गंगा किनारे एक आरती स्थल पर उस वक्त हड़कंप मच गया जब वहां करीब सात फीट लंबा कॉपरहेड सांप निकल आया। आरती स्थल जैसे भीड़-भाड़ वाले इलाके में अचानक सांप दिखने से लोग डर गए और कुछ देर के लिए अफरा-तफरी का माहौल बन गया.
Amit Mehta is an Indian-born judge who serves on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He was nominated by Barack Obama in 2014 and confirmed by the US Senate the same year.Born in Patan in 1971, Mehta moved to the United States in his childhood. He studied at Georgetown University and later earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Before becoming a judge, he worked as a public defender and later as a partner in a law firm in Washington, D.C.Judge Mehta has handled many high-profile cases, but he has recently gained attention for his role in the trial related to the January 6 Capitol attack. In these cases, the plaintiffs have sought to injunction donald trump Legally responsible for his actions and statements related to the events of that day.A key legal issue in these proceedings has been whether Trump enjoys presidential immunity. This doctrine may protect a sitting or former president from certain lawsuits for actions taken as part of official duties. Judge Mehta ruled that Trump’s conduct, as alleged in the lawsuits, can be scrutinized by the courts and is not automatically protected by immunity at this stage.Their decision did not decide Trump’s final liability but allowed the civil cases to proceed. This decision is considered significant because it addresses the limits of presidential immunity in situations involving alleged instigation or unethical conduct. Mehta continues to preside over related proceedings, which remain part of ongoing legal efforts to investigate accountability for the events of January 6.
On January 6, 2021, a mob of Donald Trump’s supporters attacked the United States Capitol. He tried to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results. Rioters indulged in vandalism, damaged property and clashed with police. The session was delayed, but later resumed and Democratic leader Joe Biden was confirmed as the winner.
Iran warns UAE ports: Escalation in Gulf conflict amid war with US-Israel threatens global trade
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly threatened to bomb the $30,000,000,000 Stargate AI data center. The IRGC has released a video threatening to attack the 1GW Stargate AI datacenter in the UAE. Iranian video shows IRGC-linked warning of attack on 1GW Stargate UAE AI datacenter in Abu Dhabi. The warning uses satellite imagery to reveal its desert location. Stargate UAE is a major AI computing cluster planned as one of the largest outside the US, with an initial 200MW phase to be expanded to 1GW in 2026. The Stargate project is backed by Japan’s SoftBank, US technology giants – Oracle, Cisco, Nvidia, OpenAI – and the UAE’s G42. The action is said to signal Iran’s shift toward asymmetric targeting of high-value Western technology assets in the Gulf amid regional tensions, highlighting the strategic vulnerability of data centers beyond traditional military sites.A spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia headquarters said in a video message, “Should the US proceed with its threats regarding Iran’s power plant facilities, the following retaliatory measures will be immediately implemented. All power plants, energy infrastructure, and information and communications technologies of the Zionist regime, and all similar companies in the region in which the US has shareholders, will face complete destruction.”The video also featured this text: “Nothing is hidden from our sight, even if Google hides it.” It then pointed to Stargate’s location in the UAE and showed a photo of American CEOs of the project’s key partner companies, including Nvidia, OpenAI, Microsoft and Goldman Sachs.
Stargate is one of the most high profile Artificial Intelligence (AI) project announced by US President Donald Trump. The US President had announced the project in the Oval Office on the first day. He said that this will create thousands of American jobs. The Stargate agreement was announced during the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UAE in May 2025. According to the US Department of Commerce, this marks the largest data center deployment outside the United States. The project expands the footprint of American AI and cloud companies in the Middle East. OpenAI, Nvidia, Cisco and local champions G42 were part of the Trump administration’s announcement for the Stargate project. “By extending the world-leading American technology stack to a key strategic partner in the region, this agreement is a major milestone in achieving President Trump’s vision for American AI dominance,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement at the announcement. The UAE has also said that it wants to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2031.The warning video follows previous threats by the IRGC to target US companies operating in the Middle East, including Microsoft, Apple, Google and Meta. Similar to the warning issued in March, 18 US companies were targeted, including technology and finance companies. The warning calls these companies ‘terrorist companies’ and accuses them of spying for the US government. x.com/FurkanGozukara/status/2039986135405932656?s=20On Thursday, April 2, some reports claimed that the IRGC had bombed Oracle’s datacenter in Dubai. The UAE’s official media denied the report and described it as ‘fake and fabricated’.
