LIVE! Advocate arrested for stir at Pawar home

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Fri, 08 April 2022

Advocate arrested for stir at Pawar home

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23:51 Russia denies carrying out missile attack on Kramatorsk railway station

Russia denied carrying out the missile attack on Friday on the railway station in Kramatorsk city in the northern portion of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine and blamed Ukraine for the same.

"According to clarified information, the strike on Kramatorsk railway station was carried out by the missile division of the Ukrainian armed forces from the area of Dobropol'e, 45 kilometres south-west of the city," said the Russian Embassy in India.

Russia accused Ukraine for the attack and noted that the aim of Kyiv regime's strike on the railway station in Kramatorsk was to disrupt the mass exit of residents from the city in order to use them as a "human shield" to defend Ukrainian armed forces positions, as in many other Ukrainian population centers.

The embassy added, "All allegations that Russia conducted missile attack on the railway station in Kramatorsk city on April 8 are a provocation and has nothing to do with reality."

Russia stated that Kyiv regime has posted on social media pictures of Tochka-U missile launchers that took part in "Union Courage 2022" Russian-Belarusian exercise this February.

It added that the photos show non-Russian missile systems.

The Embassy accused Ukraine saying that Tochka-U tactical missiles, the wreckage of which was found near the Kramatorsk railway station and published by eyewitnesses, are used by Ukrainian Armed Forces only. -- ANI

Gunaratna Sadavarte

23:41 Advocate arrested for stir at Pawar home

Hours after a protest outside Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Mumbai, the police on Friday evening arrested advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte who claims to represent the striking employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, an official said.

The fierce protest staged by a group of over 100 MSRTC workers outside Pawar's bungalow `Silver Oak' in the afternoon when the NCP chief was at home took police by surprise.

After dispersing the protesters, a case of rioting, unlawful assembly, assault and criminal conspiracy was registered at Gamdevi police station.

Sadavarte, who was not present at the protest site, had been detained for questioning regarding his role in instigating the workers, police had said earlier.

So far he is the only person to be arrested in the case, said the police official.

Thousands of MSRTC workers are on strike since November last year for demands including the merger of the cash-strapped corporation with the Maharashtra government. -- PTI

A Tibetan parliamentary delegation led by deputy speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang has met several lawmakers, including Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, and apprised them about the situation in Tibet.

These meetings come over a week after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India.

In the capital for the last few days, the delegation met various personalities, including ministers and political leaders of various political parties, sources said. -- PTI

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an address to the nation on Friday evening, said he regrets the supreme court ruling on the deputy speaker's decision rejecting the no-trust motion against him.

"I respect the judiciary but the supreme court should have looked at the threat letter before issuing its verdict," Imran Khan said in his address to the nation.

"There is rampant horse-trading in the opposition camp. Which country's democracy allows these kinds of acts?"

Khan also repeated the allegation that a US diplomat threatened regime change in Pakistan. In this connection, he said, "I'm not anti-American but we don't need a one-sided relationship. Look at India, no one can dictate to India on their foreign policy (the way they dictate to us)."

Khan said he will not accept an imported government, and called for street protests on Sunday evening.

Imran Khan is facing a no-trust motion on Saturday morning.

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22:17 Ghazipur slaughterhouse closed for 3 days, mayor inspects abattoir

East Delhi Mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal on Friday inspected the Ghazipur slaughterhouse in east Delhi which has been ordered shut from April 8 to 10 -- the last three days of Navratra festival.

His office in a statement said, it was a 'surprise inspection.'

Aggarwal on Tuesday had said that the three-day closure of the abattoir was an annual exercise and 'not a new order.'

In the Friday's statement, his office said the abattoir is closed for 24 days in a calendar year in view of sentiments of people associated with various festivals.

These days include, birth anniversaries of Sikh gurus, Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh, Ravidas Jayanti, Ramnavmi, Dipawali, last three day of Navratra, and three national holidays, it said.

The East Delhi mayor claimed that actions will be taken against owners of meat shops if any "violations' are found by the sixteen teams which will be doing rounds.

Aggarwal on Tuesday had stoked a controversy asking traders to keep meat shops closed during Navratra or at least on the last three days of the festival, even as the authorities said "no official order' had been issued in this connection.

Aggarwal had also claimed that during Navratra, "90 per cent of the people do not consume non-vegetarian food'.

Aggarwal's comments had draw sharp reactions on social media. -- PTI

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21:59 UP jails to play Gayatri mantra 'for positivity'

Gayatri mantra and Mahamrityunjay mantra will be played in jails to bring positive attitude among the prisoners, Uttar Pradesh Prisons Minister on Friday said.

"In the prisons of the state Gayatri mantra and Mahamrityunjay mantra will be played to bring positive change among the inmates, especially for those who regret their crimes," Minister of State for Prisons and Homeguards Dharamvir Prajapati told PTI at the circuit house in Agra.

"There would be sermons of 'saints' for prisoners. The aim of the initiative is to have inmates a positive attitude and so that when they are released they become good persons," he said.

"We have directed the jail officials to provide a list of inmates good in art and craft. We will provide those inmates with modern training to enhance their skills. Besides, we will also showcase their artwork outside jails," said Prajapati.

He also said that 136 prisoners who were not able to pay fines ordered by the court were released from jails with the help of social workers on the foundation day of the BJP.

The minister also paid his tributes to the homeguards, including one who died of a cardiac arrest while on duty.

"Today, I have paid tributes to the home guard ... who died due to a cardiac arrest. I visited his home in Raibha in Agra for the peace of the departed soul," he said. -- PTI

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20:57 Centre writes to 5 states over rising Covid cases

The Centre has written to five states -- Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Mizoram -- on Friday over the increase in COVID-19 cases last week asking them to maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required.

Noting the significant decline in COVID-19 cases, with the country reporting less than 1,000 daily new cases for the past few days, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan in his letter to the states advised them to continue monitoring the spread of infection and undertake the required steps for prompt and effective management of COVID-19.

Bhushan also stressed on the need to follow the five-fold strategy -- test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour.

