News Arena Network

Shyna Gupta

France is heading to the polls on Sunday for high-stakes snap parliamentary elections that could significantly alter the nation's political trajectory.
&nbsp;
The far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, is set to make historic gains despite President Emmanuel Macron's efforts to prevent its rise.
&nbsp;
Support for the anti-immigration and eurosceptic RN has surged amid ongoing challenges, including Russia's prolonged war against Ukraine and soaring energy and food prices.
&nbsp;
President Macron's pledges to curb the far-right's momentum have seemingly fallen short as the RN gains traction among voters.
&nbsp;
Polling stations across mainland France will open for the first round of elections at 8:00 a.m. (0600 UTC) and close at 8:00 p.m. (1800 UTC). Voters in France&rsquo;s overseas territories, spanning the globe, have already cast their ballots earlier this weekend.
&nbsp;
Approximately 49 million French citizens are eligible to vote in these elections, which will determine the composition of the 577-seat National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
&nbsp;
The electoral process involves two rounds, with the final shape of the new parliament becoming clear after the second round on July 7.
&nbsp;
Current polls indicate that the RN is on course to win the largest number of seats in the National Assembly. However, it remains uncertain whether the party will secure an outright majority.
&nbsp;
High voter turnout is anticipated, with the latest opinion polls showing the RN securing between 35 percent and 37 percent of the vote.
&nbsp;
In contrast, the left-wing New Popular Front alliance is projected to receive 27.5-29 percent, and Macron&rsquo;s centrist camp is expected to garner 20-21 percent.

New Delhi

France votes as far right eyes historic win

Bihar is set to host a mega investor summit this December, aiming to attract significant investments in key sectors such as textiles, food processing, and electric vehicles (EVs).&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The two-day Bihar Business Connect event will take place on December 11 and 12 in Patna, following the grand success of its 2023 edition.
&nbsp;
In the lead-up to the main event, Bihar will kick off a series of roadshows in various cities, starting with Kolkata on Monday. These roadshows are part of the state's strategy to roll out the red carpet for both domestic and foreign investors.
&nbsp;
"Bihar has a strategic locational advantage," said Nitish Mishra, Bihar's Minister for Industry and Tourism, who will be leading the roadshows. "Through Bihar, we can cater to the entire northeast, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Connectivity is excellent now in terms of roads, and we have three functional airports in Gaya, Patna, and Darbhanga."
&nbsp;
Recognizing the challenges posed by its land-locked geography, Bihar is offering export subsidies to offset the costs of transporting goods to the nearest ports.
&nbsp;

Patna

Bihar to host investor roadshows from Monday

Neha Singh

The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce on Monday its order on bail pleas of Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged excise policy scam.
&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;">Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who had reserved the order on the two bail pleas of Kavitha on May 28, is scheduled to pass the verdict at 2:30 PM on July 1.
<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;">Kavitha has challenged the trial court&rsquo;s May 6 order by which her bail applications in the Central Bureau of Investigation&rsquo;s corruption case as well as the ED&rsquo;s money laundering case were dismissed.
<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;">Kavitha&rsquo;s lawyer had submitted that out of the 50 accused in the excise matter, she is the lone woman, and urged the court to consider granting her bail as law keeps women on a different pedestal.
<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 CBI and Enforcement Directorate had opposed the bail pleas of Kavitha, saying she was highly influential and powerful enough to influence witnesses.
<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;">Countering the submission made on behalf of Kavitha that she, being a woman, be released on bail, the probe agencies had contended that it was the woman who was playing the main role in the conspiracy here and she was an active politician and a member of legislative council and cannot seek parity with vulnerable woman.
<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 CBI&rsquo;s counsel had argued that Kavitha was not just a woman but a very influential woman and was powerful enough to influence witnesses as one of the witnesses has even stated that he was threatened by her.
<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 ED&rsquo;s counsel had also contended that Kavitha was a co-conspirator and a beneficiary of the excise scam and the proceeds of crime were directly going to her.
<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;">It had claimed that the politician, who was accused of a white collar crime, was involved in destruction of evidence and coercing people to retract from their statements.
<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 ED, in its reply to the bail plea, had opposed the bail plea saying that Kavitha&rsquo;s release would adversely affect further investigation to unearth the &ldquo;deep-rooted, multi-layered conspiracy&rdquo;.
<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;K Kavitha has conspired with other people and actively involved in payment of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore and then in establishing the money laundering ecosystem, that is, M/s Indo Spirits through her proxy which generated proceeds of crime of Rs 192.8 crore. By such acts, K Kavitha is involved in various processes and activities relating to proceeds of crime (POC) to the tune of Rs 292.8 crore,&rdquo; the probe agency said in its counter affidavit.
<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 ED had said there is ample evidence to link her to the offence of money laundering.
<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;">Kavitha is in judicial custody in the two cases lodged by the ED and the CBI in the alleged scam.
<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 &ldquo;scam&rdquo; pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government&rsquo;s excise policy for 2021-22 which was later scrapped.
<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 ED arrested Kavitha (46) from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15. The CBI arrested her from Tihar jail.
<p class="MsoNormal" style="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;

Delhi HC to rule on Kavitha's bail pleas on Mon

Ayesha Banerjee

He has gracefully faced harsh criticism after a disappointing IPL show as Mumbai Indian captain, but Hardik Pandya has silenced his critics with his all-round performance in the T20 World Cup.
&nbsp;
Having replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik was the subject of ridicule and was booed by fans of his own team in the IPL. Mumbai could not qualify for the play-offs and his own performance as captain and player was also questioned.
&nbsp;
"I believe in grace. A lot was said by people who don't know even know me one per cent as a person. People have spoken, no issues but I have always believed in life that you never respond with words, circumstances can respond.
&nbsp;
"Even difficult times, they don't last forever. It is important to be graceful, whether you win or lose.
&nbsp;
"It is time for fans and everyone else to learn that (to be graceful). We need to find better ways to conduct yourself. I am sure the same people will be happy," said Pandya after the T20 World Cup final victory over South Africa here on Saturday.
&nbsp;
Hardik defended 16 runs in the final to ensure a famous win for his team.
&nbsp;
"To be honest, I was enjoying (it). Very few get these life changing opportunities. It could have gone the other way as well today but I see it (as) glass half full and not glass half empty.
&nbsp;
"I was not taking pressure and focusing on my skill sets. This was a moment written in the stars," he said when asked about the high pressure scenario, according to PTI.
&nbsp;
Hardik is expected to captain India in the shortest format following Rohit's retirement. The next T20 World Cup is in India in 2026 but he is not looking too far ahead.
&nbsp;
The year "2026 is a long time away. Very happy for Rohit and Virat. Very special two giants of Indian cricket who thoroughly deserved this.
&nbsp;
"Been amazing playing this format with them. We will miss them but this is the best farewell they could get. Happy for them to end like this," added the star all-rounder.&nbsp;

Bridgetown

Post

People who don't know me said a lot: Hardik Pandya

After rotting and rusting on the premises of Patna Museum for nearly 18 months, a British-era steamroller has been rescued by road construction authorities that capped a dramatic journey for the vintage machine that has survived against the odds.
&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 nearly century-old steam roadroller, manufactured by the John Fowler and Co in Leeds, England, was in possession of the Patna district board till about two years ago, lying decrepit in a corner of the now-razed Patna Collectorate.
<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;">It was brought to the Patna Museum after a rescue operation on the intervening night of August 24-25, 2022, delighting heritage lovers and legacy transport experts in India and around the globe.
<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 district board had donated the roadroller to the museum for &ldquo;proudly displaying&rdquo; it as a &ldquo;priceless gem&rdquo; after its old buildings and other historic structures were demolished in 2022 as part of the Patna Collectorate redevelopment project.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">While the museum authorities initially showed interest in its upkeep and restoration, the roadroller became a victim of government authorities&rsquo; apathy a few months after its arrival despite it becoming a hit among young visitors and even spawning a selfie craze.
<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 time passed, vegetation took over its huge wheels. The monsoon rain last year further corroded its old body while the original chimney, which blew steam in its heyday, suffered damage and got separated from the machine.
<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;">This rare piece, however, had a change of fortune after it was recently rescued and given a basic restoration.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">A senior official said the roadroller was taken out of the museum for keeping in custody of the road construction department.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Sources said it was transported out of the premises in a "hush-hush manner" recently after the museum closed for visitors for its ongoing redevelopment work.
<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 Patna Museum, home to a collection of rich artefact, rare paintings and 200 million-year-old fossilised tree trunks, has been closed for visitors since June 1 last year to undertake a revamp of its 96-year-old building.
<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 road construction department authorities have since provided the heritage roller the care and upkeep it needed.
<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;From Patna Museum, it was brought to the Central Mechanical Workshop of the road construction department in Patna where it is currently kept on a raised platform under an existing shed. A team of engineers and others worked on the basic restoration and we are proud to possess this rare gem that tells the story of early era of road construction,&rdquo; a senior department official 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;">The roller which, till recently, wore a decaying look now shines with a fresh coat of black paint, its chimney patched up and the body cleaned of at least the superficial layer of rust.
<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 rescue of this rare vintage machine has brought cheer among heritage lovers but many have criticised the Patna Museum for &ldquo;abandoning&rdquo; the &ldquo;gifted roller&rdquo;.
<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;The Patna Museum failed in its duty to preserve even a donated item. A rare piece of history that any worthy museum would have proudly owned and displayed. The roller tells the story of Patna, the urban history, the making of the early roads when steam ruled both rail and road,&rdquo; Kolkata-based transport heritage expert Abhishek Ray 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;">However, people in the Bihar government and the road construction department, which lent dignity to the roadroller, &ldquo;deserve full praise&rdquo;, he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Last year, heritage experts from India and the UK lamented its decay and poor upkeep despite lying in a &ldquo;sanctuary of history&rdquo; for a year and had appealed to the Patna Museum authorities to urgently take up its conservation, starting with putting a shed over it to at least arrest further deterioration.
<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;">Ragini Bhat, curator at the Heritage Transport Museum near Gurugram, had said the Patna Museum &ldquo;let us all down&rdquo; after raising hope of the heritage-loving fraternity and people in general.
<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 Heritage Transport Museum, home to some rare artefact, possesses two vintage roadrollers, a Marshall from 1914 rescued from West Bengal and a TELCO from the 1950s, she 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;">Derek Rayner, vice-chairman and steam archivist to the UK-based Road Roller Association, who has closely followed the rescue of the Patna roller, had earlier said the Patna Museum would do well to know that it was in possession of a &ldquo;steam-era jewel&rdquo;.
<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;This machine deserves better than being left to rot out in the open and really requires appropriate conservation, as do all museum exhibits,&rdquo; Rayner had said.
&nbsp;

Heritage roller left to rot at Patna Museum saved

Palak Chouhan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi resumed his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, marking his return after a hiatus during the recent Lok Sabha elections.
&nbsp;
In a post on X, he said, &ldquo;Delighted to connect with people through Mann Ki Baat once again&hellip;&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Delighted to connect with people through <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> once again. Do tune in! <a href="https://t.co/ohZ7kzbBlS">https://t.co/ohZ7kzbBlS</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1807285572647403754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
This broadcast, his first since beginning his third consecutive term as Prime Minister, included homage to the martyrs of the Santhal Rebellion on the occasion of Hul Diwas. He highlighted the historical significance of Sidho and Kanho's movement against the British in 1855, predating the 1857 uprising.
&nbsp;
Prior to the broadcast,PM&nbsp; Modi had encouraged citizens to share their ideas and suggestions for the programme through social media channels. The monthly broadcasts were temporarily halted due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct during the election period.
&nbsp;
PMModi's previous 'Mann Ki Baat' aired on February 25, before the announcement of the election schedule.
&nbsp;

PM Modi resumes ‘Mann Ki Baat’

Hyderabad

No work raises plight of T'gana weavers

Over 6,600 pilgrims embarked on the Amarnath Yatra from Jammu on Sunday, officials announced, joining more than 13,000 others who had visited the cave shrine a day earlier.
&nbsp;
Escorted by security forces, the third batch of 6,619 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. They travelled in two convoys comprising 319 vehicles, heading towards the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps.
&nbsp;
"At 3:50 a.m., 2,781 pilgrims set off in 151 vehicles for the Baltal base camp, while 3,838 pilgrims departed at 4:42 a.m. in 168 vehicles for Nunwan," officials stated.
&nbsp;
The 52-day Amarnath Yatra, which began on June 29 and will conclude on August 19, coincides with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima. Pilgrims choose between the traditional 48-km Pahalgam-Cave shrine route or the shorter 14-km Baltal-Cave shrine route.
&nbsp;
The cave shrine, located 3,888 metres above sea level, houses an ice stalagmite structure revered as symbolic of Lord Shiva's mythical powers, believed to wax and wane with the lunar phases.
&nbsp;
Security arrangements have been heightened along the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar highway, at the Yatra routes, base camps, and the cave shrine to ensure safety. More than 124 community kitchens ('Langars') and over 7,000 volunteers ('Sevadars') are aiding pilgrims along the routes and at the shrine.
&nbsp;
Railway authorities have scheduled additional trains from July 3 to manage the influx of pilgrims, while helicopter services are also available for quicker access to the shrine on both routes.

Jammu

Third batch departs Jammu for Amarnath Yatra

The cyber unit in Lucknow has achieved its inaugural "digital arrest" by apprehending three individuals who allegedly posed as "CBI officers" to deceive victims, officials reported Tuesday.
&nbsp;
According to authorities, the group orchestrated a sophisticated scam dubbed the 'digital arrest' to swindle a woman of Rs 2.71 crore and a man of Rs 43 lakh.
&nbsp;
"The suspects masqueraded as police officers and CBI investigators investigating financial crimes, convincing victims of their involvement in money laundering cases," officials disclosed.
&nbsp;
The scheme unfolded when a caller falsely claimed that transactions linked to a money laundering case were traced to the credit card of a doctor's wife. The victim was instructed to remain indoors and interact with a fictitious CBI agent. During a Skype call, she was digitally detained and coerced into transferring Rs 2.71 crore.
&nbsp;
"A digital arrest confines victims to the device used for the Skype call, threatening them with legal repercussions if they disclose the incident to family members," explained a police official.
&nbsp;
Similarly, a businessman was intimidated with baseless accusations of money laundering to extort compliance.
&nbsp;
The accused include Yashpal Prasad, 24, Keshav Goel, 27, and Sanket Kumar, 24, all from Agra.
&nbsp;
"Yashpal, a commerce graduate and the mastermind behind the scam, operated from Dubai. He recruited operatives in smaller cities to utilise their bank accounts for money transfers, promising them a share of the proceeds," an officer stated.

Lucknow

First 'digital arrest' in Lucknow busts CBI scam

Following a disastrous performance at the debate stage in Atlanta, there is a growing clamour within the ruling Democratic party and the mainstream American media for President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race.
&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;">However, the 81-year-old president and his campaign have asserted that he is not giving up and is determined to successfully run for the November 5th presidential elections.
<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;Biden is the nominee (of the Democratic party. No switching of the nominee,&rdquo; campaign leadership has asserted.
<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;">Biden, the 46th president of the United States, has won the Democratic presidential primary.
<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 of June 29, he had 3,894 delegates as against 1,975 delegates required to win the nomination of the party. These delegates would meet in Chicago from August 19 to 22 to formally nominate the winner of the primaries to run for the November 5 presidential elections.
<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;">Biden, seeking a second term in the White House, stumbled and fumbled during the televised presidential debate with his predecessor Donald Trump on Thursday night in Atlanta, setting off alarm bells among top Democrats about whether he can stay atop the gruelling months ahead of the elections on November 5.
<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 78-year-old Trump, who is the presumptive Republican Party candidate for the presidential election, clashed right from the start with Biden and by the end of the 90 minutes debate, gave enough fodder for serious editorials and opinions as well as memes on social 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;">Over the last 50 hours after the first presidential debate in Atlanta on Thursday night, wherein his performance was seen far below par against his rival Trump, multiple media outlets, including The New York Times and his own party supporters and key decision makers, are calling him to step down from the race.
<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;Dropping out is Biden&rsquo;s most patriotic option,&rdquo; The Atlantic said 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;To serve his country, President Biden should leave the race,&rdquo; The New York Times editorial board wrote Following the debate.
<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 New York Times wrote, &ldquo;That is no longer a sufficient rationale for why Mr. Biden should be the Democratic nominee this year.&rdquo; Similar messages are coming from inside the party as well.
<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;">However, his inner circle is standing by the side of Biden.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">A post-debate poll says that 10 per cent of the independent voters have moved towards Biden after the debate, a point that is being made by his team.
<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 wasn&rsquo;t my best debate ever as Barack (Obama) pointed out. I understand the concern after the debate,&rdquo; Biden told his fundraisers in New Jersey. &ldquo;I get it. I didn&rsquo;t have a great night, but I&rsquo;m going to be fighting harder,&rdquo; he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Research during the debate shows us converting more undecided voters than Trump did, in large part because of his conduct on January 6,&rdquo; Biden said. He argued Trump&rsquo;s lies were the biggest takeaway: &ldquo;People remember the bad things during his presidency. I didn&rsquo;t have a great night but neither did he,&rdquo; he said again of Trump.
<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;">Several prominent columnists &mdash; Paul Krugman, Tom Friedman, Nicholas Kristof, Jonathan Alter, and David Ignatius &mdash; argued that the chance of a diminished Biden losing to Trump is too high to risk. 
&nbsp;

Washington D.C.

Noise mounts for Biden to step down

The Samajwadi Party (SP) plans to launch a statewide weeklong tree planting initiative starting July 1 to commemorate the birthday of party President Akhilesh Yadav, a party spokesperson announced.
&nbsp;
Akhilesh Yadav's birthday falls on July 1, and the initiative, named the 'PDA ped' drive, aims to showcase the party's commitment to its PDA (Pichhde Dalits, Aplsankhyak) strategy, which proved pivotal in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
&nbsp;
Political analysts widely agree that the SP's focus on PDA communities was instrumental to its electoral success and could shape its future political trajectory if managed judiciously.
&nbsp;
Party members and supporters will plant saplings of Banyan, Neem, and Peepal trees, selected for their environmental benefits and symbolic significance.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&ldquo;These three species not only contribute towards environmental well-being but also signify social justice, amity, and equality&mdash;tthe focus of the party&rsquo;s commitment towards PDA,&rdquo; said SP Spokesperson Udaiveer Singh.
&nbsp;
Udaiveer Singh, SP spokesperson, explained that the initiative aims not only to promote environmental conservation but also to foster unity across society, contrasting it with what he described as divisive tactics seen in some political quarters.
&nbsp;
"The BJP and its government are known for polarising society through their gatherings. Our approach, through planting trees, is to unify all sections of society," Udaiveer stated.
&nbsp;
Each tree species holds cultural and religious significance. The Banyan tree symbolises life and fertility in Hindu culture, is associated with Lord Krishna, and is revered in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
&nbsp;
The Neem tree is valued for its medicinal properties and symbolises Goddess Durga's protective energy in Hindu mythology.
&nbsp;
The Peepal tree holds special importance for Dalits, followers of Lord Buddha, as it is believed Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment beneath its branches.
&nbsp;
The SP hopes the 'PDA ped' drive will not only contribute to a greener environment but also reinforce its commitment to inclusive social policies, setting a positive example in the political landscape.

