Bihar YouTuber Arrested For Slapping Train Passenger For Social Media Fame

A man who slapped a random passenger onboard a train at Bihar's Anugraha Narayan Road railway station and recorded the entire act for online fame has finally been taught a lesson. The culprit, identified as Ritesh Kumar, stood at the railway platform and waited for the train to roll away before going near it and slapping an unsuspecting passenger. All this while, his friend recorded the act to be posted on social media.

As the video clip went viral, social media users reacted negatively and demanded the authorities to take action against Kumar. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) sprung into action and apprehended Kumar, who was directed to release an apology.

"No compromise on passenger security!! A YouTuber who slapped a passenger on a moving train for social media fame has been tracked & arrested by RPF Dehri-on-Sone!" RPF said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"Your safety matters to us-reckless acts will not be tolerated."

Meanwhile, Kumar in the apology video admitted his mistake, stating that he wanted to increase his followers by staging such a video.

"I am a YouTuber. I make and post videos on Instagram to increase my followers. I came to Anugraha Narayan Road railway station and, to boost my follower count, slapped a passenger on a moving train," said Kumar.

"This was my mistake, and I won't repeat it. Please forgive me," he added.

No compromise on passenger security !!
A YouTuber who slapped a passenger on a moving train for social media fame has been tracked & arrested by #RPF Dehri-on-Sone! pic.twitter.com/4KckhrCyPy
Your safety matters to us—reckless acts will not be tolerated.#PassengerSafety #RPFAction… pic.twitter.com/2h00IQPTKj

— RPF INDIA (@RPF_INDIA) February 27, 2025

Social media reacts

Reacting to the news of Kumar's arrest, social media users applauded RPF for taking action and demanded that all vandals be punished similarly.

"Good job RPF. Such vandals should be taught a lesson," said one user while another added: "Without harsh punishment they will never going to learn. Fine them huge amount."

A third commented: "I hope all those who vandalised trains will be tracked down, arrested and given exemplary punishment too. No one has the right to damage public property."

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/jXqJNba

Who Will Head BJP After JP Nadda? Decision Likely By March 15, Say Sources

The next BJP chief could be announced as soon as within a fortnight, sources have indicated, citing that the organisational elections of the party have been completed in 12 states. Sources said the party's national president likely to be announced before March 15, after which an inauspicious period starts in the Hindu calendar.. 

Elections in Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are already over. So is the situation in Assam. There will be no change in Bihar, where elections are due by the end of this year.

State in-charges have already been asked to submit prospective names. Some states like UP and Gujarat are likely to get unit presidents before a national president is announced.

Mr Nadda's tenure was extended until June 2024 in view of the Lok Sabha election, and with his induction into the government, the party has been looking at prospective candidates to succeed him. 

But the process has been slow, with the leaders hoping to create consensus on the issue. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/aWv2buh

MS Dhoni's IPL Future Confirmed? Cryptic Message Sets Internet On Fire

Former Indian cricket team skipper MS Dhoni has sent the internet into frenzy with a cryptic message over his Indian Premier League (IPL) future. Ahead of IPL 2025, he arrived in Chennai to join his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates but it is his t-shirt that has become the topic of discussion among fans. The internet believes that the t-shirt contained a cryptic message that hinted towards IPL 2025 being his final season in the competition. Fans took to social media to decode the message on the t-shirt and a number of them believed that it was a Morse Code that translated to - "One last time".

The Shirt Dhoni wore while arriving in Chennai had a morse code that read
"One last time" #MSDhoni #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/9jHQKFHsVv

— Tejas (@TejasVenugopal) February 26, 2025

Earlier, Dhoni said it takes a lot of hard work to be fit and ready for two months of IPL.

MS Dhoni arrived at Chennai Airport wearing a T-shirt that says “One Last Time” in morse code!

Bitter sweet!#MSD #CSK #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/UySnNUvDOn

— Homskyra (@homskyra) February 26, 2025

"I only play a couple of months in a year, but I want to enjoy it the way I started playing, that's something that keeps me going," Dhoni said at Garuda Aerospace's 'Ascend' during the launch of Amaran Drone and Land Mine Detection Drone, here on Friday.

"But, of course, for that, I need to put in a lot of hard work for six to eight months because IPL is one of the toughest tournaments. Nobody really cares about how old you are. If you're playing at this level, the level needs to be the same," he added.

Dhoni said playing for the country was his biggest motivation in his career coming from a state, which isn't known for the sport.

"When I started playing international cricket, for me the biggest motivation was representing my country," he said.

"It has always been the country for me because coming from where I came, not known for cricket as a state, once I got a chance I wanted to contribute, I wanted to be part of a winning team that was trying to win each and every game, you're trying to win the big tournaments, the bilateral series (and) so (on).

"For me, my biggest motivation was that contribution to make India win. Now that I've retired from international cricket, I can't say it's the same, but for me now, it's the love for the sport," he added.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/3EBVT6C

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Live Streaming, Copa Del Rey Semis 1st Leg

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Live Streaming, Copa Del Rey Live Telecast: Real Sociedad host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Real Madrid's left Kylian Mbappe will miss the match as he is out of the squad due to a dental problem. He did not train with his team-mates on the eve of the game but coach Carlo Ancelotti said the striker would travel to San Sebastian. Ancelotti also said his team was doing a good job given its packed fixture list, describing the football calendar as "absurd" and "unsustainable".

If Madrid progress as far as possible in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, as well as the Club World Cup in the summer, they could play 72 games this season.

Madrid have already won the Intercontinental Cup and the European Super Cup, but lost against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.

"Taking into account the absurd calendar we have to deal with, that all teams have to, not just us, we're doing very well," Ancelotti told reporters.

"All teams that are fighting and battling in these moments are doing very well, because it's an unsustainable calendar."

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid LIVE Streaming details, Copa del Rey semi-finals 2024-25 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch?

When will the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match take place?

The Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match will take place on Thursday, February 27 (IST).

Where will the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match be held?

The Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match will be held at the Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain.

What time will the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match start?

The Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match will start at 2:00 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey match?

The Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match?

The Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

With AFP Inputs

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Ic71K6x

Afghanistan Register Historic Win, Knock England Out Of Champions Trophy

Ibrahim Zadran's majestic 177 and pacer Azmatullah Omarzai's fifer trumped Joe Root's masterful hundred, as the brave Afghanistan registered a thrilling 8-run win to knock a largely-insipid England out of the Champions Trophy on Wednesday. England are winless after two matches and in their last league match in Group B they will face South Africa, who already have three points along with Australia. Afghanistan now have two points and will have to beat the Aussies in their final group match to entertain the hopes of reaching the last eight. For a long time, England's chase merely rattled along as the dismissal of Phil Salt and Jamie Smith jolted them early. They were 30 for two then, and eventually ended up at 317 all out with a ball to spare as pacer Omarzai (5/58) struck at crucial junctures.

But Root (120, 111b, 11x4, 1x6) brought stability to England's innings through two alliances, adding 68 runs with Ben Duckett (38), who was dropped on 29, for the third wicket and then an 83-run stand with skipper Jos Buttler for the fifth wicket.

They were not really blazing partnerships but kept England afloat, keeping them in the vicinity of the asking rate.

But the jettisoning of Duckett and Buttler prematurely curtailed those blossoming joint ventures, as Root had to shoulder the burden all by himself.

Root's was a clever innings, as he hardly hit any ball in anger but still managed a strike-rate close to 100, and at times above 100.

But there those little flourishes which are so central to a Root innings such as a reverse sweep four off wrist spinner Noor Ahmad or a scooped six behind wicketkeeper off Fazalhaq Farooqi.

