News Arena Network

Ansh Mavani

The Madras High Court recently heard a plea from K Porkodi, the wife of slain Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu Chief K Armstrong, seeking permission to bury his body at the BSP office in Chennai.
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Armstrong was tragically assassinated by unknown assailants near his Chennai residence on Friday evening.
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Justice V Bhavani Subbarayan of the Madras High Court noted that the proposed burial site at the party office was a passage. She inquired if there was an alternative location available, considering the residential nature of the area where the party office is situated.
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The petitioner&rsquo;s counsel requested time until 1 p.m. to propose an alternative location, but due to the absence of an alternative, the hearing was adjourned until 2:15 p.m.
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K Porkodi, in her written petition, sought court approval to bury her husband at the BSP office in Chennai. However, objections were raised by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, citing the residential zoning of the area.
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The mortal remains of K Armstrong are currently lying at the Corporation School Ground in Chennai for public homage. Earlier today, BSP supremo Mayawati and national coordinator Akash Anand paid their respects to the deceased leader with floral tributes.
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Mayawati also urged the state government, especially the Chief Minister, to ensure law and order in the state, particularly for the safety of weaker sections. She expressed disappointment over the delay in arresting the accused and demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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According to police reports, eight suspects have been apprehended so far in connection with the brutal assassination of the BSP leader. The investigation into the case continues, exploring various angles to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.
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The plea to bury K Armstrong&rsquo;s body at the BSP office reflects the emotional and legal challenges faced by his family amidst the ongoing investigation and public mourning.
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The Madras High Court&rsquo;s deliberations underscore the complexities of balancing personal wishes with legal and zoning regulations in a sensitive case like this.

Chennai

Madras Court hears plea to bury BSP leader at party office

Ayesha Banerjee

The India-UK talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) began in January 2022. The 14th round of talks stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles.
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The official said the two sides are in touch, and the next round is likely to start this month.
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Britain's newly-elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and said he stood ready to conclude an FTA that worked for both sides.
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The two leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK FTA.
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There are pending issues in both the goods and services sectors.
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The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duty.
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On the other hand, the UK is seeking a significant cut in import duties on goods such as scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates and certain confectionary items.
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Britain is also looking for more opportunities for UK services in Indian markets in segments like telecommunications, legal and financial services (banking and insurance).
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The two countries are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT).
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There are 26 chapters in the agreement, which include goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights.
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The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24 from 20.36 billion in 2022-23.
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The Labour Party's election manifesto for the recent polls also committed to clinching the deal.
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The new Starmer-led government's new Foreign Secretary David Lammy is also on the record saying that he wants to finish the job on the FTA and plans to visit India within the first month of being elected.
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According to the think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative), the agreement is nearly finalised and with a few minor adjustments like curtailing the number of visas for Indian professionals, the Labour Party is likely to give its approval.
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It has suggested that India should focus on two issues - Carbon Border Adjustment Measure (CBAM) and non-traditional subjects like labour, environment, gender, and intellectual property rights - in the pact.
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Historically, India has resisted incorporating these topics into FTAs as they often require domestic policy changes.
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The GTRI report has stated that even if the UK agrees to eliminate tariffs on sectors like textiles, Indian exports might still need to meet stringent UK sustainability requirements, and this could adversely affect Indian exports, especially in labour-intensive sectors.&nbsp;

New Delhi

Post

India-UK FTA talks likely this month

The Delhi High Court is set to hear a plea from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on July 8, requesting additional meetings with his lawyers during his judicial custody at Tihar Jail. Kejriwal seeks two extra sessions to discuss his legal matters, citing the complexity of his cases across the country and his right to a fair trial.
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Justice Neena Bansal Krishna's bench will preside over the hearing following a recent dismissal of Kejriwal's plea by the trial court. The earlier decision cited&nbsp;that Kejriwal had filed numerous litigations and had been arrested in another case by the CBI after the plea was submitted.
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Previously, co-accused Sanjay Singh was granted additional legal consultations on February 22, 2024. The trial court, in its order, emphasised that Kejriwal's fresh plea did not present new grounds different from those considered in the April 10, 2024 ruling, which differentiated it from Singh's case.
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Recently, the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi declined Kejriwal's request for his wife's presence during consultations with the medical board, citing adherence to Prison Rules.
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The court upheld Rule 479 (C) of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018, which allows a family member to accompany an undertrial prisoner only when hospitalised outside the jail premises. Kejriwal, currently in judicial custody at Tihar Jail, is not admitted to any external hospital, as clarified by the court.
 However, the court permitted Kejriwal's wife to independently meet with the medical board or doctors to discuss his medically prescribed diet, if permitted under Hospital Rules. Additionally, it directed jail authorities to provide medical records of Kejriwal's consultations with doctors to his wife.
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The petition stems from the excise policy money laundering case involving allegations by the ED and CBI of irregularities in modifying the excise policy. Allegations include undue favours to licence holders, waiver or reduction of licence fees, and extensions of L-1 licences without proper authority approval.
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The legal proceedings highlight Kejriwal's efforts to secure fair access to legal consultations and medical oversight while in custody. The upcoming hearing at the Delhi High Court will determine the next steps in addressing his plea for additional legal meetings during his time at Tihar Jail.

Delhi HC to review Kejriwal’s request for lawyer meetings

Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda has promised a railway connection and a new university for Mewat when his party, the Congress, comes to power in the state.
 Hooda was In Nuh on Sunday to address party workers and thank them for the work they put in to ensure the Congress performed at par with the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections.
 Hitting out at the BJP, he said its "misdeeds" had been exposed. &ldquo;Now the BJP has accepted the failure of its schemes. Therefore, the government is taking a U-turn from all its plans, seeing (likely) defeat in the Assembly.&nbsp;
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"In 10 years, this government has created such a mess that it is impossible to cover it in three months (when the Assembly elections take place). BJP has now lost the right to repent, and the public is now going to punish it by ousting it from power,&rdquo; he stated.
 The former Chief Minister was accompanied by Haryana Congress President Chaudhary Udaibhan and Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Gurugram Raj Babbar.&nbsp;
 The wheels of development will be set in motion again when Congress government is formed in the state, Hooda added, announcing that &ldquo;Elderly people will be given ₹6,000 pension and employees will be given the benefit of the Old Pension Scheme."
 &nbsp;To provide relief from inflation 300 units of free electricity and LPG cylinder for Rs 500 would be offered. "To curb unemployment, two lakh vacant posts will be filled and employment will be generated by creating an environment of investment in the state again,&rdquo; he said. &nbsp;
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People will get relief from medical bills as the Congress will provide free treatment of up to Rs 25 lakh, he said.
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Hooda thanked the people of Mewat for voting for the Congress in large numbers in the Lok Sabha elections and expressed hope that Congress will get more support in the forthcoming assembly elections.
 In his address, Udaibhan said the Congress had worked hard for the development of Mewat earlier and would ensure it progressed in future. &ldquo;Congress built a medical college here in the name of Hasan Khan Mewati but today BJP is not even providing full staff in it,&nbsp; with 60 per cent posts lying vacant,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
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Listing the party's past achievements, Udaibhan said IMT was built in the area, Kotla lake was renovated, mini secretariat and judicial complex were built when the Congress was in power. &ldquo;To overcome water shortage, Rs 485 crore were spent under the rainwell drinking water project. All works like roads, schools and ITI were implemented by the Congress,&rdquo; he said.
 The BJP, Udaibhan alleged, was only engaged in creating division among the people, instead of doing any development work. &ldquo;The BJP creates discrimination and division among people in the name of caste and religion, with a narrow mindset. The strength of Congress is unity and brotherhood.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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He asked people to watch out in case the BJP attempted to create trouble in the area.
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Speaking on the occasion, Raj Babbar also thanked the people of Mewat for their votes and support in the Lok Sabha elections.
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The Lok Sabha results clearly indicated that the Congress government is going to be formed in Haryana. If that happens, "development, brotherhood and unity of all communities will be strengthened in the state,&rdquo; he stated.
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The conference was organised by Congress Deputy Leader in the Assembly, MLA Aftab Ahmed, Maman Khan, Mohammed Ilyas and former MLAs Shahida, Lalit Nagar and Mohammed Israel.&nbsp;
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Senior leader Mehtab Ahmed was also present.

Chandigarh

Cong win will ensure rail line, varsity for Mewat: Hooda

Neha Singh

Thanking the people for protesting against his arrest in September last year, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said the Telugu Desam Party will soon regain its past glory in Telangana also.
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<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Addressing TDP workers here, Naidu said the party was born in Telangana (four decades ago) and soon it will be restructured.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">TDP did not contest the Assembly polls in November 2023 and the Lok Sabha polls this year in Telangana for a variety of reasons.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The party is currently headless after Kasani Gnaneshwar resigned as the state president before the Assembly polls last year.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;TDP which was born for Telugu people should be in Telangana. I am asking you whether the party which was born on the land of Telangana should function or not (in the state)? There were several people who worked for the party. We will restructure the party very soon (in Telangana),&rdquo; Naidu said amid cheers by the party cadre.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Asserting that he would work to bring the past glory to the party in Telangana, he said TDP will encourage youth and the educated in the state.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">On the meeting with his Telangana counterpart A Revanth Reddy on Saturday, Naidu said though different parties are in power in AP and here, when it comes to the interests of Telugu people, there is a need to work together.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy met here on Saturday and decided to constitute committees of ministers and officials to address pending issues related to bifurcation of undivided Andhra in 2014.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Yesterday, we held discussions with the Telangana government. I am hoping that they will be taken forward in future also,&rdquo; he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Recalling his contribution as a Chief Minister to the development of Hyderabad city two decades ago, the TDP supremo said now Telangana enjoys the top slot as far as per capita income is concerned and the gap between it and Andhra Pradesh was 33 per cent in 2014.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">He said he was able to reduce the gap to 27 per cent during his tenure as CM between 2014 and 2019. However, it again went up to 44 per cent during the YSR Congress regime.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The Andhra CM claimed that several industries are expressing their willingness to invest in AP, but are apprehensive of the opposition YSRCP&rsquo;s &ldquo;attitude&rdquo;. Despite several hurdles and problems he assured that he would take the responsibility for the development of Andhra Pradesh. 
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Telangana

TDP to regain lost glory in Hyderabad: Naidu

Accusing the Congress government in Karnataka of being in deep slumber and mired in competition for Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister posts and internal rifts, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Sunday urged the CM Siddaramaiah and his administration to &ldquo;wake up&rdquo; and save the people.
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Highlighting health issues such as dengue cases, also deteriorating law and order situation, stalled infrastructure projects in the state and the city among others, the Member of Parliament from Bangalore North accused the Siddaramaiah government of having forgotten the people amid its internal rifts.
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&ldquo;There are several issues in the city and the state, and there is no government here that responds to it. This government is in a deep slumber. There is no use of telling anything to this government, it will be like pouring water on a rock,&rdquo; Karandlaje said.
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While speaking to reporters here, she said the only thing that is happening in this government is, competition as to who should become the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, and because of this competition and internal rift, the government that is there in Karnataka has forgotten the people of the state.
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&ldquo;The government has to wake up immediately before more lives are lost. Also the law and order situation has deteriorated, there are several rape, murder, daylight murder cases that are coming out, but there is a situation where there is no one to question. So I urge the government and the Chief Minister to wake up and protect people,&rdquo; she added.
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Noting that along with dengue, there are also reports about Zika virus cases in Karnataka, Karandlaje said people are getting admitted to hospitals and there are issues concerning the availability of medicines and their prices.
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&ldquo;Bangalore water supply and sewerage board (BWSS) is not functioning efficiently. Neither the government or its departments are looking into it.&rdquo;
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Further alleging that neither the Chief Minister nor Deputy Chief Minister or Ministers in the state government have gone for rounds to inspect the projects that are lying without completion or where water is accumulating leading to mosquito generation, Karandlaje said there are marshals in Bengaluru, but they are for collecting money or indulged in money-making, and not for public work.

Bengaluru

K'taka Cong busy with CM, DCM posts: UM Karandlaje

No water in taps, nothing to drink. The nightmare scenario could come true quickly if nothing is done about groundwater depletion as about 450 cubic kilometres have already been lost in northern India during 2002-2021, according to a new study.
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Climate change will further accelerate its depletion in the years to come, the study adds.
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The amount (450 cubic kilometres) is about 37 times the quantity of water the Indira Sagar dam -- India's largest reservoir -- can hold at full capacity, lead author Vimal Mishra, Vikram Sarabhai Chair Professor of Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences at IIT Gandhinagar, said.
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Using on-site observations and satellite data and models, researchers found that across north India, rainfall in the monsoon season (June to September) has reduced by 8.5 per cent during 1951-2021. Winters in the region have become warmer by 0.3 degrees Celsius over the same period, they found.
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The team, comprising researchers from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad, said lesser rainfall during the monsoons and warming of winters will increase irrigation water demand and reduce groundwater recharge, further stressing the already depleting groundwater resource in north India.
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While a drier monsoon leads to more reliance on groundwater to sustain crops during rainfall-deficit periods, warmer winters result in relatively drier soils, again requiring more irrigation -- something the researchers observed during the unusually warm winter of 2022, the fifth warmest for India since the India Meteorological Department started records in 1901.
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"The accelerating trend of depleting groundwater is expected to continue as the planet warms because even though climate change causes more rainfall, most of it is projected to occur in the form of extreme events, which does not support groundwater replenishment," Mishra told PTI.
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The shortage of rainfall in the monsoons followed by warming winters, both driven by climate change, is projected to cause a "substantial decline" by about 6-12 per cent in groundwater recharge. The study's manuscript, accepted for publishing in the journal Earth's Future, was shared exclusively with PTI.
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"For groundwater to get recharged, we need low-intensity rainfall spread over more days," Mishra explained. Changes in groundwater levels are known to be largely dependent on rainfall received during summer monsoons and groundwater pumped out for irrigating crops during their respective growing seasons -- June to September for Kharif crops and December to March for Rabi.
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The combined effect of intensified irrigation demands and reduced groundwater recharge in the future, therefore, can put more strain on an already fast-depleting resource, he said.
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The findings challenge the optimistic perception that climate change-driven increase in rainfall will solve our water problems, the lead author of the study said.
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In 2009, a monsoon drier by almost 20 per cent, followed by an unusual winter that was warmer by a degree, had "detrimental" effects on groundwater storage -- it had reduced by 10 per cent, the authors found.
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Moisture lost from soil during winters also was found to have significantly increased over the past four decades, suggesting the potential role of warming and stepped-up demands in irrigation.
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The authors have projected that under continued warming, monsoons drier by 10-15 per cent and winters warmer by 1-5 degrees Celsius will together spike irrigation water demands by 6-20 per cent.
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A warming of 1-3 degrees Celsius across north India will also hamper groundwater replenishment considerably by 7-10 per cent, they said.
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"The findings have policy implications as the water crisis witnessed during this year's heatwave highlights the need for cautious and judicious exploitation of the groundwater," Mishra said.
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Groundwater, vital for food and water security in India, will become a more crucial resource in a warmer climate because of increased demands for irrigation and industry alike, the author said.
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"This is because surface water storage, such as in reservoirs and dams, is insufficient to meet demands during summer, as seen in cities such as Delhi and Bengaluru. Not paying attention to the resource could pose water security challenges in the future," Mishra added.&nbsp;

37 full reservoirs: North India lost that much groundwater

The Chardham yatra was temporarily suspended on Sunday in view of the weather department&rsquo;s prediction of heavy to very heavy rains in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand on July 7-8.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said it has been decided to postpone the Yatra for the safety of pilgrims.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">In view of the weather department&rsquo;s prediction of heavy rains in Garhwal division on July 7-8, all devotees are urged not to start for the Chardham yatra beyond Rishikesh on July 7, he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Those who have already proceeded on the pilgrimage should wait wherever they are until the weather clears to resume their onward journey, he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Heavy rains in various parts of Uttarakhand over the past few days has triggered landslides in the hills with the highway going to Badrinath blocked at a number of points by the rubble falling from the hills.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Two pilgrims from Hyderabad were killed on Saturday after being hit by boulders falling from the hillside in the wake of a landslide near Chatwapeepal area of Karnaprayag in Chamoli district. They were returning from Badrinath on a motorcycle when they met with the accident.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The rivers of Uttarakhand are also in spate with the Alaknanda flowing near the danger mark at Vishnu Prayag near Joshimath. The Alaknanda merges with Dhauli Ganga at Vishnu Prayag. 
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Dehradun

Chardham Yatra put on hold over heavy rainfall alert

Terrorist activities intensified in troubled Jammu and Kashmir during the weekend with an attack on an Army camp in Rajouri on Sunday and twin encounters at Kulgam continuing from Saturday, pushing up the death toll to eight, with two soldiers martyred and six terrorists killed.
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A soldier was injured as two terrorists fired at an Army camp in Rajouri and fled as security forces retaliated.&nbsp;
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Search operations have been launched to find them
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The twin encounters began on Saturday in two villages of Kulgam district. Bodies of two terrorists were recovered from Modergam encounter site while four bodies of terrorists were recovered from the Frisal Chingam site, officials said.
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Talking to reporters on Sunday, J&amp;K DGP RR Swain said, according to confirmation of bodies, six terrorists were killed.&nbsp; This was "significant to strengthen the security environment in the state. Operations against militants and flow of information from public proves this fight will reach its logical conclusion," he added.
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Security forces recovered bodies of two more terrorists on Sunday, taking the number of ultras killed to six, officials said.
 Lance Naik Pradeep Nain, an elite Para commando lost his life in a gunfight at Modergam village as security personnel came under fire during &nbsp;search operations when they tracked three terrorists holed up in one place.
 Havaldar Raj Kumar of 1st Rashtriya Rifles was killed when terrorists fired upon security forces searching Frisal Chingam village following a tip-off about Lashkar terrorists in the area.&nbsp;
 "Encounter started at Modergam Village of #Kulgam District. Police and Security Forces are on work. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted on X about the first encounter.
 One terrorist remains trapped at Frisal Chingam and gunfights were continuing in both villages, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdhi said after visiting the sites earlier in the day.
 The anti-militancy operation was continuing on till last reports came in.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Srinagar

J&K's Kulgam toll 8, with 2 soldiers and 6 terrorists killed

At least three persons were killed and three others were injured after being buried under the debris of a two-storey building that collapsed in Jharkhand's Deoghar district on Sunday, officials said.
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A rescue operation was underway as a few others were feared trapped under the debris of the building that collapsed in Deoghar town around 6 am.
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"As many as six persons were retrieved from under the debris and brought to the Sadar Hospital here. Of them, two were brought dead. Another woman succumbed to the injuries. The treatment of the three others, including a child, is underway," Deoghar Civil Surgeon Ranjan Sinha told PTI.
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A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed for the rescue operation.
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Deoghar Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ritvik Srivastava told PTI, "A few more seem to be still trapped under the debris. The rescue operation is underway." NDRF Inspector Randhir Kumar, who is leading the operation, said that efforts are underway to retrieve the trapped persons.

