Namakkal, April 16 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday intensified his opposition to the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise by symbolically burning a copy of the delimitation bill and raising a black flag. Leading from the front, Stalin burned the proposed delimitation bill in Namakkal, where he also hoisted a black flag as part of the statewide protest he had called for.The Chief Minister had earlier urged people across Tamil Nadu to raise black flags atop their home…

Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the erection of temporary bamboo fencing around unenclosed polling stations — those polling stations without proper boundary walls — to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons.An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal said that in the course of investigation the Commission representatives have identified several polling stations at unenclosed school buildings without proper boundar…

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) Television superstar and politician Smriti Irani recently indulged in a delectable spread of traditional and authentic Bengali sweets. Smriti shared a glimpse of the same on her social media account with a playful note highlighting on giving in to her cravings.“When the mishti calls you … literally & says loudly .. Khene,” she wrote alongside a picture of a tray full of authentic and lipsmacking Bengali sweets.The picture shared by Smriti featured. Tray full of …

Melbourne, April 16 (IANS) Authorities said on Thursday that equipment failure caused a major fire at an Australian oil refinery that is expected to affect the national fuel supply.The fire broke out at Viva Energy’s refinery in the city of Geelong, 65 km southwest of Melbourne, around 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday and was continuing to burn on Thursday morning.The facility is one of only two operational refineries in Australia and produces about 10 per cent of the national fuel supply.Michell…

Washington, April 16 (IANS) The World Bank Group has launched a global initiative to improve water security for one billion people by 2030, linking access to reliable water directly to jobs, economic growth and stability across developing economies. The platform, called Water Forward, aims to align reforms, financing and partnerships to expand water services and strengthen resilience to droughts and floods.“Water is foundational to how economies function. When water systems work, farmers produ…

Quito, April 16 (IANS) At least 11 people were killed and 22 others injured after an interprovincial bus veered off the road and fell into a river in southern Ecuador, authorities said.The accident occurred on Wednesday on the Cuenca-Molleturo road near the El Chorro bridge, Cuenca canton, where the bus veered off the road and broke through guardrails before falling into a shallow river, according to the Cuenca fire department.The vehicle later caught fire and was completely burned, images share…

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has questioned a NEET aspirant from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with an alleged terror radicalisation network with links to Mumbai, officials said on Thursday.They further mentioned that multiple electronic devices have been seized, and the youth has been summoned again for further questioning on April 22.In a coordinated operation with the Uttar Pradesh ATS, Maharashtra ATS officials conducted a search at a residence …

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) As the Special Session of Parliament for amendments to Nari Shakti Vandam Adhiniyam is set to begin on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a “historic step” towards women’s empowerment.A three-day special sitting of the extended Budget session of Parliament is set to begin later in the day, with discussions centred on proposed Constitutional amendments linked to the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Starting …

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) Television superstar Ankita Lokhande on Wednesday late night took to her Instagram account to inform her fans that her account on X (formerly Twitter) has been hacked. She highlighted that she has been currently working on recovering it.Taking to Instagram, Ankita shared a note that read, “Hello everyone, my X account has been hacked and I’m currently trying to recover it. Please be informed that any activity from the account until further notice is not from me. I’l…

Washington, April 16 (IANS) Global conflicts and supply chain disruptions are adding to economic stress in developing countries, with the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) warning that recent gains on inflation and growth are at risk.Speaking at a press briefing during the Spring Meetings, G-24 Chair Olawale Edun said: “Numerous political crises and conflicts globally have significantly impacted… populations and further strained the fragile global economy, with particularly adver…