Manan Tandon

Chandigarh

New law, criminals trapped

News Arena Network

Ayesha Banerjee

A new group of over 6,500 pilgrims set off for the Amarnath shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas on Tuesday under tight security, officials reported.
 On Monday, more than 23,000 devotees visited the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine, bringing the total number of pilgrims to over 51,000. Additionally, more than 2,000 on-the-spot registrations were completed that day.
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The fifth batch of 6,537 pilgrims departed in 261 vehicles at 3:05 am, heading towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam, escorted by security vehicles.
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Of these, 4,431 pilgrims chose the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route, while 2,106 opted for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route.
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Since June 28, when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch, a total of 26,101 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley. The 52-day Yatra began on June 29 and will conclude on August 19.
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Meanwhile, multi-layered security has been put in place to thwart any terror threat. &ldquo;Stringent security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra,&rdquo; an official said.
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Additionally, thousands of security personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other paramilitary forces have been deployed along the route. Aerial surveillance is also being carried out.
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Over 50,000 pilgrims from across the country have paid obeisance at the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji in the first three days of the pilgrimage, which began on June 29 from the twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam.

Srinagar

Post

New batch of 6,500 pilgrims leaves for Amarnath

Shyna Gupta

Indian stock markets experienced a notable dip today after opening at record highs. The S&amp;P BSE Sensex, which hit an all-time high of 79,855.87 at the opening bell, fell 38.34 points to 79,437.85 around 10:17 am.
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Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty50 declined 8.70 points to 24,133.25, after initially surging to 24,236.35.
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The downturn was primarily driven by significant declines in major sectoral indices, including Nifty Bank and Nifty Financial Services.
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This came after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a directive for stock exchanges to levy uniform charges on brokers, causing a sharp fall in brokerage stocks.
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The slide in banking and financial services overshadowed a more than 1% gain in information technology stocks. Among the top gainers on the Nifty50 were Infosys, Coal India, LTIM, Wipro, and ONGC. On the flip side, the top losers included HDFC Life, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Shriram Finance, Bajaj Finance, and SBI Life.
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Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, commented on the market dynamics, noting the impressive performance of the Nifty in recent times. "Nifty has delivered 10.4% returns in the first half of 2024 on top of the 20% returns in 2023. These are impressive returns. An important feature of this bull market which began after the COVID crash of March 2020 (Nifty at 7511) is that it has been devoid of any significant correction."

Mumbai

Brokerage stocks fall, drag markets down

Ansh Mavani

The Delhi High Court is set to hear Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal&rsquo;s petition today, challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. This comes after Kejriwal's request for two additional video conferencing meetings with his lawyers was denied by the Rouse Avenue court on July 1.
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Special judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the application, noting that Kejriwal's counsel failed to present convincing reasons for additional legal meetings. The judge emphasised that the grounds presented were previously discussed and rejected in an earlier order. The court highlighted that a similar application was already dismissed on April 10, 2024, reinforcing the decision to deny Kejriwal&rsquo;s recent request.
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Kejriwal's legal team argued that he is involved in around 30 litigations nationwide, necessitating more frequent consultations with his lawyers to ensure a fair trial. They also mentioned his recent arrest in another case by the CBI and pointed out that co-accused Sanjay Singh was previously granted additional legal meetings in February 2024.
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During the hearing, the CBI argued that Kejriwal was uncooperative during his police custody remand. They claimed that he provided evasive answers and failed to explain the increase in the profit margin for wholesalers from 5% to 12% under the new Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The agency maintained that, based on the evidence, further custodial interrogation of Kejriwal was not necessary at this stage.
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The controversy surrounding Kejriwal's arrest began on June 26 when the CBI detained him after obtaining permission from a Vacation Judge of the Delhi Court.
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The court had allowed the CBI to interrogate Kejriwal in the courtroom, paving the way for his formal arrest. The court also directed the CBI to present the material evidence justifying his arrest.
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The alleged liquor policy scam has been a point of contention, with accusations of financial irregularities and favouritism in the formulation and implementation of the policy.
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The policy, introduced in 2021, aimed to revamp the liquor trade in Delhi but faced criticism and allegations of corruption.&nbsp;As the Delhi High Court prepares to hear Kejriwal&rsquo;s petition, the case continues to draw significant attention.
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The outcome of the hearing could have major implications for both Kejriwal and the broader political landscape in Delhi. Kejriwal&rsquo;s supporters argue that the arrest is politically motivated, while his critics insist that the legal process must take its course.
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The hearing today will be crucial in determining the next steps in this high-profile case, as Kejriwal seeks relief from what his legal team describes as unjust treatment by the CBI. The court's decision will be closely watched, with significant ramifications for the Chief Minister and his party.

New Delhi

Delhi HC to hear Kejriwal's plea on Liquor scam arrest

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) recently reported the destruction of a kilometre-long terror tunnel and the elimination of approximately 100 terrorists. The operation was part of a broader effort by the IDF's 99th Infantry Division to neutralise terrorist threats in the central Gaza Strip.
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During this mission, the IDF successfully targeted and destroyed more than 100 terrorist structures, which included weapons storage facilities, observation posts, rocket launch pits, and underground tunnel routes.
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The 99th Division, notable for being the only reserve division operating in Gaza, has been actively engaged in this region for several months, focusing on dismantling terrorist infrastructure.
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The terror tunnel, equipped with multiple branches for underground movement, was destroyed with the assistance of the Yahalom (Diamond) Special Forces Engineering Unit. This unit specialises in handling such complex operations, ensuring the tunnel's complete destruction to prevent further terrorist activities.
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In addition to the tunnel, IDF troops also targeted a booby-trapped mosque that served as a hideout for terrorists. The strike on the mosque resulted in secondary explosions, indicating the presence of a substantial cache of weapons stored at the site. This further highlights the ongoing efforts of the IDF to dismantle terrorist capabilities and ensure the safety and security of the region.
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The success of this operation underscores the IDF's commitment to combating terrorism and protecting civilian lives. By targeting and eliminating key terrorist structures and personnel, the IDF aims to disrupt terrorist activities and restore stability in the area.
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The coordinated efforts of the 99th Infantry Division and the Yahalom Special Forces Engineering Unit have been crucial in achieving these objectives.
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As the conflict continues, the IDF remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any threats, maintaining their stance against terrorism and ensuring the safety of their nation.
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The destruction of the terror tunnel and the elimination of terrorists mark significant steps in this ongoing battle, demonstrating the IDF's resolve and capability in counter-terrorism operations.

Gaza 

Over 100 terrorists killed as IDF demolishes tunnel

Shweta Sengar

Body mass index (better known as BMI) has long been used to get a quick and easy snapshot of a person&rsquo;s body fat levels. To calculate someone&rsquo;s BMI, you divide their weight in kilograms by their height in metres times itself. The resulting number is used to determine a person&rsquo;s health risk.
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Although there are far better ways of getting an accurate measure of a person&rsquo;s body fat levels &ndash; such as using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Dexa) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) &ndash; these are very resource-intensive. This may explain why BMI has remained the go-to method for measuring health since it first started being used in the latter part of the 20th century.
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But many health experts believe BMI has significant limitations, particularly for children and young people (whose body fat levels change as they grow), athletic people (who have high levels of muscle mass) and people from ethnic minority groups (who may develop health problems at lower body fat levels).
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BMI was never created for use in health and was developed using data from European people in the 19th century. Although child and ethnicity‐specific adjusted BMI and alternative height and weight ratios have been suggested, none have made sufficient headway to improve BMI&rsquo;s reputation.
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Several alternatives to BMI have also been suggested &ndash; such as using waist-to-hip ratio (waist circumference divided by hip circumference) or body volume index (which uses 3D body scanners to estimate total body fat distribution).
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But a recent study suggests that instead of BMI, we should be using something called body roundness index (BRI) to get a more accurate picture of a person&rsquo;s body fat levels and predict health risk.
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What is body roundness index?
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BRI was developed by US researchers in 2013 in response to criticisms of BMI. Instead of looking at height and weight, BRI mathematically quantifies body fat levels by looking at height and waist circumference instead. This provides a value typically ranging from one to 20. It is the lowest and highest values that suggest the highest health risk.
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Numerous studies have shown that BRI may be better than BMI at predicting the health risks associated with different levels of body fat. This includes predicting risk of weight-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and cancer, as well as death from any cause.
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This latest study, which looked at 32,995 US adults between 1999 and 2018, found an association between BRI and death from any cause. Specifically, they also found that people with the lowest and highest BRI scores had the greatest health risks.
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They also found that BRI was better than BMI at accurately detecting this risk. This is because BRI considers the fat held around the abdomen, which is linked to greater risk of health problems. This is different to BMI, which only considers overall weight.
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BRI vs BMI
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Given BRI only requires a tape measure and a maths equation, this means it&rsquo;s as easy to use and accessible as BMI. But assuming BRI is manually measured, it remains as subject to human error as BMI.
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One study even found that eight out of ten trained health professionals demonstrated such high levels of human error when manually measuring the abdomen that they failed to notice an increase of 3cm the second time they took the measurement. This margin of error will probably be even higher in people taking their own measurements at home.
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As a new metric, BRI also does not yet have the kind of extensive data backing up its use that exists for BMI. This makes it harder to know just how effective and reliable it is compared to these more established methods.
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And like BMI, BRI is a composite measure &ndash; meaning it combines multiple highly related measures into a single index. This makes it very hard to unpick the impact that different body fat levels can have on health &ndash; and can lead to misleading interpretations of the results.
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While BRI may improve on some of BMI&rsquo;s shortcomings, it&rsquo;s not immune to misclassification. For example, people with high muscle mass might still face inaccuracies in their health risk assessments if their body fat distribution does not conform to &ldquo;typical&rdquo; patterns around the abdomen. Research also suggests that BRI&rsquo;s accuracy at predicting the health risks may vary depending on a person&rsquo;s ethnicity, age and sex.
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BRI most certainly represents an advancement in the hunt for a more accurate alternative to BMI by focusing more on body shape and fat distribution rather than just body size. But it still has its limitations. Although this latest study gives us more data on BRI&rsquo;s accuracy, more research is still needed before we can be certain it&rsquo;s better than BMI and should replace it.
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Perhaps an even better way of getting a picture of a person&rsquo;s health is to use 3D body surface imaging. This creates a scale digital 3D image of the human body which allows health professionals to explore all potential existing body measures, including both BRI and BMI, as well as allowing us to explore new digital alternatives.
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But regardless of which body measure you or a doctor may use to asses your health, it&rsquo;s important to remember that every person is unique, and our bodies do &ndash; and should &ndash; always come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
 This article first appeared in The Conversation.
&nbsp;

London

Time to ditch BMI for Body Roundness Index?

Hina Khan has recently disclosed that she has received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. She posted a video on Instagram on Monday, documenting her hospital visit for her first chemotherapy session immediately after attending an award show.&nbsp;
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The video commences with Hina posing for photographers on the red carpet and being presented with an award at the function. It then shows her entering the hospital for her chemotherapy session.
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&nbsp;
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"All glam is gone and I'm ready for my first chemo in the hospital. Let's get better," Hina said in the video.
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Alongside the post, she wrote, "This award night, I knew about my cancer diagnosis, but I made a conscious choice to normalise it - not just for myself, but for all of us. This was the day that changed everything, it marked the beginning of one of the most challenging phases of my life."
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Hina Khan added, "So Let's do some affirmations. We become what we believe in, and I have decided to take this challenge as an opportunity to reinvent myself. I have decided to keep the spirit of positivity as the first tool in my toolkit. I choose to Normalise this experience for me and have consciously decided to manifest the desired outcome. For me ..my work commitments matter. For me my motivation, passion and art matter. I refuse to bow down. This award that I received right before my first chemo was not my motivation alone, in fact, I attended this event to reassure myself that I am living up to the benchmark, I have set up for myself. Mind over matter."
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"I attended the event and went straight up to the hospital for my first chemo. I humbly urge everyone out there too to first Normalise the challenges of your lives then set goals for yourself and try to live up to them all along the way. No matter how hard. Never back down. Never give up," she concluded.

Hina Khan shares photo from first chemotherapy session

Students at Acharya &amp; Marathe College in Chembur were surprised on Monday when they were prevented from entering the college while wearing jeans and T-shirts.&nbsp;
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This was due to the college implementing a new dress code that prohibits jeans and T-shirts, following the dismissal of a plea by students challenging the previous dress code that banned hijab and other religious symbols.&nbsp;
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As per the notice titled "dress code and other rules" dated June 27, the college has prohibited torn jeans, T-shirts, revealing clothing, and jerseys.
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The notice, signed by the college principal, Dr. Vidyagauri Lele, states, &ldquo;Students should wear a formal and decent dress while on campus. They can wear a half-shirt or full-shirt and trousers. Girls can wear any Indian or Western outfit. Students shall not wear any dress that shows religious or cultural disparity. Nakab, hijab, burkha, stole, cap, badge, etc. shall be removed by going to common rooms on the ground floor, and only then can they move throughout the college campus.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Ateeque Khan from the Govandi Citizens Association, who was approached by many students, said, &ldquo;Last year, they banned hijab. This year they have banned jeans and t-shirts which are very commonly worn by not only college-going youngsters but by all irrespective of religion and gender. We do not understand what they are trying to impose on the students by bringing such impractical dress-codes.&rdquo;
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However, according to the college, the administration is preparing them to be ready for the corporate world.&nbsp;
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The college principal, Dr. Lele, said, &ldquo;We just want students to wear decent clothes. We have not brought in any uniforms, but we have asked them to wear formal Indian or Western clothes. After all, they will be expected to wear those once they are employed.&rdquo;
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Dr. Lele stated that the dress code was provided to students during admissions, and she does not understand why they are raising concerns about it now.
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During the previous academic year, the college implemented uniforms for students in the junior college section. These uniforms prohibited the wearing of hijab and other religious identifiers.&nbsp;
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Students were required to remove their hijab or niqab at a specific location within the college after entering the premises. Nine students brought a case against the ban to the Bombay High Court. However, the High Court rejected their petition last month, as it stated that the broader academic interest did not infringe upon their rights.

After hijab, Mumbai college bans jeans, T-Shirts

This summer, India saw 536 days of heatwaves, the most in 14 years, with the northwestern region experiencing its hottest June last month since 1901, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
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In June, the country had 181 days of heatwaves, the most since 2010 when there were 177 days, as stated by IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra during a virtual press briefing.
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"In 2024 summer, India experienced a total of 536 heatwave days, the highest after 2010 (578 days). In June, it experienced 181 heatwave days, surpassing 2010 (177 days)," he added.
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Mohapatra noted that the average maximum monthly temperature in northwest India was 38.02 degrees Celsius, which is 1.96 degrees Celsius higher than the normal average. The average minimum temperature was 25.44 degrees Celsius, 1.35 degrees Celsius above normal.
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In June, northwest India experienced an average temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius, which is 1.65 degrees Celsius higher than usual, marking the highest temperature since 1901.
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June saw a 33% decrease in rainfall in northeast India, a situation Mohapatra linked to the slow progress of the monsoon in the northern and eastern regions due to the absence of weather systems.
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India recorded more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and over 100 heat-related deaths in one of its hottest and longest heatwaves. The intense heat overwhelmed the water supply system and power grids, with Delhi grappling with a severe water crisis.
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The IMD reported that nearly 40 per cent of the nation experienced twice the usual number of heatwave days from April to June. Some areas in Rajasthan saw temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures remained around 35 degrees Celsius in many places.
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In Delhi, where temperatures stayed above 40 degrees Celsius for 40 consecutive days since May 13, approximately 60 deaths have been attributed to the heat this year, as per reports from the media.

India saw 536 heatwave days this summer

The Pune district administration issued guidelines for tourists in light of the monsoon following an incident in which a woman and four children were swept away by a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
VIDEO | Visuals of five persons who drowned in a waterfall close to the backwater of Bhushi Dam in Pune's Lonavala area earlier today. Officials said that the incident happened at 12:30pm when a family was out for a picnic at the scenic spot. They said the bodies of Shahista&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/qOmk0qQHPa">pic.twitter.com/qOmk0qQHPa</a>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1807454863279697965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
On Monday, Collector Suhas Divase instructed authorities to conduct a survey to identify potential hazards and ensure necessary safety measures for tourists visiting Maval, Mulshi, Khed, Junnar, Bhhor, Velha, and Ambegaon, which are all located in the Western Ghats, as stated by an official.
&nbsp;
"Divase instructed district officials to visit picnic spots such as rivers, lakes, dams, waterfalls, forts and forest areas and ensure safety measures. He directed to demarcate prohibited areas by installing warning boards. Those places that are disaster-prone and where safety measures cannot be taken must be shut for tourists," he said.
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"A lot of people come to Bhushi, Pavana, Lonavala, Sinhgad, Malshej and Tamhini ghat during the monsoon. Agencies like revenue, forest, railways, municipal corporations and PWD should deploy divers, rescue boats, lifeguards, and life jackets at water bodies which are frequented by tourists. Divase also asked the district administration to rope in NGOs, rescue foundations, trekkers and locals," he added.
&nbsp;
Visitors will not be allowed inside such spots in the forest after 6 pm, Divase said.&nbsp;

Pune

Pune issues tourist guidelines after Lonavala tragedy

The winning Indian cricket team of the T20 World Cup might be able to return home on Tuesday night.
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Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has mentioned that she anticipates the airport resuming operations within the "next six to 12 hours" following the shutdown caused by a category 4 hurricane.
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The team, led by Rohit Sharma, along with their support staff, a few BCCI officials, and the families of the players, have been stuck here for the past two days due to hurricane Beryl. They clinched the title on Saturday by defeating South Africa in the final by seven runs.
&nbsp;
"We hope, and we're working towards later today. I don't want to speak in advance of it, but I've literally been in touch with the airport personnel, and they're doing their last checks now, and we want to resume normal operations as a matter of urgency," Mottley, who has been overseeing relief operations on the ground, told PTI.
&nbsp;
"There are a number of people who were due to leave yet last night late or today or tomorrow morning. And we want to make sure that we can facilitate those persons, so I would anticipate that within the next six to 12 hours the airport will be open," she said.
&nbsp;
Life-threatening winds and a storm battered Barbados and the neighbouring islands on Monday. Barbados, which has a population of nearly 300,000, has been under lockdown since Sunday evening.

Bridgetown

Indian team might return home on Tuesday night

Australia has increased the cost of student visa fees for international students from $710 to $1,600, which will affect many Indians planning to study in the country.
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Student representatives have expressed outrage over the price hike, as reported by ABC News on Monday. They say it may push potential students to consider other options.
&nbsp;
The fee for international student visas has increased to $1,600 from $710 starting July 1. The federal government indicated that the additional revenue will be utilized to support educational initiatives, including reducing graduate debt, providing financial assistance for apprentices, and continuing the implementation of its migration strategy, the report mentioned.
&nbsp;
"International education is an incredibly important national asset, and we need to ensure its integrity and quality," Minister for Education Jason Clare said in a statement.
&nbsp;
The Indian High Commission in Canberra estimates that as of August 2023, around 1,20,277 Indian students are currently enrolled to study in Australia, placing Indian students as the second largest group of foreign students in Australia.
&nbsp;
Yeganeh Soltanpour, the national president of the Council of International Students Australia, criticized the decision, highlighting that the increased fees and high deposit costs are creating additional financial burdens for international students, as reported by ABC.
&nbsp;
"The possibility of spending all that money only to face rejection is quite disheartening for many students. It has caused many in the student community to explore other options and competitive countries," she said.
&nbsp;
Phil Honeywood, the CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, informed the ABC that the announcement was the &ldquo;last straw&rdquo; for the international education sector, which had already been impacted by a decrease in visa approvals.
&nbsp;
"We are really in danger of losing a USD 48 billion a year industry," he said, adding that it will "heavily impact" relationships with our Indo-Pacific neighbours who rely on Australia to deliver world-class qualifications to young people. He warned that this change could drive prospective students to the United Kingdom, Australia's closest competitor, which currently charges $900 for student visa fees.

How will Australia's visa fee hike affect Indians?

