<p>Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning. He contracted the virus for the very first time since the pandemic began in the year 2020.</p>

<p>He took to his official Facebook account and shared a post saying that he is generally feeling okay and that his doctors have advised him to self-isolate.</p>

<p>“I tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time this morning,” Lee said on Facebook, where he posted a photo of a positive antigen rapid test. “I am generally feeling ok, but my doctors have advised me to self-isolate until I am asymptomatic.”</p>

<p>He further informed that he contracted the virus after his recent work trips and that the doctors had prescribed the Paxlovid antiviral medication because of his age.</p>

<p>"This comes after my recent work trips. Doctors have also prescribed me Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, because of my age," he said.</p>

<p>Lee was on an official visit to South Africa from May 14 to 16, and Kenya from May 17 to 19. He also attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Indonesia from May 10 to 11.</p>

<p>The 71-year-old added that his last COVID-19 vaccine booster dose inoculation was in November. He urged the citizens of his country to keep their vaccinations up to date in order to reduce the risk of severe illness.</p>

<p>"My most recent COVID-19 vaccine booster was in November. Please keep your vaccinations up-to-date, as it reduces the risk of severe illness. As COVID-19 remains endemic in Singapore, we must continue to keep ourselves safe and healthy," he wrote.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0cSbgq4JCyi3rYFpqmZE36RV3qZDFmJJSxF87kyz2dYubuuCTcq7VfYfAAKpQjQkal&amp;id=100044284156667&amp;mibextid=Nif5oz/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>WHO announces end of Covid as global health emergency, says crisis phase over</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation announced that Covid is no longer a global health emergency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern. I've accepted that advice. It's therefore with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus while speaking to reporters, as he estimated that the pandemic had killed "at least 20 million" people, which is threefold the official estimate.</p>

<p>The announcement was made after the independent emergency committee of WHO held its 15th meeting on the Covid crisis during which they agreed that the crisis did not merit the highest level of alert of the organisation any longer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Tedros warned that the announcement did not mean the threat was over, as he cautioned people about the chances of reinstating the emergency status if the situation changes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, that does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat," Ghebreyesus said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The worst thing any country could do now is to use this news as a reason to let down its guard, to dismantle the systems it has built, or to send the message to its people that Covid-19 is nothing to worry about," he stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning. He contracted the virus for the very first time since the pandemic began in the year 2020.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning. He contracted the virus for the very first time since the pandemic began in the year 2020. He took to his official Facebook account and shared a post saying that he is generally feeling okay and that his doctors have advised him to self-isolate. “I tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time this morning,” Lee said on Facebook, where he posted a photo of a positive antigen rapid test. “I am generally feeling ok, but my doctors have advised me to self-isolate until I am asymptomatic.” He further informed that he contracted the virus after his recent work trips and that the doctors had prescribed the Paxlovid antiviral medication because of his age. "This comes after my recent work trips. Doctors have also prescribed me Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, because of my age," he said. Lee was on an official visit to South Africa from May 14 to 16, and Kenya from May 17 to 19. He also attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Indonesia from May 10 to 11. The 71-year-old added that his last COVID-19 vaccine booster dose inoculation was in November. He urged the citizens of his country to keep their vaccinations up to date in order to reduce the risk of severe illness. "My most recent COVID-19 vaccine booster was in November. Please keep your vaccinations up-to-date, as it reduces the risk of severe illness. As COVID-19 remains endemic in Singapore, we must continue to keep ourselves safe and healthy," he wrote. WHO announces end of Covid as global health emergency, says crisis phase over Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation announced that Covid is no longer a global health emergency. "Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern. I've accepted that advice. It's therefore with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus while speaking to reporters, as he estimated that the pandemic had killed "at least 20 million" people, which is threefold the official estimate. The announcement was made after the independent emergency committee of WHO held its 15th meeting on the Covid crisis during which they agreed that the crisis did not merit the highest level of alert of the organisation any longer. However, Tedros warned that the announcement did not mean the threat was over, as he cautioned people about the chances of reinstating the emergency status if the situation changes. "However, that does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat," Ghebreyesus said. "The worst thing any country could do now is to use this news as a reason to let down its guard, to dismantle the systems it has built, or to send the message to its people that Covid-19 is nothing to worry about," he stated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tests positive for COVID-19 for the first time since its inception

<p>A 23-year-old woman, named Bhanurekha, died after drowning in the waterlogged underpass in Bengaluru, a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka, on Sunday.</p>

<p>Her car got stuck in neck-deep water at the KR Circle underpass, which is close to Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka.</p>

<p>As per news agency PTI, fire and emergency services personnel saved the driver and five other members of the family with the help of people who had rushed to the scene to free those trapped.</p>

<p>The victims were taken to St Martha's Hospital where doctors declared Bhanurekha dead.</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka CM meets family of deceased woman</strong></h2>

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday met the family members of the deceased and offered condolences.</p>

<p>He announced a compensation of Rs 5 Lakh (6,035.60 USD) and free treatment for Bhanurekha's kin admitted to the hospital.</p>

<p>"The family from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh had hired a car and come to see Bengaluru. Bhanurekha works in Infosys. Due to the downpour, the barricade at the underpass fell down and the driver took the risk of crossing the underpass, which he should not have," Siddaramaiah told reporters.</p>

<p>On being asked if the doctors refused to treat the 23-year-old when she was brought to the hospital while she was alive, Siddaramaiah said he will get the incident investigated and initiate action accordingly.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met the family members of 23-year-old woman Bhanurekha who died after drowning in the waterlogged underpass in KR Circle area in Bengaluru. <a href="https://t.co/aqQW3yG0Qy">pic.twitter.com/aqQW3yG0Qy</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1660307414762291202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per news agency PTI, the people present at the spot said that the car driver tried to zoom through the water, but in the middle of the underpass, the car almost got submerged. The occupants of the vehicle came out frantically trying to save themselves.</p>

<p>People nearby rushed when they heard the family's outcry for help and threw sarees, and ropes in order to help them keep afloat. While two of them were dragged out by swimmers of the emergency services personnel, others were brought out using a ladder.</p>

<h2><strong>Building collapses in Bengaluru as heavy rains lash city</strong></h2>

<p>According to the officials, an old building collapsed in Bengaluru's Vidyaranyapura as heavy rains lashed the city on Sunday.</p>

<p>No casualties were reported in the incident.</p>

<p>India Meteorological Department (IMD) released a statement saying that the onset of monsoon over Kerala is likely to be delayed this year, predicting its arrival on June 4, four days after the normal date predicted on June 1.</p>

<p>"Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about 7 days. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing operational forecasts for the date of monsoon onset over Kerala from 2005 onwards. An indigenously developed state-of-the-art statistical model with a model error of +- 4 days is used for the purpose," IMD stated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A 23-year-old woman, named Bhanurekha, died after drowning in the waterlogged underpass in Bengaluru, a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka, on Sunday. Her car got stuck in neck-deep water at the KR Circle underpass, which is close to Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka.

