North Korea missile tests: Biggest launch since 2017

 North Korea has conducted what is thought to be its biggest missile launch since 2017.

The weapon was apparently an intermediate range missile which reached an altitude of 2,000km before coming down in the Sea of Japan.

Japan, South Korea and the US have all condemned the launch, the seventh test this month.

The UN prohibits North Korea from ballistic and nuclear weapons tests, and has imposed strict sanctions.

But the East Asian state regularly defies the ban, and leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to bolster his country's defences.

Experts suggest multiple reasons lie behind the spate of launches, including political signalling of strength to global and regional powers, a desire by Kim Jong-un to pressure the US back into long-stalled nuclear talks and also the practical need to test out new engineering and military command systems.

The timing is also seen as significant, coming just before the Winter Olympics in China, and ahead of the South Korean presidential election in March.

And the tests have also surged as the faltering North Korean economy struggles under US-led sanctions, pandemic-related difficulties and decades of mismanagement.

The timing is also seen as significant, coming just before the Winter Olympics in China, and ahead of the South Korean presidential election in March.

And the tests have also surged as the faltering North Korean economy struggles under US-led sanctions, pandemic-related difficulties and decades of mismanagement

Destabilising acts'

South Korea reported that the launch took place at 07:52 local time on Sunday (22:52 GMT) off North Korea's east coast.

Japanese and South Korean officials estimated that the missile reached an altitude of 2,000km (1240 miles) and flew for 30 minutes to a distance of 800km (500 miles).

The United States called on North Korea to "refrain from further destabilising acts

January was already one of the busiest months on record for North Korea's missile programme, with several short range missiles fired into the sea.

South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, said the latest flurry of tests was reminiscent of the heightened tensions in 2017, when North Korea conducted several nuclear tests and launched its largest missiles, including some that flew over Japan.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, the missile appears to be similar to the Hwasong-12 missile that the North tested in 2017

According to other analysts, the missiles tested earlier this month showed North Korea was developing technology that can defeat the costly and complex missile defence systems that America and Japan have been deploying across this region.

Former South Korean naval commander Professor Kim Dong Yup said: "They want to have a deterrence system that is like a scorpion's tail."

"North Korea's main purpose is not to attack but to defend themselves," says Professor Kim, adding that the country is trying "to secure a diversified deterrent capability".

Meanwhile, Uk Yang, research fellow at Center for Foreign Policy and National Security told Reuters that "Kim seems to be ramping up tests in bid to pressure both Washington and Beijing over sanctions just ahead of the Olympics".

China - North Korea's main economic ally - is likely to be irritated by the launches coming not only before the Olympics but also just before lunar near year celebrations, according to BBC Asia analyst Celia Hatton.

Ukraine crisis: Russian attack would be 'horrific', US warns

 Top US General Mark Milley has said that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be "horrific" and would lead to a significant number of casualties

Gen Milley described the build-up of 100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine's border as the largest since the Cold War.

But US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said conflict could still be avoided through the use of diplomacy.

Russia denies plans to invade and says US support for Ukraine is a threat

At a news conference at the Pentagon on Friday, Gen Milley - US President Joe Biden's most senior military officer - warned that the scale of Russia's forces near its border with Ukraine meant an attack would have severe consequences.

"If that was unleashed on Ukraine, it would be significant, very significant, and it would result in a significant amount of casualties," said the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

Fighting in dense urban areas would be "horrific, it would be terrible", Gen Milley added.

Not inevitable'

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US was committed to helping Ukraine defend itself, including by providing more weaponry.

"Conflict is not inevitable. There is still time and space for diplomacy," Mr Austin said, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate the situation.

"There is no reason that this situation has to devolve into conflict... He can order his troops away," he added.

Also on Friday, President Biden said he would send a small number of troops to Eastern Europe in the "near term", to strengthen the Nato presence in the region. He did not specify where they would be stationed or when they would arrive.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon said there were 8,500 combat-ready troops on alert, ready to be deployed at short notice.

• Why Germany isn't sending weapons to Ukraine
• What is Nato and why doesn't Russia trust it?
• Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine?
• How big is the Russian military build-up?

The US has rejected a key Moscow demand that Nato rule out Ukraine joining the defence alliance - but insisted it was offering Russia a "serious diplomatic path".

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of ignoring Russia's security concerns.

But he said he would study the US response before deciding what to do, according to a Kremlin readout of a call between Mr Putin and his French counterpart.

