Notable moments from Michael Cohen's testimony about Pres. Trump. https://t.co/7eA9xJqTgH https://t.co/q8ffZHVr35

    Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen is prepared to testify that Trump was aware of longtime adviser Roger Stone’s efforts to reach out to WikiLeaks in advance of its release of damaging information about Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, according to a copy of his public testimony submitted to Congress and obtained by CNN.

    In a stunning 20-page statement provided Tuesday night to lawmakers, Cohen details a wide range of allegations against Trump – from making racist comments about African-Americans to participating during his presidency in an illegal hush-money scheme to keep his alleged extramarital affairs quiet – as well as suggesting Trump faked a medical condition to get out of serving in the Vietnam War.

    And Cohen will provide new details saying Trump was engaged in an aggressive pursuit of a major project in Russia in 2016, alleging the President’s attorneys edited Cohen’s 2017 testimony when he lied to Congress, downplaying the efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.

    He says Trump never directly ordered him to lie to Congress but he believed he was carrying out an order given his interactions with Trump, who was making public statements about not having any business dealings with Russia.

    In short, Cohen calls Trump a “racist,” a “conman” and a “cheat. ”

    In the testimony, Cohen will allege that, in 2016, he witnessed Trump taking a phone call from Stone, who was on speakerphone.

    “Mr.  Stone told Mr.  Trump that he had just gotten off the phone with Julian Assange and that Mr.  Assange told Mr.  Stone that, within a couple of days, there would be a massive dump of emails that would damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign,” Cohen will say, according to his prepared testimony.

    Trump responded, according to Cohen: “Wouldn’t that be great. ”

    Cohen’s allegations, if true, would amount to the first time anyone with direct knowledge has said that the President had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks dump of Clinton emails.  Cohen also said the President’s personal lawyers “reviewed and edited” his 2017 statements when Cohen lied to Congress about the Trump Organization’s pursuit of a massive project in Moscow.

    The special counsel indictment of Roger Stone made no mention of direct contact between Stone and Assange.

READ: Michael Cohen’s opening statement to Congress

    Stone – who has been indicted on charges of making false statements, witness tampering and obstructing justice – has denied discussing the matter with Trump or having any such interactions with WikiLeaks.  He is fighting his charges in court.

    Cohen’s opening statement also suggests that Trump may have been aware in advance of a 2016 meeting set up by Donald Trump Jr.  and Russians at Trump Tower – something that Trump and his eldest son have long denied.  Cohen will tell Congress that he witnessed Trump Jr. , in June 2016, tell his father: “The meeting is all set. ”

    Cohen acknowledges not knowing for sure that Trump’s son’s comments were in reference to the meeting with Russians.

    “I also knew that nothing went on in Trump world, especially the campaign, without Mr.  Trump’s knowledge and approval,” Cohen will say.  “So I concluded that Don Jr.  was referring to that June 2016 Trump Tower meeting about dirt on Hillary. ”

    CNN reported in July 2018 that Cohen was willing to testify to the special counsel that Trump knew in advance about the planned meeting at Trump Tower.

    The White House has attacked Cohen’s credibility, calling him someone who cannot be trusted given he has already pleaded guilty to lying.

    When asked for comment on Cohen’s prepared testimony, the White House referred to press secretary Sarah Sanders’ Tuesday statement on Cohen’s testimony.

    “Disgraced felon Michael Cohen is going to prison for lying to Congress and making other false statements,” Sanders said in that statement.  “Sadly, he will go before Congress this week and we can expect more of the same.   It’s laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar like Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given yet another opportunity to spread his lies. ”

    According to a copy of the opening statement he prepares to deliver to the House Oversight Committee Wednesday, Cohen says Trump lied repeatedly about a number of matters – and made a host of racist statements.

House panel to Dems: Russia off limits in Cohen's public hearing

    He also provides new details suggesting Trump was heavily involved in the pursuit of the Trump Tower Moscow project in 2016.

    “To be clear, Mr.  Trump knew of and directed the Trump Tower negotiations throughout the campaign and lied about it,” Cohen will tell the committee.  “He lied about it because he never expected to win the election.  He also lied about it because he stood to make hundreds of millions of dollars on the Moscow real estate project. ”

    Cohen says that Trump did not “directly” tell him to lie to Congress.  “That’s not how he operates,” Cohen says.

    But he says that Trump would tell him and the public he has “no business” with Russia, even as he was negotiating the Moscow project.

    “In his way, he was telling me to lie,” Cohen says.

ANALYSIS: What Michael Cohen needs to answer for

    Cohen also says he’s providing the panel with several documents to back up his allegations, including a check Trump wrote from his bank account to reimburse him for hush money payments to silence Stormy Daniels’ story in 2016 about her alleged affair with Trump.  Trump denies having an affair with Daniels.

    But in the testimony, Cohen recounts how he was visiting Trump in February 2017 in the White House when the President assured him his reimbursement checks were coming in the mail.  He said Trump made 11 payments of $35,000 each to reimburse him in the hush-money scheme, saying he’s providing the House panel with a copy of an August 2017 check signed by the President from his personal bank account.

    “The President of the United States thus wrote a personal check for the payment of hush money as part of a criminal scheme to violate campaign finance laws,” Cohen will say.

    Cohen also says he’s providing the committee with copies of letters he wrote threatening Trump’s high school, college and the College Board not to release his grades or test scores.

    Moreover, Cohen says he has documentation showing Trump arranging a bidder at an auction to purchase a portrait of himself, which he later reimbursed the bidder for from his charitable organization.

    And he provides information about Trump’s decision to avoid serving in the Vietnam War.  Cohen was directed to avoid answering reporters’ questions about the matter, he will say.  Trump, who has long claimed his deferment was due to a bone spur, had no medical records to provide because there was no surgery, Cohen said.

    “You think I’m stupid, I wasn’t going to Vietnam,” Cohen recalls Trump as saying.

    In jarring testimony, Cohen also says Trump repeatedly made racist comments about African-Americans.  While driving through a poor neighborhood in Chicago, Trump allegedly told Cohen that “only black people could live that way. ”

    Cohen added that Trump said that African-Americans “would never vote for him because they were too stupid. ”

This story is breaking and will be updated.
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Delhi: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal rises to present the interim Budget 2019-20. #BudgetSession https://t.co/qJSzlLEESc

Acting Union finance minister Piyush Goyal on Friday announced new funds in support of farmers, jobs in the rural sector and tax relief for the middle class among other sops as he presented the interim Budget.  Goyal, standing in for Arun Jaitley who is in the US for medical treatment, received a thumbs up from the finance minister and the BJP as he presented the last budget of the NDA government before the Lok Sabha election this year. The Congress and other opposition parties accused Goyal of copying its policies and ideas. Here is how political leaders reacted to the interim Budget 2019:- “It’s easy to take credit for completing something, once 97% of the work is done by someone else,” tweeted Congress. - “The whole exercise has turned out to be a damp squib.  We have seen one good thing that is a tax exemption for the middle class.  Rs 6,000 in income support for farmers boils down to Rs 500 per month.  Is that supposed to enable them to live with the honour and dignity? ” asked Congress’ Shashi Tharoor. - “Thank you Interim FM for copying the Congress’ declaration that the poor have the first right to the resources of the country,” Former finance minister P Chidambaram tweeted.  “It was not a Vote on Account.  It was an Account for Votes,” the senior Congress leader also said. Also read: FM Piyush Goyal lays down 10 dimensional vision for India’s future- “The Budget presented in Parliament is BJP’s election manifesto.  The money being doled out by the government is for elections.  I say directly that they are paying a bribe to voters,” alleged Congress leader Kharge. - “Another jumla by jumla sarkar.  Why didn’t they do anything in the past four years?  This is an election-centric budget.  People have understood this government.  They will teach this government a lesson in upcoming elections,” senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said. -There were lies once again in the Union Budget 2019.  This government is once again trying to mislead the people by forgetting its promises made in the past with false promises to capture power,” Samajwadi Party leader Tej Pratap Singh Yadav tweeted in Hindi. - “The Interim Budget presented by Shri Piyush Goyal today marks a high point in the policy directions that the Government headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given to this nation,” Arun Jaitley tweeted. “The economic reforms undertaken by the NDA Government have unshackled Indian economy, unleashed its potential and made us a global leader in growth,” he said. Also read: Middle class gets tax relief, farmers assured income in election budget- “This is a revolutionary budget for the middle class and farmers.  It is the government’s right to decide whom to provide benefits to.  Congress calling it a political budget is just a case of sour grapes.  We don’t take them seriously, you should also not,” Union minister Nitin Gadkari said. - “All sections of the society including the farmers, middle class, poor and women have been mentioned in this Budget.  This Budget will help achieve the dream of a ‘New India’,” Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said.  Also read: Thank you for copying Congress’: P Chidambaram attacks interim Budget


#Bihar: Death toll rises to 54 (46 at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital  and 8 at Kejriwal Hospital) due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), in Muzaffarpur https://t.co/CkdJmEvrdU

Seven more children died of acute encephalitis syndrome in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district on Thursday, taking the death toll from the vector-borne disease to 50, officials at the government-run Sri Krishna Medical College Hospital (SKMCH) said. Although Bihar’s principal secretary, health, Sanjay Kumar, put the death toll at 47 [till 10 am], SKMCH medical superintendent Dr Sunil Kumar Shahi said three more deaths were reported in the afternoon.  Of the 145 patients of AES admitted at the hospital this year, 34 are still undergoing treatment, Dr Shahi added. Encephalitis is a viral infection which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as fever and headache. Of the 50 deaths, 48 have been reported in June, prompting the Centre to dispatch a seven-member team to the state.  The team on Thursday held a meeting with SKMCH officials after examining patients, scrutinising treatment protocol and collecting serum samples, doctors said. “The central team is of the opinion that maximum cases reported are due to ‘encephalopathy’.  It approved our treatment protocol,” said Dr Sunil Kumar Shahi, SKMCH superintendent. The team asked SKMCH authorities to set up a separate research wing under the departments of microbiology and pathology to study the disease.  “The team advised us to preserve serum samples of patients and examine them after 15 days, and do a follow-up,” added Dr Shahi. It also proposed to increase the bed strength of paediatric intensive care unit at the SKMCH, from existing 14 to 100, the superintendent said. The team has been asked to submit a report to director-general health services. Over 154 cases of AES have been reported from 11 districts of the state.


