Sudan crisis: Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave

The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet reports from Port Sudan as thousands flee.

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Viral Picture Of Padlock On Grave Not From Pak: A Fact Check

A fact-check has indicated that an agency report about parents putting padlocks on graves of their daughters in Pakistan to save them from a rising spate of necrophilia was incorrect. Many news sites, including NDTV, ran the report of news agency ANI that has been fact-checked by AltNews. NDTV had sent a mail to ANI late this evening. A response is awaited.

The report of ANI was based on Daily Times article, and a viral tweet by Harris Sultan, an ex-Muslim atheist activist and the author of the book "The Curse of God, why I left Islam".

In the tweet, he had shared photos of a padlocked grave and accused Pakistan of creating a "sexually frustrated society", where "people are now putting padlocks on the graves of their daughters to prevent them from getting raped".

AltNews fact checker Mohammed Zubair tweeted that the photograph in question, showing a green painted  grille, was from Hyderabad. The reason grilles are used is to stop people from burying bodies over the old graves without permission, he tweeted quoting locals.

The grave was that of an old woman, whose son had installed the grille. It was also meant to stop people from stepping on the grave since it was near a doorway, he tweeted.

Alt News contacted a social worker named Abdul Jaleel who is a resident of Hyderabad. On being requested by us, he visited the spot and provided us with photographs of the grave in question. pic.twitter.com/I6DYRWj8vU

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 30, 2023

This issue was discussed among the Masjid committee members for eight days. Explaining the reason behind the grille, he added, "A lot of people come here and bury bodies over the old graves without permission....

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 30, 2023

Alt News also spoke to a local resident whose house is near the mosque. He informed us that the grave belonged to an aged woman who had passed away in her seventies. Her son constructed the grille over the grave about 40 days after she had been buried.

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 30, 2023

After the fact-check by AltNews, Harris Sultan said he was deleting his earlier tweet.

Thank you, @zoo_bear, for getting to the bottom of this. While this is not an excuse and I must apologize for the source of my initial information, which was from @SanamBalochfans.

The reason why it was believable is that necrophilia has become a serious issue in Pakistan. It is… https://t.co/1yEm5nSlB5 pic.twitter.com/euL6mei3Np

— Harris Sultan (@TheHarrisSultan) April 30, 2023

The ANI report mentioned that women's bodies were said to have been unearthed and desecrated on several occasions. A necrophilia case was reported in Pakistan in 2011 when a grave keeper named Muhammad Rizwan from North Nazimabad, Karachi was arrested after he confessed to raping 48 female corpses.

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Operation Kaveri: Over 2,500 Indians Rescued From Violence-Hit Sudan

After the eighth flight of A C-130 Indian Airforce plane carrying 40 Indians reached India, the no. of evacuated Indians reached the mark of 2,300, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said on Sunday.

"A C-130 Indian Airforce flight has landed in New Delhi with 40 passengers. With this flight, around 2,300 people have reached India," EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

The number reached the 2300 mark on the 8th flight however, following it, three more flights carried 229, 288 and 135 passengers respectively, taking the number of evacuees to more than 2500.

An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft with 40 passengers onboard New Delhi from Jeddah as 'Operation Kaveri' progresses further to evacuate stranded Indians from battle-torn Sudan.

It was the 8th flight carrying Indian evacuees that took off from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, since 'Operation Kaveri' began.

Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi wrote, "#OperationKaveri 8th flight carrying Indian evacuees takes off from Jeddah. IAF C-130J aircraft with 40 passengers is on its way to Delhi."

The 7th flight destined for Bengaluru took off from Jeddah earlier today, with 229 passengers onboard. "#OperationKaveri bringing citizens back home. Destined for Bengaluru, 7th outbound flight carrying 229 passengers departs from Jeddah," MoS Muraleedharan tweeted.

On Saturday evening, 365 Indians from Sudan arrived in New Delhi under Operation Kaveri, while a flight carrying 231 Indian passengers reached the national capital on Saturday morning. As a ceasefire has been called in Sudan, several countries, including India, are attempting to evacuate their citizens from a conflict-ridden nation.

Sudan is experiencing bloodshed due to clashes between the army and paramilitary forces.

Earlier, Indian Navy ship, INS Teg, successfully evacuated 288 stranded Indians under Operation Kaveri from the crisis-hit Sudan on Saturday. This was the 14th batch of stranded citizens headed to Jeddah to return to India.

Previously, INS Sumedha, stationed at Port Sudan, had also left the crisis-hit country with 300 passengers onboard for Jeddah.

The Indian government under Operation Kaveri, is set to evacuate about 3,000 Indian-origin passengers from Sudan.

Until Friday, more than 2,400 Indians have been evacuated from Sudan, where the country is experiencing bloodshed due to clashes between the army and paramilitary forces.

The Indian evacuees shouted slogans like "Bharat Mata ki jai," and "Vande Mataram". Also, they lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for rescuing them from Sudan under Operation Kaveri.

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

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Shiv Sena Launches Delhi Unit, Eknath Shinde To Visit Soon

The Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Sunday launched its Delhi unit and vowed to implement the 'Maharashtra model' of development in the national capital.

Shiv Sena senior leaders Anandrao Adsul and Anshumman Joshi inducted several leaders into the party fold, asserting that the outfit would bat for the rights of the "sons of the soil" and root out corruption in the national capital.

Adsul said Shinde would soon visit the national capital to announce the office-bearers of the party's Delhi unit.

"We are reaching out to people and local leaders with our humanity, inclusiveness and good governance agenda," Adsul said, and launched the party's 'Good Governance, Maharashtra Model' and 'Apna Abhimaan, Dhanush-Baan' campaigns.

Adsul, a former Union minister, said the Shiv Sena would take forward the legacy and vision of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray with regard to inclusiveness, humanity, good governance and alliance with its old ally the BJP.

With the launch of the Delhi unit, the national capital becomes the 20th state/Union Territory to have a Shiv Sena unit, he said.

"The party will leverage experienced leadership to expand its reach nationally. Our Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has given a governance model to Maharashtra and the party's young leaders bank on that to expand the base in Delhi and other states too," Adsul said.

Adsul recalled that Balasaheb Thackeray had saved Sikhs in Mumbai and Maharashtra in the aftermath of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

Joshi said the Shiv Sena would fight against rampant corruption in Delhi.

"Only the son of the soil can understand the problems of Delhi. People are getting inflated electricity and water bills, so the promise of free water and electricity was not fulfilled," Joshi said.

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

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Francisco Oropeza: FBI hunt 'armed and dangerous' Texas shooting suspect

Francisco Oropeza is accused of killing five of his neighbours in Texas, including an eight-year-old.

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Khartoum branch of Sudan Central Bank in flames

Video shows a fire raging at a bank in the heart of the capital, Khartoum.

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Eurovision 2023: Contest inspires Ukraine's LGBT troops

When Ukraine takes part in Eurovision on 13 May, its frontline LGBT troops will be taking inspiration.

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"Isn't He Ashamed?" Ashok Gehlot Targets BJP Minister Over Sanjeevani Scam

Training his guns at Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat over the Sanjivani Credit Society scam, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the former was not taking any steps to get the money people and should be sacked.

Referring to the case, the chief minister claimed that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and his family are linked to it and misappropriated the people's money in the state.

"He (Gajendra Singh Shekhawat) is a cabinet minister, isn't he ashamed that he is not taking any steps to get the money of two and a half lakh people? His people are sitting in jail. Doesn't he have a moral duty to talk to the victims," said Gehlot.

He further said that victims met him thrice and shared their pain.

"If Gajendra Singh does not want to meet the victims in person, I can send him the videos of the victims," said CM Gehlot.

Earlier in March, Union Minister has recently moved to Delhi Court and filed a defamation case against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and stated that Ashok Gehlot has called him and his dead mother 'an accused' in the Sanjeevani Scam.

Defamation complaint stated that the said false, uncalled, derogatory and defamatory statements have been made by the accused with the aim to tarnish the image of the complainant in the eyes of the general public, the voters and his relatives, with the object of gaining an undue political mileage.

The complainant Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also stated that the accused is frustrated because the complainant defeated the son of the accused in the last elections by a huge margin and thus, as per the complainant, the statements made by the accused are a political vendetta.

Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appeared for Shekhawat who sought prosecution against Gehlot for allegedly making defamatory speeches against him.

Senior advocate Pahwa submitted that it is a complaint moved by the Union Minister against the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and said that "There is irreparable damage caused to his reputation."

This matter pertains to a case in which FIR was registered in 2019. Three charge sheets have been filed.

"Shekhawat's name has not appeared anywhere. He was not called by the Investigation officer. Despite this Gehlot said the allegations against Shekhawat have been proven," Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa told to ANI.

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

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Thailand: Southeast Asia's 'weed wonderland'

Business booms in a free-for-all industry less than a year after Thailand legalised cannabis.

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"Rectified Wrong Done By Congress": Amit Shah On Karnataka Muslim Quota

Lashing out at the Congress in poll-bound Karnataka on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rectified wrong done by Congress by doing away with Muslim reservation quota in Karnataka.

The Home Minister made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Byndoor.

