Here are the key lines from the Mueller report https://t.co/gpzYgE8Jl8 https://t.co/ofsndpdhjj

Questions surrounding the Trump campaign's Russian contacts remain unresolved. Democrats blast Barr over rollout of Mueller reportAs Washington anxiously awaits the Thursday release of the redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, some questions surrounding specific, publicly-reported instances of then-candidate Donald Trump’s campaign contacts with Russians remain unresolved. Attorney General William Barr, in his letter to Congress last month describing the report’s "principal conclusions," wrote that the special counsel "did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired" with Russians to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.  The special counsel’s office investigated whether anyone working for or associated with the Trump campaign coordinated with Russians in their crimes related to the 2016 presidential election, crimes that included computer hacking conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States, among other things. President Trump lauded the news, sparing no occasion to repeat one of his marquee phrases: "No collusion! ""As far as I'm concerned, I don't care about the Mueller report," Trump told reporters at the White House last week.  "I've been totally exonerated.  No collusion, no obstruction. "As members of President Trump’s legal team have repeatedly pointed out, the word "collusion," itself, does not appear in the federal code. The non-legal term, however, defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as, "a secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose," has come to be used as a shorthand for the type of federal crime of conspiracy – which occurs when "two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States," according to the legal statute. And, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, in response to a question from ABC News Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce on whether he accepts the special counsel’s conclusion that "[T]he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities," he maintained "there are a lot of open questions. ""Why did the Russians offer dirt on Hillary Clinton?  Why did the president's son say that he would love that help?  Why did they set up a meeting at Trump Tower? " Schiff said shortly after Barr issued his four-page memo on the investigation’s findings in late March. "These questions have not been answered by the summary we got from Bill Barr," Shiff added.  "I would hope that there are answers in the Mueller report. "Of primary interest to Democratic critics is the infamous June 9, 2016, Trump Tower meeting, referenced by Schiff, between senior members of the Trump campaign and Russians who were expected to offer some dirt on Hillary Clinton. Another area of interest is the Aug.  2, 2016, meeting in New York between then-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former business associate, Konstantin Kilimnik, who has been described by Mueller prosecutors as a former Russian intelligence officer.  Prosecutors have accused Manafort of providing Kilimnik internal polling data from the Trump campaign. Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani said on CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time" earlier this year that Manafort's sharing of the polling data with Kilimnik was not collusion. "It's not collusion.  Polling data is given to everybody.  He shouldn't have given to them.  It's wrong to give it to them," Giuliani said.  "[Trump] did not know about it until it was revealed a few weeks ago in an article. "In its latest indictment, the special counsel's office detailed former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone's apparent overtures to WikiLeaks -- on how the veteran Republican operative instructed his associate Jerome Corsi to "Get to Assange," as part of a multi-day email exchange, noting that WikiLeaks was preparing to release emails that "deal with [the Clinton] Foundation, allegedly. "Regardless of whether these incidents raise ethical or moral questions, the matter of legality for the special counsel’s investigation was put to rest when Barr announced in March that the special counsel would not recommend any additional indictments. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


The timing of the shooting at Congregation Chabad is significant. It's the last day of Passover, one of the holiest Jewish celebrations of the year.

It also comes exactly six months to the day after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh https://t.co/a1vfjDkedq https://t.co/0venBiuWEg

The incident occurred at the Chabad of Poway synagogue. 1 dead, 3 injured in synagogue shootingA woman was fatally shot and three others were injured in a shooting during a Passover celebration at a San Diego synagogue Saturday, officials said. The shooting happened about 11:30 a. m.  local time at the  Chabad of Poway synagogue. The suspect, identified as 19-year-old John Earnest of San Diego, appeared to fire more than 10 rounds before leaving the synagogue, a law enforcement source told ABC News, noting that it all happened very quickly. "[We were] outside in front of our house and heard about six gunshots, a pause, some yelling and then another six or seven gunshots," neighbor Chris Folts said, adding that he went inside to call 911. During a news conference, San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore said that the shooter had an AR-15 style assault weapon. The four victims were transported to Palomar Medical Center, where one of them, a 60-year-old woman, died.  She was identified by the synagogue as Lori Gilbert Kaye. The three others, including a 1-year-old girl, are in stable condition, said Dr.  Michael Katz, a trauma doctor where the victims were taken. The sheriff said “some digital evidence” possibly ties Earnest to last month's mosque arson in Escondido, California, but would not elaborate.  While authorities are reviewing writings Earnest allegedly posted online, they have confirmed he has no known connection to white supremacist groups. Minoo Anvari, whose husband was inside the synagogue, said that she was with a customer when he called her. Anvari said that he told her, "One of my friends . . .  is down.  They took her to [the] hospital.  The rabbi lost two fingers.  But in spite of bleeding, he was trying to finish his speech.  He was telling all the people who know him, 'Be strong.  . . .  God helps us, God helps [our] country. '"Katz said the rabbi and the deceased woman were hit by "shrapnel from bullets. "An off-duty border patrol agent was inside the synagogue during the shooting.  The agent chased Earnest outside as he attempted to flee and fired at the alleged gunman, striking his vehicle, Gore said. Earnest was taken into custody after a K-9 officer saw him on the freeway, after which he jumped out of his car and put his hands up, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said during the conference. Officers saw a rifle in the front seat of the Earnest's vehicle, he added. The mayor of Poway tweeted Saturday afternoon, saying "hate has no place in ANY community. . . least of all Poway. ""The Poway I know comes together as we did just a few weeks ago. . .  We always walk with our arms around each other and we will walk through this tragedy with our arms around each other," Mayor Pete Vaus said during the news conference.  "We will get through this. "President Donald Trump also tweeted about the incident, praising law enforcement for their "outstanding job. "Relatives looking for their loved ones and synagogue-goers who were separated from the shooting were advised to go to Poway High School at 15500 Espola Road. The shooting comes six months to the day that 11 people were killed in a shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.  It also occurred on the last day of Passover in a synagogue whose members are part of one of the largest and most widely known Orthodox Jewish communities in the world. With the Chabad movement based in Brooklyn, New York, the New York Police Department said it was "closely monitoring" the situation and increasing patrols and presence at houses of worship out of an abundance of caution. ABC News' Christopher Donato contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A consignment of Covishield vaccine, by Serum Institute of India, to be dispatched from Mumbai to Bahrain and Colombo, today. https://t.co/i66GHmgHjC

India and South Africa are preparing for a fresh push at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a waiver of patent protections on Covid-19 vaccines though the success of the move will largely depend on the position adopted by the US and other developed countries, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity on Saturday. Diplomats of the two countries are working on revising the text of a proposal originally submitted by India and South Africa last October to waive intellectual property rights such as patents and other protections for Covid-19 vaccines and medicines so that they can be more accessible. “It is the same proposal though with a revised text,” said one of the people cited above.  It is expected the revised proposal will highlight the urgent need to ensure equitable and speedy access to vaccines in light of the devastating second wave of Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections in India, which has already seen record-breaking figures of more than 400,000 cases being reported in a day. The revised proposal is also likely to state that patent protections for vaccines be waived for a limited timeframe in order to address the concerns of the US, European Union and other states that opposed the original proposal, the people said. The fresh proposal is expected to be presented to the WTO sometime in the next two weeks, the people said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue during a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden on April 26, the people said.  An official statement issued by the Indian side after the conversation had said that Modi emphasised the “need to ensure smooth and open supply chains of raw materials and inputs required for the manufacture of vaccines, medicines, and therapeutics”. Asked about the matter by reporters on Thursday, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “no option is off the table”.  She said, “We’re going to do what in the best interest of ending the pandemic.  We are already engaged in steps to increase vaccine production.  Moderna announced that it will not enforce its Covid-19-related patents against those making vaccines intended to combat the pandemic. . .  And I want to be clear that no option is off the table and our guiding principle is getting safe vaccines fast. ”White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Tuesday the US would “evaluate whether it’s more effective to manufacture [the vaccines] here and provide supply to the world or the IP waiver is an option,” but added that the US president had not made a decision as yet. Under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), exemptions can be made for suspending patent protections on medicines needed in an emergency.  India and South Africa have worked together in the past to obtain a similar exemption for drugs needed to treat HIV/AIDS. However, developers of Covid-19 vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson have opposed any waiver for their doses, saying they are capable of producing adequate jabs to meet the global demand.  The pharmaceutical majors have also contended that smaller manufacturers in the developing world do not possess the technology or the skills to produce such complex vaccines. The original proposal submitted by India and South Africa to the TRIPS Council on October 2 last year stated that it is “important for WTO members to work together to ensure that intellectual property rights such as patents, industrial designs, copyright and protection of undisclosed information do not create barriers to the timely access to affordable medical products including vaccines and medicines or to scaling-up of research, development, manufacturing and supply of medical products essential to combat Covid-19”.  It further said, “As new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for Covid-19 are developed, there are significant concerns how these will be made available promptly, in sufficient quantities and at an affordable price to meet the global demand. ”


Police fatally shoot four men suspected of raping and killing a woman in southern India. https://t.co/ako5oUQ8Vt

By Helen Regan, Vedika Sud and Swati Gupta, CNNUpdated 1537 GMT (2337 HKT) December 6, 2019  (CNN)Four men held over a high-profile rape and murder case in India have been shot dead by police while they were in custody, an official confirmed Friday, drawing praise from the family of the victim but criticism from some lawmakers and rights groups.


