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Ex-BJP Ally Dushyant Chautala Writes To Haryana Governor, Seeks Floor Test 9 May 2024, 9:58 am

Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and BJP ally Dushyant Chautala has written to the Governor, demanding a floor test in the state assembly. Mr Chautala's move comes amidst a political upheaval sparked by the withdrawal of support from three independent MLAs and mounting tensions within the ruling BJP coalition.

In a letter addressed to the Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr Chautala said that the recent resignations and withdrawals of support have left the ruling BJP alliance teetering on the brink of a minority status. 

"I urge you to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test to determine majority of government," Mr Chautala's letter to the Governor. 

The call for a floor test stems from the recent switch of three Independent MLAs from the BJP faction to the Congress faction. On Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) declared their intention to cut support for the BJP administration during a press conference held in Rohtak. They were joined by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress chief.

Mr Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) which is a former ally of the BJP, did not mince words in expressing his party's readiness to throw its weight behind an alternative government, signalling a potential alliance with the Congress. 

"The government that was formed two months back is now in the minority because two of the MLAs who supported them - one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA - have resigned. Three Independent MLAs who were supporting them have withdrawn their support and have written to the Governor. JJP has clearly said that if a No Confidence Motion is brought against this government, we will support the motion," Mr Chautala said. 

"We have also written to the Governor about it. Now, Congress has to take this step (seeking a Floor Test). The Governor has the power to order a Floor Test to see if the Government has the strength and if it doesn't have the majority immediately implement President's Rule in the state," he added. 

Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said on Tuesday that the Nayab Singh Saini-led government had won a trust vote on March 13. According to Mr Gupta, a no-confidence vote can only be brought six months after a trust vote. 

"It is a technical matter," he said. 

The Haryana Assembly, with 90 seats, is currently occupied by 88 members, with the majority mark at 45. BJP commands 40 MLAs supported by three out of six independent candidates, meaning the ruling coalition is short of two MLAs to hit the majority. The Congress party boasts 30 MLAs with its count bolstered by three independent candidates. Should the JJP lend its support, the Congress's tally would rise to 43 MLAs. This scenario leaves two MLAs unaligned-one from the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.

Aftab Ahmed, Congress leader and deputy leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly, has asked for time to meet the Governor. 

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Controversy After Video Seems To Show BJP Leader's Minor Son Casting Vote 9 May 2024, 9:51 am

Controversy has erupted after a video emerged online today showing a minor boy seeming to cast a vote during the Lok Sabha election in Berasia in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal.

According to reports, the boy is the son of Vinay Mehar, a Bharatiya Janata Party panchayat leader, and he accompanied his father - who seemed to take the video - into the polling booth during voting on Tuesday, and cast the vote, on his father's behalf, on the EVM.

The 14-second video - reportedly shared on the BJP leader's Facebook page - was flagged by the media advisor of Congress leader Kamal Nath. The video shows the boy and the father in the booth and pressing a button on the EVM linked to the lotus, or the BJP's symbol. 

The camera then pans to show the vote being registered by the VVPAT, or Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail machine, after which Mr Mehar is heard saying, "Ok. That is enough now."

Questions have asked about how a) a mobile phone was allowed into the polling booth, and b) how the child was permitted to accompany his father into the booth.

"BJP has turned the Election Commission into a child's plaything. In Bhopal, the BJP's district panchayat member Vinay Mehar got his minor son to cast his vote. Vinay Mehar also made a video of the time when he cast his vote. Vinay Mehar posted the video on Facebook."

"Will there be any action?" Piyush Babele, whose X handle describes him as a media advisor in the office of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, said as he shared the video online.

The Election Commission has not yet responded to the video.

The video has been acknowledged by district officials.

District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh has ordered an investigation and said action will be taken against the Presiding Officer at the polling booth and any persons concerned.

The Berasia Assembly segment, where the incident took place, is reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates, and is one of eight that makes up the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat.

The Berasia segment is held by the BJP's Vishnu Khatre, while the Lok Sabha seat is held by the party's Pragya Thakur, who thumped the Congress' Digvijaya Singh in the last election. She will not, though, defend her seat as the BJP has fielded Alok Sharma against the Congress' Arun Shrivastava.

Odisha bubbling for change. Can Naveen factor save BJD? 9 May 2024, 9:50 am

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Miss Teen USA Resigns From Post 2 Days After Miss USA Gave Up Her Title 9 May 2024, 9:50 am

UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss Teen USA 2023, on Wednesday, gave up her crown, just two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt relinquished her title. In a statement shared to her Instagram, the Mexican-Indian American teen provided a cryptic reason for her resignation, stating that “my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organisation.” 

The 17-year-old wrote that this wasn't how she saw her "reign coming to a close," and expressed gratitude for all the support from her family, state directors, fellow contestants, and fans since winning her state title. She wrote that she would always "look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly", adding that the experience of representing her state as a “first-generation Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself.”

The New Jersey teenager said that she was “excited to continue my advocacy for education and acceptance” through her multilingual children's book, 'The White Jaguar' and with “the organisations that I have had the privilege to work with long before I started competing, namely The Lotus Petal Foundation and the Bridge of Books Foundation”. She is currently working on a “new writing project.”

Ms Srivastava further mentioned that she would soon apply to colleges, “looking forward to the rest of the year as I finish 11th grade as part of the National Honour Society”, adding that her “academic career has been defined by hard work and my hard work alone.” 

Concluding, she thanked those who supported her for “who I am and have always been, not for who I've momentarily become." She counted herself lucky for having had “the privilege of this experience.” 

“I know that the story of my life will truly be incredible,” she added. 

Though Ms Srivastava's sudden resignation is unusual, the timing is even more curious. It coincides with Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt's recent return of her own crown. Ms Voight, who was crowned in September 2023, revealed in an Instagram post, "In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health." 

All of this suggests that there may be developments brewing within the pageant company, once owned by former US President Donald Trump (from 1996 to 2015).

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Debate Ends On Samson's Dismissal. New Video Shows What Actually Happened 9 May 2024, 9:41 am

While there were some terrific performances, the IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals grabbed the limelight for an entirely different issue. A massive controversy erupted over a contentious catch taken by Shai Hope to dismiss Sanju Samson. Samson, who was batting at 86, slammed Mukesh Kumar straight down the ground but was caught in the deep by Hope. However, while completing the catch, he came extremely close to the boundary line. The third umpire gave him out but Samson refused to leave the field. He continued talking to the official before resultantly leaving. 

There has been much debate on the issue with internet divided on whether he was out or not. Now, in a new video by official broadcasters Star Sports, is is quite conclusive that Samson was out. The video showed that Shai Hope's leg did not touch the cushion. In the video, IPL-winning coach Tom Moody explained how the 'boundary cushion' never moved when Shai Hope took the catch. 

Out or Not Out!?

Here's a closer look at why #SanjuSamson was given out last night v Delhi Capitals - a moment which changed the course of the match. @TomMoodyCricket and @jatinsapru dissected each and every replay available to demonstrate why the third umpire made the... pic.twitter.com/xZeySOSmd4

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 8, 2024

However, Navjot Singh Sidhu said in a separate video, that Hope had touched the boundary rope.

"The decision that changed the game was Sanju Samson's dismissal. There could be differences of opinion, but if you look at the side-on angle, it touches the boundary twice. It was pretty clear. Either you don't use technology, or if you're using it and the technology is making a mistake, it's like there's a fly in milk, and someone asks you to drink it," Sidhu said on Star Sports.

"It touched the boundary line twice. And after this, if someone says that it's out... see, I'm a neutral person, so I've seen it, it's not out. That's why I also kept saying it about Kohli (on his dismissal against KKR, which triggered controversy over potential no-ball). Whatever may be the rule, you can see it from the naked eye; some evidence is very strong not to believe. It's like finding a trout in a glass of milk. Umpire didn't do it on purpose, no one is at fault. It's part of the game. That changed the game," he added.

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BJP Launches Portal To Help "Genuine" Candidates Hit By Bengal School Jobs Scam 9 May 2024, 9:38 am

The West Bengal unit of the BJP has set up a dedicated legal support website and a helpline number to assist "genuine" candidates affected by the alleged school jobs scam, a senior party leader said on Thursday.

The helpline number and the portal were made public on Wednesday night, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the state unit of the BJP to establish a legal cell for the "genuine" candidates.

"As per the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal BJP is duty-bound to stand beside the eligible candidates who were affected due to the TMC's illegal recruitment of some people," BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

The legal support website is 'bjplegalsupport.org' and helpline number is 9150056618, he said.

"Once a complaint is received through the helpline number or the website, we will speak to the candidate concerned and seek the status of his or her case, following which we will provide legal help accordingly," he said.

While addressing election rallies in the state on Friday, PM Modi had issued a direction to the state BJP in a bid to address grievances stemming from the scam and assured of support to genuine candidates who were affected.

The Calcutta High Court had on April 22 declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as "null and void", ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. Around 26,000 people lost their jobs following the court order.

The Supreme Court, however, on Tuesday stayed the Calcutta High Court order invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staffers made by the state's School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run and aided schools.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, permitted the CBI to continue with its investigation and probe even members of the state cabinet but asked the agency not to take any precipitate action like arresting a suspect.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had accused the BJP of "hatching the conspiracy" to snatch away the school jobs and thanked the top court for staying the Calcutta High Court order.

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Mountain Guide Dies In Nepal After Climbing World's Fifth-Highest Peak 9 May 2024, 9:36 am

A Nepali guide died after summiting the world's fifth-highest mountain, officials in the Himalayan Republic said Thursday, in the first fatality of the spring climbing season.

Lakpa Tenji Sherpa, 53, reached the summit of the 8,485-metre-tall (27,838-feet) Mount Makalu while accompanying foreign climbers on Monday but died as he was descending.

"He was unwell and had to be helped down by his team members," Rakesh Gurung of Nepal's tourism department told AFP.

Expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks said it was waiting on more details.

Nepal has issued 59 permits to foreign climbers for Makalu and dozens have reached the top after a rope-fixing team summited the peak last month.

Nepali guides and porters account for a large portion of deaths on the Himalayas, underscoring the risk they take for the dreams of hundreds of paying climbers aiming to reach the top of the world's highest peaks.

Hundreds of climbers have flocked to Nepal-- home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks -- and are preparing for summits in the spring climbing season, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm.

Nepal has issued over 900 permits for its mountains this year, including 414 for Everest, earning over five million dollars in royalties.

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Opinion: Opinion | Xi Jinping In Europe: Seeking To Win Friends And Influence People 9 May 2024, 9:31 am

Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to win friends and influence people in Europe during his first trip to the continent in five years. As Beijing tries to recalibrate its broader foreign policy posture, Europe is the first port of call at a time when tensions with the West have been ratcheting up in multiple domains. For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), steadying the Chinese economy is the foremost priority, and towards that end, having a stable relationship with Europe is key when power contestation with the US is unlikely to subside any time soon. Europe's role as a balancer is critical for China to continue to shape the global balance of power in its favour.

Though there have been some tentative moves in the positive direction in the US-China relationship in recent weeks, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was categorical at the end of his three day visit to China that Beijing was "helping fuel the biggest threat" to European security since the Cold War and that Washington would act if China did not stop supplying Russia with items used against Ukraine on the battlefield. It is no wonder that for China, Europe is seemingly a simpler alternative at this stage than managing its fraught ties with the US.

Divisions Within Europe

This week's visit of Xi is choreographed to send a clear message to the West that China is today positioned not only to engage with traditional powers like France but has newer partners like Serbia and Hungary, which have traditionally been allies of Moscow but are now enamoured of Chinese economic prowess. In France, there was nothing that Xi offered to try to change the antagonistic posturing. He made it clear that China opposes "using the Ukraine crisis to cast blame, smear a third country and incite a new Cold War", while announcing that he supported the French president's call for an "Olympics truce". Beijing recognises well that this is an exercise in futility and wishful thinking on the part of Paris, so it finds no harm in mentioning aspects of policy, if only to massage France's ego.

With both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz trying to endear themselves to Beijing, the divisions within the European Union on China stand out starkly. This despite the fact that there has been a dramatic change in perceptions about China in Europe. What was once considered a binding factor - trade - has today emerged as a major bone of contention. Both Europe and China have invested heavily in each other's markets, but barriers to market access and investment restrictions persist. Europe has expressed concerns about fair competition, state subsidies, and the protection of intellectual property rights in China, while China seeks greater access to European markets and technology transfer.

Chinese Investments Are Important For Some

European countries have criticised China for its lack of reciprocity in trade and investment relations. While European markets are relatively open to Chinese investment, access to the Chinese market remains restricted for European companies, with concerns about unfair competition and forced technology transfer. Europe is wary of China's growing technological capabilities and its potential implications for cybersecurity. Concerns about Chinese telecommunications companies such as Huawei and their involvement in critical infrastructure projects have led some European countries to restrict or exclude them from their networks due to perceived security risks and potential espionage.

But parts of Europe continue with their outreach to China. Serbia's ties with China have accelerated in recent years, though it continues to seek an entry into the European Union. Last year, the two nations inked a free trade pact, bolstering their "comprehensive strategic partnership" established in 2016 during Xi's prior visit to Serbia. Following Belgrade, China's president will head to Budapest, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has emerged as Xi's staunchest ally among EU leaders.

Chinese investments play a significant role there as well, with projects like the electric car giant BYD's factory allowing Orban to challenge the EU consensus on issues over a range of subjects. The Hungarian government has tried its best to sweeten the deal for Chinese investments, and a high-speed railway seeking to connect Central Europe to the ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus is a case in point. Xi's visits to Serbia and Hungary this week also underscore the enthusiasm for China in certain parts of Europe.

Competing Interests And Values

These divisions within Europe over China are only going to grow in sync with a spectrum of interests and concerns among its member states. While some nations prioritise economic cooperation and view China as a crucial trading partner and source of investment, others are becoming more apprehensive about Beijing's growing influence, particularly regarding human rights, disinformation, and geopolitical ambitions. Additionally, debates over infrastructure and connectivity, technology standards, 5G networks, and supply chain security further underscore the discord. These divisions within Europe illustrate the complexities of navigating relations with China amidst competing interests and values.

As geopolitical tensions between the US and China become starker, Europe's space to manoeuvre will only shrink and the ability of Beijing to exploit the cleavages within the West will also increase.

For New Delhi, Europe has emerged as an important partner sharing convergent geopolitical worldviews. A strong united European voice in the global order is important for managing the turbulence in the balance of power. India would be hoping that the divisions within Europe on display during Xi Jinping's visit don't translate into a weaker strategic profile. For this, it will be critical that India's own engagement with Europe remains serious and forward-looking.

[Harsh V. Pant is a Professor of International Relations at King's College London. His most recent books include 'India and the Gulf: Theoretical Perspectives and Policy Shifts' (Cambridge University Press) and 'Politics and Geopolitics: Decoding India's Neighbourhood Challenge' (Rupa)]

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

BJP's New Portal To Help "Genuine" Candidates Hit By Bengal School Jobs Scam 9 May 2024, 9:31 am

The West Bengal unit of the BJP has set up a dedicated legal support website and a helpline number to assist "genuine" candidates affected by the alleged school jobs scam, a senior party leader said on Thursday.

The helpline number and the portal were made public on Wednesday night, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the state unit of the BJP to establish a legal cell for the "genuine" candidates.

"As per the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal BJP is duty-bound to stand beside the eligible candidates who were affected due to the TMC's illegal recruitment of some people," BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

The legal support website is 'bjplegalsupport.org' and helpline number is 9150056618, he said.

"Once a complaint is received through the helpline number or the website, we will speak to the candidate concerned and seek the status of his or her case, following which we will provide legal help accordingly," he said.

While addressing election rallies in the state on Friday, PM Modi had issued a direction to the state BJP in a bid to address grievances stemming from the scam and assured of support to genuine candidates who were affected.

The Calcutta High Court had on April 22 declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as "null and void", ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. Around 26,000 people lost their jobs following the court order.

The Supreme Court, however, on Tuesday stayed the Calcutta High Court order invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staffers made by the state's School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run and aided schools.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, permitted the CBI to continue with its investigation and probe even members of the state cabinet but asked the agency not to take any precipitate action like arresting a suspect.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had accused the BJP of "hatching the conspiracy" to snatch away the school jobs and thanked the top court for staying the Calcutta High Court order.

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

Opinion: Xi Jinping In Europe: Seeking To Win Friends And Influence People 9 May 2024, 9:31 am

Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to win friends and influence people in Europe during his first trip to the continent in five years. As Beijing tries to recalibrate its broader foreign policy posture, Europe is the first port of call at a time when tensions with the West have been ratcheting up in multiple domains. For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), steadying the Chinese economy is the foremost priority, and towards that end, having a stable relationship with Europe is key when power contestation with the US is unlikely to subside any time soon. Europe's role as a balancer is critical for China to continue to shape the global balance of power in its favour.

Though there have been some tentative moves in the positive direction in the US-China relationship in recent weeks, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was categorical at the end of his three day visit to China that Beijing was "helping fuel the biggest threat" to European security since the Cold War and that Washington would act if China did not stop supplying Russia with items used against Ukraine on the battlefield. It is no wonder that for China, Europe is seemingly a simpler alternative at this stage than managing its fraught ties with the US.

Divisions Within Europe

This week's visit of Xi is choreographed to send a clear message to the West that China is today positioned not only to engage with traditional powers like France but has newer partners like Serbia and Hungary, which have traditionally been allies of Moscow but are now enamoured of Chinese economic prowess. In France, there was nothing that Xi offered to try to change the antagonistic posturing. He made it clear that China opposes "using the Ukraine crisis to cast blame, smear a third country and incite a new Cold War", while announcing that he supported the French president's call for an "Olympics truce". Beijing recognises well that this is an exercise in futility and wishful thinking on the part of Paris, so it finds no harm in mentioning aspects of policy, if only to massage France's ego.

With both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz trying to endear themselves to Beijing, the divisions within the European Union on China stand out starkly. This despite the fact that there has been a dramatic change in perceptions about China in Europe. What was once considered a binding factor - trade - has today emerged as a major bone of contention. Both Europe and China have invested heavily in each other's markets, but barriers to market access and investment restrictions persist. Europe has expressed concerns about fair competition, state subsidies, and the protection of intellectual property rights in China, while China seeks greater access to European markets and technology transfer.

Chinese Investments Are Important For Some

European countries have criticised China for its lack of reciprocity in trade and investment relations. While European markets are relatively open to Chinese investment, access to the Chinese market remains restricted for European companies, with concerns about unfair competition and forced technology transfer. Europe is wary of China's growing technological capabilities and its potential implications for cybersecurity. Concerns about Chinese telecommunications companies such as Huawei and their involvement in critical infrastructure projects have led some European countries to restrict or exclude them from their networks due to perceived security risks and potential espionage.

But parts of Europe continue with their outreach to China. Serbia's ties with China have accelerated in recent years, though it continues to seek an entry into the European Union. Last year, the two nations inked a free trade pact, bolstering their "comprehensive strategic partnership" established in 2016 during Xi's prior visit to Serbia. Following Belgrade, China's president will head to Budapest, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has emerged as Xi's staunchest ally among EU leaders.

Chinese investments play a significant role there as well, with projects like the electric car giant BYD's factory allowing Orban to challenge the EU consensus on issues over a range of subjects. The Hungarian government has tried its best to sweeten the deal for Chinese investments, and a high-speed railway seeking to connect Central Europe to the ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus is a case in point. Xi's visits to Serbia and Hungary this week also underscore the enthusiasm for China in certain parts of Europe.

Competing Interests And Values

These divisions within Europe over China are only going to grow in sync with a spectrum of interests and concerns among its member states. While some nations prioritise economic cooperation and view China as a crucial trading partner and source of investment, others are becoming more apprehensive about Beijing's growing influence, particularly regarding human rights, disinformation, and geopolitical ambitions. Additionally, debates over infrastructure and connectivity, technology standards, 5G networks, and supply chain security further underscore the discord. These divisions within Europe illustrate the complexities of navigating relations with China amidst competing interests and values.

As geopolitical tensions between the US and China become starker, Europe's space to manoeuvre will only shrink and the ability of Beijing to exploit the cleavages within the West will also increase.

For New Delhi, Europe has emerged as an important partner sharing convergent geopolitical worldviews. A strong united European voice in the global order is important for managing the turbulence in the balance of power. India would be hoping that the divisions within Europe on display during Xi Jinping's visit don't translate into a weaker strategic profile. For this, it will be critical that India's own engagement with Europe remains serious and forward-looking.

[Harsh V. Pant is a Professor of International Relations at King's College London. His most recent books include 'India and the Gulf: Theoretical Perspectives and Policy Shifts' (Cambridge University Press) and 'Politics and Geopolitics: Decoding India's Neighbourhood Challenge' (Rupa)]

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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"Will Take Us Only 15 Seconds...": BJP Leader's Jab. A Owaisi Says "Do It" 9 May 2024, 9:23 am

A provocative statement 11 years ago by AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi - the infamous "if police are removed for 15 minutes..." remark seen as a threat to Hindus - has spawned an equally shocking "... it will take us only 15 seconds" reply by BJP leader Navneet Rana, while campaigning for Madhavi Latha, the party's candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha dominated by Mr Owaisi's brother, Asaduddin Owaisi.

Ms Rana, a former independent MP from Maharashtra's Amravati, referred to the 2013 swipe by Akbaruddin Owaisi, and said, "The younger brother said, 'Remove police for 15 minutes so we can show what we can do'. I want to tell him, 'It might take you 15 minutes... but it will only take us 15 seconds... "

And in other comments also seen as being in poor taste, she declared Madhavi Latha will "definitely stop Hyderabad from turning into Pakistan" and claimed that anyone voting for either the Congress or the AIMIM would simply be voting in favour of Pakistan.

15 सेकंद लगेगा @AkbarOwaisi_MIM @asadowaisi pic.twitter.com/TfEmWhvArX

— Navnit Ravi Rana (Modi Ka Parivar) (@navneetravirana) May 8, 2024

"If you vote for AIMIM and Congress, it goes directly to Pakistan. The kind of 'AIMIM prem (love)' and 'Rahul prem' Pakistan is showing... Just like Congress that governed country on signals from Pak... the same Pak is today saying they 'love Congress and AIMIM'."

A 39-second video clip of the rant by Ms Rana was posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, and the Owaisi brothers were tagged in the post. The older Owaisi, never one to back down from a fight, responded immediately and dared Ms Rana to follow through.

READ | Asaduddin Owaisi's "Muslims Use Condoms Most" Reply To PM's Jab

"I'm telling (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji... give her the 15 seconds. What will she do? Give her the 15 seconds... give her an hour even. We too want to see what they will do. Is there any humanity left in them? Who is scared? We are ready... if someone is making an open call (like this) then so be it. Do it. Who is stopping you?" Mr Owaisi told reporters.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On BJP leader Navnit Ravi Rana's "15 seconds lagenge" remark in Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "I tell Modi ji - give her 15 seconds. What will you do?...Give her 15 seconds, give her 1 hour. We too want to see if you have any… pic.twitter.com/e1uD3M6nhl

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2024

The face-off between Ms Rana (and Ms Latha) and Asaduddin Owaisi underlines the high-tension fight for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, which has been held by the AIMIM leader since 2004, and was the bastion of his father, Salahuddin Owaisi from 1984.

The BJP has never won here; in 2019 the party fielded Bhagavanth Rao, who got less than 236,000 votes while Mr Owaisi polled over half a million and a 64 per cent of vote share.

Mr Owaisi has already had one ugly confrontation with his rival for this election.

READ | "Where Did Mosque Come From?": BJP Candidate On "Imaginary Arrow" Row

Last month, during a Ram Navami rally in Hyderabad, the BJP's Madhavi Latha pretended to draw and fire an arrow while near a mosque. The gesture was widely condemned, with Mr Owaisi calling it "vulgar, obscene, and provocative".

Ms Latha later posted a statement on X and professed to apologise, saying, "If anyone's feelings are hurt". However, she also claimed the video circulated is "incomplete". She also spoke to news agency PTI, claiming a "conspiracy against us (the BJP) ... because we work well with both Hindu and Muslim brothers" and demanded "where did the mosque come from?"

READ | "People Of Hyderabad Not Cattle": Owaisi On PM's "Lease" Remark

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat has seven Assembly segments, of which six are held by the AIMIM.

Voting takes place on May 13, with the other 16 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

"Will Take Us Only 15 Seconds...": BJP Leader's Jab. A Owaisi Says "Do It" 9 May 2024, 9:23 am

A provocative statement 11 years ago by AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi - the infamous "if police are removed for 15 minutes..." remark seen as a threat to Hindus - has spawned an equally shocking "... it will take us only 15 seconds" reply by BJP leader Navneet Rana, while campaigning for Madhavi Latha, the party's candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha dominated by Mr Owaisi's brother, Asaduddin Owaisi.

Ms Rana, a former independent MP from Maharashtra's Amravati, referred to the 2013 swipe by Akbaruddin Owaisi, and said, "The younger brother said, 'Remove police for 15 minutes so we can show what we can do'. I want to tell him, 'It might take you 15 minutes... but it will only take us 15 seconds... "

And in other comments also seen as being in poor taste, she declared Madhavi Latha will "definitely stop Hyderabad from turning into Pakistan" and claimed that anyone voting for either the Congress or the AIMIM would simply be voting in favour of Pakistan.

15 सेकंद लगेगा @AkbarOwaisi_MIM @asadowaisi pic.twitter.com/TfEmWhvArX

— Navnit Ravi Rana (Modi Ka Parivar) (@navneetravirana) May 8, 2024

"If you vote for AIMIM and Congress, it goes directly to Pakistan. The kind of 'AIMIM prem (love)' and 'Rahul prem' Pakistan is showing... Just like Congress that governed country on signals from Pak... the same Pak is today saying they 'love Congress and AIMIM'."

A 39-second video clip of the rant by Ms Rana was posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, and the Owaisi brothers were tagged in the post. The older Owaisi, never one to back down from a fight, responded immediately and dared Ms Rana to follow through.

READ | Asaduddin Owaisi's "Muslims Use Condoms Most" Reply To PM's Jab

"I'm telling (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji... give her the 15 seconds. What will she do? Give her the 15 seconds... give her an hour even. We too want to see what they will do. Is there any humanity left in them? Who is scared? We are ready... if someone is making an open call (like this) then so be it. Do it. Who is stopping you?" Mr Owaisi told reporters.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On BJP leader Navnit Ravi Rana's "15 seconds lagenge" remark in Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "I tell Modi ji - give her 15 seconds. What will you do?...Give her 15 seconds, give her 1 hour. We too want to see if you have any… pic.twitter.com/e1uD3M6nhl

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2024

The face-off between Ms Rana (and Ms Latha) and Asaduddin Owaisi underlines the high-tension fight for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, which has been held by the AIMIM leader since 2004, and was the bastion of his father, Salahuddin Owaisi from 1984.

The BJP has never won here; in 2019 the party fielded Bhagavanth Rao, who got less than 236,000 votes while Mr Owaisi polled over half a million and a 64 per cent of vote share.

Mr Owaisi has already had one ugly confrontation with his rival for this election.

READ | "Where Did Mosque Come From?": BJP Candidate On "Imaginary Arrow" Row

Last month, during a Ram Navami rally in Hyderabad, the BJP's Madhavi Latha pretended to draw and fire an arrow while near a mosque. The gesture was widely condemned, with Mr Owaisi calling it "vulgar, obscene, and provocative".

Ms Latha later posted a statement on X and professed to apologise, saying, "If anyone's feelings are hurt". However, she also claimed the video circulated is "incomplete". She also spoke to news agency PTI, claiming a "conspiracy against us (the BJP) ... because we work well with both Hindu and Muslim brothers" and demanded "where did the mosque come from?"

READ | "People Of Hyderabad Not Cattle": Owaisi On PM's "Lease" Remark

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat has seven Assembly segments, of which six are held by the AIMIM.

Voting takes place on May 13, with the other 16 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

"Will Take Us Only 15 Seconds...": BJP Leader's Jab. A Owaisi Says "Do It" 9 May 2024, 9:23 am

A provocative statement 11 years ago by AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi - the infamous "if police are removed for 15 minutes..." remark seen as a threat to Hindus - has spawned an equally shocking "... it will take us only 15 seconds" reply by BJP leader Navneet Rana, while campaigning for Madhavi Latha, the party's candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha dominated by Mr Owaisi's brother, Asaduddin Owaisi.

Ms Rana, a former independent MP from Maharashtra's Amravati, referred to the 2013 swipe by Akbaruddin Owaisi, and said, "The younger brother said, 'Remove police for 15 minutes so we can show what we can do'. I want to tell him, 'It might take you 15 minutes... but it will only take us 15 seconds... "

And in other comments also seen as being in poor taste, she declared Madhavi Latha will "definitely stop Hyderabad from turning into Pakistan" and claimed that anyone voting for either the Congress or the AIMIM would simply be voting in favour of Pakistan.

15 सेकंद लगेगा @AkbarOwaisi_MIM @asadowaisi pic.twitter.com/TfEmWhvArX

— Navnit Ravi Rana (Modi Ka Parivar) (@navneetravirana) May 8, 2024

"If you vote for AIMIM and Congress, it goes directly to Pakistan. The kind of 'AIMIM prem (love)' and 'Rahul prem' Pakistan is showing... Just like Congress that governed country on signals from Pak... the same Pak is today saying they 'love Congress and AIMIM'."

A 39-second video clip of the rant by Ms Rana was posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, and the Owaisi brothers were tagged in the post. The older Owaisi, never one to back down from a fight, responded immediately and dared Ms Rana to follow through.

READ | Asaduddin Owaisi's "Muslims Use Condoms Most" Reply To PM's Jab

"I'm telling (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji... give her the 15 seconds. What will she do? Give her the 15 seconds... give her an hour even. We too want to see what they will do. Is there any humanity left in them? Who is scared? We are ready... if someone is making an open call (like this) then so be it. Do it. Who is stopping you?" Mr Owaisi told reporters.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On BJP leader Navnit Ravi Rana's "15 seconds lagenge" remark in Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "I tell Modi ji - give her 15 seconds. What will you do?...Give her 15 seconds, give her 1 hour. We too want to see if you have any… pic.twitter.com/e1uD3M6nhl

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2024

The face-off between Ms Rana (and Ms Latha) and Asaduddin Owaisi underlines the high-tension fight for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, which has been held by the AIMIM leader since 2004, and was the bastion of his father, Salahuddin Owaisi from 1984.

The BJP has never won here; in 2019 the party fielded Bhagavanth Rao, who got less than 236,000 votes while Mr Owaisi polled over half a million and a 64 per cent of vote share.

Mr Owaisi has already had one ugly confrontation with his rival for this election.

READ | "Where Did Mosque Come From?": BJP Candidate On "Imaginary Arrow" Row

Last month, during a Ram Navami rally in Hyderabad, the BJP's Madhavi Latha pretended to draw and fire an arrow while near a mosque. The gesture was widely condemned, with Mr Owaisi calling it "vulgar, obscene, and provocative".

Ms Latha later posted a statement on X and professed to apologise, saying, "If anyone's feelings are hurt". However, she also claimed the video circulated is "incomplete". She also spoke to news agency PTI, claiming a "conspiracy against us (the BJP) ... because we work well with both Hindu and Muslim brothers" and demanded "where did the mosque come from?"

READ | "People Of Hyderabad Not Cattle": Owaisi On PM's "Lease" Remark

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat has seven Assembly segments, of which six are held by the AIMIM.

Voting takes place on May 13, with the other 16 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

Smell Of Cooking Food Is Possibly Polluting The Air You Breathe, Finds Study 9 May 2024, 9:22 am

A new research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that the delicious smell of food cooking at restaurants, food trucks and street vendors might be negatively impacting air quality. Researchers at NOAA's Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) released the startling findings from a multilayer study of what they call "underappreciated sources" of urban air pollution. They focused on three cities in the United States - Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Boulder in Colorado -  where they measured human-caused volatile organic compounds (VOCs) related to cooking. 

"If you can smell it, there's a good chance it's impacting air quality," researchers said in the study. 

For the research, experts measured all sorts of different VOCs across the US from different sources like vehicles, wildfire smoke, agriculture and consumer products. "We kept seeing a specific class of compound in the urban measurements, what we call long-chain aldehydes, that we couldn't explain from these other sources," study author Matt Coggon said. 

The researchers found that Las Vegas, which has one of the highest number of eateries in the United States, has persistent air quality issues. On average, 21% of the total mass of VOCs present in Vegas' outdoor air were from "cooking activities," NOAA estimated.

Also Read | People Are Breathing In Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Their Cars, Study Finds

The administration also found elevated levels of VOCs in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. Overall, researchers concluded that air pollution from cooking is vastly underestimated and could account for nearly a quarter of VOCs in urban areas. The problem is even more acute indoors and inside homes, experts warned. 

"Cooking emissions could be the single largest missing source of urban VOCs in current air quality models, which could have important ramifications for air quality management," the study said. 

What this means for air quality management remains to be seen. But having the data, Mr Coggon believes, is the first step. "It's crucial to have the full picture of emissions and sources to help policymakers understand the effectiveness of their decisions," he said. 

Disha Patani's "Photo Dumps" Will Make You Want To Book The Next Flight To Phuket 9 May 2024, 9:22 am

What would Disha Patani have done if there were no beaches in existence? We bet she would have found an alternative for a getaway but we're glad that is not the case. Beaches are for everyone to soak in the sun and serenade with the sea's waves. But it is certainly when you're in great company to enjoy it all. Disha Patani's girls' trip to the tropical Thai beach destination, Phuket looked like a blast. She was either chasing sunsets in a stylish white bikini set or was seen galavanting on the streets in her scooty. Phuket is a popular holiday destination for many reasons. Other than being an inexpensive beach holiday spot and its proximity to India Thailand's vibrant culture attracts many. From food at local cafes or on the streets to deep dives in the sea, Disha Patani and her friends enjoy every moment of being in Thailand, hopefully inspiring you to do it too.

Also Read: Disha Patani's Leopard Print Dress Is A Refreshing Break From The Daily Little Black Dress Fever

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A post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani)

Phuket is home to many exotic beaches. While Phi Phi is at a sizeable distance, beaches like Patong are centrally located with many activities to enrol in. Paragliding and snorkelling are popular activities to enjoy. But if you're like Disha Patani, a dive into the beach in a lovely bikini at sunset hour is good enough too.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani)

If you're staying by the beach in Phuket, almost everything from food to leisure is at a stone's throw distance. But if you're eager to explore the cultural riches of Thailand well beyond the tropical beaches, Disha Patani may have a quick tip for you. If not at a walkable distance, conveyance can be an inconvenience for some unless you have your means. Luckily, it is easy to rent out a scooter for an hour/day to explore the nooks and crannies of the city the way Disha Patani did in her previous holiday with Bollywood gal pal, Mouni Roy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani)

Disha Patani can be spotted at the closest beach. If that means a short flight to Thailand, then so be it.

Also Read: Disha Patani Never Looks Back Unless It Is To Perform A Perfect Backflip

SIP Contributions Crosses Rs 20,000 Cr Mark In April; Equity MFs Inflow Drops 16% To Rs 18,917 Cr 9 May 2024, 9:20 am

Shoojit Sircar Announces Next Film With Abhishek Bachchan, To Release On THIS Date; Deets Inside 9 May 2024, 9:19 am

Vietnam irks EU by delaying meeting ahead of possible Putin visit 9 May 2024, 9:18 am

How hardline Sikhs may give tough time to mainstream parties in Khadoor Sahib 9 May 2024, 9:18 am

Air Vanuatu Cancels International Flights As Insolvency Looms 9 May 2024, 9:18 am

State-owned Air Vanuatu scrapped international flights Thursday as the Pacific island's government considered launching an insolvency procedure.

Air Vanuatu is one of the few airlines servicing the South Pacific archipelago with international flights, and the company's demise could hit foreign tourism earnings.

Tourism is a key driver of Vanuatu's small economy, according to the Australia-Pacific Islands Business Council, accounting for around one-third of the nation's economy.

"The Vanuatu Government is now considering placing Air Vanuatu, the national carrier of Vanuatu, into voluntary administration," the airline said in a statement.

Accountants from Ernst & Young had landed in the capital Port Vila earlier in the day to review options along with the airline and government officials, it said.

The carrier said it had cancelled or placed under review all future international flights servicing Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.

The airline said it had been operating in a "challenging environment".

Two of its aircraft, a Boeing 737 and an Airbus A320, are grounded and require engineering work at a time of limited international supply of spare parts, the airline said in an online update.

Vanuatu's tourism office said it was in contact with the airline and the government.

"We are conscious of the impact this situation has on travellers, ticket holders and the industry and on behalf of the Vanuatu tourism industry extend our apologies to anyone affected," it said in a statement.

Mountain Guide Dies In Nepal After Climbing World's Fifth-Highest Peak 9 May 2024, 9:17 am

A Nepali guide died after summiting the world's fifth-highest mountain, officials in the Himalayan Republic said Thursday, in the first fatality of the spring climbing season.

Lakpa Tenji Sherpa, 53, reached the summit of the 8,485-metre-tall (27,838-feet) Mount Makalu while accompanying foreign climbers on Monday but died as he was descending.

"He was unwell and had to be helped down by his team members," Rakesh Gurung of Nepal's tourism department told AFP.

Expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks said it was waiting on more details.

Nepal has issued 59 permits to foreign climbers for Makalu and dozens have reached the top after a rope-fixing team summited the peak last month.

Nepali guides and porters account for a large portion of deaths on the Himalayas, underscoring the risk they take for the dreams of hundreds of paying climbers aiming to reach the top of the world's highest peaks.

Hundreds of climbers have flocked to Nepal-- home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks -- and are preparing for summits in the spring climbing season, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm.

Nepal has issued over 900 permits for its mountains this year, including 414 for Everest, earning over five million dollars in royalties.

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

Neuralink Says Its First Brain Chip Implant Has Encountered A Problem 9 May 2024, 9:17 am

Elon Musk's startup Neuralink has said that the chip it implanted in the brain of its first human patient had some issues a few weeks after the surgery. The chip was implanted in Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man, who was able to play video games and online games using his mind. Neuralink's implant allows a patient to use their thoughts to control a computer. But in a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the amount of data it was receiving from the device has reduced.

Some data was lost because a number of the implant's threads retracted. Neuralink's system, called the Link, records neural signals using 1,024 electrodes across 64 threads that are "thinner than the human hair".

But after some of the threads retracted, the company's ability to measure the Link's speed and accuracy was severely impacted. Neuralink, however, did not disclose how many threads retracted from the tissue.

"In response to this change, we modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals, improved the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhanced the user interface. These refinements produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS (bits per second) that has now superseded Noland's initial performance," the company said in the blog post.

It added that despite the retraction of threads, Mr Arbaugh is using the company's system for around eight hours a day during the week, and often as many as 10 hours a day on the weekends.

The problem with the implant was reported by Mr Arbaugh himself, according to Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Neuralink considered removing the implant, as per the outlet, but the problem hasn't posed a direct risk to the man's safety.

Neuralink shared its blog post after the Journal asked the company about the issue, according to the outlet.

The device was implanted in January 2024 and Neuralink streamed a live video with Mr Arbaugh in March. The company had said that the surgery went "extremely well".

Neuralink Says Its First Brain Chip Implant Has Encountered A Problem 9 May 2024, 9:17 am

Elon Musk's startup Neuralink has said that the chip it implanted in the brain of its first human patient had some issues a few weeks after the surgery. The chip was implanted in Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man, who was able to play video games and online games using his mind. Neuralink's implant allows a patient to use their thoughts to control a computer. But in a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the amount of data it was receiving from the device has reduced.

Some data was lost because a number of the implant's threads retracted. Neuralink's system, called the Link, records neural signals using 1,024 electrodes across 64 threads that are "thinner than the human hair".

But after some of the threads retracted, the company's ability to measure the Link's speed and accuracy was severely impacted. Neuralink, however, did not disclose how many threads retracted from the tissue.

"In response to this change, we modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals, improved the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhanced the user interface. These refinements produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS (bits per second) that has now superseded Noland's initial performance," the company said in the blog post.

It added that despite the retraction of threads, Mr Arbaugh is using the company's system for around eight hours a day during the week, and often as many as 10 hours a day on the weekends.

The problem with the implant was reported by Mr Arbaugh himself, according to Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Neuralink considered removing the implant, as per the outlet, but the problem hasn't posed a direct risk to the man's safety.

Neuralink shared its blog post after the Journal asked the company about the issue, according to the outlet.

The device was implanted in January 2024 and Neuralink streamed a live video with Mr Arbaugh in March. The company had said that the surgery went "extremely well".

Neuralink Says Its First Brain Chip Implant Has Encountered A Problem 9 May 2024, 9:17 am

Elon Musk's startup Neuralink has said that the chip it implanted in the brain of its first human patient had some issues a few weeks after the surgery. The chip was implanted in Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man, who was able to play video games and online games using his mind. Neuralink's implant allows a patient to use their thoughts to control a computer. But in a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the amount of data it was receiving from the device has reduced.

Some data was lost because a number of the implant's threads retracted. Neuralink's system, called the Link, records neural signals using 1,024 electrodes across 64 threads that are "thinner than the human hair".

But after some of the threads retracted, the company's ability to measure the Link's speed and accuracy was severely impacted. Neuralink, however, did not disclose how many threads retracted from the tissue.

"In response to this change, we modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals, improved the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhanced the user interface. These refinements produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS (bits per second) that has now superseded Noland's initial performance," the company said in the blog post.

It added that despite the retraction of threads, Mr Arbaugh is using the company's system for around eight hours a day during the week, and often as many as 10 hours a day on the weekends.

The problem with the implant was reported by Mr Arbaugh himself, according to Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Neuralink considered removing the implant, as per the outlet, but the problem hasn't posed a direct risk to the man's safety.

Neuralink shared its blog post after the Journal asked the company about the issue, according to the outlet.

The device was implanted in January 2024 and Neuralink streamed a live video with Mr Arbaugh in March. The company had said that the surgery went "extremely well".

Neuralink Says Its First Brain Chip Implant Has Encountered A Problem 9 May 2024, 9:17 am

Elon Musk's startup Neuralink has said that the chip it implanted in the brain of its first human patient had some issues a few weeks after the surgery. The chip was implanted in Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man, who was able to play video games and online games using his mind. Neuralink's implant allows a patient to use their thoughts to control a computer. But in a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the amount of data it was receiving from the device has reduced.

Some data was lost because a number of the implant's threads retracted. Neuralink's system, called the Link, records neural signals using 1,024 electrodes across 64 threads that are "thinner than the human hair".

But after some of the threads retracted, the company's ability to measure the Link's speed and accuracy was severely impacted. Neuralink, however, did not disclose how many threads retracted from the tissue.

"In response to this change, we modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals, improved the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhanced the user interface. These refinements produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS (bits per second) that has now superseded Noland's initial performance," the company said in the blog post.

It added that despite the retraction of threads, Mr Arbaugh is using the company's system for around eight hours a day during the week, and often as many as 10 hours a day on the weekends.

The problem with the implant was reported by Mr Arbaugh himself, according to Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Neuralink considered removing the implant, as per the outlet, but the problem hasn't posed a direct risk to the man's safety.

Neuralink shared its blog post after the Journal asked the company about the issue, according to the outlet.

The device was implanted in January 2024 and Neuralink streamed a live video with Mr Arbaugh in March. The company had said that the surgery went "extremely well".

'People of Lakshadweep are fed up with present regime': Congress candidate Sayeed hopes to win LS polls 9 May 2024, 9:15 am

Rahul Gandhi cannot even sit in Parliament for more than an hour: BJP's Bishnu Pada Ray 9 May 2024, 9:13 am

SBI Q4 Results: Net Profit Jumps 18% to Rs 21,384 Crore, Income Rises To Rs 1.28 Lakh Crore 9 May 2024, 9:12 am

IAT 2024: Registrations For Admission To IISER To Close On May 13 9 May 2024, 9:10 am

Registration process for IAT 2024 for admission to Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) is scheduled to close on May 13, 2024. Interested and eligible candidates can visit the official website of IISER to register for the exam before the deadline. The application process is hosted on the website: iiseradmission.in

The entrance exam, scheduled for June 9, 2024, is a screening test held for admission to five-year BS-MS (Dual degree) and four-year BS degree programmes at IISER Berhampur, IISER Bhopal, IISER Kolkata, IISER Mohali, IISER Pune, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, and IISER Tirupati.

Candidates will be able to make changes in the application forms during May 16-17, 2024. The admit cards will be released on June 1, 2024. 

This time only IAT 2024 scores will be considered for admissions to IISERs.

Candidates who have qualified Class 12 or equivalent examination in the Science stream in 2022, 2023, or 2024, with a minimum of 60% marks are eligible to  apply for admissions at IISER. For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Person with Disability (PwD) categories, the minimum score requirement is 55% to apply for IAT 2024.

IAT 2024 will be conducted as a computer-based test at multiple centers throughout India. This aptitude test will comprise 60 questions, with 15 questions allocated to each subject area: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Test-takers will have a total of 180 minutes to complete the exam. All questions will be of the multiple-choice type, with only one correct answer per question.

Steps to register for IAT 2024

• Step 1: Visit the IISER Admissions 2024 Website: https://iiseradmission.in/
• Step 2: On the homepage, go to the ‘Apply for IAT-2024'
• Step 3: On the next page, register to receive a User ID and Password 
• Step 4: After successful registration, complete the application form by uploading the necessary documents and making the appropriate payment.

Ola CEO's angry remark after LinkedIn takes down his ‘pronouns illness’ post 9 May 2024, 9:10 am

Ola CEO's angry remark after LinkedIn takes down his ‘pronouns illness’ post 9 May 2024, 9:10 am

NDTV Election Quiz: Play Now 9 May 2024, 9:07 am

Get ready to test your political quotient with NDTV's Election Quiz. Dive into India's electoral history and answer questions about Lok Sabha elections, parliamentary seats, voter turnout, and more. Challenge yourself with queries about significant milestones like the advent of EVMs, and notable debutants in the Lok Sabha. Sharpen your knowledge of Indian politics in this interactive game.

Up for a challenge? Test your knowledge of politics, elections and history with NDTV's new weekly election quiz. There will be 10 questions every week covering the week's biggest election headlines, and then some.

The 2024 national election to pick the 18th Lok Sabha is being held across 543 seats in seven phases. 

Voting began on April 19 and will end on June 1. The results will be announced three days later, on June 4. 

Simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and assembly were held in four states -- Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. By-elections are also being held for 26 assembly seats across multiple states, including Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

A total of 96.8 crore people are eligible to vote, according to the Election Commission of India. This includes 1.8 crore Indians who recently turned 18 and will be eligible to cast their vote for the first time ever.

In these elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP is seeking a third straight term in power. His main challenger is the opposition INDIA bloc, which includes the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, RJD, Left, Sharad Pawar's NCP, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and the Left.

India has held 17 general elections since the first polls in 1951-52.

Mutiny In MI? Report Says Rohit, Bumrah and SKY Held A Meeting For... 9 May 2024, 9:07 am

The Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) demolition of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday saw the tied-record five-time IPL Champions, Mumbai Indians become the first team to be officially eliminated from the contention for the playoffs race. According to reports, some of the senior members of the team have expressed their concern regarding Hardik Pandya's style of captaincy which has seen the team's morale falter through the course of the IPL season. Senior players in the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav held a meeting following a loss in which the players expressed what they believe is the underlying problem and individual meetings were also held to determine the problem, an Indian Express report stated.

Mumbai Indians have been under the leadership of Rohit Sharma for the past decade and with a new captain coming into a set hierarchy is bound to ruffle feathers around the dressing room.

A Mumbai Indian official attributed the team's struggles this season to the transitional phase that they are in. "These are regular teething problems for a team that sees leadership change. This happens in sports all the time," the official was quoted as saying in the report.

Following MI's loss against the Delhi Capitals, Pandya spoke about how he believed Tilak Varma could have targeted Axar Patel more and blamed the loss on game awareness. This particular incident did not sit well with the team considering Varma played a great innings scoring 63 off 32 deliveries on the night and is also the top scorer for the team this season.

Mumbai India currently sits in ninth place in the points table having played a game more than the Gujarat Titans. With all hopes of qualification to the playoffs now behind the franchise, it is of utmost importance for the management to iron out all possible wrinkles before the next season to maximise their chances of winning their sixth IPL trophy next season.

Mutiny In MI? Report Says Rohit, Bumrah and SKY Held A Meeting For... 9 May 2024, 9:07 am

The Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) demolition of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday saw the tied-record five-time IPL Champions, Mumbai Indians become the first team to be officially eliminated from the contention for the playoffs race. According to reports, some of the senior members of the team have expressed their concern regarding Hardik Pandya's style of captaincy which has seen the team's morale falter through the course of the IPL season. Senior players in the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav held a meeting following a loss in which the players expressed what they believe is the underlying problem and individual meetings were also held to determine the problem, an Indian Express report stated.

Mumbai Indians have been under the leadership of Rohit Sharma for the past decade and with a new captain coming into a set hierarchy is bound to ruffle feathers around the dressing room.