France said the two leaders had agreed on the need to de-escalate and that its President Emmanuel Macron had told Mr Putin that Russia must respect the sovereignty of its neighbouring

Watch the BBC's Sarah Rainsford as she tries to track down official bomb shelters in Kyiv

 India's national carrier, Air India, has been officially handed over to the Tata Group, which bought the debt-ridden airline in October last year.

The Tatas paid nearly $2.4bn (£1.7bn) after the government made the terms of the debt less onerous for the buyer.

The salt-to-steel conglomerate founded the airline in 1932 before it was taken over by the government in 1953.

The handover brings to an end a years-long attempt to sell Air India, which has racked up losses worth $9.5bn.

The existing board of directors for the airline has resigned, making way for a new board appointed by the Tata Group

It's unclear when Air India will begin flying under the Tata banner.

The airline called the deal a "brand new chapter" in its history. "Two iconic names come together to embark on a voyage of excellence," it wrote on Twitter.

The sale is a boost to Mr Modi who had been keen to sell the government's entire interest in the airline. It's also the biggest disinvestment in government-owned assets and companies since Mr Modi came to power in 2014.

The government has been unable to divest its stake in several loss-making public companies despite its ambitious targets

Air India: Tata Group takes over loss-making national carrier

PM Modi halts speech, directs PMO medical team to check dehydrated BJP worker in Assam

 Addressing a public meeting in Assam's Tamulpur on Saturday, PM Modi directed the PMO medical team to look after a dehydrated BJP worker.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Assam on Saturday to address a rally in Tamulpur ahead of the final phase of assembly polls in the state.

As he was making his speech, the Prime Minister stopped midway and brought everyone's attention to a BJP worker who fainted due to dehydration. The PM directed the medical team that was accompanying him to look koA four-member team of medical experts travels with the Prime Minister as part of protocol. This team includes a personal physician, a paramedic, a surgeon and a critical care specialist.

Members of this team are equipped with a wide array of medical equipment, including a defibrillator, a portable suction machine and an infusion pump to deal with any medical emergencies.

BJP working to implement Assam Accord: PM

During his speech in Tamulpur on Saturday, the Prime Minister said the BJP works for everyone while some parties divide the country for their vote banks.

The parties who work for everyone are called communal and those who work for their vote bank are called secular, PM Modi said.

Assuring the public that the BJP government at the Centre and in the state is working to fully implement the Assam Accord, the Prime Minister said that work still needs to be done in this regard.

Targeting the Congress-led grand alliance (Mahajot), PM Modi said that the people of Assam have decided to vote for an NDA government. "They cannot bear those who insult Assam's identity and propagate violence," the Prime Minister said.

Assam needs militants who are yet to surrender to return to the mainstream, said PM Modi.

Class 10 girl returning from tuition abducted, gang-raped in Meerut, kills self

 A Class 10 student in Meerut was abducted and gang-raped while she was returning from a tuition class. Later, the girl died by suicide and left a note naming the accused.

A Class 10 student in Meerut was abducted and gang-raped while she was returning from a tuition class. Later, the girl died by suicide and left a note naming the accused.

The girl who hails from a village under the Sardhana Kotwali area consumed poison after returning home on Thursday evening soon after the assault. Police said the school girl died at the hospital during treatment.

The suicide note has named one Lakhan as an accused, along with some of his associates. Lakhan has been arrested based on the note while the other accused Vikas and Prakash have also been arrested.

Meerut’s Rural Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar said four men involved in abduction and rape of the girl have been identified.

In her suicide note, the girl had named four men, including Lakhan and Vikas from a neighbouring village, besides two others.

After returning home, the girl narrated her ordeal to her parents and consumed some poisonous substance sometime later, prompting her parents to rush her to the SSD Global Hospital in Modipuram, where she died during the treatmenttreatment

President Kovind shifted from ICU, recovering well after bypass surgery

 President Ram Nath Kovind was shifted from the ICU to a special room at the AIIMS hospital on Saturday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Saturday that President Kovind’s health has been improving since his bypass surgery on March 30.

President Ram Nath Kovind was shifted from the ICU to a special room at the AIIMS hospital on Saturday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Saturday that President Kovind’s health has been improving since his bypass surgery on March 30.

In a tweet, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, “His health has been improving continuously. Doctors are constantly monitoring his condition and have advised him to take rest.”

