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11:04 PM

Sri Lanka PM likely to resign this week

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely to resign this week so that the new cabinet can take over, local media reported.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa will brief the local council members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and then, later on, he will announce his resignation, Colombo Gazette reported.

This report came after President Gotbaya Rajapaksa in a special meeting on Friday requested Prime Minister to step down from power as a solution to the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Once the Prime Minister resigns, the President is expected to invite all the political parties in Parliament to form an all-party Cabinet, reported Colombo Gazette.

Earlier, the opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) confirmed that its leader Sajith Premadasa will not accept the PM's post in an interim government.

This comes at a significant juncture as Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa is learned to have responded positively to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's request to quit in the face of the deepening economic crisis.

SJB National Organizer Tissa Attsnayake, while speaking with the Sri Lankan media outlet, said, "Premadasa will not accept premiership of an interim government but SJB will give conditional support for an interim government."

11:02 PM

Beleaguered Sri Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa seeks divine help to stay in power

Sri Lanka's embattled Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday sought divine help to remain in office by praying at an iconic Buddhist temple, amidst mounting pressure on the veteran politician to step down over the worsening economic crisis facing the island nation, according to media reports.

In his first public outing since the outbreak of anti-government protests last month, the 76-year-old the patriarch of the powerful Rajapaksa clan, travelled to the sacred city of Anuradhapura where hostile crowds booed and jeered him and asked him to step down, the reports said.

The Prime Minister took a vow before the sacred Sri Maha Bodi, the ECONOMYNEXT, a financial and political news service, quoted a source close to the prime minister as saying.

He wants to stay in office and that is why he climbed the steps to the upper terrace to touch the sacred Bo tree, the source said.

The top most portion of the temple complex is not open to the public and access is allowed only for visiting heads of state and Sri Lanka's top politicians.

The Prime Minister's Media Unit said that Mahinda Rajapaksa was engaged in religious observances in Anuradhapura, visited the Ruwanweli Seya and received blessings from the monks.

He also prayed at the Mirisawetiya Temple and received blessings from the priests at the shrine, News First news portal reported.

Apart from seeking divine help to remain in office, the Mahinda Rajapakasa is also taking action to muster support from his constituents by inviting large numbers to visit him at his Temple Trees residence on Monday, the source said.

11:00 PM

47 more test Covid-19 positive in Tamil Nadu, active infections reach 478

The Covid-19 aggregate in Tamil Nadu touched 34.54 lakh on Sunday with 47 more people testing positive for the virus.

As many as eight districts recorded fresh infections with Chennai adding 23, Chengalpet 10, Coimbatore 5, Tiruchirappalli 3, Salem 2 while Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Namakkal, Tiruvallur logged one case each.

The toll in the state stood at 38,025 as no fatality was recorded in the last 24 hours, a medical bulletin said.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 34,15,850 as 68 more people were discharged in the last 24 hours, leaving 478 active cases.

The state capital leads among districts with 265 active infections and overall 7,51,943 coronavirus cases. A total of 16,881 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of tests so far to 6.62 crore, it said.

 

9:40 PM

Covid: 23 more cases in Punjab, no deaths

Punjab reported 23 fresh Covid cases on Sunday that took the infection tally to 7,59,905, according to a medical bulletin.

No covid-related death was reported in the past 24-hours and the death toll stands at 17,751, it said.

Of the new cases, Mohali registered 10 followed by seven in Ludhiana and two each in Fazilka and Patiala, it said.

There were 284 active cases in the state, it said.

Twenty-three patients recovered from the infection, taking the overall recoveries to 7,41,870, the bulletin said.

Chandigarh reported 11 new Covid cases, taking the total count to 92,147, the bulletin said, adding that the number of active cases was 78.

No covid-related death was reported in the city. The death toll stands at 1,165.

9:12 PM

Covid-19: Delhi logs 1,422 fresh cases, zero fatality

Delhi reported 1,422 fresh COVID-19 cases and zero fatality due to the viral disease on Sunday, while the positivity rate was recorded ta 5.34 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.

A total of 26,647 Covid tests were conducted in the national capital on Saturday, it showed.

With the new cases, Delhi's COVID-19 infection tally rises to 18,94,254, while the death toll stands at 26,179, according to the bulletin.

The city reported 1,407 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 4.72 per cent and two deaths on Saturday.

It had on Friday logged 1,656 COVID-19 cases, the highest since February 4, while the positivity rate stood at 5.39 per cent.

8:59 PM

Bihar Public Service Commission cancels exam following question paper leak

The Bihar Public Services Commission on Sunday cancelled the examination for Civil Services (preliminary) held earlier in the day, hours after allegations of question paper leak led to a massive outcry.

Screenshots of a set of question papers had gone viral on social media minutes before the exams commenced at noon.

The exams have been cancelled. Other announcements will be made in due course, BPSC Examination Controller Amarendra Kumar told PTI over phone.

BPSC Secretary Jiut Singh said a three-member committee has also been set up to inquire into the whole matter and asked to submit a report in three days.

