News Arena Network

Vats Ambardar

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the bail granted to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.&nbsp; Reports indicate that the ED filed a petition against the Jharkhand High Court's order on Monday, although the case has not yet been scheduled in the Supreme Court.
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Sources reveal that the ED's application claims that the High Court's comments in its order were biased. The High Court had stated there was insufficient evidence to prove Soren's involvement in the alleged money laundering case, leading to his bail.
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On June 28, the Jharkhand High Court granted Hemant Soren regular bail in a land scam case. This decision came after Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay reserved the order on June 13, following arguments from both sides.
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Soren was in judicial custody since his arrest by the ED on January 31, connected to the alleged money laundering case tied to the land scam. After his interim bail plea was denied and he withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court, Soren sought regular bail from the Jharkhand High Court.
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The ED has accused Soren of being the main beneficiary of the land scam, claiming he illegally occupied 8.86 acres of land in the Bargain area in Ranchi, amounting to money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002. The ED argued that Soren could potentially misuse his influence to obstruct the investigation if released on bail.
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The ED further alleged plans to construct a banquet hall on the disputed land, with a map sent to Soren's phone by Architect Vinod Singh.
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In contrast, Soren&rsquo;s defence argued that the case was politically motivated, claiming the central government was using the ED for a malicious prosecution.&nbsp; They stated that the banquet hall plans were unrelated to the 8.86 acres of land in question and emphasized that the investigation was still ongoing, urging the court to grant bail without delving into the case's details.
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The ED is investigating significant proceeds of crime generated through falsified official records, involving fake sellers and buyers using forged documents to acquire valuable land. So far, the ED has provisionally attached land parcels worth Rs 266 crore and arrested 22 individuals, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, Revenue Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Amit Kumar Agarwal, and Prem Prakash, about the money laundering case linked to the land scam.

New Delhi

ED knocks SC doors against Hemant Soren’s bail granted by HC

After radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh took oath as a member of parliament from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency in Punjab, his mother, Balwinder Kaur told media that he was not a Khalistani supporter and sought his immediate release.
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However, the next day, a statement attributed to Amritpal refuted her claim that he was not a Khalistan supporter. &ldquo;Indeed, I believe that the statement given by my mother was made unknowingly, but still, such a statement should not come from my family or from anyone who supports me&rdquo;, the Indian Express quoted him having said, adding, &ldquo;dreaming of Khalsa Raj is not a crime; rather, it is a matter of pride. We cannot even dream of stepping back from the path for which thousands of Sikhs have sacrificed their lives&rdquo;.
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Balwinder Kaur, later in a video message, without denying her earlier statement that her son was not a Khalistan supporter, said her statement had been misinterpreted by the media.
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Balwinder Kaur&rsquo;s backing out from her original statement notwithstanding, she did have a point. After all, Amritpal did take an oath and swore his allegiance to the Constitution of India and the unity and integrity of the country.&nbsp;
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Till Amritpal remains in jail and is not directly accessible to the media, not everything attributed to him should be taken to be the final word. His parole condition included no interaction with the media. He was allowed only to meet his family members during his sojourn in Delhi.
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Given Amritpal&rsquo;s background and the reasons for his detention under the National Security Act, it is quite unexpected that he may have had a &ldquo;change of heart&rdquo; so soon, even after getting elected to the parliament. Even if he had, it would not be so easy for him to express it openly as that might be interpreted as outright surrender.&nbsp;
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He did contest the elections, but again he did not make any direct statement or appeal to the voters since he was inaccessible in jail. It was only his supporters, who campaigned for him on the issues he had been raising like drug addiction among the youth.&nbsp;
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Apparently, the statement made on Amripal&rsquo;s behalf in the aftermath of her mother&rsquo;s statement seeking to dissociate him from Khalistan is aimed at addressing a particular section of people and his supporters, who have started raising questions about him having contested the election at the first place and then becoming an MP and taking oath under the Constitution of the country.
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It will not be very easy for Amritpal to justify being an MP and having sworn allegiance to the Constitution of India, just after about a year when he used to say entirely different things. His statement contradicting his mother is thus understandable and must neither be taken at its face value, nor as his final word.&nbsp;

Chandigarh

Amritpal; an MP and ‘Khalsa Raj’ supporter at the same time

Deepan

The NH10, a critical lifeline for Sikkim and the hill regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, is presently facing severe disruption due to natural calamities, posing significant security and connectivity threats.
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Sikkim, a border state with China, Nepal and Bhutan, relies heavily on this highway, and any disruption could have far-reaching consequences.
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Concerns have been raised with the central government, emphasizing the critical importance of NH10 in maintaining connectivity and security in this strategically important region.
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Proposals have been made to bring NH10 under central jurisdiction to strengthen this vital corridor and ensure its maintenance as a border road.
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Since the disaster in Sikkim last October, the Teesta River's course has changed, widening significantly and causing repeated damage to the national highway.
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This has exacerbated the frequency and severity of landslides along NH10, disrupting transportation and economic activities.
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Speaking to the media persons, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) informed that he, along with Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba and Rajya Sabha MP DT Lepcha, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
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The CM addressed various grievances related to the frequent landslides occurring between North Bengal and Sikkim.
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Earlier this month, on July 2, Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari directed the ministry to expedite the transfer of the NH10 stretch from Rangpo to Sevoke to the Central agency NHIDCL from the West Bengal Public Works Department.
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This directive followed Gadkari's meeting with Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista in New Delhi on July 1.
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The NH10, presently battered by monsoon rains and the flooding Teesta River, is crucial for Sikkim and Kalimpong district.
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The Ranipool to Rangpo stretch in Sikkim is maintained by NHIDCL, while the Rangpo to Sevoke stretch falls under the West Bengal Public Works Department.
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Today marks the 12th day of highway closure due to landslides in at least four locations.
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Vehicles carrying essential commodities for Sikkim are forced to take a longer route via Lava in West Bengal, resulting in higher transportation costs and prices of vegetables and essentials. The detour has more than doubled the travel time to Sikkim.
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The Chief Minister also reported that the state loses Rs 100 crore daily in SGST revenue due to road blockades, a significant loss for a small state like Sikkim.
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Additionally, a survey conducted during the British Empire in 1917 proposed a train route from Bakhrikot to Rorathang, spanning 72 km. Implementing this could provide a robust means of transportation for Sikkim.
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The establishment of multiple stations along the route would also benefit the West Bengal region, which suffers during the monsoon season.
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The Chief Minister announced an upcoming bilateral meeting between the Transport Departments of West Bengal and Sikkim.
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Sikkim&rsquo;s Roads &amp; Bridges Department Minister and Principal Secretary will attend to discuss and deliberate on common solutions for both regions. Sikkim has already handed over the NH10 stretch under its jurisdiction from Ranipool to Rangpo to NHIDCL.
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"NH10 is crucial also in terms of national security. It facilitates the movement of security personnel and their equipment. The central government will give greater priority in its maintenance," said Lok Sabha MP Hang Subba.
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Since the onset of monsoons, NH10 has faced frequent disruptions due to landslides and road subsidence, forcing people to take longer detours.
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&ldquo;NH10 is the lifeline for the border region of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Sikkim. Every day&rsquo;s delay in repairing this road causes harassment to the people living in our region and damages our tourism industry, trade, and commerce. I assure the people that once NHIDCL takes over NH10 entirely, it will be better maintained, and along with others, the local citizens living along the Teesta River will greatly benefit,&rdquo; said Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.
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In Bengal, the highway runs along a hilly stretch of around 54 km, connecting Sevoke with Rangpo, the town in Sikkim located at the interstate border.
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The highway then meanders towards Gangtok, the Sikkim capital. Near Teesta Bazar, it also passes through the outskirts of Kalimpong town.
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Sikkim&rsquo;s 204 km (approx) border with China&rsquo;s TAR remains heavily disputed and unsettled, adding to the strategic importance of maintaining NH10.

Gangtok

'Strategic' NH10 closure costs Sikkim ₹100 crore daily

Ansh Mavani

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) the green light to accept public contributions ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
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This decision allows the party to gather voluntary donations from individuals and companies, excluding government entities. This approval comes in response to a request from the party for official recognition to accept these contributions.
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In a communication dated July 8, 2024, the ECI stated that the party could accept any voluntary contributions in accordance with Sections 29B and 29C of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
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These sections permit political parties to receive donations from any person or company that is not a government company. The approval was granted after an eight-member delegation from the NCP-SP, led by their working president Supriya Sule, met with the Commission at Nirvachan Sadan.
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The NCP-SP, led by Sharad Pawar, has been gearing up for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. In June, Pawar urged his party workers to prepare for the elections, expressing confidence that the party would return to power in the state.
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Speaking at the party's 25th foundation day celebration in Pune, Pawar emphasised the importance of spreading the party's ideologies and working collectively towards electoral success.
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The party, part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, retained significant political ground during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The alliance won 30 out of Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats, with the NCP-SP securing 8 seats, the Congress winning 13, and the Shiv Sena (UBT) taking 9 seats.
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In contrast, the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), managed to win only 17 seats in the state, with the BJP securing 9 and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) winning 8.
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With the ECI's approval to accept public contributions, the NCP-SP is now better positioned to fund its campaign efforts as it prepares for the crucial state elections later this year. This move is expected to boost the party's resources and help it compete more effectively in the upcoming electoral battle.

