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8pm NEWSFEED

14, ఏప్రిల్ 2022, గురువారం

8pm NEWSFEED

Pakistani Dissidents Give Call To Overturn Anti-Democratic Policies Of Imran Khan

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

Prominent Pakistani dissidents said that change in policies must come with the change in government and gave a call to overturn the anti-democratic policies of Imran Khan.

In a statement, South Asians Against Terrorism and for Human Rights (SAATH), a grouping of prodemocracy Pakistanis, expressed relief that the Constitution has been upheld in Pakistan, reported Pakistan Observer. The dissidents voiced the hope that the incoming government will ensure the granting of all Pakistani people’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

SAATH noted with optimism Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s remark that “No Pakistani is a traitor” and said that this was in marked contrast with Imran Khan’s tendency to divide the Pakistani people by describing all those who disagreed with him and the establishment as ‘traitors’ to Pakistan, reported Pakistan Observer.
Meanwhile, SAATH called for the release of all political prisoners, including Pashtun Member of National Assembly Ali Wazir.

“The new government should ensure that the black practice of disappearing people ends,” the SAATH statement said, adding, “Those who have been subject to enforced disappearances should be accounted for, and anyone guilty of a crime should be subject only to due process of the law in open, civilian courts.”

SAATH said that “It is imperative that the media, both print and electronic, is freed from the chokehold it has endured for the last four years,” reported Pakistan Observer.

“The reservations of the Baloch people and other nationalities about Pakistan’s central authorities must be addressed and they must become the main beneficiaries of any development in their traditional homeland,” the statement added.

According to the SAATH statement, “The ugly noises against our Security Agencies and their Chiefs now being heard loud and clear on the streets and in the media should make clear to all of Pakistan’s stakeholders, and institutions that it does no good to engineer politics.”

“In the end, a Frankenstein’s monster remains a monster that will inevitably turn on its own creator. The people’s will and the people’s will alone should endure,” SAATH declared.

Netflix Releases Darker Than Ever Trailer Of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 06:04 AM PDT

Streaming giant Netflix has released the first full-length trailer of season four of ‘Stranger Things’.

The three-minute-long intriguing trailer sees Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max (Sadie Sink) enter high school, while Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Will (Noah Schnapp) are in California. Set to a looping version of the pulse in Journey’s ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),’ the crew navigate their different surroundings, and a new supernatural threat surface, forcing them to once again confront the horrors of the Upside Down.

“Your suffering is almost at an end,” an ominous voice says.

“A war is coming. Your friends in Hawkins are very much in the eye of a storm. I don’t know how to say this other than just to say it — without you, we can’t win this war,” Eleven is warned.

As previously reckoned, the trailer teases a much darker comeback as it unleashes a bunch of monsters old and new.

Hopper (David Harbour) is revealed to be alive, but imprisoned in Russia and forced to fight a Demogorgon with a ragtag group of soldiers.

And the final seconds of the trailer shows what appears to be the big bad of the season: a human-Demogorgon hybrid that can speak.

‘Stranger Things’ season 4 has two release dates with the first four episodes arriving on May 27 while the next set of episodes arriving on July 1, as per the trailer.

‘Stranger Things’ stars a large ensemble cast, with Brown, Harbour, Wolfhard, Matarazzo, McLaughlin, Sink, Schnapp all returning from previous seasons along with Winona Ryder, Joe Keery, Natalie Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, Cara Buono, Priah Ferguson and Brett Gelman, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Jamie Campbell Bower, Joseph Quinn and Eduardo Franco join the cast this season.
Creators Matt and Ross Duffer recently announced that the show’s fifth season will be it’s last.

The Duffers executive produces along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Cindy Holland, Brian Wright, Matt Thunell, Karl Gajdusek and Iain Paterson, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sisters Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor Make A Stylish Entry At Ranbir-Alia’s Pre-Wedding Ceremonies

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 05:52 AM PDT

Who does not want to look their best when there is an important wedding in the family? Bollywood divas Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor have undoubtedly aced their fashion game on day one of Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt’s wedding festivities.

The sisters, on Wednesday afternoon, were spotted leaving for Ranbir’s residence Vastu, where the pre-wedding rituals are being held. For the special occasion, Karisma and Kareena opted for traditional outfits. Kareena chose to wear an ivory dream lehenga. On the other hand, Karisma was seen dressed in a yellow suit. Ranbir’s cousin Armaan Jain was also papped while he was leaving for the venue.

If reports are to be believed, the mehendi function of Ranbir and Alia is currently taking place at the former’s Vastu residence.

Ayan Mukerji, Karan Johar Don Traditional Attires For Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor’s Pre-Wedding Festivities

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 05:46 AM PDT

The ‘Brahmastra’ team seems to be in full attendance for Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s wedding festivities as the film’s director and producer, Ayan Mukerji and Karan Johar, reached the ‘Barfi’ actor’s Mumbai residence today.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ayan and Karan were both seen entering Ranbir’s Bandra residence Vastu in their respective cars where paparazzi had gathered to capture visuals of the guests arriving. Ayan opted to wear an off white traditional attire.

Karan too exuded ethnic vibes in his green coloured kurta.

Previously, Ranbir’s aunt Rima Jain (late Rishi Kapoor’s sister) and cousin Nitasha Nanda (daughter of Ritu and Rajan Nanda) were also spotted arriving for the pre-wedding ceremonies.

Interestingly, Ayan, who is Ranbir and Alia’s close friend, today unveiled a sneak peek of the couple’s love song ‘Kesariya’ from their upcoming film ‘Brahmastra’ to mark their fresh beginnings.

‘Brahmastra’, a combination of mythology and science fiction, will release in theatres on September 9 in five Indian languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.

Meanwhile, reportedly, Ranbir and Alia’s wedding will be a 4-day-long affair at the RK house. The functions started today with the wedding speculated to take place on April 15.

Russia’s Inflation May Reach 17-20 PC In 2022: Accounts Chamber Chairman

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 05:30 AM PDT

Inflation in Russia at the end of the current year may reach as high as 20 per cent, Accounts Chamber Chairman Alexei Kudrin said on Tuesday.

“Most likely, up to 20 per cent, maybe from 17 to 20 per cent, in this range,” Kudrin said, speaking at the Federation Council with a report. It is expected that the Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Economic Development will present new forecasts in April. According to a survey of analysts conducted by the Bank of Russia in early March, annualized inflation will be 20 per cent in December this year, 8 per cent next year, and 4.8 per cent in 2024.

The Russian economy has been significantly impacted due to several rounds of sanctions by mostly Western countries, targetting the country’s exports, wealthy individuals, businesses, and even financial institutions.

Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, three days after recognizing the Ukrainian breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as “independent republics”, which drew heavy criticism as well as tough sanctions.

Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Signs Impeachment And No-Confidence Motion

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 05:23 AM PDT

The leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, on Wednesday signed the impeachment motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the no-confidence motion against the government.

The signatures were placed at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo in the presence of other Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) MPs, reported Daily Mirror. Earlier on Monday, Premadasa Dismissed the possibility of a no-confidence motion like Pakistan to oust the present government in Sri Lanka, saying that they will use their constitutional provisions to change the government.

Speaking to ANI, the Opposition leader had said, “Pakistan has its own method of conducting democratic politics while we have our own Constitutional provisions and we will not be following anything else other than the Constitution of our country.”

Premadasa further said, “we have homegrown problems and we need a homegrown solution. We will represent hundreds of thousands of citizens and will have an organic uprising but will ensure that this will be a peaceful uprising. We’ll use all methods available through constitutional procedures to achieve the expectations of the people.”

Reacting to the former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement over the huge bilateral loans that Sri Lanka has to pay, Premadasa said that the country has not only taken bilateral loans but also taken multilateral loans from various international monetary markets and also have ISBN.

Meanwhile, in Colombo, Sri Lankans continue to protest against the government as the country faces an economic crisis. “This protest will not end until this govt is brought down. We will stay here for months, years. It’s not about a single-family but

Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has, incidentally, affected its capacity to import food and fuel, leading to the power cuts in the country. The shortage of essential goods forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries.

ED Attaches Properties Of Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik, His Family In Money Laundering Case

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 05:18 AM PDT

Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached properties belonging to Maharashtra Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik and his family under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

The properties provisionally attached by ED include Goawala Compound, Kurla (West), Commercial Unit at Kurla West, Mumbai, 147.794 acres agricultural land in Osmanabad district, three flats in Kurla West and two flats in Bandra West, Mumbai also include Solidus Investments Pvt Ltd and Malik Infrastructure. ED initiated a money laundering investigation against Dawood Ibrahim and others based on an FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under Section 120 B of IPC and Section 17, 18, 20,21,38 and 40 of UAPA.

In the aforementioned FIR, Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel, Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna and Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzaq Memon alias Tiger Memon have been named as accused. FIR also stated that Dawood Ibrahim, after he left India, started controlling his criminal activities in India through his close associates such as Haseena Parkar and others.

The investigation conducted by ED revealed that in one such case, the prime property of Munira Plumber was usurped by Nawab Malik through Solidus Investments Pvt Ltd, a company owned by the family members of Nawab Malik and controlled by Nawab Malik, with active connivance of the members of D-Gang including Haseena Parkar.
For usurping this property, Haseena Parkar and Nawab Malik connived together and executed several legal documents to put a facade of genuinity for this criminal act.

The money laundering investigation revealed that property belonging to Munira S Plumber and her mother Mariyambai had been illegally taken over by Solidus Investments Private Limited and Haseena Parkar, Sardar Shahvali Khan, Salim Patel and Nawab Malik illegally usurped property/proceeds of crime that is a three-acre prime land with building at Goawala Compound, Kurla (West), Mumbai.

