"Love Our Indian Students": US Envoy Amid Safety Concerns

Addressing concerns regarding the safety of Indian students studying in the United States, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti urged students to remain vigilant and take appropriate safety precautions.

The envoy emphasised that students should stay connected with peers and to utilize campus safety resources to enhance their awareness and preparedness.

In an recent interview with ANI, Eric Garcetti acknowledged the distressing incidents involving Indian students. Emphasising that such incidents can happen statistically in a country of this scale, he urged the students to remain vigilant and take adequate safety measures.

"First and foremost, any families, and I've talked to some of those families who have faced a tragedy with their own son or daughter. I mean, our hearts go out. We take the justice issues very seriously of bringing to justice any perpetrators with, you know, a quarter million now a year, statistically, this is going to happen. But that's not acceptable to a parent if it happens to your child," Eric Garcetti stated.

Expressing condolences to affected families, he underscored the US government's commitment to ensuring justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

Urging Indian students to follow preventive measures, Eric Garcetti advised students to be vigilant and familiarise themselves with safe neighbourhoods and to follow advice given to travellers worldwide.

"The same sort of advice we give to travellers when they go around the world, including in places like India, is that we know that these things can happen, but you can play a role in lessening the risk," he remarked.

The envoy underlined the importance of travelling in groups, staying connected with peers, and avoiding risky behaviours, including illegal drug use. Additionally, he encouraged students to engage with campus safety resources to enhance their awareness and preparedness.

With approximately 2,45,000 Indian students pursuing education on American campuses annually, safety has become a paramount issue for both students and their families.

Responding to concerns about the perception of safety in American college cities compared to other countries like Australia and New Zealand, Eric Garcetti reassured that while challenges exist, crime rates, especially violent crime, have decreased significantly in recent years.

"No, I think there's always just safe things to do, but there's not. I mean, crime has gone down, violent crime, especially in the last few years. It's much safer than it was in the 1970s and 1980s," Eric Garcetti affirmed.

He attributed the heightened awareness of incidents to the rapid dissemination of information through social media.

Asserting that the United States is a safe destination for Indian students, Eric Garcetti extended a warm welcome and affirmed the nation's appreciation for its international student community.

"We encourage Indian students to come. We love our Indian students," he said.

He emphasised that safety precautions are essential regardless of the destination, urging students to prioritise their well-being wherever they choose to pursue their education.

Notably, multiple distressing incidents have been reported lately from the US involving Indian nationals or people of Indian origin.

As many as five Indian students were reported dead in separate incidents in the first two months of 2024.

In March itself, a 25-year-old Indian student went missing from the Cleveland area of the US, following which his family has urged the External Affairs Ministry to find their son after receiving a "ransom call."

Mohammed Abdul Arafat, a native of Hyderabad, went to the US for his masters in IT from Cleveland University in May 2023 but has been missing since March 7, 2024.

His father, Mohd Saleem, said that after ten days, they received a phone call where the person was saying that their son (Abdul Arafat) had been kidnapped and asked for a USD 1200 ransom.

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Canada's Mild Winter Disrupts Key Ice Road To Remote Arctic Diamond Mines

An unusually warm winter in Canada this year has delayed the opening of a 400-kilometer (250-mile) ice road that is rebuilt every year as the main conduit for Rio Tinto, Burgundy Mines , and De Beers to access their diamond mines in the remote Arctic region.

The Winter Road, which serves the region accessible only by air for 10 months of the year, opened with a two-week delay in the middle of February, disrupting movement of goods along the ice road built over 64 frozen lakes.

Earlier this week, the Tlicho government in Northwest Territories (NWT) restricted movement of commercial trucks for few days in one of the winter roads due to anticipated warmer weather across the North Slave Region.

While diamond production remains unaffected, the delay underscores the challenges that companies face as the mines that make Canada the world's third largest diamond producer come to the end of their productive life.

It also highlights the infrastructure hurdle for the NWT and Nunavut that are positioning themselves as the next frontiers in the exploration of critical metals, such as rare earth, cobalt and lithium, in the transition to a greener future.

The delays in building the Winter Road, which first became operational in 1982, have happened in the past, but this year's is the longest delay in recent years, according to Tom Hoefer, senior advisor to the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

"We did start the road a bit later as a result," he said.

Climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, coupled with the emergence of the natural El Nino climate pattern, pushed the world into record heat territory in 2023.

The impact of El Nino this year resulted in Yellowknife, the capital of the NWT, recording a maximum temperature of zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) in December and minus 8.7 degrees Celsius (17.6 F) in February, making it the warmest winter days in a decade, according to data from Environment Canada.

The Winter Road opens between late January and early April and requires minimum of 29 inches (74 cm) of ice for vehicles that can carry 26,000 kilograms (57,320 lbs) of gross vehicle weight, to transport diesel and dynamite required to operate the mines.

On warmer days, the engineers have found ways to trick nature by creating artificial ice using giant sprinklers to spray water high up in the air so that they cool and form thick layer of ice when they fall.

Paul Gruner, CEO of the Indigenous corporation Tlicho Investment Corp & Group of Companies said this year the warm winter at the start and if there is a warmer end of the season or an early spring, it could risk an early closure.

"So when you're nibbling away on both sides of that, you start to create a very short season," Gruner said.

The Winter Road is jointly operated by Burgundy Diamond Mines, Rio Tinto and De Beers of Anglo American group which run the Ekati, Diavik and Gahcho Kue diamond mines respectively.

De Beers and Burgundy Diamonds said operations at their mines have not been affected by the mild winter. Rio Tinto declined comment.

The Winter Road costs C$25 million ($18.54 million) to operate for two months, which is shared by the three companies based on goods transported on the road and distance traveled.

However, the mines have a operational life of around 20 years and as they reach the end of life, they need to be shut down.

Rio Tinto has said it will close the Diavik mine in 2026 and De Beers plans to shut Snap Lake end of this year, while seeking to extend the life of Gahcho Kue.

Chicken and Egg

Canada's remote Arctic region, home to around 86,000 people, is facing the complete closure of all the diamond mines by 2030 and is looking for ways to keep mining alive.

The lack of infrastructure is a challenge and the shortened seasonal use of the ice road could hurt investments needed to mine critical minerals.

"If you're in the exploration phase ... and looking at using the winter road as part of your core business model, the risks start to come into ... your decision making whether or not to advance a project," Tlicho Investment's Gruner said.

Hoefer of NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines said the two Northern territories, which are as big as Europe, have the highest infrastructure deficits in Canada - one of the reasons for the very high costs of living and doing business in the North.

"It is a chicken-and-egg situation, the mining companies probably won't come unless there is some infrastructure, it's just too expensive," said Heather Exner-Pirot, director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment program at Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

It costs C$3 million a kilometer to build gravel roads, Pirot said.

Mining groups are pushing for a mega infrastructure project that connects NWT to Nunavut that runs through the diamond mines could help unlock the mineral riches in the region. At least 23 of the 31 critical minerals listed by the Canadian government is found in the NWT.

"When the project comes up, it would replace the roads that have served mining for 40 years, but until that happens, the ice roads are required," Hoefer said.

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China Joins Probe Into Pakistan Suicide Attack That Killed 5 Chinese Nationals

Chinese investigators arrived in Pakistan on Friday to join a probe into the killing of five Chinese nationals in a suicide attack, Pakistan's interior ministry said, seeking to stem assaults threatening Islamabad's drive to modernise the economy.

Tuesday's incident was the third major attack in little over a week on China's interests in the South Asian nation, where Beijing has invested more than $65 billion in infrastructure projects as part of its wider Belt and Road initiative.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Chinese team of investigators at Beijing's embassy and briefed them on the investigation so far, the statement said.

In late 2022, the two allied countries started a joint investigation into an attack that year on China's nationals and its interests, which have seen a rise in recent months.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack, in which a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project at Dasu in Pakistan's northwest, killing six people.

The bombing followed a March 20 attack on a strategic port used by China in the southwestern province of Balochistan, where Beijing has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects, and a March 25 assault on a naval air base, also in the southwest. Both attacks was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent of several separatist groups in Balochistan.

Dasu, the site of a major dam, has been attacked in the past, with a bus blast in 2021 killing 13 people, nine Chinese among them, although no group claimed responsibility.

Chinese contractors suspended work on three hydropower projects in view of security concerns after Tuesday's attack, a government official said, adding that it was a routine practice after such incidents.