A non-bailable warrant (NBW) has been issued against Vijay Mallya, the fugitive businessman, by a special court in Mumbai in connection with a Rs180-crore loan default case involving Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).
&nbsp;
The NBW against Mallya was issued by special CBI court judge SP Naik Nimbalkar on June 29, and a detailed order was released on Monday.
&nbsp;
Citing other non-bailable warrants issued against the 68-year-old businessman after taking into account CBI submission and his status as a "fugitive", the court noted, "this is a fit case to issue an open-ended NBW against him to secure his presence".
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The CBI, probing the case, has claimed the promoter of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines caused the government-run bank a wrongful loss of more than Rs 180 crore by "wilfully" defaulting on payments.
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The controversial alcohol mogul, who has previously been labelled a criminal economic fugitive in a money laundering investigation led by the Enforcement Directorate(ED), is currently living in London as the Indian government is working to extradite him.
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The warrant was connected to a fraud case filed by the CBI for the alleged misdirection of loans taken by the then-functional Kingfisher Airlines from IOB between 2007 and 2012.
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According to a chargesheet recently submitted in court by the central agency, these credit facilities were granted to the defunct private airline by the bank under a specific agreement.
&nbsp;
In August 2010, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructed the State Bank of India (SBI) to review Kingfisher Airlines Ltd's (KAL) request to restructure existing facilities in the aviation sector, relaxing the relevant guidelines as a one-time measure, according to the investigative agency's document.
&nbsp;
Consequently, a consortium of 18 banks, including IOB, restructured KAL's current credit facilities through a Master Debt Recast Agreement (MDRA), which was signed by KAL and the lenders.
&nbsp;
The case's allegations involve false assurances, and the misuse of loans for purposes other than originally intended, as stated by the CBI.
&nbsp;
The chargesheet alleged that the defendant deliberately and with the intention to deceive failed to repay the loans as required and caused a wrongful loss of Rs 141.91 crore due to the loan defaults.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, the investigating agency claimed that an additional wrongful loss of Rs 38.30 crores occurred due to the conversion of loans to shares.

Non-bailable warrant against Mallya in loan default case

The GST and Central Excise Commissionerate in Coimbatore celebrated 'GST Day' with a grand event attended by numerous dignitaries and officials. N Rengaraj, IRS, the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax in Coimbatore, served as the Chief Guest, while SK Sundararaman, Managing Director of M/s Shiva Texyarn Limited and Chairman of The South India Mills Association, was the Guest of Honour.
&nbsp;
Banoth Mrugender Lal, IAS, Joint Commissioner (CT), was the Guest of Event. The occasion also saw participation from various business leaders, auditors, accountants, and government officials from both Central and State levels.
&nbsp;
The keynote address was delivered by K Ramakrishnan, who emphasised the empowerment brought about by the GST Network. He highlighted how this platform has facilitated a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly system for both taxpayers and tax officials. Ramakrishnan noted the significant growth in the number of taxpayers in the GST and Central Excise Commissionerate, Coimbatore, which has risen from 26,744 in July 2017, when GST was introduced, to 81,552 in 2023-2024.
&nbsp;
This represents a 204 percent increase in the tax base. Furthermore, he mentioned that the tax revenue collected by the Commissionerate increased from Rs 1,106 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 3,390 crore in 2023-24, marking a 206 percent increase.
&nbsp;
Banoth Mrugender Lal, IAS, in his address, informed the attendees that there are approximately 77,000 assesses in Coimbatore State GST, distributed across 36 Circles. He reported that the gross revenue for the previous financial year was Rs 3,810 Crores.
&nbsp;
Sundararaman, Managing Director of M/s Shiva Texyarn Limited, also spoke at the event, acknowledging the efforts of the Departmental Officers. He pointed out that a 1 percent increase in GST corresponds to a 0.6 percent growth in the economy.
&nbsp;
Representing the textile industry, Sundararaman noted that the sector is recovering from the recession, with Tamil Nadu accounting for 46 percent of the spinning and weaving capacity in the country.
&nbsp;
Chief Guest N Rengaraj, in his speech, underscored the collaborative relationship between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), both of which operate under the same Ministry.
&nbsp;
He highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the CBIC and CBDT in 2020 for data sharing. Additionally, he mentioned that the Income Tax department has amended Form 3CB to incorporate GST Data.
&nbsp;
During the event, high revenue achievers in terms of tax payment, as well as successful entrepreneurs and exporters, were recognized and honoured. The celebration saw the felicitation of two large taxpayers, two medium taxpayers, two small taxpayers, and two exporters for their outstanding performance.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, 'Samman Patra' was awarded to 15 officers for their exemplary service, including one officer in the rank of Deputy Director (Cost). Two officers who excelled in sports were also honoured for their achievements.
&nbsp;
The 'GST Day' celebration in Coimbatore thus highlighted the progress and achievements of the GST and Central Excise Commissionerate, showcasing the growth in taxpayer numbers and revenue, and recognizing the contributions of individuals and businesses to the system.

Coimbatore

GST Day celebrations in Coimbatore highlight achievements

Palak Chouhan

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved several significant bills on Monday, including measures to seize vehicles involved in the illegal transportation of cows for slaughter and to impose penalties on owners of open borewells. The cabinet also endorsed a proposal requiring state ministers to pay their own income tax.
&nbsp;
The meeting, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, took place at the assembly campus in Bhopal on Monday.
&nbsp;
One bill seeks to amend the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, granting district collectors the authority to confiscate vehicles used for transporting cows for slaughter. This measure aims to address instances where vehicles seized for illegal cow transportation are later released by court order.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We have decided that vehicles involved in cow slaughter will be confiscated and will not get released,&rdquo; Chief Minister Yadav stated.
&nbsp;
Another bill targets the prevention of accidents involving open borewells. If an open borewell is found to not be properly sealed, the owner will face penalties, with the Public Health Engineering Department authorised to enforce these measures. This initiative follows several tragic incidents in which children fell into open borewells.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Carelessness and negligence will not be tolerated,&rdquo; Yadav said, urging owners to secure open borewells.
&nbsp;
The cabinet also approved an amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Minister (Salary and Allowance) Amendment Bill, 2024, ending the practice of the state government paying ministers&rsquo; income tax, a rule in place since 1972. Once the bill becomes law, ministers will be responsible for their own tax payments.
Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned a Rs 107.27 crore proposal for the modernization and renovation of Vallabh Bhawan, one of the state secretariat buildings.
&nbsp;
These legislative changes reflect the state government&rsquo;s commitment to improving safety and fiscal responsibility.

Bhopal

Vehicles used in cow slaughter to be seized: MP cabinet

The Shiv Sena (UBT) won the Mumbai Graduates and Mumbai Teachers constituencies, while the BJP secured the Konkan Graduates seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, the results of which were announced on Monday.
&nbsp;
Elections for the Mumbai Graduates, Konkan Graduates, Mumbai Teachers, and Nashik Teachers constituencies took place on June 26, with 143,297 voters casting their ballots, of which 132,071 votes were deemed valid.
&nbsp;
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab won the Mumbai Graduates constituency by defeating the BJP's Kiran Shelar. Parab received 44,784 votes, while Shelar secured 18,772 votes. Out of the total votes cast, 64,222 were considered valid, and the quota for victory was 32,112 votes. Parab was declared elected after receiving 44,784 first-preference votes.
&nbsp;
In the Konkan Graduates constituency, BJP candidate Niranjan Davkhare defeated Ramesh Keer of the Congress, securing 100,719 votes against Keer's 28,585.
&nbsp;
Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate J.M. Abhyankar won the Mumbai Teachers seat, receiving 4,083 of the 11,598 valid votes.

Maharashtra council polls: Sena (UBT) 2, BJP 1

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved a proposal on Monday to rename the post of Vice-Chancellor (Kulpati) of universities to "Kulguru," aligning with cultural and traditional values.
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that the change connects the state's educational institutions with its sanskriti (culture) and Guru Parampara (tradition).
&nbsp;
An official confirmed that the state cabinet has given the green light to amend the relevant act to reflect this new designation. As a result, all university vice-chancellors in Madhya Pradesh will now be referred to as Kulgurus.
&nbsp;
"This decision is significant as we will celebrate Guru Purnima this month, and addressing vice-chancellors as Kulgurus aligns with our cultural traditions," Yadav said.
&nbsp;
Yadav also mentioned that several other states have expressed interest in the proposal and have requested copies of it. "This renaming connects us with the Guru Parampara," he added.
&nbsp;
He further noted that the term Kulpati occasionally posed challenges, particularly for women in the position, as it could be awkward for them to refer to their spouses as husbands of "Kulpatis."
&nbsp;
Previously serving as the higher education minister under former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Yadav had initially proposed renaming the vice-chancellor designation to Kulguru, but the plan had not come to fruition until now.

MP cabinet approves 'Kulguru' title for VCs

Deepan

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted above-normal rainfall for July, raising concerns about potential floods in the western Himalayan states and central river basins.
&nbsp;
Conversely, northeast India may experience below-normal rainfall this month, mitigating flood risks in the region.
&nbsp;
Speaking at a virtual press conference, IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the anticipated rainfall for July is likely to exceed 106 per cent of the long-period average (LPA) of 28.04 cm across the country.
&nbsp;
"We anticipate normal to above-normal rainfall over most parts of India, except for northeastern regions and certain areas of northwest, east, and southeast peninsular India," Mohapatra noted.
&nbsp;
He pointed out the heightened likelihood of heavy rainfall in specific areas, particularly highlighting Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and the foothills of the western Himalayas.
&nbsp;
These regions are susceptible to severe weather events such as cloudbursts, landslides, and flooding due to their topography and the origin of numerous rivers.
&nbsp;
"In central India, including the Godavari and Mahanadi river basins, we also expect above-normal rainfall, which increases the potential for flooding," Mohapatra added.
&nbsp;
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based in Nepal, has reiterated concerns over the monsoon season in the Hindukush Himalayan region, affecting countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
&nbsp;
"Despite below-average rainfall last year, catastrophic floods devastated many mountainous areas of the Hindukush Himalaya," remarked Mandira Shrestha, programme coordinator for climate services at ICIMOD.
&nbsp;
She expressed apprehension over this year's monsoon outlook amidst a warming trend that accelerates snowmelt, glacier retreat, and destabilizes mountain slopes.
&nbsp;
"This forecast serves as a crucial alert for international donors, multilateral agencies, and disaster management officials. Early warning systems must urgently be reinforced in this densely populated region facing escalating risks," Shrestha stressed. 
In July 2023, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand witnessed devastating floods, followed by flooding in the Teesta river in the eastern Himalayas during October. 
Mohapatra also highlighted the below-normal rainfall recorded in June this year, which saw an 11 percent deficit, the highest in five years. Data from IMD indicates a historical trend where below-normal June rainfall often precedes normal to above-normal July rainfall. 
"June's subdued rainfall was attributed to a delayed onset of monsoon over northern and eastern India, exacerbated by unfavorable weather systems," Mohapatra explained. The absence of typical weather phenomena like the Madden-Julian Oscillation and active western disturbances further prolonged dry spells and heatwaves in northwest and central India. 
The IMD's climate analysis revealed that maximum temperatures in July are likely to remain normal to below normal across most of northwest India and peninsular India, except for the west coast. Conversely, central, east, and northeast India, along with the west coast, may experience above-normal maximum temperatures. 
Regarding minimum temperatures, Mohapatra indicated they are expected to be above normal in many parts of India, excluding certain areas of northwest and central India, as well as pockets of southeastern peninsular India. The IMD anticipates cloudy conditions to contribute to higher minimum temperatures during the monsoon season. 
Northwest India recorded its warmest June since 1901, with a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius, surpassing the long-term average. Maximum temperatures averaged 38.02 degrees Celsius, nearly 2 degrees Celsius above normal, while minimum temperatures settled at 25.44 degrees Celsius, 1.35 degrees Celsius above normal.

IMD rings flood alert for western Himalayas, central India

Amarpreet Kaur

Politics is the art of the possible. Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress have always been fierce rivals. They continue till today.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
There is a long history behind this rivalry, although long ago, in the immediate aftermath of the independence of the country, there was an alliance between the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Veteran Akali leader and five-time Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal was elected to the assembly for the first time on Congress symbol.
&nbsp;
It was during the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s speech on the motion of thanks to the President's address in the Lok Sabha on Monday that he spoke about farmers&rsquo; issues and accused the government of India of describing the farmers as terrorists.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the lone Akali member of the Akali Dal seconded Rahul&rsquo;s allegations that the farmers&rsquo; were being described as "terrorists", to which Rahul remarked to BJP, saying, "even your ally agrees with that&rdquo;.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Later, Harsimrat said that she agreed with Rahul Gandhi on the farmers&rsquo; issues, saying, the protesting farmers, particularly those from Punjab, were described as &ldquo;terrorists&rdquo; and &ldquo;Khalistanis&rdquo;.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
At the same time, she made it categorically clear that the Shiromani Akali Dal can never agree with the Congress on anything. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
Harsimrat may have reiterated her party&rsquo;s permanent opposition to the Congress, but still, nothing can be ruled out in politics. So much has changed both in the Congress as well as the Akali Dal over the years.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Right now, it is obviously, impossible to even imagine that the Akali Dal and the Congress can ever be together. But, yes, on certain issues they can be, like their opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Despite being allies, the Akalis, Harsimrat in particular, have been very bitter critics of the BJP. She has been blaming the BJP for the rebellion that is being faced by the party right now. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
There might come situations like today, when it will be difficult for the Akali Dal not to side with the Congress. The Akali Dal right now sits in the opposition. &nbsp;
At the same time, the party is not part of the Indian National &nbsp;Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). It obviously cannot be, since two main parties, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are part of the INDIA bloc and both are strongly opposed to the Akalis and vice versa in Punjab.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Like on the issue of farmers, the party may end up siding with the INDIA bloc. The bloc has demanded a legal guarantee for the MSP on crops. In case, the bloc brings in a bill in the parliament on the issue, the Akali candidate will have no option but to support it and side with the bloc.
&nbsp;
That would be the farthest the Akalis can go along with the Congress or the AAP or the INDIA bloc at this stage. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
Given the opposition being faced by the BJP in rural areas and the acceptability of the Congress, a possible understanding/agreement between the Congress and the Akalis may not be unimaginable, although it sounds highly improbable right now.

SAD's Harsimrat sides with Rahul on farmers’ issue

Neha Singh

&ldquo;It was god&rsquo;s plan,&rdquo; Suryakumar Yadav said on Monday as he reminisced his incredible match-defining catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, which is being lauded across the board as the perfect execution of athleticism, balance and game awareness.
&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 a brief telephonic conversation with PTI, the Mumbaikar was modest about his role in India's title triumph. Rohit Sharma&rsquo;s men defeated a dangerous South Africa by seven runs in the summit clash in Bridgetown, Barbados 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;">&ldquo;I am just grateful to be in that moment to do something special for the country... god&rsquo;s plan it was,&rdquo; Suryakumar said when asked about the catch that has become a standout moment from the game.
<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;">Needing 16 runs from the final over, South Africa had the big-hitting David Miller on strike.
<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 hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya but Suryakumar steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, released it just as he went over the boundary ropes and then came back in to complete an astonishing catch.
<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;">For many old-time fans, it brought back memories of the brilliant catch that Kapil Dev took in the 1983 World Cup final against the mighty West Indies. Kapil had run sideways from mid-on to grab a top edge from the great Viv Richards off Madan Lal&rsquo;s bowling in a fine display of sound judgement.
<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 Saturday, the 33-year-old Suryakumar ensured that his name too will be remembered fondly every time an Indian fan recollects the see-saw finale in Bridgetown.
<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;">Before that, the equation was 30 runs from as many balls but South Africa bungled in a typical fashion with Hardik Pandya triggering the collapse, dismissing a well-set Heinrich Klaasen for 52.
<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 Proteas went on to lose four wickets for 17 runs to be restricted to 169/8 in pursuit of 177.
<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;">Suryakumar&rsquo;s decision-making and awareness was also applauded by India&rsquo;s fielding coach T Dilip.
<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;When the moment comes, it&rsquo;s his decision and awareness of rope, that&rsquo;s very important, and knowing with confidence that he can throw and come back, it&rsquo;s a decision-making at that time, and he got on to that,&rdquo; Dilip had 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;We fielded like a pack of wolves, as Rahul bhai and Rohit keep saying.... Everybody knew their roles but together we hunted every opportunity which came our way leaving no stone unturned,&rdquo; he added.
<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 title conquest ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title for India.
<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 side is currently stranded in Bridgetown due to a category 4 hurricane that has pounded the island leading to a complete shutdown of air services. 
&nbsp;

Surya exudes modesty over his winning catch in T20 WC final

Australia has significantly increased the cost of student visas for international students from USD 710 to USD 1,600, a move that will heavily impact the large number of Indian students aspiring to study in the country.
&nbsp;
This change, effective from July 1, has sparked outrage among student representatives, who warn that the steep price hike will deter prospective students and drive them to competing destinations.
&nbsp;
ABC News reported on Monday that student visa fees have more than doubled, marking a significant financial strain for many international students.
&nbsp;
The Australian federal government has justified the fee increase, stating that the additional revenue will support various educational initiatives.
&nbsp;
These include reductions in graduate debt, financial aid for apprentices, and the continued implementation of the country's migration strategy.
&nbsp;
Minister for Education Jason Clare pointed out the importance of maintaining the integrity and quality of Australia's international education sector.
&nbsp;
"International education is an incredibly important national asset, and we need to ensure its integrity and quality," Clare stated.
&nbsp;
According to the Indian High Commission in Canberra, as of August 2023, there are approximately 1,20,277 Indian students enrolled in Australian institutions, making them the second-largest group of international students in the country.
&nbsp;
Yeganeh Soltanpour, the national president of the Council of International Students Australia, criticized the decision, highlighting the additional burden the fee increase places on students.
&nbsp;
She maintained that the combination of high visa fees and substantial deposit requirements is particularly disheartening for many students, causing them to consider other countries for their education.
&nbsp;
"The possibility of spending all that money only to face rejection is quite disheartening for many students. It has caused many in the student community to explore other options and competitive countries," Soltanpour said.
&nbsp;
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, echoed these concerns, describing the announcement as the "last straw" for an already struggling international education sector.
&nbsp;
He warned that the increase could lead to a significant decline in Australia's USD 48 billion-a-year education industry and harm relationships with Indo-Pacific nations that rely on Australian education for their young people.
&nbsp;
"We are really in danger of losing a USD 48 billion-a-year industry," Honeywood cautioned, adding that this change could push prospective students towards the United Kingdom, which currently charges USD 900 for student visas.
<div class="mt-1 flex gap-3 empty:hidden juice:-ml-3">
<div class="items-center justify-start rounded-xl p-1 flex">
<div class="flex items-center">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

Melbourne

Australia doubles international student visa fees

The first FIR under India's new criminal code, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, was officially registered at 12:10 am in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, for a motorcycle theft. This clarifies earlier reports that incorrectly claimed the first case was against a street vendor in Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the confusion, asserting that the initial case indeed involved a stolen motorcycle worth ₹1.80 lakh.
&nbsp;
In Delhi, however, the first application of the new law did occur shortly thereafter. A street vendor was charged for obstructing a road near the railway station.
&nbsp;
This case was registered under Section 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which penalises any act causing danger, obstruction, or injury to any person in a public way.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The street vendor, identified as Pankaj Kumar from Patna, Bihar, had set up a makeshift stall selling water bottles and gutkha. Despite repeated requests from police to move his stall, he did not comply, leading to the filing of the FIR.
&nbsp;
The new criminal codes&mdash;Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam&mdash;came into force today, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and the Code of Criminal Procedure. These changes aim to modernise India's criminal justice system, ensuring speedy justice and addressing contemporary types of crime.
&nbsp;
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that the overhaul of these laws was necessary to bring them in line with Indian ethos and the spirit of the Constitution.
&nbsp;
The new codes prioritise crimes against women and children and are designed to expedite legal proceedings. Judgments are now mandated within 45 days of trial completion, and charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.
&nbsp;
The implementation of these new laws has not been without controversy. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticised the government for what they perceive as a hasty rollout.
&nbsp;
They argue that sufficient discussion and debate were not conducted before the enactment of these significant legal changes. However, Shah has countered these claims, stating that no other law in India's history has been discussed in such detail in Parliament.
&nbsp;
The legal community and the public will be closely watching how these new laws are applied and whether they achieve the intended goals of delivering swift and fair justice.
&nbsp;
The early cases, such as the motorcycle theft in Gwalior and the street vendor's obstruction in Delhi, will serve as initial tests for the effectiveness and practicality of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and its accompanying codes.