New Delhi: As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, ‘Mache Bhate Bengali’, a common phrase that used to dominate every Bengali’s household, has now moved into the political arena.With this, it has become a symbol of identity, culture and pride, shaping the narrative of the high-stakes electoral battle. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee enhanced this sentiment by taking aim at a rally in Purulia. BJP. He said, “They won’t let you eat fish. You can’t eat meat, can’t eat eggs, you can’t talk in Bengali. If you do that they will call you Bangladeshi.”
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Fish, long considered the lifeline of West Bengal, is now at the center of this story. It is a staple of almost every Bengali’s thali, but now it has gone beyond cuisine and become a symbol of cultural connection.The phrase ‘Mache Bhate Bangla’ which means Bengali is defined by fish and rice, has crossed over from the kitchen to the political arena, showing how everyday traditions are now shaping the state’s election campaign framework.
In the election season of West Bengal, the fish has gone from the dinner plate to the center of the political web.Trinamool Congress (TMC) is using it to tap into Bengali pride, while the BJP is struggling not to get caught on the wrong side of the ‘Machhale Bhate Bengali’ sentiment.From Katla fish being prominent in road shows to Ilish, Pabda and Chingri getting a prominent place in speeches, fish has emerged as a powerful metaphor. It is now a symbol of identity, culture and the question of who actually represents the “real” Bengali.The TMC has weaponized this sentiment, arguing that the BJP, associated with the Hindi-speaking, vegetarian-first politics of North India, is culturally alien to Bengal.
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Mamata Banerjee made this point at a rally: “If BJP comes to power, they will ban meat and fish in Bengal. I saw the Deputy CM of Bihar saying that fish and meat cannot be sold in open markets. Only those who have a license can sell meat indoors. So, will everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? Only a few have the economic strength to do so. Most fish sellers sell fresh fish on the streets here. They sell it and earn their living from this. I condemn this politics.”By building the campaign around Bengali identity, TMC has shifted its focus towards cultural nationalism. Thus, fish is no longer just a dish served in every household; It is a symbol of Bengali pride.
TMC’s social media has amplified this narrative by posting pictures of Ilish Bhapa, Pabda Jhal, Chingri Malai Curry, Kosha Mangsho and other dishes.Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s 15-day visit to Bengal, the party tweeted: “Bengal welcomes tourists. Don’t miss our dishes. We highly recommend: Muri Ghonto, Pabda Macher Jhal, Ilish Bhapa, Chingri Malai Curry, Bhetki Paturi, Kosha Mangsho. Have a pleasant stay!”Political analyst Maidul Islam said, “Within that Bengali project, eating fish is an important element. When fish markets elsewhere are attacked, or Hindi-speaking leaders turn up their noses at fish, it becomes a campaign issue. TMC is saying that it is an organic party of Bengalis and hence it is associated with Bengali food habits.
In West Bengal, fish is more than food. It marks life events: from a child’s first eating of rice, to gifts at weddings, to meals after bereavement.According to PTI, World Bank data shows that West Bengal consumes 8.36 lakh tonnes of fish annually, almost double the national average and fish and meat together account for about one-fifth of household food expenditure.For many, attempts to impose vegetarian or homophobic food habits from outside the state raise fears of cultural invasion.A Kolkata-based Indologist said, “For Bengalis, fish is not just food. It is memory, ritual and identity. To challenge it is to make West Bengal look foreign.”Kaushik Maiti of Bengali nationalist organization Bangla Pokkho said: “Fish is part of the Bengali identity. But the BJP wants to impose the vegetarian food culture of North India, we oppose it.”
BJP says that TMC is creating fear. Leaders say there is no proposal to ban fish or meat in West Bengal. Nevertheless, the perception is quite strong that BJP candidates are now campaigning with fish in hand.Bidhannagar BJP candidate Sharadwat Mukherjee walked around the neighborhood carrying five kilos of Katla fish with him and assured voters that the BJP would never interfere in Bengali food habits.In Pandaveshwar, BJP candidate Jitendra Nath Tiwari filed nomination papers with a “fish procession”, with supporters walking with baskets while they held bigger baskets in their hands. He said, “If promoting the culture of West Bengal is a drama, then I am proud of this drama.”Political analyst Suman Bhattacharya said, “The perception that the BJP is against fish and non-vegetarian food has become so strong that party leaders now have to eat fish in public and campaign with it. This shows how their vegetarian politics did not work elsewhere in West Bengal.”State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya stressed: “There is no question of banning fishing. Bengalis will eat fish and Biharis will eat mutton. If anyone tries to stop me, I will protest.”TMC’s story gets strengthened by incidents in BJP ruled states. Earlier, Bihar Deputy CM’s comment Vijay Kumar Sinha Bans on meat near schools and places of worship and prior controversies over meat shops and fish markets add to fears that a North Indian vegetarian-first cultural model may be imposed in Bengal.In January, a vendor was allegedly attacked for selling chicken patties near a religious congregation in Kolkata. The controversy deepened due to this incident.