Mumbai

ECI allows NCP Sharad Pawar faction to accept donations

Neha Singh

Migratory birds and crows from the forests in Kerala are suspected to be the carriers of the avian influenza virus, causing its spread to domestic duck and poultry farms in the state, according to a study by a government-appointed panel of experts.
&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 panel submitted its report to state Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchurani on Monday.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 team was appointed in view of rising cases of bird flu in the state, particularly in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, causing heavy losses to duck and poultry farmers.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 minister said that the government will carefully review the report&rsquo;s recommendations and take appropriate action. The expert team included specialists from the Animal Husbandry Department and scientists from the Veterinary University.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 team found that the disease may have spread through the movement of birds from one place to another. These birds were likely infected by migratory birds and also spread the disease through their sale,&rdquo; a government release, quoting the study, 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 remains of birds that died of bird flu, as well as their feed and droppings, were not scientifically disposed of, leading to the spread of the disease to other birds, it 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 study noted that the uncontrolled movement of birds from one farm to another has contributed to the spread of the disease. Additionally, the movement of supervisors from integrated farms in Cherthala and Thanneermukkom in Alappuzha district to other farms has also played a role in the spread of the disease.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 report suggests that the disease may have spread through infected crows and that there is a possibility of the disease spreading from birds in the forests that have the virus to domestic ducks and other chicken farms.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 clarifies that there is no evidence of the disease being brought in from outside the state.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The panel has recommended that a detailed study be conducted on the broiler chickens and ducks brought in from other states for breeding purposes. It also suggests that a detailed genetic study of the virus is necessary.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 panel has recommended that the 2021 National Action Plan for the prevention and control of bird flu be strictly implemented.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 sale and movement of birds (both within and outside) in all districts affected by bird flu should be banned until March 2025, it 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;Government farms and hatcheries in the surveillance area should also be closed until March 2025. The remains of dead birds should be disposed of in a proper and scientific manner. Samples should be collected and tested every month in the Kuttanad region until March 2025.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;Registration of private chicken and duck farms should be made mandatory at government veterinary hospitals. Local self-government institutions should also make licensing of private chicken and duck farms mandatory,&rdquo; according to the report.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 further said that screening for the presence of bird flu virus should be conducted on eggs and chicks coming from other states.
<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;

Thiruvananthapuram

Migratory birds, crows from Kerala forests spread bird flu

Amarpreet Kaur

The campaign for the by-polls to Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh came to an end on Monday evening. The ruling Congress and opposition BJP made a last-ditch effort to reach out to voters through roadshows and rallies.
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The by-polls, scheduled for July 10, were necessitated after three Independent MLAs resigned and joined the BJP. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed rallies in Dehra, accusing the BJP of betraying the people and misusing money and power. He also promised to resolve the issues of Pong Dam oustees and establish an SP Office and PWD office in Dehra.
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Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur campaigned for BJP candidate Hoshiyar Singh, questioning the chief minister's silence on corruption issues. BJP state unit chief Rajiv Bindal accused the Congress government of misusing government machinery and bringing development to a standstill.
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The by-polls are seen as a test for the Congress government, which recently won four out of six assembly seats in the state. The election department has set up 315 polling stations, and polling parties have been dispatched to ensure a smooth voting process."

Shimla

Bypoll campaigning ends in Himachal for 3 assembly seats

Four army personnel were killed and six injured on Monday when terrorists ambushed their vehicle in the remote Machedi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said.
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The terrorists hurled a grenade and opened fire targeting Army vehicles which were on a routine patrol on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road at around 3.30 pm near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 km from Kathua town.
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Security forces retaliated but the terrorists fled into the nearby forest, the officials said, adding an intermittent exchange of firing was going on between the terrorists and security forces when the last reports were received.
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They said reinforcements have been rushed to the area to neutralise the terrorists, who are believed to have recently infiltrated from across the border and were moving to the higher reaches.
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"A total of 10 troopers were injured and four of them later succumbed to their injuries," an official said.
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This was the second major incident in Kathua district in the past four weeks.
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On June 12 and 13, two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a fierce gunfight during a search and cordon operation.
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The terror attack comes within a fortnight of a gunfight between terrorists and security forces in the Gandoh area of Doda district that left three foreign terrorists dead on June 26.
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Jammu has witnessed a spurt in terror activities, attributed by authorities to an attempt by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the region and disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
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On June 9, terrorists struck a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district, killing nine people, including the driver and the conductor of the vehicle, and injuring 41.&nbsp;

Jammu

Four soldiers killed in terrorist ambush in JK’s Kathua

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday conducted an aerial survey of East Champaran, Gopalganj, and West Champaran districts, where water levels in several rivers have surged significantly following heavy rainfall over the past few days.
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Accompanied by Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and senior officials, the Chief Minister also visited the Gandak barrage at Valmiki Nagar.
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In a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), it was stated, "The CM conducted an aerial survey of East Champaran, Gopalganj, and West&nbsp;Champaran districts and interacted with officials of the departments concerned. He instructed them to remain vigilant and fully prepared to manage the situation if water levels rise further."
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The CM directed officials to stay on high alert as water levels continued to rise in several rivers across the state.
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The situation was particularly serious in East Champaran, Gopalganj, and West Champaran districts, where rivers like Gandak and Burhi Gandak were either flowing above their danger levels or approaching them in certain areas, officials said.
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"No casualties have been reported yet. In some areas of East and West Champaran districts, residents of low-lying areas have been relocated to safer locations by district administrations," they added.
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Recent rains have caused the Gandak, Kosi, Ganga, Burhi Gandak, Mahananda, and Kamla rivers in Bihar to swell.
&nbsp;
At various points, these rivers have exceeded their danger marks, leading to concerns in Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Bagaha, Purnea, Supaul, Darbhanga, Khagaria, and Jhanjharpur districts.
&nbsp;
On Monday, officials noted that the Kosi river's water level was above the danger mark in Supaul and Basantpur areas. Continuous rainfall in Nepal recently has also contributed to rising river levels across northern Bihar.
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Officials cautioned that downstream areas could face flooding due to water releases from dams along the Kosi and Gandak rivers in Nepal.
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Talking to reporters, Chaudhary said, "Considering the severity of the situation, authorities opened some gates at Valmiki Nagar barrage on the Gandak river on Sunday. This led to rapid water discharge, reaching a peak of 4.40 lakh cusecs on Sunday, the highest recorded since 2004. Similarly, around 3.90 lakh cusecs was discharged from the Kosi barrage."
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Rivers like Kamla, Kosi, and Mahananda have crossed their danger marks in low-lying areas of Purnea, Madhubani, Khagaria, and Darbhanga, leading to flood-like situations.
&nbsp;
"Parman river in Araria district surpassed the danger level on Monday. The Kosi river in Khagaria and Beldaur areas is also approaching the danger mark," officials said.
&nbsp;
National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel have been actively involved in relief efforts in low-lying areas of West Champaran, Gopalganj, East Champaran, and Supaul, officials said.
&nbsp;
"Most rivers continue to rise along their courses, inundating low-lying areas. However, all safety embankments remain secure," the minister assured.

Patna

Bihar CM Kumar surveys flood-hit districts

A violent clash between two groups of villagers in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Sunday night left four people dead and several others injured. The incident occurred at Lighanwala Chowk in Sri Hargobindpur, Batala, around 9 pm.
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According to police, the two groups, comprising 13 people from village Vithwan, attacked each other with firearms and sharp weapons over a long-standing rivalry. The exact cause of the rivalry is yet to be determined.
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The deceased have been identified, and an investigation is underway to apprehend those involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident."&nbsp;Two persons from each group died in the firing, said Batala Senior Superintendent of Police Ashwini Gotyal.&nbsp;
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The deceased have been identified as Balraj Singh, Shamsher Singh, Baljit Singh, and Nirmal Singh.&nbsp;
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The police said eight people were injured in the incident and they have been admitted to a hospital in Amritsar.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The injured are stated to be out of danger, said the police.&nbsp;Multiple rounds were fired in the incident, the police, adding they recovered 30 live rounds and empty shells from the spot.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The SSP said Major Singh and the other faction by Angrej Singh led one group. Both Major and Angrej had a dispute over the distribution of water from a water channel for irrigation in their fields.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The police said both factions had a fight in the heat of the moment on Sunday night.&nbsp; One faction comprised nine people and another group had four people, said the SSP.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
After getting information, a police patrolling team, led by the station house officer, reached the spot immediately. The vehicle of the SHO was also hit by a bullet, said the SSP.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
An FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway, the police said.