"lt is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control any emerging spread of infection. Testing and surveillance still remain important to track the virus, its spread & evolution," the letter read.

The letter states that Kerala reported 2,321 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 31.8 per cent of India's new cases.

The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 13.45 per cent to 15.53 per cent. Mizoram has reported 814 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.16 per cent of lndia's new cases.

The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 14.38 per cent to 16.48 per cent.

Maharashtra has reported 794 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 10.9 per cent of India's new cases.

The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.39 per cent to 0.43 per cent.

Delhi has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 724 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 826 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.33 per cent of India's new cases.

The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.25 per cent.

Haryana reported an increase in weekly new cases from 367 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 416 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 5.70 per cent of India's new cases.

The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.06 per cent. -- ANI

Nagore Dargah/Tamil Nadu Tourism/Twitter

20:38 HC orders handing over management of TN Dargah to Wakf Board

The Madras high court has directed the two-member committee appointed by the court years ago to look after the affairs of the famous Nagore Dargah in Nagapattinam district to hand over its management back to the Trustees of the Wakf Board, within a week.

This follows a submission from the counsel for the adhoc-committee that the members no longer want to manage the affairs of the Dargah.

Originally, by an order dated February 23 this year, the first bench of Chief Justice M N Bhandari and D Bharatha Chakravarthy had pulled up the adhoc board of administrators of the Dargah, consisting of a retired IAS officer and a district judge, who were appointed by the high court in 2017 to look after the affairs of the Dargah just for four months, but who had continued beyond the time limit.

The bench also slammed them for wasting the funds of the Dargah by moving the court belatedly in a case relating to a festival, which had become infructuous.

It had called for a statement of accounts.

Pleading to remove the adverse remarks against them, the duo had moved the high court.

They stated that all expenditures incurred were strictly in accordance with the orders passed by the court.

They said they continued to function on the basis of the subsequent orders passed by the high court.

"We have done our best in the interest of the Dargah. We only want our reputation protected", they said and prayed the court to expunge the adverse remarks.

When the matter came up on Thursday, the counsel representing the ad hoc-committee told the bench that they no longer want to continue and therefore, the management of the Dargah might be given back to the Wakf Board.

The counsel appearing for other parties submitted that the management of the Dargah has to be given to the Trustees and advisory board as per scheme decree passed in 1946. -- PTI

In the steepest weekly fall ever, India's forex reserves slid by $11.173 billion to $606.475 billion as the currency came under pressure due to geopolitical developments, according to the Reserve Bank data released on Friday.

For the previous reporting week ended March 25, the overall reserves had slid by $2.03 billion to $617.648 billion.

The steep fall in the reserves was because of a decline in the core currency assets, which fell by $10.727 billion to $539.727 billion.

Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves. -- PTI

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19:59 Bengaluru bans meat sale on Rama Navami

The Bengaluru civic agency has prohibited animal slaughter and sale of meat on Sri Rama Navami on April 10.

"There will be a blanket ban on the slaughterhouses, animal slaughter and the sale of meat on Sri Rama Navami,' the joint director of the animal husbandry department of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike said in the order.

The order is based on BBMP chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta's circular on April 3.

A BBMP official said every year on Sri Rama Navami besides Gandhi Jayanti, Sarvodaya Day and other religious events, there is a ban on the sale of meat and animal slaughter.

There is a blanket ban on these practices at least eight days a year on various occasions, he added. -- PTI

19:38 Rupee rises by 10 paise to 75.93 against USD

The rupee appreciated 10 paise to settle at 75.93 against the US dollar on Friday, amid the Reserve Bank of India maintaining status quo on the benchmark lending rate.

Announcing the monetary policy, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Indian economy has large forex reserves and that it stands ready and resolute to defend the economy.

Meanwhile, benchmark 10-year bond yield jumped to 7.06 per cent, the highest since June 2019 as the RBI raised the forecast for the headline consumer-price inflation to 5.7 per cent.

At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 75.99 against the US dollar and touched an intra-day high of 75.70 and finally closed at 75.93, registering a rise of 10 paise over its previous close.

On Thursday, the rupee had declined 19 paise to close at 76.03. -- PTI

The Central Bureau of Investigation, in its preliminary report on the Birbhum killings in West Bengal, said that the massacre was carried out in a "planned and organised manner' and was a result of "direct fallout" of the murder of local TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh.

In the over 20-page report, the central probe agency has also stated that the seven persons whose charred bodies were recovered from inside one of the burnt houses in Bogtui village, were "assaulted before being burnt alive'.

"The brutal incident of burning and killings at Bogtui is the direct fallout of the killing of one Bhadu Shiekh at Bogtui More on the same day (March 21) at 8.30 pm," the report, a copy of which was accessed by PTI, said.

"After the killing of Bhadu Sheikh, his close associates and members of his group went berserk, formed unlawful assembly, and in furtherance of their common object, started burning the houses and killing the family members of the rival group in a very planned and organised manner," it said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation's findings said that the rivalry was "long standing" between two groups -- one of Bhadu Sheikh and another of Palash Sheikh and Sona Sheikh.

The cause of the rivalry was related to "their previous enmity for dominance in the local area and for control over income from illegal collection of money from commercial vehicles and other illegal activities". -- PTI

Traders have entered into contracts for the export of 30-35 lakh tonnes of wheat during the April-July period, buoyed by increasing demand for the commodity in the world market, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said on Friday.

The country's wheat exports crossed 70 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 as against 21.55 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, according to the official data.

"The trade estimate is that about 30-35 lakh tonne of wheat has been contracted for export during the April-July period of this year," Pandey told reporters.

The maximum quantity of wheat will be shipped from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh because of proximity of these states to ports and easier logistics, he told reporters.

As a result, private traders are procuring wheat for export from these states. If international prices rise further, traders may buy the grain from other states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he said.

With private trade procuring wheat for export, there may be reduction in government procurement but it is too early to say. The government is, however, monitoring the situation regularly, he added.

Last week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said that the country's wheat exports could cross 100 lakh tonnes during the 2022-23 fiscal.