He brought up his 17th ODI hundred with a single off Rashid Khan, and looked to stay on. But a rather tired ramp off pacer Omarzai ended in the gloves of keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

But England had another willing soldier in Jamie Overton (32, 28b), who added precious 54 runs for the seventh wicket, but a feeble heave off Omarzai ended his stint.

It also marked the end of England's journey in this tournament.

Earlier, Zadran's remarkable innings helped Afghanistan pile 325 for seven.

Zadran, whose daddy hundred came off 146 balls (12x4, 6x6), had solid support from skipper Hashmathullah Shahidi (40, 67b, 3x4), with whom he raised 103 runs for the fourth wicket, and Azmatullah Omarzai (41, 31b) with whom he milked 72 runs for the fifth wicket.

Later, he plundered 111 runs for the sixth wicket with Mohammed Nabi (40, 24b) to put England through the wringer.

But Afghanistan's start to a must-win game was way off the mark after they elected to bat first. Jofra Archer's (3/64) pace and accuracy put them under considerable strife inside the first 10 overs on an absolute batting beauty.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz dragged an Archer delivery back onto his stumps while attempting a drive, Sediquallah Atal was trapped in front and Rahmat Shah pulled one straight to Adil Rashid at square leg as the Afghans slumped to 37 for three inside the Power Play.

Zadran began the repair work in the company of Shahidi and they were understandably circumspect.

But once he reached 50 off 65 balls, Zadran opened up more and smoked Jamie Overton for a couple of fours to signal the shifting of gears.

However, Shahidi was dismissed when he tried to reverse sweep leg-spinner Rashid, whose front-of-the-arm delivery crashed onto the stumps.

But Zadran flourished in the company of Omarzai as England felt the heat of double-barrel firing.

England also had to deal with a knee injury to pacer Mark Wood, as he bowled only eight overs even after spending some time away from the field during the Afghan innings.

Zadran, who brought up his sixth ODI hundred off 106 balls, soon slipped into overdrive, smashing Overton for 6, 4, 4, in an over.

The departure of Omarzai did not slow down the 23-year-old as he blasted Archer for 6, 4, 4, 4 to reach the 150-run mark for the second time in his career.

Along with a veteran batter Nabi, Zadran added quick runs for the sixth wicket at over 11 runs an over as England fell apart spectacularly in the final 10 overs, conceding 113 runs. Zadran eventually fell to Liam Livingstone in the final over. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/VYNFmuR

Out On Bail, Man Rapes Pune Woman Inside Bus 100 Metres From Police Station

Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the man allegedly responsible for the rape of a 26-year-old woman in Pune, is a history sheeter, who was out on bail, the police have said. A manhunt is on in the city since the young woman reported the rape earlier today. The police have pressed in eight teams and sniffer dogs. 

Gade has at least six cases of theft, robbery and chain-snatching registered against him in Pune and adjoining Ahilyanagar district. Arrested for a robbery, he has been out on bail snice 2019, reported news agency Press Trust of India quoting un-named officials. 

Cases were registered against him in Shikrapur and Shirur police station limits in Pune district. He also faces cases in Ahilyanagar district. As late as last year, a theft case was lodged against him in Pune.

A Pune police team has already questioned his brother to know his whereabouts.

The rape took place at Swargate bus stand, one of the busiest in the city. Today, when Gade tricked the woman into the empty bus, locked its door and assaulted her, there have been people around, the police had said. 

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Smartana Patil, has told reporters that CCTV footage showed the woman walking towards the bus with the accused. In fact, the police identified him from the footage. There were many people and several buses on the station premises when the incident took place, she said. 

The woman had been waiting for a bus for Phaltan in Satara district around 5.45 am. The accused, according to MSRTC officials, had taken her to the empty bus claiming to be its conductor. When she pointed out the bus was empty, he said it had people inside who were sleeping.
 
After the assault, the woman took a bus for her hometown and narrated the incident to her friend on phone while on way, the police said. On her friend's advice, she got off the bus and went to the police to report the matter.

The MSRTC is one of the three public transport bodies in the country, with a fleet of more than 14,000 buses. Every day, more than 55 lakh passengers travel by its buses.

(With Agencies)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Ab9ljS7

Trump Says Will Sell 'Gold' Residency Permits For $5 Million

President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States would start selling a new type of residency permit called a "gold card" for a price of $5 million.

"We're going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We're going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/dHbyKFB

Barca vs Atleti Live Streaming Copa Del Rey SF: When And Where To Watch

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Live Streaming Copa Del Rey Live Telecast: Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey semi-final tie at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Catalonia, Spain. Hansi Flick's men come into this one on the back of a hard fought 1-0 win over Las Palmas in LaLiga. Barcelona are top of the league, leading Real Madrid only on goal difference.  Barcelona could be without Lamine Yamal who is still nursing an ankle injury, but there has been optimisim that the teenage winger will be good to go.

Atletico, on the other hand, have lost just once game in the last four months, thanks to their in-form attacking duo of Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann. Atletico won at Barcelona in their final game of 2024, a match which the Catalans dominated. The host had conceded a late 96th minute goal from Alexander Sorloth.

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid LIVE Streaming details, Copa del Rey semi-finals 2024-25 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch?

When will the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match take place?

The Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will take place on Wednesday, February 26 (IST).

Where will the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match be held?

The Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will be held at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Catalonia, Spain.

What time will the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match start?

The Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will start at 2:00 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match?

The Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match?

The Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Copa del Rey match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/8ypbPCA

Maha Kumbh To Wind Up Today After Holy Dip For Shiv Ratri

1. So far, a record 63.36 crore people from every echelon of society   have taken the holy dip at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam - the meeting point of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the long-lost Saraswati.
2. Huge arrangements have been made for today's dip that will begin before dawn and ring down the curtains on the festival that takes place every 12 years. . 
3. Since Monday, crowds started swelling at the mela grounds for the final "Amrit Snan" that will begin in the early hours. 
4. The government has taken comprehensive measures that include efficient crowd management, enhanced sanitation and adequate medical facilities. 
5. This is complemented by elaborate arrangements for security, transportation and emergency response systems. 
6. The extra focus on arrangements came after the January 26 stampede on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, in which more than 30 people died and more than 60 were injured.
7. It sparked a massive political slugfest that saw most leaders of the Opposition and the BJP joining the fray. 
8. As the Opposition repeatedly targeted the government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused them of denigrating religion and culture. PM Modi said it showed a "slave mentality".
9. The other big controversy was over reports that suggested that water at the Sangam contained fecal coliform bacteria and was not fit for bathing. Yogi Adityanath issued a denial, accusing critics of spreading misinformation.
10. Kumbh, mentioned first in Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scripture, means a pitcher. The story goes that drops of amrit, the nectar of immortality, had spilled when it was brought up by gods and demons through churning the cosmic ocean. A bath in the rivers at these spots under the right constellations is believed to wash off all sins.  

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/9R8NUZk

AI Set To Replace Humans In 4,000 Roles In Southeast Asia's Largest Bank

DBS, Singapore's largest bank, has announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 4,000 roles over the next three years. This move is driven by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which will assume responsibilities currently handled by human employees.

The affected positions will primarily consist of temporary and contract staff, with the reduction in workforce resulting from natural attrition as projects are completed. Notably, permanent staff will not be impacted by these cuts.

According to DBS's outgoing CEO, Piyush Gupta, the bank expects to create around 1,000 new job opportunities related to AI. This development makes DBS one of the first major banks to provide insight into the effects of AI on its operations. However, the company has not disclosed the number of jobs that will be cut in Singapore specifically.