Gurdaspur

Clash between 2 groups in Punjab over water sharing kills 4

India has a complex history of political changes at the state level. Recent events in Telangana have drawn attention to the state's political landscape.
&nbsp;
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. This meeting has generated discussion among observers about its potential implications.
&nbsp;
The Congress party won control of Telangana for the first time in 2023, with Reddy appointed as Chief Minister. Reddy's background includes previous associations with the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) and the TDP (Telugu Desam Party).
&nbsp;
On July 6, following his meeting with BJP leaders, Reddy met N Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of neighboring Andhra Pradesh. Both leaders were members of the same party before the bifurcation of the states. Their meeting reportedly focused on issues concerning both Telugu states.
&nbsp;
After the meeting, Naidu expressed optimism about the TDP's prospects in Hyderabad. The exact nature and outcomes of these discussions remain unclear.
&nbsp;
Reddy's meeting with Modi and Shah was presented as an effort to secure aid for Telangana's development and infrastructure needs. Similarly, Naidu sought funds for Andhra Pradesh during his meeting.
&nbsp;
These political developments have led to various interpretations and discussions among observers. Some have speculated about potential changes in party affiliations or shifts in political alliances. However, it's important to note that such speculations are not necessarily indicative of actual outcomes.
&nbsp;
Reports have circulated about potential political realignments, including discussions between Congress MLAs and other parties, and the possibility of defections. These reports have contributed to ongoing debates about the state's political future.
&nbsp;
It's worth noting that political speculation doesn't always accurately predict outcomes, as demonstrated by the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
&nbsp;
The anti-defection law remains a relevant factor in discussions about potential political changes. However, its effectiveness and enforcement continue to be topics of debate.
&nbsp;
Social media often plays a role in shaping political narratives, though the relationship between online discussions and political realities can be complex. Political speculation can lead to various analyses and predictions, but it's important to distinguish between conjecture and confirmed facts.
&nbsp;
As Telangana's political situation continues to evolve, it will likely remain a topic of interest for political observers and citizens alike. The long-term implications of these recent meetings and discussions will become clearer as events unfold.
&nbsp;

Hyderabad

Political developments in T'gana spark discussion

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi has delivered a sharp critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that it would be a significant achievement for the BJP if they manage to secure even a single seat in the 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election.
&nbsp;
Drawing on the previous election results, Atishi highlighted the BJP's failure to meet their own expectations in 2020 when they aimed for over 45 seats but secured only eight. She attributed this anticipated poor performance to various alleged scams and actions by the BJP that she claims have adversely affected the people of Delhi.
&nbsp;
Atishi accused the BJP of undermining Delhi's water supply through their governance in Haryana and of conspiring to damage the city's government schools. She emphasised that the BJP&rsquo;s continuous efforts to disrupt the lives of Delhi residents would be a significant factor in their potential electoral defeat.
&nbsp;
In a related matter, Atishi also addressed the recent directive from Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, which ordered the suspension of the transfer of 5,000 government school teachers.
&nbsp;
This decision came after Saxena temporarily halted the transfers as an interim measure. Atishi, who serves as the Education Minister, expressed her strong opposition to any actions that might hinder the progress of Delhi's educational reforms.
&nbsp;
Atishi criticised the BJP, claiming that on July 2, they orchestrated the overnight transfer of 5,000 teachers through the Lt Governor, despite her orders as the Education Minister.
&nbsp;
She praised these teachers for their pivotal role in transforming Delhi's government schools over the past decade, alongside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. She credited their dedication and hard work for elevating the quality of government schools to surpass that of private institutions.
&nbsp;
Atishi welcomed the Lt Governor's decision to stop the transfers, viewing it as a victory for the AAP&rsquo;s commitment to fighting for the rights of teachers and the education of Delhi's children.
&nbsp;
She reaffirmed her party's dedication to ensuring that the educational progress made in recent years would not be undone. Atishi vowed that the AAP government would continue to advocate for teachers' rights and the educational welfare of the city's students, resisting any future attempts to disrupt the educational system.
&nbsp;
In her concluding remarks, Atishi reiterated her confidence that the BJP&rsquo;s actions would lead to their downfall in the upcoming elections. She stressed the importance of the AAP's ongoing efforts to safeguard the interests of Delhi&rsquo;s teachers and students, promising relentless opposition to any measures that threaten the educational advancements achieved under the current administration.

Atishi claims BJP will struggle for a seat in 2025

The NATO summit, being hosted by US President Joe Biden here this week, is likely to show a strong demonstration of America and its allies' support for Ukraine and make significant new announcements to increase military, political and financial support for the war-torn European country, according to administration officials.
&nbsp;
The three-day NATO summit to be held here from July 9 to 11 will be the first to include Sweden as a member of the alliance. Sweden officially joined the alliance in March.
&nbsp;
The historic summit would also mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which is now a strong military alliance of 32 countries.
&nbsp;
"It has been truly indispensable to Euro-Atlantic security, deterring threats to the United States and our allies," a senior administration official told reporters ahead of the summit.
&nbsp;
On Sunday, President Biden also spoke about the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, DC.
&nbsp;
"I'm about to host the NATO nations in Washington. We put them together," Biden said. "The world's looking to us. Not a joke. The world is looking to America not to carry their burden, but to lead their hopes." Being held in the American capital, soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, the NATO summit, officials said "will send a strong signal to Putin that if he thinks he can outlast the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine, he is dead wrong".
&nbsp;
"We are also going to send an important message to the rest of the world, including through our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, as we stand together united and in support of democratic values," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
&nbsp;
The Washington summit will kick off on Tuesday, with Biden welcoming NATO leaders, and along with the First Lady, hosting a 75th anniversary commemoration event at the Mellon Auditorium, which is the site of the original signing of the North Atlantic Treaty that established the NATO on April 4, 1949. It is also the site of the 1999 50th anniversary commemorative event hosted by the then president Bill Clinton.
&nbsp;
NATO was created to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
&nbsp;
On July 10, the president will welcome Sweden as the newest member of the alliance at a meeting of NATO's 32 allies. Later in the evening, they would host the NATO leaders for a dinner at the White House. On July 11, NATO will hold a meeting with the European Union (EU) and NATO's Indo-Pacific partners -- Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand -- to deepen their cooperation.
&nbsp;
Officials also said there will be a strong language regarding China.
&nbsp;
"We are bringing together some of our closest non-NATO partners to have a discussion around issues like resilience and cyber disinformation, technology and the like. In terms of deterrence and defence, of course, NATO is focused on the Euro-Atlantic area, and that is where its capabilities are being deployed," an official said.
&nbsp;
"But the United States has a range of partnerships with countries around the world, which you might call variable geometry, with different partners including in the Indo-Pacific. This particular grouping of the IP4, as we call them in NATO lingo -- Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea -- these are some of our closest partners that we work within the region," the official added.
&nbsp;
President Biden&rsquo;s faltering performance in last week&rsquo;s debate has raised new concerns among allies already worried about the possibility of a second Trump presidency as they head for the NATO summit, the Washington Post reported.

Washington D.C.