Many countries are sourcing wheat from India and other countries after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent Western sanctions against Moscow curtailed their wheat supplies.

Indian government plans to promote wheat exports to cash in on higher wheat prices in the global market. India is the second-biggest producer of wheat in the world. -- PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will pay a four-day visit to the US beginning April 11 primarily to participate in the fourth edition of the India-US '2+2' ministerial dialogue.

Announcing the visit on Friday, the defence ministry said Singh is also scheduled to travel to the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) headquarters in Hawaii after his trip to Washington DC.

Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold the '2+2' dialogue with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 11 in Washington.

In a statement, the defence ministry said Singh will visit the US between April 11 and 14.

"The 2+2 dialogue will review bilateral cooperation across domains and chart out the way forward," it said.

The ministry said Singh will separately meet US Defence Secretary Austin in the Pentagon to discuss defence cooperation including defence industrial collaboration and capability building through military-to-military engagements. "The defence minister is also scheduled to visit the Headquarters of US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) at Hawaii after his visit to Washington DC," it said.

Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), had said on Thursday that Jaishankar will visit the US from April 11 to 12.

The unfolding situation in Ukraine is expected to be discussed in the fourth edition of the dialogue. -- PTI

Vaccine maker Serum Institute of India on Friday said the precaution dose of its Covishield vaccine against COVID-19 will be priced at Rs 600 per shot for eligible individuals.

SII CEO Adar Poonawalla also welcomed the government's move to allow precaution dose of the vaccine to all aged above 18 years at private vaccination centres, saying it will further provide long-term protection against the virus, and aid ease of travel.

End-users will pay Rs 600 for the booster dose and the hospitals will get at discounted price, Poonawalla said in a statement.

The Union Health Ministry on Friday announced that those above the age of 18 years who have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose will be eligible for the precaution dose.

Reacting to the government's decision in a tweet, Poonawalla said, "We are delighted by GOI's announcement on booster. The decision will further provide long term protection and aid ease of travel."

He, however, said the nine-month gap was a bit long although the company had 200 million dosages in stock. SII has the capacity to produce 4 billion dosages.

Poonawalla also exuded confidence that the whole country can be vaccinated in about three months in case of requirement in future.

SII and Bharat Biotech have been major suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines to the government so far.

There will be no change of guard ceremony on Saturday on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official statement issued on Friday said.

The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition during which a group of presidential guards is changed.

"The Change of Guard Ceremony will not be held this Saturday (April 9, 2022) on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan," the statement said. -- PTI

Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry, who resigned from the post within 24 hours of his appointment, returned to the position on Friday and would head the government's negotiating team at the IMF as the island nation struggles to combat the unprecedented shortage of foreign reserves.

Former Justice Minister Sabry told Parliament on Friday that he had resigned from the post to give way for someone more suitable to accept the post. However, since no one came forward to accept the post he decided to continue as the Finance Minister.

""I will remain as the Finance Minister to do the needful to save the economy, Sabry told Parliament.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had appointed Sabry as the Finance Minister on April 4 after sacking his younger brother Basil Rajapaksa, who was at the centre of anger within the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna coalition.

However, he submitted his letter of resignation to the President within 24 hours amid mass protests against the government over alleged economic mismanagement. President Rajapaksa had not accepted Sabry's resignation.

The government issued a gazette with names of the 24 members of the Cabinet who had resigned last week to facilitate the Rajapaksa's attempt to form a Unity cabinet with the Opposition.

All Opposition parties, however, rejected the offer.

The Opposition backs the public protests happening all over the island, demanding the resignation of the president and the entire Rajapaksa family.

26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed has been sentenced to 31 years in prison by an anti-terror court in Pakistan.

Hafiz Saeed, the chief of the Pakistan-based terror group Jamaat ud Dawa, was sentenced in two cases.

A day after voting against the resolution suspending Russia's membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the UN General Assembly over civilian killings in Ukraine, China on Friday defended its vote, saying such a "hasty move" will set a "dangerous precedent."

In a rare move, the 193-member UN General Assembly voted to adopt a draft resolution moved by the US to suspend Russia from the world body's top human rights organisation over allegations of Russian soldiers killing civilians while retreating from towns near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

The draft received 93 votes in favour, 24 against and 58 abstentions. India abstained from voting. China's all-weather ally Pakistan too abstained from voting.

Reacting to the developments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: It is like adding fuel to the fire which is not constructive to the de-escalation of the conflict, even less to advance peace talks."

"The relevant resolution will deprive Russia of its membership of the UNHRC and sets a dangerous precedent," he said.

No permanent member of the UN Security Council has ever had its membership revoked from any organ of the world body.

In 2011, Libya was suspended from the Council because of violence against protesters by forces loyal to then-leader Muammar Gaddafi.

As a close ally of Moscow, China has declined to condemn Russia's war on Ukraine even though it walked a fine line calling for peaceful resolution while highlighting Russia's security concerns relating to NATO expansion.

Observers say China, which faces serious human rights violation accusations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, apprehends similar moves by the US and the EU countries who already have criticised Beijing.

"We oppose politicising and instrumentalising the issue of human rights," Zhao told a media briefing here while elaborating on China's move to vote against the resolution moved by the US.

18:02 Unacademy lays off around 600 employees

Edtech company Unacademy has laid off around 600 employees on account of non-performance and role redundancy as the company looks to enhance efficiency and become profitable by the end of this year.

According to sources, the company has laid off around 600 employees or around 10 per cent of the company's total workforce. The retrenched employees include contractual workers and educators, one of the sources said.

When contacted, an Unacademy spokesperson said that the company is built on a culture of high performance and transparency, and a key aspect of that is the transparency and objectivity with which it conducts the annual appraisal process.

"Based on the outcome of several assessments, a small subset of employees, contractor, and Educator roles were re-evaluated due to role redundancy and performance, as is common for any organization of our size and scale.

"The vast majority of roles impacted have been a result of that process, and the efficiency we aim to drive in the broader business. We have discussed and parted ways with the identified people, in accordance with their respective contracts," the spokesperson said.

