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Shashi Tharoor sues Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for criminal defamation

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Congress MP and former union minister Shashi Tharoor has filed a criminal defamation suit against Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for making defamatory remarks against him.

Over a month ago, Tharoor had sent a legal notice to Prasad seeking his “unconditional apology” for his remarks in connection with Sunanda Pushkar’s death.

Prasad, speaking to media, had said: “Tharoor who is accused in a murder case has attempted to disrespect Lord Shiva”.

He was hitting out after Tharoor quoted an unnamed RSS source as saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was like a “scorpion sitting on a Shivling who cannot be removed by hand or hit with a chappal (slipper)”.

The law minister shared a video of the press conference on Twitter, captioning it, “Shashi Tharoor who is accused in a murder case has attempted to disrespect Lord Shiva. I seek a reply from Rahul Gandhi who claims himself to be a Bhakt of Lord Shiva on this horrific denunciation of Hindu gods by a Congress MP. Rahul Gandhi must apologize to all Hindus.”

Accusing Prasad of intentionally harming and destroying his reputation, Tharoor, Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, asked the Law Minister to tender an unconditional and written apology within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice. He also asked him to delete the clip of his press conference where he made the remarks against him along with the “false, untrue and highly defamatory statements on Twitter”.

Prasad, however, refused to apologise saying “there arises no question of any apology or deleting of the tweet”.

On his remark that Tharoor is an “accused in a murder”, Prasad’s lawyer said, “..the trial in case of death of Sunanda Pushkar is ongoing and one cannot predict the outcome of the trial. Therefore, your allegation that my client allegedly defamed your client by posting the tweet. It is stated that your client was and is accused in relation to death of Pushkar.”

Kerala court summons Arnab Goswami for criminal defamataion

Meanwhile, reported The Indian Express (IE), television news anchor and Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami has been summoned to appear before a Kerala trial court in a criminal defamation case filed by Tharoor. Tharoor alleged that Goswami had made defamatory statements against him during a Republic TV program on Sunanda Pushkar’s death.

The program alleged that Pushkar was murdered and that Tharoor had a role in it. The hearing is scheduled for February 28, 2019. A civil defamation case against Goswami, claiming compensation to the tune of Rs 2 crore, is pending before the Delhi High Court.

Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel suite in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel as Shashi Tharoor’s official bungalow was being renovated at that time. Shashi Tharoor has been charged under sections 498A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but has not been arrested in the case.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi after fresh Trump tariffs

Addressing the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session on the banks of the Sabarmati River on Wednesday, Gandhi warned that an “economic storm” is looming over India.

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Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, accusing him of yielding to pressure from US President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of tariffs, questioning Modi’s leadership and silence on critical issues.

Addressing the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session on the banks of the Sabarmati River on Wednesday, Gandhi warned that an “economic storm” is looming over India.

“Did you see the photograph of PM Modi hugging Trump? This time, Trump didn’t just hug; he ordered Modi ji to accept new tariffs without a word of protest. To distract from this, they staged a two-day drama in Parliament,” Gandhi said, taunting, “Where is the PM hiding?” He also took a jibe at Modi’s earlier “56-inch chest” rhetoric, implying a lack of assertiveness on the global stage.

Gandhi further criticized Modi’s recent meeting with Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, pointing out what he described as contradictory stances. “Yunus gives adverse remarks, yet he is sitting with him. What kind of leadership is this?” he questioned, highlighting what he sees as inconsistency in Modi’s foreign policy.

Turning to domestic issues, Gandhi strongly condemned the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it “anti-Constitutional” and an assault on religious freedom. “This Act is not just an attack on one community; it’s a threat to the freedom of religion itself,” he warned, alleging that the BJP and RSS have broader designs.

Citing an article in an RSS-affiliated magazine, he claimed that after targeting Muslims, the BJP-RSS would soon turn their attention to the rights of Christians and Sikhs.

Gandhi also outlined the Congress party’s strategy to counter these challenges. He announced plans to empower and strengthen District Congress Committees and their leaders, positioning them as the backbone of the organization moving forward.

On the issue of social justice, he reiterated the party’s commitment to a caste census, stating, “We will break the 50 percent reservation barrier. What Telangana has done, we will do across the country.”

He accused the RSS’s ideology of being fundamentally opposed to the Constitution, claiming, “They want to control all institutions in the country.” Gandhi urged party leaders to brace for a tough fight to defend the Constitution, emphasizing, “They have all the resources, but we have truth and the love of the people on our side.”

