Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from August, 2021

Biden Defends Handling Of US's Afghan Withdrawal

Washington, Aug 31 (AP) President Joe Biden is defending his handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, including the frantic final evacuation from Kabul airport. In remarks at the White House on Tuesday, Biden said the U.S. government had reached out 19 times since March - prior to his public announcement that he was going to end the U.S. war - to encourage all American citizens in Afghanistan to leave. He acknowledged that 100 to 200 were unable to get out when the airlift ended Monday.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

NCRPB Recommends Repealing Delhi Land Reforms Act

The NCR Planning Board has recommended repealing the Delhi Land Reforms Act and bringing all Lal Dora villages and extended Lal Dora land in the national capital under planned development of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The draft Regional Plan-2041 prepared by National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) also recommends preparing and operationalising Land Record Management System (E-LRMS) for all parts of Delhi, including existing Lal Dora and extended Lal Dora areas, all metro centres and all regional centres till 2024. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Man Arrested For Killing Pregnant Wife Over Dowry In UP

A man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly killing his seven-month pregnant wife in a village in Maharajganj district over dowry, police said. The incident took place in Bhagwatnagar village under the Farenda police station area on Monday night, and a case was registered based on a complaint by the victim's father, they said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

APW To Move Gauhati HC Over 'Financial Anomalies' In NRC Updation

The Assam Public Works (APW), an NGO whose petition in the Supreme Court led to updation of the National Register of Citizens, on Tuesday said it would move the Gauhati High Court over the alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 360 crore by the office of the NRC state coordinator between 2014 and 2019. The financial irregularities were detected in the Inspection Report of the accounts of the NRC state coordinator's office and they were committed when Prateek Hajela was at the helm, APW President Aabhijeet Sarma claimed in a press conference. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

DSEU Offers Advanced Diploma In Software Programming For Women, Trans Women

The Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) will offer a 20-month-long advanced diploma in software programming to women and trans women across the national capital, according to an official statement. The university has partnered with the Navgurukul Foundation for Social Welfare, a non-profit organisation which runs residential courses for students from low-income and marginalised communities in software engineering. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

New IT Rules Prevent Fake News, Misuse of Freedom of Press: Centre Tells Delhi HC

While submitting that there have been past incidents of disinformation on digital media leading to disturbance of public order, the Centre has asserted that digital media allows sensational content being re-circulated in a different context leading to misinterpretation by the audience, making it susceptible to being used as fake news. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Ends Its 20-year-old War In Afghanistan

The United States has announced the end of its 20-year-old war in Afghanistan as the last American military flight flew out of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul shortly before the August 31 deadline. I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," US Central Command Commander Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie told reporters through a virtual news conference. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

UNSC Resolution Sends "Strong Signal" Of Int'l Community's Expectations From Afghanistan: Shringla

The UN Security Council's resolution on Afghanistan, adopted under India's current presidency, "unequivocally" conveys that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any nation, shelter or train terrorists, and this is of "direct importance to India," Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said, underlining that the statement sends a "strong signal" from the international community on its expectations from Kabul. "I was in particular very happy to preside over the adoption of today's important resolution on Afghanistan, which has unequivocally conveyed that Afghanistan's territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter, train terrorists or plan or finance terrorism. It underlines terrorist individuals and entities designated by UN Security Council (resolution) 1267. This is of direct importance to India," Shringla said here on Monday in his remarks to reporters at the UN Security C

UNSC Adopts Resolution On Afghanistan; Demands Territory Not Be Used To Attack Other Countries

The United Nations Security Council, under the current Presidency of India, on Monday adopted a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, demanding that the war-torn country not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists. The resolution was put forward by the US, the UK, France. It was adopted after 13 Council members voted in favour, while permanent members Russia and China abstained from the voting. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Hurricane Ida: Biden Says Hardest-hit States Are Resilient

Washington, Aug 30 (AP) President Joe Biden has spoken with officials in states pounded by Hurricane Ida, detailing the federal effort to survey damage and ensure access to electricity, water and cell phone service. The president said Monday that state officials should contact the White House if they need additional support even though the effort is being led by FEMA.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

PAC Jawan On VIP Duty Killed In Road Accident In Lucknow

A Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawan on VIP duty died after he was hit by an unidentified vehicle here on Monday evening shortly before the convoy of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was returning from Mathura, reached the spot, according to police. The deceased has been identified as Lallu Prasad Yadav (57), a resident of Prayagraj district. He was attached to the 35th battalion of the PAC, the police said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Blinken To Host Virtual Ministerial Meeting With Key Partners On Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Monday will host a virtual ministerial meeting with key partners on Afghanistan, his spokesperson said. The countries that were listed by the US for the virtual ministerial meeting on Afghanistan include, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Qatar, along with the European Union and the NATO. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

