PM Modi To Visit Odisha Twice Before 1st Phase Poll; Tight Security Planned

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

To boost the 'possibility of the BJP being voted to power' in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to the State two times in the next seven days, ahead of the first phase of polls in the State on May 13.

Bhubaneswar, May 4: To boost the 'possibility of the BJP being voted to power' in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to the State two times in the next seven days, ahead of the first phase of polls in the State on May 13.

According to the information, the Prime Minister will reach Bhubaneswar on Sunday evening and halt the night at Raj Bhawan. He would address massive rallies at Berhampur and Nawarangpur the next day.

Similarly, the Prime Minister will lead a massive roadshow in Bhubaneswar on May 10. He will address a large public meeting at Balangir on May 11.

"Prime Minister's planned visit to Odisha ahead of the first phase of polls in the State on 13 will boost the morale of the BJP workers and have a big influence on voters. The Modi wave will change Odisha's governance this election," said a political analyst.

It may be noted that, recently, in an interview, the Prime Minister stated that Odisha's self-identity, language, and culture were at risk. A BJP-led double-engine government will ensure this in this election.

Odisha will go to votes in four phases on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.

Keeping in view the visit of Prime Minister, the State police have tightened the security arrangements for him in the city. There will be tight security from the airport to the Raj Bhawan during evening hours as the PM will reach the airport at around 9.30 pm. SPG, CISF, and State police will be deployed for this purpose.

There will be a three-tier security system at Raj Bhawan. The entire area will be declared a no-drone flying zone.

A carcade rehearsal will be conducted by security personnel this evening.

As many as three DCPs, 10 ACPs, 17 IICs, and 90 SI/ASIs will be keeping vigil. As many as 20 platoons of police force will be deployed. The traffic system in the city will be streamlined.

Barricades will be erected on the roadsides for the movement of PM's carcade, informed DCP Prateek Singh.

He, however, said that the Commissionerate police has not received any plan of road-show by the PM in Bhubaneswar.

Read More Election News

LS polls: PM Modi to hold public meetings in Haryana, Delhi today

by Utkalika Mohanty

New Delhi, May 18: Star campaigners will have a busy schedule on Saturday -- the last day of campaigning for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold three public meetings -- two in Haryana and one in Delhi -- on Saturday.

In Haryana, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address public meetings in Ambala at 2:45 p.m. and Sonipat at 4:45 p.m. Later in the evening, he will hold a rally in North East Delhi at 6:30 p.m.

(IANS)

Four, including Spanish tourists killed in armed attack in Afghanistan

by Utkalika Mohanty

Bamyan, May 18: At least four people, including three foreigners, were killed, and seven others were injured in an armed attack in Bamyan province of Afghanistan, as reported by Khaama Press News Agency, citing the spokesperson of the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Interior.

Spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani shared that four individuals have been arrested on suspicion of their involvement in the attack and out of seven injured, three are foreigners.

Abdul Mateen Qani added that four individuals suspected of involvement in this attack have been arrested.

As of now, no individual or organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Qani condemned this attack on his social media platform X and said the perpetrators would be arrested and punished, Khaama Press reported.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior of the Taliban did not say anything about the identities of the foreign citizens targeted.

Later on, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the three individuals killed on Friday were Spanish citizens. At least one Spanish national was also among those injured, Al Jazeera reported.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a post on social media that he was "overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan", offering his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

Sanchez also said he was following the situation closely and pledged consular support.

"Overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan. I follow the situation punctually. The Consular Emergency Unit of @MAECgob is working to offer all the necessary assistance. I want to convey all my affection to his family and friends," he posted on X.

However, according to the local people the attack on Friday in Bamyan, four foreign tourists and their driver were killed, and eight ordinary individuals, including a driver, were injured. The report added that the foreign tourists were likely citizens of Russia.

According to several reports, ISIS has been active in Afghanistan, particularly in certain regions where it has sought to establish a presence and carry out its extremist agenda, Khaama Press reported.

Despite the Taliban's control over much of the country, ISIS has continued to pose a significant security threat through its insurgent activities, including targeted attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.

The group's tactics often involve suicide bombings, assassinations, and intimidation, aiming to destabilize the region and undermine the authority of the Taliban.

However, despite efforts to combat ISIS, the group continues to carry out attacks, highlighting the persistent security threats faced by Afghanistan and the difficulties in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

(ANI)

Brazil to host FIFA Women's World Cup 2027

by Utkalika Mohanty

Brasialia, May 18: At the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, Brazil was announced as the host nation of the tenth FIFA Women's World Cup to be held in 2027, becoming the first South American nation to host the tournament.

This announcement comes after the most comprehensive FIFA Women's World Cup bidding process ever, and - for the first time ever - was decided through an open vote at FIFA Congress.