US President Joe Biden said Vladimir Putin "will pay a price" for his efforts to undermine the 2020 US election following a landmark American intelligence assessment which found that the Russian government meddled in the 2020 election https://t.co/UcyMyjfswl

He even gave an update on whether Major Biden is out of the dog house. Biden on crisis at southern border: 'Don't come over'President Joe Biden sat down with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos for a wide-ranging interview Tuesday in which he said his message to migrants was to not come to the border and that New York Gov.  Andrew Cuomo should resign if allegations he committed sexual harassment are confirmed. Biden also told Stephanopoulos that he agreed Russian President Vladimir Putin was a "killer" and would "pay a price" for interfering in U. S.  elections. And he said it would be "tough" to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan by May 1, a deadline set out in a deal former President Donald Trump's administration made with the Taliban. Biden told Stephanopoulos he was surprised that COVID-19 vaccinations were still so politicized. "How do you get the politics out of this vaccine talk? " Stephanopoulos asked. "I honest to God thought we had it out," Biden said.  "I honest to God thought that, once we guaranteed we had enough vaccine for everybody, things would start to calm down.  Well, they have calmed down a great deal.  But I don't quite understand – you know – I just don't understand this sort of macho thing about, 'I'm not gonna get the vaccine.  I have a right as an American, my freedom to not do it. ' Well, why don't you be a patriot?  Protect other people. "Biden said getting vaccinated himself has let him to show Americans doing so is safe – and has changed his life "because I can hug my grandkids now. ""They come over to the house,” the president said.  “I can see them.  I'm able to be with them. "The United States' chief intelligence office on Tuesday released an unclassified report on foreign meddling in the 2020 election that concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw sweeping efforts aimed at "denigrating" President Joe Biden’s candidacy. Biden told Stephanopoulos that he had warned Putin about a potential response during a call in late January. "He will pay a price," Biden said.  "We had a long talk, he and I, when we -- I know him relatively well.  And the conversation started off, I said, 'I know you and you know me.  If I establish this occurred, then be prepared. "Stephanopoulos asked: "So you know Vladimir Putin.  You think he's a killer? ""Mmm hmm, I do," Biden replied. While the president said "you'll see" that Putin is "going to pay," he did not elaborate. He did say, though, that it was possible to "walk and chew gum at the same time for places where it's in our mutual interest to to work together. " He pointed to his decision to extend an arms agreement with Russia in January. Biden also addressed his administration's review of a deal former President Donald Trump made with the Taliban under which the U. S.  would pull out all of its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 if the Taliban met certain requirements. "I'm in the process of making that decision now as to when they'll leave," Biden said.  "The fact is that, that was not a very solidly negotiated deal that the president -- the former president -- worked out.  And so we're in consultation with our allies as well as the government, and that decision's going to be -- it's in process now. "Biden said it would be "tough" for all service members to leave by May 1. "It could happen," he said, "but it is tough. "Biden told Stephanopoulos that New York Gov.  Andrew Cuomo should resign if an investigation confirms claims he committed sexual harassment. "I know you said you want the investigation to continue," Stephanopoulos told Biden, referring to a probe by New York's attorney general into allegations Cuomo had harassed several women.  "If the investigation confirms the claims of the women, should he resign? ""Yes," the president replied.  "I think he'll probably end up being prosecuted, too. "Seven accusers have in recent weeks raised allegations against the Democratic governor, and one claim he groped a woman was referred to police in Albany, N. Y.  A number of top Democrats from New York, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen.  Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on Cuomo to step down. Cuomo has denied the allegations. Biden has so far stopped short of backing an immediate end to Cuomo's governorship. "There should be an investigation to determine whether what she says is true," Biden told Stephanopoulos during a wide-ranging interview in Darby, Pennsylvania.  "That's what's going on now. "Stephanopoulos also pressed Biden on why he had not punished Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally after U. S.  intelligence concluded that the crown prince had approved an operation to capture or kill Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi.  As a candidate, Biden had promised a strong response to Saudi leaders. The president said "I'm the guy that released the report" -- referring to the U. S.  intelligence report the Trump administration did not make public but that he did.  Biden also said he had "made it clear" to Saudi Arabia's king "that things were going to change. ""We held accountable all the people in that organization -- but not the crown prince, because we have never that I'm aware of, when we have an alliance with a country, gone to the acting head of state and punished that person and ostracized him," Biden said. He said he "went down the list of the things we expected the Saudis to do," including that it should "end the war in Yemen, end the starvation there. "Amid a surge of migrants and unaccompanied minors on the U. S.  southern border, Stephanopoulos asked the president, "Do you have to say quite clearly, 'Don't come'? ""Yes, I can say quite clearly: Don't come over," Biden said. "Don't leave your town or city or community," he added. The number of unaccompanied teens and children who have been taken into U. S.  custody along the U. S. -Mexico border has shot up in recent weeks, as the number of migrants attempting to cross into the country increases. Republicans have said Biden's moves to rescind former President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies have encouraged migrants to come to the United States, but Biden told ABC News that "we're sending back people" who cross the border. Stephanopoulos asked Biden: "Was it a mistake not to anticipate this surge? ""First of all, there was a surge in the last two years," the president said.  "In '19 and '20, there was a surge, as well. "Stephanopoulos noted, "This one might be worse," and Biden acknowledged, "Well, it could be. ""The idea that Joe Biden said, 'Come' -- because I heard the other day that they're coming because they know I'm a nice guy," Biden said. "Here's the deal, they're not," he said. Thousands of unaccompanied minors are currently being held in U. S.  Customs and Border Protection facilities, many for longer than legally allowed, as Biden said his administration was scrambling to "provide beds for these children. ""We will have, I believe by next month, enough of those beds to take care of these children who have no place to go," Biden said. Biden said he "inherited" a "mess" and that it was important to address the root causes of migration from Central America. "It's not like someone's sittin' in Guadalajara right now in Mexico -- which is not the biggest problem right now -- and saying, 'I got a great idea.  Let's sell everything we have, give it to a coyote, give him our kids, take 'em across the border.  Leave 'em in a desert where they don't speak the language.  Won't that be fun? "He added: "That's not why people come.  They come because their circumstance is so bad.  Now, some come because they want a better opportunity, for economic reasons.  They don't qualify.  And so in the meantime, what we should be doing is making sure we provide beds for these children. At the end of the interview, the president also addressed his dog Major, one of two German Shepherds he has, recently causing "a minor injury" -- as the White House had said -- to someone at the White House.  Major was brought to Biden's home in Delaware after the incident took place, although the White House said it was because first lady Jill Biden was out of town. "Is Major out of the dog house? " Stephanopoulos asked the president. "The answer's yes," Biden said, laughing.  "Look, Major was a rescue pup.  Major did not bite someone and penetrate the skin.  What happens is for-- th-- I guess what surprised me is the White House itself, living there.  Every door you turn to, there's a guy there in a black jacket. "He said living in a new environment startled Major. "You turn a corner, and there's two people you don't know at all," Biden said.  "And he moves to protect.  But he's a sweet dog.  Eighty-five percent of the people there love him.  He just-- all he does is lick them and wag his tail. "Biden said "the dog's being trained now" in Delaware and that he planned to see him later that night when he stayed in Delaware. "He was going home," Biden said.  "I didn't banish him to home.  Jill was gonna be away for four days.  I was gonna be away for two so we took him home. "Watch more of the interview with President Joe Biden on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, March 17, at 7 a. m.  EDT. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


A GoFundMe campaign called "Tacos for Teachers" is sending taco trucks to schools across Los Angeles to feed staffers striking for higher salaries and smaller class sizes https://t.co/eEfQ3EtiB5 https://t.co/9PD6CLj12o

