Still figuring out what Congress needs to apologise for? Shashi Tharoor slams BJP for queries over Pulwama attack

Boehner: 'Republicans have to go back to being Republicans'

Former Republican House Speaker John Boehner urged his party to return to its traditional principles, saying a focus on things like fiscal responsibility and strong national defense are key to winning back control of Congress in upcoming elections.

Rep. Bass: 'I am hopeful' Congress can reach police reform compromise

Democratic Rep. Karen Bass of California tells CNN’s Dana Bash that Democrats and Republicans are working together in good faith to try to reach a deal on police reform.

COVID: Digvijaya Singh, Harsimrat Badal, other politicos test positive

As COVID-19 cases spread across India like wildfire, several politicos on April 16 tested positive. Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda Harsimrat Kaur Badal, an independent MLA from Vadgam Assembly Constituency Jignesh Mevani have tested positive for COVID-19. The leaders urged people who were in their contact to get tested. Country reported highest ever spike of over 2.17 lakh COVID-19 cases on April 16.

'Happy to meet my family': CRPF jawan released by Naxals reaches home in Jammu

CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas reached his hometown, Jammu on Friday. Rakeshwar was released last week after being abducted by Naxals in Chhattisgarh. The jawan was warmly welcomed by family, friends who put garlands around his neck. “I am very happy that I am meeting my family today. Our soldiers were brave enough to fight back the Naxals,” Rakeshwar said. Rakeshwar was abducted by Naxals during the Sukma-Bijapur encounter on April 3. Rakeshwar, who was part of security force's elite CoBRA unit, was released on April 8. 22 security personnel were killed and 31 others were injured in the fierce gunbattle.

Watch: Purported video of Sitalkuchi firing goes viral, TMC calls it 'genocide'

A purported video from Sitalkuchi in Bengal's Cooch Behar is doing rounds on social media. Four villagers had died in the area in an altercation with CRPF jawans during the fourth phase of polling. Ruling TMC said video vindicates its position that there was no provocation for CRPF to fire. TMC MP and spokesperson Derek O'Brien went on to dub it as cold-blooded genocide. The video shows many locals gathered in a field, while some are seen wielding sticks. In the viral video, some central force jawans can also be seen. Soon firing can be heard, though it is not clear who fired the shot. Video shows a ruckus erupt in the area after the shots are fired. Earlier, Cooch Behar SP had said there was rumour that police opened fire. Debasish Dhar had added that the rumour led locals to come out in large numbers. The SP had said that this led the Central forces to open fire in self defence.

CRPF neutralises pressure cooker bomb in Chhattisgarh

During a search operation, CRPF found pressure cooker bomb in Chhattisgarh's Sukma on April 12. Later, a bomb squad destroyed the bomb in controlled explosion.

CRPF takes disabled youth on a 'day out' picnic to Srinagar's Tulip garden

Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) under its Madadgaar project on Aprik 12 organised a 'Day out' picnic for the disabled youths at the famous Tulip garden in Srinagar. About 25 people were taken out for a day of fun, out of which 18 were disabled and 7 were helpers of them. CRPF also provided transport and refreshment to these disabled youths keeping in mind COVID norms. Such initiative was taken for disabled ones to give a change to the disabled usually living inside their homes and it was also an opportunity for them to interact with the normal people.

Watch: Amit Shah, Mamata's mass roadshows in Bengal, Covid rules ignored

Ahead of the sixth phase of voting in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held massive roadshows. While the BJP leader held a rally in Habra, the Trinamool Congress chief led a roadshow in Kolkata. Many participants at the rallies didn't follow Covid protocol, failing to maintain social distance. Some didn't even wear face masks. Watch the full video for more.

Shashi Tahroor seems confident of high voter turnout, says 'good sign for UDF'

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor cast his vote at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram on April 06. He seemed confident of high voting turnout by 10 am said it's a good sign for United Democratic Front (UDF). "The turnout has been pretty high by 10 am, already 20% , which is unusual for Kerala. As a general rule, when the turnout is high, the UDF will prevail,' said Tharoor. Total of 2.74 crore voters are exercising their franchise to decide fate of 957 candidates. Kerala votes in a single-phase today with results scheduled to be announced on May 02.