Biden-hosted NATO summit to support war-ravaged Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started a significant diplomatic journey to Russia on Monday, marking his first international trip since the onset of Moscow's conflict with Ukraine.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Shortly after landing in Moscow, Modi said he is looking forward to deepening bilateral partnership in futuristic areas and that stronger ties between India and Russia will "greatly benefit our people".
&nbsp;
The two-day visit is crucial as it seeks to bolster bilateral ties, focusing on energy, trade, and defence cooperation through summit talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
&nbsp;
Modi was received at the Vnukovo-II airport by Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.
&nbsp;
The Russian first deputy minister also accompanied the Indian prime minister to his hotel from the airport in the same car, officials said. Manturov had received Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia as well.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
The visit marks Modi's first to Russia since 2019, spotlighting its importance amid geopolitical shifts. 
"Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation," Modi said on 'X'.
&nbsp;
"Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people," he said.
&nbsp;
President Putin hosted a private dinner for Modi ahead of their scheduled talks at the 22nd India-Russia summit.
&nbsp;
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted Modi's agenda, stating, "PM is set to hold substantive discussions with President Vladimir Putin to advance the special partnership between the two countries. He will also engage with the Indian community in Russia."
&nbsp;
Modi was accorded a guard of honour at the airport, followed by a warm reception outside his hotel where Russian artists performed to Hindi tunes and the popualar indian traditional dance 'Garba' symbolising cultural exchanges between the nations.
&nbsp;
In his departure statement, Modi articulated India's stance on regional stability, affirming, "We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region."
&nbsp;
Post his engagements in Russia, Modi will embark on a trip to Austria, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over four decades.
&nbsp;
The Modi-Putin summit is anticipated to enhance bilateral cooperation amidst the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict. Discussions are slated to encompass trade diversification, energy security, and strategic defence partnerships, with a focus on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
&nbsp;
"The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia has witnessed significant advancement over the past decade, encompassing energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges," Modi reiterated, citing the breadth of their collaboration.
&nbsp;
Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed optimism about strengthening ties with Russia and Austria, countries with longstanding friendships with India.
&nbsp;
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov outlined the comprehensive agenda for the talks, spotlighting both formal discussions and informal interactions between the leaders.
&nbsp;
In addition to&nbsp;bilateral issues, Modi is expected to address concerns regarding the recruitment of Indian nationals as support staff in the Russian military, pointing out their safe repatriation.
&nbsp;
The annual India-Russia summit serves as a cornerstone of their strategic partnership, alternating between New Delhi and Moscow. The last summit held in December 2021 resulted in the signing of 28 MoUs and agreements, underlining their commitment to "India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress, and Prosperity."
&nbsp;
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last engaged in bilateral talks on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September 2022.
&nbsp;
During this meeting, Modi urged Putin to seek a resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue, emphasizing the era's need for peace over conflict.
&nbsp;
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Modi has maintained active diplomatic engagements with both Russia and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy through telephonic conversations, advocating for peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.

Moscow

PM Modi marks first-trip to Russia since Ukraine conflict

The West Bengal government on Monday described as &lsquo;triumph of democracy&rsquo; the Supreme Court order which said a search committee set up by the court for appointing vice-chancellors of universities would send names of candidates to the chief minister and not the governor.
&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;">Earlier in the day, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed that the committee headed by former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit be constituted within two weeks after noting that both the state and the office of the governor, who is also the chancellor, agreed on the formation of the panel.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Welcoming the SC order, state Education Minister Bratya Basu in a post on X handle, said, &ldquo;Democracy wins again&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;">In the order, the bench instructed that the search cum selection committee, to be headed by ex-CJI Justice (Retd) UU Lalit, to recommend a panel of three names for each university to the &ldquo;democratically elected head of the state&rdquo;, Basu 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;The Hon&rsquo;ble chief minister will then recommend the panel according to her preference to the chancellor, recording her opinion, if any, against any name. The chancellor will then appoint the VC,&rdquo; the minister 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;">In a similar vein, the Educationists&rsquo; Forum, a pro-TMC platform of academicians, said, &ldquo;Cutting through the illegalities imposed by the Chancellor on the higher education sector of West Bengal, Hon'ble Supreme Court has today affirmed the principle of fair selection through due process under former CJI Justice Lalit.&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;
The ruling TMC dispensation has a running feud with Governor CV Ananda Bose over how the state&rsquo;s universities should be run.
&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 West Bengal Assembly in August last year had passed an amendment bill raising the number of members in the search committee set up for appointing vice-chancellors in state-run universities from three to five.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 panel will have the Governor by virtue of being the chancellors of state varsities, representatives of the chief minister, the University Grants Commission, the state education department and the state higher education council.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 Bharatiya Janata Party had opposed the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 alleging that the new search committee would further enhance the ruling party's control over the appointment of vice-chancellors. 
&nbsp;

WB govt hails SC's order on appointment of univ VCs

Gold prices rose Rs 100 to Rs 73,410 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday in line with strong global trend, according to HDFC Securities.
&nbsp;
The precious metal closed at Rs 73,310 per 10 grams in the previous session.
&nbsp;
Silver prices also rallied Rs 870 to Rs 94,270 per kg. It had settled at Rs 93,400 per kg in the previous session.
&nbsp;
"In Delhi markets, spot gold prices (24 carats) are quoted at Rs 73,410 per 10 grams, up by Rs 100 from the Friday&rsquo;s afternoon price.
&nbsp;
"Gold prices at Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) traded lower amid risk-averse sentiment and profit booking after surging in the week gone by," Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst at HDFC Securities, said.
&nbsp;
In the international markets, spot gold at Comex was USD 2,373 per ounce, up USD 10 per ounce from the previous close.
&nbsp;
"Gold and silver prices rose significantly as the dollar retreated amidst mixed jobs data, increase in rate cut expectations and geo-political updates. Precious metals pack, especially, silver rallied sharply in the holiday-shortened week," Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd (MOFSL), said.
&nbsp;
Focus this week will be on US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony, Modi added.
&nbsp;
Additionally, silver is also quoted higher at USD 30.93 per ounce. It had finished at USD 30.55 per ounce in the previous session.
&nbsp;
"In Europe, traders are keeping an eye on political events after France's left-wing New Popular Front coalition unexpectedly thwarted a far-right advance on Sunday but failed to secure a majority," Prathamesh Mallya, DVP - Research, Non-Agri Commodities and Currencies at Angel One Ltd, said.
&nbsp;
Gold prices are likely to remain elevated, driven by softening US labour data and economic indicators, with a potential Fed rate cut on the horizon, Mallya added.

Gold prices rise ₹100, silver climbs 870

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched a scathing attack on the BJP government in Haryana, accusing it of neglecting farmers, youth, and the economy. Addressing a workers' conference in Charkhi Dadri, Hooda said the Congress party had a proven track record of supporting farmers, providing loan waivers, electricity bill waivers, and MSP, whereas the BJP had given them "lathis, canes, and bullets".&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Hooda also criticised the BJP's handling of the economy, saying it had made Haryana number one in unemployment, crime, and drug addiction, whereas the Congress had made it number one in per capita income, investment, and employment.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"After seeing the tenure of Congress for 10 years and BJP for 10 years, the people of Haryana should compare the work of both the governments and vote for the party that performed better in the assembly on this basis. Congress gave permanent jobs to soldiers, but the BJP gave them contract systems like Kaushal Nigam and Agniveer. Congress made the youth of the state sportspersons, but BJP made them drug addicts. Congress made sportsperson daughters, who brought glory to the country, but BJP got those daughters harassed by its leaders," he said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Congress freed the traders from inspectors and hooliganism, but BJP protected the criminals and got the traders shot at. Congress made Haryana the number one state in the country in terms of per capita income, per capita investment, and employment, while BJP made it number one in unemployment, crime, and drug addiction," he added.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He promised that a Congress government would provide permanent jobs, free electricity, gas cylinders, and health insurance, among other benefits.
&nbsp;
State Congress President Chaudhary Udaibhan also addressed the conference, calling for unity and promising to give tickets to strong candidates who work hard on the ground. He slammed the BJP for its "fake announcements" and said the public would not fall into its trap. 
The conference was attended by senior leaders, including Rao Dan Singh, and was seen as a show of strength for the Congress party in the run-up to the assembly elections."

Hooda promises reforms for Haryana workers

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, made a poignant visit on Monday to relief camps in Manipur's Jiribam and Churachandpur districts, where victims of ethnic violence have sought refuge.
&nbsp;
Accompanied by senior Congress leaders, Gandhi's visit marks his third since the outbreak of violence in Manipur last year, underscoring his steadfast dedication to the welfare of those affected.
&nbsp;
"The visit underscores Gandhi's commitment to the people's cause," highlighted a statement from the Congress, reflecting on his ongoing engagement in the region.
&nbsp;
Gandhi's itinerary commenced at Jiribam Higher Secondary School, where he interacted closely with displaced individuals, listening to their harrowing accounts and empathetically addressing their needs.
&nbsp;
State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra conveyed that Gandhi's presence resonated deeply among the residents, with one young girl expressing disappointment over the absence of visits from the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, urging Gandhi to advocate their plight in Parliament.
&nbsp;
The emotional encounters continued as thousands turned out to greet Gandhi, many moved to tears during their interactions, Meghachandra noted.
&nbsp;
From Jiribam, Gandhi proceeded via Silchar in Assam to Tuibong village in Churachandpur district, where another relief camp awaited. Here, he continued to engage with inmates, seeking firsthand insights into their challenges and aspirations.
&nbsp;
"The visit aims to provide support and assess ground realities," Meghachandra affirmed, highlighting the Congress's commitment to addressing the aftermath of the violence and ensuring justice for the affected communities.
&nbsp;
Before concluding his visit, Gandhi is scheduled to meet with Governor Anusuiya Uikey in Imphal, further underscoring efforts to advocate for comprehensive support and relief measures.
&nbsp;
The ethnic violence, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year, has tragically claimed over 200 lives in Manipur, prompting urgent humanitarian responses and advocacy efforts.