SP's 'PDA Ped' drive to celebrate Akhilesh's b’day

Claiming that West Bengal was facing a financial breakdown, Governor CV Ananda Bose called upon the Mamata Banerjee government to table a white paper on the state&rsquo;s financial situation.
&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;">Bose&rsquo;s statement came on a day he met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.
<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;The fiscal situation of West Bengal is confronting multiple fiscal risks and public finance management issues exposing serious lapses on the part of the (state) government. It is very disturbing, shocking, and shattering to see that West Bengal is facing a financial breakdown. Its public finance is in the doldrums,&rdquo; he claimed in a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan 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;Considering the grave nature of the economic scenario, the Governor calls upon the CM upon the authority vested in him under Article 167 of the Constitution read with Rule 30 of the Rules of Business for West Bengal framed under Article 166 of the Constitution, to place a comprehensive report on the state's financial situation before the council of ministers and issue a White Paper for the information of the people of the state,&rdquo; the statement 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;">During his meeting with Sitharaman, Bose emphasised the need to implement income-generating economic development programmes for those dependent on the fisheries sector, Raj Bhavan officials said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The governor handed the minister a detailed action plan for the development of the fisheries sector, they said. 
&nbsp;

Kolkata

WB Guv takes note of state's financial situation

B.L. Santhosh, general secretary (organisation) of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Saturday commended the efforts of 'Vistaraks' in the party's recent election performance.
&nbsp;
A 'Vistarak' is a party functionary responsible for gathering ground-level feedback on the political situation in specific Parliamentary or Assembly constituencies.
&nbsp;
The concluding meeting of BJP 'Vistaraks' was held at the party office in Jaipur, attended by B.L. Santhosh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and other senior leaders.
&nbsp;
Speaking at the event, Santhosh highlighted the grassroots work of BJP's 'Vistaraks' in alignment with the party's ideology. "The suggestions of each Vistarak are important for the party," he stated.
&nbsp;
C.P. Joshi, president of the BJP's Rajasthan unit, noted that Vistaraks were selected for both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections to promote the party's ideology among the masses. "Each Vistarak poured in his time and worked hard to strengthen the ideology of BJP. The task given to the BJP Vistarak by the central and state unit was completed on time," he added.
&nbsp;
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma remarked on the personal growth and identity developed through party work. "The state Vistaraks of BJP gave time to the party&hellip; along with the work of the party, a new identity of the Vistaraks has also been created. Every Vistarak of the state worked with their heart and emotions and therefore, the party and the organisation have become strong at the grassroots level," Sharma said.

Jaipur

B.L. Santhosh lauds BJP's 'Vistaraks'

Rahul Dravid&rsquo;s tenure as India head coach, which got a glorious closure with the T20 World Cup triumph here, will remain a case study on how to be stately and understated at the same time in modern-day cricket coaching.
&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;">But even &lsquo;The Wall&rsquo; crumbled when emotions took charge at the end of an 11-year long title drought.
<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 soon as he got a feel of the trophy, which was respectfully brought to him by player of the match Virat Kohli, Dravid let out a roar so ferocious that it seemed he was finally letting out the emotions that he works so hard to hide while in public glare.
<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;">It was a moment that was so unlike Dravid, who hardly gave a quote that could fire up the imagination of the headline desk, but remained committed to his job in a rather Gary Kirsten way.
<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;">But that minimalism can never mask the challenges Dravid had to tame during his draining, overwhelming close to three years shepherding the most followed cricket team on this planet.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">In fact, the scrutiny of Dravid began even before his appointment as the head coach. He was projected as the &lsquo;Next One&rsquo; while guiding India during a short white ball series against Sri Lanka in mid-2021.
<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;">It was his audition &mdash; a real-time interview to see how he would cope with the demands of a high-pressure post &mdash; before he landed the job full-time in November that year.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">From the outset, Dravid &mdash; fair or unfair &mdash; had to match up to the lofty legacy of his predecessor Ravi Shastri, under whom India had a fine run including back-to-back away series win in Australia, the Holy Grail of Test cricket for teams from the sub-continent.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">While Dravid never got a chance to tour Down Under as a coach, he tamed the Antipodeans at home in different formats.
<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;">But a defeat and a drawn Test series against a &lsquo;weaker&rsquo; South African side will rankle Dravid, for whom wins away from home always stood as the gold standard.
<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;">However, in the deepest corners of his mind Dravid will rue the missed chance of winning the 50-over World Cup at home after his side succumbed to Australia in the final.
<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 World Cup win at Barbados might have eased that pain considerably, but it, surprisingly, came in a format where Dravid, much against his schtick, largely followed the conventional path.
<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;">This is not to say that Dravid was out of sync with this format as demonstrated 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;">So, how will Dravid&rsquo;s coaching stint be remembered? The World Cup victory will certainly occupy a large chunk of the public memory space.
<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;">However, above that, the flawless handling of a team of high-profile individuals will be the legacy for his successor to live up to. It&rsquo;s daunting too. 
&nbsp;

Dravid signs off as India coach with dignity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Indian cricket team on the phone on Sunday and congratulated its members on their T20 World Cup win.
&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;">Officials said Modi congratulated Rohit Sharma for his splendid captaincy and appreciated his T20 career. He also lauded Virat Kohli for his innings in the final, besides his overall contribution to Indian cricket.
<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;">Both the greats announced their retirement from T20 internationals following the win.
<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;">Modi praised Hardik Pandya for his final over and Suryakumar Yadav for his splendid catch on the boundary line to dismiss David Miller. He also talked highly of Jaspreet Bumrah&rsquo;s contribution, the officials 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 prime minister thanked coach Rahul Dravid for his contribution to Indian cricket.

PM Modi speaks to Team India after T20 win

The triumphant Indian team's celebrations at the Kensington Oval lasted close to four hours after a roller-coaster T20 World Cup final with players grooving to their favourite dance numbers and the usually reticent outgoing coach Rahul Dravid letting his hair down amid a general sense of relief for ending a lengthy title drought.
&nbsp;
The euphoria carried on in the team's hotel, but before that, at the historic venue, skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both retired from the format, and Dravid let their emotions take control after a gruelling month-long campaign in the Caribbean and USA.
&nbsp;
It was the end of a wait that stretched over a decade and had its fair share of tears and frustrations.
&nbsp;
Dravid, an undisputed great of the game who could not win a World Cup in his long playing career, usually does well to guard what's going on inside him.
&nbsp;
That was not the case on Saturday.
&nbsp;
In a rather animated display of emotions, Dravid pumped his fists while joining his players on the ground who watched in amusement as a rarely seen side of the Bengaluru-man went on display for the world.
&nbsp;
Kohli, an antithesis to Dravid's personality, heaved a massive sigh of relief when India's win was sealed on the penultimate ball of the game with Kagiso Rabada being caught at long-off.
&nbsp;
Standing in the deep, he too pumped his fist twice in the air before covering his face with his palms and heaving a massive sigh of relief as South Africa had the game in the bag not too long ago.
&nbsp;
Then came the memorable visuals of Rohit and Kohli holding the desperately desired trophy with the Indian flag around them.
&nbsp;
What followed was Bhangra with the boys in the middle with Kohli, Arshdeep, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Rinku Singh grooving to Daler Mehendi's iconic Punjabi number, Tunak Tunak Tun.
&nbsp;
There were tears of joy too both from Rohit and Kohli. Loud roars could be heard from inside the dressing room long after the outcome of the game was decided at 2pm local time.
&nbsp;
At one point, it seemed the players just wanted to share their joy with anyone who would care to join them.
&nbsp;
Rishabh Pant, who was coming back to international cricket after a life-threatening car accident in 2022, gifted his shoes to a fan in the building adjacent to the dressing room.
&nbsp;
A sense of satisfaction and relief was clearly visible on Rohit's face when he came to the post match media interaction.
&nbsp;
Choosing to play a high risk game since the ODI World Cup, Rohit finally got the much deserved trophy in his hands, seven months after the heartbreak in Ahmedabad.
&nbsp;
"This has to be the greatest time, I can say that. It's only because how desperately I wanted to win this. So, all the runs, all the runs that I've scored in all these years, I think it does matter, but I'm not big on stats and all of that," he said, with has become his signature nonchalance.
&nbsp;
"I think winning games for India, winning trophies for India, that is what I look forward to all the time. And having this now right beside me probably has to be, I don't know, honestly, I don't know if it's the greatest or what but it is definitely one of the greatest," added Rohit before announcing his T20 retirement minutes later.
&nbsp;
Dravid, who usually has long-winded explanations for everything that happens on the cricket field, struggled to explain his emotions for once. It wasn't easy for the man, whose entire reputation is built on being equanimous no matter the situation.
&nbsp;
"I am not usually short of words but I have been short of words the last two three hours. I am not of those one those guys who thinks about redemption.
&nbsp;
"As a player I was not lucky enough to win a trophy but I tried my best, it was not to be. I was lucky this bunch of players made it possible for me," said the former India captain.
&nbsp;
A team huddle followed after the compulsory media engagements were out of the way with the squad members reflecting on a memorable month, an indicator of a collective belief that they indeed had done something special.
&nbsp;
A category 1 Hurricane is expected to hit the island of Barbados on Sunday, potentially delaying the team's departure plans. If that does happen, the party will go on longer.&nbsp;

T20WC win: Show of emotions, bhangra time for team

In a moment of national pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian cricket team as champions after their remarkable T20 World Cup win.
&nbsp;
On Saturday, Modi expressed his admiration for the team's performance on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "CHAMPIONS! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
CHAMPIONS! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team. This match was HISTORIC. 🇮🇳 🏏 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/HhaKGwwEDt">pic.twitter.com/HhaKGwwEDt</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1807114429667975428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
President Droupadi Murmu also extended her congratulations to the victorious team. "My heartiest congratulations to Team India for winning the T20 World Cup. With the never-say-die spirit, the team sailed through difficult situations and demonstrated outstanding skills throughout the tournament. It was an extraordinary victory in the final match. Well done, Team India! We are proud of you!" Murmu posted on X.
&nbsp;
Prime Minister Modi described the thrilling final, where India overcame a determined South African team, as historic. He emphasized that the performance of the Indian cricketers has filled over 140 crore Indians with pride. "They won the cup on the field and the hearts of crores of Indians in villages and streets," Modi remarked. Highlighting India's unbeaten run in the tournament, he added, "It is not a small achievement in a tournament where so many countries participated."
&nbsp;
The celebrations and accolades extended beyond the Prime Minister and the President. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav praised the team for proving its superiority through hard work and constant practice. "That's what the Indian cricket team did," Yadav said, acknowledging the team's triumph against South Africa in the final.
&nbsp;
Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described India's victory as "unforgettable," while Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a message on X, said, "This is the victory of 140 crore Indians! Our invincible boys not just made history but lent a new kind of excellence to this beautiful game!"

Murmu, Modi hail India's T20 world cup victory

Three people were killed when a speeding car collided with a motorcycle and fell into a ditch on the Lucknow-Varanasi highway, 60 km from the district headquarters, police reported on Saturday.
&nbsp;
Santosh Singh, SHO of Aspur Devsara police station, stated that Mukesh Jha (40), Vishal Kumar (42), and Rajan Kumar Rai (42), all residents of Muzaffarnagar in Bihar, were returning home from Ayodhya when their car lost control, hit a motorcycle, and overturned into a ditch.
&nbsp;
Sudama Devi (52), a passenger on the motorcycle, died at the scene, while her husband Narsingh (55) succumbed to his injuries at a community health center.
&nbsp;
Vishal Kumar (42), the driver of the car, was also found dead at the scene. The injured are receiving treatment at the Badlapur community health center. Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.

Three killed in Lucknow-Varanasi highway crash

India's stellar win in the T20 World Cup brought emotional moments&nbsp; with it as two cricketing greats, skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement after their country's second world title conquest in the T20 International format.
&nbsp;
Kohli, player of the match for scoring a scorching 76, was the first to declare his decision after India's seven-run win over South Africa in the final here. Soon after, Rohit also announced that having achieved what he came for, it was time to step aside.
&nbsp;
"This was my last T20 World Cup and this is exactly what we wanted to achieve. This is an amazing game. I was telling Rohit (Sharma) when we went out to bat, I was like, one day you feel like you can't get a run and then you come out and then things happen. God is great," the 35-year-old Kohli told host broadcasters Star Sports after bagging the player of the match award.
&nbsp;
"I bow my head in gratitude. I'm just really grateful I was able to get the job done for the team on the day that it mattered the most," he added.
&nbsp;
Rohit, whose searing 41-ball 92-run knock in the Super 8s clash against Australia would be remembered for years to come, chose the post-match press conference for his statement.
&nbsp;
"This was my last game as well. No better time to say goodbye. I wanted this (trophy) badly. It's very hard to put in words," Rohit told the post-match press conference after ending India's over-a-decade long title drought "This what I wanted and it happened. I was very desperate for this in my life. Happy that we crossed the line this time," he added.
&nbsp;
The 37-year-old had led India in the 2022 T20 World Cup where the team was ousted in the semifinals by eventual champions England.
&nbsp;
A year later, India reached the final of the 50-over World Cup at home under his leadership, but succumbed to Australia in the summit clash at Ahmedabad.
&nbsp;
Rohit leaves T20Is with 4,231 runs from 159 matches, having made five hundreds and 32 fifties. He continues to be active in the Test and ODI formats.
&nbsp;
Kohli hoped that the next generation of players will take India to loftier heights.
&nbsp;
"It's time for the next generation to take over. It's a two-year cycle (for next T20 WC), there're some amazing players playing in India. They're going to take the team forward in the T20 format and do wonders as we've seen them do in the IPL.
&nbsp;
"I have no doubts that they'll keep the flag waving high and really take this team further from here now." In 125 T20I matches, Kohli scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 with 122 being his highest. That was his only T20 century - coming against Afghanistan in September 2022.
&nbsp;
Over the years, Kohli revelled in taming big occasions and on his last day as a T20I player for India, he kept that tradition.
&nbsp;
"It was now or never kind of a situation I knew. This is my last T20 game for India. It's the last World Cup that I was going to play. So, I wanted to make the most of it and this was our aim. We wanted to win an ICC tournament." Kohli said the secret to winning the clutch points is respecting them.
&nbsp;
"As I said, it was the occasion that helped me put my head down and just respect the situation rather than trying to force things out there and just really play the game that my team wanted me to play," he noted.
&nbsp;
However, Kohli said he was determined to call time on his T20I career even if India had lost the title clash.
&nbsp;
"This was an open secret. It was not something that I was not going to announce even if we had lost. This was going to be my last T20 World Cup for India," he said.
&nbsp;
Kohli was delighted for his long-time teammate and skipper Rohit Sharma as the latter grabbed a much-cherished World Cup In fact, this was Rohit's second T20 world title as he was also a part of the India side that won the trophy in 2007 under the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
&nbsp;
"It's been a long wait for us to win an ICC tournament. It's not just me alone. You look at someone like Rohit as well. He's played nine T20 World Cups.
&nbsp;
This is my sixth. So, he deserves it as much as anyone else in the squad." However, Kohli admitted that he came into the final without much confidence after a lean run in the group and Super Eight stages.
&nbsp;
"It's hard to explain...the emotions I felt after the game. I knew what kind of mindset I was in. I wasn't very confident in the last few games. I wasn't feeling really good out there.
&nbsp;
"But when God has to bless you with something, he shows you in ways that you can't imagine. That's why I said I'm really grateful and humbled right now."
&nbsp;
As someone who generally presents a tough exterior to the world, Kohli tore that mask away and showed his tender side to the world.
&nbsp;
"It's been difficult and hence the emotions. It's really difficult to hold things back. I think it's going to sink in a little later and the emotions are going to come to the surface little later. But it's just an amazing day and I couldn't be more thankful," he concluded.&nbsp;

T20 World Cup heroes Rohit, Virat will retire

On the last weekend of the general election campaign, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, made a significant visit to London's iconic BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, popularly known as Neasden Temple.
&nbsp;
As their convoy arrived at the grand temple grounds on Saturday evening, the couple was greeted with loud cheers from an enthusiastic crowd. They proceeded to perform a traditional puja, guided by the temple's priests.
&nbsp;
Following the religious ceremony, they toured the expansive temple complex and interacted with volunteers and community leaders.
&nbsp;
Prime Minister Sunak, a known cricket enthusiast, began his address to the congregation with a mention of India's recent triumph in the T20 World Cup.
&nbsp;
He then spoke about the personal and professional inspiration he derives from his Hindu faith.
&nbsp;
"I am Hindu and like all of you, I draw inspiration and comfort from my faith," Sunak remarked. "I was proud to be sworn in as a member of parliament on the 'Bhagavad Gita'. Our faith teaches us to do our duty and not fret about the outcome as long as one does it faithfully."
&nbsp;
Reflecting on his upbringing, he added, "That is what I was brought up to believe by my wonderful and loving parents and that is how I live my life; and that is what I want to pass on to my daughters as they grow up. It is dharma which guides me in my approach to public service."