The district in California is the nation's second largest. 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles go on strike as negotiations stallMore than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest school district, walked out of classrooms and formed picket lines on Monday in what their union president says is "the fight for the soul of public education. "United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) said negotiations stalled and that the union didn't receive a new contract proposal over the weekend, after a strike was delayed from Jan.  10 because of potential court intervention. "So here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state as blue as it can be, in a city rife with millionaires, where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students," UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl told a group of boisterous educators outside John Marshall High School in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles. The teachers walked off the job at 7:30 a. m.  PST. "Here we are in a fight for the soul of public education," Caputo-Pearl, a Los Angeles teacher for 22 years, said at a rally to kick off the strike.  "The question is, do we starve our public neighborhood schools so that they are cut and privatized or do we reinvest in our public neighborhood schools for our students and for a thriving city?  We are here to say from the picket lines of Los Angeles that we choose reinvestment. "Schools won't close, district schools superintendent Austin Beutner tweeted on Monday.  The district hired hundreds of substitutes to cover for those on the picket lines demanding higher salaries and lower class sizes in a district that includes about 640,000 students. The striking educators said they want to remedy classes that often have 40-plus students, a lack of counselors and nurses to support students, closed libraries and crumbling classrooms. Union members told ABC News they'll strike "for as long as it takes. "Hiring substitute teachers is seen as "irresponsible" by the union, which asked parents to keep students home or join in the protest. The latest offer from the district, proposed on Friday, includes adding about 1,200 counselors, nurses and librarians, as well as capping class sizes at 32 to 39 students, depending on the course. The district also offered a 6 percent pay raise over the first two years of a three-year contract.  The teachers have asked for 6. 5 percent, retroactive to the 2017 fiscal year, and said the district's insistence on some proposals expiring after a year is disrespectful. "We are extremely disappointed that United Teachers Los Angeles has rejected Los Angeles Unified’s revised offer without proposing any counteroffer.  UTLA has refused to continue contract negotiations," district officials said in a statement. But Arlene Inouye, UTLA's secretary, told ABC News, "We have not had an honest bargaining partner. "Victoria Costas, a mother and teacher, said there are 46 students in her daughter's math class. "Classes are far too large to ever get individualized attention," she said. Costas said she planned to join the teachers on the picket line "fighting with my daughter. "Another teacher, Erika Jones, said that 85 percent of the district's schools don't have a full-time nurse. A tweet from the district's account said a work stoppage would "harm the students, families and communities we serve. "Beutner, a former investment banker and deputy mayor of Los Angeles, had no experience in education before taking over as superintendent last year. "He's deeply out of touch with the needs of students and community," Caputo-Pearl, UTLA's president, said.  "We are more convinced than ever that the district won't move unless there is a strike.  We are going on strike for students, who we miss in our hearts right now.  They deserve better. "Inouye, the union secretary, said in order to reach any kind of common ground with district leadership, "We need a place to start from. "Union supporters said they expect most of its approximately 35,000 members to join in the strike. Last year, thousands of teachers in states including Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma walked out of classrooms seeking higher pay and more resources for children. "This is a fight worth the sacrifice," Inouye said. ABC News' Marilyn Hicks and Leah LaRosa contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


As concerns grow over the global spread of the coronavirus, Russian authorities have arrested a prankster for imitating symptoms of the virus and collapsing on a metro train as a joke. https://t.co/6ho1hILGzK

The app alerts you if you have been in close contact with a sick person. What is coronavirus?  The Chinese government launched an app to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the death toll from CoViD-19 in the nation spiked to more than 1,000 and the number of confirmed cases has exceeded 40,000. The smartphone app, dubbed the "close contact detecter," aims to let people know whether they are at risk of catching the disease based on if they have been in close proximity with someone who has it. While it has courted some privacy concerns, some experts say those are currently outweighed by public health benefits amid what the World Health Organization has dubbed a global health emergency. The app was designed by three Chinese government agencies -- the General Office of the State Council, the National Health Commission and the China Electronics Technology Group Corporations -- and unveiled Monday in a report from Xinhua, the state-run news agency, on the National Health Commission's website. "These new apps are helpful, but we’re all waiting to see if it can do much to reduce the spread," Dr.  Irwin Redlener, the director of Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, told ABC News Tuesday. "Will it stop the epidemic?  No, but it will help individuals figure out if they are at risk," he added. "The situation is already really kind of out of control," Redlener, who is also a professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, said.  "We’re applying these tools which will help, but there is so many unknowns about the behavior of this coronavirus that the amount of help it is going to do in controlling spread is going to be limited. "The app alerts you if you have come in close contact to people with confirmed cases, suspected cases or mild cases, including coworkers, people who share a classroom, people who live together, or passengers and crew members who may have been on the same flight or train as an ill person. On a flight, passengers in the same row or within a three-row radius of a sick person, as well as flight attendants who provided service in the area, are considered "close contact. " The rest of the passengers will be classified as having "general contact," according to Xinhua. Meanwhile, in an enclosed and air-conditioned train car, all passengers and crew members in the car would be classified as being in close contact. If you have been alerted that you were in close contact with someone who is sick, you are advised by the app to stay at home or get in touch with local health officials. Although China's officials did not specify how the app detects those infected with coronavirus, the app has received support from the Ministry of Transport, China Railway and the Civil Aviation Administration of China "to ensure accurate, reliable and authoritative data," Xinhua reported. It has raised some privacy concerns among critics.  In order to register, users must enter their name and government ID number. Redlener said that even without these apps and new technologies, if you came down with a verified case then public health officials would still need to track where you have been. "There is an inherent conflict between the absolutely necessary public health techniques versus individual privacy," Redlener said. "In this case the public good and the public health has to outweigh the privacy concerns, otherwise we have no shot of doing anything about this," he added.  "Most people would rather know that they've been in contact with someone who has coronavirus than to have that information kept from you. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Video shows heavy rush of patients at AIIMS Patna

A clip of an overcrowded hospital premise claiming that it shows the state of mismanagement at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna and open flouting of social distancing, has taken the social media by storm.  BOOM contacted doctor Rana Singh, who had recorded the video, and confirmed that the hospital in question is not AIIMS but Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Phulwarisharif, Patna.   The video has gone viral at a time when a rain-ravaged Bihar is grappling with the pandemic as well as nature's fury.  According to reports, the state has reported over 26,379 COVID-19 cases as of July 19, 2020.  Recent rains in the state have made it difficult for the doctors to reach the medical camps due to water-logged streets.  Read more about it here and here.  Also read Unrelated Photos Shared As COVID-19 Hospitals Flooded In Bihar   The same clip is viral with different narratives claiming that the video is either from Victoria Hospital Bangalore, or hospitals in Pune or Delhi.  The 34-second-long video shows a heavy rush of patients in the waiting area of a hospital.  While everyone seen in the video is wearing a mask, social distancing guidelines is being openly flouted.   The person recording the video can be heard saying 'Ma'am this is the amount of rush that we are getting at room number 5, OPD ground floor.  Looking at the amount of patients here, it is a complete threat to all the doctors and staffs of the hospital including the patients.  So that is why I am forwarding you this video to you Ma'am.  This is doctor Rana Singh here.  Thank you, Ma'am.  This is the entire amount of people standing right in front of room number OPD 5.  More than hundred in number.  Please take an immediate action as soon as possible'.  Watch the video below and check its archived version here.  The same clip has been shared on Twitter (archive) with a caption falsely claiming it to show the sorry state of hospitals in Delhi.  While @ArvindKejriwal is busy with full page advertisements this is true pic of Delhi @AmitShah pic. twitter. com/fbSykC1tap  Another caption with the same video on Twitter (archive) claims it to depict the situation in Pune hospitals.  Situation in a Pune Hospital No social distancing whatsoever #COVID__19 #Pune pic. twitter. com/65V82zOV2j Also read 2017 Molestation Video Of Two Women In UP Revived   The same video is also viral on social media with false claims linking it to Victoria hospital, Bangalore.  The clip is viral on Facebook with a caption reading 'Victoria Hospital is a government run hospital affiliated with Bangalore Medical College now renamed Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute.  It is the largest hospital in Bangalore, India.  This is the small example of situation, don't go outside.  Try to avoid maximum.  Be safe you and entirely family's along with our neighborhood.  #NoBedsAvailaible'.  The video is also viral on Twitter with the same caption calling it Victoria Hospital, Bangalore.   Police commissioner, Bangalore city tweeted from his official handle calling the claim fake and notifying about the arrest of one such person who was involved in circulating the false video.  City Crime Branch swiftly identified and arrested this person who has been circulating false videos of panic in Victoria Hospital, Bangalore.  Kudos to all doctors and medical professionals who are doing their best. FALSE NEWS BUSTED pic. twitter. com/2o9ZTFns4z Also read No, Amit Shah Did Not Order CBI Probe Into Sushant Singh Rajput's Death   BOOM went through the comments sections of several posts sharing the video and found a recurring reference to Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna and AIIMS Patna.  We tried contacting both the hospitals but there was no response till the time of publishing the article.  While searching on Facebook, we came across a post in the comments section of which Dr Rana Singh has commented that the video was recorded by him.  In the comments section of the video shared above, Dr Singh has written 'Yes it's Me .  Dr.  Rana Singh .  (MEDICAL OFFICER in MEDICAL ONCOLOGY DEPT of Mahavir Cancer Sansthan . .  I had to Make this Video & Send it to Higher Authorities to Take Immediate Action over This Uncontrollable Crowd . .  It was a Complete Threat to All Doctors , Nurses & Staffs of our Hospital . .  Thankyou For Sharing it . .  (Dr.  Rana Singh) MCS , PATNA'.  BOOM then contacted Dr Singh who confirmed to us that the video was shot by him on July 15 when a heavy rush of patients was witnessed at the Corona screening OPD at Mahavir Cancer Sansthan.  "It was a very uncontrollable situation wherein we were only around 4-5 doctors in the Corona Screening OPD and based on which I had to take this video so that I could send it to the hospital management to take an immediate action as soon as possible," Dr Singh told BOOM.  Action was taken later and situation was made appropriate, he added.  Dr Singh also told BOOM that the hospital was closed earlier since few staff members and around three to four patients had tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital.  "The hospital was closed for sanitisation for four to five days.  Since the hospital had opened, there was a rush and influx of heavy amount of patients there," Dr Singh said.  Noteworthy that Mahavir Cancer Sansthan is not a COVID-19 designated hospital.  However, patients being admitted at the hospital are screened for Coronavirus.    "We make sure that patients being treated at the hospital are not COVID-19 positive.  Therefore, the screening OPD.  If we find a suspect, we send them either to Patna AIIMS or NMCH Patna or other COVID hospitals," the doctor told BOOM.  Also read Video Of Crowd Protesting Institutional Quarantine Shared As Organ Racket The clip has also been shown on India TV's report published on its YouTube channel on July 18, 2020.  The Hindi headline with the video, when translated, reads 'Corona at top-speed in India.  Heavy rush of patients at Mahavir hospital, Bihar'.  (Hindi: भारत में टॉप स्पीड में कोरोना, Bihar Mahavir अस्पताल में COVID-19 टेस्ट के लिए लोगों की भारी भीड़)


Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP leader Uma Bharati arrive at the Ministry of Home Affairs to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. https://t.co/nnXwrKDwMS

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days beginning June 26, the sources said. Earlier, Shah was scheduled to visit the Valley for a day on June 30. “The visit has been advanced due to the home minister’s busy schedule connected with the Union Budget.  The Home Minister will chair a high level security meeting in Srinagar during his visit.  He will also address BJP workers and Panchayat members separately during this visit. “He will also meet the state governor, Satya Pal Malik and discuss the prevailing security scenario in the state with the governor. “Amit Shah will pay obeisance at the Shri Amarnathji Shrine during his visit.  This will be his first visit to J&K after he took over as the home minister of the country”, sources said. Shah is not visiting the Jammu or the Ladakh divisions of the state during tomorrow’s visit. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.  Only the headline has been changed. )


Tensions between protesters, federal officers and Portland police escalated Saturday night outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city.
https://t.co/lP9EK8iSpz

This year, organizers focused on mobilizing voters.  DNC drops out as sponsor of 2019 Women's MarchThousands of protesters took part in women’s marches on Saturday, with a main event in Washington, D. C. , and sister marches taking place across the country. Organizers had anticipated 116,000 in-person and virtual participants.  They said tens of thousands showed up at what turned out to be 438 #CountonUs marches across all 50 states. Actions were planned in key swing states including “a march for Black lives lost in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,” a “Feminist Icon Costume Party in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,” and a “golf cart parade at The Villages, Florida,” according to organizers. Women's march protests have taken place every year since the first drew more than a million to various locations the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. This year’s goal was to ensure that the 1. 25 million women on the organization’s list vote and bring three friends. “Women showed up in force on day 1 of Trump’s presidency for the first Women’s March, and now we’re mobilizing to finish what we started,” Rachel O’Leary Carmona, the executive director of Women’s March said in a statement.  “Trump’s presidency began with women taking to the streets, and that’s how it’s going to end. ”24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


JUST IN: The Justice Department will investigate policing practices in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd and the murder convictions for ex-officer Derek Chauvin, Attorney General Merrick Garland announces. https://t.co/nGrImnK1XL

The move comes a day after the guilty verdicts in the Derek Chauvin trial. US attorney general announces probe into Minneapolis policeAttorney General Merrick Garland announced Wednesday that the Justice Department is launching a "pattern or practice" investigation into the Minneapolis police department. "Today, I am announcing that the Justice Department has opened a civil investigation to determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional, unlawful policing," he said. The Justice Department will assess whether the department has a pattern of using excessive force in arrests or at protests, whether the department's officer's engage in discriminatory conduct and whether its treatment of people with behavioral disabilities violates the law, Garland said. Garland announced the investigation during public remarks Wednesday morning, acknowledging the death of George Floyd a day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd's murder. "I know such wounds have deep roots, Garland said.  "And that too many communities have experienced those wounds, firsthand.  Yesterday's verdict in the state criminal trial does not address, potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis. "He said the effort will be staffed by attorneys and others from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division and the US Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota and that the civil investigation would be separate from the federal criminal investigation into George Floyd's death. Garland said the DOJ "also has the authority to bring a civil lawsuit" and that when the DOJ "finds unlawful practices or patterns or practices, the local police department enters into a settlement agreement or a consent decree to ensure that prompt and effective action is taken to align policing practices with the law. "In his remarks, Garland acknowledged the long history of "the challenges we face. ""They did not arise today, or last year, building trust between community and law enforcement will take time and effort by all of us.  But we undertake this task with determination and urgency, knowing that change cannot wait," he said. AP first reported the DOJ would make the announcement. Garland had previously told ABC News' Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas during an interview he was "shocked" at the footage of George Floyd in custody when he first saw it and that the Justice Department is committed to using pattern or practice investigations to hold law enforcement accountable. "I said in my Senate Judiciary Committee testimony that I thought that pattern-or-practice investigations are an important tool of the justice department to ensure police accountability and ensure that departments are using the best methods," he said. Garland waited until Wednesday to announce the probe so as not to influence the state trial against Chauvin, senior DOJ officials said. Career officials in the DOJ's Special Litigations Section had previously been in touch with stakeholders on the ground as part of a preliminary review of the Minneapolis Police Department practices, officials said, and those career officials made the recommendation that led to formally opening the civil investigation. MPD was informed Wednesday morning that the investigation had been launched and has since issued a statement pledging cooperation, according to the officials. The DOJ is already enforcing 16 settlements with law enforcement agencies, including 12 consent decrees that came out of previous pattern or practice investigations, according to a fact sheet provided by the Justice Department. It has four open investigations that have been made public, including Wednesday's newly announced probe. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


We have to ensure that there is not only global demand but also global acceptance of 'Make in India' products. We have to strengthen brand India on the basis of quality and credibility: PM Modi during the inaugural address at National Metrology Conclave, via video conferencing https://t.co/MsjBJu9TH5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is not looking to fill the world with Indian products but ensure customer satisfaction across the globe. Speaking at the National Metrology Conclave, Modi said “Make in India” products should not only meet the global demand but also be globally accepted for their quality. On Monday, while dedicating the national atomic timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali (Certified Indian Reference Material programme) to the nation and laying the foundation stone for National Environmental Standards Laboratory, the prime minister said India is on the verge of starting the world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination programme. Also Read: PM Modi should take first shot of Covid-19 vaccine, says Bihar Congress leader“Indian scientists have successfully made two Covid-19 vaccines in India in this new year and the world’s largest Covid vaccination programme is about to start here,” he said in Hindi. Speaking on the certified Indian reference materials programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Modi remarked the programme will help the industry make good quality products in sectors like heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and textiles by drafting a reference material system. “Industry is moving towards a consumer-oriented approach instead of the regulation centric-approach.  With these new standards, there is a campaign to bring global identity to local products in districts across the country, which will be of particular benefit to our MSME sector. ”This will also help the large foreign manufacturing companies coming to India to find a local supply chain. Certified reference materials (CRM) are used for the calibration of measuring apparatus, for the evaluation of measurement procedures and for the internal or external quality control of measurements and laboratories.  CSIR-NPL has initiated CRM production under “Make in India” according to a statement issued by CSIR on Monday. With the atomic time scale, the Indian Standard Time achieve an accuracy level of 2. 9 nanoseconds. Precise time with nanosecond accuracy is maintained the world over using atomic clocks at various national measurement institutes (NMIs) in more than 70 countries including India.  CSIR-NPL maintains Indian Standard Time here. CSIR-NPL is now working on synchronising all the clocks in the nation to IST for securing digital infrastructure and reducing cybercrime.  It is providing IST traceability to ISRO timing centres in Bengaluru and Lucknow for the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) programme. “Now Indian Standard Time is matching the International Standard Time with the accuracy range of less than 3 nanoseconds.  This will benefit organisations like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), banking, railways, defence, health, telecom, weather forecast, disaster management and similar sectors…” the prime minister said. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the National Environmental Standards Laboratory under CSIR.  According to a note by CSIR, most air pollution measuring instruments being used in India are imported with product certifications from international agencies. “These certificates are issued based on the environmental conditions of the certificate-issuing country which are very different from the environmental conditions prevalent in India.  This affects the quality of measurements by the instrument operating for a long time in Indian conditions,” it said. The estimated global market value of air pollution monitoring equipment and network is US$3,997. 8 million which is projected to grow to US$71,187 million by the end of 2025.  India and other developing countries are markets where such equipment will get installed. “India is moving towards a leading position in the field of environment.  Still, for technology and tools for measuring air quality and emission, India is dependent on others.  This achievement will lead to self-reliance in the field and will lead to creation of more effective and cheaper tools for pollution control.  This will also enhance India’s share in the global market for technologies related to air quality and emission technology,” Modi said. “The national atomic timescale synchronisation will make our navigation system more accurate.  It may help India’s Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (Navic) programme.  It will also help our civil and military aviation systems and take us closer to global standards,” said Ajay Lele, Senior Fellow working with space security and strategic technologies at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.


Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal writes a letter to the top industrialists of the country, seeking their help in the national capital's Oxygen crisis. His letter reads, 'Please help Delhi government if you have Oxygen and tankers...help us in whatever way you can.'

