West Bengal: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari who is contesting from Nandigram constituency arrives at a polling booth in Boyal where CM Mamata Banerjee had visited earlier.

He says, "She doesn't have any support. She has lost it (poll)." https://t.co/KyY2cBqwfU

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


With several states imposing a ban on firecrackers this Diwali, several social media users shared a post which falsely suggests that the air pollution caused by a candle is more than that of firecrackers.  The post compares the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by a candle and a firecracker to state that candles should be banned during Christmas celebrations, since they cause much more pollution.  However, The Quint spoke to experts in chemical engineering who stated that the comparison is unfair, and firecrackers are more harmful to our health and the environment than candles due to the other hazardous chemicals present in them.  CLAIM The image has been shared by several users on social media.  The image being shared carries the logo of Post Card News, which is notorious for peddling fake news.  However, we couldn’t find the original post on their social media handles.  We also came across several posts from November and December 2019.  The Quint also received a query regarding the image on its WhatsApp helpline.  ARE CANDLES AS HARMFUL AS FIRECRACKERS?  We spoke to experts who rubbished the claims and said that the comparison wasn’t the right one.  Speaking to The Quint, Abhijit Mazumdar, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at IIT Bombay, stated that comparing the carbon dioxide production of a candle and a firecracker, and then saying the candle is more harmful, is wrong.  “It’s like comparing oranges with eggs and saying that oranges are worse because they have less protein,” he said.  We also spoke to Guruswamy Kumaraswamy, Professor of Chemical Engineering at IIT Bombay, who explained that if you burn anything which has carbon in it, like a candle, petrol or oil used in diya, there is bound to be production of carbon dioxide as the carbon combines with the oxygen in the air during the process of burning.  In 2018, the Supreme Court had banned the use of barium, a metal which is quite harmful for our health.  However, a report by the LiveMint states that despite the ban, firecracker manufacturers continue to use barium nitrate to “maintain quality. ” STUDIES SHOW FIRECRACKERS PRODUCE MORE PARTICULATE MATTER Both the experts stated that particulate matter, that is, solid or liquid particles suspended in air, released by the firecrackers causes a lot of pollution.  In a 2016 study, researchers at the Indian Chest Society measured the particulate matter released by six popular firecrackers namely anar (flower pot), chakri (ground spinner), naag goli (snake tablets), pulpul (string), fuljhadi (sparkler) and laad (1000 crackers string).  In order to have a standard form of comparison, let’s look at the median value, that is, the middle value between the highest and lowest values of the particulate matter released in the course of burning.  The snake tablet’s median value was at 39,630 microgram per meter cube (mcg/m3) of particulate matter while it was 1,866 mcg/m3 for the flower pot.  DOES THE TIME FOR WHICH CANDLES BURN AFFECT POLLUTION?  Since candles burn for a longer time than a firecracker, the time period of burning is an oft-quoted argument against candle.  “The firecrackers cause a sudden spike in the air, it's not distributed evenly throughout the year.  Some level of hazardous gas is always present in the air, which we can survive, but that does not mean you can put someone in a gas chamber for five seconds and that would not impact their health.  If this spike goes beyond our tolerance limits, it will cause some damage,” he said.  Professor Kumaraswamy also stated that we must look at how much pollution is caused by the firecracker or candle in terms of the amount of pollutants generated.  While the candle would also produce soot on burning, the firecrackers release a larger volume of aerosols and hazardous materials.  “How much you burn makes a difference.  It’s a question of volume not time.  For example, when you use petrol for your transportation or power plants use fuels, the volume of pollution is much more,” he added.  Evidently, studies and experts state that candles do not cause more pollution than a firecracker, and a comparison based on carbon dioxide production is unfair.


PM Modi at the 5th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok: To avoid any side effect arising due to recent problems in Iran,we've done arrangements for security of our oil tankers(passing through Strait of Hormuz).We have no aim to interfere in internal matters of a country.#Russia https://t.co/4i5gapXG2l

India on Thursday announced a $1 billion line of credit for Russia’s Far East, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying New Delhi will march beside Moscow to implement President Vladimir Putin’s vision for developing the resource-rich region. Modi made the announcement while speaking as chief guest at the Eastern Economic Forum in the Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok, a day after he held an annual summit with the Russian president and the two sides signed a raft of deals in areas ranging from energy to defence. “Friends, to participate in the development of the Far East, India will give a line of credit of $1 billion.  This is the first time India is giving a line of credit to a specific region in a country,” he said. Noting that India’s Act East policy had helped the country engage East Asia, Modi said: “Today’s announcement will be the take-off point for Act Far East and I firmly believe this step will add a new chapter in our economic diplomacy. ”India wants to march shoulder-to-shoulder in Russia’s “visionary journey” to develop the Far East, which offers “historic opportunities” for his government’s plans to make the country a $5-trillion economy by 2024, he told the gathering that included Putin, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed and Mongolian President Khaltmaagin Battulga. As part of preparations for his visit, Modi said, several union ministers, chief ministers of four states and 150 Indian businessmen travelled to the Far East and met their counterparts to boost trade.  This resulted in the signing of some 50 business agreements worth $5 billion, and Indian firms are interested in areas such as energy, healthcare, skill development and mining, he said. Vladivostok could serve as a springboard to markets in Northeast Asia and the Far East could unite the Eurasian Union and an “open, free and inclusive Indo-Pacific”, Modi said.  India is working for a rules-based order that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity and without any interference in the internal matters of countries, he added. Answering a question following about sanctions imposed on oil trade, Modi said there was a debate on how such measures affect the global economy. “I understand there is a big debate on this across the world — that how much the country on which sanctions are imposed is affected.  That is one thing, but because of the impact on other countries and, the world economy, there is deep concern and a debate on that across the world,” he said.  Modi, who arrived in Russia on Wednesday for a two-day visit, is the first Indian PM to visit the Far East region.


‘Deadline for 2019-20 tax-saving investments extended till July 31’: Income tax dept

https://t.co/ciSkKBNw0N https://t.co/oyeKNyFN72

The Income Tax department has extended the deadline for tax saving investments/payments for the financial year 2019-20 up to July 31.  The move comes in a bid to provide relief to taxpayers amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. In a tweet, the I-T department on Thursday said that, “tax Saving Investments/Payments for FY 2019-20 can be made upto 31st July, 2020”.  Understanding & keeping in mind the times that we are in, we have further extended deadlines.  Now, Tax Saving Investments/Payments for FY 2019-20 can be made upto 31st July, 2020.  We do hope this helps you plan things better. #ITDateExtension#FacilitationDuringCovid#WeCare pic. twitter. com/HZZJSmN8g7The department said that the move has been taken “understanding and keeping in mind the times that we are in”“Filing of original as well as revised ITRs for FY 2018-19 is extended to 31st July, 2020,” the tweet read. Understanding & keeping in mind the times that we are in, we have further extended deadlines.  Now, filing of original as well as revised ITRs for FY 2018-19 is extended to 31st July, 2020. #IncomeTaxDateExtension#FacilitationDuringCovid#WeCare #IndiaFightsCorona pic. twitter. com/MBQUzmh2pgThe department hoped the move will help citizens “plan things better” amid the crisis. As a result, taxpayers will now be able to make investments for claiming deductions under the Income Tax Act for the financial year 2019-20 up to July 31.  Deductions can be claimed under various sections such as 80C (for life insurance (LIC), public provident fund (PPF), national savings certificate (NSC) equity-linked saving scheme (ELSS), among others.  Last week, the Centre announced that the deadline for filing of original as well as revised income-tax returns for the FY 2018-19 (AY 2019-20) has been extended to July 31, 2020. In a statement, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that the due date for the income tax return for the FY 2019-20 (AY 2020-21) has been extended to November 30, 2020.  ”Hence, the returns of income which are required to be filed by July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2020 can be filed by November 30, 2020.  Consequently, the date for furnishing tax audit report has also been extended to October 31, 2020,” it stated. The government had also allowed individuals to claim I-T exemption on conveyance allowance received from employers under the new lower tax regime . The CBDT amended Income Tax rules to prescribe certain exemptions which can be availed by the employees.


