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8pm NEWSFEED

16, ఏప్రిల్ 2022, శనివారం

8pm NEWSFEED

PM Modi Unveils 108 Feet Statue Of Lord Hanuman In Gujarat’s Morbi

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 11:31 PM PDT

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 108 feet statue of Lord Hanuman in Gujarat’s Morbi on Saturday via video conferencing.

“We have been seeing a similar grand Hanuman statue in Shimla for years now. The second has been established in Morbi today. I have been told that two more statues will be established in Rameswaram and West Bengal,” said PM Modi. The statue is the second of the four statues being built in the four directions across the country, as part of the ‘Hanumanji Char Dham’ project. The statue has been set up in the west, at the Ashram of Bapu Keshvanand ji in Morbi.

The first statue of the series was set up in the north in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla in 2010. The work on the third statue, in the south at Rameswaram has started, the PMO informed.

“Ram Katha is also organized in different parts of the country. Whatever be the language or dialect, the spirit of Ram Katha unites all, unites with devotion to God. This is the strength of the Indian faith, our spirituality, our culture, and our tradition,” added PM Modi.

“When it came to establishing good over evil, Lord Rama, despite being capable, accomplished this task of taking everyone along, connecting everyone, connecting people of every section of the society and connecting everyone. That is what everyone’s efforts are all about,” he added.

The festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the Hindu god by the devotees of Lord Hanuman. This year the festival will be celebrated on Saturday.

ED Begins Probe Against Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam Named In Money Laundering Case

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 11:25 PM PDT

Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday started an investigation of a case registered in Barharwa police station in Sahibganj Jharkhand in which cabinet minister Alamgir Alam has also been named.

In the FIR, Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam has also been named. Based on this FIR registered with Jharkhand Police related to a tender, ED is now investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003). ED Zonal office Ranchi has summoned the complainant Shambhu Nandan Kumar and sought all the details of the FIR, and full details of the tender in which the persons accused in the FIR caused an obstruction. 

India Reports 975 New COVID Cases, 4 Deaths In Last 24 Hours

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 11:17 PM PDT

India reported 975 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours with a daily case positivity rate of 0.32 per cent, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday.

The weekly case positivity rate is 0.26 per cent. The active caseload in the country stands at 11,366 which is 0.03 per cent of the total cases.

As many as 796 COVID patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries since the onset of the pandemic in the country to 4,25,07,834.

The recovery rate currently is 98.76 per cent.

Four patients lost their lives during this period. With this, the death toll in the country has gone up to 5,21,747.

As many as 3,00,918 COVID samples were tested in the last 24 hours. 83.14 crore tests have been conducted in the country so far.

Under the ongoing Nationwide Vaccination Drive, 6,89,724 doses of COVID vaccines were administered in the last 24 hours. The total number of vaccines administered in the country has gone up 1,86,38,31,723.

J-K: IED Detected, Destroyed In Rajouri

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 09:23 PM PDT

The Security forces in Rajouri foiled a terror plot by recovering an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) on Rajouri Gurdan road, said an official statement by the Rajouri police.

The recovered IED was later taken to a safer location and was destroyed. According to the statement, a credible input was received by Jammu and Kashmir police about suspicious movements in Gurdan Chawa village on Rajouri Gurdan road.

“On this, Jammu and Kashmir police teams from Army, Special Operation Group of Police, and teams of the Army launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation in the area in the early morning hours Saturday,” said Rajouri Police.

During the operation, a suspicious object was found lying there alongside the road which turned out to be an IED during the examination.

“The Bomb Squad of police later took the material in its possession for further destruction as per SOPs and through a controlled explosion which was then destroyed in a safer location,” it read.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

China Reports 3,867 New Local COVID-19 Cases In Past 24-Hour

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 08:59 PM PDT

The Chinese mainland reported 3,867 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Saturday.