These persons illegally transferred the land belonging to Munira Plumber and her mother Mariyam Goawala by getting it registered on the strength of fake documents in the name of M/s Solidus Investments Private Limited.

The said property CTS No. 336, 336/1 to 5 and 7 to 24, 336 / 25 and 338, Goawala Compound, Kurla (West), Mumbai has thus been fraudulently usurped and is Proceeds of Crime under section 2(1)(u) of PMLA, 2002, said ED statement.

Rent of Rs 11.70 crore has also been received from this property in two entities controlled by Nawab Malik namely Solidus Investments Pvt Ltd and Malik Infrastructure is also Proceeds of Crime.
Further investigation is in progress.

Maharashtra Minority Development Minister Nawab Malik is currently in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case related to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. He was arrested by ED on February 23. 

Indian Stocks Slump For 3rd Straight Day; Sensex Dips 237 Points

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 04:03 AM PDT

The Indian equities markets key indices, Sensex and Nifty, slumped for the third consecutive day on Wednesday with the benchmark Sensex closing 237 points down in volatile trading.

The 30 stock S&P BSE Sensex closed 237.44 points or 0.41 per cent down at 58,338.93 points against its previous day’s close at 58,576.37 points. The Sensex witnessed a volatile session. The index started the day on a positive note at 58,910.74 points and surged to a high of 59,003.82 points in the early morning trade. The Sensex turned volatile later in the day and hit a low of 58,291.23 points in the intra-day.

This is the third consecutive day of loss in the benchmark index. The Sensex had lost 388.20 points or 0.66 per cent on Tuesday and 482.61 points a day before.
The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange closed 54.65 points or 0.31 per cent down at 17,475.65 points.

The Nifty also witnessed volatile trading. It opened in the positive at 17,599.90 points and surged to a high of 17,663.65 points in the intra-day. It fell to a low of 17,457.40 points in the intra-day.
The Nifty had lost 144.65 points and 109.40 points respectively in the previous two days.

HDFC duo was the biggest Sensex loser. HDFC slumped 2.01 per cent to Rs 2377.40. HDFC Bank slipped 1.90 per cent to Rs 1464.85. Maruti Suzuki dipped 1.86 per cent to Rs 7471.85. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories slipped 1.71 per cent to Rs 4297.80. Asian Paints dipped 1.62 per cent to Rs 3080.90.

ITC soared 1.87 per cent to Rs 269.50. Sun Pharma soared 1.66 per cent to Rs 936.45. Hindustan Unilever, State Bank of India, NTPC, Bajaj Finance and L&T were among the major Sensex losers.

57% Of Pakistanis Happy With Imran Khan’s Exit

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 03:51 AM PDT

Karachi [Pakistan: A survey found that 57% of Pakistanis were happy over the exit of Imran Khan as Prime Minister of the country.


The new Gallup Survey was conducted through telephonic and random digital dialling, from 1,000 households from April 10-11, reported The News International.

A polarising trend of opinion has emerged as a result of the survey with 57% of Pakistanis who took the survey expressing happiness over the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government’s departure.


Of these, 71 per cent were happy with the change of government. They said that Imran Khan’s government caused record inflation and increased poverty.


The economy of Pakistan was in tatters as people had to burn purses to purchase daily food items. The country witnessed a shortage of flour, rocketing tomatoes prices, and sugar prices. Not only that, the rate of poverty was at its zenith under the Imran Khan regime.


Pakistan’s financial condition was in a precarious situation under the inefficient leadership of its Prime Minister Imran Khan.


As reported on February 28, the country’s former finance minister and well-known economist Dr Hafeez A Pasha disclosed that the current account deficit was heading towards a historic record by touching the USD 20 billion mark or 6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the current fiscal year.


As many as 10 per cent of this group hold the PTI government responsible for failure to provide relief to the poor, three per cent declared Imran Khan as not a good leader, two per cent thought the previous government was better, and another two per cent thought he failed to deliver on his promises, reported The News International.


One per cent of those thought he was not fit for the job and suggested him to quit politics.

Another one per cent expressed happiness over his exit from the government for the gross mismanagement of the economy that led to an increase in fuel prices.


Meanwhile, another group of 43 per cent respondents have shown displeasure with Imran Khan’s departure.


Among the latter group, 25 per cent were upset over removing Imran despite his personal integrity, 18 per cent declared him as the best leader, another 15 per cent say they like Imran Khan, while 13 per cent were dismayed over not letting the PTI government complete its full constitutional term and 10 per cent of these thought that he did a good job for the country, reported The News International.


Four per cent said they were sad because they felt Imran Khan was a sincere leader, four were are grossly unhappy over the return of corrupt leadership into power, three per cent expressed satisfaction with the former PM for initiating welfare programmes for the poor and two per cent were upset over an ‘external power’ conspiring to remove a popularly-elected leader.


The Pakistani parliament ousted Imran Khan in a vote of no confidence in the early hours of Sunday, April 10.


As many as 174 lawmakers in the 342-strong lower house of parliament voted in favour of the no-confidence motion launched by opposition parties. 

Rajasthan: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Stopped From Entering Violence-Hit Karauli

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 03:50 AM PDT

BJP Yuva Morcha national president and MP Tejasvi Surya was stopped by Rajashthan police from entering the violence-hit Karauli district on Wednesday.

The BJP delegation also broke into sloganeering and staged a protest against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his government after not being allowed to visit the violence-hit Karauli district. Reacting to the step taken by police officials, the BJP MP said that the ‘dictatorial government’ is ‘snatching their rights’.

“Section 144 is not in place at where we are now…It’s our constitutional right to go to Karauli. This dictatorial government is snatching our rights, which is why we are protesting,” said Surya.

The Jaipur district administration on Saturday imposed Section 144 CrPC till May 9 and suspended the gathering of crowds, protests, assemblies and processions without prior permission in the entire rural and urban area.

The imposition of Section 144 comes in the wake of the stone-pelting incident in Karauli that took place on April 2 during a religious procession.

The administration has also prohibited any objectionable sloganeering and singing or demonstration of similar activities.

According to the order, no person or his group or representative shall use a DJ for any kind of religious or other function without permission. The use of loudspeakers in all public and religious places remains prohibited to curb noise pollution. Prior permission will be required to carry out the same allowed from 6 am to 10 pm.

Ladke Waale Neetu Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Commence Wedding Festivities

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 03:17 AM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): It’s a special day for veteran actor Neetu Kapoor as her son Ranbir Kapoor and his lady love Alia Bhatt are all set to commence their wedding festivities.


Neetu, her daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and granddaughter Samara, on Wednesday, were papped outside Ranbir’s Vastu residence in Bandra. They were all dressed in traditional outfits.

The big smile on their faces clearly expressed their happiness as they commenced the wedding festivities.


Reportedly, a pooja is being organised at Ranbir’s house today in remembrance of his late father Rishi Kapoor.


Interestingly, at the same time, Ranbir and Alia’s close friend Ayan Mukerji has unveiled the couple’s love song from their film ‘Brahmastra’ to mark their fresh beginnings. 

Contractor Death: Congress Demands Corruption Case Against Eshwarappa

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 03:08 AM PDT

Bengaluru (Karnataka): Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that a corruption case must be registered against Minister KS Eshwarappa for allegedly demanding commission from deceased contractor Santosh Patil.


Addressing a joint press conference with former chief minister Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar said, “We will go to Belagavi and meet Santosh Patil’s family. The post-mortem has been delayed, we don’t know the reason why. An FIR has been filed, and now the Minister (Eshwarappa) has to be arrested. A corruption case must also be slapped against him.” “He is also a murderer, what he has done is abetment to suicide. The family members have said it,” he added.


The Congress leader alleged that the state police is trying to safeguard the minister in the FIR.


“It is a black spot for the state. The BJP leaders have not spoken on the issue yet. Will the Minister resign? Why has the BJP not considered slapping a corruption charge against Eshwarappa? The police officials are trying to safeguard him through the FIR,” Shivakumar said.


The Congress state chief also announced that the party would protest against the government in front of the Chief Minister’s residence and in all districts.


Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah demanded the arrest of the Minister and other accused.


“FIR lodged against KS Eshwarappa. He and other accused should be immediately arrested; a case must be filed under the corruption act… In his text message, (deceased contractor) Santosh Patil clearly blamed Eshwarappa for his death. The Minister and his PAs demanded 40 per cent commission. He wrote to PM Modi and met BL Santhosh and others. He categorically mentioned corruption. We demand that the case must be filed under the corruption act,” he said.


Referring to the purported social media message, the Congress leader said “In his WhatsApp message, he clearly said that Eshwarappa is responsible for his death. So Eshwarappa must be arrested.”


Earlier, the brother of the deceased contractor Santosh Patil on Wednesday demanded the arrest of Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa and his close aides Ramesh and Basawaraj.


A Congress delegation led by state party chief DK Shivakumar, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah also met the Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, demanding the expulsion of Eshwarappa from the state cabinet as well as his arrest over contractor Santosh Patil’s death. 

13 Dead After Consuming Poisonous Mushrooms In Assam

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 02:58 AM PDT

Dibrugarh (Assam): As many as 13 people died within a week after consuming poisonous mushrooms in four districts of Upper Assam.


All the victims were admitted to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in the Dibrugarh district.

Dr Prasanta Dihingia, Superintendent of AMCM said that all the victims died at AMCH while undergoing treatment.

“13 people including a minor died due to consumption of poisonous mushroom in last seven days. Total 39 patients were admitted to the hospital from four districts of the Upper Assam region and out of which 13 people died,” Dr Prasanta Dihingia said.

He further said that the victims were from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.

