Live: Pak Oppn to level treason charges against Imran Khan, says TV report
Live news updates: Opposition parties say cancellation of the no-confidence vote is illegal, accuse Khan of throwing the country into a constitutional crisis.
 "Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan")
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan
Assam has immense potential in hydrocarbon sector, says Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that Assam and the North East have immense potential in the hydrocarbon sector.
He lauded the Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL) for its ability to reach more than 42,000 domestic consumers as well as 1,200 commercial establishments in urban and rural areas across all districts of Upper Assam.
Highlighting the 'Hydrocarbon Vision-2030'of the Central government, the Assam Chief Minister said that the possibility of hydrocarbon in Northeast India can be gauged from the fact that the region has a large number of hydrocarbon reserves and with its proper use, the region can script a spectacular growth narrative.
"AGCL should venture into tapping energy generated from electricity other than energy produced from fossil fuel in view of the growing importance of innovation and diversification in today's business world," said Sarma.
Underlining the contributions of AGCL in the industrial landscape of the state during the last six decades, he congratulated its past and present executives and officials and paid tributes to those whose vision and initiatives were instrumental in setting up this industry.
He also lauded AGCL for its recent success in winning a bid for building the City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network jointly with Oil India Limited in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Darrang, Udalguri, Sonitpur and Biswanath districts on the north bank of the Brahmaputra as well as several districts of Tripura.
The Assam CM was addressing the diamond jubilee celebration of Assam Gas Company Limited at Duliajan in the Dibrugarh district on Sunday.
Assam reports no new Covid-19 case, 1 recovery
Assam reported zero Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.
According to the health bulletin, the active caseload in the state stands at 1.
The positivity rate in the state stands at 0.00 per cent.
The bulletin said, the state reported one recovery in the last 24 taking tally to 7,16,209.
In Assam, a total of 6,639 persons have succumbed to Covid-19 till now with zero fatalities reported in the last 24 hours.
A total of 7,24,196 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the state.
Bengal logs 36 Covid-19 cases, two fatalities
West Bengal's Covid-19 tally rose to 20,17,495 on Sunday as 36 more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said.
After a gap of 12 days, the state recorded Covid-19 deaths as two more patients succumbed to the infection, taking the toll to 21,199.
Forty-nine more people were cured of the disease, taking the discharge rate to 98.92 per cent.
The state has thus far tested over 2.4 crore samples for Covid-19, including 11,949 in the last 24 hours, it added.
Hungarians vote on giving pro-Putin PM Orban a 4th term
Polls have closed in Hungary's national election on Sunday in which pro-Putin nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban sought a fourth consecutive term.
There were no exit polls but the first results are expected to be reported later in the evening. Opinion polls in the last days of the race gave Orban's right-wing Fidesz a slight advantage over Western-looking coalition of opposition parties.
The contest is expected to be the closest since Orban took power in 2010, thanks to Hungary's six main opposition parties putting aside their ideological differences to form a united front against his right-wing Fidesz party.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot holds meeting on law and order situation
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday held a meeting with senior officials on the law and order situation in the state.
This comes after violent clashes in Karauli city of Rajasthan.
The police have identified some suspects in connection with the clashes in Rajasthan's Karauli.
SS Indoliya, Superintendent of Police (SP), Karauli on Sunday said that the situation is under control in the district where 30-35 people including six cops were injured in the Saturday incident.
"As many as 30-35 people were injured on Saturday. The overall situation is under control. Few suspected persons were identified. A case will be registered in this incident for a thorough probe," the SP said.
"Six police personnel also received injuries and a survey is being conducted to access losses," he said.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was imposed in the Karauli district of Rajasthan on Saturday and the internet was shut down after stones were pelted during a religious procession that day. Section 144 was imposed in Karauli from 6:30 pm on April 2 till 12 am on April 4.
"Section 144 has been imposed in Karauli from 6:30 pm, April 2, till 12 am on April 4, in connection with a case of stone-pelting at a 'Shobha Yatra' (bike rally) in the city. Internet services have also been shut in the area on April 2 and 3 (till midnight)," said Karauli DM Rajendra Singh Shekhawat.
China keeps a close watch on political turmoil in Pakistan
A wary China on Sunday kept a close watch on the rapid political developments in Pakistan - its all-weather ally where the Parliament was dissolved at the recommendation of embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan after a no-trust vote against him was blocked by the deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
While there is no official comment here yet, the state-run media highlighted Khan's allegations of a foreign power behind the Opposition's no-confidence motion against him, which was cited as a reason by Qasim Khan Suri, deputy speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, to reject the no-trust motion against the government.