A DBS spokesperson elaborated on the workforce reduction, stating, "Over the next three years, we envisage that AI could reduce the need to renew about 4,000 temporary/contract staff across our 19 markets working on specific projects". The spokesperson continued, "As such, we expect the reduction in workforce will come from natural attrition as these temporary and contract roles are completed over the next few years."

Currently, DBS employs between 8,000 and 9,000 temporary and contract workers, in addition to its total workforce of around 41,000 people. Last year, Gupta revealed that DBS had been investing in AI technologies for over a decade. He noted, "We today deploy over 800 AI models across 350 use cases, and expect the measured economic impact of these to exceed S$1bn ($745m; £592m) in 2025".

As Gupta prepares to leave the firm at the end of March, current Deputy CEO Tan Su Shan is set to succeed him. The increasing prevalence of AI technology has sparked intense debate about its benefits and risks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that AI is likely to affect nearly 40% of all jobs worldwide. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva cautioned that "in most scenarios, AI will likely exacerbate overall inequality."
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/jyS2gRI

Canada's New Visa Rules May Become A Nightmare For Indian Students, Workers

Canada's latest steps to curb migration is likely to have an adverse effect on tens of thousands of foreign students, including those from India. It will also negatively impact those who apply for work and resident permits.

These new rules have come into effect from the beginning of February and give unhindered powers to Canadian border officials to alter the visa status of students, workers, and migrants at any time should they deem such action necessary.

Under the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Canadian border personnel are now vested with the powers to deny or reject temporary resident documents such as electronic travel authorisations or eTAs and temporary resident visas or TRVs.

This means that border officials can now cancel such documents, which include work permits and student visas. However, there are some guidelines which need to be met in order for them to reject permits and visas. This includes one which states that if an officer is not convinced that the individual will leave Canada upon the expiration of their authorised stay, they can reject their entry or cancel their permit even during their stay in Canada.

The discretionary powers to make such judgement is entirely vested upon the officer.

These new rules and regulations have a scope of uncertainty, and will potentially impact tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of international students and workers - of which Indians are the largest group of foreign nationals in either category.

Canada is among the most preferred destination for Indian students, workers, and legal migrants. Students alone, currently pursuing their higher education in Canada, account for more than 4.2 lakh Indian nationals as per government data.

Should a student, worker, or migrant get rejected, they will be stopped at the port of entry and sent back to their home country. In case a permit is cancelled while such a person is already studying, working, or residing in Canada, they will be served a notice to leave the country by a specified date.

Besides these categories, Canada also sees a massive inflow of tourists from India - all of whom also have temporary permits of different duration of stay. In the first six months of 2024, Canada issued travel visas to more than 3.6 lakh Indians. In 2023 too, Indians accounted for 3.4 lakh tourists in the first six months of the year as per data released by the Canadian authorities.

Those who will be impacted shall receive a notification by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada via email as well as their IRCC account. There is no clarity regarding what will happen to the money invested or already paid by such persons - be it towards their education or loans, mortgages or rent paid by workers during their stay in case of a sudden cancellation.

Just three months earlier - in November 2024, Canada had closed down the Student Direct Stream or SDS visa program - a preferred route for Indian students who were willing to guarantee money upfront to be assured of their education in the North American country.
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/dEa62H7

Crackdown On Illegal Travel Agents In Amritsar, Licenses Of 40 Cancelled

Punjab has cancelled the licenses of 40 travel agents amid a huge row over the deportation of Indians who migrated illegally to the US. Licenses of some IELTS centers have also been cancelled and such action will be taken in future as well, sources said. 

Sources said the Amritsar police have taken action on the basis of a complaint against travel agents operating illegally from the city and more action could be expected in the coming days.

The police are continuously registering cases against travel agents who send Indians illegally and raids are being conducted to catch them, sources said. 

The complainant in this case, Sarabjit Singh, said he had given a letter to the Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahni.

Government sources earlier said people from Punjab comprise the biggest chunk of the Indians being deported by the US. Three flights arrived on February 5, February 15 and February 16 in which 333 Indians were sent. Of them, the maximum people - 126 or 37.8 per cent - were from Punjab, sources said. 

The clarification came days after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's objection to the flights landing in his state. Sources said because of the maximum number of Punjabis among the deportees, 21 flights have been landed in Amritsar since May 2020. 

Instances of illegal immigration from Punjab -- where people eager for a better life are promised visas to travel abroad in exchange for large sums of money but are ultimately routed in on fake visas -- have been reported widely, adding the term "Dunki route" to the lexicon. 

Reports said more than 3,200 police cases have been filed against travel agents in Punjab over the last three years.

There have been multiple arrests in such cases. Among them was Punjabi singer Fatehjit Singh, who ended up in the police net in September last year. The most popular destinations include the US, Canada, UK and Australia.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/0Vxm2nw

Rape Survivor Faces Horror Again In Bengaluru Hotel, Cop Arrested

A 17-year-old rape survivor was allegedly raped by a police constable at a Bengaluru hotel, officials said on Monday.

The incident took place in December, when constable Arun asked the survivor to meet her at a hotel on the pretext of helping her. 

According to officials, the teen initially befriended Vicky, who allegedly raped her on a false promise of marriage. Vicky also assaulted the girl.

The survivor's mother filed a complaint with Bommanahalli police, but Arun befriended the accused.

The constable assured justice to the girl and also promised to find her a job. He allegedly called her to a hotel, where he mixed sedatives in a liquor bottle and forced her to consume it. Arun then raped the survivor and threatened to circulate her private videos if she disclosed the incident to anyone, the officials said. 

Both Arun and Vicky have been arrested and charged under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The accused have been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/1JosIeH

Liquor Ban In J&K? Signature Campaign, Posters, Spark Massive Row

Jammu and Kashmir is seeing a fresh political row over liquor ban - an issue that came up in 2016 but got thumbs downed by Mehbooba Mufti's ruling People's Democratic Party. Now the battlelines have been re-drawn, with the PDP spearheading the demand for a ban. The party has started a signature campaign in support of the ban and it is the ruling National Conference that is accusing it of hypocrisy.
Over the weekend, posters came up across Srinagar, supporting the ban and calling upon tourists to "respect local culture and traditions". Police action to remove the posters has been questioned by the Opposition.

The matter is expected to dominate the assembly in the budget session which begins on March 3. Two members - one of the PDP and one from the National Conference -- have submitted bills to ban liquor.

PDP's Fayaz Ahamd Mir, National Conference's Ahsan Pardesi and a third MLA -- Awami Ittehad Party's (AIP) Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad - have moved separate bills in the assembly seeking ban on sale of liquor in the Union Territory.

Today PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti  joined the signature campaign that was  launched by her daughter  Iltija Mufti yesterday. 

A day before, on Friday, traders at Srinagar's historic Lal Chowk had put up posters that, after welcoming tourists, said, "For a memorable and enjoyable trip, we kindly request: Love and cherish your family, avoid liquor, drugs, spitting on roads and smoking. Respect our culture and traditions".

NC MLA, Ahsan Pardesi said, in support of his bill, that the unchecked sale of alcohol disregards the religious and cultural ethos of Kashmir.

"Our heritage has always stood against intoxicants, and this bill is a step toward preserving those values," he added.

Kashmir - heavily dependent on tourism -- has always been cosmopolitan in its hospitality. The first liquor shop in the Valley dates back to the British era. Since then, liquor shops have functioned in Kashmir, but as terror broke out in the Valley in the 1990s, Islamist terrorist groups banned the sale of liquor.