Pakistan is home to twin insurgencies, one mounted by Islamist militants and the other by ethnic separatists who seek secession, blaming the government's inequitable division of natural resources in southwestern Balochistan province.

Chinese interests are under attack primarily by ethnic militants seeking to push Beijing out of mineral-rich Balochistan, but that area is far from the site of Tuesday's bombing.

Pakistan has set up a dedicated force of police and military to ensure security for Chinese activities, officials say.

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Noida Dumping Yard Blaze Continues For 4th Day, 150 Firefighters On Spot

The fire at a dumping yard in Noida simmered for the fourth day on Thursday even as 150 personnel of the Fire Service Department continued with their round-the-clock efforts to completely douse it, according to officials.

As many as 15 fire tenders are deployed at the spot and an estimated 35 lakh litres of water has been used to control the fire, which was by Thursday evening contained to less than 15 per cent of the area and was expected to be completely doused by Friday, a senior officer said.

The fire broke out at a plot in Sector 32 which was being used as a dumping yard of Noida Authority's horticulture department to store pruned trees.

The site was filled with dry leaves and twigs too, where some unidentified miscreants allegedly ignited fire around 6 pm on Monday -- the day of the Holi festival -- according to authority officials.

A major fire broke out at the same location on May 18 last year and it took almost six days to completely douse it.

Noida's Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar Choubey said 150 firefighters were deployed at the site as of Thursday evening and with the help of 15 water tenders trying to completely douse the flames that had erupted inside the plot, measuring 2 km by 1.5 km.

"Almost 85 per cent of the fire has been doused and it is contained in less than 15 per cent area now. Most of it is only smoke now. We are confident of dousing it by tomorrow," Choubey told PTI.

Overseeing the operation at the site, the CFO said the firefighting operation is continuing round-the-clock.

"We have 15 water tenders. Six of them have a capacity of 12,000 litres while the rest have 5,000 litres capacity. Ever since the fire broke out, these fire tenders have refilled water 40 to 50 times on average," Choubey said.

He said seven layers of "isolation" (also known as 'fireline' or 'firebreak') have been created at the site in a bid to check the further spread of the fire, which has impacted the air quality of the nearby areas in the city, too.

Choubey said isolations have been created to contain the spread of wildfire by digging a trench or channel in the ground with the help of bulldozers, and hand tools.

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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 5 Facts About Sambit Patra, BJP Candidate From Puri

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Puri seat in Odisha. This is the second time Mr Patra has been handed a ticket from the constituency. In 2019, he lost the seat to Biju Janata Dal's Pinaki Misra.

Here are five points about Sambit Patra:

1. Sambit Patra was born on December 13, 1974. He completed his schooling at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Puri and later pursued his medical studies at Veer Surendra Sai Medical College in Odisha's Burla. After his MBBS, Mr Patra also completed a Master of Surgery from SCB Medical College, Cuttack.

2. Much before he became a familiar TV face, Sambit Patra practised medicine at the Hindu Rao Hospital in Delhi. He would often attend BJP meetings in the Chandni Chowk and Malkaganj areas. This allowed him to build ties with Delhi BJP leaders like Vijay Goel and Harsh Vardhan.

3. In 2011, Mr Patra became the spokesperson of the Delhi BJP and a year later contested the municipal council elections from the Kashmere Gate ward. Although he lost the polls, he managed to catch the attention of senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who promoted him to the post of the national spokesperson.

4. Mr Patra was appointed as a non-official director on the board of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Ltd in 2017. In 2021, he was also appointed as the chairman of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

5. In 2019, Sambit Patra made his Lok Sabha electoral debut from his home state Odisha. He was fielded from the Puri but lost to the sitting BJD MP Pinaki Misra by over 11,000 votes. 

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Japan's Fastest Rollercoaster Permanently Shut Down Over Reports Of Broken Bones

Japan bids farewell to its speed demon. The Do-Dodonpa rollercoaster, once the world's fastest with a heart-stopping 180kph launch, has been permanently shut down after causing a series of injuries, the Independent reported.

Launched in 2017 at Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park, the ride mimicked the G-forces of fighter pilots, but the thrill has given way to safety concerns.

The thrill ride, however, came under scrutiny after at least five riders sustained bone-breaking injuries, primarily neck and spine fractures, between 2020 and 2021, likely caused by the intense G-forces.

Park officials halted Do-Dodonpa in August 2021 after facing injury complaints. Despite seeking solutions, safety ultimately trumped calls to reopen the ride. In a March 13th statement, the park confirmed Do-Dodonpa's permanent closure.

"After extended discussions with the manufacturer, we have arrived at the conclusion that it would be difficult to ensure safe operation that completely eliminates the risk of rider injury," said Fuji-Q Highland in a statement.

"In order to fulfil our societal obligation as a theme park and make safety our top priority, we have made the decision to permanently cease operation of Do-Dodonpa."

The park apologized to fans who hoped to ride Do-Dodonpa but assured them that thrilling experiences remain available with other colossal rides at Fuji-Q Highland.

Do-Dodonpa debuted in 2001 as the world's fastest coaster, launching riders to 106 mph in a heart-stopping 1.8 seconds. The 2017 upgrade upped the ante, adding a 49-meter loop and boosting the launch speed to an even more incredible 111 mph in just 1.56 seconds.

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Russia Says "Evidence" Links Ukraine To Moscow Attack, US Says "Nonsense"

Russia said Thursday it had evidence the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside Moscow were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", a claim that the United States called nonsense.

President Vladimir Putin and his security services continue to allege Kyiv and the West were involved somehow in last Friday's attack, despite an Islamic State affiliate having claimed responsibility.

Putin said Saturday that 11 people had been detained after gunmen entered the Crocus City Hall, setting the building alight and killing at least 143 people.

"As a result of work with the detained terrorists, examination of the technical devices seized from them and analysis of information on financial transactions, evidence of their links with Ukrainian nationalists has been obtained," Russia's Investigative Committee said on Thursday.

It alleged the suspects had received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine" and said another man "involved in financing the terrorists" had been identified and detained.

"Investigators will ask the court to remand him in custody," it said.

Ukraine and its Western allies have branded as absurd accusations they were involved.

"My uncle used to say ... that the best manure salesmen often carry their samples in their mouths," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday.

"Russian officials seem to be pretty good manure salesmen," Kirby said, denouncing what he called Russia's "nonsense propaganda."

 'Completely inappropriate'

The four suspected assailants -- with bruises and cuts on their swollen faces -- were dragged into a Moscow courtroom Sunday, all of whom were from Tajikistan, Russian media reported.

Russia's FSB security service said it arrested the gunmen while they were trying to flee to Ukraine, a claim seemingly disputed by Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who said they were headed for his country first.

Islamic State jihadists have said several times since Friday that they were responsible, and IS-affiliated media channels have published graphic videos of the gunmen inside the venue.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave no indication on Thursday that Putin planned to visit the family members of those killed.

The Russian leader was seen lighting a candle for the victims at a Moscow church last week, but has not visited the scene of the massacre or publicly met with any victims.

"If any contacts are necessary, we will inform you accordingly," Peskov said, when asked if Putin planned to meet family members of the dead.

He also said Putin did not plan to visit Crocus City Hall, where rescuers had for the past week been searching the rubble for bodies.

"In these days it would be completely inappropriate to carry out any fact-finding trips, because this would simply interfere with the work," he said.
 

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"Public Places Often Reflect Pre Existing Social Inequalities": Chief Justice

Asserting that public spaces often reflect pre-existing social inequalities in society, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday said creation of new infrastructure is not only good for lawyers and judges, but it is also intended to reach out to the broader cross-section of our society.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, in his address after laying the foundation stone for new Telangana High Court building in Hyderabad, also said creation of infrastructure plays a significant role in the mainstreaming of communities and groups in society who have been traditionally excluded from the judicial process.

"We must all remember that public spaces often reflect pre-existing social inequalities in our society. Our infrastructure sometimes reflects subtle signs of exclusion, such as lack of washrooms for women, which I referred to earlier, ramps for the disabled or differently- abled, creches and lactating rooms for young mothers," he said.

The CJI said though India is a fast growing economy and market, today there is an internet-divide in the country even now as not everyone has access to the internet and not every lawyer has access to a smartphone and not every citizen has a laptop.