Farmers force way into Haryana, head to Delhi

https://t.co/k27CfcRg1r https://t.co/3wSM74Br44

Thousands of farmers from Punjab broke barricades and forced their way into Haryana on Thursday, braving tear gas shells and water cannons en route to Delhi, where law enforcement officials deployed stringent crowd control measures as residents grappled with long traffic snarls in border areas.  By late evening, a large group of farmers — both from Haryana and Punjab — reached a toll plaza at Panipat, about 100km from the Capital, setting the stage for a confrontation with the Delhi Police, who have refused to give them permission for protests within the city limits.  Leaders of farmers’ groups said that they will resume their march — christened “Delhi Chalo” —on Friday morning. While Delhi prepared for a possible law and order challenge as well as traffic disruptions, high drama unfolded in Haryana on Thursday, as farmers from Punjab entered the state a day after being thwarted by border barricades.  The police in Ambala erected barricades on an overbridge on the Ghaggar river connecting the Haryana town with Punjab’s Patiala.  Farmers threw several of these barricades into the river, facing tear gas shells by law enforcement personnel.  Protesters could be seen waving black flags and shouting slogans.  The police made announcements on loudspeakers, asking farmers on the Punjab side to disperse, but that did not help.  As smoke from tear gas clouded the skies and farmers outnumbered security personnel, they were allowed to enter Haryana around noon.  However, their forward march was not smooth, with frequent barricades and trucks filled with sand on the Grand Trunk (GT) Road blocking their way.  This led to traffic snarls that hit commuters as well.  But the farmers marched on.  Apart from this confrontation in Ambala district, there were face-offs between protesters and the police in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Haryana’s Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad and Jind districts bordering the Congress-run Punjab.  At Karnal, there was another face-off and police again used water cannon.  A farmer was injured, though no arrests were reported.  Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who criticised the Haryana Police’s action.  Haryana Police chief Manoj Yadava, however, said that his force acted with “great restraint”.  “In this entire episode, not only a number of police personnel were injured, but police and private vehicles were also damaged,” he said in a statement.  As tension spiralled, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart, Manohar Lal Khattar, exchanged words over Twitter.  While Singh asked Khattar why his government was stopping farmers, and the BJP leader told him to stop “inciting” them.  Food bowl Punjab is at the centre stage of the farmers’ agitation against the government’s moves to open up agricultural markets in the country and bring sweeping reforms to the farm sector, which supports nearly half the population.  Farmers have demanded a repeal of three laws enacted by Parliament in September which, together, allow agribusinesses to freely trade farm produce without restrictions, permit private traders to stockpile large quantities of essential commodities for future sales and lay down new rules for contract farming.  Farmers say the reforms would make them vulnerable to exploitation by big corporations, erode their bargaining power and weaken the government’s minimum support price (MSP) system, which offers cultivators assured prices from the government, largely for wheat and rice.  Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar and railways, food and consumer affairs minister Piyush Goyal held day-long negotiations on November 13 with leaders of several farmers’ groups in an attempt to end over two months of a politically challenging agitation.  The discussions were inconclusive, but both sides had agreed to continue negotiations in the future.  “New farm laws were the need of the hour.  In the coming time, it’s going to bring revolutionary changes.  We’ll talk to the farmers on December 3,” Tomar told ANI on Thursday, reiterating that the Centre was ready to talk with farmers and resolve differences. In the Capital, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced stopping trains from neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) — Gurugram and Faridabad in Haryana, and Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh — to Delhi on Friday, a decision that could likely impact thousands of interstate commuters at a time when stringent restrictions are already in place in borders areas.  However, it will be business as usual for trains to these cities from Delhi. From barbed wires at the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh borders to blocking highways with dumpers full of mud and sand, the Delhi Police on Thursday took a host of steps to stop the march of representatives of about 500 farmers’ groups that are protesting against three contentious laws enacted recently by Parliament with an aim to liberalise the farm sector.  During the day, Metro services remained suspended on seven corridors for most parts and normal operations resumed from 5pm.  On the road, heightened checking at Delhi’s borders with both Haryana and Uttar Pradesh resulted in huge jams and confusion among commuters.  The border connecting Haryana’s Sonepat with Delhi’s Narela was closed for three hours in the evening.  Notwithstanding the arrangements, two small groups reached Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s protest venue, and Manju Ka Tilla in north Delhi.  Eish Singhal, DCP-New Delhi, said that 70 farmers and activists were detained at Jantar Mantar and then let off.  “We have registered a case under IPC (Indian Penal Code) section 188 (disobedience to an order by a public servant),” Singhal said.  He refused to describe them as farmers.  “They arrived in cars.  Most of them were already in Delhi,” Singhal added.  A group of 35 people from different states landed near Majnu ka Tilla and began a protest.  “They had arrived by public transport such as trains and buses.  We have detained them and are booking them for not following the Covid-19 safety protocols,” NS Bundela, joint commissioner of police (central range), said.


Punjab registers 3,915 new #COVID19 cases, 3,129 recoveries and 51 deaths in the last 24 hours

Total cases: 2,90,707
Total recoveries: 2,52,190
Active cases: 30,745
Death toll: 7,772 https://t.co/VcbY17Yxyi

Punjab on Thursday reported 4,333 fresh Covid cases, the highest-ever single-day case count, breaking the previous record of 3,477 cases registered on April 12.  With this, the state’s cumulative tally has reached 2,86,816, according to a medical bulletin. The state’s death toll climbed to 7,722 as 51 more people succumbed to the disease, the bulletin said.  Mohali registered maximum 860 cases (nearly 20% of the total cases) in the state, followed by 482 in Ludhiana, 399 in Jalandhar, 365 in Amritsar, 353 in Patiala, 301 in Bathinda, 194 in Gurdaspur, 186 in Taran Taran and 127 in Kapurthala and Ferozepur, 110 in Faridkot, 104 in Rupnagar, 93 in Pathankot, 76 in Sangrur, 67 in Fazilka, 66 in Moga, 63 in Mansa, 55 in Barnala and 54 in Fatehgarh Sahib.  Of the latest fatalities, 10 were reported from Amritsar, nine from Hoshiarpur and six each from Gurdaspur and Ludhiana, five from Patiala, two each from Bathinda and Ferozepur and one each from Faridkot, Mohali, Muktsar, Fazilka and Pathankot.  A total of 2,478 coronavirus patients were discharged after they recovered from the infection, taking the total number of cured persons to 2,49,061, the bulletin stated.  The state has 30,033 active cases, maximum of which 18,256 (nearly 60%) are in the five district of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, Patiala and Amritsar. There are 40 critical patients who are on ventilator support while 374 are on oxygen support, it said. So far, 64,73,869 samples have been collected for testing in the state, it added. Ensure Covid test results within 24 hours: CSChief Secretary (CS) Vini Mahajan on Thursday directed the medical education and research department to ensure Covid test results within 24 hours.  She also urged the eligible persons to come forward for a jab as vaccine can prevent severity of the virus.  Reviewing the Covid situation with the administrative secretaries, deputy commissioners, commissioners of police and SSPs, Mahajan asked the departments to provide a food kit along with “Corona Fateh” kit to the home isolated patients who are needy.  Fixing the daily target of Covid testing at 50,000, she said the RAT testing should be ensured to all contacts immediately.  “Deputy commissioners can use staff from any department for Covid management at district-level and services of the BLOs can be used for vaccination planning,” she instructed.  Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said 82% police personnel have already been vaccinated. Expedite vaccination of medical college staff: Soni Medical education and research minister Om Prakash Soni on Thursday directed officials to complete vaccination of medical colleges’ staff in the state as soon as possible. At a meeting here to review the functioning of the medical education department, Soni said the immunisation campaign for the general public could be improved and run smoothly.  He also directed the principals and medical superintendents of medical colleges to improve the healthcare facilities of Covid patients to bring down the mortality rate.  Baba Farid Health Sciences University, Faridkot, vice-chancellor Dr Raj Bahadur, Guru Ravidas Ayurveda University V-C Bal Krishan Sharma Kaushik, principal secretary, medical education and research, DK Tewari and director, medical education and research, Dr Sujata Sharma were among those present.


Hurricane Willa is heading straight for a caravan of asylum-seekers as they make their way through Mexico to the southern United States border.

As a caravan of thousands of hopeful asylum-seekers from Central America continued to swell as the annual pilgrimage entered Mexico, so did rumors about them in the United States.  One such rumor appeared on October 21, 2018, just after the group left Guatemala and entered Mexico: It appears that the migrant caravan, which has been reported to upward of 10,000 strong, might run into some extra trouble on their march to seek American asylum.  A massive hurricane (named Willa) is set to cross the path that the migrants will eventually cross.  The story accurately references Weather. com, which ran a story about two major storms affecting Mexico’s Pacific coast: Hurricane Willa has rapidly intensified into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane and is expected to strengthen further early this week.  Damaging winds, flooding rain and a potentially destructive storm surge will threaten Mexico’s Pacific coastline by midweek.  Tropical Storm Vicente also poses a heavy rain threat to Mexico in the week ahead.  Willa is tracking north-northwestward but is expected to slowly recurve toward the north Monday and the north-northeast by Tuesday.  It should approach landfall along the southwestern coast of mainland Mexico by late Tuesday, which is expected to occur anywhere from near or north of Mazatlán to near Puerto Vallarta.  What this story and others like it don’t take into account is Mexico itself.  The country’s immensity is often overlooked on a map, dominated as it is by the rest of North America above it and all of Central and South America below.  (The way countries are assigned size on various maps, particularly the extremely common Mercator projection map, may also have something to do with it. ) Hurricane Willa was projected to make landfall between Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, according to the article: By comparison, the caravan that is creating such a stir among certain members of American elected officials remains so far south that it is barely visible on the above map.  As of October 23, 2018, the caravan had entered Huixtla in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas (Mexico is a federation of 32 states, including its capital and federal seat, Mexico City; its full name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos, or the United Mexican States) more than 1,100 miles (1,900 km) away from Puerto Vallarta, a fact belied by every headline reporting that the caravan was “marching” or “advancing” on the United States as though their arrival at its border was imminent when really the distance from Huixtla to Puerto Vallarta, let alone Mazatlán, is greater than the distance between Los Angeles, California, and Portland, Oregon: Not even the hardiest supercell would be able to make that journey intact, and certainly not Willa, which is already weakening — although the hurricane is nothing to sneeze at by either Mexico or the United States.  Tropical Storm Vicente has already left at least eleven people dead on Mexico’s southern coast, making landfall in Oaxaca state.  That was closer to the caravan’s location on October 23, but not enough to make a difference, as the two regions remain at least 400 miles (650 km) apart.  Article Sources +Currie, Ramona.  "A More Realistic View of Our World. "Lam, Linda.  "Hurricane Willa Rapidly Intensifies to Dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Off Mexico's Pacific Coast; Moisture Could Enhance Rainfall in Texas. "Rehbein, Matt and Miller, Brandon.  "Hurricane Willa is expected to wallop Mexico's Pacific coast with storm surge and rain. "CNN.  "México: Tormenta tropical Vicente deja al menos 11 muertos. "


