My bowling has not been upto the mark...: MI all-rounder Shepherd ahead of KKR clash

My bowling has not been upto the mark...: MI all-rounder Shepherd ahead of KKR clash Ahead of his side's Indian Premier League (IPL) game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Romario Shepherd said that his bowling has not been up to the mark and he has been working to make it better. MI and KKR will be locking horns in a high-octane clash at Wankhede Stadium on Friday. KKR is at the second spot in the points table, with six wins and three losses, giving them 12 points. They won their previous clash against Delhi Capitals. MI is at the ninth spot with three wins and seven losses, giving them just six points. They lost their previous game to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Ahead of the game, Shepherd admitted that his bowling has been smashed all over the park and he is sweating it out in nets to make it better. My bowling has not been up to the mark in the tournament so far. So, whenever I get the next opportunity, I can bowl better because, you know, bowling has been going to our park, and, you know, myself is no exception, said Shepherd as quoted by MI's official website. The all-rounder has bowled 10 overs this season and hit for 129 runs. He has taken just one wicket so far in this tournament. You know, each place you go, you have to try and adapt as fast as possible. And, you know, you must have plans, said Shepherd on his bowling. That is why we have team meetings and analysts to analyse where we bowl each batter. Over here, you can mis-execute, execute, and also go for runs. So, sometimes, you cannot judge yourself based only on the run rate. You have to ask yourself if you did exactly what you wanted to do. The batter was better on the day, or if you were bowling, you know, wrong balls at wrong plans. So, I assess as quickly as possible and devise a plan, he concluded his point. Shepherd also said that the team at this point in the tournament, has to play with an aim to win and put the very idea of scoring points behind. We just have to play to win. That is how we play cricket: to win each game. So it does not matter how many points we can score, said Shepherd. The hard-hitting all-rounder returns to Wankhede, where he had smashed 32 runs in the final over against Delhi Capitals (DC). Asked if he could replicate it, Shepherd said, You know, 32 runs in one over is hard. And you will not get those 32 runs out every game. The expectation is high. So you set the bar high, and people expect you to go there and hit each ball for six and get a boundary and stuff like that. Unfortunately, in the game of cricket, that does not happen. And, you know, sometimes you've got to rock and roll with that, he added. Kolkata Knight Riders Squad: Philip Salt(w), Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Dushmantha Chameera, Allah Ghazanfar, Sakib Hussain, Sherfane Rutherford, Chetan Sakariya, Nitish Rana, Srikar Bharat Mumbai Indians Squad: Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Shams Mulani, Dewald Brevis, Kumar Kartikeya, Luke Wood, Shreyas Gopal, Harvik Desai, Romario Shepherd, Arjun Tendulkar, Shivalik Sharma, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka. (ANI)

Apple Watch alerts Delhi woman to critical heart condition

Apple Watch alerts Delhi woman to critical heart condition

Daughters of country lost: Sakshi on BJP fielding Brij Bhushans son

New Delhi: Sakshi Malik on Thursday lashed out at BJP for choosing former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Shahran Singhs son, Karan, as its candidate for the Lok Sabha polls from the Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh, saying the decision has defeated the countrys daughters. Top wresters, including Sakshi, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, had accused Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

LS polls: Oppn slams BJP for fielding ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singhs son

New Delhi: The Congress, the TMC and the Shiv Sena have criticised the BJP for giving a party ticket to Karan Bhushan Singh, the son of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, accusing the ruling party of rewarding one who is facing charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Ending weeks Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Aastha Gill brings the buzz to Hindu College

Singer Aastha Gill performed on the second day of Mecca, the annual cultural festival of Hindu College.

Election Commission shunts out Pandian's wife after claims of bid to influence voters

Election Commission transfers Sujata R Kartikeyan for alleged misuse. BJP accuses her of influencing voters for BJD. Linked to BJD's V K Pandian. BJP lodges complaint against Congress for MCC violations.

Coal India net profit rises 26% on higher supplies

NEW DELHI: Coal India (CIL) on Thursday reported a 26.2% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 8,682.20 crore for the March quarter on the back higher supplies of the dry fuel. The companys consolidated net profit stood at Rs 6,875.07 crore in the year-ago period, Coal India Ltd (CIL) said in a regulatory filing. Its consolidated income in the January-March period declined to Rs 39,654.50 crore from Rs 40,371.51 crore a year ago. In a statement, the maharatna firm said it posted 25.8% growth in profit after tax (PAT) on a consolidated basis to Rs 8,640 crore in the fourth quarter of FY24. The PAT was Rs 6,869 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. The companys PAT for the entire 2023-24 touched Rs 37,369 crore, logging a 17.8%YoY growth. CILs PAT during FY23 was Rs 31,723 crore. The companys board recommended a final dividend of Rs 5 per share for the financial year ended March 2024, subject to the nod from shareholders at the ensuing companys annual general meeting. This was in addition to the interim dividend of Rs 20.50 per share CIL had already paid earlier in the fiscal.

Not only inflation, many factors behind rise in GST

NEW DELHI: As the monthly GST collections surged past `2 lakh crore in April, the debate is over the reason for buoyancy seen in GST collections in the last few years with many attributing it more to the inflation than increased economic activities. An analysis by The New Indian Express and its interaction with economists show inflation alone cant be attributed for growth of GST over the years. Growth in GST is mainly due to improved compliance, plugging of loopholes used for evading taxes and improved economic activities. Inflation helps in better tax collection, but in 2023-24, the impact of it was subdued. The analysis shows gross GST collections rose by 11.65% in FY24, but after adjusting for inflation (arrived through GDP deflator) the growth comes down to 10.28%. In FY23, the impact of inflation is more prominent on GST growth as inflation-adjusted growth in GST was 15.12% against 21.9% without inflation. GST collections growth can be gauged by the fact that average monthly revenues in 2017-18 (the year it was implemented) was Rs 82,294 crore, more than doubled to Rs 168,187 crore in 2023-24. Sunil Kumar Sinha, principal economist, India Ratings, says if nominal GDP growth goes up and tax buoyancy is maintained, revenue would get a boost. He says this is true for all taxes. Nominal GDP is calculated at current prices, thereby, it includes the impact of price rise. Debopam Chaudhury, economist at Piramal Enterprises, admits that inflation has played a role in better GST collection but it is not the only reason. If we were to convert nominal GST inflows into real values using GDP deflator, annualised real GST growth in the last four years turns out to be 8.4%as against 14% without this adjustment, says Debopam Chaudhary. However, he is quick to point out that improved compliance and heightened efforts to plug leakages are bearing fruits. The proportion of taxpayers, who filed GST on time out of all filers, rose from 60% in April 2019 to 95% in January 2024. The number of registered taxpayers has grown from 1.23 crore in October 2019 to 1.45 crore as on March 31, 2024. Sunil Sinha of India Ratings says due to several flip flops (on tax rates) in the initial years and leakages due to fraudulent claims of input tax credit, the GST system could not realise its real potential.

Rahul Gandhi to contest Lok Sabha polls from Rae Bareli, Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will file his Lok Sabha elections nomination from Uttar Pradeshs Rae Bareli, the family pocket borough vacated by his mother, Sonia Gandhi. Kishori Lal Sharma, Gandhis loyalist, will contest the polls from Amethi. The last date for the filing of nomination papers for the two constituencies is [] The post Rahul Gandhi to contest Lok Sabha polls from Rae Bareli, Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Apple needs to manufacture in India to stay in competition: Tim Cook

NEW DELHI: Apple needs to manufacture in India to stay in competition, said Tim Cook on Friday. Cook, while speaking at its investor call for the second quarter ended March 2024, also mentioned that India is an incredibly exciting market and it's a major focus for Apple. In terms of the operational side or supply chain side, we are producing there, from a pragmatic point of view, you need to produce there to be competitive, said Cook. The US tech giant has been assembling smartphones in India through contract manufacturers since 2017. Apple assembled $14 billion worth of iPhones in India during fiscal 2024, constituting 14% of their global iPhone production. This reflects Apple's strategy to diversify its production base away from China. As per reports, Apple aims to manufacture 25% of total iPhone production in India by 2025. Currently, they assemble iPhones ranging from the iPhone 12 to the latest iPhone 15 in India, but not the higher-spec Pro and Pro Max models. While talking about growth in India, Cook mentioned that the company achieved impressive double-digit growth in the country, leading to a record-breaking March quarter for Apple in India Sure. We did grow strong double-digit. And so we were very, very pleased about it. It was a new March quarter revenue record for us. As you know, as I've said before, I see it as an incredibly exciting market and it's a major focus for us, said Cook. In 2023, Apple opened two retail stores in Delhi and Mumbai. Cook said the company is continuing to expand its channels and is also working on the developer ecosystem. We just opened a couple of stores as last year, as you know, and we see enormous opportunity there. We're continuing to expand our channels, and also working on the developer ecosystem as well. And we've been very pleased that there is a rapidly-growing base of developers there. And so, we're working all of the entire ecosystem from developer to the market to operations, the whole thing, said Cook. Meanwhile, Apple, in its second-quarter result for its fiscal 2024, posted quarterly revenue of $90.8 billion, down 4% year over year, and quarterly earnings per diluted share of $1.53. Apple announced that its board had authorized $110 billion in share repurchases, a 22% increase over last years $90 billion authorization. Given our confidence in Apples future and the value we see in our stock, our Board has authorized an additional $110 billion for share repurchases. We are also raising our quarterly dividend for the twelfth year in a row, said Luca Maestri, Apples CFO.

