War and popularity keep Zelensky in power despite term expiring

Martial law and a desire for stability keeps the Ukrainian leader in power without new elections.

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"Will Be Very Happy To Win MP Of The Year Award": Kangana Ranaut

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, expressed her excitement about securing victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

She also hailed the BJP for adhering to strict protocols and fulfilling promises, while criticising other parties for not doing the same.

Kangana Ranaut, who is bidding for a maiden term in the Lok Sabha from her native Mandi, also expressed her excitement at the prospect of winning the MP of the Year award if she gets elected.

"As an actress, I have won various awards, including the Padma Shri and National awards. In the future, if I get elected, I will represent the opinions and problems of the people of Mandi and work effortlessly for them. Since the Lok Sabha conducts various award sessions, in the future, if I receive the Member of Parliament of the Year award, I will be very happy," said Kangana Ranaut.

While hailing her party, the BJP, she added, "We take 'Modi Ki Guarantee' seriously and adhere to stricter guidelines from the party, which also prevent us from making false promises to win elections. I personally believe this level of integrity is not present in other parties."

Addressing the problems of the people of Mandi, especially apple orchard owners, she added, "Himachal orchards are facing numerous challenges. Some owners advocate for an increase in the number of cold storage facilities, while others call for a rise in import duties. It is essential to address all these issues."

While speaking to news agency ANI, she also stated that she is working on various film projects, the most recent one being 'Emergency'.

"Currently, I am involved in several projects. I was shooting a film with R Madhavan Ji but I had to pause due to the elections and will resume post-election. Apart from that, I have 3-4 other films lined up in a row, including the Sita Trilogy and the biopic on Noti Binodini. I have also worked on the movie 'Emergency,' which is set to be released soon," said Kangana Ranaut.

Kangana Ranaut is contesting elections from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency. Traditionally, this seat has been a stronghold of the ruling Congress in the state. The decision to field Kangana Ranaut from Mandi adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In her maiden bid for membership of the Lower House, she faces a formidable challenge in the form of a Congress heavyweight and the son of the late former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya Singh.

Polling in Himachal, which is scheduled for June 1, will not only elect candidates for Lok Sabha membership from four seats but also elect members for six assembly seats that fell vacant following the resignation and switchover of dissident Congress lawmakers.

The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the 2019 elections, is eyeing an encore this time.

The Mandi constituency holds symbolic significance for the Congress, as it is considered a bastion of the Virbhadra family. The seat is currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader's widow.

She wrested the seat for the Congress in the bye-election that was held following the demise of then-BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ship That Hit Baltimore Bridge To Move On Monday, Indian Crew Still Onboard

A stranded cargo ship that has been blocking one of America's busiest ports will be removed Monday nearly two months after it struck and destroyed a bridge in Baltimore, authorities said over the weekend.

The complex operation would see the nearly 1,000-foot (300-meter) Dali container vessel transported to a marine terminal, marking a major step in reopening the key shipping channel.

The Singapore-flagged ship lost power before it plowed into a support column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, causing it to collapse and killing six construction workers who had been atop the major transit route.

The accident shut down the port, though temporary channels have allowed some traffic in and out of Baltimore.

Authorities leading the salvage operation said the Dali would be prepared for refloating from midday (1600 GMT) Sunday ahead of being moved at high tide on Monday, forecast for 5:24 am.

Divers will first inspect the ship to ensure there are no obstructions after demolition experts last week used explosives to remove parts of the collapsed steel bridge trapping the Dali, which still has its 21-man crew onboard.

Salvagers will then draw out up to 1.25 million gallons (4.7 million liters) of water previously pumped into the Dali to stabilize it as ballast, before releasing its anchors and mooring lines.

Tugboats will transport the Dali at around 1 mile per hour (1.6 kilometers per hour) to a nearby marine terminal, with the journey expected to take three hours.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore told NBC News on Sunday he was "proud that we're on track and by the end of May we'll have that federal channel reopened."

Authorities have been working around the clock to clear the fallen bridge and reopen the waterway after it was rendered impassable due to the sprawling wreckage.

The port is a key hub for the auto industry, handling almost 850,000 autos and light trucks last year -- more than any other US port, according to state figures.

In April the FBI launched a criminal probe into the incident, with its agents boarding the Dali as part of the investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is also investigating, said on Tuesday the ship had two electricity blackouts in the moments before the disaster.

It also said the crew had been tested multiple times, before and after the disaster, for drugs and alcohol, and that none had showed.

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"ISRO Aims To Explore Human Space Flight Activities, Moon": Chief

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath attended a programme at a school on Sunday and said that the space agency aims to explore human space flight activities and build space stations.

While speaking with the reporters, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath lauded the Chandrayaan Mission and said, "I would like to say today, after the successful Chandrayan Mission, the world is looking at us. We have announced Space Act Reforms in 2020 and there is a new Indian Space Policy 2023 by the government which has enabled private companies and institutions to come and work together."

He further added, "We are looking at a substantial growth in the space activity in private but more than that, there are institutional works which are happening. There is a new vision that has been put forward by the government in terms of what we want to do in the space sector in future."

The ISRO Chairman called the vision exciting and said, "And all of that is very exciting. We can explore human space flight activities, moon and other planets, and build space stations.