Notably, of these new local cases, 3,590 were reported in Shanghai while the rest were reported in 14 other provincial-level regions, including 195 in the northeastern province of Jilin, Xinhua reported citing the commission. According to the commission, the Chinese mainland also reported 20,813 locally-transmitted asymptomatic infections of the novel coronavirus on Friday of which 19,923 were reported in Shanghai.

As many as 2,818 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland on Friday, bringing the total recoveries to 148,170.
No new deaths from COVID-19 have been reported, Xinhua reported citing the commission.

IPL 2022: SRH Skipper Kane Williamson Praises His Team For All-Round Performance Against KKR

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 08:52 PM PDT

SunRisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets chasing a 176-run target in just 17.5 overs here at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday.

The 2016 champions Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bowl first and their pacers gave their team an ideal start picking up three wickets in the first six overs of powerplay. T Natarajan was the pick of the Hyderabad picking up three wickets while Umran Malik picked up two. With the bat, Rahul Tripathi played a blistering knock of 71 off 37 balls and Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten 68 from 36 balls to guide their team to the third win of the season in five matches. “It was a step up. With the ball to take early wickets against Kolkata, who keep coming at us, helped us. Our death bowling was superb. To go out there and chase it with Rahul and Markram playing so well. All in all a fantastic performance, ” said SunRisers Hyderbad captain Kane Williamson in the post-match presentation ceremony.

There were two Proteas cricketers in the Kane Williamson-led side Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram. Both delivered for the team as Jansen replaced opener, Aaron Finch, in the second over of the match and finished with figures of 1/26 in four overs. Aiden Markram too played a brilliant knock of 68 at a strike rate of 188.88.

“Both Jansen and Markram are big players for us. Marco with his bouncers and with the new ball is key. Umran is unique that he touches the 150 mark. He goes for four on many occasions which is not ideal but he is always looking to improve. There are little things to improve on. The guys are working hard and good to see the improvement, ” said Kane Williamson.

With this thumping win, SunRisers Hyderabad are now in the seventh spot in the IPL points table with three wins in five matches and they will next face Punjab Kings on Sunday.

On Hanuman Jayanti, Devotees Throng Hanuman Temples To Offer Prayers

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 08:39 PM PDT

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti today, hundreds of devotees visited Hanuman temples across the country to offer prayers.

In Delhi, devotees visited Marghat Hanuman Mandir near Kashmere Gate in the national capital to offer prayers.

One of the devotees, Babli Nayak expressed her happiness and said, “We celebrate this festival with extreme enthusiasm, by worshipping the lord followed by lighting of lamps and Prasad distribution among all.”

She also said that this is an ancient temple, known as “Jamunabazaar Ka Mandir” .
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated by the devotees of Lord Hanuman to mark the birth anniversary of the Lord Hanuman.

“We are delighted on the opening of the temple’s gates after two years of Coronavirus pandemic,” said Sonam, another devotee at the temple premises.

“People should seek inspiration from lord Hanuman’s character and perform deeds for the good of humankind,” said Savitri Devi.

In Delhi’s Connaught Place, devotees gathered in huge numbers at Hanuman temple in Connaught Place on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.

Devotees visited Telankhedi Hanuman Mandir in Nagpur to offer prayers on Hanuman Jayanti today.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a 108 feet statue of Lord Hanuman in Gujarat’s Morbi via video conferencing.

As per the Prime Minister’s Office, the statue is the second of the four statues being built in the four directions across the country, as part of the ‘Hanumanji Char Dham’ project.

The statue has been set up in the west, at the Ashram of Bapu Keshvanand ji in Morbi, the PMO said in a statement. The first statue of the series was set up in the north in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla in 2010. The work on the third statue, in the south at Rameswaram has started, the PMO informed.

Andhra Pradesh: 10 Arrested For Organizing ‘Nude Dance’ In East Godavari Village

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 08:31 PM PDT

Andhra Pradesh police on Friday arrested 10 people for organizing a ‘nude dance’ at a fair in East Godavari district’s Uppangala village.

