chance to serve the country again.  I request all the parties to support the decisions that are in favour of people. There are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session: PM ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament: Today, a new session is starting, there are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session.  Since independence ,this Lok Sabha elections saw highest number of women voters and women MPs.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament: Today, a new session is starting, there are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session.  Since independence ,this Lok Sabha elections saw highest number of women voters and women MPs.  pic. twitter. com/YGGGDInX99‘Proactive opposition key to democracy’, says PM Modi ahead of new Parliament sessionProactive opposition key to democracy.  Opposition need not bother about their numbers.  I hope they will speak actively and participate in house proceedings, says PM Modi ahead of new Parliament session. Inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha will start with swearing of its membersThe inaugural session of the 17th Lok Sabha will start on Monday with the swearing in of its members.  After getting elected to the House, members have to take the oath before any other business, including the election of the Speaker, takes place. BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as protem speaker of 17th Lok SabhaDelhi: BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as the protem speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, at Rashtrapati Bhawan.  Delhi: BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as the Protem Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, at Rashtrapati Bhawan.  pic. twitter. com/74wzfKf9uwPM Modi to be first to take oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok SabhaPrime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first to take oath in the new Lok Sabha on Monday while United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi might get a special slot to do so over the two-day-long swearing-in ceremony, officials said on Sunday. Request ruling and opposition parties to make effort to find solutions: Thawar Chand GehlotThawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha ahead of parliament session of 17th Lok Sabha today: I would request ruling party as well as opposition parties that any problem can be resolved through discussions.  So, during the session, parties should make an effort to find solutions.  Thawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha ahead of parliament session of 17th LS today: I would request ruling party as well as opposition parties that any problem can be resolved through discussions.  So, during the session, parties should make an effort to find solutions pic. twitter. com/FcWZOmXNdQFirst session of 17th Lok Sabha will begin todayThe first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin today.  Delhi: The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin today; Union Budget to be tabled on 5th July in this session of Parliament.  pic. twitter. com/BMHOu656hB


At least 10 people have died after a blaze swept through an apartment block in central Paris, and the prosecutor believes it may have been started maliciously https://t.co/3CT7PKHiKE https://t.co/ojOCDFhNsN

It took hundreds of firefighters several hours to quell the raging flames. Paris apartment fire kills 8, injures dozensLONDON -- At least 10 people were killed and 37 others injured when flames engulfed an apartment building in an affluent western Paris neighborhood early Tuesday morning. Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz told reporters at the scene that a criminal investigation has been opened to determine whether the cause of the blaze was intentional arson resulting in death. A woman who lived in the building and was known to have had psychological problems was arrested on the street nearby. "A person who lives in the building was arrested; it's a woman in her 40s who manifested psychiatric issues," Heitz said.  "She is in custody.  The investigation is being carried out to know exactly the conditions in which the fire would have been spread, and the conditions in which it would have started. "The fire is believed to have started around 1 a. m.  local time on the second floor of an eight-story residential building in the French capital's swanky 16th arrondissement. It took hundreds of firefighters several hours to quell the fast-moving flames, which now are under control, according to French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. Some residents had to be rescued from the roof as they fled the smoke and flames. At least eight firefighters were among those injured, Heitz said. French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter to thank the courageous firefighters who "saved many lives. "ABC News' Aicha El Hammar and Joseph Simonetti contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Edward Good, a 95-year-old WWII and Korea War veteran, is a lifelong Republican who voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but he is now backing Joe Biden: “I think Trump has been the worst president we’ve ever had, so I’ll be glad to see him go.” https://t.co/tOb4mEw6vH #DemConvention https://t.co/IkZgHvvtf0

By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNNUpdated 7:13 PM ET, Sat August 22, 2020  (CNN)Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said, if elected, he would be willing to shut down the country again should there be a second wave of coronavirus in the US and scientists recommend the move to slow its spread. CNN's Jason Hoffman contributed to this report.


Brayden Harrington, a 13-year-old boy with a stutter, explained how Joe Biden gave him the confidence for public speaking at #DemConvention: "Without Joe Biden I wouldn't be talking to you today." https://t.co/W4QYQ7NEjR https://t.co/WUGvd81tTg

By Kate Sullivan, CNNUpdated 12:19 AM ET, Fri August 21, 2020 Washington (CNN)Thirteen-year-old Brayden Harrington spoke on the final night of the Democratic National Convention about how the party's presidential nominee, Joe Biden, has made him feel more confident about his stutter.  CNN's Eric Bradner contributed to this report.


You couldn't miss Lady Gaga's necklace on the #Oscars red carpet. The showstopping piece featured a 128-carat yellow diamond from Tiffany's https://t.co/sfQrq0MW1K https://t.co/oe0ijbMfww

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


The residents of Bhubaneswar witnessed a 'zero shadow day', a celestial event, in the city yesterday

https://t.co/ZTJH7VzOej https://t.co/apgcvGWGX6

The residents of Bhubaneswar witnessed a 'zero shadow day', a celestial event, in the city yesterday. While speaking to ANI, Deputy Director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Subhendu Patnaik on Friday said, "Many people witnessed 'zero shadow day'.  It occurs twice a year when the sun is directly overhead.  We experienced it today. "Odisha: People witnessed Zero Shadow Day, a celestial phenomenon, in Bhubaneswar yesterday"It occurs twice a year when sun is directly overhead.  We experienced it today.  Can be experienced in Cuttack tomorrow," said Subhendu Patnaik, Deputy Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium pic. twitter. com/7YugRo8H2Y"It can be experienced in Cuttack tomorrow", Patnaik said. Zero shadow day is a special celestial event that occurs twice a year.  During this time, no shadows appear of any object or living being when the sun is at its highest point in the sky.