“Most of them are from tea garden areas. Many people from the Upper Assam region fall ill after consuming poisonous mushrooms every year,” Dr Dihingia added. 

‘Brahmastra’ Director Ayan Mukerji Seemingly Confirms Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor’s Wedding, Shares First Song From Film

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 02:29 AM PDT

Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji, who has directed Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor-starrer ‘Brahmastra’, on Wednesday confirmed the couple’s upcoming rumoured wedding by sharing a heart-warming note along with a sneak peek of the film’s first song, ‘Kesariya’.

Ayan took to his Instagram handle and posted a dreamy clip of ‘Kesariya’ in which Ranbir and Alia could be seen romancing each other on the streets of Varanasi. In the post’s caption, Ayan penned a heartfelt note for the couple.

It read, “For Ranbir and For Alia! And… For this Sacred Journey they are going to embark on soon!”

“Ranbir and Alia… my closest and dearest people in this world… my happy place, and my safe place… who have added everything to my life… and given themselves completely and selflessly to our movie…! We just had to share a piece of their union, from our movie, from our song ‘Kesariya’, to Celebrate them… as a Gift to them, and to Everyone!!” he continued.

Ayan concluded his note by adding, “Wishing that the best of Energies and all the Blessings, all the Joy and all the Purity, surround them as they enter an amazing new chapter of life, together forever.”

Ahead of Alia and Ranbir’s speculated wedding, Karan Johar, who has produced ‘Brahmastra’, too shared the song’s sneak peek and wished the couple by writing, “Love is light and I know the amount of light you have brought into each other’s and our lives with your love. To new beginnings and more.”

‘Brahmastra’, a combination of mythology and science fiction, will release in theatres on September 9 in five Indian languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.

Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna Akkineni are also a part of the film.
Meanwhile, reportedly, the highly-anticipated wedding of Ranbir and Alia will be a 4-day-long affair at the RK house. The functions are expected to start from today onwards with the wedding on April 15. 

Magic Moments Brings ‘Sunburn’ To Top Indian Cities

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 02:23 AM PDT

New Delhi (India): Magic Moments Brings ‘Sunburn’ festival to your city. Magic Moments Music Studio from the house of Radico Khaitan continues its association with Asia's biggest music festival, 'Sunburn' for the fifth year in a row with its 15th edition multi-city Arena showcase.

The much sought-after and Asia's biggest music festival is hitting the ground again with multi-platinum record producer Alan Walker performing his electronic jam on April 14 in Mumbai, followed by Bengaluru on April 15, Hyderabad on April 16, and Gurugram on April 17.

Radico's association with Asia’s biggest music festival has helped it reach out to the concentrated audience, as this is a platform that helps the company tap into the younger audiences who claim the lion's share of the consumer base of our brand magic moments.

Sunburn is one of the biggest Music Festivals in India and Magic Moments has over successive years upped the association with the brand to become the ‘Presenting Partner’ of the EDM Festival and brings Sunburn festival to the top three cities of India.

The brand also takes the association to retail and digital and runs a campaign that also provides a chance for its consumer to attend this extravaganza.

The event will take place at Mahalakshmi Racecourse in Mumbai on April 14, Bhartiya City in Bengaluru on April 15, Hitex in Hyderabad on April 16, and Backyard in Gurugram on April 17. 

"The response from on-ground events has been encouraging so far as the new normal is setting in. In fact, the big-ticket events like Sunburn, open up growth corridors for brands through on-ground promotional activities and engagement.

We are expecting high attendance of millennials coming in to get the immersive magical experience of this world-class event. " said Mr. Amar Sinha, Chief Operating Officer, Radico Khaitan Ltd.

Over the years, the Arena presented by Magic Moments has hosted some of the World’s most well-known DJs in the past, including Hardwell, Deadmau5, Afrojack, Armin Van Buren, Swedish House Mafia, Dash Berlin, and Avicii.

Last month, Magic Moments Music Studio partnered with 'Sunburn Holi Reload' held in ten cities, including Bhopal, Thane, Chennai, Kasol, Chandigarh, Jamshedpur, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, and Goa. Sunburn's beloved KSHMR took the spotlight in Goa, Pune, Bangalore, and Delhi.

Sensex Trades In Positive After Two Days Of Decline

Posted: 13 Apr 2022 12:04 AM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): The Indian equities markets benchmark Sensex was trading in the positive on Wednesday, after two days of sharp decline, amid positive cues from other Asian markets.


The 30 stock S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 58,609.95 points, 33.58 points or 0.06 per cent higher than its previous day’s close at 58,576.37 points.

Reversing two consecutive days of a sharp drop, the Sensex started the day on a positive note at 58,910.74 points and surged to a high of 59,003.82 points in the early morning trade.

The Sensex turned volatile later in the day and slipped briefly into negative. The Sensex touched a low of 58,514.54 points.


The index is trading in the positive after two consecutive days of losses.

The Sensex had lost 388.20 points or 0.66 per cent on Tuesday and 482.61 points a day before.


The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange was trading 11.20 points or 0.06 per cent higher at 17,541.50 points.

The Nifty had lost 144.65 points and 109.40 points respectively in the previous two days.


NTPC rose 1.54 per cent to Rs 155. Sun Pharma surged 1.23 per cent to Rs 932.45.

Mahindra & Mahindra was trading 0.96 per cent higher at Rs 869.15. IndusInd Bank, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Bharti Airtel were among the major Sensex gainers.


Asian Paints slumped 1.70 per cent to Rs 3078.45. Titan fell 1.46 per cent to Rs 2452.10.

Power Grid Corporation declined 1.42 per cent to Rs 229.80. HDFC fell 1.34 per cent to Rs 2393.65 and HDFC Bank was trading 1.25 per cent down at Rs 1474.60. 

SC Agrees To Hear Nawab Malik’s Plea Seeking Immediate Release

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 11:59 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea of Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik filed against an order of the Bombay High Court which had rejected his interim application seeking immediate release in a case of money laundering being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.


A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana agreed to list the case for hearing after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Malik, mentioned the matter for urgent listing of the case. Sibal told the apex court, “This is Nawab Malik’s matter where ED is taking proceedings. The act came into place in 2005, the transaction is prior to 2000. A transaction from 22 years ago is sought to proceed.”


To Nawab Malik’s plea, CJI said, “Yes, we will list it.”


Malik has challenged the March 15 order of the Bombay High Court which had rejected his application saying just because the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court’s order remanding him in custody is not in his favour, it does not make that order illegal or wrong.


After the Enforcement Directorate had arrested Malik under the provisions of the PMLA, he had filed a habeas corpus plea in the High Court claiming that his arrest by the ED and the consequent remands were illegal.


The High Court had said that Malik was arrested by the ED in accordance with the law, and subsequently been remanded to the ED’s custody and then to judicial custody following due process.


ED had arrested Minorities Development Minister Malik on February 23 over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.


The federal agency has accused Malik of being part of an alleged criminal conspiracy to usurp a property in Mumbai’s Kurla area which currently has a market value of Rs 300 crore and belongs rightfully to one Munira Plumber.


However, Malik had submitted before the High Court that he had bought the property in a bonafide transaction three decades ago, and Plumber has now changed her mind about the transaction.

BJP’s 5-Member Fact-Finding Team To Probe Hanskhali Rape Case

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 11:52 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: As the outrage in West Bengal continues over the Hanskhali rape case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda on Wednesday formed a five-member fact-finding committee to ascertain details of the alleged “rape and murder” of the minor girl.


The committee, with all the five members being women, has been asked to submit its report at the earliest.

The BJP release reads, “BJP National President Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda has nominated a five-member fact-finding committee to visit the place of rape and murder of minor at Hanskhali, Nadia, West Bengal.”


The committee, with all the five members being women, has been asked to submit its report at the earliest.


The members include MP and BJP National Vice President Rekha Verma, UP cabinet minister Baby Rani Maurya, Tamil Nadu MLA and BJP National President Mahila Morcha Vanathi Srinivasan, party leader Khushbu Sunder and West Bengal MLA Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhary.


Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in West Bengal’s Nadia district. The victim’s family accused the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader in the case.


A case under sections 376(2)(G) (gangrape), 302 (murder), 204 (tampering with evidence) of the IPC and relevant sections of the POCSO) Act was registered in the case.


The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the Hanskhali rape case.


In its detailed order, the HC noted that in order to have a ‘fair investigation’ and instill confidence in the family of the victim, the case was being handed over to the CBI. The state investigating agency has been asked to hand over all papers relating to the investigation, as well as the custody of the accused to the central agency. 

Rajnath Singh In Hawaii To Visit US Indo-Pacific Command

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 11:43 PM PDT

Hawaii [US]: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (local time) reached Honolulu in Hawaii for his visit to the headquarters of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).


“Reached Honolulu in Hawaii for a visit to the Headquarters of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). I shall also be visiting the Headquarters of US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces, during my brief stay in Hawaii,” tweeted the minister. On his arrival from Washington DC, Rajnath Singh in Hawaii, was received by Commander, USINDOPACOM Admiral John Aquilino. The USINDOPACOM and Indian military have wide-ranging engagements, including a number of military exercises, training events and exchanges.


Singh will be visiting USINDOPACOM headquarter, Pacific Fleet and the training facilities in Hawaii on Wednesday (local time) before returning to India. He is also expected to lay wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and visit the headquarters of the US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces during his brief stay in Hawaii.


Notably, Singh arrived in Washington DC on Sunday as part of his five-day US visit, which included the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue on April 11.


The India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin was held on April 11 in Washington.


During the dialogue, the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries forged new and deeper cooperation across the breadth of the US-India partnership, including defence, science and technology, trade, climate, public health, and people-to-people ties.