Imphal

Rahul Gandhi engages with Manipur violence victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair NITI Aayog's ninth Governing Council meeting on July 27, which will discuss the 'Vikshit Bharat@2047' document to make India a developed nation, a senior government official said on Monday.
&nbsp;
The council, the apex body of NITI Aayog, includes all state chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several Union ministers. Modi is the Chairman of NITI Aayog.
&nbsp;
NITI Aayog's Governing Council will meet on July 27.
&nbsp;
"Ahead of the Council meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will likely give a glimpse of the Viksit Bharat vision and action plan in the Budget on July 23," the official said.
&nbsp;
A vision document is being prepared for India to become a developed economy of USD 30 trillion by 2047, the 100th year of its independence.
&nbsp;
In 2023, NITI Aayog was entrusted with the task of consolidating the 10 sectoral thematic visions into a combined vision for Viksit Bharat @2047.
&nbsp;
The vision encompasses various aspects of development, including economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance, among others.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

PM to chair NITI Aayog Governing Council meet on July 27

Tripura's Chief Minister, Prof Dr Manik Saha, is set to roll out more than 10,000 job opportunities following the upcoming Panchayat elections, aiming to boost employment prospects across the state.
&nbsp;
A senior official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) highlighted the government's commitment to youth welfare, stating, "Chief Minister Saha has actively pursued initiatives to enhance job availability since assuming office."
&nbsp;
From 2018 to 2024, the state has issued a total of 13,661 job offers across different categories.
&nbsp;
These include Group A, with 99 offers in 2018-19 FY, rising to 223 in 2021-22 FY, and Group B, which saw 1 offer in 2018-19 FY and increased to 77 in 2022-23 FY. Group C experienced substantial recruitment, with 986 offers in 2018-19 FY peaking at 5044 in 2022-23 FY, while Group D ranged from 100 offers in 2018-19 FY to 78 in 2023-24 FY.
&nbsp;
Ahead of the Panchayat elections, Chief Minister Saha has directed officials to expedite the release of pending job offers.
&nbsp;
An official affirmed, "Pending offers, including positions in Tripura Police and Group D roles under the Joint Recruitment Board Tripura, will be swiftly released in accordance with Chief Minister Saha's directives."
&nbsp;
The forthcoming release of over 10,000 job offers is poised to meet the state's employment demands and provide significant support to Tripura's young workforce.
&nbsp;

Agartala

Tripura to roll out 10k jobs post panchayat elections

A couple of hours after winning the trust vote in the Jharkhand Assembly Chief Minister Hemant Soren got 11 ministers in his Cabinet as six ministers from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, four from Congress and one from RJD were sworn in at Raj Bhawan on Monday.
&nbsp;
Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers of the State at Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, MPs, MLAs, senior administrative officials and political figures of the State.
&nbsp;
The new ministers of the JMM quota included former CM Champai Soren, former minister Mithilesh Thakur, former minister Baby Devi, former minister Deepak Biruwa, former minister Hafizul Hassan and former minister Baidyanath Ram.
&nbsp;
From the Congress party former minister Dr Rameshwar Oraon, former Minister Banna Gupta, Irfan Ansari and Deepika Pandey Singh were sworn in as ministers.
&nbsp;
Rashtriya Janata Dal&rsquo;s lone MLA Satyanand Bhokta was sworn in for the third time as a minister in the coalition government.
&nbsp;
Notably, Chief Minister Hemant Soren&rsquo;s younger brother Basant Soren, who was part of the Champai Soren Cabinet was not included in the list. Former Agriculture Minister Badal was also dropped from the Cabinet this time.
&nbsp;
Out of the 11 ministers, only Deepika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari are first-time ministers. Dr Rameshwar Oraon, a former IPS officer and former ST commission chairman along with Champai Soren, Mithilesh Thakur, Banna Gupta and Satyanand Bhokta have remained part of Hemant Soren government and Champai Soren government earlier.
&nbsp;
Hafizul Hassan, son of the Late Hazi Hussain Ansari, was appointed minister in the erstwhile Hemant government after his father passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
&nbsp;
Similarly, Baby Devi, wife of former minister Late Jagarnath Mahto, was appointed minister after her husband died due to post-Covid complications.
Notably, this is the first time after 9 years that Jharkhand has 12 ministers in Cabinet including the Chief Minister. During the Raghubar Das government, the post of 12th minister remained vacant for five years. Also, during Hemant Soren&rsquo;s stint between December 2019 and January 2024 and Champai Soren&rsquo;s government, the post of 12th minister remained vacant.

Ranchi

Jharkhand Cabinet ministers sworn in, CM’s brother dropped

The Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) has announced a temporary suspension of the public emergency in the region, following a decision made during its Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting at Tuensang headquarters.
&nbsp;
In a notification, the ENPO described the move as a significant step toward promoting mutual understanding and seeking a peaceful resolution regarding the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) by the Centre.
&nbsp;
However, the organisation pointed out that this suspension remains "subject to review under compelling circumstances."
&nbsp;
Addressing concerns over nominees in urban local bodies (ULBs), the ENPO clarified that the matter is currently under discussion due to the absence of participation in recent elections.
&nbsp;
According to the organisation, the decision stems from the Chenmoho resolution passed on February 23, which mandated abstention from electoral processes until the FNT issue is resolved.
&nbsp;
Notably, the Eastern Nagaland region did not partake in the civic polls held on June 26, adhering to the ENPO's call for abstention based on the Chenmoho resolution.
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recently hinted at potential "limited grants" for urban development in the districts following their election boycott.
&nbsp;
However, he acknowledged that these grants may not fully meet the districts' expectations.
&nbsp;
The ENPO, representing eight tribes including Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimchunger, and Sumi, has persistently protested the delay in fulfilling promises made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the creation of the FNT on December 7, 2023.

Dimapur

ENPO temporarily suspends public emergency in Nagaland

In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police has dismantled an interstate organized crime syndicate with the arrest of its kingpin, Jai Sharma alias Sukha Pistol Ambarsarya, and four accomplices from a flat in Mohali's Kharar.
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The syndicate was involved in various criminal activities, including theft, snatching, and arms trafficking. The kingpin, Sukha Pistol, has seven cases registered against him under the Arms Act, snatching, and theft.
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The syndicate kingpin was identified as Jai Sharma alias Sukha Pistol Ambarsarya of Prem Nagar in Amritsar, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said.
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The four members are Nikhil Sharma alias Lala of Sandhu Colony in Amritsar, Moni of Kot Khalsa in Amritsar, and Arpit Thakur and Karan Sharma of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh.
&nbsp;
Sukha Pistol has seven cases about the Arms Act, snatching, and theft registered against him, Yadav said.&nbsp;The police also seized two .32-bore pistols, three magazines, and eight live rounds from them.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In a major breakthrough, Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrests 5 persons for running an inter-state organised crime syndicate and recovers 2 pistols, 8 live rounds They had procured weapons from Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh Accused booked under Arms Act and Newly introduced&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/X0eeH5qGtT">pic.twitter.com/X0eeH5qGtT</a>
&mdash; DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DGPPunjabPolice/status/1810199715721683085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
DGP Yadav said police teams from Amritsar kept a vigil on the syndicate's movement following reliable input that Sukha Pistol and his accomplices had gone to Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh to illegally procure weapons.
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After they returned to Punjab, the police traced their location in Kharar and conducted a raid in a flat, arresting the accused and seizing the arms and ammunition, Yadav said.
&nbsp;
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were planning to attack members of a rival gang, the police chief added.&nbsp;They have been booked under Section 111 (organised crime) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said. Police Commissioner (Amritsar) Ranjit Singh Dhillon said the syndicate was engaged in theft, snatching, and arms trafficking.
&nbsp;
Further investigation is underway to trace the forward and backward linkages of the module and identify the Madhya Pradesh-based arm smugglers.
More arrests and recoveries are expected, Dhillon said.&nbsp;