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What is the thing that influences voters the most in elections?
As the elections are heating up, the West Bengal Assembly elections are not just about seats, governance or development, they are also about identity, culture and cuisine.The simple fish, a culinary staple, has emerged as a political symbol, showing that in Bengal, thali and politics are inextricably linked.As TMC spokesperson Tanmay Ghosh said: “Meat and fish eaters can be Nobel laureates, scholars, entrepreneurs and rebels who change history with the pen, not violence… Linking eating habits to ‘violent tendencies’ is a moral imposition. India’s strength lies in pluralism, diversity and constitutional freedoms – not in controlling plates.”Elections for 294 seats in West Bengal will be held in two phases: April 23 (152 constituencies) and April 29 (142), and the results will be declared on May 4.
उत्तर प्रदेश के अमेठी जिले के जायस नगर पालिका परिषद क्षेत्र में शुक्रवार सुबह एक बड़ा हादसा टल गया। नेशनल हाईवे रायबरेली-सुल्तानपुर मार्ग पर स्थित एक चाय की दुकान में अचानक आग लग गई, जिससे आसपास के इलाके में अफरा-तफरी मच गई. आग इतनी भीषण थी कि कुछ ही देर में पूरी गुमटी धुएं और आग की लपटों से घिर गई। घटना के दौरान खोखे में रखा गैस सिलेंडर भी फट गया, जिससे लोगों में दहशत फैल गई। हालांकि, राहत की बात यह है कि इस हादसे में किसी की मौत नहीं हुई और समय रहते आग पर काबू पा लिया गया.
सुबह अचानक आग लगने से हड़कंप मच गया
जानकारी के मुताबिक यह घटना नेशनल हाईवे पर लाइटहाउस के सामने स्थित बन्ने खां की बंद पड़ी चाय की गुमटी में हुई. सुबह जब लोग अपने काम में व्यस्त थे तो अचानक गुमटी से धुआं उठता दिखा। देखते ही देखते आग ने विकराल रूप धारण कर लिया और आसपास मौजूद लोगों में हड़कंप मच गया।
फायर ब्रिगेड और स्थानीय लोगों ने मोर्चा संभाला
आग लगने की सूचना तुरंत फायर ब्रिगेड को दी गई. सूचना मिलते ही फायर ब्रिगेड की टीम मौके पर पहुंची और आग बुझाने का काम शुरू किया. इस दौरान नगर पालिका कर्मचारी और स्थानीय निवासी भी मदद के लिए आगे आये. सभी की मेहनत और सूझबूझ से कड़ी मशक्कत के बाद आग पर काबू पाया गया.
गुमटी पूरी तरह जलकर राख हो गई
हालांकि, जब तक आग पर काबू पाया गया, तब तक पूरा लकड़ी का खोखा जलकर राख हो गया। आग से खोखे में रखा सारा सामान भी जलकर नष्ट हो गया। इस हादसे से गुमटी मालिक को भारी नुकसान हुआ है.