A 23-year-old woman, named Bhanurekha, died after drowning in the waterlogged underpass in Bengaluru, a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka, on Sunday. Her car got stuck in neck-deep water at the KR Circle underpass, which is close to Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka. As per news agency PTI, fire and emergency services personnel saved the driver and five other members of the family with the help of people who had rushed to the scene to free those trapped. The victims were taken to St Martha's Hospital where doctors declared Bhanurekha dead. Karnataka CM meets family of deceased woman Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday met the family members of the deceased and offered condolences. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 Lakh (6,035.60 USD) and free treatment for Bhanurekha's kin admitted to the hospital. "The family from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh had hired a car and come to see Bengaluru. Bhanurekha works in Infosys. Due to the downpour, the barricade at the underpass fell down and the driver took the risk of crossing the underpass, which he should not have," Siddaramaiah told reporters. On being asked if the doctors refused to treat the 23-year-old when she was brought to the hospital while she was alive, Siddaramaiah said he will get the incident investigated and initiate action accordingly. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met the family members of 23-year-old woman Bhanurekha who died after drowning in the waterlogged underpass in KR Circle area in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/aqQW3yG0Qy — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2023 × As per news agency PTI, the people present at the spot said that the car driver tried to zoom through the water, but in the middle of the underpass, the car almost got submerged. The occupants of the vehicle came out frantically trying to save themselves. People nearby rushed when they heard the family's outcry for help and threw sarees, and ropes in order to help them keep afloat. While two of them were dragged out by swimmers of the emergency services personnel, others were brought out using a ladder. Building collapses in Bengaluru as heavy rains lash city According to the officials, an old building collapsed in Bengaluru's Vidyaranyapura as heavy rains lashed the city on Sunday. No casualties were reported in the incident. India Meteorological Department (IMD) released a statement saying that the onset of monsoon over Kerala is likely to be delayed this year, predicting its arrival on June 4, four days after the normal date predicted on June 1. "Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about 7 days. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing operational forecasts for the date of monsoon onset over Kerala from 2005 onwards. An indigenously developed state-of-the-art statistical model with a model error of +- 4 days is used for the purpose," IMD stated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Woman drowns after car gets stuck in neck-deep water at Bengaluru underpass

Eric Clapton wrote ‘Tears in Heaven’ as a tribute to his son whom he lost in 1991 at the age of four. The song became a huge hit within months and grabbed the number two spot on the Hot 100 list. 

Johnny Cash transformed the song ‘Hurt’' by Nine Inch Nails and made it his own. He was a year away from dying and he turned it into a look back on his life. 

Filmed in San Antonio, Texas, this song is one of R.E.M.’s most well-known songs. 

Harry Chapin – ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ 

Harry Chapin’s 1974 hit ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ is one of the saddest numbers of all time. It showcases the story of a son whose father is too busy to spend some time with him. 

This song recounts Kurt Cobain’s alleged time sleeping under a bridge in Aberdeen, Washington. He recorded the track solo and acoustic. 

George Jones – ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ 

George Jones’ 1980 hit ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ stands above all the other sad country songs that exist. The song is about a guy whose friend holds onto his lost love until the day he dies. 

Pearl Jam’s ‘Black’ is a sad tale of lost love. 

John Prine’s song ‘Sam Stone’ talks about a Vietnam War veteran and drug addiction. 

1994 Alice in Chains classic ‘Nutshell’ took on a new meaning after the singer Layne Staley died tragically at a young age. 

Hank Williams – ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’

Hank Williams poured out all the pain from his failing marriage to his wife Audrey Sheppard into the song three years before his demise.

There’s a unique and magical thing about music, it helps an artist create a masterpiece from feelings and lets listeners release their emotions. Here’s a list of the saddest songs.

10 Saddest Songs Of All Time 

7 Female Rappers Who Transformed The Hip-Hop Music Scene 

The only woman to have featured in Billboard’s top ten ‘Greatest Rappers of All Time’ list, Nicki Minaj is one of the richest rappers in the world and is often cited as the ‘Queen of Hip Hop’. 


Missy ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliott began her music journey in the early-mid 90s with the R&B girl group Sista, and later, went on to join Swing Mob.

Lana Michele Moorer, known as MC Lyte, is one of the best female rappers of the 80s. She became the first-ever solo female rapper to release a full-length album, 'Lyte As A Rock'.

Lauryn Hill is best known for her solo album 'The Miseducation' of Lauryn Hill, and for being a member of Fugees. She is an eight-time Grammy Award winner.

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known by her stage name Cardi B, is a popular American songwriter and rapper. She released her first studio album, 'Invasion of Privacy' in 2018, which instantly became a hit and bagged the top position on the Billboard charts.

Megan Thee Stallion was on Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. After Lauryn Hill, she became the second female rapper to win the Best New Artist Award at the Grammys. 

Dana Elaine Owens, known by her stage name Queen Latifah, with her 1989 debut album All Hail the Queen took the world by storm. The album featured a classic song ‘Ladies First’ which became a major hit.

Here's the list of female rappers who changed the scene of hip-hop music in the world.