London

Sunak visits Neasden temple as election nears end

From Jammu to Hyderabad, Patna to Pune Saturday night was truly party time for cricket-mad India as its team won the T20 World Cup, with fans flooding the streets carrying the tricolour in their hands.
&nbsp;
Chants of 'India, India' reverberated in the air as crowds gathered at city centres in different parts of the country to cheer for the ''Men in blue".
People hugged and cheered as the country&rsquo;s 13-year wait for a world title ended.
&nbsp;
Taking to X soon after India defeated South Africa in a nail-biter in Barbados, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the cricketers have won the hearts of crores of Indians.
&nbsp;
"CHAMPIONS! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team," he said on X, calling the match historic.
&nbsp;
As soon as the match ended in Barbados at around 11.30 PM IST, joyous fans flooded the streets and burst firecrackers as the cricket-loving nation revelled in the glory, with celebrations continuing for hours after midnight.
&nbsp;
In Delhi, a large number of people gathered at India Gate to celebrate the occasion.
&nbsp;
At Mumbai airport, fans were seen dancing to the beats of drums, and out on roads, many revellers climbed atop vehicles.
&nbsp;
Streets in Kolkata were lit with firecrackers and shouts and whistles of irrepressible fans. In Bengaluru, many fans wearing Team India's attire were seen dancing in pubs and outside eateries.
&nbsp;
Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as the star-studded Indian team outwitted South Africa by seven runs in a see-saw final that went down to the wire.
&nbsp;
"We are very ecstatic. I was a child when we last won. My throat is sore from shouting but we will celebrate for two days," a cricket fan told PTI.
In Jammu, young and old celebrated with fireworks and chants of ''Bharat Mata ki Jai". "The whole country is celebrating. It is like a Diwali for us," said a reveller.
&nbsp;
Euphoric scenes were witnessed outside the state secretariat in Hyderabad as fireworks dazzled the sky. People climbed on top trucks, cars, and other vehicles which honked cheerily.
&nbsp;
Many praised the contribution of all players of Team India and coach Rahul Dravid.
&nbsp;
In an emotional message on X, one of cricket's greatest icons Sachin Tendulkar said, "Every star added to the Team India jersey inspires our nation's starry-eyed children to move one step closer to their dreams. India gets the 4th star, our second in @T20WorldCup.
&nbsp;
"Life comes full circle for Indian cricket in the West Indies. From our lows in the 2007 ODI World Cup to becoming a cricketing powerhouse and winning the T20WC in 2024.
&nbsp;
"Very happy for my friend Rahul Dravid, who missed out on the 2011 World Cup win but his contribution to this T20 World Cup victory has been immense. I am so so happy for him....
&nbsp;
"It was wonderful to see Team India excel under the guidance of this class of '96. A total team effort. Hearty congratulations to all the players, coaches, support staff, and @BCCI," he said.
&nbsp;

We won! It’s party time for cricket-mad India

Vats Ambardar

India's agonising 11-year wait for a global title was brought to an end by Virat Kohli's ingenuity and Rohit Sharma's inspirational captaincy as the star-studded team outwitted eternal bridesmaids South Africa by seven runs in a see-saw final to lift its second T20 World Cup trophy here on Saturday.
&nbsp;
Kohli, who was part of the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, announced his retirement from the format immediately after the end of the match. He wore a detached look on his face after the win but broke down eventually. 
"It's time for the next generation to take over. It was an open secret and I would have announced it even if we lost," Kohli said.
&nbsp;
Hardik Pandya, booed through the IPL after being handed Mumbai Indians captaincy, broke down after having endured a tough six months. The enduring image would certainly be the kiss planted on his cheeks by the man people rooted for -- Rohit Sharma.
&nbsp;
Captain Sharma, his eyes glistening, was on his haunches as he was emotionally exhausted. His wife Ritika, watched from the stands, also in tears. To be fair, there wasn't a single soul in the stadium who didn't feel choked by emotions. <img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/rohinaijpg_1719689651967.jpg" width="1500" height="800">
&nbsp;
When Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27 balls) was going hammer and tongs against the in-form Indian spinners, it seemed Rohit Sharma and his men will have to settle for second place in another World Cup final but they clawed their way back into the game with a lot of help from South Africa.
&nbsp;
Eventually, Hardik Pandya, much maligned by his own supporters for past six months, was able to defend 16 runs in the final over to ensure India&rsquo;s first ICC trophy since 2013 and a maiden T20 World Cup crown in the post-IPL era. In response to India&rsquo;s 176 for seven, South Africa ended at 169 for eight.
&nbsp;
The sense of relief and jubilation was evident on the stars of Indian team, Kohli and Rohit, who might not stay on for another T20 World Cup cycle. The result was also a fitting farewell to head coach Rahul Dravid. It was the joint effort of Kohli (76 off 59)and Axar Patel (47 off 31) that allowed India to set the highest total in a T20 World Cup final. <img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/rokonaijpg_1719689670460.jpg" width="1500" height="800">
&nbsp;
In the high-pressure run chase, India pacers provided two early wickets before a 58-run stand between opener Quinton de Kock (39 off 31) and Tristian Stubbs (52 off 27) put the Proteas back in the game. However, it was Klaasen&rsquo;s breath taking knock that almost stunned India.. Needing a wicket, Rohit
Sharma did not turn to his lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah and went for Axar Patel in the 15th over in which Klaasen pounded couple of sixes and as many fours to singled-handedly take the game away from the opposition.
&nbsp;
The asking rate suddenly dropped to run a ball and it became South Africa&rsquo;s game to lose. Not known to keep their calm in pressure situations, South Africa made life tougher for themselves and needed 20 runs off the last 12 balls with David Miller and Keshav Maharaj in the centre. <img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/boomnaijpg_1719689730283.jpg" width="1500" height="800"> Bumrah, who had bowled a beauty to dislodge Reeza Hendricks in the powerplay, made an impact when he was eventually brought back for this remaining two overs, picking up a wicket and conceding only six runs off his final 12 balls.
&nbsp;
The equation came down 16 off the last six balls and on the first ball, Suryakumar Yadav took a sensational relay catch at the long-off boundary off Hardik to put India on the cusp of a thrilling victory. <img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/skynaijpg_1719689685606.jpg" width="1500" height="800">
&nbsp;
Earlier, India did well to post the highest total in a T20 World Cup final after being 34 for three. Axar was run out in an unfortunate manner, completely against the run of play, which brought about an end to his 72-run partnership off 54 balls with Kohli. Kohli did slow down considerably in the middle overs to bring up his first 50 off the tournament with 48 balls.
&nbsp;
Rohit Sharma (9) had no hesitation in batting first at Kensington Oval where the pitch has not been the easiest to bat on through the competition. The Indian captain, coming from two back to back match winning efforts, departed early after collecting couple of consecutive fours off Keshav Maharaj in the second over of the game.
&nbsp;
Maharaj responded well by catching Rohit at square leg as the batter went for a sweep. Rohit and incoming batter Rishabh Pant both fell to the sweep shot.
&nbsp;
The tension in the Indian camp increased when Suryakumar, who has also been in good touch like Rohit, was caught at fine-leg after not getting enough from his pick up shot off Rabada, leaving India with three down inside the powerplay. At 45 for three in six overs, it was the slowest powerplay for India in the Caribbean leg.
&nbsp;
Watching wickets tumble at the other end, Kohli, who hit three elegant boundaries off Marco Jansen in opening over of the final, shifted gears during the middle overs and let Axar come up with an odd boundary.
&nbsp;
Such was the nature of Kohli&rsquo;s knock that his first big hit after the powerplay, a straight six off Rabada, came in the 18th over Axar, on the other hand, potentially played the innings of his T20 career and negotiated the South African spinners effectively, collecting a six each from Aiden Markram, Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi.
&nbsp;
However, the highlight of his special knock was the straight six through the line off Rabada.
&nbsp;
Shivam Dube (27 off 16), who came into the middle before the start of death overs, delivered a few timely blows to prop up the total.
&nbsp;
Kohli also dropped anchor to smash a couple of sixes in the last five overs from which India collected 58 runs with the loss of three wickets.&nbsp;

Barbados

India are T20 World Cup champions

Amarpreet Kaur

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the Congress is confused and lacks an agenda for the people, and asserted that the BJP will form the government in Haryana for the third consecutive term.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The BJP will fight the Haryana assembly polls due in October solo, Pradhan told media persons after the first session of its state unit's extended state executive meeting in Panchkula.
&nbsp;
The meeting convened to discuss strategy for the upcoming assembly election in the state began in Panchkula on Saturday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the meeting in the second session.
&nbsp;
Speaking to reporters, Pradhan said during the two previous assembly polls in the state, people reposed their faith in the BJP.
&nbsp;
"We believe that the BJP will form the government for the third time in Haryana after the assembly election," he said.
&nbsp;
Haryana provides impetus to the country's economic growth, Pradhan said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a developed India by 2047 and Haryana is going to play a big role in it.
&nbsp;
On the upcoming assembly polls, he said it is going to be a "Satta vapsi chunav" (returning to power) and people would compare the governments from 2005 to 2014 and those from 2014 to 2024.
&nbsp;
The Congress was in power in Haryana from 2005 to 2014.
&nbsp;
Referring to the BJP state executive meeting, Pradhan said a political resolution has been passed and gratitude expressed to the people of Haryana for giving a third term to Modi.
&nbsp;
"And an appeal has been made to people to once again give the BJP the mandate in Haryana," he said.
&nbsp;
Taking on his party's political rivals, mainly the Congress, Pradhan said they do not have any political agenda. These are groups of people who "spread lies" and "create doubts", the BJP leader added.
&nbsp;
Attacking the Congress, he said, "From their attitude in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha over the last two days, we feel the Congress party has made up its mind to become a political outfit which creates obstruction rather than becoming a constructive opposition."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Referring to the election of the Lok Sabha speaker, Pradhan said since the NDA has a majority, it was but that the speaker will be from the ruling coalition. "But in this too, they (Congress) created a contest. I think this issue is not a small thing," he added.
&nbsp;
Due to its dejection and frustration, the Congress is "in confusion and dilemma", the Union minister alleged.
&nbsp;
Pradhan exuded confidence that the BJP will form the government in Haryana once again on the back of its welfare policies and programmes of the Centre.
&nbsp;
On whether the BJP would ally in the assembly polls, Pradhan said his party was going to fight on its strength.
&nbsp;
The BJP will fight all the 90 assembly seats on its own and form the government for the third time in Haryana with a majority, he added.

Chandigarh

Haryana Cong confused, has no agenda: Pradhan

BJP does not need crutches to contest Haryana assembly polls, says Union Minister Amit Shah, who today, addressed party leaders and workers during a meeting of the party's extended state executive at Panchkula. With this, Shah announced that the BJP is going solo for state assembly polls, fighting under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP will form the government in Haryana for the third time with a full majority, Shah told the workers.
&nbsp;
The Haryana BJP posted on X that the home minister expressed gratitude to party workers and said the people of Haryana have made an important contribution in making Modi prime minister for a third time.
&nbsp;
The media was not allowed to cover the proceedings of the meeting.
 In March this year, the BJP replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini, an OBC leader, as the chief minister of Haryana.&nbsp;BJP leader Kiran Choudhary said that during his address, Shah infused fresh zeal and enthusiasm in party workers.
&nbsp;
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also the BJP's election in-charge for Haryana, Chief Minister Saini, party's co-incharge Biplab Kumar Deb, and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were present during the second session of the meeting which took place in the multipurpose hall of the Tau Devi Lal stadium in Panchkula.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
पंचकूला में <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Haryana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Haryana</a> की विस्तारित प्रदेश कार्यकारिणी बैठक को अपनी ओजस्वी वाणी से माननीय गृह एवं सहकारिता मंत्री श्री <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmitShah</a> जी ने संबोधित किया और आगामी विधानसभा चुनावों में विजय की मजबूत आधारशिला रखी। गृहमंत्री जी ने हरियाणा के कार्यकर्ताओं का आभार व्यक्त करते हुए कहा कि&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/k1N0DR3DUs">pic.twitter.com/k1N0DR3DUs</a>
&mdash; Nayab Saini (@NayabSainiBJP) <a href="https://twitter.com/NayabSainiBJP/status/1807015992192872787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Also among the attendees were Rajya Sabha member Subhash Barala, Lok Sabha MPs Naveen Jindal and Dharambir Singh, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, and former MP Kuldeep Bishnoi.
&nbsp;
Senior leaders OP Dhankar, Ram Bilas Sharma, ministers Mool Chand Sharma, JP Dalal, Kanwar Pal, Aseem Goel, MLAs, and former ministers including Anil Vij and other leaders were also present.
&nbsp;
Senior state-level BJP leaders, office-bearers, and around 4,500 party workers from all 90 assembly constituencies attended the meeting.
 After the meeting, Shah also met state unit office-bearers.
&nbsp;
The party organised an exhibition at the venue, highlighting the state government's initiatives and schemes, including abolishing minimum monthly charges for domestic electricity consumers and providing minimum support prices on 14 crops.&nbsp;

Shah addresses Haryana BJP ahead of polls

Heavy rains are predicted for the next four to five days for Northwest and Northeast India by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday.&nbsp;
 A low-pressure area is currently situated over the northwest Bay of Bengal, adjoining the north Odisha-Gangetic West Bengal coasts, the weather office said.
 Cyclonic circulations have formed over northeast Rajasthan, east Uttar Pradesh bordering Bihar, and northwest Uttar Pradesh at lower tropospheric levels, it added.
 An east-west trough extends from northwest Uttar Pradesh to the low-pressure area.
 Due to these weather systems, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan from June 29 to July 3, the IMD said.
 Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha will likely receive heavy rainfall on June 29-30, and Bihar from June 30 to July 2.
 The IMD has also predicted very heavy rainfall in isolated areas in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, east Rajasthan, and west Madhya Pradesh during this period.
 In the northeast, a cyclonic circulation over northeast Assam will bring light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall to Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura over the next five days.
 Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Arunachal Pradesh on June 29-30 and in Assam and Meghalaya on June 29.
 The Met office also predicted isolated heavy rainfall for Saurashtra, Kutch, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and coastal and south interior Karnataka from June 29 to July 1.
 Gujarat, Goa, and central Maharashtra are expected to receive heavy rainfall from June 29 to July 3, with isolated very heavy rainfall in Konkan, Goa, and central Maharashtra from June 30 to July 3.
 The IMD also said that the southwest monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of east Uttar Pradesh and some areas of west Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
 Conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance into more parts of west Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, and the remaining areas of west Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu over the next two to three days, it added.

Heavy rain warning for North India

Ansh Mavani

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi has sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until July 12 in connection with the excise policy case. This decision was made on Saturday by Vacation Judge Sunena Sharma.
&nbsp;
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought judicial custody, represented by Advocate DP Singh, who argued that Kejriwal had not cooperated with the investigation and provided evasive answers during police custody.
&nbsp;
The CBI alleges that Kejriwal did not give satisfactory explanations regarding several key points, including the increase of the profit margin for wholesalers from 5% to 12% under the new Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 without any study or justification.
&nbsp;
This policy revision was approved hastily by the Cabinet during the peak of the second wave of COVID-19. Additionally, Kejriwal was accused of being involved in the illegal transfer and use of Rs. 44.54 crores in the Goa Assembly Elections.
&nbsp;
During the court proceedings, the CBI claimed that Kejriwal evaded questions about his associate Vijay Nair&rsquo;s meetings with stakeholders in the liquor business and the alleged demand for illegal gratification for favourable provisions in the new excise policy. The CBI also argued that due to Kejriwal&rsquo;s prominent position, there is a risk that he could influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal&rsquo;s lawyer, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari, opposed the remand application, arguing that the CBI had already filed four chargesheets and that the arrest was unnecessary.
&nbsp;
He suggested that the CBI's demand for custody was based on the expectation of a confession, which Kejriwal had not provided. Chaudhari also questioned the timing of the arrest, implying that it was strategically delayed until after Kejriwal&rsquo;s bail order was pronounced.
&nbsp;
During the earlier court session, Kejriwal addressed the court, asserting that the CBI's claims of him implicating Manish Sisodia were false and intended to damage their reputations in the media. He insisted that both he and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were innocent.
&nbsp;
The court had previously allowed the CBI to interrogate Kejriwal in the courtroom before his formal arrest. The Delhi High Court recently stayed Kejriwal&rsquo;s bail order from the trial court, emphasising the need for the trial court to record its satisfaction with the conditions of the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before granting bail.
&nbsp;
This case continues to unfold as the investigation progresses, with Kejriwal&rsquo;s judicial custody and the CBI&rsquo;s allegations keeping the situation in the spotlight. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 12, when further developments are expected.

CM Kejriwal sent to judicial custody till July 12

The Shiromani Akali Dal is faced with an unenviable and unique situation where it has to campaign against its own official party symbols, the &lsquo;Scales&rsquo;. This virtually amounts to surrendering the official party symbol, which may have long-term ramifications for the party.
&nbsp;
The pair of Scales is the official symbol of the Shiromani Akali Dal. These are supposed to be the &ldquo;scales of justice&rdquo;. There is a sentimental attachment of people to this symbol.
&nbsp;
In Jalandhar West, which is going for by-election on July 10 next, the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Sukhbir Singh Badal has decided not to support its official candidate Surjeet Kaur.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Ms Kaur was reportedly recommended from the constituency by a group of leaders, who later rebelled against the leadership of Sukhbir Badal and held a meeting in Jalandhar asking him (Sukhbir) to step down.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Since the period for filing the nomination papers was over, the party could not field another candidate. Eventually, the party decided to support the Bahujan Samaj Party candidate from here, which means it will be opposing its official symbol of &ldquo;scales&rdquo; that is with Ms Kaur.
&nbsp;
It will probably be for the first time in electoral history that a political party will be campaigning against its official symbol. This was obviously because the events in the Shiromani Akali Dal took a rapid turn.
&nbsp;
Ms Kaur, however, has appealed to the party leadership not to oppose her asking what was her fault. However, the rebel leaders have seized the occasion as they have ended up with the &ldquo;official&rdquo; party symbol, at least for the Jalandhar West by-election.
&nbsp;
This may not seem to be a very significant development, but it certainly is reflective of the serious crisis being faced by the Shiromani Akali Dal. The issue of symbol may remain just symbolic only, but it is something that the party leadership would not like to confront.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Situations like these are likely to emerge in future in different ways for the Akali leadership. While most of the senior and prominent leaders have sided with Sukhbir Badal, the fact is that there has been an open and extended rebellion against him, which has the potential to expand further.
&nbsp;
While he has himself remained quiet, his wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee president, Paramjit Singh Sarna have accused the BJP of instigating the rebellion in the Akali Dal.
&nbsp;
This might be a tactful way of winning the sympathy and support of the Jat Sikh community, which has mostly been traditionally the Akali supporters but has been feeling alienated from the party of late.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Since the Jat Sikh community is mostly against the BJP, for some unexplained reasons, the Akali Dal by blaming it (the BJP) might be hoping to get back that support riding on the anti-BJP sentiment prevailing in the community.
&nbsp;
However, much to the disappointment of the Akali leadership, the rebel leaders have decided to seek the support of radical leaders like Amritpal. That would also negate the Akali allegation that the rebels are doing it at the behest of the BJP. Had they been doing it at the BJP&rsquo;s instance, they would not go along with the radicals.
&nbsp;
The radicals are themselves capitalising mainly on the anti-Badal sentiment. With rebel Akalis trying to make common cause with them, they will pose a further and much stronger challenge to the Akali Dal led by Sukhbir.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
As one rebel leader remarked, Sukhbir Badal has this time voluntarily given up the official symbol of the party by opposing it in Jalandhar West. He has initiated the process himself, as the rebels will try to lay claim to the official party symbol, the pair of &ldquo;scales&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Akali Dal campaigning against its own symbol

Orange alert was issued in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday after rain lashed parts of the state. A heavy downpour and thunderstorms in Himachal are expected from June 30 to July 2, the meteorological centre here said.
&nbsp;
Dharampur received 62.4 mm of rain followed by 52.4 mm in Dharamshala, Kasauli 39 mm, Jubbarhatti 33.6 mm, Baijnath 20 mm, Tissa 17 mm, Sainj 13 mm, Shimla 11.2 mm, Solan 10.2 mm and Chopal 10 mm, the MeT centre said.
&nbsp;
Three roads in Kangra, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts were closed for traffic and 76 transformers have been disrupted in the state, according to the data provided by the state emergency operation centre.
&nbsp;
The MeT centre has also cautioned against damage to the plantation, horticulture, and standing crops and damage to vulnerable structures, kutcha houses, and huts due to strong winds and rain.&nbsp;