Ranchi

3 dead, 3 injured as building collapses in Jharkhand

&nbsp;Several persons were feared trapped under the debris of a two-storey building that collapsed in Jharkhand's Deoghar district on Sunday morning, officials said.
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Four people were rescued from under the debris of the building that collapsed in Deoghar town around 6 am.
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A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed for the rescue operation.
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Deoghar Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ritvik Srivastava told PTI, "Four people have been rescued so far. Few more seem to be still trapped under the debris. The rescue operation is underway."
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Those rescued were admitted to Deoghar Sadar Hospital.
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NDRF Inspector Randhir Kumar, who is leading the operation, said that efforts are underway to retrieve the trapped persons.

Building collapses in Jharkhand, 4 rescued, many trapped

An Israeli air strike on a school in the Gaza Strip has reportedly killed around 16 people and left many injured, Palestinian officials have claimed.
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Thousands displaced at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza had been sheltering in the school, the health military run by Hamas said.
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Confirming the strike, the Israeli Defence Force said it had struck &ldquo;terrorists &nbsp;operating in structures located in the area of Al-Jaouni School,&rdquo; BBC reported.
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Videos surfacing on social media of the smoke-filled and debris-littered Nuseirat school area showed with desperate adults carrying injured, bleeding children to hospitals.
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&nbsp;Around 7,000 people were using the building as a shelter, BBC said.
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Other agencies quoted a woman as saying that some children reading the Koran were killed in the strike.
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BBC quoting sources also said one room used by Hamas police had been targeted by the IDF.
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Gaza 

16 killed in Israel strike on Gaza school

A soldier was injured on Sunday after a terrorist attack led to exchange of gunfire at an Army camp in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
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According to reports terrorists fired on a sentry post of Territorial Army at village Galuthi in Manjakote area around 4 am, prompting retaliation by troops.
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The soldier was injured in the exchange of fire that continued for nearly half-an-hour between the two sides but the terrorists managed to flee into the nearby forest.
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Search operations have been launched to hunt them down.
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Terrorist activities have intensified in the area, with two encounters on Saturday leaving two soldiers martyred and four terrorists dead in Kulgam district , officials said.
&nbsp;
Lance Naik Pradeep Nain, a special forces Para commando lost his life in a gunfight at Modergam village after security personnel launched search operations and traced around three terrorists holed up in one place.
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<div class="blogRootContainer">
Havaldar Raj Kumar of 1st Rashtriya Rifles was killed when terrorists fired upon security forces searching Frisal Chingam village following a tip-off about Lashkar terrorists in the area.&nbsp;
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"Encounter started at Modergam Village of #Kulgam District. Police and Security Forces are on work. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted on X about the first encounter.
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One terrorist remains trapped at Frisal Chingam and gunfights were continuing in both villages, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdhi said after visiting the sites.
</div>

Jammu

Soldier injured as terrorists attack Rajouri Army camp

The 147th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath rolled out early Sunday morning in Gujarat&rsquo;s Ahmedabad city where a large number of devotees flocked the procession route to pay obeisance to the deity.
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<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The raths (chariots) of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra are pulled by Khalashi community members as per the age-old tradition.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The Rath Yatra is taken out on the Ashadhi Beej (second day of Hindu Ashadh month) every year.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed the &lsquo;mangla aarti&rsquo; and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed &lsquo;pahind vidhi&rsquo;, the ritual of cleaning the way using a golden broom, as the chariots rolled out from the 400-year-old Lord Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img title="Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel offers prayers on the occasion of Rath Yatra. " src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/patelnaijpg_1720325737444.jpg" alt="Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel offers prayers on the occasion of Rath Yatra. " width="1500" height="800">
<figcaption>Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel offers prayers on the occasion of Rath Yatra on Sunday,</figcaption>
</figure>
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">A senior police official earlier said more than 22,000 security personnel will guard the event and some balloon-mounted cameras will also be deployed to keep a watch on the people&rsquo;s movement.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">As many as 4,500 personnel have been deployed to walk with the procession along the entire 16-km route while 1,931 personnel are managing traffic during the 147th edition of the annual Rath Yatra.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">As per the decades-old tradition, the procession, led by chariots, would return by 8 pm after traversing different localities in the Old City, including some communally sensitive areas.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The procession usually consists of 18 decorated elephants, 100 trucks and 30 &lsquo;akhadas&rsquo; (local gymnasiums).
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Senior police officials will keep a close watch on the procession using 1,733 body-worn cameras linked to a control room.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Besides, 20 drones and 96 surveillance cameras have been installed at 47 locations on the route.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Nearly 1,400 CCTV cameras installed by shopkeepers on the route will also be used for live surveillance, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police GS Malik told reporters on Thursday.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">To address any medical emergency, 16 ambulances and medical teams at five government-run hospitals have also been kept on stand-by, as per officials. 
&nbsp;

Ahmedabad

Rath Yatra begins in Ahmedabad, Shah & Patel offer prayers

Heavy rainfall across large parts of India has compensated for the June deficit, bringing the overall monsoon precipitation into the surplus category.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), more spells of heavy to very heavy rain are likely over northwest India and the western parts of the peninsular India during the next two-three days and over the northeast during the next five days.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">India, the world&rsquo;s top producer of critical crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane, logged a rainfall deficit of 11 per cent in June, with northwest India recording a shortfall of 33 per cent.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Heavy rain in the first week of July compensated for the shortfall but caused flooding in many northeastern states.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Since the four-month monsoon season began on June 1, the country has received 214.9 mm of rainfall against a normal of 213.3 mm, according to IMD data.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Northwest India and the southern peninsula have recorded 3 per cent and 13 per cent above-normal rainfall, respectively.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The heavy rain in the east and northeast region has reduced the deficit from 13 per cent on June 30 to zero on July 6.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The rainfall deficit in central India has decreased from 14 per cent to 6 per cent during this period.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The IMD data showed that 23 per cent of the sub-divisional area of the country experienced excess to large excess rainfall, 67 per cent received normal rainfall, and only 10 per cent experienced deficient rainfall.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The weather department on Saturday said heavy rainfall will continue in northeast India over the next five days.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The northeastern states are already grappling with severe floods.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Assam&rsquo;s flood situation remains critical, with over 2.45 million people affected and 52 lives lost in the second wave of flooding this year.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Heavy rainfall in Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh has caused rivers to reach warning levels and triggered landslides.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The IMD earlier this week said India could experience above-normal rainfall in July, and heavy rain may lead to floods in the hilly states and river basins in the central parts of the country.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">In 17 of the 25 years when June rainfall was below normal, the seasonal rainfall was normal or above normal, the IMD said. 
&nbsp;

Heavy rainfall in early July bridges India's monsoon deficit

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said he has spoken to the UK's new Foreign Secretary David Lammy and both sides reaffirmed to "enhance our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".
&nbsp;
In a post on X, the external affairs minister also said he looked forward to an "early in-person meeting".
&nbsp;
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday named Lammy as his new foreign secretary as the new premier started the process of forming a Labour Party government after a landslide victory in the general election.
&nbsp;
"Delighted to speak to UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy. We reaffirmed our commitment to enhance our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Look forward to an early in-person meeting," Jaishankar posted on X.
&nbsp;
On Friday, the external affairs minister in a post on the social media platform congratulated Lammy on his appointment as the Foreign Secretary of the UK.
&nbsp;
"Congratulations to @DavidLammy on being appointed Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom. Look forward to continuing our engagement and strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he wrote.
&nbsp;
The 51-year-old Labour politician is also a lawyer.
&nbsp;
In a post on 'X' earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Pleased to speak with @Keir_Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good."&nbsp;

Jaishankar speaks to UK foreign secy to reaffirm ties

Two soldiers and four terrorists were killed in two encounters in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday, in Modergam and Frisal Chingam villages, officials said.
 Lance Naik Pradeep Nain, a special forces Para commando lost his life in a gunfight at Modergam village as security personnel came under fire during&nbsp; search operations and traced around three terrorists holed up in one place.
&nbsp;
Havaldar Raj Kumar of 1st Rashtriya Rifles was killed when terrorists fired upon security forces searching Frisal Chingam village following a tip-off about Lashkar terrorists in the area.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Encounter started at Modergam Village of #Kulgam District. Police and Security Forces are on work. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted on X about the first encounter.
&nbsp;
One terrorist remains trapped at Frisal Chingam and gunfights were continuing in both villages, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdhi said after visiting the sites.

2 soldiers, 4 terrorists killed in J&K encounters

The death toll in the collapse of a six-storey building in Gujarat&rsquo;s Surat city has gone up to seven with the recovery of six more bodies overnight, police said on Sunday.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The residential building, located in Pal area, collapsed at around 2.45 pm on Saturday.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">While a woman was rescued soon after the collapse, the body of a man was pulled out on Saturday night, an official earlier said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Rescue teams later pulled out six more bodies from the debris, according to police.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Seven bodies have been recovered in the operation that continued through the night, Sachin GIDC police station inspector Jignesh Chaudhari said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">After the incident, the rescue operation was launched with the help of teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local fire department.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">A woman rescued soon after the building collapse was rushed to a hospital where she was undergoing treatment, Chaudhari said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;While the operation to remove the rubble continues, we do not think there is anyone else trapped inside,&rdquo; he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The building was constructed in 2016-17, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said on Saturday.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Around five flats were occupied, mostly by those who work in factories in the area, he said. 
&nbsp;

Surat

Surat building collapse: Death toll rises to 7

Shyna Gupta

The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 is set to begin in Puri on Sunday, with President Droupadi Murmu attending the grand event.
&nbsp;
The festival attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad, celebrating with immense enthusiasm.
&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s Rath Yatra will be a rare two-day event, a phenomenon last witnessed in 1971, due to specific celestial arrangements.
&nbsp;
To ensure smooth festivities, the newly-elected Odisha government has made special preparations for President Murmu&rsquo;s visit, emphasizing her roots in the Mayurbhanj district.
&nbsp;
In honor of the event, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has declared a two-day public holiday on July 7 and 8.
&nbsp;
The chariots are positioned in front of the Lion's Gate of the Jagannath temple, from where they will be pulled to the Gundicha temple on Sunday afternoon. They will remain at the Gundicha temple for a week, marking the deities' annual sojourn.
<h3>Special Highlights of This Year's Rath Yatra</h3>
Departing from the customary practice, several rituals involving the three sibling deities: Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, will be performed on a single day this Sunday.
&nbsp;
This year, the Rath Yatra and associated rituals like &lsquo;Nabajouban Darshan&rsquo; and &lsquo;Netra Utsav&rsquo; will all take place on July 7. Typically, these rituals are conducted before the Rath Yatra.
&nbsp;
&lsquo;Nabajouban Darshan&rsquo; signifies the youthful appearance of the deities, who remain behind closed doors for 15 days during &lsquo;Anasara&rsquo; (quarantine) following &lsquo;Snana Purnima&rsquo;.
&nbsp;
According to mythology, the deities fall ill due to excessive bathing on &lsquo;Snana Purnima&rsquo; and thus stay indoors. Before &lsquo;Nabajouban Darshan&rsquo;, priests perform the special ritual &lsquo;Netra Utsav&rsquo;, where the deities' eyeballs are freshly painted.
&nbsp;
The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is as ancient as the Jagannath Temple itself. It marks the journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple, and concludes with their return after eight days.
&nbsp;
The festival spans from Akshaya Tritiya in April and concludes with the deities' return to the Shree Mandir premises.
&nbsp;
The state government has organized arrangements to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly and on time.
&nbsp;
"With the cooperation from all stakeholders, all the rituals are going on smoothly. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, all other rituals will also be conducted according to schedule," said Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.

Puri

Jagannath rath yatra 2024 begins in Puri

Singapore&rsquo;s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday warned of the risk of emergence of &ldquo;violent splinter cells&rdquo; in the recent future following the dissolution of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Indonesia.
&nbsp;
The longer term impact of the outfit&rsquo;s dissolution, however, remains to be seen, the Channel News Asia reported, citing the MHA.
&nbsp;
Multi-ethnic Singapore, a hub of global multinationals, is always on alert and on guard against terrorism activities in Southeast Asia, the ministry said as it warned that the threat of terrorism to Singapore remains high and the country continues to be a prized target for terrorists.
&nbsp;
The ministry urged the public to be vigilant and contact the police or the Internal Security Department promptly should they come across suspicious people or activities.
&nbsp;
Indonesia&rsquo;s terror group JI is behind some of Southeast Asia&rsquo;s deadliest attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people, the ministry said.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;For example, the JI&rsquo;s radical ideologies, including the goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia through armed struggle, will likely continue to have appeal among some groups and individuals,&rdquo; it added.
&nbsp;
JI leaders in Indonesia had announced the group&rsquo;s dissolution at a June 30 event organised by Indonesia&rsquo;s national police counter-terrorism squad.
&nbsp;
Welcoming the development, the Singapore government had said the dissolution of JI in Indonesia is a &ldquo;significant development and a major accomplishment&rdquo; for Indonesian authorities.
&nbsp;
A video of the announcement, uploaded on the YouTube account of hardline Islamic website Arrahmah on Jul 3, showed 16 JI officials standing on a stage. They included Abu Rusdan, a militant cleric and former JI leader arrested in Bekasi in September 2021, and Para Wijayanto, who was arrested in 2019 for recruiting militants and raising funds for Syria. Both are still in detention.
&nbsp;
The dissolution was agreed upon by the assembly of seniors and leaders of Islamic boarding schools affiliated with JI, said Abu Rusdan.
&nbsp;
The JI members agreed to return to the fold of the Republic of Indonesia and make changes to the curriculum of the JI-affiliated schools so that there are no more materials that teach extremism.
&nbsp;
The group was formed in 1993 by Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Bashir with the mission of building an Islamic state in Southeast Asia.
&nbsp;
The United States in 2017 designated MMI as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) for its alleged links to the Al Qaeda and Al Nusra Front movements.
&nbsp;

Singapore

S'pore warns of violent splinter cells

&nbsp;Heavy rainfall across large parts of India has compensated for the June deficit, bringing the overall monsoon precipitation into the surplus category, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
&nbsp;
The IMD has forecasted more spells of heavy to very heavy rain over northwest India and the western parts of the peninsular India during the next two to three days, and over the northeast during the next five days.
&nbsp;
India, the world's top producer of critical crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane, recorded an 11 percent rainfall deficit in June, with northwest India experiencing a shortfall of 33 percent. However, heavy rain in the first week of July compensated for the shortfall but caused flooding in many northeastern states.
&nbsp;
Since the four-month monsoon season began on June 1, the country has received 214.9 mm of rainfall against a normal of 213.3 mm, according to IMD data. Northwest India and the southern peninsula have recorded 3 percent and 13 percent above-normal rainfall, respectively.
&nbsp;
The heavy rain in the east and northeast regions has reduced the deficit from 13 percent on June 30 to zero on July 6. The rainfall deficit in central India has decreased from 14 percent to 6 percent during this period.
&nbsp;
IMD data revealed that 23 percent of the sub-divisional area of the country experienced excess to large excess rainfall, 67 percent received normal rainfall, and only 10 percent experienced deficient rainfall.
&nbsp;
After making an early onset over Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30, and progressing normally up to Maharashtra, the monsoon lost momentum.
&nbsp;
This delayed the rains in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, exacerbating the impact of a scorching heatwave in northwest India.

Heavy rainfall offsets June deficit in India

Vats Ambardar

An inexperienced yet spirited Zimbabwe pulled off an upset of massive proportions when they stunned an Indian team brimming with an array of Next-Gen stars by 13 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series here on Saturday.
&nbsp;
India, who were recently crowned champions in the T20 World Cup albeit with a different set of players, were expected to trot past an unfancied Zimbabwe and the script followed that line when the hosts were restricted to 115 for nine.
&nbsp;
But from there, Zimbabwe wrote their own narrative, reducing India to 28 for four in the Power Play and then eventually bowled them out for 102 in 19.5 overs.
&nbsp;
Pacer Tendai Chatara (3/16) and skipper Sikandar Raza (3/25) led the home side bowling with aplomb.
&nbsp;
It was India&rsquo;s first defeat in T20Is in 2024 and first against Zimbabwe in eight years.
&nbsp;
The second match of the series is slated on Sunday.
&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s stutter began in the first over itself, losing Abhishek Sharma, one of three T20I debutants along with Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, for a duck.
&nbsp;
Sharma's almighty cross-batted heave off Brian Benett was caught easily by Wellington Masakadza in the outfield.
&nbsp;
But what was perceived as an initial scratch soon turned into a deep gash as India kept losing wickets.
&nbsp;
Ruturaj Gaikwad (7) could not negate a slightly bouncier offering from pacer Blessing Muzarabani, edging it to Innocent Kaia at the floating first slip.
&nbsp;
Soon, pacer Tendai Chatara dealt a double blow to India, dismissing Parag (2) and Rinku Singh (0) in the space of three balls in the fifth over.
&nbsp;
Parag&rsquo;s over-enthusiastic loft over mid-off could not clear substitute Brandon Mavuta, while Rinku did not have the necessary space to execute pull off a climbing-up delivery.
&nbsp;
However, skipper Shubman Gill kept India in the chase with a sensible knock (31, 5x4), but Sikandar Raza accounted for his counterpart with a delivery that skidded past his bat to rattle the stumps.
&nbsp;
Avesh Khan (16, 12b) and Washington Sundar (27, 34b) added 23 runs for the eighth wicket to take India to 84 but a full-blooded smash off a Masakadza full-toss was accepted by Raza at long-off.
&nbsp;
At 84 for eight and then at 86 for nine, the fight was well and truly over.
&nbsp;
India needed 16 runs off the last over and despite Washington being there, they could only manage just two runs as Zimbabwe celebrated a famous win with all fervour.
&nbsp;
Before their batters faltered, the Indian bowlers led by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, performed admirably on a pitch that had a hint of extra bounce and sufficient carry.
&nbsp;
Bishnoi returned with a career-best 4/13 and received adequate support from off-spinner Washington (2/11) as Zimbabwe struggled to stitch any meaningful partnership.
&nbsp;
However, Zimbabwe made a rather brisk start to their innings, reaching 40 for two in the Power Play segment even though their batters were not always convincing.
&nbsp;
After the early dismissal of Kaia, who dragged a Mukesh Kumar delivery onto his stumps, Wessly Madhevere (21, 22b) and Bennett (22, 15b) added 34 runs in quick time.
&nbsp;
The highlight of their alliance was the fifth over in which they plundered 17 runs off left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed.
&nbsp;
Bennett hammered him for two successive boundaries as Zimbabwe seemed to have recovered from the early loss of Kaia.
&nbsp;
But the ouster of Bennett by Bishnoi in the sixth over changed the complexion of Zimbabwe&rsquo;s innings. Bennett could not read Bishnoi&rsquo;s googly, which also carried three more Zimbabwe batters to their doom later &ndash; Madhevere, Muzarabani and Luke Jongwe.
&nbsp;
They crawled to 74 for three from there, courtesy the patience of skipper Raza (17, 19b) but lost their way from that point, losing six wickets for 41 runs.
&nbsp;
The hosts' batters seemed to have slipped into a state of panic, evidenced by the dismissal of Jonathan Campbell, son of former Zimbabwe captain Alastair Campbell.
&nbsp;
Campbell pushed an Avesh delivery to the covers and called for a single and his partner Dion Myers responded.
&nbsp;
But Campbell changed his mind suddenly and stayed back as Myers crossed the crease, forcing the former to walk back.
&nbsp;
Their last hope rested on experienced Raza, and he raised some hope, smashing Avesh for a six over the bowler&rsquo;s head.
&nbsp;
But the extra bounce Avesh generated soon did Raza in as his mis-timed pull ended in the hands of Bishnoi in the deep.
&nbsp;
Washington joined the party with two wickets in as many balls, jettisoning Myers (23, 22b) and Wellington Masakadza (0) off consecutive balls.
&nbsp;
In the process, the Tamil Nadu man also completed 100 wickets in T20s.
&nbsp;
Clive Madande&rsquo;s cameo (29 not out, 25b) helped Zimbabwe go past the 100-run mark and that proved a tad too many for India this day.&nbsp;