Former national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom federal prosecutors recently said should go to jail for lying to the FBI in the early days of the Trump administration, has asked a judge to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea https://t.co/bJszS9GBam

The lawyer shot to fame representing Stormy Daniels. Michael Avenatti arrested at courthouse during hearingAttorney Michael Avenatti was abruptly taken into federal custody in Los Angeles Tuesday evening, following a day-long disciplinary hearing in which the California State Bar is asking a judge to prevent Avenatti from practicing law based upon their belief he poses a "threat of substantial harm to the public" if he continues to perform legal work. Avenatti was on the stand when the court took a break and IRS agents placed him under arrest.  Multiple sources told ABC News that Avenatti is accused of violating the terms of his pre-trial release.  It was not immediately clear what he allegedly did to violate those terms because the documents are under seal. The lawyer, who is facing multiple federal criminal charges in California and New York, will likely spend the night at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles or the Santa Ana jail before his appearance tomorrow in a Santa Ana federal court. Avenatti skyrocketed to celebrity status alongside his former client, adult film star Stormy Daniels, who filed multiple lawsuits -- unsuccessfully -- against President Donald Trump.  Eighteen months ago, the brash lawyer was a fixture on cable news shows and the topic of flattering pieces in Vanity Fair and The New York Times magazine.  Reporters asked him about his skin-care routine and Tom Ford suits while he and Daniels posed for photographer Annie Leibovitz. The celebrity attorney, with his trademark Twitter hashtag #basta, also dipped his toe into the presidential candidacy pool for a brief moment, dining with potential donors and forming a PAC to accept donations. Then last spring, after the Los Angeles city attorney declined to file domestic violence charges stemming from an earlier incident, federal prosecutors in New York and California indicted Avenatti on charges of extortion, fraud and embezzlement, which included allegations that Avenatti stole millions of dollars from a paraplegic client.  In May, New York federal prosecutors filed additional charges, this time alleging Avenatti stole $300,000 from his most famous client, Stormy Daniels.  Avenatti has plead not guilty to all charges and has been vocal on social media maintaining his innocence. At Tuesday’s hearing, the state bar’s senior trial counsel Eli Morgenstern laid out his case for why Avenatti should be placed in "involuntary inactive status," which would prohibit him from practicing law, but is separate from disbarment.  The state bar has already filed their disbarment case as a separate procedure.  Proceedings in the matter began last June, when the state bar filed their application for inactive enrollment against Avenatti. The complaint included allegations that Avenatti stole nearly $840,000 from former client Gregory Barela, who testified earlier Tuesday.  In previous court filings, Avenatti’s attorney denied he misappropriated Barela’s funds. During Avenatti's heated testimony before his arrest, he appeared disturbed and at times raised his voice, calling the hearing "nonsense" and claiming that his former client Barela testified to "a lot of things that weren’t true. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemns Christchurch attack, calls on world leaders to fight hatred and not "let the lessons of those 50 deaths go unlearned." https://t.co/mVUBa6szx2 https://t.co/UrKuYeqlM2

By Hilary Whiteman, CNNUpdated 1157 GMT (1957 HKT) March 19, 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand (CNN)The man who opened fire on two New Zealand mosques last week may have succeeded in killing 50 people, but the country's leader has promised to deny him the one thing he truly wanted: Notoriety.  CNN's James Griffiths contributed reporting from Hong Kong.


JUST IN: With 409,000 cases, California has surpassed New York's number of coronavirus cases, according to Johns Hopkins data. https://t.co/lgVRfrW7iw

By Esha Mitra and Nectar Gan, CNNUpdated 4:09 AM ET, Wed July 22, 2020  (CNN)Nearly one in four residents in the Indian capital of New Delhi may have been infected with the novel coronavirus, antibody tests on a random sample of people has shown.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed by the Indian diaspora in Russia, at the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) in Vladivostok. https://t.co/B0NcE4n4Tq

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Vladivostok International Airport Wednesday for two-day Russia visit.  “PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at Vladivostok airport on his 3rd bilateral visit to Russia.  Over the next 2 days, bilateral meeting with President Putin, participation at Eastern Economic Forum & meetings with other world leaders on the agenda,” the ministry of external affairs tweeted.  The prime minister received a guard of honour on his arrival in Vladivostok. Watch | PM Modi arrives in Russia for two-day visit, receives guard of honourBefore heading to Russia, the Prime Minister in his departure statement on Tuesday said he looks forward to discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that his visit also underlines the desire of the two countries to diversity and further strengthen bilateral relationsIn Vladivostok, PM Modi will attend the 5th Eastern Economic Forum as the chief guest at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.  “I also look forward to meeting other global leaders attending the Eastern Economic Forum, and interacting with Indian Industry and business representatives participating in it,” Modi said.  The forum focuses on development of business and investment opportunities in the Russian Far East Region, and presents enormous potential for developing close and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in the region, he pointed out.  “Our strong partnership is complemented by a desire to promote a multi-polar world and the two countries closely cooperate towards this end in regional and multilateral fora,” Modi said in his departure statement. The Prime Minister will also hold the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit with Putin.  Modi’s visit to the Russian Far East Region is the first by an Indian prime minister.  “I look forward to discussing with my friend President Putin the entire gamut of our bilateral partnership as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the Prime Minister said in his departure statement ahead of his two-day visit beginning Wednesday.