Shimla

Orange alert in Himachal amid heavy rain forecast

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday expressed sadness over the death of soldiers in a flash flood in Ladakh and said the entire country is with their families.
&nbsp;
Five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, drowned when their T-72 tank sank due to flash floods in the Shyok River near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh during an exercise early Saturday.
&nbsp;
"I am saddened by the news of the accident during the military exercise in Ladakh. I express my condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in this accident. The whole country is with the families of the brave soldiers," Shah wrote on 'X' in Hindi.
&nbsp;
The incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 km from Leh, around 1 am, the officials said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

HM condoles death of 5 soldiers in Ladakh flood

Shweta Sengar

<div class="theconversation-article-body">
Many of us wish we could get a better night&rsquo;s sleep. Wouldn&rsquo;t it be great if it was as easy as a mocktail before bed?
&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s what the latest viral trend might have us believe. The &ldquo;Sleepy Girl Mocktail&rdquo; is a mix of tart cherry juice, powdered magnesium supplement and soda water. TikTok videos featuring the concoction have garnered hundreds of thousands of views. But, what does the science say? Do these ingredients actually help us sleep?
&nbsp;
Tart cherry juice
&nbsp;
There is research to show including tart cherry juice in your diet improves overall sleep. Clinical trials show tart cherry juice increases sleep quality and quantity, as well as a lessening insomnia symptoms (compared to a placebo). This could be due to the presence of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone, in cherries.
&nbsp;
Tart cherry varieties such as Jerte Valley or Montmorency have the highest concentration of melatonin (approximately 1.35 micrograms of melatonin per 100g of cherry juice). Over the counter melatonin supplements can range from 0.5 milligram to over 100 milligrams, with research suggesting those beginning to take melatonin start with a dose of 0.5&ndash;2 milligrams to see an improvement in sleep.
&nbsp;
Melatonin naturally occurs in our bodies. Our body clock promotes the release of melatonin in the evening to help us sleep, specifically in the two hours before our natural bedtime.
&nbsp;
If we want to increase our melatonin intake with external sources, such as cherries, then we should be timing our intake with our natural increase in melatonin. Supplementing melatonin too close to bed will mean we may not get the sleep-promoting benefits in time to get off to sleep easily.
&nbsp;
Taking melatonin too late may even harm our long-term sleep health by sending a message to our body clock to delay the release of melatonin until later in the evening.
&nbsp;
Magnesium - but how much
&nbsp;
Magnesium also works to promote melatonin, and magnesium supplements have been shown to improve sleep outcomes.
&nbsp;
However, results vary depending on the amount of magnesium people take. And we don&rsquo;t yet have the answers on the best dose of magnesium for sleep benefits.
&nbsp;
We do know magnesium plays a vital role in energy production and bone development, making it an important daily nutrient for our diets. Foods rich in magnesium include wheat cereal or bread, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, spinach, artichokes, green beans, soy milk and dark chocolate.
&nbsp;
Bubby water
&nbsp;
Soda water serves as the base of the drink, rather than a pathway to better sleep. And bubbly water may make the mix more palatable. It is important to keep in mind that drinking fluids close to bedtime can be disruptive to our sleep as it might lead to waking during the night to urinate.
&nbsp;
Healthy sleep recommendations include avoiding water intake in the two hours before bed. Having carbonated beverages too close to bed can also trigger digestive symptoms such as bloating, gassiness and reflux during the night.
&nbsp;
Bottoms up
&nbsp;
Overall, there is evidence to support trying out the Sleepy Girl Mocktail to see if it improves sleep, however, there are some key things to remember:
<ul>
<li>
timing: to get the benefits of this drink, avoid having it too close to bed. Aim to have it two hours before your usual bedtime and avoid fluids after this time
</li>
<li>
consistency: no drink is going to be an immediate cure for poor sleep. However, this recipe could help promote sleep if used strategically (at the right time) and consistently as part of a balanced diet. It may also introduce a calming evening routine that helps your brain relax and signals it&rsquo;s time for bed
</li>
<li>
maximum magnesium: be mindful of the amount of magnesium you are consuming. While there are many health benefits to magnesium, the recommended daily maximum amounts are 420mg for adult males and 320mg for adult females. Exceeding the maximum can lead to low blood pressure, respiratory distress, stomach problems, muscle weakness and mood problems
</li>
<li>
sugar: in some of the TikTok recipes sugar (as flavoured sodas, syrups or lollies) is added to the drink. While this may help hide the taste of the tart cherry juice, the consumption of sugar too close to bed may make it more difficult to get to sleep. And sugar in the evening raises blood sugar levels at a time when our body is not primed to be processing sugar. Long term, this can increase our risk of diabetes
</li>
<li>
sleep environment: follow good sleep hygiene practices including keeping a consistent bedtime and wake time, a wind-down routine before bed, avoiding electronic device use like phones or laptops in bed, and avoiding bright light in the evening. Bright light works to suppress our melatonin levels in the evening and make us more alert.
</li>
</ul>
What about other drinks?
&nbsp;
Other common evening beverages include herbal tisanes or teas, hot chocolate, or warm milk.
&nbsp;
Milk can be especially beneficial for sleep, as it contains the amino acid tryptophan, which can promote melatonin production. Again, it is important to also consider the timing of these drinks and to avoid any caffeine in tea and too much chocolate too close to bedtime, as this can make us more alert rather than sleepy.
&nbsp;
Getting enough sleep is crucial to our health and well-being. If you have tried multiple strategies to improve your sleep and things are not getting better, it may be time to seek professional advice, such as from a GP.
&nbsp;
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/turns-out-the-viral-sleepy-girl-mocktail-is-backed-by-science-should-you-try-it-222151">original article</a>.
</div>

What is the viral ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’?

The prestigious Polavaram multipurpose project considered the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh, is at the centre of a political war of words, with the Telugu Desam Party (TD) and YSR Congress blaming each other for the inordinate delay in completing the project.
&nbsp;
The central government accorded national project status to Polavaram in tune with the assurances given at the time of the bifurcation of the combined AP ten years ago.
&nbsp;
However, the mega project, being built across river Godavari to provide irrigation facility to over seven lakh acres of farmland in coastal Andhra besides producing 960 MW power, has been bogged by delays and political obstacles.
&nbsp;
Releasing a white paper on the project at a press conference in Vijayawada on Saturday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, whose TDP stormed to power in the recent elections, alleged that the project was pushed into deep uncertainty because of the omissions and commissions of the previous YSRCP government.
&nbsp;
"Due to inefficient planning and unnecessary changes in the executing agency, the project was rescheduled to be completed by June 2021. Later, the completion schedule was extended to June 2022 and then again to June 2023, putting the project under deep uncertainty,&rdquo; Naidu said.
&nbsp;
The Chief Minister also alleged that the previous regime had diverted more than Rs 3,385.58 crore released by the Centre towards the completion of works on Polavaram.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The damage from the previous government's omissions and commissions stands at around Rs 4,900 crore. The first three units of the Polavaram Hydroelectric Project were scheduled to be completed by November 2021. The other six units were to be commissioned within six months thereafter. Non-commissioning of these units has resulted in the non-availability of cheap power to the state and has hence resulted in a loss of more than Rs 3000 crore up to May 2024. This loss will continue to increase as the project's completion is further delayed,&rdquo; the white paper said.
&nbsp;
He observed that had the executing agency not been changed and had the project planning been proper, the project would have been completed in time to release water for the Kharif crop in 2020.
&nbsp;
Giving comparative expenditure figures, Naidu said an amount of Rs 11,762.47 crore was spent on the project between April 1, 2014 and May 31, 2019, when the TDP was in power. In contrast, between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2024, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government had spent only Rs 4,996.53 crore, though the Central government had released an amount of Rs 8,382.11 crore to the state for completion of Polavaram project works.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Thus, an amount of Rs 3,385.58 crore was diverted by the previous government for other schemes, instead of spending the same on the Polavaram project,&rdquo; Naidu alleged.
&nbsp;
He said the diversion of funds had badly affected the progress of the works of the project, including land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&amp;R) of the project evacuees.
&nbsp;
Payment of bills amounting to Rs 2,697 crore was still pending as of May 31, 2024. &ldquo;All the executing agencies of the project have practically stopped work due to non-payment of their pending bills,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
The chief minister said during the five-year regime of the YSRCP, the project works had come to a virtual standstill. Only 3.84% of civil works were executed, while no work was carried out on the right and left main canals and distributary network.
&nbsp;
Giving a detailed explanation in the white paper on what went wrong with the Polavaram project in the last five years, Naidu said the decision of the Jagan government to pre-close the agreement signed with the original contractor and allotting the works to a new contractor in the name of reverse tendering led to the whole chaos.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Within a day of taking over as the chief minister, Jagan directed stoppage of works of the Polavaram project by the executing agencies &mdash; Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd and Bekem Infra Projects Private Ltd &mdash; in June 2019 and ordered termination of their contracts,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
The chief minister pointed out that the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) which was specially constituted by the Government of India to execute the project, had observed at its meeting on August 13, 2019, that there was no ground nor was there any necessity for pre-closure of the contracts and re-tendering of works, in view of satisfactory progress of works by the existing contractors.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;It also warned of additional financial liability on the state government and said the Centre cannot be made accountable for the cost overrun,&rdquo; Naidu said.

Vijayawada

Political war of words over AP’s Polavaram project

parvesh_kapoor

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa missed out on becoming a joint leader at the the Superbet Classic chess tournament after settling for a draw against compatriot D Gukesh in the third round at Bucharest, Romania.
&nbsp;
After losing to Gukesh in the last Candidates tournament in April earlier this year, Praggnanandhaa had a great opportunity to equalise the score this year but could not find a winning continuation after Gukesh spoiled a drawn endgame.
&nbsp;
The Catalan opening saw Gukesh sacrificing a pawn early and Praggnanandhaa had his share of counterplay on the Queen side. As things unfolded, Gukesh recovered the pawn with an optical advantage with his Knight against a slightly bad Bishop of Praggnanandhaa.
&nbsp;
With the intricacies of the middle game over, Gukesh decided to part with a pawn and reached a Queen and rook endgame that should have been an easy draw but a blunder on his 53rd move saw a forced liquidation leading to a King and pawns endgame.
&nbsp;
On another day, Praggnanandhaa may have found the winning continuation to become a joint leader but luck smiled on Gukesh and the game was drawn a few moves later.
&nbsp;
For the first time in three days, all the five games in the ten-player double round-robin tournament ended in draws. The other player coming close to a win was Maxime Vachier-Lagrave who almost pulled it off against his French teammate Alireza Firouzja.
&nbsp;
It was a Berlin defense game wherein Firouzja won the opening battle for the third day running getting a balanced position easily as black.
&nbsp;
However, a late error in the queen-less middle game, saw Vachier-Lagrave seize the initiative and it should have been a win that slipped out of hands for the older Frenchman.
&nbsp;
With all games ending in draws, the lead positions remained unchanged and Gukesh continued to be at the top of the tables along with Fabiano Caruana of United States who drew a keenly contested game against Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan.
&nbsp;
With both leaders on two points, Vachier-Lagrave, Praggnaandhaa, Alireza, Wesley So, Giri and Nepomniachtchi share the third spot on 1.5 points apiece.
&nbsp;
Another half point behind is Abdusattorov and Bogdan Daniel with six rounds still remaining in the USD 350000 prize money tournament.
&nbsp;
Dutchman Anish Giri played out an easy draw on his 30th birthday against Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi with both players giving nothing away and this was also the first game to end in the day.
&nbsp;
Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania played out his second draw in the tournament holding off a slightly worse endgame for more than a couple hours against Wesley So of United States.
&nbsp;
Results round 3: D Gukesh (Ind, 2) drew with R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 1.5); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 1.5 drew with Firouza Alireza (Fra, 1.5); Anish Giri (Ned, 1.5) drew with Ian Nepomniachtchi (FID, 1.5); Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 1) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 2); Wesley So (Usa, 1.5) drew with Deac Bogdan-Daniel (Rom, 1).

Bucharest

Praggnanandhaa let's Gukesh off the hook on a day of draws

Deepan

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud cautioned against the perception of courts as temples of justice and judges as deities during his address at the East Zone-II Regional Conference of the National Judicial Academy in Kolkata on Saturday.
&nbsp;
He pointed out the importance of judges viewing themselves as servants of the people, rather than exalted figures.
&nbsp;
"Too very often, we are addressed as Honour or as Lordship or as Ladyship. There is a very grave danger when people say that the court is a temple of justice. It is a grave danger that we perceive ourselves as the deities in those temples," observed CJI Chandrachud. He stressed that this mindset is perilous and must be avoided. 
The CJI proposed a shift in perspective, advocating for judges to be seen as individuals who serve the public. "I would rather recast the role of the judge as a server of the people.&nbsp;And when you regard yourselves as people who are there to serve others, then you bring in the notion of compassion, of empathy, of judging but not being judgmental about others," he added. 
CJI Chandrachud further cited the need for compassion in judicial proceedings, especially when sentencing in criminal cases.
 "Even while sentencing anyone in a criminal case, judges do so with a sense of compassion, as in the end, it is a human being who is sentenced," he said. 
Highlighting the importance of constitutional morality, the CJI stressed the values of diversity, inclusion, and tolerance. "These concepts of Constitutional morality&hellip; are the key, not just for the judges of the Supreme Court or the High Court but also for the district judiciary itself because the engagement of the common citizens begins first and foremost with the district judiciary," he stated.

Court not a temple, judges not gods: Chandrachud

The Union government has approved a 40 per cent hardship and risk allowance for NDRF rescuers, keeping in mind the tough operations undertaken by them, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Saturday.
&nbsp;
He said this while welcoming a 35-member expedition team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) that recently scaled the 21,625-foot-high Mt Manirang in Himachal Pradesh.
&nbsp;
"The government has approved a 40 per cent risk and hardship allowance for NDRF personnel only yesterday. This has been a long pending demand... All the 16,000 personnel of the force will benefit from this," Shah said after welcoming the expedition named 'Vijay'.
&nbsp;
Officials said this allowance would be granted over and above salaries. Special forces like the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Special Protection Group (SPG) get a 25 per cent hardship allowance owing to the special charter of their duties.
&nbsp;
This is the second mountaineering expedition undertaken by the federal contingency force. The team was flagged off on June 1 from here. Mt Manirang is located along the border of Kinnaur and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh.
&nbsp;
Shah said the government has also decided to make sports a "culture" for the various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and special organisations like the NDRF. It has been decided that at least one team from these forces will mandatorily participate in international and national tournaments, he added.
&nbsp;
"A committee under the chairmanship of the director of the Intelligence Bureau has been constituted and a roadmap has been prepared. We will soon present a new model," the minister said.
&nbsp;
Shah also underlined that forces like the NDRF should ensure that the policy of "zero casualty" during disasters is followed and no lives are lost during calamities.
&nbsp;
"We have come a long way... the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working on the concept of zero casualties during disasters for the last 10 years," he said.
&nbsp;
Shah said his government has allocated higher funds for capacity building and training of the NDRF and state disaster response forces by allocating Rs 2 lakh crore during 2014-24 as compared to Rs 66,000 crore during 2004-14.
&nbsp;
He complimented the NDRF team for the successful expedition, saying such exercises will boost the force's capabilities and morale and it will be able to do better during disasters and accident operations.
&nbsp;
Shah cautioned the rescuers that they should not rest on their laurels but keep improving.
&nbsp;
The NDRF was raised in 2006 as a federal contingency and disaster response force and at present, has a strength of more than 18,000 men and women rescuers deployed across the country as part of 16 battalions and 28 RRCs.
&nbsp;
It undertakes operations to mitigate and combat man-made and natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and train accidents among others.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

40 pc risk allowance for NDRF rescuers: HM Shah

The Andaman and Nicobar Police have effectively disposed of seized drugs valued at ₹475 crore, as per an official statement released on Saturday.
&nbsp;
This large-scale drug disposal event was initiated on June 26, coinciding with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and continued for several days under the oversight of the Drug Disposal Committee.
&nbsp;
The committee was chaired by Varsha Sharma, DIG (Law and Order), with SP CID Rajeev Ranjan as a committee member.
&nbsp;
The disposal process involved the destruction of a substantial quantity of narcotics, including 238.416 kg of methamphetamine, 67.636 kg of ganja, 1.060 kg of cocaine, 21 cannabis plants, 76 grams of charas, 546 bottles of codeine-based syrup, and 553 tablets of alprazolam.
&nbsp;
These substances were destroyed at GB Pant Hospital.
&nbsp;
Director General of Police, Devesh Chandra Srivastava confirmed that the entire destruction procedure was thoroughly video-documented and conducted in strict adherence to legal protocols.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He pointed out the importance of public cooperation in the fight against drugs, urging citizens to provide information about drug peddlers.
&nbsp;
"I have directed our officers to diligently track the forward and backward linkages of all cases registered under the NDPS Act and to enforce stringent action against offenders," added the DGP.

Andaman & Nicobar Island

Andaman police destroys drugs worth ₹475 crore

Subhash Mendhapurkar, a prominent social activist and Founder of the Society for Social Uplift through Rural Action (SUTRA), passed away this morning at his residence in Jagjitnagar near Kasauli, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. He was 75 years old and had been unwell for some time.
&nbsp;
Originally from Solapur, Maharashtra, Mendhapurkar graduated from the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai. Over four and a half decades ago, he chose to work in Himachal Pradesh, focusing on social justice, women's self-reliance, rural self-governance, and healthcare. In 1985, he founded SUTRA with its headquarters in Jagjit Nagar, Solan district.
&nbsp;
Mendhapurkar was a true leader in the social sector, known for his impactful work in Himachal Pradesh. His vision, advocacy, and efforts significantly benefited rural communities. He also played a role in policy-making at the national level.
&nbsp;
He mentored many social activists through SUTRA, both nationally and internationally. Mendhapurkar was instrumental in forming the Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan (ENSS) in 2005, which now has over 18,000 members, including widows, divorced, deserted, and unmarried women. ENSS advocates for women's rights and influences government policies to be more inclusive of single women.
&nbsp;
Under Mendhapurkar's leadership, SUTRA's efforts to curb female foeticide led to an improved sex ratio, particularly in Solan district. His model of community outreach and collaboration with the government has been studied by many researchers, demonstrating its success despite political and administrative challenges.
&nbsp;
Nirmal Chandel, the state convener of ENSS, praised Mendhapurkar's dedication to empowering the rural population of Himachal Pradesh. Chandel shared her personal experience of how Mendhapurkar supported her after she became widowed, ultimately mobilising her to lead ENSS.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;He did exemplary work and brought significant changes in the lives of many rural men and women who were unaware and had no access to the system. His demise is an irreparable loss for society,&rdquo; Chandel said.
&nbsp;
Social activists across various sectors have mourned Mendhapurkar's death, recognising him as a role model for youth aspiring to work with marginalised communities.