In February, Ronnie Screwala-backed edtech firm Lido Learning reportedly shut down operations which impacted over 1,000 people working with it.

The Unacademy spokesperson said that the company is bullish about the core test-prep business and the growth of group companies Relevel, PrepLadder, and Graphy.

"Our test-prep business is growing over 50 per cent year-on-year (YoY) and our EBITDA percentage is also getting better. Relevel has witnessed unprecedented growth in the number of users and candidates placed. As an organization we are focussed on becoming profitable by the end of the fourth quarter of the calendar year 2022 in our core business while investing for growth in our group companies," the spokesperson said.

Unacademy claims to have over 1.8 million registered users on the hiring platform Relevel and delivered over USD 2 million worth of total offers to candidates who have passed the Relevel Test. -- PTI

17:35 Pak Oppn gears up for potential regime change

Pakistan's Opposition has completed its initial talks for the formation of a new government once Prime Minister Imran Khan is ousted on Saturday after the no-confidence motion and plans are afoot for the removal of President Arif Alvi and the return of deposed premier Nawaz Sharif from the United Kingdom, a media report said on Friday.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President and Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, 70, who is the Opposition's candidate for the new prime minister, will announce his possible government priorities after taking the oath, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

In a landmark 5-0 verdict on Thursday, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial ruled that National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri's ruling rejecting a no-confidence motion against Khan was "contrary to the Constitution and the law, and of no legal effect.

The apex court also declared the advice by the Prime Minister to President Alvi to dissolve the national assembly as "unconstitutional."

The court ordered the speaker of the lower house to call the session of the national assembly on April 9 at 10 am (local time) to organise a no-confidence vote.

According to the Orders of the Day' issued by the National Assembly Secretariat on Friday, the National Assembly's session for voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Khan will take place at 10:30 AM (local time) on Saturday in line with the Supreme Court's order.

In the National Assembly's agenda, voting on the no-confidence motion is at the fourth position in the six-point agenda.

The Express Tribune quoted sources as saying that all Opposition parties will be given proportional representation in the new possible federal government.

The new government's term should be at least six months or a year as electoral reforms and legislations related to accountability laws can be passed, they said.

A constitutional route will be taken to replace President Alvi and the governors of the four provinces, the report said.

Sources said that all the decisions of Prime Minister Khan's government could be reviewed and changed, it said. -- PTI

India on Friday successfully flight tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet booster, a missile system, at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the Odisha coast.

The SFDR-based propulsion enables the missile to intercept aerial threats at very long range at supersonic speeds, the Defence Research and Development Organisation said.

The test demonstrated reliable functioning of all critical components involved in the complex missile system and met all the mission objectives, it said.

The performance of the system has been confirmed from the data captured by a number of instruments like telemetry, radar and electro Optical tracking systems deployed by ITR.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for the successful trial of SFDR.

He termed it as an important milestone towards development of critical missile technologies in the country.

The SFDR has been developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories such as Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune. -- PTI

"Let's see when," veteran actor Neetu Kapoor said on Friday, dodging queries about the wedding of her son Ranbir Kapoor with his actor-girlfriend Alia Bhatt.

Though both the families have refused to confirm or deny any reports, speculation about the much discussed wedding is seemingly endless with some media outlets putting out the details -- beginning with a mehendi function on April 13, followed by haldi and sangeet on April 14, and the marriage ceremony on April 16 at the Kapoor family's ancestral home, RK House, in Chembur.

There are other reports that the wedding will take place on April 17 at Ranbir's house in Bandra.

Asked about the reports, Neetu Kapoor, who is busy promoting her upcoming dance reality show "Dance Deewane Juniors", sidestepped all questions, only saying she hopes the star couple gets married soon.

"I have been hearing about it (the wedding) for two years but I don't know when (it will happen). Let's see when. Sometimes, it is going to happen in Ranthambore, RK Studios.. places and dates keep changing (referring to media reports). I hope and pray it happens very soon," the 63-year-old actor told PTI.

She added that she is having fun reading about the different wedding dates circulating in the media.

"Let the astrologers come out with dates, some are saying April 15, 17. We are having good fun," she said.

The actor added that Alia and Ranbir make a great pair.

"As an actor, she is world class and nobody can beat her. As a person, she is the purest form of human being. She is lovely, uncorrupted by the world, no negativity, no jealousy, nothing, she is just pure. And so is Ranbir, he is also pure. They make a great pair," she said. -- PTI

Loknath Dalei, a journalist in Balasore was seen chained to a hospital bed by his leg, allegedly by the Odisha police reportedly over the publication of news regarding corruption in the Nilgiri PS area of the district, news agency ANI reported.

The Odisha Police DGP has ordered an inquiry into this matter.

Dalei claimed that he was asked to come to the police station where his mobile was snatched away and he was thrashed by inspector-in-charge Draupadi Das.

He further claims that when he fell unconscious due to thrashing, he was hospitalised and his leg was cuffed to his bed by a policeman.

The Odisha Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and directed IG Eastern Range, Balasore to submit a report in the matter within 15 days.

Update: A Delhi court on Friday directed the chair of Amnesty International India Board Aakar Patel not to leave the country without its prior permission and stayed an order directing the CBI to withdraw a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him in a case relating to the alleged violation of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA).

Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann passed the order on a petition filed by the CBI seeking revision of the order passed on Thursday by a magisterial court which also asked the agency to apologise to Patel.

The judge said it was necessary that due opportunity was given to Patel to file a formal reply if any to CBI's revision application. In the meantime, it is necessary that the cause is not frustrated, the court said.

During the course of arguments, it was pointed out by Nikhil Goel (advocate for the CBI) that respondent made an attempt to leave the country yesterday, the court said.

It stayed the operation of the order passed by the trial court on Thursday regarding the direction to the CBI director for compliance with regards to the observations made in the order regarding "written apology."

In the order, the court said this is also with regard to the condition that respondent (Patel) will not leave the country without the permission of this court. Put up for reply and arguments next week.