President Kovind underwent a planned bypass surgery at AIIMS, Delhi earlier this week. President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said he is recovering well after his bypass surgery and thanked doctors and caregivers.

The president said he was touched by messages from citizens and leaders from across the country and abroad wishing him speedy recovery.

"It's difficult to express in words my gratitude to you all," President Kovind said, who is 75 years old.

"I've been recovering well after the bypass surgery, thanks to the amazing dedication of the doctors and caregivers. I'm touched by messages, from citizens and leaders from India and abroad, wishing me speedy recovery. It’s difficult to express in words my gratitude to you all!," the Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted.

President Kovind had undergone a health check-up at the Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi following chest discomfort on Friday morning.

Train crash claims 50 lives in Taiwan, authorities question owner of unmanned truck

 Prosecutors in Taiwan on Saturday questioned the owner of the unmanned truck that rolled onto the tracks and caused a train accident killing 50. No charges have been filed yet.

Prosecutors in Taiwan said Saturday they questioned the owner of an unmanned truck that rolled onto a rail track and caused the country’s worst train disaster in decades that killed 50 people and injured 178, though no charges have been filed.

The train was carrying 494 people at the start of a long holiday weekend on Friday when it smashed into the construction truck that slid down a hillside above the tracks, the Taiwan Railways Administration said. Many passengers were crushed just before the train entered a tunnel, while some survivors were forced to climb out of windows and walk along the train’s roof to safety

Authorities initially reported 51 deaths but revised the count down by one on Saturday.

The truck’s emergency brake was not properly engaged, according to the government’s disaster relief center.

Investigation into the accident

The district prosecutor’s office in eastern Hualien County, where the train derailed, confirmed it had interviewed the truck owner, among others, but was not ready to file charges. Prosecutorial staff were visiting a mortuary Saturday to examine the bodies, office spokeswoman Chou Fang-yi said.

President Tsai Ing-wen visited hospitals near the crash instead of the site itself so as not to interfere with rescue work, her spokesperson said.

“This heartbreaking accident caused many injuries and deaths. I came to Hualien today to visit the injured and express my condolences to the deceased passengers’ families,” Tsai said. “We will surely help them in the aftermath.”

Tsai told reporters Friday that she asked the Transportation Safety Committee to conduct a strict investigation.

Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung said repairs will be accelerated.

“When such a thing happens, I feel very sorry and I will take full responsibility,” Lin said after touring the site.

Repair work

Workers removed the two rearmost cars from the tracks Saturday morning. However, a third could not be moved before tracks are repaired while the other five cars were still wedged into the tunnel. Two large construction cranes could be seen drawn up next to the train in a remote wooded cliff area on the island’s east coast.

The operation should be done within a week, said Weng Hui-ping, head of the railway administration’s news group. During the repairs, all east coast trains will run on a track parallel to the one damaged in the accident, causing delays of 15 to 20 minutes, he said.

The National Fire Service said the dead included the train’s young, newly married driver and the assistant driver. The government’s disaster response center said it was the worst rail disaster since a train caught fire in 1948 in suburban Taipei, killing 64 people.

Train travel is popular during Taiwan’s four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday, when families often return to hometowns to pay respects at the gravesites of their elders.

Taiwan is a mountainous island, and most of its 24 million people live in the flatlands along the northern and western coasts that are home to most of the island’s farmland, biggest cities and high-tech industries. The lightly populated east where the crash happened is popular with tourists, many of whom travel there by train to avoid mountain roads.

Citing video of EVM found in BJP leader's car, Priyanka Gandhi asks EC to take decisive action

 Citing a video of EVMs being found in a car allegedly owned by a BJP leader in Assam, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the EC needs to act decisively against such complaints.

HIGHLIGHTS

Videos of private vehicles transporting EVMs show up everytime there's an election: Priyanka

The vehicle in question is owned by BJP leader Krishnendu Pal

Serious re-evaluation of use of EVMs needs to be carried out by all national parties: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has raised questions over the management of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in poll-bound states. A serious re-evaluation of the use of EVMs needs to be carried out by all national parties, the Congress leader said in a tweet.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was reacting to a video shot by a Guwahati-based journalist. The video suggests that EVMs were being transported in a private vehicle allegedly owned by a BJP candidate.

In the video shot by scribe Atanu Bhuyan, it is being claimed that locals caught EVMs being transported in a private vehicle owned by BJP leader Krishnendu Paul. Paul is the party's candidate from Patharkandi assembly constituency.

