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Bhopal, Dec 11 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will launch 'Jan Kalyan Parv' on Wednesday on the completion of one year of his government.

The BJP government in the state will organise a fortnight-long programme called 'Jan Kalyan Parv' to highlight the development works undertaken in the past year.

Chief Minister Yadav has directed district administration to organise camps in blocks and gram panchayats to highlight the government's achievements.

"The officers will meet people and make them aware of the state government's welfare schemes and ensure that those eligible get the benefits," Chief Minister Yadav said.

He has also asked his cabinet ministers and MLAs to organise programmes in their respective Assembly constituencies.

During this 'Jan Seva Parv', the ministers and MLAs will ensure that public welfare schemes reach every ward and village.

People have benefitted from the state government's 56 welfare schemes launched during the past year, Chief Minister Yadav said.

Notably, after the resounding victory in the state Assembly election held on November 17, 2023, BJP's central leadership replaced former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan with Mohan Yadav.

Three-time BJP MLA from temple town Ujjain, Mohan Yadav took oath as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 13, 2023.

Chouhan, elected as Lok Sabha MP from Vidisha, is the Union Agriculture Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet.

The BJP secured victory in Madhya Pradesh by claiming 163 seats out of the 230-member Assembly. While Congress reduced to 66 against 114, it had won in the 2018 Assembly elections.

On Tuesday, CM Yadav met Prime Minister Modi at Parliament House and briefed him on the various welfare schemes being implemented in the state and sought his guidance.

Meanwhile, he also sought PM Modi's blessings upon completion of the year tenure of his government in Madhya Pradesh.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS) Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a special afternoon and said that the iconic leader’s warmth, attention and support in celebrating the legacy of late star Raj Kapoor means the world to her.

Kareena took to Instagram, where she shared a string of pictures of the “Kapoor” family posing with the PM. In one image, the iconic leader even shared a signed note for her sons Taimur and Jeh. A few images also had the leader speaking to Saif, Ranbir, Neetu, Alia and Kareena.

For the caption, he wrote: “We are deeply humbled and honored to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor.”

“Thank you Shri Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us. As we celebrate 100 glorious years of Dadaji’s artistry, vision, and contribution to Indian cinema, we honour the timeless impact of his legacy, which continues to inspire us and generations to come.”

Kareena then spoke about the film festival to celebrate 100 years of Raj Kapoor.

“We are proud to showcase his iconic films and remember the impact he had on Indian cinema with the ‘Raj Kapoor 100 Film Festival’. Dec 13-15, 2024 | 10 films | 40 cities | 135 cinemas. #100YearsOfRajKapoor.”

Veteran actress Neetu Kapoor shared the same images and the post for PM Modi.

The festival will feature Raj Kapoor’s most celebrated works, spanning almost four decades, including Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1964), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). It will be showcased across 40 cities and 135 cinemas in India from December 13 to December 15 at the PVR-Inox and Cinepolis cinemas.

The movie tickets will be priced at just Rs 100 across all participating cinemas.

Raj Kapoor is regarded as one of the most global filmmakers India has had, leaving an indelible mark on world cinema. Fondly referred to as “The Greatest Showman,” he was born to legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

His films explored the pulse of post-Partition India, the dreams of the common man, and the rural-urban divide. With enduring classics like Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Sangam (1964), and Mera Naam Joker (1970), Raj Kapoor’s cinema became synonymous with emotion, innovation, and humanism.

Raj Kapoor has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan (1971) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1988).

--IANS

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United Nations, Dec 11 (IANS) The United Nations stands against any violation of the territorial integrity of Syria, a UN spokesperson said, after Israel seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad government.

When asked about media reports that recently the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted 320 Syrian military targets, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said at a daily press briefing, "It is very clear that we stand against any violation of the territorial integrity of Syria. We are against these types of attacks."

In the wake of the fall of al-Assad's government, Israel ramped up its military operation in Syria, launching airstrikes against military weaponry and seizing control of a demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights, Xinhua news agency reported.

Dujarric said that the United Nations continues to consider Golan Heights to be the occupied territory of Syria. "I think we were very clear about the violation of the disengagement agreement following the IDF occupation of the buffer zone," he added.

"I think this is a turning point for Syria. It should not be used by its neighbours to encroach on the territory of Syria," the spokesperson said.

It should be used by all those in the region and beyond to support the Syrian people, so they can choose their own path, so they can work on a transition that is Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, and inclusive, he said.

Geir Pedersen, special envoy of the UN secretary-general for Syria, on Tuesday urged Israel to cease its military operations in Syria, emphasising the urgent need to halt all conflicts across the Middle East.

"A very troubling development is that we are continuing to see Israeli movements and bombardments into Syrian territory," Pedersen said. "This needs to stop."