(File photo) https://t.co/ETCJ1biqj5

Union culture and tourism minister Prahlad Singh Patel has cited visuals of the backdrop of Arvind Kejriwal’s regular televised addresses and blamed the Delhi chief minister for “knowingly or unknowingly” disrespecting the national flag seen in them.  In a letter sent on Thursday, Patel said the green stripe in the Tricolour displayed behind Kejriwal during his televised appearances was distorted and enlarged and the white central portion reduced.  He added this amounts to a violation of the Flag Code of India and that he has written to the Centre and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal requesting an immediate correction. Also Read | Plea filed against Twitter in Delhi high court over non-compliance of new rules“Whenever Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses a televised briefing, my attention is often drawn to the national flag behind his chair. . .  it is in violation of the Constitution.  The national flag has been used for the purpose of decoration,” he said in the letter. Kejriwal has been holding press briefing regularly on the Covid crisis in Delhi, the vaccination progress, oxygen crisis and lockdown restrictions and has often attacked the Centre over its alleged mishandling of the pandemic. There was no immediate response from Kejriwal or his Aam Aadmi Party.


As of now, we know that they accessed tools only available to our internal support teams to target 130 Twitter accounts. For 45 of those accounts, the attackers were able to initiate a password reset, login to the account, and send tweets: Twitter https://t.co/El8ugPAk1C

The high-profile hijacking of Twitter accounts which was carried out earlier this week took place by targetting certain Twitter employees through a social engineering scheme, the social networking giant said in a statement on Saturday.  It added that the hackers manipulated a small number of employees and used their credentials to access Twitter’s internal systems through two-factor protections.  Twitter said the hackers seem to have targetted some 130 accounts and were able to log in, send tweets and reset the password on some of them.  “As of now, we know that they accessed tools only available to our internal support teams to target 130 Twitter accounts.  For 45 of those accounts, the attackers were able to initiate a password reset, login to the account, and send tweets,” it stated.  “For up to eight of the Twitter accounts involved, the attackers took the additional step of downloading the account’s information through our “Your Twitter Data” tool.  We are reaching out directly to any account owner where we know this to be true,” a post tweeted by Twitter Support read.  As of now, we know that they accessed tools only available to our internal support teams to target 130 Twitter accounts.  For 45 of those accounts, the attackers were able to initiate a password reset, login to the account, and send Tweets. The company added that there exists a lot speculation about the identity of these 8 accounts and said it will “only disclose this to the impacted accounts, however to address some of the speculation: none of the eight were Verified accounts”. The New York Times, in a report, stated that the hackers were young pals with no links to state or organized crime, news agency AFP reported.  The attack started with a playful message between hackers on the platform Discord, a chat service popular with gamers, according to the Times. The massive hack involved high-profile users from Elon Musk to Joe Biden.  Posts trying to dupe people into sending hackers the virtual currency bitcoin were tweeted by the official accounts of Apple, Uber, Kanye West, Bill Gates, Barack Obama and many others on Wednesday. Fraudulent posts, which were largely deleted, said people had 30 minutes to send $1,000 in cryptocurrency bitcoin, promising they would receive twice as much in return. More than $100,000 worth of bitcoin was sent to email addresses mentioned in the tweets, according to Blockchain. com, which monitors crypto transactions. (With inputs from AFP)


A photo of Barack Obama (Former President of USA) holding the portrait of Ambedkar is being shared widely on social media.  Let’s try to check the authenticity of the photo. Claim: Photo of Obama holding the portrait of Ambedkar. Fact: It is a photoshopped image.  In the original picture, a set of gloves were present in the place of Ambedkar.  Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When the image was run through the Yandex Reverse Image Search, many similar images were found in the search results.  It was found that the posted image is a cropped version.  The original full picture was found on the ‘Flickr’ website with the description – ‘Johnson give gloves to Obama’.  Many other pictures and videos related to the event can be seen here, here and here. It can be seen that the same photo is also available as a photo-effect on the ‘PhotoFunia’ website.  So, anything can be placed in the place of gloves. Talking about Ambedkar in his speech at the Indian Parliament, on 08t November 2010, Obama said – ‘We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every person can fulfill their God-given potential, just as a Dalit like Dr.  Ambedkar could lift himself up and pen the words of the Constitution that protects the rights of all Indians. ’ The full transcript of the speech can be read here. To sum it up, Obama was not holding the portrait of Ambedkar in the photo. Did you watch our new video in the DECODE series?


A video clip is widely being shared on Facebook with the claim that American President Donald Trump has announced that Roche Medical Company will launch the vaccine for COVID-19 next Sunday and millions of doses are ready for usage.  Let’s check the authenticity of the claim made in the post.  Claim: Video of American President Donald Trump announcing that Roche Medical Company will launch the vaccine for COVID-19 next Sunday. Fact: In the video, American President Donald Trump hasn’t said that Roche Medical Company will launch the vaccine for COVID-19.  He announced FDA’s approval of a Coronavirus ‘test’ developed by a company ‘Roche’ to increase and accelerate the country’s capacity to test for the virus.  So, the claim isFALSE.    In the video clip posted, Donald Trump hands over the podium to Roche Diagnostics Chief Executive Officer for North America Matt Sause.  Then Matt speaks- ‘Thank you, Mr.  President.   So, from Roche, we want to thank the FDA for their rapid approval of our coronavirus test.  We really appreciate the partnership with the CDC and the FDA to get that to market as fast as possible because it’s critical for us to make that available to help patients in need, and working with laboratories to get it up and going in the near future, which will bring hundreds of thousands of tests available to patients in need in the United States.  So, thank you’.  After Matt’s speech, the clip ends with Trump saying- ‘And you can do it.   You can do it.   A great company’.  So, in the video clip, Roche Diagnostics CEO for North America Matt Sause thanked FDA (U. S Food and Drug Administration) for rapid approval of the coronavirus test developed by their company. When searched with keywords, the full video of the clip posted was found on ‘The White House’ website.  In that video dated 13 March 2020 (Friday), Trump declares ‘National emergency’ and then opens $50 billion for the states and territories to fight against the disease.  Later, Trump announces that the FDA has approved a Coronavirus test developed by ‘Roche’ to increase and accelerate the country’s capacity to test for the virus.  He also said that he was expecting the availability of half a million additional tests early next week and would be announcing the locations for tests on Sunday.  Later in the video, Vice President Pence and members of Coronavirus Task Force spoke in that press conference.  From the Roche diagnostics website, it is found that the company has begun shipping of COVID-19 tests to laboratories across the US recently to begin testing of patients. As per the website of U. S.  National Institute of Health (NIH), currently, no approved vaccines exist to prevent infection with Coronavirus.  But, Phase 1 of the clinical trial evaluating an investigational vaccine (mRNA-1273) designed to protect against COVID-19 has begun on 16 March.  And it is the first of multiple steps in the clinical trial process for evaluating the potential benefit of that vaccine.  The vaccine was developed by NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) scientists and their collaborators at the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc. To sum it up, in the video, American President Donald Trump has announced that the FDA has approved a Coronavirus ‘test’ developed by a company ‘Roche’.  Did you watch our new video?


Sushil Kumar (in file pic) suspended from his job at Northern Railways, as criminal offence investigation against him is underway: Deepak Kumar, CPRO, Northern Railways https://t.co/KPTEpOMeuE

Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, a senior commercial manager with the Northern Railway, has been suspended following his arrest by the Delhi Police in connection with the murder of a fellow wrestler, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.  “Sushil Kumar has been suspended from his job at Northern Railway as criminal offence investigation against him is underway,” Deepak Kumar said, according to news agency ANI. Sushil Kumar, on the run for nearly three weeks, was arrested on Sunday for his alleged involvement in the death of a 23-year-old wrestler at Chhatrasal Stadium, along with co-accused Ajay from outer Delhi's Mundka area. Also read | Sushil Kumar cried in lock-up, was up all night: PoliceKumar had been on deputation with the Delhi government since 2015 and was posted as an officer on special duty (OSD) at Chhatrasal Stadium for development of sports at school level.  His deputation was extended last year and he applied for an extension for 2021 as well which had been rejected by the Delhi government and he was sent back to his parent cadre of Northern Railway, news agency PTI cited officials as saying. Also read | Court denies pre-arrest bail for on-the-run Olympics hero Sushil KumarOn Tuesday, Kumar and his aide Ajay were taken to the Chhatrasal Stadium by the officers of the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch to recreate the crime scene where they had allegedly thrashed Sagar Dhankad to death late on May 4.  They were also taken to Shalimar Bagh where they are believed to have rushed to after the murder, before fleeing Delhi, officials probing the crime said.  "Kumar was also taken to the spot to recreate the scene of crime and ascertain the sequence of events that unfolded on the day of incident," a senior police officer was quoted as saying by PTI. Also read | 'Sushil Kumar seemed nervous, changed statements during interrogation': PoliceKumar was interrogated for almost four hours on Monday to ascertain the sequence of events on May 4 which led to the crime and also about his whereabouts after the incident.  "He was also questioned about his associates and friends who helped him to hide.  He will be taken to the spot for recreating the crime scene,” the officer mentioned above said. Dhankad died early on May 5, hours after he and his two friends were thrashed allegedly by Kumar and his associates.  Police have found that dispute over a flat in Model Town owned by Kumar, where Dhankad lived, had snowballed into a clash between the two groups.