BJP MLA Claims 40 Children Have Died In UP's Firozabad Due To Dengue, State Govt Says No Such Report

BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad Manish Asija on Sunday claimed that over 40 children have succumbed to dengue in the district over the past week and blamed the state health department and the local civic body for the "tragedy". However, Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh termed Asija's claims "wrong" and said no such reports have been received. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Jharkhand: Two Of Family Killed, Four Injured In Lightning Strike

Two members of a family were killed and four others, including an infant, suffered injuries on Sunday when lightning struck them in a paddy field in Gumla district, police said. The incident took place in Jakjore village under Basia police station this evening, they said. Durga Singh (45) and his daughter Pushpa Kumari (18) died on the spot after being struck by lightning in the field, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Basia), Vikash Anand Laguri, said. Singh's wife Sahodara Devi, daughters Bharti Kumari (8) and Punita Kumari (5), and a two-month-old infant were injured, he said, adding, they were rushed to a hospital. In another incident, one person was killed and 10 others were injured after a truck filled with LPG cylinders collided with an autorickshaw on Kandra-Seraikela road under Seraikela-Kharswan district on Sunday, police said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Biden Says Drone Strike Not Only Response For IS

Washington, Aug 28 (AP) President Joe Biden said that a retaliatory drone strike he ordered to be carried out against the Islamic State group's affiliate in Afghanistan would not be his last response to the group for carrying out a deadly attack against U.S. troops and Afghan civilians near the Kabul airport. Biden said in a statement Saturday he discussed the strike with top military commanders, who briefed him on the ongoing evacuation of Afghans and U.S. citizens from the airport, which is set to wind down on Tuesday.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

22 Killed As Passenger Boat Collides With Sand Trawler In Bangladesh

At least 22 people, including nine children, have died in a passenger boat accident in Bangladesh's Laiska Beel rivulet, according to a media report on Saturday. On Friday evening, a boat carrying over 100 people collided with two sand-carrying vessels in the river near Brahmanbaria city, resulting in the passenger boat sinking. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Head Constable Suspended For Terrifying Voters During UP Panchayat Polls

A head constable posted at the Vijay Nagar Police Station here was on Saturday suspended for allegedly terrifying and forcing villagers to cast their votes in favour of his relative during panchayat elections here, officials said. The constable, Veereshwer, is accused of brandishing arms and forcing people in Naseerpur village to vote in favour of his nephew's wife Jayaprabha during the polls to elect village head on April 27, SSP Pawan Kumar said. "An FIR was lodged against the policeman under relevant sections of law after the matter came to the fore," he said. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered against the erring official, Kumar added. . https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

UP CM To Attend Krishnotsav In Mathura On Janmashtami

A three-day Krishnotsav programme would be organised at the Ramlila grounds here from Sunday and will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday on the occasion of Janmashtami. The mega event involving multiple programmes would showcase the birth of Lord Krishna as well as the rich culture and heritage of Mathura, said CEO of Uttar Pradesh Vraj Tirth Vikash Parishad Nagendra Pratap. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Erdogan: Turkish Army, Citizens Out Of Kabul

Istanbul (AP) Turkey has pulled out all its civilians and military from Afghanistan except for a small number of technicians, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, while appearing to criticise the manner of the US withdrawal. We transported our citizens to our country. Currently we have a small number of technical elements. Apart from this, we have withdrawn all our teams, Erdogan told a news conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia on Friday.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US: Judge Blocks Florida Governor's Order Banning Mask Mandates

Fort Lauderdale (US) (AP) Florida school districts can legally require their students to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a judge ruled on Friday, saying Governor Ron DeSantis overstepped his authority when he issued an executive order banning such mandates. Leon County Circuit Judge John C Cooper agreed with a group of parents who claimed in a lawsuit that DeSantis' order is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. The governor's order gave parents the sole right to decide if their child wears a mask at school.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Advocate Beaten Up, Robbed Outside The Karol Bagh Police Station

An advocate was allegedly beaten up and robbed outside the Karol Bagh police station early on Friday by some people who had gathered there after a food delivery boy was killed in an accident, an official said. They had mistakenly suspected that the advocate had arrived there to help the accused in the accident case, police said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Court Pulls Up Police For Not Knowing They Were Probing 2020 Delhi Riots Case

