In today's bulletin, the Cauvery water dispute takes centre stage as Minister S.J. Kumaraswamy accuses the Karnataka government of secretly releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu while allegedly neglecting the interests of Karnataka farmers.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an important clarification on H1N1 influenza. Scientists say that no new H1N1 strain has been identified in India and that there is no reason for panic over the seasonal influenza virus currently circulating.

In the United States, a 62-year-old Indian-origin Gujarati businessman, Suresh Parsottamdas Patel, was shot dead inside his store in Jackson, Tennessee, while his 19-year-old daughter was present. Police are investigating the incident.

Internationally, heavy rainfall and flooding are reported in parts of southern China, while the Gaza conflict continues with reports of civilian casualties, including a four-year-old child.

The Russia-Ukraine war also remains in focus as Ukraine reportedly targets an Ozon logistics facility for a second consecutive day. The latest strike comes amid intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russian economic and logistics infrastructure.

A major wildfire in Nevada has spread across more than 10,500 acres, prompting evacuations and road closures.

In Formula 1, home favourite Max Verstappen crashed on the opening lap of the Dutch Grand Prix, bringing out a race stoppage before the event resumed.

Stay tuned to WION World for breaking news, India news, world news, political developments, international affairs, Russia-Ukraine updates, US news, health updates and the latest developments from across the globe.

Cauvery Water Row | H1N1 Alert |  Gaza Strike | Russia- Ukraine War | Max Verstappen Crash

Karnataka is witnessing a statewide bandh over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu, with security measures heightened across the state.

Protesters in several parts of Karnataka are opposing the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, while stressing that they want the state’s own drinking water and irrigation requirements to be prioritised. In Koppal, protesters adopted an unusual form of demonstration by offering roses to lorry drivers heading towards Tamil Nadu.

Protest groups are also demanding long-term measures to strengthen Karnataka’s water security, including faster implementation of the Mekedatu project.

More than 50 members of pro-Kannada organisations were reportedly arrested during protests. Meanwhile, operations at Kempegowda International Airport remained normal despite the bandh.

Karnataka Bandh Over Cauvery Water Dispute | Protests Intensify Against Tamil Nadu Water Release

Ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka, over 700 farmers from the state have decided to stage a protest in the national capital over the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahadayi-river-dispute-karnataka-bandh-to-affect-daily-life-transport-services-will-remain-unaffected-30593"> Mahadayi Water Dispute</a>.

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The farmers will&nbsp;move from Karnataka's Hubballi to&nbsp;Delhi on April 25 and will hold a three-day protest in Delhi.

They will also seek euthanasia from the President.&nbsp;

The farmers have also decided to boycott the upcoming&nbsp;assembly polls in the state claiming that "every politician takes benefit of the issue but does nothing on it".

Mahadayi river which emerges in the Western Ghats from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Belagavi district is a bone of contention between Karnataka and Goa.

Over two-thirds of the river's stretch flows in Goa before finally joining the Arabian sea in Panaji.

The dispute regarding the river emerged between the two states during the 80s and gradually grew over time.&nbsp;

Goa is against Karnataka's construction of dams and canals to divert the river's water into the Karnataka's Malaprabha basin.

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Over 700 farmers protesting over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahadayiWaterDispute?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahadayiWaterDispute</a> to leave for Delhi from Karnataka's Hubballi on 25 April. They'll hold 3-day protest & seek euthanasia from President, say, 'every politician takes benefit of the issue but does nothing on it. We've decided to boycott polls.' <a href="https://t.co/lJgVXJtA7I">pic.twitter.com/lJgVXJtA7I</a>
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The farmers will move from Karnataka's Hubballi to Delhi on April 25 and will hold a three-day protest in Delhi. They will also seek euthanasia from the President

Ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka, over 700 farmers from the state have decided to stage a protest in the national capital over the Mahadayi Water Dispute. × The farmers will move from Karnataka's Hubballi to Delhi on April 25 and will hold a three-day protest in Delhi. They will also seek euthanasia from the President. The farmers have also decided to boycott the upcoming assembly polls in the state claiming that "every politician takes benefit of the issue but does nothing on it". Mahadayi river which emerges in the Western Ghats from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Belagavi district is a bone of contention between Karnataka and Goa. Over two-thirds of the river's stretch flows in Goa before finally joining the Arabian sea in Panaji. The dispute regarding the river emerged between the two states during the 80s and gradually grew over time. Goa is against Karnataka's construction of dams and canals to divert the river's water into the Karnataka's Malaprabha basin. Over 700 farmers protesting over #MahadayiWaterDispute to leave for Delhi from Karnataka's Hubballi on 25 April. They'll hold 3-day protest & seek euthanasia from President, say, 'every politician takes benefit of the issue but does nothing on it. We've decided to boycott polls.' pic.twitter.com/lJgVXJtA7I — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2018 ×

700 farmers to seek euthanasia from President over Mahadayi water dispute

Farmers in Mandya in the Cauvery delta region of Karnataka are celebrating after the Supreme Court announced on Friday that the state will get 14.75 TMC or thousand million cubic feet more water in addition to the 270 TMC awarded by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007.&nbsp;

The verdict will also quench the thirst of Bengaluru which will get more water to meet its drinking needs.

The judgement was hailed by the farmers who termed it as fair in addressing the needs of farmers as well as Bengaluru

The verdict comes just months before Karnataka goes to polls and has been claimed as a big victory by the ruling Congress.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court acknowledged Bengaluru as a global city and allotted it 4.75 TMC out of the state&#39;s increased share.&nbsp;

Bengaluru is politically important for the Congress as it has 28 assembly seats and the increased share of water, which is expected to solve this fast-growing city&#39;s drinking water woes, could prove to be beneficial for the Siddaramaiah government.