Image shows dead bodies of COVID-19 patients in Italy

A photo from 2013 of a room full of coffins is viral on social media with false claims that it shows patients who died following the recent outbreak of Coronavirus in Italy.   The viral picture has a text on it which makes it look like an Instagram story and reads, "In case you're still not convinced to stay at home for you & ur beloved ones. . .  Here's a picture from Italy. " The picture is being shared on Facebook with a caption that reads, "DO NOT TAKE THE CORONA VIRUS LIGHTLY .  .  .  IT'S REALLY SERIOUS ! ! ! " Click here for the post and here for the archive.   Also read: Did COVID-19 Positive Kanika Kapoor Take A Selfie With The PM?  A FactCheck FACT-CHECK BOOM ran a reverse image search on Google and found that the image is from Italy but from 2013, years before the outbreak of COVID-19.  The photo showing rows of coffins has nothing to do with the deaths related to COVID-19 but dates back to October 5th 2013 when many African migrants were killed in shipwreck off the Italian coast.   We found the same photo uploaded on GettyImages with the caption that read,"Hundreds Of African Migrants Feared Dead Off The Coastline Of Lampedusa. " The picture was taken by the photographer Tullio M.  Puglia.   The photo is being shared as the situation in Italy, with regards to the spread of COVID-19 worsens with every passing day.  The country has reported more than 4000 deaths with atleast 627 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.   Also read: No, This Is Not Sophie Trudeau Talking About Coronavirus  The worrying situation has left the Italy's healthcare system struggling and has also caused mortuaries and cemeteries to be over burdened.  Bergamo, a city in Italy recently used 70 vehicles of the Italian army to transport the coffins from the cemetery to the crematoria of other regions.  The city took the decision after it was unable to accommodate the coffins of deceased COVID-19 victims for several days.   Weitere Hintergründe zu diesem Bild und aktuelle Nachrichten zu der Situation in #Bergamo und ganz #Italien bietet übrigens @repubblica (🇮🇹): https://t. co/ukkiTG32pm


PM @narendramodi chaired a meeting of the task force on #Coronavirus vaccine Development and took a detailed review of the current status of India’s efforts in vaccine development, drug discovery, diagnosis and testing: PMO

(ANI)

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Total positive cases in Assam now stands at 44Covid Cess will be  ₹5 per quart in case of Country Liquor with effect from tomorrow: Haryana GovtLockdown extension till May 29 in TelanganaIndian vaccine companies have come across as innovators in early stage vaccine development research: PMOPrime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the task force on coronavirus vaccine developmentNumber of Covid-19 positive cases in Delhi crosses 5,000 markMaharashtra records 15,525 new Covid-19 casesPunjab's Excise and Taxation Department proposes home delivery of liquor between 1 pm to 6 pm to avoid rush at vends amid coronavirus outbreakTwo more zones in Delhi have been de-contained todayMEA to provide database to states and central ministries for employing skilled workers who are returning after losing jobs in Gulf: SourcesIn last 24 hours, 49 deaths and 441 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in GujaratTamil Nadu reports 508 fresh cases of Covid-19All crew who will be travelling will be tested and they will be COVID-19 negative certifiedUK official virus death toll tops 32,000, becoming second highest in worldTotal number of discharged patients in Maharashtra is 2465 till todayWith 85 percent of the deaths reported from the US and Europe, Covid-19 has claimed the lives of more than 2,50,000 people.  US continues to be the worst-affected country with more than 68,000 lives lost.  China, where the pandemic had initiated late in December, has reported no deaths from the Covid-19 since the last two days. Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemicIndia has seen cases cross the 46,000 mark.  Currently, India’s confirmed cases tally has touched 46,711, registering a spike of more than 3,900 cases.  Nationwide death toll has reached 1,583.  Maharashtra remains the most-affected state with above 15,525 cases and 841 deaths. Follow major highlights on how Covid-19 is affecting lives in India and across the world: Total positive cases in Assam now stands at 44One person from Kokrajhar district with a travel history of Cooch Behar in West Bengal, has tested positive for Covid-19.  Total positive cases in Assam now stands at 44: Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam MinisterCovid Cess will be  ₹5 per quart in case of Country Liquor with effect from tomorrow: Haryana GovtCovid Cess will be  ₹5 per quart in case of Country Liquor, ₹20 per quart in case of Indian-made foreign liquor, Rs.  5 in case of strong beer& ₹2 in case of other beer and Rs. 50 per pack greater than 375 ML in case of Imported Foreign Liquor,with effect from tomorrow: Haryana GovtLockdown extension till May 29 in TelanganaLockdown extension till May 29 in Telangana, notwithstanding central deadline of May 17.  Public should complete purchase of essential items by 6 pm and they should reach their residences.  There will be curfew in the state from 7 pm.  If anyone is found outside, police will initiate action: Telangana CM K.  Chandrashekar RaoIndian vaccine companies have come across as innovators in early stage vaccine development research: PMOIndian vaccine companies have come across as innovators in early stage vaccine development research. Similarly,Indian academia&start-ups have also pioneered in this area.  Over 30 Indian vaccines are in different stages of vaccine development,with few going on to trial stages: PMOPrime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the task force on coronavirus vaccine developmentPrime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the task force on coronavirus vaccine development and took a detailed review of the current status of India’s efforts in vaccine development, drug discovery, diagnosis and testing: Prime Minister's OfficeNumber of Covid-19 positive cases in Delhi crosses 5,000 markNumber of Covid-19 positive cases in Delhi crosses 5000 mark; total positive cases stands at 5104 of which 206 cases have been reported today.  Death toll at 64: Delhi GovernmentMaharashtra records 15,525 new Covid-19 casesMaharashtra records 15,525 new cases, 841 deaths so far, 617 people along with 34 new cases have recovered so far.  The state has so far tested 1,82,884. Punjab's Excise and Taxation Department proposes home delivery of liquor between 1 pm to 6 pm to avoid rush at vends amid coronavirus outbreakPunjab's Excise and Taxation Department proposes home delivery of liquor between 1 pm to 6 pm to avoid rush at vends amid coronavirus outbreak; state cabinet to take final decision: OfficialsTwo more zones in Delhi have been de-contained todayTwo more zones in Delhi have been de-contained today; total number of containment zones in the national capital now stands at 88.  No New addition in containment zones today. Two more zones in Delhi have been de-contained today; total number of containment zones in the national capital now stands at 88.  No New addition in containment zones today.  pic. twitter. com/f9wI4PFAZFMEA to provide database to states and central ministries for employing skilled workers who are returning after losing jobs in Gulf: SourcesMEA to provide database to states and central ministries for employing skilled workers who are returning after losing jobs in Gulf: Sources, reports PTI. In last 24 hours, 49 deaths and 441 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in GujaratIn last 24 hours, 49 deaths and 441 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in Gujarat.  39 deaths and 349 new cases are from Ahmedabad.  Total positive cases stand at 6245 and death toll is at 368: Health Department, GujaratTamil Nadu reports 508 fresh cases of Covid-19Tamil Nadu reports 508 fresh cases of Covid-19, taking tally past 4,000 mark.  Two deaths reported on Tuesday: Health Department. All crew who will be travelling will be tested and they will be COVID-19 negative certifiedWe will be bringing back only Indian citizens, no OCI (Overseas Citizen Of India) card holders.  All crew who will be travelling will be tested and they will be Covid-19 negative certified: Sources, reports news agency ANI. UK official virus death toll tops 32,000, becoming second highest in worldUK official virus death toll tops 32,000, becoming second highest in worldTotal number of discharged patients in Maharashtra is 2465 till today350 Covid-19 patients have been recovered and discharged today, of which 165 patients are from Mumbai.  This is the highest discharge number in a single day in Maharashtra.  Total number of discharged patients in the state is 2465 till today: Health Department, MaharashtraFirst published: May 05, 2020 05:55 IST


Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde tests positive for COVID19 https://t.co/Gki7PLw4ff

In a major move, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday decided to open the vaccination drive for everyone above the age of 45 years starting from April 1.  Union minister Prakash Javadekar announced that there will be no need for medical certificates as evidence of co-morbidity conditions, as the government had stipulated earlier for the second phase of vaccination. The decision has been taken based on scientific advice, the minister said adding that the gap between Covishield doses has also been extended up to eight weeks, from its earlier four weeks, as this is more effective. Widen gap in Covishield jabs to 6-8 weeks: CentreIndia's vaccination drive entered the second phase from March 1 as senior citizens and people above the age of 45 years with co-morbidities were made eligible to receive the vaccine shots.  For people between the age group of 45 and 59, medical certificates in proof of their health conditions were mandatory.  But as the Centre is aiming to speed up the vaccination drive in the face of an alarming rise in the number of daily Covid-19 infections, now anyone above the age of 45 can get vaccinated, the Cabinet decided on Tuesday. In the past few weeks, several states have urged the Centre to open vaccination for all.  Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday requested the Centre to include people younger than 60 years of age under the vaccination drive. "Vaccination is going on well and at a fast pace.  Around 4. 85 crore people have already got vaccinated.  Many of them have got their second doses too.  32. 5 lakh doses were administered yesterday in 24 hours.  In February, our daily average was 3. 77 lakh, it surpassed 15 lakh in March," the minister said. "Would urge everyone above 45 years to get themselves registered and inoculated," the minister said adding that adequate doses of vaccines are available at present in India.  "We are proud that both of India's vaccines are successful.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself took Covaxin.  So you can take any vaccine.  And take a doctor's advice regarding the gap between the two doses," Javadekar said. The vaccine is the only shield against Covid-19, the minister said, adding, "We will have to continue using masks for another one year and a half.  Similarly, we will have to wash hands, maintain social distancing.  Vaccination is the only shield. "