HM Amit Shah clarifies first case under new laws in Gwalior

Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader KS Eshwarappa on Monday said he has been invited by the saffron party to rejoin it.
&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, however, said he is not in a hurry to join the party and would discuss it before taking a call.
<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;A few BJP leaders approached me, asking to rejoin the party. I haven't decided yet. I am not in a hurry,&rdquo; Eshwarappa told the media.
<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;">Eshwarappa had rebelled against the party and contested the Lok Sabha election ignoring the party high command&rsquo;s direction. He was defeated by former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa&rsquo;s elder son BY Raghavendra.
<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 expelled leader, who held several key positions including the Deputy Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council and the BJP state president, was upset when the party denied his son KE Kantesh a ticket in the recent Lok Sabha election to contest from Haveri Lok Sabha seat.
<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 opened a front against former Chief Minister and BJP stalwart BS Yediyurappa and his two sons Raghavendra and BJP state president BY Vijayendra accusing them of making BJP a &lsquo;dynastic party&rsquo; in Karnataka. 
&nbsp;

Bengaluru

Eshwarappa asked to rejoin BJP again by party leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 111th episode of &lsquo;Mann Ki Baat&rsquo; on Sunday, June 30, praised the &ldquo;flavour and significance&rdquo; of Araku coffee from Andhra Pradesh. He recalled sharing a moment over coffee with the state chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his visit to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;There are numerous products from India that enjoy high demand globally, and it fills us with pride to see our local products achieving international recognition. One such product is Araku coffee, renowned for its rich flavour and aroma, cultivated extensively in the Alluri Sita Ram Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. Approximately 1.5 lakh tribal families are involved in its cultivation&hellip;,&rdquo; PM Modi said.
&nbsp;
A political slugfest seems to have begun between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress over Prime Minister Narendra Modi Araku coffee comment.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a potshot at PM Modi for &ldquo;exaggerating&rdquo; facts.
&nbsp;
Taking to X, the Congress leader said that the Prime Minister gave the impression that he had invented the Araku coffee brand.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;It was the Naandi Foundation that was responsible for the initiative of coffee cultivation by tribal communities in the lovely Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh with assistance from the state and the central government. As Minister of State of Commerce, I had been privileged to launch the brand in Araku Valley on December 21, 2007. I had been back there five years later as Union Minister of Rural Development.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
GI tag for Araku coffee
&nbsp;
Araku coffee received its Geographical Indication (GI)&nbsp; in 2019. A GI tag signifies products originating from a specific geographical area, known for possessing unique qualities or reputation due to their origin.
&nbsp;
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal also shared the Prime Minister&rsquo;s mention about Araku coffee on his X (formerly Twitter) account. &ldquo;Truly matchless! Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s GI-tagged Araku coffee is empowering tribals and strengthening brand India globally,&rdquo; Goyal wrote.
&nbsp;
Araku Valley Arabica coffee is sourced from the hilly terrains of Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, and the Odisha region is grown at elevations of 900-1100 metres above sea level.
&nbsp;
The coffee production by tribal communities follows an organic approach, emphasising practices such as the use of organic manures, green manuring, and organic pest management.
&nbsp;
Other types of Indian coffee with GI tags
&nbsp;
Coorg Arabica coffee is cultivated exclusively in the Kodagu district of Karnataka.
&nbsp;
Wayanaad Robusta coffee is grown specifically in the Wayanad district in the eastern&nbsp;part of Kerala.
&nbsp;
Chikmagalur Arabica coffee is produced in the Chikmagalur district, located in the Malnad region of Karnataka on the Deccan plateau.
&nbsp;
Bababudangiris Arabica coffee is grown in the birthplace of coffee in India, situated in the central part of Chikmagalur district. It is meticulously hand-picked and processed using natural fermentation, resulting in a full-bodied cup with acidity, mild flavour, and a prominent aroma with hints of chocolate.
Monsooned Malabar Robusta coffee, a distinctive specialty coffee from India, received GI certification earlier.
&nbsp;
Monsooned Malabar Robusta coffee, a distinctive specialty coffee from India, received GI certification earlier.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Amaravati

Political slugfest surrounding Araku coffee

On Monday, Pakistan handed over to India a list of defence personnel who went missing during the wars of 1965 and 1971, in addition to exchanging lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody. This exchange took place through diplomatic channels in both New Delhi and Islamabad.
&nbsp;
Pakistan's Foreign Office announced that a list containing 38 missing Pakistani defence personnel, who are believed to be in Indian custody since the 1965 and 1971 wars, was provided to India.
&nbsp;
This exchange of information is part of a regular practice stipulated by the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access of 2008, which mandates such exchanges every year on January 1 and July 1.
&nbsp;
In the exchange, Pakistan provided a list of 254 individuals, either Indian or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, currently held in Pakistani jails. Similarly, India handed over a list of 452 individuals, either Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen, detained in Indian jails.
&nbsp;
The Foreign Office emphasised that the Pakistani government has called for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences in India.
&nbsp;
Moreover, a request for special consular access to several believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including those who are physically and mentally challenged, was made. Pakistan seeks expeditious confirmation of their national status to facilitate their return.
&nbsp;
Pakistan also urged India to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting their release and repatriation.
&nbsp;
The Pakistani government has been actively working on this issue, resulting in the repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners in 2023 and four more in the current year.
&nbsp;
The exchange of these lists and the discussions surrounding the missing defense personnel highlight the ongoing humanitarian concerns between the two countries.
&nbsp;
It underscores the need for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve issues related to prisoners and missing persons, ensuring that those who have completed their sentences are returned to their homeland and that the well-being of detainees is maintained while they await their return.

India and Pakistan swap prisoner and soldier lists

An attack by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging its leaders are not Hindus as they engage in "violence and hate" drew massive protests from the treasury benches, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the Congress leader of calling the entire Hindu community violent.
 Gandhi responded, however, by saying he was speaking about the BJP and neither the ruling party nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) nor Modi represents the entire Hindu society.
&nbsp;
Besides Modi, who intervened twice, at least five cabinet ministers also interjected during Gandhi's speech that lasted for about an hour and 40 minutes, with Home Minister Amit Shah demanding his apology for painting the Hindu community as violent.
&nbsp;
"It is not just one religion that talks about courage. In fact, all our religions talk about courage," Gandhi said in his debut speech as the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha that was watched by his mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from the visitors' gallery.
&nbsp;
Gandhi quoted Prophet Mohammad to highlight that the Quran also talks about fearlessness and said when our hands are raised for "dua," the "abhay mudra" can also be observed in a way.
&nbsp;
Holding up pictures of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ, he referred to Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism to underline the importance of fearlessness. He also cited the attributes of Lord Shiva and teachings of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Buddha and Mahavir to state that all religions and great people of the country have said "daro mat, darao mat (do not be scared, do not scare others)".
&nbsp;
"Shivji says daro mat, darao mat, shows the abhay mudra (the right hand held upright with the palm facing outwards), talks about ahimsa, but those who call themselves Hindus indulge in hatred, violence and untruths round the clock," Gandhi said, pointing towards the BJP MPs.
&nbsp;
As the treasury-bench members stood up in protest, Gandhi slammed the BJP, saying, "Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus). It is clearly written in Hinduism that one should stand with the truth and not back down from the truth or be scared of it," he said.
&nbsp;
Intervening during his speech, Modi said, "This issue is very serious. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a serious issue."
&nbsp;
Gandhi said he is talking about the BJP and the ruling party is not the sole representative of Hinduism.
&nbsp;
Shah sought the Congress leader's apology to the House and the country for hurting the feelings of crores of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus.
&nbsp;
He said the ruckus created by the opposition cannot drown the fact that the words -- "those who call themselves Hindus indulge in violence" -- were used in the House.
&nbsp;
Shah spoke of the Emergency and 1984 anti-Sikhs riots to hit back at Gandhi, saying he has no right to talk about non-violence when the Congress had spread "ideological terror" in the country.
&nbsp;
In a swipe at Gandhi for alleging that ministers do not greet him due to the fear of Modi, the prime minister said democracy and the Constitution have taught him to take the leader of opposition seriously.
&nbsp;
Gandhi accused the BJP of launching "systematic attacks" on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India, noting that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party.
&nbsp;
"I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi and the government. There were 20-plus cases (against me), a two-year jail sentence, (my) house was taken away, 55 hours of interrogation by the ED," he said.
&nbsp;
As Gandhi held up a picture of Lord Shiva, Speaker Om Birla reminded him that rules do not allow displaying placards in the House.
&nbsp;
The Congress leader also accused the BJP of threatening minorities and spreading hatred and violence against Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.
&nbsp;
He said minorities represent India in all spheres and bring pride to the nation. "They stand like a rock with the country and are patriots, but you (BJP) attack them," he said.
&nbsp;
Referring to the Agnipath scheme for short-term military recruitment, Gandhi said the government regards the Agniveers as "use-and-throw labourers" and does not even give them the status of a "shaheed" (martyr).
&nbsp;
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intervened to rebut Gandhi's charge and said an Agniveer who lays down his life in the line of duty gets a compensation of Rs 1 crore.
&nbsp;
"This House is not for spreading lies. Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the House, to the country and to Agniveers," Shah said.
&nbsp;
Gandhi claimed that the armed forces know that Agnipath was Modi's brainchild, prompting Singh to accuse the leader of opposition of misleading the House.
&nbsp;
"If we come to power, we will scrap the Agnipath scheme as it is against jawans, the armed forces and deshbhakts (patriots)," Gandhi said.
&nbsp;
He also hit out at the Centre over the situation in Manipur, alleging that it has pushed the northeastern state into a civil war.
&nbsp;
The former Congress chief also slammed the government over farmers' issues, saying it did not want to give a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
&nbsp;
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan objected to Gandhi's remarks and accused him of "misleading" the House. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Bhupender Yadav also intervened at different points of Gandhi's speech.
&nbsp;
Later, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Rijiju and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, held a press conference to rebut Gandhi's allegations.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Referring to a row involving medical entrance exam NEET, Gandhi said students do not believe in the exam because they feel that it is for the rich people and there is no place in it for meritorious students.
&nbsp;
Talking about his new role as the leader of opposition, Gandhi said his job is to represent all parties equally with love and affection.
&nbsp;
"So when Hemant Soren or (Arvind) Kejriwal goes to jail, I should be concerned. When you unleash enforcement agencies on them, we should defend them. When you are a constitutional person, your personal aspirations should take a back seat," he said.
&nbsp;
In his concluding remarks, Gandhi asked the ruling party not to spread fear or hatred in the minds of people.
&nbsp;
"Do not think of the opposition as your enemies. We are ready to discuss any issue that you bring before us. I congratulate you for winning 240 seats," he said.

Ruckus in Parliament after Rahul’s anti-BJP remarks

China has deployed its second aircraft carrier, 'Shandong,' to patrol waters off the Philippine coast as Manila intensifies its efforts to assert claims over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, opposing Beijing's counterclaims.
&nbsp;
The Shandong, with a displacement of about 70,000 tonnes, was observed patrolling the waters as a deterrent against "continuous Philippine provocations" on Chinese islands and reefs, according to a report by the state-run Global Times on Monday.
&nbsp;
The deployment of Shandong comes amid heightened maritime territorial conflicts between China and the Philippines.
&nbsp;
Experts quoted by Chinese media suggest that the aircraft carrier is on a scheduled exercise that might also prepare it for potential long-distance voyages into the West Pacific.
&nbsp;
In response to rising tensions, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has also deployed major surface combat ships, including large and medium destroyers, as well as main amphibious landing ships in the South China Sea.
&nbsp;
Ni Lexiong, a defence professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, told the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post that Shandong's presence aims to act as a deterrent to both Manila and Washington, highlighting "China's determination to protect territorial sea sovereignty" amid tensions over the Second Thomas Shoal.
&nbsp;
Chester Cabalza, president and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation, a Manila-based think-tank, described the carrier's patrol as "performative politics" by Beijing, warning that frequent such patrols might indicate a significant security threat.
&nbsp;
He added, "Once we see massive military force, that means Beijing is preparing for a war."
&nbsp;
Amid these tensions, a Chinese Coast Guard ship rescued two Philippine fishermen after their vessel suffered damage from an explosion near Huangyan Dao, also known as Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
&nbsp;
The Philippine side expressed gratitude for the humanitarian rescue conducted by the China Coast Guard, according to Global Times.
&nbsp;
The confrontation between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea has escalated to violence, with naval ships from both nations colliding last month.
&nbsp;
This marked the first such incident since Beijing issued new regulations to act against foreign vessels and detain foreigners suspected of violating its territorial waters.
&nbsp;
A few weeks ago, a collision occurred between a Philippine naval ship and a Chinese vessel near the Second Thomas Shoal, a region claimed by Manila.
&nbsp;
The incident further strained the already tense relations between the two countries, which have experienced numerous face-offs in recent months.
&nbsp;
The South China Sea is a heavily disputed region, with China claiming most of it, while the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan also assert claims.
&nbsp;
The Philippines, backed by the United States, is vigorously asserting its claims based on a 2016 ruling by a tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which endorsed Manila's rights.
&nbsp;
China, which boycotted the tribunal proceedings, has rejected the ruling and continues to assert its claims fiercely. Last month, China enacted a new law empowering its coast guard to seize foreign ships illegally entering its territorial waters and detain foreign crews for up to 60 days.
&nbsp;
The law also authorises the coast guard to use force if necessary.
&nbsp;
In a show of support for Manila, the United States has deployed mid-range Typhon missile systems in the Philippines. Additionally, the Philippines has imported BrahMos missiles from India to bolster its defence capabilities.
&nbsp;
China currently operates two aircraft carriers: Liaoning, a refitted Soviet-era ship, and Shandong, an indigenously built carrier commissioned in 2019. China's third aircraft carrier, Fujian, which has a displacement of 80,000 tonnes, is currently undergoing trials.
&nbsp;
The Fujian is the first fully domestically developed and constructed aircraft carrier, equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) similar to that of the American USS Gerald R. Ford.
&nbsp;
Unlike China's other two carriers, which have ski-jump take-off ramps, the Fujian features a flat-top flight deck. China uses its indigenously built J-15 aircraft for its carriers.

Manila

China’s Shandong carrier on Philippine coast raises eyebrows

July 1 has been observed as National Doctor&rsquo;s Day since 1991. However, the day&rsquo;s relevance is slightly more pertinent this time than the previous years.
 At the very onset of the day, the National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the result of the retest for the medical entrance exam NEET-UG 2024.
 The revised list was announced on Monday after a retest was conducted for candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks to compensate for loss of time as the exam on May 5 started late at six centres.
 NTA appears to be very tactical with the dates.
&nbsp;
It was June 4, when it first declared the results of the NEET-UG 2024&mdash; a day when the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was declared. And the retest&rsquo;s results coincide with the National Doctor&rsquo;s Day.
&nbsp;
Is, the day &mdash; National Doctor&rsquo;s Day &mdash; selected for declaring the re-test results of the NEET examination a move to give justice to the students, amid allegations of irregularities?
 Alas, the events that followed regarding the irregularities in the NEET examination still continue to rock the nation. &nbsp; July 1&mdash; History and its Significance
 National Doctors Day is celebrated on July 1st (since 1991) in India to honour the birth and death anniversary of the renowned physician Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy.
 He was the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, who is remembered for his contributions to the medical field and his commitment to the welfare of the people.
 The theme chosen for National Doctor&rsquo;s Day in 2024 is &ldquo;Healing Hands, Caring Hearts.&rdquo;
 As far as the significance of the day is concerned, National Doctor's Day acknowledges the critical role doctors play in society. From providing routine medical care to responding to emergencies, doctors are the backbone of the healthcare system.&nbsp;
 The day is also considered an opportunity for the public to express gratitude to the medical community. This day encourages society to appreciate and support the medical profession and to advocate for better working conditions and resources for healthcare workers.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, extended his greetings on the occasion taking to platform X.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Greetings on Doctors Day. This is a day to honour the incredible dedication and compassion of our healthcare heroes. They can navigate the most challenging complexities with remarkable skill. Our Government is fully committed to improving the health infrastructure in India and ensuring doctors get the widespread respect they deserve,&rdquo; PM Modi wrote.
 On the other hand, a day, which should be reserved for expressing gratitude to the entire medical fraternity, also saw discussion in the Parliament over the controversy surrounding the NEET exam.
 The tensions between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led INDIA bloc persisted on Monday in the Lok Sabha, with the INDIA walking out over its demand for a discussion on the ongoing NEET row.
 The Opposition, led by the Congress, pressed for a dedicated one-day debate on the issue of the NEET paper leak in the Lower House of Parliament. Conversely, the government aimed to continue the Motion of Thanks on the President&rsquo;s address to the Parliament.
 The Opposition demands a solution into the NEET issue, as LoP Rahul Gandhi stressed, &ldquo;We need to send a strong message from Parliament to the students that we prioritise the NEET issue&rdquo;.
 The PM, too, took to X to address how the healthcare heroes of the country have to navigate through &ldquo;challenging complexities&rdquo; to serve the nation.
 The manner in which students who work hard to succeed in the examination, which will enable them to live their dreams of becoming a doctor, have been failed with the reported irregularities is worrying. And they should be served justice.
 Mere addressing the issue and turning it into a political debate will not serve the problem.
 Although the Central Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation, punishment for those found guilty should act as a testament that will help avoid any such controversy around India&rsquo;s top-notch medical examination in future.

Tactical move to declare NEET retest result on Doctor's Day

In a recent crackdown, the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Agartala detained 39 Bangladeshi nationals and five Indian touts over the past month.
&nbsp;
The latest development saw 11 individuals, including children, apprehended on Monday at Agartala Railway Station.
&nbsp;
Tapas Das, Officer-in-Charge of Agartala GRP, disclosed that acting on a tip-off late Sunday night, they apprehended 11 suspects who confessed to entering India from Bangladesh without valid documents.
&nbsp;
They were arrested under the Indian Passport Act after initial interrogation.
&nbsp;
Among the detainees, six are women and five are minors, underscoring concerns over illegal immigration from Bangladesh into India.
&nbsp;
Over the past four days alone, 24 Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested at Agartala Railway Station.
&nbsp;
This follows an earlier incident on Saturday when 11 individuals were intercepted while attempting to board trains destined for Chennai, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha, and Kolkata.
&nbsp;
The arrested individuals, aged between 19 and 36 years, include Md Sujan Rana, Azizul Shaik, Md Limon, Nargis Akhtar, Yousuf Ali, Sahidul Islam, Nipa Mandal, Akhe Begam, Omi Akhtar, Sajib Ali, and Asma Biswas.
&nbsp;
In a separate incident on Friday, two Bangladeshi women were apprehended at Agartala Railway Station for illegally entering Tripura with intentions to travel to Karnataka for employment.

Agartala

Agartala GRP nab 22 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in 3 days

India, except for some parts of the northeastern region, may experience above-normal rainfall in July as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Addressing a virtual press conference, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said July rainfall averaged over the country as a whole is most likely to be above normal - more than 106% of the long-period average of 28.04 cm.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Normal to above-normal rainfall is most likely over most parts of the country except many parts of northeast India and some parts of northwest, east, and southeast peninsular India," he said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Met office said maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal over many parts of northwest India and south peninsular India, except the west coast.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over many parts of central India, east and northeast India, and along the west coast," it said.
&nbsp;
The minimum temperatures are most likely to be above normal over many parts of the country except some parts of northwest and the adjoining areas of central India, and some pockets of southeastern peninsular India, he said.
&nbsp;
We are expecting good monsoon rains in July. Cloudy conditions generally result in higher minimum temperatures, Mohapatra said.
&nbsp;
Northwest India recorded its warmest June last month since 1901, with a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius, the IMD said on Monday.
&nbsp;
The monthly average maximum temperature in the region settled at 38.02 degrees Celsius, 1.96 degrees Celsius above normal. The average minimum temperature stood at 25.44 degrees Celsius, 1.35 degrees Celsius above normal, according to IMD data.
&nbsp;
Northwest India recorded a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius in June, 1.65 degrees Celsius above normal and the highest since 1901, the IMD chief said.