The court posted the matter for further proceedings on April 12.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Pawan Kumar on Thursday passed the order and directed the probe agency to withdraw the LOC immediately, apologise to the activist and file a compliance report by April 30. Patel, meanwhile, was stopped again last night at an airport and was informed that the CBI had not withdrawn the LOC.

The court had noted that apart from the monetary loss, the applicant had suffered mental harassment as he was not allowed to visit at the scheduled time. -- PTI

With bulldozers running overtime to raze structures built out of illegally earned money in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday gave a clear-cut instruction to officials to not use them to demolish huts and shops of the poor.

"Bulldozers should not be used on the huts and shops of the poor. It should be applied only against illegally earned wealth of criminals and mafias. Action should be taken against people who have forcibly taken away properties of the poor and traders," Adityanath said in his order to "bulldozerbaaz officials", according to a statement.

Adityanath has of late earned the nickname "bulldozer baba", which helped the party create a narrative of tough administration in the state polls. Such is the fear of bulldozers in UP that over 50 criminals have given themselves up to police in two weeks after the BJP returned to power in the state.

"Bulldozers are giving a message that the criminals and mafias no longer control the system in Uttar Pradesh. It is also building confidence of the poor in the government," Additional Chief Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal told PTI.

Many known toughies and influential politicians of the state too have faced the wrath of the bulldozer. A petrol pump that had allegedly been built illegally by Samajwadi Party MLA Shazil Islam Ansari was bulldozed on Thursday, days after the legislator was booked over a provocative remark against Adityanath.

The demolition of the fuel station at Parsakheda on the Bareilly-Delhi National Highway was carried out by the Bareilly Development Authority, an official said. It was not an isolated case. The Shamli district administration had on Wednesday freed a land allegedly encroached by Samajwadi Party MLA Nahid Hasan's uncle Sarvan Hasan in Kairana by razing the structure there.

A joint team of Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), district administration, and police had on Monday demolished a wall and two sheds alleged to have been constructed without approval on the land of jailed don and former MP Atiq Ahmad's ancestral house in Chakia locality of the city.

The PDA had razed Atiq's ancestral house on September 22, 2020. Visuals of many absconding criminals walking to police stations with placards hanging around their necks with messages like 'I am surrendering, don't shoot me, please!' surfacing on social media show the panic among history-sheeters.

More than 50 criminals have not only surrendered but have also pledged to shun crime in the past fortnight, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar had told PTI.

CBI court directs journalist and former chair of Amnesty International India Board Aakar Patel not to leave country without the court's permission. The court stays the magistrate's direction to the CBI director to tender an apology to Patel.

The CBI on Friday approached a Delhi court seeking revision of its order directing the agency to withdraw a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against Aakar Patel even as the activist filed a contempt plea against the agency, claiming that he was not allowed to leave the country once again despite the court's order.

The agency filed the plea before the Rouse Avenue court's registry, a counsel for the accused said. Patel, on his part, filed a contempt petition before the court against the investigating officer of the case of alleged violation of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act for non compliance of the court's order passed on Thursday.

Breaking news: Precaution vaccination against Covid-19 will now be available to the 18+ population group from April 10 at private vaccination centres: Ministry of Health.

Precautionary doses are called booster doses all over the world.

Those who are 18 years of age and have completed 9 months after the administration of the second dose are eligible for precaution dose at private vaccination centres, the government said.

"The ongoing free vaccination programme through government vaccination centres for the first and second dose to the eligible population as well as precaution dose to healthcare workers, frontline workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated," the government added.

India is one of the few countries which has not given booster Covid vaccination for people below the age of 60. Only frontline workers and healthcare workers are allowed booster doses irrespective of age.

The WHO and virologists world over have recommended booster doses to reduce fatalities and Covid-related health complications.

Several countries have in fact begun giving the fourth dose of Covid vaccine because efficacy normally lasts from between four to six months.

Finally, sense prevails.

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has launched a fightback against the Opposition's attack over the non-domicile tax status of his India-born wife Akshata Murty, daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, saying she loves her country and would eventually return there to care for her parents.

Akshata, whose mother Sudha Murthy is a philanthropist, was targeted by the Opposition over her non-domicile tax status, which means she is not legally bound to pay tax in the UK on income earned overseas.

"She had this well before we met, before she moved to this country," Sunak told The Sun newspaper.

"It wouldn't be reasonable or fair to ask her to sever ties with her country because she happens to be married to me. She loves her country. Like I love mine, I would never dream of giving up my British citizenship. And I imagine most people wouldn't," he said.

Akshata is accused of using her non-domicile status as a tax saving of millions but a spokesperson for the 42-year-old entrepreneur said she complies with UK tax laws as a resident and the tax categorisation is because India did not recognise dual citizenship.

"People, I don't think, have an issue with the fact that there's an Indian woman living in Downing Street. I would hope that most fair-minded people would understand though I appreciate that it is a confusing situation that she is from another country," Sunak said.

The British Indian Cabinet minister has previously come out in defence of his wife, who owns around 0.9 per cent stake in Infosys, and father-in-law Narayana, who he described as someone who created a world-class business from scratch.

"These are attempted smears of my father-in-law, who I'm just enormously proud of. That guy came from nothing and has created a world-class business that employs I think about a quarter of a million people around the world and changed the face of India," said Sunak.

"If I achieved a tenth of what my father-in-law achieved in his life, I'd be a happy person. I'm really proud of what he's achieved," he said.

The 41-year-old senior Conservative Party politician, until recently seen as the frontrunner to succeed Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister, admitted that the so-called non-dom categorisation has been misused by some ultra-rich to avoid taxes but that is not the case with his family.

He said: "I appreciate that in the past British people were trying to use this thing to basically not pay any tax in the UK... But that's not the case here. She's not a British citizen. She's from another country. She's from India. That's where her family is that's where she, you know, ultimately will want to go and look after her parents as they get older. She pays full UK tax on every penny that she earns here in the same way that she pays full international tax on every penny that she earns internationally, say, in India."