A court here came down heavily on the Delhi police for not knowing that they were investigating a case related to the February 2020 riots for months. Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat made the observations on a revision petition filed by the police against a November 2020 magistrate court's order directing them to register an FIR on the complaint of one Salim. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

ACB Files Charge Sheet Against Suspended Jaipur Mayor's Husband In Graft Case

Rajasthan's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday filed a charge sheet against Rajaram, the husband of suspended Jaipur mayor Soumya Gurjar, and a representative of a garbage collection firm in a graft case. The case was lodged after a video clip surfaced on social media earlier this year in which Rajaram was allegedly seen asking the representative of garbage collection company BVG, Omkar Sapre, for a "commission" of Rs 20 crore for getting its payment released from the Jaipur civic body. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Sit-in In Front Of Central Office Of Visva Bharati University Against Expulsion Of 3 Students

A section of Visva Bharati University students began a sit-in in front of the central office compound of the institute in Birbhum district late on Friday night against the recent expulsion of three fellow students. Somnath Sow, Falguni Pan and Rupa Chakraborty were expelled for three years on Monday night for "disrupting the academic atmosphere in the university compound by assembling at Chhatimtala on January 9 this year and being involved in disorderly conduct in the name of protest." They were suspended for two terms since the incident and were expelled on the basis of the report by the Enquiry Committee. Sow, who is the spokesperson of the SFI Visva-Bharati unit, said the protestors have kept vigil outside the official residence of Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty and won't allow him to move out till the suspension order was revoked. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Pak FM Qureshi Discusses Afghan Situation With UN Chief, UK Foreign Minister

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said that the country will continue to play its constructive role in support of the efforts to promote peace and stability in strife-torn Afghanistan. Qureshi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, according to Foreign Office. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Reopen Schools In Delhi But Tread With Caution, Say Experts

Medical experts on Friday welcomed the Delhi government's decision to reopen schools, colleges and coaching institutes in the national capital but advised parents to tread with caution by teaching Covid protocols to children. Following a marked improvement in the COVID-19 situation here, the Delhi government on Friday announced that schools for classes 9 to 12, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said teaching and learning activities will continue to be conducted in a blended mode. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Two Killed As Marble Slabs Fall On Them While Unloading From Truck In Odisha

At least two labourers were killed on Friday after several large marble slabs fell on them while being unloaded from a truck in Odisha's Boudh district, police said. The incident took place at Rajanpalli on National Highway- 57 near Boudh town, a police officer said. Several marble slabs fell on Biswamitra Dehury and Panchanan Nayak while they were unloading the construction materials from the truck, he said. Fire brigade personnel deployed a JCB machine and recovered the bodies from the heap of slabs, the officer said. Local people blocked the national highway for a brief period, demanding adequate compensation to families of the two deceased. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Jharkhand: Police Rescue Man Within 12 Hours Of Abduction

The police rescued a 21-year-old man within 12 hours after he was abducted allegedly for ransom and arrested three kidnappers in Jharkhand's Palamu district, a senior officer said on Friday. Mukesh Sahu, a resident of Simdega district of the state, came to Medininagar, the headquarter of Palamau district, along with some persons known to him on Wednesday evening and was abducted by them from a bus stand. Palamu Superintendent of Police Chandan Kumar Sinha said Sahu was working in a flour mill in Garwah district where he came in contact with the accused persons. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Approximately 111K People Evacuated From Afghanistan, Says Pentagon

Nearly 111,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan since the start of evacuation operations on August 14?, the Pentagon said on Friday. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15. Their sudden victory, which comes as the US withdraws from the country following a 20-year-war, has sparked chaos at Kabul's airport, from where America and allied nations are trying to safely evacuate thousands of citizens and allies. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Professors' Body Questions Rationale Behind 'Drinking Poison' By Agitating Primary Teachers

An association college and university professors of West Bengal on Thursday claimed that the alleged suicide bid by five contractual primary school teachers was part of a conspiracy to foment trouble. Five female contractual teachers allegedly consumed poison on Tuesday while demonstrating before the state education department headquarters in Kolkata, demanding regularisation of services and revocation of transfer orders. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

CCL Director Bhola Singh Selected As Chief Of Coal India Arm

Coal India subsidiary Central Coalfields Ltd on Thursday said its director technical Bhola Singh has been selected as the chief of NCL. Singh, an IIT-Kharagpur alumnus, has been selected as the chairman and managing director of Northern Coalfields Ltd, a statement issued by CCL said. He started his professional journey with NCL, a subsidiary of the coal behemoth, and has more than three decades of experience, it said. Singh was recommended as the NCL chief by the Public Enterprises Selection Board, the statement said. Before joining CCL in 2019, he was heading the Sasan Ultra Mega Power project. Singh introduced sustainable mining in Central Coalfields and took it to a new level with the deployment of state-of-the-art machines, it added. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Volume On UNESCO Heritage Sites Of India To Be Launched Tomorrow

