"COVID-19 Likely Came From Chinese Lab": Nikki Haley

US Republican Party Presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Tuesday said that COVID likely came from a Chinese lab and asked to cut US aid to China.

"COVID-19 likely came from a Chinese lab. Cut US aid. Not a cent to Communist China," Haley tweeted on Tuesday.

Haley recently said that if voted to power, she will cut every cent in foreign aid for countries that hate the US. This includes China, Pakistan and other adversaries as "a strong America doesn't pay off the bad guys".

"I will cut every cent in foreign aid for countries that hate us. A strong America doesn't pay off the bad guys. A proud America doesn't waste our people's hard-earned money. And the only leaders who deserve our trust are those who stand up to our enemies and stand beside our friends," Haley, the Former Governor of South Carolina and former US ambassador to the UN, wrote in an op-ed for New York Post.

According to Haley, America spent USD 46 billion on foreign aid last year. That's more than any other country by far. Taxpayers deserve to know where that money is going and what it's doing. They will be shocked to find that much of it goes to fund anti-American countries and causes.

Grand Old Party (GOP) leader Haley formally launched her 2024 campaign for the White House on February 15 (local time), pitching herself to voters as part of a "new generation" of Republican leaders who can win at the ballot box.

Haley is now the first Indian American woman from the Republican Party to run for the presidential bid. As the former governor of South Carolina and US ambassador to the United Nations, took the stage, Haley introduced herself as the proud daughter of Indian immigrants pitching a new future for the Republican party.

Haley in the Op-ed, while citing examples said that the US has given Iran more than USD 2 billion over the last few years, even though its government is getting closer to the murderous thugs in Iran who shout "Death to America!" and launch attacks on our troops.

"The Biden administration resumed military aid to Pakistan, though it's home to at least a dozen terrorist organizations and its government is deeply in hock to China. Team Biden restored half a billion dollars to a corrupt United Nations agency that's supposed to help the Palestinian people but in fact covers for deeply anti-Semitic propaganda against our ally Israel," she said.

The US has given hundreds of millions of dollars to Zimbabwe, a country with one of the most anti-American voting records in the UN.

American taxpayers still give money to Communist China for ridiculous environmental programs, despite the obvious threat China poses to Americans. We give money to Belarus, which is Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's closest ally. We even give money to Communist Cuba -- a country our own government has designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, Haley stated in her Op-ed for the New York Post.

Earlier this month, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said that the organization will continue pushing until it finds an answer to how the Covid-19 pandemic started, following a report suggesting it had abandoned the search.

"We need to continue to push until we get the answer," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, referring to the search for the origins of the virus that first began spreading in China in late 2019.

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After US, Canada Bans TikTok On Government Devices Over Data Concerns

The Canadian government on Monday banned TikTok from all of its phones and other devices, citing concerns about data protection.

TikTok, whose parent company ByteDance is Chinese, has faced increasing Western scrutiny in recent months over fears about how much access Beijing has to user data.

Effective Tuesday, "the TikTok application will be removed from government-issued mobile devices. Users of these devices will also be blocked from downloading the application in the future," the government said in a statement.

It added that Canada's chief information officer had "determined that it presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security."

Although there's been no evidence of breaches of government data linked to the app, it warned that "TikTok's data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone."

The European Commission banned the app from its equipment last week, following similar moves in the United States.

A TikTok spokesperson said the Canadian decision to block TikTok was "curious" as it was taken "without citing any specific security concern" or consultation with the company.

Relations between China and Canada have deteriorated sharply in recent years, particularly after Canada's arrest on a US warrant of a Huawei senior executive in 2018 and China's retaliatory detention of two Canadian nationals.

Last week, Canada's privacy commissioner launched an investigation into TikTok over its collection and use of users' personal information.

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"Anti Punjab": Bhagwant Mann Slams BJP's Governor Rule Demand For State

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Monday accused BJP leaders, including former chief minister Amarinder Singh, of demanding "governor's rule" in the state and said that people know that these leaders have always been "anti-Punjab".

The Mann-led AAP government has been under fire from the opposition which has been alleging a deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. The chief minister's also involved in a tussle with Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

It worsened last week with the governor indicating that he is in no hurry to summon the Assembly's Budget session, and reminding the chief minister about his "derogatory response" to a letter from the Raj Bhavan.

Governor's letter to Chief Minister Mann had come two days after the Punjab Cabinet decided to call the assembly session from March 3 and requested the governor to summon the House.

"Capt Amarinder Singh, Kewal Dhillon, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Fateh Jang Bajwa, Raj Kumar Verka, Gurpreet Kangar, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi... all Congressmen (who are) in BJP these days can often be seen around the Governor's residence. They are speaking about the governor's rule in Punjab. People of Punjab know that they have always remained anti-Punjab," Mr Mann said in his tweet in Punjabi.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Sunday said the Punjab government has been forced to move the Supreme Court as the Governor was not responding to the state cabinet's decision of convening the budget session of the assembly.

Meanwhile, Punjab BJP leader Fateh Jang Bajwa demanded the governor's rule in Punjab while attacking the AAP government over various issues, including alleged deteriorating law and order in the state.

"Our party, while considering the present situation, demands that governor's rule should be imposed in Punjab," Mr Bajwa said here on Monday and accused the AAP of not being able to run the state.

He said the state government was talking about attracting investments from other states but considering the present law-and-order situation, "there is a fear that the existing industry may leave".

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal also attacked the AAP government over the law and order issue. In a statement, Mr Badal said, "No one is safe in today's Punjab." "The police force has been bottled down by the AAP administration as was witnessed recently during the attack on the Ajnala police station by radicals led by Amritpal Singh. This, as well as other incidents, which have revealed the complete lack of an integrated command structure, have demoralized the state police and compounded the problem," he alleged.

Punjab BJP leader Subhash Sharma slammed the AAP for holding protests over CBI arresting Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, stating the arrest was made on the basis of proof.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded that the CBI probe into the Delhi excise policy case be extended to Punjab, claiming Sisodia was also the "architect" of the Punjab excise policy which had caused "losses of hundreds of crores to the state exchequer".