The shipment of vital medical supplies from the United Kingdom, including 100 ventilators & 95 oxygen concentrators, arrived in India earlier this morning: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

#COVID19 https://t.co/Ed3CXGARS6

A Lufthansa flight landed in India early on Tuesday morning with consignments comprising vital medical supplies from the United Kingdom, including 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators, the Union ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, as the country continues to grapple with a deadly second wave of infections of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Also Read | France joins global call to help India, to send medical equipment“International cooperation at work!  Appreciate the shipment of vital medical supplies from the United Kingdom, including 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators that arrived early this morning,” Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson of the MEA, posted on the ministry’s Twitter handle on Tuesday morning. International cooperation at work!  Appreciate the shipment of vital medical supplies from 🇬🇧 including 100 ventilators & 95 oxygen concentrators that arrived early this morning.  pic. twitter. com/MBZFwSn4cH#WATCH | A shipment of vital medical supplies from the United Kingdom, including 100 ventilators & 95 oxygen concentrators, arrived in India earlier this morning.  Visuals from Delhi airport.  #COVID19 pic. twitter. com/5GoIryMqjPThe UK is among several countries that have stepped up to help India which has been recording more than 300,000 Covid-19 infection cases per day for the last five days, with numbers on each day surpassing figures from the previous day, and more than 2,000 people succumbing to the viral disease daily.  Since April 22, India’s single-day rise in infections is the highest recorded by any country since the beginning of the pandemic early last year.  On Monday, the Union ministry of health and family welfare’s dashboard showed 352,991 people tested positive for the infection in the preceding 24 hours, while a record 2,812 patients lost their lives.  The country’s infection tally currently stands at 17,313,163, the second-highest globally after that of the United States. Also Read | Covid-19: Joe Biden speaks to PM Modi, says 'India was there for us, we'll be there for them'Earlier this month, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his visit to India which was scheduled on April 25.  This was the second time this year that Johnson called off a planned visit to India.  He was to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade on January 26 but the trip was deferred as the UK went into a nationwide lockdown due to a surge in cases there. Also Read | UK PM Boris Johnson cancels India visit due to current Covid-19 situation“We’re looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India,” Johnson told the British media last Friday, describing the country as a “great partner. ”Also Read | UK PM Johnson says he is looking at ways to help India tide over Covid-19 crisisAccording to the coronavirus tracker maintained by the US-based Johns Hopkins University, the UK’s Covid-19 tally is currently at 4,422,562 with a related death toll of 127,688.


Maharashtra: Amid increasing #COVID19 cases, scores of people seen in Mumbai's Dadar market and Shivaji Park https://t.co/P7ebXy7Wai

Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday saw its highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases after 8,998 people were detected with the infection, taking the state's tally to 3,53,632, an official said. The day also saw 40 deaths, taking the toll to 4,261, and 4,070 people got discharged from hospitals, which increased the recovery count to 3,05,832, he added. Underlining the severity of the surge, the official said MP had recorded 58,121 cases and 275 fatalities in April so far, leaving the state currently with an active caseload of 43,539. "With 1,552 new cases, Indore's caseload reached 80,986.  Bhopal's tally rose by 1,456 and stands at 60,407.  Indore reported six deaths during the day, taking its toll to 1,011, while Bhopal saw five deaths, which took the toll to 654.  Indore has 8,384 active cases and Bhopal has 5,903," the official informed. With 46,526 samples being examined on Tuesday, the overall number of tests in MP crossed 68. 28 lakh. Coronavirus figures in MP are: Total cases 3,53,632, new cases 8998, death toll 4,261, recovered 3,05,832, active cases 43,539, number of tests so far 68,28,054.


Pelosi claims win over Trump in State of the Union showdown | Analysis by @StCollinson https://t.co/CejuJ0nf2r https://t.co/QlfXScdOgn