While the whole world focusses on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, China is eyeing the minerals of the war-torn country which has reserves of untapped lithium minerals.

Last year, in November, five Chinese businesses were granted special visas and arrived in Afghanistan to inspect the possible lithium projects, according to Hong Kong Post citing Ariana News.

Lithium is one of the several minerals that were unexplored in Afghanistan, owing primarily to years of political instability and a lack of infrastructure.

A Chinese business company obtained the rights to the world's largest copper deposits in Afghanistan's Aynak region more than a decade ago but has not yet started the operation in the region, Hong Kong Post reported.

Esmatullah Burhan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan leadership, reviewed the Mes Aynak copper project deal and said that the mining in Mes Aynak in Logar province will start shortly.

The publication believes that Beijing can give the political recognition and the economic investment to Afghanistan that they were desperately looking for. On the other hand, China is looking for access to the USD 1 trillion in underdeveloped mineral reserves. -- ANI

Equity mutual funds attracted a net sum of Rs 28,463 crore in March, making it the 13th consecutive monthly net inflow, amid a volatile stock market environment and continued FPIs (foreign portfolio investors) selling.

In comparison, equity mutual funds saw a net inflow of Rs 19,705 crore in February, Rs 14,888 crore in January and Rs 25,077 crore in December 2021, data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) showed on Friday.

Equity schemes have been witnessing net inflow since March 2021, highlighting the positive sentiment among investors. Prior to this, such schemes had consistently witnessed outflows for eight months from July 2020 to February 2021 losing Rs 46,791 crore. -- PTI

Suburban trains, the lifeline of Mumbai

14:14 BJP conspiring to make Mumbai a UT: Raut

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday accused the BJP of conspiring to make Mumbai a Union Territory, saying that a presentation to that effect has been made to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Raut alleged that former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya and a group of party leaders, builders, businessmen were part of this conspiracy.

"A presentation about making Mumbai a union territory has been made to the MHA (by this group). Meetings have been held and funds are being collected for this purpose. This has been going on for the last two months and I am saying this with full responsibility. I have proof to substantiate what I am saying. Chief minister (Uddhav Thackeray) is also aware of this development," Raut said.

"In the next few months, the group led Somaiya is likely to move court saying the percentage of Marathi people in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, has gone down drastically and hence the city should be made a union territory under the central government rule," the Sena MP claimed. Raut said Somaiya had earlier challenged the state government's decision to make Marathi a compulsory language in schools. PTI

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday conducted a meeting to review the progress of Delhi Budget and to expedite implementation of schemes to provide 20 lakh jobs in next five years.

The Aam Aadmi Party government had last month presented its budget and named it 'Rozgar Budget' as it aimed at giving 20 lakh jobs in next five years. Today, during the review of Rozgar Budget, Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri @ArvindKejriwal ji said that The way the whole country looks towards Delhi today regarding education, health, electricity, water. In the same way, we will also give a solution to employment,' the Chief Minister's Office said in a tweet in Hindi.

Officials said that in the meeting, targets and timelines of each department were set to provide 20 lakh jobs in next five years.

"In the budget of Delhi, we have set a target of creating 20 lakh jobs in the next 5 years. Such work is being done for the first time in the country. Took a meeting of all departments today. Targets and timelines were set for each department. Everyone is very excited. I believe that we will definitely achieve our goal," Kejriwal tweeted after the meeting.

Update: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks to the media during his meeting RJD's Sharad Yadav.

"Economists and bureaucrats make their plans by looking at other nations. The PM says we have to become like them. It can't be done like that. First, we have to realise who we are and what's happening here.

"They've broken the backbone (of the economy), terrifying results will come in next 3-4 years.

"You can't imagine India's economic situation and job condition. Never in your life will you see what is coming next.

"The employment structure of this country, the backbone is broken. Small and medium business, small shopkeepers, informal sector is our backbone.

"In the last 2-3 years, media, institutions, BJP leaders, RSS have hidden the truth. Slowly the truth will come out. That is what is happening in Sri Lanka. The truth came out there. The truth will come out in India."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrives at the residence of RJD leader Sharad Yadav. Sharad Yadav when asked if Rahul Gandhi should be made party chief says, "Why not? If somebody runs Congress round the clock, it is Rahul Gandhi. I think he should be made the party president. Only then can something big be done."

And Rahul Gandhi's response?

"We'll see about it...," he says.

The Assembly polls verdict raised serious questions about the future of the Congress, which was neither able to retain power in Punjab nor effectively challenge the incumbent in Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. In UP, a two-cornered race pushed Congress to a distant margin.

Rahul Gandhi has shied away from leading the Congress. As of now, the party has no president. Sonia Gandhi is only the interim president of the Congress party.

"I agree with what he (Sharad Yadav) said today that the country is in a very bad situation. Hatred is being spread and country is being divided. We have to bring the nation together and once again walk on the path of the brotherhood which has been a part of our history," Rahul said.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday proposed to make card-less cash withdrawal facility available across all banks and automated teller machine (ATM) networks using unified payments interface (UPI).

"At present, the facility of card-less cash withdrawal through ATMs is limited only to a few banks. It is now proposed to make card-less cash withdrawal facility available across all banks and ATM networks using the UPI," RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said in his first monetary policy statement for the financial year 2022-23.

Under the card-less cash withdrawal facility, a customer is not required to use his/her debit or credit cards while withdrawing cash from ATMs.

The CBI on Friday approached a Delhi court seeking revision of its order directing the agency to withdraw a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against the chair of Amnesty International India Board Aakar Patel.

Patel has filed a contempt plea against the agency, claiming that he was not allowed to leave the country once again despite the court's order.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Kumar on Thursday passed the order and directed the probe agency to withdraw the LOC immediately, apologise to him and file a compliance report by April 30.

Patel's counsel claimed that he was stopped again on Thursday night at an airport and was informed that the CBI had not withdrawn the LOC.

Both the applications are likely to come up for hearing later in the day. The court had noted that apart from the monetary loss, the applicant had suffered mental harassment as he was not allowed to undertake his visit on the scheduled time.