HP loses tireless activist Subhash Mendapurkar

<div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full">
<div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5 juice:w-full juice:items-end overflow-x-auto gap-2" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="9858d2cb-97d3-408d-a34e-7bf8dcb17718">
<div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 juice:empty:hidden juice:first:pt-[3px]">
<div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert dark">
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, on Friday, recounted his pivotal decision to resign as an IPS officer in 1984 to facilitate peace negotiations between the Indian government and the then-underground Mizo National Front (MNF).
&nbsp;
Addressing the celebration of 'Remna Ni,' a term marking the anniversary of the historic peace accord, Lalduhoma revealed that his resignation came at the behest of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and ex-MNF president Laldenga.
&nbsp;
"I resigned from the Indian Police Service at the request of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Laldenga to bring peace in Mizoram. After I left my job, I also met Laldenga in London and discussed various demands of the MNF from the Indian government," Lalduhoma stated.
&nbsp;
He disclosed that he spent five days in London after quitting his position to engage in discussions with Laldenga, focusing on the demands of the MNF.
&nbsp;
The 'Remna Ni' celebrations, organised by the state's apex students' body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), took place on Friday.
&nbsp;
Although the pact was signed on June 30, 1986, the celebrations were advanced as the date fell on a Sunday this year.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Lalduhoma expressed his gratitude to the MZP for their significant contributions to the peace process.
&nbsp;
He extended his thanks to all party leaders, churches, and the then chief secretary Lalkhama, who was a signatory of the peace accord, for their invaluable efforts in bringing about the peace agreement.
&nbsp;
Lalduhoma also called on all Zo people, spread across the world, to remain united. He opined that the crises faced by the Zo people in Manipur, Myanmar, and Bangladesh could serve as a catalyst for unity among the community.
&nbsp;
Since 2018, the MZP has been organizing statewide 'Remna Ni' celebrations to honour individuals and organisations that played crucial roles in the signing of the peace accord.
&nbsp;
This year, four former legislators who resigned in 1981 to advance the peace talks were felicitated.
&nbsp;
The Mizoram peace accord, signed on June 30, 1986, between the Centre and the MNF, marked the end of two decades of insurgency.
&nbsp;
The MNF, founded by Laldenga, initially protested against the Centre's inaction during the famine in the Mizo areas of Assam in the late '50s.
&nbsp;
The group resorted to armed struggle between 1966 and 1986 and was declared an outlaw organisation in 1967.
&nbsp;
In May 1971, a delegation from the Mizo district council met then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, demanding statehood for the Mizo people.
&nbsp;
Responding to this demand, the Centre granted Union Territory status to the Mizo Hills in January 1972.
&nbsp;
Subsequently, Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on February 20, 1987.
&nbsp;
Post-accord, the MNF transitioned into a political party and has governed Mizoram for several terms.
&nbsp;
It is currently the main opposition party in the state.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Aizawl

CM Lalduhoma on quitting IPS for peace in Mizoram

Four people died after a car collided head-on with a truck on the Hoshiarpur-Tanda road, today.
 The car, bearing a Jammu and Kashmir registration number, was coming from the Jammu side when it rammed into the truck near Adda Saran, about 25 kilometres from Hoshiarpur, they said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The truck driver fled the scene leaving his vehicle behind, the police said.
&nbsp;
Four of the five car occupants - two men, including the driver, and two children aged six and fourteen - died on the spot, while a woman riding the car was seriously injured, they said.
&nbsp;
The deceased and the woman are yet to be identified, the police said.
 The woman was referred to a hospital in Amritsar and the bodies have been sent for postmortem to Civil Hospital, Dasuya, they said.
&nbsp;
Deputy Superintendent of Police Harjit Singh said further investigation was underway.&nbsp;

Hoshiarpur

4 killed in truck-car collision near Hoshiarpur

Vicky Kaushal has finally reacted to rumours that he is expecting his first child with his wife Katrina Kaif, saying that he will share the good news with the world at an appropriate time.
&nbsp;
There has been speculation in the film industry that Kaushal and Kaif, who tied the knot in December 2021, will be welcoming their first child soon.
&nbsp;
Kaushal, 36, was asked about the rumours at the trailer launch of his upcoming movie, "Bad Newz", on Friday evening.
&nbsp;
"Main jab good news hogi tabhi jarur aapko bataunga. Jabhi time aayega we won't shy about announcing the news," the actor told reporters.
&nbsp;
Also starring Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk, "Bad Newz" is described as a "rare comedy film inspired by true events" about heteropaternal superfecundation, a reproductive process in which twin children have the same mother, but different biological fathers.
&nbsp;
The film is directed by Anand Tiwari, who earlier worked with Kaushal on his 2018 directorial debut movie "Love Per Square Foot".
&nbsp;
"Bad Newz" is produced by Amazon Prime in association with Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective.&nbsp;

Mumbai

Vicky reacts to Katrina's pregnancy rumours

Hollywood veteran Sigourney Weaver will be honoured with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
&nbsp;
Weaver, who has been a part of several blockbuster projects across her career including "Gorillas in the Mist" as well as franchises like "Ghostbusters",
"Alien" and "Avatar", will receive the honour during the festival's 81st edition, which will be held from August 28 to September 7, said a press release posted on the official website of the festival.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am truly honoured to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from the Biennale di Venezia. To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years," Weaver said.
&nbsp;
Alberto Barbera, the director of the Venice Film Festival, said as a movie star, Weaver has built bridges between the "most sophisticated art-house cinema and movies that engage with the public in a frank and original way, all the while remaining true to herself&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
"As an authentic collaborator, rather than simply a malleable instrument in the hands of a director, she has contributed to the success of movies by James Cameron, Paul Schrader, Peter Weir, Michael Apted, Roman Polanski, Ivan Reitman, Mike Nichols, Ang Lee, and many others, each time imposing the mark of a complex personality -- at times contradictory but always authentic -- onto her own charismatic presence.
&nbsp;
"Endowed with a remarkable temperament, able to move with delicacy yet without fragility, she has created the image of a woman who is self-assured and determined, dynamic and resolute; at the same time, with endlessly different shadings, she allows her intensely magnetic, feminine sensitivity to filter through," he said.
&nbsp;
A three-time Oscar nominee, Weaver will be next seen in "Dust Bunny" alongside Mads Mikkelsen as well as "The Gorge" which also stars Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy.&nbsp;

New York

Golden Lion for Avatar star Sigourney Weaver

'Kalki 2898 AD' earns Rs 298.5 cr globally in two days
&nbsp;
The producers announced on Friday that "Kalki 2898 AD," Nag Ashwin's 3D extravaganza, raked in a whopping Rs 298.5 crore in just two days at the worldwide box office.
&nbsp;
This high-budget film, which melds the Hindu epic Mahabharata with science fiction, was released in six languages - Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and English - by Vyjayanthi Movies on Thursday.
&nbsp;
Starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee, and Shobhana, the star-studded movie recorded a gross box office collection of Rs 191.5 crore on the opening day and Rs 107 crore on Friday.
&nbsp;
"The love is pouring in from all corners of the world! #Kalki2898AD #EpicBlockbusterKalki," Vyjayanthi Movies posted on its official X page along with a poster stating that "Kalki 2898 AD" earned Rs 298.5 crore in two days.
&nbsp;
The film, formerly known as "Project K", is possibly the costliest movie ever made in Indian cinema, with a reported budget of Rs 600 crore.
&nbsp;
Numerous people gathered outside cinemas in various cities such as Hyderabad and Mumbai, and the early feedback was positive.
&nbsp;
The film has also received a huge shout from many celebrities, including megastar Rajinikanth, who called "Kalki 2898 AD" an "epic movie".
&nbsp;
"Watched Kalki. WOW! What an epic movie! Director @nagashwin7 has taken Indian Cinema to a different level. Hearty congratulations to my dear friend @AswiniDutt @SrBachchan @PrabhasRaju @ikamalhaasan @deepikapadukone and the team of #Kalki2898AD. Eagerly awaiting Part2. God Bless," Rajinikanth posted.

'Kalki 2898 AD' earns Rs 298.5 cr in 2 days

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday, has predicted heavy rainfall for Delhi over the next 2 days, issuing an &lsquo;orange&rsquo; alert. The prediction comes a day after the monsoon arrived in the city with the heaviest downpour in 88 years.
&nbsp;
"Delhi is likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day, with an even heavier spell anticipated on Sunday and Monday," the IMD said.
&nbsp;
Parts of Delhi, including Rohini and Burari, received rainfall this morning. The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms over the next seven days.
&nbsp;
According to the IMD, moderate rain is defined as rainfall amounting to between 7.6 and 35.5 mm in a day, and heavy rain is rainfall amounting to between 64.5 and 124.4 mm in a day.
&nbsp;
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.
&nbsp;
The humidity levels stood at 80 per cent.
&nbsp;
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the 'moderate' category with a reading of 108 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
&nbsp;
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
&nbsp;
The monsoon arrived in Delhi on Friday, raining devastation on a city ill-prepared for a three-hour downpour that led to the roof of Delhi airport's Terminal-1 collapsing, killing one person and suspending flight operations, and inundated many parts of the capital.
&nbsp;
Seven others were killed in rain-related incidents. The national capital recorded 228.1 mm of rainfall on Friday, the highest since 1936 for June.
&nbsp;
According to the IMD, 228.1 mm of rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, the city's primary weather station, 192.8 mm at Lodhi Road, Mausam Bhavan, 150.4 mm at Ridge, 106.6 mm at Palam, and 66.3 mm at Ayanagar.

IMD issues orange alert for Delhi amid heavy rain

Indians are anticipated to shell out an additional ₹47,500 crore annually for data plans following recent tariff hikes by the country&rsquo;s top three telecom operators, Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone, a Kotak Institutional Equities research note revealed.
&nbsp;
The tariff revisions, implemented over a span of two days, aim to monetise new 5G services and mark an end to the prolonged price competition among telecom giants since 2016.
&nbsp;
Reliance Jio has increased prices by 13% to 27%, while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have raised tariffs by 10% to 21% and around 10% to 23%, respectively.
&nbsp;
Under the new pricing structure, Jio customers opting for a 5G data plan now face a minimum charge of ₹349 for a daily 2GB pack, up from ₹239 previously for 1.5GB per day.
&nbsp;
Similarly, Airtel subscribers looking for 5G connectivity must now opt for a ₹409 plan offering 2.5GB daily, compared to the earlier ₹239 plan with 1.5GB daily data.
&nbsp;
Bharti Airtel&rsquo;s MD Gopal Vittal and Vodafone Idea&rsquo;s CEO Akshaya Moondra pointed out the need for aligning India&rsquo;s telecom pricing with global standards, where users pay more based on data usage. Previously, Indian users paid a flat rate on average, irrespective of consumption.
&nbsp;
The price wars in India&rsquo;s telecom sector began when Jio attracted subscribers with low-cost services, prompting competitors like Airtel and Vodafone to follow suit to retain their customer base.

People to pay ₹47500 cr more post tele tariff hike

South Africa has asked the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to consider what the country called &ldquo;unscientific and discriminatory measures&rdquo; placed on citrus imported from the African nation by the European Union (EU).
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The regulations are being challenged by the South African government to protect the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people in the local citrus industry,&rdquo; said a joint statement by The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA).
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Currently, South African citrus growers are spending billions of rands per year to comply with measures that the industry considers unscientific and unnecessarily restrictive, as South Africa already has an effective world-class risk management system that ensures safe citrus exports. Emerging citrus growers are especially hit hard by the EU measures,&rdquo; the statement added.
&nbsp;
South Africa earlier this week requested the establishment of two panels at a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to address the EU&rsquo;s regulations on two separate plant health issues -- Citrus Black Spot and False Codling Moth.
&nbsp;
The bodies said this was the first time that South Africa has taken a dispute to the WTO because a request by it to the EU for consultations had not produced any results.
&nbsp;
They said that besides the EU measures not being based on scientific principles and maintained without sufficient scientific evidence, the EU has failed to apply the measures in a uniform, impartial and reasonable manner.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The measures are more trade-restrictive than required to achieve protection, and there are reasonably available alternatives which are technically and economically feasible, that would achieve protection in a significantly less trade-restrictive manner.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Last year we exported 36 per cent of all our citrus to the EU. That shows what an important market it is for our growers. It is the very foundation of citrus profitability in South Africa. Should the EU continue with the implementation of these measures, or intensify them in any way, the profitability of hundreds of growers will be negatively affected and the industry will suffer severe revenue and job losses,&rdquo; they said.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The citrus industry supports 140,000 jobs at farm level alone. The government is acting to safeguard these livelihoods and the central role the citrus industry plays in so many of our rural communities," explained DALRRD Director-General Mooketsa Ramasodi.
&nbsp;
Justin Chadwick, CEO of the CGA, said the action was also potentially good news for the European consumers.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Their orange prices last summer were at an all-time high. However, if their supply is unfettered, consumers will benefit,&rdquo; Chadwick said.
&nbsp;
South Africa is the world&rsquo;s second-largest exporter of citrus, with its exceptional quality making it sought-after internationally.
&nbsp;
The local citrus industry is currently entering its peak winter export season with oranges heading to the ports. It is estimated that South Africa will export a total of 170 million 15 kg cartons this year.&nbsp;

Johannesburg

RSA takes EU to WTO over ‘arbitrary’ citrus rules

Pakistan&rsquo;s ambassador to the US has urged the US to provide small arms and modern equipment to his country to ensure the success of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, Islamabad's newly approved counter-terrorism initiative.
&nbsp;
The decision to launch the 'Azm-e-Istehkam' operation was taken on June 22 at the apex committee meeting of the National Action Plan, a strategy approved in 2014 to eliminate militancy from the country.
&nbsp;
The federal government recently approved the reinvigorated national counter-terrorism drive.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Pakistan has launched Azm-i-Istehkam (&hellip;) to oppose and dismantle terrorist networks. For that, we need sophisticated small arms and communication equipment,&rdquo; Ambassador Masood Khan was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
&nbsp;
He made these remarks while addressing US policymakers, scholars, intelligentsia, and corporate leaders at a Washington think tank, the Wilson Centre, earlier this week.
&nbsp;
Khan elaborated that 'Azm-i-Istehkam' comprises three components: doctrinal, societal, and operational. He noted that work on the first two phases has already begun, with the third phase set to be implemented soon.
&nbsp;
The decision to launch a new anti-terror operation was taken when the country faced a new onslaught by the Tehreek-i-Taliban militants who, according to officials, are based in Afghanistan.
&nbsp;
Khan emphasised that Pakistan and the US should maintain strong security links, enhance intelligence cooperation, resume sales of advanced military platforms, and work on &ldquo;the sustainment of US-origin defence equipment&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;This is crucial for regional security and opposing the rising tide of terrorism that also threatens the interests of the US and its allies,&rdquo; he added.
Khan argued that the bilateral relationship should be based on ground realities and not be hindered by a few issues.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Secondly, one or two issues should not hold the entire relationship hostage,&rdquo; he noted.
&nbsp;
He pointed to high-level defence talks, frequent meetings, and joint military exercises like Inspired Union-2024, Falcon Talon, and Red Flag as examples of robust defence cooperation between Pakistan and the US.
&nbsp;
Khan also suggested that the US should consider Pakistan as a partner in its diplomatic efforts in Kabul and collaborate on counterterrorism and the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;In this era of renewed strategic competition, the US and Pakistan should build on existing partnerships and explore new horizons to establish the parameters of mutual interests,&rdquo; the envoy said.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We should not base our engagement on the incongruity of expectations. Our ties should be anchored in ground realities, even as we aim for stronger security and economic partnerships. Secondly, one or two issues should not hold the entire relationship hostage,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the US State Department expressed support to Pakistan.
&nbsp;
On June 26, While responding to questions State Department&rsquo;s spokesperson Matthew Miller said &ldquo;We support Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and protection of human rights." &ldquo;Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. No country should have to suffer such acts of terror,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;

Pak seeks US arms for 'Operation Azm-i-Istehkam'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted pilgrims on the start of the Amarnath Yatra, saying the 'darshan' of Lord Shiva is known to infuse immense energy in his followers.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
पवित्र अमरनाथ यात्रा के शुभारंभ पर सभी तीर्थयात्रियों को मेरी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। बाबा बर्फानी के दर्शन और वंदन से जुड़ी यह यात्रा शिवभक्तों में असीम ऊर्जा का संचार करने वाली होती है। उनकी कृपा से सभी श्रद्धालुओं का कल्याण हो, यही कामना है। जय बाबा बर्फानी!
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1806932239856652716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
The annual Amarnath Yatra began early Saturday as the first batch of pilgrims left the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to start their journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. "My heartfelt best wishes to all pilgrims on the commencement of the holy Amarnath Yatra. This yatra associated with the darshan of Baba Barfani infuses immense energy in the devotees of Lord Shiva. May all devotees prosper with his blessings. Jai Baba Barfani,&rdquo; Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.
The 52-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 19.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

PM Modi greets Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

In a third such incident within three days, a canopy at the passenger pickup and drop area outside Rajkot Airport, Gujarat, collapsed on Saturday amid heavy rainfall.
&nbsp;
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or casualties, according to preliminary information.
&nbsp;
This event follows a similar incident at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal-1, where a roof collapse on Friday resulted in the death of a 45-year-old cab driver and left eight others injured.
&nbsp;
The Delhi Airport mishap has led to the indefinite suspension of operations from Terminal 1, which manages approximately 200 flights daily. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) reported that the partial collapse occurred around 5 a.m., likely due to heavy rainfall and strong winds.
&nbsp;
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has responded to the Delhi incident by announcing compensation of ₹20 lakh for the family of the deceased and ₹3 lakh each for those injured.
&nbsp;
Additionally, the ministry has ordered a preliminary structural inspection of all airports nationwide to prevent further occurrences.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 304A (death by negligence) and 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code.
&nbsp;
In Gujarat, heavy rainfall continues as the southwest monsoon progresses further into the state.
&nbsp;
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas, prompting the deployment of seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in Kutch, Rajkot, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Narmada, and Valsad districts.
&nbsp;
A similar canopy collapse occurred on Thursday at Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur airport. A fabric canopy failed under the weight of accumulated rainwater, crushing a parked car beneath. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
&nbsp;
This terminal, worth ₹450 crore, was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10.
&nbsp;

Rajkot

Rajkot Airport canopy falls, third mishap in a row

OpenAI has recently introduced a new AI model called CriticGPT, which is designed to detect and fix errors in code produced by GPT-4.
&nbsp;
As described in a post on Thursday, the AI firm explained that CriticGPT utilises the reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) framework, a method that blends machine output with human input to enhance AI systems.
&nbsp;
CriticGPT is still in development and is not yet accessible to users or testers. Its objective is to improve the quality of AI-generated code.
&nbsp;
OpenAI disclosed that during testing, individuals who used CriticGPT to review code produced by ChatGPT outperformed those who did not use the model 60% of the time. The research findings have been detailed in a recently published paper.
&nbsp;
The RLHF framework involves human evaluators, known as AI trainers, providing feedback on the AI's performance to help adjust and enhance the model's behaviour.
&nbsp;
Trainers deliberately introduced mistakes into code samples that already contained natural errors, and then provided example feedback on these mistakes. The model's ability to detect both naturally occurring and intentionally added errors was used to evaluate its performance.
&nbsp;
As per OpenAI, CriticGPT showed a 63 per cent enhancement in identifying code errors compared to ChatGPT. Nevertheless, the model does have its limitations. Its training has mainly focused on short code snippets and it has not yet been tested on longer, more intricate coding tasks.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, the model still struggles with producing inaccurate factual responses, an issue known as hallucination. Additionally, it has not been evaluated in situations where multiple errors are scattered throughout the code.