Trump earlier rejected Pelosi's appeal to delay date until after shutdown. Trump agrees to postpone State of the Union amid shutdownThe back and forth between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump over when and where the State of the Union will be delivered -- if at all -- came to a conclusion, if temporary, late Wednesday night.  Trump will not give a speech until after the partial government shutdown is over. The president tweeted the news in a two-part missive just before midnight, saying, "As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address.  I agreed.  She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date.  This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over. "He ended speculation he might look to give the speech in a location other than the House of Representatives as well, saying he's not looking for another venue. In response, Pelosi took the opportunity to encourage the president to support a bill to fund the government while discussions over border security continue. "Mr.  President, I hope by saying 'near future' you mean you will support the House-passed package to #EndTheShutdown that the Senate will vote on tomorrow," she said.  "Please accept this proposal so we can re-open government, repay our federal workers and then negotiate our differences. "The bill is mostly likely dead on arrival in the Republican-controlled Senate. In the latest twist in their political and seemingly personal feud earlier Wednesday, Pelosi sent a letter to Trump saying there would be no State of the Union address in the House chamber until after the partial government shutdown ends, effectively rescinding her invitation to the president. "When I extended an invitation on January 3rd for you to deliver the State of the Union address, it was on the mutually agreed upon date, January 29th.   At that time, there was no thought that the government would still be shut down," her letter said. "I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened," Pelosi, D-Calif. , said. The resolution is necessary to authorize the president to address a joint session of Congress. "Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened," Pelosi's letter continued. At the White House, Trump told reporters he was "not surprised" by Pelosi's letter. "I’m not surprised.  It’s really a shame what’s happening with the Democrats, they’ve become radicalized," Trump said when asked for reaction to Pelosi's letter during a photo-op in the Roosevelt Room. Later, at another photo op, Trump said, “The State of the Union has been canceled by Nancy Pelosi because she doesn’t want to hear the truth, she doesn't want the American people to hear what's going on. ”“Now Nancy Pelosi, or Nancy as I call her, she doesn’t want to hear the truth and she doesn't want to hear the American people to hear the truth," Trump said. "I think that’s a great blotch on the great country we all love, it's a great, great horrible mark.  I don't believe it's ever happened before," Trump said.  "It's always good to be part of history but this is a negative part of history.  This is where people are afraid to open up and say what's going on. ""If we can handle Iraq, we can handle the middle of Washington and the very spectacular building and a beautiful room that we should be in and that's where it's been for a long time," Trump said. Upon returning to the Capitol after an afternoon speech, Pelosi made clear that Trump is not welcome to address a joint session of Congress until the shutdown is over. "I still make the offer: let's work together on a mutually agreeable date, as the original date was, mutually agreeable, so we can welcome him properly to the Capitol," she said. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise told reporters that Pelosi’s decision to rescind the invitation is “a big mistake” and “a disgraceful move. ”“The fact that Nancy Pelosi’s not only holding the paychecks of federal workers hostage, now she’s going to try to hold the State of the Union hostage, shows that she is beholden right now to the most radical left elements of her base,” Scalise, R-La. , said.  “She’s not trying to solve this problem. ”Just a couple of hours earlier, Trump on Wednesday rejected Pelosi's earlier suggestion he delay his State of the Union speech until after the partial government shutdown ends, writing Pelosi to formally affirm he was sticking to plans to deliver the address on Jan.  29 in the House chamber. "I will be honoring your invitation, and fulfilling my Constitutional duty, to deliver important information to the people and Congress of the United States of America regarding the State of our Union," Trump wrote in a letter to Pelosi on Wednesday afternoon. Trump closed the letter by hinting that the onus would be on Pelosi to cancel the invitation.  "I look forward to seeing you on the evening on January 29th in the Chamber of the House of Representative.  It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location! "Recognizing that Pelosi’s invitation was never officially taken off the table, Trump had seemingly called her bluff, resisting pressure to pull out and deliver the address from another venue elsewhere in Washington, such as at the White House or Senate chamber, or even, as one Republican member of Congress suggested, at the southern border. Pelosi wrote Trump on Jan.  16, appealing to the president to work with her to find “another suitable date” after the partial government shutdown ends, or provide his address in writing -- justifying her suggestion with a warning that “critical” operations at the Department of Homeland Security are “hamstrung by furloughs. ”In his letter, Trump said DHS and the U. S.  Secret Service told him "there would be absolutely no problem regarding security with respect to the event. "Despite the uncertainty prior to the letter, preparations were already moving forward to welcome Trump next Tuesday, as Pelosi has not explicitly disinvited him from an invitation to deliver the annual address from the House chamber. “She didn’t disinvite him.  She suggested another date which would be consistent with a government that was open and was paying the people that we expect to protect us,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the No.  2-ranked Democrat, told reporters during a pen and pad briefing Wednesday.  “It is a very high-security event. ”As a matter of congressional protocol, both the House and Senate must pass a concurrent resolution authorizing the president to deliver an address from the House chamber, though neither chamber has acted yet and no votes on such measures are planned this week. Hoyer, who is empowered with control over which measures are considered on the House floor, said a resolution could be considered as late as next Tuesday -- the same day Pelosi has invited Trump to deliver the address -- without impacting security or logistical planning. “I’m told that that could be passed Tuesday the 29th and be equally effective as if we passed it today,” Hoyer said.  “I think the Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms have assured us we’ll be fully prepared if in fact there’s a State of the Union address on the 29th. ”Rep.  Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs committee, signaled he hopes the president's efforts will generate a solution to the impasse. “This is a time we need the president to come to the Hill and talk to the Congress," McCaul, R-Texas, said.  "And so I would hope that Speaker Pelosi would just do the right thing – rise above the partisanship and let the president come talk to the Congress. ”While the shutdown continued in its 33rd day, Hoyer says House Democrats are crafting a letter outlining “substantial” spending on border security to “articulate what we believe is effective. ” He urged the president to end the shutdown, enabling lawmakers to negotiate a border security package and even comprehensive immigration reform without the president using 800,000 federal employees as leverage. “I think her suggestion was a reasonable one,” Hoyer said of Pelosi's suggestion to delay the speech until after government reopens.  “The response we got was that the Secret Service will do its job and other security officers will do their job.  There’s no doubt that they will.  They’re very dedicated, patriotic people, very contentious people.  Paying them or not, they’re going to be doing their job.  We understand that but the fact is the president needs to open up the government. ”ABC News' Meridith McGraw, Jordyn Phelps and Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A Mississippi man is now on the US Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitives list after authorities say he faked his own death to avoid prosecution for the rape of his 14-year-old stepdaughter https://t.co/mJP6gWiSR2

Frederick Hampton was wanted in connection with the death of Paighton Houston. Grim discovery made when police find missing Alabama woman A convicted rapist sought in connection with the disappearance and death of an Alabama woman was captured in Ohio on Wednesday night after a weekslong manhunt, authorities said. Members of the U. S.  Marshals Service's Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Frederick Hampton, 50, at a relative's home in Cleveland, in connection with the death of 29-year-old Paighton Houston. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in Birmingham, Alabama, had issued an arrest warrant for Hampton earlier this month for sex offender registration violations and abuse of a corpse. "Quick action by law enforcement in Alabama and Ohio led to the capture of this fugitive who was very clearly on the run from authorities," U. S.  Marshal Peter Elliott said in a statement Wednesday night.  "A person with little regard for life is off the streets and both communities are safer this evening. "Authorities have said they have evidence that Hampton was with Houston on the night she vanished and that he disposed of her body after she died the next day. When Houston left a bar with two men in Birmingham on the night of Dec.  20, she texted one of her friends saying "she didn't know who she was with and that she felt like she was in trouble," her brother told ABC News in an interview after she went missing. It's unknown whether Hampton was one of the men Houston left the bar with. The body of  Houston, a Trussville native, was found on Jan.  3 wrapped in sheets and buried in a shallow grave behind a house in Hueytown, about 15 miles from the Birmingham bar where she was last seen.  The home belongs to relatives of Hampton, authorities said. The cause and manner of Houston's death has not yet been determined as additional tests, including toxicology, are still pending. Authorities have said they have no evidence at this point that Hampton was responsible for Houston's death, but that he could face more charges if additional evidence is developed.  He is also under investigation by the U. S.  Marshals Service for possible federal violations. Hampton will remain in local custody in Cleveland until he can be extradited back to Birmingham, authorities said. After being convicted for rape and sodomy in 1992, Hampton served more than 20 years in prison.  He was released in 2012, according to jail records. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


“Their protest is not the farmers’ protest, their aim is to make Khalistan.”