"The actors and directors of the Punjab excise policy are the same as in the case of Delhi. As in the case of Delhi, the CBI should probe the role of senior officers and AAP politicians who had colluded to give huge benefits to select liquor manufacturers," Mr Majithia alleged.

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Madhya Pradesh Couple Gets Life In Jail For Killing Daughter Born Without Ear

A couple was on Monday sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Indore in Madhya Pradesh for killing their three-month-old daughter, who was born without an ear, and disposing of her body in a garbage dump.

Pappu Rawal (50) and his wife Sangeeta Rawal (45) were convicted under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for killing their child with a kitchen plier, a prosecution official said.

The child's body was found wrapped in cloth in a garbage heap in Khajrana area here on March 16, 2016.

The child, who was the second daughter of the couple, did not have an ear, due to which they disowned her and killed her, the official said.

However, DNA tests established them as the biological parents and a probe found them guilty.

Assistant District Public Prosecution Officer Avisarika Jain convinced the court about the couple's guilt through circumstantial and scientific evidence, the official said.

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"Many Manish Sisodias Behind Bars": Ashok Gehlot Slams Delhi Minister's Arrest

A day after the CBI arrested Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said "many Sisodias" have been arrested in the country but people don't get to know about them.

There is "terror" of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax department in the country, while the judiciary and Election Commission are under pressure, he claimed.

Mr Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on Sunday evening in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

A special court in Delhi on Monday sent him to five-day CBI custody for effective interrogation to unravel the alleged scam.

"Many Sisodias have been arrested in the country," Mr Gehlot told reporters in Sikar in response to a question.

People don't find out about them. They found out about Mr Sisodia's arrest because he is a deputy chief minister, he said.

"There are many such instances where journalists, writers and litterateurs have been put behind bars. The general public will have to think about what is happening in the country," he said.

Delhi's ruling AAP claims Mr Sisodia is innocent and has been arrested due to political vendetta. The party on Monday staged protests across the country against Mr Sisodia's arrest.

Mr Gehlot further claimed there is "terror" of central probe agencies and an atmosphere of tension and violence prevails in the country.

"There is severe inflation, unemployment, an atmosphere of tension and violence in the country, there is terror of ED, Income Tax department and CBI. The judiciary and the Election Commission are under pressure and the gap between the rich and the poor is growing. These issues have shaken the whole country," the chief minister said.

"The government of India is not paying attention to this. All... issues are of great importance. It is its duty to pay attention to them when the Opposition raises them through dharnas, demonstrations and yatras ... like (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi did," he said.

It is the country's misfortune that these "fascist" people, who have no faith in democracy, have formed the government by putting on the mask of democracy.

Referring to the Rajasthan government's Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme and other welfare initiatives, Mr Gehlot said these measures are being discussed across the country and the state has set an example.

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Meghalaya, Nagaland Vote Today, Multi-Cornered Contests On Cards: 10 Facts

1. Meghalaya will witness a multi-cornered contest, where besides the Congress, BJP and Conrad Sangma's NPP (National People's Party), Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress are in fray.
2. Trinamool has become the largest opposition party in the state following the defection of former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and several other Congress legislators. The Congress, which won 21 seats last time and became the single largest party, is seen to have suffered an erosion of its voter base.
3. In 2018, the BJP won only two seats, but managed to cobble together a government with NPP. This time, it has fielded candidates on 60 seats after a rift with Mr Sangma's party over allegations of corruption.
4. The NPP's ambition for a footprint in all the northeastern states, however, is seen as the big reason for the growing coolness between the two parties. Mr Sangma's party has contested the last year's elections in Manipur and improved its vote share. It has some presence in Arunachal Pradesh also and has plans for Nagaland next.
5. Both the BJP and Conrad Sangma have brushed off the Trinamool challenge. Mr Sangma has tagged the party an outsider, and said it would take Trinamool a long time to establish themselves and get people's acceptance.
6. Triangular contests are on the cards in 59 of the 60 assembly constituencies in Nagaland. The BJP, which won 12 of the state's 60 seats in 2018, is contesting in alliance with the NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party). Under the seat-sharing agreement, the NDPP is contesting on 40 seats and the BJP on 20 seats.
7. The BJP, though, has opened its account already, with its candidate Kazheto Kinimi being re-elected unopposed from the Akuluto Assembly constituency after his only opponent withdrew his candidature.
8. The opposition Congress and the Naga People's Front are contesting in 23 and 22 seats. The Congress has said it can opt for a post-poll alliance if needed.
9. Four women candidates are contesting the elections in Nagaland this time. While the state has women in leading positions in every sphere, a woman MLA will be a first.
10. Voting will begin at 7 am and continue till 4 pm in both states under tight security. The counting of votes will be held on March 2.

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Czech Foreign Minister, Delegation Arrive In India For 3-Day Visit

Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky on Sunday arrived in India for a three-day official visit which is supposed to provide further momentum to India-Czech Republic bilateral relations.

"Welcoming the Czech Foreign Minister @JanLipavsky as he arrives in India on a 3-day official visit. This visit will provide further momentum to India's bilateral relations with the Czech Republic," MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted on Sunday.

Jan Lipavsky is visiting India from February 26 to March 1.

A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release said that Lipavsky will during his India visit, attend the inaugural session of the India-EU Business and Sustainability Conclave on February 28.

During his visit to India, Jan Lipavsky will be accompanied by Czech Republic's Members of the Parliament, the Deputy Minister for Science, Research and Innovation and a high-level official and business delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a recent release. Lipavsky will also hold a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.

"During the visit, Foreign Minister Lipavsky will hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar where the two leaders are expected to discuss the entire range of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest," read the MEA release.

It further read, "Foreign Minister Lipavsky will also be attending the inaugural session of the India-EU Business and Sustainability Conclave organized by CII on 28 February 2023. He will then travel to Mumbai on the same day and will depart on 01 March 2023 from Mumbai."

The visit of Lipavsky to India follows EAM S Jaishankar's visit to the Czech Republic in June 2022 where the two held delegation-level talks. In January this year, the two leaders held a meeting in Vienna during Mr Jaishankar's visit to Austria.