सिलेंडर फटने से खतरा बढ़ गया
आग लगने के दौरान खोखे में रखा गैस सिलेंडर तेज धमाके के साथ फट गया और दूर जा गिरा। इस धमाके से मौके पर मौजूद लोगों में भगदड़ मच गई. अच्छी बात यह रही कि उस वक्त गुमटी बंद थी, जिससे कोई जनहानि नहीं हुई. यदि खोखा खुला होता तो बड़ा हादसा हो सकता था।
(रिपोर्ट:बृजेश मिश्र,अमेठी)
द्वारा प्रकाशित: रेनू सकलानी
अद्यतन शुक्रवार, 03 अप्रैल 2026 06:48 अपराह्न IST
श्वेता चौबे
– फोटो: सोशल मीडिया
At least 12 people, including five Indian nationals, were injured by falling debris following an attack in Abu Dhabi on Friday, according to the government media office.The incident occurred in the Ajban area, where residents were injured by shrapnel from an Iranian missile interception.The Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on Twitter that the incident resulted in “6 persons of Nepalese nationality and 5 persons of Indian nationality suffering minor to moderate injuries, and one person of Nepalese nationality suffering major injuries.”Churches in the United Arab Emirates also announced they would be closed on Easter Sunday due to government orders as the conflict continued.The latest developments come after the Revolutionary Guard posted a warning on a Guard-affiliated Telegram channel that declared 18 US tech companies “legitimate targets” over their alleged involvement in US and Israeli attacks on Iranian soil.The post read, “From now on, for every murder, an American company will be destroyed.”The Guard also said the attacks would begin at 8 pm Tehran time on Wednesday and warned employees of those companies to immediately evacuate their workplaces to protect their lives.The growing threat has heightened fears over the security of Gulf energy infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas transit in peacetime.
New Delhi: Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai was not included in the party’s list of 27 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections released on Friday.Asked about the move, state president Nainar Nagendra said, “This decision was taken by the party high command.”
The development comes days after differences emerged between Annamalai and the party following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence at the Coimbatore airport during his visit.However, just hours after the names of the candidates were announced, Annamalai said he would stand shoulder to shoulder for all the candidates with the aim of helping the NDA win 210 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.“Hearty congratulations to all BJP victorious candidates declared for 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He supports every brother and sister of Tamil Nadu who is tired of corruption, complacency and betrayal of DMK,” Annamalai said.He said, “As a worker I will stand shoulder to shoulder and campaign for all our victorious BJP and other NDA candidates with the aim of making NDA win 210 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.”Why was Annamalai marginalized?Nearly a year before the assembly elections, the BJP had removed Annamalai as state president, a decision widely seen as aimed at reviving Edappadi’s ties with the Palaniswami-led AIADMK.Reportedly, Palaniswami had set a pre-condition before the alliance talks – excluding Annamalai, given his brutal attack on the AIADMK.
Following this development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that “Annamalai’s organizational skills will be leveraged within the national framework of the party.”The alliance was finalized for the upcoming assembly elections. AIADMK will contest on 178 seats, BJP on 27 seats and the PMK faction led by Dr. Anbumani Ramdas will contest elections on 18 seats.TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Katchi will contest 11 seats in the elections. This distribution reflects the seat-sharing agreement between the NDA allies in Tamil Nadu.Meanwhile, another blow to his followers came on February 3, 2026, when an angry Annamalai stepped down as election in-charge of six assembly constituencies – Karaikudi, Singanallur, Srivaikuntam, Virugambakkam, Madurai (South) and Padmanabhapuram – citing his father’s ill health.The leaders were reportedly upset at being restricted to only six out of 234 assembly seats.Additionally, Annamalai’s name was also missing when the Tamil Nadu BJP formed an assembly election management committee under its state chief Nainar Nagenthran on 11 February.While Nageenthran was named as the head of the committee, former Union Minister and party national executive member Pon Radhakrishnan was named as the coordinator.How caste played its roleCaste dynamics also appear to have played a role in Annamalai’s sidelining. Both he and EPS belong to the Gounder community.Annamalai’s emergence as a potential Chief Minister was perceived by the AIADMK as a direct challenge to the dominance of the EPS within the alliance.Gounders fall in the backward class category and constitute about 5% to 7% of the population of Tamil Nadu. They are largely concentrated in western Tamil Nadu or the Kongu Nadu region, which includes districts such as Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Namakkal, Karur and Salem.After the death of J Jayalalitha, Edappadi K Palaniswami, a Gounder, took control of the AIADMK, bypassing the Sasikala family and O Panneerselvam, and handed over key cabinet portfolios to community leaders.Annamalai’s tenure as BJP chiefAnnamalai emerged as a crowd puller for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, constantly keeping both himself and the party in the headlines during his tenure as state president while working to expand its base across the state.In December 2024, he publicly whipped himself six times in protest against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after the rape of a student at Anna University. In February 2025, he created controversy by threatening to demolish the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, “brick by brick”. Annamalai also built support among a section of voters through sharp attacks on Dravidian parties and their symbols. He criticized EV Ramasamy and CN Annadurai and at one point described J Jayalalitha as a “Hindutva” leader. He further targeted the ruling DMK with corruption allegations, releasing what he called the “DMK files”. The first part, published in April 2023, included allegations against Chief Minister MK Stalin, his son and minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and other party leaders. The second part, released in July 2023, featured nine DMK ministers accused of corruption.Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Annamalai launched the ‘En Mana, En Makkal’ (My soil, my people) yatra covering all 234 assembly constituencies to energize the party workers. While the BJP did not win even a single one of the 23 seats it contested, the party claimed its vote share increased from 3.7 per cent to 11 per cent in 2019.