A Mumbai Indian official attributed the team's struggles this season to the transitional phase that they are in. "These are regular teething problems for a team that sees leadership change. This happens in sports all the time," the official was quoted as saying in the report.

Following MI's loss against the Delhi Capitals, Pandya spoke about how he believed Tilak Varma could have targeted Axar Patel more and blamed the loss on game awareness. This particular incident did not sit well with the team considering Varma played a great innings scoring 63 off 32 deliveries on the night and is also the top scorer for the team this season.

Mumbai India currently sits in ninth place in the points table having played a game more than the Gujarat Titans. With all hopes of qualification to the playoffs now behind the franchise, it is of utmost importance for the management to iron out all possible wrinkles before the next season to maximise their chances of winning their sixth IPL trophy next season.

Air India Express cancels 85 flights amid crew shortage 9 May 2024, 9:04 am

'Pick a channel, anchor, issue for debate: Smriti Irani's challenge to Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi 9 May 2024, 9:04 am

Boeing Plane Skids Off Runway At Senegal Airport, Flights Suspended 9 May 2024, 9:03 am

Flights have been suspended at Senegal's main airport near the capital Dakar after a plane skidded off the runway, a source at Blaise Diagne airport told Reuters.

The source did not give further details. A night-time video shared on social media showed a plane with the logo of Senegal-based airline Transair standing in grass with a wing covered in fire-suppressing foam.

Some media reports claimed that the plane was a Boeing 737-38J.

ALSO READ | Boeing Cargo Plane Lands Without Front Landing Gear In Istanbul, No Casualties

Reuters was not able to verify the video.

A Transair Boeing 737-38J (6V-AJE) suffered a runway excursion at Dakar Airport, Senegal.pic.twitter.com/AvpQbkfr0d

— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) May 9, 2024

Transair did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The airline is based in Blaise Diagne airport and operates domestic flights and international routes within West Africa.

Alia Bhatt's most stunning saree looks 9 May 2024, 9:01 am

Rampant corruption has blocked the development of Jharkhand: FM Nirmala Sitharaman 9 May 2024, 9:01 am

LS polls: Chhattisgarh records 72.8 pc voter turnout, 1.31 pc up from 2019 9 May 2024, 9:00 am

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Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | Owaisi In An Exclusive Interview 'Open Dare To Navneet Rana' | News18 9 May 2024, 8:54 am

Heeramandi’s Jason Shah Opens Up On His Same-Sex Intimate Scene: 'Hesitation Is The Perfect Word' 9 May 2024, 8:52 am

Did anti-Asian hate decline? Americans say yes, Asians in US disagree: Report 9 May 2024, 8:51 am

Boeing Plane Skids Off Runway At Senegal Airport, Flights Suspended 9 May 2024, 8:50 am

Flights have been suspended at Senegal's main airport near the capital Dakar after a plane skidded off the runway, a source at Blaise Diagne airport told Reuters.

The source did not give further details. A night-time video shared on social media showed a plane with the logo of Senegal-based airline Transair standing in grass with a wing covered in fire-suppressing foam.

Some media reports claimed that the plane was a Boeing 737-38J.

ALSO READ | Boeing Cargo Plane Lands Without Front Landing Gear In Istanbul, No Casualties

Reuters was not able to verify the video.

A Transair Boeing 737-38J (6V-AJE) suffered a runway excursion at Dakar Airport, Senegal.pic.twitter.com/AvpQbkfr0d

— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) May 9, 2024

Transair did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The airline is based in Blaise Diagne airport and operates domestic flights and international routes within West Africa.

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

Boy, 9, Saves Parents After US Tornado Tosses Car: "Please Don't Die, I Will Be Back" 9 May 2024, 8:49 am

A heroic act by a young boy has emerged from the devastation of a recent tornado outbreak in Oklahoma. While the storm left a trail of destruction, injuring dozens and displacing many, 9-year-old Branson Baker became a beacon of hope for his family. 

Wayne and Lindy Baker, along with their son Branson, were seeking shelter in Dickson, Oklahoma when their vehicle was caught in the tornado's path. The twister tossed their truck, leaving both parents with serious injuries, including broken backs and necks.

CBS News reported that Wayne Baker's back, neck, sternum, ribs, and arms were broken. Unfortunately, he also lost a part of his finger. Lindy Baker's back, neck, jaw, ribs, and right hand were broken. She also suffered a punctured lung.  

Somehow, Branson managed to get out of the truck and ran over a mile in the dark to get help. The 9-year-old made it to the house of a neighbour and friend and brought him back to help his parents, the media outlet reported. 

"The only way he found his way back was with lightning strikes that lit the road. He ran as fast as he could, as hard as he could, he made a mile in 10 minutes. That's pretty impressive for a little kid," said Branson's uncle, Johnny Baker. "The last thing Branson told them was, 'Mom, dad, please don't die, I will be back.'"

"With the Baker stickers put on the helmets, they helped give Branson a little motivation as well, he hit a home run last night," Johnny Baker added.

"Branson is small, but he is so mighty, he is a hero," the GoFundMe page reads.

Mr Baker is hopeful that his brother and sister-in-law will make a full recovery. He praised Branson for his quick feet and strong faith. 

"He had to become his parent's superman and go do what he had to go do. That's exactly what he said. He said, 'I have to save my parents,'" Johnny Baker described.

CBS reported that Mr and Mrs Baker are recovering in the ICU at OU Medical Center. Family and friends have helped raise over $10,000 to help the family recover.

Another massive cash haul recovered in poll-bound Andhra Pradesh 9 May 2024, 8:47 am

Ryan hails John Krasinski's filmmaking 9 May 2024, 8:46 am

Heeramandi Star Shruti Sharma REVEALS She Got Rashes After Shooting An Intimate Scene: 'It Was So Harsh' 9 May 2024, 8:43 am

Akshaya Tritiya 2024: How To Buy Best Gold On The Auspicious Occasion, Check Experts' Tips, Timings 9 May 2024, 8:42 am

Ranveer Singh and Karisma Kapoor Are Yin to Each Others' Yang in New Pics: 'Painted the Town Blue' 9 May 2024, 8:41 am

Rashmika-Salman's old video goes viral 9 May 2024, 8:40 am

Lok Sabha Phase 4: 476 Phase 4 Candidates Are Crorepatis, 668 Have Assets Under Rs 10 Lakh 9 May 2024, 8:37 am

The fourth phase of India's Lok Sabha elections is set to be held on May 13 with voters across 96 constituencies in 10 states casting their ballots. This phase will witness voters in all 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh and 17 constituencies in Telangana along with other states, participating in the electoral process. The build-up to this phase has been intense, with political rallies and campaigns in full swing.

One notable aspect of this phase is the significant number of wealthy candidates. According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), approximately 28%, or 476 of the 1,717 candidates contesting in the phase, are crorepatis.

Share Of Wealth Among Candidates

The financial profiles of the candidates in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections reveal a huge disparity in wealth distribution. Of the 1,717 candidates, about 12%, or 205 hopefuls, possess assets worth Rs 5 crore and above, showcasing a substantial financial might. Conversely, around 37% have assets worth less than Rs 10 lakh, indicating a more modest financial standing.

Further analysis shows that 133 or 8% of candidates have assets ranging between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore, while 18%, or 310 candidates, have a net worth between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 2 crore. Additionally, 25%, or 424 candidates, own assets valued between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50 lakh.

State-Wise Crorepati Candidates

The distribution of wealth among the candidates in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections varies significantly across states. Telangana's 109 of the 524 candidates are crorepatis, while 128 of Andhra Pradesh's 450 candidates are crorepatis. 

Maharashtra, with 296 candidates, contributes 80 crorepatis to the mix. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh also have notable numbers of wealthy candidates, with 53, 21, and 22 crorepatis, respectively. Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha have fewer crorepati candidates relative to their total candidate counts.

Party-Wise Crorepati Candidates

In this fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the distribution of crorepati candidates across various parties is as follows: 

At 809, most candidates contesting this phase are Independents. Of them, 122 are crorepatis. The BJP comes a close second, with 70 candidates - 65 of them are crorepatis. The Congress has 61 candidates and 56 are crorepatis, followed by the Bahujan Samaj Party whose 27 of the 92 candidates are crorepatis.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Telugu Desam Party, and Samajwadi Party also present notable numbers of crorepati candidates. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Biju Janata Dal, and Shiv Sena have fielded fewer candidates, all of whom are crorepatis.

Candidates With Highest And Lowest Assets

Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is the richest candidate in this phase, with assets exceeding Rs 5,700 crore. He is closely followed by Konda Vishwehwar Reddy of the BJP from Telangana, with assets worth Rs 4,568 crore, and Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy of the TDP with assets valued at Rs 716 crore.

In stark contrast are candidates with significantly lower assets. Katta Anand Babu, contesting from the Bapatla (SC) constituency, has declared assets of just Rs 7, making him one of the poorest candidates in this phase.

Similarly, Santosh Ubale, vying for Maharashtra's Maval seat, has declared assets of Rs 83, and Bhor Vikas Rohidas has disclosed assets of Rs 90, representing the more financially modest participants in this election.

Giant 2,00,000-km-long sunspot threatens Earth with colossal eruptions 9 May 2024, 8:36 am

After 193 Years, London's Male-Only Garrick Club Opens Doors To Women 9 May 2024, 8:32 am

London's historic Garrick Club, a private members' club established in 1831, has voted to allow women to join for the first time. The decision comes after 193 years of being a men-only establishment, according to The Guardian.

In a close vote held during a private members' meeting, nearly 60% (59.98%) voted in favour of ending the gender restriction. The debate over admitting women reportedly lasted two hours, with prominent figures like actor Stephen Fry and journalist James Naughtie advocating for the change.

While specific details of the meeting remain confidential, it was confirmed that 562 members voted for allowing female members, while 375 (around 40%) opposed it. This move marks a significant shift for the prestigious club, long criticised for its lack of gender diversity.

"It will become a much better club with women in it," one member told The Guardian, asking not to be named. "It was a very courteous debate."

Jude Kelly, the theatre director and founder of the Women of the World Foundation, described feeling "humiliated" on the occasions she had been invited to the club for theatre-related events.

"I'm glad that men who were previously comfortable with the club being men-only have thought again and decided that they are now uncomfortable with that arrangement," she said.

"These clubs were created as places for people who were given superior privileges. This is not the same as having an all-girls picnic or a boys-only cricket club. This is a place that sustained male power."

What is the Garrick Club?

London's Garrick Club is a prestigious private members' club established in 1831. It boasts an exclusive membership of around 1,500, comprising influential figures like Members of Parliament, judges, actors, and business leaders. Rumour has it that even King Charles himself is a member.

However, the club has faced criticism for its exclusivity. Historically, women have been barred from membership entirely and, until very recently, couldn't even enter as guests. Even now, their access is limited, with separate entrances and restricted seating arrangements.

After 193 Years, London's Male-Only Garrick Club Opens Doors To Women 9 May 2024, 8:32 am

London's historic Garrick Club, a private members' club established in 1831, has voted to allow women to join for the first time. The decision comes after 193 years of being a men-only establishment, according to The Guardian.

In a close vote held during a private members' meeting, nearly 60% (59.98%) voted in favour of ending the gender restriction. The debate over admitting women reportedly lasted two hours, with prominent figures like actor Stephen Fry and journalist James Naughtie advocating for the change.

While specific details of the meeting remain confidential, it was confirmed that 562 members voted for allowing female members, while 375 (around 40%) opposed it. This move marks a significant shift for the prestigious club, long criticised for its lack of gender diversity.

"It will become a much better club with women in it," one member told The Guardian, asking not to be named. "It was a very courteous debate."

Jude Kelly, the theatre director and founder of the Women of the World Foundation, described feeling "humiliated" on the occasions she had been invited to the club for theatre-related events.

"I'm glad that men who were previously comfortable with the club being men-only have thought again and decided that they are now uncomfortable with that arrangement," she said.

"These clubs were created as places for people who were given superior privileges. This is not the same as having an all-girls picnic or a boys-only cricket club. This is a place that sustained male power."

What is the Garrick Club?

London's Garrick Club is a prestigious private members' club established in 1831. It boasts an exclusive membership of around 1,500, comprising influential figures like Members of Parliament, judges, actors, and business leaders. Rumour has it that even King Charles himself is a member.

However, the club has faced criticism for its exclusivity. Historically, women have been barred from membership entirely and, until very recently, couldn't even enter as guests. Even now, their access is limited, with separate entrances and restricted seating arrangements.

Akshaya Tritiya: Date, Significance And Why People Buy Gold On This Day 9 May 2024, 8:31 am

Akshaya Tritiya is a significant day for the Hindu community in India. This year, the day will be celebrated on Friday, May 10, 2024. Also known as Akha Teej, the day falls on the third lunar day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Vaishakha. "Akshaya" translates to eternal, while "Tritiya" means third. As the name suggests, it is believed that any auspicious activity or investment made on this day brings endless prosperity and good fortune. One of the most enduring traditions associated with Akshaya Tritiya is the purchase of gold.

Akshaya Tritiya Puja Timings

The festival is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with bringing wealth and prosperity in the lives of people.

According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings or puja muhurat will start at 05:33 am and continue till 12:18 pm. Those who are interested in buying gold can do so till 2:50 am of May 11.

Why is golf bought on Akshaya Tritiya?

This day is associated with several mythological and religious beliefs. One of them is purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya. People flock to jewellery shops to buy gold coins, jewellery, or simply invest in the precious metal.

But why gold? The rationale behind buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya is multifaceted:

• Symbolism of Prosperity: Gold is not just a metal; it is a symbol of wealth and abundance. Purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to invite prosperity and ensure the continuous flow of wealth into one's life.
• Auspicious Timing: As mentioned earlier, Akshaya Tritiya is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that any investment made on this day will yield fruitful results, making it an opportune time to buy gold.
• Cultural Tradition: The tradition of buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya has been passed down through generations. It is deeply ingrained in Indian culture and is considered a propitious way to mark the festival.

While the tradition of buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya remains steadfast, its significance has evolved in modern times. Today, many see it not only as an auspicious investment but also as a means of securing financial stability and hedging against inflation.

Chhattisgarh Board Exam Result 2024: Girls Secure Top Ranks In Classes 10, 12 9 May 2024, 8:29 am

Chhattisgarh Board 10th 12th Result 2024 Out: The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) has declared the results for the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. The results were announced through a press conference at 12.30pm. Those who appeared in the exam can check their results using their roll number by visiting the official website, cgbse.nic.in.

A total of more than 7 lakh students took the Class 10 and 12 board exams this year. Around 3 lakh students appeared for the Class 10 exam, while around 4 lakh students for Class 12 exam.

The CGBSE Class 10th 2024 examinations were held from March 2 to March 21, while Class 12 examinations were conducted between March 1 and March 23.

CGBSE Chhattisgarh 10th, 12th Result 2024: Steps To Check

• Go to the official website of CGBSE.
• Select the Class 10th or Class 12th result link on the home page.
• Input the login details.
• Upon submitting the details, the results will be displayed on the screen.

CGBSE Board Exam Result 2024: Class 10, 12 Toppers

Simran Sabba of Jashpur has topped the Chhattisgarh Board Class 10 examination. Hanisha from Gariaband secured the second position, and Jashpur's Shreyas Yadav bagged the third rank.

Mahasamund's Mehak Agarwal has topped in Class 12, followed by Gopal Ambast, a resident of Baloda Bazar, at the second spot, and Preeti at the third place.

Those who couldn't clear the exams will have an opportunity to take the supplementary exams, the schedule for which will be released later.

"Exact Same Cover Letters": Career Consultant Explains How GenZ Are Misusing AI 9 May 2024, 8:28 am

OpenAI's ChatGPT is still making waves worldwide and surprising people with its exceptional capabilities. Ever since its advent, people across the world have been using the bot for everything from assignments research to planning holidays. However, Shoshana Davis, a Gen Z career expert and founder of the career consultancy Fairy Job Mother, told CNBC Make It that young professionals have been making mistakes with AI tools like ChatGPT to generate job application answers and cover letters. 

"So I speak to businesses and employers who hire anything from like 10 to 1000s of Gen Z every year. And one of the main challenges that I'm seeing at the moment is the use of AI, specifically ChatGPT, and it's not being used in the right way, and it's not being used effectively," Ms Davis told the outlet. 

The career consultant explained that "employers have been suspecting that job seekers have been using ChatGPT after "getting hundreds of the exact same cover letters word for word," or answers to job application questions that are the same. 

In fact, as per CNBC, a Canva survey revealed 45% of job seekers have used AI to build, update or improve their resume. And it appears that gen Z is leaning the most on artificial intelligence, according to a Grammarly survey. 

Also read | Women-Only Exhibit In Australian Museum To Become Toilet To Keep Men Out

Ms Davis said that while we should definitely "embrace technology and AI," copying answers from ChatGPT can hurt your chances of getting a job. She also shared a recent incident with a recruiter hiring for a brand marketing position. She said that the candidates were asked a question in the job application about their favourite fitness-related product launches in the past year. 

"They said they got about 100 identical responses of 'my favourite campaign launch was Peloton' and the employer was like 'ultimately that was ChatGPT, but then also equally Peloton was released like four or five years ago'," Ms Davis said.

The career consultant added that young people "need to educate themselves" on how to use ChatGPT properly and not just copy answers. 
 

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"Alien Food"? - Baker's Blue Focaccia Stuns Internet, Divides Foodies Online 9 May 2024, 8:19 am

Watching bread-making videos can often feel relaxing. Watching bakers knead dough or adorn loaves can be quite satisfying. This is one of the reasons why so many baking videos go viral. Recently, a video showcasing a blue-coloured focaccia took Instagram by storm. The unique texture of this single-serve bread attracted the interest of many users. In the reel by @shebakesourdough, we get a glimpse of the now-viral creation. The dough has a bright blue colour and we see the baker dimple it with her bare hands.

Also Read: Viral Video: Vlogger Makes Cake With Eggshells In It, Internet Reacts

The bread is topped with vine-ripe tomatoes, green olives and sliced garlic. The baker has revealed that she used blue spirulina powder to lend the bread its eye-catching colour. However, she specified that this step is completely optional. Take a look at the viral video below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ???? ??? | ????????? ????? ????????? (@shebakesourdough)

Also Read: The Viral Recipe For "Crispy Avocado Fries" Has Over 65 Million Views, But The Internet Is Divided
The reel has received 3.8 million views so far. In the comments, many Instagram users initially thought that the featured item was slime and not bread dough. A few liked the idea of this blue bread, but others were not quite convinced. Check out some of the reactions below:

"Not me thinking it's slime and the tomatoes are made of clay."

"So let me get this straight. On Instagram, the slime and wax look like food, but the food looks like slime?"

"The ONE time I go 'nope this one is slime' it ends up real. the final product looks so yummy though. NEED."

"It looks like alien food to me."

"I was about to get disappointed because I thought it was slime."

"The olive oil drizzle. This looks immaculate."

"This looks like a dream."

Before this, a reel showing the making of a "rainbow sourdough" bread received a lot of interest online. Instagram users were wowed by the swirling colours of the loaf. Click here to read the full story.

Also Read: Watch: Cook Makes 'Caviar' Using Pomegranate, Internet Says It's "Mind-Blowing"

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Kanpur Woman's Unusual Helmet-Wearing Style Reminds Internet Of Pacman 9 May 2024, 8:06 am

Wearing a helmet is an essential part of road safety norms. A lot of people are now seen wearing helmets which safeguards not only the driver of the two-wheeler but also the pillion. Many people come up with unique helmets in terms of design, colour, and size. A recent video from Kanpur has garnered significant online attention for its humorous content. Shared on Instagram by Avneesh Mishra, the clip depicts a woman riding a scooter in a way that has captured the internet's amusement. 

Initially, the scene appears to be a standard commute. However, a closer look reveals a unique detail: the woman's helmet is positioned unexpectedly, creating a visual resemblance to the classic video game character Pac-Man. This unexpected element has propelled the video to viral status.

Several social media users joked about her unusual helmet-wearing style and how the Pacman is eating her. 

The text on the video reads, "Kanpur is not for beginners."

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ♠️Avneesh Mishra♠️ (Avi ❤️) (@up78_vlogs_motovlogs)

The video has sparked hilarious reactions on the internet. 

A user wrote, "When you use 100% of your brain power."

Another user joked, "No problem approved this is right way to wear helmet."

"Pacman is eating her," the third user remarked.

"PacWoman," the fourth user wrote on Instagram.

"Whole India is not for beginners," the fifth user wrote. 

Earlier, a man was spotted with a Pikachu-themed helmet. A police officer spotted him and his reaction to the man's unique safety gear has the internet in splits.

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Pics: Therapy Dogs At Istanbul Airport Help Flyers Release Stress 9 May 2024, 8:05 am

Six-year-old Kuki and one-and-a-half-year-old Alita recently joined the staff of Istanbul Airport, one of the busiest in the world, with a mission to provide solace for stressed travellers.

At international departures just before passport control, the two dogs welcome passengers, some who are in a hurry, some feeling the tug of anxiety and some hanging around to say good-bye to loved ones.

Ali Bahtiyari, who was travelling outside his native Iran for the first time, was amazed as soon as he saw Kuki -- a playful, dark brown Lagotto Romagnolo breed with thick curly fur, and Alita -- a black and white Border Collie with expressive eyes.

"I've been in Istanbul for three to four days. I walked a lot. I was physically exhausted. But seeing these dogs here produced too much endorphin. I'm not tired at all," the 31-year-old said, petting the two dogs before catching his flight back to Tehran.

"It's a really good scene and it's really nice to pet these dogs. I'm so happy that they are here."

Travellers pet a therapy dog before they board their flight at the Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

The two dogs -- part of a five-member team -- and their handlers have for past two months been roaming certain spots, mingling with passengers awaiting flights at the mega airport, a global hub that served more than 76 million passengers last year.

"We implemented the therapy dog project to provide our guests with a better flight experience and to reduce any flight stress," Volkan Arslan, a vet who is coordinating the project, told AFP.

Therapy dogs roam the Istanbul Airport with airport personnel searching for stressed travellers
Photo Credit: AFP

Five dogs including Kuki and Alita went through serious training, roaming domestic and international terminals. Two more dogs will join them once done with their tutoring.

The dogs are the only canines permanently stationed at the airport, which only uses sniffer dogs when police are summoned by customs agents. They have been working for five days on rotation for a maximum of three hours a day.

Their schedules depend on their breed.

"A Border Collie, Alita is very energetic, and loves spending time with our guests, so we keep her schedule a little longer," Arslan said.

"Kuki on the other hand wants to rest and is unwilling to put in too much effort, so we keep his schedule shorter."

Kuki's trainer, Ismail Seyhan, said schedules also change according to the dogs' health and psychology.

"The one who works today rests the next day," he said.

While walking to the passport control in a rush, Fatima Bouzerda swiftly changes her direction having established an eye contact with Kuki, finding it hard to disguise her surprise.

"It's the first time I have seen something like that. I heard about cat cafes, but like this in airports, I've never seen that," she said while playing with Kuki.

Traveller pets therapy dog at Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

Bouzerda, who lives in Paris, said in large airports like Istanbul travel could sometimes be stressful.

"So when we see something like this, it's so cute and it makes us less stressed," she said.

'Motivates us'

Abdulkadir Demirtas, customer experience manager at Istanbul Airport, said the feedback from the guests were all positive.

"What pleases me the most is that children and families who are hesitant to approach the dog at first can interact with them within seconds," he said.

"This is actually the moment that makes us very happy and is exactly what we want to see."

A child pets a therapy dog at the Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

Alita's trainer Volkan Gul shared an anecdote from one of the moments at the airport.

"One day we saw a passenger crying and then make eye contact with the dog, and I told her she can pet her. She was still in tears but after a while, she touched her and while leaving, she had a smile," he said.

Therapy dog providing solace to stressed travellers before they board their flight at the Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

Dozens of airports in the United States have therapy dog programmes -- a concept that originated after the 9/11 attacks with the goal of providing comfort and relief for passengers dealing with anxieties of air travel.

Apart from airports, therapy or service dogs are also trained to interact with people in hospitals, libraries and schools.

Arslan said the new colleagues were already making a difference at the bustling airport.

"That really motivates us. We have guests who not only have flight stress but also dog phobia. They take the first step in overcoming these phobia with us," he said.

10 Drinks To Help Manage High Blood Pressure In Summer 9 May 2024, 8:04 am

It's not uncommon for blood pressure to fluctuate in response to changes in temperature, humidity, and activity levels during the summer months. Hot weather can lead to increased sweating and fluid loss, which may result in dehydration.  When you're dehydrated, your blood volume decreases, which can cause blood pressure to rise.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also stress the body and cardiovascular system, leading to temporary increases in blood pressure. Keep reading as we share a list of refreshing drinks you can consume in summer to reduce high blood pressure.

10 Drinks that can help manage high blood pressure in summer:

1. Watermelon juice

Watermelon contains citrulline, which helps to relax blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Drink freshly squeezed watermelon juice without added sugar to maximise its benefits.

2. Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus tea contains antioxidants and compounds that may help lower blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels. Brew hibiscus tea using dried hibiscus flowers and drink it hot or cold.

3. Beetroot juice

Beetroot contains nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide in the body, promoting vasodilation and lowering blood pressure. Drink beetroot juice either on its own or mixed with other fruits and vegetables.

4. Green tea

Green tea is rich in catechins, which have been shown to improve blood pressure levels. Consume green tea regularly, either hot or cold, without adding sugar or milk.

5. Celery juice

Celery contains compounds called phthalides, which help relax the muscles in and around the arterial walls, leading to lower blood pressure. Drink freshly extracted celery juice on an empty stomach for best results.

6. Lemon water

Lemon water is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall heart health. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into water and drink it throughout the day.

7. Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants and polyphenols that have been shown to lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Drink freshly squeezed pomegranate juice without added sugar.

8. Coconut water

Coconut water is rich in potassium, which helps counteract the effects of sodium on blood pressure and maintain electrolyte balance. Drink coconut water fresh from the coconut or packaged without added sugar.

9. Cucumber mint infused water

Cucumbers are high in potassium and magnesium, which are beneficial for blood pressure regulation. Mint adds flavour without extra calories. Infuse sliced cucumbers and mint leaves in water overnight for a refreshing drink.

10. Ginger turmeric tea

Both ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that may help lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. Brew tea using fresh ginger and turmeric roots, or use powdered forms, and drink it hot or cold.

Remember to consume these drinks as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle. While they can help manage high blood pressure, they work best when combined with other healthy habits such as regular exercise and a low-sodium diet. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medication.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Air Vanuatu Cancels International Flights As Insolvency Looms 9 May 2024, 8:01 am

State-owned Air Vanuatu scrapped international flights Thursday as the Pacific island's government considered launching an insolvency procedure.

Air Vanuatu is one of the few airlines servicing the South Pacific archipelago with international flights, and the company's demise could hit foreign tourism earnings.

Tourism is a key driver of Vanuatu's small economy, according to the Australia-Pacific Islands Business Council, accounting for around one-third of the nation's economy.

"The Vanuatu Government is now considering placing Air Vanuatu, the national carrier of Vanuatu, into voluntary administration," the airline said in a statement.

Accountants from Ernst & Young had landed in the capital Port Vila earlier in the day to review options along with the airline and government officials, it said.

The carrier said it had cancelled or placed under review all future international flights servicing Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.

The airline said it had been operating in a "challenging environment".

Two of its aircraft, a Boeing 737 and an Airbus A320, are grounded and require engineering work at a time of limited international supply of spare parts, the airline said in an online update.

Vanuatu's tourism office said it was in contact with the airline and the government.

"We are conscious of the impact this situation has on travellers, ticket holders and the industry and on behalf of the Vanuatu tourism industry extend our apologies to anyone affected," it said in a statement.

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

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Two Sandeshkhali women withdraw rape complaint: 'Made to sign white paper' 9 May 2024, 7:59 am

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Multiplexes, F&B Outlets In Gurugram To Offer Discount To Voters On May 25 9 May 2024, 7:56 am

The Gurugram district administration has come up with an initiative to increase the turnout of voters in the May 25 Lok Sabha polls in the Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency with officials announcing discounts on movie tickets and food items in multiplexes apart from complimentary refreshments.

A single-phase voting will be held in all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana on May 25.

An official on Wednesday said that all one needs to do is flaunt their inked finger on the polling day to get a discount on offline tickets available from the counter or on food and drinks available on the cinema hall premises.

In this regard, a meeting of representatives of several multiplex chains was held on Wednesday which was chaired by Hitesh Kumar Meena, ADC, and nodal officer for the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, Gurugram.

"The voters will also get complimentary refreshments in some multiplexes," Mr Meena told the media.

He said that all the multiplexes would telecast the message of the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and short films related to voter awareness on the screens.

Recently, the Gurugam district administration has roped in Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal as the 'brand ambassador' to boost voter turnout.
 

Multiplexes, F&B Outlets In Gurugram To Offer Discount To Voters On May 25 9 May 2024, 7:56 am

The Gurugram district administration has come up with an initiative to increase the turnout of voters in the May 25 Lok Sabha polls in the Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency with officials announcing discounts on movie tickets and food items in multiplexes apart from complimentary refreshments.

A single-phase voting will be held in all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana on May 25.

An official on Wednesday said that all one needs to do is flaunt their inked finger on the polling day to get a discount on offline tickets available from the counter or on food and drinks available on the cinema hall premises.

In this regard, a meeting of representatives of several multiplex chains was held on Wednesday which was chaired by Hitesh Kumar Meena, ADC, and nodal officer for the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, Gurugram.

"The voters will also get complimentary refreshments in some multiplexes," Mr Meena told the media.

He said that all the multiplexes would telecast the message of the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and short films related to voter awareness on the screens.

Recently, the Gurugam district administration has roped in Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal as the 'brand ambassador' to boost voter turnout.
 

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

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Air India Express Cancels 85 Flights Amid Layoffs Due To Mass Sick Leave 9 May 2024, 7:51 am

Air India Express on Thursday cancelled at least 85 flights as a section of cabin crew was fired, a day after nearly 300 employees of the airline called in sick and switched off their phones.

Flights that were cancelled were on various domestic and international routes. Scores of flights were also delayed on key routes.

The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Air India now owned by the Tata group, said that it is making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to guests by this "unexpected situation".

"We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport," an Air India Express spokesperson said in a statement. 

"While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," the spokesperson added.

The cabin crew shortage has resulted in the cancellations of more than 100 flights since Tuesday and about 15,000 passengers have been reportedly affected.

The Air India Express employees have been protesting against the new employment terms, according to sources. The crew has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff and claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions, sources said.

The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package. The developments come as the airline is in the middle of a merger with AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India.

Air India Express To Curtail Flights

As the flight delays and cancellations snowballed into a full-blown crisis, Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh said that the number of flights being operated will be reduced over the next few days.

"The disruptions have cascaded across the network, forcing us to curtail the schedules over the next few days. We had to do this to cope with the non-availability of crew and to recover schedules," Mr Singh wrote to employees.

In his letter, he said that over 100 cabin crew members had reported sick, severely disrupting operations, and that the impact was "disproportionate" because the action was taken by senior employees.

"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve our guests with dedication and pride. I am thankful to all who are standing by the airline in this hour of crisis," he added.

An Air India Express spokesperson said on Wednesday that the management is engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind the mass leave and added that they are working to minimise inconvenience to the fliers.

Air India Express Fires 30 Cabin Crew Members

Air India Express has now sacked at least 30 cabin crew after they called in sick at the last minute. The termination letter issued to them said that the mass leave "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason".

"Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company. Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to disrupt the services of the Company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees' Service Rules as are applicable to you," the letter said.

According to sources, the management has given all the Air India Express employees on mass leave a deadline of 4 pm (Thursday) to return to work or face action.

The management is also likely to hold a town hall meeting with cabin crew members on Thursday evening.

"Made To Sign Blank Paper": Sandeshkhali Woman Alleges Fake Rape Complaint 9 May 2024, 7:51 am

In another twist to the Sandeskhali row, a woman has alleged that people linked with the BJP made her sign a blank paper and then wrote a false rape complaint in her name. The development has intensified the political blame game between the ruling Trinamool and the BJP, which has been playing up the Sandeshkhali issue in the election season.

Speaking to the media, a Sandeshkhali resident said that the day a team of the National Commission for Women visited the island, a woman named Piyali called them to share their complaints. "I told them that we had not received money as part of the 100 days' job scheme. I only wanted that money and had no other complaint. No rape happened. She (Piyali) made us sign on a blank sheet," the woman said, adding that she later came to know that she is on the list of women who alleged rape by local Trinamool leaders.

The woman's daughters-in-law accused Piyali of defaming Sandeshkhali. "She is an outsider, she has come from somewhere else and talks big. We don't know how she has information about everyone here. Initially, she would just take part in the protests here. We later came to know she is with the BJP. She should be punished for lying to us and trapping us. I'm sure more people were deceived like this," they said. The woman and her family said they are now receiving threats for coming out against Piyali.

The Trinamool Congress, which was on the backfoot after local party leaders were accused of rape, land grab and extortion, has latched on to the woman's allegations and accused the BJP of cooking up stories to malign the ruling party for political gains.

Trinamool MP Sushmita Dev alleged that the BJP is threatening the "courageous women of Sandeshkhali for daring to speak out against them". "How much longer will this party persist in spinning webs of deceit, shamelessly trampling on the dignity of our mothers and sisters for their own political greed?" she asked.

The BJP hit back, describing Trinamool's allegations as a damage control exercise that has come too late. Party spokesperson Priyanka Tibrewal said the Trinamool must understand that there is no use crying over spilt milk. "Why is Trinamool responding now? Why were they quiet for two-three months. They earlier said the women (of Sandeshkhali) were lying, now they are saying they were made to lie. Whatever damage had to happen has happened. There is no smoke without fire," she told NDTV.

The Trinamool Congress has now registered a complaint with the Election Commission against several BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, accusing them of levelling fabricated allegations in the Sandeshkhali matter.

The nondescript island in North 24 Parganas made headlines in February when local residents accused strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of harassing them. Shahjahan, now expelled by the Trinamool Congress, was arrested after he was on the run for over a month in a case relating to a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials probing him. He is now in the CBI's custody.

In a shocking twist in the Sandeskhali row last week, a video of a local BJP leader started doing the rounds. The video showed Gangadhar Koyal purportedly admitting that no rapes or sexual harassment took place in Sandeshkhali and that women were convinced to file such complaints at the directions of Mr Adhikari.

The BJP and the leader in the video have claimed that the clip was doctored and his voice edited. A police complaint has also been filed.

"Made To Sign Blank Paper": Sandeshkhali Woman Alleges Fake Rape Complaint 9 May 2024, 7:51 am

In another twist to the Sandeskhali row, a woman has alleged that people linked with the BJP made her sign a blank paper and then wrote a false rape complaint in her name. The development has intensified the political blame game between the ruling Trinamool and the BJP, which has been playing up the Sandeshkhali issue in the election season.

Speaking to the media, a Sandeshkhali resident said that the day a team of the National Commission for Women visited the island, a woman named Piyali called them to share their complaints. "I told them that we had not received money as part of the 100 days' job scheme. I only wanted that money and had no other complaint. No rape happened. She (Piyali) made us sign on a blank sheet," the woman said, adding that she later came to know that she is on the list of women who alleged rape by local Trinamool leaders.

The woman's daughters-in-law accused Piyali of defaming Sandeshkhali. "She is an outsider, she has come from somewhere else and talks big. We don't know how she has information about everyone here. Initially, she would just take part in the protests here. We later came to know she is with the BJP. She should be punished for lying to us and trapping us. I'm sure more people were deceived like this," they said. The woman and her family said they are now receiving threats for coming out against Piyali.

The Trinamool Congress, which was on the backfoot after local party leaders were accused of rape, land grab and extortion, has latched on to the woman's allegations and accused the BJP of cooking up stories to malign the ruling party for political gains.

Trinamool MP Sushmita Dev alleged that the BJP is threatening the "courageous women of Sandeshkhali for daring to speak out against them". "How much longer will this party persist in spinning webs of deceit, shamelessly trampling on the dignity of our mothers and sisters for their own political greed?" she asked.

The BJP hit back, describing Trinamool's allegations as a damage control exercise that has come too late. Party spokesperson Priyanka Tibrewal said the Trinamool must understand that there is no use crying over spilt milk. "Why is Trinamool responding now? Why were they quiet for two-three months. They earlier said the women (of Sandeshkhali) were lying, now they are saying they were made to lie. Whatever damage had to happen has happened. There is no smoke without fire," she told NDTV.

The Trinamool Congress has now registered a complaint with the Election Commission against several BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, accusing them of levelling fabricated allegations in the Sandeshkhali matter.

The nondescript island in North 24 Parganas made headlines in February when local residents accused strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of harassing them. Shahjahan, now expelled by the Trinamool Congress, was arrested after he was on the run for over a month in a case relating to a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials probing him. He is now in the CBI's custody.

In a shocking twist in the Sandeskhali row last week, a video of a local BJP leader started doing the rounds. The video showed Gangadhar Koyal purportedly admitting that no rapes or sexual harassment took place in Sandeshkhali and that women were convinced to file such complaints at the directions of Mr Adhikari.

The BJP and the leader in the video have claimed that the clip was doctored and his voice edited. A police complaint has also been filed.

"Made To Sign Blank Paper": Sandeshkhali Woman Alleges Fake Rape Complaint 9 May 2024, 7:51 am

In another twist to the Sandeskhali row, a woman has alleged that people linked with the BJP made her sign a blank paper and then wrote a false rape complaint in her name. The development has intensified the political blame game between the ruling Trinamool and the BJP, which has been playing up the Sandeshkhali issue in the election season.

Speaking to the media, a Sandeshkhali resident said that the day a team of the National Commission for Women visited the island, a woman named Piyali called them to share their complaints. "I told them that we had not received money as part of the 100 days' job scheme. I only wanted that money and had no other complaint. No rape happened. She (Piyali) made us sign on a blank sheet," the woman said, adding that she later came to know that she is on the list of women who alleged rape by local Trinamool leaders.

The woman's daughters-in-law accused Piyali of defaming Sandeshkhali. "She is an outsider, she has come from somewhere else and talks big. We don't know how she has information about everyone here. Initially, she would just take part in the protests here. We later came to know she is with the BJP. She should be punished for lying to us and trapping us. I'm sure more people were deceived like this," they said. The woman and her family said they are now receiving threats for coming out against Piyali.

The Trinamool Congress, which was on the backfoot after local party leaders were accused of rape, land grab and extortion, has latched on to the woman's allegations and accused the BJP of cooking up stories to malign the ruling party for political gains.

Trinamool MP Sushmita Dev alleged that the BJP is threatening the "courageous women of Sandeshkhali for daring to speak out against them". "How much longer will this party persist in spinning webs of deceit, shamelessly trampling on the dignity of our mothers and sisters for their own political greed?" she asked.

The BJP hit back, describing Trinamool's allegations as a damage control exercise that has come too late. Party spokesperson Priyanka Tibrewal said the Trinamool must understand that there is no use crying over spilt milk. "Why is Trinamool responding now? Why were they quiet for two-three months. They earlier said the women (of Sandeshkhali) were lying, now they are saying they were made to lie. Whatever damage had to happen has happened. There is no smoke without fire," she told NDTV.

The Trinamool Congress has now registered a complaint with the Election Commission against several BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, accusing them of levelling fabricated allegations in the Sandeshkhali matter.

The nondescript island in North 24 Parganas made headlines in February when local residents accused strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of harassing them. Shahjahan, now expelled by the Trinamool Congress, was arrested after he was on the run for over a month in a case relating to a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials probing him. He is now in the CBI's custody.

In a shocking twist in the Sandeskhali row last week, a video of a local BJP leader started doing the rounds. The video showed Gangadhar Koyal purportedly admitting that no rapes or sexual harassment took place in Sandeshkhali and that women were convinced to file such complaints at the directions of Mr Adhikari.

The BJP and the leader in the video have claimed that the clip was doctored and his voice edited. A police complaint has also been filed.

Internship Deadline Extended For All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test 9 May 2024, 7:48 am

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the date for the completion of internship for appearing in the All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) 2024. Students now have time till July 31, 2024 to finish their internship. The previous date for the internship to end was June 30, 2024. 

The AIAPGET for admission to postgraduate AYUSH courses will be conducted on July 6, 2024. The exam will be held for admission to academic session 2024-25.

An official notification by the NTA reads, "In pursuance of the letter received from Secretary, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), New Delhi-110058 the date of the internship completion towards determination of eligibility for appearing in AIAPGET 2024 has been extended from 30 June 2024 to 31 July 2024 by NCISM and NCH. The candidates who have already submitted application with fees can edit their internship completion date at the time of correction window. "

Registrations for the exams are ongoing at https://exams.nta.ac.in/AIAPGET/. 

The deadline to complete the registration process is May 15, 2024. The last date for successful  transaction of fee through Credit/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI is May 16, 2024. 

Correction in particulars of the application form on the website will begin on May 17-19, 2024. The admit cards will  be available for downloading from  July 2,  2024.

NTA has been conducting AIAPGET since 2019, on behalf of Ministry of AYUSH with the approval of the Ministry of Education.

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Two UK Friends Fly To Italy For A Day Trip To Get A Pizza 9 May 2024, 7:45 am

Two friends took their love for pizza to the next level by taking a flight from Liverpool to Pisa (in Italy) and returned in time for work the next day. According to Manchester Evening News, Morgan Bold, 27, and her friend Jess Wooder, 26, planned the "extreme day trip" so they would only need a single day of leave. The women booked day return flights and jetted off at 6 am on April 24. After a full day of shopping, sightseeing and enjoying pizza, they were back in office.

They spent 170 pounds (Rs 17,715) on the entire trip that included flights, airport parking, food and activities.

"We went to another country and it was probably cheaper than us going from Liverpool to London. Trains to London Euston there and back are around 100 pounds (Rs 10,420) and that's without the expensive food and drinks," Ms Bold was quoted as saying by the outlet.

"It's so easy to do as well - you don't need to check a bag, you just go straight through security and you're on the plane. I only took one day off work - I was back the next day," she further said.

The women drove from Liverpool and parked at Manchester airport, where they flew from.

Ms Bold and Ms Wooder clicked photos in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and used Google Maps to find their way to restaurants with good pizza.

"The food was the best bit, being able to have a pizza while looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The food prices were so reasonable even right by the tower," said Ms Bold.

"It was a surreal experience knowing you were going back the same night."

The women flew home at 6pm and were in bed by 11pm.

Iceland Debuts "Mammoth", Largest Plant To Suck Planet-Heating Pollution From Air 9 May 2024, 7:45 am

Iceland has become home to the world's largest facility for extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, marking a significant milestone in the fight against climate change.

Operated by Swiss firm Climeworks, the newly operational plant, named "Mammoth," has quadrupled the global capacity for direct air capture (DAC).

While existing DAC projects worldwide only manage to collectively capture around 10,000 metric tonnes of carbon annually, Mammoth is set to extract up to 36,000 metric tonnes per year once fully operational in 2024.

Utilising direct air capture technology, Mammoth functions as a giant vacuum, drawing in air and stripping out carbon using chemical processes. This marks Climeworks' second commercial DAC plant in Iceland, dwarfing its predecessor, Orca, by tenfold.

Following extraction, the captured carbon will be transported underground, where it will undergo a sequestration process with the Icelandic company Carbfix. This process involves converting the carbon into stone, effectively locking it away from the atmosphere permanently.

Crucially, the entire operation will be powered by Iceland's abundant and clean geothermal energy, further emphasising the plant's commitment to sustainability.

Speaking to CNN, Lili Fuhr, director of the fossil economy programme at the Centre for International Environmental Law, expressed concerns about carbon capture technology, stating that it "is fraught with uncertainties and ecological risks."

The inauguration of Mammoth represents a significant step forward in the global effort to combat climate change by actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offering hope for a more sustainable future.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Bhopal launches ‘lucky draw’ scheme, voters win ‘diamond rings’ 9 May 2024, 7:41 am

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PM Modi's 'hum do humaare do' policy draining household savings to cronies: Jairam Ramesh 9 May 2024, 7:39 am

Air India Express Fires 30 Over Mass Sick Leave, Gives Ultimatum To Others 9 May 2024, 7:36 am

Air India Express has sacked at least 30 cabin crew, a day after nearly 300 employees of the airline called in sick and switched off their phones, leading to large-scale flight disruptions. The number of job terminations is likely to increase. The management, sources said, has given an ultimatum to the employees to join work by 4 pm today or face action. 

A total of 85 flights have been cancelled today as the disruptions snowball into a full-blown crisis for the low-cost airline, which is a subsidiary of Air India, now owned by the Tata group.

The employees have been protesting against the new employment terms, sources have said. The crew, the sources said, has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff. They have claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions, the sources said. The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package. These developments are taking place even as the airline is in the middle of a merger with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).

The Air India Express crisis is fresh trouble for the Tata group, barely a month after its full-service carrier Vistara witnessed disruptions due to protests by pilots over a host of issues, including their rostering for flights and changes in their pay packages.

In a statement, Air India Express has said it is making "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation". "We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com," the statement said.

"While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," it added.

The termination letter issued to the 30-odd crew members says that the mass leave "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason".

"As a result of the above, a large number of flights had to be cancelled thereby disrupting the entire schedule, which caused tremendous inconvenience to the Company's esteemed passengers. Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company.

Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to disrupt services of the Company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws, but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees' Service Rules as are applicable to you," the letter adds.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), an organisation claiming to represent the crew members, has written to the management and "highlighted a stark departure from commitments". The union has accused the airline of mismanagement and treating staff unequally. Sources from Air India Express, however, have said it does not recognise any employees' union.

Meanwhile, the regional labour commissioner has weighed in and said the staff's grievances were genuine. In a May 3 e-mail to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and others - a copy of which is with NDTV - the Regional Labour Commissioner in New Delhi, Ashok Perumalla, pointed to "blatant violations of labour laws".

Stating that the concerns of the Union are genuine, Mr Perumulla wrote, "The management of Air India Express has not sent any responsible decision-makers to any of the conciliation proceedings. Mismanagement and blatant violations of labour laws were apparent."

Mincing no words, the official continued, "The HR department tried to mislead the conciliation officer with the wrong information and an idiotic interpretation of legal provisions."

For maintaining "harmonious industrial relations", Mr Perumulla has suggested that Air India Express set up a high-level committee to examine grievances of the employees and functioning of the HR department. He has also called for corrective measures.

Air India Express Fires 30 Over Mass Sick Leave, Gives Ultimatum To Others 9 May 2024, 7:36 am

Air India Express has sacked at least 30 cabin crew, a day after nearly 300 employees of the airline called in sick and switched off their phones, leading to large-scale flight disruptions. The number of job terminations is likely to increase. The management, sources said, has given an ultimatum to the employees to join work by 4 pm today or face action. 

A total of 85 flights have been cancelled today as the disruptions snowball into a full-blown crisis for the low-cost airline, which is a subsidiary of Air India, now owned by the Tata group.

The employees have been protesting against the new employment terms, sources have said. The crew, the sources said, has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff. They have claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions, the sources said. The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package. These developments are taking place even as the airline is in the middle of a merger with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).

The Air India Express crisis is fresh trouble for the Tata group, barely a month after its full-service carrier Vistara witnessed disruptions due to protests by pilots over a host of issues, including their rostering for flights and changes in their pay packages.

In a statement, Air India Express has said it is making "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation". "We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com," the statement said.

"While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," it added.

The termination letter issued to the 30-odd crew members says that the mass leave "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason".

"As a result of the above, a large number of flights had to be cancelled thereby disrupting the entire schedule, which caused tremendous inconvenience to the Company's esteemed passengers. Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company.

Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to disrupt services of the Company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws, but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees' Service Rules as are applicable to you," the letter adds.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), an organisation claiming to represent the crew members, has written to the management and "highlighted a stark departure from commitments". The union has accused the airline of mismanagement and treating staff unequally. Sources from Air India Express, however, have said it does not recognise any employees' union.

Meanwhile, the regional labour commissioner has weighed in and said the staff's grievances were genuine. In a May 3 e-mail to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and others - a copy of which is with NDTV - the Regional Labour Commissioner in New Delhi, Ashok Perumalla, pointed to "blatant violations of labour laws".

Stating that the concerns of the Union are genuine, Mr Perumulla wrote, "The management of Air India Express has not sent any responsible decision-makers to any of the conciliation proceedings. Mismanagement and blatant violations of labour laws were apparent."

Mincing no words, the official continued, "The HR department tried to mislead the conciliation officer with the wrong information and an idiotic interpretation of legal provisions."

For maintaining "harmonious industrial relations", Mr Perumulla has suggested that Air India Express set up a high-level committee to examine grievances of the employees and functioning of the HR department. He has also called for corrective measures.

Air India Express Fires 30 Over Mass Sick Leave, Gives Ultimatum To Others 9 May 2024, 7:36 am

Air India Express has sacked at least 30 cabin crew, a day after nearly 300 employees of the airline called in sick and switched off their phones, leading to large-scale flight disruptions. The number of job terminations is likely to increase. The management, sources said, has given an ultimatum to the employees to join work by 4 pm today or face action. 

A total of 85 flights have been cancelled today as the disruptions snowball into a full-blown crisis for the low-cost airline, which is a subsidiary of Air India, now owned by the Tata group.