Video of anti-Islam speech in the French Parliament.

Emotions are running high in France ever since a teacher was beheaded on the streets of Paris for showing cartoons of Prophet Mohammad in one of his classes. Amid this, a video of a man holding the Quran and saying it is the "root of all evil" is circulating on social media with the claim that it is a scene from the French Parliament.  The man goes on to say that the Quran is the "cause of a lot of misery" and "a license to kill". The caption along with one such video says, "Discussion on Quran in French Parliament. . . . . "India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found the claim with the video to be misleading.  The video is more than five years old and from the Belgian Parliament.  The man making the statement is Filip Dewinter, a leader of right-wing Vlaams Belang. The archived versions of similar posts can be seen here, here, here, here and here. Using InVID tool and appropriate keywords, we found that the video in question is from a session held on January 22, 2015, at Belgium's federal parliament in Brussels. We found a longer version of the same video uploaded on January 22, 2015, by "Zoomin. TV Nederland".  The title in Dutch translates to, "Quran is the source of all evil according to Dewinter of Vlaams Belang". Taking a cue from this, we searched the Internet further and found news reports from January 2015 on the Parliament speech by Filip Dewinter of Vlaams Belang (vlaamsbelang. org), a Flemish nationalist and right-wing political party in Belgium. According to reports, Dewinter made the statement during a session on "mosques and radicalisation" in the Belgian parliament and argued that the government must stop financing mosques. We also found a picture of Dewinter holding the Quran, published by "Middle East Eye" and "Getty Images", crediting it to international news agency AFP. "Filip Dewinter holds the Quran - which he said was 'the source of all evil' - during a speech at the Chamber at the federal parliament, in Brussels, on 22 January 2015", reads the image description of "Middle East Eye". Therefore, it is clear that the viral video is not from France but Belgium and it is more than five years old. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.


NEW: Latest patient being treated for novel coronavirus in the U.S. is being investigated by health officials as possibly the first case of community spread on American soil. https://t.co/G8YcwAvAw7

By Sarah Moon, Holly Yan, Jen Christensen and Christina Maxouris, CNNUpdated 6:15 AM ET, Fri February 28, 2020  (CNN)After a US patient contracted novel coronavirus and left medical authorities no clues as to where it came from, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has begun sending out new testing guidance to health care workers, the top CDC official said Thursday. CNN's Steve Almasy, Ben Tinker, Stella Chan, Amanda Watts and Shelby Lin Erdman contributed to this report.


Claim: A video has been going viral on social media platforms that claims that it is of a Muslim woman and child getting deliberately hit because of Islamophobia at Uttar Pradesh, India.  The video shows a car moving on the road and then moving to hit people who were walking on the side and then it sped away.  The message attached to the video reads: “This video is from UP where a #Muslim woman and her #minor #daughter was #killed by an Alto Car.  The driver had deliberately killed the Muslim women and her daughter might be because of Growing Islamophobia?  Disturbing visuals: Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon! ”   The video has over 10,000 views on Facebook.   Archive    Archive    Archive   Many people have tweeted the post with the same claim several times on Twitter as well.  This video is from UP where a #Muslim  woman and her #minor #daughter was #killed in the #accident by an Alto Car.  The driver had deliberately killed the Muslim women and her daughter might be because of Growing Islamophobia#Islamophobia_In_India #TheRealFaceOfHinduism pic. twitter. com/7UVKmol8T6 — Mohd Ali (@MohdAli52365923) April 27, 2020  Archive   This video is from UP where a #Muslim  woman and her #minor #daughter was #killed  by an Alto Car.   The driver had deliberately killed the Muslim women and her daughter might be because of Growing Islamophobia?  Disturbing visuals: Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon!  pic. twitter. com/E4onb5hbUx — Rashidkhan (@Rashidk70515958) April 26, 2020  Archive    Link   The video has also been up on YouTube with the same claim attached to it.   Archive   The claim is false.  When a key frame search was carried out, tweets stating the location and asking the police to look into the accident was found.  When followed it by a keyword search it was found that News18 had covered the news in their broadcast.  Following that by a keyword search, articles were found reporting the incident.  The accident happened at Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, India.  The articles mentions the name of the women as “Usha Devi” and daughters name as “Pushpanjali”/”Bholi”.  Jagaran, Amar Ujala and Purvanchal24 have published articles about the incident.  Factly and India Today has also debunked this claim.  The accident did occur and it also looks very suspicious but the claim that it was due to Islamophobia is wrong.  The victims were not Muslims.  This video was taken and a fake caption was attached to give it a communal angle.       Source: News18 UP Uttarakhand    Source: Jagaran    Source: Amar Ujala    Source: Purvanchal24    Source: Factly


Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott and Spike Lee win the #Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for @blacKkKlansman #Oscars https://t.co/tEXbKJYRoj https://t.co/AC39TNFFhk

By Lisa Respers France and Veronica Rocha, CNNDirector Spike Lee won his first Oscar ever for best adapted screenplay for his film "BlacKkKlansman. "Lee, who has been nominated five times, took the moment to remember the past and honor Black History Month.  He also paid homage to his grandmother, who he said saved up 50 years of Social Security checks to help put him through school. Lee also brought up the 2020 presidential election, nodding to his critically acclaimed film, "Do the Right Thing. "The movie was controversial, but "Green Book" still nabbed an Oscar. The film was awarded for best original screenplay. Screenwriter Nick Vallelonga, who wrote the story about his father accompanying musician Don Shirley for a tour in the South in the 1960s, thanked the voters and "the other amazing nominees. ""This is an amazing room of filmmakers," Vallelonga said.  "Embrace ourselves and love each other.  Thank you all.  My mother and father, I love you, we did it. "Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga do not play fair. All of the chills, tears and whatever else for the riveting performance of their hit "Shallow" from their film "A Star Is Born. "How to even handle the hotness. The pair, who play lovers on the screen, have such a special connection, and it was on display while crooning the nominee for original song. So. Damn. Good.  "Period.  End of sentence. ," a movie that aims to end the stigma of menstruation in other parts of the world, won an Oscar for best documentary short subject.  Director Rayka Zehtabchi gave us the quote of the night in her acceptance speech. "To the women, know that you are empowering women all over the world to fight for menstrual equality," she added. Producer Melissa Berton said the film was created after a group of high school students wanted to "make a human rights difference. ""A period should end a sentence, not a girl's education," Berton said.  Diversity is on display at the Oscars. From the presenters to the winners, this year's ceremony just feels more inclusive.  Some of the presenters spoke in Spanish. History was made, with Ruth Carter becoming the first African American woman to win an Oscar for costume design and Peter Ramsey being the first black director to win for an animated film with "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. "The latter featured the first Afro-Latina Spider-Man and one of the writers of the screenplay mentioned the importance of inclusion in his acceptance speech. Phil Lord said that when they hear a kid acknowledging that Spider-Man looks like them or speaks Spanish, "we feel like we already won. ""We see you.  You’re powerful.  This world needs you," Ramsey said.  "Ok?  So please, we’re all counting on you. "But Twitter was quick to point out that as great as the awards ceremony has been, there is still work to be done. A very grown up version of Wayne and Garth just showed up to Oscars. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey reprised their roles as the lovable rockers to present "Bohemian Rhapsody," which is nominated for best picture.  Remember: The pair and their buddies rocked out to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" in their film "Wayne's World. "While Myers and Carvey were not dressed as their characters (they wore black tuxedos), they brought out their classic one liners. Here's how that went down: Myers: "We're not worthy! "Carvey: "I think I'm gonna hurl. "Myers: "Don't hurl.  'Cause if you hurl, I'll spew. "Carvey: "If you spew, I'll blow chunks.  So I shall not hurl. "Mahershala Ali just won best supporting actor for his role in "Green Book. "Ali is the second African-American actor to win multiple Oscars.  (Denzel Washington is the other actor. ) Ali is also a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice winner. In his acceptance speech, Ali thanked co-star Viggo Mortensen and dedicated the award to his grandmother. Ali and Mortensen starred in the fact-based story about the relationship between pianist Don Shirley (Ali) and the man hired to drive the African-American musician during a tour of the South in the early 1960s.  The title refers to the guide that lists what restaurants, hotels and gas stations served black people at the time. Ali also won a best supporting actor Oscar three years ago for his role in the film "Moonlight. "So many of the Oscar winners are remembering where they came from. Literally. The winners for best actor, best supporting actress, costume design, sound mixing and film editing all thanked their moms because honestly, where would we be without them? Best supporting actress winner Regina King brought her mother to the awards ceremony, as did nominee Bradley Cooper and "Black Panther" star Michael B.  Jordan. Mamas are everything, and they deserve of all the accolades.  Bette Midler performed the absolute perfect song for her. Midler sang "The Place Where Lost Things Go," from the film "Mary Poppins Returns," which is nominated for original song.  Honestly, Midler kind of reminds us of Mary Poppins, so it fits. Plus, she's a diva deserving of all the respect, which is what she got with a standing ovation. Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.