He said conspicuous absence of disabled-friendly parking spots convey that courts are not meant for persons with disabilities or they must overcome additional hurdles to gain access to justice. 

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"BJP-JDS Alliance Is To Solve Karnataka's Water Crisis": HD Kumaraswamy

Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy, asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aims to solve the crisis regarding water in the state.

Earlier in the day, he announced his candidature from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, representing the NDA.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr Kumaraswamy said, "The purpose of the JDS-BJP alliance is to solve the irrigation problems of the state. It is to solve the water problem of our state by ensuring that there is no injustice to the neighbouring states."

Bengaluru has been reeling under a severe water crisis for over a month now. Reportedly, the struggle for drinking water continues for the residents of the city. The depletion of groundwater and drying up of more than 3,000 borewells in the capital city of Karnataka have made it difficult for the people.

The former CM targeted the ruling Congress party in the state over the irrigation problems.

"The Congress government was in power at the centre and in the state for around 45 years. Still, why has Congress not responded to Karnataka's irrigation problems?," he said.

"Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has consistently fought on the issue of the Cauvery river water dispute. Deve Gowda played a big role in providing irrigation systems to the state. But today's Congress leaders are making statements against BJP MPs in the state," Kumaraswamy added.

He further asserted confidence in the NDA's victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

"NDA will win this election and once again, Narendra Modi will become the prime minister," he said.

On Congress' alliance partner, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, promising to stall the construction of the Mekedatu Dam project, Kumaraswamy said, "DMK's manifesto about Mekedatu is childish. This is a gimmick. We have the confidence to convince the centre and other institutions to get permissions legally without giving any problems to TN farmers."

"From the last 77 years, several governments have ignored our requests. We have the confidence to convince the PM to get all our requests that were neglected," he added.

Karnataka, which has 28 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in two phases on April 26 and May 7.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and JD-S fought together against the BJP and the combine was decimated. The BJP had won a record 25 seats; Congress and JD-S won just one seat each.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19. The counting of votes is on June 4.

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Supreme Court Appoints Committee To Look Into Preservation Of Great Indian Bustard

The Supreme Court has recently appointed an expert committee to look into the preservation of the Great Indian Bustard which is "non-negotiable" and "need for sustainable development in the context of meeting the international commitments of the country towards promoting renewable sources of energy".

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra passed the order observing while dealing with a matter relating to protecting the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).

The court has sought a report from the committee by July and listed the matter for the second week of August 2024.

"We are of the view that it will be appropriate if an expert committee is appointed so as to balance both the need for the preservation of the GIB, which is non-negotiable and the need for sustainable development, more particularly, in the context of meeting the international commitments of the country towards promoting renewable sources of energy," the court in its March 21 order stated.

During the course of the hearing, the Court has underscored the importance of taking proactive measures to protect the GIB.

"There is no dispute in regard to the fact that the GIB is seriously endangered as a species. At the same time, it has emerged in the course of the hearing that there is no adequate basis to impose a general prohibition in regard to the installation of transmission lines in an area as wide as over 88,000 square kilometres," the court order read.

The committee includes the Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun; Hari Shankar Singh, Member, the National Board for Wildlife; Niranjan Kumar Vasu, Ex-Principal Chief Conservator of Forest; B Majumdar, former Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Maharashtra; and Devesh Gadhavi, Deputy Director, The Corbett Foundation, among others.

The committee will determine the scope, feasibility and extent of overhead and underground electric lines in the area identified as priority area in the reports of the Wild Life Institute of India in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The committee will also look into the need for adopting conservation and protection measures for the GIB, as well as other fauna specific to the topography and desert features and identify the measures to be adopted in the priority areas to ensure the long-term survival of the GIB.

It will also look into the identification of suitable alternatives in the context of sustainable development in the matter of laying long future power lines, which should balance the protection of conservation and the protection of the Great Indian Bustard together with the arrangement of power lines in a manner that would facilitate the fulfilment of the international commitments made by India for developing renewable sources of energy.

"The injunction which has been imposed in the order dated April 19, 2021, in respect of the area described as the potential area shall accordingly stand relaxed subject to the condition that the Expert Committee appointed by this Court may lay down suitable parameters covering both the priority and potential areas," the court said.

The Committee shall be at liberty to impose any additional measures, both in regard to the priority and potential areas, if it considers it appropriate, including considering the efficacy and suitability of installing bird diverters on existing and future power lines, the court clarified.

Earlier, a three-judge bench had directed the concerned authorities to convert the overhead cables into underground powerlines.

The court's order had come on a plea seeking to protect two species of birds, including the Great Indian Bustard.

According to the petition, the existence of overhead power lines is stated to have become a hazard due to which the said species of birds in collision are getting killed.

According to the petitioners, overhead power lines are the biggest threat to the survival of the GIBs.

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Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Union Minister Ashwani Choubey Among 3 Sitting MPs Dropped By BJP In Bihar

The BJP on Sunday announced its candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, dropping three sitting MPs, including Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey.

According to the list released by the party in New Delhi, Mr Choubey, who was elected from Buxar for the second consecutive term in 2019, was replaced by Mithilesh Tiwari, a senior BJP leader and a former MLA.

The party also dropped its incumbent MPs Chedi Pawasan and Ajay Kumar Nishad from Sasaram and Muzaffarpur constituencies respectively.

The BJP fielded former MLA Shivesh Ram for Sasaram, while Raj Bhushan Nishad, a greenhorn in the Lok Sabha polls, will contest the Muzaffarpur seat on a party ticket.

Vivek Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, was fielded from Nawada, where the BJP would be contesting this time, instead of its ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

All the remaining 14 candidates are sitting MPs, who will seek re-election from their respective seats.

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AAP Seeks Urgent Appointment With Poll Panel For "Level Playing Field"

The Aam Aadmi Party has sought an urgent appointment with the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections, Delhi Minister Atishi said on Saturday.

Ms Atishi claimed that despite the representation made to the Election Commission (EC) by the INDIA bloc leaders on Friday, the Income Tax department conducted a raid on an AAP MLA and that the party office had been sealed in the national capital.

In a post on X, Ms Atishi said, "The Aam Aadmi Party has sought an urgent appointment with the Election Commission, to ensure a level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections. Despite the representation made yesterday. Today, the Aam Aadmi Party office was sealed. Lok Sabha candidates and party leaders could not come to the party office for campaign meetings. There was an IT Dept raid on the home of one of our MLAs. It is the responsibility given by the Indian Constitution to the @ECISVEEP to ensure a level playing field."

.@AamAadmiParty has sought an urgent appointment with the Election Commission, to ensure a level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections.

Despite the representation made yesterday, today @AamAadmiParty office was sealed. Lok Sabha candidates and party leaders could not come to… pic.twitter.com/cqb6V8QTSM

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) March 23, 2024

The Income Tax Department (IT) conducted searches at the premises of Delhi AAP MLA Gulab Singh Yadav on Saturday. Mr Yadav, who represents Delhi's Matiala seat, is a two-time MLA.

Following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the INDIA bloc on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India urging its intervention in the "targeting of opposition leaders" by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party through the "misuse of central agencies".

The representation to the EC was made by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Abhishek Singhvi, NCP (SCP) leader Jitendra Awhad, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, TMC MP Derek O Brien and several other leaders.

The INDIA bloc in its memorandum, has urged the poll body to ensure that any further raids, investigations, and arrests are first vetted and approved by the Commission or a committee set up under it.

It also urged the EC to take immediate action, including the launch of investigations against all those individuals and officers who have misused their offices to harass the leaders of the opposition.

"Take any other steps necessary to ensure the constitutional mandate of a level playing field and to prevent political parties in power from misusing the State machinery against the leaders and political parties contesting elections in a democratic setup," the memorandum submitted to the poll body read.

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal was arrested by the central agency after he skipped multiple summons by the investigation agency, nine in total, calling them "illegal". He has been remanded to ED custody till March 28.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped.

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Brazilian Woman, 81, Dies After Surgery To Remove Dead Foetus She Carried For 56 Years

An 81-year-old woman in Brazil died after undergoing surgery to remove a 56-year-old foetus from her abdomen, Metro reported. The woman, identified as Daniela Vera, unknowingly had an ectopic pregnancy when she was younger and complained to doctors numerous times about pain and a bulge in her belly. She had been feeling unwell with stomach discomforts for several weeks before her doctor's appointment. Sadly, the doctors didn't spot the calcified baby inside her during the first appointment. Instead, they treated her for a water infection, before sending her to another hospital to get 3D scans. 