Amit Shah said, "BJP has rectified the wrong done by Congress by doing away with the Muslim reservation quota in Karnataka. Congress wants to restore it. Ensure that it is not given this chance; it is unconstitutional as well as compromises the rights of Vokkaligas, Lingayats, SCs, STs and Dalits in the State."

"BJP scrapped the 4 per cent Muslim reservation. That reservation was not as per Constitution. Our Constitution does not permit reservation on the basis of religion. Congress says that once their reverse gear government comes, they will bring back the Muslim reservation once again. Do you want that?" questioned Amit Shah.

Alleging that Congress was incapable of the protection of coastal Karnataka, Amit Shah said, "Only BJP can do the job of securing Coastal Karnataka. Greed for a vote bank, Congress can never ensure the security of Coastal Karnataka. We worked to provide security to fishermen by building a new port in Udupi."

"BJP banned the PFI and ensured peace, safety and security for Karnataka," the Home Minister added.

Earlier, Amit Shah said that Congress would put the state into "reverse gear", depriving it of the benefits of "double-engine sarkar".

Addressing a rally at the Navalgund Assembly constituency, Amit Shah said, "On one hand, there is the Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and on the other, is the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. This (Karnataka Assembly) election is an opportunity for you to decide if you want a double engine sarkar led by PM Modi, which will take Karnataka forward, or the Congress's reverse gear sarkar, which will take Karnataka backwards."

The polls for the 224-seat assembly will take place on May 10 and the counting of votes will be held on May 13.

 

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

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Turkey's President Erdogan back on campaign trail after illness

The Turkish leader holds a rally in the opposition stronghold of Izmir after falling ill on Tuesday.

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Operation Kaveri: 365 Indians Brought Back Home From Sudan

India on Saturday brought back home a fresh batch of 365 people under its mission to evacuate stranded Indians from strife-torn Sudan.

"More Indians come back home under #OperationKaveri. 365 passengers have just landed in New Delhi," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

The return of the fresh batch of Indians came a day after 754 people arrived in India in two batches under the evacuation mission.

The total number of Indians who were brought back home now stands at 1,725, according to official data.

The Indians were brought back home from the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah where India set up a transit camp for the evacuees.

The first batch of 360 evacuees returned to New Delhi in a commercial plane on Wednesday.

The second batch of 246 Indian evacuees arrived in Mumbai in a C17 Globemaster aircraft of the IAF on Thursday.

Under Operation Kaveri, India has been taking its citizens in buses from conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.

From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flight or IAF's aircraft.

India has set up separate control rooms in Jeddah, Port Sudan and the India embassy in Khartoum has been coordinating with them besides being in touch with the MEA's headquarters in Delhi.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Monday announced the launch of the mission to evacuate 'Operation Kaveri' to bring back the stranded Indians from Sudan.

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

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Three-Month-Old Child Dies After Vaccination In Jharkhand: Cops

A three-month-old child has died 24 hours after he was administered a vaccine at a community health centre in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district, a health official said on Friday.

Ramgarh Civil Surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said a medical board has been formed to ascertain the cause of the death.

Viscera will be preserved for a detailed enquiry of the case, Kumar said, adding that a state team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) will probe the rare case of a child's death after vaccination.

The child, Abhiraj Kumar, was administered the pentavalent vaccine, which protects children from deadly diseases such as Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Hepatitis-B, by paramedical staffers at the CHC at Patratu on Thursday and his condition deteriorated, a police officer said.

The child was taken to a hospital, where he died early on Friday, he said.

His parents, Bablu Sao and Lalita Devi, however, alleged that their son died due to negligence and unsafe vaccination and demanded that those responsible be arrested and booked under murder charges.

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

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UP Man Arrested For Killing Delhi Police Head Constable: Cops

A man was arrested from an ashram in Hastinapur area here on Friday for allegedly killing a Delhi Police head constable, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Ganeshanand alias Ganpat, they said.

Superintendent of Police (rural) Kamlesh Thakur said that Delhi Police Head Constable Gopichand went missing on March 26. His wife Rekha lodged a police complaint on March 27 at Sardhana police station, following which an FIR was registered.

During the probe, it came to light that Gopichand used to meet Ganeshanand at Shukrtaal for the past year and was building pressure on him to kill Rekha using black magic. For this, Gopichand had given almost Rs 2.5 lakh to Ganpat, the SP said.

On March 26, Ganpat called Gopichand to his ashram so that he could kill Rekha and also asked the victim to bring Rs 1.5 lakh, the police said.

Later, Ganpat took Gopichand to Sirjepur village near the Ganga river and performed a ritual while the victim lay nearby, they said.

During the ritual, Ganpat attacked Gopichand with a weapon and later threw his body, mobile phone and motorcycle into the river. They were recovered on April 12, they added.

On Friday, when Ganpat was questioned at the ashram, he told police that he killed Gopichand as he had taken a lot of money from him and was unable to kill his wife, the officials said.

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

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Case Against Congress MLA's Gunman For Thrashing Toll Plaza Staff

A gunman of a Congress MLA allegedly thrashed a toll plaza employee on Gurugram-Faridabad road, forced him into his car, and drove him to a police outpost, according to a police complaint filed by the toll plaza management.

The incident happened at the Bandhwari toll plaza when NIT-Faridabad MLA Neeraj Sharma stopped there with his staff and a row erupted between them and the toll workers, police said on Friday.

The entire incident was captured in CCTV footage which is purported to have shown the MLA's gunman and other staff thrashing a toll worker and forcing him into the MLA's car.

The gunman, Constable Virendra, in his complaint, accused the toll booth worker of being drunk on duty and misbehaving with him when they reached the toll plaza.

Both parties filed complaints against each other Thursday at DLF Phase 1 Police Station on Thursday, with police filing two FIRs on the basis of these complaints.

As per the first complaint filed by Chetan Sharma on behalf of the Bandhwari toll plaza management, on April 9 at around 1.30 am a Toyota Innova stopped in lane number 7 on its way to Faridabad from Gurugram.

Sumit Sirohi, who was manning the booth in the lane, asked the driver to pay the toll, but the driver replied the car belonged to MLA Neeraj Sharma, the complaint read.

The car had three other people, with one sitting in the front passenger seat beside the driver.

According to Chetan Sharma, when Mr Sirohi asked the driver to show the MLA's id card, he got furious and started abusing him.

"After that…. the gunman of MLA barged into the toll worker's booth and not only abused catching his collar but also threatened to kill him.

"The gunman forcibly removed the barrier and made the car pass. Soon after the gunman came back to the toll booth, dragged toll worker Sumit into their car and took him to Mangar police chowki," he said in his complaint.

When contacted, MLA Neeraj Sharma said that the toll worker was drunk and misbehaved with them.

The Congress MLA also accused the state BJP government of trying to frame him into the matter.

DLF Assistant Commissioner of Police Vikas Kaushik said police are exploring the CCTV footage to verify the facts.

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

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Sudan fighting: No talks until bombing stops, Hemedti tells BBC

The RSF paramilitary leader says "We don't want to destroy Sudan" and denies blame for violence.

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Conducting Caste-Based Survey Not A Crime, Says Bihar Chief Minister

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday reacted with exasperation over the opposition faced by the 'head count of caste' underway in the state, saying that holding such a survey is not a crime.

He asserted that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people's economic status and their caste so that specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better.

"The ongoing caste survey is a good initiative taken by us. People will be hugely benefited after the recognition of their economic status, whether they belong to the upper caste, backward caste or extremely weaker sections of the society.

"I don't understand why a section of people are against this exercise... They are challenging it. Is it a crime? No, it is not," Mr Kumar said while addressing a conference of Civil Servants in Patna.

An organisation had claimed that it was not a survey for a sample population but a census involving house-to-house enumeration of all people, which only the Centre can undertake. The organisation had moved the Supreme Court against the state government's decision but it refused to entertain the plea.

The top court, however, on Friday allowed the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court and directed it to decide the petition expeditiously.

"Data related to people's economic status and their caste will be collected during the headcount so that the state government could know how many people are poor and what sort of steps needs to be taken to bring them into the mainstream," said the chief minister.

All parties in Bihar had the same view when the state government decided to hold the caste-based survey, he said.

The first round of caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21. The second round started on April 15 and will continue till May 15.

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

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Jack Teixeira: How are US security clearances handled?

Leaking suspect Jack Teixeira got top-secret clearance despite a problematic school suspension.

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Killer of Dominican Republic minister jailed for 30 years

Miguel Cruz shot dead his friend, Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera, in his office last year.

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Father challenges BP at meeting after son's death

Ali Hussein Julood's father told the BBC his son's life was sacrificed for record profits.

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Case Against 2,000 People For Offering Eid Namaz On Road In UP: Police

More than 2,000 people were booked in three FIRs for offering namaz without permission on a road outside the Eidgah on Eid last week, police said on Thursday.

The FIRs were registered separately at Bajaria, Babu Purwa, and Jajmau police stations on Wednesday. No arrests have been made so far.

A video of the people offering namaz on road was made by the police.

"People offering namaz will be identified on the basis of video after which legal action will be taken against them," said an officer requesting anonymity.