Vijendra Gupta, MLA Rohini, tweeted an image of a campaign poster of AAP.  He tweeted “AAP नेता केजरीवाल इतने बौखलाये हुये है कि @#$टू को वोट देने की अपील कर रहे है ! ” Translation: AAP Leader Kejriwal is so frustrated that he is asking to vote for $%^&” Translated decently, the Hindi photoshopped word loosely means ‘idiot’ AAP नेता केजरीवाल इतने बौखलाये हुये है कि झाटू को वोट देने की अपील कर रहे है !  pic. twitter. com/QcQ4ao7Llc — Vijender Gupta (@Gupta_vijender) March 9, 2019  The image tweeted by Vijendra Gupta is photoshopped/Digitally modifed डू has been replaced by टू which changes the word and it’s meaning.   The shade of black of टू also is much darker then other letter beside it.  The Image containing photo of Delhi CM Kejriwal has text “Do you want to defeat BJP ?  Then Vote only for for broom” The broom is replaced by idiot meaning it’s calling him self an idiot.  Here is the original image –  Following are few more images from same campaign  Sir… your plan is to defeat only & only Modi so its shouldn't matter who defeats it.  you or congress Requesting you not to contest elections in Delhi so that anti BJP Vote won't split.  pic. twitter. com/b6CMlKtgUo — Comrade Squinty (@squintneon) March 5, 2019  Matlab button @JhaSanjay ka dabao, par vote Arvind Kejriwal ko jaayega ?  pic. twitter. com/EXM724oxDJ — Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) March 7, 2019  😁😁😁 स्वघोषित झाटू आज पहली बार देखा 😂😂😂 pic. twitter. com/P3B0qROTcB — VK Choudhary (@_Chy_Ind_2) March 9, 2019  यह तो भाजपा विरोध करते करते झाटू बन गया। pic. twitter. com/ZgVJgcDo7M — Gulrez Sheikh (@drsheikhRSS) March 9, 2019  सड़ जी, एक बताओ यार, आप पैदायशी चुतिय है या एयर स्ट्राइक के बाद हुए। 🤔 झाटू pic. twitter. com/uw43zhLOIa — Vinod Sisodiya 🇮🇳 (@VinodKSisodiya) March 9, 2019  मोदीजी के इमानदारीने इस भ्रष्ट और झुटे सडजी को पक्का पागल बना दिया हैं  खुद ही #झाडू की जगह #झाटू लिख आया हैं… ये कजरी इमानदार जो या ना हो मगर पोस्टर बनाने वाला जरूर देश के प्रति एकदम हमारे आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री मोदी जी की तरह ही इमानदार हैं ये एकमात्र सत्य हैं pic. twitter. com/MmWGh1Hrvw — सौ.  पल्लवी सचिन पाटील (@pallavipatil999) March 6, 2019  सड़ जी आज दिल की बात और सचाई कह ही दी। बीजेपी को हराना है तो झाटू को वोट दे। 😂😂😁😂 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 pic. twitter. com/L0eG424oJV — NationFirst#Saffron (@NationFirst0009) March 7, 2019


Video shows bodies of Coronavirus infected patients lying on the shore, as countries are throwing them in the sea

A disturbing video showing the bodies of African migrants washed ashore after a boat capsized near the Libyan coast in 2014, is being falsely linked to the deaths caused by the novel Coronavirus.    The clip is being shared with a bizarre narrative that discourages netizens to eat seafood during the outbreak of COVID-19 as countries are disposing COVID-19 infected corpses in the sea.   The misleading claim is viral on both WhatsApp and Facebook with the caption, "Some countries throw Covid19 infected dead bodies into the seas.  Advice to stop eating seafood.  The World is really coming to an end.  Dear God, please intervene. " The novel Coronavirus has claimed more than 75,000 lives worldwide, with its new epicenter as Italy and Spain.  Several countries have announced complete lockdowns in an effort to contain its spread.   Fact Check  BOOM reverse searched a few of the keyframes of the video and found that it is from a boat capsizing incident that took place off the coast of Libya in 2014.  According to reports, the bodies were found washed up 30 miles east of Tripoli, the capital of Libya.  The deceased were African migrants making their way illegally to mainland Europe.    BOOM found a news report in Arabic with the same video.  The article stated that the incident happened in Libya, where 170 illegal immigrants drowned while trying to sail towards Europe.  The Libyan Navy was able to save 17 of them.   In a report by British tabloid Dailymail there are photographs of the rescue operation from the shores.  We matched a frame from the viral video with one of the images clicked by Getty Images photographer Mahmud Turkia from the same incident.   Warning.  Disturbing Content.  The image has been captioned as, "Rescue workers pull the bodies of illegal immigrants onto shore of al-Qarbole, some 60 kilometres east of Tripoli on August 25, 2014 after a boat carrying 200 illegal immigrants from sub-Sahara Africa sunk off the Libyan capital two days earlier.  Libya, which is mired in unrest and political chaos, has been a launchpad for illegal migrants seeking a better life in Europe but who turn to people smugglers to get them across the Mediterranean. "  The incident happened in August, 2014,  when scores of people from the African countries make an effort to cross the sea when it is believed to be calmer.  An excerpt from Daily Mail read, "It comes after nearly 200 migrants were feared to have drowned after a boat sank less than a mile from the coast of Libya during an attempted crossing to mainland Europe.  The small vessel - which was crammed with men, women and children - sank late on Friday, according to the local coast guard.  "  According to the World Health Organisation, to  date  there  is  no  evidence  of  persons  having  become  infected  from  exposure  to  the  bodies  of  persons who died from COVID-19.  But the organisation also says hasty disposal of the dead from COVID-19 should be avoided.  Read more about WHO recommended protocols here.


Madarasa students chant Pakistan zindabad in Madhya Pradesh

A video clip from Madhya Pradesh, wherein a group of students raised slogans in support of their school principal, is being shared on social media with a false claim that the students raised pro-Pakistan slogans.     The caption with this 30-second long video reads, 'the video is from Anjuman school of Mandsaur where young school kids are chanting Pakistan Zindabad as soon as they stepped out of the school'.     (Hindi: वीडियो मंदसौर के अंजुमन स्कूल का बताया जा रहा है छोटे छोटे प्यारे बच्चे ने स्कूल से निकलते ही पाकिस्तान जिंदाबाद के नारे लगाए |)        You can watch the video here and its archived version can be accessed here.        A reverse image search on the video did not yield results so BOOM searched the internet with the keywords 'Pakistan Zindabad in Mandsaur' and found several news reports related to the same incident.     According to news reports, the incident is from Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh,  where the students of a Madrasa-cum-English medium school had taken to the streets in support of their principal Saabir Sheikh.         BOOM also contacted the Madarasa Anwar-ul-uloom.  An official at the school told us that the incident was being shared with false claims.      "The students were chanting Saabir Saab Zindabad in support of their principal.  The video was shared with fake claims," he said.      "Even the chief superintendent of police Narendra Singh Solanki has made it clear that no Pakistan Zindabad slogans were chanted by the students" -- Md.  Idris, Official at the Madrasa             The incident was a result of internal dispute between the school principal Saabir Sheikh and the school's management, and the students feared that their principal would be sacked and raised slogans in support of him.


Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh suspended after torrential rains wash away bridge

https://t.co/IUN4AqC5J9 https://t.co/ZcFu30HqrW

The Manimahesh pilgrimage in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district has been suspended after a bridge was washed away in flash floods triggered by overnight heavy rains, a police official said on Monday. “A bridge at Bharangal Nala was swept away in torrential rains snapping the only road between Bharmour and Hadsar, a small village that serves as the base camp for the Manimahesh pilgrimage,” said Chamba Superintendent of Police (SP) Monkia Bhutungru.  “Consequently, the annual Manimahesh Yatra has been suspended temporarily until the road is through,” she added, adding that efforts were underway to restore the bridge.  The SP also urged the authorities in the neighbouring districts to issue an advisory to the pilgrims, headed towards Chamba, so that they don’t get stuck en route.  The 14-day long pilgrimage to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake in tribal Bharmour sub-division of Chamba district officially began last Saturday coinciding with Janmashtmi, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.  The pilgrimage will conclude on September 6 on the occasion of Radhastami. Lakhs of pilgrims trek every year to the oval shaped lake - located at a height of 13500-feet above mean sea level - to catch a glimpse of Mount Kailash, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, and offer prayers. The uphill journey starts from Hadsar, a small hamlet located at a height of 2300 meter and about 12 kilometers from Bharmour town.


Sensex up by 576.84 points, currently at 35,991.29 https://t.co/hEt8uH6Xk8

Equity benchmark BSE Sensex rallied 429 points on Thursday on widespread buying amid a broad up move in global markets following encouraging COVID-19 vaccine trials.  After soaring 600 points during the session, the 30-share index settled 429. 25 points, or 1. 21 per cent, higher at 35,843. 70.  The NSE Nifty surged 121. 65 points, or 1. 17 per cent, to close at 10,551. 70.  M&M was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, jumping around 6 per cent, followed by Titan, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, Infosys and TCS.  On the other hand, Axis Bank, HUL, Kotak Bank and Bharti Airtel were among the laggards.  According to Narendra Solanki, Head- Equity Research (Fundamental), Anand Rathi, market rallied tracking positive Asian peers on news that Germany’s BioNTech and US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer reported positive preliminary results from a joint project for a potential coronavirus vaccine.  Further, positive factory output data across economies too boosted global investors’ risk appetite, traders said.  Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended with significant gains.  Stock exchanges in Europe were also trading around 1 per cent higher in early deals.  International oil benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0. 86 per cent to USD 42. 39 per barrel.  On the currency front, the rupee appreciated 56 paise to settle at 75. 04 against the US dollar.