The ruling National Conference has said it is pro-choice and would prefer to leave it to tourists to decide whether they wanted a tipple or not.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/7IRljAb

Shooting At Hospital In US' Pennsylvania, Reports Say Gunman Killed

Several shots were fired at a hospital in central Pennsylvania, with the gunman being reportedly killed in the encounter with police. The incident took place at the UPMC Memorial Hospital and some people are reportedly injured.

Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, said, "I've been briefed on the tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County and I am on my way to the scene. The hospital is now secure and members of the police are on the ground responding alongside our local and federal partners."

I've been briefed on the tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County and I am on my way to the scene.

The hospital is now secure and members of the @PAStatePolice and @PEMAHQ are on the ground responding alongside our local and federal partners.

Follow the…

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) February 22, 2025

"Follow the direction of local authorities and stay clear of the area. We will share more updates as they become available," Mr Shapiro said.

A video, which is viral on social media, shows a police car approaching the hospital and people running out of the premises. After shots were fired, the area was cordoned off by the police.

🚨🇺🇸#BREAKING | NEWS ⚠️
Active shooter situation at UMPC hospital in York, Pennsylvania story is still developing multiple victims reported pic.twitter.com/GqOAqWMtiE

— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) February 22, 2025

According to reports, two law enforcement officers and a nurse sustained injuries in the shooting.

The New York Times, quoting an official from the hospital said, "A gunman was at the hospital on Saturday and shots were fired." "The hospital is now secure and the threat has been neutralized," the hospital said.

Officials at UPMC Memorial in York said that no patients were injured and that the gunman is dead, the news agency Associated Press reported, adding that law enforcement agencies are on-premises and are managing the situation.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/IpN0n2X

"Not Coming Here": Sanjana Ganesan's Chat With BAN Star Over Bumrah Viral

A funny interaction between cricket presenter Sanjana Ganesan and Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz is going viral on social media. During the chat, the duo talked about India's right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is also the husband of Sanjana.  "He is very different bowler and very dangerous," said Mehidy in the video. To this, the presenter replied, "He is not coming here." Then Mehidy said, "Yeah, I know. We are very happy." The Bangladesh star then asked about how Bumrah was doing. "He is okay. He is training at the NCA," said Sanjana.

Notably, Bumrah is not a part of India's squad for the ongoing Champions Trophy due to a back injury he suffered during the fifth and final Test in Australia in January this year.

That OOF for bumrah . pic.twitter.com/CLg7jlTyQD

— onlyy rndom thngss (@sahilmemon23) February 19, 2025

India talisman pacer Bumrah had recently shared a picture of him hitting the gym after being ruled out of the ICC event. Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had released a statement to confirm Bumrah's absence from the tournament.

"Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men's Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement," BCCI had stated.

In his recent post, Bumrah had taken to Instagram and shared a picture from inside a gym. "Rebuilding" was the caption of the post.

https://ift.tt/CBvT1Ra

Bumrah has been missing from on-field action since January. His last appearance was in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney.

After bowling 10.1 overs in the first innings, the A-Lister was visibly in discomfort and went for scans. He was advised by the Australian doctors not to participate in the remainder of the Sydney Test. He came out to bat in the second innings but didn't take up his duties with the ball.

Talking about Champions Trophy 2025, the eight-team tournament is featuring 15 matches and will be played across Pakistan and Dubai. The ICC Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9 is being hosted by Pakistan and UAE, with India playing its matches in Dubai under a hybrid model.

The biggest match of the ICC tournament between two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, will be played on February 23. India will started their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2.

India's squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

(With ANI Inputs)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/BXhECFo

Musk's Reaction To Woman Losing "Dream Job" In DOGE Cuts Sparks Discussion

A US woman who once praised the convenience of remote work has lost her job in the federal restructuring spearheaded by Elon Musk. After assuming office earlier this year, US President Donald Trump has focused on reducing government spending and downsizing the federal workforce. Spearheading this initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has enforced cost-cutting measures across various federal agencies. Amid this, a woman who goes by the name 'That Blonde Girl' on social media shared that she was terminated from her "dream job" due to the federal restructuring orders. 

In a post shared on February 15, Saturday, she wrote: "I was terminated from my dream job with the Children's Bureau yesterday due to federal restructuring orders/DOGE. I am unemployed for the first time since I was 15 years old."

This post and her termination came months after she bragged about the convenience of a work-from-home job. "Didn't have any meetings today so I've been wearing my jammies all day but now I have a meeting in 30 minutes sooo putting on a hoodie. Eventually that WFH life gonna getcha," she posted in October 2024. 

These two different posts have gone viral on social media and even caught the attention of Elon Musk. The billionaire, who has been vocal about bringing employees back to the office, reacted to the combined tweets with one emoji which reflects his stand regarding the work-from-home situation for employees. 

Take a look below: 

🤨 https://t.co/OGJrNK1KuW

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 19, 2025

Mr Musk's reaction to the tweet quickly caught the attention of social media users. In the comments section, some questioned why the woman was being criticised, suggesting that remote working doesn't necessarily mean she was unproductive. Others argued that optics might seem unprofessional but did not indicate a lack of effort. 

Also Read | Recruiter Destroys Keyboard In Rage After Candidate Rejects Job Offer, Internet Reacts

"I don't get it. Why is this bad?  Because she was wearing comfortable clothes while working from home with no meetings?" questioned one user. "I'm confused.. What is the problem here..Whether she wears pajamas or a suit - it shouldn't matter to anyone?" commented another. 

"So, you are assuming, (or insinuating), that people are not capable of working in pyjamas?  She is referring to a meeting/online video call, not her full scope of work of which you have absolutely ZERO idea!" expressed a third user. 

"I honestly don't get this one and I'm a Trump supporter.  If the role can be done from home and the required tasks are being completed on time and accurately, what's the big deal?  If people aren't needed just because their job is obselete or duplicate, that's a different story," wrote another. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Or4eHF9

Kash Patel, A Trump Loyalist, Confirmed As FBI Director

The Republican-controlled US Senate on Thursday confirmed Kash Patel, a staunch loyalist of President Donald Trump, to be director of the FBI, the country's top law enforcement agency.

Patel, 44, whose nomination sparked fierce but ultimately futile opposition from Democrats, was approved by a 51-49 vote.

The vote was split along party lines with the exception of two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who voted not to confirm Patel to head the 38,000-strong Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Patel drew fire from Democrats for his promotion of conspiracy theories, his defense of pro-Trump rioters who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and his vow to root out members of a supposed "deep state" plotting to oppose the Republican president.

The Senate has approved all of Trump's cabinet picks so far, underscoring his iron grip on the Republican Party.

Among them is Tulsi Gabbard, confirmed as the nation's spy chief despite past support for adversarial nations including Russia and Syria, and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be health secretary.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/dpaABlX

CT 2025 Table After India's Win vs Ban: Semis Qualification Scenarios

The first round of matches in Group A of the Champions Trophy 2025 are over. After New Zealand's comprehensive win over Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday, India overcame a gritty Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday. Currently, New Zealand lead the table (2 points, NRR +1.200) followed by India (2 points, NRR +0.408). Bangladesh are third in the table from Group A (0 points, NRR -0.408) while Pakistan are fourth (0 points, NRR - 1.200).  India's next round of matches are on February 23 (vs Pakistan) and March 2 (vs New Zealand). Apart from the India fixture, Pakistan face Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi. For New Zealand, apart from the India clash, the other match is against Bangladesh on February 24. 

The equation is simple for India and New Zealand. If they win their next matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively, they will be through to the semi-finals. Even if they lose the next match, they will still have a chance to enter the semi-finals by winning the last game where they will face each other. 

