"Immunity For 1 Murder...": Maharashtra Leader's Unique Request To President

The women's wing of the NCP (SP) has written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to grant immunity from punishment against "one murder" as women want to kill the "oppressive mentality" and "rapist mindset".

Rohini Khadse, the women's wing president of the Sharad Pawar-led party, in the letter written on the occasion of International Women's Day, pointed out the recent gangrape of a 12-year-old girl in Mumbai to highlight rising crimes against women and press for their demand.

"We, on behalf of all women, are demanding immunity (from punishment) to commit one murder," Rohini Khadse said in the letter, aimed at targeting the state government over the law and order situation in the state.

She also cited a survey report stating that India was the most unsafe country for women as crimes, including kidnapping and domestic violence, were happening against them.

"We want to kill the oppressive mentality, the rapist tendency, the inefficiency of law and order... We hope our demand will be granted after giving it a serious thought," Rohini Khadse added.

Reacting to the letter, Shiv Sena minister Gulabrao Patil said Khadse should tell whom she will murder. However, his party colleague Manisha Kayande offered a more sympathetic view.

Kayande, an MLC, said Khadse is probably talking about killing certain tendencies in some people. This feeling must be stemming from "the recent incidents", she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Henry To Miss CT 2025 Final? NZ Captain Breaks Silence On Star's Injury

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said India's understanding of the conditions has made the Champions Trophy final a “challenging” assignment, but expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt. The Kiwis are eyeing their first ICC ODI title on Sunday, following their victory in the 2000 KnockOuts Trophy, where they defeated India in the final in Kenya. “We know India are going to be a challenge. They've been playing some very good cricket. They understand these conditions pretty well,” said Santner in the pre-match press meet on Saturday.

Santner hoped the experience of playing against India a few days back here in a league match will stand his side in good stead.

“I think, obviously, having the run against India a few days ago will definitely help us out, understanding the conditions a little bit better.

“But it is a knockout game. And I guess whoever turns up on the day could take home the trophy,” he added.

The final is expected to be played on the same surface as the one that was used in India's group match against Pakistan.

Santner said the team will have to be ready to adapt irrespective of the nature of the pitch.

“We came up against a good side and on a spinning wicket, especially in the second inning (of the last match). We know India are probably going to go in with the same team.

“But we know it might be a different surface. So, I think we have to be ready and be adaptable for what's coming,” he said.

In that context, Santner hoped that the New Zealand batters will face mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took five wickets in the previous match, better in this match.

“I think guys will be better for the run against Varun. He's obviously a world-class bowler, we've seen it here and obviously in the IPL and that little bit of mystery. But it was the first time some of the guys have been facing him. I think they'll learn from the other day.” Santner said the team has viewed the videos of Chakravarthy's bowling a bit more coming into the final.

“If the pitch plays a similar way, it's going to be a challenge along with all three of their other spinners. We have looked at a little bit more footage.

“I think we obviously know what his threats are now. That 115K arm ball, that got me (in the last match) and that was a bit of a threat, but yeah, we know he's going to be a challenge,” he added.

Premier New Zealand pacer Matt Henry has been nursing a shoulder niggle, and Santner said a final call on his availability for the final will be taken later.

“So we'll be going across the road and training after this. And Matt's going to have a bowl just to see how he is. Yeah and then I guess we'll make a call after that,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Actor Gene Hackman Died Of Natural Causes, A Week After Wife

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes, probably around a week after his wife passed away, the chief medical investigator in the US state of New Mexico said Friday.

The findings end more than a week of mystery that have surrounded the death of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars, whose everyman persona belied a powerful presence and rare acting skill.

"The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor," Heather Jarrell, the chief medical examiner for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, told reporters.

"The cause of death for Miss Betsy Hackman, aged 65 years, is hantavirus, pulmonary syndrome. The manner of death is natural."