Harare

Zimbabwe stun India by 13 runs in first T20I

Iran&rsquo;s president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, urged Iranians on Saturday to stick with him on &ldquo;the difficult road ahead&rdquo; after winning the run-off presidential vote.&nbsp; Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old cardiac surgeon and the sole moderate in four candidates' original field, defeated former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. He will replace hardline President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.
&nbsp;
Pezeshkian has pledged to promote a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over stalled negotiations with major powers to revive the 2015 nuclear pact and improve prospects for social liberalization and political pluralism.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
However, many Iranians are sceptical about his ability to fulfil his campaign promises, as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Dear people of Iran, the election is over, and this is just the beginning of our working together. A difficult road is ahead. It can only be smooth with your cooperation, empathy, and trust,&rdquo; Pezeshkian said on social media platform X.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&ldquo;I extend my hand to you and swear on my honour that I will not abandon you on this path. Do not abandon me.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
After the election result is confirmed by a hardline watchdog body and approved by Khamenei, Pezeshkian will take the oath of office before parliament in Tehran in the coming days.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Turnout was almost 50% in Friday&rsquo;s vote, following historically low turnout in the first-round ballot on June 28.
&nbsp;
Pezeshkian&rsquo;s victory has lifted hopes of a thaw in Iran&rsquo;s relations with the West that might create openings for defusing its nuclear dispute with world powers.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Commending what he called a &ldquo;high turnout,&rdquo; Khamenei congratulated Pezeshkian on his win and counselled him to continue Raisi&rsquo;s policies.
&nbsp;
Videos on social media showed Pezeshkian&rsquo;s supporters dancing in the streets and motorists honking car horns to cheer his victory. The election coincided with escalating regional tensions due to conflicts between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as increased Western pressure on Iran over its fast-advancing nuclear program.
&nbsp;
Under Iran&rsquo;s dual system of clerical and republican rule, the president cannot usher in any major policy shifts on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program or support for militia groups across the Middle East, as Khamenei calls all the shots on top state matters. However, the president can influence the tone of Iran&rsquo;s policy and will be closely involved in selecting Khamenei&rsquo;s successor, now 85.
&nbsp;
Backed by Iran&rsquo;s reformist camp led by former President Mohammad Khatami, Pezeshkian is faithful to Iran&rsquo;s theocratic rule and has no intention of confronting the powerful security hawks and clerical rulers.
&nbsp;
Foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have sent congratulatory messages to Pezeshkian.

Tehran

Masoud Pezeshkian is the new Iranian president

Deepan

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to visit Manipur on July 8, according to sources within the party.
&nbsp;
During his visit, he plans to tour relief camps and meet with Manipur Congress leaders.
&nbsp;
Gandhi's itinerary includes visits to locations such as Moirang and Churachandpur on the same day, where he will interact with internally displaced people seeking refuge in relief camps, as per sources familiar with the arrangements.
&nbsp;
Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi initiated the Congress party's extensive outreach programme, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, from Thoubal in Manipur.
&nbsp;
The yatra spanned over 6,700 km across 15 states, culminating in Mumbai.
&nbsp;
In recent remarks at a rally in Manipur, Gandhi censured the BJP sharply for ethnic clashes in the state, which have claimed over 220 lives since May 2023.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He denounced what he called the BJP's "politics of hatred" and expressed concern over the suffering of Manipur's residents.
&nbsp;
"Manipur has seen division and widespread suffering," Gandhi stated. "Many have endured immense losses, yet the Prime Minister has not visited to offer comfort. Perhaps, for PM Modi, BJP, and RSS, Manipur is not recognised as part of India," he added. 
After his engagements in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi is expected to proceed to Nagaland on the same day, continuing his visit to the northeastern region.

Imphal

Rahul Gandhi likely to tour Manipur on July 8

Devprakash Madhukar, the key accused in the July 2 Hathras stampede, was on Saturday sent to 14-day judicial custody by a magistrate court, officials said.
&nbsp;
Besides, Sanju Yadav, another suspect who has been arrested in connection with the case, was also sent to jail for the same duration, they said.
&nbsp;
Earlier in the day, Hathras Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal told reporters that the police would apply in the court to get the remand of Madhukar and other suspects.
&nbsp;
"Devprakash Madhukar and Sanju Yadav were produced before the judicial magistrate's court today and both were sent in judicial remand for 14 days," Assistant Prosecution Officer Uma Shankar Yadav told reporters.
&nbsp;
The APO said Ramprakash Shakya, who too has been arrested in the stampede case, would be produced in the court on Sunday since he was arrested after Madhukar and Yadav and has some police formalities pending.
&nbsp;
Madhukar was arrested from Delhi's Najafgarh area late on Friday night by a Special Operations Group of the Hathras police. Shakya and Yadav were arrested on Saturday from Hathras, according to police.
&nbsp;
Madhukar is the only named accused in the FIR, which also mentions as accused "several other unidentified organisers" of the satsang.
&nbsp;
The stampede after a satsang of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba left 121 people, mostly women, dead.&nbsp;

Noida

Hathras stampede key accused sent to 14-day custody

In a strategic move echoing China&rsquo;s efforts across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India has decided to establish new villages closer to the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.
&nbsp;
This initiative, according to the defence experts, aims to integrate security and civilian infrastructure while fostering local development along the sensitive border region.
&nbsp;
Reports indicate that existing villages in Arunachal Pradesh, located 50 to 60 km from the LAC, have benefited from infrastructure under the Centre&rsquo;s ongoing Vibrant Villages Programme.
&nbsp;
However, their distance from the LAC presents challenges for seamless integration into dual-use security-civilian frameworks.
&nbsp;
To address this, the government plans to establish new habitations closer to the LAC.
&nbsp;
These new villages will leverage infrastructure, including roads reaching forward military locations along the LAC, and cater to adventure tourism.
&nbsp;
A similar initiative in Jammu and Kashmir's Keran sector has successfully attracted tourists to the Kishanganga riverbanks opposite Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
&nbsp;
Unlike Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where Indian villages are closer to the LAC, Arunachal Pradesh&rsquo;s sparse population necessitates the creation of new habitations.
&nbsp;
This effort aligns with the Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to upgrade 662 villages with a focus on infrastructure, renewable energy, high-speed telecom connectivity, and tourism promotion.
&nbsp;
In contrast, China has established 628 &ldquo;prosperous villages&rdquo; along the LAC, including areas opposite Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing territorial claims and military readiness.
&nbsp;
These villages potentially serve a legal defence under the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement-2005, safeguarding settled populations during future delineation exercises of the LAC.

Itanagar

India to set up new villages near LAC in Arunachal

Five Naxalites surrendered before the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Saturday, police said.
&nbsp;
Two of them together carried a reward of Rs 3 lakh on their heads.
&nbsp;
The Naxalites turned themselves in before senior officials of the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) citing disappointment with atrocities committed by the Maoists on tribals and the "inhuman and hollow" Maoist ideology, an official said.
&nbsp;
They were also "impressed" by the state government's Naxalism elimination policy and the Sukma police's rehabilitation drive 'Puna Narkom' (`new dawn' in Gondi language), he said.
&nbsp;
Of those who surrendered, Kartam Sukka alias Hadma carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head.
&nbsp;
Siyam Badra carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.
&nbsp;
Madkam Hadma, a member of Sindurguda Revolutionary Party Committee, surrendered with a firearm, the official added.
&nbsp;
The surrendered Naxalites will get benefits as per the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said.

Raipur

Five Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

In a bid to promote environmental awareness, Sikkim will observe 'A Day for Mother Earth' on July 7th, 2024, with a unique initiative to halt all vehicular movement for seven minutes.
&nbsp;
Launched by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in 2019, this annual event aims to contribute to nature and raise awareness about environmental issues.
&nbsp;
On July 7th, from 11:00 am to 11:07 am, all vehicles across the state will come to a standstill, with the exception of emergency and essential services.
&nbsp;
This pause is designed to draw attention to the pressing issues of global warming and climate change. Traffic police have been instructed to ensure compliance during this period.
&nbsp;
The state government has urged all traffic police personnel to facilitate the halt and ensure a smooth implementation of the initiative.
&nbsp;
By involving various stakeholders, Sikkim aims to create widespread environmental awareness and encourage collective action to address the adverse effects of climate change.
&nbsp;

Gangtok

Sikkim to mark 'Mother Earth' Day with 7 min vehicular pause

At least one soldier was killed during an encounter with terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials reported. The gunfight began in Modergam village after security forces launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Security forces have cordoned off all entry and exit points to the village, where they have surrounded two to three terrorists in their hideouts.
&nbsp;
The Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the encounter on microblogging site X, stating, "Encounter started at Modergam Village of #Kulgam District. Police and Security Forces are on the job. Further details shall follow."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
As of the latest update, the encounter was still ongoing, and more information was awaited.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This incident follows last month&rsquo;s Pulwama encounter, where two top commanders from The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed by security forces.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Security forces, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, have successfully eliminated multiple terrorists this year.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The encounter coincided with the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir Valley. This is a developing story; more details will follow.

Soldier killed in ongoing Kulgam encounter

Shweta Sengar

The overwhelming win of a Labour Party candidate in the UK general elections prompted jubilant celebrations in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur and Gorakhpur, even though they were thousands of kilometres away.
&nbsp;
Navendu Mishra, who was re-elected to the House of Commons from the Stockport constituency for a second term, was born in Kanpur in 1989. His maternal grandfather's residence is located in Gorakhpur.
&nbsp;
According to Mishra's maternal uncle Nilendar Pandey, who is a social worker and businessman now residing in Lucknow, some individuals in Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Kanpur expressed their joy at his victory by distributing sweets and lighting fireworks.
&nbsp;
Pandey mentioned that Mishra moved to the UK with his parents at the age of four. His father, a marketing manager for Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited, relocated to the UK after assuming a position with a British company.
&nbsp;
Mishra was raised in the UK with his brother and sister.
&nbsp;
After finishing his studies in London, he ventured into politics and won a seat in the House of Commons during the 2019 elections, representing Stockport as a member of the Labour Party.
&nbsp;
According to Pandey, Mishra's entry into politics stemmed from his involvement in the trade union movement.
&nbsp;
Pandey mentioned that Mishra shares a strong bond with him and recounted that his nephew reached out to seek his blessings after emerging victorious in the election.
&nbsp;
Pandey said, "He (Mishra) likes coming to India. He is always keen on doing something for his country." "He visits India once every year or two and makes it a point to visit relatives from Gorakhpur to Delhi. He is a vegetarian and loves home-cooked food common in eastern Uttar Pradesh," he said.
&nbsp;
Praising his nephew, Pandey said, "You can guess his popularity by his victory margin. In the UK, where elections are won by margins of only 1,000-2,000 votes, Mishra won by about 16,000 votes." Mishra secured 21,787 of the votes cast. His closest contender, Reform UK candidate Lynn Schofield, got 6,517 votes.
&nbsp;
Pandey said Mishra returned to India for the first time after about seven years in the UK and spent time at the home of his maternal grandparents in Gorakhpur.
&nbsp;
"Mishra used to fly kites and play cricket in the streets with the children of locals, including my two sons and daughter. My children are also ecstatic over his victory," he added.
&nbsp;
On a recent trip to India, Mishra headed a group to visit Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The group also had a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi.
&nbsp;
After this, he enjoyed time with his family in Delhi and Lucknow, Pandey stated.
&nbsp;
Experts in politics suggested that Mishra's win and his relationship with India would enhance bilateral relations and strengthen cultural, political, and social connections between the two countries.
&nbsp;
Pandey said Mishra had also planned to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya but that programme did not materialise.
&nbsp;
Ishwar Singh, an associate of Pandey in Gorakhpur, told PTI, "Mishra was inspired to join politics and social service by his maternal uncle Nilendar Pandey." "When he visited Gorakhpur at a young age, he used to see the crowds gathering to meet Pandey and got inspired," he added.
&nbsp;
The home of Mishra's father in Arya Nagar, Kanpur, was filled with locals who had gathered to congratulate the family on his consecutive election wins. It has been approximately two years since Mishra's last visit to his family home in Arya Nagar.
&nbsp;
On Friday, Keir Starmer became the UK's new prime minister after his Labour Party secured a landslide victory in a general election in which weary voters inflicted a "sobering verdict" on Rishi Sunak-led Conservatives.
&nbsp;
The Labour Party secured 412 seats in the 650-member House of Commons. Sunak's Conservatives won just 121 seats.
&nbsp;
Discussing plans to invite his nephew to India, Pandey said, "We have invited Mishra to come here soon and a welcome ceremony will be organised in Lucknow after his arrival."

Labour candidate with Kanpur roots wins in UK elections

Amarpreet Kaur

Heavy rain pounded parts of Himachal Pradesh, with Dharamshala and Palampur in Kangra district receiving over 200 mm of rainfall. The downpour has resulted in widespread disruptions, with 150 roads closed for traffic across the state. The affected roads include 111 in Mandi, 13 in Sirmaur, nine in Shimla, eight each in Chamba and Kullu, and one in Kangra district.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to the emergency operation centre, the heavy rain has also disrupted power supply, with 334 transformers affected. Additionally, 55 water supply schemes have been impacted, leaving many areas without access to clean water. The centre is closely monitoring the situation and working to restore essential services as soon as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kangra&rsquo;s Dharamshala recorded the highest rainfall of 214.6 mm, followed by Palampur 212.4 mm, Jogindernagar 169 mm, Kangra city 157.6 mm, Baijnath 142 mm, Jot 95.2 mm, Nagrota Suriyan 90.2 mm, Sujanpur Tira 72 mm, Dhaulakuan 70 mm, Ghamroor 68.2 mm, Nadaun 63 mm and Berthin 58.8 mm.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Shimla meteorological office has issued a &ldquo;yellow&rdquo; alert, warning for thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places till July 12. &nbsp;Other tourist destinations of Dalhousie received 31 mm of rain, Manali received 30 mm, Kasauli 24 mm, Narkanda 19 mm and Shimla 17.2 mm.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to the parameters, 2.5-15.5 mm of rain is considered light rainfall, 15.6 mm-64.4 mm as moderate, 64.5-115.5 mm as heavy, 115.6-204.4 mm as very heavy and over 204.5 mm as extremely heavy.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The minimum temperatures witnessed an appreciable fall and Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest night temperature at 6.9 degrees Celsius on Friday night. &nbsp;On Thursday night Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti recorded a minimum temperature of 11.6 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
So far, the state has received 72.1 mm of rain against the normal of 35 mm, an excess of 106 per cent in the month of July.&nbsp;

Shimla

Heavy rains in Himachal, roads closed, power supply affected

India's Diksha Dagar gave away a costly and rare triple bogey on the 16th hole of the third and final round as she dropped out of Top-10 at the Aramco Team Series London golf tournament.
&nbsp;
The left-hander, who is headed to the Major Evian Championships next week and then to the Olympic Games in Paris, finished with a round of 2-over 75 and was T-14 after being inside the Top 5 at one stage.
&nbsp;
It was still her best individual finish in the Aramco Series. Except for that Par-4 16th in the final round, she indicated that her game was in good shape for the bigger events.
&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s other player to make the cut, Tvesa Malik (75) was T-48, while Pranavi Urs had withdrawn after the first round.
&nbsp;
Leona Maguire became the first Irishwoman to win on the Ladies European Tour (LET) after sinking her eagle putt on the final hole. Maguire led from the first day in the Individual competition at Centurion Club after rounds of 66 (-7) and 72 (-1).
&nbsp;
Diksha, fourth at the start of the final day, began in the afternoon on the final day and bogeyed the third hole. Birdies on the fifth and ninth hauled her back into Top-10 and she had a string of pars before the crippling triple bogey.
&nbsp;
Tvesa had four bogeys and a birdie in the stretch between the fifth and the ninth. Then came a double on the 11th before a birdie on the 13th and a birdie-birdie finish gave her a T-48 finish.
&nbsp;
It was an up-and-down day for Maguire who made the turn in two-over par, and she was level on the back nine heading into 18 knowing she needed to make an eagle to secure victory.
&nbsp;
Maguire hit an excellent second shot to leave herself with an eagle chance and she duly rolled in the putt to make history on the LET and win with a total of eight-under-par.
&nbsp;
Spain&rsquo;s Maria Hernandez finished in second place on seven-under-par after a bogey-free final round of 68 (-5). The Spaniard rolled in birdies on holes one, five, 10, 16 and 18 to seal another top-10 finish on the LET in 2024.
&nbsp;
Three players finished in a share of third place with Ireland&rsquo;s Lauren Walsh, America&rsquo;s Alison Lee and England&rsquo;s Georgia Hall all on six-under-par.
France&rsquo;s Agathe Sauzon ended the week in outright sixth place on five-under with Germany&rsquo;s Laura Fuenfstueck one shot further back.
&nbsp;
In the team competition, Team Nadaud secured victory over Team Hall after a three-hole playoff at the end of the day.
&nbsp;
In the LET Order of Merit, Hernandez climbed up to sixth place in the Order of Merit with Walsh now 12th and Maguire jumped from 134th to 28th place.&nbsp;

London

Diksha finishes 14th in London after a triple bogey

While many Indians were disappointed by Rishi Sunak&rsquo;s loss of power in the recent Rishi Sunak, a small town in north Bihar is celebrating a different victory.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kanishka Narayan, a Labour Party MP, has brought joy to Muzaffarpur, his ancestral home, by winning a seat in the UK Parliament.
&nbsp;
Kanishka, representing Vale of Glamorgan, has roots in Muzaffarpur, about 70 km from Bihar&rsquo;s state capital. Jayant Kumar, Director of Shri Krishna Law College, expressed the town&rsquo;s excitement. "The mood is upbeat in our housing complex, where many remember Kanishka as a toddler," he said.
&nbsp;
Kanishka's father, Santosh, is Kumar's younger brother. The 33-year-old MP entered politics after leaving a career in the British civil service.
&nbsp;
"We hail from a village in Goraul block of Vaishali district. A passion for law runs in our blood. Our late father, Krishna Kumar, founded the law college here," Jayant Kumar proudly shared.
&nbsp;
Kanishka was born in Muzaffarpur and studied locally until the third grade. His family then moved to Delhi and later to Cardiff when he was 12. Both his parents, Chetana Sinha and Santosh Kumar, worked as solicitors in the UK.
&nbsp;
Jayant Kumar expressed hope for stronger UK-India relations given the Labour Party&rsquo;s positive stance towards India and its migrants.
&nbsp;
"That a member of our family has the opportunity to do his bit is icing on the cake," he said.
&nbsp;
Filled with excitement, Kumar looks forward to meeting his nephew in his new role. "The UK has always been like a second home. I spent four years studying in Wales. My daughter and son-in-law live there. It is an extended family," he added.