IMD predicts above-normal July rainfall for India

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed on Monday, July 1 that the flood situation in Assam has deteriorated overnight.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Brahmaputra River is currently flowing above the danger mark at Neamatighat and Tezpur, with several other rivers also breaching danger levels in various areas.
&nbsp;
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for districts including Nalbari, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and Tinsukia, predicting a critical situation in the next 3-4 days.
&nbsp;
The ongoing floods have affected 14 districts, 41 revenue circles, and 698 villages, impacting approximately 2.74 lakh people.
&nbsp;
The NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) released 409 cubic metres of excess water, leading to the displacement of 21,000 people in North Lakhimpur. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Chief Minister Sarma to discuss the escalating flood situation in Assam.
&nbsp;
The conversation focused on the state's second wave of floods this year, primarily triggered by heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh and upper Assam.
&nbsp;
During the conversation, Sarma briefed the Prime Minister on the current flood conditions and outlined the relief measures initiated by the state government.
&nbsp;
The floods have disrupted normal life across numerous districts, posing significant challenges for residents and authorities alike.
&nbsp;
"I informed him about Assam experiencing a second wave of floods this year due to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of upper Assam. I also apprised him of the relief measures taken by the state government," Sarma tweeted.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah called me and assured of all help to deal with the situation,&rdquo; Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
&nbsp;
The NDRF and Army will be on standby to deal with any emergency, he said.
 
"All Ministers, MLAs and officials have been asked to closely monitor the situation,&rdquo; he added.
 Altogether 2,70,628 people in 14 districts, including Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, are reeling under the deluge, officials said.

Guwahati

Assam floods worsen, Brahmaputra above danger level

Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday stated that there are no differences between the state government and Raj Bhawan amid the controversy over the appointment of Palampur Agriculture University's vice chancellor.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Governor Shukla's remarks followed a meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday, during which the Chief Minister clarified that the file regarding the appointment of the agriculture university's VC is with the government and attributed the issue to a "communication gap."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Talking to reporters in Solan, Governor Shukla said that a minister had made a statement due to some misunderstanding which has been clarified by Chief Minister Sukhu.
&nbsp;
On June 27, Shukla took exception to the reported remarks by state Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar blaming the Raj Bhavan for the delay in the appointment of vice chancellor for the agriculture university in Palampur.
&nbsp;
Kumar had reportedly said that the file regarding the appointment of VC of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya at Palampur was pending in Raj Bhavan.
&nbsp;
On Sunday, the governor said the file has actually reached the government around three months ago and at present it is with the law department.
The chief minister himself has said this, Shukla said.
&nbsp;
Asked about preparedness for the monsoon, the governor said that he held talks with CM Sukhu recently and the government was directed to take adequate measures so that any disaster, like last year's, does not take place.
&nbsp;
"I feel that the CM is working in this regard. I hope that this time preparations will be better," he added.

Shimla

No rift between state govt, Raj Bhawan: Himachal Guv

Medha Patkar, a renowned social activist, has been sentenced to five months of simple imprisonment by a Delhi court in a defamation case that has been ongoing for 24 years.
&nbsp;
The case was brought against her by VK Saxena, who is currently serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. In addition to the jail term, the court ordered Patkar to pay Rs 10 lakh in damages to Saxena.
&nbsp;
The legal conflict between Patkar and Saxena began in 2000, when she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements that targeted her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a movement she has been associated with for decades.
&nbsp;
Saxena responded by filing two cases against Patkar, accusing her of making derogatory remarks about him on a television channel and issuing a defamatory statement.
&nbsp;
In May of this year, Patkar was convicted by the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma. The court found that her statements against Saxena were not only defamatory but also intended to incite negative perceptions about him. The conviction marked a significant development in a protracted legal battle that had spanned nearly a quarter of a century.
&nbsp;
During the sentencing on Monday, the court took into account Patkar's age and health, opting for a term of simple imprisonment rather than rigorous imprisonment. At 69 years old, Patkar's health was a significant consideration in the court's decision.
&nbsp;
Despite the conviction and sentencing, Patkar has moved a bail plea before the court, which has resulted in the suspension of her jail term for 30 days pending the outcome of the bail plea.
&nbsp;
Patkar's legal troubles stem from her long-standing activism and the contentious nature of her work with the Narmada Bachao Andolan. The NBA has been a focal point of her efforts to address the displacement of people due to large dam projects on the Narmada River. Her activism has often placed her at odds with various authorities and stakeholders, leading to numerous legal and political challenges over the years.
&nbsp;
The defamation case highlights the ongoing tensions between activists and authorities in India. It also underscores the risks faced by individuals who challenge powerful interests in their pursuit of social justice.
&nbsp;
Patkar's conviction and sentencing are likely to have significant implications for her future activism and may influence the broader landscape of activism in India.
&nbsp;
As Patkar awaits the hearing of her bail plea, her supporters and critics alike are watching closely. The outcome of her bail plea will determine whether she will have to serve the five-month jail term or if she will be granted temporary relief.
&nbsp;
In the meantime, the case continues to be a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by those who dedicate their lives to social activism.

Medha Patkar jailed for 5 months in defamation case

With worsening flood condition in Assam, rising water levels have impacted more than 43 per cent of the 233 forest camps at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, an official report said on Monday.
&nbsp;
As a significant portion of wildlife habitat is now submerged, scores of animals have started crossing the National Highway 715 in search of higher ground towards the southern direction in East Karbi Anglong district.
&nbsp;
However, no death of animals has been reported as of now due to floods or accidents while crossing the highway.
&nbsp;
Floodwaters have submerged a total of 101 forest camps, of which six have been vacated, across Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, according to a flood report.
&nbsp;
It said 35 camps in Agoratoli range, 21 in Kaziranga, 10 in Bagori, five in Burhapahar range and nine in Bokakhat are submerged.
&nbsp;
Besides, 21 forest camps in Biswanath Wildlife Division of the national park have been inundated, the report added.
&nbsp;
"Kaziranga National Park is well-prepared for the upcoming flood season with comprehensive measures in place to ensure the safety of wildlife, staff and visitors. Continuous monitoring and timely interventions will be prioritised to mitigate the impact of flooding," the report said.
&nbsp;
It said that herds of elephants have begun moving towards East Karbi Anglong through Hati Dandi corridor and animal sensors are in place to detect the movement.
&nbsp;
"Joint patrolling by commando action groups and forest teams is being conducted regularly. Additional staff from neighbouring divisions have been deployed to intensify patrolling. Joint patrolling in the fringe areas of the park is being carried out by Forest and Police Departments," the report said.
&nbsp;
The Kaziranga National Park (KNP) authority has set up a dedicated floodwater gauge station with support from the Central Water Commission, while rescue teams and veterinary care units are on standby for immediate deployment.
&nbsp;
"Boats, boatlines, barricades, raincoats, rescue materials and medicines have been procured and are already deployed. Country boats, speedboats and mechanised boats have been strategically deployed in key areas for swift response," the bulletin said.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the Golaghat district administration on Sunday evening issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC to safeguard the animals crossing the NH-715, which passes through KNP.
&nbsp;
Stating that the highway attracts huge traffic, Golaghat District Magistrate Vivek Shyam Pangyok said, "Plying of vehicles during active flood attracts unwarranted risk and a cause for imminent threat to wild animals."
&nbsp;
He said the animals use the corridors to temporarily migrate to the natural highland (hillocks) for shelter falling under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
&nbsp;
Accordingly, a set of orders have been issued for traffic management along NH-715 passing through the KNP with effect from Monday.
&nbsp;
It said no commercial vehicle shall be allowed to move through Kaziranga National Park and only private ones will move at the regulated speed during the daytime.
&nbsp;
"Only local private vehicles will be allowed to cross KNP during night hours," it added.
&nbsp;
The order further mentioned various traffic diversion points for both commercial and private vehicles.
&nbsp;
The flood situation across the state continued to deteriorate with incessant rains inundating many districts, affecting lakhs of people.
&nbsp;
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday enquired about the prevailing flood situation in Assam and assured of all support to handle the crisis, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.&nbsp;

Kaziranga National Park hit by Assam floods, 43% submerged

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that the newly implemented criminal laws in India mark the end of British-era legislation, transforming the criminal justice system into a completely 'Swadeshi' framework.
&nbsp;
He emphasised that these laws align with the spirit of the Indian Constitution and, upon full implementation, will be among the most modern legal systems globally.
&nbsp;
In his statement, Shah expressed pride in the transition to 'Swadeshi' laws, highlighting that it has taken 77 years since independence to achieve this milestone.
&nbsp;
He noted that the new laws, developed in the Indian Parliament, replace the colonial laws that had governed the country for decades. Shah remarked that the essence of these changes lies in their foundation on Indian values and ethos.
&nbsp;
The new criminal laws prioritise the rights and protections of various groups, particularly women and children. Shah explained that the focus has shifted from punishment ('Dand') to justice ('Nyay').
&nbsp;
The reformed laws aim to ensure speedy trials and timely justice, addressing the long-standing issue of delays in the judicial process. Unlike the old system that primarily protected the rights of the police, the new laws are designed to safeguard the rights of victims and complainants as well.
&nbsp;
The reformed legal framework includes significant changes: the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Indian Evidence Act by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
&nbsp;
Shah underscored that the restructuring of these laws prioritises sections and chapters that protect women and children, reflecting the urgent need for such reforms.
&nbsp;
Addressing concerns about the legislative process, Shah dismissed accusations that the laws were passed without sufficient parliamentary debate. He asserted that these laws have undergone extensive discussion, more so than any other law in India's history.
&nbsp;
Shah also mentioned the first case registered under the new laws, which occurred in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The case involved a motorcycle theft and was registered at 12:10 am, symbolising the immediate application and enforcement of the new legal framework.
&nbsp;
Amit Shah's announcement marks a significant shift in India's criminal justice system, emphasising justice, speed, and the protection of victims' rights. The transition to 'Swadeshi' laws represents a monumental step towards aligning India's legal system with its constitutional values and societal needs.

Amit Shah hails new era of Swadeshi criminal laws

'Orange alert' has been issued in Punjab, and Haryana amid heavy rainfall prediction by the India Meteorological Department from June 30 to July 2. An alert has also been issued for thunderstorms, lightning, moderate rain, and wind speeds of 30 to 40 kmph across multiple areas.
&nbsp;
Eleven districts in Punjab and Chandigarh are expected to experience rain and strong winds - Mansa, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, S A S Nagar, Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot, Ludhiana. 
&nbsp;
Light thunderstorms with wind speeds of 30-40 kmph, accompanied by lightning, are expected in various areas including - Nuh, Palwal, Taoru, Ballabgarh, Sohna, Gurugram, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Rewari, Pataudi, Kosli, Matanhale, Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Berikhas, Rohtak, Bawani Khera, Hansi, Narnaund, Nathusari Chopta, Ellenabad, Fatehabad, Rania, Faridabad, Bapouli, Gharaunda, Karnal, Meham, Gohana, Julana, Israna, Safidon, Jind, Panipat, Asandh, Kaithal, Narwana, Sirsa, Tohana, Kalayat, Ratia, Dabwali, Thanesar, Guhla, Pehowa, Shahabad, Ambala, Kalka, Narayangarh, and Panchkula.
&nbsp;
Though, pre-monsoon rains and strong winds in North India have brought relief from the heat.&nbsp;

Orange alert for Punjab, Haryana; thunderstorms predicted

In a pointed critique, BJP lawmaker Anurag Thakur aimed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's transition into the role of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, suggesting Gandhi had previously enjoyed "power without responsibility."
&nbsp;
Thakur, initiating discussions on the motion of thanks on the President's address to Parliament, highlighted Gandhi's new position and its accompanying responsibilities.
&nbsp;
"For many years, Gandhi was enjoying power without responsibility... now he has power with responsibility," Thakur remarked.
&nbsp;
Addressing the challenges ahead for Gandhi, Thakur questioned his commitment to parliamentary duties, quipping, "Will he sit in Lok Sabha all day? He is not here now."
&nbsp;
Thakur proceeded to enumerate the achievements of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the past decade, highlighting India's economic growth and the absence of corruption charges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.
&nbsp;
He also criticised the opposition's response during recent parliamentary sessions, including the walkout following disagreements over discussing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) paper leak.
&nbsp;
"India, once a fragile economy, has become the world's fifth-largest and fastest-growing economy," Thakur asserted, contrasting this with alleged economic failures and corruption scandals during Congress rule.
&nbsp;
Turning to internal Congress matters, Thakur scrutinised the party's decisions and personnel, including comments on Rahul Gandhi's leadership claims and the role of individuals like Sam Pitroda within the party.
&nbsp;
Anurag Thakur mocked the Congress for its 99 seats in the Lok Sabha, contrasting them unfavourably with BJP's 240.
&nbsp;
"They're feeling the pain. After three tries, they couldn't even hit 100," he remarked.
&nbsp;
Thakur also criticised Congress over alleged remarks by Sam Pitroda, describing him as "someone's uncle, friend, philosopher, and guide."
&nbsp;
He questioned Rahul Gandhi's decision to reintegrate Pitroda into the party, citing alignment between Pitroda's statements and Congress' ideology.
&nbsp;
Further, Thakur took aim at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's situation, quipping, "I've heard of work from home, but never of work from jail."

'Enjoying power without responsibility,' Thakur slams RaGa

Director Nag Ashwin's 3D science fiction extravaganza "Kalki 2898 AD" raked in a whopping Rs 555 crore globally during its debut weekend, the production team revealed on Monday.
&nbsp;
Made with an estimated budget of Rs 600 crore, this multilingual film boasts a stellar ensemble cast that includes Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan.
&nbsp;
Initially named "Project K", "Kalki 2898 AD" is described as an amalgamation of the Hindu epic Mahabharata and futuristic elements and is produced by Vyjayanthi Movies.
&nbsp;
Vyjayanthi Movies shared the latest box office figures on its official X page, with the caption: "555 CRORES &amp; counting&hellip; "The BIGGEST FORCES are dominating the GLOBAL BOX OFFICE, show no signs of slowing down #Kalki2898AD #EpicBlockbusterKalki @SrBachchan @ikamalhaasan #Prabhas @deepikapadukone @nagashwin7 @DishPatani @Music_Santhosh @VyjayanthiFilms @Kalki2898AD @saregamaglobal @saregamasouth." The film had a global release on Thursday in six languages: Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English.
&nbsp;
Please remember the following information: During its opening weekend in India, the Hindi version of "Kalki 2898 AD" achieved a net box office collection of over Rs 115 crore, as stated in a separate announcement.
&nbsp;
As per Prathyangira Cinemas, the distributor of the movie in the US, "Kalki 2898 AD" set a new record for the highest first weekend earnings for any Indian film in North America, with a total of USD 10.5 million.
&nbsp;
The film features Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee, and Shobhana, and it is said to be the most expensive movie ever made in Indian cinema history.

'Kalki 2898 AD crosses Rs 500 crore-mark at globally

Bharatiya Janata Party women MLAs in West Bengal on Monday staged a protest on the Assembly premises over the assault on a couple in North Dinajpur and the alleged stripping and torture of a woman in Cooch Behar, party&rsquo;s chief whip Sankar Ghosh said.
&nbsp;
The BJP has called for West Bengal &nbsp;Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation on July 1 over a &ldquo;severe deterioration&rdquo; in the State&rsquo;s law and order after a video of a man flogging a couple in public in the State surfaced on social media.
&nbsp;
In the North Dinajpur incident, Tajimul Islam, better known as &lsquo;JCB&rsquo; among the locals, was arrested on Sunday for publicly whipping a man and a woman after a video of the incident surfaced on social media.
&nbsp;
According to residents, he is a local TMC leader and he himself claims to be a powerful person. However, TMC leaders claimed that Tajimul holds no position in the party.
&nbsp;
Police have registered a case based on the video of the incident happened on June 28 and managed to arrest Tajimul of Dighalgaon village in Lakhipur gram panchayat under the Uttar Dinajur district five days after the incident took place
&nbsp;
According to the local political leaders of opposition parties, the accused is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporter and allegedly organises kangaroo courts in disputes of all kinds, ranging from property to extramarital affairs. Besides the physical assaults, he also imposes fines, they say.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;He is a TMC worker and close to the local MLA. He is called JCB because he demolished his opposition. Such is his terror among the common people his way of justice came to the light this time because of the video. Other such courts he had held went unreported,&rdquo; said Surajit Das .The victim man and woman and their families (in the present incident) are too scared to lodge a police complaint,&rdquo; said Sen.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The entire Lakkhipur panchayat area is under his and his team&rsquo;s control. He continues to rule the area through his political backing,&rdquo; said Anarul Haq, CPM&rsquo;s district president.
&nbsp;
Trinamool MLA of Chopra Hamidul Islam said: &ldquo;Police have taken action and we have condemned the incident.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Police promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady,&rdquo; read a post from West Bengal Police on X. Islampur SP Joby Thomas K said, &ldquo;The accused has been booked under relevant sections (of assault) and will be produced in a court tomorrow.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Woman assaulted in Cooch Behar
&nbsp;
The police on Sunday recorded the statement of a woman BJP worker, five days after she was assaulted allegedly by Trinamool Congress women activists. BJP&rsquo;s Cooch Behar District Vice President Deepa Chakraborty and District General Secretary Biraj Bose accompanied the party worker to a women police station where her statement was recorded.
&nbsp;
The development comes a day after BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul met the injured party worker and demanded a CBI probe into the matter. Paul also accused the police of delaying the process of recording the victim&rsquo;s statement.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, member of National Commission for Women (NCW) Delina Khondup also met the victim on Sunday. She also met district police officers to learn the details of the investigation.
&nbsp;
The NCW has already directed the state police to invoke relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code in the FIR filed in the case.
&nbsp;
According to the complaint filed by the woman at the Ghoksadanga police station in Cooch Behar district&rsquo;s Mathabhanga, she was surrounded by some women activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress on June 25. She alleged that she was stripped, beaten up and dragged for nearly a kilometre.
&nbsp;
The police have arrested seven people in connection with the incident. &ldquo;Out of the 10 accused, seven have been arrested. Search is on to arrest the three others. Today, the victim recorded her statement. Investigation is on,&rdquo; said a senior police officer of Cooch Behar district.
&nbsp;
However, earlier, Cooch Behar district police said in a press release that the incident happened because of a grudge within the woman&rsquo;s family. &ldquo;It has come to our attention that false rumours are being spread regarding an incident involving a Muslim woman in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. It is being falsely reported that the woman was stripped and beaten for supporting a political party. This misinformation is being used to give communal and political colours to a family dispute for vested interests,&rdquo; it said.
Police even claimed that the victim&rsquo;s mother and son had provided video statements saying the incident was &ldquo;purely over a family fight among women over grass cutting,&rdquo; and that no men were involved.
&nbsp;

West Bengal

Political turmoil over women's safety derails Bengal again

parvesh_kapoor

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani will aim for a hat-trick of titles in the Asian Billiards Championships beginning here on Tuesday.
&nbsp;
The four-day tournament is set to showcase top-tier talent from across Asia, including the Indian trio of Advani, Sourav Kothari, and Dhruv Sitwala.
&nbsp;
Advani boasts of nine Asian billiards title victories since 2005 and has won the event in the last two editions.
&nbsp;
He has also ruled the table in snooker, winning the Asian titles in 2016, 2019 and 2021, along with a team title in 2017.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;While I&rsquo;ve enjoyed success over the years, I try to remain grounded and focused as I understand the unpredictable nature of sport," stated Advani in a release.
&nbsp;
"The field is packed with formidable competitors from India, Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore, making it a fiercely contested championship,&rdquo; added Advani, who is competing in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
&nbsp;
The Asian Billiards Championship, an annual event, features the 100-points format.
&nbsp;
Terming it "tricky and exhilarating", Advani said, "Unlike traditional billiards formats, this one leaves no room for complacency. It&rsquo;s a high-stakes game from the get-go and you can never predict the winner until the very end."
&nbsp;
This year has been especially significant for Advani, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the World Billiards Museum in Shangrao City, China.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a profound honour. Representing India on the global stage is an immense pride for me as an individual and I am committed to working hard to bring more accolades to our country,&rdquo; he added.