#KeralaFloods | Army personnel continue rescue operations in flood-hit Wayanad

Track updates here: https://t.co/GPJfsaJfEh

(📸: ANI) https://t.co/0evRpN7TTu

The current flood situation in different parts of the country and the preparedness of central ministries and agencies to deal with it was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai. Floods and landslides caused by incessant rains have claimed 87 lives in India in the past few days.  The places affected are Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.  Kerala and Maharashtra were the worst-hit. In the past week, rail and air services were hit and authorities scrambled to rescue people from low-lying and submerged areas.  At least 411,537 persons have been displaced in these regions after needing rescue and relief, officials said. Also read: Flood-hit Kerala braces for more trouble, death toll rises to 42The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warning of heavy to very heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala over the next two days. Also read: Rain and flood leave trail of destruction across four states, dozens deadNDRF personnel to carry out rescue operations in Hasur village, KolhapurNational Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel carry out rescue and relief operations in Hasur village of Kolhapur. ‘There should be no need of pictures of any political party or person on flood relief material’ FadnavisMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on reports that stickers of CM and other leaders were put on flood relief material says that nobody should do it and it is the work of government.  There should be no need of pictures of any political party or person. IMD issued Red Alert for 8 districts and Orange Alert for 6 districts in KeralaIndia Meteorological Dept (IMD) issued Red Alert for 8 districts and Orange Alert for 6 districts in Kerala for today.  Red Alert has been issued for 3 districts and Orange Alert for 6 districts of the state for tomorrow (August 11). Areas in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra submerged in floodAreas in Hasur and Nrusinhwadi, in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra inundated due to flood water.  #Maharashtra: Areas in Hasur and Nrusinhwadi, in Kolhapur district inundated due to flood water.  pic. twitter. com/yenpptQQYIRescue operations by teams from Goa Naval Area underwaRescue operations by teams from Goa Naval Area underway in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) & Uttar Kannada (Karnataka) district.  Rescue operations by teams from Goa Naval Area underway in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) & Uttar Kannada (Karnataka) district.  Today's rescue effort involved evacuation of 1016 persons by Navy teams in various parts of Maharashtra, Goa&Karnataka which included 602 women & 193 children pic. twitter. com/s6A2yimRZ1‘As flood water recedes, will focus on providing drinking water and restoring power’ Fadnavis‘As flood water recedes, we will focus on providing drinking water and restoring power,’ Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis. Flight operations in Cochin international airport to resume on SundayFlight operations in Cochin international airport will resume on Sunday afternoon.  In central kerala rains subsided a bit. ‘100 doctors being sent to Kolhapur and Sangli.  No lack of medicines’: Fadnavis‘A team of 100 doctors is being sent to Kolhapur and Sangli.  There is no lack of medicines,’ Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis. ‘Indian Navy teams from Vishakhapatanam arriving today, 95 boats operating in Sangli’: Fadnavis‘Indian Navy teams from Vishakhapatanam are arriving today as Shirol area in Kolhapur is severely affected; 95 boats are operating in Sangli,’ Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis. Flooding in the area near Vishwamitri River, Gujrat as water level risesFlooding in the area near Vishwamitri River, Gujrat, as water level in the river has increased due to heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall continues to lash Rajkot, Gujrat. Heavy rainfall continues to lash Rajkot, Gujrat. 10 trains operating on Hassan-Mangaluru section of Mysuru division cancelled10 trains operating on Hassan-Mangaluru section of Mysuru division cancelled, due to landslides in the area. Water from overflowing Tunga river enters residential areasWater from overflowing Tunga river enters residential areas in Vidya Nagar in Shivamogga district, Karnataka.  Fire Department engaged in the evacuation of people from the area.  Karnataka: Water from overflowing Tunga river enters residential areas in Vidya Nagar in Shivamogga district.  Fire Department engaged in the evacuation of people from the area.  pic. twitter. com/JOWM8fO3WUIncessant rainfall in Wayanad causes landslide at Puthumala village in KeralaIncessant rainfall in Wayanad causes landslide at Puthumala village in Meppadi Panchayat; National Disaster Response Force, Fire and Rescue Department and Forest Department officials engaged in search and rescue operation.  #Kerala: Incessant rainfall in Wayanad causes landslide at Puthumala village in Meppadi Panchayat; National Disaster Response Force, Fire and Rescue Department and Forest Department officials engaged in search and rescue operation.  pic. twitter. com/oouHhnwGaUNDRF provides relief material to flood-affected people in Maharashtra’s SangliNational Disaster Response Force (NDRF) provides relief material to flood-affected people in Sangli, Maharashtra.  #WATCH: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) provides relief material to flood-affected people in Sangli.  #maharashtrafloods pic. twitter. com/45CCi5O8XYPregnant woman was rescued over Bhawani river in KeralaA 8. 5 month old pregnant woman was rescued over Bhawani river by rescue personnel in a daredevil operation.  She will be shifted to hospital.  Baby rescued by rescue personnel crossing the swollen river on ropesOne and a half year old baby rescued in a gargantuan task by rescue personnel crossing the swollen river on ropes in attapady in Palakkad, Kerala. 24 lives are lost in Karnataka floods and 9 are missing24 lives are lost in Karnataka floods and 9 are missing.  17 districts and 80 Taluks of the 179 are affected.  2. 43 lakh people have been evacuated and 1. 61 lakh people have been moved to 664 Relief Camps.  ‘We have sought the help of Air Force, Army, Navy, and NDRF’: CM Yediyurappa‘We have sought the help of Air Force, Army, Navy, and NDRF.  In addition to my visits we have formed five teams of MLAs and MPs to tour the areas.  We have already released Rs 100 crore.  I appeal to corporate houses and philanthropists to pledge support.  I am also hopeful that centre will release funds generously,’ says CM Yediyurappa. ‘Initial estimates suggest loss will be above Rs 6,000 crore’: Yediyurappa‘Initial estimates suggest loss will be above Rs 6,000 crore.  16 of the 30 districts are suffering from heavy rains.  1,024 villages are facing floods.  This is the first time such a situation has occurred in the past 44 years,’ says Yediyurappa. ‘Government employees to give one day’s salary to the CM relief fund’: Yediyurappa‘Government employees have pledged to give one day’s salary to the CM relief fund and that will come up to Rs 150 crore, they have also pledged to give Rs 50 crore.  Sudha Murthy of Infosys Foundation has pledged to give Rs 10 crore,’ says Yediyurappa. ‘No matter how much it costs we will rebuild your houses and lives’: Yediyurappa‘I appeal to the affected persons to face this with strength, there is no need to lose hope because the state government will be with you.  No matter how much it costs we will rebuild your houses and lives,’ says YediyurappaNirmala Sitharaman visited flood-affected areas in Belgaum, KarnatakaUnion Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nirmala Sitharaman visited flood-affected areas in Belgaum, today.  Karnataka: Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nirmala Sitharaman visited flood-affected areas in Belgaum, today.  pic. twitter. com/qUq7pFMQ0V‘We released Rs 100 crore yesterday, will provide additional rescue personnel and funds’: Yediyurappa‘We released Rs 100 crore yesterday.  We will provide additional rescue personnel and funds if needed.  All the MLAs and MPs are helping in the relief efforts,’ says Karnataka CM Yediyurappa. ‘Huge inflow into all the dams in the state of Karnataka’: Yediyurappa‘There has been huge inflow into all the dams in the state of Karnataka,’ says Karnataka CM B.  S.  Yediyurappa B.  S.  Yediyurappa address a press conferenceKarnataka CM B.  S.  Yediyurappa address a press conference. ‘I am in constant touch with the centre.  Army, navy, air force helping the flood hit state’: CM Pinarayi Vijayan‘I am in constant touch with the centre.  Army, navy and air force helping the flood hit state,’ said CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Several areas around the Netravathi river in Mangaluru floodedSeveral areas around the Netravathi river in Mangaluru flooded due to increase in water level in the river. Rahul Gandhi to visit his Lok Sabha constituency Wayanad in Kerala, tomorrowRahul Gandhi to visit his Lok Sabha constituency Wayanad in Kerala, tomorrow. ‘Obey instructions of rescue officials’: CM VijayanCM Pinarayi Vijayan reiterates people to obey instructions of rescue officials. ‘Air force to drop food packets to stranded places in Wayanad and other areas’: CM VijayanAir force to drop food packets to stranded places in Wayanad and other areas in Kerala, said CM Pinarayi Vijayan. ‘Red alert in 8 districts.  Shutters of Banasurasagar to be opened in the afternoon’: CM Pinarayi VijayanRed alert in 8 districts.  Shutters of Banasurasagar in Wayanad will be opened in the afternoon, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said. ‘42 deaths have been reported till 10am,’ CM Pinarayi Vijayan42 deaths have been reported till 10am.  One lakh eight thousand people are in relief camps.  11 deaths in Wayanad just today, said the chief ministerKerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan paid rich tributes to SEB engineer who lost his lifeKerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan paid rich tributes to SEB engineer who lost his life while restoring power in kozhikkode. ‘At Wayanad, rescue operations affected due to bad weather’: CM Vijayan‘All are working hard to minimize damage.  Destruction is beyond our calculations.  In some places at Wayanad, rescue operations affected due to bad weather,’ says CM Pinarayi Vijayan. ‘80 landslides in all in last three days.  The state is undergoing a severe calamity’: CM Pinarayi Vijayan80 landslides in all in last three days.  The state is undergoing a severe calamity.  Situation is grave indeed,’ Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressing press meet. Army personnel have rescued a new born baby, from flood hit Wayanad. Army personnel have rescued a new born baby, from flood hit Wayanad, Kerala. NDRF continues rescue operations in Sangli, Maharashtra. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continues rescue operations in Sangli, Maharashtra.  Rescue teams reach Malappuram, 30 people feared missingRescue teams reach Kavalappara in Malappuram where more than 30 people are feared missing after a landslide hit the area on August 8.  Rescue operations being hampered due to bad weather. Flooding in Kottayam after incessant rainfallFlooding in Kottayam after incessant rainfall in the region.  42 people have died in Kerala so far this monsoon, due to floods. Two gates of Bhopal’s Bhadbhada Dam have been opened due to heavy rainTwo gates of Bhadbhada Dam in Bhopal have been opened following heavy rain in the area. ‘Floods causing severe disruption to daily lives’: Nirmala Sitharaman‘On my way to North Karnataka.  Floods are causing severe disruption to our daily lives,’ says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. ‘14 Navy teams in Kolhapur have proceeded for rescue operations’: Defence PRO‘All 14 Navy teams in Kolhapur have proceeded for rescue operations at Shiroli village (Shirol block) near Kolhapur from 6 am today,’ says Defence PRO. Quick Reaction Team carried out rescue operations in Karnataka’s Holealur villageState Civil Defence QRT(Quick Reaction Team) carried out rescue operations in flood hit Holealur village in Gadag district yesterdayCloud-seeding test-flight to induce rain was flown near Aurangabad,yesterdayA cloud-seeding test-flight to induce rain was flown near Aurangabad,yesterday.  Cloud Seeding Mission Director says “There were less favorable clouds.  Test-flight was flown 40km west of Aurangabad. We’re yet to receive data to ascertain the level of induced rain”6000 people rescued, more than 15000 evacuated from flood-affected areas: the Indian Army‘Around 6000 persons have been rescued and more than 15000 have been evacuated from flood-affected areas in Maharashtra,Karnataka,Northern Kerala,& Tamil Nadu.  123 rescue teams have been deployed in 16 districts across the 4 affected states for relief & rescue operations,’ says the Indian Army. Public requested to move to the nearest relief camps due to rising water level of Tunga river‘In view of rising water level of Tunga river, the public is requested to move over from their houses to nearest relief camps’:Charulata Somal, Shimoga City Corporation Commissioner