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Elon Musk Accuses Media Of Racism After Newspapers Drop 'Dilbert' Cartoon

Billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday accused the media of being racist against whites and Asians after US newspapers dropped a white comic strip author who made derogatory comments about Black Americans.

The Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and USA Today were among newspapers that canceled the cartoon "Dilbert" after its creator Scott Adams said Black Americans were a hate group and posted racist comments on his YouTube channel on Wednesday.

In replies to tweets about the controversy, the Tesla and Twitter chief executive said the media had long been racist against non-white people but are now "racist against whites & Asians."

"Maybe they can try not being racist," Musk tweeted.

In response to an account that said white victims of police violence get a fraction of media coverage compared to Black victims, Musk said the coverage is "Very disproportionate to promote a false narrative."

Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk's views on social issues have been increasingly under the microscope since he took over Twitter in October.

He has sparred with civil rights groups over Twitter's level of protection against hateful content and the reinstatement of some accounts that previously had been suspended. Some advertisers have left the platform over concerns about brand safety, and Twitter has rolled out some new controls for ad placement.

Musk's latest tweets come after the Dilbert creator suggested white Americans "get the hell away from Black people". Adams, the cartoonist, was responding to a poll by the conservative Rasmussen Reports that said 26% of Black respondents said they disagreed with the statement "It's OK to be white."

The move to drop the cartoon was "not a difficult decision", the Plain Dealer newspaper in Ohio told its readers on Friday.

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Congress Adopted 85 Resolutions During 3-Day All Party Meet

As curtains came down on the Congress' 85th plenary session on Sunday, there were several takeaways from the three-day conclave of the party -- from opting to authorise the AICC president to nominate CWC members to making its stance clear on alliances for 2024 polls.

The main takeaways from the session are as follows:

• The Congress Steering Committee unanimously decided not to hold elections to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and authorised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to nominate its members.
• Mr Kharge said his party is willing to forge a viable alternative by aligning with like-minded parties in order to get rid of the "anti-people" BJP government in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and is ready to make any sacrifice required to achieve the goal.
• The Congress said it is the only party that can provide capable and decisive leadership to the country, but is ready to make sacrifices to defeat the BJP-led NDA and would go all out to identify, mobilise and align like-minded secular forces to achieve its goal.
• The party also cautioned that the emergence of any third force would give an advantage to the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
• Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi launched an all-out attack on the BJP government, accusing it of "fuelling the fire of hatred" and "viciously targeting minorities, women, Dalits and tribals".
• Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said she was happy that her innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, with the party asserting that the remark was about her tenure as the party president and had nothing to do with her retirement from politics.
• The Congress carried out 85 amendments in its constitution at its plenary session to provide 50 per cent reservation to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), women, youth and minorities in its working committee and at all party positions.
• According to the amended constitution of the party, the CWC will now include former prime ministers from the party and former AICC chiefs besides leaders of the Congress in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• The party decided to provide 50 per cent vertical reservation to SCs/STs/OBCs/minorities and horizontal reservation to youths aged below 50 and women in both reserved and unreserved categories.
• The number of CWC members will go up to 35 from the earlier 23, with 18 members to be elected and 17 to be nominated.
• The amended constitution says from now on, the party will only have digital membership and records.
• The party also amended its constitution to make stringent provisions for those taking Congress membership and ensure that they abstain from taking intoxicating drugs and psychotropic substances.
• In its economic resolution, the Congress said is against "government-facilitated" private monopolies and not any person rising from a humble background to become the world's second richest. It reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue.
• The Congress will bring a legislation against hate crimes in the country if voted to power. The assertion was part of the party's 58-point political resolution that was adopted at the plenary session.
• In its Raipur Declaration, the Congress gave a call to party leaders in poll-bound states, including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, to work with discipline and complete unity to ensure victory that will "set the tone" for 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
• In its five-point Raipur Declaration adopted at the party's plenary session here, the Congress declared that it is ready to work with like-minded political parties on the basis of a common, constructive programme to preserve and protect the Constitution.
• In his remarks at the plenary, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi flayed BJP leaders for coming out in support of the Adani Group in Parliament over the fraud allegations levelled against it in a report by Hindenburg Research. He likened the business conglomerate to the British East India Company and said the party would keep raising questions about its business practices until the truth comes out.
• In a scathing attack on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Mr Gandhi said his recent remarks on China did not show nationalism but cowardice and that these were in line with V D Savarkar's ideology of "bowing before the strong".

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Eknath Shinde's "Ties With Dawood Ibrahim" Dig At Opposition

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday took a dig at the Opposition for boycotting the customary tea party on the eve of the Budget session of the state legislature, and said it was good that those having ties with terrorist Dawood Ibrahim did not turn up for it.

The budget session of the state legislature, which begins on Monday, will end on March 25. The opposition parties - the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Congress - boycotted the tea party hosted by the government on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters here later, CM Shinde said, "In a way, it was good that the opposition did not turn for the high tea when some of them have ties with terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. Instead of calling our (Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party) alliance as anti-Maharashtra, will you not call such people anti-nationals? There are some people in the opposition parties who have had ties with Haseen Parkar, sister of Dawood Ibrahim." Shinde was apparently referring to former state minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik, who is currently in jail following his arrest last year in a money-laundering case linked to the activities of Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

The chief minister also took a dig at senior NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

"Ajit Pawar is saying that I changed my allegiance (from Uddhav Thackeray to the BJP), but he should not forget that I am still following what late Balasaheb Thackeray taught us. Even the Election Commission's decision to allot us the name Shiv Sena and symbol (of bow and arrow) proves it," Shinde said.

"Unlike Pawar, who on one day took an oath with Devendra Fadnavis (in November 2019) and changed it again within a couple of days. You need not have to be wise to make any random allegations. Pawar is like a fish out of water. Since he is out of power, he is acting in this manner," the CM added.

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Girls Poisoned To Stop Them From Going To School: Iran Minister

An Iranian deputy minister on Sunday said "some people" were poisoning schoolgirls in the holy city of Qom with the aim of shutting down education for girls, state media reported.

Since late November, hundreds of cases of respiratory poisoning have been reported among schoolgirls mainly in Qom, south of Tehran, with some needing hospital treatment.