Before the 2+2 Dialogue, Singh also held a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of Defence separately in Pentagon.

India To Host Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 11:31 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Organised by Street Child United and Save the Children India, the Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023 will welcome 22 teams from 16 countries to India next year.


Taking place in September ahead of the ICC World Cup, the event will see street-connected children and young people take part in a mixed-gender cricket tournament.

In 2019, Street Child Cricket World Cup was held in London where eight teams competed, and Team India South emerged victorious after beating hosts England.


Countries that will participate this year are Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, England, Hungary, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.


“Street children face ample issues but major problems are lack of education and identity crisis. We face several health issues too. In 2019 when I received the opportunity to play Street Child World Cup I was very happy. It helped me build my confidence,” Soni Khatoon, who played the mixed-gender International Cricket in SCCWC 2019 as a member of Team India North said.


Speaking about the goals of the Street Child Cricket World Cup, Street Child United’s founder and CEO John Wroe said, “The SCCWC will be a catalyst for One Million Young People globally receiving identity for the very first time. This is our legacy challenge for the 2nd SCCWC.”


“It is a universal call for governments to ensure that street children everywhere are better protected, and granted access to basic services that so many of us take for granted,” said Wroe.


In addition to the partnership between Street Child United and Save the Children the SCCWC 2023 will also collaborate with World Bank, ICC and the British High Commission.

Imran’s Desperate Attempts To Cling To Power Brought Pak Close To Coup

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 11:11 PM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s unscrupulous and desperate attempts to cling on to power by inciting his followers to protest and rebellion was equivalent to a civilian coup, said a media report.


Imran, who became the first Pakistani Prime Minister to be ousted through a no-confidence motion, had said that he would fight “till the last ball”.

However, the statement actually meant using every trick, irrespective of how unethical and undemocratic it was, to cling on to power, reported Islam Khabar.

Moreover, the former premier refused to accept the new reality in the country even after his ouster as he opposed Shahbaz Sharif’s candidature for the Prime Minister’s post, citing court cases against him, and also threatened to resign en masse from the National Assembly if the demand was not met.


Imran’s desperate attempts to stay in power followed by his unceremonious exit suggested how he was following the former US President Donald Trump who too was not ready to accept his defeat to the current US President Joe Biden.

Khan, too, in a similar manner, refused to accept his ouster, alleging collusion between his political opponents and the US to topple his government.


Terming the protests by his followers as the rejection of the new government by the people, he claimed that the people of Pakistan have vowed to fight against the “foreign conspiracy” and the “imported government led by crooks”.


Imran Khan’s statement regarding Pakistan’s “sovereignty and democracy” is quite contradictory to the actions he took to retain his power.

The cricketer-turned-politician, who his opponents have claimed, was chosen by Pakistan’s powerful army made several desperate attempts to retain his power as reportedly he even planned to sack Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

However, Imran’s desperate attempts failed since the information about his plan was intercepted by intelligence agencies, reported Islam Khabar.


Further, there had been repeated attempts by the Khan-led government to obstruct the no-trust motion, however, when it could not stop the motion from being tabled in the Assembly, it colluded with the President of Pakistan and the Speaker to dissolve the House.

This attempt was also foiled by Supreme Court as it set aside the rejection of the no-trust motion.


When voting on the motion became inevitable, Imran Khan mulled the idea of imposing martial law in the country, which would have led to the suspension of important institutions, including courts, according to the media outlet, which further notes his failure in this attempt as well.


After all his attempts proved ineffective, Khan held his opponents responsible for the political turmoil in the country as he alleged their connivance with the US to topple the government.

His praise for India as a “self-respecting nation” further suggests that he doesn’t practise what he preaches, else he would have followed the example of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who peacefully relinquished his power twice when he fell short of a required strength in the country’s Parliament.

Vajpayee later returned to power with the majority, however, Khan could not show the same statesmanship, reported Islam Khabar.


Instead, he refused to accept the defeat and threatened to gather his supporters out on the streets. “I will not accept this imported government, I will take to the street. Only people can bring me to power and I will come back with the help of the people,”

the media outlet quoted him as saying before voting on the no-confidence motion.
Pakistan, which is not new to a military coup as the country had been under Army rule for over three decades, witnessed a civilian coup this time through Khan’s desperate attempts to remain in power.

Kejriwal Residence Vandalism: Delhi HC Grants Bail To 8 Accused

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 11:00 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: The Delhi High Court has granted bail to eight people arrested by Delhi Police over the recent incident of protest and vandalism outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence.


The bench of Justice Asha Menon on Tuesday, while passing the order on Kejriwal Residence vandalism case said, “Since the nature of the evidence is such, there is no possibility of the applicants tampering with the evidence or inducing or threatening any witness.”

“With regard to the damage caused to public property, which cannot be at any stage certainly overlooked, the facts are to be considered to reckon what damage has been caused. Here, the allegations are that the protestors have vandalised some of the CCTV cameras and an arm of a boom barrier and had also smeared paint on the main gate of the CM Residence. There is no allegation of damage to public property through arson and fire or other means on a scale that would clearly be a far more serious matter than what has been alleged against the applicants. The applicants are mostly in their twenties except for three who are older,” noted the court.


The court further said, “The evidence collected so far is of such a nature that the applicants cannot tamper with it. Others who had been identified in the photos have been issued notices under Section 41A CrPC and are also participating in the investigations. Thus, the continued custody of the applicants in jail is not called for only because some investigations are still going on.”


“The court, therefore, allows the bail applications and grants bail to all the applicants each of them furnishing a personal bond and a surety bond for a sum of Rs 35,000 each. The applicants shall not leave NCT of Delhi without intimating the SHO concerned,” said the court order.


Last week, the trial Court, denied bail to eight arrested persons namely Chander Kant Bhardwaj, Naveen Kumar, Neeraj Dixit, Sunny Jitender Singh Bisht, Pradeep Kumar Tiwari, Raju Kumar Singh and Bablu Kumar, said that such protesters had no regard even to the directions issued by the Delhi High Court which were communicated to them, as per the reply of Delhi Police, that no protest is allowed at CM house.


“There is no doubt that the right to assemble and protest by a political party is a fundamental right. But having noted so it can also be noted that such a right is subjected to certain restrictions and not an uncontrolled one,” the trial court had said.


Recently the Delhi High Court has also sought a status report from Delhi Police over the incident of violent Protest and vandalism outside the Delhi Chief Minister and also directed to preserve the CCTV footage of the incident.


In Delhi HC, the plea sought direction for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to undertake an independent, fair and time-bound criminal investigation with respect to the attack and its perpetrators.


Petitioner also alleged that the attack was done by Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) workers and appears to have been carried out with Delhi Police’s tacit complicity.


Visuals from outside Kejriwal’s residence on March 30, showed protestors casually walking through the police security cordon, kicking and breaking boom barriers, breaking CCTV cameras with lathis, throwing paint at the gate and attempting to climb over the entrance gate, while Delhi Police personnel simply looked on, doing little to stop the protestors, stated plea.


Saurabh Bhardwaj, sitting MLA from AAP stated that the party strongly supports the right to protest peacefully, even if such protest is against the Delhi government, it is submitted that in the name of protest, violence cannot and ought not to be permitted and condoned, plea stated. 

Barricades Up Outside Ranbir’s Juhu House Ahead Of Rumoured Wedding

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 10:52 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Security arrangements outside actor Ranbir Kapoor’s house are being made as celebrations for his rumoured wedding with Alia Bhatt are expected to kick start today.


On Wednesday, several security guards were seen outside Ranbir’s Bandra residence Vastu where barricades have been set up at the main gate to ensure everything goes on smoothly.


The guards were also seen putting pink coloured stickers on the phone cameras of the people entering the house reportedly for the Haldi celebration.


Yesterday, Vastu, along with Alia’s Juhu residence, were both decked up in bright pink and golden lights. Ranbir’s sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahani had also reached Mumbai amid the ongoing buzz around her brother’s rumoured wedding.


Reportedly, the highly-anticipated wedding will be a 4-day-long affair at the RK house. The functions are expected to start from today onwards with the wedding on April 15.


While the couple has remained tight-lipped about their wedding details, on Monday, a car was spotted at Ranbir’s house and it was loaded with Sabyasachi outfits apparently for the bride and groom.


Alia and Ranbir began dating on the sets of their upcoming Ayan Mukerji directorial ‘Brahmastra’.

Thrissur Diocese Say Faction-Feud in Congress Helping AAP

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 10:45 PM PDT

Thrissur (Kerala): The Archdiocese of Thrissur criticised the functioning of Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi in an article published in its mouthpiece “Catholic Sabha”, arguing that the faction-feud in the Congress party is allowing the rise of the Aam Admi Party (AAP).


The article highlighted the lack of leadership in Congress, arguing that the AAP is positioning as the national alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

It also argued that the faction-feud in Congress is the reason for the emergence of the AAP as the new national alternative to the BJP.

It stressed that Congress is losing its opposition party status. “Congress calculates that it can gain in the elections from the anti-incumbency factor, farmers’ protest and its secularism plot. The lack of leadership and fight among the party leaders are hurting the interest of Congress,” stated the “Catholic Sabha”.


According to the article, Congress remained a mere spectator while not offering any solution (to issues) while the BJP went ahead with its agenda of a ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’.

“Even though Priyanka Gandhi experimented in the Uttar Pradesh elections, congress was not in the picture (electoral battle). All know the reasons for Congress’ defeat in the elections. But no one is ready to bring a solution. The Congress leaders were supporting the BJP’s agenda of a ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’ by fighting among themselves,” added the article published in “Catholic Sabha” under the title “Is the Congress party distancing itself from the proposed national alternative.”