Two-wheelers see strong double-digit growth in April

NEW DELHI: On the back of low base of last year and strong buying during the nine-day Navratra festival, the countrys two-wheeler market reported strong sales growth in April 2024. The industry also registered a recovery on the export front despite the Red Sea crisis. A senior two-wheeler industry executive said the sector continues to see recovery as the rural economy is showing signs of growth after a noticeable period. Last month, 2W sales were also boosted by wedding season across India. Going forward, all eyes are on the monsoon season. The initial forecast of a normal monsoon is very supportive for the industry, the executive said requesting not to be named. The growth in two-wheeler sales bucked the wider auto industry trend as car sales stagnated in April. Top OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors reported 1-2% growth in April sales. Apr24 domestic 2W retails (1.64 million units) were up 33% YoY/7% MoM with the onset of the wedding/harvesting season propelling demand. Following Mar24s record e-2W sales (140k units), retails plummeted 54% MoM to 65k units as subsidies shrunk. The extended subsidy scheme for e2Ws will be in play until Jul24; post that, discounts will rest on the shoulders of vehicle PLI, said analysts at ICICI securities. Hero MotoCorp sold 5.33 lakh units of motorcycles and scooters in April 2024, translating into a robust 34.7% growth over the corresponding month (April 2023). Hero said that the volume growth in April highlights the companys sales trend, especially in the 125cc and 400+cc segments. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter Indias (HMSI) total sales were slightly higher than Hero MotoCorp. During the month, the Japanese company dispatched 5,41,946 units of two-wheelers, registering a strong 45% YoY growth.

Delhi cops: NewsClick stand on Covid vax 'terror act'

Delhi Police chargesheet accuses NewsClick, founder Prabir Purkayastha of hindering Indian govt's Covid-19 efforts, misinformation propagation endangering public health, and involvement in a broader conspiracy impacting national security and public opinion.

Revanth vows to liberate Siddipet from clutches of feudal lords

HYDERABAD : Launching a scathing attack against BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and former minister T Harish Rao, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said that he will liberate Siddipet from the clutches of Raos. The chief minister addressed a Jana Jatara public meeting at Asifabad under the Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency, a street-corner meeting in Siddipet under the Medak segment and a roadshow in Quthbullapur of Malkajgiri constituency. During his speeches, he described the BRS duo as Bramha rakshasas (demons) and Harish Rao as Shanishwar Rao. Referring to Harish Raos challenge on farm loan waiver, Revanth said: I will waive farm loans by August 15. Siddipet will get independence on August 15. Siddipet will get a new MLA after August 15. I will hold a meeting with one lakh people in Siddipet after waiving farm loans. Harish should be ready with his resignation letter. Do you want Congress candidate Neelam Madhu or BRS candidate P Venkatram Reddy, who snatched lands from farmers in the name of construction of Mallannasagar project? he asked the gathering and added that Harish Rao illegally constructed a farmhouse at Ranganayakasagar project. Alleging that Harish Rao threatened leaders and filed false cases against those who contest elections in Siddipet, he said: Isnt it a dorala rajyam (feudal rule)? How many days will this kingdom last in Siddipet? If Siddipet is not liberated, people will have to live as slaves forever. Venkatram grabbed hundreds of acres The CM also criticised BRS candidate P Venkatram Reddy and alleged that when he was Siddipet collector, he grabbed hundreds of acres and harassed people. Venkatram is like Kasim Razvi for KCR and Harish Rao. You should ensure that Venkatram loses his security deposit. If he wins the election, he will crush people like an Anaconda. Revanth also said that BJP candidate M Raghunandan Rao is a Dubbak dora. Does this area belong only to KCR, Harish Rao, KTR and Raghunandan Rao? They belong to different parties during daytime but in the night, they are all one party, he said. Addressing the Asifabad public meeting, Revanth alleged that during the BRS regime, KCR neglected the podu land issue. Farmers of Adilabad suffered a lot as the BRS government failed to construct the Tummidihetti project. He alleged that though BJP MP Soyam Bapu Rao sought funds for development of Adilabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah ignored his pleas. The BJP insulted Bapu Rao by denying him the ticket in this elections.The BJP did not induct the Gond leader in the Union Cabinet, he said. Alleging that BJP candidate G Nagesh behaves like a dora, he said: Till now, no party has allotted the Adilabad ticket to a woman. For the first time, the Congress has fielded a woman Atram Suguna. I am ready to take on Delhi Sultans Referring to the doctored Amit Shah video, the CM said he is ready to face Modi and Shah, whom he referred to as Delhi Sultans. When I questioned them about scrapping of reservations, Shah lodged a case against me in Delhi. KCR lodged about 200 cases against me during his rule and sent me to Cherlapally and Chanchalguda jails. Did I get scared by such tactics? I have the strength and power to face the Delhi Sultans who are trying to attack Telangana, he said.

DoT asks telcos to start caller ID feature CNAP

NEW DELHI: In a bid to check spam calls in, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked telecom service providers to start trials of CNAP (Calling Name Presentation), a feature that will display name of a caller. According to DoT officials, the government wants these features to be implemented as soon as possible, most probably after the general elections. After getting a recommendation from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), DoT asked all three private telecom service providers to start trials of the feature. Moreover, the government wants to implement the features as soon as possible to curb spam calls. Chances are high to start the service post-election, said an official. CNAP is a service similar to Truecaller that will show callers name. How will it be different from this third-party app? Truecaller provides information based on crowdsourcing, which may be inaccurate at times, while CNAP will acquire the database from the Customer Application Form (CAF). CAF means a form duly filled out by the customer, which provides details of the customer, installation address, etc., while purchasing a SIM. This means the name you use when purchasing a SIM card will be the one visible to the person you are calling. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea have started creating and maintaining a database that contains customer names along with their phone numbers. However, the feature also faced backlash in 2023, when the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea, raised privacy concerns.

Adani Enterprises March quarter net profit declines by 38% to Rs 451 crore

NEW DELHI: Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) - on Thursday reported a sharp dip of 38% in its consolidated net profit at Rs 451 crore for the quarter ended March 2024 (Q4FY24) as against Rs 722.48 crore profit reported in the same quarter of last fiscal (Q3FY23). Sequentially, profit fell 76% against Rs 1,888.45 crore reported in Q3FY24. The consolidated revenue from operations for the Adani Group flagship firm was marginally up by 0.81% to Rs 29,180 crore in Q3FY24 from Rs 28,944 crore in the year-ago period. AELs gross debt rose from Rs 38,320 crore as of March 2023 to Rs 50,124 crore at the end of March 2024. Higher operating costs and provision for exceptional times seem to have weighed down on the bottom line. While AELs operating costs rose 31% YoY in Q4FY24 to Rs 9,324 crore, the cost of materials consumed more than doubled YoY to Rs 2,824 crore in Q4FY24 from Rs 1,324 crore Q4FY23. The companys airport arm also took an exceptional loss of Rs 627 crore in the March quarter towards the annual fees for Mumbai International Airport Ltd, as an expense for the period of March 2022 to September 2022. We remain dedicated to corporate governance, meticulous compliance, robust performance and effective capital flow management, said Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group. The emerging core infra businesses comprising of ANIL Ecosystem, Airports and Roads are making significant strides in their operational performance, the company said. Adani Ports profit up 77% NEW DELHI: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) on Thursday reported a 76.87% jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,014.77 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2024. The integrated logistics player had clocked a profit of 1,139.07 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, it said in a BSE filing. Its consolidated total income rose to Rs 7,199.94 crore for Q4FY24 against Rs 6,178.35 crore last year.

FSSAI to check quality of food items amid recent reports of violations

NEW DELHI: Food regulator FSSAI plans to launch surveillance on other food items like fortified rice, dairy products and spices sold in the domestic market. The development comes after it started a probe into alleged violation of norms in branded spices and also row over added sugar in Nestles Cerelac baby cereals. As per a PTI report citing sources, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning surveillance on food items such as fruit and vegetables, salmonella in fish products; spice and culinary herbs; fortified rice; and milk and milk products. It is already taking samples of spices in powder form of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from across the country in view of quality concerns flagged by Singapore and Hong Kong. FSSAI does not regulate the quality of exported spices. Hong Kongs Center for Food Safety (CFS) had last month asked consumers not to buy and traders not to sell MDHs Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder. No racial biases in Nestle products: Nestle India Chairman The CFS had said samples of several kinds of pre-packaged spice-mix products of two Indian brands were found to contain a pesticide ethylene oxide. Singapore Food Agency also directed a recall of such spices. After Hong Kongs directive, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered a recall of imported Everest Fish Curry Masala from India. Last week, FSSAI said it was in the process of collecting pan-India samples of Nestles Cerelac baby cereals, amid a global report claiming the company was adding higher sugar content to the product. As per sources, FSSAI carries out pan-India surveillance on various food products to assess the compliance status of implemented regulations. FSSAI to examine MDH and Everest products for quality concerns

Guts, guns & a goat: A commander recollects his days and nights at the Kargil war

25th anniversary of Kargil war, Indian Army's Operation Vijay, marked by epic battles. Lieutenant Colonel Sada S Peter shared untold stories. Kargil victory celebrated in Delhi.

Congress minister trying to cover up phone-tapping case, says Bandi

HYDERABAD : Karimnagar BJP candidate Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday accused a Congress minister from Karimnagar of having links with BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao and trying to cover up the phone-tapping case. Speaking to reporters here, the former state BJP president alleged that former Intelligence chief T Prabhakar Rao, who is an accused in the case, has sent money to Delhi through this minister. The BJP leader said that Radha Kishan Rao, a police officer accused in the case, carried out the alleged phone-tapping from Pratima Hotel in Karimnagar and the residence of Ashok Rao, an associate. Ashok Rao is now looking after the affairs of Congress Karimnagar MP candidate Rajender Rao. Prabhakar Rao is the main reason behind Rajender Rao getting the Congress ticket, Sanjay alleged. Stating that he was a victim of the alleged phone tapping, Sanjay claimed that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and BRS MLA T Harish Rao too were victims of this scandal. Sanjay Kumar demanded that the phone-tapping probe should be handed over to the CBI. Expressing suspicion that phones are still being tapped, he said that the investigation should also be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) if necessary.