The employees have been protesting against the new employment terms, sources have said. The crew, the sources said, has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff. They have claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions, the sources said. The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package. These developments are taking place even as the airline is in the middle of a merger with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).

The Air India Express crisis is fresh trouble for the Tata group, barely a month after its full-service carrier Vistara witnessed disruptions due to protests by pilots over a host of issues, including their rostering for flights and changes in their pay packages.

In a statement, Air India Express has said it is making "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation". "We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com," the statement said.

"While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," it added.

The termination letter issued to the 30-odd crew members says that the mass leave "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason".

"As a result of the above, a large number of flights had to be cancelled thereby disrupting the entire schedule, which caused tremendous inconvenience to the Company's esteemed passengers. Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company.

Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to disrupt services of the Company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws, but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees' Service Rules as are applicable to you," the letter adds.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), an organisation claiming to represent the crew members, has written to the management and "highlighted a stark departure from commitments". The union has accused the airline of mismanagement and treating staff unequally. Sources from Air India Express, however, have said it does not recognise any employees' union.

Meanwhile, the regional labour commissioner has weighed in and said the staff's grievances were genuine. In a May 3 e-mail to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and others - a copy of which is with NDTV - the Regional Labour Commissioner in New Delhi, Ashok Perumalla, pointed to "blatant violations of labour laws".

Stating that the concerns of the Union are genuine, Mr Perumulla wrote, "The management of Air India Express has not sent any responsible decision-makers to any of the conciliation proceedings. Mismanagement and blatant violations of labour laws were apparent."

Mincing no words, the official continued, "The HR department tried to mislead the conciliation officer with the wrong information and an idiotic interpretation of legal provisions."

For maintaining "harmonious industrial relations", Mr Perumulla has suggested that Air India Express set up a high-level committee to examine grievances of the employees and functioning of the HR department. He has also called for corrective measures.

BJP Haryana Govt In Minority? Dushyant Chautala Urges Governor For Floor Test 9 May 2024, 7:34 am

India To Delay UPI Payments Market Cap, Will Help PhonePe, Google Pay: Report 9 May 2024, 7:33 am

India will again delay caps on market share for a popular digital payments method, two sources told Reuters, benefiting Google Pay and Walmart-backed PhonePe as the authorities prioritise growth over concerns about market concentration.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the quasi-regulator, will extend by as much as two years a year-end deadline to cap at 30% the market share of any company processing payments via the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), the sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

PhonePe's share of UPI payments has risen to 48.3% from 37% in April 2020, while Google Pay's share has declined to 37.4% from 44%, according to NPCI data. The two processed a combined 11.5 billion transactions in April, the data showed.

NPCI and Google Pay declined to comment. PhonePe did not respond to an email seeking comment.

India launched UPI in 2016 but barred companies from charging for the instant digital payments service in an effort to promote online transactions and reduce the use of cash in Asia's third-largest economy.

Because they cannot charge for it, India's banks and others like Meta-owned WhatsApp and Amazon Pay have not pushed UPI-based payments aggressively, leaving authorities worried about a concentration risk.

While their apps do not earn money from the payments, PhonePe and Google Pay have been able to use their UPI customer base to sell services such as loans and insurance.

NPCI, which has a regulatory mandate from the central bank, announced the 30% cap in 2020 but later extended the deadline by two years to the end of 2024.

The deadline will have to be extended again, said one of the sources, as it is not possible for PhonePe and Google Pay to reduce their market shares without hurting UPI payments growth.

A final decision on the extension will be communicated closer to the deadline, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because they are not allowed to speak to the media.

NPCI had hoped for more competition when WhatsApp was permitted to offer UPI-based payments in February 2020, but the company had just 0.2% market share as of April.

India's Paytm, with the third-highest share, has experienced a decline in payments processed through its platforms after regulators placed curbs on a group entity.

Payment firms want the market-share cap removed, asking NPCI to let them charge for UPI payments to encourage competition, said an official at a payment company.

The government will decide whether to allow firms to charge for UPI payments, the two sources said, but one said NPCI does not favour removing the share cap.

The volume of UPI transactions rose 49.5% in April from a year earlier, less than the 54% rise logged March.

The central bank met on Tuesday with industry executives to brainstorm on ways to expand the UPI user base, which was about 300 million users and 50 million merchants late last year, according to the most recent data.

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India To Delay UPI Payments Market Cap, Will Help PhonePe, GPay: Report 9 May 2024, 7:28 am

India will again delay caps on market share for a popular digital payments method, two sources told Reuters, benefiting Google Pay and Walmart-backed PhonePe as the authorities prioritise growth over concerns about market concentration.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the quasi-regulator, will extend by as much as two years a year-end deadline to cap at 30% the market share of any company processing payments via the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), the sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

PhonePe's share of UPI payments has risen to 48.3% from 37% in April 2020, while Google Pay's share has declined to 37.4% from 44%, according to NPCI data. The two processed a combined 11.5 billion transactions in April, the data showed.

NPCI and Google Pay declined to comment. PhonePe did not respond to an email seeking comment.

India launched UPI in 2016 but barred companies from charging for the instant digital payments service in an effort to promote online transactions and reduce the use of cash in Asia's third-largest economy.

Because they cannot charge for it, India's banks and others like Meta-owned WhatsApp and Amazon Pay have not pushed UPI-based payments aggressively, leaving authorities worried about a concentration risk.

While their apps do not earn money from the payments, PhonePe and Google Pay have been able to use their UPI customer base to sell services such as loans and insurance.

NPCI, which has a regulatory mandate from the central bank, announced the 30% cap in 2020 but later extended the deadline by two years to the end of 2024.

The deadline will have to be extended again, said one of the sources, as it is not possible for PhonePe and Google Pay to reduce their market shares without hurting UPI payments growth.

A final decision on the extension will be communicated closer to the deadline, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because they are not allowed to speak to the media.

NPCI had hoped for more competition when WhatsApp was permitted to offer UPI-based payments in February 2020, but the company had just 0.2% market share as of April.

India's Paytm, with the third-highest share, has experienced a decline in payments processed through its platforms after regulators placed curbs on a group entity.

Payment firms want the market-share cap removed, asking NPCI to let them charge for UPI payments to encourage competition, said an official at a payment company.

The government will decide whether to allow firms to charge for UPI payments, the two sources said, but one said NPCI does not favour removing the share cap.

The volume of UPI transactions rose 49.5% in April from a year earlier, less than the 54% rise logged March.

The central bank met on Tuesday with industry executives to brainstorm on ways to expand the UPI user base, which was about 300 million users and 50 million merchants late last year, according to the most recent data.

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

Dhanush's Elder Son Yatra Raja Scores 569 Out Of 600 Marks In 12th Boards: Report 9 May 2024, 7:27 am

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Ex-BJP Ally Dushyant Chautala Writes To Haryana Governor, Seeks Floor Test 9 May 2024, 7:26 am

Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and BJP ally Dushyant Chautala has written to the Governor, demanding a floor test in the state assembly. Mr Chautala's move comes amidst a political upheaval sparked by the withdrawal of support from three independent MLAs and mounting tensions within the ruling BJP coalition.

In a letter addressed to the Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr Chautala said that the recent resignations and withdrawals of support have left the ruling BJP alliance teetering on the brink of a minority status. 

"I urge you to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test to determine majority of government," Mr Chautala's letter to the Governor. 

The call for a floor test stems from the recent switch of three Independent MLAs from the BJP faction to the Congress faction. On Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) declared their intention to cut support for the BJP administration during a press conference held in Rohtak. They were joined by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress chief.

Mr Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) which is a former ally of the BJP, did not mince words in expressing his party's readiness to throw its weight behind an alternative government, signalling a potential alliance with the Congress. 

"The government that was formed two months back is now in the minority because two of the MLAs who supported them - one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA - have resigned. Three Independent MLAs who were supporting them have withdrawn their support and have written to the Governor. JJP has clearly said that if a No Confidence Motion is brought against this government, we will support the motion," Mr Chautala said. 

"We have also written to the Governor about it. Now, Congress has to take this step (seeking a Floor Test). The Governor has the power to order a Floor Test to see if the Government has the strength and if it doesn't have the majority immediately implement President's Rule in the state," he added. 

The Haryana Assembly, with 90 seats, is currently occupied by 88 members, with the majority mark at 45. BJP commands 40 MLAs supported by three out of six independent candidates, meaning the ruling coalition is short of two MLAs to hit the majority. The Congress party boasts 30 MLAs with its count bolstered by three independent candidates. Should the JJP lend its support, the Congress's tally would rise to 43 MLAs. This scenario leaves two MLAs unaligned-one from the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.

Aftab Ahmed, Congress leader and deputy leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly, has asked for time to meet the Governor. 

Ex-BJP Ally Dushyant Chautala Writes To Haryana Governor, Seeks Floor Test 9 May 2024, 7:26 am

Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and BJP ally Dushyant Chautala has written to the Governor, demanding a floor test in the state assembly. Mr Chautala's move comes amidst a political upheaval sparked by the withdrawal of support from three independent MLAs and mounting tensions within the ruling BJP coalition.

In a letter addressed to the Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr Chautala said that the recent resignations and withdrawals of support have left the ruling BJP alliance teetering on the brink of a minority status. 

"I urge you to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test to determine majority of government," Mr Chautala's letter to the Governor. 

The call for a floor test stems from the recent switch of three Independent MLAs from the BJP faction to the Congress faction. On Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) declared their intention to cut support for the BJP administration during a press conference held in Rohtak. They were joined by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress chief.

Mr Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) which is a former ally of the BJP, did not mince words in expressing his party's readiness to throw its weight behind an alternative government, signalling a potential alliance with the Congress. 

"The government that was formed two months back is now in the minority because two of the MLAs who supported them - one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA - have resigned. Three Independent MLAs who were supporting them have withdrawn their support and have written to the Governor. JJP has clearly said that if a No Confidence Motion is brought against this government, we will support the motion," Mr Chautala said. 

"We have also written to the Governor about it. Now, Congress has to take this step (seeking a Floor Test). The Governor has the power to order a Floor Test to see if the Government has the strength and if it doesn't have the majority immediately implement President's Rule in the state," he added. 

The Haryana Assembly, with 90 seats, is currently occupied by 88 members, with the majority mark at 45. BJP commands 40 MLAs supported by three out of six independent candidates, meaning the ruling coalition is short of two MLAs to hit the majority. The Congress party boasts 30 MLAs with its count bolstered by three independent candidates. Should the JJP lend its support, the Congress's tally would rise to 43 MLAs. This scenario leaves two MLAs unaligned-one from the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.

Aftab Ahmed, Congress leader and deputy leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly, has asked for time to meet the Governor. 

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"Don't Want To Study Further": Kota Student Says Will Be Gone For 5 Years 9 May 2024, 7:21 am

With Rs 8,000 in his possession, and a promise to call once a year, a 19-year-old student in Rajasthan's Kota wrote to his parents that he was leaving home for five years. Rajendra Meena, from Gangarampur's Bamanwas, was preparing for the medical entrance exam NEET in Kota. 

According to the police, Jagdish Meena, Rajendra's father, has filed a missing report. The family came to know about his disappearance when they received a message from the student on their mobile.

"I am leaving home and I do not wish to further my education," Rajendra's message read. "I have Rs 8,000 with me and will be gone for five years. I will sell my mobile phone and break the SIM card. Please tell mother not to worry about me. I will not take any wrong steps. I have everyone's numbers with me. If needed, I will call. I will definitely call once a year."

According to Rajendra's father, the student had gone missing on May 6. He had left his paying guest accommodation in Kota at 1.30 pm. After receiving his message, his family members began searching for him before filing a missing person complaint with the police. 

Rajendra's whereabouts remain unknown at this point but the police have initiated a search operation to track him down. 

The incident has shed light on the stress and pressure faced by students in Kota's competitive coaching environment. Instances of students abandoning their academic pursuits without notice are not new and have prompted heightened vigilance from both educational institutions and police alike. 
 

"Don't Want To Study Further": Kota Student Says Will Be Gone For 5 Years 9 May 2024, 7:21 am

With Rs 8,000 in his possession, and a promise to call once a year, a 19-year-old student in Rajasthan's Kota wrote to his parents that he was leaving home for five years. Rajendra Meena, from Gangarampur's Bamanwas, was preparing for the medical entrance exam NEET in Kota. 

According to the police, Jagdish Meena, Rajendra's father, has filed a missing report. The family came to know about his disappearance when they received a message from the student on their mobile.

"I am leaving home and I do not wish to further my education," Rajendra's message read. "I have Rs 8,000 with me and will be gone for five years. I will sell my mobile phone and break the SIM card. Please tell mother not to worry about me. I will not take any wrong steps. I have everyone's numbers with me. If needed, I will call. I will definitely call once a year."

According to Rajendra's father, the student had gone missing on May 6. He had left his paying guest accommodation in Kota at 1.30 pm. After receiving his message, his family members began searching for him before filing a missing person complaint with the police. 

Rajendra's whereabouts remain unknown at this point but the police have initiated a search operation to track him down. 

The incident has shed light on the stress and pressure faced by students in Kota's competitive coaching environment. Instances of students abandoning their academic pursuits without notice are not new and have prompted heightened vigilance from both educational institutions and police alike. 
 

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"Don't Want To Study Further": Kota Student Says Will Be Gone For 5 Years 9 May 2024, 7:21 am

With Rs 8,000 in his possession, and a promise to call once a year, a 19-year-old student in Rajasthan's Kota wrote to his parents that he was leaving home for five years. Rajendra Meena, from Gangarampur's Bamanwas, was preparing for the medical entrance exam NEET in Kota. 

According to the police, Jagdish Meena, Rajendra's father, has filed a missing report. The family came to know about his disappearance when they received a message from the student on their mobile.

"I am leaving home and I do not wish to further my education," Rajendra's message read. "I have Rs 8,000 with me and will be gone for five years. I will sell my mobile phone and break the SIM card. Please tell mother not to worry about me. I will not take any wrong steps. I have everyone's numbers with me. If needed, I will call. I will definitely call once a year."

According to Rajendra's father, the student had gone missing on May 6. He had left his paying guest accommodation in Kota at 1.30 pm. After receiving his message, his family members began searching for him before filing a missing person complaint with the police. 

Rajendra's whereabouts remain unknown at this point but the police have initiated a search operation to track him down. 

The incident has shed light on the stress and pressure faced by students in Kota's competitive coaching environment. Instances of students abandoning their academic pursuits without notice are not new and have prompted heightened vigilance from both educational institutions and police alike. 
 

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Haryana political crisis: JJP leader Dushyant Chautala writes to governor, asks for floor test 9 May 2024, 7:18 am

NIFT Entrance Exam 2024 Result For Admission To Master's Programme Out 9 May 2024, 7:17 am

NIFT Entrance Exam 2024 Result: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the result of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam 2024 for admission to the master's programme. Individuals who took the exam can access their scorecards from the official website.

The NTA administered the NIFT exam 2024 on February 5 across 72 examination centres spanning 60 cities. 

Successful candidates had to take stage 1 examinations for master's programmes, followed by an interview session in stage 2. The final stage tests for NIFT took place from April 1 to 6 in New Delhi.

The NTA stated, "The final weighted marks received by the candidates have been calculated based on the respective test weightages applicable to the applied course, as per the candidate's appearance."

The final results were determined by the scores achieved by candidates in both the written and interview rounds.

In addition to announcing the NIFT MDesign final results 2024, the testing agency also disclosed the NIFT result date 2024 for BDesign admissions. 

The NIFT result 2024 for BDes and scorecards for all candidates will be available on May 13.

LSG Owner's On-Camera Outburst At KL Rahul: Pure Emotion Or Toxic Culture? 9 May 2024, 7:17 am

"It's the owner's call...they spend the money," Ravi Shastri's comments on Mumbai Indians captaincy change seems more profound today, after what played out on Indian national television on Wednesday night. Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv  Goenka's verbally bashing his IPL team's skipper KL Rahul, following a 10-wicket thrashing by SunRisers Hyderabad, is a scene that is being replayed ever since.  It was the biggest loss in IPL history as SRH chased down a 166-run target in just 58 balls. With 62 balls remaining in the innings it is the most dominating win in IPL, in terms of balls to spare (100+ targets). Naturally, Goenka, a very successful industrialist and also the co-owner of ISL runner-up Mohun Bagan Super Giant, was not a happy man. 

In 2021, Goenka had bid over Rs 7000 crore to buy LSG franchise in IPL. According to several reports, Goenka will pay BCCI a franchise of Rs 7090 crore over 10 years. With him ready to shell out such a large amount of money, the attachment that Goenka has with the team is very apparent. His franchise has done well too in the past, reaching the playoffs in its first two years under KL Rahul's captaincy. 

This year, however, things seemed to be different. Though playoffs hopes are not lost, LSG are in a tricky spot. The team is sixth among 10 teams. 

Their 10-wicket thrashing to SRH has added to the woes. And it seemed, it was too much for Goenka to handle. Throughout the match, Goenka could be seen following the match quite closely. Following the loss, however, emotion seemed to take control. Even the broadcaster could not help but term the interaction between Goenka and Rahul as "animated reaction from LSG camp". Even LSG coach and Australia great Justin Langer was not spared either, as Goenka seemed to given him an earful too. 

All through this while, Rahul and Langer, stayed calm and took it all in. Rarely has such a scene been telecast on national television. But, can the readers vouch and say such incidents don't happen every day in boardrooms and corporate houses? Does this win at all cost mentality not play out daily at all work place?

Just recently, two videos went viral on X (formerly Twitter) where officers of Bandhan Bank and Canara Bank can be seen reprimanding their junior employees using foul language over failing to meet targets.  A few months ago, similar such incident happened in another bank and the foul-mouthing official was suspended. 

Goenka's case got more highlighted as he is a celebrated name. On top of that, he may have momentarily forgotten that with the plethora of cameras on ground, nothing stays hidden. He has every right to feel bad about his team's loss, but to vent out his frustration at his captain on cricket matters, for which he has hired specialist support staff, was that the right thing to do? 

Also, for every serious discussion, there is a thing called 'closed door meeting', something which the official broadcaster's also mentioned. 

Maybe he could have taken a cue from how Kolkata Knight Rides co-owner Shah Rukh Khan reacted after his side's loss to Rajasthan Royals. In a video, which went viral, SRK said: "Honestly, it's a very proud day. The way we played; all of us. I won't take individual names; that's been done. Don't feel down, GG. We will all bounce back. It's God's plan for today, as Rinku says. I think this is what we would like them to do. We'll be back with more and better, God willing. Thank you, everyone, and may God bless all." 

Should other owners follow SRK's line? It's completely up to them, ultimately, "they spend the money" in a cash-rich private league - IPL.

"Made To Sign Blank Paper": Sandeshkhali Woman Alleges Fake Rape Complaint 9 May 2024, 7:17 am

In another twist to the Sandeskhali row, a woman has alleged that people linked with the BJP made her sign a blank paper and then wrote a false rape complaint in her name. The development has intensified the political blame game between the ruling Trinamool and the BJP, which has been playing up the Sandeshkhali issue in the election season.

Speaking to the media, a Sandeshkhali resident said that the day a team of the National Commission for Women visited the island, a woman named Piyali called them to share their complaints. "I told them that we had not received money as part of the 100 days' job scheme. I only wanted that money and had no other complaint. No rape happened. She (Piyali) made us sign on a blank sheet," the woman said, adding that she later came to know that she is on the list of women who alleged rape by local Trinamool leaders.

The woman's daughters-in-law accused Piyali of defaming Sandeshkhali. "She is an outsider, she has come from somewhere else and talks big. We don't know how she has information about everyone here. Initially, she would just take part in the protests here. We later came to know she is with the BJP. She should be punished for lying to us and trapping us. I'm sure more people were deceived like this," they said. The woman and her family said they are now receiving threats for coming out against Piyali.

The Trinamool Congress, which was on the backfoot after local party leaders were accused of rape, land grab and extortion, has latched on to the woman's allegations and accused the BJP of cooking up stories to malign the ruling party for political gains.

Trinamool MP Sushmita Dev alleged that the BJP is threatening the "courageous women of Sandeshkhali for daring to speak out against them". "How much longer will this party persist in spinning webs of deceit, shamelessly trampling on the dignity of our mothers and sisters for their own political greed?" she asked.

The BJP hit back, describing Trinamool's allegations as a damage control exercise that has come too late. Party spokesperson Priyanka Tibrewal said the Trinamool must understand that there is no use crying over spilt milk. "Why is Trinamool responding now? Why were they quiet for two-three months. They earlier said the women (of Sandeshkhali) were lying, now they are saying they were made to lie. Whatever damage had to happen has happened. There is no smoke without fire," she told NDTV.

The Trinamool Congress has now registered a complaint with the Election Commission against several BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, accusing them of levelling fabricated allegations in the Sandeshkhali matter.

The nondescript island in North 24 Parganas made headlines in February when local residents accused strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of harassing them. Shahjahan, now expelled by the Trinamool Congress, was arrested after he was on the run for over a month in a case relating to a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials probing him. He is now in the CBI's custody.

In a shocking twist in the Sandeskhali row last week, a video of a local BJP leader started doing the rounds. The video showed Gangadhar Koyal purportedly admitting that no rapes or sexual harassment took place in Sandeshkhali and that women were convinced to file such complaints at the directions of Mr Adhikari.

The BJP and the leader in the video have claimed that the clip was doctored and his voice edited. A police complaint has also been filed.

LSG Owner's On-Camera Outburst At KL Rahul: Pure Emotion Or Toxic Culture? 9 May 2024, 7:17 am

"It's the owner's call...they spend the money," Ravi Shastri's comments on Mumbai Indians captaincy change seems more profound today, after what played out on Indian national television on Wednesday night. Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv  Goenka's verbally bashing his IPL team's skipper KL Rahul, following a 10-wicket thrashing by SunRisers Hyderabad, is a scene that is being replayed ever since.  It was the biggest loss in IPL history as SRH chased down a 166-run target in just 58 balls. With 62 balls remaining in the innings it is the most dominating win in IPL, in terms of balls to spare (100+ targets). Naturally, Goenka, a very successful industrialist and also the co-owner of ISL runner-up Mohun Bagan Super Giant, was not a happy man. 

In 2021, Goenka had bid over Rs 7000 crore to buy LSG franchise in IPL. According to several reports, Goenka will pay BCCI a franchise of Rs 7090 crore over 10 years. With him ready to shell out such a large amount of money, the attachment that Goenka has with the team is very apparent. His franchise has done well too in the past, reaching the playoffs in its first two years under KL Rahul's captaincy. 

This year, however, things seemed to be different. Though playoffs hopes are not lost, LSG are in a tricky spot. The team is sixth among 10 teams. 

Their 10-wicket thrashing to SRH has added to the woes. And it seemed, it was too much for Goenka to handle. Throughout the match, Goenka could be seen following the match quite closely. Following the loss, however, emotion seemed to take control. Even the broadcaster could not help but term the interaction between Goenka and Rahul as "animated reaction from LSG camp". Even LSG coach and Australia great Justin Langer was not spared either, as Goenka seemed to given him an earful too. 

All through this while, Rahul and Langer, stayed calm and took it all in. Rarely has such a scene been telecast on national television. But, can the readers vouch and say such incidents don't happen every day in boardrooms and corporate houses? Does this win at all cost mentality not play out daily at all work place?

Just recently, two videos went viral on X (formerly Twitter) where officers of Bandhan Bank and Canara Bank can be seen reprimanding their junior employees using foul language over failing to meet targets.  A few months ago, similar such incident happened in another bank and the foul-mouthing official was suspended. 

Goenka's case got more highlighted as he is a celebrated name. On top of that, he may have momentarily forgotten that with the plethora of cameras on ground, nothing stays hidden. He has every right to feel bad about his team's loss, but to vent out his frustration at his captain on cricket matters, for which he has hired specialist support staff, was that the right thing to do? 

Also, for every serious discussion, there is a thing called 'closed door meeting', something which the official broadcaster's also mentioned. 

Maybe he could have taken a cue from how Kolkata Knight Rides co-owner Shah Rukh Khan reacted after his side's loss to Rajasthan Royals. In a video, which went viral, SRK said: "Honestly, it's a very proud day. The way we played; all of us. I won't take individual names; that's been done. Don't feel down, GG. We will all bounce back. It's God's plan for today, as Rinku says. I think this is what we would like them to do. We'll be back with more and better, God willing. Thank you, everyone, and may God bless all." 

Should other owners follow SRK's line? It's completely up to them, ultimately, "they spend the money" in a cash-rich private league - IPL.

Cruz Beckham Sends Fans Into Frenzy As He Accompanies Mom Victoria And Spice Girls On Guitar 9 May 2024, 7:16 am

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"Will Take Us Only 15 Seconds...": BJP Leader's Jab. A Owaisi Says "Do It" 9 May 2024, 7:16 am

A provocative statement 11 years ago by AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi - the infamous "if police are removed for 15 minutes..." remark seen as a threat to Hindus - has spawned an equally shocking "... it will take us only 15 seconds" reply by BJP leader Navneet Rana, while campaigning for Madhavi Latha, the party's candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha dominated by Mr Owaisi's brother, Asaduddin Owaisi.

Ms Rana, a former independent MP from Maharashtra's Amravati, referred to the 2013 swipe by Akbaruddin Owaisi, and said, "The younger brother said, 'Remove police for 15 minutes so we can show what we can do'. I want to tell him, 'It might take you 15 minutes... but it will only take us 15 seconds... "

And in other comments also seen as being in poor taste, she declared Madhavi Latha will "definitely stop Hyderabad from turning into Pakistan" and claimed that anyone voting for either the Congress or the AIMIM would simply be voting in favour of Pakistan.

15 सेकंद लगेगा @AkbarOwaisi_MIM @asadowaisi pic.twitter.com/TfEmWhvArX

— Navnit Ravi Rana (Modi Ka Parivar) (@navneetravirana) May 8, 2024

"If you vote for AIMIM and Congress, it goes directly to Pakistan. The kind of 'AIMIM prem (love)' and 'Rahul prem' Pakistan is showing... Just like Congress that governed country on signals from Pak... the same Pak is today saying they 'love Congress and AIMIM'."

A 39-second video clip of the rant by Ms Rana was posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, and the Owaisi brothers were tagged in the post. The older Owaisi, never one to back down from a fight, responded immediately and dared Ms Rana to follow through.

READ | Asaduddin Owaisi's "Muslims Use Condoms Most" Reply To PM's Jab

"I'm telling (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji... give her the 15 seconds. What will she do? Give her the 15 seconds... give her an hour even. We too want to see what they will do. Is there any humanity left in them? Who is scared? We are ready... if someone is making an open call (like this) then so be it. Do it. Who is stopping you?" Mr Owaisi told reporters.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On BJP leader Navnit Ravi Rana's "15 seconds lagenge" remark in Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "I tell Modi ji - give her 15 seconds. What will you do?...Give her 15 seconds, give her 1 hour. We too want to see if you have any… pic.twitter.com/e1uD3M6nhl

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2024

The face-off between Ms Rana (and Ms Latha) and Asaduddin Owaisi underlines the high-tension fight for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, which has been held by the AIMIM leader since 2004, and was the bastion of his father, Salahuddin Owaisi from 1984.

The BJP has never won here; in 2019 the party fielded Bhagavanth Rao, who got less than 236,000 votes while Mr Owaisi polled over half a million and a 64 per cent of vote share.

Mr Owaisi has already had one ugly confrontation with his rival for this election.

READ | "Where Did Mosque Come From?": BJP Candidate On "Imaginary Arrow" Row

Last month, during a Ram Navami rally in Hyderabad, the BJP's Madhavi Latha pretended to draw and fire an arrow while near a mosque. The gesture was widely condemned, with Mr Owaisi calling it "vulgar, obscene, and provocative".

Ms Latha later posted a statement on X and professed to apologise, saying, "If anyone's feelings are hurt". However, she also claimed the video circulated is "incomplete". She also spoke to news agency PTI, claiming a "conspiracy against us (the BJP) ... because we work well with both Hindu and Muslim brothers" and demanded "where did the mosque come from?"

READ | "People Of Hyderabad Not Cattle": Owaisi On PM's "Lease" Remark

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat has seven Assembly segments, of which six are held by the AIMIM.

Voting takes place on May 13, with the other 16 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

When Bollywood Actress Manisha Koirala's Name Was Linked To These Celebs 9 May 2024, 7:15 am

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After Sharad Pawar's "Smaller Parties" Remark, Uddhav Thackeray's Counter 9 May 2024, 7:13 am

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said his outfit was not a "small party", and hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over their reactions to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's 'merger' remark.

Earlier, in an interview to The Indian Express, Sharad Pawar predicted that in the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress, or even merge with it.

While chief minister Shinde latched on to Sharad Pawar's comment to target Uddhav Thackeray saying he had already become "Congress-minded", Mr Fadnavis said it showed how difficult it was for Sharad Pawar himself to manage his party.

Speaking at an election rally in Pune district, Uddhav Thackeray said Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis were speaking as if they were high on 'bhaang' (cannabis).

"Pawar saheb said while replying to a question that some small regional parties may merge with Congress. Please tell me, is Shiv Sena a small party?" he asked.

Uddhav Thackeray also took swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that unlike in 2014 and 2019, he has no issues left during the ongoing elections.

"I had heard in my childhood that if someone is scared of ghosts, he should chant 'Ram, Ram'. Since he is scared of defeat, he is going around the country chanting the name of Ram," alleged Mr Thackeray.
 

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

After Sharad Pawar's "Smaller Parties" Remark, Uddhav Thackeray's Counter 9 May 2024, 7:13 am

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said his outfit was not a "small party", and hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over their reactions to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's 'merger' remark.

Earlier, in an interview to The Indian Express, Sharad Pawar predicted that in the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress, or even merge with it.

While chief minister Shinde latched on to Sharad Pawar's comment to target Uddhav Thackeray saying he had already become "Congress-minded", Mr Fadnavis said it showed how difficult it was for Sharad Pawar himself to manage his party.

Speaking at an election rally in Pune district, Uddhav Thackeray said Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis were speaking as if they were high on 'bhaang' (cannabis).

"Pawar saheb said while replying to a question that some small regional parties may merge with Congress. Please tell me, is Shiv Sena a small party?" he asked.

Uddhav Thackeray also took swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that unlike in 2014 and 2019, he has no issues left during the ongoing elections.

"I had heard in my childhood that if someone is scared of ghosts, he should chant 'Ram, Ram'. Since he is scared of defeat, he is going around the country chanting the name of Ram," alleged Mr Thackeray.
 

Opinion: Opinion | Lok Sabha Polls: Low Turnout Continues - How States Have Performed 9 May 2024, 7:13 am

The debate surrounding turnout persists this polling season, with Phase 3 recording a polling percentage of 64.6%, which is 1.7% lower than 2019. In Phase 1 and 2, the decline in turnout ranged between 3% and 4%.

While there is no clear correlation between turnouts and electoral outcomes, various theories are circulating. Out of 17 Lok Sabha elections from 1951-52 to 2019, turnout decreased six times and increased 10 times in 16 Lok Sabha elections from 1957 to 2019.

Out of the 10 instances where turnout increased, the incumbent lost four times and won six times. Conversely, out of the six instances where turnout declined, the incumbent lost four times and won two times.

Among the 10 states and two Union Territories that went to polls, only three - Chhattisgarh, Goa, and Karnataka - recorded an increase in turnout compared to 2019. Assam, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal have recorded higher turnouts than the overall average.

Trends In Hindi Heartland

The Hindi heartland states of Uttar Pradesh (-2.5 percentage points, or p.p.), Madhya Pradesh (-0.6 p.p.), and Bihar (-3.1 p.p.) appear to be dragging down the overall turnout. Although Madhya Pradesh's numbers look better in this phase, these states have consistently recorded lower turnout in all phases. The unexpected inclusion in this group, joining hands with the Hindi heartland states to lower the overall turnout, are the industrialised states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

While scorching heat, lack of enthusiasm among both ruling party and opposition camps, voter fatigue and urban apathy are some of the reasons for a lower turnout, each state has a different story to tell.
Assam has recorded brisk voting, though there is a decline of 3.4%, largely due to the higher base. Similarly, West Bengal has consistently recorded high voting of over 75% in all three phases, and the decline could be largely attributed to the base effect here as well.

Bihar continues to record a lower turnout, in fact, among the lowest in all three phases. Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) candidates were in the fray in three of the five seats. It seems Nitish Kumar's constant flip-flops have caused discontent among a section of his core voters. It may also be the case that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) voters are not coming out wholeheartedly to support JDU candidates.

Notably, both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar also record lower turnouts in state polls and migration is one of the reasons for the same. 

Gujarat's Lower Numbers

In Gujarat, the home turf of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, the turnout was lower than in 2019 by 3.1 p.p. Gujarat has a history of lower turnouts in state elections of 2017 and 2022. Here, the near-complete demolition of the Congress party's organisational structure may have led to demotivation among opposition supporters, resulting in a lower turnout. Additionally, some opposition voters may not wish to vote against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, both local heroes who are leading the nation in the name of Gujarati pride.

In Madhya Pradesh, the decline is marginal and can be ignored. However, in Maharashtra, the decline of 2.5 p.p. is intriguing. Baramati, which is facing a Pawar versus Pawar battle, recorded one of the lowest turnouts across the 93 seats, at only 56.1%.

The INDIA bloc has high hopes for Maharashtra as they believe Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar could enjoy a sympathy factor after the alleged 'Operation Lotus' against their parties. However, the numbers are not encouraging, indicating a lack of enthusiasm and apathy. Parties changing partners, dishonouring mandates, and the constant flip-flops of leaders may have kept some people out of the political process. Also, there is confusion among a section of voters regarding future realignments. Will Uddhav come back to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)? Will Ajit Pawar go back to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or the INDIA bloc? All these possibilities cannot be ruled out in a state that has seen it all.

What's Keeping UP Voters Away?

Uttar Pradesh continues to record a lower turnout, among the lowest in all three phases. A perceived done deal might be keeping opposition voters out, or complacency might be creeping in among BJP supporters/cadre. Are Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters not coming out to vote, as Mayawati contesting alone has no chance? Is the alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) not working on the ground? The relative turnout of community groups is also important in the state. Both BJP and Congress have put up 20-25% candidates who were earlier in other parties. Are party workers not wholeheartedly working for these newbies? Turnout is a complex phenomenon to decipher.

Some analysts have argued that since the voter base has increased by around 8 crore, a lower turnout also results in a higher number of votes cast (in absolute terms). They also cite a high base effect, with a high turnout in 2019 given the strong nationalism fervour back then.

However, it's also intriguing that states that witnessed turnouts of 70-75% in assembly polls in December 2023 are recording a decline of 5-10 p.p. in Lok Sabha polls.

(Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist and commentator. In his earlier avatar, he was a corporate and investment banker)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

After Sharad Pawar's "Smaller Parties" Remark, Uddhav Thackeray's Counter 9 May 2024, 7:13 am

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said his outfit was not a "small party", and hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over their reactions to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's 'merger' remark.

Earlier, in an interview to The Indian Express, Sharad Pawar predicted that in the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress, or even merge with it.

While chief minister Shinde latched on to Sharad Pawar's comment to target Uddhav Thackeray saying he had already become "Congress-minded", Mr Fadnavis said it showed how difficult it was for Sharad Pawar himself to manage his party.

Speaking at an election rally in Pune district, Uddhav Thackeray said Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis were speaking as if they were high on 'bhaang' (cannabis).

"Pawar saheb said while replying to a question that some small regional parties may merge with Congress. Please tell me, is Shiv Sena a small party?" he asked.

Uddhav Thackeray also took swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that unlike in 2014 and 2019, he has no issues left during the ongoing elections.

"I had heard in my childhood that if someone is scared of ghosts, he should chant 'Ram, Ram'. Since he is scared of defeat, he is going around the country chanting the name of Ram," alleged Mr Thackeray.
 

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

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Pics: Therapy Dogs At Istanbul Airport Help Flyers Release Stress 9 May 2024, 7:10 am

Six-year-old Kuki and one-and-a-half-year-old Alita recently joined the staff of Istanbul Airport, one of the busiest in the world, with a mission to provide solace for stressed travellers.

At international departures just before passport control, the two dogs welcome passengers, some who are in a hurry, some feeling the tug of anxiety and some hanging around to say good-bye to loved ones.

Ali Bahtiyari, who was travelling outside his native Iran for the first time, was amazed as soon as he saw Kuki -- a playful, dark brown Lagotto Romagnolo breed with thick curly fur, and Alita -- a black and white Border Collie with expressive eyes.

"I've been in Istanbul for three to four days. I walked a lot. I was physically exhausted. But seeing these dogs here produced too much endorphin. I'm not tired at all," the 31-year-old said, petting the two dogs before catching his flight back to Tehran.

"It's a really good scene and it's really nice to pet these dogs. I'm so happy that they are here."

Travellers pet a therapy dog before they board their flight at the Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

The two dogs -- part of a five-member team -- and their handlers have for past two months been roaming certain spots, mingling with passengers awaiting flights at the mega airport, a global hub that served more than 76 million passengers last year.

"We implemented the therapy dog project to provide our guests with a better flight experience and to reduce any flight stress," Volkan Arslan, a vet who is coordinating the project, told AFP.

Therapy dogs roam the Istanbul Airport with airport personnel searching for stressed travellers
Photo Credit: AFP

Five dogs including Kuki and Alita went through serious training, roaming domestic and international terminals. Two more dogs will join them once done with their tutoring.

The dogs are the only canines permanently stationed at the airport, which only uses sniffer dogs when police are summoned by customs agents. They have been working for five days on rotation for a maximum of three hours a day.

Their schedules depend on their breed.

"A Border Collie, Alita is very energetic, and loves spending time with our guests, so we keep her schedule a little longer," Arslan said.

"Kuki on the other hand wants to rest and is unwilling to put in too much effort, so we keep his schedule shorter."

Kuki's trainer, Ismail Seyhan, said schedules also change according to the dogs' health and psychology.

"The one who works today rests the next day," he said.

While walking to the passport control in a rush, Fatima Bouzerda swiftly changes her direction having established an eye contact with Kuki, finding it hard to disguise her surprise.

"It's the first time I have seen something like that. I heard about cat cafes, but like this in airports, I've never seen that," she said while playing with Kuki.

Traveller pets therapy dog at Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

Bouzerda, who lives in Paris, said in large airports like Istanbul travel could sometimes be stressful.

"So when we see something like this, it's so cute and it makes us less stressed," she said.

'Motivates us'

Abdulkadir Demirtas, customer experience manager at Istanbul Airport, said the feedback from the guests were all positive.

"What pleases me the most is that children and families who are hesitant to approach the dog at first can interact with them within seconds," he said.

"This is actually the moment that makes us very happy and is exactly what we want to see."

A child pets a therapy dog at the Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

Alita's trainer Volkan Gul shared an anecdote from one of the moments at the airport.

"One day we saw a passenger crying and then make eye contact with the dog, and I told her she can pet her. She was still in tears but after a while, she touched her and while leaving, she had a smile," he said.

Therapy dog providing solace to stressed travellers before they board their flight at the Istanbul Airport
Photo Credit: AFP

Dozens of airports in the United States have therapy dog programmes -- a concept that originated after the 9/11 attacks with the goal of providing comfort and relief for passengers dealing with anxieties of air travel.

Apart from airports, therapy or service dogs are also trained to interact with people in hospitals, libraries and schools.

Arslan said the new colleagues were already making a difference at the bustling airport.

"That really motivates us. We have guests who not only have flight stress but also dog phobia. They take the first step in overcoming these phobia with us," he said.

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

Indian Student From Hyderabad Missing In Chicago For A Week 9 May 2024, 7:09 am

An Indian student has been reported missing in Chicago since May 2.

The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it was in touch with the police and Indian diaspora to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi.

In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in Chicago stated, "The Consulate is deeply concerned learning that Indian student Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi is incommunicado since 2nd May. Consulate is in touch with the police and the Indian diaspora hoping to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh."

The Chicago police, in a statement, have urged people to provide information to the police if they locate Rupesh Chintakindi. According to the statement, he was missing from the 4300 block of N Sheridan Road.

Earlier in April, an Indian student who has been missing since March this year was found dead in the US state of Ohio, the Consulate General of India in New York said.

The Consulate General of India in New York said it is "anguished" to learn about the death of Mohammed Abdul Arfath and is in touch with local authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into his death.

"Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath's family", the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.

Arafat, a native of Hyderabad, went to the US for his Master's degree in IT from Cleveland University in May 2023 but had been missing since March 7 this year. His father, Mohd Saleem, said that after ten days, they received a phone call from an unidentified person who claimed Arafat had been kidnapped and demanded a USD 1200 ransom for his release.

Recently, the Indian community has seen a rise in such tragedies. In April, Uma Satya Sai Gadde, an Indian student in Cleveland, Ohio, died and a police investigation is underway.

Earlier this February, an Indian student faced a brutal attack in Chicago. Following the attack, the Indian Consulate in Chicago stated that it was in touch with the victim, Syed Mazahir Ali, as well as his wife in India.

Indian Student From Hyderabad Missing In Chicago For A Week 9 May 2024, 7:09 am

An Indian student has been reported missing in Chicago since May 2.

The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it was in touch with the police and Indian diaspora to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi.

In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in Chicago stated, "The Consulate is deeply concerned learning that Indian student Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi is incommunicado since 2nd May. Consulate is in touch with the police and the Indian diaspora hoping to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh."

The Chicago police, in a statement, have urged people to provide information to the police if they locate Rupesh Chintakindi. According to the statement, he was missing from the 4300 block of N Sheridan Road.

Earlier in April, an Indian student who has been missing since March this year was found dead in the US state of Ohio, the Consulate General of India in New York said.

The Consulate General of India in New York said it is "anguished" to learn about the death of Mohammed Abdul Arfath and is in touch with local authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into his death.

"Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath's family", the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.

Arafat, a native of Hyderabad, went to the US for his Master's degree in IT from Cleveland University in May 2023 but had been missing since March 7 this year. His father, Mohd Saleem, said that after ten days, they received a phone call from an unidentified person who claimed Arafat had been kidnapped and demanded a USD 1200 ransom for his release.

Recently, the Indian community has seen a rise in such tragedies. In April, Uma Satya Sai Gadde, an Indian student in Cleveland, Ohio, died and a police investigation is underway.

Earlier this February, an Indian student faced a brutal attack in Chicago. Following the attack, the Indian Consulate in Chicago stated that it was in touch with the victim, Syed Mazahir Ali, as well as his wife in India.

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

Indian Student From Hyderabad Missing In Chicago For A Week 9 May 2024, 7:09 am

An Indian student has been reported missing in Chicago since May 2.

The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it was in touch with the police and Indian diaspora to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi.

In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in Chicago stated, "The Consulate is deeply concerned learning that Indian student Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi is incommunicado since 2nd May. Consulate is in touch with the police and the Indian diaspora hoping to locate/reestablish contact with Rupesh."

The Chicago police, in a statement, have urged people to provide information to the police if they locate Rupesh Chintakindi. According to the statement, he was missing from the 4300 block of N Sheridan Road.

Earlier in April, an Indian student who has been missing since March this year was found dead in the US state of Ohio, the Consulate General of India in New York said.

The Consulate General of India in New York said it is "anguished" to learn about the death of Mohammed Abdul Arfath and is in touch with local authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into his death.

"Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath's family", the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.

Arafat, a native of Hyderabad, went to the US for his Master's degree in IT from Cleveland University in May 2023 but had been missing since March 7 this year. His father, Mohd Saleem, said that after ten days, they received a phone call from an unidentified person who claimed Arafat had been kidnapped and demanded a USD 1200 ransom for his release.

Recently, the Indian community has seen a rise in such tragedies. In April, Uma Satya Sai Gadde, an Indian student in Cleveland, Ohio, died and a police investigation is underway.

Earlier this February, an Indian student faced a brutal attack in Chicago. Following the attack, the Indian Consulate in Chicago stated that it was in touch with the victim, Syed Mazahir Ali, as well as his wife in India.

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

Hero MotoCorp Zooms Over 6% After Q4 Results Impress D-Street; Should You Buy? 9 May 2024, 7:05 am

Canada's Second Largest Bank Faces Billions In Fines Amid Money-Laundering Probe 9 May 2024, 7:04 am

South Korea President Admits "Shortcomings" In Rare Press Conference 9 May 2024, 7:03 am

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a rare press conference Thursday, admitting "shortcomings" after his party's recent electoral defeat, and laying out policies on issues from the country's low birthrate to Russia's war in Ukraine.

The press conference was the president's first in nearly two years, and comes after his party suffered a drubbing in legislative elections last month.

On Ukraine, Yoon vowed to keep strong ties with Kyiv while maintaining a smooth relationship with Russia, ruling out direct weapons shipments and telling reporters that it was his "firm stance" not to send lethal arms to countries at war.

On South Korea's birthrate, one of the world's lowest, he unveiled plans to create a ministry to tackle the issue, which he described as "a national emergency".

His party's defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections prompted calls for Yoon to change his policy direction and leadership style, as his approval ratings languish less than halfway through his five-year term.

Yoon said he has "pondered a lot over what have been the shortcomings" of his administration.

"Communication to explain policy drives and the extent of change people have felt has fallen short," he said.

Birthrate ministry

Yoon won the 2022 presidential election by the narrowest margin in South Korean history, and his term has been hampered by a series of scandals and his party's lack of a parliamentary majority.

The president also issued an apology for what he called the "unwise conduct" of his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, after hidden camera footage last year appeared to show her accepting a luxury handbag in violation of government ethics rules.

But Yoon said the opposition's call for a special probe into the first lady was "politically motivated".

His plan to fix the country's woeful birthrate comes after it hit a record low in 2023, despite the government pouring billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability.

Yoon said he would ask lawmakers to cooperate "to set up the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter Planning",

"We will be creating a low-birth planning department in order to establish a more aggressive and powerful control tower," he said.

"In order to overcome the low birth rate, which can be considered a national emergency, we will fully mobilise all of the state's capabilities," he added.

The country's fertility rate -- the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime -- dropped to 0.72 in 2023, down nearly eight percent from 2022, according to preliminary data from Statistics Korea in February.

That is far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain the current population of 51 million, which at these rates will nearly halve by the year 2100, experts estimate.

Arms policy

Yoon, who has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North, said his country's ties with Moscow had been strained by what Seoul and ally Washington say are arms shipments from North Korea to Russia.

"North Korea's export of offensive weapons not only supports the illegal waging of war in relation to Ukraine but also clearly violates UN Security Council sanctions resolutions related to North Korea's nuclear weapons," Yoon said.

Despite tensions with Moscow over the purported arms shipments, Yoon said he aims to "manage our relationship with Russia as smoothly as possible".

But he said Seoul would not be revising its longstanding policy of not selling arms into active conflicts, which has prevented it from providing military aid to Ukraine.

Seoul has long sought to join the ranks of the world's top arms exporters -- aiming to be the fourth largest, behind the United States, Russia, and France -- something that is now possible, industry research indicates.

Ex-BJP Ally Dushyant Chautala Writes To Haryana Governor, Seeks Floor Test 9 May 2024, 7:02 am

Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and BJP ally Dushyant Chautala has written to the Governor, demanding a floor test in the state assembly. Mr Chautala's move comes amidst a political upheaval sparked by the withdrawal of support from three independent MLAs and mounting tensions within the ruling BJP coalition.

In a letter addressed to the Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr Chautala said that the recent resignations and withdrawals of support have left the ruling BJP alliance teetering on the brink of a minority status. 

"I urge you to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test to determine majority of government," Mr Chautala's letter to the Governor. 

The call for a floor test stems from the recent switch of three Independent MLAs from the BJP faction to the Congress faction. On Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) declared their intention to cut support for the BJP administration during a press conference held in Rohtak. They were joined by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress chief.

Mr Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) which is a former ally of the BJP, did not mince words in expressing his party's readiness to throw its weight behind an alternative government, signalling a potential alliance with the Congress. 

"The government that was formed two months back is now in the minority because two of the MLAs who supported them - one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA - have resigned. Three Independent MLAs who were supporting them have withdrawn their support and have written to the Governor. JJP has clearly said that if a No Confidence Motion is brought against this government, we will support the motion," Mr Chautala said. 

"We have also written to the Governor about it. Now, Congress has to take this step (seeking a Floor Test). The Governor has the power to order a Floor Test to see if the Government has the strength and if it doesn't have the majority immediately implement President's Rule in the state," he added. 

The Haryana Assembly, with 90 seats, is currently occupied by 88 members, with the majority mark at 45. BJP commands 40 MLAs supported by three out of six independent candidates, meaning the ruling coalition is short of two MLAs to hit the majority. The Congress party boasts 30 MLAs with its count bolstered by three independent candidates. Should the JJP lend its support, the Congress's tally would rise to 43 MLAs. This scenario leaves two MLAs unaligned-one from the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.

Aftab Ahmed, Congress leader and deputy leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly, has asked for time to meet the Governor. 