The article criticised Rahul Gandhi’s ‘double’ stand for not taking charge of the party president but controlling the organisation from behind the curtains. It stated says “gone are the days when the name ‘Gandhi’ was enough to secure victory”. It further argued that India will soon transform into ‘Hindusthan of the Sangh Parivar forces with consequences for democratic and secular values”. 

Owaisi Accuses Shivraj Singh Chouhan Of Religious Bias

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 10:34 PM PDT

Hyderabad (Telangana): All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh) for demolishing the houses of the those involved in the violence during Ram Navami procession in Khargone, and said that it shows the “biased attitude” of the Chief Minister “towards the Muslim minority”.


Addressing a press conference here, Owaisi accusing Shivraj Singh said, “It is clearly state-complicit violence and a grave violation of the Geneva Convention. The government gives permission for the procession. How does the government let violence erupt in the procession? Houses and shops are set to fire in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Under what law the government of Madhya Pradesh has demolished the houses of the Muslim community? It clearly shows CM’s biased attitude towards the Muslim minority.”

Notably, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, the district administration of Khargone and police demolished illegal buildings of miscreants involved in the attack on a Ram Navami procession. The authorities ran the bulldozer over about 45 houses and shops. Around 16 houses and 29 shops were demolished on Monday.


Owaisi, when asked about the scuffle that erupted on the occasion of Ram Navami in the JNU campus in Delhi over the alleged non-veg food issue, the AIMIM chief alleged that the BJP and RSS are taking the country on the way where the “nation is becoming weak”.


“Why don’t you ban the export of meat? You don’t ban it because you get the dollar. Will the country run on the basis of faith or the Constitution? We are telling the BJP and RSS that the way that you are taking the country, the nation is becoming weak,” he said.


Delhi Police on Monday registered an FIR against unidentified people in a case of violence inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus that resulted in the injuries of six students.


While the JNU administration said that no violence will be tolerated on campus and warned the students from getting involved in any incident which disturbs peace and harmony on campus. 

DGCA Restrains 90 SpiceJet Pilots, Asks Them To Retrain

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:53 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has restrained 90 pilots of SpiceJet airline from operating Boeing 737 Max aircraft after finding they were not properly trained, informed SpiceJet on Wednesday.


“90 pilots have been restrained from flying the Boeing 737 MAX. They will have to undergo training again to the satisfaction of DGCA,” DGCA Director-General Arun Kumar told ANI. However, the restriction does not impact the operations of MAX aircraft, he added.

“SpiceJet currently operates 11 MAX aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these 11 aircraft”, said DGCA Director-General.


Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 continue to remain available. The pilots will have to undergo training again, in a proper manner, on the Max simulator.


The DGCA’s move comes after a 737-800 plane operated by China airline crashed in mountains in southern China killing 132 people on board last month.


Indian airlines like SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India Express operate Boeing 737 aircraft in their fleets. 

DGCA Restrains 90 SpiceJet Pilots From Flying Boeing 737 Max, Asks Them To Retrain

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:52 PM PDT

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has restrained 90 pilots of SpiceJet airline from operating Boeing 737 Max aircraft after finding they were not properly trained, informed SpiceJet on Wednesday.

“90 pilots have been restrained from flying the Boeing 737 MAX. They will have to undergo training again to the satisfaction of DGCA,” DGCA Director-General Arun Kumar told ANI. However, the restriction does not impact the operations of MAX aircraft, he added. “SpiceJet currently operates 11 MAX aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these 11 aircraft”, said DGCA Director-General.

Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 continue to remain available. The pilots will have to undergo training again, in a proper manner, on the Max simulator.

The DGCA’s move comes after a 737-800 plane operated by China airline crashed in mountains in southern China killing 132 people on board last month.

Indian airlines like SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India Express operate Boeing 737 aircraft in their fleets.

IPL 2022: Jadeja Becomes Most Successful Bowler Against RCB

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:47 PM PDT

Chennai Super Kings skipper Ravindra Jadeja became the most successful bowler against Royal Challengers Bangalore, as he holds the record for the most number of wickets against the franchise.

Jadeja achieved this feat on Tuesday when he scalped three wickets against RCB, here at Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. He now has a total of 26 wickets against RCB. The all-rounder is being followed by Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra, with 24 and 23 wickets, respectively.

Coming to the match, brilliant knocks by Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa were backed by courageous bowling performance as Chennai Super Kings completed a comfortable 23 runs victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL 2022 match on Tuesday.

Robin Uthappa played his IPL career-best inning of 88 while Shivam Dube smashed a thrilling 95* as the pair stitched a mammoth partnership of 165 runs to help CSK reach the highest total of the IPL 2022 — 216/4. Among bowlers, Maheesh Theekshana was the star for CSK as he scalped four wickets while their skipper Ravindra Jadeja took three to completely dismantle the chase of RCB.

PM Modi Pays Tribute To Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Victims

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:46 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and said that their unparalleled courage and sacrifice will keep motivating the coming generations.


Sharing the speech at the inauguration of the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak last year, PM Modi tweeted, “Tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919.

Their unparalleled courage and sacrifice will keep motivating the coming generations.” PM Modi unveiled the renovated Jallianwala Bagh memorial through video conferencing on August 28, last year, and stated that those 10 minutes of April 13, 1919, became the immortal story of our freedom struggle, due to which we are able to celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav of freedom today.

Jallianwala Bagh is the place that inspired countless revolutionaries and fighters like Sardar Udham Singh, and Sardar Bhagat Singh to die for the freedom of India.


Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tributes to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and tweeted, “I bow to the courage and valour of the immortal martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which a symbol of the ruthlessness and brutal atrocities of foreign rule.”


Shah added, “Your sacrifice, dedication, and sacrifice for the freedom of Mother India will continue to inspire the coming generations to sacrifice for the unity and integrity of the country.”


The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on April 13, 1919, when troops of the British Indian Army, under the command of Colonel Reginald Dyer, fired machine guns into a crowd of unarmed protesters and pilgrims who had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab’s Amritsar on the occasion of Baisakhi.


The crowd had assembled peacefully at the venue to condemn the arrest of two national leaders — Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew — when they were fired at indiscriminately by General Dyer and his men.


According to British government records, 379 people including men, women, and children were killed while 1,200 were wounded in the firing. Other sources place the number of dead at well over 1,000. 

Katrina Sparks Pregnancy Rumours As She Steps Out At Mumbai Airport

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:39 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif, who got married to Vicky Kaushal last December, recently sparked pregnancy rumours after being spotted at the Mumbai airport.


Several videos of the ‘Bang Bang’ actor recently surfaced online in which she was seen donning a loose pastel pink suit paired with a matching dupatta, sparking Katrina’s pregnancy rumours.


Blame it on the bad camera angle, Katrina’s get up or her slightly slow-paced walk, netizens started to speculate on social media if the actor was pregnant.


One user wrote, “Mommy to be soon! Can’t wait to see Katrina’s child,” another shared, “She looks pregnant! Oh my god!”. A third person wrote, “Pregnant I think.”


Meanwhile, on Sunday, Katrina had shared pictures of delicious scrambled egg, which she had prepared for her hubby Vicky.


Katrina and Vicky, after dating discreetly for nearly two years, finally tied the knot at the Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan on December 9 last year. They hosted an intimate wedding ceremony, which was attended by close friends and family members.


Meanwhile, on the work front, Katrina will be back on the silver screen with the third installment of the ‘Tiger’ franchise, co-starring Salman Khan and Emraan Hashmi.
She would also feature in ‘Jee Le Zara’, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra, and ‘Merry Christmas’ with South superstar Vijay Sethupati.


Apart from this, Katrina has also been working on the horror-comedy ‘Phone Bhoot’ alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. 

India Reports 1088 New COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:31 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: India reported 1088 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.


With this, India’s active cases at present stand at 10,870, comprising 0.03 per cent of the total infections. The daily positivity rate is 0.25 per cent.


The recovery rate is currently at 98.76 per cent with 1,081 recoveries in the last 24 hours, while the total recoveries till now are 4,25,05,410, informed the Health Ministry on Wednesday.


A total of 186.07 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive, stated the health bulletin. According to the Ministry, more than 191.19 crore vaccine doses were provided to States and UTs while more than 19.88 crore balance and un-utilised vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs.


“In the new phase of the universalisation of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs”, the official release stated.


Meanwhile, 79.49 crore total tests have been conducted so far with 4,29,323 tests in the last 24 hours. 

Nadia Rape Case: NCW Chairperson Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Her Remark

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:29 PM PDT

Amid row over the alleged gang-rape and death of a minor in West Bengal’s Nadia, the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma slammed the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, for her remarks on the case terming it “unfortunate”.

“Her (WB CM Mamata Banerjee’s) statement over the incident is very unfortunate. Being a woman, she should understand the pain of another woman. She pointed fingers at the victim, it was wrong,” said Rekha Sharma while speaking to ANI on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday questioned if the girl was actually raped or had a love affair that got her pregnant. “How do you know if she was raped? The police are yet to ascertain the cause of the death. I had asked them.

Was she pregnant or had a love affair or was sick? Even family knew it was a love affair. If a couple is in a relationship, how can I stop them?”, the chief minister said.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday sought a response from the state government over the alleged gang rape and death of a 14-year-old girl in the Nadia district’s Hanskhali.

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the Hanskhali rape case.

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in West Bengal’s Nadia district. The victim’s family accused the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader in the case.

A case under sections 376(2)(G) (gangrape), 302 (murder), 204 (tampering with evidence) of the IPC and relevant sections of the POCSO) Act was registered in the case.