On Sunday the deputy health minister, Younes Panahi, implicitly confirmed the poisonings had been deliberate.

"After the poisoning of several students in Qom schools, it was found that some people wanted all schools, especially girls' schools, to be closed," the IRNA state news agency quoted Panahi as saying.

He did not elaborate. So far, there have been no arrests linked to the poisonings.

On February 14, parents of students who had been ill had gathered outside the city's governorate to "demand an explanation" from the authorities, IRNA reported.

The next day government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said the intelligence and education ministries were trying to find the cause of the poisonings.

Last week, Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri ordered a judicial probe into the incidents.

The poisonings come as Iran has been rocked by protests since the December 16 death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini for an alleged violation of country's strict dress code for women.

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Thousands Protest In Berlin Over Arming Ukraine Against Russia

A demonstration against supplying Ukraine with weapons for war with Russia attracted 10,000 people on Saturday, drawing criticism from top German government officials and a large police presence to maintain order.

Organised by a prominent left-wing German politician, the protest comes a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which drew promises of more weapons from western allies, fresh sanctions against Russia and shows of support for Kyiv across the globe.

"We call on the German chancellor to stop the escalation of arms deliveries. Now!...Because every day lost costs up to 1,000 more lives - and brings us closer to a 3rd world war," the protest's organizers said on their website.

The "Uprising for Peace" was organised in part by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of Germany's left-wing Die Linke party.

Germany, along with the United States, has been one of the biggest suppliers of weapons for Ukraine.

"Negotiate, not escalate" one sign held by a demonstrator said, while a banner in the crowd read "Not our war".

A police spokesperson said 10,000 people gathered around Germany's symbolic Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin.

Police mobilised 1,400 officials to keep the peace and to enforce bans on military uniforms, Russian and Soviet flags, Russian military songs and right-wing symbols.

The police spokesperson said there was no sign of right-wing groups attending and that the protest, which German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said must be "clearly opposed", was peaceful.

"Whoever does not stand by Ukraine is on the wrong side of history," Lindner said on Twitter.

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Congress Proposes Legislation Against Hate Crimes At All Party Meet

The Congress will bring a legislation against hate crimes in the country if voted to power.

The assertion is part of the party's 58-point political resolution that was adopted at its 85th plenary session on Saturday.

In its political resolution, the Congress also said, "The judiciary is constantly threatened by direct and indirect measures which create apprehensions in their mind." "Unfortunately, the law minister himself is leading the blatant attack on the judiciary. Congress promises that the independence and integrity of the judiciary will be maintained and protected at all costs," the party said in its resolution.

The party will pass a "new law to prevent and punish hate crimes", it said.

"Congress promises to pass an anti-discrimination law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or language in the supply of goods and services that are made available to the public in general such as housing, hostels, hotels, clubs, etc," the resolution said.

In the last eight and a half years under the BJP government, the party said, "politics of hate has assumed alarming proportions and religious polarisation has reached its peak".

"Hate crimes and atrocities have increased manifold. Vigilante right wing groups incite violence on various trivial issues. These groups operate with impunity and have started acting like police, spreading anarchy and fear. This fear in the minds of minorities is the aim of the BJP/RSS regime," the party said in its resolution.

"During the course of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, it was clear that majority of Indians yearn for love, peace and harmony," it said.

"Crimes against weaker sections of society have also increased. Atrocities against scheduled castes (SCs) have increased by 1.2 per cent in 2021, according to the NCRB. Violence against Dalit and adivasi women has also risen. Cases of rape against SC women, including, shockingly, minors, account for 7.64 per cent and ST women account for 15 per cent out of the total cases reported," the party also said.

The 85th plenary session of the Congress started here on Friday. Congress leaders are brainstorming on the party's strategy to prepare for the state assembly polls scheduled to be held this year and the 2024 general election during the plenary session.

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"Congress Could Have Been More Vocal On Bilkis Bano Case": Shashi Tharoor

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said the Congress should be absolutely clear in its ideological stance in favour of an inclusive India and pointed out that party could have been more vocal on issues such as the Bilkis Bano outrage and murder in the name of cow vigilantism.

Addressing the 85th plenary session of the party in Raipur, the former Union minister said the Congress should stand up for its foundational principles.

"We should be absolutely clear in our ideological stance in favour of inclusive India. The tendency to downplay some positions or avoid taking a stand on some issues in order not to alienate what we assume to be the sentiments of the majority only plays into the BJP's hands," Mr Tharoor said.

"We must have the courage of our convictions. We could have been more vocal on the Bilkis Bano outrage, attacks on Christian churches, murder in the name of cow vigilantism, bulldozer demolition of Muslim homes and similar issues," he said.

These are Indian citizens who look to the party for support, Mr Tharoor added.

Last year in August, all 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2002 post-Godhra Bilkis Bano gang rape case walked out of the Godhra sub-jail after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy, triggering outrage from various sections, including the Congress. He asserted that India belongs to all and if the party does not speak up in such cases, it is only surrendering its core responsibility of standing up for India's diversity and pluralism which should be central to the Congress core message.

He said every effort must be made to strengthen the secular foundations of the country.

"The fact is that India's future is bright as long as the Congress fights the good fight," Mr Tharoor said.

He also hailed the Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying it has revived the confidence of the party cadre.

"From here let us send out a message of Congress jodo," Mr Tharoor said.

Speaking on the economic resolution passed on the second day of the three-day plenary, Mr Tharoor said it should outline the elements of a progressive economic agenda that addresses head-on the challenge of unacceptable economic inequality.

"We want economic growth but we must ensure that the fruits of that growth reach the poor and the marginalised. India will not shine until it shines for all," he stressed.

The former minister of state for external affairs and the convenor of the party's sub-group on foreign affairs for the plenary also said policy has long been seen as an are of national consensus.

"There was no Congress foreign policy or BJP foreign policy only Indian foreign policy and Indian national interest. This tradition has sadly been undermined by the (Narendra) Modi government," Mr Tharoor said.

Mr Tharoor also criticised the government, saying it refuses to take the nation into confidence on vital foreign policy issues, including what is happening on the LAC with China.