Salman Khan starts shooting for 'Sikandar' 9 May 2024, 6:59 am

Heading To Vote In Gurugram? You Can Get Discounts In Multiplexes 9 May 2024, 6:56 am

The Gurugram district administration has come up with a unique initiative to increase the turnout of voters in the May 25 Lok Sabha polls in the Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency with officials announcing discounts on movie tickets and food items in multiplexes apart from complimentary refreshments.

A single-phase voting will be held in all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana on May 25.

An official on Wednesday said that all one needs to do is flaunt his/ her inked finger on the polling day to get a discount on offline tickets available from the counter or on food and drinks available on the cinema hall premises.

In this regard, a meeting of representatives of several multiplex chains was held on Wednesday which was chaired by Hitesh Kumar Meena, ADC, and nodal officer for the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, Gurugram.

"The voters will also get complimentary refreshments in some multiplexes," Meena told the media.

He said that all the multiplexes would telecast the message of the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and short films related to voter awareness on the screens.

Recently, the Gurugam district administration has roped in Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal as the 'brand ambassador' to boost voter turnout.

"Don't Want To Study Further": Kota Student Says Will Be Gone For 5 Years 9 May 2024, 6:56 am

With Rs 8,000 in his possession, and a promise to call once a year, a 19-year-old student in Rajasthan's Kota wrote to his parents that he was leaving home for five years. Rajendra Meena, from Gangarampur's Bamanwas, was preparing for the medical entrance exam NEET in Kota. 

According to the police, Jagdish Meena, Rajendra's father, has filed a missing report. The family came to know about his disappearance when they received a message from the student on their mobile.

"I am leaving home and I do not wish to further my education," Rajendra's message read. "I have Rs 8,000 with me and will be gone for five years. I will sell my mobile phone and break the SIM card. Please tell mother not to worry about me. I will not take any wrong steps. I have everyone's numbers with me. If needed, I will call. I will definitely call once a year."

According to Rajendra's father, the student had gone missing on May 6. He had left his paying guest accommodation in Kota at 1.30 pm. After receiving his message, his family members began searching for him before filing a missing person complaint with the police. 

Rajendra's whereabouts remain unknown at this point but the police have initiated a search operation to track him down. 

The incident has shed light on the stress and pressure faced by students in Kota's competitive coaching environment. Instances of students abandoning their academic pursuits without notice are not new and have prompted heightened vigilance from both educational institutions and police alike. 
 

ITR Filing AY 2024-25: Boost Your Tax Refund By Claiming THESE 5 Lesser-Known Deductions 9 May 2024, 6:56 am

Ex-Facebook Employee Shares 10 Lessons He Learnt From Mark Zuckerberg In Viral Post 9 May 2024, 6:53 am

Working with inspiring leaders can have a lasting impact. Noah Kagan, a former Facebook employee (number 30 to be exact!), experienced this firsthand. Though his time there ended, he shared 10 valuable lessons gleaned from Mark Zuckerberg, then Facebook CEO, before his departure. These learnings, according to Mr Kagan, have propelled him to success, including becoming the CEO of a $100 million company.

Mr Kagan who is the CEO of AppSumo wrote on X, "I was employee #30 at Facebook. Then I got fired. Now I'm the CEO of a $100 million company. 10 non-obvious lessons I learned from working directly under Mark Zuckerberg."

I was employee #30 at Facebook. Then I got fired.

Now I'm the CEO of a $100 million company.

10 non-obvious lessons I learned from working directly under Mark Zuckerberg: pic.twitter.com/uPGrc5aq6V

— Noah Kagan (@noahkagan) May 7, 2024

In subsequent posts, Mr Kagan mentioned all the things that Mr Zuckerberg used to do as a leader at Facebook. He penned 10 lessons learned from him including focusing on one goal, moving fast, only hiring A players, treating your employees well, giving ownership to the team, having a big vision, and paying attention to detail, among others.

Mr Kagan highlighted key aspects like relentless focus, rapid decision-making, hiring top talent, employee empowerment, fostering team ownership, and maintaining a clear, ambitious vision. Mr Kagan's detailed breakdown, now a viral thread with over a million views, sparked discussions on social media, with many users eager to share their thoughts in the comments section.

"Love these lessons Noah thanks for sharing them," a user wrote. 

Another user commented on the viral post, "What a journey! Turning lessons into leadership at your own company is truly inspiring. Focusing on one major goal has been a game-changer for us too. It keeps the team aligned and pushes everyone to move in the same direction. Great insights!"

The third user wrote on X, "Most of the rules are interesting. The period correction thing is a bit intense, and the firing of people even worse. He fired someone who built a 100 million company and potentially many others who built similar things. How this can be good for a company?"

"Thank you so much for these inspiring words. It's always good to learn from someone who points you to his own experiences," the fourth user commented. 

"Very insightful Noah and super relevant. Glad you didn't just add crap here to make it sound bigger than it really was. I take home "focus on main goal" as most relevant for me," the fifth user wrote. 

First Reaction Of Mayawati's Nephew Akash Anand, Sacked As Her Heir 9 May 2024, 6:53 am

Akash Anand, the nephew of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, offered fulsome praise of his aunt this morning, two days after being sacked from a senior post and downgraded as her successor.

In a brief note on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Anand acknowledged his aunt as the BSP's "universally accepted leader" and indicated he would follow orders without question.

"Mayawatiji... you are an ideal for the entire Bahujan Samaj (and) crores of countrymen worship you. It is because of your struggles that today our society has got such a political power due to which the Bahujan Samaj has been able to learn to live with respect."

आदरणीय बहन @mayawati जी, आप पूरे बहुजन समाज के लिए एक आदर्श हैं, करोड़ों देशवासी आपको पूजते हैं। आपके संघर्षों की वजह से ही आज हमारे समाज को एक ऐसी राजनैतिक ताक़त मिली है जिसके बूते बहुजन समाज आज सम्मान से जीना सीख पाया है।

आप हमारी सर्वमान्य नेता हैं। आपका आदेश सिर माथे पे।…

— Akash Anand (@AnandAkash_BSP) May 9, 2024

"You are our universally accepted leader. I will follow your orders and will continue to fight for the Bhim mission and my society till my last breath. Hail Bhim, Hail India," he posted.

Mr Anand's post is being seen as an attempt to mend fences with his aunt.

Earlier this week Mayawati removed Akash Anand as the BSP's National Coordinator, and as her heir, "in the larger interest of the party and the movement". Mr Anand, she said, would be "separated from both these important responsibilities till he attains full maturity".

READ | Mayawati Sacks Nephew As Heir "Till He Becomes Mature"

The slap-down came after a police case was filed against Mr Anand for comments about the Bharatiya Janata Party, which he slammed as running "a bulldozer government" and raged, "The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government."

READ | Mayawati's Nephew Compares BJP Govt With Taliban, Case Filed

The comment was made during an election rally and triggered Model Code violation cases against him and four others, after which his other engagements were suspended.

Mayawati had named him as her political heir in December.

READ | How Mayawati Killed 2 Birds With 1 Stone By Axing Nephew

With the removal of Akash Anand, Mayawati was seen as having achieved a double-goal - she steered clear of charges of nepotism that have been used mercilessly by the BJP to attack its rivals, most particularly the Congress, and also pacified Dalits critical of her nephew's rant against the BJP.

Crucially, she kept the door open for a post-poll alliance with the saffron party, either at the state (the party is expected to sweep UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats) or the central level. The BSP does have a history of supporting the BJP, having done so in 1995, 1997, and 2002.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

First Reaction Of Mayawati's Nephew Akash Anand, Sacked As Her Heir 9 May 2024, 6:53 am

Akash Anand, the nephew of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, offered fulsome praise of his aunt this morning, two days after being sacked from a senior post and downgraded as her successor.

In a brief note on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Anand acknowledged his aunt as the BSP's "universally accepted leader" and indicated he would follow orders without question.

"Mayawatiji... you are an ideal for the entire Bahujan Samaj (and) crores of countrymen worship you. It is because of your struggles that today our society has got such a political power due to which the Bahujan Samaj has been able to learn to live with respect."

आदरणीय बहन @mayawati जी, आप पूरे बहुजन समाज के लिए एक आदर्श हैं, करोड़ों देशवासी आपको पूजते हैं। आपके संघर्षों की वजह से ही आज हमारे समाज को एक ऐसी राजनैतिक ताक़त मिली है जिसके बूते बहुजन समाज आज सम्मान से जीना सीख पाया है।

आप हमारी सर्वमान्य नेता हैं। आपका आदेश सिर माथे पे।…

— Akash Anand (@AnandAkash_BSP) May 9, 2024

"You are our universally accepted leader. I will follow your orders and will continue to fight for the Bhim mission and my society till my last breath. Hail Bhim, Hail India," he posted.

Mr Anand's post is being seen as an attempt to mend fences with his aunt.

Earlier this week Mayawati removed Akash Anand as the BSP's National Coordinator, and as her heir, "in the larger interest of the party and the movement". Mr Anand, she said, would be "separated from both these important responsibilities till he attains full maturity".

READ | Mayawati Sacks Nephew As Heir "Till He Becomes Mature"

The slap-down came after a police case was filed against Mr Anand for comments about the Bharatiya Janata Party, which he slammed as running "a bulldozer government" and raged, "The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government."

READ | Mayawati's Nephew Compares BJP Govt With Taliban, Case Filed

The comment was made during an election rally and triggered Model Code violation cases against him and four others, after which his other engagements were suspended.

Mayawati had named him as her political heir in December.

READ | How Mayawati Killed 2 Birds With 1 Stone By Axing Nephew

With the removal of Akash Anand, Mayawati was seen as having achieved a double-goal - she steered clear of charges of nepotism that have been used mercilessly by the BJP to attack its rivals, most particularly the Congress, and also pacified Dalits critical of her nephew's rant against the BJP.

Crucially, she kept the door open for a post-poll alliance with the saffron party, either at the state (the party is expected to sweep UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats) or the central level. The BSP does have a history of supporting the BJP, having done so in 1995, 1997, and 2002.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

This incredible Rhododendron tree in Nagaland has mesmerised Anand Mahindra 9 May 2024, 6:51 am

"Difficult, Very Disappointing Statement": Israel On Joe Biden's Warning 9 May 2024, 6:50 am

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations expressed disappointment Thursday at US President Joe Biden's threat to stop certain arms supplies to Israel if it invades the crowded Gaza city of Rafah.

"This is a difficult and very disappointing statement to hear from a president to whom we have been grateful since the beginning of the war," Gilad Erdan told Israeli public broadcaster Kan radio, in Israel's first reaction to Biden's warning.

Israel has defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting "targeted raids" in the border city, which it says is home to Hamas's last remaining battalions -- but is also crowded with displaced Palestinian civilians.

"If they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used... to deal with the cities," Biden said in an interview with CNN, in his starkest warning to Israel since the start of the war. 

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs," Biden said. "It's just wrong."

Erdan responded that Biden's comments would be interpreted by Israel's foes Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah as "something that gives them hope to succeed".

"If Israel is restricted from entering an area as important and central as Rafah where there are thousands of terrorists, hostages and leaders of Hamas, how exactly are we supposed to achieve our goals?" he said.

"This is not a defensive weapon. This is about certain offensive bombs. In the end the State of Israel will have to do what it thinks needs to be done for the security of its citizens."

AFP journalists reported heavy shelling in Rafah early Thursday, and the Israeli military later said it was also striking "Hamas positions" further north in the centre of the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces seized Rafah's border crossing into Egypt, which has served the main entry point for aid into besieged Gaza.

"Difficult, Very Disappointing Statement": Israel On Joe Biden's Warning 9 May 2024, 6:50 am

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations expressed disappointment Thursday at US President Joe Biden's threat to stop certain arms supplies to Israel if it invades the crowded Gaza city of Rafah.

"This is a difficult and very disappointing statement to hear from a president to whom we have been grateful since the beginning of the war," Gilad Erdan told Israeli public broadcaster Kan radio, in Israel's first reaction to Biden's warning.

Israel has defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting "targeted raids" in the border city, which it says is home to Hamas's last remaining battalions -- but is also crowded with displaced Palestinian civilians.

"If they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used... to deal with the cities," Biden said in an interview with CNN, in his starkest warning to Israel since the start of the war. 

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs," Biden said. "It's just wrong."

Erdan responded that Biden's comments would be interpreted by Israel's foes Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah as "something that gives them hope to succeed".

"If Israel is restricted from entering an area as important and central as Rafah where there are thousands of terrorists, hostages and leaders of Hamas, how exactly are we supposed to achieve our goals?" he said.

"This is not a defensive weapon. This is about certain offensive bombs. In the end the State of Israel will have to do what it thinks needs to be done for the security of its citizens."

AFP journalists reported heavy shelling in Rafah early Thursday, and the Israeli military later said it was also striking "Hamas positions" further north in the centre of the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces seized Rafah's border crossing into Egypt, which has served the main entry point for aid into besieged Gaza.

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

Why BJP's Raebareli Candidate Feels The Gandhis "Hate" Rae Bareli, Amethi 9 May 2024, 6:49 am

The BJP's Rae Bareli candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh has accused the Gandhi family of harbouring "hatred" for Rae Bareli-Amethi, and asked why they did not field a local leader but opted for "Priyanka Gandhi's clerk" to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Amethi.

Mr Singh, who is taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile electoral contest in Raebareli, also claimed that the Gandhi scion will lose by a bigger margin than his mother Sonia Gandhi had won in the 2019 polls.

Sonia Gandhi had beaten Mr Singh in 2019 by over 1,67,000 votes. However, this was the lowest margin of victory that Sonia Gandhi has had in the five elections, including a bypoll, that she has fought from the constituency.

"People have great trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under his leadership, the country as well as the hard-earned income of the people is safe. People of Rae Bareli also trust the prime minister," Mr Singh told Press Trust of India in an interview.

"So, in such a scenario, I don't think the Congress candidate will be able to hold his ground before the BJP candidate in Rae Bareli," he said.

Asked about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra camping in Rae Bareli and campaigning for her brother Rahul, Mr Singh said it could be a topic of discussion for media people who have come from outside but her camping here was a non-issue for the people of Rae Bareli.

"In 2022 assembly polls, she stayed here and asked for votes in every nook and corner, but in all the assembly seats Priyanka Gandhi camped here and ran around, about 16,000 votes were bagged in assembly segments. Is it the same Priyanka Gandhi?" he said, taking a swipe at the Congress general secretary.

"It can be of importance to you but she holds no importance for people of Rae Bareli. She can stay here, it will be very good. She made so many promises in the 2019 polls and till 2024, leave alone fulfilling those promises, she did not even stand with the people in their happy and sad times," the BJP leader alleged.

Speaking in local dialect, he said, "'Aaj nikli hain, humka andaza hai kauno gaon bachi na jahan belana liye mahilayein khadi na hui hain, inka swagat kare ke liye' (I have an idea that when she goes out to the villages, women would welcome her with batons in their hands)." Mr Singh alleged that the Gandhi family has hatred for Rae Bareli-Amethi and that is why it neither fielded anyone from there in the Lok Sabha polls since 1952 nor sent any native person to Rajya Sabha.

"Rahul Gandhi ji has opened 'mohabbat ki dukaan'. So much hatred is filled in the Gandhi family's mind for Amethi-Rae Bareli. From 1952 till now, Gandhi family never gave a Lok Sabha ticket to a person born to a mother from Rae Bareli," Mr Singh claimed.

No son of Rae Bareli was sent to Rajya Sabha and the Gandhi family did not make anyone from Rae Bareli even an MP's representative.

"MP's representatives have also been brought from outside. Today it is before the people. Could only a person brought from Ludhiana who is Priyanka Gandhi's clerk fight the polls from Amethi? Were there no Congress leaders in Amethi?" he said.

"This hatred that they have for Amethi-Rae Bareli, which manifests itself in 'we will not give the ticket to a person from Amethi or Rae Bareli but get a person from Delhi or Ludhiana'," the BJP leader said.

They have "hatred" for Amethi-Rae Bareli in their minds and this time, Amethi-Rae Bareli will give a befitting reply to them, Singh said.

While Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli seat, Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi seat.

Mr Singh also refuted suggestions that Rae Bareli was an electoral fortress of the Congress.

"Fortress is one which has four-five MLAs, eight block pramukhs, 10 zila panchayat members from the party. The Congress does not have a pradhan or block pramukh, or MLA, MLC, or zila panchayat president," he said. Mr Singh claimed the Congress doesn't even have an MP and even though the certificate of MP is with Sonia Gandhi but on the grounds of principles, she is not the MP.

She fought on a Congress ticket but the SP, BSP and Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) faction supported her and she fought as the representative of four parties, Singh claimed.

"If she would have fought just as Congress representative, if you look at my vote, you would find that I would have won one by lakhs against just the Congress candidate Sonia Gandhi," he argued.

"You can't imagine the deterioration the Congress has suffered here. In 2019, when I fought the polls, I fought on the scores of 2017 assembly polls. In 2017 the votes of all assembly candidates of Congress was 3,40,000 and I got 3,60,000 votes and now when the Congress score is at 1,40,000 votes in 2022 assembly polls, the Congress has already lost 2 lakh votes," he said.

Rahul Gandhi does not have the support of the parties that Sonia Gandhi did, so there is no doubt that the number of votes by which Sonia Gandhi won in 2019, Rahul Gandhi will lose by a bigger margin than that, Mr Singh said.

He said it should not be believed that Congress had been unbeatable here as former prime minister Indira Gandhi was defeated from here, post emergency.

"Those who say so do not know the history of Rae Bareli. In Rae Bareli, Indira Gandhi suffered a crushing defeat. Those who say Congress has not lost, they should be told that Rae Bareli is the land of the people who did not let the Britishers occupy the area for a year," he said.
 

South Korea President Admits "Shortcomings" In Rare Press Conference 9 May 2024, 6:49 am

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a rare press conference Thursday, admitting "shortcomings" after his party's recent electoral defeat, and laying out policies on issues from the country's low birthrate to Russia's war in Ukraine.

The press conference was the president's first in nearly two years, and comes after his party suffered a drubbing in legislative elections last month.

On Ukraine, Yoon vowed to keep strong ties with Kyiv while maintaining a smooth relationship with Russia, ruling out direct weapons shipments and telling reporters that it was his "firm stance" not to send lethal arms to countries at war.

On South Korea's birthrate, one of the world's lowest, he unveiled plans to create a ministry to tackle the issue, which he described as "a national emergency".

His party's defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections prompted calls for Yoon to change his policy direction and leadership style, as his approval ratings languish less than halfway through his five-year term.

Yoon said he has "pondered a lot over what have been the shortcomings" of his administration.

"Communication to explain policy drives and the extent of change people have felt has fallen short," he said.

Birthrate ministry

Yoon won the 2022 presidential election by the narrowest margin in South Korean history, and his term has been hampered by a series of scandals and his party's lack of a parliamentary majority.

The president also issued an apology for what he called the "unwise conduct" of his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, after hidden camera footage last year appeared to show her accepting a luxury handbag in violation of government ethics rules.

But Yoon said the opposition's call for a special probe into the first lady was "politically motivated".

His plan to fix the country's woeful birthrate comes after it hit a record low in 2023, despite the government pouring billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability.

Yoon said he would ask lawmakers to cooperate "to set up the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter Planning",

"We will be creating a low-birth planning department in order to establish a more aggressive and powerful control tower," he said.

"In order to overcome the low birth rate, which can be considered a national emergency, we will fully mobilise all of the state's capabilities," he added.

The country's fertility rate -- the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime -- dropped to 0.72 in 2023, down nearly eight percent from 2022, according to preliminary data from Statistics Korea in February.

That is far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain the current population of 51 million, which at these rates will nearly halve by the year 2100, experts estimate.

Arms policy

Yoon, who has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North, said his country's ties with Moscow had been strained by what Seoul and ally Washington say are arms shipments from North Korea to Russia.

"North Korea's export of offensive weapons not only supports the illegal waging of war in relation to Ukraine but also clearly violates UN Security Council sanctions resolutions related to North Korea's nuclear weapons," Yoon said.

Despite tensions with Moscow over the purported arms shipments, Yoon said he aims to "manage our relationship with Russia as smoothly as possible".

But he said Seoul would not be revising its longstanding policy of not selling arms into active conflicts, which has prevented it from providing military aid to Ukraine.

Seoul has long sought to join the ranks of the world's top arms exporters -- aiming to be the fourth largest, behind the United States, Russia, and France -- something that is now possible, industry research indicates.

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

Karnataka Sex Scandal Case: NCW Says Men Dressed As Police Officials Forced Victim To Give False Statement | Updates 9 May 2024, 6:48 am

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Why BJP's Raebareli Candidate Feels The Gandhis "Hate" Rae Bareli, Amethi 9 May 2024, 6:48 am

The BJP's Rae Bareli candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh has accused the Gandhi family of harbouring "hatred" for Rae Bareli-Amethi, and asked why they did not field a local leader but opted for "Priyanka Gandhi's clerk" to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Amethi.

Mr Singh, who is taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile electoral contest in Raebareli, also claimed that the Gandhi scion will lose by a bigger margin than his mother Sonia Gandhi had won in the 2019 polls.

Sonia Gandhi had beaten Mr Singh in 2019 by over 1,67,000 votes. However, this was the lowest margin of victory that Sonia Gandhi has had in the five elections, including a bypoll, that she has fought from the constituency.

"People have great trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under his leadership, the country as well as the hard-earned income of the people is safe. People of Rae Bareli also trust the prime minister," Mr Singh told Press Trust of India in an interview.

"So, in such a scenario, I don't think the Congress candidate will be able to hold his ground before the BJP candidate in Rae Bareli," he said.

Asked about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra camping in Rae Bareli and campaigning for her brother Rahul, Mr Singh said it could be a topic of discussion for media people who have come from outside but her camping here was a non-issue for the people of Rae Bareli.

"In 2022 assembly polls, she stayed here and asked for votes in every nook and corner, but in all the assembly seats Priyanka Gandhi camped here and ran around, about 16,000 votes were bagged in assembly segments. Is it the same Priyanka Gandhi?" he said, taking a swipe at the Congress general secretary.

"It can be of importance to you but she holds no importance for people of Rae Bareli. She can stay here, it will be very good. She made so many promises in the 2019 polls and till 2024, leave alone fulfilling those promises, she did not even stand with the people in their happy and sad times," the BJP leader alleged.

Speaking in local dialect, he said, "'Aaj nikli hain, humka andaza hai kauno gaon bachi na jahan belana liye mahilayein khadi na hui hain, inka swagat kare ke liye' (I have an idea that when she goes out to the villages, women would welcome her with batons in their hands)." Mr Singh alleged that the Gandhi family has hatred for Rae Bareli-Amethi and that is why it neither fielded anyone from there in the Lok Sabha polls since 1952 nor sent any native person to Rajya Sabha.

"Rahul Gandhi ji has opened 'mohabbat ki dukaan'. So much hatred is filled in the Gandhi family's mind for Amethi-Rae Bareli. From 1952 till now, Gandhi family never gave a Lok Sabha ticket to a person born to a mother from Rae Bareli," Mr Singh claimed.

No son of Rae Bareli was sent to Rajya Sabha and the Gandhi family did not make anyone from Rae Bareli even an MP's representative.

"MP's representatives have also been brought from outside. Today it is before the people. Could only a person brought from Ludhiana who is Priyanka Gandhi's clerk fight the polls from Amethi? Were there no Congress leaders in Amethi?" he said.

"This hatred that they have for Amethi-Rae Bareli, which manifests itself in 'we will not give the ticket to a person from Amethi or Rae Bareli but get a person from Delhi or Ludhiana'," the BJP leader said.

They have "hatred" for Amethi-Rae Bareli in their minds and this time, Amethi-Rae Bareli will give a befitting reply to them, Singh said.

While Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli seat, Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi seat.

Mr Singh also refuted suggestions that Rae Bareli was an electoral fortress of the Congress.

"Fortress is one which has four-five MLAs, eight block pramukhs, 10 zila panchayat members from the party. The Congress does not have a pradhan or block pramukh, or MLA, MLC, or zila panchayat president," he said. Mr Singh claimed the Congress doesn't even have an MP and even though the certificate of MP is with Sonia Gandhi but on the grounds of principles, she is not the MP.

She fought on a Congress ticket but the SP, BSP and Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) faction supported her and she fought as the representative of four parties, Singh claimed.

"If she would have fought just as Congress representative, if you look at my vote, you would find that I would have won one by lakhs against just the Congress candidate Sonia Gandhi," he argued.

"You can't imagine the deterioration the Congress has suffered here. In 2019, when I fought the polls, I fought on the scores of 2017 assembly polls. In 2017 the votes of all assembly candidates of Congress was 3,40,000 and I got 3,60,000 votes and now when the Congress score is at 1,40,000 votes in 2022 assembly polls, the Congress has already lost 2 lakh votes," he said.

Rahul Gandhi does not have the support of the parties that Sonia Gandhi did, so there is no doubt that the number of votes by which Sonia Gandhi won in 2019, Rahul Gandhi will lose by a bigger margin than that, Mr Singh said.

He said it should not be believed that Congress had been unbeatable here as former prime minister Indira Gandhi was defeated from here, post emergency.

"Those who say so do not know the history of Rae Bareli. In Rae Bareli, Indira Gandhi suffered a crushing defeat. Those who say Congress has not lost, they should be told that Rae Bareli is the land of the people who did not let the Britishers occupy the area for a year," he said.
 

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

Kerala +2 Result 2024: Class 12 Scorecards To Be Out At 3pm 9 May 2024, 6:48 am

DHSE Kerala Plus 2 Result 2024: The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala, will declare the results for the Kerala Plus Two examination 2024 at 3pm.  Examinees can check and download their results and mark sheets by visiting the official website - keralaresults.nic.in. Students will need login credentials such as their roll number and date of birth to access their results. Last year, the results were released on May 25. 

In 2023, approximately 4 lakh students took the Kerala Plus Two exams. A total of 88.37 per cent of students cleared the exam. In the state, 78 schools witnessed a pass rate of 100 per cent. 

The Science stream recorded the highest passing rate of 87.31%, Commerce at 82.75%, and Humanities at 71.93%. 

This year, the Class 12 board practical evaluations were conducted from January 22, and the model exam took place between February 15 and February 21. 

Kerala Plus 2 Result 2024: Websites To Check 

Students will be able to access the results from the official website - prd.kerala.gov.in, keralaresults. nic.in, result.kerala.gov.in, examresults.kerala.gov.in, and results.kite.kerala.gov.in. 

The Class 12 board exams were held from March 1 to March 26. The exams took place from 9.30am to 12.15 pm for subjects without practicals, while practical exam papers were conducted between 9.30am and 11.45am. Biology and Music exams were held from 9.30am to 11.55am and 9.30am to 11.15am, respectively.

Kerala Plus 2 Result 2024: Steps to check score online 

• Visit the official website of DHSE Kerala - keralaresults.nic.in 
• Select the link titled 'DHSE class 12 result' on the homage 
• Input required credentials such as roll number, registration number, date of birth (DOB), and verification code to log in. 
• Upon submitting the details, the result will appear on the screen

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Stormy Daniels To Return To Witness Stand At Trump's Historic Hush Money Trial 9 May 2024, 6:33 am

Stormy Daniels is to return to the witness stand on Thursday at Donald Trump's historic hush money trial for another round of expected tough grilling by attorneys for the former president.

The X-rated film actress, who claims to have had sex with the married Trump in 2006, spent nearly five hours testifying on Tuesday, recounting the incident in often explicit detail as the real estate tycoon sat stewing just feet away.

Trump, 77, is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment made to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 presidential election, when the lurid story of marital infidelity could have sunk his campaign against Hillary Clinton.

The extraordinary courtroom face-off between Daniels and Trump is taking place six months before the November election when the Republican hopeful will try to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden.

Speaking at a machine-gun pace that had the judge telling her to slow down at times, Daniels walked the New York jury through the one-night stand she said she had with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament.

She described his pajamas, his boxer shorts, the sexual position and that he did not wear a condom.

And while she was "not threatened verbally or physically" she said she "felt ashamed I didn't stop it, didn't say no."

Trump has denied having sex with Daniels and his lawyers asked the judge for a mistrial on the grounds her testimony was "extremely prejudicial" in what is essentially a financial records and election-related case.

Judge Juan Merchan denied the mistrial request but said some of Daniels' testimony would indeed have been "better left unsaid."

Merchan also called Trump's lawyers to the bench at one point to complain that the ex-president was "cursing audibly" and shaking his head at her testimony and they needed to curb his behaviour.

Trump's visible reactions have "the potential to intimidate the witness," the judge said, and "I won't tolerate that."

"I will talk to him," Todd Blanche, one of Trump's attorneys, promised.

'False!'

Speaking to reporters after the court adjourned on Tuesday, Trump called the case a "disgrace" and said he "should be out campaigning right now."

Merchan has imposed a gag order on Trump prohibiting him from publicly attacking witnesses and the ex-president -- who has traded insults with Daniels for years, calling her "horseface" and other crude slurs -- did not comment directly on her testimony.

In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump complained about the gag order saying his "Constitutional Right to Free Speech" had been "unfairly taken" away.

"It is hard to sit back and listen to lies and false statements be made against you knowing that if you respond, even in the most modest fashion, you are told by a Corrupt and Highly Conflicted Judge that you will be PUT IN PRISON, maybe for a long period of time," he said.

Daniels was being aggressively cross-examined by one of Trump's attorneys, Susan Necheles, when court wrapped up on Tuesday and she will be back in the firing line on Thursday.

Seeking to chip away at Daniels' credibility, Necheles accused her of trying to "extort" money from Trump by claiming to have had sex with him.

"False!" Daniels said.

In addition to the New York case, Trump has been indicted in Washington and Georgia on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

He has also been charged in Florida with allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House but that case has been postponed indefinitely.

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Indian student missing for a week in Chicago, family in Hyderabad worried 9 May 2024, 6:26 am

Indian student missing for a week in Chicago, family in Hyderabad worried 9 May 2024, 6:26 am

Women-Only Exhibit In Australian Museum To Become Toilet To Keep Men Out 9 May 2024, 6:26 am

An Australian museum, fighting to keep its exhibition open only to women, is installing a toilet in the gallery to keep men out. According to the BBC, an exhibit by American artist Kirsha Kaechele, titled "Ladies Lounge" in Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art opened in 2020 to only those who identify as women. However, it was closed after a man, who was denied entry into the lounge in 2023, filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the museum. The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found the museum to be in violation of the state's anti-discriminatory law and ordered it to allow "persons who do not identify as ladies" to enter the exhibition. 

On Tuesday, the museum appealed to reverse the ruling, arguing that it took "too narrow a view on women's historical and ongoing societal disadvantage" and how the 'Ladies Lounge' can "promote equal opportunity". According to the BBC, Ms Kaechele said she will challenge the ruling by making the space "compliant" with regulations, and by turning it into a women's toilet and a church - allowing it to operate as a women-only space under legal exemptions. 

"There is a fabulous toilet coming to the Ladies Lounge, and so in that sense the Ladies Lounge will operate as a ladies' room," Ms Kaechele said. "It's a toilet that is celebrated the world round. It is the greatest toilet, and men won't be allowed to see it," she added. 

Ms Kaechele said that the artwork will be moved into the existing women's toilet for now to ensure "uninterrupted viewing". However, men who want to enter will be allowed to do so on Sundays. 

"Women can bring in all their clean laundry and the men can go through a series of graceful movements (designed by a Rinpoche and refined by tai chi masters) to fold them," she said, in an interview published by the museum on Tuesday.

Also read | People Are Breathing In Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Their Cars, Study Finds

According to The Independent, the lounge features artworks by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Sidney Nolan. The space was inaugurated in 2020, based on the concept of old-fashioned Australian pubs where women were largely excluded till the 1960s.

Speaking about the lawsuit, the artist said that it has been a "blessing in disguise". "Thanks to the ruling, we have no choice but to open ourselves to a whole range of enriching experiences - spiritual, educational... to discover fascinating new possibilities, and to become better," she said.

The toilet will be installed in the next 45 days, the outlet reported.

Ranveer Singh Hugs and Kisses Babil Khan As He Makes First Appearance After Deleting Photos | Watch 9 May 2024, 6:25 am

Stormy Daniels To Return To Witness Stand At Trump's Historic Trial 9 May 2024, 6:24 am

Stormy Daniels is to return to the witness stand on Thursday at Donald Trump's historic hush money trial for another round of expected tough grilling by attorneys for the former president.

The X-rated film actress, who claims to have had sex with the married Trump in 2006, spent nearly five hours testifying on Tuesday, recounting the incident in often explicit detail as the real estate tycoon sat stewing just feet away.

Trump, 77, is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment made to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 presidential election, when the lurid story of marital infidelity could have sunk his campaign against Hillary Clinton.

The extraordinary courtroom face-off between Daniels and Trump is taking place six months before the November election when the Republican hopeful will try to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden.

Speaking at a machine-gun pace that had the judge telling her to slow down at times, Daniels walked the New York jury through the one-night stand she said she had with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament.

She described his pajamas, his boxer shorts, the sexual position and that he did not wear a condom.

And while she was "not threatened verbally or physically" she said she "felt ashamed I didn't stop it, didn't say no."

Trump has denied having sex with Daniels and his lawyers asked the judge for a mistrial on the grounds her testimony was "extremely prejudicial" in what is essentially a financial records and election-related case.

Judge Juan Merchan denied the mistrial request but said some of Daniels' testimony would indeed have been "better left unsaid."

Merchan also called Trump's lawyers to the bench at one point to complain that the ex-president was "cursing audibly" and shaking his head at her testimony and they needed to curb his behaviour.

Trump's visible reactions have "the potential to intimidate the witness," the judge said, and "I won't tolerate that."

"I will talk to him," Todd Blanche, one of Trump's attorneys, promised.

'False!'

Speaking to reporters after the court adjourned on Tuesday, Trump called the case a "disgrace" and said he "should be out campaigning right now."

Merchan has imposed a gag order on Trump prohibiting him from publicly attacking witnesses and the ex-president -- who has traded insults with Daniels for years, calling her "horseface" and other crude slurs -- did not comment directly on her testimony.

In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump complained about the gag order saying his "Constitutional Right to Free Speech" had been "unfairly taken" away.

"It is hard to sit back and listen to lies and false statements be made against you knowing that if you respond, even in the most modest fashion, you are told by a Corrupt and Highly Conflicted Judge that you will be PUT IN PRISON, maybe for a long period of time," he said.

Daniels was being aggressively cross-examined by one of Trump's attorneys, Susan Necheles, when court wrapped up on Tuesday and she will be back in the firing line on Thursday.

Seeking to chip away at Daniels' credibility, Necheles accused her of trying to "extort" money from Trump by claiming to have had sex with him.

"False!" Daniels said.

In addition to the New York case, Trump has been indicted in Washington and Georgia on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

He has also been charged in Florida with allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House but that case has been postponed indefinitely.

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

Rajkummar Rao Remembers Shah Rukh Khan's Advice on Buying a Luxurious Home: 'Aukaat Se Zyaada Lena' 9 May 2024, 6:24 am

Women-Only Exhibit In Australian Museum To Become Toilet To Keep Men Out 9 May 2024, 6:23 am

An Australian museum, fighting to keep its exhibition open only to women, is installing a toilet in the gallery to keep men out. According to the BBC, an exhibit by American artist Kirsha Kaechele, titled "Ladies Lounge" in Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art opened in 2020 to only those who identify as women. However, it was closed after a man, who was denied entry into the lounge in 2023, filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the museum. The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found the museum to be in violation of the state's anti-discriminatory law and ordered it to allow "persons who do not identify as ladies" to enter the exhibition. 

On Tuesday, the museum appealed to reverse the ruling, arguing that it took "too narrow a view on women's historical and ongoing societal disadvantage" and how the 'Ladies Lounge' can "promote equal opportunity". According to the BBC, Ms Kaechele said she will challenge the ruling by making the space "compliant" with regulations, and by turning it into a women's toilet and a church - allowing it to operate as a women-only space under legal exemptions. 

"There is a fabulous toilet coming to the Ladies Lounge, and so in that sense the Ladies Lounge will operate as a ladies' room," Ms Kaechele said. "It's a toilet that is celebrated the world round. It is the greatest toilet, and men won't be allowed to see it," she added. 

Ms Kaechele said that the artwork will be moved into the existing women's toilet for now to ensure "uninterrupted viewing". However, men who want to enter will be allowed to do so on Sundays. 

"Women can bring in all their clean laundry and the men can go through a series of graceful movements (designed by a Rinpoche and refined by tai chi masters) to fold them," she said, in an interview published by the museum on Tuesday.

Also read | People Are Breathing In Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Their Cars, Study Finds

According to The Independent, the lounge features artworks by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Sidney Nolan. The space was inaugurated in 2020, based on the concept of old-fashioned Australian pubs where women were largely excluded till the 1960s.

Speaking about the lawsuit, the artist said that it has been a "blessing in disguise". "Thanks to the ruling, we have no choice but to open ourselves to a whole range of enriching experiences - spiritual, educational... to discover fascinating new possibilities, and to become better," she said.

The toilet will be installed in the next 45 days, the outlet reported.

Israel Continues Rafah Operation Despite Joe Biden's Warning 9 May 2024, 6:23 am

Israel shelled Rafah on Thursday as US President Joe Biden offered his starkest warning yet over the conduct of its war against Hamas, vowing to cut off arms transfers if an offensive into the southern Gaza city goes ahead.

Israel has defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting "targeted raids" in the border city, which it says is home to Hamas's last remaining battalions -- but is also crowded with displaced Palestinian civilians.

AFP journalists reported heavy shelling in Rafah early Thursday, and the Israeli military later said it was also striking "Hamas positions" further north in the centre of the Gaza Strip.

In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Biden warned he would stop US weapons supplies to Israel if it pushed ahead with its long-threatened Rafah ground offensive.

"If they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used... to deal with the cities," Biden said. "We're not gonna supply the weapons and the artillery shells that have been used."

On Tuesday, Israel forces seized Rafah's border crossing into Egypt, which has served as the main entry point for aid into besieged Gaza.

The White House condemned the interruption to humanitarian deliveries at the time, and the secretary of defence later confirmed Washington had paused, for the time being, a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel after it failed to address concerns over its Rafah ground incursion.

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs," Biden said in his interview. "It's just wrong."

He insisted, however, that the United States was "not walking away from Israel's security".

The United States, along with Egypt and Cairo, has been heavily involved in talks currently under way in Cairo aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the seven-month war.

Extreme fear

The Israeli military said Wednesday it was reopening another major aid crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, as well as the Erez crossing.

But the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the Kerem Shalom crossing -- which Israel shut after a rocket attack killed four soldiers on Sunday -- remained closed.

Late Wednesday, the army said a soldier was lightly wounded when Kerem Shalom was again targeted by rockets.

The heavy shelling in Rafah overnight into Thursday followed a day of what the Israeli military said were "targeted raids on the Gazan side of Rafah crossing", in the city's east.

An army statement later on Wednesday said that Hamas naval commander Mohammed Ahmed Ali was killed in an air strike "in the past day". Hamas did not immediately comment.

Civilian life in Rafah, meanwhile, "has completely ceased", said displaced Gazan Marwan al-Masri, 35, noting "the streets are empty" in the western part of the city.

"We are living in Rafah in extreme fear and endless anxiety," said Muhanad Ahmad Qishta, 29.

"Places the Israeli army claims to be safe are also being bombed," he told AFP.

'Catastrophic' health situation in Gaza

An emergency doctor working in Rafah and nearby Khan Yunis said that with humanitarian access compromised, the health situation was "catastrophic".

"The smell of sewage is rife everywhere," said the doctor, James Smith. "It's been getting worse over the course of the last couple of days."

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that hospitals in southern Gaza had only "three days of fuel left" because of the border closures.

"Without fuel all humanitarian operations will stop."

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel in response vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that has killed at least 34,844 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Militants also took about 250 hostages. Israel estimates 128 of them remain in Gaza, including 36 who officials say are dead.

Truce talks

Talks involving Qatari, US and Hamas delegations aimed at cementing a long-stalled ceasefire deal were ongoing Wednesday in Cairo, said Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence.

It noted that there were "points of contention" during the discussions, but also reported some "convergence" without elaborating.

A senior Hamas official said the latest round of negotiations would be "decisive".

Hamas "insists on the rightful demands of its people", the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly about the negotiations.

In Jerusalem, CIA director Bill Burns met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the "possibility of Israel pausing the operation in Rafah in exchange for hostage releases", an Israeli official said, also on condition of anonymity.

The Hamas official had previously warned the Cairo talks would be Israel's "last chance" to free the hostages still in militants' hands.

Mediator Qatar also appealed "for urgent international action to prevent Rafah from being invaded and a crime of genocide being committed".

Palestinian analyst Mkhaimar Abusada said Israel's seizure of the Rafah crossing could be an attempt to create new facts on the ground, or a bid to "sabotage the truce talks".

Israel's seizure of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing came after Hamas said it had accepted a truce proposal -- one Israel said was "far" from what its own negotiators had previously agreed to.

Netanyahu has described the Rafah operation as "a very important step" in denying Hamas "a passage that was essential for establishing its reign of terror".

"Unbearable Pain": Tejashwi Yadav Displays Waist Belt During Rally 9 May 2024, 6:23 am

Doctors have advised him three weeks bed rest for back pain, but he has decided not to take a break from the Lok Sabha poll campaign, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejaswi Yadav has said. The former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister has shared a video in which he is seen lifting his shirt in a rally to show a waist belt he is wearing for back pain.

"I am on painkiller injections and medicines for unbearable back pain. I am wearing a belt too. Doctors have advised me three weeks of bed rest and warned me against standing and walking. I am still among you," Mr Yadav has said in a tweet in Hindi.

असहनीय कमर दर्द के चलते दर्द निवारक इंजेक्शन और दवा लेकर आपके बीच घूम रहा हूँ। कमर पर अब बेल्ट भी बाँध दिया है। चिकित्सकों ने 3 हफ़्ते का बेड रेस्ट तथा खड़ा होने एवं पैदल नहीं चलने की हिदायत दी है।

इस हालात में भी आपके बीच, आपके लिए हूँ। चुनाव 5 वर्ष में एक बार होता है अगर अभी… pic.twitter.com/QGtg6yoDTM

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 9, 2024

Lok Sabha polls, he said, are held once in five years. "If I don't fight for you now, then you will have to suffer poverty, price rise and unemployment for five years. I will not rest till I ensure jobs for youth."

The RJD leader's aides are seen helping him to stand up as he addresses the crowd.

The 34-year-old, who is currently the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, is in the middle of a busy election campaign with the general election halfway through. The 42 seats in Bihar are voting in seven phases and 26 constituencies are yet to vote.

Mr Yadav has been holding rallies in Bihar and other states where RJD candidates are contesting the polls. Yesterday, he was in Jharkhand's Palamu to campaign for INDIA bloc candidate, RJD's Mamata Bhuiyan. Today, he is in Bihar's Jahanabad, which votes on June 1. In his rallies yesterday, Mr Yadav was seen seated on a chair while addressing the crowd, apparently due to his backache.

Japan Grapples With 9 Million Empty Homes, More Than The Population Of New York 9 May 2024, 6:18 am

Japan is confronting a significant problem with vacant houses, reaching a record of nine million - exceeding the population of New York City. This surge is directly linked to the country's declining population, according to a report by CNN.

Traditionally, abandoned houses, known as "akiya," were found primarily in rural areas. However, the trend is spreading to major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. This phenomenon presents a significant challenge for the government, which is already grappling with an ageing population and a low birth rate.

Experts like Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, emphasise that the abundance of empty homes isn't due to excessive construction. Instead, it's a stark reflection of Japan's shrinking population. There simply aren't enough people to fill the existing houses.

As per data gathered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 14% of Japan's residential properties stand vacant. This encompasses not only second homes but also properties left unoccupied for various reasons, such as owners temporarily relocating abroad for work.

They aren't all left to ruin, like traditional akiya, whose growing number presents a range of other problems for the government and communities, experts told CNN.

They include stifling attempts to rejuvenate decaying towns, becoming potential hazards due to the lack of maintenance, and raising the risks for rescuers in times of disaster in a country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Akiya are often passed down through generations. But with Japan's plummeting fertility rate, many are left with no heir to pass to or are inherited by younger generations who have moved to the cities and see little value in returning to rural areas, experts told CNN.

Some houses are also left in administrative limbo because local authorities don't know who the owners are due to poor record-keeping, they said.

This poses a challenge for the government to revitalise rural communities facing rapid aging. It impedes efforts to draw in younger individuals seeking alternative lifestyles or investors seeking affordable opportunities.

Due to Japan's tax regulations, some property owners may find it economically preferable to keep their homes rather than demolish them for redevelopment. Additionally, even if owners wish to sell, they may encounter difficulties in finding interested buyers.

Japan Grapples With 9 Million Empty Homes, More Than Population Of New York 9 May 2024, 6:18 am

Japan is confronting a significant problem with vacant houses, reaching a record of nine million - exceeding the population of New York City. This surge is directly linked to the country's declining population, according to a report by CNN.

Traditionally, abandoned houses, known as "akiya," were found primarily in rural areas. However, the trend is spreading to major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. This phenomenon presents a significant challenge for the government, which is already grappling with an ageing population and a low birth rate.

Experts like Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, emphasise that the abundance of empty homes isn't due to excessive construction. Instead, it's a stark reflection of Japan's shrinking population. There simply aren't enough people to fill the existing houses.

As per data gathered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 14% of Japan's residential properties stand vacant. This encompasses not only second homes but also properties left unoccupied for various reasons, such as owners temporarily relocating abroad for work.

They aren't all left to ruin, like traditional akiya, whose growing number presents a range of other problems for the government and communities, experts told CNN.

They include stifling attempts to rejuvenate decaying towns, becoming potential hazards due to the lack of maintenance, and raising the risks for rescuers in times of disaster in a country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Akiya are often passed down through generations. But with Japan's plummeting fertility rate, many are left with no heir to pass to or are inherited by younger generations who have moved to the cities and see little value in returning to rural areas, experts told CNN.

Some houses are also left in administrative limbo because local authorities don't know who the owners are due to poor record-keeping, they said.

This poses a challenge for the government to revitalise rural communities facing rapid aging. It impedes efforts to draw in younger individuals seeking alternative lifestyles or investors seeking affordable opportunities.

Due to Japan's tax regulations, some property owners may find it economically preferable to keep their homes rather than demolish them for redevelopment. Additionally, even if owners wish to sell, they may encounter difficulties in finding interested buyers.

First Reaction Of Mayawati's Nephew Akash Anand, Sacked As Her Heir 9 May 2024, 6:16 am

Akash Anand, the nephew of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, offered fulsome praise of his aunt this morning, two days after being sacked from a senior post and downgraded as her successor.

In a brief note on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Anand acknowledged his aunt as the BSP's "universally accepted leader" and indicated he would follow orders without question.

"Mayawatiji... you are an ideal for the entire Bahujan Samaj (and) crores of countrymen worship you. It is because of your struggles that today our society has got such a political power due to which the Bahujan Samaj has been able to learn to live with respect."

आदरणीय बहन @mayawati जी, आप पूरे बहुजन समाज के लिए एक आदर्श हैं, करोड़ों देशवासी आपको पूजते हैं। आपके संघर्षों की वजह से ही आज हमारे समाज को एक ऐसी राजनैतिक ताक़त मिली है जिसके बूते बहुजन समाज आज सम्मान से जीना सीख पाया है।

आप हमारी सर्वमान्य नेता हैं। आपका आदेश सिर माथे पे।…

— Akash Anand (@AnandAkash_BSP) May 9, 2024

"You are our universally accepted leader. I will follow your orders and will continue to fight for the Bhim mission and my society till my last breath. Hail Bhim, Hail India," he posted.

Mr Anand's post is being seen as an attempt to mend fences with his aunt.

Earlier this week Mayawati removed Akash Anand as the BSP's National Coordinator, and as her heir, "in the larger interest of the party and the movement". Mr Anand, she said, would be "separated from both these important responsibilities till he attains full maturity".

READ | Mayawati Sacks Nephew As Heir "Till He Becomes Mature"

The slap-down came after a police case was filed against Mr Anand for comments about the Bharatiya Janata Party, which he slammed as running "a bulldozer government" and raged, "The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government."

READ | Mayawati's Nephew Compares BJP Govt With Taliban, Case Filed

The comment was made during an election rally and triggered Model Code violation cases against him and four others, after which his other engagements were suspended.

Mayawati had named him as her political heir in December.

READ | How Mayawati Killed 2 Birds With 1 Stone By Axing Nephew

With the removal of Akash Anand, Mayawati was seen as having achieved a double-goal - she steered clear of charges of nepotism that have been used mercilessly by the BJP to attack its rivals, most particularly the Congress, and also pacified Dalits critical of her nephew's rant against the BJP.

Crucially, she kept the door open for a post-poll alliance with the saffron party, either at the state (the party is expected to sweep UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats) or the central level. The BSP does have a history of supporting the BJP, having done so in 1995, 1997, and 2002.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

Saudi Forces "Told To Kill" To Clear Land For Futuristic City Neom: Report 9 May 2024, 6:15 am

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have permitted the use of lethal force to clear land for Neom, a $500 billion smart city project planned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The BBC spoke to Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, who said he was ordered to evict villagers to make way for The Line, part of Neom. The outlet also said that one person was shot and killed for protesting against eviction. Neom is part of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Saudi government and Neom management have refused to comment.