Traffic snarls key issue in Delhis noisiest Karol Bagh

NEW DELHI: Karol Bagha shoppers delight with Ajmal Khan Road offering affordable readymade garments, cotton yarn and embroidered garments, Arya Samaj Road housing second-hand books market, and Bank Street with jewellery shopshas also earned a name of being the noisiest location of the national capital. It recently recorded an average day-time decibel levels of 74.2 dB(A) in 2023, data from the Economic Survey 2023-24 shows. It was the fourth consecutive year that the station has recorded the highest average decibel levels in a year since it was set up in 2020. Encroachments, parking woes and traffic snarlsthe reasons are many. I have been living in the locality since the 1990s, and it used to be a quiet place with only the market area being noisy. I even remember bicycling and playing on the streets. But today, every lane is dotted with vehicles. The streets have narrowed, thanks to illegal encroachment. At times, authorities come for inspection and clear the roads. But that remains for a few days only, a Karol Bagh resident living near Ajmal Khan Road said. The other main issue is mushrooming coaching institutes. Many residents have converted their houses into PGs and hostels. This has led to constant hustle and bustle. Moreover, many food outlets and stationery shops are running illegally on roads, blocking the pedestrian way and limiting the parking space, another resident said. Karol Bagh, one of the assembly segments of the New Delhi constituency, came into existence in 1961. The locality is dominated by Dalit voters, specifically the Regards, a sub-caste within the Dalits. This constituency has 1,64,742 prospective voters, out of which 90,449 are male, 74,285 are female, and 8 are transgenders. The Karol Bagh used to be a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion, having elected Surendra Pal Ratawal of the saffron party in the 1993, 2003, and 2008 Delhi state assembly elections. In 2015, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Vishesh Ravi won the constituency. In 2020, Ravi of the AAP won this constituency by defeating Yogender Chandoliya of the BJP. Congress won once in the last seven major elections, and BJP and AAP thrice each. This time, the BJP has Bansuri Swaraj, Sushma Swarajs daughter, to challenge AAPs Somnath Bharti. The contest Congress won Karol Bagh once in the last seven major elections, and BJP and AAP thrice each. Falling under New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has Bansuri Swaraj, Sushma Swarajs daughter, to challenge AAPs Somnath Bharti.

'Taarak Mehta' actor Gurucharan Singh's disappearance: New details emerge. Was it all planned?

Gurucharan Singh has been missing for nearly two weeks, with suspicions arising that he may have planned his own disappearance. The Delhi Police are actively investigating the case, which began on April 22 when Gurucharan was expected to fly from Delhi to Mumbai but never did. His phone was left in Delhi, complicating search efforts. Industry friends and colleagues express concern, and authorities are working to uncover the truth behind his absence.

Rahul to contest LS polls from Rae Bareli, his loyalist KL Sharma from Amethi

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli seat, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi earlier. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the party said in a statement on Friday. Sharma was []

Any error during polls will be unpardonable, officials told

HYDERABAD : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday took stock of the situation in Telangana before going ahead with the fourth phase of the elections to Lok Sabha with the polling slated for May 13. Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Nitesh Vyas interacted with observers, district collectors, superintendents of police (SPs) and returning officers (ROs) of the 17 Lok Sabha Constituencies in the state through a video conference from Commissions headquarters at New Delhi. He took feedback from each observer and issued directions as required to DEOs/ROs. They assured Vyas that all arrangements are in place and are ready for polls. From Hyderabad, the conference was attended by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj, Expenditure Nodal Officer Mahesh Bhagawat, Additional DG and SPNO, Sanjay Jain, Additional CEO DS Lokesh Kumar and others. Vyas advised them to be impartial and transparent and treat every candidate and political party on an equal footing without giving any scope for criticism. Attend whatever genuine complaint is brought to your notice by the candidate/political party he said. There must not be any error on any matter, especially statutory process. Efficient personnel must be posted as sectoral officers with multi-booths in charge and make foolproof arrangements. Officials should be alert and vigilant and take extra care during the last 72 hours before the polling. Any error will be unpardonable, the senior deputy election commissioner said. Vyas asked the officials to check every aspect of the arrangements, such as voter information slips (VIS) and EPIC Card distribution, ballots, EVMs and facilities being provided at polling stations such as drinking water, dedicated medical teams and security to be provided to strongrooms, among others. The collectors, CPs/SPs and ROs briefed Vyas on the situation in their respective areas while he issued dos and donts to them depending on the local situation. Officials of Hyderabad and Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituencies sought extra forces to be deployed in some Assembly segments in the city.

Hoax threats in Delhi schools were to create panic, says FIR

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police, in the FIR registered in connection with the email threat case of Delhi schools, said that the bomb threat email to over 130 schools was sent with an intention to create mass panic in the city. It appears that the emails used to send the threats were made with the conspiratorial intention of creating mass panic and to disturb public been made out, the FIR read. More than 150 schools in Delhi-NCR were forced to evacuate their students on Wednesday morning after they received emails that mentioned explosives being planted in the school premises. However, the threat was later found as hoax. Meanwhile, taking note of false claims circulating in WhatsApp groups that bombs were detected in schools, Delhi Police said the messages have no truth in them.

Teen Caught For Sending Bomb Threat To Delhi Police Headquarters

A teenage boy was caught for allegedly sending an email to the Delhi Police headquarters saying that a bomb was planted in the outer Delhi's Nangloi area, police said on Friday.

Teenage boy caught for sending bomb threat to Delhi Police HQ

A teenage boy was caught for allegedly sending an email to the Delhi Police headquarters, claiming that a bomb was planted in the Nangloi area of outer Delhi. The sender, revealed to be a teenage boy, was apprehended after a thorough check in the area. The police provided counseling to him before releasing him to his parents.

Hyderabad Metro hits 50 crore passenger mark

HYDERABAD : Confirming its tag of being the the transportation lifeline of the city, the Hyderabad Metro Rail has recorded a ridership of 50 crore passengers since its inception in 2017, officials announced on Thursday. According to a press communique, the L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (L&TMRHL) and the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) are going to celebrate the occasion and launch the customer loyalty stall and Green Miles loyalty club at Ameerpet Metro Station on Friday Currently, the Hyderabad Metro operates along three corridors covering approximately 69.2 km: Corridor-I, running from Miyapur to LB Nagar; Corridor-II, connecting JBS to MGBS; and Corridor-III from Nagole to Raidurgam. Launched in 2017, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model initiated in 2008, the Hyderabad Metro has quickly become Indias third-longest operational Metro network, following the Delhi Metro and Namma Metro in Bengaluru, the release added. Expansion planned Amidst overwhelming citizen response, the state government, earlier this year, finalised and approved new routes for the proposed Phase-2 expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), covering a distance of 70 km to connect the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) from all corners of the city. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials to prioritise the expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, particularly to enhance connectivity to RGIA and in view of the escalating traffic congestion apart from addressing future public transportation needs. Officials said the Metro rail has become a reliable option for commuters in Hyderabad. As the city continues to grow, it will help many more connect to different commercial and residential areas, they added. They mentioned that the Metro will assume more significance as the population and the number of private vehicles grow in the city. During heavy traffic congestions, the Metro will help save time on travel and connect major parts of the city. The sources also believe that the Metro Rail will open up opportunities for commercial growth apart from attracting investments and boosting the real estate market.

Murder accused nabbed after exchange of fire in Delhi; pistol, live bullets seized

NEW DELHI: A 24-year-old criminal, wanted for the brutal murder of a man, was caught by the Delhi Police in an early morning encounter during which he sustained a bullet injury on his leg, an official said on Thursday. The accused was identified as Umar, resident of Chauhan Banger. DCP (northeast) Joy Tirkey said Umar was involved in a murder case of a man named Arbaaz in Seelampur area. Accordingly, the police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and five suspected people were identified. As per police, three of the five were arrested after a few days of the murder, however, two people, including Umar, were still absconding. On May 2, the staff of Seelampur police station received a tip-off in the small hours of the day regarding the accused Umars presence in the Khadar area. Subsequently, the police laid a trap at the specified location and around 7.15 am, the alleged Umar was seen arriving on a motorcycle. When he was signalled to stop, he fired upon the police party. In police retaliatory firing, Umar sustained bullet injury on his right leg, the DCP said. The police team immediately overpowered and apprehended him from the spot and took him to Jag Pravesh Hospital from where he was discharged after treatment. A 7.65 mm pistol was recovered from his possession. He had fired 2 rounds, while the magazine still had 2 more rounds. Police fired a single round which hit him in the leg. No one was injured from the police party, the officer said.He said a case of attempted murder and resisting police is being registered against Umar. Wanted in Seelampur case Umar was involved in a murder case of a man named Arbaaz in Seelampur area, police said. In the incident on March 9, Arbaaz had sustained multiple gunshot injuries on the left side of head, chest and abdomen. He was rushed to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. The deceased had five cases registered against him.

Cant issue directions mid-polls, we trust EC: Delhi HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday opted not to issue directives to the Election Commission (EC) regarding the cessation of deepfake video circulation amidst the Lok Sabha elections. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora expressed its trust in the poll body to take appropriate action. Court cannot pass a direction in the middle of the election. Lets leave it to EC. We trust them, the bench remarked. Senior advocate Jayant Mehta, representing the petitioner, emphasised the need for a mechanism akin to the ECs certification of political advertisements for print and electronic media to be extended to content on social media. The petition sought EC intervention to address misuse of deepfake technologies, saying it undermines the fairness of elections. However, the bench observed that such a suggestion might not be practical. The suggestion you are making may not be appropriate. It is like saying when you go to address a political rally, they (politician) must take permission from the EC, the court remarked. Instead, the bench instructed the petitioner to file a representation with the EC, which the commission must address by May 6 along with appropriate steps. The EC informed the bench that it had already removed deepfake videos featuring prominent figures like Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Aamir Khan, and Ranveer Singh, and had filed criminal complaints. The court suggested that accounts repeatedly posting fake videos should face consequences, including public disclosure of their names. Additionally, it proposed consideration of dynamic injunctions by the EC to disable retweets of deepfake videos. However, the court declined to mandate specific guidelines for the EC, citing the inappropriateness of doing so midway through elections.