State-run Xinhua reported the political drama unfolding in Islamabad leading to Pakistan President Arif Alvi approving Khan's recommendation for the dissolution of the Parliament.
Xinhua report highlighted Khan's remarks that a foreign power hatched a conspiracy to remove his government through a no-confidence motion against him, and the deputy speaker of the lower house rejected the motion because the nation cannot let such kind of conspiracies succeed.
In the run-up to the tabling of the no-confidence motion by the Opposition, China has appealed to all the political parties in Pakistan to close ranks in the interest of stability and development.
"China always follows the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on March 31 when asked whether Beijing was concerned over Khan's potential defeat in the Parliament and the impact of leadership change on the China-Pakistan close ties.
"As Pakistan's all-weather strategic cooperative partner and friendly neighbour, China sincerely hopes that all parties in Pakistan can maintain solidarity and jointly uphold development and stability," he said.
Russian defense ministry denies Kyiv's allegations of civilian killings in Bucha
Photos and video footage published by Ukraine allegedly evidencing the Russian forces' crimes in the town of Bucha close to Kyiv are yet another provocation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
"All photos and video materials published by the Kyiv regime allegedly testifying to some 'crimes' committed by Russian soldiers in the town of Bucha, Kyiv region, is another provocation. Not a single local resident has suffered from any violent actions while the Russian armed forces controlled the settlement," the ministry said.
All Russian units completely withdrew from Bucha as early as March 30, the day after the talks were held between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, the ministry added.
"The photos and video footage from Bucha are yet another production by the Kyiv regime for the Western media, just like what happened in Mariupol with the maternity hospital as well as in other cities," the ministry noted.
Throughout the time the town was controlled by the Russian armed forces and until today, residents could freely move around the town and use cellular communications, with the exits from Bucha also not blocked. Residents could flee the settlement in the northern direction, including to Belarus, at any time, the ministry said.
'Historical significance of Xi Jinping era' to be part of China's national syllabus: Report
The central committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has issued a decree to prioritize the subject 'Historical significance of the Xi Jinping era' as part of the national syllabus in ideological education, cadre training, propaganda and theory research activities, a report has said.
The subject is the third history resolution adopted at the Sixth Plenum last November that glorified the CCP's 100-year history and President Xi Jinping's unprecedented contribution to the country's progress, Hong Kong Post reported.
Studying party history is now considered necessary for career development because it "implements the requirements of learning history to understand the reason, learn history to increase trust, learn history to honor morality, and learn history to practice, and has achieved important political, theoretical, practical, and institutional achievements," according to a directive issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of CPC.
"The Party has a glorious past and a bright future. We know this because we have grasped the rules of historical progression. We can be confident of our place in history. While we should be confident in our purpose and actions, we should also be confident in our theory -- Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. As the crystallization of collective wisdom, this theory will guide us to national rejuvenation. We need to uphold the authority of Xi and his thought. We need to remember why the Party exists: to serve the people. And we must be willing to fight for our cause, even if it means making painful changes," the directive says.
Boundary issues with India will be addressed via existing mechanism: Nepal
Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba returned home on Sunday after concluding his maiden visit to India during which he discussed the boundary issues with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the two leaders agreed to address it through existing mechanism, dialogue and diplomacy.
The two Prime Ministers on Saturday held extensive talks in New Delhi covering various key facets of close neighbourly ties between the two countries.
Deuba, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a three-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
"The bilateral talks and exchange of views were fruitful towards further strengthening cooperative relations between the two countries," Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka, who was also part of the entourage, said while talking to reporters here on Sunday.
Prime Minister Modi said that India is always concerned about Nepal's development and assured New Delhi's continued assistance to Kathmandu in its prioritised sectors, Khadka added.
"During the talks, the two Prime Ministers also discussed boundary issues and the two leaders agreed to address such issues through existing mechanism and through holding dialogue and diplomacy," he said.
Khadka's statement assumes importance after Prime Minister Deuba on Saturday publicly urged the Indian prime minister to resolve the boundary issue through the establishment of a bilateral mechanism.
Cong stages demonstration in Mathura over fuel price hike
Congress workers on Sunday held a demonstration here demanding the withdrawal of price hikes in petroleum products, including LPG, a senior leader of the party said.
The demonstration was led by senior Congress leader Pradeep Mathur.
"The Centre should withdraw the hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG as people are already hit by price rise of other essential commodities," he said.
Mathur said prices of petro and diesel have gone up by more than Rs 7 in 12 days, while LPG cylinder prices have gone up by Rs 50.