The Line is being pitched as a car free city, just 200 metres wide and 170 kilometres long. Till now, only 2.4 kilometre of the project is expected to be completed by 2030, as per the BBC.

According to official government figures, more than 6,000 people have been moved for the project, though UK-based human rights group ALQST estimates the number to be higher.

The BBC shared satellite data claiming that three villages - al-Khuraybah, Sharma and Gayal - were demolished for the project. These villages were inhabited by the Huwaitat tribe, which has been dubbed a group of "rebels" by the government order, said Col Alenezi.

"Neom is the centrepiece of Mohamed Bin Salman's ideas. That's why he was so brutal in dealing with the Huwaitat," he told the outlet. He now lives in the UK foe his own safety.

The futuristic megacity is touted to be 33 times the size of New York, with an area of 26,500 km square extending along the Aqaba Gulf and Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline. The name Neom is a combination of Greek term Neo and Arabic word for "future".

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said in 2022 that MBS has ordered workers to construct 10 palaces, each bigger than a football field. The outlet reviewed the project's plan, which showed that the houses could list at up to $400 million each.

Saudi Forces "Told To Kill" To Clear Land For Futuristic City Neom: Report 9 May 2024, 6:15 am

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have permitted the use of lethal force to clear land for Neom, a $500 billion smart city project planned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The BBC spoke to Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, who said he was ordered to evict villagers to make way for The Line, part of Neom. The outlet also said that one person was shot and killed for protesting against eviction. Neom is part of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Saudi government and Neom management have refused to comment.

The Line is being pitched as a car free city, just 200 metres wide and 170 kilometres long. Till now, only 2.4 kilometre of the project is expected to be completed by 2030, as per the BBC.

According to official government figures, more than 6,000 people have been moved for the project, though UK-based human rights group ALQST estimates the number to be higher.

The BBC shared satellite data claiming that three villages - al-Khuraybah, Sharma and Gayal - were demolished for the project. These villages were inhabited by the Huwaitat tribe, which has been dubbed a group of "rebels" by the government order, said Col Alenezi.

"Neom is the centrepiece of Mohamed Bin Salman's ideas. That's why he was so brutal in dealing with the Huwaitat," he told the outlet. He now lives in the UK foe his own safety.

The futuristic megacity is touted to be 33 times the size of New York, with an area of 26,500 km square extending along the Aqaba Gulf and Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline. The name Neom is a combination of Greek term Neo and Arabic word for "future".

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said in 2022 that MBS has ordered workers to construct 10 palaces, each bigger than a football field. The outlet reviewed the project's plan, which showed that the houses could list at up to $400 million each.

Sonakshi has seen only four films of her dad 9 May 2024, 6:15 am

Saudi Forces "Told To Kill" To Clear Land For Futuristic City Neom: Report 9 May 2024, 6:15 am

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have permitted the use of lethal force to clear land for Neom, a $500 billion smart city project planned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The BBC spoke to Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, who said he was ordered to evict villagers to make way for The Line, part of Neom. The outlet also said that one person was shot and killed for protesting against eviction. Neom is part of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Saudi government and Neom management have refused to comment.

The Line is being pitched as a car free city, just 200 metres wide and 170 kilometres long. Till now, only 2.4 kilometre of the project is expected to be completed by 2030, as per the BBC.

According to official government figures, more than 6,000 people have been moved for the project, though UK-based human rights group ALQST estimates the number to be higher.

The BBC shared satellite data claiming that three villages - al-Khuraybah, Sharma and Gayal - were demolished for the project. These villages were inhabited by the Huwaitat tribe, which has been dubbed a group of "rebels" by the government order, said Col Alenezi.

"Neom is the centrepiece of Mohamed Bin Salman's ideas. That's why he was so brutal in dealing with the Huwaitat," he told the outlet. He now lives in the UK foe his own safety.

The futuristic megacity is touted to be 33 times the size of New York, with an area of 26,500 km square extending along the Aqaba Gulf and Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline. The name Neom is a combination of Greek term Neo and Arabic word for "future".

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said in 2022 that MBS has ordered workers to construct 10 palaces, each bigger than a football field. The outlet reviewed the project's plan, which showed that the houses could list at up to $400 million each.

Only this mid-SUV has sold 1 million units in India ever 9 May 2024, 6:14 am

Saudi Forces "Told To Kill" To Clear Land For Futuristic City Neom: Report 9 May 2024, 6:14 am

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have permitted the use of lethal force to clear land for Neom, a $500 billion smart city project planned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The BBC spoke to Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, who said he was ordered to evict villagers to make way for The Line, part of Neom. The outlet also said that one person was shot and killed for protesting against eviction. Neom is part of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Saudi government and Neom management have refused to comment.

The Line is being pitched as a car free city, just 200 metres wide and 170 kilometres long. Till now, only 2.4 kilometre of the project is expected to be completed by 2030, as per the BBC.

According to official government figures, more than 6,000 people have been moved for the project, though UK-based human rights group ALQST estimates the number to be higher.

The BBC shared satellite data claiming that three villages - al-Khuraybah, Sharma and Gayal - were demolished for the project. These villages were inhabited by the Huwaitat tribe, which has been dubbed a group of "rebels" by the government order, said Col Alenezi.

"Neom is the centrepiece of Mohamed Bin Salman's ideas. That's why he was so brutal in dealing with the Huwaitat," he told the outlet. He now lives in the UK foe his own safety.

The futuristic megacity is touted to be 33 times the size of New York, with an area of 26,500 km square extending along the Aqaba Gulf and Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline. The name Neom is a combination of Greek term Neo and Arabic word for "future".

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said in 2022 that MBS has ordered workers to construct 10 palaces, each bigger than a football field. The outlet reviewed the project's plan, which showed that the houses could list at up to $400 million each.

"Unbearable Pain": Tejashwi Yadav Displays Waist Belt During Rally 9 May 2024, 6:13 am

Doctors have advised him three weeks bed rest for back pain, but he has decided not to take a break from the Lok Sabha poll campaign, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejaswi Yadav has said. The former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister has shared a video in which he is seen lifting his shirt in a rally to show a waist belt he is wearing for back pain.

"I am on painkiller injections and medicines for unbearable back pain. I am wearing a belt too. Doctors have advised me three weeks of bed rest and warned me against standing and walking. I am still among you," Mr Yadav has said in a tweet in Hindi.

असहनीय कमर दर्द के चलते दर्द निवारक इंजेक्शन और दवा लेकर आपके बीच घूम रहा हूँ। कमर पर अब बेल्ट भी बाँध दिया है। चिकित्सकों ने 3 हफ़्ते का बेड रेस्ट तथा खड़ा होने एवं पैदल नहीं चलने की हिदायत दी है।

इस हालात में भी आपके बीच, आपके लिए हूँ। चुनाव 5 वर्ष में एक बार होता है अगर अभी… pic.twitter.com/QGtg6yoDTM

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 9, 2024

Lok Sabha polls, he said, are held once in five years. "If I don't fight for you now, then you will have to suffer poverty, price rise and unemployment for five years. I will not rest till I ensure jobs for youth."

The RJD leader's aides are seen helping him to stand up as he addresses the crowd.

The 34-year-old, who is currently the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, is in the middle of a busy election campaign with the general election halfway through. The 42 seats in Bihar are voting in seven phases and 26 constituencies are yet to vote.

Mr Yadav has been holding rallies in Bihar and other states where RJD candidates are contesting the polls. Yesterday, he was in Jharkhand's Palamu to campaign for INDIA bloc candidate, RJD's Mamata Bhuiyan. Today, he is in Bihar's Jahanabad, which votes on June 1. In his rallies yesterday, Mr Yadav was seen seated on a chair while addressing the crowd, apparently due to his backache.

Netflix's The Crown Making A Comeback Based On Surprise Royal? Here's What We Know 9 May 2024, 6:11 am

Eight injured in Ukrainian attacks on Russia's Belgorod 9 May 2024, 6:06 am

First batch of Haj pilgrims from Srinagar depart for Saudi Arabia 9 May 2024, 6:04 am

Opinion: Opinion | 'Was It The Right Choice?': The American Dream, Now A Nightmare For Many 9 May 2024, 6:04 am

"I spent ~$100k on a STEM degree in the U.S., and now I have only one chance left for H-1B. Where does this leave me?" asks Shreya Mishra in a viral LinkedIn post that has reached over 2 million people. Shreya is one among over 3.5 lakh immigrants whose names did not figure in America's FY25 H-1B cap lottery season. 

The H-1B needs little introduction: it's the lightning rod for political football in the U.S., caught in a gridlock for more than two decades now. The last significant revision to the H-1B happened in 2004 when the Bush administration allocated 85,000 H-1B visas each year. While 65,000 were for those with a bachelor's degree, 20,000 were set aside for those with a master's degree or a higher one. Since 2011, the cap of 85,000 has been reached every year. The visa is thus more a lottery ticket now than a stable option to work in America.

Read | Doing Everything To Improve H-1B Visa Process, Green Card Backlog: US

But the struggles don't end at winning this lottery. "I came to the U.S. in 2001," says Saurav Mitra, a mechanical engineer employed at an electronics company. "I graduated from one of the top schools in Mechanical Engineering in 2008 and got the H-1B. Since then, I've been stuck in the EB-2 retrogression, with no hope of getting a green card even if I wait till 2030. That makes it close to 30 years in this country, caught in limbo, with promotions and job changes taking place at a much slower pace. All of my colleagues, including from China, who graduated much later than me, already have their green cards." Due to 'country caps' introduced in 1990, a country can get only 7% of the 140,000 green cards issued every year. This has unfairly affected immigrants from China and India, the top two countries sending students to the US. 

A Wide Knowledge Gap

When I moved to the US in 2017 for my master's degree at Columbia University, I wasn't aware of the pitfalls of the immigration system. I vaguely knew of the H-1B being a lottery, but didn't care to learn more until I decided to quit my job and become a solopreneur. After a two-and-a-half-year journey with the immigration system, I obtained my O-1A extraordinary visa in October last year as the CEO of The Curious Maverick LLC, an educational venture focused on promoting talent mobility in the US and the world. As part of this, I published Unshackled, my second book, to help high-skilled immigrants in America. In April this year, we launched a country-wide book tour to visit almost 2,000 international graduate students and talk to them about the immigration system. What we found was concerning but not surprising: less than 10% were aware of the O-1A as a visa pathway, and even fewer understood its requirements. Their knowledge of other pathways, such as the EB-2 National Interest Waiver, self-employment OPT (Optional Practical Training), and International Entrepreneur Parole, was even more limited. 

Read | Vivek Ramaswamy Wants To End H-1B Visa Programme, He Used It 29 Times

During my time as a student in the US, I don't remember a single university-led event that exposed me to various visa pathways. And I'm not alone. Universities tend to take a risk-averse approach when it comes to immigration. Most International Student Offices restrict their advice to conservative pathways (read: the H-1B) and shy away from answering questions that creep into creative territory. 

Immigration is also not something students think proactively about. It hits them only when a crisis strikes - when their OPT is revoked, their STEM OPT extension is denied, or they are laid off on their H-1B. The best defense against such situations is to be proactive, start early, and 'diversify' one's visa portfolio. The H-1B is a gamble and one shouldn't rely on it solely to work in America. Building a portfolio of visa pathways from Day 1 can be helpful.

Immigrants Remain Undervalued

"I arrived in the US on an F-1 visa in 2019," says Shreya Telang, a Bioengineer based in California. "Sadly, COVID-19 struck when I was in my second semester, and the second wave took my father's life in March 2021. Borders were closed and my EAD [Employment Authorization Document] card hadn't arrived, so I couldn't say goodbye to him. It took a whole year before I could hug my grieving mother. My story mirrors the struggles of many immigrants..." 

Read | Over 4 Lakh Indians Will Die Waiting For US Green Card, Says Study

The truth is, it shouldn't be this hard for high-skilled immigrants in America. About one in four workers in STEM fields are immigrants. "Despite making up just 14% of the population, immigrants are responsible for 30% of U.S. patents and 38% of U.S. Nobel Prizes in science," write Alec Stapp and Jeremy Neufeld of the Institute For Progress, a Washington-based think tank. "A team of Stanford economists recently estimated that nearly three-quarters of all U.S. innovation since 1976 can be attributed to high-skilled immigration," the authors add. The contribution is not limited to science either. A recent analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy found that over half of unicorn startups were launched by immigrants. 

Yet, America continues to lag. The last time the country came close to passing comprehensive immigration reforms was in 2013. Countless bills have been introduced in Congress, most of them being 'dead on arrival'. Most recent is the 'Border Act' introduced this year. While its fate is most likely already sealed, one can still hope. 

"I Feel Stuck"

"I've spent 17 years in this country now," says Preeti Suryakumar, an occupational therapist who moved to the U.S. in 2007. "Due to so-called cost management decisions made by my employers and the backlog for Indian nationals, I still don't have my green card. I am burnt out, I get paid hourly, and I don't get holidays. Sadly, I don't have much job potential in India either. So it feels like I'm stuck here... Sometimes I wonder, did I make the right choice coming to America?" Preeti is not alone. Scores of other immigrants have begun feeling this way. "Coming to the US for MS with the intention of settling here? Please stay back," says Sudeepa Kolli in a tweet; she is a Cornell graduate from 2023. YouTubers have begun publishing videos on the subject warning students. 

But this hasn't affected the numbers yet. In the 2022-23 academic year, there were 1,057,188 international students in the U.S. Of that, India, with 268,923 students - a 35% increase year-over-year - accounted for the second highest number of pupils after China. Surprisingly, mass layoffs and outdated immigration policies haven't had an impact on new incoming students, yet. 

So, should you come to America? No one person can decide that. It is a deeply personal question that needs to be addressed based on facts. The facts are: America is a high-risk, high-reward country. One could come here and be incredibly successful, or they could put themselves in debt and golden handcuffs. The question to ask is: are you willing to take that bet on yourself? 

Ultimately, while international students should continue to ask for America (and other countries) to do their best to update laws, they shouldn't rely on that. At least, not in the short term. 

(Soundarya Balasubramani is a two-time author, founder, and O-1A extraordinary visa recipient. Her second book, 'Unshackled', is aimed at helping high-skilled immigrants get creative freedom in America. She also runs a community of 450+ talent visa aspirants)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal Slams LinkedIn After It Removes His "Pronoun Illness" Post 9 May 2024, 6:01 am

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal criticized LinkedIn after the employment-focused social media platform removed his post on "pronoun illness". He argued that the platform's AI moderation is "imposing a political ideology on Indian users".

"Dear LinkedIn, this post of mine was about YOUR AI imposing a political ideology on Indian users that's unsafe, and sinister. Rich of you to call my post unsafe! This is exactly why we need to build our own tech and AI in India. Else we'll just be pawns in others political objectives," Mr Aggarwal wrote in his post on X. 

Mr Aggarwal also shared a screenshot of a note from LinkedIn about his viral post on gender pronouns.

The notification from LinkedIn said that his post was removed because it was against the platform's "Professional Community Policies".

See the post here:

Dear @LinkedIn this post of mine was about YOUR AI imposing a political ideology on Indian users that's unsafe, sinister.

Rich of you to call my post unsafe! This is exactly why we need to build own tech and AI in India. Else we'll just be pawns in others political objectives. pic.twitter.com/ZWqiM90eT1

— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) May 9, 2024

Earlier, the Ola CEO had shared a post slamming gender pronouns. The entrepreneur slammed non-binary pronouns and termed them as an "illness" from the Western countries. He shared a screenshot of LinkedIn's AI bot which introduced him as "they" and "them" and criticised that the "pronouns illness" is "being perpetuated" in the country by municipal corporations.

The screenshot showed the AI bot's reply to a query from the Ola CEO. It said, "Bhavish Aggarwal is the Co-Founder & CEO of Olacabs.com, a position they have held since September 2010. They have a background in technology and innovation, with previous roles at Microsoft Research India as an Assistant Researcher and Research Intern. Bhavish completed their B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. Their skills include Team Management, Market Research, Business Development, and more, contributing significantly to the technology, information and internet industry."

Court reserves judgement on maintainability of Bengal's suit challenging CBI probe 9 May 2024, 5:57 am

Explained: How Australia's New Student Visa Rule Change Affects Indians 9 May 2024, 5:57 am

Australia has made it tougher for international students to get visas. It has increased the amount of money a student must have as savings to enter the country. The required amount will now be 75% of the national minimum wage. Effective May 10, 2024, students will have to show they have at least A$29,710 (₹16,29,964) to qualify for a visa. 

The change is meant to ensure students can afford basic living expenses while studying in Australia, considering they may not be in class for 25% of the year and work during that time. Meeting this requirement will help students plan their future better. 

This is the second time in seven months the amount of savings has been increased, following a previous hike to A$24,505 (₹13,44,405) from A$21,041 (₹11,54,361) in October. 

The government is tightening visa rules after reports of lots of people moving to Australia since the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022. This has caused problems, like a shortage of rental homes. 

In March, the government also raised English language requirements for student visas and has been implementing policies to prevent students from extending their stay through various loopholes.

According to Australia Visa News, the number of temporary student visas granted in the country reached a record high of 6,54,870 in July 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

The Australian government has implemented other measures to support international students:

1. The Australian government replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement to make sure students are genuinely coming to study, and not just to work.

2. Post-Study Work Rights (PSWR) were extended by up to two years from July 1, 2023, allowing students to find employment related to their field of study.

3. A minimum total score of 5.5 is required for international students enrolling in universities and programs.

4. Work hours during study terms and semesters were limited to 48 hours per fortnight from July 1, 2023.

5. The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa, which previously allowed recent engineering graduates to stay, work, or study in Australia for up to 18 months, now has a limit on it from December 22, 2023.

6. International students are no longer allowed to enrol in two courses simultaneously within the first six months of their principal course, effective from September 8, 2023.

Explained: How Australia's New Student Visa Rule Change Affects Indians 9 May 2024, 5:57 am

Australia has made it tougher for international students to get visas. It has increased the amount of money a student must have as savings to enter the country. The required amount will now be 75% of the national minimum wage. Effective May 10, 2024, students will have to show they have at least A$29,710 (₹16,29,964) to qualify for a visa. 

The change is meant to ensure students can afford basic living expenses while studying in Australia, considering they may not be in class for 25% of the year and work during that time. Meeting this requirement will help students plan their future better. 

This is the second time in seven months the amount of savings has been increased, following a previous hike to A$24,505 (₹13,44,405) from A$21,041 (₹11,54,361) in October. 

The government is tightening visa rules after reports of lots of people moving to Australia since the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022. This has caused problems, like a shortage of rental homes. 

In March, the government also raised English language requirements for student visas and has been implementing policies to prevent students from extending their stay through various loopholes.

According to Australia Visa News, the number of temporary student visas granted in the country reached a record high of 6,54,870 in July 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

The Australian government has implemented other measures to support international students:

1. The Australian government replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement to make sure students are genuinely coming to study, and not just to work.

2. Post-Study Work Rights (PSWR) were extended by up to two years from July 1, 2023, allowing students to find employment related to their field of study.

3. A minimum total score of 5.5 is required for international students enrolling in universities and programs.

4. Work hours during study terms and semesters were limited to 48 hours per fortnight from July 1, 2023.

5. The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa, which previously allowed recent engineering graduates to stay, work, or study in Australia for up to 18 months, now has a limit on it from December 22, 2023.

6. International students are no longer allowed to enrol in two courses simultaneously within the first six months of their principal course, effective from September 8, 2023.

Explained: How Australia's New Student Visa Rule Change Affects Indians 9 May 2024, 5:57 am

Australia has made it tougher for international students to get visas. It has increased the amount of money a student must have as savings to enter the country. The required amount will now be 75% of the national minimum wage. Effective May 10, 2024, students will have to show they have at least A$29,710 (₹16,29,964) to qualify for a visa. 

The change is meant to ensure students can afford basic living expenses while studying in Australia, considering they may not be in class for 25% of the year and work during that time. Meeting this requirement will help students plan their future better. 

This is the second time in seven months the amount of savings has been increased, following a previous hike to A$24,505 (₹13,44,405) from A$21,041 (₹11,54,361) in October. 

The government is tightening visa rules after reports of lots of people moving to Australia since the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022. This has caused problems, like a shortage of rental homes. 

In March, the government also raised English language requirements for student visas and has been implementing policies to prevent students from extending their stay through various loopholes.

According to Australia Visa News, the number of temporary student visas granted in the country reached a record high of 6,54,870 in July 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

The Australian government has implemented other measures to support international students:

1. The Australian government replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement to make sure students are genuinely coming to study, and not just to work.

2. Post-Study Work Rights (PSWR) were extended by up to two years from July 1, 2023, allowing students to find employment related to their field of study.

3. A minimum total score of 5.5 is required for international students enrolling in universities and programs.

4. Work hours during study terms and semesters were limited to 48 hours per fortnight from July 1, 2023.

5. The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa, which previously allowed recent engineering graduates to stay, work, or study in Australia for up to 18 months, now has a limit on it from December 22, 2023.

6. International students are no longer allowed to enrol in two courses simultaneously within the first six months of their principal course, effective from September 8, 2023.

Explained: How Australia's New Student Visa Rule Change Affects Indians 9 May 2024, 5:57 am

Australia has made it tougher for international students to get visas. It has increased the amount of money a student must have as savings to enter the country. The required amount will now be 75% of the national minimum wage. Effective May 10, 2024, students will have to show they have at least A$29,710 (₹16,29,964) to qualify for a visa. 

The change is meant to ensure students can afford basic living expenses while studying in Australia, considering they may not be in class for 25% of the year and work during that time. Meeting this requirement will help students plan their future better. 

This is the second time in seven months the amount of savings has been increased, following a previous hike to A$24,505 (₹13,44,405) from A$21,041 (₹11,54,361) in October. 

The government is tightening visa rules after reports of lots of people moving to Australia since the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022. This has caused problems, like a shortage of rental homes. 

In March, the government also raised English language requirements for student visas and has been implementing policies to prevent students from extending their stay through various loopholes.

According to Australia Visa News, the number of temporary student visas granted in the country reached a record high of 6,54,870 in July 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

The Australian government has implemented other measures to support international students:

1. The Australian government replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement to make sure students are genuinely coming to study, and not just to work.

2. Post-Study Work Rights (PSWR) were extended by up to two years from July 1, 2023, allowing students to find employment related to their field of study.

3. A minimum total score of 5.5 is required for international students enrolling in universities and programs.

4. Work hours during study terms and semesters were limited to 48 hours per fortnight from July 1, 2023.

5. The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa, which previously allowed recent engineering graduates to stay, work, or study in Australia for up to 18 months, now has a limit on it from December 22, 2023.

6. International students are no longer allowed to enrol in two courses simultaneously within the first six months of their principal course, effective from September 8, 2023.

Gurugram Voters Can Flaunt Inked Finger To Get Discounts In Multiplexes 9 May 2024, 5:54 am

The Gurugram district administration has come up with a unique initiative to increase the turnout of voters in the May 25 Lok Sabha polls in the Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency with officials announcing discounts on movie tickets and food items in multiplexes apart from complimentary refreshments.

A single-phase voting will be held in all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana on May 25.

An official on Wednesday said that all one needs to do is flaunt his/ her inked finger on the polling day to get a discount on offline tickets available from the counter or on food and drinks available on the cinema hall premises.

In this regard, a meeting of representatives of several multiplex chains was held on Wednesday which was chaired by Hitesh Kumar Meena, ADC, and nodal officer for the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, Gurugram.

"The voters will also get complimentary refreshments in some multiplexes," Meena told the media.

He said that all the multiplexes would telecast the message of the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and short films related to voter awareness on the screens.

Recently, the Gurugam district administration has roped in Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal as the 'brand ambassador' to boost voter turnout.

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

Opinion: Opinion | Rohith Vemula And His 'Dalit' Identity: Reality vs Fiction 9 May 2024, 5:54 am

Rohith Vemula died by suicide in 2016 because of caste-based hostilities at a university in Hyderabad, where he was enrolled for a PhD programme. Eight years later, the Telangana police claim that Rohith was not Dalit and that it was likely the fear of his "real caste" being revealed that led him to suicide. At the core of this claim are some formalities of law and policy that must change.

Scheduled Castes (SC) status is legally determined by ancestry. More specifically, the bloodlines of men are the carriages of caste. That is to say, formal legal procedures require the SC certification of a father to grant an SC certificate to a child. This patriarchal character of law and policy has been contested in courts. As a result of judicial interventions, a mother's SC certification can be admitted for certifying a child's SC status. But this is an exception, not a rule.

A Process Of Humiliation

SC certifications at local governance levels have also changed over time. Plus, sometimes, these certifications can be outcomes of discretionary functions of power. In the past, SC certifications could be granted based on supporting statements of gazetted government officers and ordinary neighbours too. In cases where neither parent has a formal caste certificate, that ordeal is worse as an individual -  especially interstate migrant workers - runs from pillar to post trying to get their caste identity certified. All such processes inadvertently end up imposing varying degrees of humiliation upon those who want to obtain SC certification.

Read | 'My Name Is Rohith Vemula. I Am A Dalit,' He Said In Video Days Before He Died

This kind of humiliation has been playing out openly for anyone to see, as in the case of Rohith Vemula and his mother, Radhika Vemula. Born to SC Mala parents, Radhika was adopted by an Other Backward Class (OBC) Vaddera woman, and later, she married a Vaddera man. Despite the two legalities - adoption and marriage - Radhika could retain her SC status because of the bloodline of her SC Mala father. Furthermore, Radhika later returned to her SC community after leaving her OBC husband. Patriarchy is so deeply entrenched in law and policy that Rohith Vemula's caste is now determined by the caste of an absent OBC father, not his present SC mother. Ultimately, legality here appears to operate as an informal tool for imposing humiliation and adding insult to injury at mass levels of Dalit consciousness.

A Sujata Story

Bimal Roy's famous movie Sujata (1959) is something along the lines of the current fanciful speculation about Rohith Vemula's caste identity. An "untouchable" orphan baby girl is adopted into a Savarna household. This girl is named Sujata. She's humiliated and abused routinely and grows up as an exploited, unpaid household servant. The movie ends on a Cinderella-like happy note, with Sujata's marriage to a Savarna man.

Now, hypothetically, a sequel to Sujata could show her as a happy wife of this Savarna man and a mother to their children, but somehow, she continues to be humiliated and abused and remains an exploited, unpaid servant in her marital home. This sequel would also end happily but on a more realistic note: Sujata leaving her Savarna husband, taking her children and returning to her "untouchable" community.

Read | Rohith Vemula's Mother Asked To Prove She Belongs To Scheduled Caste

In Sujata 3, the woman could raise these children as proud Dalits, but the patriarchal forces of the law would impose Savarna caste ancestry on them, denying and obliterating their matrilineal Dalit bloodline. The script of Sujata 3 is what's currently being written, and the ending is unknown.

The 1959 Sujata and its hypothetical sequels outlined here are relatable conjectures into the life of Radhika Vemula. These are not claims to determine her reality. Similarly, the Telangana police should not be the ultimate arbiters to determine the "real caste" of Rohith Vemula. 

The main point in both the reality and the fiction around Rohith Vemula's suicide is that the law and policy for SC certification must accept matrilineal bloodlines. This is not just a theoretical debate but a constitutional caste matter - related to equality and non-discrimination based on sex - with real-life implications for individuals like Rohith Vemula. 

(Prof. Dr Sumit Baudh (they/he) teaches Caste Law and Representation, Intersectionality Applications and Analysis, among other courses, and tweets on X @BaudhSumit)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Miss Teen USA Resigns From Post 2 Days After Miss USA Gave Up Her Title 9 May 2024, 5:52 am

UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss Teen USA 2023, on Wednesday, gave up her crown, just two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt relinquished her title. In a statement shared to her Instagram, the Mexican-Indian American teen provided a cryptic reason for her resignation, stating that “my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organisation.” 

The 17-year-old wrote that this wasn't how she saw her "reign coming to a close," and expressed gratitude for all the support from her family, state directors, fellow contestants, and fans since winning her state title. She wrote that she would always "look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly", adding that the experience of representing her state as a “first-generation Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself.”

The New Jersey teenager said that she was “excited to continue my advocacy for education and acceptance” through her multilingual children's book, 'The White Jaguar' and with “the organisations that I have had the privilege to work with long before I started competing, namely The Lotus Petal Foundation and the Bridge of Books Foundation”. She is currently working on a “new writing project.”

Ms Srivastava further mentioned that she would soon apply to colleges, “looking forward to the rest of the year as I finish 11th grade as part of the National Honour Society”, adding that her “academic career has been defined by hard work and my hard work alone.” 

Concluding, she thanked those who supported her for “who I am and have always been, not for who I've momentarily become." She counted herself lucky for having had “the privilege of this experience.” 

“I know that the story of my life will truly be incredible,” she added. 

Though Ms Srivastava's sudden resignation is unusual, the timing is even more curious. It coincides with Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt's recent return of her own crown. Ms Voight, who was crowned in September 2023, revealed in an Instagram post, "In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health." 

All of this suggests that there may be developments brewing within the pageant company, once owned by former US President Donald Trump (from 1996 to 2015).

Israel Continues Rafah Operation Despite Joe Biden's Warning 9 May 2024, 5:51 am

Israel shelled Rafah on Thursday as US President Joe Biden offered his starkest warning yet over the conduct of its war against Hamas, vowing to cut off arms transfers if an offensive into the southern Gaza city goes ahead.

Israel has defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting "targeted raids" in the border city, which it says is home to Hamas's last remaining battalions -- but is also crowded with displaced Palestinian civilians.

AFP journalists reported heavy shelling in Rafah early Thursday, and the Israeli military later said it was also striking "Hamas positions" further north in the centre of the Gaza Strip.

In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Biden warned he would stop US weapons supplies to Israel if it pushed ahead with its long-threatened Rafah ground offensive.

"If they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used... to deal with the cities," Biden said. "We're not gonna supply the weapons and the artillery shells that have been used."

On Tuesday, Israel forces seized Rafah's border crossing into Egypt, which has served as the main entry point for aid into besieged Gaza.

The White House condemned the interruption to humanitarian deliveries at the time, and the secretary of defence later confirmed Washington had paused, for the time being, a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel after it failed to address concerns over its Rafah ground incursion.

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs," Biden said in his interview. "It's just wrong."

He insisted, however, that the United States was "not walking away from Israel's security".

The United States, along with Egypt and Cairo, has been heavily involved in talks currently under way in Cairo aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the seven-month war.

Extreme fear

The Israeli military said Wednesday it was reopening another major aid crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, as well as the Erez crossing.

But the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the Kerem Shalom crossing -- which Israel shut after a rocket attack killed four soldiers on Sunday -- remained closed.

Late Wednesday, the army said a soldier was lightly wounded when Kerem Shalom was again targeted by rockets.

The heavy shelling in Rafah overnight into Thursday followed a day of what the Israeli military said were "targeted raids on the Gazan side of Rafah crossing", in the city's east.

An army statement later on Wednesday said that Hamas naval commander Mohammed Ahmed Ali was killed in an air strike "in the past day". Hamas did not immediately comment.

Civilian life in Rafah, meanwhile, "has completely ceased", said displaced Gazan Marwan al-Masri, 35, noting "the streets are empty" in the western part of the city.

"We are living in Rafah in extreme fear and endless anxiety," said Muhanad Ahmad Qishta, 29.

"Places the Israeli army claims to be safe are also being bombed," he told AFP.

'Catastrophic' health situation in Gaza

An emergency doctor working in Rafah and nearby Khan Yunis said that with humanitarian access compromised, the health situation was "catastrophic".

"The smell of sewage is rife everywhere," said the doctor, James Smith. "It's been getting worse over the course of the last couple of days."

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that hospitals in southern Gaza had only "three days of fuel left" because of the border closures.

"Without fuel all humanitarian operations will stop."

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel in response vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that has killed at least 34,844 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Militants also took about 250 hostages. Israel estimates 128 of them remain in Gaza, including 36 who officials say are dead.

Truce talks

Talks involving Qatari, US and Hamas delegations aimed at cementing a long-stalled ceasefire deal were ongoing Wednesday in Cairo, said Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence.

It noted that there were "points of contention" during the discussions, but also reported some "convergence" without elaborating.

A senior Hamas official said the latest round of negotiations would be "decisive".

Hamas "insists on the rightful demands of its people", the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly about the negotiations.

In Jerusalem, CIA director Bill Burns met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the "possibility of Israel pausing the operation in Rafah in exchange for hostage releases", an Israeli official said, also on condition of anonymity.

The Hamas official had previously warned the Cairo talks would be Israel's "last chance" to free the hostages still in militants' hands.

Mediator Qatar also appealed "for urgent international action to prevent Rafah from being invaded and a crime of genocide being committed".

Palestinian analyst Mkhaimar Abusada said Israel's seizure of the Rafah crossing could be an attempt to create new facts on the ground, or a bid to "sabotage the truce talks".

Israel's seizure of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing came after Hamas said it had accepted a truce proposal -- one Israel said was "far" from what its own negotiators had previously agreed to.

Netanyahu has described the Rafah operation as "a very important step" in denying Hamas "a passage that was essential for establishing its reign of terror".

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

Prince William won't let Harry 'near' Kate Middleton: Report 9 May 2024, 5:49 am

Flight Attendant Survived 33,000 Feet Fall With No Parachute. Read Vesna Vulovic's Story 9 May 2024, 5:49 am

History is full of incidents that show people's courage and resilience. But there are very few stories that shine as brightly as that of Vesna Vulovic. Her remarkable journey from tragedy to triumph serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Ms Vulovic was working as a flight attendant onboard JAT Yugoslav Airlines' Flight 367 on January 26, 1972, when a suspected bomb brought down the plane among the mountains over Czechoslovakia - now known as the Czech Republic. All 27 other passengers and crew died but Ms Vulovic survived.

According to the BBC, the plane exploded mid-air but Ms Vulovic survived the 33,000-foot fall, the highest recorded fall without a parachute in aviation history.

A team of investigators later said that she was trapped by a food cart in the plane's tail section as it plummeted to earth.

The tail landed in a snow-blanketed and forested area that was thought to have cushioned the impact, the outlet further said.

Ms Vulovic's screams were heard by Bruno Honke, a woodsman. She was taken to the hospital where she fell into a coma for 10 days. 

Ms Vulovic suffered a fractured skull, two crushed vertebrae and she also broke her pelvis, several ribs and both legs.

"I was broken, and the doctors put me back together again," she told the New York Times in 2008.

She was temporarily paralysed from the waist down by the fall, but she never surrendered to despair. Ms Vulovic made a near-full recovery and returned to work for the airline in a desk job.

Her miraculous survival earned her a place in the Guinness Book of Records in 1985.

She had no recollection of the incident and continued to fly as a passenger.

Ms Vulovic's harrowing experience transformed her into a symbol of hope and reconciliation, and a celebrity in Serbia. She dedicated her life to advocating for peace, bridging divides, and fostering understanding among people from diverse backgrounds.

Ms Vulovic channelled her fame into campaigning for political causes.

"I am like a cat, I have had nine lives. But if nationalist forces in this country prevail, my heart will burst," she told NYT.

Ms Vulovic died in 2016, at the age of 66.

DLF Sells All 795 Luxury Flats for Rs 5,590 Crore in New Project at Gurugram Within 3 Days of Launch 9 May 2024, 5:44 am

7 killed in Pakistan's Gwadar as terrorist open fire at sleeping workers 9 May 2024, 5:42 am

Video: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Visits Ayodhya's Ram Temple, Bows Before Deity 9 May 2024, 5:41 am

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan visited the Ram temple here on Wednesday and bowed before the deity.

Kerala Raj Bhawan, in a post on X, said the governor visited the Ram Temple and had a darshan.

"I came to Ayodhya twice in January. The feeling at that time is the same even today. I have come to Ayodhya many times. It is not just a matter of happiness for us, instead it is a matter of pride, that coming to Ayodhya and worshipping Shriram," the governor told reporters.

Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan at Prabhu Shri Ram Temple Ayodhya: PRO KeralaRajBhavan pic.twitter.com/wCzZCSirLt

— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) May 8, 2024

In a video posted on the official X handle of the Kerala Governor showing Mr Khan bowing before the idol of Ram Lalla, the chant 'Jai Shree Ram' could be heard in the background.

"People Of Hyderabad Are Not Cattle": A Owaisi On PM's "Lease" Remark 9 May 2024, 5:39 am

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that Congress and BRS had given Hyderabad "on lease" to AIMIM, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday asserted that the people of Hyderabad are not cattle, adding that they are the citizens, not the property of political parties.

PM Modi on Wednesday trained guns at Congress and BRS and alleged that for all these years, Congress and BRS have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on "lease."

"Modi came to Telangana and said that the Hyderabad seat had been given on lease to Owaisi. The people of Hyderabad are not cattle. We are citizens, not the property of political parties. For forty years, Hyderabad has defeated the evil ideology of Hindutva and entrusted AIMIM. Inshallah, Hindutva will be defeated again," Mr Owaisi posted on X.

He further turned the focus towards electoral funding. Mr Owaisi criticised PM Modi and said, "Modi is bonded to those who gave his party Rs 6,000 crore through electoral bonds. In return, he has leased/sold India's assets to his sponsors."

"Modi appeased them so much that today, 21 people have more wealth than 70 crore Indians in total. Those 21 are his real parivar," he added.

Modi came to Telangana and said that the Hyderabad seat has been given on lease to Owaisi.

The people of Hyderabad are not cattle. We are citizens, not the property of political parties. For forty years, Hyderabad has defeated the evil ideology of Hindutva and entrusted AIMIM.… pic.twitter.com/F5YO1RxsXY

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 8, 2024

Earlier, speaking to ANI, the AIMIM chief claimed that PM Modi is frustrated, adding that AIMIM has been defeating the BJP for 40 years.

"We have been defeating BJP for 40 years...in 2014 and 2019, PM Modi came but AIMIM won here...I want to ask PM, where is the money for PM care funds, in which bank is the electoral bond money?...unemployment and inflation are increasing...this year PM Modi wants to change the constitution so that he can end the reservation. He says that we are infiltrators and our daughters give birth to so many children, this is wrong. Will a Muslim take out the 'Mangalsutra' from a Hindu woman? Prime Minister is frustrated," he added.

On Wednesday, addressing a rally in Telangana's Karimnagar, PM Modi trained guns at Congress and BRS and alleged that for all these years, Congress and BRS have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on "lease."

"For all these years, both these parties (Congress and BRS) have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on lease. If someone has challenged the AIMIM for the first time, it's BJP. More than AIMIM, it's Congress and BRS who are rattled by the challenge from the BJP. Both are helping AIMIM to win in Hyderabad," he added

Madhavi Latha is set to face Asaduddin Owaisi, who is a four-time Lok Sabha MP from the Hyderabad constituency. It is worth mentioning that this is the first time that the BJP has fielded a female candidate from the Hyderabad constituency.

Asaduddin Owaisi, who has served four terms in the Lok Sabha as the elected representative from Hyderabad since 2004, was previously elected as an MLA twice in the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Before Mr Owaisi, who won the seat for the first time in 2004, Hyderabad was represented in the Lok Sabha by his father, Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, from 1984. Apart from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, all assembly seats in Hyderabad, except Goshamahal, are held by the AIMIM.

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven assembly segments--Bahadurpura, Chandrayangutta, Charminar, Goshamahal, Karwan, Malakpet and Yakatpura. All assembly seats, except Goshamahal, are presently held by the AIMIM.

Voting for all 17 seats in Telangana will take place on May 13 in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In the 2019 general election, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won nine seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party four, Congress three and AIMIM one seat.

The BJP had won four seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections out of the 17 at stake in Telangana, namely Secunderabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Adilabad.

Lok Sabha polls are being held across seven phases till June 1 and votes will be counted on June 4.

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

"People Of Hyderabad Are Not Cattle": A Owaisi On PM's "Lease" Remark 9 May 2024, 5:39 am

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that Congress and BRS had given Hyderabad "on lease" to AIMIM, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday asserted that the people of Hyderabad are not cattle, adding that they are the citizens, not the property of political parties.

PM Modi on Wednesday trained guns at Congress and BRS and alleged that for all these years, Congress and BRS have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on "lease."

"Modi came to Telangana and said that the Hyderabad seat had been given on lease to Owaisi. The people of Hyderabad are not cattle. We are citizens, not the property of political parties. For forty years, Hyderabad has defeated the evil ideology of Hindutva and entrusted AIMIM. Inshallah, Hindutva will be defeated again," Mr Owaisi posted on X.

He further turned the focus towards electoral funding. Mr Owaisi criticised PM Modi and said, "Modi is bonded to those who gave his party Rs 6,000 crore through electoral bonds. In return, he has leased/sold India's assets to his sponsors."

"Modi appeased them so much that today, 21 people have more wealth than 70 crore Indians in total. Those 21 are his real parivar," he added.

Modi came to Telangana and said that the Hyderabad seat has been given on lease to Owaisi.

The people of Hyderabad are not cattle. We are citizens, not the property of political parties. For forty years, Hyderabad has defeated the evil ideology of Hindutva and entrusted AIMIM.… pic.twitter.com/F5YO1RxsXY

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 8, 2024

Earlier, speaking to ANI, the AIMIM chief claimed that PM Modi is frustrated, adding that AIMIM has been defeating the BJP for 40 years.

"We have been defeating BJP for 40 years...in 2014 and 2019, PM Modi came but AIMIM won here...I want to ask PM, where is the money for PM care funds, in which bank is the electoral bond money?...unemployment and inflation are increasing...this year PM Modi wants to change the constitution so that he can end the reservation. He says that we are infiltrators and our daughters give birth to so many children, this is wrong. Will a Muslim take out the 'Mangalsutra' from a Hindu woman? Prime Minister is frustrated," he added.

On Wednesday, addressing a rally in Telangana's Karimnagar, PM Modi trained guns at Congress and BRS and alleged that for all these years, Congress and BRS have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on "lease."

"For all these years, both these parties (Congress and BRS) have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on lease. If someone has challenged the AIMIM for the first time, it's BJP. More than AIMIM, it's Congress and BRS who are rattled by the challenge from the BJP. Both are helping AIMIM to win in Hyderabad," he added

Madhavi Latha is set to face Asaduddin Owaisi, who is a four-time Lok Sabha MP from the Hyderabad constituency. It is worth mentioning that this is the first time that the BJP has fielded a female candidate from the Hyderabad constituency.

Asaduddin Owaisi, who has served four terms in the Lok Sabha as the elected representative from Hyderabad since 2004, was previously elected as an MLA twice in the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Before Mr Owaisi, who won the seat for the first time in 2004, Hyderabad was represented in the Lok Sabha by his father, Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, from 1984. Apart from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, all assembly seats in Hyderabad, except Goshamahal, are held by the AIMIM.

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven assembly segments--Bahadurpura, Chandrayangutta, Charminar, Goshamahal, Karwan, Malakpet and Yakatpura. All assembly seats, except Goshamahal, are presently held by the AIMIM.

Voting for all 17 seats in Telangana will take place on May 13 in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In the 2019 general election, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won nine seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party four, Congress three and AIMIM one seat.

The BJP had won four seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections out of the 17 at stake in Telangana, namely Secunderabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Adilabad.

Lok Sabha polls are being held across seven phases till June 1 and votes will be counted on June 4.

Jasmin Bhasin Suffers Lower Back Injury, Shares Her Health Update: 'Did Not Let It Pull Me Down' 9 May 2024, 5:37 am

7 workers shot dead near Pakistan's Gwadar Port 9 May 2024, 5:35 am

Explained: How Record-Breaking Heat Is Impacting Education In Asia 9 May 2024, 5:35 am

Record-breaking heat last month that prompted governments in Asia to close schools offers fresh evidence of how climate change is threatening the education of millions of children.

The arrival of seasonal rains has now brought relief to some parts of the region, but experts warn the broader problem remains, and many countries are poorly prepared to handle the impacts of climate change on schooling.

Asia is warming faster than the global average, and climate change is producing more frequent, longer, and more intense heatwaves.

But heat is not the only challenge.

A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which can result in heavy rains and flooding.

This can damage schools or put them out of commission while they are used as shelters.

Hot weather can also drive wildfires and spikes in air pollution, which have caused school closures everywhere from India to Australia.

"The climate crisis is already a reality for children in East Asia and Pacific," the UN children's agency UNICEF warned last year.

Mohua Akter Nur, 13, is living proof of that claim, sweltering in a one-room home in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after her school closed.

Intermittent electricity means she cannot even rely on a fan to cool the cramped dwelling.

"The heat is intolerable," she told AFP last month.

"Our school is shut, but I can't study at home."

Poorest hit hardest

April marked the 11th straight month of record global heat, and the pattern is clear in Bangladesh, said Shumon Sengupta, country director for NGO Save the Children.

"Not only are the temperatures higher, the duration of the high temperatures is much longer," he told AFP.

"Previously, few areas used to have these heatwaves, now the coverage of the country is much higher," he added.

Schools across much of Asia are simply not equipped to deal with the growing consequences of climate change.

Bangladesh's urban schools can be sturdy, but are often overcrowded, with little ventilation, said Sengupta.

In rural areas, corrugated metal roofs can turn classrooms into ovens, and electricity for fans is unreliable.

In Bangladesh and elsewhere, students often walk long distances to and from school, risking heatstroke in the process.

But closing schools comes with serious consequences, "particularly for children from poorer, vulnerable communities who do not have access to resources such as computers, internet and books," said Salwa Aleryani, UNICEF's health specialist for East Asia and the Pacific.

Those children "are also less likely to have better conditions at home to protect them during heatwaves".

They may be left unsupervised by parents who cannot afford to stay home, and school closures put children at higher risk of child labour, child marriage and even trafficking, said Sengupta.

'Wake up to this'

Climate change also threatens schooling indirectly.

UNICEF research in Myanmar found that crop shortages caused by rising temperatures and unpredictable rain caused families to pull children from school to help with work or because they could no longer afford fees.

Some wealthy countries in the region have taken steps to protect children's education in the face of a changing climate.

In Japan, fewer than half of all public schools had air conditioning in 2018, but that figure jumped to over 95 percent by 2022 after a series of heatwaves.

Not all impacts can be mitigated, however, even in developed economies.

Australian authorities have repeatedly closed schools because of wildfires, and research has found long-term impacts on learning among students whose communities were worst affected.

Developing countries in the region need help to invest in upgrading infrastructure, said Sengupta, but the only real solution to the crisis lies in tackling the root cause: climate change.

"It's very important for government and policymakers to really, really wake up on this," he said.

"The climate crisis is a child crisis. Adults are causing the crisis, but it's children who are impacted the most."

Virat is best batter of this generation, deserves World Cup medal: Yuvraj 9 May 2024, 5:34 am

Packaged Snacks, Fizzy Drinks Shorten Lifespan, Claims 30-Year-Long Study 9 May 2024, 5:33 am

Love to binge on packaged baked goods and snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals, and ready-to-eat or heat foods? Beware, it can cut short your lifespan and raise the risk of early death, according to a 30-year-long study published in the journal The BMJ on Thursday.

The risk is because ultra-processed foods often contain colours, emulsifiers, flavours, and other additives and are typically high in energy, added sugar, saturated fat, and salt, but lack vitamins and fibre -- leading to poor health, and raising the risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, which can further raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

For the study, an international team of researchers including from the US, Brazil, and China, tracked the long-term health of 74,563 female registered nurses from 11 US states between 1984 and 2018; and 39,501 male health professionals from all 50 US states from 1986 to 2018 with no history of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes.

The results revealed that eating an average of 7 servings per day of ultra-processed foods caused a 4 per cent higher risk of total deaths and a 9 per cent higher risk of other deaths, including an 8 per cent higher risk of neurodegenerative deaths.

The rate of death from any cause among participants in this group was 1,536 per 100,000 person-years.

Further, eating meat, poultry, and seafood-based ready-to-eat products showed the strongest risk of early death, followed by sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, dairy-based desserts, and ultra-processed breakfast food.

Even though this is an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, “the findings provide support for limiting consumption of certain types of ultra-processed food for long-term health,” said the researchers.

“Future studies are warranted to improve the classification of ultra-processed foods and confirm our findings in other populations,” they added.

Opinion: Opinion | Ashoka University Protests: On Casteism And Appeals Against It 9 May 2024, 5:33 am

The students of Ashoka University, a private university in Haryana, have allegedly raised casteist slogans. Roughly translated from Hindi to English, these slogans call for a caste census at the university, the end of the supremacy of priestly and mercantile classes, and the end of casteism. They also salute and praise a historical anti-casteist visionary and statesman, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, by chanting 'Jai Bhim'.  

The labelling of these slogans as casteist is as ironic as calling Dr. Ambedkar casteist. The attention to anti-casteism can sometimes paradoxically appear as casteist. Therefore, it is imperative to exercise discernment and differentiate between the brute forces of casteism and humble appeals to anti-casteism. 