Odisha: A wild bear attacked a person in Bhawanipatna town of Kalahandi district today morning. District Forest Officer Nitish Kumar said, "The bear will be tranquillised & then will be let into the forest." https://t.co/PjSntfBUFs

A wild bear entered a residential area of the Bhawanipatna city in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, triggering panic among citizens after it attacked a person on Friday, district forest officer Nitish Kumar said. In the video, the bear can be seen straying in the locality while local people can be seen trying to rescue the man by hitting the animal with sticks. Later the forest department was informed and operation to capture the beast was underway. According to the forest officer, the incident has happened for the second time in the area. “This is happening for the second time during my tenure, first was on August 15 and then it has happened today.  One tranquillising team is ready and after tranquillising it, we will leave it in the forest,” Kumar said.  (ANI)


Madhya Pradesh: 9,264 Remdesivir injections arrive at Indore airport, to be sent to different cities including Bhopal, Ratlam, Khandwa and Gwalior https://t.co/9J8Kv4hcss

The Centre on Wednesday approved ramping up the production of antiviral drug remdesivir amid a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases across the country. According to the national treatment protocol, remdesivir is one of the investigational drugs approved for use in treating hospitalised Covid-19 patients.  With the rising cases, the demand for the drug has also shot up. “The current total installed capacity of the seven manufacturers of Remdesivir is 38. 80 lakh vials per month.  Fast-track approval has been given for seven additional sites having the production capacity of 10 Lakh vials /month to six manufacturers.  Another 30 lakh vials/month production is lined up.  This would ramp up the production capacity for manufacturing to around 78 lakh vials/month,” said Union ministry of chemicals and fertilisers in a statement issued on Wednesday. Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilizer Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the availability of the drug in the country with all existing manufacturers at several meetings held on Monday and Tuesday


Viral claims that Bhagat Singh’s sister died recently are false.  She died in 2014.
Claim: “#शहीद भगत सिंह की बहन का देहांत* (#दुर्भाग्य, इस #राष्ट्रीय_परिवार के सदस्य की #मौत पर न्यूज चैनल #मौन रहा ) #शेरे हिंदुस्तान #सरदार #भगत #सिंह की छोटी बहन प्रकाश कौर 96 वर्ष की आयु में कल अपने भाई के जन्मदिन पर देहांत हो गया। प्रकाश के निधन से पंजाब के होशियारपुर में उनके परिवार में शोक की लहर है। उनके दामाद हरभजन सिंह दत्त पंजाब के होशियारपुर के नजदीक रहते हैं। हाल के वर्षो में प्रकाश ने अपने दामाद के भाई कुलजीत सिंह दत्त की फर्जी पुलिस मुठभेड़ में हत्या के मामले को उठाया था। घटना में शामिल पुलिस अधिकारियों को एक अदालत ने साल की शुरुआत में दोषी ठहराया था।यह महज संयोग ही है कि 28 सितंबर को भगत सिंह की 107वीं जयंती के दिन ही प्रकाश का निधन हो गया। भगत सिंह को 23 मार्च, 1931 को लाहौर में फांसी दे दी गई थी।आम आदमी पार्टी के नेता कुमार विश्वास ने फेसबुक अकाउंट में दिवंगत प्रकाश कौर को श्रद्धाजंलि अर्पित करते हुए कहा है कि विदा वीरांगना बहन !  आप ने अपनी राखी हमारी आज़ादी के हवन कुण्ड में समर्पित कर दी, हम एक समाचार तक आप पर न दिखा पाये !  लग लिए शहीदों की चिताओं पर मेले !  नाचो देशभक्तो !  मनीष सिसोदिया ने टवीट किया है कि प्रकाश कौर, शहीद भगत सिंह की सगी छोटी बहन थीं। यह भी इत्तफाक है कि अपने भाई के जन्म दिन पर ही उन्होंने अंतिम सांस ली। कल रात ही शहीद के जन्मदिवस पर उनसे और उनके पूरे परिवार से बात कर आशीर्वाद लिया था।” Translation: “*#Martyr Bhagat Singh’s sister died *
(#Unfortunately, the news channels are silent) #Shere  Hindustan #Sardar #Bhagat Singh’s younger sister Prakash Kaur died on his brother’s birthday yesterday at the age of 96 Due to the demise of Prakash, there is a wave of grief in his family in Hoshiarpur, Punjab.  His Son-in-Law Harbhajan Singh Dutt lives near Hoshiarpur in Punjab.  In recent years, Prakash raised the case of the murder of his son-in-law’s brother kuljeet singh dutt in the fake police encounter.  The police officers involved in the event were blamed by a court in the beginning of the year.  It is just a coincidence that the light passed away on 28th September on the occasion of the 107th birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh.  Bhagat Singh was hanged in Lahore on March 23, 1931, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas paying tribute to late Prakash Kaur in the Facebook account, saying that goodbye sister-in-law, sister!  You dedicated your rakhi to the havan kund of our freedom, we could not show it to you till the news!  Manish Sisodia has decided that Prakash Kaur was the younger sister of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.  It is also the fact that he took the last breath on his brother’s birthday.  Had a blessing on the birthday of martyr last night with him and his entire family. ” A post has gone viral on social media claiming that Bhagat Singh’s sister Parkash Kaur has died recently and that the media is silent over it.   The post has been shared extensively on social media This particular post has 989 shares and over 1000 reactions.  Archive Archive The post was shared widely over Facebook,    #शहीद भगत सिंह की बहन का देहांत*#दुर्भाग्य #राष्ट्रीय_परिवार के सदस्य की #मौत पर न्यूज चैनल #मौन रहा  शेरे हिंदुस्तान को 23 मार्च 1931 को लाहौर में फांसी दे दी गई थीबड़े दुःख का विषय है कि हमारा देश एक परिवार विशेष के क्रियाकलापों पर श्रद्धांजलि और शुभकामना प्रकट करता है😢😥 pic. twitter. com/55mwQyiKMr — हरिश निमजे BJP (@RealHarish16) May 29, 2020  Archive 🙏#शहीद #भगत #सिंह #की #छोटी #बहन #प्रकाश #कौर #जी #का #96 #वर्ष #की #आयु #में #देहान्त !  😢दुर्भाग्य देखिये कि,इस मौत पर सारे चैनल मौन हैं !  🌹परसों,जिस दिन सरदार भगत सिंह का जन्मदिन था,उसी दिन उनकी बहन ने संसार छोड़ दिया !  pic. twitter. com/Ec3ffATzer — CA RAJKUMAR DOHARE (@doharerajkumar) May 30, 2020  Archive After reading the post closely we noticed that the post says, “#शेरे  हिंदुस्तान #सरदार #भगत #सिंह की छोटी बहन प्रकाश कौर 96 वर्ष की आयु में कल अपने भाई के जन्मदिन पर देहांत हो गया।” (translation: “Sardar Bhagat Singh’s younger sister Prakash Kau died yesterday in the age of 96, on her brother’s birth anniversary”)  As we read further, we noticed that the post also read,“यह महज संयोग ही है कि 28 सितंबर को भगत सिंह की 107वीं जयंती के दिन ही प्रकाश का निधन हो गया।” (translation: “It is a coincidence that she died on 28th September, which is the 107th birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh”).  These are major proofs that there is something wrong with the post.       Keeping that in the count, we looked for media reports on the same, we found that Parkash Kaur died in 2014, at the age of 94 in Canada.   We also found that some part of the viral post has been copied from the September 29, 2014 article by Amar Ujala, headlined, ‘शहीद भगत सिंह की बहन का देहांत’ (translation: Martyr Bhagat Singh’s sister died)   According to the Hindustan Times report on September 29, 2014.  The headline read, ‘Bhagat Singh’s last surviving sister dies; longest ghori falls silent’    The news report said, “Bhagat Singh’s last surviving sister Parkash Kaur passed away in Toronto (Canada).  She was 94.  Coincidentally, she passed away on the birth anniversary of the martyr, September 28″    The Times Of India also reported the news, the report is from September 29, 2014.     Hence it is established the martyr Bhagat Singh sister Parkash Kaur died on 28th September 2014, and not recently as claimed in the viral posts.  The viral claims are absolutely false.  It is however true that she died on Bhagat Singh’s 107 birth anniversary that is on 28th September 2014.


