Netanyahu freezes deal on African migrants, AIADMK observes fast over Cauvery issue, and other news in pictures

Kamal Haasan heads to Tiruchi

Veteran actor and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiyam Kamal Haasan is heading to Tiruchi for a public meeting.

In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Mr. Haasan spoke on a wide range of issues from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Rajinikanth's political entry.

Mr. Haasan said the political movement launched by him, will not accept a one religion, one language, one attitude, one-kind-of-education approach for the country. A debate on religious polarisation had opened in the country today that was comparable only to the time of Partition. "Today, the celebration of differences is on steriods", the actor-turned politician said.

Click here to read excerpts from the interview

Israel puts African migrants deal on hold

African migrants tie themselves in chains to represent slavery, during a demonstration in Tel Aviv on April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to put on hold a deal to resettle thousands of African migrants in western nations drew both criticism and praise on Tuesday with critics slamming the Prime Minister for folding to pressure from hawks in his coalition soon after announcing the plan. Mr. Netanyahu on Monday night suspended the agreement with the United Nations just hours after touting it on national television. He said he was freezing the deal until he could meet with Israeli residents of south Tel Aviv, areas with large migrant populations who feel slighted by the deal.

Trial run of Kolkata-Dhaka container train

Kolkata-Dhaka container train loaded with over 1,100 tonnes of animal feed stationed at the Concor terminus near Majherhat station before the trail run in Kolkata on April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: PTi

The trial run of the Kolkata-Dhaka container train loaded with over 1,100 tonnes of animal feed will be flagged off on Tuesday, senior officials said. While passenger and goods trains run between the two countries, this is the first time that a container service will begin. Exporters' forums had long been lobbying for container trains as they could save time and trade costs significantly apart from making trade safer and more organised.

Tirupparankundram car festival

Devotees pull the temple car of Lord Subramaniaswamy during the annual Panguni uthiram festival in Tirupparankundram, Madurai, on April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: G. Moorthy

Thousands of devotees thronged the Subramaniaswamy temple at Tirupparankundram in Madurai on Tuesday to witness the car festival. The idols of Lord Subramaniaswamy and Goddess Deivanai were brought in a decorated car on the main streets. Special pujas were performedd.

EPS, OPS lead AIADMK fast over Cauvery issue

Tami Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, along with AIADMK partymen sit on fast over the Cauvery issue, in Chennai on April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: R. Ragu

The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday morning began a day-long fast across Tamil Nadu  to urge the Centre to immediately constitute a Cauvery management board and Cauvery water regulation committee as per the Supreme Court order. In Chennai, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, his deputy O. Panneerselvam, the chairman of the party presidium, E. Madhusudanan, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar, organising secretary S. Gokula Indira and North Chennai (South) district secretary N. Balaganga were among those who took part in the fast. Other Ministers would take part elsewhere across the State.

Ball-tampering: players union calls for reduced bans

Australian Cricketers' Association President Greg Dyer and ACA board member Janet Torney attend a news conference in Sydney, Australia, April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

Australia's players' union has called for a reduction in the bans handed out to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their part in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last week, describing them as “disproportionate”. “The proposed penalties are disproportionate relative to precedent,” Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) president Greg Dyer said at a news conference in Sydney on Tuesday. “We ask that consideration be given to recalibrating the proposed sanctions, to consider options such as suspending or reducing part of the sanction. “To consider allowing the players to return to domestic cricket earlier, for example, as part of their rehabilitation.”

New Zealand 191-6 at Tea on Day 5

England's Jack Leach, centre, is congratulated by his teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Latham on the final day of the second Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, on April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AP

England was four wickets away from victory over New Zealand in the second cricket test at Tea on the final day after Stuart Broad launched his team toward a recently rare away win. Broad took two wickets with the first two balls Tuesday to catapult England toward a victory which would also level the two-test series and allow England to avoid its third consecutive loss overseas. Set 382 to win after England declared its second innings at 352-9, New Zealand began the final day at 42-0 but saw its hopes of winning, or even saving the match largely evaporate in the face of Broad's opening fusillade. At tea New Zealand was 191-6 with Colin de Grandhomme 27 and Ish Sodhi 16. The possibility of bad light, as dark clouds emerged from the south at Hagley Oval, also potentially stood in the way of England winning the match and tying the series.

Swiss Federal Councillor visits China

Yang Jiechi (right), a member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and head of the General Office of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs, speaks with Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis during a meeting at the Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound in Beijing on April 3, 2018.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Mr Cassis and Mr. Wang will discuss strategic policy issues of interest to both countries in Beijing.