OpenAI unveils CriticGPT to improve GPT-4

Irish actor Chris O'Dowd's comedy series The Big Door Prize will not return for a third season on Apple TV+, according to entertainment news outlet Variety.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The streaming service has decided to cancel the series after its two-season run.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The show featured Josh Segarra, Gabrielle Dennis, Djouliet Amara, Justine Lupe, and Ally Maki and recently concluded its second season, with the final episode airing on June 12th.
&nbsp;
"The Big Door Prize" revolved around the mysterious machine's appearance in a small town, which promised to reveal everyone's true potential.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This resulted in the residents changing their jobs, reconsidering their relationships, and questioning everything.
&nbsp;
The series, based on MO Walsh's book of the same name, was created by David West Read and produced by Skydance Television and CJ ENM/Studio Dragon.&nbsp;

Los Angeles

Apple TV+ axes 'The Big Door Prize' after S2

In a significant milestone for Meghalaya&rsquo;s agricultural sector, the state has successfully exported 3.5 metric tons of organically grown pineapples to the Middle East.
&nbsp;
This inaugural shipment of the season marks the fruition of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board and Lulu Group International.
&nbsp;
The agreement was inked in November 2023 during the &lsquo;World Food India&rsquo; event, in the presence of Hon'ble Agriculture Minister Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh.
&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s pineapple exports have witnessed a notable increase in price realisation, attributed to superior fruit quality and effective market positioning.
&nbsp;
The state&rsquo;s agricultural produce continues to set benchmarks, following the successful export of 20 metric tons of GI-tagged Khasi mandarin to Dubai last year, which fetched double the price in comparison to local markets.
&nbsp;
This trend is expected to continue with the current pineapple consignment, which adheres to international standards and enhances Meghalaya&rsquo;s reputation as a purveyor of premium agricultural products, ensuring better returns for local farmers.
&nbsp;
The pineapples were meticulously sourced from various villages in the Tikirikilla block of West Garo Hills, under the aegis of the Muktidata Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
&nbsp;
As the season progresses, additional consignments from other regions of Khasi and Garo Hills are slated for dispatch, further boosting farmers' incomes.
&nbsp;
This export initiative is part of the broader 'Meghalaya Collectives,' a state government strategy aimed at collective marketing for small-scale farmers. The government&rsquo;s comprehensive support includes packaging, branding, testing, and marketing assistance to agri-entrepreneurs and farmer cooperatives.
&nbsp;
The initiative seeks to penetrate new domestic and international markets, leveraging modern trade channels, e-commerce platforms, and partnerships with prominent brands.
&nbsp;
In a recent venture, the Meghalaya government collaborated with Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd., facilitating a trial shipment of 250 kilograms of pineapples to Delhi.
&nbsp;
These pineapples were showcased for sale and free sampling at 10 Safal retail outlets across Delhi, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from consumers.
&nbsp;
Consequently, Mother Dairy Pvt. Ltd. has placed an order for over 300 metric tons for the current season, with plans to expand distribution to additional outlets as the season progresses.
&nbsp;
This trade is projected to offer nearly double the price realisation for pineapple farmers compared to local markets.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, Mother Dairy has committed to exploring similar market linkages for other spices and fresh produce from Meghalaya.
&nbsp;
Highlighting the state&rsquo;s commitment to promoting its agricultural produce, Hon&rsquo;ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K Sangma recently visited a Safal outlet in New Delhi.
&nbsp;
This initiative aims to establish a consistent value chain, ensuring the regular availability of Meghalaya's fruits to customers in Delhi and beyond.
&nbsp;
Shri Manish Bandlish, Managing Director of Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd., remarked, &ldquo;Introducing Meghalaya's pineapples into our product range showcases the region's rich agricultural diversity.
&nbsp;
We look forward to working closely with farmers, supported by the Government of Meghalaya, to offer more unique products from fruits to spices.&rdquo;

Shillong

Meghalaya's pineapple export to Middle East begins

Aam Aadmi Party, today, held a protest near the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on DDU Marg, demanding the release of party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The protesters assembled at the AAP office close to the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg and raised slogans against the saffron party while demanding Kejriwal's release. They also carried placards against the "misuse" of central agency and for ending "dictatorship".
&nbsp;
Barricades have been put up and paramilitary personnel deployed at the site to stop the protesters, the officer said.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Delhi government's liquor excise policy.
&nbsp;
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him on March 21, in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy. Kejriwal was then granted bail by a trial court that was stayed by the Delhi High Court.
&nbsp;
According to a senior police officer, arrangements were made to stop the protesters from marching towards the BJP headquarters since no permission was taken for the protest.
&nbsp;
If required, the protesters might be detained as Section 144 of the CrPC has already been imposed at DDU Marg, he added.&nbsp;

AAP protests near BJP HQ for Kejriwal's release

Bharatiya Janata Party is gearing up for the Haryana assembly elections with the party's first session of the state executive meeting being conducted on Saturday, in Panchkula, where strategy for the same will be laid out. The meeting is to be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.&nbsp;
 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP's election in-charge for Haryana, co-in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, his predecessor and Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and senior leader Saudan Singh were present during the session at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium.&nbsp;
 Besides preparing the outline for the elections, Shah will infuse fresh zeal and enthusiasm in the party workers, the leader added.
 Shah will also give tips to the party workers and share his roadmap and guidance for the polls, said the leader.
 Senior state-level BJP leaders, office-bearers, and around 4,500 party workers from all 90 assembly constituencies are attending the meeting.
 The first session of the extended state executive meeting was attended by Rajya Sabha member Subhash Barala, Lok Sabha MPs Naveen Jindal and Dharambir Singh, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, former MP Kuldeep Bishnoi, senior leaders OP Dhankar, Ram Bilas Sharma, ministers Mool Chand Sharma, JP Dalal, Kanwar Pal and Aseem Goel, MLAs, former ministers and other leaders.
 The party organised an exhibition at the venue, highlighting the state government's initiatives and schemes, including the abolition of minimum monthly charges for domestic electricity consumers and providing minimum support prices on 14 crops.
 On Friday, Chief Minister Saini claimed the public was happy with the government's achievements and schemes and had made up its mind to bring the BJP back.
 Alleging that the Congress spread lies during the Lok Sabha election campaign, he said the grand old party's politics of falsehood and greed had been exposed.
 Saini had claimed that the Congress would try to confuse the voters by coming up with "new lies and deceit" during the assembly election campaign as well.
 All party workers should go to the public and tell them that the Congress' aim was not to serve them but to assume power by lying, he had said.&nbsp;

BJP holds strategy meet for Haryana assembly polls

The counting of votes in Iran's snap presidential election, held on Friday in the wake of Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash, is currently underway.
Hard-line candidate Saeed Jalili, close to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is leading by a slight margin against moderate candidate Massoud Pezeshkian.
&nbsp;
Provisional results from Tehran's Interior Ministry show that over 14 million ballots have been counted so far.
&nbsp;
Pezeshkian has secured over 5.9 million votes, while Jalili has garnered more than 5.5 million. The voter turnout was around 40%, one of the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
&nbsp;
The election is taking place amid growing public frustration over economic hardship and restrictions on political and social freedoms.
&nbsp;
Additionally, Iran faces escalating regional tensions due to the conflict between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
&nbsp;
Iran's presidential election features a tightly controlled group of three hard-line candidates and one low-profile moderate.
&nbsp;
Despite Supreme Leader Khamenei handling significant state matters, including Tehran's nuclear program and militia support, the president influences domestic and foreign policy and manages daily government operations.
&nbsp;
Eligible voters include over 61 million Iranians aged 18 and above, with about 18 million aged between 18 and 30.
&nbsp;
Activists and opposition groups have widely used the Twitter hashtag #ElectionCircus to call for regime change.
&nbsp;
If no candidate achieves at least 50% plus one vote, including blank votes, a run-off round between the top two candidates will occur on the first Friday after the results are declared. Jalili and Pezeshkian are likely headed for a run-off, according to media reports.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Pezeshkian, who advocates economic reform, social liberalisation, and political pluralism, has said, "We will respect the hijab law, but there should never be
any intrusive or inhumane behaviour toward women," referencing the death of Masha Amini in 2022, which sparked widespread protests in Iran.

Tehran

Iranian presidential race heats up

At least five police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, were injured on Saturday after allegedly being attacked by a mob protesting against an anti-encroachment drive in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said.
&nbsp;
A drive was launched in the Nagri area of Hiranagar to demolish an illegal place of worship that was resisted by a group of locals, the officials said.
&nbsp;
They turned violent and attacked the police, injuring five personnel, including a deputy superintendent.
&nbsp;
Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to restore law and order, the officials said.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Mob attack injures 5 cops in JK's Kathua

The Barpeta Road police have apprehended nine individuals involved in a significant mark sheet scam at Gauhati University.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to authorities, the scam involved illicitly inflating marks on student records through financial transactions.
&nbsp;
Addressing the issue in Barpeta, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma cited the seriousness of the situation.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He confirmed that both the Assam Police and the CID are conducting a joint investigation, resulting in the apprehension of eight accused individuals thus far.
&nbsp;
The scandal came to light when authorities at Ganeshlal Choudhury College (GLC College) in Barpeta Road discovered discrepancies in the marks of Azizul Haque, a sixth-year undergraduate student.
&nbsp;
A case was swiftly registered at the Barpeta Road police station, although initial investigations by district police were reportedly inadequate, leading to Haque's release from custody.
&nbsp;
Local media played a pivotal role by bringing the mishandling of the investigation to the Chief Minister's attention.
&nbsp;
In response, Dr. Sarma ordered a thorough probe, uncovering the involvement of several university and college staff in the fraudulent activities.
&nbsp;
Among those arrested are Krishnan Krishnamurthy from Samastipur, Bihar, employed at Gauhati University, and Shivtosh Mahto, a junior computer assistant at Dhubri Law College.
&nbsp;
The arrests were made following coordinated raids by Barpeta and Dhubri police.
&nbsp;
The nine accused include Azizul Haque, Krishnan Krishnamurthy, Ismail Hussain of Kalgachia, Alamgir Khan of Amguri, Kalgachia, Moinul Haque of Bordanga, Kalgachia, Hamez Uddin of Nagaon, Aminul Islam, librarian at Langla College, Shivtosh Mahto of Dhubri Law College, and Abul Bacher of Langla Kalgachia.
&nbsp;
Cases have been registered against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, with additional arrests anticipated as the investigation progresses.
&nbsp;
Police authorities have refrained from making further comments to the media at this time.

Guwahati

Nine held in Gauhati University mark sheet scam

The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) of India Limited, in collaboration with the NGO Manav Vikas Sanstha, has introduced advanced health technology to government medical facilities at the Primary Health Centre in Chuchot, Leh.
&nbsp;
The Chuchot Primary Health Centre now boasts a state-of-the-art health ATM machine, capable of diagnosing over 46 health parameters.
&nbsp;
This innovative device offers residents quick and comprehensive health screenings, significantly enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
&nbsp;
In-charge Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Leh, Dolma Choskit, highlighted the machine's convenience and efficiency, noting its potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery in the region.
&nbsp;
Amit Kumar from ECGC Limited expressed enthusiasm for the new health ATM and said this state-of-the-art machine would benefit the community.
"This initiative reflects the commitment of central and state governments to provide quality and advanced healthcare to people in rural areas," he said.
&nbsp;
Kartikeya Tewari of Manav Vikas Sanstha provided an in-depth overview of the health ATM's capabilities.
&nbsp;
He said that the device is capable of measuring height, weight, body temperature, detection of glucose levels in blood, haemoglobin range and as well as blood pressure.
&nbsp;
It is also capable of detecting several other diseases including cardiovascular ones. "He said the machine performs both invasive and non-invasive blood tests and does heart check-ups and tests for diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Typhoid."
&nbsp;
This innovative technological advancement especially in medical sciences will provide a boost to the healthcare setup in the Ladakh region, ensuring that residents have access to comprehensive medical screenings and timely diagnosis, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Leh admin installs a state-of-the-art health ATM

Five soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer, lost their lives when their T-72 tank sank in the Shyok river near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh early Saturday due to flash floods, as per officials.
&nbsp;
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sadness regarding the tragic incident.
&nbsp;
The unfortunate event took place near Mandir Morh, 148 km from the location, during a drill at approximately 1 am, according to officials.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;On 28 June, 2024 night, while de-inducting from a military training activity, an Army tank got stuck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Rescue teams rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission didn't succeed and the tank crew lost their lives. Indian Army regrets loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in eastern Ladakh. Rescue operations are underway,&rdquo; a Leh-based Army PRO said in a statement.
&nbsp;
In a post on X, Defence Minister Singh condoled the loss of lives.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting the tank across a river in Ladakh,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief,&rdquo; he said.

Tank swept away, 5 soldiers killed in Ladakh

India achieved a historic milestone in women&rsquo;s Test cricket on Saturday, surpassing Australia&rsquo;s previous record of 575/9.
&nbsp;
The new record was set during the one-off Test against South Africa when Richa Ghosh's boundary off the first ball of the 109th over propelled India beyond Australia's mark.
&nbsp;
The achievement was fueled by stellar performances from Indian openers Shafali Verma (205) and Smriti Mandhana (149), who shared a monumental 292-run partnership, the highest ever in women's cricket for an opening stand.
&nbsp;
Contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (55), along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh, who both secured unbeaten half-centuries, further bolstered India's commanding total.
&nbsp;
Previously, on Day 1, India had ended at 525 for four, also setting a record for the highest single-day total in Test cricket, surpassing Sri Lanka's men's team's previous mark of 509/9 against Bangladesh in Colombo in 2002.

Chennai

India achieves highest women's test team total

The pre-wedding festivities for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are far from over. After hosting a cruise party in Italy for family, friends and Bollywood celebrities, the Ambanis are now busy hosting parties at their home in Mumbai as part of the festivities.
&nbsp;
Photographer Varinder Chawla shared a video featuring the Ambani family bidding farewell to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat after a dinner at their home.
&nbsp;
As part of the pre-wedding celebrations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, the Ambanis have also invited underprivileged individuals to a collective wedding event scheduled for July 2.
&nbsp;
This charitable initiative by the Ambani family will be held at 4:30 pm at Swami Vivekanand Vidyamandir in Palghar.
&nbsp;
Anant Ambani, the youngest child of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his philanthropist wife Nita Ambani, is preparing to exchange vows with Radhika Merchant, the daughter of business tycoons Viren Merchant and Shaila Merchant, on July 12.
&nbsp;
Their wedding ceremony will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Ambanis host pre-wedding bash at Antilia

Former J&amp;K Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep concern over the Jammu and Kashmir Police&rsquo;s decision to invoke the Enemy Agents Ordinance (EAO) against those suspected of aiding foreign terrorists in the region.
&nbsp;
This reaction comes after DGP RR Swain announced that the J&amp;K police would use the EAO, an old law from the Dogra Maharaja era, to prosecute individuals assisting militants. Mufti criticised this move, describing the ordinance as draconian and a significant breach of justice.
&nbsp;
Mufti emphasised that the EAO lacks clear criteria for determining guilt, making it problematic to prove someone's involvement in militancy. She argued that the ordinance's vague definitions and potential for misuse threaten constitutional rights and justice.
&nbsp;
Legal and political activists echoed Mufti&rsquo;s concerns, questioning how authorities could differentiate between those assisting militants willingly and those coerced into it. They also highlighted the risk of prolonged legal battles due to the law's loopholes.
&nbsp;
Earlier this week, DGP Swain stated that those found supporting militants would face prosecution under the EAO, which prescribes severe penalties, including life imprisonment, death, or imprisonment for up to 10 years. He declared that fighters should be dealt with harshly, and their supporters treated as enemy agents.
&nbsp;
Mufti condemned the use of such archaic laws, asserting that they violate human rights and are incompatible with constitutional principles. She urged the government to address security concerns without trampling on constitutional rights and the rule of law.
&nbsp;
The EAO, originally promulgated by the Maharaja after the 1947 tribal raid, was later adopted by the J&amp;K Government. Following the abrogation of Article 370, it was adopted by the Central Government under the J&amp;K Reorganisation Act.