Sri Lanka Hosting The Asia Cup Dependent On Other Countries: Ranatunga

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:26 PM PDT

Colombo [Sri Lanka]: Amid the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga feels that the hosting of Asia Cup 2022, in the country will depend on the nod of other nations.


Asia Cup 2022 was scheduled to be hosted in Sri Lanka but due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country, many questions are being raised.

Sri Lanka is battling a severe economic crisis with food and fuel scarcity affecting a large number of the people in the island nation. The economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.


“I don’t know what to say. The guys who run cricket over here are highly unprofessional. I hope and pray for the country’s sake that Asia Cup should happen. It will now totally depend on other countries how they will see the situation over here,” Ranatunga said.


“I don’t think the protestors will have any issues with the cricket matches. They only have a problem with the government and they will not be interrupting the tournament. But the people in the administration are highly unprofessional and have ruined the cricket board. I have no idea how are they going to handle the situation,” he added.


The former cricketer further said that even if some cricketers come forward and offer funds for the tournament, even then the government might end up using that money for their own benefit.


“If some former cricketers offer help, I am scared that these government officials will use that money for their own benefit. This economic crisis will not get any better by hosting these matches, because we need a lot of money to overcome this situation.

The current government is highly incompetent to handle this mess,” said Ranatunga.
The economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting tourism.


Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has affected its capacity to import food and fuel. The shortage of essential goods forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries.


The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.


Earlier, in a special address to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa requested people to remain patient and stop taking to the streets in order to enable the government to resolve the situation. 

Telangana: Farmers Dump Paddy Outside BJP MP’s Residence

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:24 PM PDT

Farmers on Tuesday staged a protest against the Centre at the residence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Arvind Dharmapuri, dumping paddy outside his house in the Nizamabad district of Telangana.

The protesting farmers alleged that the Centre has betrayed them by not procuring paddy from them. “He (the BJP MP) is hiding in Delhi and has betrayed us as Dharmapuri’s yet to take cognizance of the paddy procurement issue. The Centre must procure paddy from us,” a farmer told ANI. Reacting to the protest, Dharmapuri claimed that the people who were agitating at his house were not real farmers, but “daily-wage labourers” hired by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLA Jeevan Reddy.

After Dharmapuri accused the TRS MLA of orchestrating the protest, Reddy said that Telangana farmers are unhappy with the BJP’s “step-motherly treatment”, asking the Centre to explain the efficacy of the “One Nation One Procurement Policy”.

“Telangana farmers are unhappy with the BJP’s step-motherly treatment to the state. We’ll fight for the rights of our farmers. We need an answer from the Centre on the ‘One Nation One Procurement Policy’ and as to when will they start paddy procurement from Telangana,” Reddy said.

However, the Centre on Monday said the procurement in Telangana under the central pool has increased tremendously over the last five to six years.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said on Tuesday that the state government has decided to purchase paddy from farmers within three to four days. He requested all the farmers in the state to not sell their crops at a rate lesser than the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Telangana government has been demanding from the Centre to procure the entire paddy stock from the State. Last year, a delegation of Ministers from the state met union Ministers to press for the paddy procurement from the state.

Major Spell Of Heatwave Ends In Northwest India, Temperature To Decrease By 2-3 Degrees: IMD

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:19 PM PDT

The major spell of heatwave in northwest India has come to an end and the temperature is likely to decrease by two to three degrees due to the increased presence of clouds, said senior Scientist at India Meteorological Department RK Jenamani.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Jenamani said, “The major spell of the heatwave is over. The heatwave will remit from tomorrow in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The impact of the heatwave was most seen in Delhi on April 9, 10, and 11. It was the highest in the first 15 days in the last 72 years. In Delhi, the heatwave remained for nearly 13 days.”

He further said, “Due to the increased presence of clouds over Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan & Haryana, the temperature will decrease by 2-3°C and heatwave will remit. Delhi will have wind and cloud conditions. Predicted western disturbance is already showing effects over north-western India,” he added.

“All India temperature was the highest in 122 years due to no rainfall in last 50 days. Heatwave conditions might arise in Rajasthan around April 16. Another western disturbance is expected from 18 April,” added Jenamani. 

ED Summons Xiaomi’s Former India Managing Director

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:19 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi’s former India managing director, to appear before it in a probe linked to the firm’s business practices conformed with Indian foreign exchange laws, said sources on Wednesday.


Xiaomi’s Former India Managing Director, Manu Kumar Jain has been asked to appear before the investigators by 11 am on Wednesday at its Delhi headquarters. ED is learnt to have issued summons to Jain earlier asking him to join the investigation against the firm.


Sources said that the agency has started an investigation against the firm in February this year based on some specific inputs and that the former India head of China’s Xiaomi Corp, Jain, is asked to share details related to the investigation of whether the company’s business practices conformed with Indian foreign exchange laws.


Jain, currently a global vice president at Xiaomi based out of Dubai, was currently in India, the sources said, though the purpose of his visit was not clear.


ED actions indicate its widening scrutiny of the Chinese smartphone maker, whose India office was raided in December last year in a separate investigation over alleged income tax evasion. Some other Chinese smartphone markers were also raided at the time.


As per sources, the ED is probing the existing business structures between Xiaomi India, its contract manufacturers and its parent entity in China, as well as various other things including fund, flows between Xiaomi India and its parent entity.


Xiaomi is among the biggest of India’s smartphone sellers and the firm reportedly was on top in selling smartphones in India in 2021 followed by South Korea’s Samsung Electronics. Xiaomi also deals in other tech gadgets in India, including smartwatches and televisions. 

New York Police Identify ‘Person Of Interest’ In Brooklyn Subway Shooting

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 09:11 PM PDT

New York [US]: New York City police named a person of interest in the shooting Tuesday morning aboard a subway train in Brooklyn.


“This is Frank James. He is a person of interest in the shooting that took place on the N train in Brooklyn Tuesday morning. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call @NYPDTips at 1-800-577-TIPS,” the police department said in a Tweet. Meanwhile, the police department has a description of the suspect and a person of interest is being sought by police, according to New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell.


“The suspect is a dark-skinned male and was wearing a neon-orange vest and a grey-coloured sweatshirt,” Sewell said during a press conference on Tuesday. “We have a person of interest in this investigation.”


The suspect had opened smoke grenades on the train and fired his gun 33 times, striking at least 10 people Tuesday morning, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig.


Later at the scene, investigators found a Glock handgun, three extended magazines, two detonated smoke grenades, two non-detonated smoke grenades and a hatchet, Essig added.


None of the injuries to the victims appears to be life-threatening, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.


“We know this incident is of grave concern to New Yorkers,” Sewell said. “We cannot lose sight of victims in this city. We will use every resource we can to bring those to justice who continue to prey on the citizens of New York.”


According to Sewell, 10 people were shot and 13 others injured after a man wearing a gas mask opened fire and threw a smoke canister aboard the moving train during the morning rush hour.


“He then shot multiple passengers as the train pulled into 36th Street station in Sunset Park. 10 people were injured by the gunfire & an additional 13 were either injured as they rushed to get out of the train station or they suffered smoke inhalation,” she said.


Meanwhile, New York City agencies are offering a joint USD 50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in Tuesday’s shooting, as per a statement from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).


The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered USD 12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered USD 25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to USD 50,000. 

India-US Higher Education Cooperation To Help Take Bilateral Ties Forward

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 08:39 PM PDT

A day after India-US announced the intent to establish a new Education and Skills Development Working Group, a Washington-based expert said that higher education cooperation between the two countries will help deliver the real promise of diplomatic relationship.

“Great today to be at Howard University to have a meeting with the Secretary of State and India’s External Affairs Minister to talk about the real promise of US-India higher education cooperation,” Richard Rossow, Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies at Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ANI. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday participated in a conversation with students, faculty, and leadership of Howard University. Both foreign ministers interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and with US students, scholars, and researchers.

Talking about the key takeaways from this interaction, Rossow said the high-level takeaway is that both ministers got together to talk about higher education. “When you talk about 200,000 Indian students coming here, number of US universities that have research partnerships there-a lot going on that underpins many other elements of our relationship,” he added.

At the working level, Rossow said that the ministers announced during the 2+2 Summit on Monday that they created a new working group on higher education skills development. “Trying to underscore and underpin this vital element of our relationship that sits there, very exciting to see this much attention,” he said.
On the question of what more can be done in the field of higher education, Rossow said “Once the American business realise that India is today and certainly will be in future a critical part of global investment and trade regimes, they got to send signals to MBA students that you need a little bit of background if you gotta succeed in big corporate America.”

Answering a question about the 2 + 2 dialogue, the senior fellow said,” It’s great for the two countries to get together when there was a lot of tensions building up over the difference of opinion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” “Second, you did see some significant announcement on the Space Situational Awareness,” he added.

Jaishankar earlier said that a key driver in this change has been the human element which includes 4.4 million Indian diaspora that has defined India’s image in US society. “The 4.4 million Indian diaspora has literally defined our image in this society and helped forge relationships that are an enormous source of strength for us,” he said.

Highlighting the “deeper academic” ties between the United States and India, Blinken said that the partnership is absolutely crucial and pertinent for addressing the problems of the 21st century. He said that at least 200,000 Indian students are studying in US universities.

This Howard University event comes a day after India and US reiterated their support to further strengthen cooperation in the field of education and skill development through joint collaborations and promote student and scholar mobility to build people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

“In this regard, the ministers announced the intent to establish a new India-U.S. Education and Skills Development Working Group,” the joint statement on the Fourth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue read.

Vice President Calls For Improving Cotton Yield To Enhance Farmers’ Income

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 08:32 PM PDT

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday called upon all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to improve cotton yield and productivity in India to enhance farmers’ incomes.