"It is shocking to hear our foreign minister imply that China is too rich to stand up to. We must demand that Parliament be taken into confidence, that the nation be told what is our thinking about our vital foreign policy interests," he said.

Foreign policy must again return to being a consensual national endeavour with bipartisan agreement and support, he asserted.

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Core Within Earth's Core: Scientists Discover Deepest Region Of Earth

In order to comprehend planetary origin and evolution, scientists have been investigating the Earth's centre for a very long time, and recently they have made a huge discovery related to the innercore of the planet Earth.

Until recently, it was believed that the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core made up the structure of the Earth. But, new research published in Nature Communications confirms that there is actually a fifth layer.

According to a new study, scientists have made previously unheard-of observations of a mystery metal ball that resides within the Earth's deep core, revealing a structure that has long been the subject of conjecture but has never been seen in such detail.

Researchers said the intensive study of Earth's deep interior, based on the behavior of seismic waves from large earthquakes, confirmed the existence of a distinct structure inside our planet's inner core - a wickedly hot innermost solid ball of iron and nickel about 800 miles (1,350 km) wide.

Earth's diameter is about 7,900 miles (12,750 km). The planet's internal structure comprises four layers: a rocky crust on the outside, then a rocky mantle, an outer core made of magma and a solid inner core. This metallic inner core, about 1,500 miles (2,440) wide, was discovered in the 1930s, also based on seismic waves traveling through Earth.

"We may know more about the surface of other distant celestial bodies than the deep interior of our planet," said observational seismologist Thanh-Son Pham of the Australian National University in Canberra, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Communications.

"We analyzed digital records of ground motion, known as seismograms, from large earthquakes in the last decade. Our study becomes possible thanks to the unprecedented expansion of the global seismic networks, particularly the dense networks in the contiguous US, the Alaskan peninsula, and over the European Alps," Pham added.

"Earth's inner core (IC), which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth's volume, is a time capsule of our planet's history. As the IC grows, the latent heat and light elements released by the solidification process drive the convection of the liquid outer core, which, in turn, maintains the geodynamo," said Pham and Tkalcic in the study.

"As the IC grows, the latent heat and light elements released by the solidification process drive the convection of the liquid outer core, which, in turn, maintains the geodynamo," they said referring to the mechanism that generates Earth's magnetic field.  

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Hyderabad Man Beheads Friend, Chops Up His Fingers, Private Parts: Cops

A 22-year-old man allegedly killed his friend for texting and making calls to his girlfriend, who was previously in a relationship with the victim, police said today.

The accused later beheaded his friend, removed his heart and private parts, chopped his fingers, and later walked to the police station to surrender himself yesterday, the police said.

Police launched a detailed investigation after registering a case on the accused's statement and recovered the body to shift it to a local government hospital for autopsy.

As per the police, Naveen and Harihara Krishna completed their intermediate together at college in Dilsukhnagar.

The girl at the center of the incident was also a student of the same college.

The two fell in love with the girl, however, Naveen first expressed his love for her and she accepted her proposal, although a couple of years later the two parted ways, and the girl got into a relationship with Harihara Krishna after the latter proposed to her, Police said.

Despite breaking up, Naveen was in constant touch with the girl and kept on texting and making calls to her which got Krishna badly upset.

The accused waited for more than three months for an opportunity.

On February 17 the two men got into an ugly scuffle after getting high on alcohol, and Krishna throttled Naveen to death, Police said adding that the accused separated victim's head, removed his private parts, heart, and chopped fingers.

"The accused allegedly took pictures and sent them to his girlfriend on WhatsApp," the police said, adding that a detailed probe into the matter is underway.

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Amit Shah In Bihar Today. Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav To Also Hold Rally

Bihar is bracing for some political sabre-rattling on Saturday when Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address BJP supporters at two places, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav will hold a joint rally of the 'Mahagathbandhan'.

Amit Shah, the BJP's veritable principal strategist, will begin his tour of the state with a public meeting in Balmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency, a party stronghold that was given away to the chief minister's JD(U) in 2019 as part of seat-sharing arrangements.

The function, scheduled around noon, would coincide with the 'Mahagathbandhan' rally at Purnea, more than 400 km away, where the septuagenarian Chief Minister and his 33-year-old deputy will be joined by smaller allies like the Congress and the Left in display of the state's own version of a "united opposition" which Mr Kumar, in particular, believes is the way forward to take on the mighty BJP in next year's Lok Sabha polls.

Mr Shah will be in the state capital a few hours after the rally in West Champaran district. In Patna, he will be addressing a "Kisan Mazdur Samagam" organised to celebrate birth anniversary of peasant leader and freedom fighter Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.

In Bihar, after a gap of more than four months, the home minister is also scheduled to pay his respects in the evening at Takht Harmandir Patna Sahib, the world-renowned Sikh shrine situated at the place where Guru Gobind Singh was born and had spent his early years.

"The BJP stands on the two pillars of organisational strength and ideological commitment and the Union Home Minister's Bihar visit is a reaffirmation of the same. The Mahagathbandhan, on the other hand, has chosen the communally sensitive Seemanchal area to play its card of Muslim appeasement," alleged Nikhil Anand, state BJP spokesman and OBC Morcha national general secretary.

Mrityunjay Tiwari, spokesman of the RJD, to which the deputy Chief Minister belongs and which is also the largest constituent of the "Mahagathbandhan", hit back.

"The Purnea rally will sound the bugle for the battle to drive the BJP out of power. Amit Shah's visit will accomplish little. The Home Minister is likely to attempt communal polarization which is the only hope left for the BJP in 2024 elections", Mr Tiwari alleged.

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"Need A Just Peace" In Ukraine: Turkey's Erdogan On Call With Putin

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Friday for "a just peace" in Ukraine during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the presidency announced.

"President Erdogan stressed the need for achieving a just peace to prevent further loss of life and destruction," it said in a brief statement.

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Explained: Who Is Lovepreet Singh, Punjab Radical Leader's Aide Freed By Cops

Lovepreet Singh walked out of jail today after a pro-Khalistan organisation lay siege to Ajnala police station in Punjab's Amritsar. But who is he and who is the Amritpal Singh that led the group to Ajnala police station.

