Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday promised several measures, including waiving of loans of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), subsidised cooking gas cylinders under a new scheme, and free treatment to road accident victims if her party retains power after the polls in Chhattisgarh.

Addressing a rally at Jalbandha in the state’s Khairagarh assembly segment, Ms Vadra said around 6,000 state-run higher secondary and high schools will be upgraded to Swami Atmanand English and Hindi medium schools. She also promised free electricity up to 200 units if the Congress wins.

“If re-elected in Chhattisgarh, Congress will launch Mahtari Nyay Yojana for women to provide Rs 500 subsidy per gas cylinder,” Ms Vadra said.

Loans of Self Help Groups and those availed by women under the Saksham Yojna will be waived, she added.

She also said that free treatment will be provided to the victims of road and other accidents under the Chief Minister’s Special Health Assistance Scheme.

“Tivara (a type of lentil) will be purchased from the farmers at the support price,” she added.

Slamming the BJP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked, “Will you vote for those who mislead you in the name of religion and only bring problems in your lives, or vote for the party that works to ensure your development and welfare?”

At least 15 people were shot, including two who were critically injured, when a gunman opened fire during a Halloween celebration in Chicago, CNN reported on Monday.

The victims, as reported by Chicago police in a news release, consist of six women and nine men aged between 26 and 53. Two of them are still in critical condition.

Shortly after 1 am (local time), Chicago officers responded to a report of gunfire and found a man firing a weapon into the location where a gathering was taking place, as stated in the news release.

“The offender fled on foot and was placed into custody by responding officers a short distance away,” police said.

The alleged shooter was found in possession of a handgun when he was apprehended by the police and was subsequently taken in for questioning, CNN reported, citing a news release.

The release mentioned that detectives are continuing their investigation into the shooting, and as of Sunday morning, “there is no further information” available.

Earlier on Sunday, at least one person was killed and two more were left injured after a shooting incident in Laurel, Delaware in the US, informed the police.

This came after the shooting rampage in Maine on October 26, which left at least 18 dead and 13 wounded.

Robert Card, the suspect in the incident, was found dead 48 hours later on Friday night.

The Lewiston, Maine, rampage stands as the deadliest mass shooting in the US this year and the deadliest since the Uvalde school massacre.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 566 mass shootings in the country this year, CNN reported.

Here are five points on the actor:

The actor, a native of Kochi, initially started her career as a TV show anchor before venturing into TV serials. She made her acting debut on the small screen with the serial ‘Sthree’ and went on to feature in other projects.Ms Menon is well known for her supporting roles in several television shows and movies including ‘The City of God’, ‘Marykkundoru Kunjaadu’, ‘Bombay March’, ‘Karyasthan’, ‘One Way Ticket’, ‘Athbhutha Dweepu’, among others. She also worked as a producer in several serials.According to local reports, Ms Menon was facing financial problems at the time of her death. Apart from acting, Ms Menon was also a professional Bharatanatyam dancer.She is survived by her father C G Ravindranath and mother Umadevi.