#CoronavirusLockdown will be lifted from 7 am to 11 am every day; during this time people can come out of their houses and shops will be opening. Also, we have decided to extend the curfew in the state by two more weeks: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. https://t.co/iJBdS9jmrI

Sep 08, 2021-Wednesday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

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

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Fauci hails Remdesivir to help ailing Covid-19 patientsWHO to begin emergency meet on ThursdayUK includes care home deaths, 4,419 fresh deaths reportedWHO reiterates early warning regarding Covid-19 transmission was givenMHA says tremendous gains achieved in fight against pandemicPM Modi wishes Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on Ramzan, discusses Covid-19 strategyMaharashtra Covid-19 cases rise to 9,915Bihar to begin door-to-door screeningNew academic session from September: UGCJapan could extend emergency for another monthAndhra fishermen sent back homeDharavi reports 14 new casesGermany will see worst slump in 50 years: AltmaierPunjab cases inch towards 400'Path to restarting Serie A getting ever narrower': Italian sports ministerCovid-19 continues to strangle healthcare facilities as countries continue to record higher number of cases with every passing day even as the two-thirds of the world remain under lockdown.  India registered over 1800 cases in a single day which brought the numbers to 31,787 and with 1,008 deaths.  US, whose GDP collapsed by 4. 8%, has a million coronavirus cases and over 59,000 deaths.  Click here for full coverage on coronavirus pandemicChina’s top scientists on Tuesday said that Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), cannot be stopped and will continue to cause seasonal infections like the flu.  Here are the latest updates on coronavirus outbreak from India and the world:Fauci hails Remdesivir to help ailing Covid-19 patientsNIAID's Dr Anthony Fauci said that remdesivir has clear cut effects on Covid-19 patients.  #BREAKING #Remdesivir shows 'clear-cut' effect in treating the novel #Coronavirus top US doctor Anthony Fauci pic. twitter. com/GSOdzoNfWJWHO to begin emergency meet on ThursdayThe emergency meet conducted by WHO will be held on Monday.  The aim of the meeting will be to evaluate the pandemic and efforts undertaken to mitigate it. #BREAKING World Health Organization (WHO) says emergency committee will meet Thursday to evaluate pandemic pic. twitter. com/qU7bPLrqbhUK includes care home deaths, 4,419 fresh deaths reportedUK death toll has reached 26,097.  The number of new reported deaths is 4,419. #BREAKING UK virus death toll up by 4,419 to 26,097 as care home deaths included: govt pic. twitter. com/0DJZ7hXhR8WHO reiterates early warning regarding Covid-19 transmission was givenWHO said that evidence of human-to-human transmission was released by WHO on Jan 21 and Jan 22 during its press conferences. "On the 20th and 21st of January, WHO staff visited Wuhan, 🇨🇳, and on the 22nd, reported that the evidence suggested human-to-human transmission was occurring"-@DrTedros #COVID19MHA says tremendous gains achieved in fight against pandemicMHA said the lockdown has helped fight the pandemic.  IT highlighted major gains have been achieved against Covid-19. New guidelines to fight #COVID19 will come into effect from 4th May, which shall give considerable relaxations to many districts.  Details regarding this shall be communicated in the days to come. #Corona Update#StayHomeStaySafe @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIAPM Modi wishes Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on Ramzan, discusses Covid-19 strategyPM Modi discussed ways and means on how India can fight Covid-19 with Bangladesh along side. Spoke to PM Sheikh Hasina to greet her & the people of Bangladesh on the Holy Month of Ramzan.  We discussed COVID-19 situation & ways India and Bangladesh can collaborate in the fight against it.  Our relationship with Bangladesh will continue to be one of our highest priorities. Maharashtra Covid-19 cases rise to 9,915Maharashtra reported 597 fresh Covid-19 cases.  Death toll in the state has reached 432. Bihar to begin door-to-door screeningMangal Pandey, Bihar health minister said starting from May 1 every house will be screened as the Govt will conduct door-to-door screening. A door-to-door drive will be conducted to screen people for #COVID19 in all districts of Bihar, starting May 1.  The door-to-door screening has already been completed in seven districts of the State: Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey pic. twitter. com/N4TLz2XVqvNew academic session from September: UGCUGC says new academic session will begin in universities from September.  Enrolled students will begin session from August.  New academic session for freshers to begin in universities from September and for already enrolled students in August: UGCJapan could extend emergency for another monthThe Japanese government is planning to extend the Covid-19 emergency measures fro another month, according to Reuters.  The final decision will be announced on Friday after top government officals hold a meeting. Andhra fishermen sent back home60 buses with 4,000 fishermen were taken back home from Gujarat to Andhra Pradesh. 4,000 fishermen from Andhra Pradesh, who were stranded in Gujarat, sent back home in 60 private buses from Veraval in Gir-Somnath district: OfficialDharavi reports 14 new casesDharavi has 344 cases of Covid-19.  No fresh deaths reported. 14 new #COVID19 positive cases have been reported in Dharavi; taking the total number of cases to 344.  No new death recorded today in Dharavi.  3 new #COVID19 positive cases have been confirmed in Mahim&no new cases have been reported in Dadar: Brihanmumbai Municipal CorporationGermany will see worst slump in 50 years: AltmaierGerman finance minister Peter Altmaier said Germany will slump into recession after 10 years of growth.  "The effects of the coronavirus pandemic will push our economy into a recession after 10 years of growth," Altmaier said, adding that the government expected the economy to rebound in 2021. #BREAKING German economy expected to shrink 6. 3% in 2020 because of #coronavirus, biggest slump in 50 years: minister pic. twitter. com/5FBnFEbE3APunjab cases inch towards 400Punjab's total number of cases reached 375.  Jalandhar, Patiala and SAS Nagar reported more than 60 fresh cases. The number of #COVID19 cases reaches 375 in Punjab including 104 cured & 19 deaths.  73 cases have been reported in SAS Nagar, 86 in Jalandhar & 63 in Patiala: Punjab Health Department pic. twitter. com/lZWxuxBfdc'Path to restarting Serie A getting ever narrower': Italian sports ministerResumption of footballing season still seems bleak in Italy.  Despite, PM Giuseppe Conte saying that sports teams can resume training on May 18, sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said, “Honestly, I see the path to restarting Serie A getting ever narrower.  Resuming training is an important sign but if I was among the presidents of the soccer teams I would be thinking about next season. ”First published: Apr 29, 2020 06:06 IST


Dry run for #COVID19 vaccination administration is being conducted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital

(ANI)

Updates: https://t.co/tIAw3kghvU https://t.co/8G9QFWERbH

Sep 05, 2021-Sunday

Metro cities -  Delhi, Mumbai,
											Chennai,
											Kolkata

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

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Chandigarh reports 29 new Covid cases in last 24 hoursRussia inoculates more than 800,000 people against Covid-19Jharkhand logs 151 new Covid cases in last 24 hoursHimachal Pradesh records 149 new Covid-19 casesUK records 57,725 new Covid-19 cases, 445 deathsJ-K record 244 new coronavirus casesKarnataka logs 755 new Covid casesCovid-19 recoveries in Iran cross 1 million markRajasthan government imposes night curfew from 8 pm to 6 am in 13 urban districtsManipur records 37 new Covid casesMumbai logs 592 fresh Covid casesFinland records first adverse reaction to Pfizer Covid-19 vaccineTamil Nadu records 910 new Covid casesFour UK returnees to Gujarat test positive for new strain494 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths in DelhiA one-day nationwide dry run for Covid-19 vaccination began on Saturday and is currently underway, after the exercise was carried out in four states-Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab-on December 28 and 29.  The country's search for a Covid-19 vaccine is also on the verge of ending as a subject experts committee (SEC) of the government on Friday reportedly gave its approval for the emergency use authorisation (EUA) of Oxford University-AstraZeneca's Covishield, which will be manufactured in India by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII).  The vaccine will by officially cleared for use after approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), where its EUA application will be sent next. Click here for full Covid-19 coverageIndia's tally of cases of Covid-19, meanwhile, is at 10,305,788 after the Union health ministry on Saturday reported that the country had logged a total of 19,079 infections in the preceding 24 hours.  Recoveries, active cases and death toll are at 9,906, 387, 250,183 and 149,218 respectively.  These constitute 96. 12%, 2. 43% and 1. 45% of the country's total Covid-19 cases thus far. Follow all live updates here:Chandigarh reports 29 new Covid cases in last 24 hoursChandigarh on Saturday reported 29 fresh coronavirus cases and one death, taking the infection count to 19,865, according to a medical bulletin, reports PTI. Russia inoculates more than 800,000 people against Covid-19More than 800,000 people in Russia have been inoculated so far against the new coronavirus and more than 1. 5 million vaccine doses have been dispatched, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Saturday, reports Reuters. Jharkhand logs 151 new Covid cases in last 24 hoursJharkhand reported 151 new #COVID19 cases & 205 recoveries & 4 deaths today. The total number of cases now stands at 1,15,392 including 1,12,734 recoveries, 1034 deaths, and 1,624 active cases: State Health Department pic. twitter. com/fO42PbojUbHimachal Pradesh records 149 new Covid-19 casesHimachal Pradesh reports 149 new #COVID19 cases, 339 cured cases, and 2 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases: 55,619Total cured cases: 52,443Deaths: 926Active cases: 2,202 pic. twitter. com/DOdTXQ0LdlUK records 57,725 new Covid-19 cases, 445 deathsThe United Kingdom recorded a further 57,725 cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, the fifth day running that it has topped 50,000, and another 445 deaths, official data showed, reports Reuters. J-K record 244 new coronavirus casesJammu and Kashmir recorded 244 new coronavirus cases and another death, taking the tally to 1. 21 lakh and the toll to 1,885 on Saturday, officials said, records PTI. Karnataka logs 755 new Covid casesKarnataka reported 755 new #COVID19 cases, 976 discharges and 3 deaths today. Total cases: 9,21,128Total discharges: 8,98,176Death toll: 12,099Active cases: 10,834 pic. twitter. com/rhteaRq2QSCovid-19 recoveries in Iran cross 1 million markIranian health authorities announced 6,045 new Covid-19 infections on Saturday, bringing the overall count to 1,237,474 cases in the country, reports ANI. Rajasthan government imposes night curfew from 8 pm to 6 am in 13 urban districtsNight curfew from 8 pm to 6 am will be in force within the urban limits of the district head quarter towns of 13 districts — Kota, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Bhilwara, Nagore, Pali, Tonk, Sikar & Ganganagar: Rajasthan GovernmentManipur records 37 new Covid casesManipur reported 37 new #COVID19 cases, 40 recoveries & 1 death today, says State Health Department. Total cases so far: 28,243Total recoveries: 26,782Active cases: 1,104Total Deaths: 357Recovery rate is 94. 82 % pic. twitter. com/mKvBW239YnMumbai logs 592 fresh Covid casesMumbai reports 592 new #COVID19 cases, 695 recoveries/discharges and 7 deaths today.  Total cases rise to 2,94,659 including 2,74,767 recoveries/discharges and 11,132 deaths.  Active cases stand at 7,892 pic. twitter. com/XhSBDC1t5BFinland records first adverse reaction to Pfizer Covid-19 vaccineThe Finnish Medicines Agency has received the first report of an adverse reaction to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus a week after Europe started its mass immunization campaign, the Finnish YLE broadcaster reported on Saturday, reports ANI. Tamil Nadu records 910 new Covid casesTamil Nadu reported 910 new #COVID19 cases, 1,007 discharges, and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours: State Health DepartmentTotal cases: 8,19,845Total discharges: 7,99,427Death toll: 12,146Active cases: 8,272 pic. twitter. com/8M6nlxfVCqFour UK returnees to Gujarat test positive for new strainFour passengers who returned from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the new strain of Covid-19 in Gujarat, says Jayanti Ravi, state principal secretary (health). 494 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths in DelhiDelhi reports 494 new Covid-19 cases, 496 recoveries and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Delhi health department. Delhi reports 494 new #COVID19 cases, 496 recoveries and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Delhi Health DepartmentTotal cases: 6,26,448Total recoveries: 6,10,535Death toll: 10,571Active cases: 5,342 pic. twitter. com/kyi7wIp4aTFirst published: Jan 02, 2021 07:01 IST