UDF confident of clear victory in Kerala: Shashi Tharoor

On the eve of single-phase elections in Kerala, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor confidently said that United Democratic Front (UDF) is coming as a force in the southern state of India. "I have campaigned in 56 constituencies. What I have seen on the ground has convinced me that the momentum is with the UDF. We are assured of very clear victory. BJP is barely competitive in 5 or 6 seats," said Shashi Tharoor. Kerala state assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 06.

3 terrorists gunned down in Pulwama encounter: Kashmir IGP

An encounter happened in Pulwama on April 02 where three terrorists were gunned down by the police. Kashmir IGP, Vijay Kumar said, "When we interrogated, we got to know that three terrorists have been hidden in a house in Ghat Mohalla area. Then, the firing started at 04:30 am. Militants wanted to get out of the house but they failed to do so as security forces retaliated. Then encounter started in which three terrorists were gunned down."

Pulwama administration organises beekeeping workshop

The district administration of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with JK Khadi and Village Industries Board organised a workshop on beekeeping under a skill development programme for SCs and STs in the district. Muzaffar Abdul Nasir Allaqaband, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) in the Kashmir Division said, "The KVIB has been designated a nodal agency for skill development of the SC/ST community so that they can be motivated to can earn their livelihood." A trainer at the workshop, Shahnawaz Ahmad said, "A six-day workshop has been organised to train the SC/ST community. This workshop includes theoretical classes and exposure visit." The board has selected 25 youths from the SCs/STs community. They will be trained in beekeeping so that after completing the training programme they can start their own business ventures in the beekeeping sector.

Pulwama gets first 'milk ATM'

Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir which is the leading milk producer in the Union Territory, has now got its first 'milk ATM'. The milk vending machine has been installed in Pahoo area of Pulwama town by the Department of Animal Husbandry with support of local youth under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS). Under the scheme, the government is giving 50 percent subsidy on all dairy processing equipments necessary for the development of milk ATMs. Shabir Ahmad Wagay, an entrepreneur, who has set up the milk ATM with the help of the government, explained that the vending machine will keep the milk fresh for three days, and ease the availability for locals

Despite limited resources, JandK girl cracks bank exam

There is a famous saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way." This has been proved to be true by Pallavi Sharma from Jib Village of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite belonging to a lower middle class family with limited resources, Pallavi has cracked the JandK Bank PO (probationary officers) exam. While narrating her story, Pallavi told ANI that if not for Pradhan Mantri Scholarship Programme, she wouldn't have been able to complete her B Tech. She credited her parents for her success and also appealed to youth to not let hardships demotivate them.

Handicrafts exhibition at tulip festival attracts tourists in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Department organised handicrafts and handloom exhibition in Srinagar. The exhibition is being organised to provide marketing support to artisans and weavers of the Valley. Various products were displayed during the exhibition. Altogether 25 stalls have been set up to display the rich handloom and handicrafts products of the Valley. The exhibition began on March 25 which also coincides with the Tulip festival.

Competition organised in Srinagar to promote young calligraphers

A calligraphy competition themed 'Your Hand Drawn Charm'was organized in Srinagar. The art competition was organized by a local NGO "Shama" to promote talented young calligraphers."Calligraphy is losing its sheen. However, post coronavirus outbreak, the art is coming back to life. The competition was organized at Kashmir University and other places too. This creates an interest and it makes us contemplate that there is something special about this art. The Quaran is also written with calligraphy," said a participant.

Pak terrorists instigating local terrorists in Kashmir: Lt Gen DP Pandey

While speaking to ANI, 15 Corps (Srinagar) Commander Lt Gen DP Pandey said that Pakistan Army used ceasefire violations to assist infiltrations but it is now reduced after the agreement between India and Pakistan. He also emphasised that current terrorist attacks have not been led by Pakistan but it is instigating local terrorists in Kashmir valley. "Ceasefire was announced about 2 months back and both sides (India and Pakistan) are adhering to norms, but we shouldn't draw too many conclusions. In about another month or two, we'll get to see the impact of this ceasefire in Kashmir. The numbers of (terror) incidents are on decline, they're virtually half, as compared to last year. Pakistan Army used ceasefire violations primarily to assist infiltrations; currently what we observe is adherence and reduction," said Lt Gen DP Pandey. He further said, "Pakistan's objective in terms of facilitating terrorism in Kashmir hasn't changed, but their intent to indigenize it has changed. For last few years, Pakistan terrorists aren't leading attacks, but primarily instigating local terrorists."