<p>A day after his surprise removal from the position of Union Law Minister, senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju, on Friday, assumed charge&nbsp;as the Earth Sciences minister and denied rumours that he was moved from the previous ministry as a punishment for some wrongdoing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He referred to the move as a ‘routine process’ and further highlighted that it was part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and not a ‘punishment’.</p>

<p>"Where is the wrongdoing? Do you feel this has happened because of some wrongdoing," Rijiju said, while addressing the press, on being asked if his sudden removal was a punishment.</p>

<p>"These changes and assigning different responsibilities are the way a government functions. It is the prerogative of the prime minister to assign responsibilities as per his thinking. Why do you feel that something is amiss," he said.</p>

<p>He further thanked PM Modi for giving him an opportunity to handle various portfolios and gain experience.</p>

<p>"First of all, we are party workers. Whatever post we hold, we have to work for the party. The way the government functions, don't look at it otherwise. I will do whatever work the Prime Minister assigns me, but, I will also work for the party. We have to do both jobs. We cannot say I will do this and I will not do this," the senior BJP leader said.</p>

<p>He refused to answer questions about his previous ministry contending that these were no longer relevant and that he looked forward to serving in the earth sciences ministry.</p>

<p>"Don't ask questions related to the previous ministry as they are no longer relevant," he said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With great humility, I've taken charge as Minister of Earth Sciences at New Delhi. Had first briefing meeting with Senior officers &amp; Senior Scientists of the Ministry's various organizations. <a href="https://t.co/6480bNSSWS">https://t.co/6480bNSSWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/NaUjCHoobd">pic.twitter.com/NaUjCHoobd</a></p>
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju/status/1659470333513203712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Kiren Rijiju replaced by Arjun Ram Meghwal as Union Law Minister</strong></h2>

<p>In the latest Union cabinet reshuffle, on Thursday (May 18), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arjun Ram Meghwal replaced Kiren Rijiju as the Union Law and Justice Minister. Meghwal has been assigned an independent charge of the minister in addition to his existing portfolios.</p>

<p>A press release from the Rashtrapati Bhawan said, "Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State be assigned the independent charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice in addition to his existing portfolios, in place of Shri Kiren Rijiju."</p>

<p>The statement added that the portfolio of (the) Ministry of Earth Sciences be assigned to Rijiju. Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh was holding charge of the ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A day after his surprise removal from the position of Union Law Minister, senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju, on Friday, assumed charge as the Earth Sciences minister and denied rumours that he was moved from the previous ministry as a punishment for some wrongdoing.

A day after his surprise removal from the position of Union Law Minister, senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju, on Friday, assumed charge as the Earth Sciences minister and denied rumours that he was moved from the previous ministry as a punishment for some wrongdoing. He referred to the move as a ‘routine process’ and further highlighted that it was part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and not a ‘punishment’. "Where is the wrongdoing? Do you feel this has happened because of some wrongdoing," Rijiju said, while addressing the press, on being asked if his sudden removal was a punishment. "These changes and assigning different responsibilities are the way a government functions. It is the prerogative of the prime minister to assign responsibilities as per his thinking. Why do you feel that something is amiss," he said. He further thanked PM Modi for giving him an opportunity to handle various portfolios and gain experience. "First of all, we are party workers. Whatever post we hold, we have to work for the party. The way the government functions, don't look at it otherwise. I will do whatever work the Prime Minister assigns me, but, I will also work for the party. We have to do both jobs. We cannot say I will do this and I will not do this," the senior BJP leader said. He refused to answer questions about his previous ministry contending that these were no longer relevant and that he looked forward to serving in the earth sciences ministry. "Don't ask questions related to the previous ministry as they are no longer relevant," he said. With great humility, I've taken charge as Minister of Earth Sciences at New Delhi. Had first briefing meeting with Senior officers & Senior Scientists of the Ministry's various organizations. https://t.co/6480bNSSWS pic.twitter.com/NaUjCHoobd — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 19, 2023 × Kiren Rijiju replaced by Arjun Ram Meghwal as Union Law Minister In the latest Union cabinet reshuffle, on Thursday (May 18), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arjun Ram Meghwal replaced Kiren Rijiju as the Union Law and Justice Minister. Meghwal has been assigned an independent charge of the minister in addition to his existing portfolios. A press release from the Rashtrapati Bhawan said, "Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State be assigned the independent charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice in addition to his existing portfolios, in place of Shri Kiren Rijiju." The statement added that the portfolio of (the) Ministry of Earth Sciences be assigned to Rijiju. Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh was holding charge of the ministry. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju opens up on sudden portfolio switch, says ‘not a punishment’

<p>Indian Navy, on Thursday, deployed its Air MR assets including P81 aircraft in the region in a humanitarian effort for a Chinese fishing vessel that sank in the Indian Ocean.</p>

<p>Indian Navy, took to its official Twitter account and said, &nbsp;"In a swift humanitarian action on 17 May #IndianNavy deployed its Air MR assets in the Southern IOR approx 900 Nm from India, in response to the sinking of a #Chinese Fishing Vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 with 39 crew onboard. The crew incl nationals from China, Indonesia &amp; Philippines."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In a swift humanitarian action on 17 May <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianNavy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianNavy</a> deployed its Air MR assets in the Southern IOR approx 900 Nm from India, in response to sinking of a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chinese?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chinese</a> Fishing Vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 with 39 crew onboard. The crew incl nationals from China, Indonesia &amp; Philippines <a href="https://t.co/gbcbh8DlSc">pic.twitter.com/gbcbh8DlSc</a></p>
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1659133548530393090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"P8I aircraft have carried out multiple &amp; extensive searches despite adverse weather &amp; located multiple objects possibly belonging to the sunken vessel. As an immediate response, SAR eqpt was deployed at the scene by the Indian aircraft on request of PLA(N) ships closing the area," the navy added.</p>

<p>A Chinese deep-sea fishing vessel capsized in the central Indian Ocean on Tuesday. 39 people aboard the vessel went missing including 17 Chinese mariners, 17 Indonesian mariners and five Philippine mariners.</p>

<p>Further, Indian Navy tweeted, "In a display of India's obligations as a #credible &amp; #responsible partner for ensuring #safety at sea, the #IndianNavy units also coordinated #SAR efforts with other units in the area &amp; guided #PLA(N) warships transiting to the scene of incident."<br />
&nbsp;<br />
"#IndianNavy continues to remain deployed to provide all possible assistance to the ongoing SAR efforts," it added.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin over the update regarding ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing vessel, said, "The Chinese distant-water fishing boat 'Lupeng Yuanyu 028' capsized while passing through the central part of the Indian Ocean on May 16. Thirty-nine crew members on board are missing and an emergency search and rescue operation is underway. The Chinese government has made saving the crew a high priority. President Xi Jinping made special instructions to deploy additional rescue forces, coordinate with international marine search and rescue assistance and make all-out rescue efforts."</p>