An old image from 2013 of a Sikh man holding up a placard saying ‘We Want Khalistan’ has been falsely revived as a recent one amid the ongoing farmers’ protest.  The picture was taken by news agency AFP’s photographer, Narinder Nanu, in June 2013, when activists from various radical Sikh organisations had gathered at the Golden Temple in Amritsar to mark the anniversary of Operation Bluestar.  CLAIM The image is being shared with the claim, “इनका आंदोलन किसान आंदोलन नही है, इनका मकसद खालिस्तान बनाना।” (Translation: “Their protest is not the farmers’ protest, their aim is to make Khalistan. ”) Several users shared the image with similar claims in Hindi.  WHAT WE FOUND OUT In a reverse image search we found that the image had been shared by several sites, including Pakistani newspaper, Tribune, which had credited the image to news agency AFP.  A keyword search of the same led us to the original image on Getty Images, by news agency AFP’s photographer, Narinder Nanu.  The image was taken on 6 June 2013, the 29th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, when radical activists from Sikh organisations had gathered at Amritsar’s Golden Temple, holding placards in support of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had demanded the establishment of Khalistan – a Sikh homeland.  Evidently, an old 2013 image of a pro-Khalistan placard has been falsely linked to the ongoing farmers’ protest.


Many Facebook users are sharing a collage claiming that the couple seen along with BJP veteran Murali Manohar Joshi is his daughter and son-in-law and he is celebrating EID with them.  Let’s try to analyze the claims made in the post. Claim: The couple seen along with BJP veteran Murali Manohar Joshi is his daughter and his son-in-law Shahnawaz Hussain. Fact: The woman seen with MM Joshi is BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain’s wife Renu Sharma.  But, she is not the daughter of Murali Manohar Joshi.  Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. The rumour that Murali Manohar Joshi’s daughter is married to Shahnawaz Hussain is doing rounds since 2014.  On doing Google Reverse Image search, the picture in the post was found to be the one taken during Eid-2018 celebrations at the residence of BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain.  The woman seen in the photo is  Shahnawaz Hussain’s wife Renu Hussain, but she is not Joshi’s daughter. With my wife Renu, wishing Advani ji on his 50th Marriage Anniversary.  Wish him a long & healthy life.  pic. twitter. com/2DygSwFkJiShahnawaz Hussain and Renu Hussain had a love marriage and their story is covered by many media outlets.  It is no where mentioned that Renu Hissain is the daughter of MM Joshi.  MM Joshi has two daughters named Nivedita Joshi and Priyamvada Joshi as per BJP’s official website. To sum it up, Murali Manohar Joshi’s daughter is not married to BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain. Did you watch our Facebook live on Fake News (Misinformation)


"Article One of the Constitution gives the House the right to investigate the president, and we are taking our responsibility seriously," Dem. Rep. Jim McGovern says after accusing the White House of obstructing House impeachment inquiry. https://t.co/OzrDAzDZ9Y https://t.co/i1g0qwwIB3

By Meg Wagner, Veronica Rocha, Mike Hayes and Rob Picheta, CNNThe House just passed a resolution formalizing the Trump impeachment inquiry.  No Republicans broke with their party and voted with Democrats to pass the resolution. Here's the official vote count:From CNN's Ted BarrettJohn Thune, a Republican senator from South Dakota, spoke to reporters about the House resolution that just passed. When asked if the vote formalizes the impeachment process, he said: “I don’t think they [House Democrats] are interpreting it that way.  Seems like they’re trying to give some of their members who don’t want to vote for an actual inquiry a way out too.  So, we’ll see. "The House just passed a resolution that formalizes the procedures of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.  It passed with a vote of 232-196. Remember: This was not a vote to impeach President Trump — rather, it was a vote to formalize the impeachment proceedings.  You can read the full resolution here. What happens now: The impeachment inquiry will continue, under the protocols described in the resolution.  The working theory among Democrats is there will be another week or two of closed depositions — and that public hearings before the House Intelligence Committee could begin as soon as the second week in November. From CNN's Manu RajuOnly two House Democrats voted nay in the procedural vote ahead of the vote on the impeachment resolution. Democratic Rep.  Collin Peterson from Minnesota and Rep.  Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey voted against moving forward. The House is now voting to formalize the procedures of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.  This is the vote that will decide if Congress moves forward with the inquiry. Rep.  Justin Amash, a former Republican who became an Independent earlier this year, says he will vote for the impeachment resolution. The resolution formalizes the procedures of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.  Earlier this year, Amash became the first Republican to say Trump "engaged in impeachable conduct. "The Democratic-led House of Representatives just passed a procedural resolution ahead of today's vote on the impeachment inquiry. Remember: This was only a procedural vote.  Next, the House will vote on the impeachment inquiry resolution — that's the resolution that will formalize the procedures of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.  President Trump is linking the impeachment inquiry to the economy, tweeting that the "Impeachment Hoax is hurting our Stock Market. "The Dow down 0. 6% today, but we are still in the longest-running bull market ever.  Also, the S&P hit a record high yesterday. Trump tweeted as the House of Representatives is preparing to vote on an impeachment resolution.  The House is now voting on a procedural resolution to move forward with the resolution on the impeachment inquiry. The House needs a majority to vote on this procedural resolution.  It's expected to pass.  Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.