Step away from caste for a moment. In a 1992 book titled In My Father's House, British American philosopher and writer Anthony Appiah provocatively called a famous American civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois 'racist'. This provocation must be placed and understood in a larger context of Appiah's argument, dismantling the biological, historical, and sociological constructs of race. Appiah argues that there's no such thing as race. Therefore, to Appiah, any and every engagement with race, including affirmative action, is racist and a pernicious advancement of racism. 

On Caste-Based Quota

This is similar to one of the earliest constitutional challenges to caste-based reservation quotas in India. Champakam Dorairajan had decried such quotas for admitting students into engineering colleges, seeing them as caste-discriminatory. The Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of Champakam Dorairajan and, along the lines of Article 29(2), held that public educational institutions cannot deny admission "on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them". This juridical anomaly was set right by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951. Among other amendments, Article 15(4) was inserted to clarify that the state can make "provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribe". Therefore, every invocation of caste should not be seen as discriminatory or casteist. Caste-based affirmative actions, especially, are decidedly anti-casteist. 

It is important to note that even the protesting students of Ashoka, among other slogans, are calling for affirmative action in their private university settings. To characterise this expression of students as casteist would be as grave a mistake as it would be to characterise Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution of India as casteist.

Higher Education In India

Just as with other systems of oppression, like patriarchy (Purush Pradhaanta), the English translations of Brahmanvad and Baniyavad could spark lengthy discussions. However, when these terms are incorporated into the students' slogans, it signifies a profound understanding of the systems of oppression perpetuated by the priestly and mercantile classes, both consciously and unconsciously. The caste-specific nature of these slogans gains further significance in light of the students' demand for a caste census.

Implicit in their demand is an understanding of the selective caste composition of higher educationists in India, which is dominated by Brahmins (priestly classes). Private university settings further appear to be caste-based collaborations and are seen as promoting commercial interests (of the mercantile classes) and claims to "intellectual" prowess (of the priestly classes). A caste census has the potential to validate or invalidate these perceptions. 

Caginess About A Caste Census

Similar to the caginess of the Central government, there appears to be a caginess regarding a caste census in private university settings too. Perhaps the authorities, governments and private university administrations fear what these censuses might reveal. Maybe they are afraid that there might be some truth to the students' sloganeering. 

False allegations of casteism are discursive strategies for quelling student protests. As public educators, we are responsible for fostering the intellectual abilities of young minds, responding to their queries in meaningful ways, and advancing the mandate of higher education. 

(Prof. Dr. Sumit Baudh (they/ he) teaches constitutional law. Views in this opinion are personal and informed by their comparative understanding of Critical Race Theory. )

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Opinion: Opinion: Sub-Grouping SCs | 'Prioritise', Not Prefer, Treating More Injured 9 May 2024, 5:32 am

Consider a hypothetical situation. You come across two injured and parched people. One is more severely injured than the other. You have a small bottle of water that will only suffice for one. Who will you give this water to?

Unlike physical injuries such as bruises, lacerations and burns, injuries caused by discrimination may not be visible to the naked eye. It is hard to figure out who is injured, and in what ways. Among other things, empirical exercises such as censuses are helpful in viewing the aggregate effects of discrimination. The census of 2021 remains suspended, and the need for a caste census is selectively realised in the state of Bihar. Yet, statistical information is not the sole basis for state action. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary are frequently called upon to make decisions on matters of reservation and other forms of affirmative action. 

Reservations Are Not 'Exceptions'

Judges have long delved into the doctrinal justifications for caste-based reservations since early days of the Supreme Court's decision in the State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951). These justifications have invoked constitutional ideas of a welfare state, equality, non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and adequate representation. Non-discrimination has been often invoked in opposition to reservations. In a paradox of sorts, this opposition views all caste-based reservations as fundamentally discriminatory. At the very best, begrudgingly or graciously, as a charitable concession perhaps, this opposition accepts reservations as an "exception" to the principle of equality. 

On the other hand, it has taken an exceptionally large bench of nine Supreme Court judges in Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India (1992), to clarify that reservations are not exceptions but provisions of equality. The doctrinal understanding of affirmative action in the US has taken similarly dialectical positions. The more avid supporters of affirmative action characterise it as a remedy against discrimination; other supporters characterise it as an exception to the anti-discrimination doctrine, while the opposition characterise affirmative action as an unjustifiable "preferential treatment".

An impugned legislation currently pending adjudication appears to have lapsed into the framework of preference. Section 4(5) of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006 provides "a first preference" to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs in 50% of the quota reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC). A five-judge constitution bench in E.V. Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh (2004) had disallowed such subclassification because it was considered manipulation of the originally notified list of the SC. Now, the fate of the impugned provision hangs in the hands of a larger seven-judge constitutional bench.

The 'Creamy Layer' Debate

The word 'preference' has invoked corresponding ideas of preferential treatment that are inimical to the doctrinal foundations of reservations. It invokes the same dialectical positions previously raised between the reserved categories of the SC and the unreserved General categories. Only now must the so-called preferential treatment be justified within the SC categories, setting intense intra-group rivalries among the SCs. Troubling questions arise over who is more discriminated against, more dehumanised, subordinated, marginalised, disadvantaged, oppressed, silenced, erased, and victimised.

It opens the Pandora's box of "creamy layer", a juridical invention of Indra Sawhney (1992) that sought to distinguish a relatively better-off segment among the Backward Classes (BC) from the actual backward classes-leading to wide intra-group resentment and contestations. Similarly divisive sentiments are now being raised among anti-caste Dalit groups. Some SC groups invoke their experiences of caste-based "untouchability" as a distinguishing factor from the BC, thereby rendering the idea of a creamy layer inapplicable to the SC.

On the other hand, Justice Gavai has pointed to internal hierarchies and historical practices of "untouchability" among the SC groups. He reportedly said, "Were they (scavengers) not untouchables amongst the untouchables?" This slippery slope will raise more questions about the caste-specificity in the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, such that the SC persons cannot be perpetrators of offences (under Section 3 thereof) against other SC persons.  

On Substantive Equality

This conundrum is, inadvertently and partly, an offshoot of the preferential treatment discourse. In the first instance, it could have been avoided by substituting the word 'preference' with priority in the Punjab Act. It would only be a minor discursive strategy, a sidestepping of sorts. It would not make a substantial difference.

As Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has obliquely hinted, the existing jurisprudence on substantive equality in India is robust enough to uphold the constitutionality of sub-classification of SC groups. 

In conclusion, to answer the hypothetical question at the start of this opinion, if I were a functionary of the state, I would give respite to the one who is more severely injured. I would do this as a reasoned prioritising (of scarce resources), not as a whimsical preference of one subordinate group over another.

(Prof. Dr. Sumit Baudh (they/ he) teaches constitutional law. Views in this opinion are informed by their comparative understanding of Critical Race Theory. He can be reached on X @BaudhSumit)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author.

"Leave Her Alone": Fans After Mom-To-Be Deepika Blocks Pap's Camera 9 May 2024, 5:32 am

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who are expecting their first child together, were spotted in Mumbai on Wednesday. Now, several videos of the couple are going viral on the Internet. In a clip, Ranveer and Deepika can be seen heading towards their car. But it turns out that soon-to-be-mom was in no mood to get clicked. We say this, as the video shows Deepika blocking the camera with her palm. The video was shared by a paparazzo account on Instagram. The note read, “Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in a mischievous mood with fans as they get clicked in Mumbai recently.” It seems that the video has failed to win hearts online. A few fans, in the comments section, requested paps to maintain their privacy. A comment read, “Why are you posting it when we see that she doesn't want it to be photographed?”

Another fan wrote: “DP (Deepika Padukone) doesn't seem happy to be papped! Respect her privacy!”

A few supported Deepika Padukone's action of blocking the camera. A user wrote, “Yes, Deepika…that's how Indian media should be treated…enough is enough.”

Another commented, “Leave her alone during pregnancy. It's her wish to get photographed or not.”

“Stop violating people's privacy for your two seconds of fame,” commented a user.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani)

Before this, a viral photo surfaced on Reddit featuring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. In the snapshot, Deepika's subtle baby bump was noticeable as the couple descended a staircase, despite the image being slightly blurred. Sharing the picture on Reddit, a fan captioned it, "In Deepika and Ranveer's recent picture, Deepika's tiny baby bump is quite visible." Needless to say, the internet also showered love on the picture.

A fan wrote, "The little bump -May God bless her, them, and their little one, and may they be protected from the evil eyes. And the rumours and speculations about her pregnancy can now be put to rest. She's been spotted, and her baby bump is clearly visible." Another user commented, "God bless this couple!" Another comment read, "May god bless them." The Reddit users assumed that the photo was clicked at one of their vacations.

In Deepika and Ranveer's recent picture, Deepika's tiny baby bump is quite visible.
byu/Prestigious_Bus7241 inBollyBlindsNGossip

Meanwhile, on the work front, both Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will soon be seen in Rohit Shetty's Singham 3 alongside Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Tiger Shroff and Akshay Kumar.

Additionally, Deepika Padukone will also share the screen space with Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Hasaan in Kalki 2898 AD.

"Leave Her Alone": Fans After Mom-To-Be Deepika Blocks Pap's Camera 9 May 2024, 5:32 am

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who are expecting their first child together, were spotted in Mumbai on Wednesday. Now, several videos of the couple are going viral on the Internet. In a clip, Ranveer and Deepika can be seen heading towards their car. But it turns out that soon-to-be-mom was in no mood to get clicked. We say this, as the video shows Deepika blocking the camera with her palm. The video was shared by a paparazzo account on Instagram. The note read, “Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in a mischievous mood with fans as they get clicked in Mumbai recently.” It seems that the video has failed to win hearts online. A few fans, in the comments section, requested paps to maintain their privacy. A comment read, “Why are you posting it when we see that she doesn't want it to be photographed?”

Another fan wrote: “DP (Deepika Padukone) doesn't seem happy to be papped! Respect her privacy!”

A few supported Deepika Padukone's action of blocking the camera. A user wrote, “Yes, Deepika…that's how Indian media should be treated…enough is enough.”

Another commented, “Leave her alone during pregnancy. It's her wish to get photographed or not.”

“Stop violating people's privacy for your two seconds of fame,” commented a user.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani)

Before this, a viral photo surfaced on Reddit featuring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. In the snapshot, Deepika's subtle baby bump was noticeable as the couple descended a staircase, despite the image being slightly blurred. Sharing the picture on Reddit, a fan captioned it, "In Deepika and Ranveer's recent picture, Deepika's tiny baby bump is quite visible." Needless to say, the internet also showered love on the picture.

A fan wrote, "The little bump -May God bless her, them, and their little one, and may they be protected from the evil eyes. And the rumours and speculations about her pregnancy can now be put to rest. She's been spotted, and her baby bump is clearly visible." Another user commented, "God bless this couple!" Another comment read, "May god bless them." The Reddit users assumed that the photo was clicked at one of their vacations.

In Deepika and Ranveer's recent picture, Deepika's tiny baby bump is quite visible.
byu/Prestigious_Bus7241 inBollyBlindsNGossip

Meanwhile, on the work front, both Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will soon be seen in Rohit Shetty's Singham 3 alongside Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Tiger Shroff and Akshay Kumar.

Additionally, Deepika Padukone will also share the screen space with Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Hasaan in Kalki 2898 AD.

'Looking forward to ...': Maldives foreign minister arrives in India amid strained ties 9 May 2024, 5:27 am

TBO Tek IPO Receives Over 2 Times Subscription: Should You Subscribe? Check GMP Today 9 May 2024, 5:27 am

GSEB Gujarat Board HSC Result 2024: 82.45% Students Pass In Science Stream 9 May 2024, 5:25 am

Gujarat Board GSEB 12th HSC Result: The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) has declared the results of the Class 12 exams 2024 for the Science and general streams. The results can be accessed on the official website, gseb.org.

This year, 127 schools recorded a 100 per cent result, whereas in 2023, only 27 schools achieved the same. A total of 1,034 students achieved an A1 grade, and 8,983 students secured A2 grade.

The Gujarat Board Class 12 exams were held between March 11 and March 26 for all streams, including Science and general.

A total of 82.45 per cent of students passed in the Science stream, marking an increase from the previous year's 65.58 per cent. Similarly, the general stream witnessed a pass rate of 91.93 per cent, a significant rise from 73.27 per cent in March 2023.

Banchhanidhi Pani, Chairman of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB), expressed satisfaction with this year's results, noting, "This year's result is good. We have achieved a result of 82.45%, which is a significant increase of 17-18% compared to the previous year. Previously, only 27 schools achieved a 100% result, whereas this year, the number has risen to 127 schools. Additionally, 1,034 students obtained an A1 grade, while 8,983 students secured A2 grade."

GSEB Gujarat Board HSC Result 2024: Steps To Check

• Visit the official website, gseb.org.
• Navigate to the "Examination Results" section on the homepage.
• Select "Senior Secondary Annual Examination 2024."
• Choose respective subjects and input the roll number and roll code in the designated fields.
• Upon clicking 'submit', the scorecard will appear on the screen.
• Download and save the scorecard for future reference.

The board exams for Class 12 were held at 192 centres for commerce papers and 74 centres for science papers.

In 2023, a total of 65.58 per cent of students had passed the Gujarat Board Class 12 exam. English medium students had outperformed Gujarati medium students with a pass rate of 67.18 per cent. Gujarati medium students clearing the HSC Science stream stands at 65.32 per cent.

"Horrible, Disgusting": Internet Blasts LSG Owner Over Chat With KL Rahul 9 May 2024, 5:24 am

Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a display of pure aggressive batting as Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma guided them to a massive 10-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 166, SRH did not lose a single wicket and completed the chase in just 9.4 overs. It was a big loss for LSG who were dealt a massive blow in their IPL 2024 playoff race. Following the match, LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka was caught on camera having a fiery chat with Rahul - something that has left the social media fuming. The video of the incident went viral and a lot of social media users were not pleased with the treatment from Goenka towards the LSG captain after the loss.

"Am lost for words. We have watched that kind of batting on tv. But this is unreal batting. Everything seemed to find the middle of the bat. Kudos to their skills. They have worked hard on their six hitting skills. They didn't give us a chance to know what the pitch played in the second innings."

Sanjiv Goenka behaving so rude on KL Rahul in public infront of Cameras for the loss .

KLR should come out of this Shit franchise

Horrible. Disgusting. Pathetic. #SRHvLSG | #KLRahul | #SamPitroda pic.twitter.com/owiyOWr31K

— ஷிபின் Shibin ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@Shibin_twitz) May 9, 2024

"Was hard to stop them as they teed off from ball one. Once you are on the losing side, there are questions marks on the decisions taken. We were 40-50 runs short. When we lost wickets in the powerplay, we couldn't get any momentum. Ayush and Nicky batted well to get us to 166. But even if we would have got 240, they could have chased it as well," Rahul said after the match.

Highly unprofessional and undignified behaviour by LSG owner Goenka towards captain #KLRahul. There are dignified way to express criticism and unhappiness. #TravisHead is in completely different mode, no one can stop him. #SRHvsLSG #LSGvsSRHpic.twitter.com/nPqTG88jie

— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) May 9, 2024

Unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour of Goenka with talented #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/iDWVtjiSpt

— Ashish (@error040290) May 9, 2024

Money can't teach you Manners.

Leaders compliment in public and criticize in private.

Unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour of #Goenka with #KLRahul

Just imagine the level of humiliation and embarassment his employees must be facing. #SRHvLSG
pic.twitter.com/fuRcHLB6WR

— Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) May 9, 2024

After this public spat under cameras, I'm sure that KL Rahul is leaving LSG next year. Fine big money's riding in IPL and understand the frustration as an owner but it speaks volumes about Sanjiv Goenka as a boss!!

Never do your dirty laundry in public pic.twitter.com/ilKV8UltDb

— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) May 8, 2024

SRH captain Pat Cummins was also left stunned by his team's performance.

"On did he change the pitch) Maybe Travis and Abhishek did. We just let them go, they are two guys who are very positive and I'm a bowler, it is tough for me to give them any inputs. (On Travis Head) He's been like this for 2 years, he hits the tough areas, hits the middle a lot, might not be super conventional. (On Abhishek Sharma) Just an incredible player of spin and pace. With just 2 fielders out, it is really difficult for the bowlers against them. (On where the game is headed) I think the scores have gone up, and when the wickets are good, it is tough to come up with answers against batters when they get going. The boys have had a fantastic season, but to win this with less than 10 overs played is unreal," he said.

Vijay Deverakonda-Dil Raju Film's New Poster Out On Actor's 35th Birthday; See Here 9 May 2024, 5:24 am

"Horrible, Disgusting": Internet Blasts LSG Owner Over Chat With KL Rahul 9 May 2024, 5:24 am

Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a display of pure aggressive batting as Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma guided them to a massive 10-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 166, SRH did not lose a single wicket and completed the chase in just 9.4 overs. It was a big loss for LSG who were dealt a massive blow in their IPL 2024 playoff race. Following the match, LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka was caught on camera having a fiery chat with Rahul - something that has left the social media fuming. The video of the incident went viral and a lot of social media users were not pleased with the treatment from Goenka towards the LSG captain after the loss.

"Am lost for words. We have watched that kind of batting on tv. But this is unreal batting. Everything seemed to find the middle of the bat. Kudos to their skills. They have worked hard on their six hitting skills. They didn't give us a chance to know what the pitch played in the second innings."

Sanjiv Goenka behaving so rude on KL Rahul in public infront of Cameras for the loss .

KLR should come out of this Shit franchise

Horrible. Disgusting. Pathetic. #SRHvLSG | #KLRahul | #SamPitroda pic.twitter.com/owiyOWr31K

— ஷிபின் Shibin ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@Shibin_twitz) May 9, 2024

"Was hard to stop them as they teed off from ball one. Once you are on the losing side, there are questions marks on the decisions taken. We were 40-50 runs short. When we lost wickets in the powerplay, we couldn't get any momentum. Ayush and Nicky batted well to get us to 166. But even if we would have got 240, they could have chased it as well," Rahul said after the match.

Highly unprofessional and undignified behaviour by LSG owner Goenka towards captain #KLRahul. There are dignified way to express criticism and unhappiness. #TravisHead is in completely different mode, no one can stop him. #SRHvsLSG #LSGvsSRHpic.twitter.com/nPqTG88jie

— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) May 9, 2024

Unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour of Goenka with talented #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/iDWVtjiSpt

— Ashish (@error040290) May 9, 2024

Money can't teach you Manners.

Leaders compliment in public and criticize in private.

Unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour of #Goenka with #KLRahul

Just imagine the level of humiliation and embarassment his employees must be facing. #SRHvLSG
pic.twitter.com/fuRcHLB6WR

— Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) May 9, 2024

After this public spat under cameras, I'm sure that KL Rahul is leaving LSG next year. Fine big money's riding in IPL and understand the frustration as an owner but it speaks volumes about Sanjiv Goenka as a boss!!

Never do your dirty laundry in public pic.twitter.com/ilKV8UltDb

— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) May 8, 2024

SRH captain Pat Cummins was also left stunned by his team's performance.

"On did he change the pitch) Maybe Travis and Abhishek did. We just let them go, they are two guys who are very positive and I'm a bowler, it is tough for me to give them any inputs. (On Travis Head) He's been like this for 2 years, he hits the tough areas, hits the middle a lot, might not be super conventional. (On Abhishek Sharma) Just an incredible player of spin and pace. With just 2 fielders out, it is really difficult for the bowlers against them. (On where the game is headed) I think the scores have gone up, and when the wickets are good, it is tough to come up with answers against batters when they get going. The boys have had a fantastic season, but to win this with less than 10 overs played is unreal," he said.

US aims to destabilise India during Lok Sabha elections 2024, claims Russia 9 May 2024, 5:23 am

Sydney Council's Ban On Same-Sex Parenting Books In Libraries Sparks Uproar 9 May 2024, 5:18 am

A Sydney council has voted to ban same-sex parenting books from local libraries, sparking discrimination and censorship concerns. According to The Guardian, at a meeting last week, the Cumberland City Council in western Sydney voted on a new plan for its eight libraries. The amendment, put forward by the former mayor and current councillor Steve Christou, proposed that the council take immediate action to remove same-sex parenting books and materials from its library services. He cited public complaints about the book to push for their removal. 

During the meeting, Mr Christou displayed a book titled 'Same-Sex Parents' by Holly Duhig and claimed that it had distressed parents due to its placement in the children's section of the library. "We're going to make it clear tonight that ... these kind of books, same-sex parents books, don't find their way to our kids," he said," as per The Guardian. 

"Our kids shouldn't be sexualised.. This community is a very religious community, a very family-orientated community. They don't want such controversial issues going against their beliefs indoctrinated to their libraries. This is not Marrickville or Newtown, this is Cumberland city council," Mr Christou continued. 

The former mayor added that toddlers shouldn't be "exposed" to same-sex content and that the proposed amendment was "for the protection and safety of our children"."Hands off our kids," he repeated. 

The council's decision to ban same-sex parenting books has prompted discussions about representing diverse families in library collections. The New South Wales government has warned that the move could be a breach of the state's Anti-Discrimination Act. Cumberland mayor Lisa Lake said she was "appalled" and "saddened" by the move. She noted that the content of the book, as with others in the series, was "age appropriate" and did not include any sexual content.

"I think it's a serious issue about censorship," she said, as per The Independent. "It's important that information is available to anyone who wants to look at that information," she added. 

Also read | Video: Fight Breaks Out Mid-Flight On Eva Air After Passenger Attempts To Steal Seat

Auburn MP Lynda Voltz has asked the NSW arts minister, John Graham, to look at the matter. "I am greatly concerned at the decision of Cumberland council and believe that it may possibly risk breaching the guidelines for funding of libraries and may also be in breach of the Anti-Discrimination Act," she said, as per The Guardian.

"The overwhelming majority of the people in Auburn will tell you that everyone is welcome and we pride ourselves on being a peaceful and friendly community," she added. 

Separately, speaking on the matter, John Graham emphasised that it should be up to readers to choose which books they pick from the shelves. "When civilisations turn to book burning books or banning books it is a very bad sign. That is equally true for local councils," he said. 

"We are examining the consequences this decision may have for the council continuing to receive library funding from the NSW government," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Christou clarified that the move was not targeted at the LGBTQ+ community but towards any books that promoted "sexualising". 

Sydney Council's Ban On Same-Sex Parenting Books In Libraries Sparks Uproar 9 May 2024, 5:18 am

A Sydney council has voted to ban same-sex parenting books from local libraries, sparking discrimination and censorship concerns. According to The Guardian, at a meeting last week, the Cumberland City Council in western Sydney voted on a new plan for its eight libraries. The amendment, put forward by the former mayor and current councillor Steve Christou, proposed that the council take immediate action to remove same-sex parenting books and materials from its library services. He cited public complaints about the book to push for their removal. 

During the meeting, Mr Christou displayed a book titled 'Same-Sex Parents' by Holly Duhig and claimed that it had distressed parents due to its placement in the children's section of the library. "We're going to make it clear tonight that ... these kind of books, same-sex parents books, don't find their way to our kids," he said," as per The Guardian. 

"Our kids shouldn't be sexualised.. This community is a very religious community, a very family-orientated community. They don't want such controversial issues going against their beliefs indoctrinated to their libraries. This is not Marrickville or Newtown, this is Cumberland city council," Mr Christou continued. 

The former mayor added that toddlers shouldn't be "exposed" to same-sex content and that the proposed amendment was "for the protection and safety of our children"."Hands off our kids," he repeated. 

The council's decision to ban same-sex parenting books has prompted discussions about representing diverse families in library collections. The New South Wales government has warned that the move could be a breach of the state's Anti-Discrimination Act. Cumberland mayor Lisa Lake said she was "appalled" and "saddened" by the move. She noted that the content of the book, as with others in the series, was "age appropriate" and did not include any sexual content.

"I think it's a serious issue about censorship," she said, as per The Independent. "It's important that information is available to anyone who wants to look at that information," she added. 

Also read | Video: Fight Breaks Out Mid-Flight On Eva Air After Passenger Attempts To Steal Seat

Auburn MP Lynda Voltz has asked the NSW arts minister, John Graham, to look at the matter. "I am greatly concerned at the decision of Cumberland council and believe that it may possibly risk breaching the guidelines for funding of libraries and may also be in breach of the Anti-Discrimination Act," she said, as per The Guardian.

"The overwhelming majority of the people in Auburn will tell you that everyone is welcome and we pride ourselves on being a peaceful and friendly community," she added. 

Separately, speaking on the matter, John Graham emphasised that it should be up to readers to choose which books they pick from the shelves. "When civilisations turn to book burning books or banning books it is a very bad sign. That is equally true for local councils," he said. 

"We are examining the consequences this decision may have for the council continuing to receive library funding from the NSW government," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Christou clarified that the move was not targeted at the LGBTQ+ community but towards any books that promoted "sexualising". 

These Snakes Put On Award-Winning Death Show To Fool Predators 9 May 2024, 5:16 am

Golem Grad Island in North Macedonia is home to a type of snake known as the dice snake, characterised by its patterned scales. These snakes have a unique defence mechanism when faced with predators. When grabbed, they put on an elaborate show: they writhe around, emit a strong odour of musk and faeces, and sometimes even appear to bleed from their mouths, all while going completely limp with their tongues hanging out.

Recent research published in Biology Letters suggests that this dramatic display may help the snakes survive. Just as actors use props like fake blood to make scenes more believable, these snakes seem to use their foul-smelling fluids to enhance their performance of death.

This behaviour, known as thanatosis, or playing dead, is observed in various animals, from insects to mammals. Opossums are particularly famous for their convincing portrayal of being dead.

To confirm this hypothesis, researchers tested 263 dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) directly in the field. They noted the occurrence of smearing faeces and musk.

"Our results highlight the functional integration of antipredator behaviours across different phases of predator-prey interactions, emphasising the need for future research to prioritise studying the sequential display of behaviours," researchers said.

For animals employing this strategy, the stakes are high. While playing dead can confuse or repulse predators, giving the animal a chance to escape, it's also risky. The success of the tactic hinges on the animal's ability to remain perfectly still while in close proximity to a predator, which can be quite challenging. The study suggests that the more realistic the performance, the less time the snake has to spend vulnerable while playing dead.

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Explained: Why US Is Stopping Bomb Shipments To Israel 9 May 2024, 5:07 am

The United States has suspended a shipment of weapons to Israel, including heavy bombs the U.S. ally used in its campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.

The suspension comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues a military assault on the Palestinian city of Rafah, over the objections of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Here's what we know so far

WHAT BOMBS WERE BLOCKED? 

Washington paused one shipment consisting of 1,800 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to U.S. officials.

Four sources said the shipments, which have been delayed for at least two weeks, involved Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions, which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided ones, as well as Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-1). The SDB-1 is a precision guided glide bomb that packs 250 pounds of explosive. 

They were part of an earlier approved shipment to Israel, not the recent $95 billion supplemental aid package the U.S. Congress passed in April.

WHY IS THE U.S. BLOCKING THESE BOMBS? 

The U.S. is reviewing "near term security assistance," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing on Wednesday "in the context of unfolding events in Rafah."

"We've been very clear...from the very beginning that Israel shouldn't launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace," Austin said. More than one million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter in Rafah, many previously displaced from other parts of Gaza following Israel's orders to evacuate from there. 

The U.S. decision was taken due to concerns about the "end-use of the 2,000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza," said a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. had carefully reviewed the delivery of weapons that might be used in Rafah, the official said.

WHEN WAS THE DECISION MADE? WAS BIDEN INVOLVED? 

The decision was made last week, U.S. officials said. Biden was directly involved. 

WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE CAN 2,000-POUND BOMBS CAUSE?    

Large bombs like 2,000-pound bombs have an impact over a wide area. According to the United Nations, "The pressure from the explosion can rupture lungs, burst sinus cavities and tear off limbs hundreds of meters from the blast site."

The International Commission for the Red Cross in a 2022 reports the use of wide area explosives in a densely populated area "is very likely to have indiscriminate effects or violate the principle of proportionality."

WHAT WAS ISRAEL'S RESPONSE? 

Israel denies targeting Palestinian civilians, saying its sole interest is to annihilate Hamas and that it takes all precautions to avoid unnecessary death. 

After the news broke Tuesday in Washington, a senior Israeli official declined to confirm the report. "If we have to fight with our fingernails, then we'll do what we have to do," the source said. A military spokesperson said any disagreements were resolved in private.

WERE THESE BOMBS LEGAL FOR ISRAEL TO USE IN GAZA?

That is a matter of heated debate. 

International humanitarian law does not explicitly ban aerial bombing in densely populated areas, however civilians cannot be targets and a specific military aim must be proportionate to possible civilian casualties or damage. 

WHAT DOES THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT SAY?

The statute of the International Criminal Court, which is investigating the Israel-Gaza war, lists as a war crime intentionally launching an attack when it is known that civilian death or damage will be "clearly excessive" compared to any direct military advantage.

Explained: How Record-Breaking Heat Is Impacting Education In Asia 9 May 2024, 5:07 am

Record-breaking heat last month that prompted governments in Asia to close schools offers fresh evidence of how climate change is threatening the education of millions of children.

The arrival of seasonal rains has now brought relief to some parts of the region, but experts warn the broader problem remains, and many countries are poorly prepared to handle the impacts of climate change on schooling.

Asia is warming faster than the global average, and climate change is producing more frequent, longer, and more intense heatwaves.

But heat is not the only challenge.

A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which can result in heavy rains and flooding.

This can damage schools or put them out of commission while they are used as shelters.

Hot weather can also drive wildfires and spikes in air pollution, which have caused school closures everywhere from India to Australia.

"The climate crisis is already a reality for children in East Asia and Pacific," the UN children's agency UNICEF warned last year.

Mohua Akter Nur, 13, is living proof of that claim, sweltering in a one-room home in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after her school closed.

Intermittent electricity means she cannot even rely on a fan to cool the cramped dwelling.

"The heat is intolerable," she told AFP last month.

"Our school is shut, but I can't study at home."

Poorest hit hardest

April marked the 11th straight month of record global heat, and the pattern is clear in Bangladesh, said Shumon Sengupta, country director for NGO Save the Children.

"Not only are the temperatures higher, the duration of the high temperatures is much longer," he told AFP.

"Previously, few areas used to have these heatwaves, now the coverage of the country is much higher," he added.

Schools across much of Asia are simply not equipped to deal with the growing consequences of climate change.

Bangladesh's urban schools can be sturdy, but are often overcrowded, with little ventilation, said Sengupta.

In rural areas, corrugated metal roofs can turn classrooms into ovens, and electricity for fans is unreliable.

In Bangladesh and elsewhere, students often walk long distances to and from school, risking heatstroke in the process.

But closing schools comes with serious consequences, "particularly for children from poorer, vulnerable communities who do not have access to resources such as computers, internet and books," said Salwa Aleryani, UNICEF's health specialist for East Asia and the Pacific.

Those children "are also less likely to have better conditions at home to protect them during heatwaves".

They may be left unsupervised by parents who cannot afford to stay home, and school closures put children at higher risk of child labour, child marriage and even trafficking, said Sengupta.

'Wake up to this'

Climate change also threatens schooling indirectly.

UNICEF research in Myanmar found that crop shortages caused by rising temperatures and unpredictable rain caused families to pull children from school to help with work or because they could no longer afford fees.

Some wealthy countries in the region have taken steps to protect children's education in the face of a changing climate.

In Japan, fewer than half of all public schools had air conditioning in 2018, but that figure jumped to over 95 percent by 2022 after a series of heatwaves.

Not all impacts can be mitigated, however, even in developed economies.

Australian authorities have repeatedly closed schools because of wildfires, and research has found long-term impacts on learning among students whose communities were worst affected.

Developing countries in the region need help to invest in upgrading infrastructure, said Sengupta, but the only real solution to the crisis lies in tackling the root cause: climate change.

"It's very important for government and policymakers to really, really wake up on this," he said.

"The climate crisis is a child crisis. Adults are causing the crisis, but it's children who are impacted the most."

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

'Will Keep Fighting Till Last Breath...': BSP Leader Akash Anand’s First Post After Sacked As Mayawati’s 'Successor' 9 May 2024, 5:03 am

Assam Officer Alleges "Mental Harassment" By Senior Official During Poll Duty 9 May 2024, 5:03 am

A circle officer of Assam has filed a police complaint against the Nalbari District Commissioner (DC), accusing the superior official of "mental harassment, public humiliation and threatening" during election duty.

Responding to the complaint, Nalbari DC Varnali Deka alleged that Paschim Nalbari Circle Officer (CO) Arpana Sarmah "neglected" her duty and "abandoned" the central election management site, set up at Government Gurdon Higher Secondary School, at 2 am without completing her job.

Voting in Nalbari district, which is a part of Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency, took place in the third phase on Tuesday.

In her complaint, Sarmah alleged that she was entrusted with the responsibility of the issue and receipt counter of Tihu assembly and the order for that was issued on WhatsApp during the day itself.

"We were not briefed about anything about who was dealing with labour management etc," she said, alleging that there was no briefing while issuing the election materials on Monday too.

Sarmah claimed in her complaint that the received materials were not carried back to designated places because of non-availability of labourers post-midnight after polling officials returned from their respective booths.

"...when materials of only around seven polling stations of Tihu LAC were to be collected after 1 am, DC ma'am came and humiliated me and used slang words in front of officials. She tried to humiliate me on the ground that the trunks were still not taken to the designated places by labours," she added.

According to the complaint, Deka continued to "abuse" Sarmah "verbally" when she stated that unavailability of labour at 1 am was beyond her control.

Sarmah mentioned in the complaint that she video recorded the conversation with the DC fearing an adverse effect on her career as the argument was related to smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections.

Alleging repeated humiliation in front of junior staff, the circle officer said, "I continued to record her because I had to keep proof of the harassment inflicted on me by DC ma'am. I tried to end the conversation on several occasions by saying 'Thank You etc' but she continuously kept questioning." Sarmah claimed that she then stopped recording on her phone and decided to carry the trunks herself with other staff, but Deka "attempted to snatch" her mobile.

"I told ma'am that she cannot touch my phone in an unauthorised manner and I literally fled away from the counters of 40-Tihu LAC," she added, requesting the police to crosscheck it from the CCTV footage.

Sarmah then called her husband and fled towards Gurdon Tiniali as she was "scared and helpless" feeling that other colleagues may not be of much help in such a situation when a superior officer was involved.

"I felt as if someone was running from behind towards me," she claimed in the complaint, which was filed at 2:09 am on Wednesday.

"Since I felt threatened, unsafe, therefore (my) husband and I rushed towards Nalbari police station to report the incident," Sarmah said, urging the police to protect her along with her three-and-half-year-old daughter and family "from DC ma'am Nalbari".

When contacted, Deka told PTI that the complaint is "false, baseless and imaginary" with an intent to "defame" her.

"Sarmah neglected her duty and abandoned her responsibilities at 2 am without completing the assigned job. The official process to take action against her has already been initiated," she added.

Deka also claimed that by video recording inside an election material counter, the CO "vitiated" the atmosphere and "threatened" the security of the EVMs received from the polling booths.

Meanwhile, Nalbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arup Jyoti Baishya told PTI that an enquiry is going on and an FIR will be registered accordingly.

Sarmah in her complaint also alleged that she has been facing "extreme mental harassment" since January and she was constantly being "scrutinised" by Deka with "malafide intentions to fix blames" on her on the "flimsiest of grounds".

The circumstances forced her to write to the Personnel Department on March 11 seeking extraordinary leave without allowance or "if my leave was not granted, then the same letter was to be treated as my 'Resignation Letter'", the complaint mentioned.

Sarmah said she withdrew the letter after persuasion by the staff, well-wishers and the Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, who is the local MLA.

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Air India Express Cancels 85 Flights Amid Layoffs Due To Mass Sick Leave 9 May 2024, 4:56 am

Air India Express on Thursday cancelled at least 85 flights as a section of cabin crew was fired, a day after nearly 300 employees of the airline called in sick and switched off their phones.

Flights that were cancelled were on various domestic and international routes. Scores of flights were also delayed on key routes.

The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Air India now owned by the Tata group, said that it is making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to guests by this "unexpected situation".

"We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport," an Air India Express spokesperson said in a statement. 

"While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," the spokesperson added.

The cabin crew shortage has resulted in the cancellations of more than 100 flights since Tuesday and about 15,000 passengers have been reportedly affected.

The Air India Express employees have been protesting against the new employment terms, according to sources. The crew has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff and claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions, sources said.

The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package. The developments come as the airline is in the middle of a merger with AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India.

Air India Express To Curtail Flights

As the flight delays and cancellations snowballed into a full-blown crisis, Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh said that the number of flights being operated will be reduced over the next few days.

"The disruptions have cascaded across the network, forcing us to curtail the schedules over the next few days. We had to do this to cope with the non-availability of crew and to recover schedules," Mr Singh wrote to employees.

In his letter, he said that over 100 cabin crew members had reported sick, severely disrupting operations, and that the impact was "disproportionate" because the action was taken by senior employees.

"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve our guests with dedication and pride. I am thankful to all who are standing by the airline in this hour of crisis," he added.

An Air India Express spokesperson said on Wednesday that the management is engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind the mass leave and added that they are working to minimise inconvenience to the fliers.

Air India Express Fires 30 Cabin Crew Members

Air India Express has now sacked at least 30 cabin crew after they called in sick at the last minute. The termination letter issued to them said that the mass leave "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason".

"Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company. Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to disrupt the services of the Company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees' Service Rules as are applicable to you," the letter said.

According to sources, the management has given all the Air India Express employees on mass leave a deadline of 4 pm (Thursday) to return to work or face action.

The management is also likely to hold a town hall meeting with cabin crew members on Thursday evening.

Apple Faces Backlash Over iPad Ad Showing Trumpet, Piano Being Crushed 9 May 2024, 4:55 am

An ad for the new iPad Pro caused an uproar Wednesday for showing an industrial-sized hydraulic press crushing objects linked to human creativity -- such as a record player and trumpet -- into a sleek tablet.

Social media users immediately criticized the ad, which was posted on X by Apple CEO Tim Cook, as painfully tone-deaf at a time when the creative community is worried about its future with the emergence of generative AI.

"The destruction of the human experience. Courtesy of Silicon Valley," wrote actor Hugh Grant on X.

Set to the song "All I ever need is you" by Sonny and Cher, the one-minute ad titled "Crush" sees the pile of creative artifacts, also including a piano and paint cans, explode under the pressure of Apple's press.

"I'm not sure 'wanton destruction of all the good and beautiful things in this world' was really the vibe you were trying for," wrote X user Judd Baroff on X.

The ad links to viral TikTok videos of industrial presses and other machines that are watched by millions on the platform.

Many critics pointed to the iconic 1984 commercial that launched the first Mac computer and depicted Apple as a hammer-throwing rebel against a monolith big brother.

"Forty years ago, Apple released the 1984 commercial as a bold statement against a dystopian future. Now you are that dystopian future. Congratulations," wrote X user Yuval Kardov.

Apple did not immediately answer AFP's request for a comment.

The ad comes as ChatGPT and Dall-E creator OpenAI, as well as other AI giants, are facing lawsuits from artists and publishers saying that their material was used to train AI models without permission.

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

Apple Faces Backlash Over iPad Ad Showing Trumpet, Piano Being Crushed 9 May 2024, 4:55 am

An ad for the new iPad Pro caused an uproar Wednesday for showing an industrial-sized hydraulic press crushing objects linked to human creativity -- such as a record player and trumpet -- into a sleek tablet.

Social media users immediately criticized the ad, which was posted on X by Apple CEO Tim Cook, as painfully tone-deaf at a time when the creative community is worried about its future with the emergence of generative AI.

"The destruction of the human experience. Courtesy of Silicon Valley," wrote actor Hugh Grant on X.

Set to the song "All I ever need is you" by Sonny and Cher, the one-minute ad titled "Crush" sees the pile of creative artifacts, also including a piano and paint cans, explode under the pressure of Apple's press.

"I'm not sure 'wanton destruction of all the good and beautiful things in this world' was really the vibe you were trying for," wrote X user Judd Baroff on X.

The ad links to viral TikTok videos of industrial presses and other machines that are watched by millions on the platform.

Many critics pointed to the iconic 1984 commercial that launched the first Mac computer and depicted Apple as a hammer-throwing rebel against a monolith big brother.

"Forty years ago, Apple released the 1984 commercial as a bold statement against a dystopian future. Now you are that dystopian future. Congratulations," wrote X user Yuval Kardov.

Apple did not immediately answer AFP's request for a comment.

The ad comes as ChatGPT and Dall-E creator OpenAI, as well as other AI giants, are facing lawsuits from artists and publishers saying that their material was used to train AI models without permission.

"Pick Any Channel, Any Issue": Smriti Irani Dares Priyanka Gandhi To Debate 9 May 2024, 4:54 am

Hitting back at Priyanka Gandhi for claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not speak on pressing issues concerning the country, Union Minister Smriti Irani challenged the Gandhis to a debate and to specify any television channel, anchor, place, time and the issue to speak on, of their choice.

"I challenge them (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi) to pick any channel, anchor, place, time and issue to debate with the BJP. Dono bhai-behen ek taraf aur BJP ka ek pravakta ek taraf, doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani ho jaayega (On one side, there will be the brother-sister duo and on the other side, there will be a spokesperson of the BJP; everything will be clear)...From our party, Sudhanshu Trivedi is enough. They will get an answer," Ms Irani, who is contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi said speaking to ANI on Wednesday.

In Amethi, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi by 55,000 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections ending the Gandhi family's stint on the seat.

Amethi and Rae Bareli -- two constituencies considered old turfs of the Gandhi family has again become the point of focus as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has entered the fray in Rae Bareli and the family's close aide Kishori Lal Sharma has been fielded against Smriti Irani in Amethi.

All India Congress Committee General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has always been active in the above constituencies through back-room to front campaign, is camping in Rai Bareli from Monday and leading the poll front from strategy, management and campaign.

Sonia Gandhi contested the 2019 general elections from Rae Bareli and defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of over 1.6 lakh votes, however, her victory margin came down by 13 per cent as compared to 2014.

Congress had won just 2 seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 (Rae Bareli and Amethi). The tally came down to just one in 2019 after the party lost Amethi.

This time, Rahul Gandhi will be seeking to maintain the long-standing family legacy seat in the state, while Kishori Lal Sharma is up against the challenge of Smriti Irani.

Sonia Gandhi won Rae Bareli for four successive terms before she moved to Rajya Sabha this time.

The party, while aiming to register a strong comeback after two historic losses in 2014 and 2019 has a tough task in hand to wrest back Amethi and retain Rae Bareli. But, it is pertinent to note that in 2022 Assembly elections in the state, Congress couldn't win any assembly seat under Rae Bareli, which shows the task, which means the task in hand, will be anything but easy.

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Aavesham Releases On OTT: Where To Watch Fahadh Faasil's Hit Malayalam Film 9 May 2024, 4:50 am

"Pick Any Channel, Any Issue": Smriti Irani Dares Priyanka Gandhi To Debate 9 May 2024, 4:49 am

Hitting back at Priyanka Gandhi for claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not speak on pressing issues concerning the country, Union Minister Smriti Irani challenged the Gandhis to a debate and to specify any television channel, anchor, place, time and the issue to speak on, of their choice.

"I challenge them (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi) to pick any channel, anchor, place, time and issue to debate with the BJP. Dono bhai-behen ek taraf aur BJP ka ek pravakta ek taraf, doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani ho jaayega (On one side, there will be the brother-sister duo and on the other side, there will be a spokesperson of the BJP; everything will be clear)...From our party, Sudhanshu Trivedi is enough. They will get an answer," Ms Irani, who is contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi said speaking to ANI on Wednesday.

In Amethi, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi by 55,000 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections ending the Gandhi family's stint on the seat.

Amethi and Rae Bareli -- two constituencies considered old turfs of the Gandhi family has again become the point of focus as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has entered the fray in Rae Bareli and the family's close aide Kishori Lal Sharma has been fielded against Smriti Irani in Amethi.

All India Congress Committee General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has always been active in the above constituencies through back-room to front campaign, is camping in Rai Bareli from Monday and leading the poll front from strategy, management and campaign.

Sonia Gandhi contested the 2019 general elections from Rae Bareli and defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of over 1.6 lakh votes, however, her victory margin came down by 13 per cent as compared to 2014.

Congress had won just 2 seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 (Rae Bareli and Amethi). The tally came down to just one in 2019 after the party lost Amethi.

This time, Rahul Gandhi will be seeking to maintain the long-standing family legacy seat in the state, while Kishori Lal Sharma is up against the challenge of Smriti Irani.

Sonia Gandhi won Rae Bareli for four successive terms before she moved to Rajya Sabha this time.

The party, while aiming to register a strong comeback after two historic losses in 2014 and 2019 has a tough task in hand to wrest back Amethi and retain Rae Bareli. But, it is pertinent to note that in 2022 Assembly elections in the state, Congress couldn't win any assembly seat under Rae Bareli, which shows the task, which means the task in hand, will be anything but easy.

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

Who Will Be Tim Cook's Successor? These Are The Names In Circulation 9 May 2024, 4:43 am

Tim Cook picked up the mantle from Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple over a decade ago and grew it into a multi-trillion dollar company. Now, as Cook nears traditional retirement age, speculation abounds about who will succeed him. 

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joins host David Gura to discuss the challenges of replacing Cook, his potential successors and how that decision will impact one of the best-known brands in the world. 

Here is a lightly edited transcript of the conversation:

David Gura: Every year, the top executives at Apple - of course, one of the largest and most influential companies in the world - are whisked away to an idyllic retreat usually in Carmel Valley.

That's about 90 miles south of the company's headquarters, in Cupertino, California. So, many of these execs travel by bus. 

Mark Gurman: They can't bring their family, they can't bring their assistants. These are the 100 most important people at Apple. 

Gura: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has covered Apple for almost 15 years, and he says this annual meeting is one of the most important dates on the company's calendar. 

It's something Steve Jobs started. 

Gurman: They sit in auditoriums, different rooms of this beautiful resort in Northern California. They are taught and shown all of the goodness that's to come from Apple in the years to come.

Gura: It was at this retreat that Apple's so-called "Top 100" got a first look at the original iPad, Mark says. 

They saw the MacBook Air and the Apple Watch. And got updates on the Apple Car project, which the company just scrapped.

Gurman: This is where you go to learn about Apple's future. 

Gura: And while most of the focus is on product presentations - and prototypes, Apple's senior leaders are also taking note of who among them has been picked to make these presentations. 

Gurman: I think the people at that event are probably always naturally trying to figure out who's next in line. Who's in charge? 

Gura: That is ... who will eventually replace Tim Cook.

Jobs' hand-picked successor has been the CEO of Apple for nearly thirteen years. He was Jobs' deputy before that. 

Gura: At Apple, succession planning is the elephant in the room, and even though Cook hasn't indicated he plans to leave the company anytime soon, Mark says there is growing speculation about when that'll happen who will be its next chief executive -  and whether that person is in this group of Apple's most important people.  

Gurman: We're nearing sort of the end of Cook's tenure at Apple, probably, right? He's going to turn 65 next year. He's older than most CEOs in the S&P 500. He's been at Apple for 25 years and Apple's at a precarious position because the executive team where they likely would choose their next CEO from most of the people on that executive team are all about 60 years old, or would probably be in their mid to late sixties by the time Tim Cook retires, leaving the company with very few reasonable options.

Gura: Today on the show: 

The challenges of finding someone who could do one of the most demanding jobs in business. 

Who's in the running, and how that decision will impact a $2.8 trillion company, and one of the best-known brands in the world. 

I'm David Gura, and this is The Big Take, from Bloomberg News.

Gura: Tim Cook has been the CEO of Apple for more than a decade. 

And part of his job involves planning for who will succeed him. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says it's not the easiest job to fill. 

Gura: Is that job description really well fleshed out? In other words, what does an Apple CEO need to be able to do?

Gurman: An Apple CEO needs to either be the visionary to bring new products to market. Or needs to be able to find who the visionary is and partner with that visionary to bring those new products to market. 

Gura: It's a challenge that wasn't lost on Steve Jobs when he tapped Cook for the job.

Gurman: You know, the thing about Cook is that it is all consuming, and I think one of the reasons that Jobs made him the CEO, other than the fact that he was the most qualified, probably by a long shot, amongst the executive team at the time, is that Jobs knew how all consuming the next era of Apple would be, right?

And Tim's entire life for the most part, based on everyone who knows him and everyone you speak to about him is Apple.

Gura: Cook became Apple's CEO in 2011, under intense scrutiny. 

He took over for Jobs, the company's founder, who was battling pancreatic cancer. 

And in October of that year, Cook stepped into the spotlight, to unveil a new version of the iPhone: 

Tim Cook: Good morning. This is my first product launch since being named CEO. I'm sure you didn't know that. 

Gura: You can hear him cracking a joke to acknowledge what a big moment this was. He was under immense pressure - following in Jobs' footsteps. 

Cook:  I Love Apple. And I consider it the privilege of a lifetime to have worked here for almost 14 years. 

Gura: As Apple's chief operating officer, Cook worked side-by-side with Jobs, during a period when Apple grew at breakneck speed. When it became much more than a computer company.

Cook: Just ten years ago, we launched the original iPod here, and it went on to revolutionize the way we listen to music.