For Pakistan and Bangladesh, the equation is tricky. Their next matches are almost do-or-die. A loss could knock them out, while a win will only take them to two points. It will not take them to the semi-finals but will keep them alive. If Pakistan win their next match (vs India) and Bangladesh win vs New Zealand, then the matches between the two teams on February 27 will be virtual quarter-final.

There is another possibility, three of the four teams can remain on one win each too. E.g. New Zealand lose to India and Bangladesh. Then, Pakistan lose to India but win against Bangladesh. In that scenario, India will be on six points but New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan will be on two points each. In such a scenario, the second semi-finalist will be decided via run-rate.   

A brilliant century by Shubman Gill and five-wicket haul by Mohammed Shami were the highlights as India defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in their ICC Champions Trophy campaign opener at Dubai on Thursday.

Chasing 229 runs set thanks to a fighting 154-run stand by Towhid Hridoy, India got off to a fine start with a 69-run opening stand. They lost their way a bit, struggling at 144/4, but Gill and KL Rahul took India to the finishing line.

During the run-chase of 229 runs, openers skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill once again gave a fine start to India. In the sixth over by Mustafizur Rahman, Rohit hit three fours. At the end of eighth over, India was past 50-run mark thanks to a four by the captain.

Gill piled on some boundaries in the next over. But India's opening 69-run stand was ended by Taskin Ahmed as a mistimed loft by Rohit landed in Rishad Hossain's hands, ending his knock at 41 in 36 balls, with seven fours.

Virat Kohli was next up on the crease, but struggled against spinners. India reached the 100-run mark in 20 overs.

However, the 42-run stand between him and Gill was ended by Rishad, who removed Virat for a 38-ball 22 as a cut shot by him was caught by Soumya at backward point. India was 111/2 in 22.4 overs.

While Gill reached his fourth successive fifty-plus score in ODIs in 69 balls, with five fours and a six, India did struggle as they lost Shreyas Iyer (15 in 17 balls, with two fours) and Axar Patel (eight runs in 12 balls) quickly, reducing India to 144/4 in 30.1 overs.

KL and Gill continued the run-chase, bringing India closer to the target.

India reached the 200-run mark in 42.3 overs.

Gill reached his eighth ODI ton in 125 balls, with nine fours and two sixes.

With ANI inputs 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/0J4wUAT

A Car Accident That Wasn't And 3 Bodies: 'Suicide' Mystery Shocks Kolkata

The deaths of two women and a girl at a house in Kolkata which has shocked the city, may not be suicide, postmortem reports have indicated, said sources in Kolkata police. The women -- married to two brothers -- and the daughter of one of them, were found dead yesterday. Their husbands and son of one brother, were involved in a car accident. They have apparently told the police that they were trying to commit suicide.

The women were found with their wrists slit. But the postmortem report indicated other injuries as well. Both had slashes on the throat and died after massive bleeding. The girl, who was 14 years old, had bruises on chest, legs, lips and head. She had also been poisoned, sources said, quoting the report.

The police said the brothers, Pranoy and Prasun Dey, lived at the house in Tangra with their wives Sudeshna and Romi Dey. Pranoy and Sudeshna had a son, Pratik. Prasun and Priyambada's daughter was Priyambada.

The deaths of the woman became known after the two men and the boy were found involved in the crash near Abhishikta crossing on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass --- the arterial road that encircles part of the city - around 4 am.

All three had sustained injuries but survived. They are still in the hospital. 

One of the men told the police that they were attempting suicide and had deliberately crashed the car into a metro pillar. The women, he had added, had already died by suicide. 

The police later recovered the bodies from the house in Tangra and investigated the spot, collecting forensic and other evidence. All three bodies were found in different rooms, the police said. 

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the NRS Medical College and Hospital in the presence of a videographer and police personnel.

The police said the family, which used to operate a tannery business, was in financial difficulties. There was a possibility that this was a case of murder-suicide, sources said. 
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/PCFztaj

Ganga Water At Kumbh's Sangam Unsafe On Another Parameter Too: Data

The Ganga water at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where lakhs of people are taking a holy dip every day during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, is currently unsafe for bathing as it exceeds the prescribed limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD), a key parameter to determine water quality, according to government data.

BOD refers to the amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a water body. A higher BOD level indicates more organic content in the water.

River water is considered fit for bathing if the BOD level is less than 3 milligrams per litre.

The Central Pollution Control Board recently told the National Green Tribunal that several locations in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj do not conform to the primary water quality standards for bathing with respect to faecal coliform levels.

However, it said that the river water quality met the bathing criteria in terms of BOD after January 13 "due to freshwater intrusion at upstream locations." Government data shows that the river water at Sangam is currently exceeding the safe limit for BOD as well.

The BOD level at Sangam was 5.09 milligrams per litre at 5 am on February 16. It was recorded at 4.6 milligrams per litre at 5 pm on February 18 and 5.29 milligrams per litre at 8 am on February 19 (Wednesday).

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the BOD level at Sangam was 3.94 milligrams per litre on January 13 when the Maha Kumbh started.

It improved to 2.28 milligrams per litre on Makar Sankranti (January 14) and further dropped to 1 milligram per litre on January 15.

However, it rose to 4.08 milligrams per litre on January 24 and was recorded at 3.26 milligrams per litre on Mauni Amavasya (January 29). According to Uttar Pradesh government officials, 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water is being released into the Ganga to ensure it meets bathing standards.

The Maha Kumbh, which started on January 13, will conclude on February 26, Maha Shivaratri day. Over 54 crore people have taken a dip in the sacred waters of Triveni Sangam so far.

Mahakumbh Nagar is the world's largest temporary city, accommodating 50 lakh to 1 crore devotees at any given time.

These pilgrims generate at least 16 million litres of faecal waste and 240 million litres of greywater daily from activities like cooking, washing, and bathing.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh told reporters on Sunday that the rise in footfall is due to the government's success in improving river water quality and sanitation since the 2019 Ardh Kumbh.

"Before 2019, there would be no toilets at Kumbh. Officials would earmark an area with a red flag, provide tents, and open defecation used to take place.

"For the first time in 2019, we built 1.14 lakh individual toilets with Sintex (plastic) tanks underneath to collect wastewater and excreta. Desludging would be done every two-three days and the faecal sludge would be taken to open oxidation ponds far away. This time, we have constructed 1.5 lakh individual toilets and two faecal sludge treatment plants," he said.

A 200 km-long temporary drainage network has been set up to connect treatment facilities, Singh added.

"Sanitation is a big hallmark (of Kumbh arrangements), and those who have been to Kumbh previously can distinctly see the difference," he said.

Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People (SANDRP), said the state government has been highly irresponsible in claiming that no harm has come to people who have bathed in the river, despite the water being unfit for bathing.

"It is the government's moral duty to provide clean water for bathing. When the water is not safe, there is always a high risk of infection," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/NQJDCql

Woman Loses Rs 4.3 Crore, Becomes Homeless, Trying To Find Love Online

A woman based in Perth has been forced to live homeless after losing over Rs 4.3 crore ($780,000) in life savings to scammers while searching for love online. According to a report in news.com.au, Annette Ford, 57, is now couch-surfing in Western Australia and hoping to secure housing at an affordable retirement village as the scammers remain free.

Ms Ford joined the dating pool after her 33-year-long marriage ended in 2018 and her ex-husband moved on quickly. Looking to seek a love life of her own, she joined a dating site called "Plenty of Fish" where she started talking to a man named 'William'.