Neither body showed any sign of trauma, nor any indication of carbon monoxide poisoning, which had been an initial suggestion.

Hantavirus presents as a flu-like disease, with symptoms including fever, muscle aches, cough, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea that can progress to shortness of breath and cardiac or heart failure and lung failure, Jarrell said.

"This occurs after a one- to eight-week exposure to excrement from a particular mouse species that carries Hantavirus."

Jarrell said data from Hackman's pacemaker showed its last activity over a week before his body was found when maintenance workers were unable to access their sprawling Santa Fe property.

"Based on this information, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Hagman probably died around February 18. Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Miss Hackman passed away first, with February 11 being the last time that she was going to be alive," said Jarrell.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Here's Why Google Has Removed Women's History Month From Its Calendar App

Google's online and mobile calendars no longer feature Women's History Month, Black History Month and LGBTQ+ holidays among others. For years, the world's biggest search engine used its popular online services to remind users about cultural events by marking them on its calendar app but in the last few weeks, users have noticed that it was no longer displaying those observances.

The tech giant is said to have removed the calendar observances last year due to apolitical reasons. According to a Google spokesperson, maintaining hundreds of moments manually each year for various countries "wasn't scalable or sustainable".

"Some years ago, the Calendar team started manually adding a broader set of cultural moments in a wide number of countries around the world. We got feedback that some other events and countries were missing - and maintaining hundreds of moments manually and consistently globally wasn't scalable or sustainable," the statement said.

"So in mid-2024 we returned to showing only public holidays and national observances from timeanddate.com globally, while allowing users to manually add other important moments."

Google's calendar app is reportedly used by more than 500 million people across the globe for work and personal reasons.

The decision to no longer acknowledge the important events follows a change in policymaking from the California-based company, especially in the backdrop of Donald Trump assuming the presidency. Ever since it was anticipated that the Republican leader would be returning to the White House, several tech giants, including Google, have flipped on their previously diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and queer-friendly policies.

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Google scraps DEI

In February, Google's parent company, Alphabet announced it was scrapping its goal to hire more employees from underrepresented groups and reviewing some of its DEI initiatives.

Google, which sells cloud computing and other services to the US government, also said it was reviewing policy changes by Mr Trump aimed at curbing DEI in the government and among federal contractors.

"Because we are a federal contractor, our teams are also evaluating changes to our programs required to comply with recent court decisions and US Executive Orders on this topic," Fiona Cicconi, Alphabet's chief people officer said in an email.

Google also revealed in late January that users in the US would see the name of the Gulf of Mexico changed to the "Gulf of America" after Mr Trump signed an executive order for the renaming.

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'Easier To Deal With Russia Than Ukraine To End War': Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he finds it "easier" to deal with Russia than with Ukraine in efforts to end the war in the pro-Western country -- and that he trusts Vladimir Putin.

"I believe him," he said in a televised press conference at the White House.

"I'm finding it more difficult frankly to deal with Ukraine and they don't have the cards," he said. "It may be easier dealing with Russia."

Trump has pushed Ukraine hard, as it struggles to fend off Russian invasion after three years of war, and has ordered a pause in US military and intelligence assistance to Kyiv in order to apply more pressure.

Despite threatening new sanctions on Russia earlier Friday, Trump said he understood why Putin's forces had inflicted a massive bombing campaign across Ukraine overnight.

"I actually think he's doing what anybody in that position would be doing that right now," Trump said.

"I've always had a good relationship with Putin. And you know, he wants to end the war," he said.

"I think he's going to be more generous than he has to be, and that's pretty good. That means a lot of good things."

He said Zelensky -- who has been pressing for Western security guarantees before he agrees to a ceasefire with Russia -- risks losing all US involvement.