India Condemns Pakistan's Falsehoods at UNGA, Highlights Its Dubious Record on Terrorism

India Condemns Pakistan's Falsehoods at UNGA, Highlights Its Dubious Record on Terrorism In a sharp retort, India has said Pakistan harbours a most dubious track record on all aspects, as it slammed destructive and pernicious remarks made by Islamabads envoy in the UN General Assembly here. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kambojs stern response came after Pakistans UN envoy Munir Akram made lengthy remarks against India, including references to Kashmir, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, during his address to the UN General Assembly meeting on Culture of Peace. One final pointin this Assembly, as we endeavour to cultivate a culture of peace amid these challenging times, our focus remains steadfast on constructive dialogue. We thus choose to set aside the remarks from a certain delegation, which not only lack decorum but also detract from our collective efforts due to their destructive and pernicious nature, Kamboj said on Thursday. We would strongly encourage that delegation to align with the central principles of respect and diplomacy that must always guide our discussions. Or is that too much to ask of a country that harbours a most dubious track record on all aspects in itself? she said. Kamboj asserted that terrorism stands in direct opposition to the culture of peace and the core teachings of all religions, which advocate compassion, understanding and coexistence. It sows discord, breeds hostility and undermines the universal values of respect and harmony that underpin cultural and religious traditions worldwide. It is essential for Member States to work together actively to nurture a genuine culture of peace and to view the world as a united family, as my country strongly believes, she said. Kamboj further said that the world faces significant challenges from geopolitical tensions and uneven development. The growing intolerance, discrimination and violence based on religion or belief indeed demand our urgent attention, she said. We are particularly concerned by the escalating attacks on sacred sites, including churches, monasteries, gurudwaras, mosques, temples and synagogues, she said, adding that such acts require a swift and united response from the global community. It is crucial that our discussions therefore forthrightly address these issues, resisting political expediencies. We must tackle these challenges directly and ensure that they are central to our policy, dialogues and international engagements, she said. Kamboj told the UNGA meeting that the doctrine of Ahimsa championed by Mahatma Gandhi continues to be a bedrock of Indias commitment to peace. India is not only the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, but also a stronghold for Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. It has historically been a refuge for persecuted faiths, illustrating its long-standing embrace of diversity, she said. With its remarkable religious and linguistic diversity, India's cultural mosaic is a testament to tolerance and coexistence. Festivals such as Diwali, Eid, Christmas and Nowruz transcend religious boundaries, celebrating shared joys among diverse communities, Kamboj added. India commended Bangladesh for presenting the resolution Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which Delhi proudly'' co-sponsored.

Delhi Police catch juvenile after hoax bomb threat

Delhi Police catch juvenile after hoax bomb threat New Delhi: Delhi Police headquarters on Jai Singh Marg received a bomb threat email, however, it turned out to be a hoax, an official said on Friday, adding that a juvenile was identified. The email mentioned the threat to the Nangloi area of the national capital. [] The post Delhi Police catch juvenile after hoax bomb threat appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

X briefly blocks Indian users account, Elon Musk responds

New Delhi: Elon Musk said on Thursday that he must respect the laws of a country or else his X platform will be blocked, as an Indian user criticised the billionaire for locking her account over a post. Anu Bishnoi (@Anitabishnoi09) posted that her account got locked for an hour and she had to delete Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Delhi: AAP forms panel to coordinate with Congress

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday formed a committee headed by MLA Durgesh Pathak to coordinate with its poll ally, Congress, for the election campaign. According to the party, responsibility of the New Delhi constituency was given to Rajesh Gupta, West Delhi to Naresh Balyan, South Delhi to Dinesh Mohaniya, Chandni Chowk to Pawan Sharma, North West Delhi constituency to Mukesh Ahlawat, North East Delhi to Sanjeev Jha and East Delhi to Dilip Pandey. An AAP leader said the two parties met on Tuesday to create a system for better cooperation. The development comes days after Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely stepped down from the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president post over the alliance with bitter rival AAP, selection of outsiders as candidates and alleged interference by AICC general secretary (Delhi In-charge) Deepak Babaria in the functioning of the city unit. The AAP and Congress have allied with a 4:3 deal for the seven seats in Delhi. The AAP will contest from the New Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi, and East Delhi seats, while the Congress will contest from the Chandni Chowk, Northeast Delhi, and Northwest Delhi seats. The general elections will be held in Delhi on May 25.

IMD Rain Update: There will be chances of rain in Delhi on the weekend amid strong winds, know the weather conditions

This year, the beginning of the month of May has been as cold as last year. Last year, on May 1, 2023, the maximum temperature was recorded at 26.1 degrees Celsius, which was 12 degrees Celsius below the normal temperature. IMD Rain Update: While the month of May is known for heat waves and scorching [] The post IMD Rain Update: There will be chances of rain in Delhi on the weekend amid strong winds, know the weather conditions first appeared on informalnewz .

Delhi: Woman stabbed during robbery, chain snatched

NEW DELHI: A woman working as an assistant professor in a UP college, was stabbed in the arm and robbed while travelling in a battery-operated rickshaw in Delhi, an official said on Thursday. The 32-year-old accused, identified as Chand Mohammad, was arrested. According to the official, the incident occurred on April 29, when the professor at Digambar Jain College in Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh), identified as Namita Jain, had hired a battery rickshaw from Apsara Border towards Mansarovar on GT Road. When the rickshaw reached over Shahdara flyover, a co-passenger robbed her chain, caused her injury by assaulting her with a knife and fled from the scene, DCP (Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary said. Accordingly, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and began probing the incident. During the investigation, footage of more than 40 CCTV cameras installed on the route of the e-rickshaw was analysed and based on that CCTV footage, the accused Chand Mohammad, a resident of Dilshad Garden, was arrested. The stolen chain (artificial) was recovered from his house on his instance. On interrogation, Chand Hasan disclosed that after the commission of offence, he threw the knife in a tempo. The cops revealed Chand used to work as a driver and was addicted to consuming smack heavily. He was previously involved in 5 cases of robbery, snatching and house trespassing and causing hurt.

Shah deepfake probe: Political leaders skip police summons

NEW DELHI: Not even a single member of any political party on Thursday appeared before Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police special cell in connection with the sharing of Union Home Minister Amit Shahs fake video, officials said. We have asked some of the leaders from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and one person from the Northeast. But no one turned-up for questioning on Thursday, a senior police officer said. The Delhi Police is likely to serve a second notice to the members of the Telangana Congress in connection with the uploading and sharing of the fake video of Shah. The four members of the Telangana Congress, who were supposed to appear before the office of the IFSO, did not come on Wednesday. We will again ask them to appear before the IO (investigating officer), as they did not come on Wednesday, an officer said. The summonses were issued to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and four Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) members, Shiva Kumar Ambala, Asma Tasleem, Satish Manne and Naveen Pettem, under sections 91 and 160 of the CrPC. According to the police sources, if a person is served notice under section 160/91 of the CrPC, the person can either make a physical appearance before the IO or send a legal representative. According to police, about 22 people from various parties in Jharkhand, UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been served notices in connection with the case On Wednesday, Reddys lawyer appeared before Delhi Police and asserted that his client had nothing to do with creating or posting the doctored video. Noida man held for sharing Yogi deepfake A man was arrested on Thursday by the Special Task Force of UP Police for allegedly posting an AI-generated deepfake video of CM Yogi Adityanath, officials said. The purported video was used to spread misleading information and anti-national narrative, the police said.

Teen held for sending bomb threat to Delhi Police HQ

Teen held for sending bomb threat to Delhi Police HQ A teenage boy was caught for allegedly sending an email to the Delhi Police headquarters saying that a bomb was planted in the outer Delhi's Nangloi area, police said on Friday. After a thorough checking in the area, the sender, who turned out to be a teenage boy, was caught. He was counselled by the police before being handed over to his parents. The Delhi Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Road in central Delhi is about 18 kilometers away from Nangloi. The PHQ in a statement said, ''the sender is an immature child and therefore, in his interest and in compliance of the mandate of JJ Act, details of his identity cannot be shared.'' ''The mail was sent as an act of mischief. The juvenile, after proper counseling, has been handed over to his parents,'' it added.

Kejriwal has lost trust: Kamaljeet

NEW DELHI: Filing the nomination papers from the West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on the BJP ticket on Thursday, the former MLA Kamaljeet Sehrawat said voters will choose her party as they have no sympathy for the jailed AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi chief minister has been under judicial custody since April 1 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. The voters will choose the Lotus symbol while casting their votes as they have no sympathy for Arvind Kejriwal, the former Mayor of erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation told this newspaper. Sehrawat, 51, filed her nomination papers at the office of the returning officer at Rajouri Garden, following a grand procession also attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. Sehrawat injured her ankle minorly after filing her nomination. In her poll affidavit, she declared her movable assets worth Rs 1.30 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 27.60 lakh. Her husbands movable and immovable assets were worth Rs 1.17 crore and Rs 1.28 crore, respectively. She has a Masters in Commerce from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. At the nomination rally, Rajasthan chief minister said the people in the country have assurance of development in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his works. He said, There is unprecedented enthusiasm for the BJP among the voters across the country. Puri said the Modi government has brought world-class development to West Delhi through projects like the Yadhobhumi complex in Dwarka, sports stadiums, and urban extension roads. The BJP candidates from South Delhi Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Praveen Khandelwal from Chandni Chowk will file their nomination papers on Friday. Khandelwals nomination procession will be attended by Union Minister Piyush Goel and Bidhuri will be accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. On Thursday, the fourth day of the nomination process in the national capital, 15 candidates filed papers. The total number of candidates for the seven seats rose to 57. The nomination process closes on May 6. As per the details provided by Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office, less than 10 candidates have filed the nomination papers in South Delhi, New Delhi and East Delhi constituencies. Udit Raj, the Congress candidate from North West Delhi, will file his nomination papers on Friday.