Photo shows Bilkis Dadi from Shaheen Bagh taking part in Farmers protest

A photo of an elderly woman part of a farmers' protest is viral with a false claim that she is Bilkis Bano (82) the daadi (grandmother) who was part of the Shaheen Bagh protests held in 2019, against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).  BOOM spoke to Bano who denied that she was the woman in the photo.  She added that while she plans to take part in the farmers' protest, she has not done so yet   The photo is viral as thousands of farmers are taking part in the 'Delhi Chalo' march organised by the farmers of Punjab in order to register their protest against the Centre government's Farm laws and demanding its repeal.  For the past three days, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been marching toward the national capital.  After an intense confrontation with the police at the Haryana border of the capital and facing heavy police bracketing and tear gas shells, they were allowed to enter Delhi on November 27.   The set of two photos are being shared, first showing Bano sitting at Shaheen Bagh during the Anti-CAA protests and the second photo shows an old woman with a yellow headscarf and a stick marching during the recent farmers march to Delhi.  The captions are raising aspersions on the protest by claiming Bano is now pretending to be a farmer.  The viral photo is being shared with the caption, "Dadi at Shaheen Bagh is now a Punjabi farmer. " Click here to view, and here for an archive.  The same photo was also quote tweeted by Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut fasely claiming that both are the same woman.  The now deleted tweet read, "Ha ha ha she is the same dadi who featured in Time magazine for being the most powerful Indian. . . .  And she is available in 100 rupees. . . " Click here to view an archive.  Click here to view, and here for an archive.  Viral on Facebook On searching with the viral caption, we found that the set of photos being shared with the false claim.  Also Read: Old Images Of Water Cannon Used On Protesting Farmers Shared As Recent BOOM first contacted Bilkis Bano's son Manzoor Ahmad, who confirmed that Bano is yet to participate in the farmer's protest march and the woman in the photo is not her.   Ahmad further clarified that he had shared a photo of the old woman walking in the farmer's protest and in the caption mentioned that Bilkis dadi would also be joining the farmer's protest happening in Delhi.  "The woman in the yellow scarf is not her.  I had also posted the same picture of the elderly woman walking in the march on Facebook stating that Bilkis Dadi would also be joining in the farmer protests soon.  It seems someone mistook it for her.  I have since deleted the post," Ahmad said.  He also sent BOOM the photo he posted on Facebook to state that Bano would be joining the protest.  The caption of the photo when translated reads, "Tigresses of my country, I am coming to support you.  - Bilkis Dadi" Photo sent by Ahmad  We then spoke to Bano who denied that the old woman walking in the viral photo is her and told us that she has not yet participated in the march but would be doing so soon.   "I am sitting at home, in Shaheen Bagh.  I am not the one in the photo.  The farmers who are protesting and the photo of the woman that is being shared is not mine.  I will be joining the protest tomorrow," Bano told BOOM We also visited Bano at her house and interviewed her for the same.  Below is the video of her denying that the woman in the photo is not her.   Additionally, a reverse image search on the viral photo, we found news report with the same photo of the elderly woman.  Hindi Newspaper Amar Ujala published the same photo on November 27, 2020, in an article titled 'Farmers traveled to Delhi by removing blockers' and the caption of the photo reads, "Elderly women involved in the convoy.  - Photo: Sirsa".  However, we found a Facebook post on a page Mera Gaon, Mera Swabhimaan, where the same woman's picture was used a display photo dating back to October 13, 2020.  We translated the text on the flag and found that it belongs to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and found photos where female members can be seen wearing the same yellow dupatta.  See reports here BOOM found that the elderly woman who was being misidentified as Bano is Mohinder Kaur, an octogenarian farmers' union member in her eighties who told us that the viral photo was taken almost two months ago near the Sangat Mandi Petrol Pump, in Bhatinda.  Watch the full interview below.    BOOM has previously debunked misinformation around the farmer's protest when old images of water cannon used on protesting farmers were shared as recent.   Also Read: Photo Showing Pele Crying At Maradona's Grave Is Morphed And Fake


Jammu and Kashmir: Locals arrive at a mosque in Srinagar to offer Friday prayers. https://t.co/TybIHlsYOL