A volume encapsulating the rich cultural treasures of India inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list is slated to be launched on Friday, officials said. The publication titled, Incredible Treasures, contains rich text illustrated with dazzling photographs, including archival images. UNESCO and Mapin publishing houses have joined hands for this volume which will be launch on Friday evening in an online event. India at present has 40 World heritage sites, both cultural and natural, including the Ramappa temple, a 13th century engineering marvel in Telangana, and ancient Dholavira site in Gujarat, both of which earned the coveted tag in July this year. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Belgium Ends Its Evacuation Flights From Kabul

Brussels (AP) Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo says the country has ended its evacuation flights carrying people from the Afghan capital of Kabul to Pakistan. De Croo tweeted Wednesday that the federal government took the decision to bring an end to evacuations from Kabul airport given the evolution of the situation in Afghanistan and in agreement with its European partners.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

4 Of Family Killed In Road Accident In Jharkhand

A couple and their two children were killed and two others seriously injured on Wednesday, after their car hit a roadside tree in Jharkhand's Khunti district, a police officer said. The accident happened in an area under the Torpa police station limits in the afternoon, he said. They were on their way to Sundargarh in Odisha from West Bengal's Purulia when the vehicle hit the roadside tree, about 150 metres ahead of Torpa town, the officer said. Kanhaiya Jain, aged 42, was driving the vehicle and lost control of it. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Tokyo Olympics Returnee Hockey Star Lalremsiami Accorded Warm Welcome In Home State Mizoram

Indian hockey player Lalremsiami, who was part of the women's team in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, on Wednesday received a rousing welcome in her home state Mizoram with people descending on the streets to cheer for her. The first female Olympian from Mizoram was given a state reception upon her arrival at Lengpui airport. Her motorcade was escorted by around 200 motorcyclists belonging to 'Aizawl Thunder', an association of bikers in the state, from the airport to the state capital. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Believes 1,500 Citizens Remain In Afghanistan

Washington, Aug 25 (AP) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the administration believes about 1,500 American citizens remain in Afghanistan, 12 days into a massive U.S. military airlift. Blinken said at a news conference Wednesday that another 4,500 Americans have been evacuated in a U.S.-run, round-the-clock operation since the Taliban reached the capital Aug. 14, completing a sudden rout of the U.S.-backed Afghan government and military.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Charleston Church Shooter's Death Sentence Upheld

Richmond (US), Aug 25 (AP) A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld Dylann Roof's conviction and death sentence for the 2015 racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, saying the legal record cannot even capture the full horror of what he did. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled unanimously against Roof in the shootings at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Charleston Church Shooter's Death Sentence Upheld

Richmond (US), Aug 25 (AP) A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld Dylann Roof's conviction and death sentence for the 2015 racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, saying the legal record cannot even capture the full horror of what he did. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled unanimously against Roof in the shootings at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Video Purportedly Showing Prisoners Taking Liquor In Jail Surfaces'

A video purportedly showing some men consuming liquor and having snacks inside a Delhi jail surfaced on Wednesday. In the video, the men are seeing having liquor, snacks and cigarettes inside what appeared to be a lock-up with the people sitting on a mattress and one of them making video. When contacted, Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said, "We will need to check." No immediate reaction was received from the police on the authenticity of the video. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Chopper Flies 21 Germans To Kabul Airport

Washington, Aug 25 (AP) Germany's top military commander says 21 German citizens were picked up during an overnight helicopter mission in Afghanistan that was flown by U.S. forces. Gen. Eberhard Zorn said Wednesday that U.S. troops flew the helicopter and German forces picked up the evacuees. The Pentagon acknowledged that there was a U.S. military helicopter flight into Kabul overnight to gather evacuees and take them to the airport to be flown out of the country. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby and Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said this was the third such helicopter rescue flight done by the military during the ongoing evacuation. They declined to say who the passengers were or provide any other details.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

We Just Wanted To Shut The Noise And Focus: Anderson

England ace James Anderson said that after all the trash talk during the Lord's Test, the focus at Headingley was to "shut the noise" and focus on the job, something that paid dividends after India were bowled out for 78 on the opening day. India took a 1-0 lead riding on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami's unbroken 89 run partnership for the ninth wicket after England bowlers got carried away against the tailenders on fifth morning. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