There has been no death due to Covid-19 in Israel as they mix lemon and baking soda in their tea. This combination kills coronavirus.

With a vaccine against Covid-19 still elusive, social media is coming out with newer home remedies every now and then.  More recently, a message going viral on Facebook and WhatsApp claims that there has not been a single death in Israel due to coronavirus as they mix lemon and baking soda in their tea.  The claim goes on to say that this combination kills the virus. India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found the claim to be untrue.  As of June 9, there have been 298 deaths in Israel due to coronavirus.  Also, there is no scientific evidence to prove that a mix of lemon and baking powder in tea can kill the virus. Several Facebook users have shared similar content. AFWA busts each of the claims made in the viral post. Coronavirus in IsraelThe viral claim says, "In Israel no death from COVID-19.  There is now information from Israel where this virus did not cause any deaths. "This is not true.  According to data provided by Johns Hopkins University, Israel reported 298 deaths due to Covid-19 as of June 9, and a total of 18,089 cases. Lemon and baking soda therapyThe claim says, "Drink a mixture of lemon and bicarbonate as hot tea which kills the virus and alkalize the immune system as at night the body becomes acidic. "But there is no scientific evidence that a mix of lemon and baking powder with tea can kill coronavirus.  Lemon is a rich source of Vitamin C, and many believe it is effective against common cold.  But whether it is really effective against respiratory tract viruses is still debatable. A single lemon contains 30 milligrams of Vitamin C.  according to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, even a dose of 200 milligrams of Vitamin C per day do not reduce the incidence of common cold in the general population.  According to this study, Vitamin C supplements can shorten the duration of common cold and lessen its severity, but it is still unsupported scientifically if lemon juice can kill the virus in the respiratory tract. "Can the combination of lemon and sodium bicarbonate alkalise the immune system? "The acidity of human blood is measured by determining its pH.  A lower pH means the blood is more acidic, while a higher pH means the blood is more basic or alkaline.  The pH of blood should be around 7. 4, so human body is slightly alkaline. As per studies, pH of the human body is effectively impossible to be altered through diet unless one suffers from certain medical conditions such as acidosis, where the pH level drops. "So the viral claim that the combination of lemon and Sodium bicarbonate can alkalise the immune system is wrong. "ConclusionHence, all the three claims made in the viral post are untrue.  Deaths due to coronavirus have occurred in Israel, and lemon juice with hot water or tea as Vitamin C supplement cannot kill or slow the spread of coronavirus. Also, the mix of lemon and sodium bicarbonate or baking soda will not change the pH level of the immune system.  Therefore, the lemon therapy to kill coronavirus is scientifically not true. The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.


Nepal: Flooding & landslide in parts of Nepal following heavy rainfall; visuals from Chitwan area.

132 people dead,128 injured, 53 missing&998 families affected due to rainfall, landslides&floods in the country as of 23rd July: Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction&Management Authority https://t.co/X4yetUwBJW

Nearly 50 people have been killed across Pakistan after three days of heavy rains and flash floods. As per Al Jazeera, quoting Pakistan’s national disaster management authority, 19 people have died in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province while 12 people have died in the Sindh province and 10 people have died in the northern Gilgit Baltistan region in the last three days. Rains have damaged around 100 homes and caused a breach in a flooded main canal, inundating villages in the Sindh province.  Troops with boats rushed to the areas in the province on Sunday. Heavy rainfall began last week and continued on Sunday flooding the streets of Lahore.  Life has also been disrupted in Karachi, the capital of the Sindh province, where most streets are flooded.  Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the next week as well, informed the Meteorological Department.


Gujarat High Court orders compulsory community service at COVID19 care centres for those who do not wear masks, directs State Government to issue a notification https://t.co/7EMYx1kKbZ

In a bid to control the Covid-19 situation in Gujarat, the high court on Wednesday ordered that those not found wearing masks will have to serve a “compulsory community service” at Covid-19 care centres, news agency ANI has reported.  The Gujarat high court, the agency further said, directed the state government to pass a notification in this regard.  Gujarat High Court orders compulsory community service at COVID19 care centres for those who do not wear masks, directs State Government to issue a notification pic. twitter. com/7EMYx1kKbZIn recent days, the Gujarat government has announced a series of measures to curb the pandemic in the state.  On Tuesday, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel announced that the price of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test by private labs will be reduced to Rs 800.  If the patient wants to be tested at home, Patel said, he/she will have to pay Rs 1,100.  Before the government’s announcement, private labs were charging Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for conducting RT-PCR tests. Click here for full Covid-19 coverageThe government has also put the state’s four largest cities-Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara-under night curfew.  A 57-hour “complete curfew” was announced in Ahmedabad from 9pm on November 20 to 6am on November 23.  At the end of the “complete curfew,” the government announced that a daily night curfew, from 9pm to 6am, would remain in force in the city till the situation is brought under control.  The night curfew for Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara, meanwhile, was announced on November 21. Also Read | Ahmedabad imposes night curfew from 9pm To 6am amid rising Covid- 19 casesGujarat had also postponed reopening of schools and colleges in the state, which were scheduled to reopen from November 23, in the wake of its current coronavirus situation. The state has thus far recorded a total of 211,095 cases of Covid-19, as per the government’s official Covid-19 portal.  This includes 192,209 recovered cases, 14,885 active cases and 4,001 deaths.  With well over 50,000 cases-50,409-Ahmedabad is the worst-hit city in Gujarat and among the worst-affected cities in the country.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the 50th Raising Day of Central Industrial Security Force in Ghaziabad

Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/kBQOdJOqL7

(Photos Credit: ANI) https://t.co/DtUmoXB53A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attended the 50th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Ghaziabad. In an event organized at the 5th Battalion Camp at Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, the Prime Minister reviewed the parade of the Central Industrial Security Forces.  He will present the Police and Fire Service Medals for distinguished and meritorious services. The Prime Minister laid wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial.  He later addressed the CISF personnel. Follow highlights here:Enough is enough, we cannot keep suffering till eternity, says PM on terror attacksEnough is enough, we cannot keep suffering till eternity, says PM on terror attacks.  In 2014, the Lok Sabha polling was held on nine days between April 7 and May 12In 2014, the Lok Sabha polling was held on nine days between April 7 and May 12.  The votes were counted on May 16, completing the entire process in 72 days as compared to 75 in 2009. Lok Sabha elections are expected to be held in seven to nine phasesThe Lok Sabha elections are expected to be held in seven to nine phases. Tenure of the current Lok Sabha ends on June 3The tenure of the current Lok Sabha ends on June 3. EC has allotted common symbols to 39 registered un-recognised political parties for coming general electionsElection Commission of India has allotted common symbols to 39 registered un-recognised political parties for coming general elections, reports news agency ANI. VIP culture sometimes creates hurdle in security architecture: PM ModiVIP culture sometimes creates hurdle in security architecture: PM Narendra Modi. Easier to protect individual but difficult to protect institution where there is daily footfall of 30 lakh: PM ModiEasier to protect individual but difficult to protect institution where there is daily footfall of 30 lakh: PM says lauding role of CISF. Role of security forces like CISF becomes very significant when country faces a hostile neighbour: PM ModiRole of security forces like CISF becomes very significant when country faces a hostile neighbour, says PM Narendra Modi.  Elections will be held for 543 seats of Lok SabhaThe elections will be held for 543 seats of the Lok Sabha on approximately 10 lakh polling booths across the countryDates for Lok Sabha elections to be announced by poll panel at 5 pm todayDates for Lok Sabha elections to be announced by poll panel at 5 pm today. PM Modi lauds achievments of CISFYour achievement is important because when neighbour is hostile, incapable to fight war, conspiracies to hit the nation internally find a safe haven there and terrorism shows its face in different forms then protecting the nation becomes challenging, says PM Narendra Modi. We are continuously moving forward towards a new India: PM ModiWe are continuously moving forward towards a new India, says PM Narendra ModiI congratulate parade commander, authorities and personnel for the grand parade: PM ModiI congratulate parade commander, authorities and personnel for the grand parade, says PM Narendra Modi. PM Modi presents Police and Fire Service Medals for distinguished and meritorious servicesPrime Minister Narendra Modi presents the Police and Fire Service Medals for distinguished and meritorious servicesPrime Minister Narendra Modi addresses CISF personnelPrime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the CISF personnel. PM to address CISF personnel shortlyPrime Minister Narendra Modi to address CISF personnel shortly. PM Modi reviews parade of the CISF at the 5th Battalion CampPrime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the parade of the CISF at the 5th Battalion Camp.  PM Modi lays a wreath at the Martyr’s MemorialPrime Minister Narendra Modi lays a wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial.  PM Modi attends 50th Raising Day of Central Industrial Security ForcePrime Minister Narendra Modi attends the 50th Raising Day of Central Industrial Security Force in Ghaziabad.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the 50th Raising Day of Central Industrial Security Force in Delhi.  pic. twitter. com/gcUReg4BLm


Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips up a copy of Pres. Trump's State of the Union speech after he concluded his remarks. https://t.co/aev9z4hZdh #SOTU https://t.co/5qst3a9j8H

Analysis by Zachary B.  Wolf, CNNUpdated 11:06 AM ET, Wed February 5, 2020  (CNN)President Donald Trump talked about a lot of things in his State of the Union address and painted an inspiring picture of the United States under his leadership.