Riyadh

Pankaj Advani eyes hat-trick glory at Asian Billiards C'ship

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) has announced a five-year Master Research Agreement (MRA) with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) to advance technology research.
&nbsp;
According to a statement issued by the institute, the collaboration aims to establish a robust framework for joint research, fostering the creation of intellectual property in cutting-edge technology solutions and promoting academic collaboration.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"The research will focus on areas including software development with an emphasis on data and AI, electric mobility, and transformative technologies such as generative AI," the institute maintained.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are committed to promoting innovation and excellence in research and education. This MRA with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India is a major step in that direction,&rdquo; said BITS Pilani Vice Chancellor Prof Ramgopal Rao.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;With MBRDI's corporate experience and our academic competence, we aim to make discoveries that benefit society. We also look forward to our long-term relationship for talent placement and development for interns and graduates at MBRDI.&rdquo; VC Rao added.
&nbsp;
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India Managing Director and CEO Manu Saale echoed similar sentiments.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The synergy between our industry expertise and BITS Pilani's academic prowess will propel our journey towards sustainable innovation. At MBRDI, we are committed to creating a culture of continuous learning and development for our talent, and this collaboration will enable significant opportunities for scaling from idea to innovation,&rdquo; CEO Saale stated.

BITS Pilani, Mercedes-Benz ink 5-year research deal

With an apology letter, the rebel leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, on Monday, appeared before the jathedar of the Akal Takht. The leaders seek an apology for their 'mistakes' when SAD was in power in Punjab.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Akal Takht is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs. The letter was handed over to the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh at the Akal Takht Secretariat at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. 
&nbsp;
SAD rebels asked for forgiveness for the "four mistakes" during the former party regime between 2007 and 2017, which included failure to punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents, and pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2007 blasphemy case. 
&nbsp;
The case was registered against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief for allegedly imitating the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh at Salabatpura. 
&nbsp;
The rebel leaders pointed out that the 'Sikh Panth' and the people of Punjab drifted away from the Akali Dal over these "mistakes" while asserting that they were ready to face any punishment by the Sikh tenets. 
&nbsp;
Because of this, the SAD faced "failures" not only on the religious front but also suffered people's apathy in the political field, the leaders said. 
&nbsp;
Referring to the sacrilege incidents, the leaders said the then Akali government could not ensure punishment to the guilty while underlining that the Sikh panth was outraged by the 2015 incidents. 
&nbsp;
The Shiromani Akali Dal government, the then Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, and the president of the SAD neither got this matter probed on time nor succeeded in getting the culprits punished, the letter said.
&nbsp;
It led to the situation in Punjab getting worse and tragic incidents taking place at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan, it said. 
&nbsp;
"The Shiromani Akali Dal government could not hold any officials accountable for these incidents," it said. 
&nbsp;
The incidents related to the theft of a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, putting handwritten sacrilegious posters, and torn pages of the holy book being found scattered at Bargari, took place in Faridkot in 2015. 
&nbsp;
These incidents had led to protests in Faridkot. In the police firing, two people were killed in Behbal Kalan while some were injured at Kotkapura in Faridkot in October 2015. 
&nbsp;
Mentioning the 2007 blasphemy case, the letter states, "Instead of taking further action to punish the person, the Shiromani Akali Dal government withdrew this case." 
&nbsp;
In 2021, Badal claimed that the SAD government had never withdrawn the blasphemy case against the Dera chief, who is at present lodged in a jail in Haryana. Ram Rahim, in 2017, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for raping two disciples. 
&nbsp;
The letter also claimed that Sukhbir Badal allegedly used his influence to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case. 
&nbsp;
"Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of Shiromani Akali Dal, used his influence to pardon the 'deredar' (Dera chief). You can call the then Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht and seek his clarification," the leaders said in the letter. 
&nbsp;
"But the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Committee had to withdraw this decision keeping in mind the anger and resentment of the Sikh Panth," it said. 
&nbsp;
In 2015, the Akal Takht pardoned the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case based on a written apology. However, bowing to the pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners, it annulled its decision.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
SAD crisis: 
&nbsp;
A section of senior party leaders have revolted against SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, demanding that he step down as the party chief following its debacle in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. 
&nbsp;
Among the prominent rebel leaders are former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, former Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and party leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur, all of whom presented themselves before the Akal Takht Jathedar.

SAD rebels seek apology from Akal Takht for party's mistakes

India secured a resounding 10-wicket victory over South Africa in the one-off Women's Test on Monday, with opener Shafali Verma smashing the fastest-ever double-century and off-spinner Sneh Rana delivering remarkable first-innings figures of 8/77.
&nbsp;
South Africa, chasing a daunting Indian first-innings total of 603/6 declared, capitulated for 266, largely due to Rana's career-best performance.
&nbsp;
Shafali Verma's explosive 197-ball 205 and Smriti Mandhana's composed 149 were instrumental in setting the formidable target.
&nbsp;
Enforcing the follow-on, India saw a spirited fightback from South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 122, and former skipper Sune Luus, who added 109.
&nbsp;
Middle-order batter Nadine de Klerk's 61 further extended the innings, taking the visitors to 373 and setting India a modest 37-run target.
&nbsp;
Shubha Satheesh (13 not out) and Shafali (24 not out) quickly chased down the target in just 9.2 overs, sealing the comprehensive victory.
&nbsp;
India and South Africa will now face off in a three-match T20I series scheduled in Chennai from July 5-9.
&nbsp;
Brief Scores: India: 603/6 decl. and 37/0 in 9.2 overs.
&nbsp;
South Africa: 266 and 373 in 154.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 122, Sune Luus 109, Nadine de Klerk 61; Sneh Rana 2/111, Deepti Sharma 2/95, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/55).

Chennai

India's Shafali, Rana star in Test win over South Africa

The NEET 2024 re-exam results, released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), have shown a notable reduction in the number of toppers from 67 to 61. This follows the re-examination conducted on June 23, where none of the students managed to secure a perfect score.
&nbsp;
The NTA had organised this re-exam for 1,563 students who had previously received grace marks due to lost examination time during the main exam held on May 5. Out of these, 813 students appeared for the re-exam, conducted at seven centres across Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Meghalaya. The students who opted not to retake the exam will retain their original scores without the grace marks.
&nbsp;
Previously, six students from a centre in Haryana had scored a perfect 720 out of 720. However, in the re-exam, none of the students achieved full marks, resulting in the reduction of the number of top scorers to 61. The revised scorecards for all candidates, including those who took the re-exam, are now available on the NTA's website.
&nbsp;
The NEET UG 2024 results for the 813 candidates who retook the exam have been published, and a revised merit list will be made available soon. Candidates can log in to the NTA website to view, download, and print their revised scorecards.
&nbsp;
This re-examination and the subsequent results have garnered attention due to the significant impact on the number of top scorers, highlighting the importance of fair and accurate testing procedures.
&nbsp;
The NTA&rsquo;s decision to conduct a re-exam and the resulting changes in the topper count underscore the complexities and challenges in maintaining the integrity and reliability of such a large-scale national examination.
&nbsp;
The NTA's efforts to ensure fairness and accuracy in the examination process reflect its commitment to upholding the standards of one of India&rsquo;s most significant and competitive entrance tests.
&nbsp;
As the revised merit list is awaited, students and stakeholders continue to monitor the developments closely, emphasising the crucial role of transparent and equitable examination practices in the academic and professional futures of aspiring medical students.

NEET 2024 toppers drop to 61 post reexam results

Grandmaster R Praggnandhaa yet again squandered promising position to settle for a draw against American Wesley in the fifth round of Superbet Classic tournament as none of the five boards produced any decisive result, at Bucharest, Romania.
&nbsp;
The lead positions remained unchanged with Fabiano Caruana of United States still ahead on 3.5 points, enjoying a half point lead over world championship challenger D Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa.
&nbsp;
French duo of Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia and Wesley share the third spot on 2.5 points each, a half point ahead of Anish Giri of Holland and Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan.
&nbsp;
Local hopeful Deac Bogdan-Daniel is still at the bottom with 1.5 points.
&nbsp;
Gukesh also enjoyed some advantage that slipped away against Abdusattorov while Vachier-Lagrave played solidly to hold Caruana.
&nbsp;
Bogdan-Daniel drew with Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 10-player double round-robin event, offering USD 350000 as prize money.
&nbsp;
Praggnanandhaa is usually spot-on when it comes to accurate calculation or tactics but somehow here he has been missing on advantageous positions and also some winning moves.
&nbsp;
Having missed out on a technically winning endgame against Gukesh, Wesley So found himself lucky as the Indian missed a not-so-difficult manoeuvre that he would find in seconds on another day.
&nbsp;
Inspired by the presence of Garry Kasparov in the playing hall, Praggnanandhaa chose the King's Indian defense as black, faced the Fianchetto variation and did not have many troubles in maintaining the balance.
&nbsp;
Wesley became a little ambitious towards the final stages of the middle game and this is where Praggnanandhaa could have penetrated his king side decisively. Wesley survived with the skin of his teeth.
&nbsp;
Gukesh also had a chance against Nodirbek through a tactical stroke that would have ensured consistent pressure and a long-term advantage. The game was drawn without much ado once Gukesh missed out on the opportunity.
&nbsp;
Caruana showed his opening expertise to hold Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a Ruy Lopez open. The American went for a little known variation as black and it was clear that his home-work ran deep. Vachier-Lagrave decided not to take his chances for too long and drew vide repetition in just 28 moves.
&nbsp;
Monday is the only rest day in the tournament and the sixth round will be played on Tuesday.
&nbsp;
Results round 3: D Gukesh (Ind, 3) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 2.5); Wesley So (Usa, 2.5) drew with R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 3); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 2.5) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 3.5); Anish Giri (Ned, 2) drew with Firouza Alireza (Fra, 2.5); Deac Bogdan-Daniel (Rou, 1.5) drew with Ian Nepomniachtchi (FID, 2.5).&nbsp;

Bucharest

Praggnanandhaa misses against Wesley So on another day of draws

Director Hansal Mehta's highly anticipated film "The Buckingham Murders," starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, is set to release on September 13, the makers announced on Monday.
&nbsp;
Kareena, who was recently seen in "Crew" alongside Tabu and Kriti Sanon, makes her production debut with this murder mystery, co-produced with Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms and TBM Films.
&nbsp;
The film's poster and release date were shared on Instagram.
&nbsp;
"We're thrilled to announce that #TheBuckinghamMurders is coming to theatres on 13th September 2024. Directed by @hansalmehta and starring @kareenakapoorkhan," the post read.
&nbsp;
The cast includes Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen. The screenplay is by Aseem Arrora, Kashyap Kapoor, and Raghav Raj Kakker.
&nbsp;
"The Buckingham Murders" premiered at the 67th BFI London Film Festival in October 2023.
&nbsp;
Kareena Kapoor Khan will also feature in Rohit Shetty's upcoming film "Singham Again," part of his cop universe, slated for a November 1 release.

Kareena's 'Buckingham Murders' set for Sept 13 release

The government is set to develop a national indicator to measure &ldquo;extreme poverty,&rdquo; aiming to eradicate it across the entire population by 2030, according to the statistics ministry.
&nbsp;
The government defines extreme poverty as an income below $1.25 per day.
&nbsp;
These comments were made in a recent report titled "National Indicator Framework 2024," which assessed India's progress in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
&nbsp;
The goal is significant as India has been without an official poverty line for a while, shifting from income-based poverty estimates to one based on multi-dimensional deprivations.
&nbsp;
Two working papers from the World Bank and the IMF previously presented divergent estimates of extreme poverty in India, based on the shared definition of people living on $1.90 or less in purchasing power parity terms. The World Bank's definition of extreme poverty roughly corresponds to the poverty line calculated by the Tendulkar committee for 2004-05 (Rs 33 per day), adjusted for inflation. A credible poverty gauge is crucial now, given the pandemic's "unprecedented reversals in poverty reduction."
&nbsp;
The report quotes NITI Aayog, stating that in the past decade, India has seen a significant reduction in poverty. The proportion of people living in poverty in "all its dimensions" decreased to 14.96% in 2019-21 from 24.85% in 2015-16.
&nbsp;
This reduction is attributed to sustained economic growth during the period (6.7% average growth between FY16-FY20) and the implementation of various welfare schemes focused on nutrition, health, education, housing, drinking water, sanitation, skill development, and social protection.
&nbsp;
A discussion paper by NITI Aayog in January estimated that 248.2 million people moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23, aligning with a key SDG goal. The SDGs adopted by the United Nations in 2015 explicitly target halving multidimensional poverty by 2030.
&nbsp;
Based on the interpolation of the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) estimates between 2005-06 and 2015-16, the headcount ratio for 2013-14 was 29.17%.
&nbsp;
Similarly, the proportion of multidimensional poverty for 2022-23 is projected to be 11.28%, based on the trend rate of 10.66% decline per year between 2015-16 and 2019-21, noted the think tank.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;With this, India is much ahead of the target of reducing poverty in all its dimensions by half by 2030,&rdquo; the paper stated.

Govt plans national measure for extreme poverty

In a bid to boost education accessibility, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced on Monday that over 71% of the 1.66 lakh students enrolling in colleges across the state have taken advantage of the fee waiver scheme for economically disadvantaged families.
&nbsp;
This translates to nearly 1.2 lakh students benefiting from the scheme.
&nbsp;
Previously, the scheme was available to students whose parental annual income did not exceed Rs 2 lakh. However, this year, the eligibility threshold has been increased to Rs 4 lakh, Pegu stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The state government does not charge any fee from college students; instead, it offers a Fee Waiver scheme for BPL students. Previously, students with a parental annual income of up to ₹2 lakh were eligible for free admission, but this year the limit has been raised to ₹4 lakh,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/gUEaVTFjx9">pic.twitter.com/gUEaVTFjx9</a>
&mdash; Ranoj Pegu (@ranojpeguassam) <a href="https://twitter.com/ranojpeguassam/status/1807654479606464798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
In addition to raising the income limit, the state has made the process more accessible by allowing ration cards to serve as proof of family earnings, replacing the previously required income certificates.
&nbsp;
"This year, 1,18,199 (71 per cent) students out of 1,66,123 students have availed free admission till yesterday evening," Pegu noted.
&nbsp;
While colleges and universities set their own admission fees, the State Fee Regulation Committee determines the upper limit.
&nbsp;
Addressing concerns about rising admission fees, Minister Pegu clarified that the state government does not charge any fees to college students.
&nbsp;
Instead, it supports students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families through the fee waiver scheme.
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, sharing Pegu's post, highlighted that the state government disbursed ₹103 crore to various colleges last year to cover student enrollment costs under this initiative.

Over 1.2 lakh Assam students get free college admission

Amid swirling rumours of his resignation, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has categorically denied the claims, calling for responsible journalism.
&nbsp;
Addressing the concerns, Singh pointed out the necessity of strong leadership during Manipur&rsquo;s current challenges.
&nbsp;
"In such a crucial time when Manipur is passing through a troubled time, we as leaders should not... We have full confidence and we have to guide the people on the right path. If we deviate from the path, who will lead them? Manipur will be in more chaos," Singh stated, appealing to the media to refrain from publishing unconfirmed reports.
&nbsp;
Singh warned that rumours of his resignation could incite unnecessary public panic.
&nbsp;
"When someone says that the CM is going to step down, people start panicking... So, I think we should not spread such misinformation," he added, urging media outlets to verify information before dissemination.
&nbsp;
On a different note, Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent reforms to India's criminal laws, marking the first major overhaul in 164 years.
&nbsp;
He highlighted the new provisions aimed at curbing mob lynching, a significant issue in Manipur and other regions.
&nbsp;
"There are some good points against mob lynching, which is very important. It is widely applicable in Manipur because such incidents are taking place in many parts of the country, including our own state," Singh remarked.

Imphal

Manipur CM Singh refutes resignation talk, urges calm

In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has given its consent to jailed MP-elect from north Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, Engineer Rashid, taking oath as member of Parliament on July 5.
&nbsp;
According to news sources, the NIA has given its consent to independent MP Rashid taking oath on July 5 in Parliament on the condition that he will not interact with the media. The Patiala House Court will pass an order in this regard on July 2.
&nbsp;
Rashid, who defeated his nearest rival and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, has sought interim bail or custody parole to take oath as MP.
&nbsp;
An independent politician from Jammu and Kashmir Rashid is in jail on charges related to terror funding. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in August 2019.
&nbsp;
Rashid, who is also known as Sheikh Abdul Rashid, was accused of being involved in a terror funding case, which is linked to a larger crackdown on alleged terror financing in the region.
&nbsp;
The charges against him include conspiracy, funding terrorist activities, and aiding and abetting terrorism.
&nbsp;
His arrest was part of a broader investigation into terror funding involving various individuals and organisations in Jammu and Kashmir.
While in jail, Engineer Rashid decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Baramulla constituency, competing against NC Vice President Omar Abdullah and JK People's Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;He announced his candidacy and filed his nomination papers in April 2024. Initially hesitant, Rashid was persuaded by his son Abrar Rashid, who spearheaded the campaign.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Abrar explained that his father sought election as a means to expedite his release from jail.
&nbsp;
Rashid's campaign gained momentum, with strong voter support leading to a significant victory over both Abdullah and Lone.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

NIA consents to Engineer Rashid taking oath as MP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his concern over the worsening flood situation in Assam, assuring Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of comprehensive support from the central government to tackle the crisis.
&nbsp;
In a telephone conversation on Monday, PM Modi enquired about the extent of the flooding and the measures being taken to mitigate the disaster.
&nbsp;
The state of Assam has been grappling with severe flooding due to relentless rainfall, which has submerged numerous districts and affected hundreds of thousands of residents. "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji called me a short while ago to enquire about the flood situation in Assam," Sarma wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
&nbsp;
"I explained to him that Assam is experiencing a second wave of floods this year due to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh and part of our upper Assam districts," he added.
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Sarma detailed the ongoing relief efforts and highlighted the challenges posed by the heavy rains. PM Modi, in response, promised full cooperation from the central government.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"He assured me of full cooperation from the Government of India in this hour of crisis," Sarma confirmed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hon&rsquo;ble Prime Minister Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Ji called me a short while ago to enquire about the flood situation in Assam. I explained him that Assam is experiencing a second wave of floods this year due to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh and part of our upper Assam districts. I&hellip;
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/1807678212178067863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
The flood situation deteriorated significantly on Sunday, with two more fatalities reported and over 2.62 lakh people affected across eight districts. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping &amp; Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, also reached out to Sarma to discuss the flood conditions, particularly in the districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
&nbsp;
"Spoke to Hon'ble Assam CM Shri @himantabiswa over phone regarding the flood situation in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and other parts of the state. Requested him to provide all necessary assistance to the flood victims," Sonowal posted on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Spoke to Hon'ble Assam CM Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@himantabiswa</a> over phone regarding the flood situation in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and other parts of the state. Requested him to provide all necessary assistance to the flood victims. The Hon'ble CM assured immediate relief to the affected people.
&mdash; Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/sarbanandsonwal/status/1807639016533291429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
In response, Sarma assured Sonowal that the state administration was actively monitoring the situation and providing immediate relief to those affected.
&nbsp;
"Our administration is taking all necessary measures and stands firmly with the people of Dibrugarh and other affected areas in this hour of crisis," Sarma stated.
&nbsp;
According to a special bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati, a cyclonic circulation over Assam and its surrounding areas is contributing to the severe weather.
&nbsp;
"Widespread rainfall accompanied with heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Assam," the bulletin warned, adding that these conditions are expected to persist until July 4, with isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall.