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) There is a potential $40 billion investment opportunity for the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and ancillary industries in India over the next 5-6 years, a report showed on Wednesday.

About two-thirds of the planned investments can potentially materialise in the lithium-ion battery segment alone, said the report by Colliers, a professional services and investment management company.

The deployment of these funds will rely upon successful implementation of government policies, charging infrastructure ramp-up and domestic manufacturing capacity scale-up, it added.

At the same time, with an uptick in EV adoption, increasing need for charging infrastructure would potentially translate into real estate demand for more than 45 million square feet by 2030.

The investment commitments in the domestic EV industry rose over 3 times times in the last three years.

With an overall EV penetration rate of 8 per cent in India, Colliers estimates sales of around 2 million EVs in 2024.

“While demand and supply incentives will continue to play a pivotal role in faster adoption of EVs, a multifold increase in EV sales can be fast-tracked by the reduction in production costs and improving affordability with respect to EV price points,” said Badal Yagnik, Chief Executive Officer, Colliers India.

Additionally, high-capacity original equipment manufacturing units and large-scale production of lithium-ion battery variants must be high on the EV priority list, Yagnik added.

With the rise in domestic production of EVs, about 13,000 acres of land acquisition and development plans can potentially materialize by 2030.

Of the potential land development opportunities, more than 80 per cent is likely to come from lithium-ion battery manufacturers.

It is imperative to focus on lithium-ion battery and ancillary segments and public private partnerships in augmentation of charging infrastructure on highways, expressways and urban agglomerations across the country, the report noted.

--IANS

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Chennai, Dec 11 (IANS) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy rains for the next four days in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The Weather Department has issued an orange alert for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Similarly, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchy, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu are also likely to experience heavy rain.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Weather Department mentioned that there is very little chance of the current low-pressure area intensifying into a storm.

The RMC stated that during the northeast monsoon (October 1 to December 10), Tamil Nadu recorded 14 per cent excess rainfall, receiving 447 mm against the average of 393 mm.

Chennai recorded 845 mm, which is 16 per cent above the average, while Coimbatore witnessed 47 per cent above-average rainfall.

The weather department has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea, and those currently in deep waters are urged to return to shore immediately.

It may be noted that this alert follows the devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal, which struck Tamil Nadu and Puducherry between November 29 and December 1.

The cyclone caused widespread destruction, claiming 12 lives and inundating 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, leading to significant losses for farmers.

It also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including 1,649 kilometres of electric conductors, 23,664 electric poles, 997 transformers, 9,576 kilometres of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 water tanks.

The Tamil Nadu government reported that 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals were adversely affected by the cyclone.

In response, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting Rs 2,000 crore as interim relief from the National Disaster Response Fund.

An initial damage assessment report estimated losses of Rs 2,475 crore for relief and reconstruction efforts.

The Central government has sanctioned Rs 944 crore as interim relief for the affected regions.

--IANS

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Washington, Dec 11 (IANS) The top commander of the US military in the Middle East visited the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria to be briefed on ongoing efforts to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the US military said.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that General Erik Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander, "visited US military commanders and servicemembers, as well as our Defeat-ISIS partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces, at several bases in Syria."

"He received a firsthand assessment of force protection measures, the rapidly evolving situation, and ongoing efforts to prevent ISIS from exploiting the current situation," CENTCOM said.

The US has long partnered with the SDF in the fight to defeat ISIS. The SDF is separate from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group that toppled the government of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Xinhua news agency reported.

Later, Kurilla visited Baghdad, where he met with the Iraqi Prime Minister and military leaders, along with the US commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve "for an assessment of the D-ISIS mission inside Iraq and Syria," CENTCOM said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday that his party will go solo in the upcoming Assembly elections in the national capital and there was no possibility of any alliance with the Congress.

Setting aside the murmurs of an alliance between Congress and the AAP, Kejriwal posted on X that his party will be fighting the elections on its own.

"Aam Aadmi party will be fighting this election on its own strength in Delhi. There is no possibility of any alliance with congress."

For the past some time there were speculations that the two would be joining together to take on the BJP in Delhi. It was said that the Congress and AAP were in the final stages of an agreement for an alliance.

But, putting a lid on all the rumours, Kejriwal has made it clear that he does not need the Congress' hand.

This is not the first time that Kejriwal has refused to go with the Congress.

He had earlier also stated that there would be no alliance with Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections. Congress, too, had announced its decision to contest alone. Devender Yadav, the chief of the Delhi Pradesh Congress has said the party will contest all 70 seats in the national capital. Despite this, speculations had been doing rounds that the two parties would come together.

But, in the morning post, Kejriwal has made it clear that there will not be any alliance between the Congress and the AAP.