BREAKING: Special counsel Robert Mueller has delivered his report to Attorney General William Barr, DOJ says. https://t.co/ON10Fxn4CA

By Meg Wagner, Brian Ries, Amanda Wills and Veronica Rocha, CNNRep.  Jerry Nadler tweeted a copy of the letter Attorney General William Barr sent House and Senate Judiciary leaders notifying them that Robert Mueller had concluded his investigation. From CNN's Jeremy Diamond and Betsy KleinTrump campaign press secretary Kayleigh McEnany referred CNN to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders' statement "at the moment. "CNN has previously reported that the campaign was prepared to respond to the substance of special counsel Robert Mueller's report when it emerged publicly. From CNN's Laura Jarrett The special counsel is not recommending any further indictments, a senior Justice official said. Watch CNN's Laura Jarrett explain:Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham sent out a statement that said the Department of Justice notified him and ranking member Diane Feinstein "that the Mueller Report has been turned over to Attorney General Barr. "That notification, Graham said, "indicates that Attorney General Barr will pursue as much transparency as possible. "He added: “I have always believed it was important that Mr.  Mueller be allowed to do his job without interference, and that has been accomplished. ”Some Democrats who are running for president in 2020 have weighed in on the news that special counsel Robert Mueller has finished his investigation. Many of them are calling on the report to be released publicly.   Here's a look:Sen.  Cory BookerJulian CastroJohn DelaneySen.  Kirsten GillibrandSen.  Kamala HarrisSen.  Amy KlobucharBeto O'RourkeSen.  Bernie SandersSen.  Elizabeth WarrenJay InsleeA few moments past 5 p. m.  ET, CNN's Evan Perez broke the news that special counsel Robert Mueller had finished his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. "The word is in," CNN's Evan Perez told Wolf Blitzer.  "The Justice Department is telling us that Attorney General Bill Barr has now received the report from special counsel Robert Mueller.  The investigation, 675 days old, is now over. "He continued, "So obviously it is a big moment for this White House.  It is an investigation that has hung over the presidency of Donald Trump since is beginning, obviously, so now the question is what is in that report. "Watch the moment:From CNN's Laura Jarrett As of now, Robert Mueller is "still special counsel," according to a Justice Department official.  But the investigation is unequivocally "complete," the official added.  The White House does not have the report, according to the Justice official.  The attorney general’s chief of staff called White House lawyer Emmet Flood and read the information in Bill Barr’s letter to the Hill. The "principle conclusions" that Barr says will be delivered to Congress soon are "expected to be made public. " Democratic Sen.  Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called for the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, saying, "Congress and the American people deserve to judge the facts for themselves. "Warner issued this statement shortly after Mueller turned in his report:Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just sent out a joint statement calling on Attorney General William Barr "to make the full report public and provide its underlying documentation and findings to Congress. " Here's their full statement: Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.


