Assam gets French aid to restore green cover

Guwahati: The French Development Agency (AFD) and Assam Government have signed a 50 million euro project agreement towards supporting the state government’s initiative to restore Assam’s forest ecosystem and preserve its biodiversity. The project aims to reforest an additional 12,000 hectares, scale up efforts in biodiversity conservation and skill the members of 135 more communities in different trades. IANS

Thiruvalluvar statue desecrated in TN 

Thanjavur: Miscreants desecrated a statue of saint-poet Thiruvalluvar leading to outrage with opposition parties, including the DMK, and local people demanding strict action. The statue was on Monday found smeared with cow dung and eyes “blindfolded” with what appeared to be a black paper at Pillayarpatti, about 12 km from here. As soon as word spread about the desecration, local people took to the streets demanding action to nab those involved. PTI

Egg challenge claims man’s life in UP

Jaunpur: In a bizarre incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district, an egg challenge cost a man dear as he had to pay with his life. The deceased was identified as Subhash Yadav (42). The police said Yadav had accompanied his friend to the Bibiganj market area to eat eggs but suddenly an argument broke out between the two and they decided on a challenge of Rs 2,000 for eating 50 eggs. Subhash accepted the bet and began eating eggs. He ate 41 eggs and just when he started eating the 42nd egg, he collapsed and fell unconscious. He died hours later. IANS