Patna

Bihar town celebrates Kanishka's UK Parliament win

A court here on Saturday extended till July 16 the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kumar is accused of assaulting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on May 13 at the Chief Minister's official residence.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kumar was produced through video conferencing before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal who extended his judicial custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kumar was arrested on May 18. He was sent to police custody for five days the same day by a magisterial court, which observed that his anticipatory bail plea had become infructuous because of his arrest.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
On May 24, he was sent to four days judicial custody, following which he was again remanded in police custody for three days.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
An FIR was registered against Kumar on May 16 under various Indian Penal Code provisions, including those related to criminal intimidation, assault, or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe and attempt to commit culpable homicide.&nbsp;

Court extends Bibhav's custody in Swati Maliwal assault case

Thieves stole approximately Rs 25 lakh from an ATM on Phagwara-Palahi road early Saturday morning. The robbers utilised a gas cutter to gain access to the machine and escaped with the cash. 
&nbsp;
The heat from the gas cutter also damaged some currency notes inside the ATM.
&nbsp;
The authorities are working to determine the number of individuals involved in the heist. 
&nbsp;
Phagwara Superintendent of Police Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said that CCTV footage from nearby cameras is being reviewed to identify and apprehend the suspects.
&nbsp;
The police are actively investigating the incident and scanning the footage to trace the robbers. 
&nbsp;
The ATM heist has raised concerns about the security of financial institutions in the area, and the authorities are taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Phagwara

Rs 25 Lakh stolen from ATM in Punjab's Phagwara

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday lashed out at Congress leader P Chidambaram over his comment that the three new criminal laws were "drafted by part-timers", terming it as "inexcusable" and urging him to withdraw his "derogatory, defamatory and insulting" observation.
&nbsp;
Dhankhar said he was "shocked beyond words" when in the morning he read Chidambaram's interview to a leading national daily wherein he had said that "the new laws were drafted by part-timers".
&nbsp;
"Are we part-timers in the Parliament? It is an inexcusable insult to the wisdom of the Parliament... I do not have words strong enough to condemn such a narrative being set afloat and an MP being labelled as a part-timer.
&nbsp;
"I appeal to him (Chidambaram) from this platform, please withdraw this derogatory, defamatory and highly insulting observations about the Members of Parliament (MPs). I hope he does it," the Vice President said while addressing the 12th convocation of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) here.
&nbsp;
Dhankhar further said that "when informed minds knowingly lead you astray, we need to be on guard".
&nbsp;
"This morning, when I read a paper, an informed mind, who had been the Finance Minister of this country, a Parliamentarian for long and currently a member of the Rajya Sabha, stunned me," the VP said.
&nbsp;
Dhankhar said that he took pride in the fact that the Parliament did "a great thing" by "unshackling us from the colonial legacy" and giving three laws that were of "epochal dimension".
&nbsp;
The VP, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said that every MP had the opportunity to contribute when the three laws -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Saksha Adhiniyam -- were being debated in the House.
&nbsp;
"With a heavy heart, I am sharing with you, that this honourable gentleman, a distinguished member of Parliament who has a great background as finance minister, did not use his lung power. He gave total rest to his vocal chords while debate was going on," he said.
&nbsp;
Dhankhar said that Chidambaram must hold himself accountable for the "failure of duty on your part, an act of omission/commission, dereliction of duty, which can never be explained".&nbsp;

Thiruvananthapuram

VP Dhankhar slams P Chidambaram over 'part-timer' remark

Two workers lost their lives, and ten others were injured as heavy rain lashed Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal on Friday and Saturday, officials reported.
&nbsp;
The tragic incident occurred at the under-construction Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project in Sindhupalchowk district, about 125 km east of Kathmandu.
&nbsp;
The workers were buried when a tunnel at the Bhotekoshi site collapsed due to the relentless rainfall. Rescuers managed to recover the bodies of the deceased, while ten injured workers were promptly admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
&nbsp;
In a separate incident, an 18-year-old boy went missing after being swept away by the Rapti River in the Dang district of Western Nepal. The same river stranded two other men on a tree, who were later rescued by security personnel.
&nbsp;
Additionally, a woman in the Dolakha district, approximately 180 km east of Kathmandu, has been reported missing after being carried away by floodwaters.
&nbsp;
The incessant rainfall has led to alarming water levels in rivers across the Kathmandu Valley.
&nbsp;
The Hanumante River in Bhaktapur district has surpassed danger levels, inundating local residential areas and placing over 600 houses at risk.
&nbsp;
Dinesh Raj Mainali, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, confirmed that police teams have been deployed along the riverbanks to prevent further incidents.
&nbsp;
"We have mobilised police teams on the banks of rivers and streams, considering the possible risks of floods and inundations in the nearby settlements," Mainali stated.
&nbsp;
Police vehicles are on constant watch along the Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manohara, and Hanumante rivers.
&nbsp;
Most regions in Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces experienced light to moderate rainfall, while heavy downpours were recorded in parts of Bagmati, Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali provinces, exacerbating the flood risk.

Kathmandu

Heavy rains claim lives of two, injure 10 in Nepal

Having seized a controversial fifth term as President, recently Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Putin has been on a mission to gain much-needed geopolitical approval.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Last month, Russian state TV went into an overdrive televising the famous car ride taken together by President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a Russian-built Aurus limousine. Now as PM Modi embarks on a three-day visit to Moscow and Austria this week, once again Putin hopes to leverage the visit to salvage his approval ratings back home and showcase his clout to the West.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Notably, this marks Narendra Modi&rsquo;s first bilateral visit since taking oath for the third consecutive term as India&rsquo;s prime minister last month. Even more significantly, this is PM Modi&rsquo;s first visit since the Ukraine war.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The diplomatic development once again makes many revisit as to why India and Russia have remained steadfast allies for decades now.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Ever since the all-out and much-criticised invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the Indian government, the right-wing public and large segments of Indian mainstream media have firmly been on Putin&rsquo;s side. Social media hashtags like IstandwithPutin are one of the many barometers of this stance.
&nbsp;
The Indian government, most notably sided with Vladimir Putin, by refusing to support UN resolutions that condemned the invasion, thereby clearly stating through its actions that India was not willing to jeopardize its diplomatic ties with Russia at any cost.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Russia and India have been strong allies since forever
&nbsp;
India-Russia&rsquo;s geopolitical ties go back to the Independence in 1947. Over the years, both nations have routinely taken a stance supporting each other on major contentious international issues. While Moscow sees its ties with New Delhi as a means to offset American dominance, India views the same as a means to overcome political threats from China.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Russia&rsquo;s support for India on the crucial issue of Kashmir is another instance. UN Security Council resolutions in 1957, 1962 and 1971 called for international intervention in Kashmir.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
However, the Soviet Union vetoed all of the resolutions, making clear its position that Kashmir was a bilateral issue and needed to be solved through negotiations between India and Pakistan.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Russia&rsquo;s pro-India stance on Kashmir once again came under the spotlight when the Modi government scrapped Article 370 in 2019, revoking Jammu &amp; Kashmir&rsquo;s special status. While severe criticism came from a few sections of international media and world leaders, Russia stood firmly by India and called this to be, &ldquo;an internal matter&rdquo; of India.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The most recent efforts of international intervention in Kashmir came in January 2020, following China-led efforts to do so. Russia&rsquo;s representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy was among the prompt ones to tweet, &ldquo;UNSC discussed Kashmir in closed consultations. Russia firmly stands for the normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan. We hope that differences between them will be settled through bilateral efforts.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The alliance between the two nations goes beyond political support and extends to military cooperation and economic ties as well.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
While the Kremlin says, &ldquo;all issues are on the agenda,&rdquo; India&rsquo;s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has called the visit &ldquo;purely bilateral&rdquo; alongside dismissing suggestions that Modi&rsquo;s talks with Putin would appear in contrast to the NATO summit that begins in the U.S on the same day, that is July 9. However, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is expected to be on the agenda.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Deepening Russia-China relations?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
One of the many reasons for the visit is speculated to be deepening Russia-China ties as the meeting comes only two months after Putin went to China as the first foreign visit of his new term. Last month, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller refused to comment on the development, &ldquo;until the visit was publicly confirmed by the two governments.&rdquo; Modi&rsquo;s visit is likely to not be viewed favourably as it dents the West&rsquo;s efforts to label Putin as an outcast.&nbsp;

Modi’s Moscow visit again highlights strong Indo-Russia ties

The Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual leader of Tibetans, turned 89 on Saturday.
&nbsp;
He reassured his followers about his health, stating he is recovering from knee surgery and feels "physically fit," dismissing any rumours of ill health.
&nbsp;
The Tibetan community in exile celebrated the occasion at the Dalai Lama's main temple in Mcleodganj, marking the event with festivities and prayers.
&nbsp;
The revered Tibetan spiritual leader is currently recuperating in the United States following knee surgery.
&nbsp;
"Recently I had surgery on my knee, which has given me some problem. However, I am recovering and have no problem at all now," the Dalai Lama declared in a video message, addressing speculations about his wellbeing.
&nbsp;
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, celebrated globally for his efforts in popularising Buddhism, addressed concerns, "There may be people trying to confuse you about my health, saying that the Dalai Lama has gone to a hospital and is undergoing treatments, and so on, making my condition sound grave. You don't need to trust such misinformation."
&nbsp;
Exiled since 1959, following China's military intervention in Tibet, the Dalai Lama remains a symbol of Tibetan autonomy and spiritual guidance.
&nbsp;
His advanced age and health challenges have heightened the discourse on his succession among Tibetans, who face continued struggles for autonomy or independence from China.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Tibetan Buddhists hold the belief that their spiritual leaders reincarnate, raising crucial questions about the Dalai Lama&rsquo;s eventual successor.
&nbsp;
Approaching his 90th year, the Dalai Lama hinted at addressing these succession questions.
&nbsp;
"I am nearly 90 now but I don't feel unhealthy, except for the slight discomfort in my legs. I would like to thank all my fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet for your prayers on my birthday," he stated, acknowledging the natural decline associated with ageing.
&nbsp;
Saturday saw tens of thousands of Buddhists and well-wishers worldwide gathering to celebrate his birthday, praying for his long life.
&nbsp;
The Dalai Lama's enduring presence continues to embody hope for a return to Tibet for many of his followers.

Dharamshala

Dalai Lama turns 89, dismisses health concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his newly elected UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, engaged in a significant discussion on Saturday, committing to expedite the completion of a mutually advantageous India-UK free trade agreement.
&nbsp;
PM Modi extended his congratulations to Starmer on his remarkable electoral victory and assumption of office.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The dialogue highlighted the historical ties between India and the UK, with both leaders expressing their determination to deepen and enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
&nbsp;
They acknowledged the substantial contributions of the Indian community to the UK's social, economic, and political spheres and pledged to continue fostering these close people-to-people connections.
&nbsp;
Modi invited Starmer for an early visit to India, and both leaders agreed to maintain regular communication.
&nbsp;
In a statement on social media platform X, Modi remarked, "Pleased to speak with @Keir_Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good."
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

PM Modi, UK’s Starmer discuss swift India-UK free trade deal

The Enforcement Directorate has revealed that in the Jharkhand Tender scam of the Rural Development department, officers took more commission than ministers.
&nbsp;
The minister took a 1.35 per cent commission, while officers and engineers took a 1.65 per cent commission.
&nbsp;
During ED interrogation, engineers, including the Chief Engineer, stated that the money was collected for Minister Alamgir Alam through his Personal Secretary Sanjeev Lal.
&nbsp;
Engineers confessed that the commission amount for Minister Alamgir was collected through his PS Sanjeev Lal, while the rest of the commission amount was collected by the Chief Engineer himself.
&nbsp;
Sanjeev Lal collected commissions from contractors through his friend Munna Singh, a contractor, and his brother Santosh Singh.
&nbsp;
The amount was then handed over to Sanjeev Lal&rsquo;s domestic help Jahangir Alam near Deendayal Nagar or Abhinandan Marriage Hall in Ranchi. Jahangir kept this money in his flat.
&nbsp;
The ED also claimed that contractor Munna Singh admitted to taking about Rs 53 crore from Rajiv Kumar, Santosh Kumar, Rajkumar Toppo, Ajay Kumar, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Ajay Tirkey, and Amit Kumar on Sanjeev Lal's instructions.
&nbsp;
Sanjeev kept Rs 2.05 crores of the collected amount for himself. He spent Rs 40 lakhs on his house in Sanskruti Vihar, Bariatu. Munna Singh also stated that Sanjeev had given him Rs 50 lakh in cash.
&nbsp;
All the engineers provided the same information about the commission percentage to the ED. They also admitted that commission collection is common for politicians, officers, and engineers in RWD, RDSD, and JSRRDA.
&nbsp;
The ED reported that two mobile numbers of Sanjeev Lal were saved in the mobile of former Chief Engineer Virendra Ram. One mobile number was used by Jahangir Alam.

Officers exceeded in J'khand tender scam cuts: ED

Director Nag Ashwin's ambitious 3D spectacle, "Kalki 2898 AD", has achieved a remarkable milestone by grossing over Rs 800 crore at the worldwide box office.
&nbsp;
This impressive feat makes it one of the highest-grossing Indian films globally.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, "Kalki 2898 AD" is the most expensive Indian film to date, with a budget of Rs 600 crore. The mythological and sci-fi action drama was released on June 27 in six languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and English.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The film boasts an ensemble cast, featuring legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, alongside Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. Additionally, the film stars Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee, and Shobhana in key roles.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The production house, Vyjayanthi Movies, shared a poster highlighting the film's impressive box office earnings, with the caption "THE BOX OFFICE ON FIRE #EpicBlockbusterKalki in cinemas". This achievement solidifies "Kalki 2898 AD"'s position as a landmark film in Indian cinema.

Mumbai

Kalki 2898 AD hits ₹800 crore at box office

The Central Bureau of Investigation has made a second arrest from Dhanbad, Jharkhand in the NEET paper leak case. An accused named Bunty was caught by the CBI from Bastakola in Jharia, Dhanbad, on Thursday night.
&nbsp;
According to sources, the CBI team has taken Bunty to Patna.&nbsp; The first accused, Aman Singh, was arrested after obtaining information from Chintu and Mukesh, close associates of Sanjeev Mukhiya, the key conspirator of the case.
&nbsp;
Aman's elder brother Amit Singh, a B.Tech degree holder, works in securing admissions. Aman Singh is considered to be very close to Rocky, who is absconding in the paper leak case.
&nbsp;
The CBI has so far arrested more than half a dozen accused from Jharkhand in the NEET paper leak case.
&nbsp;
After the NEET paper leak case was connected to Dhanbad, the kingpin of the paper leak, Aman Singh, was arrested on Tuesday. After Aman and Bunty, Amit Singh is being sought.
&nbsp;
Bunty was arrested after withdrawing a huge amount from an account. According to sources, during the search of Aman Singh's house, the CBI team seized about four lakh rupees, three bank accounts, four mobiles, village land papers, and two four-wheelers.
&nbsp;
The CBI is interrogating Aman Singh and Bunty, who, according to sources, have revealed the names of many people associated with the racket.
&nbsp;
Aman Singh is very close to Rocky, who is absconding in the paper leak case. Rocky is the nephew of Sanjeev Mukhiya, who is associated with the hotel business in Ranchi.
&nbsp;
Rocky had arranged solvers to prepare the answers after the NEET paper leak. Rocky is the mastermind of the Sanjeev Mukhiya gang in Jharkhand. MBBS students from Ranchi and Patna were used as solvers.

CBI arrests second suspect from Jharkhand in NEET leak case

Security forces recovered 35 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from rural roads in the Gumla district of Jharkhand on Friday evening. The IEDs were later destroyed by the Bomb Squad, officials said.
&nbsp;
According to reports, Maoists had planted these IEDs on the road to target security forces. First, 5 IED bombs were recovered from the under-construction Kutma-Bamda road, which were later defused by the bomb disposal squad and STF team on Friday night.
&nbsp;
Additionally, 30 IEDs were recovered from the Harinakhad area of the district and were defused on Saturday. Panic has spread in the area due to the discovery of the IEDs. However, the search operation is still ongoing to find other IEDs.
&nbsp;
According to police, villagers saw a wire coming out of the ground in the village and immediately informed the police. Security forces soon called the bomb disposal squad from Ranchi.
&nbsp;
The squad reached the village with the team and investigated, recovering and deactivating 5 can bombs.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Previously, bombs buried in the ground have been recovered in many villages of Gumla. Many people have also been injured by these bombs.
&nbsp;
Gumla Superintendent of Police Shambhu Kumar Singh said a large quantity of can bombs was recovered and there is a possibility of more recoveries.
&nbsp;
Due to security reasons, the team returned on Friday night. He said the search operation is being conducted on Saturday as well, and it will also be investigated how old the planted bombs were.

Security forces neutralise 35 Maoist IEDs in Jharkhand

Justin Bieber wowed the audience at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, where popular actors Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor also delivered impressive performances on stage back-to-back.
&nbsp;
Bieber arrived in Mumbai on Friday morning before setting the stage at the Jio Convention Centre on fire at night with his chartbusters such as "Baby", "Peaches", "Love Yourself", and "Sorry".
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
More of Justin Bieber performing at Radhika and Anant&rsquo;s sangeet at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai, India (July 5) <a href="https://t.co/mleIf2fzJ5">pic.twitter.com/mleIf2fzJ5</a>
&mdash; Justin Bieber News (@jbtraacker) <a href="https://twitter.com/jbtraacker/status/1809394432195649688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The Canadian singer, who became a teen idol after the success of his first extended play album "My World" in 2009, was enthusiastically welcomed by the audience, who sang and danced along.
&nbsp;
Notable personalities from the entertainment and sports world, including Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Surya Kumar Yadav, were present at the event.
&nbsp;
Several social media videos from the event depict a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
&nbsp;
Bieber was reportedly paid USD 10 million for his performance at the event, and he flew to Miami immediately after the sangeet.
&nbsp;
Although this wasn't his first time performing in India, his last visit was in 2017 for his first concert in the country. Bieber was set to return in 2022 for the Indian leg of his 'Justice World Tour' but had to cancel due to health reasons.