At least 46 people have been killed due to severe flooding in Western Europe, including at least 40 in Germany, where dozens more are missing. https://t.co/bqeCvTtMcy

More than 60 people have died and dozens are missing as severe flooding in Germany and Belgium turned streams and streets into raging, debris-filled torrents that swept away cars and toppled housesOn Location: September 10, 2021BERLIN -- More than 60 people have died and dozens were missing Thursday as severe flooding in Germany and Belgium turned streams and streets into raging torrents that swept away cars and caused houses to collapse. Among those killed were nine residents of an assisted living facility for people with disabilities and two firefighters involved in rescue efforts across the region. “I grieve for those who have lost their lives in this disaster,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said         during a visit to Washington, expressing shock at the scope of the flooding. Speaking alongside U. S.  President Joe Biden at the White House, Merkel said her thoughts were with all those who had lost loved ones or were still searching for them. “I fear the full extent of this tragedy will only be seen in the coming days," she said. Biden likewise paid his condolences for the devastating loss of life and the destruction due to the flooding. “Our hearts go out to the families who’ve lost loved ones,” he said. Authorities said at least 30 people died in North Rhine-Westphalia state and 28 in neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate to the south.  Belgian media reported eight deaths in that country. Recent storms across parts of western Europe made rivers and reservoirs burst their banks, triggering flash floods overnight after the saturated soil couldn’t absorb any more water. Among the worst-hit German villages was Schuld, where several homes collapsed and dozens of people remained unaccounted for. Rescue operations were hampered by blocked roads and phone and internet outages across the Eifel, a volcanic region of rolling hills and small valleys.  Some villages were reduced to rubble as old brick and timber houses couldn't withstand the sudden rush of water, often carrying trees and other debris as it gushed through narrow streets. Karl-Heinz Grimm, who had come to help his parents in Schuld, said he had never seen the small Ahr River surge in such a deadly torrent. "This night, it was like madness,” he said. Dozens of people had to be rescued from the roofs of their houses with inflatable boats and helicopters.  Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. “There are people dead, there are people missing, there are many who are still in danger,” the governor of Rhineland-Palatinate state, Malu Dreyer, told the regional parliament.  “We have never seen such a disaster.  It’s really devastating. ”The 52nd Civil Engineer squadron and several volunteers from the U. S.  air base at Spangdahlem filled and distributed hundreds of sandbags to help protect homes and businesses in the area, the U. S.  European Command said. In Belgium, the Vesdre River spilled over its banks and sent water churning through the streets of Pepinster, near Liege, where a rescue operation by firefighters went wrong when a small boat capsized and three elderly people disappeared. “Unfortunately, they were quickly engulfed,” said Mayor Philippe Godin.  “I fear they are dead. ”In Verviers, the prosecutor’s office said several bodies had been found but could not confirm local media reports that four people were killed there. In Liege, a city of 200,000, the Meuse River overflowed its banks Thursday and the mayor asked people living nearby to move to higher ground. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to help, and Pope Francis sent condolences, with his office saying the pontiff was praying for those injured and missing, as well as those who have lost their livelihoods. The full extent of the damage was still unclear, with many villages cut off by floods and landslides that made roads impassable.  Many of the dead were only discovered after floodwaters receded. Authorities in the Rhine-Sieg county south of Cologne ordered the evacuation of several villages below the Steinbach reservoir amid fears a dam could break. Armin Laschet, the governor of North-Rhine Westphalia state, paid tribute to two firefighters who died and pledged swift help. “We don't know the extent of the damage yet, but we won't leave the communities, the people affected alone,” he said during a visit to the city of the flood-hit city of Hagen. Laschet, a conservative who is         running to succeed Merkel as chancellor in this fall's election, said the unusually heavy storms and an earlier heat wave could be linked to climate change.  Political opponents have criticized Laschet, the son of a miner, for supporting the region's coal industry and hampering the expansion of wind power during his tenure. Stefan Rahmstorf, a professor of ocean physics at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said it was unclear whether the extreme rainfall seen in Germany was a direct result of planetary warming. “But one can state that such events are becoming more frequent due to global warming,” he told The Associated Press, noting that warmer air can absorb more water vapor that eventually falls as rain. “The increase in heavy rain and decrease in days with weak rain is now also clearly seen in observational data, especially in the mid-northern latitudes, which includes Germany,” Rahmstorf said. The weakening of the summer circulation of the atmosphere, causing longer-lasting weather patterns such as heat waves or continuous rain, might also play a role, he added. Rainfall eased later Thursday across Germany, although water levels on the Mosel and Rhine rivers were expected to continue rising. In the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited the hard-hit Dutch town of Valkenburg on Thursday evening to support residents and emergency services.  Flooding turned the main street into a torrent of brown water, inundating homes and businesses. The Dutch government sent about 70 troops to the southern province of Limburg late Wednesday to help with evacuations and filling sandbags. Thousands of people in the city of Maastricht and villages along the Maas River were ordered to evacuate Thursday evening amid threats of flooding, and centers were set up to house them.  The Maas is the Dutch name for the Meuse River. In northeastern France, heavy rains flooded vegetable fields, many homes and a World War I museum in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. The Aire River rose to its highest levels in 30 years in some areas, according to the L’Est Republicain newspaper. The equivalent of two months of rain has fallen over two days, according to the French national weather service, with flood warnings issued for 10 regions.  No injuries or deaths have been reported, but forecasters warned of mudslides and more rain Friday. ——Associated Press writers Raf Casert in Brussels; Angela Charlton in Paris; Frances D'Emilio in Rome; and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Should he be impeached by the House, United States President Donald Trump would be eligible to run for office two more times if the Senate failed to convict him.

While he himself debunked the claim within hours, several readers contacted us asking if a scenario posted by disinformation purveyor and conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec on October 1, 2019 was plausible.  “These Democrats don’t realize that if they impeach Trump and the Senate doesn’t confirm it then it nullifies Trump’s first term and he gets to run two more times.  Read the Constitution, people,” Posobiec wrote on Twitter.  In reality, should the House vote to impeach United States President Donald Trump, the Senate would not “confirm it. ” They would hold a trial; if two-thirds of Senate members vote to convict the president, he would be removed from office.  But the latter result would not “nullify” his current term.  Posobiec later wrote that the tweet prompted critics to “actually read the Constitution,” attempting to play off the disinformation as a joke.  However, Jack Posobeic has a well-established reputation for spreading mistruths: he has tweeted, falsely, that former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey said “under oath” that Trump did not ask him to stop an investigation; he promoted a repeatedly-debunked conspiracy theory about former Democratic National Committee staff member Seth Rich; and perhaps most notably, Posobeic had a substantial role in spreading the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory.  In 2017, the far-right blog The Rebel also revealed that Posobiec — its one-time Washington, D. C.  “correspondent” — had plagiarized content from white nationalist activist Jason Kessler.  It is a common trope for people specializing in propaganda to later claim that they were “joking,” as opposed to actual satirists.  Whether or not the claim about the Constitution and impeachment was actually intended as such, it was, and remains, completely false.  Article Sources +How the Impeachment Process WorksHow Jack Posobiec Became the King of Fake NewsA Pro-Trump Conspiracy Theorist, a False Tweet and a Runaway StoryPro-Trump Media Figure And Conspiracy Theory Peddler Jack Posobiec Is Out At The RebelAnatomy of a Fake News ScandalRebel Media Admits To Plagiarism By Former CorrespondentMaybe You Know That Article is satire, But a Lot of People Can't Tell The Difference


Government of Assam has decided to discontinue mandatory testing at railway stations, land routes & airports from March 1, 2021, in view of declining COVID19 cases and vaccination being underway: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma https://t.co/hfXhp4SFhD

Assam government has decided to discontinue mandatory Covid-19 testing at airports, railway stations and land routes from March 1, 2021 following a decline in new positive cases, state Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.  "In view of the rapidly declining cases of #COVID19 & given that vaccination is in full swing, GoA has decided to discontinue mandatory testing at rly stations, land routes & airports from March 1, 2021," he tweeted.  It is, however, expected that people will adhere to "Covid appropriate behaviour", he added.  Asssm has so far vaccinated 1,08,512 health workers in the state and the number of Covid-19 tests conducted has reached 66,03,122, the state health department said.  The state has been reporting a decline in cases since December with the total cases reaching 2,17,256, it said.  The number of deaths has also come down considerably with most days reporting no or single death.  The number of deaths due to the contagion in the state is 1086 with the current death rate being 0. 50 per cent.  A total 1347 Covid-19 positive patients have died for other reasons.  The number of active patients currently in the state is 333 while the total recovered patients is 2,14,490, it said.  The current recovery rate in the state is 98. 73 per cent and three migrated out of the state, it added.


Clip shows Chinese rocket debris re-entering Earth

A video of SpaceX's next-generation Starship rocket prototype, exploding on impact during an attempted landing from February 2021 is being shared with the false claim that it shows the remains of a Chinese rocket crashing in the Indian Ocean.  In the viral clip, a rocket can be seen crash landing on impact and exploding with people at a distance recording and reacting to the crash.  The clip is being shared in the backdrop of remains of China's biggest rocket Long March 5B re-entering the earth's atmosphere and crashing into the Indian Ocean near the Maldives on May 9, 2021, with no reports of injury or damage.   The clip is being shared with the caption, "China rocket landed in earth to Indian Ocean" Click here to view an archive.  Viral on Facebook On searching on Facebook with the same caption, we found that the viral clip is being shared with the false claim.