As per the police, the incident took place on the intervening night of 14 and 15 April around 3 am. According to the police, based on a viral video, 10 people have been arrested at Koringa police station for organising a ‘nude dance’ at a Poleruamma Jatara (fair) in Uppangala village of Thallrevu Mandal in East Godavari district.

“A case has been registered and 10 people have been arrested. We don’t know when the incident happened and we will get all the details soon,” added the police.

Pakistan: Punjab Assembly To Elect CM Today; Pervaiz Elahi, Hamza Shehbaz Lead Race

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 08:09 PM PDT

Members of the Punjab Assembly will elect the new Chief Minister of the province in Pakistan during the Saturday session at 11:30 am on the direction of the Lahore High Court, a local media reported.

The special session of the House to elect the Chief Minister will be chaired by Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari, Dawn newspaper reported. Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) candidate Pervaiz Elahi and the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz, are stated to be in a close contest for the post of CM after the resignation of Sardar Usman Buzdar, who was nominated to the post by the ousted Pakistan PM Imran Khan in 2018.

Today’s session will be held in line with the Lahore High Court’s Wednesday order. Chief Justice Ameer Bhatti had instructed Mazari to hold the election of Chief Minister on April 16, reported Dawn newspaper.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced holding the first phase of local government elections in Punjab province on June 9 this year.

The first phase of elections will be held in a total of 17 districts.

According to the schedule, the public notice inviting nomination papers will be issued by the returning officers (ROs) from April 18 although the last date for withdrawal of candidature and publication of candidate list would be issued on May 19, The Nation reported.

The ROs will publish the names of candidates on April 26 and the nomination papers will be scrutinised between April 27 to May 9.

The ROs will publish the revised list of candidates on May 16 and the date for withdrawal of nomination papers by the candidates and publication of the revised lists of candidates is May 19, The Nation reported.

The ECP barred holders of public offices from visiting any constituency for local government polls, unveiling any development scheme and canvassing for any candidate or political party.

The ECP also issued a code of conduct to ensure that elections are conducted honestly, justly and fairly in accordance with law and corrupt practices are guarded, The Nation reported.

Marriages Cancelled In MP’s Khargone Town Over Ram Navami Violence

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 08:02 PM PDT

While the normalcy has returned to the violence-hit Khargone town of Madhya Pradesh, still the people are facing problems as many weddings have been called off because the families are refusing to marry their daughters in the riots-affected areas.

The people of Sanjay Nagar Basti of Khargone town are still facing the brunt of the violence. The mob not only burnt their houses to ashes but also filled their future life with difficulties. Mahesh Patil, a local said that his son’s wedding got called off because of the riots. His son was supposed to be married after two months but after the riots, the bride’s side has refuse to send their daughter to the riot-hit areas.

Nanuram Patil, son of Mahesh Patil, marriage was fixed six months back but his wedding was called off by his in-laws arguing that such incidents often happen here.

“My son’s wedding got called off as rioters looted my house during Ram Navami. The in-laws saw that it is not feasible to live here as riots and stone-pelting happen here. They say that the wedding will happen only if we buy a plot somewhere else,” said a local, Mahesh Patil on Friday.

Some of the families were also forced to postpone the marriage of daughters due to the violence that took place during a Ram Navami procession.

Speaking to ANI, Laxmi, a bride who was to get married on April 14 said, “On Ram Navami violence broke out in our village. We tried to stop the rioters but they didn’t stop and looted our house. My house was full of gifts and all other wedding essentials. All the relatives were here for my wedding but it is now postponed due to the violence.”

She further said that the rioters looted many houses and also set many houses on fire.

“Stone pelting occurred in Talab Chowk during Ram Navami… my sister’s wedding material, kept in a neighbour’s house got looted during the violence. I am in talks with the groom’s side we will extend the wedding date due to these riots,” said a local, Satish.