CEMRI Organises Virtual Programme For Medium, Small And Micro Enterprises

The Durgapur-based Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CEMRI) on Tuesday organised a virtual programme for medium, small and micro enterprises to provide them access to high-end equipment and facilities of the institute. The webinar was attended by over 65 officials from the Central Tool Room and Training Centre, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna and Guwahati and Nagaland, and entrepreneurs, according to a statement. CSIR-CMERI has already opened-up its CNC bay which includes five advanced axis milling machines, it said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Upset With In-laws, Newly Married Woman Serves Poisonous Tea, Kill One

A newly married woman, upset with her in-laws, allegedly killed an 18-month-old son of her sister-in-law and rendered her four other relatives severely ill on Monday by serving them poisonous tea in a village near here. The four who were taken ill were identified as the woman's father-in-law Pancham Jaiswal, brother-in-law Jitendra, sister-in-law Shivani and niece Srishti, Shivani's daughter, said Bahraich's Additional Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyananjay Singh. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Foot-and-mouth Disease Cases Reported In Punjab

Taking note of reports of outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in some districts of Punjab, the state animal husbandry department on Monday said it has deployed teams of veterinarians in the affected districts. Vaccination of livestock within a radius of five to 10 km of affected villages has been completed, it said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Has 'Surrendered' To Taliban, Says Nikki Haley

The United States has "completely surrendered" to the Taliban and abandoned its allies in Afghanistan, Indian-American politician and former US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday. They're not negotiating with the Taliban. They've completely surrendered to the Taliban. They surrendered Bagram Air Force Base, which was a major NATO hub. They surrendered $85 billion worth of equipment and weapons that we should have gotten out of there, Haley told CBS News in an interview. She slammed the Biden Administration's withdrawal policy from Afghanistan. "They have surrendered the American people and actually withdrew our troops before they withdrew the American people. They have abandoned our Afghan allies who kept people like my husband safe while they were overseas deploying. So, no, there was no negotiating. This was a complete and total surrender and an embarrassing failure, she said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Police Seek Feedback From Devotees As Jagannath Temple Reopens From Monday

A day before the iconic Shree Jagannath Temple here reopens for the public after a gap of almost four months, police on Sunday urged devotees to share feedback in order to improve their experience of visiting the 12th century shrine. Devotees can submit their feedback on police service at the temple either by submitting a form or through online QR code scanning systems installed at parking lots and other places, police sources said. We urge all to give feedback and use this opportunity to further help us in improving the Hassle Free Darshan Experience for devotees, the Puri Police said on Twitter. The temple has been closed for public since April 24 in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

UN Agencies Call For 'Humanitarian Airbridge'

Berlin, Aug 22 (AP) The World Health Organization and UNICEF are calling for a humanitarian airbridge to be set up immediately to allow the unhindered delivery of medicines and other aid supplies to Afghanistan. The two U.N. agencies said in a statement Sunday that they are committed to stay and deliver for the people of Afghanistan.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

S Africa Hopeful Of Herd Immunity As Covid Vaccination Opens For All Above 18

South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla is hopeful the country would achieve herd immunity against coronavirus if 70 per cent of its 18 to 35 population is vaccinated. According to 2019 mid-year estimates by Statistics South Africa, this age group makes up about a third of the country's population of 17.84 million people. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Evacuation From Afghanistan: Around 300 Indians Likely To Be Brought Back On Sunday

Around 300 Indian nationals are expected to be brought back home from Afghanistan on Sunday as part of India's evacuation mission in view of the deteriorating security situation in Afghan capital Kabul, people familiar with the development said. Eighty-seven Indians were on Saturday taken to Tajikistan capital Dushanbe from Kabul on board a military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force and the group is being brought back to Delhi in a special Air India flight from the central Asian city early on Sunday. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Delhi: 2-yr-old Kidnapped, Killed By Aunt, Uncle

A two-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped and killed by his aunt and uncle in west Delhi's Rajouri Garden, police said on Saturday. The accused identified as Yamuna (24) and her husband Rajesh, residents of Raghubir Nagar, have been arrested, they said. A day after the toddler went missing from his home, police found his body in a flooded drain in Punjabi Bagh. According to police, Yamuna felt that her mother loved her sister's son more than her daughter, due to which she hatched the plan to kill the boy. Ten teams were formed and they started tracing the missing child, a senior police officer said. Police analysed the CCTV footage and saw Yamuna and Rajesh taking the boy towards Ganda Nala, Punjabi Bagh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Urvija Goel said. Yamuna was held from Subhash Nagar and upon interrogation, revealed that she and Rajesh had kidnapped and killed the child, the DCP said. The accused took the toddler to Punjabi Bagh drain, strangulated him and to make su

