Udupi: Shekhar Ajekaru, a renowned journalist, and writer known for his impactful contributions to journalism and literature, passed away on Tuesday morning at a private hospital in Karkala. He succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy of literary achievements and community service.

Ajekaru initiated his journalism career in Mumbai and later worked with several newspapers, including Karnataka Malla, Janavahini, Ushakirana, Prajavani, Kannada Prabha, Daijiworld, and Kundaprabha. Over the years, he made significant contributions to the field of journalism and was an active member of the journalists' union, serving as the vice-president of the Udupi branch for a decade.

Apart from his journalistic endeavors, Ajekaru was a prolific writer, having authored approximately 22 books on various topics. His literary works covered diverse subjects, including the local sport of kambala. He was also known for organizing children's literature meets and was the founder of the 'Beladingalu Sahitya Sammelana.' Additionally, Ajekaru initiated a unique program where literary achievers were felicitated in their own homes, showcasing his innovative approach to promoting literature in the community.

Throughout his career, Ajekaru received numerous accolades and awards in recognition of his literary and journalistic contributions. He was honored with the Sangolli Rayanna Award, Udupi District Kannada Literature Award 2019, District Rajyotsava Award, Vishwa Darshana Literature Award 2019, and the Shikha Bharathi Award. His impactful work as a scribe earned him the Journalism Award in 1995, highlighting his dedication and excellence in the field of journalism.

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Washington (AP): US President Donald Trump has warned that a “whole civilisation will die tonight” but said Iran still has time to capitulate ahead of a deadline set for 8 p.m. in Washington.

The American leader issued the stark threat Tuesday, about 12 hours ahead of his deadline for Iran to agree to a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz or face punishing strikes.

Iran rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal and said it wants a permanent end to the war as Trump's ultimatum to make a deal ticked closer with an expanded threat of strikes against the Islamic Republic to include all power plants and bridges.

Trump said Monday he is “not at all” concerned about committing possible war crimes as he again threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure if Tehran does not meet his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the US that attacking civilian infrastructure is banned under international law, his spokesperson said Monday.