<p>"Premier Li Qiang made the instruction demanding fast coordination with relevant forces to make all-out rescue efforts. The operation has drawn close attention from across the region. Countries such as Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives and the Philippines have extended emergency assistance and sent sympathies for the Chinese boat and crew. The operation has been commended from various quarters in China and abroad. The Chinese government sincerely appreciates the help from those countries. As we speak, the search and rescue operation is still underway," he added, according to the statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.</p>

<h2><strong>Two bodies found in Chinese vessel</strong></h2>

<p>As per China's state media reports, two bodies were found in the search for the missing crew members on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ongoing search operation following the capsizing of the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 "found and salvaged the remains of two victims", Xinhua news agency reported.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Indian Navy, on Thursday, deployed its Air MR assets including P81 aircraft in the region in a humanitarian effort for a Chinese fishing vessel that sank in the Indian Ocean.

Indian Navy, on Thursday, deployed its Air MR assets including P81 aircraft in the region in a humanitarian effort for a Chinese fishing vessel that sank in the Indian Ocean. Indian Navy, took to its official Twitter account and said, "In a swift humanitarian action on 17 May #IndianNavy deployed its Air MR assets in the Southern IOR approx 900 Nm from India, in response to the sinking of a #Chinese Fishing Vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 with 39 crew onboard. The crew incl nationals from China, Indonesia & Philippines." In a swift humanitarian action on 17 May #IndianNavy deployed its Air MR assets in the Southern IOR approx 900 Nm from India, in response to sinking of a #Chinese Fishing Vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 with 39 crew onboard. The crew incl nationals from China, Indonesia & Philippines pic.twitter.com/gbcbh8DlSc — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 18, 2023 × "P8I aircraft have carried out multiple & extensive searches despite adverse weather & located multiple objects possibly belonging to the sunken vessel. As an immediate response, SAR eqpt was deployed at the scene by the Indian aircraft on request of PLA(N) ships closing the area," the navy added. A Chinese deep-sea fishing vessel capsized in the central Indian Ocean on Tuesday. 39 people aboard the vessel went missing including 17 Chinese mariners, 17 Indonesian mariners and five Philippine mariners. Further, Indian Navy tweeted, "In a display of India's obligations as a #credible & #responsible partner for ensuring #safety at sea, the #IndianNavy units also coordinated #SAR efforts with other units in the area & guided #PLA(N) warships transiting to the scene of incident." "#IndianNavy continues to remain deployed to provide all possible assistance to the ongoing SAR efforts," it added. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin over the update regarding ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing vessel, said, "The Chinese distant-water fishing boat 'Lupeng Yuanyu 028' capsized while passing through the central part of the Indian Ocean on May 16. Thirty-nine crew members on board are missing and an emergency search and rescue operation is underway. The Chinese government has made saving the crew a high priority. President Xi Jinping made special instructions to deploy additional rescue forces, coordinate with international marine search and rescue assistance and make all-out rescue efforts." "Premier Li Qiang made the instruction demanding fast coordination with relevant forces to make all-out rescue efforts. The operation has drawn close attention from across the region. Countries such as Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives and the Philippines have extended emergency assistance and sent sympathies for the Chinese boat and crew. The operation has been commended from various quarters in China and abroad. The Chinese government sincerely appreciates the help from those countries. As we speak, the search and rescue operation is still underway," he added, according to the statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Two bodies found in Chinese vessel As per China's state media reports, two bodies were found in the search for the missing crew members on Thursday. The ongoing search operation following the capsizing of the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 "found and salvaged the remains of two victims", Xinhua news agency reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian Navy responds to China's rescue operation calls after ship capsizes in Indian Ocean, deploys aircraft

<p>British men are allegedly being offered thousands of pounds by migrant pregnant women to pose as fathers of their babies in the latest citizenship fraud, a BBC investigation revealed on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The scammers are offering up to £10,000 (12,536 USD) to these men to add their names to a child's birth certificate, providing UK citizenship to them and enabling their mothers a route to permanent residency.</p>

<p>The BBC Newsnight probe found out that the fraudsters are predominantly taking the help of the Meta Platform, Facebook, to find out potential clients and claim to have assisted thousands of women through this fraudulent practice.</p>

<p>However, Facebook claims that such content is banned under the rules and regulations of the tech giant.</p>

<p>As per the report, the 'fake father' visa scam is prevalent across various communities in the United Kingdom.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;British men are taking thousands of pounds to pose as fathers for migrant womens' babies</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/british-men-are-taking-thousands-of-pounds-to-pose-as-fathers-for-migrant-womens-babies-592926/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Undercover investigation</strong></h2>

<p>During the undercover investigation, a BBC researcher, posing as a pregnant woman residing illegally in the UK, engaged in conversations with people offering these services.</p>

<p>One of the agents she spoke to, who went by the name Thai, told her that he knew many British men who were willing to act as the 'fake father' and further offered her a full package for £11,000 (13,779 USD).</p>

<p>He assured her that the process was 'very easy' and further asserted that he 'would do everything' to secure a UK passport for the child.</p>

<p>The agent Thai, who unlike other agents did not advertise on social media, said that he would design a compelling backstory to successfully mislead the authorities.</p>

<p>He then introduced the undercover Newsnight researcher to a British man named Andrew who he said would pose as the father. Andrew was promised £8,000 (10,014 USD) from the total fee.</p>

<p>Andrew in order to affirm his claim of being a UK citizen, showed his passport during their meeting and also took selfies with the researcher.</p>

<p>BBC in its report said that it did not pay any money to any of the agents offering the fraudulent service.</p>

<p>On later being confronted about his involvement in the scam, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing and claimed to have no knowledge about the matter.</p>

<p>The investigators further contacted another agent called Thi Kim, who as per the reports, claimed to have helped dozens of migrant pregnant women get residency in the UK.</p>