Despite having seven children, Ms Vera's condition went unnoticed until she received the 3D scans. This revealed lithopedion, a rare condition that happens when a baby dies during pregnancy and isn't absorbed by the body, Metro reported. 

The 81-year-old then went into surgery, following which she was moved into the intensive care unit (ICU). Sadly, she died the next day, on March 15 after suffering an infection. 

Dr Patrick Dezir, the head of the Ponta Pora Hospital health department, explained, "When pregnancy occurs, it must be inside the uterus, but in some situations, pregnancy can occur outside". 

"That baby was not clinical, the patient did not have acute pain and did not have major bleeding and this diagnosis goes unnoticed and time will take care of that foreign body that was left inside the woman's abdomen," Dr Dezir added. 

Also Read | Mexican Model Elena Larrea, 31, Dies From Blood Clot After Liposuction Procedure

Ms Vera's daughter, Rosely Almedia, said, "She was old and we are indigenous, she didn't like going to the doctor, she was afraid of the equipment to take exams. She said that it looked like a baby was moving inside her belly and sometimes she felt sick, but we never suspected that it was that". 

Notably, Ms Vera had complained of abdominal pain since her first pregnancy when she was a teenager, her daughter said, as per the outlet. 

Ectopic pregnancy is a type of pregnancy where the fertilised egg is conceived outside the womb, where it is not able to survive. Due to the lack of development, the foetus becomes calcified and in such a situation, there is neither severe pain nor bleeding in the body. There are also no visible symptoms until an X-ray is done.

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India Begins Operation Indravati To Evacuate Citizens From Violence-Hit Haiti

India has launched 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated in a post on social media platform X.

As part of the ongoing operation, 12 Indians were evacuated on Thursday.

Taking to his official X handle, Mr Jaishankar posted, "12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad."

India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.

12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad.

Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support. pic.twitter.com/AC3VM63EmJ

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 21, 2024

"Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," he added.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a weekly press briefing on March 15, said India was ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if need be.

"As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that," Jaiswal stated.

Amid violence and looting in the impoverished Caribbean nation, a control room and an emergency helpline number were opened to evacuate distressed Indian nationals from Haiti.

"We have established a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs. We have emergency helpline numbers," Mr Jaiswal added in the press briefing.

On concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Haiti, Jaiswal said the embassy in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, which holds accreditation for Haiti, was monitoring the situation.

"Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation and the ministry also is fully monitoring the situation," Mr Jaiswal added at the presser.

Haiti has been under a state of emergency after some armed groups attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff and enabling some 3,500 inmates to escape, according to CNN.

A leader of one of these armed groups, Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, took credit for the prison break, saying it was part of a plan to overthrow acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government.

The armed groups now control 80 per cent of Haiti's capital, according to United Nations estimates, while continuing to fight for the rest. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to the country's main airport to prevent his return.

The ongoing chaos has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, adding to the more than 300,000 already displaced by gang violence.

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Finland Is World's Happiest Country For 7th Time Straight, India Stands At...

India was ranked 126th out of 143 nations in a global happiness index released on Wednesday which noted that older age is associated with higher life satisfaction in the world's most populous country.

Finland emerged as the happiest country in the world, topping the World Happiness Report 2024, the seventh successive year that the country has occupied the top spot on the list.

The other of the top 10 countries are Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia.

India is ranked 126th on the list, behind countries such as Libya, Iraq, Palestine and Niger, according to the findings announced on Wednesday to mark the UN's International Day of Happiness.

The World Happiness Report is a partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR's Editorial Board.

The young in India are the "happiest" while those in "lower middle" rung are the least happy.

The US (23rd) has fallen out of the top 20 for the first time since the World Happiness Report was first published in 2012, driven by a large drop in the well-being of Americans under 30.

Afghanistan remains bottom of the overall rankings as the world's 'unhappiest' nation. Pakistan is ranked 108th on the list.

The report said that older age is associated with higher life satisfaction in India, "refuting some claims that the positive association between age and life satisfaction only exists in high-income nations." On average, older men in India are more satisfied with life than older women "but when taking all other measures into account, older women report higher life satisfaction than their male counterparts," it said.

In India, older adults with secondary or higher education and those of higher social castes report higher life satisfaction than counterparts without formal education and those from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

"India's older population is the second largest worldwide, with 140 million Indians aged 60 and over, second only to its 250 million Chinese counterparts. Additionally, the average growth rate for Indians aged 60 and above is three times higher than the overall population growth rate of the country," the report said.

Satisfaction with living arrangements, perceived discrimination, and self-rated health emerge as the top three predictors of life satisfaction for India in this study, the report said.

"We found that older men, those in the higher age groups, currently married, and those who were educated, report higher life satisfaction compared to their respective peers. Lower satisfaction with living arrangements, perceived discrimination, and poor self-rated health were important factors associated with low life satisfaction among older Indians," it said.

The findings of this study indicate that strengthening family networks to ensure a comfortable living arrangement for older adults, men, widowed, and those without formal education in particular, and bolstering social networks to reduce discrimination may enhance well-being in older age, it noted.

The report added that Serbia (37th) and Bulgaria (81st) have had the biggest increases in average life evaluation scores since they were first measured by the Gallup World Poll in 2013.

The next two countries showing the largest increases in life evaluations are Latvia (46th) and Congo (Brazzaville) (89th), with rank increases of 44 and 40 places, respectively, between 2013 and 2024.

For the first time, the report gives separate rankings by age group, in many cases varying widely from the overall rankings. Lithuania tops the list for children and young people under 30, while Denmark is the world's happiest nation for those 60 and older. 

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Jailed Ex-MLA Charged Under Anti-Terror Law To Contest In Lok Sabha Polls

Engineer Rashid, who is currently lodged in jail on UAPA charges, will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla constituency on an Awami Ittehad Party ticket. Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid (56) is a former MLA.

He was arrested in 2019 and charged by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), becoming the first mainstream politician to be booked under the stringent anti-terror law.

"The political affairs committee of the Awami Ittehad Party decided that we will field Engineer Rashid as our candidate from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency," Firdous Baba, the party's spokesperson, said on Wednesday.

The party is hopeful that Rashid will be released from prison before the elections, he said.

"In case that does not happen, it has been decided that Rashid will contest the polls from jail. Our Constitution allows an accused person, who is not convicted, to contest elections from jail," Baba added.

Rashid was first elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Langate in 2008 and re-elected in 2014.

He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, finishing in third place.

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Sharad Pawar Camp Dares Ajit Pawar's NCP To Contest Polls On New Symbol

The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Wednesday dared the Nationalist Congress Party led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to give up the clock symbol and contest the Lok Sabha elections on a new symbol.

The Sharad Pawar group also stated that the Supreme Court's order on Tuesday has dealt a "body blow" to the Ajit Pawar camp.

Notably, the Supreme Court has asked Ajit Pawar-led faction to issue a public notice in newspapers in English, Hindi and Marathi saying the 'clock' symbol is sub-judice and its use is subject to adjudication.

The Supreme Court also allowed the Sharad Pawar faction to use 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' as its name for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls and to use as its symbol 'man blowing turha' (a traditional trumpet also known as tutari).

"This crucial decision made by the Supreme Court judges has delivered a body blow to Ajit Pawar's NCP faction. The court has warned that adherence to the tenth schedule of the Constitution is an important aspect in deciding cases pertaining to defections," NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said in a statement.

This decision of the Supreme Court is not only a significant setback for Ajit Pawar's group but it also sets boundaries for other factions who may harbour ambitions of illegitimate political defections with the help of the BJP, he added.

"If Ajitdada's faction is left with even 1 per cent of self-respect; I challenge them to relinquish the clock symbol and face our candidates on a new symbol," Tapase said.

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Study Of "Twin" Stars Finds Evidence Of Planetary Ingestion

The planetary system that includes Earth and its sibling planets orbiting the sun has been remarkably stable during its roughly 4.5 billion years of existence. But not all planetary systems are so lucky, as shown in a new study involving "twin" stars.

An examination of 91 pairs of stars with matching sizes and chemical compositions showed that a surprising number exhibited signs of having ingested a planet, scientists said on Wednesday, likely after the planet was sent hurtling out of a stable orbit for any number of reasons.