Justin Bieber leads star-studded performances at Ambani bash

Do you find that you daydream a lot? Are you often sluggish and tend to disengage easily when doing a task? You might have cognitive disengagement syndrome, or CDS.
&nbsp;
CDS was first described by psychologists in the 1960s and 1970s when they noticed that some people display these traits more persistently than others. But why is it considered a syndrome rather than just a quirky personality trait? The distinction lies in the effect. For people with CDS, their behaviour significantly interferes with their daily lives, academic performance and social interactions.
&nbsp;
While everyone daydreams occasionally, those with CDS find it hard to stay focused on tasks for extended periods. This isn&rsquo;t just about being inattentive or lazy, CDS is a persistent pattern that can disrupt a person&rsquo;s ability to succeed in various areas of life.
&nbsp;
Unlike attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which includes hyperactivity and impulsivity, CDS is characterised by its &ldquo;sluggish cognitive tempo&rdquo; &ndash; an earlier name for the condition.
&nbsp;
The condition is not recognised as a distinct &ldquo;attention disorder&rdquo; in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the standard classification of mental disorders used by professionals in the US. However, the growing body of research suggests that it deserves more attention and should be looked at separately from ADHD.
&nbsp;
A way to look at the two is, if a person has ADHD, they are able to focus on something but they will probably become distracted and switch their focus to something else. If a person has CDS, they are unable to focus in the first place.
&nbsp;
How do we identify CDS?
&nbsp;
Diagnosis is tricky because there are no official criteria. However, some psychologists use a combination of questionnaires and behavioural observations to assess symptoms like frequent daydreaming, mental fogginess and slow processing speed.
&nbsp;
Parents and teachers often report this behaviour in children who seem &ldquo;out of it&rdquo; or who take longer to respond to questions and complete tasks.
&nbsp;
Slow processing speed means that people take longer to take in information, make sense of it and respond. For example, at school a student with slow processing speed may take longer to answer a question or complete an assignment because they need more time to understand the material and think through their response. This isn&rsquo;t due to lack of intelligence or effort &ndash; their brain simply processes information at a slower pace.
&nbsp;
Support and treatment for CDS are still evolving. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is commonly used to help people develop better ways of coping and improve their focus.
&nbsp;
Some researchers are exploring the use of stimulant drugs, similar to those used for ADHD, but the evidence is still inconclusive.
&nbsp;
Lifestyle changes, such as having a more stable sleep routine and incorporating regular exercise, are also recommended to help manage symptoms.
&nbsp;
Lack of awareness 
&nbsp;
One of the biggest difficulties is the lack of awareness. Many people, including some healthcare professionals, may dismiss CDS as mere laziness or lack of effort. This stigma can prevent people from seeking help and receiving the support they need.
&nbsp;
Despite the lack of official recognition, it&rsquo;s estimated that CDS may affect a significant portion of the population. Studies suggest that it could be as common as ADHD, which affects around 5 to 7 per cent of children. This indicates a substantial number of people might be struggling with the symptoms of CDS without even knowing it.
&nbsp;
Understanding CDS is crucial because it can help those affected to get the support they need. By recognising that CDS behaviour is not just quirks &ndash; or an attempt to show that you are too cool to care &ndash; but potential indicators of a broader issue, we can better support people in managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This article first appeared in The Conversation.

Daydreaming and sluggishness? It could be CDS

World number two Fabiano Caruana defended his Superbet Classic title by winning all three rapid games in a thrilling four-way tiebreaker, featuring Indian Grandmasters D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, after a rather dull tournament.&nbsp; &nbsp; Caruana lost to Anish Giri of Holland in the Classical format to split the competition wide open as Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and France's Alireza Firouzja all finished the classical section tied for first.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Praggnanandhaa survived by the skin of the teeth against Alireza, who held a completely winning position for a long time. If the Frenchman had won the final classical round there would have been no need for tiebreak games as he would have overtaken Caruana on points.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But Caruana lost, Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa drew and that set up a four-way tiebreaker to decide the winner.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Caruana, not known as a tiebreaker master, proved that he could get the better of the younger generation as he defeated all three - Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Alireza to come up trumps and win the first prize hamper of USD 68500.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The tiebreaker saw the two Indians on the back foot. Gukesh could have done better but Caruana was spot on while Praggnanandhaa could have complicated things.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Earlier, Praggnanandhaa was staring at his first defeat in the tournament as Alireza was clearly on top.&nbsp; The Indian struggled in the middle game and had to part with a rook for a minor piece but fought till the last to salvage a lost position.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Gukesh played out a draw with Wesley So in a mere 22 moves, the Nimzo Indian defense did not give any confidence to the American and the draw was through repetition of moves.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Results final round: Anish Giri (Ned, 4.5) beat Fabiano Caruana (5); Alireza Firouzja (Fra, 5) drew with R Praggnaanandhaa (Ind. 5); Deac Bogdan-Daniel (Rom, 3.5) drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 4.5); Wesley So (USA, 4) drew with D Gukesh (Ind, 5); Ian Nepomnichtchi (Fid, 4.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 4.5).&nbsp;

Bucharest

Fabiano defends Superbet Classic title

Mangaluru International Airport has inaugurated its international cargo operations, marking a significant milestone in its growth. The first international cargo flight, IndiGo's IX 815, carried 2,522 kilograms of fruits and vegetables to Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The airport's integrated cargo terminal was formally launched on Friday in the presence of officials from AAHL Cargo, Mangaluru International Airport, Customs, IndiGo, Air India Express, and CISF.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This development comes just over a year after the airport began domestic cargo operations in May 2023.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The airport was appointed as a Customs Cargo Service Provider by the Commissioner of Customs on May 10, paving the way for international cargo operations.
&nbsp;
The start of international cargo operations will benefit exporters from coastal Karnataka, Kerala, and the hinterland, enabling them to export perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, food, and more to destinations in the Middle East.
&nbsp;
IndiGo and Air India Express will provide connectivity to Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. The airport has also achieved success in domestic cargo handling, processing 3,706.02 tonnes of cargo in the first 11 months of operation.
&nbsp;
The majority of outbound domestic cargo (95%) consisted of post-office mail, including bank and UIDAI-related documents.

Mangaluru

First international cargo flight departs Mangaluru airport

The past 24 hours took nine lives in Bihar, as lightning strikes in six districts of the state, the officials said on Saturday.
&nbsp;
The lightning deaths were reported from Jehanabad, Madhepura, East Champaran, Rohtas, Saran, and Supaul districts, they said. 
&nbsp;
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the death of nine people due to lightning and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to each of the deceased's family members. 
&nbsp;
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Saturday, Jehanabad district reported three deaths followed by two in Madhepura, one each in East Champaran, Rohtas, Saran, and Supaul.
&nbsp;
The chief minister has urged people to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department.&nbsp;

Lightning strikes in Bihar kill 9

The Telangana High Court, on Saturday, has granted permission to a 12-year-old rape survivor to undergo an abortion at 26 weeks of pregnancy. 
&nbsp;
The court directed the Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital to terminate the pregnancy and collect tissue and blood samples for DNA testing. The procedure will be performed by a senior gynaecologist within 48 hours, if the victim and her mother consent.
&nbsp;
"If the victim girl or her mother gives consent for termination of pregnancy through a medical procedure, respondent No.4 - the Superintendent, Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad, shall forthwith admit the victim girl, conduct medical examination and by taking all necessary precautions, terminate pregnancy of victim girl medically or through surgical procedure as may be required, within 48 hours," Justice B Vijaysen Reddy said in his orders.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Earlier, the doctors at the Gandhi Hospital informed the victim's mother (petitioner) that since the girl had advanced pregnancy beyond 24 weeks, the same cannot be terminated under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021, prompting her to approach the court. 
&nbsp;
Justice Reddy on Thursday directed the Gandhi Hospital Superintendent to constitute a medical board and examine the victim girl with regard to the gestation period of her foetus, feasibility to terminate the pregnancy and submit a report to this court in a sealed cover without disclosing the identity of the girl. 
&nbsp;
Vasudha Nagaraj, counsel for the petitioner argued that the victim was sexually abused and raped by several persons and if she is made to continue with the pregnancy, it will cause mental anguish to her. 
&nbsp;
She also put forth her argument saying that it is not only the victim, but also the child born will face physical and mental trauma; further, there is no guarantee that the mother and foetus will have good health if the pregnancy is continued and eventually the baby is delivered.&nbsp;

Hyderabad

Telangana HC permits abortion for 12-year-old rape survivor

Patients using diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy might face a higher risk of developing a serious eye condition. This condition, called a stroke of the optic nerve or NAION, can lead to blindness, as per new research findings.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The study looked at the active ingredient in these drugs, semaglutide and found that people taking semaglutide were more likely to be diagnosed with NAION than those not taking it. However, scientists caution that this does not mean semaglutide causes NAION.
&nbsp;
In 2023, around 900 million people were prescribed with Ozempic and Wegovy worldwide.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Dr Joseph Rizzo, the study&rsquo;s lead author and director of neuro-ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, advised caution.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Ozempic (semaglutide) was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in December 2017.
&nbsp;
It has been marketed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, helping to control blood sugar levels along with diet and exercise.
&nbsp;
In India, the only drug available is Novo Nordisk's Rybelsus pill, which was launched in 2022 but is considered less effective than popular injectables. It contains the same ingredients as Wegovy and Ozempic but is in pill form.
&nbsp;
"This is serious information that doctors should discuss with their patients," Rizzo told reporters while sharing the new findings. He added that patients should consider these findings when deciding whether to take these medications.
&nbsp;
Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic and Wegovy, has responded that their data does not show that semaglutide causes NAION. They also noted that NAION is not listed as a side effect on the drugs&rsquo; FDA-approved labels.
&nbsp;
According to official data quoted by a prominent international magazine, &ldquo;Novo has a market capitalisation of just under $600 billion &mdash; more than the GDP of its home country, Denmark &mdash; a long way up from around $375 billion this time last year, around $257 billion in 2022 and $171 billion in 2021.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The disease NAION is a rare condition that affects 2 to 10 out of every 100,000 people. It is supposed to be caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve and is the second leading cause of blindness due to optic nerve damage after glaucoma. People with high blood pressure or diabetes are at higher risk for NAION.
&nbsp;
The study reviewed records of about 17,000 patients over six years, focusing on those with type 2 diabetes or obesity.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Among 710 diabetic patients, 194 were prescribed semaglutide, and 17 of them developed NAION. This is compared to six out of 516 patients on other medications.
&nbsp;
Similarly, among 979 overweight or obese patients, 20 of the 361 prescribed semaglutide developed NAION, compared to only three of 618 on other medications.
&nbsp;
Dr. Rizzo pointed out that more research is needed to understand if there is a cause-and-effect relationship.
&nbsp;
"This study shows an association between semaglutide and NAION, but we don&rsquo;t know if one causes the other," he said.
&nbsp;
However, what is confirmed is that people who are taking this magic drug &ldquo;Semaglutide&rdquo; present in both Ozempic and Wegovy, are definitely at risk of developing serious health problems, especially eye blindness and several other endocrine diseases, the study revealed.

Ozempic, Wegovy linked to blindness risk

In a significant uncovering of GST fraud, businessman Virbhadrasinh Chauhan of Gujarat has been found guilty of defrauding the government for several years through a sophisticated scheme. Chauhan, director of M/s Xerxes HR Services Private Limited, collected GST from various government bodies but failed to deposit the amount to the GST department.
&nbsp;
Chauhan exploited a loophole in the GST taxation system, identifying that the firms he billed did not claim credits on GST for the services they purchased. This allowed him to amass a substantial fortune over more than five years, highlighting the need for further reforms in the GST system.
&nbsp;
The Central GST Gandhinagar Commissionerate discovered the fraud through specific intelligence. It was revealed that Xerxes HR Services, engaged in providing manpower services primarily to government bodies like the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and Gujarat State Seeds Corporation Limited, did not pay GST despite collecting it from its clients.
&nbsp;
Investigations showed that even after the GST registration of Xerxes HR Services was cancelled for the non-filing of returns, the firm continued to issue taxable invoices quoting the cancelled registration number and collecting GST at 18%. The firm neither filed GST returns nor deposited the collected GST with the government.
&nbsp;
Financial records, bank statements, and details from various government departments indicate that the total amount of tax collected but not paid to the government is around Rs. 6.74 crores for the period from 2017-18 to 2023-24.
&nbsp;
Upon confrontation with the evidence, Chauhan admitted to collecting but not paying GST amounting to Rs. 6.74 crores. The CGST officers arrested him on July 4, 2024, under Section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017, for committing an offence under Section 132(1)(d) of the CGST Act, 2017, which is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years.
&nbsp;
Following his arrest, Chauhan was medically examined and presented before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Ahmedabad, who remanded him to judicial custody for 15 days.
&nbsp;
This case marks a major detection of tax non-payment by a taxpayer who collected but did not remit taxes to the government. The investigation was the result of specific intelligence data refined through rigorous analysis of information available on the GST Network and gathered during the investigation.

Gujarat businessman defrauds Govt in multi-crore GST scam

Five officers from the Jammu and Kashmir police have been awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra for their remarkable courage and bravery.
&nbsp;
This is the first time in history that five officers from the J&amp;K police have been awarded for their role in counterterrorism operations.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, presented these prestigious medals at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The recipients from J&amp;K Police were SGCt Saifullah Qadri (posthumously), DySP Mohan Lal (now SP), SI Amit Raina, SI Feroz Ahmad, and Constable Varun Singh.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Additionally, Parshotam Kumar, a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member from Rajouri, was also honoured with the Shaurya Chakra.
&nbsp;
Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Ranjan Swain praised the courage of these officers, stating that they brought honour and glory to the J&amp;K Police.&nbsp;
"This recognition shows the exemplary commitment of one of the finest Police forces of the country," he said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other officials for acknowledging the bravery and sacrifices of the J&amp;K Police and thanked the people of J&amp;K for their continuous support.
&nbsp;
The Ministry of Defence announced these awards on Independence Day 2023 and Republic Day 2024.
&nbsp;
The Jammu and Kashmir Police manage civilian cases and have been deeply involved in intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism operations in the valley for over three decades.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This force has demonstrated its combat efficiency to the highest standards. One of its specialised units, the Special Operations Group (SOG), is trained similarly to Special Forces to effectively handle counter-terrorism operations.

Five J&K police officers honoured with Shaurya Chakras

Despite an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in dairy cows, the popularity of raw milk has only risen. Advocates claim raw milk has superior health benefits over pasteurised milk. There is little evidence to support these claims, however, and the risk of serious illness is much greater.
&nbsp;
Mississippi State University food scientists Juan Silva and Joel Komakech and nutritionist Mandy Conrad explain the difference between pasteurised and raw milk, addressing common misconceptions about the health risks and purported benefits of consuming unpasteurised milk. These questions are more important than ever, since cattle can shed viral material into their milk. Not only can pathogens end up in milk, but at least three farmworkers reportedly have contracted H5N1, the virus that causes avian influenza, in 2024. Farmworkers can get sick by handling infected animals or their byproducts, such as raw milk.
&nbsp;
What is pasteurisation? Does it destroy nutrients?
&nbsp;
Pasteurisation is a process that involves heating beverages and foods at high temperatures &ndash; over 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.78 degrees Celsius) &ndash; to kill harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. This reduces the total number of microorganisms in the product and also inactivates enzymes that could contribute to spoilage.
&nbsp;
The taste, nutritional value and quality of pasteurised products aren&rsquo;t significantly affected by the process.
&nbsp;
While pasteurisation can lead to some nutrient losses, the changes are generally minimal and outweighed by the benefits. Pasteurisation typically causes minor denaturation of proteins and has little effect on fats and carbohydrates. While water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and some B vitamins, usually not abundant in milk except vitamin B2, can be partially degraded during pasteurisation, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K, found in significant amounts in milk) are more heat stable and suffer minimal loss.
&nbsp;
Thus, nutritional losses in milk due to pasteurisation are generally small compared with the significant benefits of reducing foodborne illnesses and spoilage.
&nbsp;
Is raw milk healthier than pasteurised milk?
&nbsp;
Studies have compared the benefits of raw milk with pasteurised milk and have found little evidence that raw milk is superior to pasteurised milk. The perceived advantages of raw milk are outweighed by its health risks.
&nbsp;
First, raw milk does not improve lactose intolerance.
&nbsp;
Raw milk also does not have more vitamins than pasteurised milk. Milk is not a good source of vitamin C or other heat-sensitive vitamins, and pasteurisation does little to reduce vitamin B2 or riboflavin, which is not as sensitive to heat. Moreover, Vitamin D is added to pasteurised milk to enhance your body&rsquo;s ability to absorb the calcium in milk.
&nbsp;
Fortified milk replaces nutrients that may be lost in the pasteurisation process. Vitamin D is added to milk to enhance the uptake of the calcium found in the milk. No single food is perfect, so it is OK for milk to lack some nutrients, as these can be obtained from other foods.
&nbsp;
Some people believe that probiotics &ndash; foods or supplements that contain live bacteria beneficial to health &ndash; are more prevalent in unpasteurised milk and products made from raw milk. However, raw milk is generally lacking in probiotics and has significantly more harmful bacteria. Probiotics are added to many dairy foods such as yogurt after pasteurisation.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, a 2011 review of the available research on the health benefits of raw milk found that many of these studies were conducted with poor methods, meaning their results should be interpreted with caution.
&nbsp;
What are the health risks of consuming raw milk?
&nbsp;
The health risks of consuming raw, unpasteurised milk come from the harmful microorganisms that may be present.
&nbsp;
Raw milk has been associated with hundreds of foodborne disease outbreaks. Between 1998 and 2018, 202 outbreaks resulted in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. More recently, from 2022 to 2023, there were 18 outbreaks and recalls associated with raw milk. A number of outbreaks and recalls associated with pathogens in raw milk have already occurred in 2024. In all cases, pathogens in the raw milk that cause human diseases were directly responsible for these illnesses.
&nbsp;
Some illnesses from the pathogens in raw milk can have serious long-term effects, including paralysis, kidney failure and death.
&nbsp;
Researchers found that areas where raw milk was legally sold in the U.S. from 1998 to 2018 had over three times more outbreaks than areas where selling raw milk was illegal. Areas where raw milk was allowed to be sold in retail stores had nearly four times more outbreaks than areas where sales were allowed only on farms.
&nbsp;
Is it safe to eat foods made from raw milk?
&nbsp;
Many, if not all, dairy products made from unpasteurised milk are not safe to eat. A number of products can be made from raw milk, including soft cheeses, such as brie and Camembert; Mexican-style soft cheeses, such as queso fresco, panela, asadero and queso blanco; yogurt and puddings; and ice cream or frozen yogurt. Pathogens in raw milk can survive the processes involved in making these types of dairy products and thus be unsafe for consumption.
&nbsp;
Only products that undergo a process to inhibit or kill harmful microorganisms may be safe enough to be made from unpasteurised milk. However, the potential for cross contamination of raw and cooked food as well as the survival of pathogens from inadequate processing is high when products are made with raw milk.
&nbsp;
Can pasteurised milk still get you sick?
&nbsp;
The few reported outbreaks associated with pasteurised milk can be traced to contamination after pasteurisation. When handled properly, pasteurised milk is a very safe product.
&nbsp;
The U.S. government requires farmers to destroy milk from herds infected with avian influenza. As of June 2024, 12 states have reported herds positive with H1N5, the virus that causes bird flu.
&nbsp;
There is currently no evidence that consuming pasteurised milk from infected cows causes illness in people. Based on the evidence available, the Food and Drug Administration currently states that pasteurisation is able to destroy or inactivate heat-sensitive viruses such as H5N1 in milk.
&nbsp;
Consuming raw milk, however, may pose a risk of disease transmission to people.
&nbsp;
Can you gain immunity from H5N1 from drinking raw milk?
&nbsp;
Some people believe that drinking raw milk can strengthen their immune system. However, there is no scientific evidence to support that drinking raw milk can improve immunity against disease.
&nbsp;
Vaccines train your body to protect itself from future infections without actually getting sick from that infection. They do this by exposing your immune system to very small amounts of dead or significantly weakened pathogen.
&nbsp;
Raw milk contains live H5N1 virus, meaning it could still infect you and make you sick. Rather than contributing to your immunity, raw milk exposes you to the virus at its full strength and can result in severe illness. Any protective antibodies that may be present in raw milk are likely degraded in stomach acid.
&nbsp;
Moreover, people who contract bird flu from raw milk run the risk of transmitting it to other people or animals by giving the virus a chance to adapt and improve its ability to spread between people. This increases the risk of more widespread disease outbreaks.
 This article first appeared in The Conversation
&nbsp;

Washington D.C.