<p>She further said that he had a British man available for hire for the service and charged a fee of £10,000 (12,536 USD), with her fee being £300 (375.43 USD).</p>

<p>She then told the researcher that all the men in her network that she provided for the 'fake father' service were born in the UK and were "never registered for any babies before".</p>

<h2><strong>‘Incredibly elaborate’ scam</strong></h2>

<p>As per immigration lawyer Ana González, the 'fake father' scam is an 'incredibly elaborate' fraud and some women, just to secure their right to remain in the country, are ready to go to any lengths.</p>

<p>She added that this rule was designed to safeguard children and not to give visas to women without legal documentation in the United Kingdom.</p>

<p>As per the immigration law, if an illegal migrant woman gives birth to a child fathered by a British citizen or a man with indefinite leave to remain, the baby automatically acquires British citizenship by birth.</p>

<p>The mother can then apply for a family visa, which in turn will grant her the right to remain in the country and will allow her to pursue the route to citizenship.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


British men are allegedly being offered thousands of pounds by migrant pregnant women to pose as fathers of their babies in the latest citizenship fraud, a BBC investigation revealed on Tuesday.

British men are allegedly being offered thousands of pounds by migrant pregnant women to pose as fathers of their babies in the latest citizenship fraud, a BBC investigation revealed on Tuesday. The scammers are offering up to £10,000 (12,536 USD) to these men to add their names to a child's birth certificate, providing UK citizenship to them and enabling their mothers a route to permanent residency. The BBC Newsnight probe found out that the fraudsters are predominantly taking the help of the Meta Platform, Facebook, to find out potential clients and claim to have assisted thousands of women through this fraudulent practice. However, Facebook claims that such content is banned under the rules and regulations of the tech giant. As per the report, the 'fake father' visa scam is prevalent across various communities in the United Kingdom. WATCH | British men are taking thousands of pounds to pose as fathers for migrant womens' babies Undercover investigation During the undercover investigation, a BBC researcher, posing as a pregnant woman residing illegally in the UK, engaged in conversations with people offering these services. One of the agents she spoke to, who went by the name Thai, told her that he knew many British men who were willing to act as the 'fake father' and further offered her a full package for £11,000 (13,779 USD). He assured her that the process was 'very easy' and further asserted that he 'would do everything' to secure a UK passport for the child. The agent Thai, who unlike other agents did not advertise on social media, said that he would design a compelling backstory to successfully mislead the authorities. He then introduced the undercover Newsnight researcher to a British man named Andrew who he said would pose as the father. Andrew was promised £8,000 (10,014 USD) from the total fee. Andrew in order to affirm his claim of being a UK citizen, showed his passport during their meeting and also took selfies with the researcher. BBC in its report said that it did not pay any money to any of the agents offering the fraudulent service. On later being confronted about his involvement in the scam, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing and claimed to have no knowledge about the matter. The investigators further contacted another agent called Thi Kim, who as per the reports, claimed to have helped dozens of migrant pregnant women get residency in the UK. She further said that he had a British man available for hire for the service and charged a fee of £10,000 (12,536 USD), with her fee being £300 (375.43 USD). She then told the researcher that all the men in her network that she provided for the 'fake father' service were born in the UK and were "never registered for any babies before". ‘Incredibly elaborate’ scam As per immigration lawyer Ana González, the 'fake father' scam is an 'incredibly elaborate' fraud and some women, just to secure their right to remain in the country, are ready to go to any lengths. She added that this rule was designed to safeguard children and not to give visas to women without legal documentation in the United Kingdom. As per the immigration law, if an illegal migrant woman gives birth to a child fathered by a British citizen or a man with indefinite leave to remain, the baby automatically acquires British citizenship by birth. The mother can then apply for a family visa, which in turn will grant her the right to remain in the country and will allow her to pursue the route to citizenship. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Fake father’ citizenship scam: British men offered money by migrant women to pose as dads of their child

<p>Recently, the video of a kayak fisherman's harrowing encounter with a shark has surfaced online. The footage, captured by fisherman Scott Haraguchi's GoPro camera, showed how the giant fish attacked his kayak while he was sitting with his left foot swinging over the side.</p>

<p>In a conversation with local outlet KITV, Haraguchi said that he was fishing about a mile offshore from Kualoa in Windward Oahu and had just caught a fish when the incident occurred.</p>

<p>"I heard a whooshing sound that sounded like a boat heading towards me without the motor, and I looked up and I saw this big wide brown thing which my brain thought was a turtle, but then I got slammed by it and realised that it was a tiger shark," Haraguchi told the outlet.</p>

<p>He further added that he was able to kick the shark away from his kayak and did not sustain any injuries in the brief dramatic attack. He said that he did not realise the magnitude of what had happened until he got home safely and looked at the video. Despite the horrifying shark encounter, Haraguchi continued fishing.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9o-nBtiufQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Not sure of what prompted shark attack': Haraguchi</strong></h2>

<p>Haraguchi said that he wasn't sure of what prompted the shark to attack his kayak but shortly after the encounter, he spotted an injured seal. He said that he believes the fish may have mistaken the kayak for the wounded animal.</p>

<p>"I believe the shark may have wounded the seal, and was waiting for it to die, and came back and mistook me for the seal," he said.</p>

<p>He said he was thankful and counting his blessings that he wasn't hurt.</p>

<p>"I realize that life is short, time is short on Earth, so make the most of it," he told the outlet.</p>

<h2><strong>Shark attacks in Hawaii</strong></h2>

<p>As per the figures from Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), so far, there have been four shark attacks off the coast of the island in 2023.</p>

<p>In the month of April, a 58-year-old man sustained severe injuries after he was attacked while surfing off the coast near the island's capital, Honolulu.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Recently, the video of a kayak fisherman's harrowing encounter with a shark has surfaced online. The footage, captured by fisherman Scott Haraguchi's GoPro camera, showed how the giant fish attacked his kayak while he was sitting with his left foot swinging over the side.