President Ram Nath Koving gave his nod to The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 on Friday evening, ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).  Article 370 and Article 35A, cleared in the parliament earlier this week, have defined the state’s relationship with the Union for seven decades now, were effectively rendered null and void. Jammu and Kashmir remained on high alert today though restrictions were lifted in the Valley to allow people to offer Friday prayers in local mosques.  However, they won’t be allowed to congregate at Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid.  The Kashmir valley has been under lockdown since Sunday midnight, a day before the government moved to divide the state into two Union Territories and also scrapped Articles that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.  The President okayed the move soon after both houses of Parliament passed it. The Centre is monitoring the situation and on Thursday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reviewed the situation in a meeting held in the Police Control Room of the J&K Police.  Highlights:PM Modi’s speech had a calming effect: J&K GovernorJammu and Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik told ANI that PM Modi’s address to the nation on Thursday night had a calming effect.  “The situation is peaceful.  Relaxations will be given before and on Eid.  The festival will be celebrated in a proper manner.  He added that 1600 employees are on duty to ensure essential services like power supply, water and sanitation.  “10,000 people in Kashmir are reporting for their duties.  Most bank ATMs are operational.  We’ve released advance salary for August of daily wage workers,” the Governor said. Round the clock services available for people in Kashmir: J&K GuvJammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has said that he visited the Lalla Ded Hospital and GB Pant Children Hospital today.  “There are round the clock services at hospitals.  Cash has been disbursed for medicines, patient welfare and for fuel for ambulances.  ‘Langars’ are operating at TRC, hospitals &other public places in Srinagar.  For Eid, 2. 5 lakh sheeps and goats have been arranged.  30 lakh poultry has also been arranged.  We have two months stock of ration.  There is sufficient stock of petrol, diesel and regular supply for LPG,” he said.  Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh to come into existence on October 31Two new UTs -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- will come into existence on October 31: MHAPresident Kovind signs on The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019President Ram Nath Kovind gives his assent to The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, reported ANI. Jammu schools, colleges reopen tomorrow, 144 removedProhibitory orders banning congregation of more than 4 people under Section-144 has been removed from Jammu paving the way for reopening of schools and colleges in the region from tomorrow as per the order released by the Deputy Magistrate of Jammu district on Friday.  Relaxation for Jammu follows an assessment that situation in the region was normal.  Read full story here. Section 144 withdrawn from Jammu municipal limits: OfficialsSection 144 restricting gathering of more than 4 people has been withdrawn from Jammu Municipal limits, said Sushma Chauhan, Deputy Magistrate (DM) of Jammu District.  “All school, and colleges will be open tomorrow i. e.  August 10,” Chauhan told ANI. Situation in Kashmir is under control, normal in Jammu: ADGPMuneer Khan, additional director general of police, law and order in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir has said that the situation in Jammu is normal.  While in Kashmir, the situation is under control.  “All steps necessary to maintain law and order will be taken,” Khan told ANI. ‘Pak trying to project panic-like situation’: Raveesh Kumar“On their side, they (Pakistan) would like to project a panic situation, but that is not the situation So, it is time for Pak to stop interfering in other nation’s affairs: Raveesh Kumar. He says, “we can only request Pakistan to re-consider its unilateral steps and we can only regret (what Pak has done). ” ‘Pak efforts to link peace deal with Kashmir hasn’t worked’MEA spokesperson says, “Pakistan’s efforts to link peace deal with Kashmir issue have not worked”. On being asked about Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, Raveesh Kumar said that the high commissioner to Pakistan is not yet back in Delhi.  We have requested Pakistan for review of their decision.  The timing of his return will be determined later. ”‘Steps taken keeping in mind best interests of J-K’On steps taken by Centre in Jammu and Kashmir, Raveesh Kumar said, “We feel steps have been taken keeping in mind the best interests of Jammu and Kashmir”. He added, “Pakistan thinks it will not be able to mislead people if there is development in Jammu and Kashmir. ”‘Time for Pak to stop interfering in internal matter of other countries’It is time for Pakistan to accept reality and stop interfering in internal matters of other countries: MEA spokesperson. He adds, we hope Pakistan reconsiders its unilateral decisions and address the core issues.  We can only urge them to re-consider those steps.  Raveesh Kumar said, “Actions taken by Pakistan unilateral. This has been done without consulting us. We’ve urged them to reconsider their decision. Our sense is that whatever is being done by Pakistan is to present an alarming picture of bilateral relationship. ”Samjhauta Express a ‘unilateral decision’ by PakAirspace has not be closed, but there has been some re-routing.  On Samjhauta Express, it is a unilateral decision, we never asked for it.  We regret Pakistan’s decision: Raveesh KumarPM has articulated his vision of J-K and LadakhPM has very clearly articulated his vision of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh yesterday in his address.  Now there will be more opportunities. : Raveesh Kumar, MEA spokesperson, addressing media. Pakistan suspends Thar Express servicePakistan on Friday suspended the Thar Express - the last rail link with India - a day after Islamabad stopped the Samjhauta Express service between the two neighbours, reports Reuters. “We have decided to shut down the Thar Express as well,” Reuters quoted Pakistan’s railways minster Sheikh Rasheed as saying. Watch: Locals at a mosque in Srinagar to offer prayers#WATCH Jammu and Kashmir: Locals arrive at a mosque in Srinagar to offer Friday prayers.  pic. twitter. com/HRzWkULtfYPeople arrive at mosques to offer Friday prayersPeople are arriving at their local mosques to offer Friday prayers after restrictions in the Kashmir Valley were eased earlier in the day.  Sitaram Yechury being sent back to DelhiCPI(M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury is being sent back to Delhi, reports PTI quoting party sources.  He, along with CPI leader D Raja, were detained at the Srinagar airport earlier in the morning.  The duo had gone there to meet their party colleagues.  Yechury, D Raja detention ‘anti-democratic’: CPMThe CPI(M) hit out at the Centre for detaining its general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D Raja at Srinagar airport, saying it was an “anti-democratic” act, which showed the ruling BJP’s “authoritarian face”. “The politburo calls upon the people to protest this anti-democratic act of the BJP government,” the statement said. “This shows the authoritarian face of the BJP government,” it added. Schools re-open in KathuaAs with Udhampur and Samba districts, schools in Kathua, too, have reopened on Friday.  All three districts fall under the Jammu division.  Situation in Jammu division under control: Divisional CommissionerDivisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, says the current situation in Jammu Division is under control and there is peace.  Talking to reporters, Verma said, “rumors regarding removal of some district is totally baseless and one FIR regarding this is being registered in Samba District. ”NSA Ajit Doval visits downtown SrinagarNational Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited downtown Srinagar today and spent over 2 hours in the area, reports ANI.  He interacted with troops and locals and also had lunch with CRPF personnel. ‘Trying to negotiate with them’: YechuryYechury said he and CPI leader D Raja were detained at Srinagar airport and denied entry into the city.  The Left leaders had gone there to meet their party colleagues.  Talking to PTI over phone, Yechury said, “They showed us a legal order which did not allow any entry into Srinagar.  It stated that even escorted movement int the city was not permitted due to security reasons.  We are still trying to negotiate with them. ” Earlier in the day, he had tweeted about his visit (see below). Com D Raja and I are on our way to Srinagar on the 9. 55 am Indigo flight to meet Com Yousuf Tarigami and our other comrades in Jammu & Kashmir pic. twitter. com/axRKZkLbV6CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury stopped at Srinagar airportCPI(M) General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury has been stopped at Srinagar Airport.  He had arrived in J&K to meet members of his party’s unit, there. Srinagar residents move about for their workFollowing easing of restrictions, people were seen moving about in Srinagar, taking care of their daily chores.  #WATCH Jammu and Kashmir: Latest visuals from Srinagar as people move about for their work.  pic. twitter. com/UYlI6cTSMKSchools reopen in UdhampurSchools reopened in Udhampur on Friday, reports news agency ANI.  Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur Piyush Singla says,“Section 144 is still imposed, but with some exceptions in certain areas.  Security plan is in place.  Vulnerable areas are being monitored closely.  Markets are also open from 11 AM to 5 PM”. Schools reopen in SambaSchools reopened in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, reports ANI.  Restrictions to be eased in Kashmir Valley to allow Friday prayersRestrictions will be eased to allow people in the Kashmir Valley to offer Friday prayers in local mosques, officials said.  However, there will be no Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid, reports PTI.  The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, a day after restrictions in some parts of the civil lines areas of the city and Dal Lake were eased to allow free movement of people, they said.