“The administration should take strict action against the rioters and if they will not take action then will be forced to migrate. This is not the first time but the same thing happened in 2016 and 2021. People are afraid to visit our village; they don’t want to have any kind of relationship with the villagers. People think that the girls are also not safe in here and that is why they refuse for weddings too,” he added.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured the victims of Khargone violence of rebuilding their houses.

“Shouldn’t bulldozers be used against those who trouble the poor? The houses of the poor were burnt in Khargone. They should not worry as ‘Mama’ will build their houses. We will recover from those who burnt their houses,” said Chouhan.

Several people including police personnel were injured when groups of people pelted stones at each other during a Ram Navami procession on April 10. The stone-pelting started at the beginning of the procession leaving around four people injured including a police inspector.

Ram Wasn’t God But Character In Story, Says Former Bihar CM Manjhi

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 07:53 PM PDT

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday said that Lord Ram was not a God but a mere character created by Tulsidas and Valmiki to convey their thoughts.

His remarks came while addressing a public meeting in Bihar’s Jamui. “I want to say to the people. I don’t believe in Ram. Ram wasn’t a God. Tulsidas-Valmiki created this character to say what they had to,” he said.

Manjhi further said that the two saints created the ‘kavya’ and ‘mahakavya’ with the “character of Ram and the former chief minister reveres to the saints but not Ram.

“They created ‘kavya’ and ‘mahakavya’ with this character. It states a lot of good things and we revere that. I revere Tulsidas-Valmiki but not Ram,” Manjhi said.

Sri Lankan Police Sergeant Arrested For Joining Galle Face Protest, Released On Bail

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 07:46 PM PDT

A Sri Lankan Police sergeant, who was arrested for joining the protest at the Galle Face Green area in uniform and making a statement to the media, has been released on bail after he was produced in court on Friday.

A large number of people including artists and master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya joined the ongoing protest at Galle Face, the main beachfront in the capital Colombo, outside Sri Lankan President’s secretariat for the 8th day. The Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera this afternoon ordered that the sergeant be released on three personal sureties. He was arrested on charges under sections of the Penal Code, the Police Ordinance, and the Official Secrets Ordinance. by the Fort Police on Thursday, reported Colombo Page.

A group of pro bono lawyers including President’s Counsels appeared in court on behalf of the police sergeant. The case is due to be heard again on April 29.

Meanwhile, the police have also commenced an investigation regarding the police sergeant who joined the Galle Face protest in uniform. The police stated that further action will be taken based on the progress of the investigation.

Issuing a statement on Thursday the Police Headquarters said a Policeman must work within the jurisdictions of the service when on duty, as per the news portal.

A massive protest has been continuing in the Galle Face Green area in the capital city of Colombo as the Island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices, and power cuts.

This comes at a time when Sri Lanka is celebrating its New Year. The Sri Lankans are protesting against the government’s handling of the economic situation and demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Protesters have been accusing Rajapaksa’s government of corruption and misrule.

Russia Warns US, NATO Of ‘Unpredictable Consequences’ Over Weapons Supply To Ukraine

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 07:09 PM PDT

Days after the Joe Biden administration announced an additional USD 800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, Russia warns the United States of “unpredictable consequences” if the country continues to transfer weapons to Ukraine.

Washington Post reviewed a diplomatic note that Russia sent the US this week and said that the note warned that US and NATO shipments of the “most sensitive” weapons systems to Ukraine could bring “unpredictable consequences,” reported Aljazeera. “We call on the United States and its allies to stop the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine, which implies unpredictable consequences for regional and international security,” said the note.

The shipments were “adding fuel” to the conflict, the note also said, according to the newspaper.

Notably, the US military aid package included artillery systems, artillery rounds, armoured personnel carriers and helicopters – and brought the total tally of US aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began to more than USD 2.4 billion.

FDA Authorises First-Ever Breathing Test For Detecting COVID-19 Infection

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 07:03 PM PDT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the first test, InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, to detect COVID-19 through the breath for emergency use.