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Kejriwal had ruled out a tie-up with the Congress in Punjab and announced that his party would contest all 13 LS seats on its own.

The two parties had also failed to reach a seat-sharing arrangement for the Haryana Assembly polls.

Kejriwal's AAP has been undertaking an aggressive campaign for the polls which the party is treating as a kind of people's referendum on it.

On Tuesday, he announced five guarantees for the city’s autorickshaw drivers. These guarantees include a Rs 10 lakh life insurance scheme, Rs 1 lakh assistance for the wedding of a daughter, Rs 2,500 uniform allowance twice a year on Holi and Diwali, and free coaching for auto drivers’ children to prepare for competitive exams.

AAP has so far announced 31 candidates for the upcoming polls.

--IANS

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Warsaw, Dec 11 (IANS) Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a law that will freeze electricity prices for households at 500 Polish zlotys (approximately $123.6) per megawatt-hour (MWh) until the end of September 2025, according to a statement from the president's office.

Under the new law, local government units and certain sensitive entities will also benefit from a capped electricity price of 693 Polish zlotys per MWh until the end of March 2025.

This measure is expected to cost an additional 150 million Polish zlotys, Xinhua news agency reported.

The law also requires electricity sellers to submit tariff adjustment applications to the president of the Energy Regulatory Office by April 30, 2025.

The government estimates that the total cost of protecting households' electricity prices until September 30, 2025, will amount to 3.732 billion Polish zlotys. (1 Polish zloty = 0.25 USD)

--IANS

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Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS) Actor Aditya Seal is sporting a new military-inspired haircut for his upcoming high octane action war-based project by a debutant director.

Sources have confirmed that Aditya is set to be gearing up to join the trend.

A source said: "As an actor, transformation is a key part of the craft. Exploring different roles and personas keeps Aditya excited and challenges him to push his boundaries.”

“His new look has certainly stirred some curiosity, and while we can’t confirm or deny anything right now, we can say that he is always on the lookout for projects that allow him to explore uncharted territory as an artist”.

War-based stories have always fascinated Aditya, shared the source.

“Not just for their action sequences but for the depth and emotion they bring to the screen. Such projects showcase human resilience and sacrifice, and as an actor, that’s something he would love to dive into,” the source added.

“The love Aditya received for Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani was overwhelming, and it reaffirmed his belief in taking on unconventional roles. The new look is for an action genre project”.

Aditya was last seen in the big screen in “Khel Khel Mein” starring Akshay Kumar in the lead. The film also features Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Ammy Virk, Pragya Jaiswal, Aparshakti Khurrana, Johnny Lever, and many others. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, “Khel Khel Mein” tells the story of a group of friends and their partners who gather for a dinner and end up revealing secrets about each other.

Aditya made his film debut as a teenager with the erotic film Ek Chhotisi Love Story opposite Manisha Koirala. As an adult, he starred in the romantic drama film Tum Bin II and had a supporting role in the teen film Student of the Year 2. He was then seen in series such as Fittrat and The Empire.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) At least one person each second, or 42 million people annually worldwide is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection, according to new estimates by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.

It showed that about 846 million people or more than 1 in 5 people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.

Usually, these infections cause no or few symptoms, in some cases they lead to painful genital sores and blisters that can recur throughout life, causing significant discomfort and often requiring multiple healthcare visits.

The estimates, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, showed that over 200 million people suffered at least one such symptomatic episode in 2020.

“While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, with so many infections genital herpes still causes pain and distress for millions globally and strains already overburdened health systems,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO.

The alarming figures urge for new treatments and vaccines to reduce the adverse health effects of the herpes virus and control its spread. It will also help “reduce the transmission of HIV,” Doherty said.

HSV are of two types -- HSV-1 and HSV-2 -- both can lead to genital herpes.

As per estimates, 520 million people in 2020 had genital HSV-2, which is transmitted during sexual activity.

Genital HSV-2 is more serious and it is substantially more likely to cause recurrent outbreaks. It accounts for around 90 per cent of symptomatic episodes and is linked to a three-fold increased risk of getting HIV.

On the other hand, HSV-1 primarily spreads during childhood through saliva or skin-to-skin contact around the mouth to cause oral herpes, with cold sores or mouth ulcers the most common symptoms.

It can also spread via sexual contact. About 376 million people are estimated to have had genital HSV-1 infections in 2020.

Of these, 50 million are estimated also to have HSV-2 as it is possible to have both types at the same time, the WHO said.

The report suggests the correct and consistent use of condoms to reduce the risks of herpes transmission; people with active symptoms should avoid sexual contact.

The WHO also recommends that people with symptoms of genital herpes should be offered HIV testing and if needed, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention.

--IANS

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