Rahul to contest LS polls from Rae Bareli, KL Sharma from Amethi

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Rae Bareli seat, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi earlier. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the party said in a statement. Sharma was the key man who looked after the two key constituencies in the absence of the Gandhis. The two will file their nomination papers on Friday, the last date for the filing of nominations for the seats that will go to polls on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase general elections. Nomination deadline for Amethi, Rae Bareli seats in UP ends today

After Amethi suspense, Cong nominates Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Rae Bareli seat, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi earlier. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the party said in a statement. Sharma was the key Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Maliwal, AAP ministers slam L-G over termination of DCW contractual staff

NEW DELHI: AAP Rajya Sabha MP and former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal on Thursday slammed the termination order affecting 52 contractual employees of the commission. Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, too, attacked L-G VK Saxena and the BJP over the sacking of illegally appointed contractual employees of the DCW, alleging that the saffron party is the biggest threat to women. There was no immediate reaction from the L-G office. The Women and Child Development (WCD) Department of the Delhi government terminated the services of 52 illegally appointed contractual staff of DCW, officials said on Thursday. The termination has been carried out on the basis of a report submitted by a committee way back in June, 2017. Maliwal criticised the L-Gs decision, terming it as negative politics and counterproductive for the organization that has made significant strides in serving the women of the city. She questioned the timing of the order, noting it was issued only after her tenure as the DCW chairperson concluded. Disputing the WCD claims, Maliwal said, There are 90 staff in DCW out of which only eight are permanent and the rest 82 are contractual workers employed for low wages at three months contracts. Listing the achievements of the DCW, its former chairperson said, The accomplishments of DCW are due to the collective effort of its staff. Over the past 8 years, DCW has handled over 1,70,000 cases, 181 Women Helplines have received over 40 lakh distress calls, and counselling has been provided to over 60,000 sexual assault survivors through the Crisis Intervention Center programme, she added. She said, if all the contractual staff are removed then where will the hundreds of women who come to seek help here go? Is this their politics that rapists will roam free... What will L-G gain from such a narrow view? Maliwal said.

Doctored video of Amit Shah: 5 Congress SM in-charges held by Hyderabad cops

HYDERABAD : Hyderabad police detained five Congress members on Thursday in connection with the circulation of a doctored video by the Congress on their X handle featuring Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Two complaints have been filed against the Telangana Congress in Hyderabad and Delhi alleging that the team had reportedly morphed and circulated a video of Shahs statement on reservations. After several tweets and retweets, the video was later deleted from the Congress X handle. In their complaint in Hyderabad, the BJP stated that Amit Shah said: If Bharatiya Janata Party forms the government, then we will cancel the unconstitutionally given Muslim reservations. In Telangana, SC/ST and OBC rights will be given but Muslim reservation will be cancelled. However, the BJP alleged that TPCC chief Revanth Reddy, in his X account, had doctored the video to instead convey, If Bharatiya Janata Party forms the government, then SC/ST and OBC reservations will be cancelled. Following the complaints, a team of Delhi police earlier visited Gandhi Bhavan and issued notices to Revanth and five other Congress leaders asking them to join the investigation on May 1 at New Delhi. However, due to the CMs involvement in the election campaign, his legal team represented him and requested a four-week extension. The Delhi police also reportedly arrived in Hyderabad on Thursday for further investigation into the case. However, the five accused were already detained at the Central Crime Station here, sources said. Interestingly, though two FIRs were filed against the Congress on the same issue, the sections invoked by the Hyderabad police are different from that of the Delhi police. While the Delhi police registered a case under IPC Sections 153, 153-A, 465, 469 and 171G read with Section 66-C of the Information Technology Act, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime police booked the accused under IPC Sections 469 and 505(1) C. Notably, 153-A is a cognisable and non-bailable offence. The Delhi Police is likely to serve a second notice to the members of the Telangana Congress. The members of the Telangana Congress, who were supposed to appear before the office of the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO), have not done so till now. We will again ask them to appear before the IO (investigating officer), as they did not come on Wednesday, an officer privy to the investigation was quoted as saying by agencies. Earlier, advocate Soumya Guptha, representing Revanth Reddy before the officials of IFSO in New Delhi, said the video was not posted from the personal account of the TPCC chief. She clarified that the CM was not the owner of the Telangana Congress X handle.

Sexual assault on minor: SC refuses bail to wife of suspended govt officer

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant bail to the wife of suspended Delhi government officer Premoday Khakha, who allegedly raped a minor girl several times and impregnated her. A bench of Justice CT Ravikumar and Justice SVN Bhatti dismissed the plea of the officials wife Seema Rani, saying it was not inclined to interfere with the Delhi High Court order which dismissed her plea. Khakha has been accused of allegedly raping a minor girl several times between November 2020 and January 2021 and is currently in judicial custody after being arrested in August. The minor was the daughter of a person known to the accused, according to police. Rani is also an accused in the case. She allegedly gave the girl medicines to terminate her pregnancy. The woman is in judicial custody. The couple was arrested after the survivor recorded her statement before a magistrate at a hospital. The case was registered under provisions of the POCSO Act and IPC sections 376(2)(f) (a relative, guardian, teacher, or person in position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman) and 509 (outraging modesty of a woman). Intimidation and criminal conspiracy sections have also been invoked, police said. Predator in custody Premoday Khakha, employed as the deputy director of Delhi governments Women and Child Development department was accused of raping a minor girl, daughter of a person known to him, several times between November 2020 and January 2021 and is currently in judicial custody after being arrested in August.

Prevent illegal mining in Aravallis, SC orders

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over illegal mining operations proliferating in various regions in the Aravalli range of mountains, the Supreme Court on Thursday, while asking the Centre and state governments to take strict meaures to prevent such mining in these areas, observed that a balance between sustainable development and protection of the environment has to be made. A two-judge bench of the top court comprising Justice B R Gavai and Justice Abhay S Oka asked the governments to take effective measures to curb illegal mining and ensure that action is taken against erring officials in this regard. We, prima facie, feel that if the state is of the view that the mining activities in the Aravalli range are also detrimental to the environmental interest, nothing stops the state government from preventing mining activities in the Aravalli range as well, the top court said on Thursday, while dealing with a matter related to alleged illegal mining in the Aravalli range. In 2009, the top court had imposed a blanket ban on the mining of major and minor minerals in the eco-sensitive Aravalli hills. The Rajasthan government had earlier urged the court to decide on the classification between Aravalli hills and Aravalli ranges. Illegal mining in the Aravallis has to stop. The authorities have to ensure that the requisite steps are taken. Otherwise, what is the benefit of having only skeletal structures in the name of mountains? A balance has to made between sustainable development and protection of the environment, the bench said.

A mine of subconscious ore

Abstract art depicts an artists subliminal thoughts, understood by a viewer who is willing to read forms in formlessness, silence in cacophony and somehow searching for tangibility in the artists visceral realm. The ongoing art show, Ores Of Trance, is about an open-ended discussion about the works of eight abstract artists who have intuitively assimilated unforeseen elements to invoke new layers of depth. The show, curated by eminent artist TK Harindran, features contemporary artists such as Akhilesh, Bhagwan Chavan, P Gopinath, Hemraj, Rashmi Khurana, Shobha Broota, Shridhar Iyer, and Yusuf. Let us witness each artists deep, solitary and meditative engagements with time, matter and space, says Harindran at the start of the gallery walkthrough, while pausing before the works of Yusuf. The Gwalior-born National Award-winning artist works with scattered and geometric forms with a restrained use of colours. In his Untitled, meticulous use of lines commands attention. The work vaguely depicts a broken window, criss-crossed by wooden frames where parts of it are weathered by time as if reflecting a fragmented state of mind. Yusuf uses the lines simply but strongly in a way that they neither attack the viewer nor make a statement. He has negated colours or too many elements to emphasise the patterns of lines, says Harindran. While the broken window is one way to interpret his work, Yusuf tells us that there is no reference point in abstract art. In figurative works, form is prominent and the line is secondary, but in mine, the line takes prominence as I let them wander according to my imagination. Jatra by Shridhar Iyer Of calm and storm While Yusufs work evokes a state of cerebral disorientation, in sharp contrast, Delhi-born artist Shobha Brootas Untitled produces a meditative effect. Her mixed media artwork features a rich red canvas woven with a deceptively simple thread work. Broota is a classical singer as well. So, just like music is based on the repetition of certain notes, her art is driven by the rhythmic repetition of geometric patterns. A long gaze at her minimalist works allows one to look deeper inwards and move beyond the ephemeral feelings, Harindran adds, as we stand before a work where the eye goes to its tiny squares. We move towards Delhi-based artist Shridhar Iyers stormy canvas, Jatra. Its wave-like effect, suggestive of a whirlwind, and a splatter of vital colours, purple, pink and red, seem to express mental tumult. The painting is like a tempest of thoughts unleashed upon the viewer much like Japanese artist Hokusais paintings that are visually striking and evocative with sea wave-like images. Theres a certain level of immediacy with which Shridhar draws the turmoil of the human mind on the canvas, says Harindran about the leading abstract artist who has previously exhibited at Perth, Melbourne, California, Paris and London. Between The Palm Trees/The Reflections by Bhagwan Chavan Culture in the roots The exhibition also reminds us of the primordial. In Bhopal-based Akhileshs Black Is Missing, absurd objects, human-like figures and bizarre signage serve as conduits to the primeval way of life in the Stone Age. Harindran points out that the inspiration comes from the rock-shelter paintings of Bhimbetka. Akhilesh wants to remind us of the start of the civilisation the aborigines. Its elements recall Egyptian hieroglyphs from the pharaonic civilisations. He wants to show how we are disconnected from our origins in the embrace of a new way of life steeped in superficiality, Harindran adds. Another artist, P. Gopinath, takes the viewer subliminally to regional culture. The Kerala-born artist, a founder member of the Cholamandal Artists Village in Chennai, is inspired by the rustic life. Vignettes of village life of Tamil Nadu are traceable in the artists Untitled works that show biomorphic forms of the bull that draw on the states Jallikattu Bull Festival and architectural forms. He makes the viewer ponder on lost language, people, culture, festivity and tribal history. But hes not making an in-the-face statement, its more an intellectual assertion, Harindran adds. In art, we tend to correlate subject matter to a definitive place, community or time. Gopinath, however, feels his works do not have a subject. Instead of figures, colours take prominence in my work, going beyond just a filling agent, he points out. Rashmi Khuranas Unrecited Melodies-II Unravelling the hidden As we walk around the room, Delhi-based self-taught artist Rashmi Khuranas work beckons us to look at her not-so-rosy artwork, Unrecited Melodies-II. After pulping papier-mch, the artist has crumpled them into balls, and layered them onto the canvas to mimic a soul in catharsis. The canvas is therefore a burst of colours and textures where electrifying pinks, purples, browns and magentas coalesce to express anguish. Her petals are not delicate, but violent, broken and detached. The composition can be seen as a way of venting, maybe a painful memory, based on her experiences of life its open to interpretation, says Harindran. The walkthrough ends with Hemraj and Bhagwan Chavans works, Eternal Reminiscence and Between The Palm Trees/ The Reflections respectively. They underline the power of abstract art to take the viewer into the depths of the human psyche. The artworks portray the subconscious thoughts of the artists, played in the moment of creation. They reflect the ebb and flow of their lives where some use lines, others use brush strokes, papier-mch or threadwork to depict it. Ores Of Trance is on display till May 20 at the new address of Gallery 1000 A, Daryacha building, Hauz Khas.

