Belthangady: Kuthluru village in Belthangady taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, has been awarded the "Best Adventure Tourist Destination" National Award as part of the 2024 Best Tourist Villages Competition. This competition, organized annually by the Ministry of Tourism in celebration of World Tourism Day, recognizes villages that promote sustainable development through cultural heritage and tourism.

The award-winning entry for Kuthluru was created by Naravi residents Harish D. Salyan, Shivraj, and Sandeep Pujari, who produced a documentary highlighting the village’s tourist attractions, natural beauty, and environmental features. After multiple rounds of evaluation, Kuthluru was selected as the top adventure tourism destination.

The award ceremony will be held on September 27 at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi, where Harish D. Salyan and Shivraj will receive the award. The event will be attended by prominent dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.

The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.

The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.

Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.

Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.

“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.

It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.

“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”

“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”

Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.

State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.

Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.