The study looked at pairs of stars that formed within the same interstellar cloud of gas and dust - so-called co-natal stars - giving them the same chemical makeup, and were of roughly equal mass and age. These are the "twins." While the pairs are moving together in the same direction within our Milky Way galaxy, they are not binary systems of two stars gravitationally bound to each other.

A star's chemical composition changes when it engulfs a planet because it incorporates the elements that made up the doomed world. The researchers looked for stars that differed from their twin because they had higher amounts of tell-tale elements like iron, nickel or titanium indicating remnants of a rocky planet, relative to certain other elements.

"It's the elemental abundance differences between two stars in a co-natal system," said astronomer Fan Liu of Monash University in Australia, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

In seven of the pairs, one of the two stars bore evidence of planetary ingestion.

Possible reasons for a planet making a death plunge into its host star include an orbital disturbance caused by a larger planet, or another star passing uncomfortably close, destabilizing the planetary system, the researchers said.

"This really puts into perspective our fortuitous position in the universe," said astrophysicist and study co-author Yuan-Sen Ting of the Australian National University and Ohio State University. "The stability of a planetary system like the solar system is not a given."

The researchers used the European Space Agency's Gaia space observatory to identify the twins and used telescopes in Chile and Hawaii to determine their composition. The stars were as close as 70 light years from our solar system and as far as 960 light years away. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

The researchers said while it is most likely that their observations signaled whole planets being ingested, it was possible it was planetary building blocks consumed during the system's period of planet formation.

In their death throes, our sun and other stars like it dramatically puff up, ingesting any planets with close orbits, before collapsing into a dense, burned-out cinder called a white dwarf.

"We know that all stars like the sun will eventually become giant stars. The envelope of the sun will expand and eventually swallow Earth," Ting said.

But the stars in this study all were in the prime of their life, not nearing the end.

Instability in planetary systems may be more common than previously known, considering that about 8% of the stellar pairs studied had one star that apparently devoured a planet.

Most planetary systems should be stable because, as in our solar system, the planets are under the influence mainly of their host star, not their sibling planets, Ting said.

"But for other planetary systems with different initial conditions and configurations, this might break down, leading to very chaotic dynamics," Ting added.

The study indicates that, Ting said, "a non-negligible fraction of planetary systems are indeed unstable, meaning there are always planets being ejected in or out."

Given that only a small fraction of these wayward planets might actually be gulped by their host star rather than simply wandering the cosmos, there may be more of these planetary exiles than previously suspected.

"Understanding which planetary systems are stable or not is a long-time goal of planetary dynamics theorists," said Ting.

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"He Shouldn't Fight In Name Of Religion": Smriti Irani Attacks Rahul Gandhi

Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani said if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi considers himself secular then he should not fight in the name of religion, but on the basis of issues.

During a session on the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Smriti Irani said the destination of a nation cannot be decided by a man who is scared of defeat in Amethi.

Amethi in Uttar Pradesh was long considered a bastion of the Gandhi family, till Rahul Gandhi lost the seat to Smriti Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

"It is not the first time that he has given any statement against my religion, Hinduism, but I believe that if he is secular, then he should not fight in the name of religion, but fight on the basis of issues," she said.

Smriti Irani said that while victory and loss are inherent to electoral politics, true leadership is demonstrated by standing firm on one's beliefs and principles.

The BJP leader criticised the alleged glorification of poverty and martyrdom by Rahul Gandhi and recounted her own challenging journey in Amethi, and talked about lack of support initially.

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AAP's Sanjay Singh Takes Oath As Rajya Sabha MP For 2nd Term

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday administered the oath of office to jailed Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh after his re-election to the Upper House from Delhi for a second term.

He was administered the oath in Dhankhar's office in Parliament House in the presence of his mother and father, wife, and son and daughter.

Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh and secretary general P C Mody and AAP MPs Sanjiv Arora, Sandeep Pathak and N D Gupta were also present at the oath-taking ceremony.

"Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar administered oath to re-elected Member of Rajya Sabha Sanjay Singh ji, in Parliament House today," the vice president's office said in a post on X while sharing pictures of the oath-taking.

Sanjay Singh, who is lodged in Tihar jail, was brought under a security cover on the order of a local court.

"The Jail Superintendent concerned is directed to ensure that the accused is taken to Parliament on 19.03.2024 under adequate security for the purpose of making and subscribing of oath as a Member and after the oath, he is also brought back to the jail safely," the judge said in his order.

sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy and is currently in judicial custody.

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World Oral Health Day 2024: Know Theme, Significance And Best Oral Care Tips

World Oral Health Day is observed on March 20 every year. It is a global event that aims to help reduce the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals as well as the health systems and economies. This day is used as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of good oral health. Oral diseases are often neglected but are one of the major health concerns in several parts of the world. However, most dental issues can be prevented and treated with the right medical assistance. World Oral Health Day targets individuals, schools, educational institutions, youth and policymakers to promote good oral health for all.

World Oral Health Day 2024: Theme

The theme for Oral Health Day 2024 is 'A happy mouth is a happy body.' This day was first celebrated in 2007.

Significance

According to the World Health Organisation, "Globally, oral diseases affect an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide. Between 1990 and 2019, estimated case numbers of oral diseases increased by more than 1 billion, which translates to a 50% increase, higher than the population increase of about 45% in the same period."

It is important to note that most risk factors for oral diseases are modifiable including excess sugar consumption, tobacco consumption, poor oral hygiene, alcohol use and more. Therefore, encouraging individuals to take care of their oral health can make a huge difference.

Best oral care tips to follow:

• Brush your teeth twice a day to remove plaque buildup. Also, use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for at least two minutes each time, reaching all surfaces of your teeth.
• Regular dental check-ups can help prevent serious dental issues. This simple practice can also help ensure regular clean-ups.
• Flossing is as important as brushing. Flossing helps remove food particles from between teeth where the toothbrush bristles may not reach.
• Use a mouthwash regularly for better oral health. A mouthwash can help remove germs, freshen breath and prevent cavities.
• For a healthy mouth, it is important to clean the tongue too as plaque can build up on your tongue too.

Follow these simple steps and say hello to healthy teeth.

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

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Medical Student Raped By Senior On Hospital Roof In Gujarat: Cops

A senior medical student was arrested for allegedly raping a junior at Vadodara Gotri Hospital, police said.

A final-year medical student took a second-year student to the roof of the hospital and allegedly raped her, said police.

Both the student and the accused came to know each other while doing an internship at the same medical college. They later both became friends with each other. After some time, a rift happened between both of them, according to the police.

The accused was threatening the victim, telling her that he had the recording of her phone calls. The victim called on the pretext of deleting the recording, and the accused took her to the roof of the hospital, where she was raped, said the police.

The student went to the police the next day and lodged a complaint.

The police have arrested the accused.

More details on the matter are awaited. Further investigation is underway.

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This Public Library In US Is Forgiving Fees For Cat Photos

Calling all cat lovers! The Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts has a purrfect solution for folks with overdue or lost library items. Until the end of March, simply bring in a picture (photograph, drawing, or even a magazine clipping) of a feline friend, and they'll reactivate your library card!

Dubbed "March Meowness," this program is their way to give the community a chance to make amends for misplaced books or damaged items without the fear of late fees keeping them away. The initiative has already been a roaring success, with hundreds of returned items, a flurry of cat photos on their Facebook page, and a growing "cat wall" showcasing adorable kitty art in the main library.

Worcester Public Library also said it would accept 'honorary cats' as well: "You may show us a picture or drawing of a dog, raccoon, orca, capybara, or any other animal."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Worcester Public Library (@worcesterpubliclibrary)

Speaking about why they set up the scheme WPL Executive Director Jason Homer told BBC, "We found that many of our patrons may have items that were misplaced during the pandemic as schools shuttered and we entered quarantine,"

"We wanted to get everyone back in the library, and using our resources, and also wanted to create a really low barrier to get these fees forgiven," he said.

However, there are a few rules for people returning books. The returned books must be from a Worcester Public Library and not another library, and must have been lost or damaged for at least two months. 

Meanwhile, the library's managers will review whether or not they'll accept the cat picture if the person has failed to return five or more books in the past, the media outlet reported. 

Some of the other cat-themed activities the library is running include aa screening of the 2019 movie Cats, a cat-eye make-up tutorial, a "de-stressing" hour of playing with shelter cats, DIY cat crafts, a scavenger hunt and more!