Raw milk health risks: What you need to know

President Droupadi Murmu honored the bravery and sacrifice of military and paramilitary personnel in the line of duty at a defence investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. She presented 10 Kirti Chakras, including seven posthumously, and 26 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, to recognize their extraordinary valour and courage in the line of duty.
&nbsp;
The Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred upon personnel from the Army and paramilitary forces. Sepoy Pawan Kumar of The Grenadiers, 55th Battalion, the Rashtriya Rifles; Captain Anshuman Singh of the Army Medical Corps, 26th Battalion, the Punjab Regiment; and Havildar Abdul Majid, 9th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) from the Indian Army have been conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously, according to the list of awardees shared in the statement.
&nbsp;
Inspector Dilip Kumar Das, Head Constable Raj Kumar Yadava, Constable Bablu Rabha, and Constable Sambhu Roy of 210 CoBRA Battalion, CRPF have been also conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously. 
&nbsp;
Three personnel, including two of major rank and one naib subedar, have been conferred the Kirti Chakra, the ministry said.
&nbsp;
The Rashtrapati Bhavan later also shared pictures from the ceremony on its official X handle. 
&nbsp;
"President Droupadi Murmu conferred Kirti Chakra upon Captain Anshuman Singh, The Army Medical Corps, 26th Battalion The Punjab Regiment, posthumously. Disregarding his own safety, he exhibited exceptional bravery and resolve to rescue many people in a major fire incident," it said. 
&nbsp;
In another post, it wrote, "President Droupadi Murmu confers Kirti Chakra on Major Digvijay Singh Rawat, 21st Battalion The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). In Manipur, he established an intelligence network, which enabled him to map all Valley-based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) accurately. In one of the operations, he apprehended three insurgents by physically overpowering them," the Rashtrapati Bhavan posted. 
&nbsp;
The gallantry awards were given for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage, and extreme devotion to duty, the ministry said.
&nbsp;
"Attended the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2024 (Phase-1) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Rashtrapati Ji presented the Gallantry Awards. Our nation is proud of the valour and dedication of our brave soldiers. They exemplify the highest ideals of service and sacrifice. Their courage will always inspire our people," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X and also shared photos.
&nbsp;
A constable of J&amp;K Police was also bestowed a Shaurya Chakra posthumously, besides six other personnel from the Army.
&nbsp;
A group of personnel from the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, and those rendering services under the Ministry of Home Affairs have also been conferred the Shaurya Chakra, according to the list.
&nbsp;
The Shaurya Chakra is India's third-highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra.

Prez Murmu honours bravehearts with Kirti, Shaurya Chakras

Kerala has reported its fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and fatal brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated water.
&nbsp;
The latest patient, a 14-year-old boy from Payyoli, is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
&nbsp;
His condition is said to be improving, according to hospital sources.
&nbsp;
This marks the fourth reported case in Kerala since May, with all patients being children. Tragically, three of them have already succumbed to the disease.
&nbsp;
The most recent fatality occurred on Wednesday, when another 14-year-old boy, Mridul lost his battle with the infection. Prior to that, a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur died on May 21 and June 25, respectively.
&nbsp;
Doctors attribute the boy's improving condition to the prompt identification of the infection and the immediate administration of treatment, which included medicines sourced from abroad.
&nbsp;
In response to the rising number of cases, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting on Friday to discuss preventive measures.
&nbsp;
The chief minister urged the public to avoid bathing in unclean water bodies and pointed out the importance of proper chlorination of swimming pools.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Special caution was advised for children, who are most susceptible to the infection.
&nbsp;
The use of swimming nose clips was also recommended to prevent the amoeba from entering the body through the nose.
&nbsp;
Medical experts explained that the infection occurs when the amoeba enters the body through the nasal passage from contaminated water.
&nbsp;
This disease had previously been reported in Kerala's coastal Alappuzha district in 2023 and 2017.
&nbsp;
The government is now calling for increased vigilance and cleanliness to prevent further infections.

Kerala reports fourth brain-eating amoeba case

Although it might seem strange, the authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh came up with a unique method to determine the ownership of a buffalo that had disappeared from its owner's home.
&nbsp;
When the local council failed to settle the dispute, the authorities decided to leave the decision to the buffalo by abandoning it on the road. After some time, the buffalo made its way back to its owner's home, and the matter was resolved.
&nbsp;
The incident involved Nandlal Saroj, a resident of Rai Askaranpur village under Maheshganj police station in the district. His buffalo had gone missing and ended up in Purey Harikesh village, where a man named Hanuman Saroj reportedly took possession of it.
&nbsp;
After an extensive search, Nandlal finally located the animal after three days. However, Hanuman refused to return the buffalo. Nandlal then went to the Maheshganj police station and filed a complaint against Hanuman Saroj.
&nbsp;
The police summoned both claimants to the police station on Thursday. Despite a lengthy panchayat session, both individuals continued to insist that the buffalo belonged to them.
&nbsp;
SHO Shravan Kumar Singh of Maheshganj police station came up with a solution to resolve the dispute. He proposed that the buffalo itself should decide. The buffalo would be left alone on the road, and the person it followed would be declared its owner.
&nbsp;
The villagers accepted this proposal, and both Nandlal and Hanuman were asked to stand in opposite directions on the road to their villages.
&nbsp;
The police then released the buffalo, and it immediately headed towards Rai Askaranpur village, following Nandlal. In accordance with the buffalo's decision, it was handed over to Nandlal.
&nbsp;
The other claimant was admonished by both the police and the villagers.
&nbsp;

Lucknow

Buffalo resolves dispute UP local panchayat couldn't settle

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 123rd birth anniversary on Saturday.
&nbsp;
Lauding Mookerjee's fierce nationalism, Modi remarked that his sacrifice and dedication to the motherland continue to inspire.
&nbsp;
Mookerjee, a key founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh&mdash;the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party&mdash;was a member of Jawaharlal Nehru's Cabinet.
&nbsp;
He resigned in protest over disagreements with Nehru, subsequently establishing the Jana Sangh with RSS support.
&nbsp;
Mookerjee passed away in 1953 following his arrest in Jammu and Kashmir during his agitation against the state's restrictions on Indian citizens. He was a vocal critic of the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir.
&nbsp;
Modi highlighted his government's 2019 decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special rights to the state, as the fulfillment of Mookerjee's long-standing vision.

PM Modi honours Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniv

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Saturday to address party workers and meet with the families of those who lost their lives in recent tragedies, including the Rajkot game zone fire, the Vadodara boat capsize, and the Morbi bridge collapse.
&nbsp;
The visit comes shortly after a clash between BJP and Congress workers outside the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) office in Ahmedabad over alleged anti-Hindu remarks made by Gandhi in the Lok Sabha.
&nbsp;
The altercation led to the arrest of five Congress workers and complaints lodged by both parties.
&nbsp;
Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil, addressing the media on Friday, confirmed Gandhi's schedule. "Rahul Gandhi will arrive at the GPCC office around 12.30 pm.&nbsp;He will meet and address party workers and also visit the families of those who perished in the Rajkot game zone fire and other tragedies. Additionally, he will interact with the families of the five Congress workers who are currently in police custody," Gohil said.
&nbsp;
The clash on July 2 saw BJP's youth wing members protesting outside Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress state headquarters in Paldi, against Gandhi's Lok Sabha comments on Hindus.
&nbsp;
The protest escalated into a stone-pelting incident involving both sides, resulting in injuries to five policemen, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
&nbsp;
Following the incident, Ellisbridge police registered two FIRs. The first FIR named nearly 450 workers from both Congress and BJP, while the second targeted Congress workers based on a complaint from the BJP's youth wing in Ahmedabad. Five Congress workers were subsequently arrested.
&nbsp;
Gandhi's visit aims to bolster the morale of party workers and extend condolences to families affected by recent calamities.
&nbsp;
His presence is expected to address the tensions following the recent clash and reinforce the Congress's support base in the region.

Rahul Gandhi to meet Rajkot fire victims' kin

Amarnath Yatra has been temporarily halted from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes to the holy cave on Saturday due to heavy rainfall, the officials said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to officials, the inclement weather has made the tracks slippery, prompting authorities to activate a temporary base camp at Chanderkot in Ramban for pilgrims.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The administration has assured that the pilgrimage will resume once the weather improves and the tracks are deemed safe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Amarnath Yatra commenced on June 29, following twin routes - the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam path in Anantnag and the shorter 14-km Baltal track in Ganderbal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Officials reported that 21,650 pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage on Friday, with devotees having 'darshan' of Baba Bholenath on the seventh day of the annual journey.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Among the pilgrims, there were 15,151 men, 4,147 women, 374 sadhus, and two sadhvis who paid homage to the cave shrine. Additionally, over 1,700 security personnel, one transgender person, and 275 children completed the pilgrimage.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
With this, the total number of pilgrims visiting the 3,800-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas has reached 1,51,946.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Tragically, two deaths have been reported during this year&rsquo;s Yatra due to cardiac arrests on the Baltal route in June. The deceased was a Sevadar from Haryana and a pilgrim from Jharkhand.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19. Last year, more than 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This year, over 3.50 lakh devotees have registered online for the pilgrimage, not including offline and on-site registrations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Authorities have implemented extensive measures to ensure a smooth and safe journey for pilgrims, including three-tier security, area dominances, route deployments, and checkpoints.

Amarnath Yatra halted amid heavy rainfall

Heavy rains continue to pour in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on July 6. The IMD has already predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall FOR Northwest and East India and Northeast India over the next 3-4 days. The heavy rains are expected to last till July 11.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Heavy rain disrupted daily life in vast swathes of north India, including Himachal and Uttarakhand, while the flood situation in Assam remained grim with major rivers flowing above the danger mark and nearly 24 lakh people affected. 
&nbsp;
5 yr old drowned in a rainwater in Uttarakhand: 
&nbsp;
In Uttarakhand, which has received heavy rain over the past few days, a five-year-old drowned in a rainwater-filled pit in Dehradun and a teenager in a Haridwar rivulet. 
&nbsp;
Daily life was disrupted in the hill state as the rain triggered numerous landslides, blocking key roads, including the national highway leading to Badrinath. 
&nbsp;
Roads closed in Himachal: 
&nbsp;
Heavy rain also lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of 64 roads. The regional Met office warned of moderate flash flood risk in few areas of Kangra, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts in the next 24 hours. 
&nbsp;
In Rajasthan, heavy rain continued to batter the state with Malpura in Tonk district recording 176 mm rainfall in 24 hours. 
&nbsp;
Himachal Pradesh has already received 59 per cent excess rain in July at 43.2 mm against a normal of 27.2 mm. 
&nbsp;
Sixty-four roads - 55 in Mandi, seven in Chamba, and one each in Kangra and Shimla districts - are closed for traffic following torrential rain, the emergency operation centre said. 
&nbsp;
The Met office in Shimla has issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated places on Saturday.
&nbsp;
77 wild animals dead in Assam: 
&nbsp;
In Assam, 77 wild animals have died - either due to drowning or during treatment - while 94 have been rescued from the flooded Kaziranga National Park as of Friday, an official said. 
&nbsp;
The flood situation was critical with nearly 24 lakh people affected in 30 districts and all major rivers flowing above the danger mark. 
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Sarma reviewed the situation in Dibrugarh town, which has been under water and facing severe power shortages for the past eight days. He visited some areas on foot and interacted with the people. 
&nbsp;
Two persons, including a child, were killed and another was injured in a landslide following incessant rainfall in the Dispur area of Kamrup Metropolitan district, taking the death toll in this year's floods, landslides, and storms to 64. 
&nbsp;
No fresh casualty, however, was reported due to the floods, with the number of people losing lives only due to the deluge remaining at 52.
&nbsp;
Dhubri is the worst-hit district with 6.48 lakh people affected, followed by Darrang with 1.90 lakh people and Cachar with 1.45 lakh. 
&nbsp;
Delhi monitoring Yamuna: 
&nbsp;
Delhi government has set up a 24x7 flood control room to monitor real-time data from the Hathnikund barrage from where water is released in the Yamuna to Delhi. 
&nbsp;
"Last year, the Yamuna reached its highest level in 70 years. The Delhi government is gearing up to tackle any possibility of floods. The control room is in touch with officials at the Hathnikund barrage from where Yamuna river discharge is received. After the release of one lakh cusecs of water, relief and rescue machinery starts working," said Atishi, the city government's water minister. 
&nbsp;
Saurabh Bharadwaj, the irrigation and flood control minister, said the control room would monitor data in real-time and be entirely computerised. 
&nbsp;
As soon as more than one lakh cusecs of water is released from the barrage, all agencies - including the flood control department -- will be activated, Aitshi said. 
&nbsp;
The Met office has predicted generally cloudy skies with light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, on Saturday. It has also forecast heavy rainfall during the next four to five days. 
&nbsp;
In Uttarakhand, meanwhile, the State Emergency Operation Centre said landslides had blocked 88 rural motorable roads, two border roads, one state highway, and the national highway leading to the Badrinath temple.
The Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway was blocked at Lambagad - an area highly vulnerable to landslides. 
&nbsp;
In Rudraprayag district, debris from a landslide blocked the opening of an old tunnel on Friday. However, no casualties were reported, Superintendent of Police Vishakha Ashok Bhadane said. 
&nbsp;
Continuous intermittent heavy rain in Dehradun had left many roads waterlogged. 
&nbsp;
In Rajasthan's Bikaner, a toddler was among three people killed in a wall collapse following heavy rain while three people were rescued after being stuck while crossing a stream overflowing with rainwater in Tonk. 
&nbsp;
Light to moderate rain was recorded in many districts, including Jaipur, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Chittorgarh, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Udaipur and Jodhpur on Friday, a spokesperson for the Jaipur Meteorological Centre said. 
&nbsp;
The heavy rain in Tonk on Friday caused rivers and streams to overflow. 
&nbsp;
The increased inflow also caused the water level in many dams to rise.
&nbsp;
In the Namokiya village of the Malpura area in Tonk, three people on a tractor were stuck in the fast-flowing water while crossing a stream. They were rescued by police, Malpura SHO Chenaram said.
&nbsp;
In Bikaner district's Bichwal area, three people, including a toddler, were crushed to death after a factory wall collapsed amid heavy rain. Bichwal SHO Naresh Kumar said two workers and a child died after being trapped under the debris. 
&nbsp;
The victims have been identified as Madhya Pradesh natives Pinna, Sanjay, and one-year-old Manisha. 
&nbsp;
A circulation system over southwestern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining eastern Rajasthan contributed to the heavy rain, with the monsoon trough line passing through Bikaner and Sikar. 
&nbsp;
Rain-drenched northern West Bengal is likely to receive more showers till July 9, the Met office said. 
&nbsp;
A trough from Rajasthan to the northeast and an active monsoon over northern West Bengal is likely to bring heavy rainfall to the region, it said.
&nbsp;
Heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain in one or two places is likely in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Coochbehar, the Met said in a special bulletin. 
&nbsp;
The downpour may cause landslides in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong and waterlogging of low-lying areas in the plains. 
&nbsp;
Water levels of rivers such as Teesta, Jaldhaka, Sankosh, and Torsa may rise owing to heavy rain, it added.
&nbsp;
Meghalaya received 44 per cent excess rains in the last month, causing large-scale damage to public infrastructure and upending the lives of people, officials said. 
&nbsp;
The state received 117.32 cm of rain between June 1 and July 3, which was 44 per cent higher than normal, a senior disaster management official said. 
&nbsp;
"The southern districts of the state are the worst affected," he said.
&nbsp;

India battles heavy rains

Dr Abby Philips, known as The Liver Doc on social media, criticised Samantha Ruth Prabhu, calling her a "health and science illiterate" for sharing alternative health treatments. In response, the actor accused him of being impolite.
&nbsp;
Ruth Prabhu, who has been candid about her battle with Myositis diagnosis, recently discussed the benefits of hydrogen peroxide nebulisation. However, Dr Abby Philips, a hepatologist with over 2.5 lakh followers, condemned her for spreading misinformation to her fans.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Left: Influential Indian actress Ms. Samantha Ruth who is unfortunately a health and science illiterate advising millions of her followers to inhale hydrogen-peroxide to prevent and treat respiratory viral infections. Right: Scientific society, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/Ihn2xocKUt">pic.twitter.com/Ihn2xocKUt</a>
&mdash; TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) <a href="https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1808804909783159003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
Ruth Prabhu, who has 35.3 million Instagram followers, posted a lengthy statement on Friday. In it, she expressed that over the years, she has undergone various medical treatments recommended by highly qualified healthcare professionals, which have not always been effective.
&nbsp;
This led her to read up on "alternate therapies and treatments", and what she shared on social media was done with "good intentions" and suggested by a highly-qualified doctor, who is an MD and has served DRDO for 25 years.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Ms. Samantha Ruth Prabhu has responded to my "provocative" criticism of her endorsement of unscientific, pseudoscientific and baseless alternative medicine therapies by playing the victim card and endorsing more alternative practices. Please note, she is a serial offender in&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/eRvsXrGlZq">https://t.co/eRvsXrGlZq</a> <a href="https://t.co/iRadZgrHTE">pic.twitter.com/iRadZgrHTE</a>
&mdash; TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) <a href="https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1809086284637315473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
&ldquo;A certain gentleman has attacked my post and my intentions with rather strong words. Said gentleman is a doctor, too. I have no doubt that he knows more than I do. And I&rsquo;m quite sure his intentions were noble.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;It would have been kind and compassionate of him had he not been so provocative with his words, especially the bit where he suggests that I should be thrown in prison. Never mind. I suppose it goes with the territory of being a celebrity,&rdquo; the 37-year-old actor wrote.
&nbsp;
Ruth Prabhu, who revealed her Myositis diagnosis in 2022, said her post was not a paid endorsement, but she will be more careful in future.