Pak's Strategic Interest In Afghan Is To Counter Indian Influence, Mitigate Spillover: State Dept IG

Pakistan's strategic security objectives in Afghanistan almost certainly continue to be countering Indian influence and mitigating spillover of the Afghan civil war into Pakistani territory, an American Inspector General has said, citing inputs from the Defense Intelligence Agency. "Pakistan continues to support peace talks while maintaining ties with the Afghan Taliban. According to the DIA, Pakistan's strategic security objectives in Afghanistan almost certainly continue to be countering Indian influence and mitigating spillover into Pakistani territory," US Department of State Office of the Inspector General said in its latest quarterly report on Afghanistan. The report for the quarter April 1 to June 30, said the Pakistani government is concerned that a civil war in Afghanistan would have destabilising effects on Pakistan, including an influx of refugees and providing a potential safe haven for anti-Pakistan militants. During the quarter, financial contributions t

US Is Going To Retain Laser Focus On Its Counterterrorism Mission In Afghanistan: Biden

The United States is going to retain a laser focus on its counterterrorism mission in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden said Friday and warned the Taliban of a forceful response to any attack on American forces or disruption of its operations at the Kabul airport. We made clear to the Taliban that any attack, any attack on our forces or disruption of our operations at the airport will be met with a swift and forceful response,"Biden told reporters at a White House news conference. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Afghan Evacuation One Of The Largest And Most Difficult Airlifts In History: Biden

The ongoing evacuation of US citizens and Afghan nationals who supported Americans over the last 20 years is one of the largest and most difficult airlifts in history, US President Joe Biden said here Friday. He said the US has already evacuated more than 18,000 people since July and approximately 13,000 since its military airlift began on August 14. This is one of the largest, most difficult airlifts in history, and the only country in the world capable of projecting this much power on the far side of the world with this degree of precision is the United States of America," Biden told reporters at a White House news conference. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Jammu Cyber Police Arrests Fraudster From Punjab

The cyber police has arrested a fraudster from Punjab for allegedly duping a man of Rs 34 lakh in Jammu city, officials said. A case was lodged at the Cyber police station on the basis of a complaint from Inder Pal Singh of Talab Tillo, who alleged that he was duped by fraudsters on the pretext of buying units of a Canadian pension fund and on the assurance of good returns, they said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Suicide Bomber Attacks Bus Carrying Chinese Nationals In Pak, Kills 2 Children

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives on Friday close to a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province, killing at least two children and wounding three persons, including a Chinese, in the second such attack in over a month. The attack took place in the Baloch Ward area in Gwadar, the port city of strategic importance due to the presence of Chinese workers and investment, a senior government official and police said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

FIR Lodged Against Munawwar Rana For Comparing Valmiki To Taliban

An FIR was Friday registered against infamous poet Munawwar Rana for allegedly inciting religious feeling by comparing Valmiki, who wrote Ramayana, with Taliban, police said. "FIR has been registered against Rana on complaint of one PL Bharti, who alleged that he hurt religious feelings by comparing Valmiki with Talilban," a senior official said here. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

UN Food Agency: Hunger Spreading In Afghanistan

Rome, Aug 20 (AP) The UN food agency says it has been able to negotiate access with the Taliban to distribute aid in one provincial capital in Afghanistan but hasn't been able to resume food deliveries to three other provincial capitals it supplies. The World Food Program, headquartered in Rome, has said that some 14 million people are facing severe hunger in the nation of some 39 million. A second drought in three years, combined with fighting, had afflicted Afghanistan even before the Taliban takeover of the country on Sunday. Andrew Patterson, WFP's deputy country director, told The Associated Press on Friday that after Faizabad, a provincial capital in the north, fell to the Taliban last week, the agency's field office succeeded in negotiating access with the local Taliban command, and we had (a food) truck on the road the next day. However, Patterson said the situation in Kandahar, Herat and Jalalabad so far hasn't allowed the U.N. agency to resume distributing foo

Odisha CM Inaugurates Skill Development Institute's Campus, Lays Foundation Stone Of ICT

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday inaugurated Skill Development Institute's permanent campus in Khurda district and laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT)-IOC. State-owned Indian Oil Corporation is steering SDI-Bhubaneswar as a greenfield multi-skilling facility and has contributed Rs 255 crore for building the establishment, a statement said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Two Children Killed, Chinese National Among 3 Injured In Pak Suicide Attack