Punjab police busts crime syndicate, arrests five

Congress MP from Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi on Monday came down heavily on Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his recent remarks describing Assam's devastating floods as a "flood-like situation."
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Gogoi pointed out the severity of the crisis, which has claimed 58 lives as of July 7, accusing Shah of displaying ignorance and insincerity in his assessment.
&nbsp;
In a sharp rebuke on social media, Gogoi stated, "Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah's statement on the tragedy in Assam reflects a lack of understanding and seriousness.&nbsp;Despite over 70 fatalities, the Minister chooses to downplay this disaster as merely a 'flood-like situation.'"
&nbsp;
Shah, speaking on Saturday, acknowledged the flood situation in Assam due to heavy rains and discussed ongoing relief efforts with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
&nbsp;
He highlighted the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams working tirelessly for rescue and relief operations.
&nbsp;
Gogoi also drew attention to the critical issue of severe soil erosion in Majuli, underscoring the compounded challenges faced by Assam due to both floods and erosion.
&nbsp;
"Erosion poses significant long-term risks compared to floods. It disproportionately affects the poor, particularly women and children, amidst the broader impacts of climate change," he remarked.
&nbsp;
Expressing sorrow over the tragic death of an eight-year-old boy swept away in an overflooded drain in Guwahati, Gogoi lamented the neglect faced by ordinary Indians despite paying taxes.
&nbsp;
"The recent floods in Assam have seen some of the most heart-wrenching losses. The incident involving the young boy underscores the urgent need for better disaster management and support mechanisms," he highlighted.
&nbsp;
As of Sunday, the flood situation in Assam remains dire, affecting nearly 24 lakh people according to official reports.
&nbsp;
Gogoi urged for substantial investments in flood and erosion management, calling for collaborative efforts from international bodies, local communities, and all levels of government to address Assam's recurring environmental challenges.

Guwahati

Gogoi slams Shah over Assam's 'flood-like situation' remark

Union environment ministry has taken note of the water reservoir project, which will come up in Belagavi as a means to boost Karnataka&rsquo;s water levels.
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The southern state hit by drought is set to lose nearly 1,500 acres of natural forest in Belagavi. To add to the woes, the equal amount of land offered as compensation is riddled with encroachments.
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Hence, increase in water reservoir will lead to depletion of forest cover.
&nbsp;
The project seeks to draw 6 TMC water from Markandeya river for the benefit of about 7 lakh people in four towns and 131 villages.
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However, more than 90 per cent of the forest land will be submerged under the backwaters of a reservoir of the proposed Ghatti Basavanna Drinking Water Project.
&nbsp;
In 2020, the state government sought permission to divert 575 hectares of forest land with 75,581 trees.
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The deciduous forest hosts 66 species of trees and 16 species of fauna. The project site is located within 3 km distance from the eco-sensitive zone of the Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary and 3.1 km from the boundary of the sanctuary.
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Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), which proposed the project, has acknowledged the disturbance caused by the project to the animals.
&nbsp;
The firm proposed to deposit Rs 13.47 crore as part of a wildlife conservation plan to be implemented in three years.
&nbsp;
As per the rule, the agency seeking forest land has to give the same extent of land for compensatory afforestation (CA).
&nbsp;
However, the land proposed by the agency in eight villages spread across Athani, Savadatti and Gokak ranges has run into problems.
&nbsp;
Point of contention
&nbsp;
Looking into the KNNL&rsquo;s proposal, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC) flagged that many encroachments have been found in the area proposed for CA.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;As per the discussions with field functionaries, about 100 hectares in is under encroachment,&rdquo; it said in a letter last month, directing the state government to provide the balance area to take the application forward.
&nbsp;
But even before the project received approval, officials have taken up planting of saplings in the land proposed for CA.
&nbsp;
The Union ministry has also asked for clarification on how the government calls it a drinking water project as the project component includes drawing 0.50 TMC of water for industrial use.
&nbsp;
To a question, Manjunath R Chavan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Belagavi Circle, said the forest department had pointed out the encroachments. &ldquo;During the spot inspection time, our officers had pointed out the encroachment in the proposed CA land. We have taken up a mapping exercise to identify the block encroachments,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
Further, the government has been asked to get approvals from the Central Water Commission and submit a rehabilitation plan for families affected by the project. Belagavi is characterised by extreme weather events, with half the district seeing drought while parts of Gokak get flooded during heavy rains. The dam is proposed as an answer to the problem of drought.
&nbsp;

Bengaluru

K'taka: Belagavi water project raises environmental concerns

Shyna Gupta

Indian benchmark indices ended the trading session on a flat note today, following a day of volatile market activity.
&nbsp;
The Sensex closed marginally lower by 36.22 points, or 0.05 percent, at 79,960.38, while the Nifty dipped by 3.30 points, or 0.01 percent, to settle at 24,320.50.
&nbsp;
Among the top Nifty gainers were ONGC, ITC, HDFC Life, HUL, and Tata Consumer Products. Conversely, the &nbsp;top losers included Divis Labs, Titan Company, BPCL, Shriram Finance, and Adani Ports.
Sectorally, capital goods, FMCG, and oil &amp; gas sectors witnessed gains of 0.6-1.5 percent.
&nbsp;
In contrast, sectors such as auto, banking, healthcare, metal, realty, power, and telecom saw declines ranging from 0.4-0.8 percent.
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The BSE midcap and smallcap indices also ended the day marginally lower, reflecting the broader market sentiment.
&nbsp;

Sensex dips 36 pts while Nifty down by 3 pts

Shweta Sengar

You have to wonder how people originally figured out how to eat some foods that are beloved today. The cassava plant is toxic if not carefully processed through multiple steps. Yogurt is basically old milk that&rsquo;s been around for a while and contaminated with bacteria. And who discovered that popcorn could be a toasty, tasty treat?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
These kinds of food mysteries are pretty hard to solve. Archaeology depends on solid remains to figure out what happened in the past, especially for people who didn&rsquo;t use any sort of writing.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Unfortunately, most stuff people traditionally used made from wood, animal materials or cloth decays pretty quickly, and archaeologists like me never find it.
&nbsp;
We have lots of evidence of hard stuff, such as pottery and stone tools, but softer things &ndash; such as leftovers from a meal &ndash; are much harder to find. Sometimes we get lucky, if softer stuff is found in very dry places that preserve it. Also, if stuff gets burned, it can last a very long time.
&nbsp;
Corn&rsquo;s ancestors 
&nbsp;
Luckily, corn &ndash; also called maize &ndash; has some hard parts, such as the kernel shell. They&rsquo;re the bits at the bottom of the popcorn bowl that get caught in your teeth. And since you have to heat maize to make it edible, sometimes it got burned, and archaeologists find evidence that way. Most interesting of all, some plants, including maize, contain tiny, rock-like fragments called phytoliths that can last for thousands of years.
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Scientists are pretty sure they know how old maize is. We know maize was probably first farmed by Native Americans in what is now Mexico. Early farmers there domesticated maize from a kind of grass called teosinte.
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Before farming, people would gather wild teosinte and eat the seeds, which contained a lot of starch, a carbohydrate like you&rsquo;d find in bread or pasta. They would pick teosinte with the largest seeds and eventually started weeding and planting it. Over time, the wild plant developed into something like what we call maize today. You can tell maize from teosinte by its larger kernels.
&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s evidence of maize farming from dry caves in Mexico as early as 9,000 years ago. From there, maize farming spread throughout North and South America.
&nbsp;
Popped corn, preserved food 
&nbsp;
Figuring out when people started making popcorn is harder. There are several types of maize, most of which will pop if heated, but one variety, actually called &ldquo;popcorn,&rdquo; makes the best popcorn. Scientists have discovered phytoliths from Peru, as well as burned kernels, of this type of &ldquo;poppable&rdquo; maize from as early as 6,700 years ago.
&nbsp;
You can imagine that popping maize kernels was first discovered by accident. Some maize probably fell into a cooking fire, and whoever was nearby figured out that this was a handy new way of preparing the food. Popped maize would last a long time and was easy to make.
&nbsp;
Ancient popcorn was probably not much like the snack you might munch at the movie theater today. There was probably no salt and definitely no butter, since there were no cows to milk in the Americas yet. It probably wasn&rsquo;t served hot and was likely pretty chewy compared with the version you&rsquo;re used to today.
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s impossible to know exactly why or how popcorn was invented, but I would guess it was a clever way to preserve the edible starch in corn by getting rid of the little bit of water inside each kernel that would make it more susceptible to spoiling. It&rsquo;s the heated water in the kernel escaping as steam that makes popcorn pop. The popped corn could then last a long time. What you may consider a tasty snack today probably started as a useful way of preserving and storing food.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This article first appeared in The Conversation.

New York

How was popcorn discovered?