Over the course of several months, the stranger managed to win Ms Ford's trust before asking her for money. 'Wlliam' said he needed Rs 2,75,000 ($5000) as his wallet had been stolen in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"He said he had been mugged outside the site he was working on (in Kuala Lumpur) and they took his wallet and his cards," said Ms Ford.

"The next thing I know he's in hospital and I'm being landed with a $5000 hospital payable to an Australian doctor. I (paid) that. Then there was a hotel bill, and he said he couldn't pay the workers on the site because he didn't have access to his cards."

The requests for money continued and by the time Ms Ford suspected she had been scammed, she was out of Rs 1.6 crore ($300,000), having drained her self-managed super fund. Despite reporting the case to the Australian Federal Police, Ms Ford did not hear anything back.

Also Read | British Woman Duped Of Rs 98 Lakh In Catfish Scam By Friend Of Two Decades

The second scam

Four years later, Ms Ford came across another scammer -- this time on Facebook who went by the name, 'Nelson'. The stranger told her that he lived in Amsterdam and had a friend in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who needed $2500 to help with an ongoing investigation.

Aware of the danger, she refused initially but the stranger told her to deposit money he sent to her into a Bitcoin ATM. Ms Ford said there was money going in and out of her account that she wasn't aware of and before she could realise it, her account was out of Rs 1.5 crore ($280,000).

Having lost everything, Ms Ford is now begging Australians to not fall prey to such scams. "They say all the right things, they sweep you off your feet but they're going to take your money and they're going to leave you broke," Ms Ford warned.

Last month, a British woman was swindled of Rs 98.5 lakh (£92,300) after a friend of two decades, ran a catfish scam against her.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/jOC7M1J

50 Film Stars, Industrialists, Diplomats Invited For BJP's Delhi Oath Event

The new Chief Minister of Delhi will take oath at the iconic Ramlila Maidan on Thursday in a grand ceremony that will be attended by BJP leaders and ministers and all the allies. Sources said plans are in progress to make the party's return to power in the national capital after 26 years a truly memorable event. 

The ceremony will begin at 4.30 pm.

A colourful musical programme will be held on the stage of Ramlila Maidan before the swearing-in ceremony, in which Kailash Kher will also perform.

Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of 20 states will attend the mega event. Diplomats of major countries have also been invited. BJP leaders and workers from other states who campaigned in the Delhi elections are also expected to be present on the occasion.

More than 50 film stars and industrialists, will be present. Besides, Farmers of Delhi, beneficiaries of central government schemes including laadli sisters, and common people from Delhi will also be invited to the ceremony.

The spiritual leaders of the country will be represented by Baba Ramdev, Swami Chidananda, Baba Bageshwar Dhirendra Shastri and other religious figures. 

There, however, is no word on who is going to get the top job. Initially it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France and the US that had delayed a decision. But now, even two days after his return, there has been no announcement, ratcheting up the suspense. 

While Parvesh Verma -- the son of former Chief Minister Saheb Singh Verma -- is seen as the front-runner in the race, sources said the list of probables has no less than 15 names that also include candidates for cabinet and the Assembly Speaker.

Nine names will be chosen, sources said, and Delhi will have eight ministers including the Chief Minister.

The 48 BJP MLAs are expected to meet on Wednesday to select their leader, who will succeed Aam Aadmi Party's Atishi. 

In the election held earlier this month, the BJP had scripted a massive comeback, winning 48 of the assembly's 70 seats and confining AAP to 22 -- down from 62.

The end to the 10-year rule of AAP came on the heels of massive corruption allegations against its leaders, including then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. A number of its leaders, including Mr Kejriwal and his then deputy Manish Sisodia -- spent months in jail. 

Not just the alleged liquor policy scam, the "Sheesh Mahal" allegations against Mr Kejriwal - the Rs 33.6 crore revamp that that turned the official residence of the Chief Minister into an opulent bungalow suitable for the uber-rich - appeared to have taken the sheen off AAP that thrived on its governance records for the better part of the last decade.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/hrVRL7Z

Suits LA: Why It Took 6 Years To Make A Comeback With Gabriel Macht

Suits, the American drama series set in New York's fictional corporate law firm, enjoys a massive fandom. Especially its lead character Harvey Spectre played by Gabriel Macht has been an eternal favourite amongst the fans of the show.

However, now that the spin-off  titled Suits LA is premiering today, it leaves us with the question of why it took six years for the makers to come up with it.

As per a report on Screenrant, Suits gained a rising momentum when it was released on OTT platforms for streaming, in 2023. This was primarily the reason why Suits LA was initiated.

The craze around the show got stronger when Suits dropped on Netflix, beating Wednesday, which was one of the most trending shows at that time.

As per Hollywood Reporter, Suits also broke the viewership record of Steve Carell's The Office, which was set in 2020.

As for the spinoff Suits LA, it comes with an interesting cast featuring Stephen Amell in the role of Ted Black, as per TV Guide, Jost McDermitt as Stuart Lane, Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson, Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins, Troy Winbush as Kevin, and Alice Lee as Leah, these are all key roles in the upcoming series.

Everyone's favourite Harvey Spectre played by Gabriel Macht also makes a comeback for 3 episodes in the spin-off.
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Iu07zCh

Delhi Railway Station Chaos Update: 15 Dead, Railway Orders Probe

At least 15 people were killed and several were injured in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, caused by a sudden rush of passengers who tried to board trains for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said a high level inquiry has been ordered on the "unfortunate incident". 

According to sources, the injured were rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain (LNJP) Hospital for treatment. 

Deputy commissioner of police (railway) said many people were present on platform number 14 when the Prayagraj Express train was standing at the platform. The Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express were delayed and the passengers of these trains were also present on platform numbers 12, 13 and 14, the official said in a statement. 

Eyewitnesses said due to a huge rush at the station, several passengers fainted due to suffocation.  

HERE ARE THE NEW DELHI RAILWAY STATION STAMPEDE LIVE UPDATES:

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/K4MN5n0

10 Injured After Maha Kumbh Rush Triggers Chaos At Delhi Railway Station

At least 10 people were injured after a sudden rush of passengers caused by two trains for the Maha Kumbh being delayed led to an overcrowding situation at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, officials said. At least four people fell unconscious and had to be hospitalised.

The chaotic situation developed around 8 pm on platform numbers 14 and 15 of the station as passengers were waiting to board trains to Prayagraj.  

Officials said additional security forces have been deployed to control the situation at the railway station and four fire engines were also rushed to the spot. The situation, they said, is under control and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is on the way to the station. 

Railway authorities have urged people not to believe rumours of a stampede. 

Videos showed a massive crowd at the platform as a train rolled in. Officials said there was a rush to board the train as well as panic when passengers realised that not all of them would be able to get in. In the videos, at least two people were also seen lying unconscious as passengers around them attempted to resuscitate them.

"When the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present there. The Swatatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (both of which pass through Prayagraj) were delayed and passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12,13 and 14," said a police official. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/FS0tA3L

"Kohli Zindabad": Fans In Karachi Shower Love On India Star. Video Viral

Star India batter Virat Kohli enjoys a huge fan following and his popularity across the border, Pakistan, is no secret. Ahead of the Champions Trophy, which will be played in Pakistan and UAE (only India matches) under the hybrid model, Kohli chants gripped the National Stadium in Karachi as fans showered their love towards the former India captain. In fact, a fan even raised chants of "Virat Kohli zindabaad" (long live Virat Kohli) chants outside the stadium. The incident took place after after the tri-nation series final between Pakistan and New Zealand on Friday.

A video of the same incident has now gone viral on social media. In the video, a fan, introduced himself by the name of Karan, labelled himself as Kohli's biggest fan. He even revealed that people in his neighbourhood call him 'Kohli'.

