Category: News

The Regional Meteorological Centre issued a yellow alert for a heatwave from May 7 to 10 on Monday and mentioned the possibility of loo following the hot weather conditions in the state.

“The average temperature in most areas of Rajasthan is recorded at more than 40°C. The highest 42.2 was recorded in Phalodi. In the next 48 hours, in most parts of Rajasthan, the average temperature will increase by 2-4 degrees,” said Radheshyam Sharma, director of the Jaipur Meteorological Centre.

“In Rajasthan, the temperature will be 44-45 °C. There is a possibility of heatwaves and loo. From May 7 to 10, there will be a heatwave. From May 10-11, there is a possibility of light rain in some regions. From May 7 to 10, IMD Jaipur has issued a yellow alert for heatwave,” he added.

People are resorting to drinking sugarcane juice and using umbrellas to tackle the extreme heat.

Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that most parts of the country are likely to record above-normal maximum temperatures in the month of May.

The IMD, however, stated that some parts of northwest and central India and adjoining areas of northeast peninsular India are likely to record normal to below-normal maximum temperatures.

Normally, heat wave prevails over the northern plains, central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India for about three days in May, the IMD said.

The weather department said that the number of heatwave days is likely to be above normal by about five to eight days over south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Gujarat region and two to four days over remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana and isolated pockets of north Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that Prime Minister Modi wants to make the Constitution redundant by snatching away the rights of Adivasis, Backwards and Dalits, adding that Congress is attempting to stop it.

Addressing a public meeting here today, Rahul emphasized that if voted to power, they will increase the reservation to more than 50 per cent.

“PM Modi wants to make the Constitution redundant and only he wants to rule. He wants to snatch all of your rights. This is their goal and we are trying to stop him. All the rights that the Adivasis, backwards and Dalits get, are due to this (Constitution). BJP leaders have said very clearly that if they come to power, they will put this book (Constitution) aside. This is why they have given a slogan of 400 seats. They are not going to get even 150 seats. Their leaders have been saying that we will take away the reservation,” he said.

“We will increase the reservations to more than 50 per cent. We will remove the 50 per cent limit implemented by the court. We will give the amount of reservation required by the Dalits, Adivasis, backwards and poor,” Rahul added.

Further, he mentioned that the media also never highlights the problems of the tribals.

“They do not do this because not a single tribal will be found working in their big companies. One anchor and one journalist cannot be found in the tribal or Dalit class. Not a single tribal will be found in the 200 big companies of India. We gave you the Forest Conservation Act. Whatever work we do for the public, as soon as their government comes to power, they reverse it,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also asserted that to increase Dalit, Adivasi and backward-class participation in the country, they have decided to conduct a caste census.

“Tribals, Dalits and backward people have no participation in the country. We want to change this. We want your people in government, media, public sector, big companies. Therefore, we have decided that we are going to conduct a caste census so that you will know what is your population and what is your participation in the country. This is a revolutionary work which will change the politics of India,” Rahul added. (ANI)

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Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi issued a clarification on Monday over his alleged remarks on the recent terror attack incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and said that his statement was “distorted.”

Channi said that he intended to point out that a “similar attack” took place during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections referring to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by terrorists.

“My statement was distorted. What I meant to say was that a similar attack had taken place during the last Lok Sabha elections also. But it was not investigated by BJP and till now it is not known who was involved in the said attack,” Channi said in a self-made video released today after his remarks stirred a controversy.

Channi alleged that Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar had demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation following the terror attack in 2019 adding that Jakhar has “no stand.”

“Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar had asked for PM Modi’s resignation over the last attack. This attack was carried out as part of a conspiracy. This statement was given by Jakhar on stage. Jakhar has no stand. Satyapal Malik, who was the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, had said about the last attack that such attacks can happen again. But the government did not take the gist of the said complaint,” the former CM said.

Channi claimed that the BJP was turning the death of soldiers into a political stunt.

“I feel sad when the soldiers of my country are martyred. But BJP is making it its stunt. We are proud of the jawans who joined the armed forces to safeguard the country. I gave a statement that in the last Parliamentary elections, 40 jawans were attacked and they lost their lives,” he said.

“To date, the Government has not found out who executed the attack and who was responsible for it. It is election time once again. Our jawans were attacked once again and one jawan lost his life. I would like to ask the Government – who are those people who orchestrate such attacks, why are they not brought before everyone, and why does intelligence failure take place? Jawans have lost their lives once again. What I am saying is that why is this being made a political stunt and used by BJP?” PM Modi said.