Over 39 lakh ppl & 27 districts are affected due to floods which are severe as compared to last years. We are running 303 relief camps & 445 relief distribution centres. Floods have claimed 71 lives while 26 died due to landslides: Official of Assam Disaster Management Authority https://t.co/p2Hdwf3oSd

Five more people died in flood-related incidents in Assam and around 36 lakh people across 28 districts are now affected, an official bulletin said on Friday. One person each died in Dhubri, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Goalpara and Kamrup districts, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said in its bulletin. More than 39. 8 lakh people in 27 of the 33 districts in the state were affected by the deluge on Thursday, it said. The total number of people losing their lives in this year’s flood and landslides in the state has gone up to 102.  While 76 people died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides, the bulletin said.


Delhi: Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani pays tribute to #MahatmaGandhi at Raj Ghat on his death anniversary. https://t.co/4AjlOKgBPI

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


NEW: Two Senate Democrats are probing "Project Airbridge," the Trump administration program aimed at getting medical supplies to hospitals amid the pandemic, warning the effort is too opaque. https://t.co/6bj79m7Dl0

By Caroline Kelly and Ted Barrett, CNNUpdated 5:26 PM ET, Mon April 27, 2020  (CNN)Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is looking to block President Donald Trump's name from appearing on federal stimulus checks in the future, money provided as financial relief from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. CNN's Manu Raju, Katie Lobosco, Devan Cole, Jim Acosta and Jason Hoffman contributed to this report.


On December 4, the official Twitter account of Indian National Congress tweeted an infographic that includes an image of a child labourer with the following Hindi text, “Seven crore children have been engulfed in poverty due to coronavirus pandemic.  Children’s education has suffered due to not attending schools and families are facing a financial burden.  The government needs to urgently take steps for the children’s future. ”कोरोना संकट और बीजेपी संकट के कारण देश की अर्थव्यवस्था से लेकर जनता तक प्रभावित होने लगी है। कोरोना संकट से 7 करोड़ बच्चों पर गरीबी का संकट छा गया है। मोदी सरकार देश को गरीबी के संकट से निकालने के लिये जल्द कदम उठाये। pic. twitter. com/F6AkyGEJeq— Congress (@INCIndia) December 4, 2020This has been posted by several Twitter and Facebook users including more than 10 official Congress accounts on Facebook. This slideshow requires JavaScript. Alt News cropped the image used on the poster and was led to multiple links that carried the original picture.  A second reverse image search on TinEye led us to the website Felix Features, a Norway-based picture agency.
The image in question was uploaded in 2008.  Its caption says, “Children at a brick factory in Fatullah”, which is a town in Bangladesh.  The copyright on the image mentions — ‘Panos Pictures/ Felix Features’.
A subsequent search on the website of London-based photo agency Panos Pictures confirms that the image was shot in Bangladesh.
Thus, Congress used a 2008 image of a child labourer in Bangladesh to attack the BJP government. Donate NowArchit is a graduate in English Literature from The MS University of Baroda.  He also holds a post-graduation diploma in journalism from the Asian College of Journalism.  Since then he has worked at Essel Group's English news channel at WION as a trainee journalist, at S3IDF as a fundraising & communications officer and at The Hindu as a reporter.  At Alt News, he works as a fact-checking journalist. A picture of Tej Pratap Yadav has been making the rounds on social media recently…. A video of police tying a rope around an elderly person’s wrists has been circulating…A photo of a man being flogged with his hands tied has been gathering a…A set of two images, an alleged tweet and a video has been shared on…A photo of an idol of Hindu deity Nandi found buried in the ground has…


The photos show a temple and a burnt idol of goddess Kali. The post above, translated, says, “Goddess Kali’s idol has been burnt, Murshidabad, West Bengal. Wake, Hindus, wake.”

Photos of an idol of goddess Kali, which got burnt on 31 August in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, are being shared on social media with the false claim that members of the Muslim community were behind this act.  However, we found that there is no truth to this claim and the cause of the burning of the idol was an accidental fire.  CLAIM The photos show a temple and a burnt idol of goddess Kali.  The post above, translated, says, “Goddess Kali’s idol has been burnt, Murshidabad, West Bengal.  Wake, Hindus, wake. ” Many others on social media shared the same photos with similar claims, among them was BJP MP Arjun Singh.  Some on social media simply claimed that “jihadi” terrorists were involved in the burning.  WHAT WE FOUND The Quint found that the incident occurred in Alampur area of Murshidabad, West Bengal on 31 August, where an idol of goddess Kali was indeed burnt.  However, on accessing a letter written by the secretary of the Nimtala Kali Mandir in Alampur, where the incident took place, we found that there was no communal angle involved.  In the letter written after the incident, the secretary Sukhdev Bajpai said that the staff of the temple know that that the relationship between Hindus and Muslims in the area is harmonious and do not believe that the burning was a result of communal sentiments.  He also appealed to people to not spread or believe any claims of this sort.  The Quint further reached out to Bajpai, who called all claims about the Muslim community having been behind the burning complete lies.  “It’s all lies.  All those posts are false.  There is no issue between Hindus and Muslims here, there is harmony,” he said.  Further, he said that neither the lock of the temple, nor the idol itself was broken; nothing was stolen from the temple either.  He also mentioned that lamps used to burn in the temple all night near the idol which might have led to the incident.  The Quint also got in touch with Murshidabad police over the incident.  An official reiterated to us that the claims giving the incident a communal colour are not true.  On being asked about the cause, the official said that it was an accidental fire and there is no communal issue behind it at all.  Evidently, an incident of accidental fire which left a statue of a goddess burnt in Murshidabad is being falsely shared with a communal angle on social media.


Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases the e-book 'Maritime India Vision 2030', at the Maritime India Summit. https://t.co/RyjTUH21fE

India aspires to raise its share in the global ship recycling business to at least 50 per cent, union minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday. Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Mandaviya was addressing the ‘Maritime India Summit 2021’, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "India aspires at least 50 per cent of global ship recycling business after passing of the Recycling of Ships Act," Mandaviya said in his welcome address. The country's share in the global ship recycling business is around 30 per cent at present. He said the maritime sector in India is being propelled in a bid to make this sector a key pillar of transport, trade and infrastructure. Currently, India recycles 70 lakh gross tonnage of ships per annum. Mandaviya said that the Indian government is all geared up for facilitating and grounding the investments in the maritime sector. Earlier the Prime Minister released an e-book of ‘ Maritime India Vision-2030’. Maritime India Vision 2030 aims to make the Indian Maritime Industry at par with top global benchmarks in next 10 years. The Prime Minister also unveiled the e-plaque of ‘Sagar-Manthan’: Mercantile Maritime Domain Awareness Centre (MM-DAC).  It is an information system for enhancing maritime safety, search and rescue capabilities, security and marine environment protection. Also read: Government aims to operationalise 23 waterways by 2030: PM ModiAddressing the event, Mandaviya said it is one of the biggest virtual summits in the world, with over 1. 7 lakh registered participants from more than 100 nations.  He said more than 400 memorandum of understanding (MoUs) are being signed during the three-day event. The Summit will visualize a roadmap for India's Maritime sector for next decade and will work to propel India to the forefront of the global maritime sector. Minister of Transport of Denmark Benny Englebrecht, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan among others were present on the occasion. Denmark is the country partner for the three-day summit. Ministers from seven countries will be participating from countries like Russia, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Denmark, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, the statement said. Ambassadors from 24 countries will be participating in India's biggest Maritime event.  Over 110 companies are participating in the virtual exhibition, including ports, maritime states and private companies.