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Nightclub roof collapse in Dominican Republic: Toll crosses 114

As concrete slabs crashed down, more than 114 people were killed, and many others were trapped on a packed dance floor where attendees were enthusiastically enjoying a merengue concert early Tuesday morning. Authorities reported over 255 injuries.

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The iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo was bustling with musicians, athletes, and government officials when debris began to fall from the ceiling, landing in patrons’ drinks.

Tragedy struck with the collapse of the entire roof, claiming the lives of at least 98 individuals and injuring around 160 in one of the worst nightclub disasters in the Dominican Republic’s history. As concrete slabs crashed down, more than 114 people were killed, and many others were trapped on a packed dance floor where attendees were enthusiastically enjoying a merengue concert early Tuesday morning. Authorities reported over 255 injuries.

Among the deceased was Rubby Pérez, a beloved merengue star who had been performing just moments before the calamity. His body was recovered early Wednesday, according to emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.

Rescue teams continued to search for survivors more than a day after the incident. “We will remain here as long as there are reports of missing persons,” Méndez stated.

Assistance arrived from rescue teams from Puerto Rico and Israel on Wednesday to aid local officials in their efforts.

As night fell on Tuesday, families and friends still searching for their loved ones gathered outside the club, where a guitarist played soothing melodies while they sang hymns.

Only 32 victims have been identified thus far in what is marked as one of the Dominican Republic’s deadliest disasters. Reports indicate that among the victims were a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, and the brother of the vice minister of Youth.

Also among the deceased are MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, as confirmed by Satosky Terrero, spokesperson for the Professional Baseball League.

Nelsy Cruz, the Governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, informed President Luis Abinader about the disaster. Tragically, she called for help from beneath the rubble but later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital.

Other casualties included saxophonist Luis Solís, who was performing on stage when the roof fell, several Venezuelan bartenders, and an Army officer who left behind four daughters. Grupo Popular, a financial services firm, noted that three of its employees perished, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Unfortunately, many more victims remain unidentified.

“I’ve searched all the hospitals and haven’t found her,” lamented Deysi Suriel, who was desperately trying to locate her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, during her vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Numerous anxious relatives flocked to the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to search through lists of victims, while others scoured hospitals, clutching photos of their loved ones.

“There’s a lot of pain,” commented Senator Daniel Rivera, the former public health minister. “We must exercise patience.”

Among those desperately looking for their families was Kimberly Jones, whose godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, and his friends were unaccounted for.

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Air India passenger allegedly urinates on fellow passenger onboard Delhi-Bangkok flight

Air India issued a statement acknowledging the incident, stating, “Air India confirms that an incident of unruly passenger behavior was reported to the cabin crew operating flight AI2336 from Delhi to Bangkok on April 9, 2025.

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In a disturbing incident of unruly behavior on an aircraft, a passenger on an Air India flight from Delhi to Bangkok allegedly urinated on a fellow traveler in the business class cabin on Wednesday, April 9, officials confirmed. The episode has sparked outrage and prompted swift action from both the airline and authorities.

According to reports, the incident occurred aboard Air India flight AI 2336, where the accused, seated in seat 2D of the business class, targeted a nearby passenger, who is reportedly the Managing Director of a major company. While the victim has not yet lodged a formal complaint, the accused has offered an apology for his actions, which have been widely condemned as unacceptable.

Air India issued a statement acknowledging the incident, stating, “Air India confirms that an incident of unruly passenger behavior was reported to the cabin crew operating flight AI2336 from Delhi to Bangkok on April 9, 2025.

The crew followed all established procedures, and the matter has been reported to the relevant authorities.” The airline added that, in addition to warning the unruly passenger, the crew offered assistance to the aggrieved passenger to file a grievance with officials in Bangkok, but this offer was declined at the time.

A company spokesperson further explained that the case would be reviewed by the airline’s Standing Independent Committee, which will assess the incident and decide on any potential actions against the offender. “Air India continues to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in handling such matters,” the spokesperson said.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation. “Whenever incidents of this nature occur, the Ministry takes note. We will engage with the airline, and if any wrongdoing is identified, necessary action will be taken,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to passenger safety and decorum on flights.

The incident has reignited concerns about passenger behaviour on Indian airlines, which have faced similar cases in the past.

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