The applicant can approach the court or other forum for the monetary compensation.

"This court is of the considered opinion that in this case, a written apology from the head of the CBI ie. Director, CBI acknowledging the lapse on the part of his subordinate, to the applicant would go a long way in not only healing the wounds of the applicant but also upholding the trust and confidence of the public in the premier institution," the judge had said.

Patel's application had further sought the court's permission to visit the US to take up his foreign assignment and lecture series organised by various universities till May 30.

It had submitted that Patel was stopped by immigration authorities at the Bangalore International Airport on Wednesday while he was boarding a flight to the US. The application claimed that the action was taken despite an order by a Gujarat court granting him permission to travel abroad. PTI

11:56 Markets turn choppy after RBI policy outcome

Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty gave up early gains and were quoting flat during mid-session deals amid the Reserve Bank of India maintaining status quo on the benchmark lending rate.

After surging 262 points in opening trade, the Sensex paired most of its gains to trade flat at 58,965.18, lower by 69.77 points at 11:43 hours. During the trade so far, the benchmark hit a high of 59,297.46 and a low of 58,876.36.

The Nifty was also trading marginally higher by 5.20 points to 17,644.75. MPC has decided to keep benchmark repurchase (repo) rate at 4 per cent, Das said while announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy review. Consequently, the reverse repo rate will continue to earn 3.35 per cent interest for banks for their deposits kept with RBI.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) also decided unanimously to remain accommodative, while focussing on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation remains within the target going forward, while supporting growth. This is the 11th time in a row that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has maintained the status quo. RBI had last revised its policy repo rate or the short-term lending rate on May 22, 2020 in an off-policy cycle to perk up demand by cutting the interest rate to a historic low.

11:38 RBI ups inflation target for FY23 to 5.7%

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday raised the retail inflation target for the current financial year to 5.7 per cent on the back of rising global prices amidst the ongoing geo-political tensions, even as it expected the prices of cereals and pulses to soften on prospects of good winter crop harvest.

"Global food prices along with metal prices have hardened significantly. Economy is grappling with a sharp rise in inflation... Inflation is now projected at 5.7 per cent in 2022-23 with Q1 at 6.3 per cent; Q2 at 5 per cent; Q3 at 5.4 per cent and Q4 at 5.1 per cent," RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said while unveiling the first monetary policy review for the current fiscal year.

In its earlier policy review in February, the RBI had projected retail inflation to be at 4.5 per cent in 2022-23. The apex bank kept the benchmark interest rate -- repo, at which it lends short-term money to banks -- unchanged at 4 per cent. -- PTI

11:29 Lankan fuel pumps may go dry by April end

Sri Lanka may run out of diesel by the end of this month with the USD 500 million line of credit extended by India for fuel purchase exhausting fast amidst the unprecedented shortage of foreign reserves.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from the UK in 1948. People have been protesting for weeks over lengthy power cuts and shortage of gas, food and other basic goods.

The public anger has prompted nearly all Cabinet ministers to quit, and scores of lawmakers to leave President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government. According to officials, fuel shipments to Sri Lanka started coming in late March due to the urgency of the situation although they were scheduled to start from April 1.

Three more Indian shipments are due on April 15, 18 and 23 and the facility would be fully exhausted by then unless the Sri Lankan government sought for a further extension from India, they said.

Diesel is widely used for public transport and thermal power generation in the country. Closure of a few thermal power plants due to lack of diesel has already caused power cuts lasting over 10 hours daily.

The country's only refinery had to be shut down twice in November 2021, since it was unable to pay for imports. Enraged people got into the streets for endless agitations against the government, calling for its resignation for the incompetence. -- PTI

India reported 1,109 fresh COVID infections in the last 24 hours with a case positivity rate of 0.24 per cent, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.

With this, the active caseload in the country stands at 11,492, which is 0.03 per cent of the total cases. As many as 1,213 COVID patients recovered from the disease during this period taking the total number of recoveries since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,25,00,002.The recovery rate is 98.76 per cent.

According to the Ministry, 43 patients succumbed to the virus. The death toll in the country is now at 5,21,573.

The stock of Ruchi Soya Industries on Friday jumped over 8 per cent after listing of shares of the company pursuant to the Follow on Public Offer (FPO).

The stock jumped 7.77 per cent to Rs 882.55 on the BSE. At the NSE, it gained 8.23 per cent to Rs 885.

According to a BSE notice dated April 7 (Thursday), 6,61,53,846 equity shares of Rs 2 each fully paid up of Ruchi Soya Industries Limited are listed and admitted for trading on the exchange with effect from Friday, April 08, 2022.

On Tuesday, the company had informed stock exchanges that it has approved the allotment of 6,61,53,846 equity shares for an amount aggregating to Rs 4,300 crore pursuant to the FPO. The company had fixed the FPO issue price at Rs 650 per share. The issue was open from March 24 to 28. -- PTI

10:17 RBI keeps repo rates unchanged at 4%

"RBI keeps benchmark lending rate unchanged 11th time in a row at 4 per cent," says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

"RBI Monetary Policy Committee keeps repo rate unchanged at 4% unanimously, stance accommodative," Das said.

"Economy is confronted by new and humongous challenges. Indian economy comforted by large forex reserves; RBI stands ready and resolute to defend economy," RBI says.

10:09 Sensex, Nifty turn choppy ahead RBI policy

Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty opened on a choppy note on Friday tracking slight gains in index majors Wipro, Tata Steel and RIL as investors remained cautious ahead of the RBI policy outcome.

After surging 262 points in opening trade, the Sensex paired most of its gains to trade 7.57 points higher at 59,042.52. The Nifty inched up 9.65 points at 17,649.20.

From the 30-share pack, Reliance Industries Limited, Tata Steel, Titan, Dr Reddy's and Wipro were among the gainers. In contrast, Tech Mahindra, NTPC, and HDFC twins were among the major laggards.

