<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canada-10-dead-15-injured-after-van-ploughs-into-crowd-on-toronto-sidewalk-132406">10 dead, 15 injured after van ploughs into </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canada-10-dead-15-injured-after-van-ploughs-into-crowd-on-toronto-sidewalk-132406">crowd</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canada-10-dead-15-injured-after-van-ploughs-into-crowd-on-toronto-sidewalk-132406"> on Toronto sidewalk</a>

A driver ploughed his white Ryder rental van into a crowd in Toronto on Monday, killing 10 people and injuring 15 along a roughly mile-long (1.6-km) stretch of sidewalk thronged with lunch-hour pedestrians, police said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/inclusion-of-death-penalty-will-have-disastrous-consequence-on-children-former-delhi-high-court-chief-justice-132391">Death penalty for child rapists: 'Futile... disastrous consequences for children,' says ex-Delhi HC chief justice</a>

After the Delhi High Court reprimanded the Centre over the ordinance passed to amend the POCSO Act, the former Delhi High Court chief justice AP Shah said on Monday that the enhancement of punishment will have "disastrous consequences for children".&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china--18-dead-in-lounge-fire-arson-suspected-132389">18 dead in China karaoke lounge fire arson suspected</a>

A major fire broke out in a three storey building in Qingyuan city in China on Tuesday. At least 18 people are reported to be killed and five people are injured.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-george-hw-bush-admitted-to-houston-hospital-132384">Day</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-george-hw-bush-admitted-to-houston-hospital-132384"> after wife's funeral, ex-US President George HW Bush admitted to hospital</a>

Former US President George HW Bush was admitted to a Houston hospital for an infection that spread to his blood a day after the funeral of Barbara Bush, his wife of seven decades, a family spokesman said on Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/achieved-things-beyond-stated-objectives-iaf-chief-on-mega-exercise-132386">Indian Air Force prepared to deal with two-front war, hints chief</a>

The Indian Air Force effectively achieved relocation and re-balancing of its assets from one sector to another during a just-concluded mega exercise, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Monday, hinting at its preparedness to deal with a two-front war.

 
&nbsp;

10 dead, 15 injured after van ploughs into crowd on Toronto sidewalk A driver ploughed his white Ryder rental van into a crowd in Toronto on Monday, killing 10 people and injuring 15 along a roughly mile-long (1.6-km) stretch of sidewalk thronged with lunch-hour pedestrians, police said. Death penalty for child rapists: 'Futile... disastrous consequences for children,' says ex-Delhi HC chief justice After the Delhi High Court reprimanded the Centre over the ordinance passed to amend the POCSO Act, the former Delhi High Court chief justice AP Shah said on Monday that the enhancement of punishment will have "disastrous consequences for children". 18 dead in China karaoke lounge fire arson suspected A major fire broke out in a three storey building in Qingyuan city in China on Tuesday. At least 18 people are reported to be killed and five people are injured. Day after wife's funeral, ex-US President George HW Bush admitted to hospital Former US President George HW Bush was admitted to a Houston hospital for an infection that spread to his blood a day after the funeral of Barbara Bush, his wife of seven decades, a family spokesman said on Monday. Indian Air Force prepared to deal with two-front war, hints chief The Indian Air Force effectively achieved relocation and re-balancing of its assets from one sector to another during a just-concluded mega exercise, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Monday, hinting at its preparedness to deal with a two-front war.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Anushka Sharma has said she is "1,000 per cent" in support of the ordinance promulgated on Sunday which provides stringent punishment, including"death"penalty, for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years. 
 
Speaking to reporters at an event on Monday, Anushka said, "I am very happy with it. I will be completely, 1,000 per cent in support of the most severe punishment that there is (for someone) who spoils something as innocent as a child." She called such crimes the "worst thing to do as a human being".

Anushka added that, like everyone else, she was "deeply hurt and disgusted" by the Kathua incident in Jammu and Kashmir, in which an eight-year-old girl was held captive in a temple there and was repeatedly raped before being killed.