KOHLI KOHLI chants outside Karachi stadium after #PAKvNZ
game
A man even said Virat Kohli zindabad in Pakistan

Truly face of world Cricket.#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/n7oCtMRqyc

— HARSH (@harsh_dean) February 14, 2025

In the same video, some fans were also seen making "RCB, RCB" chants.

Amid uncertainity over his future in the Indian team, former England captain Kevin Pietersen backed Kohli to silence his critics, just like he has done in the past.

While speaking on Star Sports, Pietersen said: "He is one of the greats of the game. There have been too many people who have written him off on too many occasions. You can't write these guys off because of the aura they have when they walk out to bat. The question mark comes down to Virat Kohli."

"The question mark doesn't come down to me, you, the selectors, the coaches, and the other players. Virat Kohli can only answer the question, in terms of how long he wants to continue, and how much fight he has to get better and to create those high standards that everybody expects from him," he added.

The Indian team left for Dubai on Saturday, five days ahead of their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh.

India's squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non-travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/aO2jrzV

After Trump's Peace Talks Announcement, Zelensky Meets JD Vance In Munich

US Vice President JD Vance met Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich on Friday for crunch talks on ending Russia's war, as Kyiv insisted it wanted to hammer out a joint plan with Washington.

The sit-down in Germany was seen as a key moment for Kyiv as it seeks to keep Washington on its side after US President Donald Trump stunned allies by launching peace efforts with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"I will meet with Russians -- with only one Russian guy, with Putin -- only after we will have a common plan with Trump, Europe," Zelensky told the Munich Security Conference before seeing Vance.

"Only in this case I'm ready to meet."

Vance in the run-up insisted the United States was prepared to pressure Russia to end its three-year war on Ukraine, as he said Europe should "of course" be at the table.

But the vice president also told Europe to "step up" on bolstering its own defence to allow Washington to focus on threats elsewhere in the world.

US officials have sent mixed messages over Washington's strategy after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth appeared to rule out Ukraine joining NATO or retaking all of its territory.

That has sparked major worries in Kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be forced into a bad deal that leaves the continent facing an emboldened Putin.

But Vance told the Wall Street Journal that Trump would put everything "on the table" in potential talks, and that Washington could even use "military leverage" against Russia to force a deal.

The vice president did not give more away in a keenly-awaited keynote speech, as he avoided addressing the war in Ukraine and focused instead on scolding Europe over immigration and free speech.

- Trump's phone number -

Trump rattled US allies on Wednesday by agreeing to launch peace talks in his first publicly announced call with Putin since returning to office.

After being named by Trump as a likely venue for a meeting with Putin, Saudi Arabia said it would welcome holding any talks between the two leaders.

Zelensky appeared to play down fears that Trump was leaving Kyiv out in the cold, as he joked the US president had given him his personal number when they spoke.

"If he will choose our side, and if he will not be in the middle, I think he will pressure and he will push Putin to stop the war," Zelensky said.

In a bid to keep Washington close Kyiv has held talks over granting access to its rare mineral deposits in return for future US security support.

- Chernobyl strike -

European allies -- who along with Washington are Ukraine's strongest backers -- demanded that they too be included in negotiations that will impact their continent's security.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that forcing Ukraine into a bad deal would harm US interests.

"I believe that by working together, we can deliver that just and lasting peace," she said.

While Europe nervously monitors the US stance on Ukraine, there is little ambiguity on Trump's determination to get Europe to spend more on its defence.

Fears Vance could announce a major US troop reduction in Europe did not materialise, but he repeated warnings that Washington needs to focus more on other parts of the globe.

Amid the diplomatic flurry in Munich, Zelensky said that back on the ground in Ukraine a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, adding that radiation levels were normal.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched 133 drones across the country overnight -- including attack drones -- targeting northern regions of the country where the Chernobyl plant lies.

Zelensky said the attack was evidence that "Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations -- he is preparing to continue deceiving the world."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/1yx4TES

Mexico Threatens US With Legal Action If Cartels Declared Terror Group

Mexico's president on Friday warned US gunmakers they could face fresh legal action and be deemed accomplices if Washington designates Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

"If they declare these criminal groups as terrorists, then we'll have to expand our US lawsuit," Claudia Sheinbaum said at a daily press conference.

A new charge could include alleged "complicity" of gunmakers with terror groups, she said.

Sheinbaum said the US Justice Department itself has recognized that "74 percent of the weapons" used by criminal groups in Mexico come from north of the border.

On Thursday, the New York Times reported that the US State Department plans to classify criminal groups from Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela as "terrorist organizations."

Mexico has already filed a lawsuit in the United States against US arms manufacturers and vendors, claiming $10 billion in damages for their alleged role in criminal violence in the country.

Earlier this month, Sheinbaum angrily rejected an accusation by the United States that her government has an alliance with drug cartels.

"We categorically reject the slander made by the White House against the Mexican government about alliances with criminal organizations," the president wrote on social platform X at the time.

"If there is such an alliance anywhere, it is in the US gun shops that sell high-powered weapons to these criminal groups," she added.

Tensions between the closely connected neighbors soared after the White House said Trump would slap tariffs of 25 percent on both Mexican and Canadian goods because of illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

The threatened tariffs have since been halted for 30 days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/eLUEZxn

Bihar Teacher Allegedly Asks Student To Be His Girlfriend, Cites Ekalavya

A village in Bihar is witnessing a massive row after a teacher at a school asked a girl student to become his "girlfriend" as "honorarium". No police case has been filed despite the girl complaining to the school. The school authorities have complained to the state Education Department, but no action has been taken against the teacher yet.

Vikas Kumar -- a teacher of Kisan High School in Kisanganj district -- had called up the student of Class 12 and harassed her multiple times. He even proposed that the two of them go to Siliguri, and made vulgar suggestions, the girl has alleged. 

He cited the example of Mahabharat's archer Ekalavya, who had parted with the thumb of his right hand to please Dronacharya, whom he considered his teacher. Why can't his student follow this example and become his girlfriend, he had questioned, she has alleged.

Incensed, the girl had informed her teachers and made a formal complaint against him at the school.

Sources said the teacher had even made similar propositions to a woman teacher of the school to whom he is now married.

Now that a complaint was filed, headmaster Shafiq Ahmed informed the District Education Office. But the Education Office took no action other than calling for an explanation from Vikar Kumar. 

The teacher is yet to reply and is serving as an invigilator in the Matriculation examination at a private school in Kishanganj.

Asked about the allegations against him, he refused to respond.

The lack of action infuriated the villagers, who held a dharna outside the school yesterday. The police had to be called in to deal with the situation.

Asked about the matter, the District Magistrate said they are taking the matter seriously. "After investigation, action would be taken," he said.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/2gw93iN

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Reveals How He Uses AI In His Daily Life

You might assume that top AI executives use artificial intelligence in highly sophisticated ways, but that's not necessarily the case. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, for example, primarily relies on AI for everyday tasks like summarizing emails and documents.

"I use [AI] in the boring ways," Altman said on Wharton psychologist Adam Grant's ReThinking podcast last month. "I use it for like, 'Help me process all of this email' or 'Help me summarize this document.'"

Altman isn't alone. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang uses AI chatbots to help draft written content, as he mentioned at a Wired event in December. Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella takes advantage of Outlook's AI features to organize and prioritize his inbox, he said at the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024.

Despite leading the AI industry, these executives' personal use of AI mirrors that of many professionals. According to a Gallup survey from last year, the most common uses of AI chatbots include idea generation, information consolidation, and automating routine tasks.