At least two children were killed and three persons, including a Chinese, were injured in a suicide attack on a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan province on Friday, the second such attack in over a month. The attack took place in the Baloch Ward area in Gwadar, the port city of strategic importance due to the presence of Chinese workers and investment, a senior government official and police said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

DNA exclusive: Heartwrenching pictures show Taliban`s terrorising takeover of Afghanistan

There is a barbed wire that is separating the US and UK troops from the thousands of desperate Afghans trying to flee the country at the Kabul airport. From behind the wire and gates, these men and women have been crying for help from the troops. A report by Sky News narrated how the daily experience of standing guard against the Taliban and the thousands of Afghans pleading for help have been haunting the troops. A senior British official told reporters that some of the troops were crying at night after seeing women throwing their children over barbed wire, asking soldiers to catch them on the other side.  https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Says Kabul Evacuees Don't Need Covid Tests

Washington (AP) Amid the chaos and confusion at the airport, the US on Thursday said it has taken at least one step to ease requirements for those seeking to leave: COVID-19 tests. Although Afghanistan had been a hotspot for the coronavirus pandemic, the State Department said evacuees are not required to get a negative COVID-19 result to travel.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Punjab High Court Orders Release Of Former DGP Sumedh Saini

The Punjab and Haryana High court on Thursday night ordered release of former Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini forthwith, who was arrested on charges of cheating and forgery, among others. Saini was arrested by the state's Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday night in connection with a case registered in September 2020 for cheating, forgery and other offences. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

NDMC Launches Ambulance Service For Stray Animals

North Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh flagged off an ambulance service for stray animals on Thursday, officials said. Singh said special arrangements have been made in these vehicles for the convenience of stray animals such as a hydraulic system installed in the carriage for unloading and facilitating climbing of the animals. Melodious tunes will be played inside so the animals do not get distracted. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

UN Women Hopes $40 Billion Will Accelerate Gender Equality

The outgoing head of the U.N. womens agency is hoping that in five years the $40 billion recently pledged to promote gender equality will lead to many more women in leadership positions, a reduction of violence against women, and the more than 40 million women who fell into extreme poverty because of the COVID19 pandemic and more escape the poverty trap. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Assam Rifles Recover Large Cache Of Arms, Ammunition In Mizoram

The Assam Rifles on Thursday recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and other war-like stores in Mizoram's Lawngtlai district near the India-Myanmar border, an official said. The recovery was made following a joint operation by the paramilitary force and the state police based on specific information. The seized weapons include three pistols, 174 live rounds, three kg of explosives and mobile phone modified IEDs, he said. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Erdogan Says Turkey Is Not Europe's ''refugee Warehouse''

Ankara, Aug 19 (AP) Faced with a potential new migration wave from Afghanistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on European nations Thursday to shoulder the responsibility for Afghans fleeing the Taliban and warned that his country won't become Europe's refugee warehouse. In a televised address following a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan also said his government would if necessary engage in talks with a government that could be formed by the Taliban for the stability and security of this country.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Three Held For Abducting Man In Jammu: Police

Three men were held for allegedly abducting a man here on Thursday, police said. Sachin Kumar of Rajpura Mangotrian was on his way home when Vishu Sharma, along with four unidentified men, forcibly took him away in an SUV from a spot near Shakti Nagar, according to a complaint lodged at the Bakshi Nagar police station. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

31 Afghan Refugees Held In Peshawar For Raising Anti-Pak Slogans, Ransacking Public Property

Thirty-one Afghan refugees were arrested for allegedly raising anti-Pakistan slogans and ransacking public property in Peshawar late Wednesday night, police said. According to an FIR registered in the Town police station, some Afghan refugees blocked the main university road at Bab-e-Peshawar in Hayatabad while protesting against Talibanisation in Afghanistan. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

American Troops Can't Escort Afghans To Kabul Airport: US Defense Secretary

Washington (AP) US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that the US military doesn't have the capacity at this point to extend security forces beyond the perimeter of the Kabul airport in order to get more civilians safely evacuated out of Afghanistan. Afghans and aid organisations have said that citizens are having a hard time getting past the Taliban and into the airport, in a mass exodus triggered by the insurgents' rapid takeover of the country and its capital on Sunday.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Gorhe Praises Navi Mumbai Civic Body For Works During Pandemic

Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe on Wednesday lauded the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) for its development and welfare works undertaken during the coronavirus pandemic. At a meeting, she reviewed the work done in Navi Mumbai during the pandemic by different civic agencies. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Nashik: Medical Student Dies In College; Parents Allege Foul Play