The body of the girl, belonging to a minority nomadic community, was found on January 17 from Rassana forest, a week after she went missing while grazing her horses. 
"Like everyone in the country, I am deeply hurt by the incident. Even now when I think about it, I feel disgusted and extremely emotional. Like I said in my statement earlier, the most severe punishment has to be meted out to the people involved," she said.

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I am in absolute support of it. Child rape is the worst thing a human being can do. Strictest & the harshest punishment possible should be given to such people: Anushka Sharma on the ordinance to amend POCSO Act <a href="https://t.co/EwmErD5AzQ">pic.twitter.com/EwmErD5AzQ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/988598074896474112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On the work front, Anushka, who will have a packed year with Sui Dhaga, Zero&nbsp;and a cameo in the Sanjay Dutt biopic, spoke about the Dutt biopic. 
 
"That (the Dutt biopic) is"one film you guys will be very excited and happy seeing. I saw the teaser recently and I liked it a lot. I have a cameo in it. I'm really looking forward to watching the film," she said.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

Anushka said, like everyone else, she was "deeply hurt and disgusted" by the Kathua incident in Jammu and Kashmir.

Anushka Sharma has said she is "1,000 per cent" in support of the ordinance promulgated on Sunday which provides stringent punishment, including"death"penalty, for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years. Speaking to reporters at an event on Monday, Anushka said, "I am very happy with it. I will be completely, 1,000 per cent in support of the most severe punishment that there is (for someone) who spoils something as innocent as a child." She called such crimes the "worst thing to do as a human being". Anushka added that, like everyone else, she was "deeply hurt and disgusted" by the Kathua incident in Jammu and Kashmir, in which an eight-year-old girl was held captive in a temple there and was repeatedly raped before being killed. The body of the girl, belonging to a minority nomadic community, was found on January 17 from Rassana forest, a week after she went missing while grazing her horses. "Like everyone in the country, I am deeply hurt by the incident. Even now when I think about it, I feel disgusted and extremely emotional. Like I said in my statement earlier, the most severe punishment has to be meted out to the people involved," she said. I am in absolute support of it. Child rape is the worst thing a human being can do. Strictest & the harshest punishment possible should be given to such people: Anushka Sharma on the ordinance to amend POCSO Act pic.twitter.com/EwmErD5AzQ — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018 × On the work front, Anushka, who will have a packed year with Sui Dhaga, Zero and a cameo in the Sanjay Dutt biopic, spoke about the Dutt biopic. "That (the Dutt biopic) is"one film you guys will be very excited and happy seeing. I saw the teaser recently and I liked it a lot. I have a cameo in it. I'm really looking forward to watching the film," she said. (With agency inputs)

Anushka Sharma: Fully support capital punishment for rapists of minors

Actor politician Kamal Haasan Sunday wondered why the ordinance promulgated by the President provided for death penalty for rape of girls under 12 years alone and not for those aged between 14 and 16 and said families should bring up boys to act responsibly.

"Why is the death penalty only for rape of girls aged under 12... what about 14, 15, and 16-year-olds, are they not children too."It will take time for them too (14-16 year-olds) to blossom as women. I do not know how to view it," he said.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief was addressing his party workers and supporters through YouTube.

Answering a question on crimes against women and children and the rules he would bring in if his party was voted to power, Haasan said "rules can be formulated... even now death penalty has been prescribed."

Haasan had made known his views against the death penalty before he entered politics.

The MNM chief said the important thing was for families to change their mindset in the way they brought up boys.

"Just like we teach the values of chastity and honesty to girls, boys too must be brought up responsibly by families. Sadly, this was not being done and boys were pampered and allowed to do what they wanted, 'just because he is a male', the actor said.

No government rule was needed to implement this, he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday promulgated the criminal law amendment ordinance,paving the way for providing stringent punishment, including "death" penalty, for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years.

The actor turned politician said he had given deep thought as to why he should get into politics when leaders he respected like Mahatma Gandhi and reformist leader Periyar had stayed away from it.

"All along I was keeping quiet thinking I could toe a similar line. Had such leaders been alive today, there would have been a necessity for them to take part in electoral politics," he said.