Srinagar

Mufti decries use of enemy agents ordinance in JK

Filmmaker Karan Johar has expressed his intention to reintroduce the iconic movie "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" to theatres on its 25th anniversary, citing the growing trend of re-releasing films as "fantastic."
&nbsp;
The 2001 family drama, often abbreviated as K3G, featured Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, and Rani Mukherjee, marking Johar's second directorial venture which garnered immense box office success.
&nbsp;
"At the trailer launch of Dharma Productions&rsquo; upcoming romantic comedy 'Bad Newz', Johar disclosed his plan, spotlighting the film's anticipated milestone in two years. 'I feel when K3G&rsquo;s 25 years is completed, we should re-release the film,' he remarked, adding that he personally refrains from watching his own films after their initial completion," Johar conveyed to media persons.
&nbsp;
Johar highlighted the nostalgic impact of revisiting classic films, noting the recent positive reception to the re-release of 'Rockstar' and retrospectives honouring filmmakers like Zoya Akhtar.
&nbsp;
"As audiences who grew up with these films reminisce, re-releasing them is a testament to the enduring charm of Hindi cinema," he affirmed.
&nbsp;
Expressing enthusiasm for the resurgence of cinematic gems, Johar underscored the cultural significance of reminding audiences of Bollywood's rich legacy spanning the 80s, 90s, and 00s.
&nbsp;
"We should constantly remind everybody that Hindi cinema rocks," he asserted, advocating for the continuation of the re-release trend.
&nbsp;
Directed by Anand Tiwari, "Bad Newz" features Vicky Kaushal, Tripti Dimri, and Ammy Virk in pivotal roles, marking a collaboration between Kaushal and Tiwari after their successful venture with "Love Per Square Foot" (2018).
&nbsp;
Produced by Amazon Prime in collaboration with Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective, the film anticipates a blend of romance and comedy for audiences.
&nbsp;

'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' to hit theatres again

A player survey has revealed that the T20 World Cup is closing the gap in the race to become the "most important" ICC event to players around the world, marking a shift from the dominance of the ODI World Cup.
&nbsp;
According to a survey conducted by the World Cricketers Association (WCA), formerly FICA, an overwhelming 85 per cent of players viewed the 50-over World Cup as the most important in 2019, compared to 15 per cent for the T20 World Cup.
&nbsp;
In 2024 however, those figures have changed with 50 per cent of the players considering the ODI showpiece as the most important and 35 per cent favouring its T20 equivalent.
&nbsp;
The ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies, will conclude with the title clash between India and South Africa in Barbados on Saturday.
&nbsp;
As per the survey done by the re-branded body, for players under 26, the inclination towards the T20 World Cup rose significantly, with 41 per cent preferring it over the 50-over World Cup at 49 per cent in 2024.
&nbsp;
Overall, there has been a sharp increase in the popularity of the T20 format. Compared to 2019 when 82 percent of players picked Test cricket as the most important format, it's only 48 percent right now.
&nbsp;
As many as 30 per cent of the players picked T20 as the most important format.
&nbsp;
Players from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are among those who are not represented by the WCA since they are not unionised.
&nbsp;
Responses were sought from players of other major cricket nations, including Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Bangladesh and West Indies.
&nbsp;
According to the WCA, the sample size for this year's survey was around 330 professional players from 13 different countries, with the majority of them being current internationals.
&nbsp;
There is a higher proportion of female respondents in 2024.
&nbsp;
In the current edition of the T20 World Cup, the much-awaited clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan garnered a staggering 256 million viewing hours in India alone.&nbsp;

T20WC on course to become most important ICC event

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken stringent action by suspending six officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam for their negligence in the construction of the 14-km Ram Path and sewer lines underneath, which suffered damage following recent rains on June 23 and June 25.
&nbsp;
Several lanes and streets adjacent to Ram Path faced severe waterlogging, with water even entering nearby houses.
&nbsp;
Special Secretary Vinod Kumar issued suspension orders on Friday for PWD executive engineer Dhruv Agrawal, assistant engineer Anuj Deshwal, and junior engineer Prabhat Kumar Pandey.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, PWD Chief Engineer (Development) VK Srivastav oversaw the suspension of these officials.
&nbsp;
Similarly, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam Managing Director Rakesh Kumar Mishra suspended executive engineer Anand Kumar Dubey, assistant engineer Rajendra Kumar Yadav, and junior engineer Mohammad Shahid, all posted in Ayodhya.
&nbsp;
The state government also issued a notice to Ahmedabad-based contractor firm Bhuvan Infracom Private Limited, holding them accountable in the matter.
&nbsp;
An office order from the Public Works Department highlighted the urgency of the situation, citing damage to the Ram Path soon after its construction, which reflects poorly on the government's priorities and reputation.
&nbsp;
Executive engineer Dhruv Agrawal, identified with Nirman Khand-3, faces suspension under Rule 7 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1999.
&nbsp;
He will remain attached to the office of the chief engineer in Ayodhya during this period.
&nbsp;
Principal Secretary of PWD, Ajay Chauhan, confirmed ongoing investigations into the incident, which gained national attention after images of the damaged Ram Path circulated widely on June 25

Ayodhya

Engineers suspended for Ram Path damage in Ayodhya

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) penalised sexual violence against animals, but the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, does not include any provision to afford animals similar protection.
&nbsp;
Section 377 of the IPC regarded the rape of an animal as a non-bailable offence and carried a punishment of &ldquo;[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine&rdquo;.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The IPC was replaced by the BNS after it was approved by both houses of Parliament and received the president's assent on 25th December.
&nbsp;
The new set of Indian criminal laws is scheduled to go into effect on the 1st of July.
&nbsp;
In 2021, a report by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations revealed that in the previous decade, almost 500,000 animals, including cows and dogs, had been victims of crimes, with many subjected to sexual violence.
&nbsp;
Previously, a report from Voice of Stray Dogs estimated that instances of sexual abuse of animals were frequently not reported but probably occurred at a comparable frequency to cases of human rape.
&nbsp;
Many violent criminals have a documented history of cruelty to animals. Meanwhile, a study published in Forensic Research and Criminology International Journal found that "[t]hose who engage in animal cruelty were 3 times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse. The major motivations for engaging in animal cruelty include anger, fun, control, fear, dislike, revenge, imitation, and sexual pleasure.&rdquo;&nbsp;

New Indian laws do not penalise animal rape

Counting of votes commenced on Saturday for Nagaland's civic body polls, marking a significant return after a gap of two decades.
&nbsp;
The tallying for elections to 24 urban local bodies&mdash;comprising three municipalities and 21 town councils&mdash;spanning 10 districts, began at 8 am across 16 centres, according to the State Election Commission.
&nbsp;
In a notable win, the NDPP clinched the Chiephobozou Town Council in Kohima, with candidates securing uncontested victories across all nine wards.
&nbsp;
A robust voter turnout of nearly 82% was recorded among the over 2.23 lakh electors during the civic polls held on June 26. Notably, these elections marked the debut of 33% reservation for women, a first in Nagaland's electoral history since 2004.
&nbsp;
Despite previous attempts by the government to conduct these elections, objections from tribal bodies and civil society groups over women's reservation and property taxation had delayed the polls.
&nbsp;
A total of 523 candidates from 11 political parties contested, with an additional 64 nominees elected uncontested across various civic bodies.
&nbsp;
Key contenders included the NDPP, BJP, Congress, NPF, Rising Peoples&rsquo; Party, RPI (Athawale), JD(U), LJP, NCP, and the NPP.
&nbsp;
However, 14 urban local bodies in six districts of Eastern Nagaland did not witness elections due to boycotts by tribal bodies, notably the Eastern Nagaland Peoples&rsquo; Organisation (ENPO), advocating for a 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' citing neglect of the region.
&nbsp;
Despite 59 nominations from the region being accepted, pressure from tribal bodies compelled candidates to withdraw their nominations.

Dimapur

Counting begins for historic Nagaland ULB polls

In the midst of the ongoing Parliament session, a group of NDA MLAs from Manipur arrived in Delhi on Friday to seek a resolution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
&nbsp;
According to sources, at least seven MLAs from the BJP and its ally, the Naga People&rsquo;s Front (NPF), have reached the national capital. This move follows a meeting chaired by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh with NDA MLAs on Thursday.
&nbsp;
The meeting was attended by MLAs from the BJP, NPF, NPP, and JD(U), but excluded the 10 Kuki-Zomi legislators.
&nbsp;
Several MLAs reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the crisis and conveyed the public pressure they were experiencing.
&nbsp;
The ethnic strife in Manipur began 14 months ago, in May 2023, and has shown little sign of abating.
&nbsp;
K. Ibomcha Singh, a BJP MLA and Manipur BJP spokesperson stated that the legislators came to Delhi to pay a "courtesy call" to the central leadership.
&nbsp;
"We had a meeting of NDA MLAs chaired by the Chief Minister, where we decided to meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other senior leaders to request a solution to the problem in the state. Some others will arrive tomorrow, and the Chief Minister will come later after securing an appointment," he said.
&nbsp;
Singh pointed out that the Manipur issue is included in the 100-day programme for the new central government, and that the delegation intends to pursue central leaders to address the issue as a priority.
&nbsp;
The movement of MLAs to Delhi has sparked speculation about potential trouble for the state government.
&nbsp;
However, Chief Minister Biren Singh dismissed these concerns, asserting that the visit was not politically motivated but a courtesy call to the Prime Minister.&nbsp; "The Prime Minister and Union Home Minister are doing their best to address the challenges confronting the state. The Parliament session's schedule has prevented all of us from being there simultaneously, but we will visit New Delhi and press for peace in the state," he said.
&nbsp;
A BJP MLA who attended Thursday&rsquo;s meeting said that legislators had highlighted the persistent discontent among the populace.
&nbsp;
"For 14 months, there has been no normalcy. This discontent was evident in the Lok Sabha election results, where both seats in Manipur, previously held by NDA MPs, were won by the Congress. The MLAs are feeling the public's dissatisfaction. During previous visits to Delhi, the response from the Centre was inadequate. Many MLAs now seek a final, decisive message from the leadership," the MLA said.
&nbsp;
Another legislator from a BJP ally noted the lack of a concrete plan despite the MLAs expressing their displeasure and anger.
&nbsp;
"We are under immense public pressure. The MLAs decided to go to Delhi and seek an appointment with the Prime Minister to convey that there has been no normalcy for over a year and that a drastic political decision is needed. We want concrete action to be taken," the legislator stated.
&nbsp;
The Manipur assembly comprises 60 MLAs, including 10 from the Kuki-Zomi community, who have abstained from participating in the assembly since the violence began.
&nbsp;
Of the remaining 50 MLAs, five are from the opposition Congress and two are Independents, while the rest are aligned with the NDA.
&nbsp;
The BJP won 32 of the 60 assembly seats in the 2022 elections, with five JD(U) MLAs joining the BJP later that year.

Manipur MLAs in Delhi urge 'concrete' govt action

Kathmandu, June 28: An earthquake of 4.2 magnitude hit Nepal's Bagmati Province on Friday, according to the National Earthquake Measurement Centre.
The quake with epicentre at Helambu Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchowk district, 100 km East of Kathmandu, struck around 7.03 am Friday, the agency said.
&nbsp;
Tremors were also felt in Kathmandu and other neighbouring districts.
&nbsp;
So far, there is no information about any damage caused by the earthquake.
&nbsp;
Earthquakes are common in the Himalayan nation as it lies on a major geological faultline where the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate, forming the Himalayas, and earthquakes are a regular occurrence.
&nbsp;
At least 157 people were killed after a strong earthquake hit a remote pocket of Nepal last November.
&nbsp;
Nearly 9,000 people died in 2015 when a 7.8-magnitude quake struck Nepal, destroying more than half a million homes.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Kathmandu

4.2 magnitude quake hits Nepal's Bagmati province

The new set of criminal offences will go into effect on July 1, 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, 2023 (BNS), has replaced the Indian Penal Code and notably eliminated Section 377 entirely.
&nbsp;
Under the new law, the definition of rape is restricted to situations where the perpetrator is a man and the victim is a woman.
&nbsp;
In all other cases where the victim is a non-cisgender woman, they would be covered under the section pertaining to grievous hurt, which is a bailable offence with the possibility of imprisonment for up to 7 years.
&nbsp;
Rape laws post July 1, 2024
&nbsp;
The provision known as Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalised "unnatural offences," has sparked controversy. In the case of Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, the Supreme Court interpreted Section 377 and chose not to strike it down.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It decriminalised consensual same-sex relations among adults while retaining Section 377 in the IPC to address non-consensual acts and bestiality.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
However, the new BNS legislation has completely excluded this section. Section 63, which pertains to rape, defines it in a way that considers only women as victims and only men as perpetrators.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Under this section, the minimum term of imprisonment is 10 years, and it can extend to life imprisonment.
&nbsp;
The rape laws in India do not apply equally to men and transgender persons, and as of July 1, the rape of men and transgender persons will not be considered a crime.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Men will be able to seek recourse under Sections 114 and 115 of the BNS, which addresses serious injury.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This section allows for a maximum prison sentence of 7 years. Similarly, the transgender community can seek recourse under the same sections of the BNS as well as Section 18 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This section mandates a prison sentence of no less than 6 months and a maximum of 2 years. Shockingly, those who commit bestiality will escape unpunished!
&nbsp;
Several countries, such as Nepal, South Africa, and New Zealand, have implemented laws on rape that are gender-neutral.
&nbsp;
These countries acknowledge that rape is a violation that affects all individuals, and they guarantee equal protection to everyone, irrespective of gender.

No rape protections for men under new law

In response to the tragic roof collapse at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, which claimed the life of a 45-year-old cab driver and injured eight others, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has announced a comprehensive structural audit of all airports in India.
&nbsp;
"We will conduct a structural preliminary inspection at all airports to ensure that such incidents do not recur. Reports have been requested from all airports within 2-5 days, after which necessary measures will be implemented," said Naidu..
&nbsp;
The collapse, which occurred around 5 am on Friday, led to the immediate closure and evacuation of Terminal 1, with all flight operations being redirected to Terminals 2 and 3.
&nbsp;
Naidu expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured the injured were receiving appropriate medical care.
&nbsp;
In the wake of the incident, the Civil Aviation Ministry has established a war room to manage refunds and alternate flights for affected passengers.
&nbsp;
Naidu guaranteed refunds within seven days or alternative flights for those whose journeys were disrupted.
&nbsp;
"Terminal 1 is completely closed and evacuated. Flights have been shifted to Terminals 2 and 3. Passengers affected by cancellations are being offered refunds or alternate flights. We have issued a circular to ensure refunds are processed within seven days," Naidu added.
&nbsp;
The minister also noted that a circular has been sent to airlines, instructing them not to increase ticket prices in light of the incident. "When such incidents occur, airfares tend to rise. We have directed airlines to maintain current ticket prices," he stated.
&nbsp;
Naidu criticized the opposition Congress for allegedly spreading false information and politicising the tragedy. "It is disheartening that the opposition is using this incident for political gain. They have falsely claimed that this terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi. In reality, the collapsed building is an older structure from 2009. Using this tragedy to attack the government sets a poor precedent," he said.
&nbsp;
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates the airport, reported that the roof at the old departure forecourt of Terminal 1 partially collapsed, possibly due to heavy rainfall and strong winds.
&nbsp;
A technical committee has been formed to investigate the exact cause of the collapse.
&nbsp;
The Civil Aviation Ministry has announced compensation of ₹20 lakh for the family of the deceased and ₹3 lakh for those with minor injuries. The police have registered a case on charges of causing death by negligence.
&nbsp;
In addition to the structural audits, the ministry's immediate actions include setting up war rooms at Terminals 2 and 3 to assist affected passengers and ensure smooth operations during the closure of Terminal 1.
&nbsp;
"We have placed officers in the war rooms to manage the situation and provide support to passengers," Naidu said.

Nationwide airport audits ordered post-T-1 fall

The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Saturday, with the first group of pilgrims departing from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan to begin their journey to the 3880-meter-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
&nbsp;
The yatra set off early in the morning on the twin tracks&mdash;the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
VIDEO | Amarnath Yatra 2024: The first batch of devotees begins their trek from Domail at Baltal base camp, Jammu and Kashmir, earlier today. (Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/n147TvqRQz">https://t.co/n147TvqRQz</a>) <a href="https://t.co/nzvHn65kCn">pic.twitter.com/nzvHn65kCn</a>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1806880581910737366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
Officials mentioned that the groups of pilgrims on the twin routes were given a ceremonial send-off by the respective deputy commissioners and senior police and civil administration officials.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
VIDEO | Community kitchens (langars) have been set up by social and religious groups at Nunwan, Pahalgam, the base camp of annual <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarnathYatra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarnathYatra</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarnathYatra2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarnathYatra2024</a> (Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/n147TvqRQz">https://t.co/n147TvqRQz</a>) <a href="https://t.co/vlDhMMdTGU">pic.twitter.com/vlDhMMdTGU</a>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1806884863775015115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the initial contingent of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu on Friday morning.
&nbsp;
The local administration and residents warmly greeted the pilgrims at the Kashmir Valley in the afternoon.
&nbsp;
The pilgrims will worship at the cave shrine containing a naturally formed ice lingam.
&nbsp;
Strict security measures have been implemented to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage.
&nbsp;
Thousands of security personnel from various forces, including the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and other paramilitary forces, have been stationed to guarantee absolute security. Aerial monitoring will also be conducted.
&nbsp;
The 52-day journey will end on August 19.

Amarnath Yatra: First pilgrims head to cave shrine

Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is set to be discharged from a hospital on Saturday following a successful knee surgery in the United States.
&nbsp;
The news was confirmed by Dr. Tsetan D Sadutshang, the Dalai Lama's personal physician, and Tenzin Taklha, Secretary to His Holiness, in a concise online briefing.
&nbsp;
They reported that the Dalai Lama underwent a total knee replacement surgery on Friday morning, which was deemed a success.
&nbsp;
"Dalai Lama's knee surgery this morning was very successful, and His Holiness is now resting in his hospital room. His condition is stable," they announced during the briefing on the platform X.
&nbsp;
Dr. Sadutshang further reassured the public that there were no complications with the surgery.
&nbsp;
"There was no problem at all. His Holiness is ready to take his lunch right now. He will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow," he stated.
&nbsp;
He also commended the medical team for their exceptional care.
&nbsp;
"All the doctors and nurses in the hospital are providing their services at the highest standard to His Holiness. The staff here are highly dedicated in giving their best services," he added.
&nbsp;
Citing the quality of the facility, Dr. Sadutshang noted, "This is the best hospital for knee surgery in the US, and the orthopaedic surgeons here are among the best in the country. Therefore, everyone can feel at ease."
&nbsp;
The Dalai Lama arrived in New York on Monday after a brief stopover in Zurich, Switzerland, where he received a warm welcome from members of the Tibetan community and well-wishers.
&nbsp;
During his stop in Zurich, the Dalai Lama was greeted with a traditional Tibetan welcome at his hotel, where he interacted with his followers and old friends.
&nbsp;
Before heading to the US for his surgery, the Dalai Lama had travelled from Dharamshala to Delhi.
&nbsp;
His journey has been marked by enthusiastic receptions, with hundreds of Tibetans and devotees gathering to pay their respects and offer their good wishes.

Dalai Lama recovering well after knee operation

Early Saturday, the authorities recovered the body of a labourer from under the debris of a collapsed wall at a construction site in the Vasant Vihar area during heavy rain.
&nbsp;
Officials said that two more labourers are possibly trapped under the rubble.
&nbsp;
The incident took place on Friday and was reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) at around 5:30 am.
&nbsp;
The deceased, identified as 19-year-old Santosh Kumar Yadav, was found around 6:10 am on Saturday, according to Delhi Fire Services officials. His death was confirmed by doctors at Safdarjung Hospital.
&nbsp;
Officials also added that the rescue operation for the remaining two labourers is currently in progress.
&nbsp;
The operation is being carried out by personnel of the National Disaster Response Force, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, and civic agencies.
&nbsp;
Officials said cranes are being used to remove debris while water is being pumped out of the foundation pit to recover the remaining bodies.&nbsp;

3 bodies found under debris in Delhi wall collapse

The cup of woes of the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) continues as yet another legislator from the party Kale Yadaiah crossed over to the ruling Congress on Friday, taking the total number of BRS switching loyalties so far to six.
&nbsp;
Once seen as the architect of the Telangana statehood movement, the BRS suffered a severe drubbing in the recent assembly polls, managing to win 39 seats in the 119-member House, while Congress came to power with 64 seats. Following a change of guard in the state, the regional party is now struggling to keep its flock together.
&nbsp;
Kale Yadaiah, representing Chevella constituency on the outskirts of Hyderabad, is the latest to jump ship. He joined the Congress in the presence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and AICC in charge of Telangana Deepa Das Munshi, in New Delhi.
&nbsp;
Notwithstanding a series of meetings the BRS supremo and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had with the party legislators in the last three days, the spree of desertions continues to haunt the party.
&nbsp;
Earlier this week, Jagityal BRS MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar and Banswada MLA and former Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy joined the Congress in the presence of the Chief Minister. Tellam Venkat Rao, Danam Nagender, and Kadiam Srihari are the other three MLAs who have switched over to the Congress. More legislators are expected to cross over to the ruling party in the coming days.