Samantha hits back at The Liver Doc's harsh criticism

The movie "Kalki 2898 AD" has received acclaim for blending elements from the Mahabharata with science fiction. Director Nag Ashwin, who is already working on a sequel, is confident that Indian mythological stories if portrayed accurately, can rival the complexity of the Western superhero genre.
&nbsp;
Featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone in prominent roles, this film has proven to be a commercial success despite the failure of many high-budget films at the box office.
&nbsp;
Is "Kalki 2898 AD" India's answer to superhero movies from the stables of Marvel and DC Studios in Hollywood? "I don't know if it is an answer or not, but we definitely have the kind of stories and the depth, complexity and heroism that any other Marvel or DC movie (has). We just have to delve into it and tell it in the correct way.
&nbsp;
"If we tell it in a way that the generation now is used to, maybe mix it with sci-fi, I feel that would be the correct way. And that's actually worked out because people are now feeling that it is our story," Ashwin told PTI in an interview.
&nbsp;
In the futuristic dystopian metropolis of Kashi (Varanasi), the plot centres on Bachchan's undying fighter Ashwathhama, who endeavours to safeguard the forthcoming incarnation of Lord Vishnu, borne by Padukone's Sumathi. Prabhas' character Bhairava, a mercenary, is dispatched to locate her by Haasan's adversary, Supreme Yaskin.
&nbsp;
The follow-up to "Kashi 2898 AD" is currently in progress, he mentioned, and it will be an extension of the narrative, offering a blend of the familiar and the new.

Indian epics can rival Marvel's stories: Nag Ashwin

State president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Tamil Nadu, K Armstrong met a tragic end on Friday evening in Chennai when he was brutally hacked to death by a gang of six assailants near Perambur.
&nbsp;
The 47-year-old leader was chatting with acquaintances outside his residence when the attackers, armed with machetes and sickles, launched a sudden assault.
&nbsp;
Eyewitnesses recounted the chilling scene as Armstrong's friends fled in fear while the gang mercilessly attacked him, leaving him critically wounded.
&nbsp;
His family, alerted by his cries, rushed to the spot only to find him lying unconscious in a pool of blood, suffering from severe injuries to his head and neck.
&nbsp;
Despite being rushed to a nearby private hospital, doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.
&nbsp;
Law enforcement officials, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police I Eswaran and Assistant Commissioner of Police Praveen Kumar, swiftly responded to the crime scene.
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Following the murder in Chennai's Perambur on Friday evening, police arrested eight accused after they surrendered to the Deputy Commissioner of Anna Nagar.
&nbsp;
A 10-member SIT has been formed to investigate and apprehend the culprits.
&nbsp;
Additional Commissioner Chennai North Asra Garg is leading the investigation after BSP supporters demanded CM MK Stalin's resignation after the murder of the party state chief.
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&nbsp;
Armstrong, a prominent Dalit advocate-turned-politician, had a history of involvement in civic activism and had garnered attention for his role within the BSP despite the party's limited influence in Tamil Nadu.
&nbsp;
Political figures across party lines have condemned the killing, with BSP leader Mayawati calling for swift justice and heightened security measures. Taking to her X handle, Mayawati stated, "The gruesome killing of Mr. K. Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bhajun Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty, said BSP Supremo Mayawati taking to her X handle."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The gruesome killing of Mr. K. Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty.
&mdash; Mayawati (@Mayawati) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mayawati/status/1809286914731622728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the DMK-led state government's handling of law and order.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் தமிழ்நாடு மாநிலத் தலைவர் திரு. <a href="https://twitter.com/BspArmstrong?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BSPArmstrong</a> அவர்கள் சென்னை பெரம்பூர் பகுதியில் மர்ம நபர்களால் வெட்டிப் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டார் என்ற செய்திகேட்டு மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியும் துயருமுற்றேன். திரு. ஆர்ம்ஸ்ட்ராங் அவர்களை இழந்து வாடும் பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் தேசியத்&hellip;
&mdash; Edappadi K Palaniswami - Say No To Drugs &amp; DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) <a href="https://twitter.com/EPSTamilNadu/status/1809251444614475905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
 On the other hand, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan urged for a dedicated investigative unit to ensure the culprits are apprehended promptly.
&nbsp;
Armstrong's political journey began with a noteworthy victory as an independent candidate in the 2006 local body elections, reflecting his grassroots support and commitment to community representation.
&nbsp;
He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Tamil Nadu BSP Chief assassinated in Chennai ambush

After a tragic stampede claimed the lives of 121 individuals at his 'satsang' in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, earlier this week, Bhole Baba, a former constable who now styles himself as a godman, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
&nbsp;
"May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I have faith that anyone who created the chaos would not be spared. Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the members of the committee to stand with the bereaved families and the injured and help them throughout their lives," said 'Bhole Baba' in a video statement.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Hathras Stampede Accident | Mainpuri, UP: In a video statement, Surajpal also known as 'Bhole Baba' says, "... I am deeply saddened after the incident of July 2. May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/7HSrK2WNEM">pic.twitter.com/7HSrK2WNEM</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1809409854949429586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The assembly of followers, known as 'satsang', drew in as many as 250,000 devotees. The stampede was triggered when participants began to pick up dust from the ground where Bhole Baba's vehicle had passed.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This disorderly situation caused men, women, and children to stumble over one another, resulting in multiple fatalities. According to the police, the crowd far surpassed the 80,000-person limit imposed by the authorities.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
VIDEO | Visuals from Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba's ashram in UP's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kasganj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kasganj</a>. A total of 121 people, mostly women, were killed in the stampede after Surajpal's 'satsang' in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hathras?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hathras</a>' Fulrai village on July 2. (Full video available on PTI Videos -&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/mSfUccNu1V">pic.twitter.com/mSfUccNu1V</a>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1809433656638709819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, had remained elusive since the stampede. His attorney, AP Singh, had stated yesterday that he would collaborate with the investigation.
&nbsp;
"We have district-wise lists of the victims, and Narayan Sakar Hari's trust would take care of the education, health, and wedding expenses of the families of those who died in the stampede," Singh said.
&nbsp;
According to the Hathras Police, Delhi police have detained Devprakash Madhukar, the 'chief volunteer' of the 'spiritual gathering'. Madhukar's arrest brings the total number of individuals detained in the situation to seven.

'Bhole Baba' expresses sorrow over Hathras stampede

The Orissa High Court recently ruled that female employees who have children through surrogacy are entitled to the same maternity leave and benefits as natural and adoptive mothers.
&nbsp;
Justice SK Panigrahi, sitting as a single-judge bench, issued the ruling on June 25 after considering a petition from Supriya Jena, an Odisha Finance Service (OFS) officer, filed in 2020.
&nbsp;
Jena, who became a mother through surrogacy, was refused 180 days of maternity leave by her superiors in the Odisha government. In response, she took the government to the high court.
&nbsp;
The court noted that female government employees are granted 180 days of leave when they adopt a child who is up to one year old, similar to the maternity leave provided to biological mothers, in order to properly care for the adopted child.
&nbsp;
Nevertheless, there is no provision for maternity leave for the specific purpose of caring for a child born through surrogacy, the court stated.
&nbsp;
"If the government could provide maternity leave to an adoptive mother, it would be wholly improper to refuse to provide maternity leave to a mother who had begotten a child through surrogacy procedure after implanting an embryo created by using either the eggs or sperm of the intended parents in the womb of a surrogate mother," the court said.
&nbsp;
The court has mandated that female employees who become mothers through surrogacy should be eligible for maternity leave to ensure impartial treatment and assistance for all new mothers, regardless of their method of becoming parents.
&nbsp;
Granting maternity leave to these mothers guarantees that they have ample time to establish a nurturing and stable environment for their children, which contributes to the well-being of both the mother and the child, the high court stated.
&nbsp;
The court has instructed the state government to approve 180 days of maternity leave for the petitioner within three months of receiving the order.
&nbsp;
"It is further directed to the department concerned of the state to incorporate this aspect in the relevant provisions of the rules to treat a child born out of surrogacy in a similar manner as a child born out of the natural process and provide the commissioning mother with all the benefits provided thereto," the judgment read.

Bhubaneswar

Surrogate mothers entitled to maternity leave: Orissa HC

On July 10, the Supreme Court is set to review several requests to reconsider its decision from last year, which did not recognise same-sex marriage as legally valid.
&nbsp;
The court's upcoming session on July 10, as listed on the official website, will involve Chief Justice DY Chandrachud leading a five-judge panel to privately consider the requests for review of the verdict issued on October 17 last year.
&nbsp;
In line with standard procedure, panels of five judges review such requests in private.
&nbsp;
The other judges on the panel, alongside Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, will be Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Hima Kohli, BV Nagarathna, and PS Narasimha.
&nbsp;
Gay rights activists faced a setback when, on October 17 last year, the highest court declined to legally recognise same-sex marriage, stating that there is "no unqualified right" to marriage except for those recognised by law.
&nbsp;
However, the top court emphasised the rights of queer individuals to prevent discrimination in accessing goods and services available to others. Additionally, they called for the establishment of safe houses known as 'Garima Greh' in all districts to provide shelter to community members facing harassment and violence and recommended the introduction of dedicated hotline numbers for their use in case of trouble.
&nbsp;
The apex court previously stated that transgender individuals in heterosexual relationships are allowed to marry according to the current legal regulations. The court also mentioned that legal recognition of their right to union, similar to marriage or civil union, can only be established through an &ldquo;enacted law.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The Supreme Court stated it was within Parliament's ambit to change the law to validate such unions.
&nbsp;
The LGBTQIA rights activists, who had won a major legal battle in 2018 in the Supreme Court which decriminalised consensual gay sex, had moved the top court seeking validation of same-sex marriage and consequential reliefs such as rights to adoption, enrollment as parents in schools, opening of bank accounts and availing succession and insurance benefits.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Some of the petitioners had urged the top court to use its plenary power, "prestige and moral authority" to push society to acknowledge such a union, which would ensure LGBTQIA lead a "dignified" life like the heterosexuals.

Supreme Court to review same-sex marriage verdict

A historic 28 individuals of Indian descent secured seats in the UK Parliament following a decisive electoral outcome on Friday, marking a significant representation boost despite challenges faced by the Conservative Party.
&nbsp;
Among the elected MPs, a record-breaking 12 hail from the Sikh community, with six of them being women, all representing the Labour Party.
&nbsp;
The cohort includes nine newcomers, two incumbents re-elected for the third term, and one MP returning for her second stint in the House of Commons.
&nbsp;
Labour stalwarts Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi secured victories in Birmingham Edgbaston and Slough respectively, each marking their third consecutive wins.
&nbsp;
Nadia Whittome, notable for being the youngest MP at 23, clinched Nottingham East for the second term, identifying proudly as both queer and a Catholic Sikh.
&nbsp;
In a historic first, Kirith Entwistle, also known as Kirith Ahluwalia, became Bolton North East's first female MP, while Sonia Kumar achieved a similar milestone in Dudley. Harpreet Kaur Uppal entered Parliament for the first time with a victory in Huddersfield.
&nbsp;
The UK now ranks second globally, after Canada, in terms of Sikh representation, underscoring its diverse political landscape.
&nbsp;
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak led the charge for Conservative British Indians, securing a resounding victory in Richmond and Northallerton, Yorkshire.
&nbsp;
Other prominent Tory figures retaining their seats included former Home Secretaries Suella Braverman and Priti Patel, alongside Sunak's ally Claire Coutinho of Goan origin.
&nbsp;
In a notable win for the Conservatives, Gagan Mohindra retained his seat in South West Hertfordshire, while Shivani Raja added a gain in Leicester East, a closely watched contest against Labour's Rajesh Agrawal.
&nbsp;
Both candidates campaigned vigorously on local issues, including the preservation of Leicester's cherished Diwali lights amid budget concerns.
&nbsp;
However, the Conservative losses included Shailesh Vara, narrowly defeated in North West Cambridgeshire by Labour, and Ameet Jogia, losing the Hendon seat in London.
&nbsp;
Reflecting the overall outcome, the Labour Party celebrated a substantial number of victorious candidates from the Indian diaspora, including seasoned figures like Seema Malhotra.
&nbsp;
Valerie Vaz, sister of former MP Keith Vaz, secured Walsall and Bloxwich, while Lisa Nandy emerged victorious in Wigan.

Indian diaspora grows strong in UK parliament

Following a massive turnout of Mumbaikars to celebrate the Indian Cricket Team&rsquo;s T20 World Cup victory, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cleared a staggering 11,500 kg (11.5 metric tonnes) of waste from the Marine Drive area the next day.
&nbsp;
An official from the BMC mentioned, &ldquo;The extensive crowds hindered our cleanliness efforts at various points. Regardless, we managed to finish the clean-up by 8 am. By that time, we had cleared and loaded the waste onto one compactor, one dumper, and five SCBVs. Much of the waste loaded onto the smaller vehicles consisted of bulky, low-weight materials,&rdquo; said a senior civic official.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A big thank you to the sanitation workers of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Before the citizens who celebrated the World Cup victory parade woke up, the sanitation workers had already cleaned and tidied up the Marine Drive area. The previous night, the Marine Drive area was&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/VJvDaPDCUC">pic.twitter.com/VJvDaPDCUC</a>
&mdash; Vaibhav Kokat (@ivaibhavk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ivaibhavk/status/1809047724408590558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
During an all-night operation, the civic body deployed its employees along with 25 laborers recruited through NGOs to ensure that the littered areas were cleared before morning walkers could access the promenade on Friday.
&nbsp;
After the victory parade concluded and most of the fans left, Marine Drive was covered in litter, including plastic bottles, chip wrappers, cups, paper, clothing, shoes, and sandals, lost in the chaos of the excited crowd.
&nbsp;
At 11:30 pm on Thursday, the BMC enlisted 25 labourers from NGOs to conduct a night-time cleanup while solid waste management department employees worked in the early hours.
&nbsp;
Working throughout the night, the municipal workers filled two vehicles&mdash;a dumper and a compactor&mdash;with over nine metric tonnes of waste. The dumper can hold three tonnes, and the compactor can handle up to six tonnes.
&nbsp;
The civic body plans to send the waste, including recyclable materials collected from five small jeeps containing shoes and slippers, for reprocessing.

BMC removes 11,500 kg trash after T20 celebrations

Shubman Gill, gearing up for his captaincy debut in India's T20I series against Zimbabwe, aims to secure a permanent spot as an opener, steering clear of comparisons with stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who recently retired from international T20 cricket.
&nbsp;
Despite missing out on the T20 World Cup squad and being a travelling reserve, Gill is set to lead the team in the absence of senior players.
&nbsp;
Reflecting on his preferred batting position, Gill expressed his inclination towards opening, a role previously dominated by Rohit and Kohli in the recent World Cup campaign.
&nbsp;
"I think Rohit Bhai was an opener and Virat Bhai also opened in this World Cup...I have also opened in T20s. So, I think I will want to open in T20Is," Gill stated during a media interaction, outlining his aspirations while acknowledging the challenges of emulating his predecessors' achievements.
&nbsp;
Managing the weight of expectations, Gill emphasised the individual paths players must forge.
&nbsp;
"Pressure and expectations... they I think always remain. But what Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai have achieved, if I look to achieve that or reach that, it will be very difficult for me," he commented, recognising the towering legacy of Kohli and Rohit in Indian cricket.
&nbsp;
While Gill holds Kohli and Rohit in high esteem as idols and legends, he stressed the importance of defining personal goals amidst the pressures of performance and public scrutiny.
&nbsp;
Looking ahead to the Zimbabwe series, Gill confirmed that Abhishek Sharma, renowned for his IPL exploits with Sunrisers Hyderabad, will partner him at the top of the order in the upcoming five-match T20I series.
&nbsp;
Drawing from his experience leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Gill highlighted the psychological challenges of captaincy and his learnings in handling team dynamics.
&nbsp;
"I've learnt a lot of lessons when I captained my IPL team for the first time. I got to know a lot more things about myself and a lot more things about the leadership perspective," he shared, citing the mental fortitude required in leadership roles.
&nbsp;
With a youthful Indian squad set to gain valuable international exposure, Gill highlighted the series' significance in nurturing talent and preparing players for higher stakes.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Our aim for the series is to give them more international exposure and experience," he remarked, noting the blend of young talent and the opportunity to fill the void left by senior players.
&nbsp;
Assessing the challenge posed by Zimbabwe, Gill acknowledged their competitive spirit, particularly in limited-overs formats. "I think you guys have got a good T20 team...The way you guys are going to come against us is going to be no different than any other nation and that's the challenge for us," he concluded, gearing up for the competitive encounters ahead.