The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer uses a technique called gas chromatography gas mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) to separate and identify chemical mixtures and rapidly detect five Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in exhaled breath. When the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer detects the presence of VOC markers of SARS-CoV-2, a presumptive (unconfirmed) positive test result is returned and should be confirmed with a molecular test, FDA informed in a statement.

The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer which is about the size of a carry-on piece of luggage is able to identify five volatile organic compounds tied to the coronavirus in a person’s breath using a technique known as gas chromatography gas mass-spectrometry, delivering results within three minutes, according to the FDA, the statement reads.

The agency said that in a study of 2,409 people, which included both people with and without symptoms, the test had a 99.3 per cent specificity rate, which measures the per cent of correctly identified negative test samples.

The FDA also noted that the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer had a 91.2 per cent sensitivity rate, which measures the per cent of correctly identified positive test samples.

However, the health agency said that a molecular test should be used to confirm positive test results returned by the COVID-19 breath test.

Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a statement, said, “Today’s authorization is yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for COVID-19,” as per The Hill.

Nearly 100 of the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzers, each of which the FDA said can be used to test roughly 160 samples per day, are anticipated to be made each week.

Eshwarappa Urges Karnataka CM To Probe Whether Contractor Death Is ‘Suicide Or Murder’

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:57 PM PDT

After tendering his resignation, former Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Friday urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to conduct an investigation into the alleged suicide case of contractor Santosh Patil.

“I urged the CM that an investigation should be conducted into the alleged suicide case of contractor Santosh Patil. It should come out whether it is a murder or suicide case,” said Eshwarappa. He further said that there is a conspiracy behind the Opposition demanding his resignation on the basis of the allegations.

“For the last four days, I have been asking my seniors to accept my resignation, today they accepted it. There is a conspiracy behind all this,” he added.

Earlier, Eshwarappa had exuded confidence that he will come out clean in the investigation.

“I will come out clean. I have said this earlier too. The Investigation is going on. Earlier, I had asked our seniors to take my resignation but they had asked me to wait.

Now I do not want to embarrass my seniors and have given my resignation to the Chief Minister.”

Karnataka Chief Minister on Friday accepted the resignation of his cabinet colleague KS Eshwarappa following a controversy over the alleged suicide of contractor Santosh Patil who had accused the minister of corruption.

“I have accepted Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa’s resignation. I will send it to the Governor,” Chief Minister Bommai told reporters here.

Notably, Eshwarappa represents the Shivamogga Assembly seat.
Deceased contractor Santosh Patil had accused the Minister Eshwarappa of corruption. He was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday. 

Karnataka Contractor Death Case: Yediyurappa Backs Eshwarappa; Says He Will Come Out Clear, Return In Cabinet

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:46 PM PDT

Amid the row over the alleged suicide of contractor Santosh Patil, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday expressed confidence that KS Eshwarappa will come out clear from all allegations and will return in the cabinet.

Karnataka Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa on Friday tendered his resignation from Ministership to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai amid the row over the alleged suicide of contractor Santosh Patil. Speaking to reporters here, the former Chief Minister said despite committing any mistake Eshwarappa has to resign due to certain pressure.

“Though KS Eshwarappa did not commit any mistake, such a situation has come for him that he has to resign. If an enquiry is completed in two to three months, he will be proven clean and didn’t commit any mistake, due to some pressure he’s tendering his resignation, there will be no problem to take him back in the cabinet, he’s resigning though he made nothing wrong,” he said.

“I have confidence that he will face it and he will become a minister after he comes out clean. I wish him good luck. He will become minister once he comes out clean,” he added.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday accepted the resignation of his cabinet colleague KS Eshwarappa.

“I have accepted Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa’s resignation. I will send it to the Governor,” Chief Minister Bommai told reporters here.

Notably, Eshwarappa represents the Shivamogga Assembly seat.

Following tendering his resignation, Eshwarappa said, “I will come out clean. I have said this earlier too. The Investigation is going on. Earlier, I had asked our seniors to take my resignation but they had asked me to wait. Now I do not want to embarrass my seniors and have given my resignation to the Chief Minister.”