Who is Lovepreet Singh

Lovepreet Singh aka Toofan Singh belongs from Gurdaspur in Punjab. He was arrested for his connection in a kidnapping and assault case. Lovepreet Singh is also a part of Waris Punjab De, and a close aide of Waris Punjab De's chief Amritpal Singh.

Who is Amritpal Singh

Amritpal Singh is the chief of Waris Punjab De, a separatist organisation started by Deep Sidhu. Amritpal Singh returned from Dubai last year. He was recently made the head of Waris Punjab De at an event in Moga district, the village of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale.

What happened on February 23 at Ajnala police station

After Lovepreet Singh's arrest on February 16, Amritpal Singh warned the police to release him, or else he would come with a huge crowd on February 23. Amritpal Singh's supporters started gathering in the morning at Ajnala station.

The police tried to stop them since they were low in number. Then Amritpal Singh reached Ajnala from Raia's village Jallupur Khera. In half an hour, the situation became such that the police were attacked with swords. Several policemen including senior officers, at Ajnala police post were taken over by Amritpal Singh and his supporters.

What did Punjab Police do

The Punjab Police decided to form a special investigative team to probe the first information report (FIR). Lovepreet Singh was released at 4 pm. "Want to ensure peace. It's hard-earned in Punjab," the Punjab Police chief said.

The whole incident has come at the time when Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been inviting investments to Punjab. This event is not the standalone incident of a separatist uprising in the state. There have been cases in the previous government as well. For now, the situation remains tricky for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab.

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On Camera, Witness In UP MLA Murder Case Shot Dead, 2 Guards Injured

A witness in the murder case of an MLA in Uttar Pradesh was shot dead in Prayagraj today. The attack was caught on multiple CCTV cameras.

Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal in 2005, was shot dead by an unidentified man while he was getting out of the backseat of a Hyundai Creta SUV in Prayagraj.

CCTV footage shows Umesh Pal and one of his two police bodyguards getting out of the SUV when suddenly a man came from behind and shot him. The police said some other men used crude bombs during the assault, which exploded in a cloud of smoke, leading to panic and chaos on the road with people running to safety. Many abandoned their vehicles and ran towards shops.

Umesh Pal's bodyguard tried to catch the attacker, but he too was shot. The second bodyguard also caught a bullet.

Umesh Pal, who appeared to be injured, ran towards an alley with the attacker in pursuit while his bodyguards lay injured on the road. The attacker shot him there for a final time before fleeing.

Atiq Ahmed, a don and former Lok Sabha MP serving time in a Gujarat jail, is an accused in the 2005 murder case.

Umesh Pal was taken to a local hospital, where he died during treatment, the police said.

The condition of one of the bodyguards is critical and he has been put on ventilator, while doctors are performing a surgery on the other, the police said.

"The incident happened  right outside Umesh Pal's home. So far it has been confirmed that two bombs were thrown and he was fired at by a small firearm," Prayagraj police chief Ramit Sharma told reporters.

A murder case has been filed.

"We have formed eight teams to investigate every aspect of the incident and arrest those behind the attack," Mr Sharma said.

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Man Robs Houses In Delhi To Buy Costly Gifts For Fiancee, Arrested: Cops

A 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly burgling houses in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area to buy expensive gifts for his fiancee and live a lavish life post marriage, police said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as Ashutosh Yadav, a resident of Burari, they said, adding that he works in a printing press in Samaypur Badli.

Police said several burglary incidents were reported in Chhawla area in the last few days. It was found that all these crimes were committed by one person, they said.

"Yadav was apprehended on Wednesday," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) M Harsha Vardhan said, adding that the accused confessed to his involvement in the crime.

Yadav told police that he got engaged last month and that his expenses had shot up. He then made plans to burgle locked houses in the locality to make easy money.

According to police, the accused deposited the stolen cash in his bank account to buy expensive gifts for his future wife.

Police recovered cash worth Rs 1.27 lakh, two gold chains, three gold rings, a silver chain and other jewellery items, a mobile phone and house breaking tools from his possession.
 

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Winner Of The $1.35 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot Comes Forward To Claim The Prize

A Maine resident who picked the winning numbers earlier this week is ready to take home one of the largest jackpots in Mega Millions history, which is $1.35 billion. According to the state officials, the winner, who has been a mystery and still is, has come forward to collect the prize.

The Maine State Lottery said the winner opted to stay anonymous and take the cash option through a limited liability company, LaKoma Island Investments LLC, as opposed to getting the entire sum in installments over time.

The winner received a lump-sum payment of $723,564,144 before taxes. A representative for the winner stated, "The winner is thoughtfully considering the best uses of the life-changing prize."

Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations Deputy Director Michael Boardman added, "We congratulate the winner of the Mega Millions jackpot and wish them all the best as they consider how to best use their recent winnings."

Also Read | One Man Won The $2.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot In US. His Name Is...

This month, another person's identity who won the huge jackpot was revealed. At a press conference on February 14, California Lottery officials said that the Powerball jackpot was won by Edwin Castro, and he opted for the lump sum payout of $997.6 million, according to its Twitter handle. Apart from his name, no other details were revealed at the press conference. Mr. Castro purchased the winning ticket in early November in Altadena, California, matching all six numbers in the drawing, according to CNN.

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2 Dead After Man Who Didn't Know How To Drive Rams Into Wedding Procession

Two persons were killed and eight others injured when an untrained man ploughed a jeep into a marriage party after its driver decided to join their dance procession in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, an official said on Thursday.

The jeep was part of a marriage party that had arrived at Khatora village from Shyampur when the accident took place on Wednesday night, said Indaar police station in-charge K N Sharma.

As 30-40 guests were dancing their way to the wedding venue, the jeep driver decided to join them. He left the engine on and asked an untrained person to be in his seat, said the official.

The other person managed to drive the vehicle slowly for a short distance before suddenly running into the dancing group at great speed, perhaps after hitting the accelerator hard, he said.

Two from the marriage party were killed and eight suffered injuries due to the impact, he said. The condition of three persons is serious and they have been referred to Gwalior for treatment, he said.

The other injured persons are being treated at the district hospital, the official said.

The person at the wheel at the time of the accident has been arrested, he added.