“In Patiala, a farmer died yesterday while protesting against BJP. BJP wants to destroy the economy of Punjab. They know that if we destroy agriculture, Punjab will sink,” he added.

An Indian Air Force officer was killed and four others injured in the terror attack in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

Pointing out that the attack came amid the Lok Sabha elections, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi had on Sunday alleged it was “pre-planned” and such “stuntbaazi” is done to facilitate BJP’s win in the polls.

“This is stuntbaazi. When elections come, such stunts are done to make the BJP win. These are pre-planned attacks, there is no truth in them,” Channi said while speaking to reporters in Punjab.

Following Channi’s comments, Union Minister Anurag Thakur demanded an apology from top Congress brass including former party president Sonia Gandhi.

“I have a question for Congress: Were the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars done for winning elections? On such a ridiculous statement, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should apologise…They question the ability of our forces…How low will Congress stoop? Will Congress insult our Bravehearts for the sake of winning elections?” Thakur said while speaking to reporters on Sunday.

Meanwhile, security has been heightened in the Poonch district following the attack incident. Security forces are carrying out regular checks of the vehicles passing by in the area.

The voting in Jammu and Kashmir is being held in five phases and the polling in Anantnag-Rajouri is scheduled to be held on May 7 in the third phase. (ANI)

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In a swift and coordinated sea-air operation, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted and detained an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Kerala.

The vessel, carrying six Indian crew members employed on a contractual basis in Iran, was apprehended following allegations of exploitation and mistreatment by the boat’s owner.

The India Coast Guard (ICG) swiftly took action upon receiving reports of the alleged mistreatment, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to maritime security and welfare.

The vessel was promptly brought to Kochi, where it will undergo further investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims and ensure appropriate measures are taken.

The interception highlights the importance of maintaining maritime security and upholding the rights and welfare of crew members operating in international waters.

The ICG’s decisive action underscores their dedication to enforcing maritime laws and regulations to safeguard the well-being of seafarers.

“@IndiaCoastGuard in a swift sea-air coordinated operation intercepts & detains #Iranian fishing vessel in #Arabian sea west off #Kerala coast with 06 #Indian crew employed on contractual basis at Iran. Crew alleges exploitation & mistreatment by the boat owner. The boat has been brought to #Kochi for further investigation. Upholding maritime security & welfare #ICG demonstrates unwavering commitment,” said the India Coast Guard in a post on X.

Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the nature of the alleged exploitation or the conditions on board the detained vessel.

Earlier on May 1, IndiaCoastGuard Ship C-153 displayed swift response, undertaking Medical Evacuation of a 40-year-old fisherman from IFB Francis II (#Goa Regd) who sustained a head injury. Positioned 70 N miles South of Veraval, the operation occurred at 1805 hrs on 01 May. Post-evacuation, the ICG Ship provided first aid and safely transported the fisherman to Veraval.

On April 29, In back to back Anti-Narco Operations India Coast Guard Ship jointly with ATS Gujarat apprehended a Fishing Boat with 173 Kg narcotics and 2 perpetrators at sea. The operation followed the seizure of a Pakistani Fishing Boat on 28 Apr. (ANI)

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The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE Class 10) and Indian School Certificate (ISC Class 12) results for 2024 on Monday, Secretary Joesph Emmanuel said.

The pass percentages of ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 are 99.47 per cent and 98.19 per cent, respectively.

Girls have outperformed boys in both ICSE and ISC with a pass percentage of 99.65 per cent and 98.92 per cent.

This year, around 3.43 lakh students appeared for the CISCE examination for Class 10 and 12.

There are 2,695 schools that have presented candidates for the ICSE (Class X) Year 2024 Examination, with 82.48 percent (2223) schools attaining 100 per cent pass percentage

In total, 1,30,506 boys and 1,13,111 girls took the ICSE or Class 10, final test this year. The exam was passed by 1,29,612 boys and 1,12,716 girls.

A total of 47,136 girls and 52,765 boys appeared in the ISC or Class 12 exam. 46,626 girls and 51,462 boys passed the exam.

The western region of the country had the best pass percentage at 99.91 per cent for ICSE Class 10 followed by the southern region with a pass percentage of 99.88 per cent.

For ICSE, the best-performing schools abroad are from Indonesia, Singapore and Dubai (UAE), with a 100 per cent pass percentage.

Meanwhile, for ISC, the best-performing schools abroad are from Singapore and Dubai (UAE), with a 100 per cent pass percentage.