House Democrats spent Thursday arguing the first article of impeachment: that President Trump abused his power. Here's a quick recap. https://t.co/OtDYN702Vt https://t.co/wLavYSojGQ

The Purple Heart recipient was the first White House official to testify.  News headlines today: Dec.  23, 2020President Donald Trump on Friday amplified attacks on a key impeachment witness and Purple Heart veteran, after Democrats played clips of his testimony during the Senate trial the night before. Trump shared a Fox News clip of Republican Sen.  Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee sharply criticizing U. S.  Army Lt.  Col.  Alexander Vindman, the first White House official to cooperate with the House impeachment investigation. "He has a problem with judgment, that has been pointed out," Blackburn said on the conservative cable channel.  He has had problems with going outside his chain of command, which is exactly what he did here. "After Democrats on Thursday used video of Vindman's House testimony, Blackburn took to Twitter to question the military officer's patriotism.  She also called his decision to raise concerns about President Trump “vindictive. ”“Adam Schiff is hailing Alexander Vindman as an American patriot,” Blackburn tweeted.  “How patriotic is it to badmouth and ridicule our great nation in front of Russia, America’s greatest enemy? ”Lt.  Col.  Vindman, a Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, testified before the House about his concerns over a July 25 phone call between President Trump and the Ukrainian president.  Democrats have pointed to Vindman’s account as part of the evidence that Trump pressured the Ukrainians to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden. Blackburn made multiple unsubstantiated claims on twitter Thursday that Vindman had worked with an anonymous whistle-blower to leak the phone call and “wanted to take out Trump. ”Democratic Minority Leader Sen.  Chuck Schumer defended Vindman at a press conference Friday morning, referencing the Army officer’s testimony when he evoked a conversation about his father over the consequences of speaking out. “When Vindman stepped forward, a Purple Heart veteran and said his dad called him and said ‘aren't you worried this will hurt you? '” Schumer recalled.  “He said this is America.  We believe in the truth.  The truth matters.  Right matters. ”Vindman used the phrase "right matters" in his testimony in explaining why he felt compelled to speak out against President Trump.  House impeachment manager Rep.  Adam Schiff repeatedly echoed Vindman’s words in his closing arguments on the Senate floor Thursday. "If right doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how good the constitution is,” Schiff said.  “It doesn't matter how brilliant the framers were.  It doesn't matter how good or bad our advocacy in this trial is.  If right doesn't matter, we're lost.  If the truth doesn't matter, we're lost. "While Vindman continues to serve at the White House, he has largely stayed out of the public eye since his testimony.  His lawyer admonished the senator in a statement to ABC News on Thursday. “That a member of the Senate – at a moment when the Senate is undertaking its most solemn responsibility – would choose to take to Twitter to spread slander about a member of the military is a testament to cowardice,” said David Pressman, Vindman’s legal counsel.  “While Senator Blackburn fires off defamatory tweets, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman will continue to do what he has always done: serve our country dutifully and with honor. ”ABC's Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.  24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Delhi: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan inspects the management & preparedness for #CoronaVirus, at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport. https://t.co/wSCr436UNr

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

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


A video has been circulating on social media, which shows police thrashing people claiming to be from Spain for breaking the lockdown.
 The video shows law enforcement forces scattering a horde of people from the streets using violence.  It is shared on Facebook and WhatsApp with the following claim:
   The claim also found its way on Twitter, most prominently shared by Roop Darak, who claims to be “BJYM Telangana State Official Spokesperson”.  His following tweet (archive) has been retweeted by more than 1000 people –
 “How muslims were treated by Spain Police when they broke the law and orders”.    How musllims were treated by Spain Police when they broke the law and orders pic. twitter. com/rorLHNVAxS — Roop Darak (@iRupND) March 29, 2020  Following post has been share by approximately 500 people “This is lockdown in Spain.  We guys in India are lucky…u just get caned. . ” Following post has been shared by 440 people –    The video contains a logo on the top-left corner which says “Toplum TV”.  A quick search reveals that Toplum TV is a news channel in Azerbaijan.  Using reverse-image search on the video frames, we landed on an article about the anti-government protests in Baku, Azerbaijan from October 19, 2019.   Upon searching, we found numerous videos from October 2019.  They were reporting the Azerbaijani protests, many covering the same incidents depicted in the video in question.   It can also be clearly seen that the uniform of the law enforcement spell “polis”, which is the Azerbaijani spelling for “police”.  On the other hand, it is spelt as “policía” in Spanish.     FAKE.  While the video is authentic, the caption associated with it is completely false.


Voting in #Rajasthan’s #Ramgarh assembly constituency on Monday https://t.co/0TZ0nDg8QU https://t.co/1PAbxX9oyX

Around 5,000 employees, including state police and paramilitary personnel, have been deployed to ensure a free and fair election in Ramgarh assembly constituency on Monday, district election officer Inderjeet Singh said.  Earlier, the election for the Ramgarh seat, scheduled on December 7, 2018, was postponed due to the death of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate. Singh said 27 sector magistrates have been deputed in the constituency, which have 278 polling centres for more than 235,000 voters.  There are 20 candidates in the poll fray.  The returning officer, Pankaj Sharma said on Sunday that polling parties have reached Ramgarh.  About 2,147 jawans of paramilitary forces, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) and Rajasthan police have been deployed in the constituency, where 122 polling booths have been identified as “critical”, including 70 “most sensitive” booths, he said.  Political experts said although there are 20 candidates in the fray, the main contest will be among Congress candidate Saphia Zubair Khan, BJP candidate Sukhwant Singh and BSP candidate Jagat Singh.  This is the first time in 20 years that the constituency will see a triangular fight, they added. Zubair Khan of Congress and Gyan Deo Ahuja of BJP have been contesting on this seat for more than 20 years, but this time, both of them were denied tickets by their parties.  Some BSP MLAs are working for BSP candidate Jagat Singh.  His wife Somaya is also canvassing for him.  Jagat Singh’s father, former foreign affairs minister Natwar Singh, is also in the field.  Congress candidate Saphia Zubair Khan is getting support from local party leaders.  Former central minister Jitendra Singh has worked hard in the constituency.  Health Minister Raghu Sharma supervised the campaign.  The election meeting of chief minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday drew “good crowd”.  Political expert HS Goyal said that the Congress candidate seems to have an edge because her party is the ruling party in the state.  The BSP candidate could not make a dent into the Meo-Muslims votes, he added.  Another expert Professor JM Tayal said the contest was between the Congress and the BJP.  For the BJP candidate, party’s district president Sanjay Naruka said that BJP has good organisation in Ramgarh, which will help its candidate.  Gyan Deo Ahuja said BJP will win the election.