PM Modi calls Assam CM, assures flood relief aid

Oil marketing companies have announced a reduction in prices for commercial LPG gas cylinders, aiming to ease financial burdens on businesses and commercial enterprises. Effective from Monday, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been cut by Rs 30. Consequently, the new retail price in Delhi stands at Rs 1646.
&nbsp;
This latest reduction follows a series of price cuts in recent months. On June 1st, the price of the 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder was decreased by Rs 69.50 in Delhi, lowering the retail price to Rs 1676. Earlier, on May 1, 2024, there was a Rs 19 reduction per cylinder. These consecutive decreases indicate a positive trend for businesses grappling with operational costs amidst economic challenges.
&nbsp;
The frequent adjustments in LPG cylinder prices at the beginning of each month highlight the dynamic nature of the market. Factors such as international oil prices, taxation policies, and supply-demand dynamics influence these pricing decisions significantly.
&nbsp;
Although specific reasons for the recent price cut have not been disclosed, oil marketing companies appear responsive to broader economic conditions and market trends.
&nbsp;
The reduction in LPG prices holds particular significance amid the current economic climate. Businesses, especially in the food and hospitality sectors, heavily depend on commercial LPG cylinders for their operations.
&nbsp;
These price cuts offer much-needed financial relief, enabling businesses to better manage operational costs and potentially pass on savings to consumers.
&nbsp;
Moreover, the government has actively promoted the use of LPG cylinders for household cooking through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, offering subsidies to eligible families. This initiative aims to encourage cleaner cooking fuels and enhance living standards.
&nbsp;
As market dynamics evolve, stakeholders will closely monitor factors influencing price adjustments, including international oil market trends and domestic economic policies.
&nbsp;
For now, the reduction in commercial LPG cylinder prices represents a significant step forward, providing relief amidst economic challenges.

LPG cylinder price cut by Rs 30, effective immediately

Simpl, a leading fintech startup, disclosed a notable increase in consumer spending on its platform during the recent T20 World Cup Final. Following India's thrilling victory over South Africa by 7 runs at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, Simpl noted a significant 40 per cent surge in spending compared to last year's 50-over World Cup final.
&nbsp;
Nitya Sharma, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simpl, highlighted the impact of the event on consumer behavior, stating, "Indians&rsquo; enthusiasm and celebration of the T20 World Cup 2024 victory were palpable in their online spending patterns. Quick commerce spends saw a remarkable rise, particularly during the match hours from 8 pm to 11 pm."
&nbsp;
The peak spending recorded on Simpl's platform reached Rs 16,410, with one consumer making as many as 59 transactions during the period.
&nbsp;
Additionally, there was a substantial increase in orders under Rs 100 via Simpl on platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Porter, which surged by 35 per cent compared to last year's final in November.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;This is a testament to the growing trend of consumers increasingly seeking instant checkout and fastest delivery to meet their immediate needs,&rdquo; Nitya said.
&nbsp;
Founded in 2016, Simpl boasts a network of approximately 26,000 merchants, including prominent names like Zomato, MakeMyTrip, Big Basket, 1MG, and Crocs.
&nbsp;
Simpl's latest report reflects the evolving consumer behavior and increasing adoption of digital payment solutions in response to major sporting events.

Rapid commerce spending jumps 40% in T20 WC Final

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The Indian cricket team, fresh off their T20 World Cup victory, finds themselves stranded in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm.
&nbsp;
The hurricane was expected to brush past the island on Sunday night, with its centre passing approximately 80 miles off the south coast.
&nbsp;
The Indian contingent, which includes players, support staff, families, and officials, is currently lodged at the Hilton Hotel in Bridgetown.
&nbsp;
The team's initial plan was to take a charter flight directly back to India, but the airport closure on Sunday evening has thwarted these plans.
&nbsp;
The South African team, however, managed to leave earlier on Sunday before the airport shut down.
&nbsp;
According to Rev Sportz, the Indian players, including captain Rohit Sharma, were seen queuing at the airport, eating off paper plates as they awaited further instructions.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCI</a> will do all they can to help Indian team and media get out of Barbados once cyclone fury subsides. Airport shut. Indian team hotel operating with limited staff. Players had dinner in paper plates standing in a queue. LIVE at 9am with all updates on the ground&hellip;
&mdash; Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoriaMajumdar/status/1807599878861680923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively exploring options to evacuate the team once the cyclone passes.
&nbsp;
A BCCI source revealed that the team was originally scheduled to fly from Bridgetown to New York and then travel to India via Dubai. Given the current circumstances, a direct charter flight from Bridgetown to Delhi is now being arranged.
&nbsp;
Discussions are also underway for a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon their return.
&nbsp;
BCCI secretary Jay Shah, speaking from Barbados, mentioned that a grand felicitation ceremony is being planned for the team upon their arrival in India.
&nbsp;
"Like you, we are also stuck here. Once the travel plans are finalized, we will organise the felicitation," Shah told media persons.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
&nbsp;
The team's dramatic victory in the T20 World Cup final was marked by a stellar performance from Virat Kohli.
&nbsp;
Despite a disappointing run in the tournament leading up to the final, where he scored just 75 runs in seven innings, Kohli rose to the occasion with a crucial 76 off 59 balls, leading India to a total of 176 for seven.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen threatened to snatch the win with a rapid 23-ball fifty, but India&rsquo;s bowlers held their nerve. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were instrumental in restricting South Africa to 169/8, sealing India's first T20 World Cup win since 2007.
&nbsp;
This victory also marks India's first world title since their 2011 ODI World Cup triumph at home and their first ICC trophy since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013.&nbsp;
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Barbados

Hurricane halts Indian cricket team's return plans

Over 5 million pilgrims from across the country have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine, located in the Trikuta Hills of Katra town, Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir.
&nbsp;
Sources said more than 5 million pilgrims visited the shrine from January to June,. 
&nbsp;
Currently, between 25,000 and 35,000 devotees are arriving daily at the base camp for the pilgrimage.
&nbsp;
"The number of pilgrims is expected to increase in the coming days with the ongoing 52-day Shri Amarnath Yatra as many pilgrims will visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi after visiting the holy cave," sources added.
&nbsp;
So far this year, around 5,032,168 devotees have visited Vaishno Devi, compared to 4,999,946 during the same period last year.
&nbsp;
Additionally, the start of a direct helicopter service from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is expected to further boost the number of pilgrims in the future.
&nbsp;
The official website shows that 311,663 pilgrims have used helicopter services to travel to the shrine.
&nbsp;
The shrine board is working to improve infrastructure and other essential services to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
&nbsp;
According to the shrine board, the number of pilgrims visiting this year is expected to break all previous records.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;In 2023, the shrine welcomed around 9.1 million pilgrims. This year, the number is expected to rise significantly due to better connectivity, and improved road and air travel infrastructure.
&nbsp;
Additionally, the trust has upgraded accommodation arrangements to make the yatra more comfortable and feasible for people of all ages.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Jammu

Record 5m pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi shrine in 6 months

In a significant step towards democratising space travel, the US-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) and Blue Origin announced on Monday that India will join their human spaceflight programme as a partner nation.
&nbsp;
SERA will offer Indian citizens a seat on Blue Origin&rsquo;s future mission using the reusable rocket, New Shepard. The 11-minute journey will take passengers past the Karman line, 100 km above Earth, the internationally recognised boundary of space.
&nbsp;
Indian citizens will be among the six seats that SERA and Blue Origin aim to provide to individuals from countries with limited or no spaceflight history.
&nbsp;
The astronauts will experience several minutes of weightlessness before making a controlled descent back to the landing pad.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited to have India as part of our human spaceflight programme,&rdquo; said Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder of SERA.
&nbsp;
Skurla praised India for becoming the first country to reach the Moon&rsquo;s South Pole and expressed the company&rsquo;s aim to make space accessible to everyone. &ldquo;We are happy to offer this unique opportunity to an Indian citizen who wants to experience the wonders of space travel,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
Indian citizens can register for the programme by paying a fee of approximately $2.50, which will cover verification checks to ensure safe and fair voting.
&nbsp;
The final candidates will be chosen by public vote based on their stories, which they can promote via their mission profile pages, social media, and other resources.
&nbsp;
Potential astronauts will need to meet Blue Origin&rsquo;s physical requirements.
&nbsp;
The final crew of six will arrive three days before the flight for training at Blue Origin&rsquo;s launch site in West Texas.

India to send astronauts with SERA, Blue Origin

The tunnel at Pragati Maidan, which was shut due to water accumulation after heavy rainfall in Delhi last week, was reopened to the public on Monday, as per officials.
&nbsp;
Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed that traffic movement in the tunnel recommenced on Monday after it underwent cleaning. The tunnel had been nonoperational since June 28.
&nbsp;
Based on data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Safdarjung Observatory, the city's primary weather station, recorded 228.1 mm of rainfall. This was followed by 192.8 mm at Lodhi Road, 150.4 mm at Ridge, 106.6 mm at Palam, and 66.3 mm at Ayanagar on June 28.
&nbsp;
During the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on June 28, the recorded rainfall of 228.1 mm was more than three times the June rainfall average of 74.1 mm and the highest for the month since 1936.
&nbsp;
The public works department reported receiving over 200 calls from waterlogged areas. After several hours, water was drained from the Minto Bridge underpass and various other parts of the city.

Flooded after rains, Delhi's Pragati Maidan tunnel reopens

Google announced it has taken a stake in Taiwan's New Green Power (NGP) and could purchase up to 300 megawatts of renewable energy from the BlackRock fund-owned firm.
&nbsp;
This move aims to reduce Google's carbon emissions and those of its suppliers.
&nbsp;
In response to investor pressure and ambitious targets, Big Tech companies, including Google, are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across their operations and value chains.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Taiwan, a significant hub for Google's cloud technology with a data center and company offices, relies heavily on fossil fuels for nearly 85% of its power, according to Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's Global Head of Data Center Energy. "The goal of this investment is really to support the build-out of a large-scale solar pipeline in Taiwan," Corio told Reuters.
&nbsp;
Decarbonizing regions such as Asia Pacific presents challenges due to less developed infrastructure and restrictions limiting corporate users' ability to buy green power.
&nbsp;
New Green Power, managed by BlackRock's Climate Infrastructure business, is one of Taiwan's leading solar developers and operators, said David Giordano, BlackRock's Global Head of Climate Infrastructure.
&nbsp;
Taiwan aims to reach 20 GW of solar capacity by 2025 and up to 80 GW by 2050, according to BlackRock.
&nbsp;

California

Google invests in NGP to cut carbon emissions

The Indian deaf cricket team defeated hosts England by six wickets in the seventh and final T20, securing a 5-2 series victory in Leicester.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Abhishek Singh was awarded the man-of-the-match in the final game, while Sai Akash bagged the player-of-the-series honour.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Electing to bowl, India restricted England to 164 for 4 and then chased down the target with four balls to spare, riding on half-centuries by Abhishek (68) and Umar Ashraf (56).&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
India did not have the best of starts to their chase, losing the first three wickets for only 46 runs. But Abhishek and Ashraf shared a 95-run partnership to rebuild the innings and took the side over the line.&nbsp;

Indian deaf cricket team wins T20 series against England

Jammu and Kashmir's tourism department has invited the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team to visit the Union Territory as part of victory celebrations.
&nbsp;
The team will be given a guard of honour and felicitated for their victory. If the team accepts the invitation, the visit is expected to generate a lot of buzz in the region. Kashmir has recently witnessed transformative positive changes.
&nbsp;
"Congratulations to Team India on winning the T20 World Cup 2024!! We welcome our champions to visit Jammu and Kashmir to continue the celebrations!
&nbsp;
"It would be an honour to host you in the crown of Incredible India," the department posted on its official X handle.
&nbsp;
India claimed the T20 World Cup title after a 17-year hiatus, defeating South Africa by seven runs in the final on June 29.
&nbsp;
India, batting first, posted a total of 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs, with Virat Kohli scoring a crucial 76 in the high-pressure game.
&nbsp;
South Africa, in their chase, fell short by seven runs. Kohli was named player of the match for his match-winning performance.
&nbsp;
The invitation from the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department received a positive response on social media.
&nbsp;
Senior officials, including Shah Faesal, IAS topper, and Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud Din Bhat, expressed excitement about hosting Team India.
&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 ended an 11-year trophy drought.
&nbsp;
Additionally, Captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli have announced their retirement from T20 cricket, signalling the end of an era in the shorter format of the game.
&nbsp;

T20 World Cup champs invited to J&K

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday participated in the first welfare pensions disbursal programme of the new NDA government at Penumaka in Guntur district.
&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;">Renamed as &lsquo;NTR Bharosa Samajika Pensions&rsquo;, the National Democratic Alliance government comprising the Telugu Desam Party, Bharatiya Janata Party and Jana Sena hiked the state-wide welfare pensions scheme from Rs 3,000 per month provided during the previous YSRCP (Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party) government to Rs 4,000 per month.
<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 part of the programme, the chief minister visited a beneficiary&rsquo;s house and chatted with the family members for some time and then personally handed over the pension money to three beneficiaries.
<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;I am sanctioning a house for you. We will build a house for you,&rdquo; said Naidu to the beneficiary family, and directed district officials to team up with the Campus Region Development Authority (CRDA) officials to build houses for eligible persons in Penumaka 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;
<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 state government started the procedure to disburse Rs 7,000 as pension to eligible beneficiaries, which includes the enhanced amount of Rs 1,000 each for April, May and June, along with the July's pension of Rs 4,000.
<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 Rs 1,000 hike in monthly pensions has raised the financial burden on the state government by Rs 819 crore while a similar amount for the preceding three months has put on an additional burden of Rs 1,650 crore.
<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 southern state will disburse Rs 4,408 crore on welfare pensions alone.
<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;">Over 65 lakh beneficiaries under 28 categories will benefit. The new government has also increased pensions to eligible specially-abled persons from Rs 3,000 per month to Rs 6,000 per month. 
&nbsp;

Andhra CM Naidu disburses welfare pensions to beneficiaries

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal has challenged his arrest in Delhi High Court on Monday. CBI arrested Kejriwal in a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam.
&nbsp;
The AAP national convenor also challenged a trial court's June 26 order by which he was remanded to three-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).&nbsp;
&nbsp;
On June 29, he was sent to judicial custody till July 12 by the trial court.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar jail, where he was in judicial custody in a related money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.&nbsp;

Kejriwal challenges arrest in High Court

Animated children&rsquo;s films have long endeavoured to teach young viewers how to manage their emotions. Disney Pixar&rsquo;s Inside Out (2015) made this task of emotional regulation literal.
&nbsp;
Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust &ndash; the five basic emotions of protagonist Riley &ndash; became characters in her interior &ldquo;control room&rdquo;. Together, they guided her actions as she developed from a toddler to a pre-teen. Now, in the next instalment, Inside Out 2, Riley turns 13. This means the arrival of more &ldquo;sophisticated&rdquo; emotions &ndash; including Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy and Ennui.
&nbsp;
I am a researcher who has studied how boredom shapes media content and use. So I was particularly intrigued by the character of Ennui (Ad&egrave;le Exarchopoulos), who embodies the mood of disengaged apathy more typically referred to as boredom.
&nbsp;
Early in the film, Anxiety (Maya Hawke) explains to the older emotions &ldquo;we all have a job to do&rdquo; &ndash; adding that hers is to &ldquo;plan for the future&rdquo;. So, what job does Ennui have in the film, and how does this map onto the role of boredom in our everyday lives?
&nbsp;
Since its inception during the early 19th century, the concept of &ldquo;boredom&rdquo; has been a topic of debate and disagreement. Philosophers and psychologists have observed that boredom can have both a positive and negative impact, suggesting that it plays a particularly important role in childhood and adolescent development.
&nbsp;
In his influential discussion of boredom, the psychoanalyst Adam Phillips describes ennui as:
&nbsp;
That state of suspended animation in which things are started and nothing begins, the mood of diffuse restlessness which contains that most absurd and paradoxical wish, the wish for a desire.
&nbsp;
Or, as psychologists James Danckert and John Eastwood put it in their recent study, boredom&rsquo;s state of inertia is above all &ldquo;a call to action, a signal to become more engaged&rdquo; &ndash; or to try something different.
&nbsp;
Although it is associated with disengagement and apathy and can be a sign that we need to switch gears, my research shows how boredom has been increasingly targeted by media corporations. They have worked hard to consolidate the link between feeling bored and picking up our digital devices. Our phones are often promoted as tools for combating boredom, whenever and wherever it sets in.
&nbsp;
Boredom, and the fear of it, motivates us to scroll mindlessly. But research has shown that the more we use smartphones to distract us from boredom, the more bored we risk becoming. This is a particular issue for teenagers. In recent decades, research has shown a correlation between increasing boredom and mental health difficulties.
&nbsp;
Inside Out 2 doesn&rsquo;t exactly deal with these potentially negative aspects of boredom. Instead, it doubles down on the positive developmental role that boredom plays in helping Riley to manage the intensity of teenage life. Throughout the film, the heavily French-accented Ennui lays draped across a sofa wearing a dark blue sweatsuit, staring dispassionately at her smartphone screen.
&nbsp;
While the early concept design sketches pictured Ennui in pinkish-red, the final version re-imagined her in shades of inky blue and deep purple. As the film&rsquo;s production designer explains: &ldquo;We ultimately went with this dark, de-saturated blue-grayish shade &ndash; if I had to give it a name, it&rsquo;d be &lsquo;blah&rsquo;.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Ennui&rsquo;s appearance, movements and verbal tics all exude the mental weariness, physical torpor and lack of interest of feeling bored.
&nbsp;
Through most of the film, she takes second stage to Anxiety, the film&rsquo;s main antagonist. Where Anxiety burns up the screen with her frenetic nervous energy, Ennui is a lurker who exudes what the French call je m&rsquo;en foutisme &ndash; the distinctly teenage art of not giving a damn. Significantly, Ennui&rsquo;s smartphone doubles as a remote for the control console, allowing her to modulate Riley&rsquo;s emotions without ever getting up from the sofa.
&nbsp;
This effortlessness is a core aspect of Ennui&rsquo;s role in the film. She largely takes a back seat to the other emotions, responding only minimally to the drama with dramatic sighs, yawns, by rolling her eyes, or through sarcastic one-liners and put-downs. This sense of disinterested cool is how the film makes sense of boredom&rsquo;s role in Riley&rsquo;s emotional life, as she transitions from child to teenager.
&nbsp;
At key moments in the film, however, Ennui takes control of the console, influencing Riley&rsquo;s emotional experience by decreasing its intensity &ndash; for example, when Riley tries to impress the older friends she&rsquo;s made at summer camp. When they name the deeply uncool boy band she went to see last summer, causing Anxiety and Embarrassment to appear, Ennui gets up from her sofa and announces: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been waiting for this moment.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Ennui counterbalances Riley&rsquo;s fear of how others perceive her with a heavy dose of sarcasm, which acts as a protective shield. At other key junctures, Ennui&rsquo;s function is to keep the other emotions in check, helping to smooth out the emotional intensities of teenage life.
&nbsp;
The way this helps temper Riley&rsquo;s emotional experience speaks to sociologist Georg Simmel&rsquo;s notion of a &ldquo;blas&eacute; attitude&rdquo;. In his essay The Metropolis and Mental Life (1903), Simmel described the blas&eacute; attitude as a consequence of the &ldquo;rapidly shifting stimulations of the nerves which are thrown together in all their contrasts&rdquo; in the modern metropolis.
&nbsp;
Defined by a sense of apathetic indifference, Simmel argued that the blas&eacute; attitude provided a form of protection from the sensory intensity and nervous over-stimulation that grew out of city living.
&nbsp;
It is arguably this version of boredom that dominates in the character of Ennui. By smoothing out Riley&rsquo;s emotional highs and lows, Ennui offers her own inimitable form of protection from the overstimulation that comes with being a teenager.
&nbsp;
This article first appeared in The Conversation.