Reacting to the video, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a series of tweets, "The fact is that too many such incidents are being reported and nothing is being done about them."

While urging the Election Commission to start acting decisively on complaints of this nature, the Congress general secretary also said that such incidents have a few things in common.

"The vehicles usually belong to BJP candidates or their associates, videos are taken as one-off incidents and dismissed as aberrations, BJP uses its media machinery to accuse those who exposed the videos as sore losers," the Congress leader said listing some similarities.

On the campaign trail in Assam on Friday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is slated to address three public meetings in the poll-bound state.

Security forces gun down militant in encounter at Kakpora in J&K's Pulwama

 One militant has been killed and at least two others are believed to be trapped at the site of an encounter in Kakpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Security forces are engaged in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The operation in Pulwama's Kakpora was launched in the early hours of Friday.

According to initial reports, one militant has been gunned down by security forces in Kakpora while at least two others are believed to be trapped at the site of the encounter.

The operation is being carried out jointly by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

More details are awaited as this is a developing

Rajinikanth thanks the government for Dadasaheb Phalke Award

 Rajinikanth took to Twitter to thank the government for bestowing the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award on him. He dedicated this award to those who have been part of his journey.

April 1, 2021 by Janani K

Superstar Rajinikanth has been conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. On April 1, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced the same on social media. Rajinikanth issued a statement thanking the government and dedicated his award to those who have been associated with him in his journey. He also thanked the almighty for this honour.

RAJINIKANTH THANKS PM MODI AND INDIAN GOVERNMENT

Rajinikanth took to Twitter to thank the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honouring him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In a statement, he thanked his friend Raj Bahadur, his brother Satyanarayana Rao Gakewad for the continued support.

He wrote, "My heartfelt thanks to the government of india, respected & dearest @narendramodi ji, @PrakashJavdekar ji and the jury for conferring upon me the prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward I sincerely dedicate it to all those who have been a part of my journey. Thanks to the almighty (sic)."

Rajinikanth also released a statement in Tamil in which he thanked his guru K Balachander for grooming him. He also thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami, Deputy CM O Panneer Selvam, DMK leader Stalin and his dear friend Kamal Haasan for their wishes

RAJINIKANTH THANKS PM MODI

After the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Rajinikanth. Calling him Thalaiva, Modi spoke highly of his body of work.

Replying to Modi's tweet, Rajinikanth wrote, "Immensely humbled and honoured with your greetings and the most prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward award respected and dearest Shri @narendramodi ji. My heartfelt thanks to you and the government of india (sic

France to open Covid vaccination mega centre in Disneyland Paris The French government is all set to open a Covid vaccination mega centre in Disneyland Paris next month.

 The French government is all set to open a Covid vaccination mega centre in Disneyland Paris next month.

April 1, 2021 by India Today Web Desk

Amidst the rising coronavirus cases in the country, the French government has decided to open a Covid vaccination mega centre in Disneyland Paris next month.

The amusement park is one of 35 “vaccinodromes” which is being opened throughout France in order to accelerate its vaccination roll-out, which has been among the slowest in Europe so far, The Independent reported.

According to Le Parisien, the site will consist of 40 local firefighters and nurses, who will administer the Pfizer vaccine to up to 1,000 people every day.

With a third national lockdown being announced earlier this month, the plans to reopen the theme park on 2 April have been put on hold.

New cases have continued to witness a surge since then, with over 5,000 Covid-19 patients currently in intensive care. French president Emmanuel Macron is set to make another announcement on Wednesday evening, during which he is expected to unveil even stricter confinement measures.

Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed possible cooperation on vaccines with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a joint video conference on Tuesday.

The Kremlin said in a statement that 'the trio had discussed the outlook for Russia's flagship Sputnik V vaccine being registered across the EU as well as potential deliveries and joint production of the vaccine inside the EU, The Independent reported.

The European Union's regulator the European Medicines Agency is yet to give a nod to Suptnik V, but is reviewing it. Meanwhile, some individual EU member states have either granted their approval or are assessing it for approval at a national level.

Use of the Russian vaccine has divided the 27-nation bloc with some such as Thierry Breton, the EU's internal market commissioner, saying it has no need for Sputnik V and others, such as Charles Michel, who chairs EU summits, accusing Moscow of using vaccines for propaganda, something it rejects.