Expressing his concern over the low yield of Indian cotton compared to other major cotton growers in the world, Naidu said that steps must be taken to guide the farmers through better research and by adopting best practices. The Vice President called for increasing the global competitiveness of Indian cotton textiles and “capitalize on our traditional strengths, shift to modern agronomic practices and consolidate our position as a global leader in the cotton industry”.

Noting the importance of the textiles sector as the second-largest employer in the country after agriculture, Naidu emphasized on improving farm productivity, increasing mechanization, upskilling textile workers, and hand-holding small firms to give a boost to the sector.

Naidu also suggested diversifying into specialty cottons such as the extra-long staple (ELS) cotton and organic cotton.
The vice president made these remarks at the golden jubilee Celebrations of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) – Cotton Development and Research Association (CDRA) here.

Referring to the importance of cotton to the Indian economy, the Vice President said that cotton also has a “great symbolic value to our civilizational heritage”.

He recalled that cotton played a crucial role in our freedom struggle, starting with the ‘Swadeshi Movement’. He said that by connecting all sections of society, “cotton was one of the most important binding factors for people to fight against the British Raj”.

Naidu expressed his concern over that despite being the largest cotton producer (23 per cent) in the world and having the highest area under cotton cultivation (39 per cent of world area), the yield per hectare in India remained at a low of 460 kg lint per hectare when compared to the world average of 800 kg lint per hectare.

To address this, he called for improving the planting density, taking up mechanization of cotton harvest and giving a thrust to agronomy research.
Recalling the benefits of the first Technology Mission on Cotton, the Vice President said there is every need to renew the Mission in an upgraded format. “We need to improve our seed technology, increase yield, adopt global best practices, produce clean and high-quality cotton and brand it better to improve the farmers’ income,” he added.

The Vice President noted that while India has a strong global footprint in cotton yarn, it has to improve its competitiveness in fabrics and apparel.
He called for hand-holding small firms and upskilling textile workers to give a fillip to the sector.

The Vice President said government schemes such as the Amended – Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (A-TUFS) and SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector) are aimed at achieving these objectives.

While noting India’s improvement in export competitiveness of traditional textiles, Naidu said “we cannot ignore sunrise sectors such as technical textiles, which are seeing a rapid rise in demand across the world”.

On this occasion, Naidu conferred awards to excelling cotton scientists and farmers in CITI-CDRA Project Areas. He also released a Coffee Table Book – ‘Millennial Shades of Cotton’ at the event. 

US-India Worked For Benefit Of Indo-Pacific Region During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 08:08 PM PDT

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) said that US and India worked together not only for the benefit of both the countries but also for the Indo-Pacific region and beyond during the pandemic.

“(During) COVID-19, the work that we have done together, has not simply been to the benefit of both of our countries, it has increasingly been to the benefit of countries throughout the Indo- Pacific region and beyond,” he said at Howard University for India-US Education Collaboration. Blinken and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and US students, scholars, and researchers who have studied, worked, or conducted research at higher education institutions in India.

Speaking about the Quad partnership, he said: “Quad partnership that we put together-500 million vaccines being donated. If we are not working together with other countries even if we did everything right at home-if virus keeps percolating out there somewhere and new variants develop, one of the variants may come back and bite us,” he said.

India and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific following the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in Washington.

India and the US held the 2+2 ministerial meeting in Washington with the Indian side led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the American side led by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday.

In a joint statement on the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the ministers recalled the inaugural virtual Quad Leaders’ Summit in March 2021, the in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in September 2021 in Washington, and the February 2022 Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Melbourne.

Both sides stated that they are “looking forward to the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo in 2022”.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar underlined the transformation in India-US ties in the last two decades and said that a key driver in this change has been the human element which includes 4.4 million Indian diaspora that has defined India’s image in the US society.

“Howard University is not just a part of a shared past. It is very much part of the future that awaits us. As we contemplate that, a big part and role in that will be played by the relationship between the two countries and that relationship has undergone a real transformation in the last two decades whether it is our strategic or security cooperation or our economy or technology partnership, it is making its weight felt increasingly in world affairs,” Jaishankar said in the presence of Blinken.

The minister noted that a key driver in this change has been the human element. “The 4.4 million Indian diaspora has literally defined our image in this society and helped forge relationships that are an enormous source of strength for us,” he said.
“At its centre are students, academics, and professionals who have contributed to America’s progress even as they remained a bridge between the two societies,” he added.

Speaking about the India-US connect, Jaishankar said the most powerful symbol of the ties is the inspirational bond between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King Junior. “That bond was forged through the relationship with Howard Thurman, the dean of the chapel and later by Dr William Stuart Nelson who was the dean of the school of the religion,” he added.

For India-US ties to grow, Jaishankar said that it is necessary that there is a better understanding of India and the world, on the part of young Americans.

This event was seen as an opportunity to build off Monday’s announcement during the 2+2 Ministerial of the formation of a ‘Working Group on Education and Skill Training.’

India-US Ties Essential For Addressing 21st Century Problems: Blinken

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 08:02 PM PDT

Highlighting the “deeper academic” ties between the United States and India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) said that the partnership is absolutely crucial and pertinent for addressing the problems of the 21st century.

Speaking at Howard University for India-US Education Collaboration, Blinken said that at least 200,000 Indian students are studying in US universities. “US-India strategic partnership, I’m convinced, is absolutely crucial, essential for addressing the problems of the 21st century and your work is at the heart of that relationship,” he said while interacting with students, and faculty during an event.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also delivered remarks and participated in a conversation with students, faculty, and leadership of Howard University.

Blinken and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and US students, scholars, and researchers who have studied, worked, or conducted research at an Indian higher education institution.

The Secretary of State also said that this institute has a history of building bonds between India and the US.

“We are incredibly fortunate that the US has 200,000 Indian students studying in our universities enriching our campuses and fellow citizens and we see many American students studying and working in India through programs like Fulbright or the Gilman fellowships,” Blinken said.

Referring to Howard Thurman, who was a civil rights leader and American author, Blinken said that Thurman had met Mahatama Gandhi. “He (the author) mentioned Gandhian’s non-violence views in his book,” the US Secretary of State said.

Emphasizing the importance of India-US ties in expanding the partnership, the Secretary of State said a working group has been formed for the people of both the countries to facilitate learning.

“To make it easier for people — a working group on education and skill training on the academic institution in the US and India together will develop a new joint research programme,” he said.

“The group’s focus is a lot on creating more opportunities for universities, partners…so that more of our people can learn alongside each other,” he added.
“You can be developing recommendations on how India and the US can support each other on clean energy, this way you are promoting trade between our countries,” Blinken said addressing students, faculty and leadership of Howard University in Washington.

On Monday, lauding the vibrant educational linkages between India and the United States, the ministers reiterated their support to further strengthening cooperation in the field of education and skill development through joint collaborations and promoting student and scholar mobility to build people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

In this regard, the ministers announced the intent to establish a new India-US Education and Skills Development Working Group. The Ministers also appreciated the contribution of the Fulbright-Nehru program in furthering the exchange of outstanding academics and professionals between both countries and the special role that the four million strong Indian-American diaspora play in deepening India-US relations.

4.4 Million Diaspora Defined India’s Image In US Society: Jaishankar

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 07:56 PM PDT

Underlining the transformation in India-US ties in the last two decades, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that a key driver in this change has been the human element which includes 4.4 million Indian Diaspora that has defined India’s image in US society.

He made these remarks during an event at the Howard University for India-US Education Collaboration. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also delivered remarks and participated in a conversation with students, faculty, and leadership of Howard University.

Blinken and Jaishankar interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and US students, scholars, and researchers who have studied, worked, or conducted research at an Indian higher education institution.

“Howard University is not just a part of a shared past. It is very much part of the future that awaits us. As we contemplate that, a big part and role in that will be played by the relationship between the two countries and that relationship has undergone a real transformation in the last two decades whether it is our strategic or security cooperation or our economy or technology partnership, it is making its weight felt increasingly in world affairs,” Jaishankar said in the presence of Blinken.

The minister noted that a key driver in this change has been the human element. “The 4.4 million Indian diaspora has literally defined our image in this society and helped forge relationships that are an enormous source of strength for us,” he said.
“At its centre are students, academics, and professionals who have contributed to America’s progress even as they remained a bridge between the two societies,” he added.

Speaking about the India-US connect, Jaishankar said the most powerful symbol of the ties is the inspirational bond between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King Junior. “That bond was forged through the relationship with Howard Thurman, the dean of the chapel and later by Dr William Stuart Nelson who was the dean of the school of the religion,” he added.

For India-US ties to grow, Jaishankar said that it is necessary that there is a better understanding of India and the world, on the part of young Americans.

This event was seen as an opportunity to build off Monday’s announcement during the 2+2 Ministerial of the formation of a ‘Working Group on Education and Skill Training.’

India, US Discuss Ways To Accelerate Economic Partnership

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 07:51 PM PDT

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held discussions with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for accelerating the economic partnership between India and United States.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said that the goal of both countries is to enhance the resilience and reliability of supply chains and enhance trust and transparency in business. “A good meeting with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Discussed accelerating our economic partnership. Our goal is to enhance resilience and reliability of supply chains and enhance trust and transparency in business,” he said.

Jaishankar who is in the US to attend the 4th India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in Washington also met US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.


“Today I met with India’s Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar. With the re-launch of the US-India Trade Policy Forum last fall, we have strengthened our bilateral trade and economic cooperation. I am excited to continue this work with India moving forward,” Ambassador Katherine Tai tweeted.