What Inside Out 2’s Ennui teaches us about boredom

Do you suffer from low back pain that recurs regularly? If you do, you&rsquo;re not alone. Roughly 70% of people who recover from an episode of low back pain will experience a new episode in the following year.
&nbsp;
The recurrent nature of low back pain is a major contributor to the enormous burden low back pain places on individuals and the health-care system.
&nbsp;
In our new study, published today in The Lancet, we found that a program combining walking and education can effectively reduce the recurrence of low back pain.
&nbsp;
The WalkBack trial
&nbsp;
We randomly assigned 701 adults who had recently recovered from an episode of low back pain to receive an individualised walking program and education (intervention), or to a no treatment group (control).
&nbsp;
Participants in the intervention group were guided by physiotherapists across six sessions, over a six-month period. In the first, third and fifth sessions, the physiotherapist helped each participant to develop a personalised and progressive walking program that was realistic and tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
&nbsp;
The remaining sessions were short check-ins (typically less than 15 minutes) to monitor progress and troubleshoot any potential barriers to engagement with the walking program. Due to the COVID pandemic, most participants received the entire intervention via telehealth, using video consultations and phone calls.
&nbsp;
The program was designed to be manageable, with a target of five walks per week of roughly 30 minutes daily by the end of the six-month program. Participants were also encouraged to continue walking independently after the program.
&nbsp;
Importantly, the walking program was combined with education provided by the physiotherapists during the six sessions. This education aimed to give people a better understanding of pain, reduce fear associated with exercise and movement, and give people the confidence to self-manage any minor recurrences if they occurred.
&nbsp;
People in the control group received no preventative treatment or education. This reflects what typically occurs after people recover from an episode of low back pain and are discharged from care.
&nbsp;
What the results showed
&nbsp;
We monitored the participants monthly from the time they were enrolled in the study, for up to three years, to collect information about any new recurrences of low back pain they may have experienced. We also asked participants to report on any costs related to their back pain, including time off work and the use of health-care services.
&nbsp;
The intervention reduced the risk of a recurrence of low back pain that limited daily activity by 28%, while the recurrence of low back pain leading participants to seek care from a health professional decreased by 43%.
&nbsp;
Participants who received the intervention had a longer average period before they had a recurrence, with a median of 208 days pain-free, compared to 112 days in the control group.
&nbsp;
Overall, we also found this intervention to be cost-effective. The biggest savings came from less work absenteeism and less health service use (such as physiotherapy and massage) among the intervention group.
&nbsp;
This trial, like all studies, had some limitations to consider. Although we tried to recruit a wide sample, we found that most participants were female, aged between 43 and 66, and were generally well educated. This may limit the extent to which we can generalise our findings.
&nbsp;
Also, in this trial, we used physiotherapists who were up-skilled in health coaching. So we don&rsquo;t know whether the intervention would achieve the same impact if it were to be delivered by other clinicians.
&nbsp;
Walking has multiple benefits
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve all heard the saying that &ldquo;prevention is better than a cure&rdquo; &ndash; and it&rsquo;s true. But this approach has been largely neglected when it comes to low back pain. Almost all previous studies have focused on treating episodes of pain, not preventing future back pain.
&nbsp;
A limited number of small studies have shown that exercise and education can help prevent low back pain. However, most of these studies focused on exercises that are not accessible to everyone due to factors such as high cost, complexity, and the need for supervision from health-care or fitness professionals.
&nbsp;
On the other hand, walking is a free, accessible way to exercise, including for people in rural and remote areas with limited access to health care.
&nbsp;
Walking also delivers many other health benefits, including better heart health, improved mood and sleep quality, and reduced risk of several chronic diseases.
&nbsp;
While walking is not everyone&rsquo;s favourite form of exercise, the intervention was well-received by most people in our study. Participants reported that the additional general health benefits contributed to their ongoing motivation to continue the walking program independently.
&nbsp;
Why is walking helpful for low back pain?
&nbsp;
We don&rsquo;t know exactly why walking is effective for preventing back pain, but possible reasons could include the combination of gentle movements, loading and strengthening of the spinal structures and muscles. It also could be related to relaxation and stress relief, and the release of &ldquo;feel-good&rdquo; endorphins, which block pain signals between your body and brain &ndash; essentially turning down the dial on pain.
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s possible that other accessible and low-cost forms of exercise, such as swimming, may also be effective in preventing back pain, but surprisingly, no studies have investigated this.
&nbsp;
Preventing low back pain is not easy. But these findings give us hope that we are getting closer to a solution, one step at a time.
&nbsp;
This article first appeared in The Conversation.

Sydney

Walking can prevent recurring lower back pain

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi reaffirmed Indian Army's preparedness to face all current and future security challenges that the country faces. A day after assuming charge of the 1.3 million-strong force, Gen Dwivedi said working towards ensuring synergy among the Army, Air Force, and Navy would be one of his priorities. 
&nbsp;
The statement of COAS comes on Monday, amid the lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh. 
&nbsp;
In remarks to the media after inspecting a guard of honour at the South Block in Raisina hills, he said the Army is facing "unique operational challenges" and to remain prepared for such threats, it is crucial to continue equipping the soldiers with the latest weapons.
&nbsp;
"I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me and I assure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges," he said.
&nbsp;
The newly-appointed Army Chief also said that he would encourage the induction of indigenously-built military hardware into the force to boost self-reliance in defence.
&nbsp;
"The geo-political landscape is changing rapidly and technology is evolving at a very fast pace," he said.
&nbsp;
"The Indian Army faces unique operational challenges and to remain prepared for such threats and distinctive requirements, it is crucial that we continuously equip our soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and continue to evolve our war-fighting strategies," he added.
&nbsp;
Gen Dwivedi said the Indian Army is on the "path to transformation" and it aspires to be 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) in defence.
&nbsp;
"To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct maximum war systems and equipment that are manufactured in our country," he said.
&nbsp;
Gen Dwivedi said he would focus on ensuring that the Army is ready to operate in the"full spectrum of conflict".
&nbsp;
"I will endeavor to ensure that the Indian Army is always ready to operate in the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining complete synergy with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders," he said.
&nbsp;
"This will ensure that India's interests are secured and we become a major pillar of nation-building to achieve the vision of 'Viksit Bharat-2047'," Gen Dwivedi said.
&nbsp;
The Army Chief said it is a matter of immense pride for him to lead the force.
&nbsp;
"This is a moment of immense pride and honour for me to be assigned the responsibility to lead the Indian Army," he said.
&nbsp;
"The glorious traditions of the Indian Army rest on the legacy of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. On this occasion, I pay my solemn tributes to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty," he added.
&nbsp;
The Army Chief said he was fully committed to protecting the interests of all the personnel in the force and to extending full support to ex-servicemen and their families.
&nbsp;
"It will be my priority to ensure that the interests and welfare of all ranks and defence civilians of the Indian Army are looked after," he said. 
&nbsp;
"My responsibility towards veterans, 'veer naris' and their families is a sacred commitment and I assure this extended family, my full support," he said.
&nbsp;
Gen Dwivedi has been serving as the Vice Chief of the Army since February 19.
&nbsp;
Before becoming the Vice Chief, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.
&nbsp;
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), Gen Dwivedi was commissioned into a regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984. He has a unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern, and Western theatres in varied operational environments.&nbsp;

New Army Chief Dwivedi affirms readiness of forces

Both benchmark indices, Nifty and Sensex, were trading firmly in the green, buoyed by a strong performance in the IT sector on July 1. Four out of five gainers on the NSE Nifty were IT stocks, with Wipro witnessing the sharpest rise.
&nbsp;
Experts attribute the rally to the resumption of foreign inflows and optimism about potential US Fed rate cuts. "From a long-term perspective, valuations in IT stocks look very attractive," said Kranthi Bathini, director of equity strategy at WealthMills Securities. Indian IT companies are sensitive to Fed rate cuts because they earn a significant portion of their revenue from U.S. clients.
&nbsp;
At about 12 pm, the Sensex was up 0.45 percent at 79,387, while the Nifty was up 107 points at 24,118. Around 2,391 shares advanced, 1,031 shares declined, and 125 shares remained unchanged. India VIX, which measures near-term volatility, inched up by a percent to trade around 14 levels.
&nbsp;
Among other sectors, Nifty Metal, FMCG, Auto, and Bank were the top performers, with metal being the highest gainer. Tata Steel, APL Apollo Tubes, and JSW Steel led the rally. Conversely, energy and public sector bank stocks slipped the most.
&nbsp;
The broader market, encompassing midcap and small-cap indices, outperformed the headline indices, trading 0.9 and 1.37 percent higher, respectively.
&nbsp;
Notably, the midcap index touched a new all-time high in the afternoon at 15,824.
&nbsp;
"Despite high valuations, the market is likely to remain resilient. The healthy trend in the recent rally, which has pushed Nifty by 6.5 percent in June, is that it is being led by fundamentally strong large caps," said V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services. "The high delivery-based buying among large caps is a strong trend that will impart resilience to the market," he added.

Nifty, Sensex rise with IT stocks

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday paid her tribute to the first chief minister of the state Bidhan Chandra Roy on his birth and death anniversary, which is celebrated as National Doctor&rsquo;s Day.
&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;">Banerjee also wished the doctors, nurses and other health workers on the occasion.
<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;My tributes to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, former Chief Minister of West Bengal, and a legendary physician, on his birth and death anniversary. My regards and best wishes to all the doctors, nurses and health workers of Bengal and the country on this very special occasion of &lsquo;National Doctor&rsquo;s Day&rsquo; for their selfless and dedicated services,&rdquo; she posted on X.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
My tributes to Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, former Chief Minister of West Bengal, and a legendary physician, on his birth and death anniversary. My regards and best wishes to all the doctors, nurses and health workers of Bengal and the country on this very special occasion of&hellip;
&mdash; Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/1807602484585840706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<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;It is with the committed support of my colleagues in the health sector that our government has been able to revolutionise the sector in Bengal in the last 13 years. Free treatment in government hospitals, cashless and virtually free treatment in private hospitals also under our Swasthya Sathi, many new medical colleges, hospitals, health centres and medical services&mdash; all these are our tributes to the cause of health,&rdquo; she added.
<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 state government has declared a half-day holiday for all its departments, except the Revenue Department, in Roy&rsquo;s memory.
<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 first National Doctor&rsquo;s Day was celebrated in 1991 to pay tribute to Roy&rsquo;s contributions to the health sector 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;">Roy, a Congress leader who was called the architect of modern West Bengal, was born on this day in 1882 and died in 1962. He was the chief minister of the state from 1950 to 1962.
<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 was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1961, and during his tenure as the CM, he played a crucial role in laying the foundation of cities such as Kalyani, Durgapur and Salt Lake, and setting up several institutions, including IIT-Kharagpur. 
&nbsp;

Kolkata

Mamata pays tribute to first CM of WB Bidhan Chandra Roy

India&rsquo;s manufacturing sector saw a notable uptick in June, with the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) climbing to 58.3 from a three-month low of 57.5 in May.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The June PMI, comfortably above its long-run average, highlights a recovery in the Indian manufacturing sector, which had faced a dip in May. The report attributes this recovery to buoyant demand conditions, which spurred expansions in new orders, output, and buying levels.
&nbsp;
Maitreyi Das, Global Economist at HSBC, commented, &ldquo;The Indian manufacturing sector ended the June quarter on a stronger footing. The headline manufacturing PMI rose by 0.8 percentage points to 58.3 in June, supported by increased new orders and output. Consequently, firms increased their hiring at the fastest pace in over 19 years.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The data showed that firms raised employment at the fastest rate recorded since the data collection began in March 2005. This surge in hiring is indicative of the sector&rsquo;s robust performance.
&nbsp;
The input buying activity also rose during the month. While cost pressures receded slightly from May, they remained among the highest in over two years. Manufacturers managed to pass on higher costs to customers, resulting in improved margins.
&nbsp;
Das added, &ldquo;Input costs moderated slightly in June but remained at elevated levels. Manufacturers were able to pass on higher costs to customers, as demand remained robust, resulting in improved margins. While the overall outlook for the manufacturing sector remains positive, the future output index receded to a three-month low, albeit remaining above the historical average.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;As a consequence of ongoing increases in new order intakes, firms stepped up recruitment. The rate of job creation was sharp and the strongest seen since data collection started in March 2005. Staff expenses reportedly intensified in June, which coupled with rising material and transportation costs caused another overall increase in operating expenses,&rdquo; the report noted.
&nbsp;
Export orders saw a substantial increase, driven by better demand from regions including Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and the US.

India's June manufacturing PMI rises to 58.3

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, on Monday, was appointed as batting coach and mentor by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Karthik announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last month.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Welcome our keeper in every sense, Dinesh Karthik back into RCB in an all-new avatar. DK will be the batting coach and mentor of RCB Men's team," RCB posted on 'X', formerly Twitter.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"You can take the man out of cricket but not cricket out of the man! Shower him with all the love, 12th Man Army," the post added.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Terming this an exciting opportunity, Karthik stated: "Coaching at a professional level is inspiring for me and is something I'm truly passionate about as a new chapter in my life. Hopefully, the breadth of my experiences as a player can contribute to the development of the group and bring added value."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"I believe that cricket success hinges not only on technical proficiency but also on match intelligence and composure. I am eager to coach and mentor our batting group, helping them not only refine their method but also develop the keen match awareness needed to excel under pressure.
&nbsp;
"It's also great that I can continue my association with RCB as the franchise continues to move from strength to strength," he stated in a release issued by RCB.
&nbsp;
The cricketer, who is also into commentary, had a spectacular last season for RCB where he played the role of a finisher and scored 326 runs at an average of 36.22 with a massive strike-rate of 187.36.
&nbsp;
He was given an emotional farewell after RCB lost the Eliminator to Rajasthan Royals.
&nbsp;
Overall, the wicketkeeper-batter played 257 matches in IPL representing five franchises -- Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, and RCB.
&nbsp;
He had amassed 4,842 runs at an average of 26.32.
&nbsp;
Playing for India, Karthik scored 1,752 runs and struck nine half-centuries in 94 ODI matches.
&nbsp;
In 26 Tests, Karthik has 1,025 runs to his name, which includes a century against Bangladesh.
&nbsp;
In 60 T20Is, he has scored 686 runs at an average of 26.38 with a 142-plus strike rate.
&nbsp;
Regarding Karthik's appointment, RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat said he will be just as impactful as a coach.
&nbsp;
"His longevity and track record as a player speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. I know he will bring that same quality and commitment to this new professional chapter," Bobat said.
&nbsp;
"DK's experiences across both international cricket and the IPL, make him a huge asset to RCB. I do not doubt that our players will benefit hugely from his expert support." RCB are yet to win an IPL title in the last 17 seasons.

Dinesh Karthik appointed as RCB's batting coach & mentor

Indian shooter Sandeep Singh's determination to overcome personal challenges and succeed as a sports shooter was forged in the harsh environment of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Enduring temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius, Sandeep lived in a tent, at a place where the weather remains a bigger threat than the enemy. 
The 28-year-old 10m air rifle shooter, who clinched victory in the Olympic Selection Trials to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, attributes his success to his gruelling experience in Siachen.
&nbsp;
"Being alone in the snowy wilderness at -40 degrees Celsius, where you have to prepare your food in the camp, was a test of resilience," Singh said during the ceremonial send-off of the Paris-bound Indian athletes.
&nbsp;
After serving as a reserve shooter for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a dip in form led to Singh, a Havildar, being sent back to his unit. He was posted in Siachen for six months between 2021 and 2022.
&nbsp;
"That period gave me the time to think about my future, what I needed to do, and how to enhance my shooting skills," Singh said.
&nbsp;
Coming from a humble background in Faridkot district, with his father working as a daily wage labourer and two brothers working as bike mechanics, Singh had no background in sports.
&nbsp;
"I used to run cross-country twice a day, covering 7-8 km, to join the Army. My younger brother wasn't as fortunate; he and my elder brother are bike mechanics now," Singh added.
&nbsp;
Singh used to do labour and daily-wage jobs before joining the Army.
&nbsp;
The first gun he held was an INSAS rifle, a standard weapon used by the Indian Army which also functions as a light machine gun.
&nbsp;
He used it to hone his shooting abilities.
&nbsp;
While the shooter is all set to leave for the upcoming summer Olympic Games being held in Paris, his story of perseverance and grit serves as an inspiration to young men and women in the country.

From Siachen to Olympics, shooter Sandeep Singh aims high

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly's Budget session has officially kicked off today, spanning from July 3 to July 19, with 14 sittings scheduled. This session is expected to be marked by intense debates and confrontations, particularly surrounding the alleged nursing college scam and the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
&nbsp;
Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar conducted a thorough review of the preparations for the session on Sunday, ensuring everything was in order for the proceedings. This session is the third of the 16th legislative assembly, setting the stage for critical discussions and decisions.
&nbsp;
The Congress party, which is in opposition, is gearing up to challenge the government on several fronts. Key among their concerns is the alleged nursing college scam, a scandal involving significant irregularities in the functioning of several nursing colleges.
&nbsp;
This issue is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Congress has planned a protest at the residence of former Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang, who now holds the cooperative portfolio. They accuse him of being involved in the scam, and they are demanding a thorough investigation.
&nbsp;
In addition to the nursing college scam, the Congress is also set to press the government on its promise of ensuring MSP for farm produce, a commitment made during the previous assembly elections.
&nbsp;
The issue of MSP has long been a point of contention, with farmers and various political groups calling for its implementation to ensure fair prices for their crops.
&nbsp;
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar has advocated for more transparency in the assembly's proceedings. He has called for the live broadcasting of the assembly's sessions, similar to what is done in the Lok Sabha, to allow the public to witness their representatives' actions and debates firsthand. Singhar has also stressed the importance of adhering to the schedule, urging that the sessions should not be adjourned prematurely, thereby ensuring that all issues are thoroughly discussed and debated.
 As the session unfolds, all eyes will be on the debates over the nursing college scam and MSP, with both sides preparing to present their arguments and evidence. The government's budget presentation today will also be a focal point, with stakeholders keenly observing the allocations and policies proposed.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly launches Budget session

Following a lackluster performance in the recent US Presidential debate, President Joe Biden's family has expressed disappointment, privately criticizing his campaign advisers for what they perceive as missteps leading up to the event.
&nbsp;
Reports indicate that Biden's relatives are urging him to consider a shake-up within his political team, highlighting concerns over over-preparation and inadequate rest prior to the debate.
&nbsp;
The debate, held on June 27, saw President Biden facing off against Republican opponent Donald Trump. Critics pointed out Trump's repetition of debunked claims and Biden's perceived struggle to pivot effectively in response. Biden's family members reportedly lamented that he was overly focused on defending his record rather than presenting a clear vision for a second term.
&nbsp;
Sources close to the situation revealed that there were pleas made to Biden's top aides to ensure he was well-rested before the debate. However, these requests allegedly went unheeded, with concerns mounting that Biden appeared tired and unwell during the event. "What a bad decision to send him out looking sick and exhausted," remarked one individual familiar with the discussions.
&nbsp;
Among those singled out for criticism were Anita Dunn and Bob Bauer. Dunn, a longtime Biden aide, and Bauer, the President's attorney who played Trump during debate rehearsals, faced calls for dismissal from figures within Biden's support network.
&nbsp;
John Morgan, a prominent Biden fundraiser, was particularly vocal, suggesting that Dunn and Bauer's involvement may have been detrimental to Biden's performance.
&nbsp;
The debate strategy itself was devised and endorsed by campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, who played a pivotal role in Biden's successful 2020 campaign.
&nbsp;
Despite the internal criticism, Biden's campaign maintained that no immediate staff changes were under consideration. A campaign official clarified that multiple advisers, not just Dunn and Bauer, were involved in Biden's preparation.
&nbsp;
Biden's verbal missteps during the debate reignited concerns among voters and Democrats alike about his ability to effectively lead for another term. However, despite these challenges, Biden affirmed his determination to secure victory in the upcoming November presidential election against Trump.
&nbsp;
As the election season progresses, the Biden campaign faces the task of regaining momentum and addressing internal criticisms while maintaining focus on key issues and voter concerns.