Recently, the video of a kayak fisherman's harrowing encounter with a shark has surfaced online. The footage, captured by fisherman Scott Haraguchi's GoPro camera, showed how the giant fish attacked his kayak while he was sitting with his left foot swinging over the side. In a conversation with local outlet KITV, Haraguchi said that he was fishing about a mile offshore from Kualoa in Windward Oahu and had just caught a fish when the incident occurred. "I heard a whooshing sound that sounded like a boat heading towards me without the motor, and I looked up and I saw this big wide brown thing which my brain thought was a turtle, but then I got slammed by it and realised that it was a tiger shark," Haraguchi told the outlet. He further added that he was able to kick the shark away from his kayak and did not sustain any injuries in the brief dramatic attack. He said that he did not realise the magnitude of what had happened until he got home safely and looked at the video. Despite the horrifying shark encounter, Haraguchi continued fishing. × 'Not sure of what prompted shark attack': Haraguchi Haraguchi said that he wasn't sure of what prompted the shark to attack his kayak but shortly after the encounter, he spotted an injured seal. He said that he believes the fish may have mistaken the kayak for the wounded animal. "I believe the shark may have wounded the seal, and was waiting for it to die, and came back and mistook me for the seal," he said. He said he was thankful and counting his blessings that he wasn't hurt. "I realize that life is short, time is short on Earth, so make the most of it," he told the outlet. Shark attacks in Hawaii As per the figures from Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), so far, there have been four shark attacks off the coast of the island in 2023. In the month of April, a 58-year-old man sustained severe injuries after he was attacked while surfing off the coast near the island's capital, Honolulu. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

WATCH | Fisherman in Hawaii captures dramatic video of harrowing encounter with tiger shark

<p>Heavy rains lashed Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region on Wednesday causing deadly floods that claimed the lives of at least 11 people, said a local official.</p>

<p>Eight bodies had been recovered from various locations, the vice president of Emilia-Romagna, Irene Priolo, told reporters, adding that the rains were easing but that river levels were still rising.</p>

<p>As a part of a huge rescue operation involving emergency service and armed forces, the bodies were recovered by divers on Wednesday.</p>

<p>"Overall in Forli, there were three victims, one in Cesena and one in Cesenatico,"&nbsp;which could be a German man previously reported missing, the official said.</p>

<p>"The city is on its knees, devastated and in pain," said Gian Luca Zattini, the mayor of Forli, a city near Bologna where three people lost their lives. "It's the end of the world."</p>

<p>Emilia Romagna, which is also known as one of the richest regions of Italy, was hit by deadly rains just a fortnight ago causing floods that killed at least two people.</p>

<p>Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said that this time, around 50 centimetres (20 inches) of rain fell within 36 hours in Forli, Cesena and Ravenna, which is around half the normal annual rainfall. He described it as a situation "with few precedents".</p>

<p>"It is still a very critical situation," he said, adding that while the rain was still falling, it was expected to lighten during the day.</p>

<p>Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni&nbsp;took to Twitter and lent her support for those affected and said the government was "ready to intervene with the necessary aid".</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="it">In collegamento con il Comitato operativo della Protezione Civile presieduto dal Ministro Musumeci e il presidente della Regione Emilia-Romagna, Stefano Bonaccini. Il Governo è pronto a fare la sua parte, con misure di urgenza, per fronteggiare l’emergenza e aiutare i cittadini… <a href="https://t.co/tlEZw9ZBEj">pic.twitter.com/tlEZw9ZBEj</a></p>
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) <a href="https://twitter.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1658777246990041094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Una nuova ondata di forte maltempo ha colpito oggi molte zone, in particolare l'Emilia-Romagna dove il fiume Savio è esondato a Cesena e alcuni territori al nord delle Marche. Desidero esprimere la mia totale vicinanza alle popolazioni colpite. Il Governo segue con attenzione…</p>
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) <a href="https://twitter.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1658555430652477443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Floods force cancellation of Formula One Grand Prix</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, scheduled to be held at Imola this weekend was called off by the organisers on Wednesday citing that it was "not possible to safely hold the event" due to heavy flooding in the region.</p>

<p>Formula One released a statement saying that after the high-level discussions following the devastation caused by the floods in the region, &nbsp;"the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend at Imola".</p>

<p>"The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region," it added.</p>

<p>"It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Heavy rains lashed Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region on Wednesday causing deadly floods that claimed the lives of at least 11 people, said a local official.

Heavy rains lashed Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region on Wednesday causing deadly floods that claimed the lives of at least 11 people, said a local official. Eight bodies had been recovered from various locations, the vice president of Emilia-Romagna, Irene Priolo, told reporters, adding that the rains were easing but that river levels were still rising. As a part of a huge rescue operation involving emergency service and armed forces, the bodies were recovered by divers on Wednesday. "Overall in Forli, there were three victims, one in Cesena and one in Cesenatico," which could be a German man previously reported missing, the official said. "The city is on its knees, devastated and in pain," said Gian Luca Zattini, the mayor of Forli, a city near Bologna where three people lost their lives. "It's the end of the world." Emilia Romagna, which is also known as one of the richest regions of Italy, was hit by deadly rains just a fortnight ago causing floods that killed at least two people. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said that this time, around 50 centimetres (20 inches) of rain fell within 36 hours in Forli, Cesena and Ravenna, which is around half the normal annual rainfall. He described it as a situation "with few precedents". "It is still a very critical situation," he said, adding that while the rain was still falling, it was expected to lighten during the day. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to Twitter and lent her support for those affected and said the government was "ready to intervene with the necessary aid". In collegamento con il Comitato operativo della Protezione Civile presieduto dal Ministro Musumeci e il presidente della Regione Emilia-Romagna, Stefano Bonaccini. Il Governo è pronto a fare la sua parte, con misure di urgenza, per fronteggiare l’emergenza e aiutare i cittadini… pic.twitter.com/tlEZw9ZBEj — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 17, 2023 × Una nuova ondata di forte maltempo ha colpito oggi molte zone, in particolare l'Emilia-Romagna dove il fiume Savio è esondato a Cesena e alcuni territori al nord delle Marche. Desidero esprimere la mia totale vicinanza alle popolazioni colpite. Il Governo segue con attenzione… — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 16, 2023 × Floods force cancellation of Formula One Grand Prix The Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, scheduled to be held at Imola this weekend was called off by the organisers on Wednesday citing that it was "not possible to safely hold the event" due to heavy flooding in the region. Formula One released a statement saying that after the high-level discussions following the devastation caused by the floods in the region, "the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend at Imola". "The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region," it added. "It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Italy hit by heavy rain, witnesses half of annual rainfall in 36 hours; flooding claims 11lives