This meeting comes a day after the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries underlined the importance of strengthening the commercial and economic pillar of the India-US partnership to advance economic growth and deliver mutual prosperity for both countries.

The ministers applauded the rebound in bilateral trade between the two countries over the last year, surpassing US 113 billion in goods. They also welcomed the 12th Ministerial-level meeting of the India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) and the renewal of Working Group discussions to expand bilateral trade, remove market access barriers, and improve ease of business.

“They looked forward to both sides developing action plans that identify and prioritize the resolution of specific trade concerns to build on the progress made during the last TPF Ministerial meeting,” the joint statement said.

Separately in a tweet, Jaishankar informed that he discussed bilateral trade with Tai as well as the present global situation in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Good to catch up with USTR @AmbassadorTai. Discussed our bilateral trade and exchanged notes on the global situation,” tweeted Jaishankar.

During his two-day visit, Jaishankar discussed contemporary challenges and issues in an open and constructive manner.

He concluded a productive and substantive 2+2 Ministerial meeting on April 11.
“Resolved that our strategic partnership would continue to grow and play a greater role in shaping the direction of world affairs,” tweeted Jaishankar.

India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held between Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin held on April 11 in Washington.

Notably, during the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries forged new and deeper cooperation across the breadth of the US-India partnership, including defence, science and technology, trade, climate, public health, and people-to-people ties.

Assam Govt To Hand Over Land To Civil Aviation Ministry For Expansion, Modernisation Of Airports

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 07:44 PM PDT

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the state government will hand over the land to Civil Aviation Ministry by May 10 for the expansion and modernisation of Silchar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur Airports.

Speaking on the inauguration of the Flying Training Organization (FTO) at Lilabari Airport in Assam’s Lakhimpur district, Chief Minister Sarma termed the day a historic day for Assam. He said that after seven decades of India’s independence for the first time a flying training organization was built and inaugurated in the Northeast region.

“The launch of Redbird Flight Training Academy at Lilabari Airport is a landmark development, which will always remain as a red-letter day in the aviation history of the region,” Sarma said.

He said that it is one of the nine Flight Training Organisations started under Phase I of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the first in the Northeast.
He expressed his happiness about the fact that out of almost 100 flying training schools in India, the Redbird Flight Training Academy is the first in the Northeast region.

“The Government of Assam has recently handed over 84 acres of land for the development of basic strip and construction of isolation bay for the purpose,” he said.
He said that nearly 200 pilots will be trained at the academy where 10 per cent of seats will be reserved to which Assam Government can sponsor aspirants from lower and lower-middle-class families.

“Assam government started the land acquisition process for Lakhimpur Airport, Dibrugarh Airport, Jorhat Airport and Silchar Airport. For expansion and modernisation of Silchar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur Airport, the Government of Assam will hand over land to Civil Aviation Ministry by May 10, 2022, to mark the completion of one year of state government,” he said.

“We have already completed the land acquisition process for the Airport at Silchar. Also, land acquisition for Dibrugarh Airport is almost over. For the land at Jorhat, I have released recently Rs.180 crore for this purpose. That means we are on the track and ready to hand over the land to the Civil Aviation Ministry by May 10, 2022,” the Chief Minister added.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday inaugurated the Flying Training Organization (FTO) at Lilabari Airport in Assam’s Lakhimpur district.
This is the first FTO of Northeast India.

Redbird Aviation has established the Flying Training School at Lilabari Airport with an aim to help the youths of the North-Eastern region in the aviation sector.

Putin Congratulates Shehbaz Sharif On Becoming Pakistan’s PM

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 07:34 PM PDT

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his felicitations to the newly-appointed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russia’s embassy in Pakistan said in a statement on Tuesday.

Putin said he hopes Shehbaz’s activities will “contribute to further development of the Pakistan-Russia cooperation and partner interaction on the Afghan settlement as well as countering international terrorism.” “President Putin congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressed hope that Shehbaz Sharif’s activities will contribute to further development of Russia-Pakistan cooperation and partner interaction on Afghan settlement, countering international terrorism,” Russia’s embassy in Pakistan said in a tweet.

After Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and India’s Narendra Modi had also congratulated Shehbaz on his election.

Shehbaz Sharif said his focus is on providing as much relief as possible to all Pakistanis and keep building relationships with other countries on the basis of mutual respect.

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday evening hours after being elected by the National Assembly of the country.

“I want to congratulate the people of Pakistan on the peaceful transition of power. It’s a matter of pride that today all our institutions respect Constitution as a guiding principle. If the stock market and strengthening currency is any indication, the journey towards our goals has already started,” Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.

“We also look forward to keep building relationships with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and peace,” he said in another tweet.

Shehbaz Sharif said that his focus is on providing as much relief as possible to all Pakistanis by tackling high inflation and kick-starting the stagnant economy.

“Together we will make Pakistan a great nation, Insha’Allah. Pakistan Zindabad.”

Blinken Says China Continues To Commit Human Rights Abuses In Xinjiang

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 07:28 PM PDT

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused China of committing gross human rights violations, particularly in the Xinjiang region, in a speech on the annual human rights report released on Tuesday.

“China continues to commit crimes against humanity in Xinjiang,” Blinken said regarding the chapter in the report on China. The US has branded China as an authoritarian state in the report.

“The People’s Republic of China is an authoritarian state in which the Chinese Communist Party is the paramount authority. Communist Party members hold almost all top government and security apparatus positions,” the report said.

“Genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang,” it added.

The report adds that Chinese government officials and the security services often committed human rights abuses with impunity. “Authorities often announced investigations following cases of reported killings by police but did not announce results or findings of police malfeasance or disciplinary action. Enforcement of laws on corruption was inconsistent and not transparent, and corruption was rampant.”

Xinjiang is the largest province in China with a population of 25 million people from various ethnic groups, but about 43 per cent of them are Uyghurs.

UN experts report states that up to 1 million ethnic Uyghurs could be in so-called “re-education camps” in Xinjiang.

Beijing has denied the existence of re-education camps on numerous occasions, insisting that China fully comply with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Recently, United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet announced plans to visit China in May, including a trip to Xinjiang, after reaching an agreement with Beijing.

IPL 2022: CSK Notch First Win Of Season After Shivam Dube-Robin Uthappa Show Against RCB

Posted: 12 Apr 2022 07:20 PM PDT

Brilliant knocks by Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa were backed by courageous bowling performance as Chennai Super Kings completed a comfortable 23 runs victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL 2022 match here at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Tuesday.

Robin Uthappa played his IPL career-best inning of 88 while Shivam Dube smashed a thrilling 95* as the pair stitched a mammoth partnership of 165 runs to help CSK reach the highest total of the IPL 2022 — 216/4. Among bowlers, Maheesh Theekshana was the star for CSK as he scalped four wickets while their skipper Ravindra Jadeja took three to completely dismantle the chase of RCB. This is CSK’s first win after five matches in the IPL 2022 while for RCB this is their only second defeat.

Chasing 217, RCB had a bad start as they lost three wickets in the first powerplay. Their score read 42/3 after the first six overs. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana struck twice in his opening spell to send both RCB openers Faf Du Plessis and Anuj Rawat back to the pavilion in the 3rd and 6th over respectively.

Former RCB skipper Virat Kohli also failed to leave his mark, as he was removed by Mukesh Choudhary in the 5th over of the innings. Mukesh bowled a short-length ball which Kohli mistimed as it went straight to the deep square leg fielder’s hands.
In the 7th over, CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja piled more misery on RCB as he clean bowled Glenn Maxwell. Jadeja bowled a good length ball which the Aussie all-rounder miscued as the ball went inside and the stumps were castled.

Suyash S Prabhudessai then joined Shahbaz Ahmed on the crease as the duo tried to anchor the innings on the back of their crucial 50-run partnership. Theekshana finally got the scalp of Suyash in the 13th over to put an end to the 60-run partnership of the duo.

Theekshana struck again in his next over to remove Shahbaz off the field. Wickets then kept falling for RCB as Wanindu Hasaranga and Akash Deep went back in the hut in the next over of CSK captain Ravindra Jadeja. The 9th wicket of RCB fell in the form of Dinesh Karthik in the 18th over.
Mohammed Siraj and Hazlewood remained unbeaten for RCB as they lost the match with 23 runs.

Put in to bat first, CSK managed to gather just 35 runs with the loss of one wicket in the first powerplay. Season debutant Josh Hazlewood gave RCB their first breakthrough as he removed out-of-form opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The Aussie quick bowled a short of a good length ball which Ruturaj Gaikwad missed and got trapped LBW. CSK got more under pressure when Moeen Ali in the 7th over went back to the pavilion after getting run out by the brilliant fielding of Suyash S Prabhudessai off Glenn Maxwell.

Shivam Dubey then joined experienced opener Robin Uthappa on the CSK and the duo then took the counter-attack on RCB bowling unit. In the middle overs, both players wreaked havoc on RCB as they managed to amass 98 runs with the brilliant run rate of 10.8 rpo.

Robin brought up his half-century in the 15th over off just 33 Balls. In the same over of Akash Deep, Shivam also brought up his fifty with three fewer deliveries than veteran CSK opener. The 150 partnership came in 18th over for the pair off just 68 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga finally broke the 165-run stand in the penultimate over when he removed Robin for his IPL career-best 89. CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja was also dismissed in the same over.

The last over by Hazlewood saw RCB leaking 15 runs. The five-time champs ended with 17 sixes in the innings, the most for CSK in an IPL game.

Brief Scores: CSK 216/4 (Shivam Dube 95*, Robin Uthappa 88; Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2-36) vs RCB 193/9 (Shahbaz Ahmed 41, Dinesh Karthik 34; Maheesh Theekshana 4-33). 

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