Over 40% of Americans see China as an enemy, a Pew report shows. Thats a five-year high

More than 40% of Americans now label China as an enemy, up from a quarter two years ago and reaching the highest level in five years, according to an annual Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday. Half of Americans think of China as a competitor, and only 6% consider the...

AAP diverting welfare funds for SCs: Ex-Delhi minister to L-G

NEW DELHI: Rebel AAP leader and former Delhi Minister for Labour and Social Welfare Raj Kumar Anand has accused the city government of corruption under the garb of welfare for the poor. In a memorandum submitted to the L-G VK Saxena on Thursday, Anand listed a range of alleged discrepancies and asserted that the AAP government utilised only Rs 8 crore on labourer welfare while it collected Rs 4,271 crore. He accused the government of diverting thousands of crores of Scheduled Caste welfare funds for other activities. As the minister of these departments, I came face to face with the fraud being run in the name of the poor... While Rs 4,271.37 crore, collected from the people of Delhi as cess, is lying in the Construction Workers Labour Welfare Fund, only Rs 8.72 crore have been utilized as welfare expenditure. Rs 520.97 crore were collected in this fund during FY24. While no efforts were made for welfare of the most marginalised labour, the government spent Rs 458.08 crore during FY22 on ghost beneficiaries, in return of kickbacks. Once this scam came into public, the expenditure reduced to negligible, the former minister alleged in his letter. Further, Anand said thousands of crores from the Scheduled Caste welfare fund has remained unspent and has even been diverted for other activities over the past nine years. We urge for a thorough investigation to identify the diverted and misused budget and to allocate it towards schemes aimed at the welfare of the SC community, he said. The former minister also accused the AAP government of blatantly flouting the reservation norms for SC/ST and OBC in government employment. Ad-hoc, contractual and temporary appointments are made against permanent vacancies in government posts to circumvent the compulsory reservation rules, Anand said, adding, thousands of appointments were made as consultants, experts and fellows where no reservation criteria was followed.

Rahul Gandhi to contest from Raebareli, KL Sharma from Amethi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Raebareli with the party announced his candidature for the seat on Friday, the last day of filing nomination, the sources said. Congress' loyalist KL Sharma will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, the seat Rahul Gandhi lost in the 2019 general elections to BJP leader Smriti Irani. Friday is the last date for filing nominations for the seats that will go to polls on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase general elections. The Congress has not yet put out any official statement on its choice of nominees from Amethi and Raebareli, which were considered the party's strongholds until the 2019 elections. Raebareli, the constituency was held by Sonia Gandhi who became a member of the Rajya Sabha. The party has won the Congress bastion in all but three Lok Sabha elections since 1951. Before Sonia Gandhi, former PM Indira Gandhi had won from Raebareli three times. The constituency also elected Indira's husband and Congress leader Feroze Gandhi twice, in 1952 and 1957. A member of the Nehru-Gandhi family has not contested the seat just twice, in 1962 and 1999. Both constituencies are traditional strongholds of the Gandhi-Nehru family, with its members holding these seats for decades. The Congress, which is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the seat-sharing deal with the Samajwadi Party (SP), has announced candidates for all the seats barring Amethi and Raebareli. Amethi is scheduled to poll in the fifth phase on May 20, with the last date for filing nominations scheduled on May 3. Rahul's defeat in Amethi, once considered a Congress 'pocket borough', at the hands of Smriti Irani in the 2019 polls was seen as a significant blow to the party's national prestige. Rahul represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019. His father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, too, was an elected member of Amethi in the Lower House from 1981 till his death in 1991. Sonia Gandhi contested elections from here in 1999 before passing the baton on to Rahul in 2004. Rahul currently represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha while Irani is bidding for a fresh term from Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi may contest from Raebareli: Sources

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Raebareli with the party announcing his candidature for the seat on Friday, the last day of filing nomination, the sources said. As per the sources, Congress' loyalist KL Sharma will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, the seat Rahul Gandhi lost in the 2019 general elections to BJP leader Smriti Irani. Friday is the last date for filing nominations for the seats that will go to polls on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase general elections. The Congress has not yet put out any official statement on its choice of nominees from Amethi and Raebareli, which were considered the party's strongholds until the 2019 elections. Raebareli, the constituency was held by Sonia Gandhi who became a member of the Rajya Sabha. The party has won the Congress bastion in all but three Lok Sabha elections since 1951. Before Sonia Gandhi, former PM Indira Gandhi had won from Raebareli three times. The constituency also elected Indira's husband and Congress leader Feroze Gandhi twice, in 1952 and 1957. A member of the Nehru-Gandhi family has not contested the seat just twice, in 1962 and 1999. Both constituencies are traditional strongholds of the Gandhi-Nehru family, with its members holding these seats for decades. The Congress, which is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the seat-sharing deal with the Samajwadi Party (SP), has announced candidates for all the seats barring Amethi and Raebareli. Amethi is scheduled to poll in the fifth phase on May 20, with the last date for filing nominations scheduled on May 3. Rahul's defeat in Amethi, once considered a Congress 'pocket borough', at the hands of Smriti Irani in the 2019 polls was seen as a significant blow to the party's national prestige. Rahul represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019. His father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, too, was an elected member of Amethi in the Lower House from 1981 till his death in 1991. Sonia Gandhi contested elections from here in 1999 before passing the baton on to Rahul in 2004. Rahul currently represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha while Irani is bidding for a fresh term from Amethi.

MoHUA initiates takeover of 500-year-old tomb

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has initiated the process to take control of the approximate 500-year-old octagonal domed tomb, Gumti of Shaikh Ali, located next to the Defence Colony market in the national capital. The ancient edifice from the Lodi era (1451-1526) has been under the unauthorized occupation of the local Residents Welfare Association. In a recent notice to the local residents association, the Land and Development Office (L&DO) of the ministry asked the Defence Colony Welfare Association to remove fixtures and valuable items from the premises and to hand over the unauthorized occupied possession to the department. This structure was never allotted to anyone or any organization by this office. The said Gumti has been under unauthorized occupation by the Defence Colony Welfare Association. Therefore, it has been decided to take over the possession of the Gumti, the ministry notice read. Although the notice mentioned April 30 as the date for taking over the heritage structure, the L&DO is yet to assume its possession. Communication on our part with the Land and Development Officer, Suvasish Das, to seek his response pertaining to the matter has remained unanswered. In Maulvi Zafar Hasans 1916 list of Delhis monuments, the Gumti is described as a tomb with two unknown, ruined graves. He was an Assistant Superintendent with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Supreme Court lawyer and resident of Defence Colony, Rajeev Suri, along with others, has been campaigning for the protection and restoration of the historical site located in the heart of South Delhi for years. The site in question has been under the control of Defence Colony Welfare Association since the 1960s and presently serves as the office of the local residents body. Suri moved the Supreme Court in February 2019 after the ASI contended that the Gumti has been altered by residents over time and has lost its originality. During the hearing last month in the apex court, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati apprised the bench that the structure was never allotted to the DCWA, and the possibility of reclaiming the property was also under consideration. The next hearing is scheduled for August 6. No office-bearer of the DCWA was available for comment. However, residents privy to the matter said that the association is in touch with L&DO and has sought some time to respond to the notice

Staples reimagined

David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore of Abraham & Thakore, the veteran designers known for revolutionising traditional Indian clothing, have taken a bold step by venturing into soft knits. Their inspiration this time is quite fascinating a colony of ants that build arcane structures, bits of binary flocked on ivory. Inspired by this intricate tapestry of nature, David and Rakesh, have brought out their latest collection K(n)itted Out. This marks the brands debut into soft, breathable knits that redefine contemporary fashion. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the edit offers a curated selection of silhouettes essential to the modern wardrobe. Designed for layering, mixing, and matching, the collection features solid, geometric, and quirky prints on soft shrugs, delicate dresses, snug T-shirts, and relaxed zouave pants. This collection is crafted from a blend of lycra and tencel, promising year-round comfort. Emulating the luxurious feel of silk while retaining the breathability of cotton and tencel yarn, derived from sustainably sourced natural wood, the materials became a natural choice for the designers. Not only does it offer a smooth texture, but its moisture-wicking properties also ensure unparalleled comfort in any setting. This collection embodies our commitment to sustainable fashion without compromising on style or comfort. Each piece encapsulates the essence of easy-yet-elegant cuts, standing apart from the realm of fast fashion, shares David. The collection brings together elements of tradition and innovation, creating a harmonious blend of east meets west, and black meets white sensibility. With this collection, we aim to offer individuals the freedom to express themselves effortlessly while making a conscious choice for the environment, says Rakesh. The geometric and quirky prints featured in the collection reflect current trends in fashion by offering versatility and individuality. Geometric patterns have been prominent in recent fashion seasons, while quirky prints add a playful and personalised touch to outfits. By incorporating these elements, we cater to the contemporary consumers desire for expressive and unique clothing options, says David. This collection is for the urban Indian individual who values both style and sustainability. They are likely to style these pieces in many ways, from layering soft shrugs over delicate dresses for a chic daytime look to pairing relaxed zouave pants with snug T-shirts for a comfortable yet sophisticated ensemble. The edits emphasis on mix-and-match versatility allows wearers to express their personal style effortlessly while making a conscious choice for the environment, adds Rakesh.