Parents of a medical student on Wednesday alleged that their son died in suspicious circumstances in his college located in Adgaon area of Nashik city two days ago. The deceased student - Swapnil Maharudra Shinde from Beed district - was pursuing second year MD gynaecology course at Dr Vasantrao Pawar Medical College, they said, and called for a probe into the incident. His father said he has lodged a complaint with Adgaon police in connection with his death. In the complaint, Maharudra Shinde said that on August 17, he and his wife received a message that their son was in ICU at the college. When his wife reached the spot at 9.30 am, she was told that a doctor was treating Swapnil. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

In a First, UNSC Unanimously Adopts Resolution on Peacekeeping as India Presides Over Council

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired an opendebate under India's presidency of the Security Council on UN peacekeeping operations with the theme of 'Protecting the protectors: technology and peacekeeping', the second signature event held as India presides over the powerful 15member UN body for the month of August. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Probing Deaths At Plane Takeoff In Kabul

Washington (AP) The US Air Force has said that its Office of Special Investigations is reviewing an incident at the Kabul airport on Monday in which multiple people were killed when hundreds of Afghan civilians desperate to leave the country swarmed a C-17 cargo plane as it was attempting to take off. The Air Force did not say how many people died. It said human remains were found in the plane's wheel well after it landed at al-Udeid Air Base in the Gulf state of Qatar.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

US Families Mid-adoption Trying To Get Afghan Children Out

After five frustrating years mired in bureaucratic delays, Bahaudin Mujtaba and wife Lisa had hoped to finally bring the 10-year-old Afghan boy they're adopting to their home in Florida this year for a chance at a different future. But with the collapse of the Afghan government, the couple is desperately trying to get the boy, Noman, on a flight out of Kabul -- going anywhere -- before the chance to leave disappears. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Italy's Premier Vows To Protect Afghans' Rights

Rome, Aug 17 (AP) Italy's prime minister is vowing that Italy will remain committed to promoting and protecting fundamental rights in Afghanistan, especially of women, following the Taliban takeover and the evacuation of Western diplomats and military forces. Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 industrialized countries this year, is the natural forum to launch a process of collaboration among countries including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, in addition to Europe, Premier Mario Draghi said.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Shooting Of Black Man In Drug Bust Justified: Prosecutor

Vancouver (AP) The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has concluded that the fatal shooting of Kevin Peterson Jr., a Black man killed by deputies in southwest Washington during an undercover drug investigation, was justified and lawful". Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik had asked Mary Robnett, the prosecuting attorney north of Vancouver, in Pierce County, to review the case for criminal charges, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Robnett on Monday released a 16-page letter to Golik detailing the legal analysis behind her decision not to charge police.. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

China Says It's Regrettable' That Request Of A Country To Speak At UNSC Was Not Granted

China, backing its all-weather ally Pakistan, on Monday said it is regrettable that the request of a neighbouring Afghan country to speak at a UN Security Council meeting, held under India's presidency, was not granted. However, sources said it may be noted that the agreed format of the UN Security Council meeting was an open briefing for council members and the country concerned, which in this case is Afghanistan. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

MEA Sets Up Afghanistan Cell To Coordinate Repatriation

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up an 'Afghanistan Cell' to coordinate repatriation and related matters in the backdrop of the Taliban seizing control of the country. The announcement by MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on setting up of the Cell came on Monday night hours after he said that India will facilitate the repatriation of Sikhs and Hindus who wish to leave the war-torn country. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: US Mulls Covid Vaccine Boosters for Elderly as Early as September End

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Warning of tough days ahead with surging COVID-19 infections, the director of the National Institutes of Health said Sunday the U.S. could decide in the next couple weeks whether to offer coronavirus booster shots to more Americans this fall, which is likely to begin around September end. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Collapse Of Kabul Will Go Down As One Of The Greatest Defeats In American History: Trump

The collapse of Kabul without any resistance to the Taliban will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history, former US President Donald Trump has said. What Joe Biden has done with Afghanistan is legendary. It will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history, Trump said in a short statement hours after the Taliban occupied the presidential palace in Kabul and its elected leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country along with his senior officials reportedly to Tajikistan. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

India Should Help South Africa In Its Rebuilding Efforts After Recent Violence: Ela Gandhi

India should help South Africa in its efforts to rebuild the country after the recent violence it witnessed, Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi has said. Speaking as a delegate from the Indian Consulate in Durban during an online seminar organised on the occasion of India's 75th Independence day, Gandhi said that the recent violence in the Indian area of Phoenix, the massive Indian township north of Durban that caused tensions between the residents and the Blacks of three neighbouring informal settlements, was caused by a few perpetrators with criminal intent, who must be brought to book. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J