 

8:37 PM

Union minister Shekhawat demands CBI probe into communal clashes in Jodhpur, Karauli

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the communal clashes in Jodhpur and Karauli in Rajasthan.

Alleging that the administration and the police were working under pressure, he warned that if justice was not ensured in the matter, they would take to the streets.

"A CBI probe will show that there must have been some connections between the two incidents," he told reporters.

Referring to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's allegations against the BJP over these clashes, the Union minister said a CBI probe would make it clear who were behind these incidents.

"What happened in Jodhpur on Monday night and Tuesday were very unfortunate and some people deprived the rest of the festive spirit. Now the question is who were these persons who robbed the city of peace and harmony?" Shekhawat said.

Tension broke out in Chief Minister Gehlot's constituency Jodhpur on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, over the installation of Islamic flags on the Jalori gate circle, a roundabout alongside the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa, as members of the other community alleged that a saffron flag, which they had put up there ahead of Parshuram Jayanti, had gone missing.

The issue snowballed into stone-pelting and clashes.

In relief to the citizens, internet services were resumed in Jodhpur at 4 pm on Sunday.

8:36 PM

Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri case: 4 petitioners reject report they plan to withdraw plea

Four of the five petitioners in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri temple case Sunday dismissed reports that they plan to withdraw the plea.

The four women -- Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas, Rekha Pathak and Laxmi Devi told a press conference here they will fight the case till the end.

This comes after chief of Vishwa Vaidik Sanatan Sangh Jitendra Singh Bisen said his NGO, which backed the original plea filed by the five women, has now sought the withdrawal of the petition that demanded permission for daily worship and performing Hindu rituals at Shringar Gauri temple,

One of the four women petitioners told the presser, "If any type of decision (regarding the withdrawal of the case) is taken, we are against it. We will fight the case to the last breath. We will continue our fight for our Gods and Goddesses.

However, the fifth petitioner in the case Rakhi Singh was not present at the press conference.

Rekha Pathak said, "A couple of days ago, I had spoken to Rakhi Singh, but there was no discussion regarding withdrawal of the case."

When contacted, Jitendra Singh Bisen refused to comment on the matter.

The petitioners have sought the permission to perform daily worship of deities Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Nandi whose idols are on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.

8:00 PM

No alliances with parties, want to partner 1.3 bn Indians, says Kejriwal at Lokmat event

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said his party would not enter into an alliance with other outfits as it intended to partner with 1.3 billion people of this country.

Speaking on 'AAP and its role in 2024 Lok Sabha elections' as part of a lecture series organised to mark the golden jubilee of the Nagpur edition of Lokmat, Kejriwal also said he didn't want to defeat anyone in politics but sought to make India the number one country in the world.

"Many people ask me with whom will we do a national alliance. I do not know how to do politics. I don't understand alliances of 10 and 20 parties to defeat anyone. I don't want to defeat anyone, I want the country to win. I will only enter into an alliance with 130 crore (1.3 billion) people of the country to make India number one in the world, " he said.

Without naming the BJP, the Delhi chief minister said a "huge party" at present was vociferously supporting hooliganism, engineering riots, taking out welcome processions for rapists.

"The country cannot progress with this type of hooliganism. If you want hooliganism and riots you can go with them, but if you want progress, schools and hospitals you can come with me. Let us make an alliance of 130 crore common people," he asserted.

Kejriwal said his party's focus was not on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls but on working for the country, adding that people like him had come after leaving their careers to serve the country.

India must become the number one country in the world as soon as possible, Kejriwal said, adding that he wanted to play an important role in this quest.

 

7:51 PM

Covid-19: Maha reports 224 new cases, one death; active count now 1,304

Maharashtra on Sunday reported 224 new coronavirus positive cases, taking the state's infection tally to 78,79,278, while one death raised the toll to 1,47,847, the health department said.

A total of 196 patients recuperated during the day, taking the cumulative recovery count to 77,30,127. There are 1,304 active cases in the state now.

On Sunday, 24,349 tests were done, pushing the state's overall test count to 8,03,79,421.

The COVID-19 recovery rate of the state is 98.11 per cent, while the fatality rate is 1.87 per cent.

Mumbai reported 123 new cases and zero death, which raised its infection tally to 10,59,807. Its death toll is 19,563. Mumbai division, which comprises the city and its satellite townships, saw 156 cases during the day. Its infection count now stands at 22,34,945 and fatality figure at 39,830.

Nashik division reported five new cases, Pune division 47 cases, Kolhapur division two cases, Aurangabad division seven cases, Akola division two cases and Nagpur division five cases. Latur division did not report any case. One death was reported in Amravati city.

The coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases 78,79,278, new cases 224, death toll 1,47,847, recoveries 77,30,127, active cases 1,304, total tests 8,03,79,42.

7:50 PM

Social media has proved to be boon to those who commit violence: Ajmer Dargah Deewan

Ajmer Dargah Deewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan said on Sunday that social media has become a "boon" for perpetrators of violence and they use it to spread fake news and misinformation

He also said that attempts are being made to instigate feelings of people by spreading wrong information on social media.