 

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"You're Stuck On 2029, I Am Planning For 2047": PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he is already planning for the year 2047 adding that he has never worked for headlines but has always ensured to complete his work within deadlines.

When asked at the India Today Conclave whether Prime Minister Modi is already preparing for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, "Find out what Modi is. You are stuck on 2029 but I am planning for 2047."

PM Modi further mentioned that today the mood of the nation is about making India a "Viksit Bharat".

"Today the process of celebrating the biggest democratic festival has started. At a time when the whole world is facing uncertainties, one thing is sure India will keep developing at a fast pace. Today the mood of the nation is about India's efforts towards becoming the third biggest economy in the world. The mood of the nation is about making India a Viksit Bharat. Whenever I come at such conclave all you have expectations that I give many headlines but I don't work for headlines, but for deadlines," he said.

Prime Minister further said that the Northeast region of the country was neglected by the government before 2014 but became a priority under his government.

"Before 2014, the northeast region was always at the bottom of the list of priorities. After 2014, we decided that our ministers and senior officials would tour not only the district headquarters but also the interior parts of the region," he said.

Highlighting the efforts made in the Northeast region by the BJP-led Centre in the last 10 years, the Prime Minister said that a change in mentality took place under his tenure towards its outlook for the villages in the region.

"Our Central ministers have visited the Northeast region 680 times. I alone went more to the Northeast region, which is more than the combined trips previous Prime Ministers took. We changed the mentality. Those which were called the last villages of India we changed that and started calling them the first villages. 17 of my cabinet ministers visited there and stayed all night," he said.

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Vladimir Putin Casts His Vote Online In Russian Presidential Elections

President Vladimir Putin cast his vote online Friday in Russia's presidential elections being held in occupied regions of Ukraine. 

Images distributed by the Kremlin showed the long-time Russian leader voting at a computer in his office and waving to the camera.

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Debt-Ridden Man Murders Wife, Son, Tries To Kill Self In Ghaziabad: Cops

A debt-ridden 42-year-old man allegedly tried to commit suicide after killing his wife and son in the Mahindra enclave area here on Thursday, police said.

The incident was reported from the Kavinagar police station area.

The bodies of Amar Deep Sharma's wife Sonu Sharma (36) and son Vinayak (11) were found in his house, police said and added that they had been killed with a sharp-edged weapon, which is yet to be recovered.

In preliminary investigations, it was found that he was debt ridden due to which he was depressed, they said.

Police said a note was found at the spot, and in it, he had apologised for killing his wife and son. He has confessed to his crime before police officials, they said.

Amar Deep got injured while trying to kill himself. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital, Deputy Commissioner of Police (City Zone) Gyananjay Singh said.

Police are trying to find the weapon used in the crime, he said and added that a probe in underway.

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58-Year-Old Man Dies By Suicide After Killing Wife, Son In Maharashtra: Cops

A man allegedly hanged himself after killing his wife and son in the district on Thursday, police said.

The incident took place at Shanti Nagar village in Aroli police station limits, 70 km from here, said an official.

Shrinivas Vyankat Edupungati (58) allegedly killed his wife Sripadmalata (54) and son Chandrashekhar (29) in the early hours while they were asleep at home.

Between 4 and 5 am, CCTV footage showed Shrinivas moving about the house. The wife was strangling with a piece of rope while the son was smothered with a pillow before Shrinivas hanged himself from the ceiling fan.

Chandrashekhar's wife found her husband in an unconscious state around 6.30 am and alerted police.

Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar visited the crime scene while a case of murder was registered at Aroli police station.

As per the preliminary probe, Shrinivas, who owned a rice mill, was facing financial difficulties and had defaulted on bank loan installments last month, SP Poddar said, adding that further probe was on.

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Pregnant US Teacher Collapses In Classroom And Dies Weeks Before Baby Was Due

Tragedy struck a rural New York school community.  Pregnant teacher Courtney Fannon, 29, died
unexpectedly just weeks before welcoming her first child. Mrs Fannon, a beloved special education teacher at Kendal Central School, was found unresponsive in her classroom, shortly after sending her husband a quick text on Friday, USA Today reported. 

Mrs Fannon proceeded through that day much like any other after the final bell at Kendall Central School, collecting her thoughts and belongings before departing for home. Shortly after she sent a message to her husband, she was found unconscious in her classroom, as reported by Matthew Smith, a dear friend of the couple, on GoFundMe.

Mrs Fannon, expecting her first daughter, Hadley Jaye, was taken to a nearby hospital, where life-saving efforts began for both mother and daughter. Tragically, they died later that evening.

“The world lost 2 beautiful souls, Courtney Fannon and Hadley Jaye Fannon, long before we were ready to live in a world without them. They were called to eternal rest the night of March 8th, after a very tragic and unexpected turn of events,” according to the GoFundMe post. 

The GoFundMe campaign has garnered approximately $47,623 as of Wednesday. These funds will be allocated to cover various final expenses, such as medical bills, and funeral service costs, and to provide short-term financial support for Mrs Fannon's husband, Kurtis.

The media outlet reported that Mrs Fannon had taught special education in the district since 2018. 

“Courtney was a special education teacher who served her students with passion and joy each day,” Schools Superintendent Nicholas Picardo said in a message, USA Today reported.

“When she wasn't in her classroom sharing her love and gift for teaching with her students, she could be found walking our halls with a smile and a friendly hello,” he added.

Mr Smith in his lengthy post on GoFundMe wrote that Mr Kurtis is living the “worst nightmare of having to return to a home, filled with baby toys, bottles, furniture and a finished nursery, that will no longer be filled with the cooing sounds and shuffling of a newborn.”

Mrs Fannon was due to give birth “in just 4 short weeks,” he wrote.

“For those who did not have the wonderful opportunity to meet or get to know Courtney, there is an endless amount of positive and good things that can only be said about her,” Smith continued.

“She was loving, genuine and organized in a way that always placed her students ahead of herself, ultimately changing the lives of her students and caregivers, always for the positive,” he wrote.

Smith also addressed the unborn girl in his tribute.

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PM Modi Holds Talks With Bhutanese Counterpart On Ways To Strengthen Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held extensive talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay focusing on ways to further strengthen the ties between the two countries.

The talks took place hours after Mr Tobgay began a five-day visit to India, his first foreign trip after assuming the charge of the top office in January.

Mr Tobgay was received at the airport in the national capital by Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

"The visit of @PMBhutan is in keeping with the exemplary ties of friendship between India & Bhutan," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending cooperation in the field of energy efficiency.

The Cabinet also cleared the signing of an agreement between Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for cooperation in the area of food safety.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said Mr Tobgay's visit will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in the "unique partnership" and to discuss ways to expand the "enduring" ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan.

Mr Tobgay's visit to India came against the backdrop of China and Bhutan looking at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for India's security interests.

Around five months back, Bhutan's then Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.

A Chinese readout on the talks said Bhutan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China for an early settlement of the boundary issue and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations.

New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for New Delhi's security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction.

In August last year, China and Bhutan agreed to expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement a "three-step roadmap to resolve their festering boundary dispute.

In October 2021, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on the "three-step roadmap" to expedite negotiations to resolve their boundary dispute.

The signing of the pact came four years after the Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day stand-off at the Doklam tri-junction after China tried to extend a road in the area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it.

The India-China stand-off in the Doklam plateau in 2017 even triggered fears of larger conflict between the two neighbours. Bhutan had said the area belonged to it and India supported the Bhutanese claim.

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6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Papua New Guinea

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit Papua New Guinea early Thursday, about 65 kilometres southeast of the town of Kimbe, the United States Geological Survey said.

The quake had a depth of approximately 50 kilometres (31 miles), and struck outside Kimbe, in the West New Britain region, at about 1:13 am (1513 GMT Wednesday), the USGS said.

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Watch: Woman Uses Pressure Cooker To Iron Clothes, Internet Has A Field Day

A video on social media has gone viral, raising concerns about the dangers of using a hot pressure cooker to iron clothes. The video, shared by Shubhangi Pandit on X, formerly Twitter, shows a woman heating a pressure cooker and then using it to iron a shirt.

This method is extremely hazardous. Pressure cookers are not designed for ironing and can cause severe burns or accidents.  Social media users are urging viewers to prioritise safety and avoid attempting this technique.

For safe and effective ironing, it's always recommended to use a proper iron.