Ending a decade-long chill in the relationship between the sibling Telugu states, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart A Revanth Reddy met in Hyderabad on Saturday, an occasion that was filled with warmth, bonhomie and friendship.
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Both were accompanied by their senior cabinet colleagues, respective chief secretaries and other officers, who made PowerPoint presentations on their demands and expectations from each other.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The significance of the meeting was not lost on the political observers. Naidu and Revanth were colleagues in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) before the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh that set them on different political journeys and eventually put them at the helm of the sibling states.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The meeting helped to break the ice between the two states, caught in a string of disputes related to the division of AP ten years ago to carve out a separate Telangana state.
&nbsp;
Both sides presented a roadmap on how the pending issues can be resolved. They also discussed issues where the Centre&rsquo;s intervention is required, like the division of water of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. The discussion was mainly about setting up a platform and a channel for both governments to discuss issues without acrimony.
&nbsp;
The two chief ministers met as old friends, hugging each other before they sat down at the negotiating table.
&nbsp;
The three-hour-long meeting decided to constitute a high power committee, comprising chief secretaries and two officials each from the two states, to address the bifurcation issues.
&nbsp;
The committee, which cannot resolve the issues at its level, would refer them to a panel of ministers from both states. If any issues remain unresolved, the chief ministers of both states would address them.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The first meeting between the two chief ministers was more exploratory. Many more interactions will happen in due course,&rdquo; the Telangana deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka said.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We did not assume that all the issues would be resolved at today&rsquo;s meeting. We made a beginning in the direction of finding a solution. There are quite several issues that remained intractable all these years and they needed to be addressed at least now,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
AP Revenue Minister Satya Prasad said that Naidu, after taking over as the chief minister, was keen on resolving the issues between the two states at the earliest in his endeavour to put the state back on the road to development.
&nbsp;
The two chief ministers went through the issues relating to the division of the assets between the two states listed in the ninth and tenth schedule of the AP State Reorganisation Act, a dispute over the arrears of over Rs 6,700 crore payable to Andhra Pradesh for supplying power to Telangana in the initial days after the bifurcation, among others.
&nbsp;
Naidu, in his first term from 2014 to 2019, and K Chandrasekhar Rao, while in power from 2014 to 2023, were unable to hold any meetings to resolve the issues, and were considered hostile to each other.
&nbsp;
When Jagan stormed to power in 2019, KCR welcomed him, and several meetings were held between officials of the two states, but the deadlock continued as neither refused to cede any ground.
&nbsp;
When Naidu&rsquo;s TDP-led NDA secured a landslide win in the recent elections, Revanth, in a phone call while congratulating him, extended the hand of friendship and said the two states should resolve pending matters related to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 in a friendly atmosphere.
&nbsp;
Naidu responded positively, and wrote a letter to Revanth on July 2, suggesting a meeting at Hyderabad on July 6.
&nbsp;
At least 14 issues are pending between the two states, including clearing power dues that both states owe to each other, bifurcation of 91 institutions, and division of cash balance and bank deposits. The effective division of cash and assets would unlock funds that both states need for welfare schemes.
&nbsp;

Naidu-Revanth meet raises hopes of ending sibling rivalry

Kaziranga National Park faces a devastating toll on its wildlife as Assam battles relentless floods, disrupting normal life and claiming numerous animal lives.
&nbsp;
As of Sunday, floodwaters have led to the tragic deaths of 114 wild animals within Kaziranga.
&nbsp;
Among the casualties confirmed by authorities are 93 hog deer, six rhinos, and two Sambar deer, all drowned in the inundated park.
&nbsp;
Efforts by park officials have intensified to rescue and safeguard the remaining wildlife.
&nbsp;
So far, 95 animals have been rescued, with many already released back into their natural habitat and others currently receiving veterinary care.
&nbsp;
Veterinary reports indicate that 27 hog deer, along with one otter, one rhino, one elephant, one jungle cat, and a scoops owl, are currently under treatment.
&nbsp;
A total of 50 animals, including two Sambar deer, 47 hog deer, and one Indian hare, have been successfully treated and released.
&nbsp;
Despite these efforts, the flood situation remains critical across Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, with 66 out of 233 camps, including those in Biswanath and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, still submerged.
&nbsp;
This has severely hampered rescue operations in areas such as Agratoli, Kaziranga, Bagori, Burhapahar, and Bokakhat ranges.
&nbsp;
Responding to the crisis, park authorities have deployed drones to monitor wildlife movements, particularly towards higher ground in the Karbi Hills.
&nbsp;
Arun Vignesh, DFO and Deputy Director of Kaziranga, pointed ouyt the use of hand boats to locate and rescue stranded or deceased animals, ensuring minimal disturbance to those seeking refuge. 
Despite a gradual receding of floodwaters, concerns persist for the welfare of Kaziranga's wildlife.
&nbsp;
Ongoing efforts by park officials and wildlife experts aim to mitigate further impact and secure the region's diverse wildlife amidst challenging conditions.

Assam

Assam floods claim 114 Kaziranga animals

Novak Djokovic is gearing up for an intense showdown against Holger Rune in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, expecting a thrilling match filled with excitement on Centre Court.
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Rune, known for his dynamic play, has claimed victories in two of their previous ATP encounters, marking significant milestones in his young career. Djokovic, a seasoned Wimbledon contender making his 16th appearance in the tournament's second week, acknowledges the challenge posed by the Danish player, who is making only his 12th major tournament appearance.
&nbsp;
"In terms of competition and playing on court, both of us bring that competitive fire," Djokovic remarked during a pre-match conference. "I anticipate a lot of fireworks on Monday. Rune is a spectacular player who thrives on the big stage, especially on grass. He presents a tricky challenge, and I'll need to bring my best tennis to secure the win."
&nbsp;
Djokovic, eyeing his eighth Wimbledon title to equal Roger Federer's record, has a storied history at the prestigious Grand Slam. While he clinched consecutive Wimbledon victories in 2021 and 2022, his bid for another title was halted in the 2023 final by Carlos Alcaraz.
&nbsp;
Acknowledging Rune's prowess, Djokovic emphasised their mutual respect off the court. "I have a good rapport with Holger. He's a genuinely nice guy, always supportive of me and my team," Djokovic noted. "I've always been available to him for practice or any advice he needs."
&nbsp;
Rune, a rising star at just 21 years old, has demonstrated his capabilities with impressive victories en route to facing Djokovic. Notably, he overcame tough challenges against top competitors, showcasing a resilient and promising game on the grass courts of Wimbledon.
&nbsp;
"I expect a tough battle against Novak, as he's one of the toughest competitors and most successful players in history," Rune commented ahead of the match.
&nbsp;
As the stage is set for their encounter, Djokovic and Rune prepare to deliver a compelling match that promises high stakes and thrilling tennis action at Wimbledon.

London

Djokovic prepares for Rune challenge in Wimbledon's last 16

UK sarkar, 400 paar!!

Voters of Jalandhar will get their middle finger of the left hand-inked, &nbsp;instead of the index finger, during Jalandhar West by-polls, said the District Election Officer Himanshu Aggarwal.&nbsp;
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The by-polls are scheduled for July 10.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This change has come given the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections during which the index fingers were marked with ink.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Aggarwal said the Election Commission has clarified that during the by-polls, the indelible ink will be applied on the middle finger of the left hand after voting.&nbsp;
All polling staff have been instructed to adhere to this new directive to ensure a smooth voting process and to avoid any inconvenience for voters, he said in an official statement.
&nbsp;
"We are committed to making the voting experience as seamless as possible for everyone," said Aggarwal.
&nbsp;
The Jalandhar West assembly seat fell vacant after Sheetal Angural resigned as an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator.
&nbsp;
The bypoll to the Jalandhar West assembly constituency will be held from 7 am till 6 pm on July 10 and the votes will be counted on July 13.

Jalandhar

Left hand's middle finger to be inked in Jalandhar by-polls

Recent heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh have triggered widespread chaos, severing surface communication and claiming lives across the state.
&nbsp;
Authorities from the State Disaster Management Department reported on Monday that incessant rainfall has caused devastating landslides, isolating several districts.
&nbsp;
In Kurung Kumey district, administrative circles like Damin, Parsi Parlo, and Panyasang have been completely cut off due to flash floods and landslips.
&nbsp;
Multiple road blockages, particularly towards Damin via Parsi Parlo, have severely hampered access to these remote areas, disrupting essential services such as electricity and water supply.
&nbsp;
The Tezu-Hayuliang road in Lohit and Anjaw districts is impassable at Mompani due to blockages, while landslides have also obstructed the Dari-Chambang and the Palin-Taraklengdi via Langdang village PMGSY road in Kra Daadi district.
&nbsp;
NH-513 remains closed at Geying in East Siang district, compounding transportation woes.
&nbsp;
Tragedy struck in Shi-Yomi district on July 5 with the loss of one life to landslides, adding to the toll of four fatalities from natural calamities since April.
&nbsp;
The impact has been severe, affecting over 72,900 people and 257 villages since April, with extensive damage to infrastructure including roads, power lines, and water supply systems. Hundreds of houses have also been damaged.
&nbsp;
In the capital city, Itanagar, a water crisis looms following pipeline damage, requiring substantial time for restoration.