Desertions continue from BRS camp in Telangana

India will implement new criminal laws starting from July 1.
&nbsp;
The new laws, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, will replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act respectively, starting from July 1.
&nbsp;
Key highlights of these new criminal laws include the introduction of Zero FIR, the option to register police complaints online, serving summons through electronic methods, and the mandatory videography of crime scenes for all serious crimes.
&nbsp;
The Union home ministry is gearing up to roll out the three new criminal laws starting next week. Forty lakh grassroots functionaries will be trained to ensure people are aware of the legislation and its impact on everyone, particularly women and children.
&nbsp;
Over 5.65 lakh police, prison, forensics, judicial and prosecution officials have also been trained about the new laws.
&nbsp;
The BPR&amp;D provided 250 training courses, webinars, and seminars, through which they trained 40,317 officers and personnel.
&nbsp;
Under the new laws, victims will be provided with a complimentary copy of the FIR, ensuring their involvement in the legal process.
&nbsp;
A noteworthy addition to the law is that the individual who has been arrested has the right to inform a chosen person about their situation.
&nbsp;
This will ensure immediate support and assistance for the arrested individual.
&nbsp;
Additionally, details of the arrest will now be prominently displayed in police stations and district headquarters, providing easy access to important information for the families and friends of the arrested person.
&nbsp;
To strengthen the case and investigations, forensic experts must visit crime scenes for serious offences and collect evidence. Additionally, the process of evidence collection at the crime scene will be videographed to prevent tampering with evidence.
&nbsp;
This dual approach significantly enhances the quality and reliability of investigations and contributes to a fair administration of justice.
&nbsp;
The fresh regulations give top priority to probing crimes against women and children, aiming for prompt completion within a two-month period from when the information is recorded. With the new legislation, victims have the right to receive frequent updates on the status of their cases within 90 days.
&nbsp;
This rule ensures that victims stay informed and engaged in the judicial proceedings, which improves transparency and builds trust.
&nbsp;
The new laws guarantee free first-aid or medical treatment to victims of crimes against women and children at all hospitals. This provision ensures immediate access to essential medical care, prioritising the well-being and recovery of victims during challenging times.
&nbsp;
Electronic service of summons is now permitted, which speeds up legal processes, reduces paperwork, and facilitates efficient communication among all involved parties.
&nbsp;
In cases of specific offences against women, the victim's statements should, whenever possible, be documented by a female magistrate. In the absence of a female magistrate, a male magistrate should be present along with a woman to ensure sensitivity and fairness, thereby creating a supportive environment for victims.
&nbsp;
Both the accused and the victim have the right to receive copies of the FIR, police report, chargesheet, statements, confessions, and other documents within 14 days.
&nbsp;
Courts may grant a maximum of two adjournments to prevent unnecessary delays in case hearings, thus ensuring timely delivery of justice.
&nbsp;
New legislation has made the implementation of a witness protection program mandatory by all state governments to ensure the safety and cooperation of witnesses, thus improving the credibility and efficiency of legal proceedings.
&nbsp;
The definition of "gender" has been expanded to include transgender individuals, aiming to promote inclusivity and equality.
&nbsp;
The new laws allow for all legal proceedings to be conducted electronically, providing convenience to victims, witnesses, and the accused, thereby streamlining and expediting the entire legal process.
&nbsp;
To offer greater protection to victims and ensure transparency in the investigation of rape cases, the statements of victims must now be recorded by the police using audio or video means.

Zero FIR, victim rights: India's new criminal laws

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that he is formulating a "comprehensive plan" outlining Kyiv's vision for concluding the ongoing war with Russia.
&nbsp;
This initiative comes amid an absence of public negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides maintaining divergent stances on the terms for a potential peace settlement.
&nbsp;
Zelensky made this declaration during a press conference in Kyiv alongside Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar, citing the significance of global support for Ukraine's proposed peace plan.
&nbsp;
"It is very important for us to show a plan to end the war that will be supported by the majority of the world," Zelensky stated.
&nbsp;
Earlier this month, Zelensky hosted a major international summit in Switzerland aimed at garnering backing for Ukraine's position.
&nbsp;
Notably, Russia was not invited to this summit.
&nbsp;
The event saw participation from leaders and senior officials from over 90 countries.
&nbsp;
The final communique stressed the necessity of respecting Ukraine's "territorial integrity" in any peace settlement.
&nbsp;
However, some key countries, such as India, did not endorse this communique, while others, including Russia's ally China, boycotted the summit in protest of Moscow's exclusion.
&nbsp;
Ukraine has consistently insisted that Russia must withdraw its troops from internationally recognized Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, as a precondition for peace talks.
&nbsp;
Conversely, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who initiated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, demands that Ukraine cede additional territories in the east and south.
&nbsp;
During his visit to Brussels on Thursday, Zelensky indicated that he would present a "detailed plan" within months.
&nbsp;
"We don't have too much time," he remarked, highlighting the severe casualty rates among soldiers and civilians.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to make incremental advances on the battlefield.
&nbsp;
On Friday, they claimed to have captured another small frontline village.
&nbsp;
Currently, Russia occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukraine and, in 2022, asserted the annexation of four additional regions, none of which it fully controls.
&nbsp;
Ukraine's resistance heavily depends on Western financial and military aid.
&nbsp;
However, Ukrainian troops, after more than two years of intense combat, face challenges such as being outgunned, outmanned, and exhausted.

Ukraine

Zelensky drafts plan to end Ukraine-Russia war

In a rare honour for a media personality, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced that a road in the capital city of Amaravathi and a proposed film city project in the port city of Visakhapatnam will be named after media baron Cherukuri Ramoji Rao who passed away recently.
&nbsp;
Ramoji Rao, a pioneer in Telugu journalism, was known for his discipline, high moral values and keen business acumen. His life journey&mdash;from a humble middle-class family in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh to becoming one of the leading media icons in the country&mdash;was as much a celebration of entrepreneurial skills and passion for innovation as it was of moral uprightness in an era where the credibility of the media saw a steady decline.
&nbsp;
Founder of India's largest movie production facility, Ramoji Film City, in Hyderabad and chairman of the Eenadu Group of publications and news channels, Ramoji Rao (87) passed away in the early hours of June 8 at a corporate hospital in Hyderabad.
&nbsp;
He was born into an agricultural family on November 16, 1936, in a small village called Pedaparupudi in Krishna district.
&nbsp;
He went on to become a powerful and influential media entrepreneur in the history of Telugu states. He owned the largest Telugu daily in both Telangana and Andhra, Eenadu. In addition, he ran a bouquet of entertainment and news channels under the ETV brand.
&nbsp;
The NDA government honoured him with India's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, in 2016.
&nbsp;
Speaking at a memorial service organised by the state government in Vijayawada on Thursday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that Amaravathi will have a knowledge Centre named after the media baron.
&nbsp;
Paying rich tributes to Ramoji Rao, the Chief Minister said the media baron had run the daily newspaper with moral values and never compromised even when he was subjected to harassment. He demanded that Ramoji Rao, who was a role model and an inspiration to Telugus across the world, be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.
&nbsp;
Naidu, along with his wife, Bhuvaneswari, attended the programme. Soon after arriving at the venue, the Chief Minister visited the photo exhibition and later and later paid floral tributes to the photo of Ramoji Rao on the dias. Recalling the services of the late Ramoji Rao to various sections of society in the state, Naidu said,
&nbsp;
"Ramoji was an example of how a person born into a middle-class family can reach the greatest heights," Naidu said.
&nbsp;
Recalling the services of Ramoji Rao in various sectors, the Chief Minister said that it was Ramoji Raop who suggested the name of Amaravathi for the capital city of the state.
&nbsp;
"This is the reason why I have decided to establish a Ramoji Knowledge Centre (Vignana Kendram) in Amaravathi," Naidu announced.
&nbsp;
The family members of Ramoji Rao donated Rs 10 crore for building Amaravathi and handed over the cheque to the Chief Minister. Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, Tollywood's ace director, SS Rajamouli, and Oscar-winning music director, MM Keeravani, also participated in the memorial meeting.
&nbsp;

Roads, projects in AP to be named after Ramoji Rao

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday initiated a defamation suit against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the Calcutta High Court.
&nbsp;
This move followed Banerjee&rsquo;s recent statement alleging that women were fearful of visiting the Raj Bhavan due to certain activities there, according to a source.
&nbsp;
Earlier in the day, Governor Bose expressed his disapproval of Banerjee&rsquo;s remarks, emphasizing that it is expected of public representatives not to create "erroneous and slanderous impressions."
&nbsp;
The Governor also filed defamation suits against specific leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) who made similar remarks, the source revealed.
&nbsp;
During an administrative meeting at the state secretariat on Thursday, Banerjee asserted that "women have informed her they are afraid to visit Raj Bhavan due to recent incidents reported there."
&nbsp;
"Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday approached the Calcutta High Court and filed a defamation suit against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party leaders for their comments," the source said.
&nbsp;
On May 2, a contractual female employee of Raj Bhavan had alleged molestation by Bose, prompting a probe by the Kolkata Police.
&nbsp;
When contacted, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen expressed the need to consult party leadership before commenting on the matter.
&nbsp;
"I have to talk to my party leadership to find out what actually happened. This is quite a sensitive matter," Sen said.
&nbsp;
Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha voiced his support for Bose's decision.
&nbsp;
"I think Governor Bose has taken the right decision. He should have taken this decision long back. I fully support him for this," Sinha said.
&nbsp;
Veteran CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty criticised the ongoing tussle between Bose and Banerjee, stating that it is detrimental to the state.
&nbsp;
"It's actually taking us down. They seem to have forgotten their Constitutional responsibilities. Their acts are damaging West Bengal's image at the national level," Chakraborty remarked.

Bengal Guv files defamation suit against Mamata

The final takeaway of the 2024 General Elections is that Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. He led the Bharatiya Janata Party to a substantial score of 240 seats, just 32 short of the absolute majority. Had it not been for the 400+ hype created by the BJP ahead of elections, 240 would not have felt as small as it was felt after the results.
&nbsp;
Still, the 32 seats loss was compensated by 52 members from other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners. Modi is now comfortably heading a coalition with the BJP being the main and the dominant partner with 240 members of its own.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Second, the BJP has retained all the important ministries including the Home, the Defence, the Foreign Affairs, the Finance and the Railways. Third, the BJP has retained the post of the Speaker.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The opposition parties would celebrate the prospect of BJP losing some important ministries to the allies as well as the post of the Speaker. The party lost none and retained everything.
&nbsp;
In comparison, the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) could win only 232 seats, 8 less than the BJP won on its own and 40 short of the halfway mark.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Congress on its own could still not touch the &lsquo;three-figure&rsquo; mark, as it was stuck at 99. The Congress&rsquo; score for three elections is still less than 200; 44 in 2014, 52 in 2019 and 99 in 2024 making it a total of 195 only.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Congress is still &ldquo;celebrating&rdquo;, by trying to make it out as a victory for itself and a &ldquo;political and moral defeat&rdquo; for the BJP and the Prime Minister Modi, in particular.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But the fact is that the BJP&rsquo;s worst performance in the last three General Elections since 2014 under Modi&rsquo;s leadership has still been better than the Congress&rsquo; best.
&nbsp;
The Congress&rsquo; best performance after 1984, when it swept elections in the aftermath of Ms Indira Gandhi&rsquo;s assassination, was in 1991 when it got 232 seats. That was also partially because of the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi during the campaign by Sri Lankan Tamillian militants.
&nbsp;
After that, it was in 2009 when Dr Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister that the Congress won 206 seats.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Afterwards, Congress under Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s leadership, whether de facto or de juro, has seen consistent electoral debacles. The party&rsquo;s spin managers however have managed to project the third consecutive defeat like a &ldquo;victory&rdquo; drawing solace from BJP&rsquo;s less-than-expected performance while trying and managing to downplay its (BJP&rsquo;s) return to power.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Congress, for the first time in India&rsquo;s independent history, will remain in opposition for a record third consecutive term. It is the longest period, it will remain out of power. Changing goals
&nbsp;
Congress has changed its goalpost. Despite having been a pan-India party and being a centrist party, with an appeal among all sections of people, it has stopped aspiring to win a majority of its own.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Instead, it has surrendered to the regional parties like the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu, Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
All these parties were Congress&rsquo; bitter opponents not long ago. So much so, the Congress made the United Front government headed by IK Gujaral fall by withdrawing support to it after it refused to drop DMK ministers in the aftermath of Jain Commission revelations which held DMK responsible for supporting Sri Lankan Tamil militants led by the LTTE.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
LTTE was responsible for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
&nbsp;
Right now, the Congress has its independent existence in just nine states, which include Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Gujarat.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;In MP and Gujarat, it has been continuously losing elections to the state assembly and almost drawing a blank in the parliamentary elections, but it continues to exclusively occupy the opposition space there.
&nbsp;
In all major states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra it has been playing second fiddle to regional parties and is dependent on their whims and moods.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It is highly unlikely that Congress can go further than what it got in 2024. At best it may retain the same number of seats in the future General Elections and the worst can be lower than this. In another way, Congress has already peaked and is unlikely to better this performance and that too when its entire leadership believes it to be its &ldquo;emphatic victory&rdquo;. Some mutual interests
&nbsp;
There appears to be a mutual interest between the &lsquo;Gandhi&rsquo; family and the leaders loyal to it, who cannot look beyond what they have already got and achieved. Any senior and outstanding leader in Congress, as long as the family remains in control, can only aspire to be an MP or a minister, if it comes to power.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It does not matter to such leaders, as who is in control of the party as they do not have any grand ambitions, neither to run the government nor the party, as they keep on enjoying whatever perks they get by becoming MPs from here or there, with the hope of ministerial bonus, if the party manages to form a government some time.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
That is why the party does not have any concrete programme or proposal. Take for example the 2024 General Election campaign. It was just a &ldquo;hit and trial&rdquo; campaign where the party stuck to the theme of &ldquo;threat to the Constitution&rdquo;, while actually there was none.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The party did manage to create apprehensions among the vulnerable sections of the society about it. But this cannot be a lasting theme that too against an ideologically rooted and driven BJP.
&nbsp;
The BJP has managed to convince the people of the country, both, those who support it and also those who oppose it, that the party has a particular agenda, whether nationalism or liberalised economy. The Congress no longer has any well-defined theme.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Although Rahul Gandhi did try to project the party purely as a &ldquo;secular&rdquo; and a &ldquo;socialist&rdquo; force as an alternative to the BJP, he did not manage to get sufficient dividends.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He will have to stick to this theme, which should not be difficult as his party has the guaranteed support of the minorities, almost 100 per cent. Also, a mere theme alone is not enough as a lot depends on the leadership. Rahul&rsquo;s third failure in a row 
Rahul has failed a third time in a row to lead his party or alliance to victory. He and his family have still managed to retain the control of the Congress party, rather have further strengthen it.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He has himself become the Leader of the Opposition, the first constitutional post he has occupied. But that does not guarantee that he will certainly go further.
&nbsp;
He may claim that the NDA is a fragile alliance and that the Modi government may not last long. This may hold for the INDIA bloc as well as it may not hold together for a long time. Gandhi does not have much to offer to prospective allies, while Modi is in power and has a lot to offer to prospective allies from the opposition. Redemption for the Gandhis, but what about the Congress? 
The 2024 General Elections, indeed, have been redeeming for the Gandhi family that it managed to firm up its grip over the party, but these certainly have not been good for the Congress. If &ldquo;securing&rdquo; Rahul&rsquo;s leadership and control over the Congress was the ultimate goal, which it seems it was, then the party has done exceptionally well.
&nbsp;
Rahul is the Leader of the Opposition. His mother, Ms Sonia Gandhi is the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party. His sister Priyanka Gandhi is likely to get elected from the Wayanad parliamentary constituency, which Rahul vacated.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
All three will be in the parliament.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Besides, they have a compliant party president Mallikarjun Kharge there. It is all good for the Gandhis.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But is it really good for the Congress, only time will tell.

Congress run by Gandhis despite another defeat

Meteorologists have stated that the forecasting models did not anticipate the extreme weather event that caught Delhi residents off guard early Friday, resulting in a historic 228.1 mm of rainfall.
&nbsp;
This quantity exceeds the June average of 74.1 mm by more than three times and marks the highest for the month since 1936.
&nbsp;
An official from the IMD clarified that the monsoon winds interacted with the remnants of a western disturbance, leading to heavy rains in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
&nbsp;
Independent scientists say a thunderstorm over North Delhi could have sparked the torrential rains.
&nbsp;
On June 26, the IMD had forecasted only light to moderate rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds for Friday (June 28).
&nbsp;
On Thursday afternoon, the Met office noted a trough extending from a cyclonic circulation over central Gujarat to west Bihar in the lower tropospheric levels.
&nbsp;
In the weekly weather briefing uploaded on the IMD's YouTube page, scientist Soma Sen Roy said this trough was pumping moisture into north and central India.
&nbsp;
"The east-west trough is likely to strengthen during the week, and rainfall will increase over north India," she explained.
&nbsp;
The extended range forecast released by the IMD on Thursday night anticipated "a fairly widespread to widespread occurrence of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across northwest and east India over the next five days".
&nbsp;
The forecast also indicated the possibility of "extremely heavy rainfall" in Delhi on June 29 and June 30, although no one foresaw the heavy rain on Friday morning.
&nbsp;
At 4:58 am on Friday, the IMD issued an alert, stating "light to moderate intensity rain with heavy intensity rain over a few places and winds of 20-40 kmph would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR, Gannaur, Sonepat, Kharkhoda, Jhajjar, Sohna, Palwal, Baraut, Baghpat, Khekra, Pilakhua, and Sikandrabad during the next two hours".
&nbsp;
Later, it reported that the Safdarjung Observatory recorded 148.5 mm of rainfall between 2:30 am and 5:30 am, indicating that much of the rain had already occurred before the IMD issued the alert.
&nbsp;
Also, it declared the arrival of the monsoon in Delhi on Friday noon, less than 15 hours after it had projected that the primary rain-bearing system would reach Delhi within two to three days.
&nbsp;
"Not much rainfall was happening due to the eastern arm of the monsoon in West Bengal, Bihar, and up to Uttar Pradesh. The eastern arm monsoon moved slowly. But one pulse suddenly arrived from the Madhya Pradesh side. Nobody expected this massive amount of moisture," an IMD official said, requesting anonymity.
&nbsp;
"The models could not capture it. Also, convective clouds started developing in the evening and intensified over time. Predicting thunderstorms in advance is not easy," the official added.

Pak court suspends Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi’s 14-year sentence in Toshakhana case

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan challenges cipher, Toshakhana sentences

TOP CATEGORIES

QUICK LINKS