The government received a lot of flak over increasing pollution, bad roads, frothing and foaming lakes, allegations of corruption, steel flyover in Bengaluru in the last few months.&nbsp;

Karnataka&#39;s gain is, however, Tamil Nadu&#39;s loss. The apex court modified the 2007 tribunal order to reduce Tamil Nadu&#39;s share from 192 TMC to 177.25 TMC. The tribunal&#39;s allocation of 30 TMC to Kerala and 7 TMC to Puducherry remains unchanged.

In its judgement, the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra stated that no single state can claim exclusive ownership of its water.&nbsp;

Misra also insisted on a body to oversee sharing of Cauvery waters after rejecting arguments by Karnataka and the centre against the Cauvery Management Board.&nbsp;

The court has directed the centre to set up the Board within six weeks to supervise the flow of waters to Tamil Nadu.

The verdict will also quench the thirst of Bengaluru

Farmers in Mandya in the Cauvery delta region of Karnataka are celebrating after the Supreme Court announced on Friday that the state will get 14.75 TMC or thousand million cubic feet more water in addition to the 270 TMC awarded by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007. The verdict will also quench the thirst of Bengaluru which will get more water to meet its drinking needs. The judgement was hailed by the farmers who termed it as fair in addressing the needs of farmers as well as Bengaluru The verdict comes just months before Karnataka goes to polls and has been claimed as a big victory by the ruling Congress. The Supreme Court acknowledged Bengaluru as a global city and allotted it 4.75 TMC out of the state's increased share. Bengaluru is politically important for the Congress as it has 28 assembly seats and the increased share of water, which is expected to solve this fast-growing city's drinking water woes, could prove to be beneficial for the Siddaramaiah government. The government received a lot of flak over increasing pollution, bad roads, frothing and foaming lakes, allegations of corruption, steel flyover in Bengaluru in the last few months. Karnataka's gain is, however, Tamil Nadu's loss. The apex court modified the 2007 tribunal order to reduce Tamil Nadu's share from 192 TMC to 177.25 TMC. The tribunal's allocation of 30 TMC to Kerala and 7 TMC to Puducherry remains unchanged. In its judgement, the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra stated that no single state can claim exclusive ownership of its water. Misra also insisted on a body to oversee sharing of Cauvery waters after rejecting arguments by Karnataka and the centre against the Cauvery Management Board. The court has directed the centre to set up the Board within six weeks to supervise the flow of waters to Tamil Nadu.

Cauvery water dispute: Karnataka farmers term Supreme Court's judgement fair

Farmers in North of Karnataka called for a shutdown over the Mahadayi water issue.

Places like Gadag, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Hubballi, Bailahongala and neighbouring areas have been affected by the protest.

Following the agitation, the&nbsp;transport services between Karnataka and Goa have been closed.

Protestors expressing their dissatisfaction over the resolution of the water row&nbsp;demanded the Kalasa-Banduri project.

The project involves building barrages across Kalsa and Banduri to divert 7.56 tmc ft water to Malaprabha which meets drinking water needs of the north of Karnataka&nbsp;region.

The state of Karnataka and Goa are in dispute on the issue of sharing inter-state Mahadayi river water.&nbsp;

While the river originates from Karnataka, a major part of it flows in Goa.

Karnataka is seeking the release of 7.56 tmc ft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project.&nbsp;

The protestors raised anti-government slogans and effigies were also burnt.

The protest is being led by Mahadayi Kalasa Banduri Nala Horata Samanvaya Samiti, getting support from several pro-Kannada groups and other organisations.

Earlier, a petition filed by Karnataka government was rejected by Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal on grounds of the&nbsp;project may cause ecological damage.

A meeting was called by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddarmaiah&nbsp;with his Maharashtra and Goa counterparts Devendra Fadnavis and Manohar Parrikar respectively &quot;to arrive at a negotiated settlement&quot; over the issue.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Places like Gadag, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Hubballi, Bailahongala and neighbouring areas have been affected by the protest

Farmers in North of Karnataka called for a shutdown over the Mahadayi water issue. Places like Gadag, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Hubballi, Bailahongala and neighbouring areas have been affected by the protest. Following the agitation, the transport services between Karnataka and Goa have been closed. Protestors expressing their dissatisfaction over the resolution of the water row demanded the Kalasa-Banduri project. The project involves building barrages across Kalsa and Banduri to divert 7.56 tmc ft water to Malaprabha which meets drinking water needs of the north of Karnataka region. The state of Karnataka and Goa are in dispute on the issue of sharing inter-state Mahadayi river water. While the river originates from Karnataka, a major part of it flows in Goa. Karnataka is seeking the release of 7.56 tmc ft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. The protestors raised anti-government slogans and effigies were also burnt. The protest is being led by Mahadayi Kalasa Banduri Nala Horata Samanvaya Samiti, getting support from several pro-Kannada groups and other organisations. Earlier, a petition filed by Karnataka government was rejected by Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal on grounds of the project may cause ecological damage. A meeting was called by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddarmaiah with his Maharashtra and Goa counterparts Devendra Fadnavis and Manohar Parrikar respectively "to arrive at a negotiated settlement" over the issue. (With inputs from ANI)

Farmers call for bandh in Karnataka over Mahadayi water dispute