Angry with the police action, Mohammad Suleman, a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, told the media that they were being targeted on the basis of religion.

He said that a few people did pray on the road outside the Eidgah because they were late and there was no space left inside the premises. One of the FIRs was lodged at the Bajaria Police Station against 1,000-1,500 unknown persons including some members of the Eidgah management committee at the complaint of Senior Sub Inspector (SSI) Omveer Singh.

Omveer Singh in his complaint said a large number of people got down to offer namaz on the road as soon as a call for it was made on Eid, violating Section 144.

About 300 people were booked by Jajmau Police, while the third FIR was made at Babu Purwa Police Station in which over 50 people were charged with offering prayers on a public road without permission.

The people were booked under IPC sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharging duties), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 283 (Danger in public way), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), and 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).

Another police officer said that guidelines on Eid prayers had been issued after a meeting with the peace committees and strict instructions were given that prayers should not be held on the street.

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

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Sudan crisis: Heavy fighting as ceasefire set to end

The three-day truce ends shortly despite continuing diplomatic efforts to extend it.

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5 Of 10 Cops Killed In Chhattisgarh Were Once Maoists, Wanted Better Life

Of the ten police personnel who lost their lives in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, five had joined the force after quitting the Maoists, a senior official said on Thursday.

Ten personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and their civilian driver were killed after Maoists blew up a vehicle, which was part of a convoy carrying security personnel in the Aranpur police station area of Dantewada on Wednesday afternoon, using a powerful improvised explosive device (IED). The blast site is located around 450km from state capital Raipur.

Of them, Head Constables Joga Sodi (35), Munna Kadti (40), Constables Hariram Mandavi (36) and Joga Kawasi (22), and Gopniya Sainik (secret troopers) Rajuram Kartam (25) were once active as Maoists and joined the police after surrendering, Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI.

Sodi, a resident of Arlampalli village in neighbouring Sukma district, and Kadti, a native of Muder village in Dantewada, joined the police in 2017. Similarly, Mandavi and Kartam, residents of Dantewada, were inducted into the police force in 2020 and 2022, respectively, he said.

Another jawan Kawasi, a resident of Bade Gadam village in Dantewada, joined the DRG just last month, added the IPS officer.

Dubbed as "sons of the soil", DRG personnel are recruited from among local youth and surrendered Maoists in the Bastar division, a Maoist hotbed. The DRG, an arm of the state police, was raised over different periods of time in seven districts of the Bastar division, spread over an area of around 40,000 sq kms, to fight the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) that has troubled the state for the past three decades.

The unit was first set up in Kanker (north Bastar) and Narayanpur (comprising Abhujmad) districts in 2008 and after a gap of five years, the force was raised in Bijapur and Bastar districts in 2013. Subsequently, it was expanded in Sukma and Kondagaon districts in 2014, while in Dantewada, the force was raised in 2015.

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

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Jharkhand Raises Dearness Allowance To 42% For State Government Staff

The Jharkhand Government on Thursday increased the dearness allowance for its employees to 42 per cent from 34 per cent till now.

The decision to hike the DA rate was taken in the state cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren this evening.

The impact on the exchequer on account of the increase will be Rs 441.52 crore per annum, Cabinet Coordination Secretary Vandana Dadel told reporters after the meeting.

The release of the additional instalment of dearness allowance to employees will be effective from January 1, 2023.

"Sanction was granted to increase the rates of dearness allowance with effect from January 01, 2023 in the revised pay scale (seventh central pay scale) effective from January 1, 2016. State employees whose pay scale/salary structure has been revised (seventh pay revision) on January 18, 2017 with effect from January 01, 2016, have been approved 42 per cent dearness allowance with effect from January 01, 2023," Dadel said.

This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

"The government is trying to discharge its responsibilities in an effective manner.It is committed for the development of the state...You must be seeing several steps have been taken including increase in dearness and pension," Soren said after the cabinet meeting.

The government also approved a similar increase in the rates of dearness relief for pensioners of the state government with effect from January 1, 2023.

Among other decisions were an increase in honorarium of guest faculty, temporary and class-based faculties providing services against sanctioned strength of assistant professors in the technical colleges, universities and other affiliated colleges.

The remuneration was increased to Rs 57,500 per month against the earlier limit of Rs 30,000 per month.

The other decisions included acceptance of the same form for caste certificate for state government jobs which is used for issuance of caste certificate for union government job (Form-5), establishment of a sub divisional court at Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum district and appointment of administrators in urban local bodies.

Besides it was decided that Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited will sell liquor in districts for which agency has not been finalised under Jharkhand Excise (Operation of Retail Excise Shops through Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited) Rules, 2022, from May 1.

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

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Jasmine Hartin: Socialite pleads guilty over death of police officer

The former "daughter-in-law" of billionaire Lord Michel Ashcroft pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

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Antilia Bomb Scare: Court Rejects Sachin Waze's Plea For Home-Cooked Food

 Dismissed policeman Sachin Waze's plea seeking "specialized diabetic home-cooked food" in jail was on Wednesday rejected by a special court here, which said he was being provided a balanced diet in the prison.

Mr Waze, a former Mumbai police officer, is an accused in the case of an explosives-laden sports utility vehicle (SUV) found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.

On Monday, he filed an application in the special court hearing cases related to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for home-cooked food, citing his health condition.

In his plea, Mr Waze claimed that a doctor from the state-run J J Hospital in Mumbai asked the jail superintendent to provide him a strict diabetic diet, and also advised the former police officer to consume medicines without fail.

Mr Waze submitted that the prison administration would not be in a position to provide a special diet as advised by the ophthalmologist and diabetic medical experts.

The court, upon perusal of a report of the jail authority, said that it is seen that the prison is providing a balanced diet and therefore there is no necessity to allow him to take home-cooked food.

Considering the grounds raised by the jail authority, it would not be proper to allow Mr Waze to take home-cooked food.

In a related development, Mr Waze told the court on Wednesday that he has no objection to the application of another former policeman and co-accused Sunil Mane, seeking pardon in the case.

However, the NIA, probing the case opposed Mr Mane's plea.

The probe agency has submitted that it is "crystal clear" that applicant (Mane) is directly involved in the crime of this case along with his co-accused persons and it cannot support his plea.

Mr Mane, in his handwritten application sent to the court in February, stated that he had realised his mistake and the court should consider his "outstanding record" in his police career and give him a chance to "repent his mistake" by tendering pardon in the case.

On February 25, 2021, an explosives-laden SUV was found near Mukesh Ambani's residence 'Antilia' in south Mumbai. Hiran, who said he was in possession of the SUV before it was allegedly stolen, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane on March 5, 2021.

Mr Waze is the main accused in the case in which few other police officials were also involved.

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

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Nazi camp guard Josef Schütz dies at 102

Josef Schütz was convicted last June for his role in the killing of thousands at a concentration camp.

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Same Pay For Ayurveda Practitioners And Allopathic Doctors? Court Said...

The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that practitioners of alternative systems of medicine such as Ayurveda are not entitled to equal pay with allopathic doctors as they not are involved in performing emergency duties and complicated surgeries.

Setting aside a Gujarat High Court order, the top court said the emergency duty that allopathy doctors are capable of performing and the trauma care that they are able to provide cannot be performed by Ayurveda practitioners.

It noted that even post-mortem or autopsy is not carried out by Ayurveda practitioners.

The apex court was hearing a batch of appeals challenging a 2012 Gujarat High Court order which had held that Ayurveda practitioners are entitled to be treated at par with doctors with MBBS degrees.

While recognising the importance of Ayurveda practitioners and the need to promote alternative or indigenous systems of medicine, the top court said that it cannot be oblivious of the fact that both categories of doctors are certainly not performing equal work to be entitled to equal pay.

A bench of Justice V Ramasubramanian and Justice Pankaj Mithal said allopathy doctors are required to perform emergency duties and provide trauma care.

"By the very nature of the science that they practise and with the advancement of science and modern medical technology, the emergency duty that allopathy doctors are capable of performing and the trauma care that they are capable of providing cannot be performed by Ayurveda doctors," it said.

The apex court said it is also not possible for Ayurveda practitioners to assist surgeons performing complicated surgeries while doctors with MBBS degrees can perform the task.

"We shall not be understood to mean as though one system of medicine is superior to the other. It is not our mandate nor within our competence to assess the relative merits of these two systems of medical sciences. As a matter of fact, we are conscious that the history of Ayurveda dates back to several centuries.

"We have no doubt that every alternative system of medicine may have its pride of place in history. But today, the practitioners of indigenous systems of medicine do not perform complicated surgical operations. A study of Ayurveda does not authorise them to perform these surgeries. Similarly, a post-mortem or autopsy is not carried out by/in the presence of Ayurveda doctors," it said.

The apex court said it is common knowledge that during out-patient days in general hospitals in cities or towns, doctors with MBBS degrees are made to attend to hundreds of patients, which is not the case for Ayurveda practitioners.

"Therefore, even while recognising the importance of Ayurveda doctors and the need to promote alternative/indigenous systems of medicine, we cannot be oblivious of the fact that both categories of doctors are certainly not performing equal work to be entitled to equal pay," it said. 