New York

Biden's debate missteps prompt family criticism on advisors

France's far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, emerged victorious in the first round of the country's parliamentary election, according to exit polls. The RN secured approximately 34% of the vote, surpassing its leftist and centrist competitors, including President Emmanuel Macron's Together alliance, which garnered between 20.5% and 23%. The New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition of left-wing parties, followed closely with around 29% of the vote, as indicated by multiple exit polls from Ipsos, Ifop, OpinionWay, and Elabe.
&nbsp;
Despite the RN's lead, the final outcome hinges on the upcoming run-off elections and the subsequent political negotiations. Traditionally, French politics has seen centre-right and centre-left parties forming alliances to prevent the RN from gaining power&mdash;a strategy known as the "republican front." However, the effectiveness of this approach is uncertain this time around.
&nbsp;
In French parliamentary elections, if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote in the first round, the top two contenders proceed to a run-off. Additionally, candidates with at least 12.5% of registered voters can also qualify for the second round. This election is likely to witness a record number of three-way run-offs, a scenario that typically benefits the RN more than simpler two-way contests.
&nbsp;
Following the first round, political manoeuvring commenced immediately. President Macron called upon voters to support candidates aligned with republican and democratic values, implicitly excluding those from the RN and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. Meanwhile, LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon announced that NFP would withdraw third-placed candidates to consolidate votes against the RN.
&nbsp;
Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old president of RN, expressed readiness to become prime minister if his party secures an outright majority. However, both Macron and NFP have ruled out forming alliances with the RN, setting the stage for potential "cohabitation" scenarios&mdash;a situation where the president and prime minister come from opposing parties.
&nbsp;
The exit polls suggested RN might win the most seats in the National Assembly, with one pollster, Elabe, even projecting a potential absolute majority of 289 seats in the run-off. However, projections based on first-round results can be notoriously inaccurate.
&nbsp;
Voter turnout was notably high compared to previous parliamentary elections, reflecting intense political engagement following Macron's decision to call for early parliamentary elections after RN's success in the recent European Parliament elections. This move has injected significant uncertainty into French politics and triggered reactions across Europe, including financial market reactions.
&nbsp;
Once considered a political outcast, RN now stands closer to power than ever before. Marine Le Pen's efforts to rebrand the party, shifting focus from racism and antisemitism to economic issues and immigration concerns, seem to have resonated with voters disillusioned with Macron's policies and economic challenges.
&nbsp;
As of 1500 GMT, voter turnout was nearly 60%, a substantial increase from the previous parliamentary election's 39.42%, marking the highest comparable turnout since the 1986 legislative vote, according to Ipsos France's research director, Mathieu Gallard.

Paris

Macron faces challenge as Le Pen's RN leads French polls

Following a deadly roof collapse at Terminal 1 (T1) of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has initiated a series of measures to ensure passenger safety and operational continuity. The incident, which occurred last Friday due to heavy rainfall, resulted in the death of a cab driver and injuries to several others.
&nbsp;
In response, Minister Naidu visited the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) to evaluate the situation and review passenger handling procedures. All departing flights have been redirected to Terminals 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) following the closure of T1.
&nbsp;
Naidu held a meeting with senior officials from various aviation bodies, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), and airline representatives.
&nbsp;
During the meeting, Naidu emphasised the necessity of maintaining the highest safety standards for passengers during this transition period. He reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers.
&nbsp;
The DGCA has set up war rooms to facilitate close coordination between DIAL and the airlines, ensuring timely communication and addressing any challenges due to the increased passenger volume at T2 and T3.
&nbsp;
Naidu highlighted the critical need for effective communication and coordination to manage the situation efficiently. "The DGCA confirmed the activation of war rooms, facilitating close coordination between DIAL and the airlines," Naidu mentioned in a post on X. This coordination is expected to help mitigate any operational disruptions and enhance passenger experience.
&nbsp;
An FIR has been lodged by Delhi Police under sections related to death by negligence, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the roof collapse. Meanwhile, authorities continue debris removal and a full structural assessment of T1.
&nbsp;
The terminal remains closed until further notice.&nbsp;To prevent similar incidents in the future, Naidu announced the involvement of a special team from IIT Delhi&rsquo;s structural engineering department for an initial inspection. He also instructed airlines to avoid any abnormal surge in airfare.
&nbsp;
"We don&rsquo;t want a similar incident to happen again, so we have asked for inspection reports from all airports across the country within 2-5 days. Based on these reports, we will take necessary actions to prevent such incidents," Naidu stated.
&nbsp;
The minister&rsquo;s proactive measures reflect the government&rsquo;s commitment to ensuring passenger safety and maintaining smooth airport operations amidst the crisis.
&nbsp;
As authorities work diligently to restore normalcy, passengers are advised to stay updated on flight schedules and follow instructions provided by airport authorities and airlines.

Minister Naidu reviews IGI Airport after roof collapse

Today, with the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the first FIR was lodged against a street vendor for blocking a road close to the New Delhi Railway Station.
&nbsp;
The FIR was filed under Section 285 of the new criminal code that states, "Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The police filed an FIR after a patrolling officer noticed a street vendor selling water bottles and gutkha on the road last night. The vendor's makeshift stall was blocking the road, and despite repeated requests to move it, he did not comply. As a result, the police officer decided to file an FIR.
&nbsp;
According to the FIR, the street vendor had placed his stall near a foot-over bridge close to New Delhi Railway Station late last night.
&nbsp;
"The man was selling water, bidi and cigarettes on the street and the obstruction was causing difficulty for the public. The sub-inspector asked the man several times to remove the stall from the road, but he did not comply. The sub-inspector asked several passers-by to join the probe, but they refused. Then the sub-inspector shot a video using the E-praman application," the FIR says.
&nbsp;
The individual has been identified as Pankaj Kumar, hailing from Patna in Bihar.
&nbsp;
Today, three new criminal laws have been implemented&mdash;the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These will supersede the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, which date back to the colonial era.

1st FIR under new laws filed against Delhi vendor

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the results for the NEET UG 2024 retest on Monday, July 1. This retest was specifically organised for the 1,563 candidates who were initially awarded grace marks due to alleged time loss during the main exam conducted on May 5, 2024.
&nbsp;
Out of the 1,563 affected candidates, only 813 appeared for the retest. The retest was essential to ensure fairness and accuracy in the evaluation process, addressing concerns raised by the candidates regarding the initial exam.
&nbsp;
Following the retest, the NTA promptly displayed the provisional answer keys, scanned OMR sheets, and recorded responses of the participating candidates on June 28.
&nbsp;
This display allowed candidates to challenge any discrepancies they found in the provisional answer keys. The NTA took these challenges seriously, and after a thorough expert review, the final answer keys for the retest were published on the NTA website.
&nbsp;
The revision of ranks based on the retest results aims to provide a fair and accurate reflection of the candidates' performance. This step ensures that the candidates who experienced difficulties during the main exam are given a just evaluation. The NTA's efforts to address these issues reflect its commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the examination process.
&nbsp;
Candidates can now check their revised ranks and scores on the official NTA website. The revised rankings are expected to have a significant impact on the admissions process for various medical and dental colleges across the country. It is crucial for candidates to stay updated with the latest information and follow the necessary steps for the next stages of the admission process.
&nbsp;
The NEET UG exam is a highly competitive and critical step for students aspiring to pursue medical and dental education in India. The retest and subsequent revision of ranks highlight the importance of a transparent and fair evaluation process.
&nbsp;
By addressing the concerns of the candidates and providing them with an opportunity to retake the exam, the NTA has demonstrated its dedication to upholding the standards of the examination system.
&nbsp;
As the revised ranks are released, candidates are advised to carefully review their scores and prepare for the upcoming counselling sessions. The revised ranks will play a crucial role in determining the candidates' admission prospects and their future academic paths. It is essential for candidates to stay informed and proactive in managing their application and admission procedures.

NEET UG retest results declared, ranks revised for all

Iran's Constitutional Council has validated the results of the first round of the country's 14th presidential election, allowing candidates to begin their campaigns for the run-off.
&nbsp;
Hadi Tahan Nazif, the council's spokesman, made the announcement during a televised interview with the state-run IRIB TV on Sunday. He confirmed that the council had reviewed and validated the election results after thorough investigations.
&nbsp;
No objections were raised by any of the four candidates within the legal timeframe for complaints. With the validation, election campaigns are set to continue until Thursday morning, 24 hours before the run-off.
&nbsp;
In the first round of voting, which began early on Friday and concluded at midnight after being extended three times, no candidate secured the majority required to declare a winner.
&nbsp;
As a result, the election proceeds to a run-off scheduled for July 5, featuring the top contenders from the first round. Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former Health Minister, who garnered over 42 percent of the votes, will face principlist Saeed Jalili, the former chief negotiator in the nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers, who received more than 38 percent of the votes.
&nbsp;
This snap presidential election, originally planned for 2025, was rescheduled following the unexpected death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.
&nbsp;
The sudden vacancy led to the advancement of the election to address the urgent need for new leadership. The run-off between Pezeshkian and Jalili is expected to be a closely watched contest, reflecting the nation's current political dynamics and future direction.

Tehran

Iran election results validated by Constitutional Council

Perfume making dates back at least 3,000 years &ndash; to the time of Tapputi-belat-ekalle, who is considered the first chemist in history.
&nbsp;
What we know about her comes from inscriptions on fragments of clay tablets dating back to the Middle Assyrian period (1400&ndash;1000BC).
&nbsp;
The inscriptions tell us that Tapputi was in charge of &ldquo;overseeing the palace&rdquo; as the leader of a collective of female expert perfume makers in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq and Iran). These muraqqītu, experts in aromatics, prepared fragrances for the king and his royal family.
&nbsp;
The inscriptions, which are on display in the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin, also show a detailed procedure for how Tapputi produced one of her perfumes. Tapputi and her team used aromatic and medicinal plants and flowers, that were commonly found at the time, to extract essential oils and fragrances.
 Perfumes can be floral, fruity, sweet, spicy, woody and much more. These attributes, or &ldquo;notes&rdquo;, are what we are drawn to when picking one to wear. The different chemical molecules that make up the perfume notes are known as volatile compounds.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
These are compounds that evaporate easily. When these molecules become a gas, they are detected by the sensory organs in your nose.
&nbsp;
Behind the sensations we get from our favourite perfume, there is a sophisticated process where art and chemistry are tightly interlaced.
&nbsp;
Tapputi&rsquo;s Ancient perfume recipes describe a series of techniques to extract and concentrate volatile scent compounds that are still foundational to several chemistry applications, such as the production of perfumes, cosmetics, medicines or supplements.
&nbsp;
Some of these extraction techniques involve heating. To prepare a decoction (the extraction of water-soluble substances from plants), for example, the raw material, such as leaves or roots, is boiled for a prolonged amount of time with a solvent such as water.
&nbsp;
The technique of infusion was also described. This is where the material to be extracted is soaked briefly in hot water, just like a tea.
&nbsp;
Other techniques rely on the extractive power of the solvent in which the raw material is soaked for a long time at room temperature &ndash; a process known as maceration.
&nbsp;
Tapputi&rsquo;s recipe also illustrated a sequence of heating and cooling down of the raw material, in a process that resembles what nowadays we would refer to as distillation.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This method uses evaporation and condensation to separate the different volatile scent compounds from each other. This conversion from liquid to a gas state, and vice versa, is based on how easily, and at what temperature, the compounds evaporate.
&nbsp;
Finally, multiple steps of refinement via filtration were carried out, to obtain perfumes &ldquo;fit for a king&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
These very same techniques are still relevant in modern perfumery but have been optimised through the centuries and are now more efficient.
&nbsp;
Are all noses the same? If Tapputi had been born in modern times, she may have been a &ldquo;nose&rdquo;, the term for highly skilled fragrance artists, who master chemistry and creativity.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Like in nature, many perfumes combine a large number of scent compounds. Making a perfume means assessing the interaction of many volatile compounds in a blend and their stability, alone and together, after bottling.
&nbsp;
These highly trained professionals can comfortably distinguish between notes with subtle differences and recreate them in their laboratory.
&nbsp;
The expertise of gifted noses also finds application in sensory analysis in the food, beverages and cosmetics industries, where they study how a product feels through their five senses.
&nbsp;
In the laboratory, chemists often rely on advanced instruments to try to understand the origin of the aroma of natural products. These instruments scan through the complex fragrance to separate and identify the hundreds of volatile molecules that, when combined, give the overall scent that our nose can smell.
&nbsp;
In our recent study, for example, we screened the aroma of some Irish honey samples, marketed as heather honey, to understand more of its botanical origin.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Volatile compounds found in the honey mainly originate from the plants and flowers that the honeybees visited to collect the nectar that, through much processing, is converted into honey. We found all of the samples had aroma notes from several different plants.
&nbsp;
A new frontier of aroma research lies in the development of the &ldquo;e-noses&rdquo;. These are molecule-sensing electronic devices that mimic how our noses detect volatile compounds, providing a &ldquo;fingerprint&rdquo;, a screening of the characteristic aroma compounds of a sample.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
These e-noses could be important for other industries too. For example, in the diagnosis of disease (volatile molecule fingerprints may change with blood sugar levels), and for quality control for the food industry, where the volatile fingerprint of a food may change as it spoils.
&nbsp;
Modern perfume research is also exploring the important, but often overlooked, psychology of fragrance. They hold highly evocative power over humans. We are starting to understand why certain scents make you fancy a cup of tea, want to keep your nose in a book or feel festive.
&nbsp;
This seems to depend on the physical interconnection between our sense of smell and the parts of our brain linked to memories and emotions.
&nbsp;
This could explain why, in Tapputi&rsquo;s day, the fragrances were not only seen as cosmetics, but they also had a religious function. They were used as part of rituals and ceremonies and offered to the gods to bridge an invisible connection with them.
&nbsp;
If reading this has left you feeling curious about perfumery, you can try making a perfume inspired by Tapputi&rsquo;s fragrance.
&nbsp;
(By arrangement with PTI/The Conversation. The author of this article is Roberta Angioi, a Postdoctoral Researcher in Analytical Chemistry, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland).

Dublin

Science of scents: From 3,000 years ago to now

India is set to enter a new era in its legal system with the enforcement of three new criminal laws on Monday, July 1. These laws, named the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
&nbsp;
The new laws aim to modernise India's justice system by incorporating several contemporary features. Among these are Zero FIR, which allows for the immediate filing of a First Information Report (FIR) regardless of jurisdiction, online police complaint registration, electronic summonses via SMS, and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all serious offences. These changes are expected to streamline legal processes and enhance the efficiency and transparency of law enforcement.
&nbsp;
Following the notification of these new criminal laws on December 25, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated extensive preparations to ensure their effective implementation and to raise awareness among all relevant stakeholders. This includes police, prison officials, prosecutors, judicial officers, forensic personnel, and the general public.
&nbsp;
To support these new laws, the existing Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) application underwent 23 functional updates. These updates are designed to align with the technological requirements of the new laws, including FIR filing and other key processes.
&nbsp;
States and Union Territories (UTs) received technical support to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system, with support teams and call centres established to provide continuous monitoring and assistance.
&nbsp;
In addition, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is developing the CCTNS 2.0 application. This new version will incorporate secure cloud storage and features for crime scene videography and forensic evidence collection.
&nbsp;
To further support these efforts, the MHA launched a mobile and web application called the NCRB Compendium of Criminal Laws. This app is available on multiple platforms, including the NCRB, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&amp;D), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), and iGot websites, as well as on Google Play Store and iOS.
&nbsp;
Another significant development is the e-Sakshaya app, which enables the videography and photography of crime scenes and document onboarding. This app has been distributed to all police departments across states and Union Territories, and comprehensive testing has been completed.
&nbsp;
Similarly, the Nyayashruti App facilitates electronic judicial hearings and document onboarding and has been shared with all states/UTs and the e-Committee of the Supreme Court for court implementation. The e-Summon App facilitates the electronic service of court summonses.
&nbsp;
In line with the new laws, necessary updates were made to the CCTNS, e-Prison, e-Prosecution, and e-Forensic applications. These updates ensure that these systems are fully compatible with the new legal framework.
&nbsp;
To build capacity among various stakeholders, the MHA implemented comprehensive training initiatives. These included the development of several training modules and the conduct of over 250 training courses, webinars, and seminars, resulting in the training of a large number of officers and personnel.
&nbsp;
Control rooms with teams comprising law and police officers have been established to manage and address queries and challenges raised by field personnel during the implementation of the new laws.
&nbsp;
The MHA also carried out extensive publicity campaigns on social media to inform the public about the three new criminal laws. Ministries published advisories, press releases, and infographics on social media platforms. Additionally, dialogue workshops were held in state capitals, focusing on regional media to highlight the benefits of implementing the new laws.
&nbsp;
As India embarks on this new journey, the government remains committed to ensuring that these laws not only modernise the legal system but also make justice more accessible and efficient for all citizens.

India's legal system gets overhauled with new laws

Neither India nor Indian films are strangers to celebrated Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage.&nbsp;
 His visits to India are so frequent that he calls it his second home.
 "In fact, I would say India launched me all those years ago. It is only after I was accepted in India that I found the courage to take my films to all those festivals in Europe," says Vithanage.
 Now, India is giving him yet another milestone in Paradise, released worldwide on June 28, including almost 100 theatres in India's big cities.
 Paradise is set in the backdrop of Sri Lanka's financial crisis of 2022, but told from the viewpoint of a Malayalee couple.&nbsp;
 Malayalam film stars Darshana Rajendran and Roshan Mathew play the lead.
 As he is known for, in Paradise too Vithanage uses the inner conflicts of his lead characters, as they are forced to shed their political apathy, to push forth the bigger narrative of social injustices.
 Paradise, produced by Newton Cinema, is already a force to reckon with in the festival circuit. Among others, it won the prestigious Kim Jiseok award at the Busan Film Festival last year.
 But the fact that the film will receive a wider audience is a great achievement for him, acknowledges Vithanage. He recalls the time when his wife, Damayanthi Fonseka, an actor, had to pawn her jewellery to produce his film.
 "I got lucky, though. All my films from 2008 were partly funded by Indian producers. So, for 32 years now, I have been able to make films, without having to think about an alternative career," said Vithanage.
 In fact, Vithanage pointed out, renowned Indian film technician, editor Sreekar Prasad, has been part of his film journey for 27 years. He is the editor of Paradise too.
 "He even produced Akasa Kusum in 2008. Later, filmmaker Rahul Roy produced a film With You, Without You and the docudrama Silence of the Court.
&nbsp; Mumbai-based Jar Pictures produced Gaadi: Children of the Sun. Now, Newton Cinema is 100 per cent behind Paradise, added Vithanage.
 Although he has been in and out of India, Kerala has always been a favourite, because it is very similar to Sri Lanka, said Vithanage.
 "So, it was kind of natural that I would gravitate towards Malayalees as my lead. When you weave a story, if you know about the people that you are talking about, it becomes easy to portray them," said Vithanage.
 Another recurring thing about Vithanage's films are his "strong women." Just as Paradise, which has people from and outside Sri Lanka, making him adjust his lens to accommodate both their points of view, even though he is a man, Vithanage said he tries to see where a woman might come from, looking at her beyond the male gaze.
 "In fact, in my films I am questioning the male gaze&hellip; In art, that should happen. The artists who have inspired me have done that. Leo Tolstoy has done that. Gabriel Garcia Marquez has done that. Fyodor Dostoevsky has done that. In real life, I may not be able to do that, but when I start to write, I try to understand human beings from a woman&rsquo;s point of view," said Vithanage.
 Although he has a niche audience within Sri Lanka, the scope within his country, admitted Vithanage, is very limited.
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"Yes, six million people had watched films in the 200 theatres of Sri Lanka last year, but the trending genre was comedy," added Vithanage.
 A far cry from what Vithanage makes. Naturally, his cinematic scope expanded to include people from outside Sri Lanka as well, said Vithanage.
 With time, he had mastered the art of telling his stories in a way that would appeal to even people who have no idea of what is happening in Sri Lanka, he added.
 But Vithanage said looking away from the issues plaguing his country had never been an option for him.
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"As a filmmaker, what is happening around me affects me and it is my responsibility to use the visual media as a tool to communicate that," added Vithanage.
 Perhaps, it is how he has learnt to package the macro into the micro that has earned him a place among the all-time greats, not just in Sri Lanka but also in South Asia.
 For instance, in his second film, Dark Night of the Soul, released in 1996, loosely based on Tolstoy's Resurrection, he alludes to the second uprising of the Naxalites that Sri Lanka witnessed in 1988/89.
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While the crux of the film is the moral struggle of the male protagonist and his betrayal, the hints about the inequalities of the society that peppers the narration is just about right to pique one&rsquo;s curiosity about the larger picture.
 "My views may be subjective. But I always believed in portraying the objective truth in my films, without distorting them," added Vithanage.
 When telling any truth, Vithanage is aware that censorship is inevitable.
 "Because politicians choose nationalism to drive their careers, they may not like any narrative other than theirs. So, censorship is real. Artists must fight against it," said Vithanage, recalling how he managed to release one of his banned films, Death on a Full Moon Day, after a year-long legal battle.
 Vithanage also said these kinds of difficulties are also a blessing in disguise for filmmakers, giving them opportunities to fine tune their craft.
 "For instance, the political atmosphere prevalent in Sri Lanka has made me tell my story in a more imaginative manner," he added.&nbsp;

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