Govt panels to assess climate crisis impact on crop yields

For India, the first of the four Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports released this year highlighted evidence of a changing monsoon, rising seas, deadlier heatwaves, intense storms, flooding and glacial melts. The summer rainfall system waters 60% of the country’s crops. Risks to agriculture tend to be more acutely felt because they are most visible, studies have shown.

Amritpal Singh fled Punjab? Woman held in Haryana; gunman arrested

Haryana Police has arrested a woman who allegedly harboured fugitive 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh and his associate. Punjab Police has nabbed a gunman of the pro-Khalistan preacher, Tejinder Singh aka Gorkha Baba, a resident of Punjab's Mangewal village. The crackdown began after Amritpal's supporters stormed Ajnala police station with swords and guns. Mobile internet and SMS services were suspended, with restrictions still in place in some areas.

Assam steps up security at jail where Amritpal Singh's associates are kept

Seven associates of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, including his uncle, are kept in separate cells under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance in Dibrugarh Central Jail, with additional security measures taken by the Assam Police and CRPF. The Punjab Police recently launched a crackdown after Amritpal Singh and his supporters stormed a police station near Amritsar. WPD was formed by actor-activist Deep Sidhu, with Amritpal Singh taking over after his death last year.

‘Deadlier than…’: Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi's conviction

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Rahul Gandhi should accept that words can be deadlier than weapons, in response to a Surat court judgement convicting him of criminal defamation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the party will fight the judgement as per law. Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders have expressed their support for him.

As Covid-19 cases surge, health ministry asks states to follow 5-fold strategy

India's Health Ministry has advised states to implement a five-fold strategy of "test, track, treat, follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and vaccinate" to check the spread of Covid-19. PM Modi also stressed on the need for lab surveillance and testing of all SARI cases. India recorded 1,300 new Covid cases, the highest in 140 days, with a total tally of 4.46 crore and 5,30,816 deaths.

'Congress wants Rahul Gandhi to utter abuses, but...': BJP MP's attack

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said anyone "at dismay" due to Rahul Gandhi's comments can file a defamation case. This comes after Gandhi was sentenced to 2 years in prison over his 2019 comment on 'Modi surname'. Congress leaders have criticised the verdict and said Gandhi will continue to question the government.

BJP reacts as Kejriwal backs Rahul Gandhi: ‘AAP has finally…’

BJP has accused AAP of openly embracing Congress after Kejriwal came out in support of Rahul Gandhi after he was sentenced to two years in jail in a defamation case. BJP alleged that AAP had no faith in the court, while Kejriwal claimed a conspiracy was being hatched to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties. Gandhi's sentence has been suspended for 30 days, and he can be disqualified as an MP if he fails to get a stay on the conviction from an appellate court within that period.

US pick for World Bank chief, Ajay Banga, to meet PM Modi in Delhi

US nominee for World Bank President Ajay Banga is on a two-day visit to India to meet PM Modi and FM Sitharaman. He is on a three-week global tour to build support for his candidacy, gaining the support of governments, academics, entrepreneurs and Nobel Laureates. If elected, he will draw from his experience to mobilise investments and action to confront long standing challenges.

‘Mere bhai na kabhi dare…’: Priyanka Gandhi's show of strength for Rahul after conviction

After Rahul Gandhi was convicted in a criminal defamation case, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted her support for her brother, alleging the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre is trying to suppress his voice. She said Gandhi has never been afraid and will continue to speak the truth with the love of crores of countrymen. Unless he can get a stay on the conviction, disqualification will kick in a month later.

Rahul Gandhi being punished for...: Jairam Ramesh's 'new India' dig

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi convicted for 2019 comment on 'Modi surname' thieves; sentence suspended for 30 days. Congress leaders protest against the verdict, calling it an attempt to suppress the voice of opposition. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says her brother will never be afraid and will continue to speak the truth.

Rahul Gandhi tore ordinance in 2013 for 3-month protection from disqualification

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a criminal defamation case will not immediately disqualify him from his Lok Sabha membership. The Surat Court suspended his sentence for 30 days, allowing him time to appeal to a higher court. The case was filed against Gandhi for allegedly defaming the Modi community at a rally in 2019. The Congress legal team is now working to get a stay on the Surat court's order.

Afternoon brief: After Adani report, Hidenburg Research signals another 'expose', and all the latest news

Hindenburg Research dropped a bombshell report on Gautam Adani and announced it will disclose "another big" expose, causing speculation on its next target. Norwegian dance group Quick Style was recently in India, dancing with celebrities and performing to songs including Sonu Nigam's Saathiya and RRR's Naatu Naatu. After India's home ODI series loss to Australia, Rohit Sharma addressed workload management concerns ahead of IPL 2023. Five benefits of using a wooden comb were also shared, as well as Vidya Balan's magical festive look for new brides during Chaitra Navratri.

'Not intentional': What Rahul Gandhi said in Surat court | Watch

Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 defamation case and told the court that his words were not intentional. His lawyer said he is not asking for mercy and will appeal. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Opposition leaders condemned the court order. Gandhi's sentence was suspended for 30 days, giving him a chance to challenge the conviction in an appellate court.

'We have differences but...': Kejriwal's tweet after Rahul Gandhi found guilty

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal backed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he was handed a suspended two-year jail term for remarks a Gujarat court ruled found defamatory. Kejriwal accused the BJP of hatching a "conspiracy" to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties. Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi in response, saying "Truth is my God." His sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP of trying to "suppress" Rahul's voice. The sentence carries a disqualification under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, unless Gandhi can get a stay on the conviction.

Three killed, at least 5 injured in Vizag building collapse

At least three people, including two teenagers, were killed and five others injured after a three-storeyed building collapsed in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The building was two-decades-old and collapsed suddenly. Locals, police, NDRF and fire service personnel rushed to the spot for rescue operations. Five people were critically injured, two were declared dead on the spot and the remaining were shifted to the hospital.

BJP names new state presidents for Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan and Bihar

BJP announces new state presidents for Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan and Bihar. CP Joshi replaces Satish Poonia in Rajasthan and Virendra Sachdeva will head Delhi unit. Manmohan Samal and Samrat Chaudhary replace existing leaders in Odisha and Bihar respectively. Party is aiming to maximise its outreach among OBCs in Bihar and increase its footprint in Odisha.