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

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Trinity College to rename Berkeley Library over slavery links

Philosopher George Berkeley's purchase of slaves is against its values, the Dublin university says.

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CBI Registers Case In Alleged West Bengal Civic Body Recruitment Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR in connection with allegations of irregularities in municipal recruitments in West Bengal. The CBI registered the case on April 24 following the Calcutta High Court's order to probe the allegations.

A single-judge bench composed of Justice Abhijit Ganguly passed the order based on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) findings on the alleged teachers' recruitment scam. The Enforcement Directorate informed the court that it came across the alleged scam in municipal recruitments in West Bengal while investigating the money trail in the alleged teachers' recruitment scam. The high court had directed the CBI to submit a report on April 28 about the steps taken based on this order.

The CBI has named Ayan Sil as an accused. Sil was arrested on March 20 by the CBI in connection with the alleged teachers' recruitment scam. The ED claimed that the agents, including Ayan Sil, involved in the school jobs bribery scam case, were also allegedly involved in the recruitment of clerks, peons, sweepers, and drivers in various municipalities.

The probe agency asked for a separate FIR for investigation of the fresh allegations by a predicate agency. Additionally, the ED also mentioned allegations of irregularities in recruitments in several civic bodies in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

After the ED submitted its status report to the Calcutta High Court, the West Bengal Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said, "We will welcome any team that comes. We have worked honestly and have nothing to hide."

The ruling-Trinamool Congress opposes probes by agencies like the CBI alleging that these agencies do not function independently and are used by ruling parties to target opposition parties. The Trinamool Congress also alleges that these agencies regularly leak details of ongoing investigations. This results in media-trials before a court has arrived at a conclusion of wrong-doing or guilt.

The BJP has alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress has been running a corrupt government and a thorough probe is required in the matter by a central agency.

West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said, "Ayan Sil is Bhaipo's trusted mercenary. The high and mighty within the TMC are beneficiaries of the nefarious deeds committed by Sil and his associates. The illegal appointments made in municipalities across West Bengal is a huge scam waiting to be unearthed."

'Bhaipo' meaning nephew (brother's son) is a term that the BJP uses to refer to TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Abhishek Banerjee claims the BJP does not use his name while making allegations to avoid criminal defamation lawsuits.

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Older Americans weigh in on President Joe Biden's age

The US president is running for re-election in 2024, do people think his age is a problem?

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Manish Sisodia Likely To Get Bail In Liquor Policy Case Today

A Delhi court is likely to deliver its order on the bail application of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam today.

Special Judge M K Nagpal had reserved the order after hearing arguments on Sisodia's application seeking relief claiming that his custody was no longer required for investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed the application, asserting the investigation was at a "crucial" stage and claiming the former Delhi deputy chief minister had planted fabricated e-mails to show there was public approval for the policy.

The federal anti-money laundering agency had also said it has found fresh evidence of his complicity in the alleged crime.

The court had on March 31 dismissed Sisodia's bail application in the corruption case, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying he was "prima facie the architect" in the criminal conspiracy behind alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government.

The court had observed the release of the senior AAP leader, at the moment, will "adversely affect the ongoing investigation".

The CBI and the ED had arrested Sisodia for alleged corruption in the formulation and execution of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 and for laundering the money so generated.

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

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British American Tobacco to pay $635m for North Korea sanctions breaches

British American Tobacco says it regrets violating sanctions by selling to Pyongyang from 2007 and 2017.

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"Criminals Begging For Mercy Now": Yogi Adityanath On UP Law And Order

Criminals in Uttar Pradesh walked around with their heads held high but now they hang placards around their necks begging for their lives, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday while campaigning for the urban local body elections.

Adityanath addressed elections rallies in Unnao and Rae Bareli ahead of the polls, scheduled to take place in two phases on May 4 and May 11.

Addressing an election rally in Rae Bareli, Adityanath said, "BJP ki ek hi yukti, pradesh ko dilai mafia se mukti (The BJP has only one solution which has rid the sate of criminals)'. The mafia are begging for mercy to lead regular lives and earn livelihood by honest means due to zero tolerance against crime." He also took a dig at the previous regimes, saying people associated with a particular party would brandish country-made pistols while the youths now are working on smartphones and tablets.

Adityanath was referring to the Uttar Pradesh government's drive to distribute tablets and smartphones free of cost to one crore undergraduate and postgraduate students as part of a push to the link the state's youths with the Digital India campaign.

Addressing another rally in Unnao, Adityanath said, "Before 2017, traders were exploited and extorted. Today, they are benefitting from the PM SVANidhi scheme. Prior to 2017, there was terror of miscreants while today, cities are being made safe.

"Earlier, there were heaps of garbage but cities are becoming smart today. Now, there is no place for mafia-criminals, crime, corruption and corrupt people in Uttar Pradesh." The BJP defeated the Samajwadi Party to form the government in Uttar Pradesh in 2017. Adityanath became the chief minister for the second consecutive term after assembly polls last year, a feat achieved in India's most populous state after over three decades.

Speaking in Unnao, he said, "This is the new Uttar Pradesh. Government facilities are being given as per eligibility. We consider every citizen of Uttar Pradesh to be a member of our family, so no one can claim that there was caste or religious discrimination." "No extortions or kidnappings for ransom, Uttar Pradesh is no longer anyone's fiefdom," the chief minister said.

He also criticised the previous regimes for creating law and order problems that prevented girls from going to school.

"(Earlier) the youths faced an identity crisis. The nation's reputation suffered and scams became prevalent. The perception of India has changed since 2014. People now look at the youth of India with respect. Today, India is making progress in every field," Adityanath said.

Adityanath said India has transformed in the last nine years and that transformation has become the centre of attraction for the world. The dream of 140 crore people in India is being fulfilled without any discrimination under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Similarly, there has been a change in how Uttar Pradesh is perceived inside India in the last six years, he added.

In the last six years, the "double engine government" has provided a house each to more than 54 lakh poor people in rural and urban areas while toilets have been built for 2.61 crore underprivileged.

Adityanath said the civic elections are not a small matter and are meant to add a "third engine" to the existing "double engine government" of the BJP in the state to accelerate its development.

The prime minister's vision is the mission of Uttar Pradesh, he said. The Ganga Expressway is being constructed to connect western Uttar Pradesh with the state's central and eastern parts and will benefit the people of Unnao, the chief minister said.

The expressway will allow people to travel to Delhi in six hours and Prayagraj in two, he added.

Unnao and Rae Bareli will go to the polls in the first phase on May 4. The votes will be counted on May 13.

The elections are seen as setting the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 lawmakers to Parliament.

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

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iSpace: First private moon landing likely to have failed

Communication was lost with Japan's Hakuto-R lunar moments before it was due to touch down.

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Pakistan: Explosions kill 12 in Swat Valley counter-terror office

At least 12 people - mostly police - have been killed in a blast in the Swat Valley.

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"Don't Make Us Fight": Ashok Gehlot To Media Amid Tussle With Sachin Pilot

Amid a tussle over leadership with his former deputy Sachin Pilot, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said the media should not make people fight.

Addressing reporters here, he asserted that the Congress' election campaign in the state would focus on the schemes and programmes launched by his government.

The veteran Congress leader also expressed confidence of his government returning to power on the basis of the works done in the last five years.

Mr Gehlot's comments come in the backdrop of an ongoing tussle with Pilot.

The duo has been at loggerheads over the chief minister's post ever since the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in December 2018.

Recently, Mr Pilot opened another front against CM Gehlot by holding a day-long fast while alleging that the state government did not take action against the alleged corruption during the tenure of the BJP regime led by Vasundhara Raje, as promised before the 2018 assembly polls.

Mr Gehlot, however, has not offered any direct reaction to Pilot's attack.

On Monday, he said without naming anyone that the media should not make people fight.

"The media should stick to the truth and the facts… The media should not make us fight with each other. They (mediapersons) should fulfil their duty and it is in the public interest… The media should support the government in repeating on the basis of truth," he said.

"I do not say 'present false figures or praise us falsely' but I would like the media to run on the basis of truth. The media is under the pressure of the central government but they should see the interest of the public," Mr Gehlot told reporters here.

Speaking about his government's schemes and the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress leader said the party's campaign would focus on the schemes of his dispensation.

"In the elections, Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah will come and take part in big road shows, spend money and do everything to win the elections but we have decided that we will move forward on the basis of the (state) government's works," he said.

Assembly elections in Rajasthan are due later this year.

The state government has taken many decisions, Mr Gehlot said, and lauded it for its excellent fiscal management and step to not impose any tax.

"We will move forward with these things. Our campaign will revolve around this. BJP leaders who come will speak so many things but we will not pay attention to them. We will do our work," he said.

The government is fulfilling the pledge of serving the public and fulfilling promises, Mr Gehlot said.

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

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India To Buy More Russian, American Missile Systems For Navy

At a time when the US and Russia are pitted against each other over Ukraine, India plans to buy missile systems from both these countries worth around USD 200 million.

A proposal by the defence forces is at an advanced stage in the defence ministry as per which the Indian Navy has proposed to acquire over 20 Klub anti-ship cruise missiles from Russia and equipment for the American Harpoon anti-ship missile system, defence sources told ANI.