See the video here:

प्रिय दीदी जी को दंडवत प्रणाम ? pic.twitter.com/ux2XkGpMSX

— Shubhangi Pandit (@Babymishra_) March 12, 2024

The video has collected nearly 2 lakh views with numerous comments from social media users. 

A user wrote on X, "Desi Jugaad"

Another user commented, "Hats off to creativity".

The third user joked, "She has understood science, especially Physics..."

The fourth user wrote, "Thanks for this innovative idea! Those who opt last-minute programming will b benifit if ever caught in hurry!"

"New innovation. Advance didi to get the patent certificate," the fifth user wrote.

Earlier,  a ticketless passenger decided to make some space for himself in a crowded train by coming up with a unique solution, only to fail miserably. The clip opens to show a general class of a local train coach with several people sitting on the floor. However, the man devised an unusual method to create a makeshift seat for himself. He tied a bedsheet on two sides of the upper births of the coach and created a hammock. However, as soon as he tried to make himself comfortable inside it, the hammock broke and the man fell to the floor. 

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"Unfortunate": BJP On Himachal Chief Minister's 'Black Snakes' Jibe For Rebel MLAs

The Himachal Pradesh unit of BJP on Monday said it was "unfortunate" that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has resorted to "harassing" MLAs and calling them "black snakes", and added that such words should not be used for elected representatives.

Addressing media persons here, BJP spokesman Balbir Verma and former minister Chowdhary Sukhram said the chief minister was in panic and was wreaking vengeance by using intemperate language.

He said that 32 senior Congress leaders, including Lal Chand Kataria, Rajendra Yadav, Richhpal Mirdha and Vijaypal Mirdha joined BJP in Rajasthan and leaders like Gulam Nabi Azad, Rita Bahuguna, Jyotiraje Scindhia and Milan Devara left the Congress but no leader made such remarks against them.

During recent public meetings, Mr Sukhu referred to the six rebel Congress MLAs, who had voted in favour of the BJP's nominee in the recently held Rajya Sabha polls, as "six black snakes ('kala nag')".

The chief minister said the rebel leaders "sold their souls" to "destabilise" the government. He has also compared them to shepherds being moved from one place to another.

Speaking to media persons on Monday, BJP leaders Verma and Sukhram said that the Congress government did not have a majority in the assembly and has "no right to remain in power".

"Development works were already moving at slow pace and now it has come to a standstill as the chief minister was busy saving his chair," the BJP leaders said.

Six Congress rebels -- Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma and Devinder Kumar Bhutto -- who cross-voted in favour of the BJP were disqualified for defying a whip to be present in the House and vote in favour of the government during the cut motion and budget.

The six Congress rebels and three Independent MLAs who had voted for the BJP candidate in the recent Rajya Sabha polls, in a joint statement, accused the government of getting false cases registered against them and their relatives to build pressure.

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Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory For Dwarka Expressway Inauguration

Traffic movement will be regulated in many areas of Dwarka on Monday for inauguration of the Dwarka Expressway, according to an advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the expressway in Dwarka Sector-25 and traffic movement will be regulated in the area from 8 am to 2 pm, the advisory, issued on Sunday, stated.

The advisory has urged commuters to avoid Dhulsiras Chowk, Sector 8-9 crossing, Carmel Chowk Sector-20, Janki Chowk near Sector-23 police station and Pochanpur flyover Sector-23 Chowk.

Other routes where traffic will be regulated are near the Transport Authority office, Sector-21 metro station and the Pacific Mall cut, Golf Course Road to Dhulsiras Chowk and Bamnoli, and Bharthal Chowk to Dhulsiras Chowk and Chhawla Road.

Those going to the railway station, hospital and ISBTs are advised to plan their travel in advance, the advisory stated.

"The general public and motorists are advised to keep patience, observe traffic rules and road discipline," it added.

The police have also asked people to avail of public transport to help decongest roads and urged them park their vehicles in designated lots.

The Delhi Traffic Police has also advised the public to follow its website or social media for updates or call 8750871493, 1095/011-25844444 for more information.

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Man Dies By Suicide As Wife Leaves Home After Fight In Nagpur: Police

A 35-year-old man allegedly committed suicide after his wife walked out of their home in Geeta Nagar in Nagpur following an argument, a police official said on Sunday.

The man hanged himself using a saree on Saturday, the Hudkeshwar police station official said.

"He had called his wife to return home. When she refused, he ended his life. An accidental death case has been registered," the official added. 

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Lok Sabha Polls: BJP To Finalise Remaining Candidates In 3 States Tonight

The Bharatiya Janata Party will hold a late night meeting to finalise the remaining seats in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, sources said on Saturday.

According to the sources, a meeting of BJP's core group leaders from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana will be held with BJP National President JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah tonight.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday announced its list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar MLC elections.

The BJP has announced its candidates for 3 seats in Bihar for now, which include Mangal Pandey, Dr Lal Mohan Gupta, and Anamika Singh for the MLC election 2024.

There are a total of 11 seats up for contest in Bihar.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP fielded Vijay Bahadur Pathak, Mahendra Kumar Singh, Mohit Beniwal, Ashok Katariya, Dharmendra Singh, Ramtirath Singhal, and Santosh Singh.

In UP, candidates will contest 13 MLC seats, with the BJP announcing its candidates for 7 seats.

The MLC election in Bihar and UP is scheduled for March 21, and the last date for filing the nomination is March 11.

In a big jolt to the Congress party, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri joined the BJP in Bhopal on Saturday.

Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri on Saturday pointed to some decisions, both 'political and religious', as ones that prompted his exit from the party.

Speaking to ANI after being formally inducted into the BJP, Pachouri said, "I entered politics to serve society and the country. Congress has always worked towards establishing a classless society. However, the idea stands rejected today. Some of the decision-making by the Congress high command, especially on religious and political matters, drove me closer to the edge and eventually exit the party."

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"Myanmar Nationals Who Entered India Illegally Deported Today": Manipur Chief Minister

The Manipur government on Friday began deporting Myanmar nationals who had fled a recent surge in fighting between the ruling junta and pro-democracy insurgents in the border region, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today," Mr Singh said, without providing specific numbers.

"Although India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter and aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach," Mr Singh said.

Thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in Myanmar, crossing into ethnic violence-hit Manipur and neighbouring Mizoram.

Mr Singh posted a video showing the Myanmar nationals, mostly women and children, being sent away from the airport in the state capital Imphal.

First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today.

Although India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter & aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach. pic.twitter.com/zgte8RfmGl

— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) March 8, 2024

The deportation comes a month after the Centre called for an immediate end to a free movement border agreement with Myanmar that allowed residents living in border zones to venture a short distance into their neighbouring nation's territory without a visa.

India is also erecting a 1,643-km-long fence along the porous border with Myanmar through remote jungles and snow-capped peaks towards Arunachal Pradesh.

The Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur and Mizoram share ethnic and familial ties with the Chin people in Myanmar. Many of those who have fled to India from Myanmar share ethnic ties with the Kuki-Zo tribes.

Over 200 people have been killed since last May in clashes between the hill-majority Kuki-Zo tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis over serious disagreements on sharing land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies.

Parts of Myanmar near the border with India have seen frequent clashes since the Arakan Army insurgents attacked junta forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since a 2021 military coup.

Hundreds of soldiers were among those who had fled Myanmar and crossed over to India to escape the fighting.

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AAP vs BJP Over Order To Demolish Pak Hindu Refugee Camps In Delhi

After the Aam Aadmi Party's allegation that the Central Government is trying to bulldoze the houses of Pakistani Hindu refugees in the National Capital, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Thursday said that it is regrettable to see AAP leaders including Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj indulging in "dirty politics".

"In an order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered long ago removal of encroachments on the river bank south of Gurdwara Majnu ka Tila but with a humanitarian approach, the concerned wing of DDA delayed it. When removal became inevitable the DDA issued a notice of removal but in the notice, it offered Pakistan refugees temporary alternate accommodation," he said.

"The local BJP unit of Chandni Chowk has been offering support to these Pakistan refugees in their hour of need. In the Covid phase, BJP workers organised regular food, clothes medicines etc., for these Hindu refugees from Pakistan even the the local Aam Aadmi Party MLA went missing," Virendra Sachdeva added.

The BJP Delhi president also asserted that as soon as refugee leaders apprised BJP leaders about the eviction notice late last night we immediately took up the matter with the Lt. Governor and stalled the eviction scheduled for today.