Gill aims T20 opener spot post Kohli, Rohit era

The sweeping majority for Britain&rsquo;s Labour Party under Keir Starmer heralds a new chapter in the UK-India relations, previously strained by the Kashmir issue.
&nbsp;
Historically, the Labour Party has taken a robust stance on human rights violations and the Kashmir conflict more vigorously than other British political parties.
&nbsp;
In 2019, under Jeremy Corbyn&rsquo;s leadership, the Labour Party passed an emergency motion on Kashmir at its annual conference, criticizing India's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s special status in August that year.
&nbsp;
The motion highlighted a humanitarian crisis and called for self-determination for the Kashmiri people. India&rsquo;s response was unequivocal, branding the move by Corbyn-led Labour as &ldquo;uninformed and unfounded.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The motion stirred controversy within the Labour Party, leading to a backlash against several Labour MPs of Indian origin and others with significant Indian voter bases, as the resolution was perceived as anti-India.
&nbsp;
The situation was further compounded when Corbyn was suspended from the party in 2020 amid an antisemitism row, prompting him to contest as an Independent and win from Islington North, a constituency he has represented since 1983.
&nbsp;
Now, with Starmer at the helm and as Britain's new prime minister, there is a palpable shift in approach. Starmer's manifesto includes a pledge to establish a "new strategic partnership" with India.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Labour will build and strengthen modern partnerships with allies and regional powers. We will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a free trade agreement, as well as deepening cooperation in areas like security, education, technology, and climate change,&rdquo; states the manifesto.
&nbsp;
David Lammy, Labour Party leader and now foreign secretary, echoed this sentiment last month, pointing out continuity in the approach towards India.
&nbsp;
Speaking at the India Global Forum in London, Lammy described India as an economic and technological superpower, vital for the future of Asia. He remarked, &ldquo;India contributes significantly to British prosperity. Last year, India was our second-largest foreign direct investment contributor. Over 950 Indian companies employ over 100,000 people in the UK. However, India is only our 12th largest trade partner, and we believe it could be much more.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Lammy spotlighted the need for a &ldquo;reset and a relaunch&rdquo; of the India-UK relationship, criticising the Conservative Party for consistently &ldquo;over-promising and under-delivering&rdquo; on India.&nbsp;

Labour changes Kashmir stance, seeks India relations 'reset'

Heavy rains wreaked havoc across vast regions of north India on Friday, severely affecting daily life in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.&nbsp;The flood situation in Assam remained dire, with major rivers breaching danger marks and nearly 24 lakh people impacted by the deluge. 
In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma toured flood-hit areas in Dibrugarh, one of the 30 affected districts, highlighting the scale of what is considered one of the worst floods in recent memory.
&nbsp;
Uttarakhand, battered by incessant rain over the past few days, reported tragic incidents, including the drowning of a five-year-old in a rainwater-filled pit in Dehradun and a teenager in a Haridwar rivulet.
&nbsp;
The relentless downpour triggered numerous landslides, blocking key roads, including the national highway to Badrinath, causing significant disruptions.
&nbsp;
In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rain led to the closure of 64 roads.&nbsp;The regional Meteorological office issued warnings of moderate flash flood risks in parts of Kangra, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts over the next 24 hours.
&nbsp;
Rajasthan also experienced severe weather, with Malpura in Tonk district recording 176 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. The deluge has caused rivers and streams to overflow, leading to increased water levels in many dams.
&nbsp;
Assam&rsquo;s flood crisis deepened as 77 wild animals perished, either due to drowning or during rescue operations, while 94 were rescued from the inundated Kaziranga National Park. The flood's impact extended to 30 districts, with all major rivers flowing above danger levels, affecting nearly 24 lakh people.
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Sarma's review of the situation in Dibrugarh town, which has been submerged and facing severe power outages for the past eight days, brought attention to the region's critical state. He toured affected areas on foot, engaging with the distressed residents.
&nbsp;
In the Kamrup Metropolitan district, two individuals, including a child, died in a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall, raising this year's toll from floods, landslides, and storms to 64. While no new casualties were reported from flooding, the deluge has claimed 52 lives.
&nbsp;
Dhubri emerged as the worst-hit district with 6.48 lakh people affected, followed by Darrang with 1.90 lakh, and Cachar with 1.45 lakh.
&nbsp;
In response to the impending threat, the Delhi government has established a 24x7 flood control room to monitor real-time data from the Hathnikund barrage, where water discharge into the Yamuna is regulated.
&nbsp;
"Last year, the Yamuna reached its highest level in 70 years. We are preparing to handle any flood possibilities," stated Atishi, Delhi's water minister.
&nbsp;
Saurabh Bharadwaj, the irrigation and flood control minister, assured that the control room would be fully computerised and responsive to any significant water release from the barrage.
&nbsp;
The Meteorological office has predicted generally cloudy skies with light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, for Saturday. It also forecasts heavy rainfall over the next four to five days.
&nbsp;
In Uttarakhand, the State Emergency Operation Centre reported that landslides had blocked 88 rural motorable roads, two border roads, one state highway, and the national highway leading to Badrinath.
&nbsp;
The Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway was obstructed at Lambagad, a landslide-prone area. Debris from a landslide also blocked the opening of an old tunnel in Rudraprayag district, although no casualties were reported, according to Superintendent of Police Vishakha Ashok Bhadane.
&nbsp;
Dehradun has been particularly affected by continuous heavy rain, resulting in widespread waterlogging.
&nbsp;
Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh recorded 59% excess rainfall in July, with 43.2 mm against a normal of 27.2 mm. The state has closed 64 roads, including 55 in Mandi, seven in Chamba, and one each in Kangra and Shimla districts, due to torrential rain. The Shimla Meteorological office issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated areas for Saturday.
&nbsp;
In Rajasthan&rsquo;s Bikaner, a toddler was among three people killed in a wall collapse following heavy rain. Three individuals were rescued from a fast-flowing stream in Tonk.
&nbsp;
Light to moderate rain affected various districts, including Jaipur, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Chittorgarh, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Udaipur, and Jodhpur. The heavy rain caused rivers and streams to overflow and raised water levels in several dams.
&nbsp;
In the Malpura area of Tonk, three people were rescued after being stuck in a fast-flowing stream. In Bikaner&rsquo;s Bichwal area, a factory wall collapse claimed the lives of three individuals, including a toddler.
&nbsp;
The victims, identified as Pinna, Sanjay, and one-year-old Manisha, were natives of Madhya Pradesh.
&nbsp;
A circulation system over southwestern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining eastern Rajasthan contributed to the heavy rainfall, with the monsoon trough line passing through Bikaner and Sikar.
&nbsp;
Northern West Bengal, drenched by rain, is likely to receive more showers till July 9, according to the Met office. A trough from Rajasthan to the northeast and an active monsoon over northern West Bengal is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the region.
&nbsp;
Heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain in isolated places, is predicted in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Coochbehar.
&nbsp;
The downpour may trigger landslides in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong and cause waterlogging in low-lying areas of the plains. Rivers like Teesta, Jaldhaka, Sankosh, and Torsa are expected to see rising water levels due to heavy rain.
&nbsp;
Meghalaya has experienced 44% excess rainfall in the last month, causing extensive damage to public infrastructure and disrupting the lives of residents. The state received 117.32 cm of rain between June 1 and July 3, significantly higher than normal, according to a senior disaster management official. "The southern districts are the worst affected," the official noted.
&nbsp;

Heavy rain batters north, west India; Assam floods worsen

The Hathras police have apprehended six individuals from the satsang's organising committee, including two women volunteers, following the fatal stampede that took place earlier this week.
&nbsp;
The main accused, Dev Prakash Madhukar, an aide of self-styled godman Surajpal, also known as Bhole Baba, was detained in Delhi on Friday.
&nbsp;
Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal confirmed Madhukar&rsquo;s arrest, stating that he was being brought back to Hathras to face the court.
&nbsp;
Madhukar, who served as the 'mukhya sevadar' (chief volunteer) at the event where the stampede occurred, is the sole individual named in the FIR registered at Sikandra Rao police station in connection with the incident.
&nbsp;
In a video message, Madhukar&rsquo;s lawyer, AP Singh, asserted that his client had voluntarily surrendered in Delhi, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
&nbsp;
"Today, we have surrendered Dev Prakash Madhukar, who has been identified as the main organiser in the FIR related to the Hathras case. We informed the police, the SIT, and the STF in Delhi about his surrender, as he was undergoing treatment here," Singh explained.
&nbsp;
"We had assured that we would not seek anticipatory bail because we believe we have done nothing wrong. What is our crime? He is an engineer and a heart patient. Doctors have confirmed that his condition is now stable, hence our decision to surrender today to cooperate with the investigation," he added.
<h3>Political response</h3>
On Friday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited Hathras to meet with the families of the stampede victims.
&nbsp;
Gandhi reported that the bereaved families had expressed concerns over inadequate police arrangements for the religious event, which they believed led to the tragic stampede.
<h3>Arrests and investigations</h3>
The arrests of the six individuals from the organising committee occurred a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath&rsquo;s visit to Hathras.
&nbsp;
Among those detained were Ram Ladete (50) from Mainpuri, Upendra Singh Yadav (62) from Firozabad, Megh Singh (61) from Hathras, Manju Yadav (30) from Hathras, Mukesh Kumar (38) from Hathras, and Manju Devi (40) from Hathras.
&nbsp;
Inspector General of Police for the Aligarh range, Shalabh Mathur, announced that the arrests included volunteers responsible for crowd management, collection of donations, and other logistical arrangements.
&nbsp;
"On interrogation, it was revealed that these individuals were part of the organising committee and worked as sevadars (volunteers). They were involved in crowd gathering, donation collection, barricading, crowd management, electricity arrangements at the venue, vehicle parking, and cleanliness. The organisers had provided them with uniforms," Mathur stated.
&nbsp;
The police further disclosed that the volunteers had obstructed the police and administrative officials from taking photographs and videos of the event and had even misbehaved when questioned.
&nbsp;
"The incharge of the Samagam (Satsang), Dev Prakash Madhukar, in whose name permission was sought for the Satsang, had been absconding after being named in the FIR by the Hathras police. A reward of ₹1 lakh was declared for his arrest, and a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued," Mathur added.
&nbsp;
Bhole Baba, who owns assets worth over ₹100 crore, is also under scrutiny.
&nbsp;
The police indicated that everyone mentioned during the investigation, including Bhole Baba, would be questioned if necessary. 
An FIR was lodged in the matter on July 2 under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by the public servant) and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence).
&nbsp;
On July 3, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member judicial commission headed by a retired high court judge to probe the Hathras tragedy and to look into the possibility of a conspiracy behind the stampede.

Hathras

Key accused in Hathras stampede arrested in Delhi

Keir Starmer's recent victory in the UK general election has garnered congratulations from various corners, including the British Royal family. On Friday, the Royal family extended their congratulations to Starmer for his significant electoral triumph, which led to his appointment as the UK Prime Minister.
&nbsp;
After securing a landslide win in the House of Commons, Starmer met with King Charles III. During this meeting, the King formally appointed him as the new Prime Minister following the resignation of Rishi Sunak.
&nbsp;
The Royal Family's official message on X highlighted that the King had requested Starmer to form a new administration, an offer which Starmer accepted. The message read, "The King received in Audience The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration. Sir Keir accepted His Majesty&rsquo;s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury."
&nbsp;
Starmer's victory was not only historic for the Labour Party but also significant on a global scale, as he received congratulatory messages from leaders worldwide. His win marked the end of a 14-year tenure of the Conservative Party in government. Starmer, a former barrister who became a Member of Parliament in 2015 and assumed Labour leadership in 2020, has since worked to steer his party towards the political centre.
&nbsp;
The outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, managed to secure 47.5 percent of the vote in his constituency but saw his Conservative Party win only 109 seats in the 650-member House of Commons. In contrast, Labour secured a commanding 403 seats.
&nbsp;
Accepting the results, Sunak offered his apologies and took responsibility for the Conservative Party's loss. He expressed regret for the many dedicated conservative candidates who, despite their hard work and commitment to their communities, did not win their seats.
&nbsp;
"I take responsibility for the loss to the many good, hard-working, conservative candidates who lost tonight despite their tireless efforts, their local records of delivery and their dedication to their communities. I am sorry," Sunak said. He also emphasised the peaceful and orderly transfer of power, stating, "Today power will change hands in an orderly and peaceful manner, with goodwill on all sides."
&nbsp;
In his victory speech, Starmer acknowledged the enormous responsibility that comes with such a significant win. He pledged to lead the nation towards "national renewal" after years of Conservative governance. This victory, he noted, was not just a win for the Labour Party but a mandate for substantial change and progress in the UK.
&nbsp;
Interestingly, the path to this electoral success was paved by an unexpected move earlier in the year. In May, Sunak had called for a snap vote, a decision that surprised many within his party and beyond. This call for an early election set the stage for the Labour Party's decisive victory and Starmer's subsequent rise to the premiership.
&nbsp;
Starmer&rsquo;s new role marks the beginning of a new chapter for the UK, with expectations of significant policy changes and a shift in the country's political landscape. As he steps into his role, all eyes will be on how he navigates the challenges and responsibilities that come with leading the nation.

Royal Family congratulates Keir Starmer on election win

Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has been appointed as the chairperson of the AAP Parliamentary Party. This significant appointment also includes his selection as the leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting his influential role within the party.
&nbsp;
In response to his appointment, Singh expressed his gratitude and commitment through a post on X (formerly Twitter), in Hindi. He acknowledged the trust and opportunities provided by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, emphasising his determination to fulfil his new responsibilities with dedication. Singh's message conveyed his deep appreciation for the confidence placed in him by Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party.
&nbsp;
Sanjay Singh has had a notable political journey within the AAP. During his first term, he served as the leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, demonstrating his leadership abilities and dedication to the party's principles.
&nbsp;
His re-election to the Rajya Sabha and subsequent oath-taking as a member of the Upper House on March 19 of this year marked a continuation of his active involvement in national politics.
&nbsp;
The Aam Aadmi Party currently holds a significant presence in the Rajya Sabha, being the fourth largest party with 10 MPs. Additionally, the party has three MPs in the Lok Sabha. This representation underscores the AAP's growing influence and its commitment to bringing about change through legislative efforts.
&nbsp;
Singh's appointment as the chairperson of the AAP Parliamentary Party and leader in the Rajya Sabha comes at a crucial time. It reflects the party's confidence in his leadership and ability to navigate the complexities of parliamentary proceedings. His role will be pivotal in shaping the party's legislative strategies and ensuring that the AAP's voice is effectively heard in both houses of Parliament.
&nbsp;
As the chairperson, Sanjay Singh will be responsible for coordinating the party's parliamentary activities, leading discussions, and representing the AAP's stance on various national issues.
&nbsp;
His experience and dedication are expected to contribute significantly to the party's efforts to address key challenges and advocate for policies that align with their vision for India.
&nbsp;
This appointment not only signifies a personal milestone for Sanjay Singh but also highlights the AAP's strategic approach to strengthening its parliamentary presence. By entrusting Singh with this dual role, the party aims to leverage his leadership to enhance its impact on the national stage.
&nbsp;
Sanjay Singh's appointment as the chairperson of the AAP Parliamentary Party and leader in the Rajya Sabha marks a significant development in the party's political journey. His gratitude towards Arvind Kejriwal and commitment to his new responsibilities underscore his dedication to the AAP's mission.
&nbsp;
As the AAP continues to expand its influence in Parliament, Singh's leadership will be crucial in advancing the party's legislative agenda and advocating for meaningful change.

Sanjay Singh named chairperson of AAP Parliamentary Party

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the CBI to respond to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea in the corruption case registered by the CBI in connection with the alleged excise policy scam.
&nbsp;
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued a notice to the CBI on the bail plea and listed it for further hearing on July 17.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal sought bail claiming that there was no necessity to arrest him in the CBI case and that his custody was illegal.
&nbsp;
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, said the AAP leader is not a flight risk and not a terrorist, and the CBI arrested him after he got bail in the ED's money laundering case.
&nbsp;
He said Kejriwal has deep roots in society and added he was pressing for an interim relief in the matter.
&nbsp;
Advocate DP Singh, appearing for the CBI, objected Kejriwal directly approaching the high court without first filing the bail plea before the trial court.
&nbsp;
The high court took note of the objection and said "the contention shall be considered at the time of arguments".
&nbsp;
"In how many cases the Supreme Court or the high courts have said that please go back, on propriety. On law, there is no quarrel. I am not on law. They also say don't clog the higher courts when alternate remedy is available. There should be a reason why this (court) is better. We also have the benefit of going through the trial court's decision," Justice Krishna said.
&nbsp;
The high court added that parties also have the benefit of first hearing before the sessions court and they may succeed there.
&nbsp;
Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari, also representing Kejriwal, said while remanding him in custody, the trial court had said the arrest was illegal and when that argument has been addressed, there is no point of sending it back and it will be a futile exercise.
&nbsp;
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar Jail, where he is still lodged in judicial custody in a connected money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
&nbsp;
He has already challenged his arrest in the CBI case and the plea is pending before the high court. The court had issued notice and asked the CBI to file its reply while listing it for arguments on July 17.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED on March 21, was granted bail by the trial court in the money laundering case on June 20. However, the trial court's order was stayed by the high court.
&nbsp;
The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption involving the formulation and execution of the policy.
&nbsp;
According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to the licence holders.

Delhi HC asks CBI to respond to Kejriwal's bail plea

A shutdown in Hisar was seen on Friday, as traders protested against the police's failure to arrest the individuals involved in a shooting incident outside a car dealership 12 days ago. The traders are demanding the arrest of the culprits who allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to the traders, the owners of an automobile showroom and a car accessories shop have also received ransom demands of Rs 2 crore each from unknown individuals via mobile phone. The traders have criticized the police for their inaction in these cases, as the culprits remain at large.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The protest resulted in the closure of shops and petrol pumps, highlighting the traders' frustration with the lack of progress in the investigations.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Hisar District Bar Association President Viney Kumar Bishnoi said the lawyers of the association suspended their work on Friday in support of the bandh.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Petrol Pumps Association chief Raj Kumar Salemgarh said all 15 petrol pumps in Hisar remained closed on Friday as the miscreants have not yet been arrested.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The day-long shutdown was called by the Haryana Pradesh Beopar Mandal and other traders' organisations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
During the bandh, all establishments and shops of Hisar remained closed and the markets wore a deserted look. More than 70 market associations joined the bandh.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The traders' organisations alleged that the police have nothing except assurances.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Haryana Pradesh Beopar Mandal State President Bajrang Dass Garg said the bandh was successful.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He said the police administration should immediately arrest those who opened fire outside a car dealership and also apprehend those who demanded a ransom from two other traders of Auto Market, Hisar.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
On June 24, three unidentified men opened fire outside a car dealership in Hisar and demanded Rs 5 crore from its owner.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A video that surfaced on social media showed two of them leaving the showroom with their faces covered.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The police had earlier said that the three miscreants arrived on a motorcycle, barged into the dealership, left a note with a ransom demand, and fired shots in the air outside the showroom before leaving.

Hisar firing incident: Traders stage protest, observe bandh

At least 15 engineers were suspended on Friday, in connection with a series of recent incidents of bridge collapse in Bihar, a senior official said. The decision was taken after a probe panel submitted its report to the Water Resources Department (WRD).
&nbsp;
A total of 10 bridges collapsed in Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj districts in the past 17 days, officials said.
&nbsp;
The report found that the engineers were &ldquo;negligent&rdquo; and monitoring was &ldquo;ineffective&rdquo;, which is the main reason behind the collapse of small bridges and causeways in the state, Additional Chief Secretary of WRD, Chaitanya Prasad, told reporters here.
&nbsp;
Those suspended include four executive engineers.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Rural Works Department has also initiated the process of blacklisting the contractor who was involved in the construction of the bridge in Araria district. The department has also stopped payment of the contractor/firm for its previous work till the completion of the probe,&rdquo; said Dipak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, RWD.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Besides, the department has sought explanation from officials concerned for the collapse of bridges in East Champaran on June 23 and in Madhubani on June 26.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;A probe has already been ordered into the collapse of RWD bridges in these two districts,&rdquo; said Singh.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Commenting on the bridge collapse incidents, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav told reporters: &ldquo;Why are leaders of the NDA-led Bihar government, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, maintaining a stoic silence&hellip; These incidents prove how corruption is rampant in the ruling dispensation."
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The portfolio of the RWD, which constructs most of the small bridges in the state, is always with JD(U) leaders. Who should be held responsible for this mess?&rdquo; the former deputy CM said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Reacting to Yadav&rsquo;s comments, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union minister and founder of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), which is an alliance partner of the NDA, said the matter should not be politicised.&nbsp;
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&ldquo;Our chief minister has already issued strict instructions to senior officials of the department to take stern action against those who are found guilty,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
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Chirag Paswan, the chief of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), another alliance partner of the NDA, added: &ldquo;The NDA government in Bihar has taken the matter very seriously, and action is being initiated against the erring officials and contractors.&rdquo;&nbsp;

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