The Klub missile from Russia is equipped on both the surface warships and submarines of the Indian Navy and has been one of the importing weapon systems for it for a long time, they said.

The Harpoon missile system acquisition is expected to cost around USD 80 million to the Indian Navy under a foreign military sales route.

The US Congress has already approved the sale of the Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment to India.

The Indian Navy has already deployed the Harpoon missiles on its anti-submarine warfare aircraft and submarines.

India had requested to buy one Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) which includes one Harpoon Intermediate Level maintenance station; spare and repair parts, support, and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training; US Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

India has traditionally been using Russian weapon systems but has diversified its acquisitions in the last two decades with procurements taking place from the U.S. and France also in a big way.

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

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Pilot Unions Threaten To Go To "Any Extent" Over Air India's Pay Revision

Indicating that they are ready for a showdown with the Tata Group-owned Air India management over its "unilateral" decision to revise the salary structure and service conditions, the two pilot unions at the airline warned the management of going to "any extent" to protect their members.

On April 17, Air India rolled out a revamped compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew, which has since been rejected by the two unions -- Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG).

"It has been resolved by the IPG and ICPA that if any member/s of our union/s is/are terminated by the management for not signing the revised terms and conditions, the ICPA and IPG have pledged in unison to go to any extent to protect member/s till they are reinstated," a joint ICPA-IPG resolution stated.

A query sent to Air India did not elicit a response.

Immediately after Air India circulated the revamped salary structure and service conditions, the two unions urged their members not to sign on the document, saying that the terms and conditions were being imposed on them.

Besides, the two unions also termed the airline management's move to promote senior pilots with over 4 years of experience to the management cadre as the one aimed at killing the unions at the airline.

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

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Maharashtra Opposition Alliance Together In 2024? Sharad Pawar Said...

NCP chief Sharad Pawar's remarks on the unity of opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents in Maharashtra have created ripples in state political circles.

Asked if MVA, comprising NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), will contest the 2024 elections together, Mr Pawar said on Sunday, “There is a willingness to work together. But mere desire is not always enough. Seat allotment, whether there are any other issues or not, all this hasn't been discussed yet, so how can I tell you.”

Mr Pawar made it clear that during his meeting with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar, the issue of the Ambedkar-led outfit joining MVA wasn't discussed.

“Our talks were only about some seats in Karnataka Assembly elections,” he said.

Mr Ambedkar said on Monday that VBA's entry into the Maha Vikas Aghadi was not discussed during his meeting with Mr Pawar.

Marathi news channel ABP Majha on Monday quoted Mr Pawar saying off camera that he made the remarks on MVA as there is no clarity on seat distribution among MVA constituents, and nothing else should be read into them.

The channel also quoted NCP sources saying that Mr Pawar won't be attending MVA's vajramuth (iron fist) rallies.

Mr Pawar's remarks came amid speculations over NCP leader and his nephew Ajit Pawar joining hands with the BJP. Ajit Pawar has said he would not quit the NCP till his last breath, but his clarification did not help end the speculation.

Asked about Sharad Pawar's remarks on MVA unity ahead of 2024 elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said, “Pawar is a senior and experienced leader. When he makes a statement, it is of importance and whatever he says is to be taken seriously.”

Reacting to Mr Pawar's comments, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said there is a move afoot to replace Eknath Shinde as chief minister.

“They (BJP) wanted to topple our (Uddhav Thackeray-led) government, so he (Shinde) was used. Now their objective is fulfilled, so Shinde will be replaced soon,” Mr Raut said.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said the Congress will move forward with those who will stay within the MVA alliance.

“The role of Congress is to make sure that the anti-BJP parties fight together. The role of other parties in an alliance may be different,” he told reporters.

“We are not asking what is on anyone's mind,” Patole said, and declined to comment on internal developments in NCP. “Even Sharad Pawar doesn't speak on this issue, so how can I comment,” Mr Patole said.

NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal said there is no imminent threat to the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state.

“Even if 16 MLAs of Shinde group are disqualified by court, then also there is no danger to the state government.

“They have 165 MLAs. Even if 16 are disqualified, 149 MLAs remain, which is way above the majority mark in the 288-member House. The government will be there. May be there will be a different chief minister,” Bhujbal said.

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

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Sudan crisis: UK citizens 'abandoned' as evacuations fail to materialise

UK citizens in Sudan say they have been left behind, as other nations ramp up evacuations.

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BJP Seeks Jharkhand Minister's Resignation Over Alleged Chat With Woman

The BJP's Jharkhand unit on Sunday launched a no-holds-barred attack on state Health Minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta after a video of his purported video chat with a woman went viral on social media.

The minister, however, was quick to issue a clarification over the alleged video chat, terming it "fake and edited".

Hitting out at the state Health minister over his alleged video chat, the BJP demanded his resignation and a probe into the matter.

Sharing the viral clip of the minister's purported video chat with the woman, BJP MP from Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey, claimed that the video exposed the true face of the Congress.

Speaking to ANI, the spokesperson for the BJP in Jharkhand, Pratul Shahdeo, said the Congress should clarify its position on the "obscene and objectionable" video.

"The viral video purportedly showing the Health minister is highly objectionable. Though the veracity of the clip hasn't been ascertained as yet, we want to know if it's real or fake. Since he is a member of the state cabinet headed by the chief minister (Hemant Soren), it is the CM's responsibility to order a probe to find out if the clip is real or fake," Shahdeo said.

However, he said if the purported video turns out to be genuine, the minister should step down immediately.

Meanwhile, the state Health minister hit back at the BJP over its "vindictive politics", claiming that the purported clip is part of a "conspiracy" to tarnish his image.

Terming the purported video chat as "fake and edited", the minister released a statement saying that he has already filed an FIR in the matter.

"A fake and edited video has been deliberately circulated on social media. It's quite clear that the video is photoshopped or has been edited through any other editing app. I have already filed an FIR in the matter. I will pursue legal action against those behind this fake video," the Congress leader said.

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Nitish Kumar To Meet Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata Today To Shore Up Unity

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has taken upon himself the task of uniting Opposition forces against the BJP-led government at the Centre, will call on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday.

The meeting will come close on the heels of his visit to the national capital to meet Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and former MP Rahul Gandhi. The meeting was seen as the major step to laying the groundwork for a grand Opposition alliance ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said it was a "historic step" towards Opposition unity and for an "ideological fight".

Rahul Gandhi, who posted a picture of himself with Mr Kharge and JDU and RJD leaders, said they are "standing together, will fight together for India".

"In this battle of ideology, a historic step has been taken today towards Opposition unity. (We are) standing together, will fight together - for India!" Rahul Gandhi had said in a tweet after the meeting Nitish Kumar.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Janata Dal-United president Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh was also present at the meeting held at Mr Kharge's residence.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also leaving no stone unturned in closing in ranks with other parties ahead of the 2024 polls, as she met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav at her residence in Kolkata last month.

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Maleficent: Dragon catches fire during Disneyland show in LA

Maleficent the fire-breathing dragon dramatically went up in flames during Saturday's live show.

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Maharashtra Records 545 Fresh Covid Cases, 2 Deaths

Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 545 fresh coronavirus cases and two fatalities, the health department said.

After the new additions, the state's COVID-19 tally rose to 81,61,894 and the death count to 1,48,504.

A day earlier, Maharashtra recorded 850 cases and four fatalities.

Mumbai saw 141 fresh cases and one fatality while another person died of COVID-19 in Ratnagiri.

The case fatality rate in Maharashtra stands at 1.81 per cent.

A total of 655 patients recovered from coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative recoveries in the state to 80,07,335. The current recovery rate is 98.11 per cent, a health department bulletin said.

The state is now left with 6,055 active cases.

With 8,278 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the count of samples tested so far in Maharashtra has gone up to 8,68,93,709.

The dominant variant of COVID in circulation is Omicron XBB.1.16. A total of 789 cases were found to be infected with this variant so far in Maharashtra, while five patients infected by this variant have died, the health department said.

It said since January 1 this year, 86 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Maharashtra. 72.09 per cent of the 86 fatalities occurred in individuals above 60 years of age, while 84 per cent of the dead had comorbidities. 13 per cent did not have any comorbidity.

Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally is as follows:

Fresh cases 545;

fatalities 2;

active cases 6,055;

and tests 8,278.

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

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Police Among Injured In Stone Pelting Between 2 Rajasthan Communities

Stone pelting broke out between people of two communities in Malpura in Tonk district of Rajasthan on Sunday, said officials.

Sub-Divisional Officer Malpura, Mahipal Singh said that police officials were also injured in the incident.

Giving details, Mr Singh said, "At the Malpura sub-division headquarters of Tonk district, the situation worsened after a scuffle in Nagori locality led to stone pelting between the two communities in which many people were injured and many vehicles were damaged by the miscreants, while some police personnel were also injured."

Mr Singh also informed that the top officials of the police have left Tonk with the police force to check the situation at Malpura and they'll try to pacify the groups in the area.

SDM Singh said, "In Malpura today, the day after Eid, the situation worsened after an argument developed between children. Stones were pelted at the police personnel who reached the spot, in which some police personnel were also injured."