"RBI monetary policy will decide the further directions for the markets," Mohit Nigam, Head - PMS, Hem Securities, said. -- PTI

09:31 Why Ramdev went to the BSE today

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and others went to the Bombay Stock Exchange for the FPO listing ceremony of Ruchi Soya Industries Limited.

The founder of Patanjali Ayurved has said in an interview earlier that Ruchi Soya is no more just a commodity company. Ramdev highlighted that the company is focused on rural distribution in India along with strengthening global reach. Ramdev said, "We will address both masses and classes."

09:25 An interview with Disha Ravi

A year after her arrest, climate activist Disha Ravi is still not free. Read the interview here.

Rishi Sunak is facing questions about his wife's financial affairs after it emerged that she is a 'non-dom'. enabling her to earn money from abroad free of UK tax.

Read the report here.

09:00 Something smells fishy!

The famed Chittaranjan Park fish market in Delhi. If you are in Delhi, the market is open. "Our market didn't receive any such notice. We read in newspapers (about closing shops), so some of us followed, but opened shops after reading in newspapers about no such restriction," said a fishmonger.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

08:52 SL medical group warns of catastrophic shortages

Sri Lanka's national medical association warned Thursday that hospitals will be unable to provide even emergency services in coming weeks because of critical shortages of drugs and medical equipment caused by the country's economic crisis, leading to a catastrophic number of deaths if supplies aren't replenished.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in decades and has endured months of shortages of fuel and other essentials.

Protests over the economic troubles have spread nationwide and expanded to criticism of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his politically powerful family.

The Sri Lanka Medical Association sent a letter to Rajapaksa on Thursday saying that hospitals have already decided to curtail services such as routine surgeries and limit the use of available medical materials to treatment of life-threatening illnesses.

Unless supplies are urgently replenished, within a matter of weeks, if not days, emergency treatment will also not be possible. This will result in a catastrophic number of deaths," the letter said.

Thousands of people, including health workers, have been demonstrating this week demanding a solution to the crisis and Rajapaksa's resignation for economic mismanagement.

Rajapaksa has resisted the demands to step down, even after members of his own coalition joined them this week, with governing party lawmakers calling for the appointment of an interim government to avoid possible violence.

Rajapaksa earlier proposed the creation of a unity government, but the main opposition party rejected the idea. His Cabinet resigned Sunday night, and on Tuesday, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.

08:44 Sumy liberated

Ukraine updates: The Sumy region is completely free of Russian forces. Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky announced on Facebook that the region is clear of Russia's forces, but that explosions may still be heard as rescue service workers dispose of ammunition left by the Russian military. Zhyvytsky stressed that the area is still unsafe and that drivers should not drive on the sides of roads or back roads through forests.

Image: A damaged bridge in Makariv, Ukraine. The Russian retreat from towns near Kyiv has revealed scores of civilian deaths and the full extent of devastation from Russia's failed attempt to seize the Ukrainian capital. Photo: Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Images

The Chinese embassy in the United States on Thursday reiterated Beijing's opposition to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's planned visit to Taiwan. In a statement issued by the embassy, a Chinese spokesperson urged Pelosi's plan to visit Taiwan.

"In the past few days, Chinese Ambassador Qin Gang and the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. have lodged stern representations with the U.S. Congress and government on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's reported visit to Taiwan, and stated China's solemn position, urging the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations in the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, and to cancel Speaker Pelosi's plan to visit Taiwan," said an embassy spokesperson.

These remarks were issued in response to media queries on the postponement of Pelosi's upcoming trip to Asia - during which she was supposed to visit Taiwan, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Pelosi was scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on Sunday, in a show of support for Taipei amid concerns over cross-strait relations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. US House Speaker, who was scheduled to visit Taiwan, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Pelosi, according to media reports, will now not travel. -- ANI

08:31 Imran Khan to address Pakistan today

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday announced that he would address the nation on Friday evening after his government suffered a setback following the Supreme Court's decision.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday restored the National Assembly after it declared the government's decision to dissolve the assembly and NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri's ruling against the Constitution. Khan said a meeting of the PTI's parliamentary committee would also be convened on Friday and he would "continue to fight for Pakistan till the last ball".

"I have called a cabinet mtg tomorrow as well as our parl party mtg; & tomorrow evening I will address the nation. My message to our nation is I have always & will continue to fight for Pak till the last ball," Khan, the 69-year-old cricketer-turned-politician tweeted.

The top court has ordered National Assembly Speaker Asad Qasier to summon the session on Saturday and not later than 10:30 am to allow the vote on the no-confidence motion against the premier.

During a meeting with the government's legal team earlier in the day, the prime minister had said he was ready to accept any decision that the top court would announce, sources were quoted as saying by Geo News.

"We will accept any decision the Supreme Court announces. PTI is ready for elections and we will not let any foreign conspiracy succeed," the prime minister had told the meeting's participants. -- PTI

A day after arrest of a man on charges of vandalizing the earthen ovens inside the kitchen at Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, the Puri district administration Thursday beefed up security at the 12th century shrine, a senior official said.

Puri district collector Samarth Verma, who is also the deputy chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, said the district police will be deployed inside the temple along with the Jagannth temple police from Thurssday night.

Verma said this after a meeting of the officials of district administration, SJTA, police department and hereditary servitors.

He said the discussion was held on augmenting security in the temple as many participants pointed out that the Chullha vandalisation incident has exposed lacunae in the existing security arrangement.

It was decided at the meeting that all officials of police, district and temple administration will have a coordination meeting every week instead of once a month.

It was also decided that CCTV camera network would be expanded.

A preliminary survey on augmentation and up-gradation of CCTV cameras has already been completed.

"We may require 135 CCTV cameras for installation inside the temple for which the locations have been identified. The CCTVs will be wireless and server-based," Verma said.

Meanwhile, SJTA sources said that they were facing problems due to shortage of staff.

The district administration has already written to the state government for recruitment of more employees under SJTA, the collector said.

Following the temple kitchen incident where a man vandalized over 40 chullhas on Saturday night, the district police started thorough checking of all devotes entering the shrine. -- PTI

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