Gura: Mark, you covered that transition in 2011. What can you tell us about the relationship between Steve Jobs and Tim Cook?

Gurman: They were close. I wouldn't say that they were best friends. Uh, I would say in many ways they were, uh, partners. Steve Jobs was the design mind. He was the person dreaming up these new products, and Tim Cook was the execution guy. He was the person for all intents and purposes, who was able to bring these products to market, get them manufactured, get them into retail stores, and so forth. And then when Steve Jobs stepped down and then ultimately passed away, what Apple lost was sort of that visionary to dream up new types of product categories, new designs, new user experiences

Gura: Jobs died on October 5th, 2011 - one day after Cook unveiled that new iPhone.

And in the years that followed, Cook made sure Apple continued to build on the runaway success of that device.

Gurman: The Apple watch for all intents and purposes is an accessory or an extension of the iPhone. Airpods are an extension to the iPhone, an accessory to the iPhone. What Tim Cook has done, he's taken the product lines that Steve Jobs created and envisioned, and supercharged them. When Steve Jobs passed, there was only one iPad model, the iPad 2.

Today, there are five, or even more iPad models available right now. The iPhone went from one or two different models to several different models. So what Tim Cook has been able to do is squeeze so much juice out of the lemons that are those original Apple form factors.

Gura: Under his leadership, Apple added products and services, along with new accessories.

The company branched into movies and TV. 

It introduced an Apple credit card.

Gurman: At its core, I think Apple is still very much a technology company, but they like to position themselves as well as a lifestyle company.

Gura: Now, more than a decade into his tenure, do you see this company as Tim Cook's Apple, or is it still Steve Jobs' Apple that, that Tim Cook is the steward of?

Gurman: I think it's actually a mix of both. At its very core, Steve Jobs left Apple with something, you know, more than pretty good in the iPhone. And Tim Cook, I would say, has probably made the most of what he was left with. I don't think anyone could have done a better job following in the footsteps as legendary as someone like Steve Jobs.

Gura: People worried Steve Jobs would be irreplaceable, but now, there's a sense Tim Cook's shoes will be hard to fill. 

Gurman: So The question is Apple moving forward, who was that new person to lead Apple into a new era with a new vision, with new types of products. And that's really what Apple needs to come up with to create its next 15 years.

Gura: There are a handful of names that come up in conversations about CEO succession at Apple. 

But over the years, as Mark has reported on this, there's been a clear frontrunner.

Gurman: He can own the stage. He can talk the talk with government officials from China to Europe to the US. If something happened unexpectedly to Cook, I don't think Apple would miss a beat.

Gura: So, who is Apple's heir apparent? And who else is waiting in the wings, vying for the top job? That's after the break.

Gura: Before Tim Cook became Apple's CEO, he was the chief operating officer under Steve Jobs. 

And when it comes to who will replace Cook, his current COO could easily be next in line: 

Cook: And to tell us about some progress in this area, I'd like to invite up Jeff Williams. Jeff? 

Gura: That's Cook introducing Jeff Williams at a product launch in 2016:

Williams: Last year, we introduced Research Kit. And our goal was to use technology to solve some of the biggest problems

Gura: Williams has been C-O-O for almost a decade now. He joined the company in 1998.

Gurman: Right now, he runs Apple's entire operations. He's in charge of the Apple supply chain.

He's in charge of Apple's health care efforts. He's in charge of Apple watch hardware and software engineering. He was in charge of the Apple car. He's involved with the Apple vision pro headset, and he's in charge of Apple's hardware and software design organization. So he has so much in his portfolio already, and he would be able to be a shoo-in pretty easily for Cook if something were to happen.

A lot of people have called him Tim Cook's Tim Cook.

Gura: And like Cook, Williams grew up in the South, he got an MBA from Duke, and had a stint at IBM before joining Apple. 

But there's something else these two have in common. They're both in their early sixties.

Gurman: He's only two years younger than Cook.

Gura: And that could make William's path to succeeding Cook complicated.

Gurman: If Cook retires in three to five years, you can't name a 66 year old Jeff Williams as CEO of Apple. Right? The Street, the market, the employees, the board, probably wouldn't be terribly fond of that idea. You can't set up someone for a two to five year tenure as a new CEO of a company as big and as important as Apple.

Gura: This is not just an issue with Williams, though. 

When you go down the list of other potential candidates among Apple's top management, a trend emerges.

Mark says many members of the company's leadership team are also hovering around retirement age. 

And turnover at the executive level is pretty rare.

Gurman: When you're a Senior Vice President at Apple, you're essentially the CEO of a major division, right? You're at one of the most successful companies in the world. You're also getting paid $25 million per year as an Apple Senior Vice President. So from a financial standpoint, it's very worthwhile to stay around. But I think the people in Apple's executive team, they're motivated by more than money. I think there's a sense that a lot of these folks are very much motivated by the power that comes with being in that role. And so power is sometimes hard to give up.

Gura: Mark says, if it's not Williams, there are a few other candidates who are likely in the running. 

They're all currently on the Apple payroll. Tim Cook himself has said he hopes the board taps someone from within the company. And they have their own trade-offs. 

Finding a single person who can do everything that an Apple CEO needs to do is a real challenge.

One potential candidate is on his second stint at Apple:

Gurman: Craig Federighi, who's in charge of software engineering. 

Gura: But, Mark says?

Gurman: Federighi probably doesn't have the business acumen to run the whole company.

Gura: There's also Deirdre O'Brien, who oversees Apple's sprawling retail operation worldwide. 

Gurman: And before that, Uh, she was one of the company's top executives on operations and sales.

Gura: But according to Mark? ... 

Gurman: Apple probably wants to try something new for a new era and not go with another operations or an HR person.

Gura: But Mark has identified another candidate. Who, with his age and experience, is a strong contender.

Gurman: Everything that I have learned while reporting the story points to a guy named John Ternus. 

He is not even 50 years old. He's Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. 

He joined Apple's executive team in 2021. He has quickly risen through the ranks. He used to be a VP in charge of Mac computer engineering. He eventually added the iPad, added AirPods. More recently, he added the iPhone and the Apple watch. And now he's in charge of basically all of the money making hardware for Apple.

And he's become an increasingly important face at the company. He's been increasingly promoted in their marketing. He's dealing with regulators in terms of right to repair laws. So he's becoming a bigger part of the Apple story.

Gura: Mark says Ternus had a marquee role this year, at that annual executive conference in Northern California.

And just this week, Apple unveiled some new tech, and Cook called on Ternus at that event to introduce those new products to the public. 

Tim Cook: So here's John to tell you more. ...

John Ternus: Let's kick things off with iPad Air.

Gura: Mark says Ternus' prospects of becoming Apple's next CEO get better the longer Cook sticks around. 

And there is no indication he plans to retire anytime soon. 

Executives are not under the same pressure they used to be, to retire in their mid-Sixties. 

Gura: Mark, I wonder if you could situate this conversation in kind of a broader cultural sea change we're seeing. Bob Iger back at Disney in his 70s. That must in some way sort of liberate Tim Cook to look perhaps at a longer tenure at Apple.

Gurman: Yeah, that's a very good point. Certainly the next U. S. president is going to be in their 80s during their tenure. You have Pat Gelsinger, who's the CEO of Intel. He was named to that role three years ago when he was about 60. So certainly you do have some older statesmen there with Tim Cook, you know, one of the, the, the older ones and Apple appreciates, as some people tell me, the people with gray hair there, that means they have experience and wisdom, and they've been around the block a few times. There is nothing that Tim Cook hasn't seen, and wisdom goes a long way for being an Apple executive.

Gura: For his part, Cook has a lot of unfinished business he's attending to right now:

Apple's seen a slowdown in sales, the company is taking hits from regulators - in the US and the European Union, and after Apple's adventure in automobile manufacturing came to a screeching halt, it's under pressure to deliver something new. 

All of that, and more, is on Cook's plate, and Mark says no one is pushing him to step aside. 

Gurman: There's no mandatory retirement age. And I would say that even if there was, uh, they'd rip that up or shred it or light it on fire to let Cook stay around as long as he wants to. Because he's been effective, Wall Street loves him. The stock price has surely been positively reflected by Cook's tenure.

And so I think Tim Cook is going to be the CEO of Apple as long as he wants to be the CEO of Apple and he won't step down a day before that.

Gura: This is The Big Take, from Bloomberg News. I'm David Gura.

RCB look to keep playoff hopes alive in Dharamsala 9 May 2024, 4:42 am

Suspect in Hardeep Nijjar killing says he entered Canada using 'study permit' 9 May 2024, 4:40 am

Men Or Bears? Women's Safety Debate Is Viral On Social Media 9 May 2024, 4:37 am

If you're a woman alone in a forest, would you rather be approached by a random man or... a bear?

The random hypothetical question has gone viral in recent weeks on social media, provoking a passionate debate about women's perceptions of dangers, particularly around the opposite sex.

The public conversation seems to have kicked off in April on TikTok, but has spread like a forest fire across other platforms, including Instagram and X, with women across the globe weighing in.

In one video, of the eight women interviewed on the street in London, seven choose the bear, most chuckling at the sudden realization of their counterintuitive choice.

"A bear isn't going to rape me before it kills me," wrote one Internet user on X. "No one will feel sorry for the bear because killing me might ruin his career," she added.

Sharing a screenshot of a testimonial about a marital rape, another user commented: "This is why women choose the bear."

"I get that, you know what to expect from a bear," said one TikTok user, apparently a man.

Other men have responded with bafflement.

"It's crazy, this vision of men..." said one user on X.

While the debate carries on, US conservative news outlet Fox News has published a detailed list of tips on how to save your life in the event of an impromptu encounter with a bear while hiking.

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

Men Or Bears? Women's Safety Debate Is Viral On Social Media 9 May 2024, 4:37 am

If you're a woman alone in a forest, would you rather be approached by a random man or... a bear?

The random hypothetical question has gone viral in recent weeks on social media, provoking a passionate debate about women's perceptions of dangers, particularly around the opposite sex.

The public conversation seems to have kicked off in April on TikTok, but has spread like a forest fire across other platforms, including Instagram and X, with women across the globe weighing in.

In one video, of the eight women interviewed on the street in London, seven choose the bear, most chuckling at the sudden realization of their counterintuitive choice.

"A bear isn't going to rape me before it kills me," wrote one Internet user on X. "No one will feel sorry for the bear because killing me might ruin his career," she added.

Sharing a screenshot of a testimonial about a marital rape, another user commented: "This is why women choose the bear."

"I get that, you know what to expect from a bear," said one TikTok user, apparently a man.

Other men have responded with bafflement.

"It's crazy, this vision of men..." said one user on X.

While the debate carries on, US conservative news outlet Fox News has published a detailed list of tips on how to save your life in the event of an impromptu encounter with a bear while hiking.

Assam Board 12th Result 2024: 88.64% Students Pass, Science Stream Leads With 89.88% 9 May 2024, 4:36 am

Assam HS Result 2024: The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has announced the HS Result 2024. A total of 88.64 per cent of students have cleared the exam. Those who appeared in the examination can check their results on the official website resultsassam.nic.in. Students need to enter their roll number, registration number, and session in the login window to access their results.

Assam HS Result 2024: Stream-wise pass percentage

• Arts: 89.18%
• Science: 89.88%
• Commerce: 87.80%

Students can also check out the HS Results 2024 Assam on the following portals:

• ahsec.assam.gov.in
• resultsassam.nic.in
• sebaonline.org

Assam HS Result 2024: Steps To Check

• Visit the official websites: ahsec.assam.gov.in, resultsassam.nic.in, or sebaonline.org
• Select the AHSEC Result 2024 link on the homepage.
• Enter the roll number, registration number, and session.
• Assam HS Result 2024 will be displayed on the screen.
• Check and download the mark sheet.
• Retain a hard copy for future reference.

AHSEC HS exams were conducted from February 12 to March 13. A total of 2,80,216 students, comprising 139,486 male and 142,732 female candidates, appeared in the exam. Of the total candidates, 2,06,467 students appeared for the Arts stream, 54,287 for the Science stream, and 17,582 for the Commerce stream.

Russia Says US Trying To Destabilise India During Lok Sabha Polls: Report 9 May 2024, 4:35 am

The US aims to destabilise India during the 2024 general election, the Russian foreign ministry has said after a US federal commission's report criticised New Delhi for alleged violations of religious freedom.

RT news, a Russian government-owned news network, has reported that foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks understanding of India's national mentality and history and continues to make "unfounded accusations" about religious freedoms in India.

"Unfounded Accusations:" US Aims to Destabilise India During #LokSabha2024 - Russian Foreign Ministry

Spox Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks simple understanding of India's national mentality and history, as America continues to make "unfounded accusations" about… pic.twitter.com/M8G0gtiP92

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 8, 2024

Zakharova called it disrespectful to India as a country and a State. "The reason [behind the US accusations] is to unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections," RT news quoted her as saying. The foreign ministry spokesperson added that Washington's actions clearly constitute interference in India's internal affairs.

This comes after the latest annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom. The commission also renewed its recommendation to the US Department of State to declare India a "Country of Particular Concern".

The report has accused the ruling BJP of reinforcing "discriminatory" nationalist policies. It has also flagged the continued enforcement of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and anti-conversion and cow-slaughter laws. The enforcement of these laws, it has said, has resulted in arbitrary detention, monitoring and targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.

"Both news media and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) reporting on religious minorities were subjected to strict monitoring under FCRA regulations," the report has said.

The Ministry of External Affairs has slammed the US commission for attempting to "interfere" in India's electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in "propaganda" against the country.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the ministry, said last week that the USCIRF is known to be a "biased" entity with a political agenda. "The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is known as a biased organisation with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report."

"We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos," Mr Jaiswal said. "Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed," he added.

Moscow also trashed allegations of the involvement of an Indian official in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," Zakharova said at the briefing.

The remarks came in connection with a report in The Washington Post that cited unnamed sources and named a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun. The report stated that India is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.

"'The Washington Post', it seems to me, should use the term 'repressive regime' and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs," Zakharova said.

The External Affairs Ministry has rejected The Washington Post report, describing it as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry, termed the report "speculative and irresponsible".

Russia Says US Trying To Destabilise India During Lok Sabha Polls: Report 9 May 2024, 4:35 am

The US aims to destabilise India during the 2024 general election, the Russian foreign ministry has said after a US federal commission's report criticised New Delhi for alleged violations of religious freedom.

RT news, a Russian government-owned news network, has reported that foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks understanding of India's national mentality and history and continues to make "unfounded accusations" about religious freedoms in India.

"Unfounded Accusations:" US Aims to Destabilise India During #LokSabha2024 - Russian Foreign Ministry

Spox Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks simple understanding of India's national mentality and history, as America continues to make "unfounded accusations" about… pic.twitter.com/M8G0gtiP92

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 8, 2024

Zakharova called it disrespectful to India as a country and a State. "The reason [behind the US accusations] is to unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections," RT news quoted her as saying. The foreign ministry spokesperson added that Washington's actions clearly constitute interference in India's internal affairs.

This comes after the latest annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom. The commission also renewed its recommendation to the US Department of State to declare India a "Country of Particular Concern".

The report has accused the ruling BJP of reinforcing "discriminatory" nationalist policies. It has also flagged the continued enforcement of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and anti-conversion and cow-slaughter laws. The enforcement of these laws, it has said, has resulted in arbitrary detention, monitoring and targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.

"Both news media and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) reporting on religious minorities were subjected to strict monitoring under FCRA regulations," the report has said.

The Ministry of External Affairs has slammed the US commission for attempting to "interfere" in India's electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in "propaganda" against the country.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the ministry, said last week that the USCIRF is known to be a "biased" entity with a political agenda. "The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is known as a biased organisation with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report."

"We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos," Mr Jaiswal said. "Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed," he added.

Moscow also trashed allegations of the involvement of an Indian official in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," Zakharova said at the briefing.

The remarks came in connection with a report in The Washington Post that cited unnamed sources and named a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun. The report stated that India is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.

"'The Washington Post', it seems to me, should use the term 'repressive regime' and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs," Zakharova said.

The External Affairs Ministry has rejected The Washington Post report, describing it as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry, termed the report "speculative and irresponsible".

Indian-American Philanthropist Donates $1 Million To Hindu American Foundation 9 May 2024, 4:35 am

Indian-American philanthropist Ramesh Bhutada has donated USD 1 million to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for Hindu causes in the US.

Houston-based businessman Bhutada during a recent gala of Hindu American Foundation committed USD 1 million over the next four years to HAF.

In March 2023, he donated USD 1 million to the Florida-based Hindu University of America, the only institution in the US whose mission is to provide education based on Hindu philosophy.

Participants of the HAF Gala in Houston also raised another USD 450,000.

Addressing the gathering, tech entrepreneur from Silicon Valley Sundar Iyer shared his frightening experience of allegations of caste-based discrimination.

Iyer said that while California took it to the extreme of putting a target on the backs of the Indian and Hindu communities with the proposed SB403 bill that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed, the fallacious idea that the Hindu community could be engaging in widespread caste-based discrimination and violence could easily seep into corporate HR departments and local city ordinances via targeted pressure by anti-Hindu caste activists.

HAF executive director Suhag Shukla and Iyer underlined the need for the community to stay vigilant against such scenarios, a media release said. 

Russia Says US Trying To Destabilise India During Lok Sabha Polls: Report 9 May 2024, 4:35 am

The US aims to destabilise India during the 2024 general election, the Russian foreign ministry has said after a US federal commission's report criticised New Delhi for alleged violations of religious freedom.

RT news, a Russian government-owned news network, has reported that foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks understanding of India's national mentality and history and continues to make "unfounded accusations" about religious freedoms in India.

"Unfounded Accusations:" US Aims to Destabilise India During #LokSabha2024 - Russian Foreign Ministry

Spox Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks simple understanding of India's national mentality and history, as America continues to make "unfounded accusations" about… pic.twitter.com/M8G0gtiP92

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 8, 2024

Zakharova called it disrespectful to India as a country and a State. "The reason [behind the US accusations] is to unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections," RT news quoted her as saying. The foreign ministry spokesperson added that Washington's actions clearly constitute interference in India's internal affairs.

This comes after the latest annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom. The commission also renewed its recommendation to the US Department of State to declare India a "Country of Particular Concern".

The report has accused the ruling BJP of reinforcing "discriminatory" nationalist policies. It has also flagged the continued enforcement of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and anti-conversion and cow-slaughter laws. The enforcement of these laws, it has said, has resulted in arbitrary detention, monitoring and targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.

"Both news media and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) reporting on religious minorities were subjected to strict monitoring under FCRA regulations," the report has said.

The Ministry of External Affairs has slammed the US commission for attempting to "interfere" in India's electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in "propaganda" against the country.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the ministry, said last week that the USCIRF is known to be a "biased" entity with a political agenda. "The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is known as a biased organisation with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report."

"We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos," Mr Jaiswal said. "Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed," he added.

Moscow also trashed allegations of the involvement of an Indian official in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," Zakharova said at the briefing.

The remarks came in connection with a report in The Washington Post that cited unnamed sources and named a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun. The report stated that India is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.

"'The Washington Post', it seems to me, should use the term 'repressive regime' and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs," Zakharova said.

The External Affairs Ministry has rejected The Washington Post report, describing it as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry, termed the report "speculative and irresponsible".

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Indian-American Philanthropist Donates $1 Million To Hindu American Foundation 9 May 2024, 4:34 am

Indian-American philanthropist Ramesh Bhutada has donated USD 1 million to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for Hindu causes in the US.

Houston-based businessman Bhutada during a recent gala of Hindu American Foundation committed USD 1 million over the next four years to HAF.

In March 2023, he donated USD 1 million to the Florida-based Hindu University of America, the only institution in the US whose mission is to provide education based on Hindu philosophy.

Participants of the HAF Gala in Houston also raised another USD 450,000.

Addressing the gathering, tech entrepreneur from Silicon Valley Sundar Iyer shared his frightening experience of allegations of caste-based discrimination.

Iyer said that while California took it to the extreme of putting a target on the backs of the Indian and Hindu communities with the proposed SB403 bill that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed, the fallacious idea that the Hindu community could be engaging in widespread caste-based discrimination and violence could easily seep into corporate HR departments and local city ordinances via targeted pressure by anti-Hindu caste activists.

HAF executive director Suhag Shukla and Iyer underlined the need for the community to stay vigilant against such scenarios, a media release said. 

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

No Evidence That India Behind Khalistan Terrorist Murder Plot In US: Russia 9 May 2024, 4:31 am

Rubbishing the allegations by the US on India for a foiled assassination plot against pro-Khalistan radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the case.

"According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," the official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday (local time).

She said that the US does not understand the national mentality, as well as the historical context of the development of the Indian state and it disrespects India as a state.

Zakharova's remarks came in response to a media query on Moscow's reaction to accusations against an Indian official of a foiled "assassination" plot, and the American news publication 'The Washington Post' stating that India is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.

"'The Washington Post', it seems to me, should use the term "repressive regime" and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs. Now directly about your question," Zakharova said, according to the readout of the briefing released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Regular unfounded accusations by the United States against New Delhi (we see that they groundlessly accuse not only India but also many other states) of violating religious freedoms are a reflection of the United States' misunderstanding of the national mentality, the historical context of the development of the Indian state and disrespect for India as a state . I am sure that this also comes from the neocolonial mentality, the mentality of the colonial period, the period of the slave trade, and imperialism," she said.

"This does not only apply to India. The reason is the desire to unbalance the internal political situation in India in order to complicate the general parliamentary elections taking place in the country. Of course, this is part of interference in India's internal affairs," she added.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. Earlier in November, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun.

The External Affairs Ministry, in April, had rejected a report in The Washington Post naming Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official's involvement in the alleged post to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.

Describing it as an "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the US media report was "speculative and irresponsible".

In response to media queries on the report that appeared in Washington Post, a US national daily, Jaiswal said that a High-Level Committee set up by the Indian government is carrying out an investigation into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organized criminals, terrorists, and others.

"The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter. There is an ongoing investigation of the High-Level Committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others. Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful."

Citing officials and a US indictment, the Washington Post report claimed that the RAW official identified as Vikram Yadav had directed Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta, to hire a hitman to kill Pannun outside his New York residence.

Gupta, now in custody in the Czech Republic has a pending extradition to the US to stand trial in the case. As per the report in the US Daily, the operation targeting Pannun was approved by then-RAW chief Samant Goel.

Notably, as per the US Justice Department indictment, Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun.

The US Justice Department has claimed that Indian government employee (named CC-1), who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination, which was foiled by US authorities, according to prosecutors.

Gupta has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, pursuant to the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic.

Following this, MEA said that a case filed against an individual in a US court and allegedly linking him to an Indian official is a "matter of concern" and is contrary to government policy.

India has also set up a high-level committee to probe the matter.

No Evidence That India Behind Khalistan Terrorist Murder Plot In US: Russia 9 May 2024, 4:31 am

Rubbishing the allegations by the US on India for a foiled assassination plot against pro-Khalistan radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the case.

"According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," the official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday (local time).

She said that the US does not understand the national mentality, as well as the historical context of the development of the Indian state and it disrespects India as a state.

Zakharova's remarks came in response to a media query on Moscow's reaction to accusations against an Indian official of a foiled "assassination" plot, and the American news publication 'The Washington Post' stating that India is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.

"'The Washington Post', it seems to me, should use the term "repressive regime" and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs. Now directly about your question," Zakharova said, according to the readout of the briefing released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Regular unfounded accusations by the United States against New Delhi (we see that they groundlessly accuse not only India but also many other states) of violating religious freedoms are a reflection of the United States' misunderstanding of the national mentality, the historical context of the development of the Indian state and disrespect for India as a state . I am sure that this also comes from the neocolonial mentality, the mentality of the colonial period, the period of the slave trade, and imperialism," she said.

"This does not only apply to India. The reason is the desire to unbalance the internal political situation in India in order to complicate the general parliamentary elections taking place in the country. Of course, this is part of interference in India's internal affairs," she added.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. Earlier in November, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun.

The External Affairs Ministry, in April, had rejected a report in The Washington Post naming Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official's involvement in the alleged post to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.

Describing it as an "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the US media report was "speculative and irresponsible".

In response to media queries on the report that appeared in Washington Post, a US national daily, Jaiswal said that a High-Level Committee set up by the Indian government is carrying out an investigation into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organized criminals, terrorists, and others.

"The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter. There is an ongoing investigation of the High-Level Committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others. Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful."

Citing officials and a US indictment, the Washington Post report claimed that the RAW official identified as Vikram Yadav had directed Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta, to hire a hitman to kill Pannun outside his New York residence.

Gupta, now in custody in the Czech Republic has a pending extradition to the US to stand trial in the case. As per the report in the US Daily, the operation targeting Pannun was approved by then-RAW chief Samant Goel.

Notably, as per the US Justice Department indictment, Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun.

The US Justice Department has claimed that Indian government employee (named CC-1), who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination, which was foiled by US authorities, according to prosecutors.

Gupta has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, pursuant to the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic.

Following this, MEA said that a case filed against an individual in a US court and allegedly linking him to an Indian official is a "matter of concern" and is contrary to government policy.

India has also set up a high-level committee to probe the matter.

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

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Video: Fight Breaks Out Mid-Flight On Eva Air After Passenger Attempts To Steal Seat 9 May 2024, 4:22 am

A shocking video has surfaced online showing two EVA Air passengers fighting over a seat on a long-haul flight from Taiwan to California. According to the New York Post, the incident took place on Tuesday. The fight broke out mere hours into the 11.5-hour lengthy journey when one of the passengers decided to switch seats because his neighbour was coughing - and took the other's seat. When the original occupant returned, he tried to hit the man who had poached the seat. 

The video shared on X (formerly Twitter), shows flight attendants trying to calm the two fighting passengers. As they try to separate the men, one of the flight attendants gets elbowed in the head. In the background, passengers scream as the two men continue to tussle, exchanging blows in the aisle before several passengers step in to help the crew separate them. 

Sharing the clip, an X user wrote, "Yesterday, a fierce fight broke out on an EVA Air flight BR08 bound from Taiwan to San Francisco. Two passengers engaged in a heated argument over an empty seat, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation".

Watch the video below:

Yesterday, a fierce fight broke out on an EVA Air flight BR08 bound from Taiwan to San Francisco. Two passengers engaged in a heated argument over an empty seat, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation.

#EVAir #passengershaming #cabincrew #FlightAttendants pic.twitter.com/ZfTYQzXp8w

— A Fly Guy's Crew Lounge (@AFlyGuyTravels) May 8, 2024

According to the Post, the fight is said to have broken after one of the passengers became upset by another next to him who was constantly coughing. He then took it upon himself to switch seats and went to find an empty one. He sat down, but minutes later, the seat's original occupant returned. 

A violent brawl then quickly erupted and the cabin crew members had to put themselves between the two men to break it up. Punches were thrown and one of the men even had to be restrained as fellow passengers screamed.

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The crew managed to eventually calm the tensions. Following the violent fight the two men, who continued to point and shout at each other, were kept apart for the remainder of the flight. They were reportedly handed over to the police in San Francisco upon arrival. 

Meanwhile, on social media, the video has gone viral with more than 34,000 views. In the comments section, users praised the flight attendants. "Hats off to the flight attendants' professionalism and quick intervention. Wonder if any punishment was handed to these passengers?" wrote one user. "When this happens, would aircrew accept assistance from a trained person to restrain any violent customers? Always see grown men more interested in recording cabin crew being swamped by violent males who can't handle their alcohol," expressed another. 

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Russia Says US Trying To Destabilise India During Lok Sabha Polls: Report 9 May 2024, 4:10 am

The US aims to destabilise India during the 2024 general election, the Russian foreign ministry has said after a US federal commission's report criticised New Delhi for alleged violations of religious freedom.

RT news, a Russian government-owned news network, has reported that foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks understanding of India's national mentality and history and continues to make "unfounded accusations" about religious freedoms in India.

"Unfounded Accusations:" US Aims to Destabilise India During #LokSabha2024 - Russian Foreign Ministry

Spox Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks simple understanding of India's national mentality and history, as America continues to make "unfounded accusations" about… pic.twitter.com/M8G0gtiP92

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 8, 2024

Zakharova called it disrespectful to India as a country and a State. "The reason [behind the US accusations] is to unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections," RT news quoted her as saying. The foreign ministry spokesperson added that Washington's actions clearly constitute interference in India's internal affairs.

This comes after the latest annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom. The commission also renewed its recommendation to the US Department of State to declare India a "Country of Particular Concern".

The report has accused the ruling BJP of reinforcing "discriminatory" nationalist policies. It has also flagged the continued enforcement of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and anti-conversion and cow-slaughter laws. The enforcement of these laws, it has said, has resulted in arbitrary detention, monitoring and targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.

"Both news media and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) reporting on religious minorities were subjected to strict monitoring under FCRA regulations," the report has said.

The Ministry of External Affairs has slammed the US commission for attempting to "interfere" in India's electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in "propaganda" against the country.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the ministry, said last week that the USCIRF is known to be a "biased" entity with a political agenda. "The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is known as a biased organisation with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report."

"We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos," Mr Jaiswal said. "Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed," he added.

Moscow also trashed allegations of the involvement of an Indian official in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," Zakharova said at the briefing.

The remarks came in connection with a report in The Washington Post that cited unnamed sources and named a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun. The report stated that India is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.

"'The Washington Post', it seems to me, should use the term 'repressive regime' and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs," Zakharova said.

The External Affairs Ministry has rejected The Washington Post report, describing it as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry, termed the report "speculative and irresponsible".

"Namaste India": Ferrari's Charles Leclerc's Message For Indian F1 Fans Is Viral 9 May 2024, 4:04 am

Charles Leclerc, star driver for Ferrari, delighted Indian Formula One fans with a heartwarming video message! He began with a friendly "Namaste India" and expressed his surprise at the sport's huge popularity in the country.  

Mr Leclerc thanked his Indian fans for their unwavering support and revealed his long-held dream of visiting India someday. The talented racer from Monaco currently races for Scuderia Ferrari and boasts an impressive record, having won both the GP3 Series championship in 2016 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017.

Mr Leclerc's disarming smile and "Namaste" sent Indian fans online into a frenzy! Fans flooded the internet with comments expressing their admiration for the champion driver.

"All Indian fan girls just fainted," a user commented. 

"His namaste got me blushing giggling kicking my feet," another user wrote on Instagram. 

The third user asked, "Did he see the edits Indian people are making?"

"If this man visits India. I can officially meet him and die in peace," the fourth user wrote. 

"I was dead the moment he said NAMASTE," the fifth user commented. 

Formula 1 (F1), the world's premier motorsport, holds races across the globe, captivating a massive and diverse fan base. This includes a passionate following in India!

With Charles Leclerc's potential visit to India, the excitement is electric. Fans can't wait to experience the thrill of F1 live and celebrate their love for the sport together.

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'Most Wanted' Terrorist Among 3 Killed In J&K Encounter With Security Forces 9 May 2024, 3:48 am

In a significant breakthrough, one of the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) most wanted terrorists and LeT commander was killed during an encounter with security forces on Wednesday night in Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Three terrorists have been killed in the gunfight which broke out in the Redwani Payeen area of south Kashmir's Kulgam after security forces launched a search operation late on Monday night.

Basit Ahmed Dar, a resident of Redwani Payeen, was also the commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot group, The Resistant Front (TRF) and was involved in the killings of civilians and security personnel. Apart from Dar, two LeT terrorists identified as Momin Gulzar and Fahim Ahmed Baba were also killed in the operation.

"It's a big achievement for us as they were involved in 18 killings. These killings include those of security personnel, civilians and minorities,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir V K Birdi told NDTV.

The security forces have intensified search operations in the Union territory days after an Indian Air Force officer was killed and four others injured when their convoy was targetted in Poonch district on May 4. 

CCTV footage photographs of three terrorists believed to be involved in the attack were released on Wednesday.

The three have been identified as Illiyas, a former Pakistan Army commando, a Pakistani terrorist called Hadoon (or Hadun), and Abu Hamza, the code-name of commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
 

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Video: Kerala Governor Arif Khan Visits Ram Temple, Bows Before Deity 9 May 2024, 3:45 am

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan visited the Ram temple here on Wednesday and bowed before the deity.

Kerala Raj Bhawan, in a post on X, said the governor visited the Ram Temple and had a darshan.

"I came to Ayodhya twice in January. The feeling at that time is the same even today. I have come to Ayodhya many times. It is not just a matter of happiness for us, instead it is a matter of pride, that coming to Ayodhya and worshipping Shriram," the governor told reporters.

Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan at Prabhu Shri Ram Temple Ayodhya: PRO KeralaRajBhavan pic.twitter.com/wCzZCSirLt

— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) May 8, 2024

In a video posted on the official X handle of the Kerala Governor showing Mr Khan bowing before the idol of Ram Lalla, the chant 'Jai Shree Ram' could be heard in the background.

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

Fact Check: Misleading Claim About Challenged Vote Goes Viral Ahead Of Elections 9 May 2024, 3:43 am

A viral message about "challenge vote" and voting rights of Indian citizens is going viral on social media ahead of the Lok Sabha elections that begin from next week. The polls will be held in seven phases and results will be declared June 4.

What does it say?: The claim states the following points:

• When you reach poling booth and find that your name is not in voter list, just show your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for " challenge vote" under section 49A and cast your vote.
• If you find that someone has already cast your vote, then ask for "tender vote" and cast your vote.
• If any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, repolling will be conducted in such poling booth. (sic)

(Similar archives of claims can be seen here and here.)

What's the truth?: These claims are misleading.

Let's dig into it: The first pointer in the post says that if your name is not in voter list then you just have to show your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for challenge vote under section 49A and proceed to cast your vote.

• However, this is false. When a person's name is not on the voting list, they simply can't vote.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) issues the Voter ID card to citizens after their names have successfully been included in the electoral rolls of their constituency. Just because one has their Voter ID Card does not mean that that they will definitely be allowed to vote - because it is mandatory their name should appear in the electoral roll for them to vote.

What is a challenge vote?: The message mentions something called a 'challenge vote', and falsely quotes section 49A.

The Handbook for Presiding Officers, however, does indeed mention a 'Challenged Vote' .

A ‘Challenged vote' is where the polling agents challenge the identity of an elector and the presiding officer holds an inquiry into the challenge.

Meanwhile, section 49A in the 'Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961' describes the 'Design of Electronic Voting Machines', and has nothing to do with 'challenge vote'.

The second statement is true: The second statement in the viral message states that if you find that someone has already cast your vote, then you can ask for 'tender vote' and cast your vote.

• This is true. According to Rule 42 of The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, if the Polling Officer tells a person that their vote has already been cast, then one should immediately bring this to the attention of the Presiding Officer.
• In such a case, the Presiding Officer may ask questions to confirm one's identity.

Once s/he is convinced that their identity is genuine, he or she will provide a tendered ballot paper and one can cast a ‘Tendered Vote'.

• A tendered ballot paper is the same as the ballot paper displayed on the balloting unit, except that it will be endorsed (either stamped or written) with the words 'Tendered Ballot Paper' on the back.
• The last point: The message lastly states, "If any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, repolling will be conducted in such polling booth."
• This statement is false. Speaking to The Quint, former Padma Angmo, Director, ECI, had clarified in 2019 that tendered votes will be taken into account only on the direction of a High Court.

“Courts have said that tendered votes should be taken into account only when they are likely to affect the outcome of the election, ie, when the margin of victory is less than the number of tendered votes,” she said.

Conclusion: A misleading claim about 'challenge vote' is going viral ahead of the elections.

(This story was originally published by The Quint, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.)

Mumbai Yoga Teacher Duped Of Rs 3.36 Lakh By Man She Met On Tinder 9 May 2024, 3:38 am

A 46-year-old yoga teacher from Mumbai has allegedly been duped of Rs 3.36 lakh by a man whom she met on a dating app, police said.

The man, Amit Kumar, claimed to be a doctor staying in Manchester, England, an official said on Wednesday.

The woman, resident of Churchgate area in south Mumbai, got acquainted with the man on the dating app Tinder recently and interacted with him, he said.

After being in touch for a couple of days, both of them exchanged phone numbers and started chatting on WhatsApp.

On April 25, the man told the victim that he has sent her a gift which she has to collect, the official said.

After some days, a woman claiming to be from a courier company in Delhi called the victim and said there was a gift for her from Manchester.

The caller demanded money from the victim to complete formalities for sending her the gift, the official said.

The victim allegedly deposited Rs 3.36 lakh into various accounts specified by the caller, he said.

She later realised that she was being cheated, following which she approached the Marine Drive police on Tuesday and filed a complaint.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the man and the caller under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act and a probe was on into it, the official said.

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Fact Check: Is Priyanka Gandhi's Himachal Bungalow Illegally Built? 9 May 2024, 3:27 am

Images, purportedly showing Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's bungalow in Himachal Pradesh's Chharabra resurfaced on social media amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, especially against the backdrop of the recent BJP-Congress row, where the former alleged that the latter's manifesto promises to seize and redistribute the wealth of Indians.

The viral claims insinuate that the bungalow is illegal, while mocking her, stating that it should come under the Congress's "wealth redistribution" plan. The archived version of the tweet can be seen here.

Newschecker had already debunked the recent claim on September 14, 2020, learning that the land purchased by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Himachal is not illegal, although the way in which certain rules were relaxed, including allowing her to purchase in a short time-period was questionable. Also, Newschecker had found no mention of the word "redistribution" in the Congress manifesto.

Result: Partly False

(This story was originally published by Newschecker, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.)
 

L&T To Increase Workforce Till FY26 To Execute Bigger Orderbook, Says CFO R Shankar Raman 9 May 2024, 3:26 am

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader calls May 9 riots 'conspiracy to target Imran Khan' 9 May 2024, 3:25 am

Fact Check: Ranveer Singh's Deepfake Video 'Criticises' PM Modi Over Inflation 9 May 2024, 3:22 am

A video of actor Ranveer Singh criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment and inflation is a deepfake video made using an artificial intelligence voice clone of the Bollywood actor. 

BOOM found that the video is digitally altered with a synthetic voice clone and in the original video, which was an interview given to Asian News International (ANI), the actor praised the prime minister and said the latter was celebrating India's cultural heritage.

In the 42-second doctored video, Mr Singh is heard saying, "This is Modiji's purpose. He intended to celebrate our sad lives, our fear, our unemployment and inflation. Because our India is now heading towards a time of injustice at such a pace... so we should never stop demanding our development and justice - this is why we must think and vote." 

The video later concludes with a message urging people to vote for Congress.

Earlier this week, another AI voice clone of actor Aamir Khan targeting Prime Minister Modi was shared by several Congress functionaries. 

Congress spokesperson Sujata Paul posted the video on her verified X handle with the caption, "Vote for Nyaya (Justice) Vote for Congress".

Click here to view the post and here for an archive.

FACT CHECK

BOOM also analysed the video using Itisaar, a deepfake detection tool developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur. The tool determined that the video contained an AI voice clone. 

The lip sync and voice in the video are not in sync. In addition, the voice-over appears to be erratic. BOOM also spoke to experts at Contrails AI to test the video through their detection tool. "Clear Audiospoof detected on the potentially doctored clip, while frames appear to be entirely real", the test determined. 

The test also said the audio appears to be a full AI clone.

BOOM found that the same clip was posted on news agency ANI's official X handle on April 14, 2024. However, in this clip, the actor's speech sounds normal.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Actor Ranveer Singh says, "I cannot express in words the experience that I have had today. Life long I have been a devotee of lord Shiva and I have come here for the first time..." pic.twitter.com/4s2j7R0x7F

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2024

BOOM also found out that the viral video had been edited from the 1:18-minute mark to the 1:54-minute mark, taking out segments from the original interview. 

In the original 2-minute and 33-second-long interview shared by ANI, Ranveer Singh talks about his visit to Kashi with an ANI reporter, stating, "Ma'am, may I share something... When I begin to speak, my words flow spontaneously. I cannot articulate what I experienced today. I have been a devotee of Lord Shiva all my life, and for the first time, I have come to visit Kashi. I want to bring my mother and my wife next time. My mother is very happy. When a devotee of Lord Shiva arrives in the city of Lord Shiva, you can imagine the emotions. When we visited the Kashi temple, there was a unique energy... a different vibration and frequency when the Panditji (the priest) recited the mantras. During the aarti, there's a distinct energy and power felt within. Everyone is captivated by that energy. Their eyes sparkle, and there's an aura around them... chanting 'Har Har Mahadev' with raised hands." 

The actor further said, "I am filled with joy seeing all of this. This was Modiji's vision to celebrate our rich cultural heritage, history, and legacy. India is progressing towards modernity at a remarkable pace, but we must never forget our roots and cultural heritage. That's why development with heritage is crucial- it's a blend of the past and the future. Kashi, a place older than history and tradition, witnessing development, is an absolute wonder. The integration of the past and the present in this spectacular place is an absolute marvel. I have had the pleasure of meeting and welcoming some foreigners inside."

(This story was originally published by BOOM, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.)

FM Sitharaman holds telephonic conversation with US Treasury Secretary 9 May 2024, 3:20 am

'Most Wanted' Terrorist Among 3 Killed In J&K Encounter With Security Forces 9 May 2024, 3:19 am

In a significant breakthrough, one of the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) most wanted terrorists and LeT commander was killed during an encounter with security forces on Wednesday night in Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Three terrorists have been killed in the gunfight which broke out in the Redwani Payeen area of south Kashmir's Kulgam after security forces launched a search operation late on Monday night.

Basit Ahmed Dar, a resident of Redwani Payeen, was also the commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot group, The Resistant Front (TRF) and was involved in the killings of civilians and security personnel. Apart from Dar, two LeT terrorists identified as Momin Gulzar and Fahim Ahmed Baba were also killed in the operation.

"It's a big achievement for us as they were involved in 18 killings. These killings include those of security personnel, civilians and minorities,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir V K Birdi told NDTV.

The security forces have intensified search operations in the Union territory days after an Indian Air Force officer was killed and four others injured when their convoy was targetted in Poonch district on May 4. 

CCTV footage photographs of three terrorists believed to be involved in the attack were released on Wednesday.

The three have been identified as Illiyas, a former Pakistan Army commando, a Pakistani terrorist called Hadoon (or Hadun), and Abu Hamza, the code-name of commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
 

Sonakshi Sinha Slams Those Criticising Heeramandi: 'These Are The People Who Love Bridgerton' 9 May 2024, 3:19 am

Air India Express sacks crew members who went on sick leave 9 May 2024, 3:18 am

Air India Express sacks crew members who went on sick leave 9 May 2024, 3:18 am

Explainer: Why US is stopping some bomb shipments to Israel 9 May 2024, 3:17 am

RajKummar Rao, With Producer Nidhi Parmar Talk Srikanth, Filming Process & More | WATCH 9 May 2024, 3:15 am

Prince William Not Letting Harry Anywhere Near Kate Middleton: Report 9 May 2024, 3:08 am

Estranged British royal Prince Harry has been "hit hard" by the cancer diagnosis of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, a royal author said. The Princess of Wales, often known by her maiden name Kate Middleton, announced in March that she has an undisclosed form of the disease.

"They (Harry and Kate) were once extremely close, and Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis, which he learned about just the way the rest of us did, via Kate's shocking video," Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," told Fox News on Wednesday.

He also claimed that the 39-year-old prince would love to "reconnect" with Kate but "unfortunately, it doesn't appear [Prince] William is willing to let his brother anywhere near his ailing wife."

Andersen said that there was just "too much drama" between the brothers and their wives and that there was "lingering bitterness" on everyone's part.

"So, the chances of even a meeting between Harry and the rest of the royal family, much less some sort of reconciliation, seem extremely slim," he added.

Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis

Kate Middleton on March 22 announced that she has cancer and was in the early stages of chemotherapy, asking for "time, space and privacy" as she completes her treatment.

In a video message, which came after weeks of rumours and gossip on social media around her health, the 42-year-old said that the discovery of cancer, after successful abdominal surgery in January, was "a huge shock" but she was "well and getting stronger every day".

She did not disclose the exact nature of the cancer but described the months since she went into the hospital as "incredibly tough" for her, Prince William, and their three young children.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," she said in the video statement.

"The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

"My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," she added.

Her illness comes at the same time that her father-in-law King Charles III undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

Prince Harry's Relation With Royal Family

Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle, who were formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are no longer working royals. They moved to California in 2020 and are now forging their own businesses after being cut off from the royal purse.

Harry, who married former actress Meghan in 2018, was at one time very close to William. However, their relations have soured in recent years and the brothers have reportedly not spoken in months after Harry's public criticism of his family.

Harry has repeatedly aired complaints about the way he feels he and his wife were mistreated during their time as working royals.

The couple have made infrequent visits to the UK since relocating to the US, including for the funeral of Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in September.

Prince Harry is currently in the UK for events marking the anniversary of his Invictus Games. He was last in the UK in February to visit his father King Charles III, who is also undergoing cancer treatment.

It was expected that he would meet his 75-year-old father during his latest trip. But a spokesperson for the prince said there will be no meeting.

"In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme," the spokesperson said. "The duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."

(With agency inputs)

Prince William Not Letting Harry Anywhere Near Kate Middleton: Report 9 May 2024, 3:08 am

Estranged British royal Prince Harry has been "hit hard" by the cancer diagnosis of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, a royal author said. The Princess of Wales, often known by her maiden name Kate Middleton, announced in March that she has an undisclosed form of the disease.

"They (Harry and Kate) were once extremely close, and Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis, which he learned about just the way the rest of us did, via Kate's shocking video," Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," told Fox News on Wednesday.

He also claimed that the 39-year-old prince would love to "reconnect" with Kate but "unfortunately, it doesn't appear [Prince] William is willing to let his brother anywhere near his ailing wife."

Andersen said that there was just "too much drama" between the brothers and their wives and that there was "lingering bitterness" on everyone's part.

"So, the chances of even a meeting between Harry and the rest of the royal family, much less some sort of reconciliation, seem extremely slim," he added.

Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis

Kate Middleton on March 22 announced that she has cancer and was in the early stages of chemotherapy, asking for "time, space and privacy" as she completes her treatment.

In a video message, which came after weeks of rumours and gossip on social media around her health, the 42-year-old said that the discovery of cancer, after successful abdominal surgery in January, was "a huge shock" but she was "well and getting stronger every day".

She did not disclose the exact nature of the cancer but described the months since she went into the hospital as "incredibly tough" for her, Prince William, and their three young children.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," she said in the video statement.

"The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

"My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," she added.

Her illness comes at the same time that her father-in-law King Charles III undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

Prince Harry's Relation With Royal Family

Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle, who were formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are no longer working royals. They moved to California in 2020 and are now forging their own businesses after being cut off from the royal purse.

Harry, who married former actress Meghan in 2018, was at one time very close to William. However, their relations have soured in recent years and the brothers have reportedly not spoken in months after Harry's public criticism of his family.

Harry has repeatedly aired complaints about the way he feels he and his wife were mistreated during their time as working royals.

The couple have made infrequent visits to the UK since relocating to the US, including for the funeral of Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in September.

Prince Harry is currently in the UK for events marking the anniversary of his Invictus Games. He was last in the UK in February to visit his father King Charles III, who is also undergoing cancer treatment.

It was expected that he would meet his 75-year-old father during his latest trip. But a spokesperson for the prince said there will be no meeting.

"In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme," the spokesperson said. "The duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."

(With agency inputs)

'We have PM Modi, INDIA bloc has no face': BJP's North East Delhi candidate Manoj Tiwari 9 May 2024, 3:03 am

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Air India Express Fires 30 Over Mass Sick Leave, Gives Ultimatum To Others 9 May 2024, 2:52 am

Air India Express has sacked at least 30 cabin crew, a day after nearly 300 employees of the airline called in sick and switched off their phones, leading to large-scale flight disruptions. The number of job terminations is likely to increase. The management, sources said, has given an ultimatum to the employees to join work by 4 pm today or face action. 

A total of 85 flights have been cancelled today as the disruptions snowball into a full-blown crisis for the low-cost airline, which is a subsidiary of Air India, now owned by the Tata group.

The employees have been protesting against the new employment terms, sources have said. The crew, the sources said, has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff. They have claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions, the sources said. The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package. These developments are taking place even as the airline is in the middle of a merger with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).

The Air India Express crisis is fresh trouble for the Tata group, barely a month after its full-service carrier Vistara witnessed disruptions due to protests by pilots over a host of issues, including their rostering for flights and changes in their pay packages.

In a statement, Air India Express has said it is making "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation". "We will be operating 283 flights today. We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com," the statement said.

"While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," it added.

The termination letter issued to the 30-odd crew members says that the mass leave "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason".

"As a result of the above, a large number of flights had to be cancelled thereby disrupting the entire schedule, which caused tremendous inconvenience to the Company's esteemed passengers. Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company.

Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to disrupt services of the Company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws, but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees' Service Rules as are applicable to you," the letter adds.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), an organisation claiming to represent the crew members, has written to the management and "highlighted a stark departure from commitments". The union has accused the airline of mismanagement and treating staff unequally. Sources from Air India Express, however, have said it does not recognise any employees' union.