Delhi: AAP, Congress to hold meet to chalk out campaign plan, pick observers for seats

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Delhi Congress will hold the second meeting of their joint election campaigning committee on Friday to select common observers for each Lok Sabha constituency. Besides, a roadmap for the joint campaign will be drawn up in the meeting. According to Anil Bhardwaj, media head of the Delhi Congress, programmes will be decided under the roadmap, which include public meetings and roadshows in all constituencies, jointly organised by INDIA bloc. Both the Congress and AAP have resolved to work with complete coordination and understanding in the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi to ensure the victory of all the seven candidates. Both the parties will announce an observer each in seven of the Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi to ensure that the election campaigns were held in a smooth and effective manner, he added. Meanwhile, Congress candidate for the North East Delhi constituency Kanhaiya Kumar held a meeting with AAP leader Gopal Rai at his residence on Thursday to plan campaign strategy. Chairman of the Election Management and Co-ordination Committee Subhash Chopra, former Delhi Minister Narender Nath and Adesh Bhardwaj were present on behalf of the Congress while AAP was represented by MLAs Dileep Pandey, Durgesh Pathak and Sanjeev Jha. Bhardwaj said that all the three Congress candidates, after filing their nomination papers, will release a Vision Document Manifesto regarding the problems and remedies of their respective Lok Sabha constituencies.

Men at higher risk of early Covid death: Lancet

NEW DELHI: Men are at a higher risk of premature death than women, however, females who live longer lives tend to spend more of their lifetime in poor health, according to a Lancet report. The study published in Lancet Public Health said that while men face a higher chance of dying early from Covid-19, heart disease, respiratory, liver diseases and road accidents, women tend to experience more non-fatal illnesses such as mental health conditions, low back pain, dementia, headaches and HIV/AIDS. In 2021, males faced a higher disease burden than females. Covid-19 disproportionately affected men in all regions. The gap was widest in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It found that men lost 45 per cent more years of life to Covid-19 compared to women. This disease was the leading cause of health loss in 2021. Ischaemic heart disease had the second largest absolute difference in health loss between males and females, with the former experiencing 45 per cent more health loss from heart disease compared to the latter. One of the biggest health problems faced by females was low back pain, particularly in regions such as South Asia and parts of Europe and Asia. These differences start in teenage years and persist through life, with women facing higher levels of illness and disability overall due to their longer life expectancy. Mental health conditions, especially depressive disorders, also take a heavier toll on women, with the widest gaps observed in high-income countries and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The notable health differences between females and males point to an urgent need for policies to be based on sex-specific and age-specific data, the report said. It is also important to continue promoting gender-sensitive research, and ultimately, implement interventions that not only reduce the burden of disease but also achieve greater health equity, it added. Historically, the focus on womens health has been largely focused on sexual and reproductive concerns, which, although crucial, do not encompass the full spectrum of health issues affecting females throughout the life course, the authors said. The study was based on Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to compare disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rates for females and males for the 20 leading causes of disease burden for individuals older than 10 years at the global level and across seven world regions, between 1990 and 2021 Luisa Sorio Flor, the main author of the study, noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has shown the importance of understanding how sex differences impact health outcomes. Need for policies Mental health conditions take a heavier toll on women, with the widest gaps observed in high-income countries. The health differences between females and males point to an urgent need for policies to be based on sex-specific and age-specific data, it said. It is also important to continue promoting gender-sensitive research, and implement interventions that not only reduce the burden of disease but also achieve greater health equity.

52 contractual DCW employees sacked

NEW DELHI: The Women and Child Development (WCD) Department of the Delhi government has terminated the services of 52 contractual employees of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) for allegedly occupying the posts illegally. According to the Raj Niwas, the action was based on a report of a committee formed in 2017 by the then L-G Anil Baijal. The move has created a controversy as the former DCW chief and AAP MP Swati Maliwal has been alleged of holding back this action till she occupied the office. The Women & Child Development (WCD) Departmenthas terminated the services of 52 illegally appointed contractual employees of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), on the basis of a report submitted by a Committee way back in June, 2017. The Committeehad found the appointments and the processes that were followed, to be illegal and had held the appointments to be invalid ab initio. It had recommended that the appointment of existing contractual staff engaged without having sanctioned posts, without following the due procedure are void ab-initio and same cannot be allowed to continue, an official note from the department read. However, the DCW and its chairperson, Ms. Swati Maliwal, who in the first instance had appointed these individuals, illegally kept the recommendations of the Committee in abeyance and the same could be moved by the WCD Department only upon her demitting office recently, it added. Reacting to the development, Maliwal posted a message on X where she called the move a Tughlaqi Farman (diktat) by the L-G. If all the contract staff is removed, the Womens Commission will be locked. Why are these people doing this? This institution has been built with blood and sweat. Instead of giving it staff and protection, you are destroying it from its roots? I will not let the Womens Commission be closed as long as I am alive. Put me in jail, dont torture women, she added. On April 29, the WCD deputy director Navlendra Kumar Singh said Maliwal had appointed the staff without the governments permission. Committee report The action was based on a report of a committee formed in 2017 by the then L-G Anil Baijal. The move has triggered a row as former DCW chief and AAP MP Swati Maliwal has been alleged of holding back this action till she occupied the office

Will dispel myth of B-team, record high vote share: BSP

NEW DELHI: Blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to eat into its vote share in the national capital, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has stated that it would fare better in Lok Sabha elections in pockets where the former appears weak. The Mayawati-led BSP has fielded candidates in all seven seats in Delhi, which goes to polls in the sixth phase on May 25.We are resolute in our belief that our vote share will rejuvenate as we are contesting on our own. This will lead to a triangular contest. BSPs vote share was more than 14 per cent in 2008 assembly elections in Delhi when it was in power in Uttar Pradesh but following the emergence of AAP, vote share has been on decline, BSP Delhi unit chief Laxman Singh affirmed. He claimed that his partys traditional voters had switched to AAP as they can never go to the Bharatiya Janata Party. BSP has been nominating Muslim candidates in Delhi while other parties have always shied away from fielding Muslims in Lok Sabha elections. Out of seven candidates for Delhi, one is OBC, two are Muslims and one belongs to SC community. They are all strong and will fight rigorously, Singh added. With 14.8 per cent vote share, the BSP bagged two assembly seats in 2008 assembly elections in the national capital. However, a year later, in general elections in 2009, the vote share reduced to 5.34 per cent, and since then, it has been declining. In the 2013 assembly elections, the party managed a 5.35 per cent vote share, which reduced to 1.3 per cent in 2015. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the party could fetch 1.2 per cent votes, and its share further plummeted to just one per cent in 2019. In the 2020 assembly polls, BSPs vote share was just 0.7 per cent. Singh further emphasized that the ongoing election would serve as a platform for the BSP to dispel the myth about its alleged link with BJP or Congress. Rivals always made allegations against the BSP; some would say that it is B team of Congress or others B team of BJP. Behan Mayawatiji (BSP supremo) and Akash Anandji, are assertively ready this time. We are bringing people of all communities together, he said.

Delhi cops: Bomb hoax aimed to spark mass panic

200 Delhi-NCR schools targeted in bomb hoax. Police seek Interpol/CBI help. Investigating temp email at mail.ru. Suspected China, ISI links. Students evacuated, police examine bags. VK parent firm contacted.

Kerala: Climate change reality gets heatwave check

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Valerian Isaac, a traditional fisherman from Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram, is deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on his livelihood and the overall quality of life. He used to enjoy his summer with the sea cooling down when folks in the town sweltered in the heat. The situation however has changed dramatically. The sea has warmed up significantly. Consequently, the fish have migrated to cooler waters away from the coast. Previously, we relied on good winds and occasional rains to alleviate the heat. But this summer has proven to be the toughest yet, Isaac said. With the dwindling catch, only a handful of fishermen dare to venture out into the sea in his area. And they are not the only ones suffering. Adverse weather has also affected autorickshaw drivers, tour operators, vegetable vendors and those in the construction sector. As the government considers imposing further restrictions on operations between 11am and 3pm, the livelihoods of even more sectors hang in the balance. Isaac, like many others, had not heard of the term El Nino, a climate phenomenon responsible for warming the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean and often cited as a primary cause of harsh summers. However, he, along with the rest of the populace, has become acquainted with the term heatwave in recent times. Its sudden appearance in the vocabulary coincided with its confirmation in Palakkad on April 26, the day of the general elections. Such weather was once considered unusual, mostly associated with the traditional hot regions of the country. The India Meteorological Department first issued a heatwave alert in Kerala in 2016, the warmest year on record for the state, primarily focused on Palakkad. This year, the focus has again been on Palakkad which experienced scorching temperatures throughout April, with Thrissur following suit. Subsequently, heatwave alerts were issued for Kollam, Kozhikode and Alappuzha, as temperatures in these districts deviated from the norm significantly. A majority of those belonging to the fishing community in Perumathura in Thiruvananthapuram are spending their time under the shade of coconut palms. The reason being the roofs of their homes are made of asbestos and tin sheets, which increase the heat Weather experts assert the situation is similar across south and east India. An Asia-wide heatwave map published by international weather agencies depicts most countries in the region coloured in red. The temperature rise is attributed to global warming induced by climate change. The impact of El Nino exacerbates the situation, said D Sivananda Pai, senior scientist and ADGM of India Meteorological Department. According to him, the dry weather in Kerala has increased the temperature. In Palakkad, the relative humidity is now in the 30-40% range in comparison to the normal 60-80%. Thats why the temperature remains high. The condition is worse for people living in more humid areas as high moisture content does not help reduce body temperature, he said. Like this year, 2016 too was an El Nino year. While it was the warmest year in recent history, the damage, technically, was limited to a heatwave alert in Palakkad. What makes the conditions worse than 2016 is the absence of summer rain, especially in the northern districts, and the land use and land cover changes because of urbanisation, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Weather experts pointed out the situation is likely to improve by the second week of May when summer rains are expected to be more regular. The El Nino effect is expected to be neutral during the time of monsoon, but the experts have a warning the next El Nino year could be much worse than 2024. What is heatwave? Qualitatively, heatwave is a condition of air temperature that becomes fatal to human body when exposed. Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal. Criterion for declaring heatwave Heatwave is considered to be in effect if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40Celsius or more in the plains, at least 30Celsius or more in hilly regions, and 37 Celsius or more in coastal regions. The departure from normal is 4.5 to 6.4Celsius. If the above criteria is met in at least two stations in a meteorological sub-division for at least two consecutive days, a heatwave is declared on the second day. A woman carrying a pedestal fan on a two-wheeler in Kochi. With mercury level going up, residents are opting for various methods to beat the scorching heat Heatwave prone states Heatwave generally occurs over the plains of northwest India and central, east and north peninsular India from March to June. It covers Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sometimes, it occurs over Tamil Nadu and Kerala too. Impact of heatwave Water stress Health problems Livelihood problems Heatwave in Kerala First alert - Palakkad, in 2016 First alert - Kozhikode - 2020 First confirmation this year - Palakkad, on April 26 First alert in Alappuzha - April 30 Reasons for heatwave Global warming El Nino Absence of summer rain Urbanisation Number of days above 40 degrees Celsius in April in Kerala 2024 - 16 (15 in Palakkad) 2023 - 3 2016 - 14 1989 - 8