Deceased contractor Santosh Patil had accused the Minister Eshwarappa of corruption. He was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday. 

Maharashtra Minister Points To Impending Coal, Power Crisis

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:28 PM PDT

Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut on Friday claimed the state is grappling with a coal and power crisis as some plants are left with only 1.5 days of coal.

However, the Minister assured that the State Government is working to resolve the power crisis “Some plants in Maharashtra are left with 1.5 days of coal, some with 3 days and some others with 6 days of coal. State Government is working to resolve the power crisis. Water Resources Minister has been asked to supply water for hydroelectricity generation,” said Raut told media persons in Nagpur.

“Koyna Dam is left with 17 TMCs of water, 1 TMC is needed every day to generate electricity. If load-shedding has to be resolved then coal, water and gas are needed. As per the contract with Central Government, they’re entitled to make APM gas available to the State Government,” he added while maintaining that coal, water and gas supply was needed to resolve the load-shedding in Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra Minister further said that as per the contract with the Centre, the state is entitled to get APM gas. He further claimed that the Centre had not provided the state with the necessary APM gas, adding that “If load-shedding has to be resolved then coal, water and gas are needed.”

“They are not providing us with the same. Maharashtra Government has to provide Rs 2200 crores to the Central Government. They have told us to give them the money first and only then they will provide us with coal,” he added.

Even Union Power Minister RK Singh on Thursday said that the demand for electricity has increased by nearly nine per cent, however, the supply of coal has not increased at the same pace.

Addressing reporters here, Singh said, “Our demand has increased by eight to nine per cent. The pace at which the demand has increased this time has never happened earlier. The coal reserve is less. We have a reserve of nearly nine days. We used to have a reserve of nearly 15 days. It is true that the demand has increased, however, the supply of coal cannot be increased so fast.” Speaking about the possible power shortages in other states of the country, the Minister said that there is a possible power shortage in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

“There is little power shortage in states like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. There are two-three reasons for the shortage. In Tamil Nadu, there are many plants that are dependent on the imports of coals which are priced at USD 140/ton today. The other state is Andhra Pradesh where there is a little delay in transportation by the railways,” he said.

Social Media Reacts As US President Joe Biden Shakes Hands With Thin Air

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:23 PM PDT

Social media was stormed with a barrage of comments as US President Joe Biden after delivering nearly a 40-minute speech turned towards his right and stretched his palm in a handshake position but was left empty-handed as no one else was on stage.

“Where are the White House and Biden family handlers whose job it is to make him look good?” Harmeet K Dhillon, former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party, said in a comment on Twitter. Biden, who is 79 years of age, had just finished delivering a nearly 40-minute speech at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro when he turned toward his right only to handshake with thin air, reported NY Post.

Politician Robby Starbuck, who is running for Congress in Tennessee’s upcoming Republican primary, remarked: “Oh man. The music makes it 10x worse. This man is unfit to be President. Period.”

There was no one else on stage and no one from the applauding crowd approached the president to exchange the pleasantry, according to footage of the event.
Following this, Biden’s political adversaries reacted to the footage including Senator Ted Cruz, who tweeted an eye-roll emoji alongside footage of the air handshake.

Sri Lanka: Protesters Call Rajapaksa Govt tyrant, Full Of Nepotism As Galle Face Protest Continues In Colombo

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:16 PM PDT

A massive crowd continues to remain gathered at Galle Face, the main beachfront in the capital Colombo, outside Sri Lankan President’s secretariat to protest against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the economic crisis in the country with agitators at the protest site terming the government tyrant and full of nepotism.