He added, "We also want to do a lot of economic activities in the space sector to create job, industries, and startups in the country."

On being asked about the Prime Minister's vision to send an astronaut to the moon by 2040, Somanath said, "It's already there in the announcement."

As per ISRO, the Government of India unleashed reforms in the space domain in 2020, opening the doors for enhanced participation of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in carrying out end-to-end activities in the space domain and providing them a level playing field.

Subsequent to these reforms, the Government sought to provide regulatory certainty for space activities by various stakeholders, to create a thriving space ecosystem.

The Indian Space Policy - 2023 was thus formulated as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision approved by Cabinet.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Singapore, Nepal Envoys Among 20 Diplomats Attend PM's Public Meeting

A delegation comprising several foreign diplomats, including Singapore High Commissioner to India Simon Wong and Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar P Sharma, attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in North East Delhi today.

Voting in Delhi for all seven Lok Sabha seats will be held in a single phase on May 25. BJP's Manoj Tiwari is in the electoral fray against Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar P Sharma, said that about 20 dignitaries, including six ambassadors, will witness the rally and stressed that it is similar to Nepal.

Mr Sharma said, "Now we are here about 20 dignitaries from the embassies, including six ambassadors, to watch what the rally like in Delhi, especially, and also see what kind of programs you will have in the rally. So it's similar to Nepal, no doubt about that. But, we would like to have first-hand experience of the rally, especially that of the Prime Minister. We are proud of it."

Front row seats w fellow diplomatic colleagues to watch the world's largest democracy in action. Electrifying! Thank you @BJP4India, @vijai63 for the opportunity. - HC Wong@narendramodi pic.twitter.com/iEQKZKdtVV

— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) May 18, 2024

Calling India the "largest democracy" in the world, he said that part of the election has already been completed.

Nepal envoy said, "I think India is the mother of democracy, largest democracy in the world. So, I think we are very proud of that one. And then the general election is coming. The part of it has been already completed."

Lok Sabha elections 2024 are being held in 7 phases from April 19 to June 1. The fourth phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections was conducted on May 7. The remaining three phases of voting will be held on May 20, May 25, and June 1. The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.

Voting was held in 96 Lok Sabha seats in the fourth phase, out of which 25 were from Andhra Pradesh, 17 from Telangana, 13 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, eight each from Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, five from Bihar, four each from Jharkhand and Odisha, and one from Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 1,717 candidates were in the electoral fray in this phase.

The fourth phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls on May 7 in 96 constituencies saw a voter turnout of 69.16 per cent, the Election Commission said on Friday. It said 69.58 per cent of men voters, 68.73 per cent of women voters, and 34.23 per cent of third-gender individuals exercised their franchise.

"Actual data of Form 17 C shall prevail which is already shared with candidates. Final turnout will only be available post-counting with counting of postal ballots and its addition to total vote count," an Election Commission release said.

It said postal ballots include those given to service voters, absentee voters (85 , PwD, Essential Services etc) and voters on election duty. Daily account of such postal ballots received, as per statutory provisions, are given to all candidates.

The poll panel also gave parliamentary constituency-wise details of registered electors for 49 PCs going for polls in phase 5 on May 20.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Iran Nobel laureate says she faces new trial

Narges Mohammadi, 52, speaks out in a message from Evin prison where she is being held.

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Give Those Going Outside Manipur For UPSC Exams Rs 3,000 Per Day: Top Court

In a rare order, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to pay Rs 3,000 per day to civil services aspirants from its violence-hit hill districts to travel outside the state to appear in the UPSC Civil Services Examination on May 26.

In a special hearing at 6:50 p.m., a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the grievances of the civil services aspirants from hill districts of the state who have opted for examination centres outside Manipur over safety concerns.

"The persons who are presently residing in hill districts and applied for the UPSC examination shall be paid Rs 3,000 per day per candidate so as to enable such candidates to travel outside the state to attend the examination. Any candidate desirous of obtaining this benefit should indicate the nodal officer where they are currently staying on the email address as provided in this order," it said.

The top court was hearing a plea on behalf of 140 students seeking transfer of examination centres outside Manipur.

During the proceedings, it transpired that the state government was asked by the high court to give Rs 1,500 to those who have opted for an examination centre outside Manipur.

"While it was not practical to arrange transport for others, the allowance was increased from 1,500. We are of view that the quantum ordered by HC is increased to Rs 3,000," the CJI said and disposed of the plea.

Earlier on March 29, the UPSC had told the Delhi High Court that it will permit candidates from the hill districts of Manipur who have opted for Imphal as their examination centre to change it and that the state government will facilitate their travel.

The commission had said such aspirants can choose any of the centres in Aizawl, Mizoram; Kohima, Nagaland; Shillong, Meghalaya; Dispur, Assam; Jorhat, Assam; Kolkata, West Bengal; and Delhi by making a request for change of examination centre between April 8 and 19 through an e-mail.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had said that since the Manipur government has expressed its inability to open examination centres in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, it was not feasible to open and operate examination venues there for the UPSC examination.

Manipur plunged into violence in May 2023 over a high court order directing the state government to consider including the non-tribal Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

This order led to rampant ethnic clashes. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since the ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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