"Today, social media has proved to be a boon to those who commit violence because they use this platform to spread fake news and misinformation," he said in a statement.

Khan appealed to people, especially youths, to not blindly follow social media posts and videos.

"Do not share any sensational content because radicals are enemies of the country and peace. They can spread any false and misleading information, which can spread fire like in a jungle," he said.

He said Islam condemns violence and promotes non-violence, tolerance and harmony and respect for each other.

7:42 PM

Pak army warns critics to avoid tarnishing name of premier institution

Pakistan's powerful army warned its critics on Sunday to avoid throwing dirt on the premier institution as it took "strong exception" to "intensified and deliberate attempts" to drag it in politics after the removal of the government of Imran Khan last month.

The 69-year-old cricketer-turned politician was voted out of power last month through a no-confidence motion, which he alleges was masterminded by the US with the help of local players over his pursuance of an independent foreign policy. His supporters used social media to target the army for doing nothing to save his government.

In a statement, the army said that the efforts being made by certain politicians, journalists and analysts to push the institution and its leadership in the political affairs was "extremely damaging".

"Recently, there have been intensified and deliberate attempts to drag Pakistan's Armed Forces and their leadership in ongoing political discourse in the country, according to the statement.

These attempts are manifest through direct, insinuated or nuanced references to Armed Forces as well as their senior leadership, made by some political leaders, few journalists and analysts on public forums and various communication platforms including social media.

The army further said that this practice of unsubstantiated, defamatory and provocative statements and remarks was extremely damaging.

Pakistan Armed Forces take strong exception to such unlawful and unethical practice and expect all to abide by the law and keep the Armed Forces out of political discourse in the best interest of the country, it added.

The army has ruled Pakistan for almost half of its history and played a behind the scene role in sending home various elected governments.

But its spokesman said at a press conference last month that the military had decided to stay away from politics, and especially the current political tussle between former premier Khan and his opponents.

 

7:40 PM

Sikkim celebrates 50 years of 8-May Agreement

Sikkim on Sunday celebrated the golden jubilee of the 8-May Tripartite Agreement signed in 1973, which is considered the stepping stone for the merger of the erstwhile kingdom with India.

The agreement was signed among the Indian government, the then Chogyal of Sikkim and three political parties of the erstwhile kingdom for administrative and democratic reforms.

A programme was organised by Sikkim Nagarik Samaj at MG Marg in the heart of Gangtok to mark the day. Eminent personalities of the state attended the programme.

SNS spokesperson Passang Sherpa said the history of Sikkim and its merger with India must be included in the country's school curriculum.

Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975, two years after the signing of the agreement.

7:38 PM

Gujarat: Rahul to address rally in Dahod on Tue, Kejriwal in Rajkot on Wed

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Gujarat this week to address public rallies in Dahod and Rajkot respectively.

Polls are likely to be held in December in the state, which has been ruled by the BJP for the past 27 years and where the AAP is making a concerted effort to dislodge the Congress as the main challenger.

Gandhi will address 'Adivasi Satyagrah Rally' in tribal-dominated Dahod on Tuesday, while Kejriwal will address a rally in Rajkot city on Wednesday.

Kejriwal had, on May 1, addressed a tribal rally jointly with Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) leader Chhotu Vasava in Bharuch district.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Dahod on April 20 and launched various projects worth Rs 22,000 crore for the tribal region.

As per a Congress statement, Gandhi's rally is organised in Dahod's historic Navjivan Arts and Commerce College, and, after the event, he is scheduled to meet party MLAs as well as interact with the leaders of tribal areas in the state.

The party statement said the rally was aimed at protecting the constitutional rights of the tribals, who it claimed were in distress under BJP rule.

AAP spokesperson Yogesh Jadwani said Kejriwal will address a on May 11 in Rajkot, and the detailed schedule of his Gujarat visit will be declared later.

7:34 PM

Hindu Sena chief meets Bagga's dad, asks Kejriwal to apologise for 'insulting' Sikh community

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Police must tender an apology for insulting the Sikh community, Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta said after meeting Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Bagga's father here on Sunday.

Gupta said the Punjab police personnel thrashed Bagga's father and did not allow Tajinder to wear his turban which is an insult to the Sikh community.

In dramatic developments, Bagga was arrested by Punjab Police from his home here on Friday, stopped in Haryana while being taken to Punjab and brought back to the national capital by Delhi Police hours later.

A non-bailable arrest warrant was also issued against the BJP leader by a Mohali court the next day. However, in a late-night relief, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the fresh arrest warrant against the Delhi BJP leader.

Gupta met Singh at their Janakpuri residence here and also assured of all possible help.

"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is using Punjab Police as a weapon to target those who stand against him or question him. Punjab Police came to arrest Bagga without seeking permission from the Delhi Police. They beat up his father and did not allow Tajinder to wear his turban.

"This is an insult to the Sikh community and Kejriwal and Punjab Police should apologise for this behaviour," he said in a statement.