Chhhattisgarh on Friday recorded its biggest single-day spike of 426 Covid-19 cases, taking the total count in the state to 6,819

(report by @riteshmishraht)

https://t.co/ndLSMykfpE

Chhhattisgarh on Friday recorded its biggest single-day spike of 426 Covid-19 cases, taking the total count in the state to 6,819, according to a state health department bulletin. Raipur district recorded the highest 244 cases.  With Friday’s numbers, the total number of cases in the district now stands at 1,854 cases.  Among those found positive were 14 personnel belonging to the Border Security Force (BSF). “Fourteen Border Security Force personnel are among the new cases detected in Durg district.  All 14 were lodged at two quarantine centres in Bhilai town after they recently returned from their home states after availing leave,” a BSF official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Two more people succumbed to the Covid-19 disease on Friday, taking the death toll to 36. The number of active cases in the state is 2,216, as 4567 people have been discharged, according to a health department official. Chhattisgarh now has cases in all its 28 districts, he added. (With inputs from PTI)


The number of people traveling by plane has dropped by about 96% amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple metrics https://t.co/NbIZun4GH6

"We've got to break that custom," the infectious diseases expert said. Dr.  Fauci talks coronavirus fatality numbers and updated guidelinesShould the coronavirus pandemic mark the end of the American handshake? Dr.  Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases, thinks so. "I don't think we should ever shake hands ever again, to be honest with you," Fauci, a key member of the White House task force, said during a Wall Street Journal podcast.  "Not only would it be good to prevent coronavirus disease -- it probably would decrease instances of influenza dramatically in this country. "A longtime proponent, Fauci has been on a mission of sorts, making his case in another interview this week with Sinclair Broadcast Group, saying society should "just forget about shaking hands.  We don't need to shake hands. "We've got to break that custom," he argued. Tune into ABC at 1 p. m.  ET and ABC News Live at 4 p. m.  ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis. When asked to clarify his controversial stance Thursday morning, Fauci said he doesn't expect his suggestion will stick but that he can always hope. "In a perfect world, when you're dealing with the potential for this terrible ordeal that we're going through now, knowing that hands and hands to face do it (spread infection), that would be something that I think would hopefully be attainable -- but I don't think it will be," Fauci said. "I mean, I said that, you know, somewhat serious and somewhat realizing that that likely will never happen," Fauci admitted. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases also stressed that Americans should proceed with caution once the country does start loosening lockdown and social distancing restrictions. "When you gradually come back, you don't jump into it with both feet," Fauci explained.  "You say, what are the things you could still do and still approach normal?  One of them is absolute compulsive hand-washing.  The other is you don't ever shake anybody's hands. ""It isn't like a light switch on and off," he added.  "It's a gradual pulling back on certain of the restrictions and to try and get society a bit back to normal. "Fauci has repeatedly cautioned that the virus determines the timeline but said that he hopes the country can "start approaching some degree of normality" at the end of April. And if he had his way, that return to normalcy would not include -- the handshake. His view might already have made an impact on President Donald Trump, a self-professed germaphobe since before the pandemic, who suggested last month that "maybe people aren't going to be shaking hands anymore" even after the coronavirus outbreak is contained. "Tony had mentioned to me, Tony Fauci, the other day -- I don't think he would be too upset with the concept of not shaking hands," the president said at a White House task force briefing.  "He was saying that the flu would cut down, the regular flu would be cut down by quite a bit if we didn't do that, if we didn't shake hands. "Amid the ongoing pandemic, people around the world have replaced handshakes with elbow bumps, head nods, peace signs and foot taps -- or avoided contact with others entirely -- in an effort to slow the spread. "What I really wanted to tell people," Fauci added Thursday, "is that when you're talking about getting back to normal, we know now that we can get hit by a catastrophic outbreak. ""It can happen again, so we really need to be prepared to respond in a much more rigorous way. "24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


In the demise of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the nation has lost a visionary leader. He was among the most active and longest-serving members of parliament. He was the voice of the oppressed and championed the cause of the marginalized: President Ram Nath Kovind https://t.co/e5TSwr3Zdf

In dealing with present-day challenges, one can draw inspiration from the ancient universities of Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi which had set high standards of teaching and research, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Wednesday.  Addressing the fourth annual convocation of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, he said said Indian scholars of today should try to create an original body of knowledge which would be useful in dealing with contemporary global challenges. “In dealing with today’s challenges, we can draw inspiration from universities in Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi which had set high standards of teaching and research.  Scholars and students from all across the world came to those centres to attain specialised knowledge,” Kovind said at the convocation ceremony. That ancient system, which had many elements of modernity, produced great scholars such as Charaka, Aryabhata, Chanakya, Panini, Patanjali, Gargi, Maitreyi and Thiruvalluvar.  They made invaluable contributions to medical science, mathematics, astronomy, grammar and social development, he said.  “Today’s Indian scholars should try to create such an original body of knowledge which is utilised for dealing with contemporary global challenges.  JNU is among those select institutions of higher learning which can reach globally comparable excellence,” the President said. About the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the whole world is in a state of crisis because of it.  “In the prevailing scenario of epidemics and pandemics, the National Education Policy 2020 states that it is critical for higher education institutions to take the lead in undertaking research in areas of infectious diseases, epidemiology, virology, diagnostics, instrumentation, vaccinology and other relevant areas,” Kovind said. “Related social issues also need to be studied, preferably with multi-disciplinary approach.  In this endeavour, universities like JNU should be at the forefront in developing specific hand-holding mechanisms and promote innovation among student communities,” he added.  The President said all shades of Indian culture are reflected in JNU.  “Names of buildings, hostels, roads and facilities on the campus are drawn from Indian heritage.  This represents a cultural and geographical picture of India at its best.  This Indianness is JNU’s,” he said.


Chennai: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran takes part in a demonstration against the LPG price hike, at Valluvar Kottam
#TamilNadu https://t.co/gopimPTwtD

The protest against the three farm laws which has been going on for the past 11 weeks have shown no signs of easing as the deadlock between protesting farmers’ unions representatives and the Centre remains unresolved. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Saturday said that farmers did not deserve to be called parasites by the government and said that they will reply back with ‘diplomatic punishment’ while speaking in reference to PM Narendra Modi’s speech in Parliament. Farmers’ union representatives have also demanded that all those who were jailed for violence on January 26 should be kept in the same jail. Meanwhile, a Delhi court has remanded Disha Ravi, a climate activist who has been arrested for alleged role in spreading a "toolkit" on farmers' protest, to five-day Delhi Police Special Cell custody. Follow all the updates here:PM hopping to poll bound states, but has no time for farmers, says D RajaCPI general secretary D Raja hit out at the Centre on Sunday over the ongoing farmers' agitation and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hopping to poll- bound states but had no time to address farmers' concerns and meet their representatives. Samyukta Kisan Morcha condemns Disha Ravi's arrest, demands immediate releaseThe Samyukta Kisan Morcha condemned the arrest of climate activist Disha Ravi by the Delhi Police during the investigation into the toolkit case and demanded her immediate release.  "We demand her immediate unconditional release," SKM said in the statement. Farm laws will finish public distribution system: TikatiBKU's Tikait also said that the new farm laws will finish the public distribution system and added that business on hunger would not be allowed in the country. Won't let Centre sit in peace till demands are met, says TikaitWon't let govt sit in peace till the farmers' demands are met: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait at farmer 'mahapanchayat' in Haryana's Karnal district.  #FarmLawsBharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said on Sunday he won't let the Centre sit in peace till the demands of the protesting farmers are met. Farmers' participate in Candle march on 2nd anniversary of Pulwama attack at Ghazipur borderFarmers' protesting against the Centre's three news farm laws at the Ghazipur border in the national capital were seen taking part in a candle march on the second anniversary of the Pulwama attack.  Pakistan based- terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed carried out the ghastly attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy of vehicles in Pulwama on February 14, 2019 which resulted in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. Disha Ravi 'key conspirator' in toolkit's formulation: PoliceDisha Ravi, arrested by Delhi Police, is an Editor of the Toolkit Google Doc & key conspirator in document's formulation & dissemination.  She started WhatsApp Group & collaborated to make the Toolkit doc.  She worked closely with them to draft the Doc: Delhi Police https://t. co/nsuXuuNZJ3 pic. twitter. com/fYB8koJnfjIndian diaspora groups in US launch rose campaign in support of farmersIndian diaspora groups in the United States launched a rose campaign in support of the farmers who have been protesting against the Centre's three new farm laws.  The Global Indian Progressive Diaspora (GIPD) launched the social media campaign on Valentine's Day, which is observed globally on February 14, according to PTI. Climate activist Disha Ravi remanded to 5-day Delhi Police Special Cell custodyA Delhi court remands climate activist Disha Ravi to 5-day Delhi Police Special Cell custodyA Delhi Court has remanded Disha Ravi, a climate activist who has been arrested for alleged role in spreading a "toolkit" on farmers' protest, to five-day Delhi Police Special Cell custody. Activist Yogendra Yadav remembers CRPF soldiers killed in Pulwamaदेश के लिए अपना सर्वोच्च बलिदान देने वाले सभी अमर शहीदों को नमन।जय हिंद, जय हिंद की सेना।#PulwamaAttack @crpfindia pic. twitter. com/zLMZP5gzsOActivist Yogendra Yadav, who has been actively supporting the protests by farmers' unions representatives paid tribute to the 40 slain CRPF officers who lost their lives in Pulwama. Farmer leader Joginder Singh says laws will empower major companiesJoginder Singh Ugrahan Talking About Dangerous Three Farm Laws#FarmersProstest @amaanbali @bhupenderc19 @HartoshSinghBal @Tractor2twitr @ndtv pic. twitter. com/0SydGjvdnUFarmer leader Joginder Singh said that the farm laws will pave the path for multinational companies to earn profits from the agricultural sector. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait remembers CRPF personnel murdered in Pulwama"पुलवामा हमले" में शहीद हुए मां भारती के लाल सभी वीर सपूतों की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें समस्त किसान परिवार की ओर से श्रद्धांजलि,कोटि-कोटि नमन l #पुलवामा_शहीद_दिवस #पुलवामाTikait said that all farmers and their families pay their deepest respect to CRPF jawans who were killed in the Pulwama suicide attack. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi to address Kisan MahapnachayatsCongress leader Priyanka Gandhi will address kisan panchayats at Chandpur, Mathura and Muzaffarnagar on Feb 15, 19 and 20 respectively, news agency PTI reported. BSP demands JP Dalal's resignationBahujan Samaj Party (BSP) asked Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to take action against agri minister JP Dalal for his remarks on farmers' deaths during the protests.  Sudhindra Bhadoria told news agency ANI that the lawmaker abused farmers who died amid the protests.  "BSP believes in the Constitution and does not support violence anywhere.  There is no place for violence during any kind of protest.  The Constitution and democracy allow peaceful protests.  But Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar should also speak about his minister who is abusing the death of farmers during agitation.  The Chief Minister should also tell the whole country and should take action against his minister. " Bhadoria was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.  Police annouce reward of ₹1 lakh for information on Lakha SidhanaPolice have announced a reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to arrest of 26th January Delhi violence accused Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana.  Teams of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Special Cell are conducting search operations in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi-NCR. The gangster-turned-activist is being accused of instigating violence during the tractor rally on January 26.  DPCC arrests climate activist for alleged role in spreading misinformationDelhi Police Cyber Cell arrested 21-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi from Bengaluru on 13th February for her alleged role in spreading 'toolkit' related to farmers protestA climate activist Disha Ravi has been arrested by Delhi Police Cyber Cell.  Disha is based in Bengaluru and was arrested on Saturday.  Haryana Agriculture Minister Jai Prakash apologises for remarks on farmers' deathsHaryana Agriculture Minister Jai Prakash Dalal said that his remarks on farmers' deaths were twisted and contorted to give a wrong impression.  The lawmakers issued an apology saying that he never intended to hurt farmers.  "Would not they have died if they were at home?  Had they been at their homes, they would have died there also.  Out of one to two lakh, do 200 people not die in six months?  Someone is dying of a heart attack and someone after falling ill. . .  They died of their own will," JP Dalal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.  Dalal later clarified, "During the press conference, I condoled the demise of farmers who died during the protest.  Even if a person dies unnaturally, it is painful. . .  My statement was twisted and the wrong meaning was given to it.  I saw the video on social media.  I tender my apologies if somebody was hurt by my statement. "Parasite reference deeply hurt us: SKMDarshan Pal, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Rakesh Tikait of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha told the press on Saturday and alleged that the PM through his speech on Wednesday in Lok Sabha hurt the farmers in a 'diplomatic fashion'.  Rajewal said the prime minister has given “diplomatic gaaliyan” (abuses) to farmers in the Lower House and said that the community has been deeply hurt.  Get our daily newsletter Get free access to newsletters, alerts and recommendations