One of the protestors at the site said, “For years and years the Rajapaksa government took money from us. They stole from us. We are sick and tired of this tyranny because there is so much nepotism here. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are brothers and we want them to go from here because we do not see any prosperity for our nation. As long as they are here they will not be able to fix the economy.” “People of many ethnicities and races have come here to protest against tyrant Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These people do not know how to run a country as they do not have any plans. All they want is to steal. There are so many who are campaigning for Rajapaksa to go to jail and we want him to go to jail. All the civil unrest is his fault. We want to oust him and hopefully change our political system,” he added.

One 14-year-old child at the protest site criticised the current government for ruining the nation. “There are a lot of children here who go to school. We have a lot of fantasies and dreams to accomplish when we grow up and we cannot achieve anything in our country.. on our motherland due to Rajapaksa because he has ruined our country and we want to speak up for that. We want a future in our country,” he hoped.

Furious protesters have been demanding change in the political system and held Rajapaksas responsible for the present state of the economy as well as demanding that “the president and Prime Minister should be imprisoned and their assets should be frozen.”

People at the site of the protest were carrying placards with anti-government slogans written on them. Children were carrying placards with the slogans ‘we need a good future’. Others displayed ‘Freeze all Rajapaksa money’ banners to show their anger.
A massive protest has been continuing in the Galle Face Green area in the capital city of Colombo as the Island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices, and power cuts.

This comes at a time when Sri Lanka is celebrating its New Year. The Sri Lankans are protesting against the government’s handling of the economic situation and demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Protesters have been accusing Rajapaksa’s government of corruption and misrule.

Delhi Police Launches Probe To Find Man Impersonating PMO Official

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 06:07 PM PDT

Delhi Police on Friday has launched an investigation into the alleged impersonation of Vivek Kumar, the private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by an unidentified man who wrote an email to designer Kunal Merchant, informed Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana.

“We have received a complaint regarding forgery, impersonation, and identity fraud of an office bearer at the Prime Minister’s Office. The matter is under investigation,” Asthana said in an official statement. The Police Commissioner also shared screenshots of the alleged impersonator after an Instagram story was posted by designer Kunal Merchant which shows their alleged email conversation.

The images shared by Asthana showed a conversation between Merchant and an unidentified person who was impersonating Vivek Kumar Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi via email.

“Dear Merchant, We are pleased to inform you that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has identified you and your design practice to design and build a permanent installation/ executive table for exclusive use by the Prime Minister. The desk will be placed in the PMO and used by subsequent Prime Ministers to come,” the email read which was sent from the impersonator read.

In response to the alleged mail, the designer reportedly thanked PMO for considering his practice for a prestigious project.

“Unfortunately due to my political and social views, I would like to respectfully decline this opportunity and wish not to be considered as a contender for the same. Had things been different and should I have been able to do this project, I would have liked to call this desk ‘The Swaraj Desk,” Merchant wrote.

Twitter Adopts ‘Poison Pill’ Mechanism To Shield Itself From Elon Musk’s Takeover Bid

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 05:55 PM PDT

Twitter’s board of directors has unanimously adopted a limited-duration shareholder rights plan called a “poison pill” — a corporate anti-takeover defence mechanism — that may thwart Tesla Chief Elon Musk’s attempts to acquire the social media company.

The Board adopted the Rights Plan following an unsolicited, non-binding proposal to acquire Twitter. The “poison pill” provision, announced in a press release Friday, preserves the right for Twitter shareholders other than Musk to acquire more shares of the company at a relatively inexpensive price, effectively diluting Musk’s stake.
The provision will be triggered if Musk (or any other investor) acquires more than 15 per cent of the company’s shares. Musk currently owns around 9 per cent of Twitter’s shares.

“The Rights Plan will reduce the likelihood that any entity, person or group gains control of Twitter through open market accumulation without paying all shareholders an appropriate control premium or without providing the Board sufficient time to make informed judgments and take actions that are in the best interests of shareholders,” the company said in its statement.

The Rights Plan does not prevent the Board from engaging with parties or accepting an acquisition proposal if the Board believes that it is in the best interests of Twitter and its shareholders, it added.