"It is reported that the situation is very tense, Malpura is a sensitive town where many big communal riots have happened in the past," he added.

Malpura Deputy Superintendent of Police said that restoration of peace should be the first priority.

DSP Sushil Mann said, "Along with the people of two communities, some policemen were also injured, whose treatment is going on in the hospital. The first priority of the police was to bring the situation under control."

"Action will be taken as per the law," he added.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

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

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Madhya Pradesh Man Dies By Suicide Over Family's Financial Situation: Cops

A 24-year-old man died by suicide by bursting a firecracker in his mouth in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district on Sunday, police said.

Prima facie, the dead Brajesh Prajapati was tense as he couldn't pursue higher studies in a big city as his family's financial condition was not good. A police officer said the Prajapati took the extreme step as he was tense over some issues.

"Prajapati burst a 'sutli' bomb cracker in his mouth when he was in the toilet at around 9 AM. After hearing the sound, his family members rushed in. They shifted the injured man to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead," he said.

A case was registered and further investigation is underway.

Hridyesh, the elder brother of the dead, said Brajesh was good in studies and a student of B.SC in a local college.

He claimed the financial condition of the family was not good and they couldn't send Brajesh to a big city for studies.

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

Helplines
Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health	9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
TISS iCall	022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)
(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)

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Sudan fighting: Khartoum violence mapped as civilians flee city

The BBC has verified videos of fighting and spoken to fleeing residents to map the violence in Sudan's capital.

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"Autopsy Revealed...": Bengal Cops After Dalit Girl Allegedly Raped, Killed

Amid the alleged gang-rape and murder of a Dalit girl in North Dinajpur district's Kaliagunj, SP North Dinajpur Sana Akhtar on Saturday said that the victim's post-mortem report given by doctors reveals that death was due to a poisonous substance.

This comes after a Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in the North Dinajpur district of West Bengal. On Thursday, the locals found the body of the minor, who had gone missing. On Friday, locals staged a protest demanding justice for her.

Giving details about the incident, SP Dinajpur said, "We found a body of a girl, and police reached the spot. Probe began. The Main accused, and his father was detained. The case was registered based on the family's complaint. Both accused were sent to 14-day police custody"

SP also informed about the post-mortem report of the victim and said that the death was due to a poisonous substance, however, they'll ask doctors to clarify if there's any sexual injury.

"Victim's post-mortem report given by doctors reveals that death was due to a poisonous substance. No major injury. We will again ask doctors to clarify if there's any sexual injury," said SP North Dinajpur.

Earlier in the day, clashes also broke out between the locals and police in the district over the rape and murder of a minor girl.

Police and security personnel were seen on the spot.

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

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Kenya cult deaths: 21 bodies found in investigation into 'starvation cult'

A preacher in custody allegedly told followers to starve themselves in order to "meet Jesus".

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"Should Be Shot On Sight": Union Minister On Those Glorifying Atiq Ahmed

Reacting to slogans glorifying murdered Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed after offering prayers, Union Minister Ashwini Choubey said that such people should be shot at sight and Bihar needs Yogi Adityanath's model of government.

This comes after Patna police on Friday said one of the men at the Jumma Namaz (Friday prayer congregations) raised slogans glorifying dead Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed after offering prayers in Patna district.

"After offering Jumma Namaz, one of the men shouted 'Atiq Ahmad Amar Rahe' and used slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Vaibhav Sharma, City SP, Patna, said.

Reacting to this, Union Minister said, "The incident is unfortunate and it is regrettable to make such statements and slogans in Bihar, such people should be immediately shot and sighted."

Hitting out at the slogans raised against UP CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi, Mr Choubey said, "The manner in which slogans were raised against the Prime Minister of the country and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh by taking names, is also very unfortunate."

"We need the 'Yogi' model in Bihar in which criminals like terrorism mafia are not spared," he added.

Further, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that in Bihar only the government of the uncle-nephew dynasty and casteism is running, the way Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is giving statements targeting the people of BJP, the public will give them answer by choosing the Yogi model in the state in 2025.

"In Bihar, only the government of the uncle-nephew dynasty and casteism is running, the way CM Nitish Kumar is giving statements targeting the people of BJP, the public will give them answer by choosing the Yogi model in the state in 2025. In the coming times the people of Bihar will bring the Yogi model into power, BJP government will also be formed in Bihar."

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

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Ajit Pawar Capable Of Becoming Maharashtra Chief Minister: Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was capable of becoming Maharashtra chief minister since he has vast administrative experience, the statement coming days after the two engaged in a verbal tussle.

Notably, amid speculation surrounding his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would "100 per cent" like to become the chief minister. He had also said that NCP can stake a claim to the post of chief minister "now also" instead of waiting for 2024.

Mr Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, also said some undeserving people had gone on to become the chief minister of the state by engineering splits, an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde whose rebellion along with 40 MLAs in June last year brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Mr Raut also said there is no difference regarding the chief minister's post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, and the alliance is united and strong.

He asserted that the MVA will come back (to power) in 2024 and it "will look into it (the post of chief minister)".

"Who would not like to be chief minister? And Ajit Pawar is capable of becoming chief minister. He has been in politics for so many years now and has been a minister several times. He holds a record for having served as deputy CM the most number of times. Everyone thinks one should become CM," Mr Raut told reporters.

On November 23, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28.

Ajit Pawar went back to the NCP and was made deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

During an interview with a media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar on Friday responded to a query on his chief ministerial ambitions by saying "yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM)".

Queried on this, Mr Raut said, "He (Ajit Pawar) has not expressed this desire for the first time. So my best wishes to him." These statements come amid intense speculation about Ajit Pawar's next political move, as the mercurial NCP leader cancelled some of his programmes recently, went incommunicado briefly and skipped the party's one-day convention in Mumbai on Friday.

While there is a buzz about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar has said he will be with the NCP till he is alive, and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also recently stated the former was not in touch with the saffron party.

Sparks flew recently between Ajit Pawar and Mr Raut after the latter's weekly column in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' dealt on a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

Mr Raut, in his column, claimed Sharad Pawar had told Thackeray that the NCP would never align with the BJP, though "if anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue".

Hitting back, Mr Pawar, on Tuesday, trained his guns on Mr Raut and said some spokespersons of other parties were behaving like spokespersons of the NCP.

The former deputy chief minister also said he would raise this issue whenever there is a meeting of the NCP.

Mr Raut responded by saying he listens only to Sharad Pawar.

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

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"Why Did He Take Oath As Minister?" Congress Leader Slams Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Saturday hit back at Ajit Pawar, saying the NCP leader should have quit the government led by Congress' Prithviraj Chavan in 2010-14 itself if he was unhappy.

He also appeared making light of Ajit Pawar's remarks that he would "100 per cent like to be the chief minister", saying if the NCP leader has a majority of 145 MLAs, then he must become the CM.

The Congress is a constituent in the Maha Vikas Aghadi along with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the Nationalist Congress Party.

"Ajit Pawar was in the government led by Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan from 2010 to 2014. Why did he take the oath as a minister if he was helpless? Prithviraj Chavan is our leader and it is not expected that Ajit Pawar will say this about him.

"If Ajit Pawar was unhappy in the Congress-NCP government, he should have left that time itself," Mr Patole told reporters.

Ajit Pawar had served as deputy Chief Minister from November 2010 to September 2014 when Prithviraj Chavan was chief minister.

During his interview with the Sakal Media Group in Pune on Friday, Ajit Pawar was asked whether he liked working with Congress chief minister Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the post from November 2019 to June 2022. To which, the NCP leader replied they worked "happily" with Mr Thackeray, but working with Mr Chavan was not by choice but as per the directions of seniors.

Queried on Ajit Pawar's statement regarding the post of the chief minister, Mr Patole said it is nothing wrong if a politician is nursing ambitions to lead the state.

"If Ajit Pawar has a majority of 145 MLAs (out of 288 in Maharashtra Assembly), then he must become the chief minister,'' Mr Patole said.

Amid speculation over his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said NCP can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra's chief minister "now also" instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

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

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Alejandro Toledo: Peru ex-president to be extradited from US

Alejandro Toledo's lawyers unsuccessfully attempted to stop his extradition earlier in the week.

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Delhi University Is A Part Of India's Development: Minister Hardeep Puri

The Delhi University is a great institution and India has been "very profoundly influenced" by its work, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Friday.

Speaking at an event, Mr Puri said the institution has a great history and is a part of India's development.

He was the chief guest at the university's first alumni meet. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi.

"The institution with which I am associated has a great history. Hindu College's association with the freedom movement is well-documented. So in many ways, the Delhi University is privileged to be part of India's development, not only in development sense in terms of academic development in terms of social movement," he said.

"The Delhi University is a great institution, it has a great history. India has been very profoundly influenced by the work of this university," Mr Puri said.

Speaking at the event, DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh articulated that the university has a very important, significant and established history.

"The DU has completed 100 years. It is a matter of pride for all of us. It has a very important, significant and established history," he said.

On the growth of the university, the vice chancellor said: "We started with three colleges, now the count stands at 90. We had two faculties, now the number of faculties is 16. We had two departments and now it has 86 departments," he said.