After campaigning on a promise to heal a fractured nation, President-elect Joe Biden will begin the work of uniting the country Wednesday when he is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol. https://t.co/aSoGF2MXIA

The 46th president will sign directives on the pandemic, climate and race. Incoming President Joe Biden’s ambitious Day 1 agendaNot long after he takes the presidential oath Wednesday, Joe Biden will use the power of his pen to begin a sweeping transformation of U. S.  policy through dozens of executive orders, presidential memoranda and other official directives. The wave of executive action will unfold over Biden’s first 10 days, according to incoming administration officials.  If the plan plays out as expected, the number, scope and impact of the new president’s early moves would exceed those undertaken by his three most recent predecessors. “On Inauguration Day, President-elect Biden will sign roughly a dozen actions,” incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain wrote in a memo to senior staff last week.  “While the policy objectives in these executive actions are bold, I want to be clear: the legal theory behind them is well-founded and represents a restoration of an appropriate, constitutional role for the President. ”Donald Trump on his first day in office in 2017 signed a single executive order to begin rolling back the Affordable Care Act.  He signed four more orders and 8 presidential memoranda in his first week, according to a review of the Federal Register.   By the 100 day mark, Trump had signed 33 executive orders. Neither Barack Obama nor George W.  Bush signed any executive orders or other presidential directives on their first day on the job.   Obama signed 11 executive actions in his first week while Bush did none, according to the Federal Register. “We’re going to act.  On Day One, we’re going to act to get COVID under control,” Biden declared in November ahead of Election Day. Aides to the president-elect say unprecedented and urgent action is justified in the face of four concurrent national crises: the pandemic, a historic recession, climate change and deep racial inequality. “We’re gonna get to work on Day One.  We’re gonna reverse Trump’s rollbacks of 100 public health and environmental rules,” Biden said in July of his plans. One of the first Biden orders will be a nationwide mask mandate for all federal property and interstate travel that will last for 100 days, aides say. “Federal buildings, interstate travel on planes, trains and buses,” Biden said in December of where it will be enforced.   “Wear a mask for just 100 days.  It’s the easiest thing you can do to reduce COVID cases, hospitalizations and death. ”As the nation’s testing and vaccination system continues to falter, Biden also plans to immediately activate emergency resources to establish thousands of community vaccination centers. "On my first day in office, I will instruct the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, to begin setting up the first of these centers," the president-elect said last week. Klain said Biden would also unveil new, consistent federal guidelines for safely reopening schools and businesses by "establishing clear public health standards. "With widespread financial hardship from the pandemic, the administration plans to quickly extend a federal moratorium on evictions and foreclosures and an Education Department suspension of payments for federal student loan debt. A number of actions will dramatically overhaul the government’s approach to immigration. Biden will immediately end the national emergency declaration at the southern border, freezing new construction of the wall and ceasing the use of Pentagon funds to pay for it. He will reauthorize the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for young undocumented immigrants; pause all deportations; and, reverse a travel ban on visitors from 13 predominantly-Muslim countries, Klain explained in the memo. "On Day One, I’ll end Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim ban.  I’ll push Congress to pass hate crimes legislation," Biden said in October. Two years after Trump ended the controversial child separation policy on the border, Biden has also vowed to create a task force to reunite hundreds of children and parents and help heal families still broken apart. "Immediately on Day One, I’m setting up a special commission," Biden said late last year. Sources say President Biden on Day One will reaffirm global alliances, like NATO and the United Nations, which Trump openly criticized.  He plans to immediately rejoin America to the World Health Organization and re-sign the Paris climate agreement. On civil rights, Biden will reinstate protections for transgender Americans which Trump rolled back in health care, education and the military. Some of Biden’s biggest campaign promises won’t come quickly or easily. New gun controls, elimination of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, forgiveness of student loans, and a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants will all require approval from a narrowly-divided Congress. Biden says he will send a comprehensive draft immigration reform bill to Congress on Wednesday. “The Democrats only control the Senate 50-50 with the tie breaking vote going to Vice President elect Kamala Harris.  So, the question of whether they can do everything they want to do is very much up in the air.  And in fact, they probably can't do everything they want to do,” said Nathaniel Rakich, an elections analyst with FiveThirtyEight. And first, Biden will need his nominees for the Cabinet confirmed by the Senate.  The confirmation process is already lagging behind, delayed by runoff elections in Georgia and a changeover in party control to Democrats. Biden will likely be the first president in decades to have none of his Cabinet picks confirmed on Day One.   The Senate confirmed Trump’s defense and homeland security secretaries on his first day in office; Obama saw seven of his cabinet picks installed on Inauguration Day. “President-elect Biden will really work to try to turn the page on the divisiveness and the hatred over the last four years and really lay out a positive, optimistic vision for the country, and lay out a way, lay out a path forward that really calls on all of us to work together,” incoming White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said on ABC’s “This Week” of Biden’s inaugural message. After his inaugural address, Biden will take a symbolic step toward setting a new tone, joining the Obamas, Bushes and Clintons for a tribute at Arlington National Cemetery. Biden’s first day as president will commence with a salute to the service and sacrifice that make this country great before quickly pivoting to an ambitious agenda for his first term. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events


Video shows Irfan Pathans arrival at Saheen Bagh

A video of former cricketer Irfan Pathan attending a local cricket tournament in Kamarhati, West Bengal is viral with false claims that the cricketer visited the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests at Shaheen Bagh to show his solidarity.  The video shows Pathan waving at a crowd from a moving vehicle.  The original audio of the clip has been overlaid with a song titled 'Pakistan Zindabad' by Sahir Ali Bagga.   Pathan is seen being accompanied with Madan Mitra, former sports minister of West  Bengal and Trinamool Congress leader.  A location tag on the clip shows that it was recorded in Shaheen Bagh, Okhla, New Delhi.   Delhi's Shaheen Bagh has been witnessing a unique sit-in demonstration led by women, against the new Citizenship law.  On Saturday, a gunman, who identified himself as Kapil Gujjar, opened fire at the protesters.  Gujjar has since been taken into custody.   The viral posts are shared with a Hindi caption, that translates to, "One  more lion has arrived at Saheen Bagh, His name is Irfan Pathan. " (Original Text in Hindi: "एक और शेर आ गया शाहीन बाग नाम है Irfan  Pathan) The clip had been viewed more than 3 lakh times at the time of writing this article.  It is viral on Facebook with the same caption.   Fact Check BOOM was able to ascertain that Pathan did not visit the Shaheen Bagh protest premises with Madan Mitra.  Below is a screenshot, where Pathan can be seen along with Mitra (circled) in the video.         Upon relevant keyword searches on Facebook, we came across a post on the official page of Mitra, which announced the arrival of Pathan for a local cricket tournament on January 14 this year in Kamarhati, North 24 Parganas.  Titled the Cricket Premier Knock Out Tournament, the competition felicitated Pathan, who retired from all forms of cricket, earlier this year.       A Facebook Live was also broadcast from Mitra's official page on the same day.  Pathan can be seen in the same red vehicle, that is visible in the viral clip.  Left: screenshot from the viral video, Right: screenshot from facebook live from Mitra's page Furthermore, Pathan also clicked a short video documenting his fans cheering him and posted the same on Twitter.   I will never know what retirement is. . .  Thank you for all the love #kolkata #karamhati pic. twitter. com/F9XB6qj0UR BOOM also found that the Pakistan Zindabad song by Sahir Ali Bagga was overlaid on the viral clip.  Below is the link of the full song, that was uploaded to YouTube by Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of Pakistan's armed forces.