Haasan said it was not a spur of the moment decision for him to join politics. It was a thought process lasting many years.

There was also some confusion in arriving at a decision but he overcame it, he said The MNM chief said he had a "guilty" feeling as he wondered if politics was pushed to a bad phase due to "carelessness" of the general public and the media in monitoring the government and questioning it.

Haasan alleged that there was arrogance among those in power and hence they were disinclined to answer people's questions. Such factors steadily pushed him towards getting into politics.

He replied in the negative when asked whether he ever regretted entering politics.

To a question, the actor said his brand of politics would be driven by people's welfare and he did not hanker for power.

To another question, he said "you decide what I should be... whether the Chief Minister or Leader of Opposition." On eradicating caste, Haasan said it was a 'disease' and it should be eradicated.

Caste-based discrimination was a reason for poverty.

Caste could not be eradicated immediately he said and called for a change from a personal level to facilitate it.

Stating that 'gram swarajya' was a possibility, he said his party has adopted already a village and more will be done.

He told his cadres to deal firmly and properly if political parties put obstacles during their welfare work.

"Those who pose obstacles for service to the people are anti-nationals, they should be dealt properly but without violence," he said. 
&nbsp;

'Why is the death penalty only for rape of girls aged under 12... what about 14, 15, and 16-year-olds, are they not children too."It will take time for them too (14-16 year-olds) to blossom as women. I do not know how to view it,' Hassan said

Actor politician Kamal Haasan Sunday wondered why the ordinance promulgated by the President provided for death penalty for rape of girls under 12 years alone and not for those aged between 14 and 16 and said families should bring up boys to act responsibly. "Why is the death penalty only for rape of girls aged under 12... what about 14, 15, and 16-year-olds, are they not children too."It will take time for them too (14-16 year-olds) to blossom as women. I do not know how to view it," he said. The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief was addressing his party workers and supporters through YouTube. Answering a question on crimes against women and children and the rules he would bring in if his party was voted to power, Haasan said "rules can be formulated... even now death penalty has been prescribed." Haasan had made known his views against the death penalty before he entered politics. The MNM chief said the important thing was for families to change their mindset in the way they brought up boys. "Just like we teach the values of chastity and honesty to girls, boys too must be brought up responsibly by families. Sadly, this was not being done and boys were pampered and allowed to do what they wanted, 'just because he is a male', the actor said. No government rule was needed to implement this, he said. President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday promulgated the criminal law amendment ordinance,paving the way for providing stringent punishment, including "death" penalty, for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years. The actor turned politician said he had given deep thought as to why he should get into politics when leaders he respected like Mahatma Gandhi and reformist leader Periyar had stayed away from it. "All along I was keeping quiet thinking I could toe a similar line. Had such leaders been alive today, there would have been a necessity for them to take part in electoral politics," he said. Haasan said it was not a spur of the moment decision for him to join politics. It was a thought process lasting many years. There was also some confusion in arriving at a decision but he overcame it, he said The MNM chief said he had a "guilty" feeling as he wondered if politics was pushed to a bad phase due to "carelessness" of the general public and the media in monitoring the government and questioning it. Haasan alleged that there was arrogance among those in power and hence they were disinclined to answer people's questions. Such factors steadily pushed him towards getting into politics. He replied in the negative when asked whether he ever regretted entering politics. To a question, the actor said his brand of politics would be driven by people's welfare and he did not hanker for power. To another question, he said "you decide what I should be... whether the Chief Minister or Leader of Opposition." On eradicating caste, Haasan said it was a 'disease' and it should be eradicated. Caste-based discrimination was a reason for poverty. Caste could not be eradicated immediately he said and called for a change from a personal level to facilitate it. Stating that 'gram swarajya' was a possibility, he said his party has adopted already a village and more will be done. He told his cadres to deal firmly and properly if political parties put obstacles during their welfare work. "Those who pose obstacles for service to the people are anti-nationals, they should be dealt properly but without violence," he said.

Kamal Haasan: Why death penalty only for rape of girls under 12... what about 14, 15 & 16-year-olds?