"It's regrettable that despite being in Delhi Government, the AAP leaders have never in last nine years visited the Hindu Refugees from Pakistan and even today choose to do press conferences instead of offering them proper accommodation. Lt. Governor has assured us that the Hindu Refugees will not be evicted without being allowed alternative accommodation," he said.

Aam Aadmi Party, today, in a post said ever since the new LG came, the houses of lakhs of people in Delhi have been demolished by the agencies of the Central Government (BJP).

"Hindu refugees who came from Pakistan 13 years ago were living with their small children near Majnu Ka Tila. Now the central government agency DDA has given them a notice that their houses will be demolished by DDA's bulldozers on 7-8th," the AAP alleged.

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INLD Leader's Murder Probe Handed Over To CBI: Haryana Minister

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said the case of INLD leader Nafe Singh Rathee's killing has been transferred to the CBI by the state government.

"In the INLD leader's murder case, our police have been taking action and two accused were arrested," he said.

The Haryana home minister said that last month he had assured the state Assembly that the murder case would be handed over to the central probe agency. "And we have transferred the case to the CBI," he said.

Nafe Singh Rathee and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) worker Jai Kishan were killed after multiple rounds were fired on their vehicle in Bahadurgarh in the state's Jhajjar district on February 25.

Two men were arrested from Goa in a joint operation by the Haryana Police's Special Task Force, the district police and the Delhi Police's Special Cell in connection with the killing. According to the police, a handler based abroad was giving the duo directions.

Meanwhile, Anil Vij, who is also the state's health minister, was also asked about five people recently falling sick after having a mouth freshener which allegedly had dry ice mixed in it, he said the officials concerned have been directed to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Samples have been collected and the case will be thoroughly investigated. Action will be taken after the report is received, Anil Vij added.

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Arvind Kejriwal's "Opposition" Jibe As Lt Governor Points Out Civic Issues

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday thanked Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena for pointing out key issues in Sangam Vihar, a locality in South Delhi, and also said the work that the latter was doing should have been done by the opposition.

"LG Sahib, I am thankful to you that you pointed out our shortcomings. Earlier, you had also highlighted the shortcomings of Kirari and Buradi. I am now ordering the Chief Secretary to remove all these shortcomings in all these areas within seven days," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a post on 'X'.

He underlined that the work LG was doing should have been done by the BJP who is in Opposition in Delhi.

"The work you are doing should have been done by the opposition. It is the job of the opposition to point out the shortcomings of the ruling party. Unfortunately, today all the seven MPs of the opposition, i.e., the BJP, are busy retiring from politics and the eight MLAs are fast asleep. This is the reason why power in Delhi has been away from the BJP for the last 26 years. Therefore, you are forced to play the role of opposition despite holding the constitutional post of LG," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that strict action should be taken against the concerned people.

"The shortcomings you have pointed out--strictest action should be taken against the officers who had to do this work and did not do it. 'Services' and 'vigilance' come under your jurisdiction. If it were under me, I would not only immediately suspend such careless officers but would also take such action against them that no other officer would dare to commit such a careless act. I hope that you will immediately suspend the most senior officers of these departments and give them exemplary punishment. 2 crore Delhiites will wait for your action," said the Chief Minister.

Earlier today, LG VK Saxena visited Sangam Vihar and highlighted the civic misery that people of the area were experiencing including the bad condition of roads, sewers, open garbage disposal, etc.

He further said that despite being in power for two terms, over 20 lakh people living in the are forced to live a miserable life as they are deprived of basic public facilities.

"Went to Sangam Vihar yesterday at the request of residents. Despite 9 years of claims, more than 20 lakh people living in the area are forced to live a hellish life, deprived of basic public facilities. There are no roads, no sewers, no garbage disposal," he said in a post on 'X'.

On X, LG VK Saxena also shared some pictures of civic issues in the area.

"Randomly hanging electrical wires are dangerous and a rickshaw overturned in front of me on a rough road and a woman was injured. The country cannot imagine that overflowing drains, heaps of garbage and streets filled with stinking sewer water will happen in the capital of India," the LG added.

LG VK Saxena further said that the concerned departments and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are under the Delhi government, ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

"All the concerned departments--I&FC, Water Board, Urban Development, DSIIDC are completely under the Delhi Government and MCD is also under you. I saw a similar situation in Kirari and Burari also," he said.

LG VK Saxena further requested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to bestow attention on the issues concerning the people of Delhi.

"Honorable Chief Minister Shri @ArvindKejriwal ji is requested to pay attention to the problems of Delhi and the general public of Delhi. I am attaching some pictures for your information," he said.

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High Court Seeks Report From Jharkhand Government In Tourist Gang-Rape Case

The Jharkhand High Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the Spanish woman's gang rape in Dumka district and asked the state government to file a report on the matter.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar issued notices to the DGP, chief secretary and the SP of Dumka in this regard.

The court will hear the case again on March 7.

Advocate Ritu Kumar had mentioned the incident before the bench and produced several news reports of it, following which the court took cognisance of the matter.

The court also appointed Ritu Kumar as amicus curiae in the case.

The bench has also ordered the Dumka SP to file an affidavit to inform the court what action has been taken against the perpetrators who have committed the heinous crime.

"The incident of crime of any kind against a foreign national may have serious national and international repercussions including impacting the tourism economy of the country. A sex-related crime against a foreign woman is likely to bring adverse publicity against the country and thereby tarnish the image of India across the globe," the court observed.

The court also sought to know if the woman, who is Spanish, was provided with a translator for recording her statement before the police.

It also wanted to know whether scientific investigation in relation to rape has been initiated.

Meanwhile, the district administration of Dumka, on Monday, handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to the survivor's husband as compensation, an official said.

The woman was allegedly gang-raped on Friday at Kurumahat in Hansdiha police station area, around 300 km from state capital Ranchi, where she was spending the night in a tent along with her husband, police said.

The woman, 28, and her 64-year-old husband had reached Dumka from Bangladesh on two motorcycles, and were en route to Nepal via Bihar.

Deputy Commissioner A Dodde said the couple will leave Dumka on Tuesday under police protection.

"We are ready to extend any help they want," he said.

The survivor's husband thanked the police for speedy action.

Three people have been arrested so far, and a hunt is on for the remaining four accused.

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Poll Ticket to Minister From UP's Lakhimpur Kheri Angers Farmers' Body

Farmers of Uttar Pradesh, who have so far not joined the Punjab farmers in their protest, are up in arms over the Lok Sabha ticket to Ajay Mishra Teni, whose son allegedly mowed down protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri in his SUV three years ago. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which was at the forefront of the farmers' protests in 2020-21, has issued a call for a massive protest against the candidature, which, it says, is the BJP's "open challenge" against farmers. The SKM will declare its response in the Kisan-Mazdoor Maha panchayat in Delhi's Ramlila Grounds on March 14, the organization has said.

The farmers' movement had demanded dismissal and prosecution of Ajay Mishra Teni, read the statement from the umbrella body of farmers.

"But the Modi Government has been protecting the Home Minister of State during this entire period. After intervention of the Supreme Court only, the main accused Ashish Mishra Teni was arrested and the prosecution started," read the statement, which asked all farmers to "Focus on the Kisan Mazdoor Maha Panchayat".

Farmers from other states, meanwhile, have been asked to "hold village padayatra, house campaign and district / local maha panchayats".

Justice for the victims of Lakhimpur Kheri was one of the key demands of the farmers. It is still a part of the Punjab farmers' demands that focus mainly on Minimum Support Price of crops, and forms the common ground between the two groups.

"SKM has given a clarion call of Kisan Mazdoor Maha Panchayat at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi and appeals farmers across India to focus on making this action a historic one with peaceful, massive participation. There will not be any other SKM call of actions at Delhi before 14 March 2024. The adjacent states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, parts of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh will participate massively at Ramlila Maidan," SKM's statement read today.

The BJP has silently backed the western UP strongman after the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, despite massive demands to sack him. It had paid off during the assembly elections of 2022, when the party won all eight seats in the area under his influence.

Eight people were killed on October 3, 2021 during the protest against the now scrapped farm laws, when a car which allegedly had Ashish Mishra inside, ran over four protesters. Three BJP workers and a journalist also died.

The assembly election results had raised eyebrows, given the depth of farmers' anger as reported by the media.

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