<p>Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sanctioned Rs 20 crore (around 200 million USD) for the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations in border villages to maintain strict surveillance on the movement of cross-border smugglers and drones, Special Director General of Police (DGP) Arpit Shukla said on Wednesday, as cited by news agency ANI.</p>

<p>He further added that DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav also announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh (1,211.72 USD) for providing information on drone movement leading to the recovery of weapons or narcotics.</p>

<p>The Special Director General of Police, Shukla, accompanied by the Inspector General (IG) of the BSF's Punjab Frontier headquartered in Jalandhar district Atul Fulzele, was in Khasa, Amritsar, for a joint coordination-cum-review meeting with senior officials of Border Security Force and Punjab Police, as per a statement issued.</p>

<p>The meeting was aimed at strengthening the security at the border in order to prevent cross-border smuggling.</p>

<p>The Punjab Police's DIG, Border Range, Narinder Bhargav, and DIG Ferozepur Range, Ranjit Singh Dhillon, along with four other DIGs, and four BSF commandants were among the senior officials who attended the talks.</p>

<p>Shukla called for greater synergy and teamwork between BSF and Punjab Police and further stated that both the elite forces should work together and exhibit better coordination to counter the Drone operations at Punjab borders, which have emerged as a new threat, according to the statement.</p>

<p>"He then stressed the need to carry out evidence-based and proactive policing to prevent the smuggling of narcotics and weapons into Punjab from across the border," it said.</p>

<p>"He further discussed the strategic locations and hotspots in border villages to install CCTV cameras to keep vigil over Indian Nationals involved in cross-border smuggling. He asked the BSF officials to share inputs of movements of suspected persons with the Punjab Police so that they can keep a sharp vigil on their activities and ensure penal action against those found involved in any criminal activity," the statement added.</p>

<p>He also proposed to activate village defence committees in the border areas. "These committees will work as eyes and ears of the police and supplement the efforts of the Punjab Police to wipe out drugs, terrorists, and gangsters from the border state," Shukla added.</p>

<h2><strong>BSF shot down drone along India-Pakistan border in Punjab</strong></h2>

<p>Lately, many incidents of alleged drone intrusions by Pakistan have been reported in the north Indian state of Punjab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a Pakistani drone which was apparently trying to sneak into Indian territory, officials said on April 27. It was carrying packets of heroin and opium, the officials added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BSF said in a press release said that at about 2:20 am (local time), BSF troops deployed at the border, heard the buzzing sound of a suspected drone entering from Pakistan to Indian territory and as per the laid down drill, troops immediately reacted to intercept the drone by firing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On March 28, BSF foiled another intrusion attempt by a Pakistani drone in Amritsar after it entered Indian territory. The paramilitary force stated that it was carrying a consignment of contraband items.</p>

<p>Earlier, BSF troops shot down a Pakistani drone along the Indo-Pak border which intruded on the Amritsar sector in the intervening night of February 2 to February 3 at 2:30 AM. The drone entered the area of responsibility of the Border Observation Post (BOP) Rear Kakkar in the Amritsar sector of Punjab, said BSF.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sanctioned Rs 20 crore (around 200 million USD) for the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations in border villages to maintain strict surveillance on the movement of cross-border smugglers and drones, Special Director General of Police (DGP) Arpit Shukla said on Wednesday, as cited by news agency ANI.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sanctioned Rs 20 crore (around 200 million USD) for the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations in border villages to maintain strict surveillance on the movement of cross-border smugglers and drones, Special Director General of Police (DGP) Arpit Shukla said on Wednesday, as cited by news agency ANI. He further added that DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav also announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh (1,211.72 USD) for providing information on drone movement leading to the recovery of weapons or narcotics. The Special Director General of Police, Shukla, accompanied by the Inspector General (IG) of the BSF's Punjab Frontier headquartered in Jalandhar district Atul Fulzele, was in Khasa, Amritsar, for a joint coordination-cum-review meeting with senior officials of Border Security Force and Punjab Police, as per a statement issued. The meeting was aimed at strengthening the security at the border in order to prevent cross-border smuggling. The Punjab Police's DIG, Border Range, Narinder Bhargav, and DIG Ferozepur Range, Ranjit Singh Dhillon, along with four other DIGs, and four BSF commandants were among the senior officials who attended the talks. Shukla called for greater synergy and teamwork between BSF and Punjab Police and further stated that both the elite forces should work together and exhibit better coordination to counter the Drone operations at Punjab borders, which have emerged as a new threat, according to the statement. "He then stressed the need to carry out evidence-based and proactive policing to prevent the smuggling of narcotics and weapons into Punjab from across the border," it said. "He further discussed the strategic locations and hotspots in border villages to install CCTV cameras to keep vigil over Indian Nationals involved in cross-border smuggling. He asked the BSF officials to share inputs of movements of suspected persons with the Punjab Police so that they can keep a sharp vigil on their activities and ensure penal action against those found involved in any criminal activity," the statement added. He also proposed to activate village defence committees in the border areas. "These committees will work as eyes and ears of the police and supplement the efforts of the Punjab Police to wipe out drugs, terrorists, and gangsters from the border state," Shukla added. BSF shot down drone along India-Pakistan border in Punjab Lately, many incidents of alleged drone intrusions by Pakistan have been reported in the north Indian state of Punjab. Last month, Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a Pakistani drone which was apparently trying to sneak into Indian territory, officials said on April 27. It was carrying packets of heroin and opium, the officials added. BSF said in a press release said that at about 2:20 am (local time), BSF troops deployed at the border, heard the buzzing sound of a suspected drone entering from Pakistan to Indian territory and as per the laid down drill, troops immediately reacted to intercept the drone by firing. On March 28, BSF foiled another intrusion attempt by a Pakistani drone in Amritsar after it entered Indian territory. The paramilitary force stated that it was carrying a consignment of contraband items. Earlier, BSF troops shot down a Pakistani drone along the Indo-Pak border which intruded on the Amritsar sector in the intervening night of February 2 to February 3 at 2:30 AM. The drone entered the area of responsibility of the Border Observation Post (BOP) Rear Kakkar in the Amritsar sector of Punjab, said BSF. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Punjab government allocates millions for CCTV installation to strengthen border security

10 lesser-known wedding destinations in India

Situated near the banks of the holy river Ganges, Rishikesh is the perfect destination for your big day. Its picturesque sites and idyllic setting will surely make your wedlock a beautiful affair.