Apple gives small developers a breather around new app store fee in EU

New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) Apple on Thursday allowed small developers more ways around its alternative app store tax in the European Union (EU). The company [] The post Apple gives small developers a breather around new app store fee in EU appeared first on Sarkaritel.com .

Gold production from Indian mines surges by 86 pc in Feb, copper output up 29 pc

New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) The production of gold from Indian mines surged by 86 per cent in February this year to 255 kg while that [] The post Gold production from Indian mines surges by 86 pc in Feb, copper output up 29 pc appeared first on Sarkaritel.com .

'Double jeopardy' concerns over Amit Shah fake video probe

Telangana & Delhi police file FIRs in Amit Shah video case, invoking different sections. Congress leaders issued notices. BJP alleges posting manipulated video. Concerns raised over double jeopardy in legal proceedings.

Nomination deadline for Amethi, Rae Bareli seats in UP ends today

NEW DELHI: With barely hours left for filing of nomination papers for the Amethi and Rae Bareli seats, the Congress is continuing to keep the suspense on whether Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka will contest from the prestigious seats. Though there was no official word, sources said that Rahul is likely to enter the fray from Rae Bareli. That decision was taken after much deliberations within the party leadership. However, sources said Priyanka may not contest the general elections. On Wednesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the decision would be announced by Thursday evening. Yet, there was no official announcement till going to the press. 'Nobody is scared': Congress says decision on Amethi, Raebareli LS seats will be announced in 24 hours However, posters of Rahul have come up in both Amethi and Rae Bareli as the local leadership is hopeful that one of the Gandhis will contest from Amethi. We received a message from the high command in the evening to make preparations for Fridays nomination. The party will also hold a rally today, said a leader. According to sources, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has conveyed to the Gandhis that not contesting from Uttar Pradesh would not augur well for the partys prospects in the Hindi heartland. Rahul represented Amethi for three straight terms from 2004 to 2019 before he was defeated by Union minister Smriti Irani by over 50,000 votes in 2019. Irani, who is seeking a second term from Amethi, has challenged Rahul to contest from the seat. A section of the leaders believe that if Rahul does not take up the challenge, it will only vindicate the BJPs charges of him running away from the seat. Suspense prevails over Rae Bareli as BJP probables for remaining UP seats wait with bated breath According to sources, Rahul was not keen on Priyankas electoral debut as he did not want all the three members of the family in Parliament. The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been constantly attacking the Congress over its dynasty politics. Family bastion Rae Bareli is prestigious for the Congress as it was held by Indira Gandhi thrice, her husband Feroze Gandhi twice and Sonia from 2004 to 2024

MEDIA UPDATE (May 03, 2024)

03-May-2024 Power Coal India Q4 Results: Net profit rises 26% to ?8,640.5 crore, revenue down 2%; dividend declared New Delhi :Coal India Q4 Results: Coal India [] The post MEDIA UPDATE (May 03, 2024) appeared first on Sarkaritel.com .

Armed groups besieging towns in northeastern Mali driving residents, many children, to hunger

A humanitarian crisis is worsening in northeastern Mali where armed groups linked to Islamic State have besieged major towns leaving residents including some 80,000 children vulnerable to malnutrition, locals and an aid group warned Wednesday. The town of Mnaka has been under siege for four months, driving up the prices...

Meet man, who once washed utensils to earn Rs 18 per month, now runs Rs 300 crore company, his business is...

Jayaram Banan is the owner of Sagar Ratna which is a popular food chain across Delhi-NCR and North India.

Delhi liquor policycase: HC to hear Manish Sisodia's bail pleas today

Sisodia approached the high court after a trial court refused to grant him bail in the matter on April 30.

The UNs nuclear watchdog chief will visit Iran next week as concerns rise about uranium enrichment

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog will travel to Iran next week as Tehrans nuclear program enriches uranium a step away from weapons-grade levels and international oversight remains limited, officials said Wednesday. Rafael Mariano Grossis visit will coincide with a nuclear energy conference Iran will hold in the...

Centre of Excellence for AMR in One Health inaugurated at SKUAST- K

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai today inaugurated the first of its kind Centre of Excellence on Antimicrobial Resistance at the SKUASTs Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama. This centre has been awarded to SKUAST-Kashmir by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi with initial financial assistance of 25 crores. The other dignitaries present on the occasion included Dr Irfan Robbani, Principal SKIMS Bemina Srinagar, Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ganai, Professor Convener JK [] The post Centre of Excellence for AMR in One Health inaugurated at SKUAST- K appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Part of Indian territory: India lodges protest with China over construction in Shaksgam Valley

NEW DELHI, May 2 : India on Thursday said it has lodged a strong protest with China for carrying out construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley in an illegal attempt to alter the situation on the ground. Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal said the Shaksgam Valley is a part of India and New Delhi never accepted the so-called China-Pakistan boundary pact of 1963 through which Islamabad unlawfully attempted to cede the area to Beijing. He [] The post Part of Indian territory: India lodges protest with China over construction in Shaksgam Valley appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Australia has laws to deal with it: Penny Wong on reports of Indian spies

NEW DELHI/CANBERRA, May 2: Amid media reports alleging that Indian spies were thrown out of Australia in 2020 by the Morrison government, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stressed on the importance of maintaining their democratic principles, including in the face of any suggestion of foreign interference. Wong, asked if her Government was concerned over the report, said that while they dont comment on intelligence matters, But at a level of principle about the democracy, I think you would have [] The post Australia has laws to deal with it: Penny Wong on reports of Indian spies appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

USCIRF biased entity with political agenda: India

NEW DELHI, May 2 : India on Thursday blasted the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for attempting to interfere in its electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in propaganda against the country, masquerading as part of an annual report. In an unusually sharp reaction to the USCIRFs latest report that has criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the organisation is known to be a biased entity with a [] The post USCIRF biased entity with political agenda: India appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy

United Methodist delegates repealed their churchs longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy with no debate on Wednesday, removing a rule forbidding self-avowed practicing homosexuals from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference the first such legislative gathering in five years. That overwhelming margin contrasts...

Indian Diaspora Body Criticizes USCIRF Report for Omission and Distortion of Facts

Indian Diaspora Body Criticizes USCIRF Report for Omission and Distortion of Facts Observing that the USCIRF's recent annual report that criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom is based on omission and commission of facts utilising partial data, an Indian diaspora think-tank has urged the US State Department to reject it. In its annual report on Wednesday, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that India be designated as a ''Country of Particular Concern (CPC)'', alleging that the status of religious freedom in the country has worsened. India on Thursday blasted the Congressional-appointed body's report for attempting to interfere in its electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in propaganda against the country, masquerading as part of an annual report. ''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,'' Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi. In a statement on Thursday, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) characterised the USCIRF report as biased, presenting partial data and flawed conclusions. Khanderao Kand, Chief of Policy and Strategy at FIIDS, stated that the USCIRF report is based on ''omission and commission of facts, utilising partial data, hiding the full context, generalising isolated incidents, and questioning the implementation of the law of the land.'' This report used partial and isolated incidents to wrongly brand the largest democracy in the world with a population of 1.4 billion, missing the opportunity to indicate positive recent trends against the background of a complex and violent past history, he said. Khanderao added that the USCIRF is wrong to recommend the largest democracy and largely peaceful civilisation as a country of particular concern. Moreover, it is highly questionable recommendation asking to evaluate India under FATF (Financial Action Task Force), especially when India itself has been a target of terrorism, he said. In a detailed analysis of the report, FIIDS said that USCIRF's position on India contrasts with its analysis of 2023, indicating significant year-over-year improvement. FIIDS' analysis concluded that the Manipur riots were inter-tribal, resulting from historical rivalry exploited by drug mafias and Myanmar infiltrators, impacting all religions. However, the USCIRF only singled out Christians. Moreover, we contrasted this with the position of the Archbishop of Bombay,'' said FIIDSs analyst Mohan Sonti. The report wrongly held India responsible for implementing the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), preventing illegal and improper use of foreign funding. Why can't NGOs follow reporting and usage laws? he asked. The USCIRF report failed to mention India's constitutional guarantee to freedom of religion, with prohibitions on coercive, fraudulent and forced conversion, he said. ''Instead, it complained about the enforcement of laws trying to protect gullible, underprivileged people,'' he added. As there were no major Hindu-Muslim riots in India in 2023, instead of mentioning it as a year free of such riots, the report presented isolated incidents to generalise and brand without acknowledging India's large Muslim population, FIIDS said. FIIDS' raises doubts and questions regarding any influence or agenda against the third-largest economy and a strong ally of the US. Considering the consequential nature of US-India relations in 2021, FIIDS recommends that the US Department of State should carefully evaluate and reject USCIRF recommendations, the organisation said in a statement.

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