An image of men dressed in women outfits is widely shared.  The image is viral with a claim that the person dressed in women clothing is a terrorist caught in the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party  (BJP).   The image was shared by numerous users claims, It translates, “We were told that Afzal will come out from every house during Congress rule but we haven’t thought that it will come out in such a manner during the rule of BJP”.  Captured terrorist, now they are disguising as women….  Kashmir valley, Monday s, 26/7 encounter! !  Will @AltNews kindly certify the above news as true or false?  pic. twitter. com/EJfNULPCFW — Madhu Purnima Kishwar (@madhukishwar) July 28, 2021  Archive वो कहते थे की…. . हर घर से अफजल निकलेगा! ! ! !  ऐसा निकलेगा पता नहीं था…@adgpi @IAF_MCC pic. twitter. com/4ZptrENzqu — Harshupandyahyv (@Harshupandyahyv) October 4, 2019  Archive 🏠  हर  घर  से 🐖खाग्रेस काल मे #अफजल  निकलेगा🐕  सुना तो  था🎭 परंतु  भाजपा शासन में भौश्रीका ऐसे  निकलेगा  ये  नही  पता  था 😂😂😂 pic. twitter. com/F8gMsEdKqP — मै भी काफिर (@mai_kafir_hu) July 27, 2021  Archive  The men dressed in women outfits are not a terrorist from India and the news is Nine years old.
 The men in women clothes are Taliban militants dressed in Afghan women dresses.  We carried out a reverse image search and the results received were various articles from foreign publications with a similar image.  The article was published in 2012.  The article says that Afghan security forces escort Taliban militants dressed in Afghan women dress.  The Atlantic has published an article in March 28, 2012.   Even the daily mail UK published the same article titled, ” Meet the Taliban transvestites: Rebels are captured dressed in drag”.  The same articles were published by Outlook India and Mirror UK in 2012.  Mirror UK captions the photo as, “Dude looks like a lady: Taliban rebels were captured wearing drag”.  Both the publications used the AP image.    Evidently, the image shared was from March 2012.  Netizens currently shared with the misleading context.  The claim is false that they are terrorists from India.


#Delhi | Price of petrol & diesel at Rs 93.68 per litre and Rs 84.61 respectively

"The price hike is affecting everything. Govt should look into this. People are getting affected by this," says a commuter https://t.co/RCXhn31l2t

Petrol and diesel prices were hiked on Thursday after remaining unchanged for just a day.  State-run fuel retailer Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) data showed that petrol and diesel prices have been hiked by 23 paise and 30 paise, respectively. This is the 14th price hike since May 4 this month, and with the latest increase, the fuel rate for petrol in Thane crossed Rs. 100 and neared ₹100 per litre in Mumbai.  In Thane, petrol rose to Rs. 100. 06 per litre after the hike and diesel rates increased to Rs. 91. 99 per litre.  In Mumbai, petrol and diesel rates climbed to ₹99. 94 per litre and ₹91. 87 per litre, respectively.  In the national capital, the diesel and petrol prices now stand at ₹93. 68 a litre and ₹84. 61 per litre, respectively. After the hike, petrol price was increased to ₹95. 28 per litre and diesel price to ₹89. 39 per litre in Chennai.  In Kolkata, a litre of petrol now costs ₹93. 72 and a litre of diesel costs ₹87. 46.  Fuel prices had remained unchanged across metros on Wednesday. Fuel prices differ from one state to another depending on the amount of local taxes such as VAT and freight charges that are levied.  Rajasthan levies the highest value-added tax (VAT) on petrol in the country, followed by the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Oil companies revise rates of petrol and diesel every day based on the average price of benchmark fuel in the international market in the preceding 15-days, and foreign exchange rates.  In the 13th hike on Tuesday, petrol price increased by ₹3. 04 per litre and diesel by ₹3. 59 per litre.


3 days on, #SpiceJet aircraft still stuck at Mumbai airport

https://t.co/iQVI1itCXd

(Neha LM Tripathi reports) https://t.co/dySru8dzV3

Passengers flying from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) may continue to face delays as the stuck SpiceJet aircraft is likely to be towed away only by Friday evening.  In the 72 hours since it has been stuck, the aircraft has been moved just around 70 metres towards the paved area of the runway.  Since the plane overshot the main runway early Tuesday morning, three attempts have been made to move it without any success.  A team from Air India, which has the only Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit (DARK) in the country, is heading the operations. A spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport Pvt.  Ltd.  (MIAL) said, “Flight operations are delayed for 30 to 45 minutes and six flights had to be diverted.  Fourteen departures and 11 arrivals of IndiGo airline were cancelled throughout the day till 11. 45pm. ”A senior airport official said, “Two failed attempts to push back the aircraft have been made and the airport operator is preparing a better pathway of the aircraft now.  Due to extreme soft mud, there has been no success in building the pathway of the aircraft (which is made by asphalt rocks and metal plates over the mud).  The airport operator is attempting to make a stronger path for the aircraft so that it can be brought to the runway. ”Flight SG 6237, flying from Jaipur with 160 passengers on board, overshot the runway at 11. 15pm on Monday, while landing during a downpour.  A senior airport official said, “The aircraft touched down at a speed which is usually maintained while approaching a runway.  The extremely high speed of the aircraft could be stopped only because of the presence of soft mud in the unpaved area. ” Airport officials said that rescue operations began at around 12pm on Tuesday since the recovery kit, which came from Mangalore, was delayed by heavy rain in Mumbai. Since Tuesday, flights are being operated from the second and less-efficient runway.  While more than 200 flights - out of the daily 950 - were cancelled on Tuesday, there were 25 cancellations on Thursday.  Sources close to the operation said the aircraft needs to be moved another 30-40 metres towards the runway.  Once the plane has been pulled on to the runway, it would take another 24 hours for the main runway to become operational.  This is the time required to tow the aircraft to the hangar and repair the damaged runway. In a statement released on Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the friction test report of the main runway in Mumbai was satisfactory and that punitive action has been initiated against 12 “erring personnel for non-compliance”.  It also announced a “special audit of all scheduled airlines and aerodromes in monsoon-affected areas”.


National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested API Riyaz Qazi, an associate of Sachin Waze: NIA officials

Waze is an accused in Mansukh Hiren death case and Antilia bomb scare https://t.co/GYlKf8UYNO

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested Mumbai Police officer Riyaz Kazi in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case.  The agency said that Kazi helped Sachin Vaze, who has already been arrested by the NIA in the same case. Like Vaze, Kazi was also an Assistant Police Inspector in the Crime Intelligence Unit.  Sachin Vaze is also being investigated in connection with the death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was fund dead in a creek on March 5. Hiran’s Scorpio was allegedly used by Vaze to plant explosives outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence Antilia on February 25.  He was arrested by the NIA on March 13. The NIA took over both the cases last month from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) last month, following orders from the Union home ministry. It has recorded the statements of more than 40 people, including former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh and two deputy commissioners as well as a dozen cops from the crime intelligence unit, in connection with the Antilia case. Singh was transferred from his role as Mumbai's police commissioner for his handling of the case. Two people have also been arrested in connection with Hiran's death. Vaze planted the explosives in front of Antilia allegedly to prove his worth to Mumbai Police.  Vaze was suspended for three years, from 2004 to 2007.  He left the police in 2007.  He was reinstated in 2020. Vaze, who has been suspended, has denied any wrongdoing.


"I never worked for Russia," President Trump says on the White House lawn.

"Not only did I never work for Russia, I think it's a disgrace that you even asked that question because it's a whole big, fat hoax." https://t.co/mBfpKnNV8t https://t.co/94TkbbYEkz

  President Donald Trump is digging in his heels on his demand for a border wall as the shutdown enters its fourth week, telling aides and allies that he believes he is winning the battle for public support.

  Over the last 24 hours, Trump has privately touted a Washington Post-ABC News poll indicating that public support for a border wall has increased to 42% from 34% last year, a source familiar with his comments told CNN.

  “He’s not going to budge even 1 inch,” a source familiar with the President’s mindset told CNN.

  On Capitol Hill, there are currently no meetings scheduled and no new proposals being traded, aides in both parties say.

CNN Poll: Trump bears most blame for shutdown

  But a CNN/SSRS survey published Sunday shows a majority of the public blames the President, with 55% saying he is more responsible for the shutdown than are Democrats in Congress, while 32% say the blame rests mostly with the Democrats.

  That poll also shows public opinion is also against Trump on the underlying reason for the shutdown: 56% oppose a wall, 39% favor it, according to the CNN poll.

  Still, Trump has cited the Washington Post-ABC News figure as one piece of evidence for why he should allow the shutdown to continue and extend his fight with Democrats, believing they will face more pressure to give him border wall funding as time wears on.  He has told aides and allies that he does not plan to budge on his demand that Congress fund a border wall, two sources familiar with his comments said.

  In a series of tweets Monday morning, Trump also continued to try and shame Democrats for not negotiating with him over the shutdown, though it’s not clear he’s offering anything different than when talks crumbled last week.

  Trump has been making a point of telling his followers that he’s at the White House waiting – and is clearly frustrated he’s not getting credit for remaining in Washington – as opposed, presumably, to traveling to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

  The President has repeatedly vowed not to budge from his demand over a border wall, but rejected an idea he floated last week that he would simply bypass Congress and fund a border wall by declaring a national emergency.

  “I’m not looking to call a national emergency.  This is so simple we shouldn’t have to,” he told reporters on the South Lawn Monday before leaving for an event in New Orleans.

  He also rejected another way out of the stalemate that’s resulted in the longest US government shutdown ever – floated by Sen.  Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina – that would have temporarily reopened the government while a broader agreement was hashed out with Democrats.

  CNN’s Kevin Liptak and Phil Mattingly contributed to this report.
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