The ICSE Examination was conducted in 60 written subjects, of which 20 are Indian languages, 13 are foreign languages, and 1 is a classical language.

For ICSE, the examination started on February 21, 2024 and concluded on March 28, 2024. The examination was conducted over 18 days.

The ISC examination was conducted in 47 written subjects, of which 12 are Indian languages, 4 are foreign languages and 2 are classical languages.

For ISC, the examination started on February 12, 2024, and concluded on April 4, 2024. The examination was conducted over 28 days. (ANI)

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After the Congress delegation met with CP Sanjay Arora at Delhi Police Headquarters, party leader Pawan Khera on Monday demanded “immediate action” against the BJP for allegedly circulating edited, fake videos and posts on social media of Congress leaders.

A Congress delegation on Monday met with Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and lodged a complaint with regard to edited, fake videos and posts that are being circulated on some social handles.

“People of the BJP are spreading fake news, we want Delhi Police to take immediate action against it. The BJP and its supporters are spreading content that can create hatred in society. Videos of our senior leaders are being edited and uploaded,” Pawan Khera told ANI.

Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav, said that the Commissioner has assured that strict action will be taken.

“In some time, a big national party (BJP) has been trying to harm harmony in the country. We filed a complaint at Tuglak Road police station two days ago but no action was taken, so we met the Commissioner today. The Commissioner has assured that strict action will be taken. Edited videos should be removed and an investigation should be carried out after registering an FIR,” Yadav said.

“The video of Rahul Gandhi being there shows that he is favouring any particular community but that is not true. It has been edited and presented in front of everyone that he is only supporting minorities. But he is talking about all sections of society. We have been saying that the Congress party will work for everyone, whether they are SC, SC, OBC or minority,” he added while citing an example of Rahul Gandhi videos being edited.

Earlier, an FIR has been registered against BJP national president JP Nadda, party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya and Karnataka unit chief BY Vijayendra for allegedly intimidating members of the SC and ST community not to vote for a particular candidate, police said.

According to officials, a case under the sections of the Representation of People Act and IPC section 505 (2) (for statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) has been registered against the BJP leaders.

The action comes after a formal complaint lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with the Election Commission and Bengaluru police on Sunday alleging a violation of the model code of conduct.

Karnataka Congress has filed a complaint to the Election Commission against BJP national president JP Nadda, social media in-charge Amit Malviya, and state chief BY Vijayendra for allegedly posting a video on social media aimed at “intimidating” members of Schedule Caste/ Schedule Tribe to not vote for Congress in the Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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Indian 4x400m relay teams, both women’s and men’s, qualified for the Olympics in Paris on Monday after placing second in their respective second-round heats at the World Athletics Relays held here at Nassau, Bahamas on Monday.

In heat number one of the women’s tournament, Jamaica (3:28.54) finished first, with Rupal Chaudhary, M R Poovamma, Jyothika Sri Dandi, and Subha Venkatesan finishing second and earning a ticket to the Paris Games.

The men’s team, which includes Muhammad Anas Yahiya, Muhammad Ajmal, Arokia Rajiv, and Amoj Jacob, finished second in their heat with a combined time of 3 minutes and 3.23 seconds, trailing only the USA (2:59.95).

The two teams that placed highest in each of the three heats during the second round would advance to the Olympics which will take place from July 26 to August 11.

In the first-round qualifying heat on Sunday, the Indian women’s team placed seventh in a timing of 3 minutes and 29.74 seconds.

The men’s team was unable to complete the first-round qualifying heat after Rajesh Ramesh, the second-leg runner, withdrew due to cramps halfway through.

With this, India has 19 track and field competitors headed to Paris, including Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin throw champion.

The athletics events of the Paris Olympics will start on August 1. (ANI)

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at multiple locations in Ranchi on Monday morning, uncovering over Rs 20 crore from the residence of a household help employed by Sanjiv Lal, the Personal Secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam. The counting of the recovered cash is still in process.

The raids are part of an ongoing investigation related to the case involving Virendra K. Ram, the chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, who was arrested in February 2023 in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of government schemes.

“The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at multiple locations in Ranchi, Jharkhand. A huge amount of cash was recovered from the household help of Sanjiv Lal, PS to Alamgir Alam, Rural Development Minister, Jharkhand. More than Rs 20 crores has been counted so far. Counting is still in process,” ED officials said.

In 2019, a huge amount of cash was recovered from one of his subordinates. Later, the ED took over the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

ED arrested Virendra K Ram, the chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, in February 2023 in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the implementation of some schemes.