The Future of AI: From Assistants to Agents

Altman acknowledges that AI's impact across industries is still evolving. In a January blog post, he pointed to AI "agents" as the next big step- models capable of handling multi-step tasks with minimal user input.

OpenAI took a step in this direction with Operator, a ChatGPT feature launched last month that can automate tasks like vacation planning, filling out forms, making reservations, and ordering groceries. Other tech giants, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic, are also developing similar AI-powered agents, CNBC Make It reported. 

"Imagine that this agent will eventually be capable of doing most things a software engineer at a top company with a few years of experience could do," Altman wrote. However, he noted that these agents won't be flawless-they'll need human supervision, struggle with some tasks, and won't be the source of groundbreaking new ideas.

For now, AI adoption in workplaces remains relatively low. A January report from McKinsey & Company found that only about 13% of U.S. employees currently use AI at work. But as AI agents become more capable, that number could rise-potentially changing how people across industries interact with technology in their daily routines.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/dwPIikN

Gambhir Breaks Silence On Bumrah Missing CT 2025: "Details, I Can't..."

Jasprit Bumrah was on Tuesday ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, a BCCI released confirmed. The BCCI said that the bowler was out due to a lower back injury that he sustained during the final India vs Australia Test in Sydney. According to a report by news agency PTI that came right before the official announcement, the Sports and Medical Science team of National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru had left it on the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to decide on Jasprit Bumrah's selection for the Champions Trophy.

The report said: "There are two parameters of fitness that the NCA checks before clearing a player's return to action. It is understood that once Bumrah completed his rehabilitation for his lower back injury under strength & conditioning coach Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi, he was declared medically fit. However, doubts still remain over whether he is bowling fit or not before a tournament as big as the Champions Trophy."

India coach Gautam Gambhir has now broken his silence on the issue. He said the medical team at the NCA should be able to provide an update on the status of Jasprit Bumrah. "Obviously he has been ruled out. But all the details, I can't give you because it's up to the medical team to talk about that how long is he going to be out for and stuff because it's the medical team that decides at NCA," he said.

In another post-match interaction, Gambhir said: "Obviously we wanted him desperately. We know that what he can do, he's a world-class player. But then again, some things are not in your hands. So it's an opportunity for some of the young guys, like Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, to put their hands up and do something for the country. Sometimes these are the opportunities which you're looking for. And Harshit has been brilliant throughout the series. He's taken some important wickets. We all know what Arshdeep can deliver. So, yes, Bumrah will always be a miss. But having someone like Mohammad Shami back with his experience is always good."

A BCCI release on Tuesday had said: "Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men's Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement. Team India have also named Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad. The spinner will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal who was initially named in the provisional squad."

Updated Team India Squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/VeWfGdb

Man's Sister Drafts 13-Point 'Contract' Before He Moves Away For Work

A heartfelt letter penned by a teenage girl to her brother as he moved away for work has gone viral, melting hearts online with its display of sibling love. A young Telugu man recently shared a heartwarming story on Reddit about how his younger sister ensured he wouldn't forget her after he moved to Chennai for a new job. To keep in touch, she drafted a 13-point contract, listing her expectations from him- and even set it as his phone wallpaper so he wouldn't ignore it.

"My little sister made this contract for me because I'm moving out of the city for a job. She even made this picture my wallpaper so that I don't forget it," he wrote, sharing an image of the handwritten agreement.

At the top of the list, she humorously demanded that 0.5% of his salary be credited to her bank account. Other key conditions included:

Regular calls: "Call at least 2-3 times a week, day or night. Don't get irritated when I call you."

Gifts from Chennai: "Bring me something every time you come home."

Prioritizing her over his pet: "Give me your utmost importance, not your stupid dumb cat."

Taking her to Chennai: "Once I finish 10th grade, take me along with you."

Guidance for the future: "Advise me about my career plans."

Buying her books: "Get me a novel or Ritvik Singh's poetry books."

Her final requests melted hearts, as she made her brother promise to take care of himself while living away from home: "Do not skip meals, Exercise regularly. Lose weight. Don't roam around like an idiot, Stick to a proper sleep schedule."

My little sister made this contract for me because I'm moving out of the city for a job.
byu/Due_Performance_6917 inindiasocial

The post quickly gained attention on Reddit, with many users praising the sister's adorable way of expressing love.

One user joked: "Hello, I am the lawyer appointed by your sister. You must follow all these rules, or we will sue you. Jokes aside, this is the cutest thing I've seen today."

"I have no clue why this sub was recommended to me, but this is so damn wholesome."

"Not all siblings have bonds like OP and his sister. Mine hasn't talked to me in months despite living inder the same roof," the third user wrote. 

The post left many amused, proving that sibling bonds, no matter how playful, always come from the deepest love.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/5iBhFp2

Rahul Gandhi Summoned By Court For Alleged Remarks Against Indian Army

Congress's Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by a court in Lucknow in connection with his alleged derogatory remarks against the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Mr Gandhi will have to appear before the Lucknow MP MLA court -- a special court that can try cases against MPs and MLAs -- in the last week of March. 

Former director of Border Road Organization or BRO Uday Shankar Srivastava had filed the complaint against Mr Gandhi on basis of which the defamation case was registered. 

Mr Gandhi had apparently made the remarks on the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.

The comment that "Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh" - a dig at the government over Chinese action at the Line of Actual Control -- drew sharp criticism from many quarters and led to a massive political row.

Many BJP leaders had declared that Mr Gandhi as anti-national, accused his family of receiving Chinese hospitality and funds in the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

It did not deter Mr Gandhi who continued to target the government over the China issue. 

In March 2023, Mr Gandhi was barred from attending for a while after he was found guilty in a defamation case for a remark targetting Prime Minister M Narendra Modi over his last name. The Gujarat court which was hearing the case, sentenced him to a two-year jail term. 

Though the sentence was suspended, the duration was exactly what was needed to bar leaders from parliament, the Opposition pointed out, calling it a conspiracy against the Congress leader. 

Mr Gandhi later received relief from the Supreme Court, which put his conviction on hold, pointing out that the trial judge has awarded the maximum sentence of two years in the case. If the sentence was a day lesser, it would not have attracted disqualification, the court had added in its judgment.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/s3HJaUc

In Priyanka's "Bhai Ki Shaadi" Album, Malti Marie Steals The Spotlight

Priyanka Chopra's brother, Siddharth, married his longtime girlfriend, Neelam Upadhyaya, last Friday. Recently, the actress dropped unseen pictures from her "bhai ki shaadi." 

The highlight? Malti Marie, obviously. The little one stole the spotlight after she adorably photobombed Priyanka. 

Sharing the pictures, she wrote, "Bhai ki shaadi but also fashion. #SidNee Each exquisite designer helped me create the ensemble of my dreams. Thank you all for your creativity and grace."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)

Last week, Priyanka shared photos from her brother's mehendi ceremony and they were an absolute treat. In the first snap, Priyanka and Siddharth are seen having a blast with the little one. The next one captures Priyanka getting her mehendi done. In another, we see Malti, Priyanka, and her mother-in-law proudly showing off their mehendi designs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)

There's also a shot of her mother-in-law applying mehendi, followed by Priyanka's father-in-law capturing a sweet moment of his wife. And of course, Malti Marie steals the show again, cutely gazing at her hands.

Sharing the pictures on Instagram, she wrote, "From last night #Sidnee ki Mehndi."

On the work front, Priyanka is filming for Citadel season 2. She will also appear in Heads of State alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. Additionally, she is set to star in The Bluff, directed by Frank E Flowers, where she plays a former female pirate protecting her family from her past in the 19th-century Caribbean.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/GgXptik