"The Congress cannot be a silent spectator, and through demonstrations, it will put pressure on the Centre to withdraw its decision," he said.
Mathur also raised questions on the reliability of EVMs.
People voted for the BJP as they were mesmerised by the free ration scheme but are now suffering, he claimed.
MP: Scindia's son named Gwalior cricket association's vice president
Mahanaryaman Scindia, son of Union minister and BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, was on Sunday appointed as the vice president of the Gwalior Division Cricket Association (GDCA), an office-bearer of the organisation said.
Mahanaryaman, 26, has been appointed as the GDCA vice president in the new executive committee announced on Sunday after the annual general meeting of the organisation held recently, the association's secretary Sanjay Ahuja said.
Former IAS officer Prashant Mehta has been appointed as its new president, he said.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is the patron of the GDCA, Ahuja added.
Talking to PTI, BJP leader Pankaj Chaturvedi, who is close to the Scindia family, said that Mahanaryaman has been a sports lover and his appointment will bring up the cricketing talent of Gwalior division.
"This should not be seen politically. He is a cricket lover and working closely for strengthening the facilities for the players in the region," he said when asked if this was his first step towards joining politics.
TN govt withdraws order on compulsory Covid-19 jabs to visit public places
The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday withdrew its order mandating inoculation against COVID-19 for all the eligible population in the state, in view of decline in new infections.
According to department of public health and preventive medicine, though the compulsory vaccination notification has been withdrawn, other Covid-19 protocols would continue to be in place.
"In continuation of the reduction in Covid-19 cases in the state and lifting of all restrictions which were laid down to prevent COVID-19 by Government of India, and Tamil Nadu achieving a vaccination coverage of more than 92 per cent and 75 per cent of first and second dose respectively, for those above 18 years, it is decided to withdraw the notification issued under Tamil Nadu Public Health Act,1939 vide reference 9th cited with immediate effect," it said.
The government had issued the order in 2021.
With the withdrawal of notification, the health department directed the authorities to ensure that people are encouraged to follow COVID appropriate behaviour such as maintaining social distance, wearing of face masks, and avoiding crowd and keep creating awareness on the important role of vaccination.
".. persons who are eligible to get vaccinated and the respective first, second and booster dose, as the case may be, are encouraged to willingly come forward to take the doses," the notification said.
Russia war could further escalate auto prices and shortages
BMW has halted production at two German factories. Mercedes is slowing work at its assembly plants. Volkswagen, warning of production stoppages, is looking for alternative sources for parts.
For more than a year, the global auto industry has struggled with a disastrous shortage of computer chips and other vital parts that has shrunk production, slowed deliveries and sent prices for new and used cars soaring beyond reach for millions of consumers.
Now, a new factor Russia's war against Ukraine has thrown up yet another obstacle. Critically important electrical wiring, made in Ukraine, is suddenly out of reach. With buyer demand high, materials scarce and the war causing new disruptions, vehicle prices are expected to head even higher well into next year.
The war's damage to the auto industry has emerged first in Europe. But U.S. production will likely suffer eventually, too, if Russian exports of metals from palladium for catalytic converters to nickel for electric vehicle batteries are cut off.
You only need to miss one part not to be able to make a car, said Mark Wakefield, co-leader of consulting firm Alix Partners' global automotive unit. Any bump in the road becomes either a disruption of production or a vastly unplanned-for cost increase.
Supply problems have bedeviled automakers since the pandemic erupted two years ago, at times shuttering factories and causing vehicle shortages. The robust recovery that followed the recession caused demand for autos to vastly outstrip supply a mismatch that sent prices for new and used vehicles skyrocketing well beyond overall high inflation.
Jordan's Prince Hamzah relinquishes title a year after plot
Prince Hamzah posted the letter on his official Twitter account, saying he gave up his title because his values are not in line with the approaches, trends and modern methods of our institutions.
King Abdullah II and Hamzah are both sons of King Hussein, who ruled Jordan for nearly a half-century before his death in 1999. Abdullah had appointed Hamzah as crown prince upon his succession but stripped him of the title in 2004.
The prince apologized last month for his role in the alleged plot, the Royal Palace said. He was accused last year of involvement in a plot to destabilize the Western-allied kingdom and was placed under house arrest last April. In a video statement at the time he denied the allegations, saying he was being punished for speaking out against official corruption.
The Royal Court had no immediate comment.
Oppn says Imran Khan to be tried for treason: TV report
Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel
First Published: Apr 03 2022 | 6:22 AM IST