Meanwhile, the regional labour commissioner has weighed in and said the staff's grievances were genuine. In a May 3 e-mail to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and others - a copy of which is with NDTV - the Regional Labour Commissioner in New Delhi, Ashok Perumalla, pointed to "blatant violations of labour laws".

Stating that the concerns of the Union are genuine, Mr Perumulla wrote, "The management of Air India Express has not sent any responsible decision-makers to any of the conciliation proceedings. Mismanagement and blatant violations of labour laws were apparent."

Mincing no words, the official continued, "The HR department tried to mislead the conciliation officer with the wrong information and an idiotic interpretation of legal provisions."

For maintaining "harmonious industrial relations", Mr Perumulla has suggested that Air India Express set up a high-level committee to examine grievances of the employees and functioning of the HR department. He has also called for corrective measures.

Ryanair's Cheeky Response To Passenger Who Complained About Legroom On Flight Is Viral 9 May 2024, 2:50 am

European budget airline Ryanair is known for its savage responses to complaints. Recently, an X user shared his flight experience with Ryanair, where he complained about 'not enough' legroom as his feet touched the front seat. 

X user named The Last King wrote, "Ryanair, I'll come with my own legroom next time."

Ryanair chimed in with a funny reply, like they always do. "Come with your own plane next time," the airline wrote. 

See the post here:

@Ryanair I'll come with my own legroom next time. pic.twitter.com/aSBIZb9uJY

— ?The Last King? (@LordMakenzi) May 7, 2024

The airline and customer exchange got 5.8 million views on X. 

Meanwhile, the airline responded witty to Met Gala's 2024 theme. Ryanair wrote this in response to media outlet Pop Crave's post on the fashion event. They wrote, "The 2024 Met Gala is 3 weeks away - this year's dress code is 'The Garden of Time.' Who's on your dream guest list?" Responding to the same, the airline shared an edited picture of one of its aircraft's bodies with flowers and leaves along with a set of lips with pink lipstick. They said, "born to slay, forced to fly."

Earlier, a woman travelling from Ryanair in Europe shelled out extra money for what she thought would be a window seat. But unfortunately, her seat didn't have any windows.  

The infuriated passenger tweeted a picture of the seat she got on the flight. The passenger, Martaverse, along with the picture wrote, "Seriously @Ryanair I paid for the window seat."

On this, the airline responded to the passenger with the same picture but encircled the small circular glass opening they had on their emergency door, justifying that they did offer a window seat to the passenger. 

West Bengal's lawsuit: Will not permit parties to raise political issue in court, says SC 9 May 2024, 2:49 am

Video: Canara, Bandhan Bank Officers Abuse Staff Over Targets, Banks React 9 May 2024, 2:48 am

Two videos have gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) where officers of Bandhan Bank and Canara Bank can be seen reprimanding their junior employees using foul language over failing to meet targets. The clips capture instances of verbal abuse, intimidation and demands for excessive work hours. They have sparked discussion among social media users on workplace ethics and employee well-being. Both incidents even prompted the banks to issue a clarification on the matter.  

In one of the videos that surfaced on May 4, a Canara Bank officer Lokapati Swain can be seen scolding employees for prioritising personal time over work. He is seen shouting and pressuring staff members to work extra hours, even on holidays and leave their family obligations. "If you will not participate in recovery, including holidays because you want time after working to travel with your family but your hell to your family. What should I do? I don't care about my family, I don't care about my family also, I care about Canara Bank. So clear message to all, and if week-wise, Monday to Saturday, work is not happening, Saturday or Sunday, whenever holiday, and if you did not respond kindly, things will be different and for everyone be it officer, chief manager, AGM," he said

Take a look below: 

At Canara Bank we always value the contribution of our employees and their families, it is proven time and again. The bank does not endorse this kind of individual behaviour and personal opinion of a particular staff. We assure that appropriate action is being taken.

— Canara Bank (@canarabank) May 4, 2024

Responding to the incident, Canara Bank said that it "always values" the contribution of employees and their families, and "it is proven time and again". "The bank does not endorse this kind of individual behaviour and personal opinion of a particular staff. We assure that appropriate action is being taken," it said in a statement on X.

Also read | Feeling Extremely Busy Can Damage Brain Health, Says Yale Psychologist

In the second video that surfaced last month, a Bandhan Bank officer, Kunal Bhardwaj, can be seen screaming at a junior employee who apparently did not meet the targets set for the month. The clip, which has now been deleted, captures Mr Bhardwaj using abusive language and questioning the employee's shame for their performance. When the employee apologised for his mistake and promised to rectify it, Mr Bhardwaj said, "Definitely correct sir?... Are you even ashamed of yourself? This is March?"

The Bank has taken cognizance of the incident. At Bandhan Bank, we place high emphasis on values & we condemn such behaviour. We do not endorse or promote such approach. Necessary action has already been initiated & we will take appropriate steps in line with the Bank's policy.

— Bandhan Bank (@bandhanbank_in) April 25, 2024

Reacting to this incident, Bandhan Bank said, "The Bank has taken cognizance of the incident. At Bandhan Bank, we place high emphasis on values and we condemn such behaviour. We do not endorse or promote such an approach. Necessary action has already been initiated and we will take appropriate steps in line with the Bank's policy". 

Despite clarifications from the banks, the videos have sparked outrage among social media users. "In an organisation as toxic as yours @canarabank thousands of such cases go unnoticed. What action has been done against one such hyped case? Also we will make sure the employee who highlighted this is not harrassed as you have a history of doing so!" wrote one user. 

"What kind of values you people  are talking about!  Subjugation , threatening ,pressurising, abetment of sucide," expressed another. "Nothing new ! We all know the working culture in Canara Bank. Neither they respond to any emails nor they pick up any call," commented a third. 

"@canarabank What has been shown in the video is the sad reality. I left the organisation because of the toxic culture. What action have you taken till now? Was there no other senior management staff in this meeting who interrupted during this task? Your policies are only on paper," shared an X user. 

Video: Canara, Bandhan Bank Officers Abuse Staff Over Targets, Banks React 9 May 2024, 2:48 am

Two videos have gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) where officers of Bandhan Bank and Canara Bank can be seen reprimanding their junior employees using foul language over failing to meet targets. The clips capture instances of verbal abuse, intimidation and demands for excessive work hours. They have sparked discussion among social media users on workplace ethics and employee well-being. Both incidents even prompted the banks to issue a clarification on the matter.  

In one of the videos that surfaced on May 4, a Canara Bank officer Lokapati Swain can be seen scolding employees for prioritising personal time over work. He is seen shouting and pressuring staff members to work extra hours, even on holidays and leave their family obligations. "If you will not participate in recovery, including holidays because you want time after working to travel with your family but your hell to your family. What should I do? I don't care about my family, I don't care about my family also, I care about Canara Bank. So clear message to all, and if week-wise, Monday to Saturday, work is not happening, Saturday or Sunday, whenever holiday, and if you did not respond kindly, things will be different and for everyone be it officer, chief manager, AGM," he said

Take a look below: 

At Canara Bank we always value the contribution of our employees and their families, it is proven time and again. The bank does not endorse this kind of individual behaviour and personal opinion of a particular staff. We assure that appropriate action is being taken.

— Canara Bank (@canarabank) May 4, 2024

Responding to the incident, Canara Bank said that it "always values" the contribution of employees and their families, and "it is proven time and again". "The bank does not endorse this kind of individual behaviour and personal opinion of a particular staff. We assure that appropriate action is being taken," it said in a statement on X.

Also read | Feeling Extremely Busy Can Damage Brain Health, Says Yale Psychologist

In the second video that surfaced last month, a Bandhan Bank officer, Kunal Bhardwaj, can be seen screaming at a junior employee who apparently did not meet the targets set for the month. The clip, which has now been deleted, captures Mr Bhardwaj using abusive language and questioning the employee's shame for their performance. When the employee apologised for his mistake and promised to rectify it, Mr Bhardwaj said, "Definitely correct sir?... Are you even ashamed of yourself? This is March?"

The Bank has taken cognizance of the incident. At Bandhan Bank, we place high emphasis on values & we condemn such behaviour. We do not endorse or promote such approach. Necessary action has already been initiated & we will take appropriate steps in line with the Bank's policy.

— Bandhan Bank (@bandhanbank_in) April 25, 2024

Reacting to this incident, Bandhan Bank said, "The Bank has taken cognizance of the incident. At Bandhan Bank, we place high emphasis on values and we condemn such behaviour. We do not endorse or promote such an approach. Necessary action has already been initiated and we will take appropriate steps in line with the Bank's policy". 

Despite clarifications from the banks, the videos have sparked outrage among social media users. "In an organisation as toxic as yours @canarabank thousands of such cases go unnoticed. What action has been done against one such hyped case? Also we will make sure the employee who highlighted this is not harrassed as you have a history of doing so!" wrote one user. 

"What kind of values you people  are talking about!  Subjugation , threatening ,pressurising, abetment of sucide," expressed another. "Nothing new ! We all know the working culture in Canara Bank. Neither they respond to any emails nor they pick up any call," commented a third. 

"@canarabank What has been shown in the video is the sad reality. I left the organisation because of the toxic culture. What action have you taken till now? Was there no other senior management staff in this meeting who interrupted during this task? Your policies are only on paper," shared an X user. 

2 Brothers From Haryana Arrested For Killing Indian Student In Australia 9 May 2024, 2:47 am

Two brothers from Haryana have been arrested in Australia for stabbing to death a 22-year-old MTech student from India. Abhijeet and Robin Gartan were arrested in New South Wales's Goulburn on Tuesday, two days after the fatal stabbing of Navjeet Sandhu in the Melbourne suburb of Ormond, officials said.

"Brothers Abhijeet Abhijeet and Robin Gartan were arrested in Goulburn with the assistance of NSW Police," the Victoria Police said in an official statement.

The victim and the accused were residents of Haryana's Karnal.

According to the victim's uncle, Sandhu was "fatally stabbed in the chest" with a knife by another student when he was trying to mediate a confrontation in a rent-related dispute between a group of Indian students. Navjeet's 30-year-old friend also sustained injuries in the incident.

"Navjeet's friend (another Indian student) had asked him to accompany him to his house to pick up his belongings as he had a car. While his friend went inside, Navjeet heard some shouting and saw there was a fight. When Navjeet tried to intervene asking them not to fight, he was fatally stabbed in the chest with a knife," Sandhu's uncle Yashvir was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

Navjeet was a brilliant student and was to join his family in July for vacations, his uncle said.

He said that Navjeet had moved to Australia on a study visa one-and-a-half years ago and his father, a farmer, had sold one-and-half acres of their land to fund his education.

Earlier, Victoria Police released details and images of the two brothers they were searching for in the stabbing incident in Ormond on Sunday.

Abhijeet is 26 years old and was described as being 170cm tall with a solid build and black hair. Gartan, 27, was also described as being 170cm tall with a solid build and black hair.

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Biden Warns He Could Cease Certain Arms Supplies If Israel Attacks Rafah 9 May 2024, 1:57 am

President Joe Biden said Wednesday he would stop US weapons supplies to Israel if it attacks Rafah in southern Gaza, his most direct warning to date over the prosecution of the war against Hamas.

In an interview with CNN Biden also deplored the fact that civilians had been killed by the dropping of US bombs on the Palestinian territory.

His fresh warning came after the US last week halted a shipment of huge American bombs to Israel as it appeared ready to proceed with a major attack on Rafah -- a city packed with Palestinian civilians sheltering near the Egyptian border.

"If they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used… to deal with the cities," Biden said. "We're not gonna supply the weapons and the artillery shells that have been used."

Biden, a self-described Zionist, had long resisted stopping any of the $3 billion in weapons the United States sends each year to Israel -- and pushed Congress for an increase in the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas that triggered the major Israeli retaliation.

But US officials say privately that his hand was forced after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear he would go ahead with an assault on Rafah, defying Biden's public appeals to spare the city.

Under increasing pressure from the left of his own party to limit arms shipments, the Biden administration paused delivery last week of 1,800 2,000-pound (907 kilogram) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs," Biden said. "It's just wrong."

Biden may worry about alienating centrist voters if he shifts too far, while Netanyahu knows he needs US support at a time of wide global anger against Israel.

"We're not walking away from Israel's security," Biden insisted in the CNN interview. "We're walking away from Israel's ability to wage war in those areas."

Incremental pressure

The Biden administration has previously taken smaller steps to show displeasure with Netanyahu, including imposing sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers and letting through a UN Security Council resolution that supported a ceasefire.

Major US interventions in the past have changed Israeli behavior. In 1991, Israel begrudgingly attended the Madrid conference that led to a peace process with the Palestinians after then-president George W. Bush held up US loan guarantees to build settlements.

In 1956, heavy US pressure including economic threats forced Israel as well as Britain and France to give up their grab of the Suez Canal from Egypt.

But experts questioned if Israel could be persuaded this time as it sees its war in existential terms after October 7, the deadliest attack ever on the country.

"I cannot imagine American displeasure with the prospect of a Rafah invasion doesn't loom large in the Israeli government's calculus," said Jon Alterman, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"At the same time, Israelis have other calculations, too," he said.

Will Israel listen? 

Raphael Cohen, director of the strategy and doctrine program at the RAND Corporation research group, noted that Israel dialed back air strikes and opened border crossings after Biden voiced anger last month following an Israeli strike that killed seven aid workers.

"Despite Netanyahu's rhetoric, Israel takes American pressure quite seriously," he said.

But avoiding a Rafah invasion "functionally means leaving at least four battalions of Hamas fighters plus its senior leadership intact and over 100 hostages in Hamas hands," he said.

"From an Israeli strategic perspective, that's probably a nonstarter and it also may fracture Netanyahu's coalition."

Even with the pause of US shipments, Israel is believed to have a significant weapons stockpile. It has a major domestic defense industry and the Biden administration has repeatedly shipped weapons that fall beneath the threshold for congressional notification.

Ari Tolany, who follows the arms trade for the progressive Center for International Policy, doubted the halt would have "an immediate operational impact" but said it sent a message to Israel not to drop 2,000-pound bombs, as it already has in the war.

South Korea To Create New Ministry To Tackle Falling Birth Rates 9 May 2024, 1:55 am

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that he wants to create a new ministry to address the country's low birthrate - the world's lowest, with the country facing a looming demographic crisis.

"I ask the parliament's cooperation to revise government organisation to set up the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter Planning," he said in a live address to the nation. 

South Korea's birth rate fell to a record low last year, official data shows, despite having poured billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability.

The country has one of the world's longest life expectancies and lowest birth rates, a combination that presents a looming demographic challenge.

South Korea's fertility rate -- the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime -- dropped to 0.72 in 2023, down nearly eight percent from 2022, according to preliminary data from Statistics Korea in February. 

This is far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain the current population of 51 million, which at these rates will nearly halve by the year 2100, experts estimate.

South Korea's 0.72 birth rate is the lowest among OECD nations, while the average age to give birth is 33.6, the highest in the OECD. 

It comes despite the government having spent vast amounts to encourage more babies, including cash subsidies, babysitting services and support for infertility treatment.

But the birth rate has continued its chronic decline.

Yoon's comment on the birth rate ministry came before his first press conference in nearly two years after his party suffered a sweeping defeat in the general elections last month.

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Trump Plans To Send "Kill Squads" To Take Out Mexican Cartel Heads: Report 9 May 2024, 1:42 am

If re-elected, former US president Donald Trump has vowed to send "assassination squads" of US special forces into Mexico to take out the heads of drug cartels, according to a report.

The Republican presidential nominee told three of his allies that the American military has “tougher killers” that can be used to "wage war" on Mexico's drug cartels amid the US's growing fentanyl crisis, according to a report by Rolling Stone.

The former president pitched for a hit similar to the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by the US military in 2019. Talking to his close allies, Trump floated the idea of deploying special operation units that would carry out assassinations in Mexico's most notorious drug cartels - with or without the consent of its government. 

Trump also told an ally that the US government should have a “kill list of drug lords” that the US special forces should use to assign troops to kill or capture.

In these discussions, the former US president also wondered why similar hits have not been carried out by the US government before, claiming that getting rid of the heads of cartels would strike fear into the hearts of “the kingpins" and dismantle their drug operations.

Trump has publicly vowed to “make appropriate use of Special Forces, cyber warfare, and other overt and covert actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations" if he returns to the White House.

The 77-year-old Republican frontrunner has not, however, revealed details of his plans including how many such squads or troops he would be willing to send to Mexico and the level of cooperation with the Mexican government.

Trump's pitch for "kill squads" has slowly gained support from Republican lawmakers and think tanks

Florid governor and former rival Ron DeSantis made a similar pledge of ordering US forces to enter Mexico "on day one" if he were elected president. Republican senators have in the past backed legislation that would “give the military the authority to go after these organisations wherever they exist”.

The proposal has been denounced by the Mexican president who called it “an offence to the people of Mexico”.

“We are not going to permit any foreign government to intervene in our territory, much less that a government's armed forces intervene,” Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico's president said.

Won't Allow Political Arguments During Hearing: Court Tells Bengal, Centre 9 May 2024, 1:31 am

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will not allow either the Centre or the West Bengal government to raise any political issue during the arguments on the state's lawsuit which alleged that the CBI is going ahead with its investigations despite withdrawal of general consent by the state.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said it was only deciding a legal issue and the court will not permit either of the parties to make political arguments.

The bench reserved its verdict on the maintainability of the suit filed by the state government.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for West Bengal, argued that once the state had withdrawn its consent on November 16, 2018, the Centre can't allow the probe agency to enter the state for investigation.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the Union government or its departments don't exercise any supervisory control over CBI investigations.

Mr Mehta said while advancing his submissions in the matter on May 2, he never went into the political part of it.

"We are only on a technical issue, why should we go into political part," the bench said.

The top law officer said this was a suit and arguments can't go beyond the pleadings.

He said Mr Sibal, while arguing the matter on May 2, had said once the CBI goes to a state, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) enters, too.

Mr Mehta said ED goes for "counting cash" recovered during a probe.

"We are only deciding a legal issue," the bench observed, adding, "We will not permit either of the parties to raise any political issue".

During the arguments, Mr Sibal referred to the provisions of the Delhi Police Special Establishment (DPSE) Act, 1946 and said, "We (state) have informed your lordships of the cause of action. You can't enter my state without my consent and you can't do it suo motu (on your own)".

He said consent of the state government must be obtained for the exercise of power by the CBI.

"Once I have withdrawn consent, the Union can't allow its investigating agency to come to my state without my consent," Mr Sibal argued.

He said granting consent was a privilege and the power to allow that privilege was vested in the state.

In his rejoinder, Mr Mehta said there was no cause of action against the Centre in this matter.

"The DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) never registers a case," he said, adding, "The DoPT can't direct registration of an FIR. Nor can any other department of the Central government supervise the investigation".

He said it was "devastating" to say that the CBI is a police force of the Union.

Mr Mehta said the Union does not have the power to direct the CBI to register an FIR for a particular offence.

During the arguments last week, the Centre had told the top court that the CBI was not under the "control" of the Union and the government can't supervise either the registration of an offence by the agency or its investigation.

The Centre's submission assumes significance as the opposition parties have been accusing the government of misusing central probe agencies like the CBI and the ED to target its rivals.

The Centre has raised preliminary objections about the maintainability of the lawsuit filed by the West Bengal government, contending that there was no cause of action against the Union of India.

The West Bengal government has filed an original suit in the top court against the Centre under Article 131 of the Constitution, alleging that the CBI has been filing FIRs and proceeding with investigation despite the state having withdrawn the general consent to the federal agency to probe cases within its territorial jurisdiction.

Article 131 deals with the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction in a dispute between the Centre and one or more states.

On November 16, 2018, the West Bengal government withdrew the "general consent" accorded to the CBI to conduct a probe or carry out raids in the state.

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Ukraine Warns Of Outages After "Massive" Attack On Power Plants 9 May 2024, 1:10 am

Ukraine on Wednesday warned of possible power shutdowns across the country after a "massive" wave of Russian missiles and drones targeted the country's battered energy system.

Moscow also said its forces had taken control of two more frontline villages, as it ups its attacks both on land and from the skies with Ukrainian troops struggling to hold the front line more than two years into the war.

"On the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, Nazi (President Vladimir) Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure triggered fresh warnings of blackouts and electricity rationing.

"There may be power cuts for household and industrial consumers across Ukraine... due to new damage to the equipment of Ukrainian power plants caused by Russian strikes," power operator Ukrenergo said.

Russia's defence ministry said its strikes were in retaliation.

"In response to the Kyiv regime's attempt to damage Russian energy facilities, this morning the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike against energy facilities and enterprises of Ukraine's military-industrial complex," it said in a briefing.

Kyiv has hit Russian oil refineries and storage depots in drone attacks over recent months.

- 'Particularly difficult situation' -

Ukrenergo said it was working on overcoming power shortages in the face of a "particularly difficult situation", including by using emergency supplies from European countries.

The strikes targeted energy infrastructure facilities in at least six regions, the ministry said.

"The enemy has not abandoned plans to deprive Ukrainians of light," Energy Minister German Galushchenko said, condemning what he called "another massive attack on our energy industry".

At least three thermal power plants were "seriously damaged" overnight according to Ukraine's largest private energy operator DTEK.

This was the fifth attack on the company's energy facilities in a month and a half, DTEK said.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said Wednesday that Kyiv had created a new government task force to "coordinate work on overcoming the consequences of Russian energy terror."

With the war showing no signs of ending, he said it would focus on preparing Ukrainian homes and businesses to get through the next fall and winter.

- Battlefield advances -

Russia said Wednesday its forces had captured two more frontline villages in Ukraine, including in the northeast Kharkiv region where it was forced to retreat from in 2022.

Russian army units "liberated the village of Kyslivka in the Kharkiv region" and Novokalynove in the eastern Donetsk region, the defence ministry said.

Kyslivka is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the embattled Ukrainian stronghold of Kupiansk, while Novokalynove is about 10 kilometres north of Avdiivka, captured by Moscow in February.

Moscow has notched up a number of territorial gains since seizing Avdiivka as it presses an advantage in manpower and ammunition on the battlefield.

Kyiv says the arrival of long-delayed US military supplies will help it stabilise the situation on the front lines.

Even with Washington signing off a $61 billion package of aid to Kyiv, Zelensky has been urging his allies to supply more air defences amid continued aerial attacks.

Russia launched 55 missiles and 21 attack drones at Ukraine overnight, the air force said on Telegram, adding it intercepted 39 missiles and 20 drones.

Russian forces launched several cruise missiles towards the capital, putting Kyiv on alert for over three hours, according to the local administration.

Moscow has launched some of its biggest ever strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities in recent months, knocking out a significant chunk of production.

Around 200,000 households in the northeastern Kharkiv region are facing power restrictions.

In the southern frontline region of Kherson, Russian shelling overnight killed a 65-year-old woman, the regional Ukrainian prosecutor's office said.

Injuries were also reported in the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kirovograd regions.  

Kyiv says Moscow is escalating attacks from the air and on land in a bid to secure a slew of successes ahead of May 9, when Russia marks victory in World War II.

Kerala Bishop In US Gets Hit By Car, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest 9 May 2024, 1:07 am

Kerala-based Believers Eastern Church's Metropolitan Bishop Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan, who was knocked down by a car while walking on the road in Dallas in the US on Tuesday, died on Wednesday after suffering a cardiac arrest, it was announced here.

After the accident, the 74-year-old was airlifted to a hospital and underwent immediate surgery.

He had reached Dallas four days back.

K.P. Yohanan, as he was known, became the founder and head of the Believers Church, based in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district, in 2003. In 2017, it took the name Believers Eastern Church and he became the supreme head and was known as Metropolitan Bishop Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan.

In his early childhood, he developed an interest in the Bible and later studied theology in Dallas. In 1974, he married German national Giesla and they started the charity organisation Gospel for Asia. In the 1980s, Yohanan was known for his radio programme "Athmeeya Yatra", which centred around the Bible.

In his career as an evangelist and then as the supreme head of the Church that he founded, he set up numerous Bible Colleges and also a state-of-the-art hospital and medical college at Thiruvalla.

During the Lok Sabha polls, his church was in the news when they pledged their support to the BJP-led NDA candidates.

The synod of the church will meet shortly to decide on the funeral arrangements of the departed Metropolitan.

"Every Party Committed To Ensuring PoK Returns to India": S Jaishankar 9 May 2024, 1:02 am

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that every political party in the country is "committed to ensuring that PoK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir), which is a part of India, returns to India," and that "the PoK issue has come to the front of people's thinking" after revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which was considered a difficult decision.

Interacting with students at the Gargi College, the minister said people assumed Article 370 could not be changed as the politics of the day had driven it deeply into the public consciousness.

Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was scrapped by the BJP-led government in August 2019.

"Take even (Article) 370, people just assume 370 cannot be changed and this is something we have to accept because the politics of the day have driven it very deeply into public consciousness. Now we see, once we change it then the entire ground situation changes," Mr Jaishankar said.

"All I can say with respect to PoK (is) that there is a parliament resolution. Every political party of this country is committed to ensure PoK, which is a part of India, returns to India. This actually is our national commitment but I do want to say one thing. I didn't get people asking us about this ten years ago, or even five years ago. It is when we have put 370 to rest, now people understand, yes PoK is also important," he added.

Mr Jaishankar said the prerequisite for something happening is it must be in your thoughts.

"What has happened today is that because we have finally taken the right decision on 370, in the minds of our own people today, the PoK issue has come to the front. As they say, the first prerequisite for something happening is first it must be in your thoughts. once it is in your thoughts, the rest will certainly happen at some point," he said.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the deteriorating economic situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, political and human rights organizations have invoked a long march and called for a sit-in on May 11 to raise the issues faced by the locals in Muzaffarabad in PoJK.

The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) and Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), in a joint statement released earlier, announced that the march will raise issues like skyrocketing inflation, severe unemployment, revocation of subsidies on wheat and flour, unjustified load shedding, exploitation of PoJK's natural resources and special and unjust privileges being given to the civil bureaucracy in PoJK.

Stressing that people have not received their wages and pensions, Amjad Ayub Mirza, a PoJK activist said, "And now to sabotage the sit-in, the Pakistani administration has ordered the puppet PM of PoK Chaudhry Anwarul Haq to issue a request for the deployment of Punjab province police and frontal corps in PoJK.

Muslims Can't Claim Rights In Live-In Relationship When Having Spouse: Court 9 May 2024, 1:01 am

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday said that Muslims cannot claim rights in a live-in relationship when they have a living spouse, as such a relationship is not permitted under the tenets of Islam.

A bench of justices AR Masoodi and AK Srivastava-I made the observations while hearing a writ petition by Sneha Devi and Mohd Shadab Khan, who were seeking protection from police action after the woman's parents filed a kidnapping case against Khan, and directed that Sneha Devi be sent to her parents under security.

The petitioners claimed that they were in a live-in relationship but the woman's parents lodged a police complaint accusing Khan of kidnapping and inducing her to marry him.

They also sought protection of their lives and liberty, saying they were adults and as per the top court, they were free to reside together in a live-in relationship.

"Islamic tenets do not permit live-in relationships during the subsisting marriage. The position may be different if the two persons are unmarried and the parties being major choose to lead their lives in a way of their own," the bench said while declining to pass an order on the issue of protection of life and liberty.

On an inquiry, the bench came to know that Khan was married to Farida Khatoon in 2020 and the couple had a baby.

The court observed that constitutional morality and social morality in the matter of marriage institutions required to be balanced, failing which social coherence for achieving the object of peace and tranquillity in the society would fade and disappear. It also directed the police that petitioner Sneha Devi be sent to her parents under security.

While the couple sought protection under Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty), the court observed, "The constitutional morality may come to the rescue of such a couple and the social morality settled through the customs and usages over ages may give way to the constitutional morality and protection under Article 21 of the Constitution of India may step in to protect the cause. The case before us is, however, different." "The constitutional protection under Article 21 of the Constitution of India would not lend an un-canalised support to such a right, once the usages and customs prohibit such a relationship between the two individuals of different faiths," the bench added. 

Hardeep Nijjar Murder Suspect Says He Entered Canada On Study Visa: Report 9 May 2024, 12:56 am

One of the suspects in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has said in a social media video that he entered Canada on a 'study permit' which only took him days to obtain, Canada-based global news reported.

The accused, Karan Brar, in a video posted online in 2019, said he applied for a student visa through EthicWorks Immigration Services in Bathinda, in the Indian state of Punjab.

He said he received his study visa days later, according to a translation of his Punjabi-language statement, as per Global News.

The promotional video and a picture of Brar, who the firm claimed was from Kotkapura, a city north of Bathinda, were uploaded on EthicWorks' Facebook page.

"Congratulations Karan Brar for the Canada study visa," the caption below the video read. "One more happy client from Kotkapura," reported Global News.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has declined to answer questions about how the suspects came to Canada, but online posts indicate that Brar arrived on a student permit three years before the killing.

According to another Facebook page purportedly owned by Brar, he moved to Edmonton on May 4, 2020, after starting his studies at Bow Valley College in Calgary on April 30, 2020, Global News reported.

However, questions concerning the subject have not yet received a response from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Brar, 22, Karanpreet Singh, 28, and Kamalpreet Singh, 22, were all taken into custody in Edmonton on Friday. They are accused of murder and conspiracy; they appeared in court in Surrey, British Columbia on Tuesday.

Members of the Sikh Community from British Columbia crowded a Surrey courtroom on Tuesday as three Indian nationals accused of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing made their first court appearance by video, according to Globe and Mail, a Canada-based news website.

As the trio, dressed in orange jumpsuits, appeared before court, pro-Khalistani protesters chanted slogans and held placards, outside the Surrey provincial court, blaming India's government for the killing.

The three men were taken into custody in Edmonton last week on Friday and are accused of first-degree murder and murderous conspiracy in connection with the June 2023 shooting of Nijjar, which severely damaged Canada's relations with India.

Notably, ties between India and Canada have been strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused agents of the Indian government of killing Nijjar. However, India has dismissed the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated".

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. The video of his killing that reportedly surfaced in March this year showed Nijjar being shot by armed men in what has been described as a "contract killing."

Last week, Canadian police released photographs of all three persons arrested in the killing of India-designated terrorist, Nijjar last year amid an ongoing probe into alleged connections of the Indian government.

Along with photographs of the three accused, the Canadian police also released the photographs of the car believed to have been used by the suspects in the time leading up to the homicide, in and around the Surrey area.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of Surrey, RCMP had said that on the morning of May 3, IHIT investigators, with the assistance of members from the British Columbia and Alberta RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service, arrested the three men for the June 2023 killing of Nijjar.

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Biden Says Trump "Won't Accept Result" If He Loses Election 9 May 2024, 12:08 am

Donald Trump will refuse to accept the results if he loses the US election this year, President Joe Biden said Wednesday.

"He may not accept the outcome of the election," Biden told CNN in an interview. "I promise you he won't, which is dangerous."

The 81-year-old, who is already the oldest person ever to hold presidential office in the United States, said US allies were hoping he would win a second term in November.

"Look, I travel around the world; other world leaders, you know what they all say? Not a joke.

"Eighty percent, after we have a major meeting (say) 'You gotta win... my democracy's at stake.'"

Biden said comments Trump has made on the campaign trail demonstrate how he will bend the presidency to his own ends if he wins back the White House.

"He's saying... he's gonna make sure his attorney general prosecutes those he tells him to prosecute and if he doesn't he's going to fire him.

"He said this about prosecution across the board. 'I'm your retribution.' What president has ever said anything like this stuff? But he means it."

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Israel Army Says Rockets From Rafah Again Target Key Gaza Crossing 8 May 2024, 11:41 pm

The Israeli army said the Kerem Shalom crossing, which has been key to Gaza aid operations, was again targeted on Wednesday by rocket fire that "lightly injured" one soldier.

"Eight launches were identified crossing from the area of Rafah into the area of Kerem Shalom", a military statement read, adding that "as a result of the launches, an IDF (army) soldier was lightly injured."

The Israeli army said that it reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing on Wednesday morning.

It was closed for three days following a Hamas rocket attack on Sunday that killed four soldiers. Another rocket launch had targeted the crossing Monday.

"Trucks from Egypt carrying humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter equipment, medicine and medical equipment donated by the international community are already arriving at the crossing," the army said Wednesday in a joint statement with COGAT, the defence ministry body that oversees Palestinian civil affairs.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the crossing remained closed.

Overnight Monday-Tuesday, Israeli troops seized control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt after launching an incursion into the eastern sector of the city.

UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma said the Rafah crossing is crucial for UNRWA, the main aid agency operating in Gaza.

"We normally get fuel through Rafah," not Kerem Shalom, Touma said.

Without fuel entering Gaza through Rafah, trucks cannot pick up aid from Kerem Shalom, she added.

"There's not been humanitarian supplies for the past three days. We have started rationing fuel," she said, adding that the territory needed 300,000 litres (79,250 gallons) of fuel a day for humanitarian purposes.

Israel's staunchest ally the United States too called for the reopening of both crossings.

jd-lba/ami

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North Korea's Kim Jong Un Expresses Support For Putin In Victory Day Message 8 May 2024, 11:32 pm

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed "firm support and solidarity" for Russia in his congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin over Victory Day, which marks the 79th anniversary of the end of World War Two, state news KCNA agency said on Thursday.

Russia on Thursday marks the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two as relations with the West spiral deeper into crisis over the advance of Russian troops against Ukraine's Western-backed forces.

"I express firm support and solidarity with the sacred cause of Russia, hoping that you and the brave Russian army and people would win fresh victory in the struggle to defeat the imperialists' hegemonic policy," Kim said in his letter to Putin according to KCNA.

The U.S. and others have accused North Korea of transferring weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine, which it invaded in February 2022. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations, but vowed last year to deepen military relations.

The debris from a missile that landed in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Jan. 2 was from a North Korean Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile, United Nations sanctions monitors told a Security Council committee in a report seen by Reuters.

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Deadly Storms Claim 100 Lives, Damage 100,000 Homes In Brazil 8 May 2024, 11:09 pm

At least 100 people have died and nearly 100,000 homes have been destroyed or significantly damaged from more than a week of record rainfall and flooding in south Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state, local authorities have said.

The National Confederation of Municipalities said in an update on Wednesday that overflowing rivers and floods in the state have affected around 1.45 million people and forced some 200,000 residents to flee their homes, Xinhua news agency reported.

Based on data from the Civil Defense agency, some 99,800 residences of all types have sustained either total or partial damage since the state's worst weather-related disaster hit on April 29, according to the confederation.

As many as 414 of 497 towns in the state, a top agricultural and livestock producer that borders Argentina and Uruguay, have suffered from the storms and declared emergencies.

The confederation estimates the economic losses at 4.6 billion reals (about $904 million), taking into account the damage to housing and public infrastructure, as well as agriculture, livestock, industry, commerce and services.

In just one week, Rio Grande do Sul saw five months' worth of rain, sparking unprecedented flooding.

UPA Government Tried To Reduce Quotas For OBC, SC, ST: Yogi Adityanath 8 May 2024, 10:42 pm

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged on Thursday that the previous UPA government at the centre tried to reduce reservations for the OBC, SC and ST communities by providing quotas to Muslims. But the attempt has not succeeded because of the BJP's protest, he added.

"As UPA chairperson from 2004 to 2014, Sonia Gandhi constituted Justice Ranganath Mishra's committee to put a dent in the OBC reservation and the committee had recommended that 6% of the OBC reservation should be given to Muslims," Mr Adityanath told ANI.

"BJP and NDA had protested at that time; their plans could not be fulfilled, and then these people also tried to intrude on the rights of SC, ST and that in the Sachar Committee Report, some castes of Muslims should be included in the Scheduled Castes. The Congress manifesto is divisive. The plans of Congress will not be fulfilled and at least Sonia Gandhi should develop the habit of speaking the truth," he added.

Reacting to the Congress's allegation that the BJP is indulging in divisive politics, he accused the Congress of pursuing a 'divide and rule' policy.

"...'Ulta chor kotwaal ko daante'. Everyone is aware that 'divide and rule' has been inherited by the Congress party. Congress allowed the devious ploy of the British to partition the country," Mr Adityanath said.

Earlier in the day, while addressing an election rally for the Akbarpur Lok Sabha seat in Kanpur, he said that the election is between 'Ram Bhakts' and 'Ramdrohis'.

He further said that after the end of three phases of Lok Sabha elections, only the slogan of 'Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, Abki Baar 400 Paar' is echoing across the country.

"When they fail to comprehend anything, they resort to conspiracies against India. Statements from opposition parties indicate that these elections are between 'Ram Bhakts' and 'Ramdrohis'. Those who are 'Ram Bhakts' are also 'Rashtra Bhakts' of the nation," he said.

The UP CM urged voters to vote in favour of BJP candidate Devendra Singh Bhole. CM Yogi expressed that the mere mention of the name 'Akbarpur' often "evokes hesitation."

"All of this will change. We must put an end to the signs of slavery and honour our heritage. This region needs to be integrated with the mainstream of development. To achieve this goal, active participation through voting in the ongoing national campaign is essential," the Chief Minister added.

He stated that it is an "eternal truth" that 'Ramdrohis' have always met their downfall and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will confirm this truth.

He emphasized, "This is not merely an election to form a government. On one hand, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country is being established as a new and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while on the other hand, 'Ramdrohis' are working to divide us based on caste and regional identities."

"Terrorists are being glorified, and mafias are encouraged. There is a conspiracy underway to grant the rights of Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Castes to minorities," he added.

Attacking the opposition, CM Yogi said that during the UPA government, the Ranganath Mishra Committee had recommended giving Muslims a 6 per cent reservation by deducting from the reservation for backward classes. He added that it was only after the BJP opposed this, that Congress withdrew the proposal.

"Congress has consistently engaged in divisive politics, fostering division within the nation and actively promoting terrorism and separatism in various regions. Congress has once again promised to give such reservations in its manifesto this time", he said.

The UP Chief Minister stated that Congress and SP did not express condolences on the demise of former UP CM, Kalyan Singh.

"Likewise, there was no compassion shown for the murder of Raju Pal in Prayagraj and advocate Umesh Pal. Presently, the mafia has been eradicated and justice has been served. Their sympathy lies with the mafia and 'Ramdrohis'," he said.

CM Yogi mentioned that the BJP government is currently conducting a survey to assess the potential for cultivating sugarcane in the area and plans are underway to establish a sugar and ethanol complex in the region.

"During the SP regime, only guns were manufactured here, but under the Kanpur Defence Corridor, cannons for the nation will be produced. When the cannons will kill terrorists at the border, the names of Kanpur and UP will resonate in everyone's minds", the Chief Minister stated.

"Only the BJP government can accomplish such tasks. Whether it's about free ration or free healthcare, from the birth of a daughter to her education and marriage arrangements, or providing security to daughters and businessmen, your vote is shaping the vision of a new India," he added.

Taking a dig at the Congress and the INDIA bloc, CM Yogi said, "Those who are responsible for dividing the country will work to divide you in future. We have to make the country self-reliant and developed under the leadership of PM Modi."

Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, State Government Minister Rakesh Sachan, Pratibha Shukla, MLAs Neelima Katiyar, Abhijeet Singh Sanga, Saroj Kuril, District Panchayat President Swapnil Varun, MP candidate Devendra Singh Bhole, former minister Aruna Kori, BJP Vice President Devesh Soni and other dignitaries were present at the event.

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10 Arrested Of Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar Gang In Nationwide Operation 8 May 2024, 7:48 pm

 In a pan-India crackdown by Delhi Police's Special Cell against the criminal module of absconding alleged terrorist Satinderjeet Singh aka Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi, nine gang members were arrested while a juvenile was apprehended, police said on Wednesday.

The official said that the operation spanned seven states - Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar and with their arrests, contract killing and other heinous crimes in Delhi and other states have been averted.

The official said that some of the arrested persons, who were connected through social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other encrypted chat platforms, were previously involved in criminal activities at the behest of Brar and Bishnoi.

Two each were apprehended from Delhi, UP, and Punjab, and one each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar. The accused have been identified as Jaspreet Singh aka Rahul, Dharmendra aka Kartik, Manjeet, Gurpal Singh, Manjeet Singh Guri, Abhay Soni, Sachin Kumar, Santosh aka Sultan Baba, and Santosh Kumar.

Police said that reliable inputs were received that an interstate module operating at the behest of notorious gangsters Bishnoi, lodged in jail and Brar, based abroad, was very active in Delhi, NCR and adjoining states for committing offences of extortion, killings and other heinous crimes.

"While monitoring the activities of this syndicate, some incriminatory conversation amongst the members of this syndicate sitting in different states came to notice through technical surveillance wherein they were conspiring to carry out some killing/heinous crime which was further corroborated by source input," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Prateeksha Godara said.

It was also learnt that these gangsters had also procured weapons.

"To avert the nefarious designs of these members, a case was registered at Special Cell on April 24 under relevant provisions of IPC. Multiple teams were constituted and dispatched immediately at different locations in all the states where these members were located," the DCP said.

Seven pistols with 31 live cartridges were also recovered from their possession.

Shooters Unaware Of Target Till Arms Delivery: Cops On Salman Khan House Firing 8 May 2024, 7:36 pm

The two men arrested for allegedly opening fire outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai were not aware of the target until weapons and bullets were delivered to them at their rented house in Panvel, a police officer said on Wednesday, citing probe carried out so far.

The alleged shooters, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta from Bihar, were arrested from Gujarat within 48 hours of the April 14 firing outside Khan's home at the Galaxy Apartment in upscale Bandra. They are in judicial custody till May 27.

The Mumbai policeCrime Branch, during interrogation, found Pal and Gupta were given the task by Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. But they had no idea they had to fire at Salman Khan's residence till the arms were delivered, said the official.

According to the official, Pal was recruited in the Lawrence Bishnoi gang by one Ankit. Pal and Ankit used to play cricket together and they eventually became friends. Pal was later added to a WhatsApp group by Ankit.

After a few days, Ankit told Pal about an assignment for which the gang needed one more person. Gupta, the second shooter, was then added to the group.

Ankit told the two men to go to Mumbai to complete the task and promised a good amount of money in return. Both shooters were handled by a person on instructions of Anmol Bishnoi, who is based abroad, the official said.

Initially, they were given Rs 30,000 and asked to go to Mumbai in October last year and search for a rented house near Panvel on Mumbai's outskirts, where Khan has a farmhouse, he said.

Pal and Gupta came to the city and stayed here for more than two months, during which they visited various places and went back to their village in Bihar when their money ran out, said the official.

In February, both were again contacted by the gang and given Rs 40,000 and asked to get a rented house for their stay. This time they came to Panvel, around 60 km from Mumbai, and took a house on rent in the Harigram area, he said.

After some days, they were asked to purchase a motorbike, for which money was deposited in their bank accounts, and some cash was also given to them, the official informed.

A few days before the delivery of weapons, they were asked to conduct a survey of the 58-year-old actor's residence in Bandra and his farmhouse in Panvel. Two pistols and 'live' rounds were delivered to them on March 15 by two men, Sonu Bishnoi and Anuj Thapan, at their rented home, and it was at this point that they were told about the target, he said.

Vicky Gupta and Pal then spoke to Anmol Bishnoi.

While speaking to him, Vicky Gupta recorded the call and made an audio clip, which was sent to his brother Sonu Gupta, the official said.

The Mumbai police have recorded Sonu Gupta's statement under Section 164 of the CrPC, he said.

The statement recorded under the section is admissible in trial, unlike the one given before police.
Both shooters were told by a gang member that they would get good money after completing the task.

Early on April 14, both went to Bandra on a motorbike and fired five rounds outside Khan's residence and fled the city, according to the official.

The men were arrested by a Crime Branch team from Gujarat, while weapons supplier Anuj Thapan and Sonu Bishnoi were nabbed from Punjab. One more gang member, Mohmmed Rafique Chowdhary (37), who provided funds to the shooters, was caught from Rajasthan.

On instructions of Anmol Bishnoi, Chowdhary met the shooters on March 8 at Mumbai suburb of Kurla. Chowdhary told them Anmol Bishnoi had given him a "bigger job" than that assigned to the duos, the official said.

Chowdhary conducted recce of Khan's residence several times. On April 12, two days before the firing, he recorded a video and clicked photos of the actor's residence and sent them to another gang member, who later forwarded them to Anmol Bishnoi, he said.

The police were checking if Chowdhary recorded videos and clicked pictures of residences of more celebrities, the official said.

In all, five persons were arrested in connection with the shooting. One of them, Anuj Thapan, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a police lock-up in Mumbai on May 1.

Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in the Sabarmati central prison in Ahmedabad, and his younger brother Anmol, who is believed to be in the US or Canada, have been named as accused in the firing case.

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On Camera, Bus Driver In US Violently Attacked By Homeless Woman 8 May 2024, 2:50 pm

A video has surfaced online showing a woman passenger violently attacking a Los Angeles city bus driver after a dispute over fare. According to CBS News, the incident happened around 12:40 p.m. Sunday in the area of Central Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard. As per witnesses, the homeless woman became agitated after the female driver told her she did not have to pay the fare since DASH buses are free. The woman then attacked the driver and tried to drag her off the bus from behind her glass safety barrier.

The video shows the woman passenger violently grabbing, pulling and punching the bus driver while the latter tried to resist her efforts. "Get off me!" the driver can be heard shouting as she fought back. After several minutes of struggle, the driver shut the doors and drove off. Thankfully, the driver did not sustain any serious injuries. She was treated on the scene and released without hospitalisation.

''Not even being sealed in a plexiglass cage protected this Los Angeles bus driver from being violently attacked by a homeless person,'' an X user wrote while sharing the video. 

Watch the video here:

Not even being sealed in a plexiglass cage protected this Los Angeles bus driver from being violently attacked by a homeless person. pic.twitter.com/ii7dlzvnIj

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) May 6, 2024

Police told FOX11 Los Angeles that the woman was arrested on a battery investigation.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation said that it is evaluating options to strengthen existing barriers that separate drivers and passengers.

"The safety of passengers and drivers on our transit services is of paramount importance to LADOT. LADOT is evaluating options to improve security including strengthening existing barriers separating drivers and passengers,'' the department said. 

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Man, 19, Dies After Eating Shawarma. Repeated Hospital Visits Didn't Help 8 May 2024, 1:34 pm

Police have arrested two vendors following the death of a 19-year-old man after eating 'chicken shawarma' bought from their stall in Mumbai, an official said.

The man, identified as Prathamesh Bhokse, bought the food item from the stall of the accused in Trombay area on May 3, the official said on Tuesday.

On May 4, Prathamesh Bhokse suffered from severe stomach ache and vomiting and went to a municipal hospital nearby to get medical treatment.

After returning home he felt sick again, following which his family members took him to the civic-run KEM Hospital on May 5.

A doctor treated him and sent him home, the official from Trombay police station said.

As the man's condition deteriorated the next day, he was again taken to the hospital where a doctor examined him. This time he was admitted following the check-up.

The hospital authorities decided to report the matter to the police who registered an FIR against unidentified persons under Indian Penal Code sections 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 273 (sale of noxious food or drink), the official said.

The man never recovered from his condition and died on Monday, he said.

The police subsequently arrested the two food vendors - Anand Kamble and Ahmed Sheikh - and charged them under various IPC sections, including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), the official 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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A woman driving to work in Noida encountered a scary incident that left her shaken. The woman, Vanchha Garg, was stuck in traffic jam around 10am near Parthala Chowk last week when two men suddenly appeared on two sides of her car. One of them told Ms Garg that she has hit a child and warned her not to drive further as the child is stuck under the rear wheel of her car. The other one, meanwhile, started banging on the car window, accusing her of actually hitting someone.

Recounting the May 2 incident, Ms Garg said she was asked to roll down the car window. "I tried to ignore him because I was sure I didn't hit anything, but he kept insisting. He said I shouldn't drive any further because there was a child under the back wheel of my car. I was shocked because I didn't see anyone, especially not a child, near my car. How could someone claim such a serious accident with a child trapped under my wheel?"

The man who had appeared first offered to help in moving the car safely and freeing the child. "I was in a state of extreme panic because the idea of hitting a child terrified me. So, in my fear, I unintentionally lowered the window slightly to hear what the man was saying. As soon as I did, he quickly forced his hand inside the car, which startled me, and I shouted at him to remove it," said Ms Garg.

When she rolled up the window, the man's hand got stuck and he started crying, urging Ms Garg to help him free his hand.

She rolled down the window again, and that's when the man quickly reached for the door lock and unlocked it. Meanwhile, the banging continued on the other window leading Ms Garg startled.

"It was all a distraction to divert my attention from his partner. While I was still trying to process everything and shaking with panic, I saw both running in opposite direction and then disappearing. It was only then that I realised they had stolen my phone, a golden iPhone 14 pro, which had been inside my lunch basket on the seat beside me," she said about the incident that lasted for five minutes.

Ms Garg, General Manager (HR) at Times Now, approached the police and got to know that CCTV installed on the stretch of the road were not functioning. And she is not sure why no one came to help her on the road.

A day after the incident, she used the FindMy app to locate her phone and found it was in Meerut. Ms Garg told the police and they told her to wait till it is switched on again.

"Instead of just stealing my phone, they could have decided to kidnap or even kill me since they had complete access to me without worrying about the law. That's why it's important for us as a society to find them and make sure they go to jail," said Ms Garg.

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