Supreme Court refuse to refer to a larger bench a batch of pleas, challenging the constitutional validity of Centre's 5th August 2019 decision of abrogating provisions of Article 370. https://t.co/5fXTRDBRcZ

The Supreme Court will decide on Monday whether or not the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, that granted special privileges to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, should be heard by a larger seven-judge bench. A five-judge Constitution bench, presided by Justice N V Ramana and comprising justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant, had reserved its order on reference of the case to a larger bench on January 23. The central government had scrapped Article 370 in August last year, which ended special provisions accorded to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir with a legislative assembly and Ladakh without one. At least 23 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the central government’s decision. Senior counsel Dinesh Dwivedi, who was appearing for an intervenor in the case, had pointed out that two earlier Supreme Court judgments, Prem Nath Kaul (1959) and Sampat Prakash (1968), are at loggerheads with regard to the scope and intent of Article 370.  Since both these judgments were delivered by benches of five judges, Dwivedi had asked the court to refer the issue to a bench of seven or more judges. In Sampat Prakash judgement, the Supreme Court had held that Article 370 will cease to be operative only if the President issues a direction to that effect on a recommendation made by the Constituent Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir. In Prem Nath Kaul verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that plenary powers of the ruler of Kashmir were not limited by Article 370.  The temporary provisions of Article 370, the court ruled, were based on the assumption that the ultimate relationship between India and Jammu & Kashmir would be finally determined by the Constituent Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir. The central government and the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir opposed the reference and submitted that there was no conflict between the two judgments.  The Centre has argued that the sovereignty of J&K enabled by Article 370 was temporary. Besides challenge to the abrogation of Article 370, a slew of petitions were also filed in Supreme Court challenging the restrictions in the Kashmir valley which the petitioners had argued were in violation of their fundamental right to speech and expression and the right to move freely under Article 19 of the Constitution. Those petitions were heard separately by three-judge bench of the Supreme Court which on January 10 held that restrictive orders suspending internet, telecommunication and movement should be published by the government indicating the specific reasons for imposing the restrictions and it should be proportional to the concerns necessitating such suspension. A communications blackout and a lockdown were imposed in the region in August, 2019, when hundreds of politicians and activists were detained to prevent protests against the move.  Most of the restrictions have since been eased even as access to the Internet remains restricted and three former chief ministers are among top politicians under continued detention.


BREAKING: Joe Biden will win the state of New York, @ABC News projects. https://t.co/kVuTi6923M #ElectionNight https://t.co/svgI5BhzQf

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


Image Showing Nita Ambani Tweeting In Support Of Amit Shah And Narendra Modi

A tweet by a fake Nita Ambani account urging people to support and stand by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minster Amit Shah is viral on social media.  The fake tweet went viral in light of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).  A Reliance group spokesperson confirmed to BOOM that the account was fake and impersonating Nita Ambani.  The screenshot of the fake tweet also has Ambani's photo as the display picture, leading many to believe that it is her account.  BOOM found that the account which has now been suspended was regularly posting tweets showing support to the Citizenship act.  It is not clear when the handle was suspended by Twitter.     The tweet when translated reads, "Friends, the time has come to stand with Modi and Shah because if they break today, then no one will dare to take a big decision.  Support them".  (In Hindi - मित्रों अब वक़्त आ चुका है मोदी और शाह के साथ खड़े होने का क्योंकि आज अगर ये टूट गए तो फिर कोई हिम्मत नहीं करेगा बड़ा निर्णय लेने का)


The life of Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights leader, is being honored over six days of memorial ceremonies across five cities https://t.co/2j6tmHplVD https://t.co/QXaObKFM7E

Lewis, 80, died July 17, after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. John Lewis lies in state in AlabamaThe late Rep.  John Lewis -- a civil rights and voting rights icon known as the "conscience of the U. S.  Congress" -- crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, for a final time this weekend. It was part of a six-day celebration of life paying tribute to his legacy, which began on Saturday in his hometown of Troy, Alabama.  Over the next week, Lewis will lie in state at the U. S.  Capitol, Alabama State Capitol and Georgia State Capitol. A public service celebrating "The Boy from Troy" took place Saturday morning at Troy University.  Saturday evening, Lewis was honored in a private ceremony at Brown Chapel A. M. E.  Church in Selma, ahead of another public viewing. On Sunday morning, the procession across the bridge took place in Selma where Lewis and other voting rights demonstrators were beaten 55 years ago on "Bloody Sunday. " Sunday's march from Brown Chapel to the Edmund Pettus Bridge was titled "#Good Trouble: Courage, Sacrifice & the Long March for Freedom. "Lewis was then taken to lie in state at the Alabama State Capitol following the procession. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced late Thursday that Lewis will be honored in a private, invitation-only ceremony in the U. S.  Capitol Rotunda on Monday at 1:30 p. m. , followed by an unprecedented public viewing taking place outside, as opposed to inside, the Capitol building due to coronavirus concerns. On Monday, a procession through Washington will shut down several streets from about 11:30 a. m.  to 1 p. m.  as Lewis' body is transported to the Capitol.  The city listed what streets will be closed and advised motorists of an anticipated increase in pedestrian traffic. Lewis will lie in state at the top of the east front steps of the U. S.  Capitol for the public viewing, and the public will file past on the east plaza.  The public viewing take place from 6 p. m.  to 10 p. m.  on Monday and from 8 a. m.  to 10 p. m.  on Tuesday.  Masks are required and social distancing will be enforced. The Georgia Democrat will be the second Black lawmaker to lie in state at the Capitol, a tribute reserved for the most revered Americans, following the late Rep.  Elijah Cummings, D-Md. , who died last October. On Wednesday, Lewis will lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol. Lewis will be laid to rest on Thursday at South View Cemetery in Atlanta following a private funeral at Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, which the Rev.  Martin Luther King Jr.  once led.  A military honor guard will accompany Lewis' body during all the events. Citing coronavirus precautions, Lewis' family asked members of the public not travel from across the country to pay their respects.  They instead have suggested people pay tribute online using the hashtags #BelovedCommunity and #HumanDignity.  The ceremonies will be live-streamed on multiple platforms, including ABC News Live. His family also encouraged the public to tie a blue or purple ribbon on their front doors or in their yards to commemorate Lewis' life. Lewis, 80, died last Friday, after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer.  The civil rights icon served 17 terms in the U. S.  House of Representatives serving the 5th Congressional District of Georgia. His final public appearance was a visit on to the Black Lives Matter Plaza across from the White House on June 7. ABC News' John Parkinson and Mariam Khan contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Video shows youth loses his life to fatal birthday bumps

The claim that a youth died after his friends rained blows and kicks on him in the name of 'birthday bumps', is fake.  The viral video has been tweeted by the likes of former cricketer Virender Sehwag, who later deleted his tweet.  A caption along with the video reads, "A student of IMM died last 2 months ago Reason was, on his B-Day, b'day bumps were given by friends. .  Next day he had stomach ache, pancreas was damaged, operated Finally died  Pls ask children, not to give B-Day bumps. "  The video is also viral on Facebook and Whatsapp.  The videos shows a group of boy mercilessly hitting a youth lying on the floor.  Two cakes can be seen on a nearby table.  Towards the ends of the video, the group picks up the boy and bring him towards the table.  Although the video does not show him cutting a cake, the caption insinuates that it was his birthday.  The post claims that the boy died the next day as his pancreas was damaged because of the beating.  BOOM looked for more information on the incident but all we could find were reports claiming that the youth had died after receiving the fatal blows.   However,  a fact check by India Today said the boy as alive.    The fact checkers had come across a reply on Virender Sehwag's Twitter handle wherein he had posted the same video.  The reply is by one Raghuraj, who claims to be a friend of the 'birthday bumps' victim.  While Sehwag has deleted the tweet, we have Raghuraj's reply where he says the news is '100% fake'.  BOOM was able to independently establish that the group in the video was that of medical students and that the video is Kyrgyzstan and not India.  BOOM got in touch with Raghuraj through WhatsApp.  He told us that the incident took place on December 28, 2018.  On the condition that we do not disclose the name of the youngster who was subjected to the blows, he told us that birthday bumps is a normal thing at such parties and it was the same that night too.  "However, in the video it looks like things had gone out of hand but it was nothing like that.  He is completely fine," Raghuraj told  BOOM.  Raghuraj also told us that the youngster, a student of first year medicine, is his junior.  BOOM also got in touch with two others who were privy to the incident.  Deepak Aanjana and his flatmate Amit Singh Parihar too confirmed that the youngster in the viral video was completely fine.