Naukuchiatal is referred to as the 'treasure of natural beauty'. This small hill station is located far from the hustle-bustle of the city and is surrounded by lush green oak forests which makes it a perfect destination for an intimate wedding ceremony.

The heritage city of Khajuraho is home to some of the most captivating and magnificent temple complexes in the world. If you are looking for a place that can make you feel like the royals on your special day, this place should be your pick.

Located at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, Mussoorie's pleasant weather, hilly backdrops, lush green valleys and breathtaking views make it a romantic place to get hitched.

Kanha national park is another beautiful yet unexplored wedding destination in India. Home to thousands of flora and fauna, the serene surroundings of this place are sure to give you and the guests exuberant vibes. However, the forest remains closed between July to mid-October.

Kumarakom is yet another beautiful wedding destination in India with enchanting backwaters and lush green surroundings which makes it perfect for a cosy wedding affair.

If you plan to take a slightly different route from the mainstream way for your wedding destination pick, then Khimsar is your place. Set amidst the lustrous desert sand dunes, this is an unexplored, untouched gem in Rajasthan.

IPL 2023: Matches: 12, Runs: 67, Wickets: 14

If fancy architecture and majestic palaces excite you, then World Heritage Site Hampi should be your pick. The best time to plan your wedding at this destination is between November to February as the heat is more bearable at that time.

If you love the idea of getting hitched in a sun-soaked vineyard while sipping wine then Nashik makes for a perfect wedding venue.

If destination weddings are your thing and you wish to take a slightly different route from the mainstream way for your big day then we've got you covered

<p>A heartwarming video of a dog rescued by a&nbsp;news crew surfaced on the internet which has won millions of hearts worldwide.</p>

<p>The news crew of ABC spotted the dog trapped underneath the debris of a damaged home in tornado-ravaged Texas.</p>

<p>ABC News sound technician Jim Gower heard the pooch's cries and quickly called for the animal rescue to help. While he waited, he found a nearby shovel and started digging a hole for the animal so that it could escape.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The terrified pup hesitated to exit the hole at first, however, the crew persuaded the pooch out of the wreckage with the help of a Slim Jim meat stick before the animal control arrived.</p>

<p>This came as the crew was setting up the equipment to capture the devastation caused by an EF-1 tornado in Laguna Heights, east of Brownsville, which claimed the life of at least one person.</p>

<p>ABC congratulated their team while social media users thanked the crew members for helping a voiceless animal in need.</p>

<p>"Thank you for rescuing this 4-legged angel," one user commented on the YouTube video.</p>

<p>"Thank you to the beautiful humans who saved him," another added. "True meaning of no one left behind."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WSdeZiLdAFM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Deadly tornado rips through Texas’ coastal town of Laguna Heights</strong></h2>

<p>According to officials, at least one person lost life after a tornado tore through the unincorporated Gulf Coast community in Texas on Saturday, causing damage to numerous structures and taking down power lines.</p>

<p>As per the New York Times report, a severe thunderstorm spawned a tornado that hit Laguna Heights, near South Padre Island and surrounding communities, such as Port Isabel, around 4 am on Saturday.</p>

<p>Officials confirmed that multiple structures sustained "extensive damage".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Port Isabel Police Chief Robert Lopez said 10 people were injured, with two of them in critical condition, the others had minor cuts and bruises, as per NYT.</p>

<p>Angelica Soria, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Brownsville, Texas, said officials found out in an initial damage assessment that a tornado was on the ground for five minutes. The damage was consistent with a tornado with wind speeds of 86-110 mph.</p>

<p>“The survey team is still going to go through the damage assessment,” Soria said. “I know it wasn’t a very large swath, but I don’t have the exact mileage yet.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><br />
<strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A heartwarming video of a dog rescued by a news crew surfaced on the internet which has won millions of hearts worldwide. The news crew of ABC spotted the dog trapped underneath the debris of a damaged home in tornado-ravaged Texas.

A heartwarming video of a dog rescued by a news crew surfaced on the internet which has won millions of hearts worldwide. The news crew of ABC spotted the dog trapped underneath the debris of a damaged home in tornado-ravaged Texas. ABC News sound technician Jim Gower heard the pooch's cries and quickly called for the animal rescue to help. While he waited, he found a nearby shovel and started digging a hole for the animal so that it could escape. The terrified pup hesitated to exit the hole at first, however, the crew persuaded the pooch out of the wreckage with the help of a Slim Jim meat stick before the animal control arrived. This came as the crew was setting up the equipment to capture the devastation caused by an EF-1 tornado in Laguna Heights, east of Brownsville, which claimed the life of at least one person. ABC congratulated their team while social media users thanked the crew members for helping a voiceless animal in need. "Thank you for rescuing this 4-legged angel," one user commented on the YouTube video. "Thank you to the beautiful humans who saved him," another added. "True meaning of no one left behind." × Deadly tornado rips through Texas’ coastal town of Laguna Heights According to officials, at least one person lost life after a tornado tore through the unincorporated Gulf Coast community in Texas on Saturday, causing damage to numerous structures and taking down power lines. As per the New York Times report, a severe thunderstorm spawned a tornado that hit Laguna Heights, near South Padre Island and surrounding communities, such as Port Isabel, around 4 am on Saturday. Officials confirmed that multiple structures sustained "extensive damage". Port Isabel Police Chief Robert Lopez said 10 people were injured, with two of them in critical condition, the others had minor cuts and bruises, as per NYT. Angelica Soria, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Brownsville, Texas, said officials found out in an initial damage assessment that a tornado was on the ground for five minutes. The damage was consistent with a tornado with wind speeds of 86-110 mph. “The survey team is still going to go through the damage assessment,” Soria said. “I know it wasn’t a very large swath, but I don’t have the exact mileage yet.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

WATCH | News crew rescues dog trapped in debris after deadly tornado rips through Texas

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Navya Beri

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.