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

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

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

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

Michael Cohen testifies before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. Michael Cohen's statement: Trump is 'a racist,' aware of email leaksRep.  Kathleen Rice, D-N. Y. , asked the House Ethics Committee Tuesday to investigate a tweet from a Republican congressman about Michael Cohen ahead of his public testimony before Congress, a move that could prompt an official investigation. In a letter to the panel, Rice said she believes Rep.  Matt Gaetz's controversial tweet Tuesday evening, which implied alleged details about Cohen's romantic life could come out during Cohen’s public testimony, constituted witness tampering. Gaetz, a self-described Trump loyalist, tweeted: “Hey @MichaelCohen212 - Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends?  Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat.  I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison.  She’s about to learn a lot. . . ”"As a former District Attorney and federal prosecutor, I believe this statement is in violation of 18 U. S.  Code 1512, which clearly defines witness tampering and intimidation," she wrote in the letter obtained by ABC News.  "According to the Department of Justice . . .  this statute applies to proceedings before Congress. "Rice, who encouraged the committee to refer the matter to the Justice Department after an investigation, discussed the tweet with Gaetz on the House floor Tuesday evening, according to a source familiar with their conversation. Under its rules, the House ethics panel could launch an investigation into the matter from the referral.  A committee official declined to comment on Rice's referral. After a committee investigation, the panel could eventually recommend the House vote to reprimand, censure or fine Gaetz, Bryson Morgan, a former investigative counsel for the House of Representatives Office of Congressional Ethics, told ABC News. The panel could also recommend expulsion, which would require a two-thirds majority of the chamber. Gaetz was questioned by reporters moments after his tweet and why he wrote it, saying “the tweet speaks for itself. "Gaetz was asked if the tweet should be perceived as a threat telling reporters, “Absolutely not.  We’re witness testing not witness tampering.  And when witnesses come before Congress their truthfulness and voracity ought to be tested and we have the opportunity. ”Gaetz apologized in a later tweet around midnight Wednesday and said he planned to delete the inflammatory Cohen tweet. "Speaker, I want to get the truth too.  While it is important 2 create context around the testimony of liars like Michael Cohen, it was NOT my intent to threaten, as some believe I did," he said in a response to a tweet from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.  "I’m deleting the tweet & I should have chosen words that better showed my intent.  I’m sorry. "Lanny J.  Davis, an attorney for Michael Cohen, said: "We will not respond to Mr.  Gaetz’s despicable lies and personal smears, except to say we trust that his colleagues in the House, both Republicans and Democrats, will repudiate his words and his conduct.  I also trust that his constituents will not appreciate that their congressman has set a new low — which in today’s political culture is hard to imagine as possible. ”The tweet from Gaetz was a stunning attack from a member of Congress ahead of public testimony. “I think it’s enough to warrant an investigation.  This is knowingly using intimidation . . .  with the intent to influence or delay or prevent the testimony,” said Melanie Sloan, a former federal prosecutor, senior adviser to American Oversight, a government watchdog group referring to the federal code.  “This guy could be charged with witness tampering. ”Asked for any proof about his allegations against Cohen, Gaetz told ABC News "tune in tomorrow and find out. " Gaetz is not a member of the House Oversight Committee, which will question Cohen tomorrow for his first public hearing. Cohen has been testifying before members and staff of the Senate Intelligence Committee behind closed doors since first thing Tuesday morning. The longtime Trump Organization employee plead guilty to lying to Congress as well as financial crimes including bank and tax fraud late last year.  Cohen also pleaded guilty to campaign finance violation for payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. A source familiar with his public testimony plans for Wednesday told ABC News Cohen is expected to publicly accuse President Trump of potentially committing a crime while in office.  The accusation, according to the source, is related to Trump's alleged repayment of money to Cohen for his deal with Daniels.  Trump has denied Daniels' claim but has admitted to the reimbursement. Trump has denied the affair alleged by Daniels and another accusation from former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and has previously said the payment amounted to nothing more than a “simple private transaction,” and that they do not qualify as campaign finance violations. ABC News' Karma Allen contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Rahul Gandhi after opposition parties meeting called by Congress: Instead of addressing the problem of the youth Narendra Modi is trying to distract the nation and divide people. Voice of the youth is legitimate, it should not be suppressed, the government should listen to it. https://t.co/d1itLvMxwp

The Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday made it clear she will not attend the opposition parties’ meeting called by the Congress, dealing a blow to attempts to showcase a united front against the BJP on the citizenship act. Mayawati is angry with the Congress after all six MLAs of her party in Rajasthan joined the ruling Congress.  And on Monday, she cited it as her reason for not attending the opposition meeting. “In such a situation, the BSP attending the meeting called by the opposition today under the leadership of the Congress will be demoralising to the party’s workers in Rajasthan.  That’s why the BSP will not attend this meeting,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi in the morning. “The BSP is away against CAA/NRC etc.  We again appeal to the central government to withdraw this divisive and unconstitutional law.  At the same time, the politicisation of students in JNU and other educational institutions is very unfortunate,” she added. West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has already announced she will not be a part of the meeting, called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Leader of the Left parties, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), among others, will hold talks in the afternoon to plan out strategies to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government on two key issues — the economy and the debate over citizenship. The Samajwadi Party is also expected to attend the meeting. Protests have erupted across the country over CAA, which fast-tracks Indian citizenship for persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, as critics have called the act divisive and against the Constitution.