Our CM has been working 24 hours to make efforts to reduce the troubles faced by the farmers. Despite all the pressure, the stadiums weren't converted into prisons. It would have been a black spot in history if we had done that: Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia, at the Singhu border https://t.co/Ez7k0V94ii

Addressing his party workers in Jammu for the first time in over a year, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that if Jammu and Kashmir had to go with Pakistan, it would have happened in 1947 and no one could have stopped it.  His son and former chief minister minced no words to criticise the BJP government for allegedly peddling lies before and after the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A in Jammu and Kashmir.  The father and son duo reached Jammu on Friday to take part in PAGD meet scheduled on Saturday.  “Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had then told Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru that our destiny lies with Mahatma Gandhi’s India and not of BJP’s India,” he said.  The Abdullahs came to Jammu for the first time following their detention in Srinagar on August 4, 2019.  “Let these people burn my effigies.  Farooq doesn’t get intimidated by this.  Come in front of me.  I don’t pick batons and stones… come face me and my queries,” he said in a clear reference to BJP, whose leaders and workers have been torching his effigies after he made controversial remarks about China’s aid to restore the special status of J&K.  He also took a dig at the Centre for the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir.  “While Kashmiri Pandits are still in Jammu hoping to get back one day, for how long will you use them for votes and for how long will you spread hatred,” he said and cautioned the people against “divisive politics” of the BJP in the name of caste, creed, and religion.  The octogenarian said that National Conference won’t be deterred by arm-twisting tactics of the BJP government and the struggle to get back Article 370, 35-A and other privileges will be taken to its logical conclusion.  NC and PDP have formed the PAGD seeking restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state as it existed before August 5 last year and also to initiate a dialogue between all stakeholders on the issue.  NC vice-president Omar Abdullah also accused the BJP of resorting to conspiracies, fakeries and arm-twisting tactics.  “Many tried to perform last rites of NC but none succeeded.  History is replete when our opponents tried to write us off but this programme today here in Jammu is a message for those who tried to peddle lies that NC is now confined to some areas of Valley,” Omar said.  Omar said that before August 5, 2019, several lies were peddled like there were no jobs, development and progress, people were starving, the majority endorsed separatist sentiment, penury and that people were not with the country because of Article 370.  “Similarly, another lie was that if Articles 370 and 35-A were revoked, all ills plaguing J&K will vanish into thin air overnight.  It has been one year and three months now.  Where is development and progress that was promised,” he said.  Omar also felt that revocation of special status has caused a spike in terrorism in the Union territory.  “There was another false claim that revocation of Article 370 will result in the complete amalgamation of those nurturing separatist sentiment with India but today I can confidently say those harbouring such sentiment have been further alienated from us”, he said. “Not even a single citizen of J&K has accepted this draconian decision of the BJP government.  While some say it openly, some confess it in whispers.  Article 370 was not mentioned in Pakistan’s constitution.  It was in the Indian Constitution.  So, why can’t we discuss it and how does talking about it makes us anti-national,” he asked.  “This fight is of not of NC or one religion but of all regions and religions and we will succeed in it,” he added.


Joe Biden leans further into his relationship with Obama in new campaign video https://t.co/dLGXhC2Ho4 https://t.co/v4ZyRX8Wjl

Trump and Biden have a war of words over union endorsement. Trump takes aim at 2020 democratic frontrunnersAs former Vice President Joe Biden prepares for his first rally as a 2020 candidate, the Deleware native is locked in a war of words with President Donald Trump. On Monday, Biden received a key endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters an organization comprised of over 300,000 members.  Biden is a familiar face to the IAFF, he addressed the group last month, and in the video touting the announcement, Biden was showcased at several IAFF events over the years. In 2016, the organization choose not to endorse a candidate for president, however, the group endorsed former President Barack Obama in  2008 and 2012. IAFF president Harold Schaitberger said, "Biden through civility and decency will enhance the political discourse that our country needs right now. "In a series of tweets Monday morning, the president railed against the Biden and the union describing the organization's leaders as "Dues Crazy. " Trump went on to say despite the snub, "the members love Trump.  They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc.  WIN! "Biden responded to Trump's attack tweeting "I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions.  Labor built the middle class in this country.  Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. "He added, "We need a President who honors them and their work. "For Trump, unions are a critical voting constituency that helped him win critical swing states such as Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania in 2016.  Biden announced his plans to run for president, is a familiar face among labor groups having protested with labor organizations for decades. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Birds are dying due to Jio 5G testing and people are being misled to believe that bird flu is spreading in India.

Amid the bird flu scare in the country, a viral message on social media claims that birds are actually dying due to 5G tests conducted by Reliance Jio and people are being misled to believe that bird flu is spreading in India. Several Twitter and Facebook users have posted a message in Hindi which translates to, "Birds are dying due to Jio 5G testing in India and people are being fed lies that bird flu is spreading. "India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found that the Centre has so far not approved 5G trials in India.  Reliance Jio has also denied conducting 5G tests.  There has been an outbreak of avian influenza in several states leading to bird deaths and state governments halting the import of chicken.  However, the impact of radiation on birds is a subject of research worldwide. The archived versions of the posts are saved here, here, here and here. Till date, the Union government has not permitted any telecom entity to test 5G technology in India.  Union IT and telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad recently said that the much-awaited trials for 5G technology will commence soon. In February 2019, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), while releasing a white paper on "Enabling 5G in India", said the forum envisages 5G to be launched in India by 2020 along with the rest of the world. But as per news report, India is lagging in the race for 5G. While the Indian government is still mulling 5G trials, countries such as China, South Korea and the United States have raced ahead in 5G deployments and telecom companies here are still looking for clarity on 5G auction from the government. India Today reached out to a Reliance spokesperson on the viral claim regarding Jio's 5G trial.  The Reliance spokesperson categorically denied the viral claim and called it "fake news".  According to the spokesperson, "When the government itself has not yet given a nod for any trial, where is the question of 5G trial for Jio! "In December 2020, Reliance Jio had said it plans to roll out 5G services in the second half of 2021. "Jio will pioneer the 5G revolution in India in the second half of 2021. "- Mukesh D.  AmbaniOne more reason to look forward to the new year .  #JioAtIMC #Jio5GInternet #IMC2020Virtual #DigitalIndia #JioDigitalLife #5G @exploreIMCReliance Jio is working in partnership with US-based Qualcomm in developing 5G technologies.  As per reports, leveraging Qualcomm's technological prowess, Jio has indigenously developed a 5G product, which has already been tested in the US.  But no such test has been conducted in India so far, confirmed Reliance. In 2018, a conspiracy theory emanated from a blog that claimed: "the test of a 5G cellular network is the cause of unexplained bird deaths occurring in a park in The Hague, Netherlands". But international fact-check website "Snopes" debunked the theory and found it to be a hoax created by conspiracy websites and social media platforms. Several pieces of research on the effect of cellular network radiation on birds have been conducted worldwide, but there is no clear answer to this. Ananda Banerjee, an ornithologist and author of the book "Common Birds of the Indian Subcontinent", says that "though cellular network radiation has always remained a concern worldwide for birds and the animal world, it cannot be pinpointed as the main reason for sudden bird deaths". While the viral claim doubted if birds in India are dying recently due to bird flu, the Union government's department of animal husbandry and dairying confirmed that there has been a sudden outbreak of Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in some parts of the country. Calling it a common phenomenon during the winter due to migratory birds, the government has appealed to the public not to panic. Hence, we can conclude that the viral message saying bird flu is a rumour to mislead people and the actual reason behind bird deaths is 5G testing by Jio is not true.  In fact, 5G testing has not even begun in India as it is still awaiting Centre's nod.  On the other hand, the sudden outbreak of avian flu in some parts of the country has been confirmed by the Union government. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.