"I don't know that they want to settle. If they don't want to settle, we're out of there because we want them to settle. I'm doing it to stop death," Trump said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: 'We Are Not 51st Anything', Viral Canadian Beer Ad Gets A Trump Twist

A revamped version of the iconic "Joe Canadian" video has resurfaced, echoing the sentiments of Canadian pride and resilience. The remake of 2000 Molson Beer ad is back 25 years later, but this time, not to sell beer but rather to inspire Canadians about their motherland.

This remake, produced by an anonymous collective of Canadian creatives, features Jeff Douglas reprising his role as the enthusiastic everyman. With patriotism and a pinch of humour, the video celebrates Canada's unique identity, from its love of peanut butter and ketchup chips to its proud history of innovation and optimism.

This is awesome and the way to further invigorate Canadian pride!

Grab a great Canadian beer, raise the volume, watch, and enjoy!

🇨🇦🍁🇨🇦🍁🇨🇦🍻

pic.twitter.com/1f6bb0KFnX

— Michael“Super Mario”🟦Woke! Say it to my face! (@MichaelSamario) March 6, 2025

At its core, the video is a testament to Canadian values, emphasising the country's commitment to universal healthcare, its passion for hockey, and its reputation for kindness and modesty. As Douglas eloquently puts it, "We are the first to unite in crisis, the first to build bridges - not walls - and the first to stand on guard for thee."

"They mistake our modesty for meekness, our kindness for consent, our nation for another star on their flag and our love of a hot cheesy poutine with their love of a hot cheesy Putin," he says.

The timing of the video's release is particularly significant, given the current tensions between Canada and the United States. With Trump's suggestion that Canada could become the 51st US state, Canadians have responded with a surge of patriotic fervour. The video serves as a rallying cry, reminding Canadians of their nation's strength and resilience.

As Douglas reflects on the past 25 years, he acknowledges that Canada's history is complex and multifaceted. "Our history, as we were taught, was put together so we would feel good about ourselves and that we're a force for good in the world. I still think we are a force for good in this world. But certainly, the past 25 years have revealed how we haven't always done good things. We've done some really bad things," he told the Guardian.

Earlier this week, Trump announced 25% taxes on Canadian goods, on which Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs.

Despite these challenges, the video offers a message of hope and unity. As Douglas says, "We humbly hope it may be something that can help boost Canadian spirits." With its catchy slogan, memorable characters, and heartfelt sentiment, the revamped "Joe Canadian" video is poised to become a rallying cry for Canadians everywhere.
 

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Jack Daniel's CEO Says Canada Pulling US Alcohol 'Worse Than Tariff'

A trade dispute between Canada and the US has escalated, with several Canadian provinces pulling American-made alcohol from store shelves. The move is a direct response to the Trump administration's imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel's, has denounced the Canadian retaliation, calling it "worse than tariffs" and "disproportionate" to the US levies.

"I mean, that's worse than a tariff, because it's literally taking your sales away, completely removing our products from the shelves," Whiting said.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), one of the world's largest alcohol buyers, removed US-made drinks from its shelves on Tuesday. Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed that the LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of US alcohol annually, emphasising that all these products are now off the shelves. The LCBO's exclusive wholesaler status in Ontario means that other retailers, bars, and restaurants in the province can no longer restock US products.

Canada has retaliated against the US tariffs with its own 25% levies on American goods, including beer, spirits, and wine. Some provinces, such as Ontario and Nova Scotia, have taken additional measures. The trade tensions have sparked a nationalist sentiment among Canadians, with some opting to buy local products instead of US-made goods.

Whiting, acknowledged that Canada accounts for only 1% of the company's total sales, making the impact of the trade dispute manageable. However, the company is also monitoring developments in Mexico, which accounted for 7% of its sales in 2024 and has also been affected by US tariffs.

The trade dispute has drawn strong reactions from Canadian leaders. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticised the US tariffs, calling them "a very dumb thing to do." He also accused President Trump of seeking to undermine the Canadian economy. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has expressed concern over Trump's remarks about making Canada the 51st US state, taking them "very seriously".
 

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