The Rights Plan is similar to other plans adopted by publicly held companies in comparable circumstances. Under the Rights Plan, the rights will become exercisable if an entity, person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15 per cent or more of Twitter’s outstanding common stock in a transaction not approved by the Board.

Showing his bare-knuckle business tactics, Tesla Chief Elon Musk went ahead and posted an opinion poll on Twitter, saying that the company shareholders should decide on his “best and final” offer to acquire 100 percent of social media giant with USD 54.20 per share in cash.

Employing a corporate raider-style tactic, Musk took to Twitter, to put the decision of acquisition to a vote of all company shareholders.

A corporate raider is an investor who buys a large number of shares in a corporation whose assets appear to be undervalued. The large share purchase would give the corporate raider significant voting rights, which could then be used to push changes in the company’s leadership and management. This would increase share value and thus generate a massive return for the raider.

“Taking Twitter private at $54.20 should be up to shareholders, not the board,” Musk tweeted with the opinion poll with two options ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ .

Implying that shareholders have to decide as they own the company, not the board of directors.

This comes at a time when the world’s richest man made the offer in an updated 13D filing. Musk offered a “best and final” bid to purchase 100 per cent of Twitter for USD 41.39 billion with USD 54.20 per share in cash.

“I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy,” Musk said in his filing.

“However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form,” he said.

In a separate Tweet, Musk mentioned that he will try hard to keep as many shareholders in privatized Twitter as allowed by law.

He tweeted, “Will endeavour to keep as many shareholders in privatized Twitter as allowed by law.”

A series of tweets were posted after Tesla’s chief claimed of having a ‘Plan B’ ready if the board of the social media giant Twitter decides to reject his offer to buy the entire company.

Meanwhile, Twitter has said that it will be holding an emergency “all-hands meeting with employees” at 2 pm (local time) to discuss Elon Musk’s hostile bid to buy the entire company.

“The Twitter Board of Directors will carefully review the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and all Twitter stockholders,” Twitter said in a statement.

Musk’s latest move toward Twitter comes just days after he turned down a seat on the board following his acquisition of a 9.2 per cent stake in the microblogging platform.

IPL 2022: Fiery Half-Centuries By Tripathi, Markram Guide SRH To Seven-Wicket Victory Over KKR

Posted: 15 Apr 2022 11:23 AM PDT

Brilliant half-centuries by Rahul Tripathi and Aiden Markram helped SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2022 match at the Brabourne Stadium here on Friday.

Chasing 176, SRH had a pathetic start as the opening batter Abhishek Sharma was bowled out by Pat Cummins with just 3 runs on the board in two overs. Tripathi joined skipper Kane Williamson on the crease to steady the innings. KKR got another breakthrough when Andre Russell dismissed Williamson for 17 runs, with the team’s total at 39/2 in the sixth over. But the skipper’s departure did not affect Tripathi’s intentions as he had other plans in his mind.

The 31-year old batter was joined by Markram and the duo started thrashing the KKR bowlers to every corner of the ground. Tripathi scored his half-century in just 21 balls and provided SRH with great momentum.

On the other hand, Markram played a steady innings and the duo took SRH above the 100-run mark in just 11 overs. KKR finally took a sigh of relief when Russell dismissed Tripathi, who got caught by Venkatesh Iyer after scoring 71 runs off 37 balls.

Nicholas Pooran came to the crease with Markram and kept the scoreboard moving for SRH. The latter scored his half-century in 31 balls and smashed two sixes back-to-back and brought victory to his side with 13 balls to spare.

Earlier, Nitish Rana’s knock of 54 and an unbeaten 49 by Andre Russell helped Kolkata Knight Riders post 175/8 in the first innings. For SRH, T Natarajan bagged three wickets while Umran Malik scalped two wickets.

Brief score: Kolkata Knight Riders 175/8 (Nitish Rana 54, Andre Russell 49*; T Natarajan 3-37) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad 176/3 (Rahul Tripathi 71, Aiden Markram 68*; Andre Russell 2-20).

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