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Hospital Submits Report On Premature Baby's Death to Delhi Government

The LNJP Hospital in Delhi has sent its inquiry report on the case of a newborn baby, who was "declared dead" soon after birth, but was later found alive, to the Delhi government for further action, said a senior doctor.

The premature baby, born when her mother was 23 weeks pregnant and weighing only 490 grams, was found alive Sunday when the family was making plans for her burial.

She was brought back to the state-run hospital and was put on ventilator support. She died on Wednesday.

Doctors had earlier said that in medical terms, such babies are considered "non-viable" and their chances of survival are slim.

The hospital had constituted a three-member panel to probe the incident and a report was submitted on Wednesday.

"The report was submitted to the medical director of the hospital, Dr Suresh Kumar, who has forwarded it to Health Department for further action," said a senior doctor at the hospital.

The panel has spoken to doctors who were on duty that day to ascertain the sequence of events.

The hospital has said such babies are considered 'aborted babies' and after the baby showed signs of life, she was immediately put on life support.

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At Akshay Kumar-Emraan Hashmi's Selfiee Screening, Twinkle's Niece Naomika, Karan Johar And Others

Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi's Selfiee is all set to hit the theatres tomorrow. However, ahead of the release, the makers hosted a special screening for their industry friends in Mumbai on Thursday. The usual suspects, the cast of Selfiee, including Diana Penty and Nushrratt Bharuccha, were spotted at a screening. Filmmaker Karan Johar and Twinkle Khanna's niece Naomika Saran were also spotted at a screening. Nushrratt and Diana twinned in black ensembles, while Emraan and Akshay Kumar looked uber-cool in casual outfits. Naomika looked pretty in a black top paired with matching pants. KJo, as usual, arrived in style - a blue co-ord set paired with a black t-shirt and shoes. 

First, take a look at the pictures of Selfiee stars below: 

Karan Johar's screening OOTD was this: 

Twinkle Khanna's niece Naomika Saran (daughter of actress' sister Rinke Khanna) arrived with a friend at a screening. Check out the picture below: 

On Wednesday, Akshay Kumar broke the Guinness World Record for most selfies in just three minutes. It happened during the promotions of Selfiee in Mumbai when Akshay Kumar clicked 184 selfies with his fans. He shared a video on his Instagram handle in which we can see him standing in one position and continuously clicking selfies with his fans. He also shared pictures holding the certificate and wrote a long note. In his note, he revealed that he is paying special tribute to his fans. His note read, "This is my special tribute to them, acknowledging how they have stood by me throughout my career. Everything I have achieved and where I am in life is due to the unconditional love of my fans. This is my special tribute to them, acknowledging how they have stood by me throughout my career. With the help of my fans, we have broken the Guinness World Record for Most Selfies in 3 minutes. Thank you everyone. This was very special and I'll remember this forever. Ab selfies hi selfies hongi (Now, it will all about selfies). See you all in cinemas on Friday." 

Take a look below: 

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A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

Helmed by Raj Mehta, Selfiee also stars Tisca Chopra, Abhimanyu Singh, Fahim Fazil and others in pivotal roles. The movie is slated to release on February 24, 2023.

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Ready To Go To Any Extent Over National Security: S Jaishankar On India

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the image of India today is that of a country that is willing to go to any extent to protect its national security.

He also cited a top International Monetary Fund official about 15 per cent of growth this year coming from India, and said India is "15 per cent of the solution" the G20 group of countries is looking for in terms of economic growth.

Addressing the 'Festival of Thinkers' organised by the Symbiosis International University here, he also said that data security and data privacy are the biggest challenges of the digital world, and issues connected to them are expected to be addressed during the G20 meeting.

"In the last few years, we have been tested for a long time on our western border. I think things are a little different now and everyone will agree. Few things had happened in 2016 and 2019, and we have been tested and we are being tested on our northern borders," he said.

How India comes through this test will show our ability to stand up, Mr Jaishankar said.

"We have today the image of the country which is willing to do what it takes to defend its national security. It (India) is a very forbearing country, a patient country, it is not a country that goes around picking fights with other people, but it is a country that will not be pushed out. This is a country that will not allow its basic bottom lines to be crossed," he said.

Referring to the Ukraine conflict, he said the pressures which came with that conflict were also the moment when our sense of independence and sense of confidence were tested.

India is also becoming "the voice of the global south" and wants to go into G20 saying that "there is a large part of the world which is not sitting on that table but they have a legitimate interest and somebody needs to speak up for them," the minister said.

Mr Jaishankar cited managing director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva's statement that in "otherwise a fairly gloomy global economic scenario" India's GDP base is growing at seven percent and is likely to increase in the coming decade.

"Kristalina Georgieva tells that 15 percent of the world's growth this year is going to come from India, that means we are 15 percent of the solution that the G20 is looking for in terms of economic growth and development, but it isn't just growth, the G20 is actually looking at how we handled the COVID challenges," he said.

The G20 countries have noted India's success in effectively vaccinating its vast population against coronavirus, he said.

When COVID-19 became a global concern in January 2020, there was a "sense of the briefing to the G20" that India would not be able to cope up with a pandemic, but we proved them completely wrong, the minister said.

Data security and data privacy are the biggest challenges of the digital world, he said.

"The biggest challenge today when it comes to anything digital is data security and data privacy. What it boils down to is who sees your data, who harvests your data, who monetizes your data, who utilizes your data and what power do they have over you as a result of all this," Mr Jaishankar explained.

Having more resilient, reliable and multiple supply chains was a major concern and need in the manufacturing world, while in the world of data, there is need for more trusted practices to ensure privacy is respected and conveniences of life do not become a vulnerability for each one of us as well as for the the nation, he said.

Technology is a hugely complicated factor, and "these (technology, its implications and complications) are really the issues which G20, in some form, is expected to address," he added.
 

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PM Modi Reviews 9 Infrastructure Projects Worth Over Rs 41,500 Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reviewed nine key infrastructure projects spread across 13 states having a cumulative cost of more than Rs 41,500 crore.

PM Modi reviewed the projects while chairing the meeting of 41st edition of PRAGATI, the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving the Centre and state governments.