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Here are the top five stories of the evening
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the removal of Raghav Chadha from the post of AAP’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, calling it part of the party’s regular internal functioning. He also alleged that Chadha had become “compromising” and had acted against the party whip. His comments came a day after Chadha said he had been “silenced, not defeated” after his removal.Read the full story
A US-sanctioned tanker carrying Iranian crude oil, originally destined for India, was diverted to China due to tight payment terms, reflecting continuing disruptions to Iranian oil trade despite a temporary US waiver.Read the full story
A French-owned container ship, the Kribi, successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, with its destination changed to indicate French ownership – potentially reflecting a change in Iran’s stance towards France after President Emmanuel Macron criticized US policy and ruled out military intervention in favor of negotiations.Read the full story
The BJP released its list of candidates for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, excluding former state chief K Annamalai, while fielding prominent leaders like Tamilisai Soundararajan and Vanathi Srinivasan in important constituencies, indicating a well-thought-out election strategy.Read the full story
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh publicly apologized to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, distancing himself from the controversial comments made by his father Yograj Singh. Speaking on a podcast, Yuvraj made it clear that he did not agree with the comments. He said, “I would like to apologize to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni for these comments.” Yuvraj also said that he had spoken to his father on the issue and said that he feels uncomfortable listening to Yograj’s interviews.Read the full story
इन दिनों सोशल मीडिया पर लखनऊ के गौतमपल्ली थाने को लेकर कई तरह की खबरें तेजी से वायरल हो रही हैं. दावा किया जा रहा है कि पूरे थाने को लाइन हाजिर कर दिया गया है, लेकिन इस खबर की अभी तक आधिकारिक पुष्टि नहीं हुई है. इस बीच पुलिस कमिश्नरेट से आए पत्र में सिर्फ इंस्पेक्टर रत्नेश कुमार सिंह का नाम सामने आया है, जिन्हें पुलिस लाइन भेजे जाने की बात कही जा रही है. लाखों रुपये की कथित उगाही के आरोप के कारण यह मामला और गरमाता जा रहा है, जिससे लोगों के मन में कई सवाल खड़े हो गए हैं.
सोशल मीडिया पर फैली खबर से पैदा हुआ भ्रम
सोशल मीडिया पर यह खबर तेजी से फैल रही है कि गौतमपल्ली थाने के पूरे स्टाफ को लाइन हाजिर कर दिया गया है. हालांकि, पुलिस की ओर से अभी तक ऐसी किसी बड़ी कार्रवाई की पुष्टि नहीं की गई है. इससे लोगों में भ्रम की स्थिति है.
सिर्फ इंस्पेक्टर पर हुई कार्रवाई की जानकारी
पुलिस कमिश्नरेट की ओर से जारी पत्र में सिर्फ प्रभारी निरीक्षक रत्नेश कुमार सिंह का नाम सामने आया है. जानकारी के मुताबिक उन्हें पुलिस लाइन भेज दिया गया है. इससे साफ है कि फिलहाल कार्रवाई सिर्फ एक अधिकारी तक ही सीमित है।
रंगदारी के आरोप से गरमाया मामला
सूत्रों के मुताबिक इस पूरे मामले की जड़ कथित तौर पर लाखों रुपये की वसूली का मामला बताया जा रहा है. बंदरिया बाग इलाके से जुड़े इस प्रकरण को लेकर चर्चाएं तेज हैं। हालाँकि, इन आरोपों की अभी तक आधिकारिक पुष्टि नहीं हुई है।
पुलिस की चुप्पी से बढ़ा सस्पेंस
पूरे मामले पर लखनऊ पुलिस की चुप्पी ने सस्पेंस और बढ़ा दिया है. लोग जानना चाहते हैं कि क्या वाकई पूरे थाने पर कार्रवाई हुई है या फिर ये सिर्फ सोशल मीडिया पर फैली भ्रामक खबर है. फिलहाल सबकी निगाहें पुलिस के आधिकारिक बयान पर टिकी हैं.
(रिपोर्ट: संदीप शुक्ला, लखनऊ)