"We started with 750 students, after 100 years we have 6,10,230 students in the university. We started 1,380 books now in our library and now we have 80 lakh books and then we have digital books," he added.

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

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Russian army launches campaign encouraging men to join

The campaign comes as Russian armed forces apparently suffer heavy losses in Ukraine.

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5 Deaths, 993 New Covid Cases Recorded In Maharashtra In 24 Hours

Maharashtra on Friday reported 993 COVID-19 cases and five deaths, which took the tally to 81,60,499 and the count to 1,48,497, a health official said.

A state health department bulletin said the XBB.1.16 is the dominant variant of Omicron that was driving the case surge in the state. So far, 681 cases caused by this variant have been detected, and five persons have succumbed.

The addition to the tally was lower than the 1,113 recorded on Thursday, which also saw three fatalities, he pointed out.

Mumbai and Pune recorded two deaths each while the fifth fatality was in Nagpur, he said.

Mumbai accounted for 226 of the new cases in the state, the official added.

The recovery count increased by 1,147 in the last 24 hours to touch 80,06,032, leaving the state with 5,970 active cases, the official said.

So far, 8,68,69,019 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the state, including 18,118 in the last 24 hours.

The case fatality rate is 1.81 per cent and the recovery rate stands at 98.11 per cent.

Since January 1 this year, 80 persons have succumbed to the infection, with 81 per cent having comorbidities, as per state health department data.

On April 20, the state had 6,129 active cases, comprising 5,834 (95.2 per cent) in home isolation and the rest 295 (4.8 per cent) in hospitals.

Of the 295 hospitalised, 57 were in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) while the remaining 238 were in normal wards.

Of the 18,118 coronavirus tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 14,877 were carried out in government labs, 2,949 in private labs and 292 through self-testing kits, the official said.

Maharashtra coronavirus cases for the day: Fresh cases: 993; Fatalities: 5; Active cases: 5,970; Tests: 14,877.

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Kerala Priest, 77, Arrested For Sexually Harassing Teen: Police

An orthodox church priest was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl in Muvattupuzha, police said on Friday. According to the press statement issued by Ernakulam Rural Police, an orthodox church priest Shemavoon Ramba, a native of Pathanamthitta and aged 77 years was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl in Muvattupuzha.

The priest has been removed from official duties after the alleged incident, the police said.

"The incident happened on April 3. As per the complaint received by the police, the priest allegedly molested the minor girl in the church. The police registered a case based on the girl's complaint," reads the statement.

The priest has been charged under the POCSO act, the police said.

The police said, "The priest was called to the police station this morning and arrested. The priest, a native of Pathanamthitta, came to the church in Muvattupuzha temporarily as part of the Easter celebration."

The investigation team includes Inspector PH Sameesh, Sub Inspector KP Siddhique, Additional Sub Inspector MS Manoj and Shalvi Augustine, as informed by the police.

Earlier in March this year, a priest was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district.

The accused was identified as Pondson John connected with St Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church.

The alleged incident happened on March 12 and 13. The Class 12 student was taken for counselling by the priest.

According to the police, the Class 12 student in her complaint said that the priest misbehaved with her when she went for counselling on March 12 and 13.

The police registered a case under sections 3,4,7 and 8 of the POCSO Act.

While a Kerala court in January last year acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case.

The complaint was filed by a nun wherein she alleged that she was raped 13 times by Mulakkal between 2014 and 2016 when he was a bishop in the Missionaries of Jesus, Jalandhar diocese.

The complaint was filed on June 27, 2018, and Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 on charges of 7 IPC sections including rape. The prosecution had examined 39 witnesses in the case.

The trial in the case began in November 2019. After three long years, it was finally completed on Monday, January 10, 2022.

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"Milk, Lemon Don't Mix": Vasundhara Raje On Ashok Gehlot Collusion Charge

 leader Vasundhara Raje on Thursday rejected allegations of collusion with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as a lie, and said milk and lemon juice do not go together.

A lie is being spread as part of a conspiracy, the former chief minister told reporters at the Jambheshwar temple in Suratgarh town of Sriganganagar district.

"Can milk and lemon juice ever mix," she asked.

Without taking any name, Ms Raje said some people don't find peace without making false allegations.

Last week, while announcing his day-long fast against inaction of the Ashok Gehlot government over alleged cases of corruption during the previous BJP rule, Pilot had said the Congress government should take action or else people would assume that there is a collusion.

Ms Raje said many people have been conspiring against her and spreading the lie that "they are in collusion".

How is it possible to collude with those whose ideologies and principles do not match with hers, Ms Raje asked.

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

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Alec Baldwin: Criminal charges dropped over shooting, say lawyers

The actor's lawyers say they are "pleased" with the move to drop the involuntary manslaughter case.

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Maharashtra Board Schools To Close From Today Over Heat Wave Conditions

All schools affiliated to the state board in Maharashtra will remain closed from Friday in view of the heat wave conditions, the government said.

Schools of other boards can take decision about closure after considering their curriculum and activities, said the order issued by the School Education Department on Thursday.

Except for Vidarbha, schools in the state will reopen on June 15. Those in Vidarbha will restart from June 30, the order said.

At least 14 persons died due to heat stroke after attending the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony in Navi Mumbai on April 16.

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Villa Aurora: US 'princess' evicted from Rome villa with Caravaggio mural

Princess Rita Jenrette has been involved in an inheritance dispute with the sons of her ex-husband.

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Vote For AAP In Place Of Congress: Arvind Kejriwal Before Jalandhar Polls

Ahead of next month's Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal Thursday appealed to people of the constituency to vote for his party if they want development, claiming the Congress did nothing for them in 60 years.

"We are doing good work and with honesty," he said, addressing a gathering here. "Vote for us in place of Congress...give us one chance," the Delhi chief minister added.

"For past 60 years, Jalandhar has been represented by a Congress MP. For 60 years, you voted for the Congress. What did you get? Did the Congress give you anything? Nothing," Arvind Kejriwal said.

He said people of Punjab gave AAP a chance in last year's assembly polls and the party formed the government with overwhelming majority. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was also present.

"And the second thing, if you vote for the Congress, what benefit will you get? In Punjab, it is our government, we have to get the work done. If you vote for the Congress, they will fight and indulge in 'Tu Tu Mein Mein'. If you want fights, vote for them, but if you have to get all your work done, get roads built, landfills cleaned, then give one chance to AAP," Mr Kejriwal said.

The Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary in January. The Congress has fielded his wife Karamjit Kaur, while AAP has fielded Sushil Kumar Rinku, a former Congress leader who recently joined the ruling party in the state.

Arvind Kejriwal told the people of Jalandhar that he was giving them a guarantee that all their work would be completed by the AAP government.

After AAP came to power in Punjab, during past one year, "we have started to fulfil these promises, guarantees", he said.

"Some people come to us and say that we don't know how to do politics. They tell us that promises and guarantees are not fulfilled so fast but only in the last year of the term so that people won't forget. We tell them we have not come here to do politics, but to serve people," Arvind Kejriwal said.

The AAP leader touched upon his party's poll promise of giving 300 units of free power every month to residents of Punjab, saying parties like the BJP, Congress and the SAD used to mock it for this.

Arvind Kejriwal said just within three months of coming to power, "we have showed them how this was done".

"I was told by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema that under every head money is coming now. Money used to come earlier too, but all this used to go into their pockets, into the Swiss bank accounts of leaders of these parties. Now, all this money is going into the government treasury. And with this money, your electricity bills are becoming zero," he said.

He said 28,000 youths have been given government jobs during past one year and in the coming years, several thousand more jobs will be given, he said.

Mr Kejriwal further said there is no big government hospital in Jalandhar. "We will set up a big hospital like PGIMER," he said, adding landfill sites will be cleaned and roads built.

He said blue (ration) card holders were facing some problems, as cards of some beneficiaries have got deleted by mistake, but he assured that everyone will get ration.

Hitting out at the previous regimes, Arvind Kejriwal said for 75 years, they have destroyed Punjab, "but we will set things right and all problems will be solved though it may take time".

"We eliminated mafia raj including sand mafia. Now, people are getting sand at affordable rates," he said.

He alleged that scholarships for Scheduled Caste students were usurped during the previous regime. "The minister in the previous government responsible has been sent to jail by our government in Punjab. Now, children are getting scholarship. I am told scholarship of some students is pending, but they too will be get it in next few days," the AAP leader added.

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

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SpaceX Starship: What happened during Elon Musk's rocket launch

There were cheers, but there was also an explosion. The BBC's Jonathan Amos breaks down what happened.

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US Says Committed To Working Together With India In Groups Like Quad

The White House on Wednesday said the US is committed to continuing working together with India in groups like Quad to advance economic growth for the two countries and "expand cooperation of our shared priorities."

"We're committed to continuing working together and in groups like the Quad to advance economic growth for our two countries and expand cooperation of our shared priorities," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

The Quad is a strategic forum comprising India, Japan, the US, and Australia. Its primary objective is to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

"The United States and India have a strong bilateral relationship, and that's including trade as well," the White House Press Secretary added.

Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said that India and the United States are building the foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community. She said she also wished that the relationship between the two countries grows from "strength to strength".

Speaking at a reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ms Sitharaman said, "We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community".

Earlier, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that Indian community members across America have been working to advance bilateral commercial, economic and people-to-people ties.

"A delightful afternoon with Indian community members from across the US who have been working to advance bilateral commercial, economic & people to people ties," the Indian Ambassador tweeted.

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Mystery white flash lights up skies over Kyiv

Videos from four angles shows the flash in Ukraine's capital - although it's not known what caused it.

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Gold Bars Worth Rs 75 Lakh Seized From Aircraft's Toilet At Delhi Airport

Three gold bars worth around Rs 75 lakh were recovered from the toilet of an international flight at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, customs officials said on Wednesday.

"On the basis of input received and further developed by customs officers at IGI Airport, an aircraft used for international flights was searched upon completion of its international trip at Terminal 3 of IGI in New Delhi on April 17," the customs officials on Wednesday.

During the search, customs officers found two objects affixed/stuck with adhesive tape on the upper side panel of the starboard side lavatory of the flight.

"Upon removal and unwrapping, one rectangular gold bar and two unevenly shaped gold bars were recovered, collectively weighing 1400 grams were recovered," a senior customs official said.

The officials further added that the total value appraised for the recovered gold bars comes to Rs 74,92,954.

The gold, along with its packing material, has been seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and further investigation is underway, the officials added.

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India's Economy, Development Goals At Risk Due To Extreme Heat: Study

Killer heat waves are putting "unprecedented burdens" on India's agriculture, economy and public health, with climate change undermining the country's long-term efforts to reduce poverty, inequality and illness, a new study showed.

Extreme heat has caused more than 24,000 deaths since 1992 and has also driven up air pollution and accelerated glacial melt in northern India, said a team of scholars led by the University of Cambridge's Ramit Debnath.

India is now "facing a collision of multiple, cumulative climate hazards", with extreme weather happening almost every day from January to October last year, they said.

Mr Debnath told Reuters that it was "very important to figure out how we measure vulnerabilities to frequent extreme events", with the Indian government's own "climate vulnerability index" believed to underestimate the impact that longer, earlier and more frequent heatwaves will have on development.

As much as 90% of India's total area now lies in extreme heat danger zones, and it is not fully prepared, he warned.

"India has already done quite a bit in terms of heat mitigation - they actually now recognise heatwaves as part of their disaster relief package," he said. "But there's a need to optimise the pace of these plans."

"The adaptation measures that are being put on paper are quite substantial ... and I think they have a very strong solid plan, but it's how they are implemented."

The researchers also warned that heatwaves were weakening India's efforts to meet its "Social Development Goals", a list of 17 UN objectives to cut poverty, hunger, inequality and disease.

Extreme heat could ultimately lead to a 15% decline in "outdoor working capacity", reduce the quality of life of up to 480 million people and cost 2.8% of GDP by 2050, they said.

Falling productivity caused by extreme high temperatures could already be costing India 5.4% of its GDP, according to the Climate Transparency Report published by environmental groups last year.

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7 Foreigners Duped Over 600 Indian Women Of Lakhs Using Instagram: Cops

Seven foreigners staying in Delhi and a local associate have been arrested for allegedly duping over 600 women in India of lakhs of rupees after befriending them on social media using fake identities, the Noida Police said on Wednesday.

The gang of cyber thugs would dupe the women after befriending them through Instagram and Facebook in disguise of merchant navy officers, Additional DCP (Noida) Shakti Avasthy said.  The arrest has been made by a joint team of Sector 20 police station and the local IT Cell, he said.

Those arrested include six men and a woman from different African countries like Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, while their Indian associate is a woman from Sikkim, Mr Avasthy told reporters.

He said the gang members, some of whom were staying in India without valid documents, befriended women through social media using fake identities.

"They posed as merchant Navy officers and chatted with the target women. After befriending them, the suspect would inform them that they have sent some expensive gift like jewellery, footwear or ring, for them but it has got stuck with the customs department," Avasthy said.

"Later, they would get a call from a woman who identified herself as a customs department representative. She would then seek money on pretext of some fees to release their gift which has come from abroad," the officer said. 

Once any woman had made the payment to them, these cheats would go untraceable before the victim could realise the fraud, he said. 

"The gang would usually take Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 from a target, as much as they could negotiate. However, the woman, on whose complaint, the FIR was lodged, has been duped of around Rs 2.50 lakh," he added. 

ACP (Noida -1) Rajneesh Verma said the thugs were based in Delhi and they used fake profiles on social media platforms like Instagram to catch their targets. 

"They downloaded pictures of merchant Navy officers from internet and used them to created a fake profile. They chose pictures of good looking people on their profile through which they interacted with the victims," Mr Verma said.  According to the police, 31 mobile phones have been seized from the possession of the gang and it has come to light they engaged 600 to 700 women for fraud in similar manner.

Those arrested have been identified by the police as Calvin Okafor Guise, Uchenna Egbu, Ixa Sagir, Oyoma Lisa Domenik (all four from Nigeria); Daniel John, Jonas Dekka (both from Ghana), and Hibib Fofana (Ivory Coast).

The Indian woman who was allegedly part of the gang has been identified as Radhika Chhetri, who hails from Gangtok in Sikkim, the police added.

Chhetri posed as a Customs department representative as she could speak Hindi and helped the gang dupe several people, the police noted.

An FIR has been lodged under relevant provisions of the law and further proceedings are being carried out, the police added.

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

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Sexual Offence Victim Has Right To Participate In Proceedings: High Court

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled the victim of a sexual offence has "unbridled participatory rights" in all criminal proceedings in the matter but there is no legal requirement to make her a party to the proceedings.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhamabhani stressed on the need of maintaining confidentiality in respect of the identity of the victim and directed the high court registry to "carefully scrutinise" all filings in order to ensure the anonymity of the victim is strictly maintained.

The court also said in light of a Supreme Court decision granting participatory rights to such victims in criminal proceedings, section 439(1A) (right of victim to be heard) of Code of Criminal Procedure must be expanded to include her right to be heard even in petitions where an accused seeks anticipatory bail, a convict seeks suspension of sentence, parole, furlough, or other such interim relief.

The court's order came while dealing with bail plea by a person accused of rape and aggravated sexual assault on a minor.

The victim had been made a "party-respondent" in the matter while redacting her details.

The court observed that it is the State which is in-charge of prosecuting criminal offences and the "right to be represented and be heard" is different from the "right or the obligation to be a party" to the proceedings.

The court noted there may be times where a victim may not seek a hearing, and making her a party to the proceedings and mandating her to appear and defend may cause her additional hardship and agony.

"There is no requirement in law to implead the victim, that is to say, to make the victim a party, to any criminal proceedings, whether instituted by the State or by the accused," said the court in its 20-page order.

"In accordance with the mandate of the Supreme Court.., a victim now has unbridled participatory rights in all criminal proceedings in relation to which the person is a victim, but that in itself is no reason to implead a victim as a party to any such proceedings, unless otherwise specifically so provided in the statute," it stated.

Making the presence of the informant obligatory at the time of hearing in terms of section 439(1A) CrPC gives the victim the right to be "effectively heard", whether through the informant or other authorised representative, and her "mere ornamental presence" is not enough, it said.

The court said it was clear that victims of crime can no longer be asked to remain mere spectators and must be accorded unbridled participatory rights in the legal proceedings initiated in relation to the crime alleged to have been committed against them.

Amicus curiae, senior advocate Rebecca John who assisted the court in the matter, argued there was no requirement, statutory or otherwise, that a victim must be made party to criminal proceedings and her right to be heard is already recognised.

The counsel for the complainant, however, argued the victims must be impleaded.

John said, in certain cases, there is no anonymousness in relation to a victim at all, and once a victim has been impleaded as a party respondent, there are high chances of third persons being able to put-together her identity even if anonymity is maintained.

To protect the identity of victims, the court passed a slew of directions and asked that the same may be shared with trial courts and police by the high court Registrar General and be brought to the notice of the high court chief justice for framing appropriate practice directions.

The court said the name, parentage, address, social media credentials and photographs of the prosecutrix/victim/survivor must not be disclosed in the filings made in court and any identifying particulars may be brought to court or filed in a sealed cover or a pass-code locked electronic folder.

The registry must ensure that particulars do not get reflected in the cause-list and the details of the victim's family members are not disclosed in any manner, the court stated.

"At the stage of scrutiny of the filings, in the event the Registry finds that the identity credentials of a prosecutrix/victim/ survivor are disclosed in the memo of parties or anywhere else in the filings, such filings must be returned to counsel who have filed the same, to undertake requisite redactions, before the filings are accepted," stated the court.

It since complete redaction from all documents may not be possible, files/paper-books etc relating to sexual offences must not be provided to any person other than the parties to the litigation and all service shall only be effected by the investigating officer who must remain in plain clothes to avoid any unwarranted attention and inform the victim of her right to free legal aid.

The court perused the legal framework under the Indian Penal Code, POCSO and CrPC and said it was a statutory mandate that the identity of a victim must be kept confidential.

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