In the meeting, nine key infrastructure projects were reviewed -- three projects were from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, two from the Ministry of Railways and one project each was from Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

These nine projects have a cumulative cost of over Rs 41,500 crore and relate to 13 states -- Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. Mission Amrit Sarovar was also reviewed in the meeting, the statement said.

Prime Minister Modi advised the ministries and state governments to use the PM GatiShakti portal for planning of infrastructure projects.

He insisted on expeditious resolution of land acquisition, utility shifting and other issues for timely completion of projects, the statement said.

He emphasised on ensuring proper coordination between central government ministries and state governments.

During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi also reviewed ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar' and undertook real time view of Amrit Sarovar sites through drones in Kishanganj, Bihar and Botad, Gujarat.

The prime minister advised all ministries and state governments to complete Amrit Sarovar work in mission mode before the onset of monsoon, the statement said.

Later, in a tweet, the prime minister said he chaired a PRAGATI session during which key infrastructure works worth over Rs 41,500 crore were reviewed.

"We also reviewed aspects relating to Amrit Sarovar projects. Highlighted the need to increase usage of PM GatiShakti portal to plan for infra projects," he said.

The prime minister emphasised on block-level monitoring for timely completion of the target of 50,000 Amrit Sarovars under the scheme, it said, adding the unique idea of ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar' is working to rejuvenate water bodies all across the country, which will help conserve water for the future.

Once the mission is completed, the expected increase in water holding capacity is going to be around 50 crore cubic metres, the estimated carbon sequestration will be about 32,000 tonnes per year and expected increase in ground water recharge is over 22 million cubic metres.

Moreover, the completed Amrit Sarovars are evolving as centres of community activity and participation, thus enhancing the spirit of 'Jan Bhagidari', the statement said.

Many social activities like Swachchata Rally, Jal Shapath on water conservation, school children's activities like rangoli competition, celebration of religious festivals like Chhath Puja are being organised on the 'Amrit Sarovars' sites.

During PRAGATI meetings, 328 projects having total cost Rs 15.82 lakh crore have been reviewed till now, the statement said.

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Man Dies After Being Shot 13 Times In Gang War In Gurugram: Police

A 35-year-old man named Rahul Solanki was killed in a gang war in Gurugram and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has taken responsibility for the murder.

The victim was shot 13 times and was killed on the spot. The victim used to work as a taxi driver and was out on bail, according to Police.

The incident occurred around 10.15 pm on Tuesday in Saraswati enclave of Sector 10 when he was walking towards his house after parking his taxi.

As soon as he started walking towards his house after parking the taxi, three masked riders arrived and fired at Solanki. The sister of the victim has accused her husband of murdering her brother.

The man was a resident of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

At around 3 am, Boxer Hrithik, the henchman of Lawrence Bishnoi, took to social media and claimed responsibility of the murder. He also warned that whoever goes against them will face the same consequences. He also claimed that gangsters Bawana, Kaushal and Bambiha's associates will also be killed in a similar manner.

Following the Facebook post, police is investigating the case from a gang war angle.

"We have come to know from the media that someone has taken responsibility of Rahul's murder on Social media and we are investigating the matter," said Pritpal Singh, ACP Crime Gurugram Police.

On Tuesday, NIA raided more than 70 locations of gangsters across the country but as soon as the raid was over, the heinous murder was carried out in the Cyber City adjacent to Delhi.

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Air India Newark-Delhi Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Stockholm

An Air India flight from Newark to Delhi, carrying 292 passengers, made an emergency landing in Stockholm on Wednesday due to an oil leak in one of the engines and aviation regulator DGCA will probe the incident, according to senior officials.

A senior DGCA official said the flight, operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, had an oil leak in one of the engines. Following this, the engine was shut down, and later the aircraft made an emergency landing in Stockholm.

The plane landed safely, the official added.

In a statement in the afternoon, an Air India spokesperson said its flight AI 106 from Newark (US) to Delhi faced a technical issue and was diverted to Stockholm early this morning with 284 passengers and 8 infants onboard.

The  airline said the aircraft is being thoroughly checked to address the technical issue.

The flight had total 311 people onboard, including 15 cabin crew and 4 pilots.

During the ground inspection, oil was seen coming out from the drain mast of engine two. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will probe the incident, the DGCA official said.

"The flight landed safely at the Stockholm airport. Passengers have been provided lounge access and meals. The immigration procedure of the passengers is being carried out to ensure their stay at the city's hotels," the statement said.

On Monday, an Air India flight from New York to Delhi was diverted to London due to a medical emergency.
 

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Kiara Advani's Birthday Post For Mom Genevieve Is All About Love. New Pics From Wedding Album

Kiara Advani is celebrating her mother Genevieve Advani's birthday today (February 22), and on this occasion, she has treated her Insta family to new pictures from her wedding album. From a picture from her wedding to the sangeet ceremony, the birthday posts include all adorable moments of the mother-daughter duo. Along with the photos, she wrote a sweet note that read, "Mummaaaaaa (hear emoticon) Happy Happy Birthday to my loving, caring, praying mother.. I am blessed to be your daughter," followed by a heart emoticon. Kiara married Sidharth Malhotra on February 7 in the presence of her family and close friends. 

Soon after Kiara Advani shared the post, Raashii Khanna was among the first ones to drop a comment: "Beautiful," followed by a heart emoticon. A fan wrote, "And the best mother-daughter together," while another wrote, "Like mother, like daughter!! Happy happy birthday aunty." 

Take a look below: 

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A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani)

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra got married at Suryagarh Palace near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Soon after the wedding, the couple treated their Insta fans to some dreamy pictures, "Ab humari permanent booking hogayi hai. We seek your blessings and love on our journey ahead."

Take a look below:

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A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani)

The wedding was preceded by a mehendi and sangeet. The select guest included Kiara's Kabir Singh co-star Shahid Kapoor and wife Mira Rajput, Isha Ambani and husband Anand Piramal, Juhi Chawla and husband Jay Mehta, filmmaker Karan Johar and designer Manish Malhotra. 

Check out Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra's pre-wedding album below: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani)

It all started when Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra met at the wrap party for Lust Stories. However, they fell in love on the sets of their film Shershaah.

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