In addition to the raid at the residence of Sanjiv Lal’s household help, the ED has also carried out searches at other locations in Ranchi.

One such location is the residence of Vikas Kumar, an engineer in the Road Construction Department.

Meanwhile, BJP Member of Parliament Deepak Prakash sharply criticised Jharkhand’s ruling coalition of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

“Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and RJD are doing the work of converting Jharkhand into ‘Lootkhand’. Today again an amount of more than Rs 25 crore has been recovered, and it belongs to the ministers of the ruling party. The people of Jharkhand are feeling insulted today,” Prakash said. (ANI)

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Amethi and Rae Bareli — two constituencies considered old turfs of the Gandhi family has again become the point of focus as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has entered the fray in Rae Bareli and family’s close aide Kishori Lal Sharma has been fielded against Smriti Irani in Amethi.

Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has always been active in the above constituencies through back room to front campaign, will be camping here from Monday onwards and will be leading the poll front from strategy, management and campaign, a senior functionary of the party told ANI.

There were speculations regarding Priyanka Gandhi too contesting the elections from Rae Bareli or some other seat, but all the speculations were laid to rest when the party announced the name of the two candidates.

Priyanka will landing at Fursatganj Airport late on Monday evening, following which she will take part in a series of activities. A full proof road map has been chalked out under which; a target of more than 250 meetings in different villages and remote areas of both the constituencies has been set along with the other road shows, public meetings, interaction with civil society members and representatives of different associations.

Additionally, she will be interacting with the party members till the BLAs (Booth Level Agents) on regular basis. The members of the war room and campaign management team will be reporting to her and a daily review will be done, the source added.

Speaking to ANI Congress Candidate KL Sharma said, “Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will reach Rae Bareli on May 6 and take Charge of the Election Management.”

Rae Bareli District Congress President, Pankaj Tiwari said that a meeting of Congress workers has been called on Monday evening which will be addressed by Priyanka Gandhi. He added that Congress party is confident of winning the seat with a record margin.

Sonia Gandhi contested the 2019 general elections from Rae Bareli and defeated Bharatiya Janata Party’s Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of over 1.6 lakh votes, however her victory margin came down by 13 per cent as compared to 2014.

In Amethi, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi by 55,000 votes ending Gandhi family’s stint on the seat.

Congress had won just 2 seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 (Rae Bareli and Amethi). The tally came down to just one in 2019 after party lost Amethi.

This time, Rahul Gandhi will be seeking to maintain the lone standing family legacy seat in the state, while Kishori Lal Sharma is up against the challenge of Smriti Irani.

Sonia Gandhi won Rae Bareli for four successive terms before she moved to Rajya Sabha this time.

The party, while aiming to register a strong comeback after two historic losses in 2014 and 2019 has a tough task in hand to wrest back Amethi and retain Rae Bareli. But, it is pertinent to note that in 2022 Assembly elections in the state, Congress couldn’t win any assembly seat under Rae Bareli, which shows the task, which means the task in hand, will be anything but easy (ANI)

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A day after his arrest in the kidnapping case linked to the ‘Obscene video’ case, Janta Dal (Secular) leader HD Revanna has been sent to State Investigation Team (SIT) police custody till May 8.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Arvind B. Kattimani granted the custody of Revanna to the SIT.

The hearing was concluded at the judge’s house in the NGV, Koramangala area, today amid heavy security measures.

Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Revanna, who was arrested by the State Investigation Team (SIT) said on Saturday that it is a political conspiracy against him and he has never seen anything like this in his political career.

Revanna was brought to the Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospital for medical examination after he was arrested yesterday by SIT officials in a kidnapping case.

“It’s a political conspiracy going on against me. In my 40 years of political life, I have never seen anything like this,” he said to the reporters outside the hospital.

“There is no blame on me in politics. A complaint was made against me on April 28. However, no evidence was found in this case. With the malicious intent of arresting me, they filed a kidnapping case against me and arrested me,” Revanna added.

HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, who is the sitting MP and candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, are facing a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT), constituted by the Karnataka government, over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in their household.

Earlier, a special court for the People’s Representative in Bengaluru rejected the interim bail application of JD(S) leader HD Revanna and JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in connection with the alleged “obscene videos” case.

The Holenarsipura MLA and his associate were booked under Sections 364A (kidnapping for ransom), 365 (kidnapping with intent to cause harm), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.

The FIR, registered by KR Nagar police, also lists HD Revanna as accused number one and another man, identified as Babanna, as accused number two. (ANI)

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