Itanagar

Arunachal hit by flood induced landslides, villages cut off

The Delhi High Court has reserved its order on a plea filed by Bibhav Kumar, a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, challenging the legality of his arrest by the Delhi Police. The bench, headed by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, heard arguments from both sides extensively before deciding to reserve the order.
&nbsp;
Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, representing Bibhav Kumar, argued that the arrest was unlawful, citing procedural irregularities under Section 41A of the law, which mandates prior notice before arrest.
&nbsp;
He emphasised that Kumar had expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation and was taken into custody abruptly, allegedly without adherence to due process.
&nbsp;
"Incidents surrounding the registration of the FIR and subsequent seizure of electronic evidence indicate no urgency for immediate arrest. Kumar's cooperation was assured, yet he was detained without warning," Hariharan asserted.
&nbsp;
Contrarily, Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, representing the Delhi Police, defended the arrest, citing substantial grounds and evidence tampering concerns. Jain highlighted that Kumar's actions, including the alleged formatting of his mobile phone while under investigation, warranted his arrest.
&nbsp;
"The arrest was based on concrete evidence and circumstances pointing to potential tampering," Jain stated. "Kumar's presence at critical junctures and actions observed during the investigation necessitated intervention to preserve evidence integrity."
&nbsp;
Bibhav Kumar was taken into custody on May 18 in connection with a case stemming from allegations made by Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar's plea not only challenges the legality of his arrest but also seeks compensation for what he alleges was an unlawful detention and calls for disciplinary action against responsible officials.
&nbsp;
The Delhi High Court's forthcoming decision on Kumar's plea will be pivotal in determining the legal and procedural implications surrounding his arrest, amidst assertions of privacy rights and due process violations.

Delhi HC reserves order on PA Bibhav's arrest plea

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is a charismatic leader. Before getting active in politics he was a popular Punjabi comedian, whose comedy was full of political satire.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The distinct feature of Mann&rsquo;s comedy was that it was not only satirical but &ldquo;decent, neat and clean&rdquo; as well that one could enjoy it while sitting with the family.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It was his charisma that helped the Aam Aadmi Party first to establish its roots in Punjab and then storm to power. Although he was not the only candidate who won in the 2014 General Elections on the AAP ticket, as there were three others as well, he was the sole winner in 2019, when the party was completely routed in the state, as elsewhere.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Rest, as they say, is history. Mann led the AAP to a historic landslide victory in 2022, winning 92 of the 117 assembly segments.
&nbsp;
Like those were the best times, these are the most challenging times for Mann. He has led the party to a poor show winning just 3 of the 13 parliamentary segments in the 2024 General Elections. The vote share came down from 41 per cent in 2022 to 26 per cent. The party&rsquo;s lead in the assembly segments came down to 33 from 92.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Although party general secretary in-charge for Punjab and its ace strategist Sandeep Pathak have been drawing comparisons of 2024 with 2019, which makes the AAP performance look like a grand success, the reality is that the party is faced with tough times ahead as questions have started being raised on the AAP government&rsquo;s performance.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It is a fact that people normally get disillusioned in two years, more so in Punjab, where anti-incumbency creeps in by the time parliamentary elections are held after the assembly elections, that cannot be any consolation to the party since the insiders know the harsh reality.
&nbsp;
Under these challenging circumstances and amidst such a tough situation, the AAP has to face a single by-election in the Jalandhar West assembly segment.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
There are four more by-elections scheduled which have been necessitated by the election of the sitting MLAs to the parliament, Jalandhar West by-election was necessitated by the resignation of the sitting AAP MLA Sheetal Angural who joined the BJP before the General Elections.
&nbsp;
Although Angural had decided to withdraw his resignation, his withdrawal was not accepted by the Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. It is difficult to understand whether the AAP government really wanted a by-election in the immediate aftermath of the General Elections, where its performance was not at all satisfactory.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Mann&rsquo;s authority is under serious challenge if not a threat. He has asserted his authority to the full, during his entire term. Notwithstanding the claims of the opposition that the government was being run from Delhi, Mann has always had his way, wherever he wanted and he continues to do that.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
And he should be doing that. After all, he is the elected Chief Minister of the state. AAP&rsquo;s phenomenal performance in the 2022 assembly elections owes a lot to his nomination as the party&rsquo;s Chief Ministerial candidate. People did vote for the AAP as a party to rule, at the same time they did vote for Mann to be the Chief Minister.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Two years of anti-incumbency and widespread disillusionment on various counts that resulted in a bad show in General Elections has put the credibility of the government at stake.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Mann appears to have taken the challenge by taking the gamble to lead the Jalandhar West assembly by-election campaign himself.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Normally the Chief Ministers do not assume the frontal role during such by-elections. The party had reportedly initially decided not to make Mann the face of the by-election. There were two views about this proposal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
One view was that the party wanted to protect and shield the Chief Minister&rsquo;s image in case of a defeat, which is very much a possibility, given the AAP&rsquo;s vote count from this segment in the parliamentary election. The AAP candidate came a poor third way behind the Congress and the BJP candidates.
&nbsp;
There was a gap of about 28,765 between the AAP and the winning candidate from here. It will not be so easy to bridge.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The second view was that the party wanted to cut the Chief Minister to size and direct the campaign from Delhi. It is this factor that apparently led Mann to take charge of the campaign himself. Whatever the reason for not making him the face of the party, would certainly not have sent the right signals across. Mann proved wise enough to nip all such speculations in the bud.
&nbsp;
But this decision is not without a serious challenge. He is faced with an uphill task, despite having moved his residence to Jalandhar. The reason for taking up a residence there was taken to ward off the criticism that the Chief Minister was taking extra interest here and misusing the official machinery. Since now he has a residence here, he has an alibi to stay here round the clock.
&nbsp;
Interestingly the opposition parties did not object to his &lsquo;round the clock&rsquo; presence in Jalandhar. Normally the opposition would have objected to it for the reason that his presence could prove prejudicial to their prospects, as the local administration would be under his direct influence since it is under the direct control of the Chief Minister.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Mann indeed has run a very effective campaign. Being in such an advantageous position of being the Chief Minister provides him the additional benefit vis-&agrave;-vis the local administration. He has managed to rope in leaders from the opposition parties like the Congress and the BJP.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Whether all his efforts will pay the desired dividends in the shape of victory is difficult to conclude since the AAP got only 15629 votes in the parliamentary elections from here, while the Congress and the BJP got 44,394 and 42,837 votes respectively.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This means the AAP has to cover a gap of 28,765 votes as compared to the parliamentary elections. No doubt there are different factors at play during the parliamentary and assembly elections, still the gap is too huge and may take a lot of effort to bridge.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Even in the 2022 assembly elections, when the AAP swept the state with huge margins, the party candidate Sheetal Angural won from here with a relatively smaller margin of 4283 votes only. While he got 39001 votes, the Congress candidate Sushil Rinku got 34718 votes. The BJP candidate Mohinder Bhagat got 33279 votes.
&nbsp;
Interestingly, it is the reversal of roles between the AAP and the BJP candidates this time as compared to the 2022 assembly elections. While Sheetal Angural was the AAP candidate in 2022, he is now contesting as the BJP candidate, the AAP candidate Mohinder Bhagat was the BJP candidate in 2022 and is now contesting as the AAP candidate.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
And Sushil Rinku, who contested as a Congress candidate in 2002, joined the AAP in 2023 to contest the Lok Sabha by-election necessitated by the death of sitting Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh and got elected, he is now with the BJP. He contested the Jalandhar parliamentary seat unsuccessfully against Charanjit Singh Channi of the Congress.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
With such an interestingly complex scenario, Jalandhar West poses a serious challenge to the Chief Minister in person, as by now, he has turned the fight into &ldquo;Mann versus the rest&rdquo;.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He has taken a big gamble, but he did not have any other choice, either.

Risking it all, Mann takes a big gamble in Jalandhar

Congress MP and leader of the Opposition in the Parliament, Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited a relief camp at Jiribam Higher Secondary School during his trip to Manipur, engaging with internally displaced people affected by ongoing ethnic violence in the region.
&nbsp;
Earlier in the day, gunfire erupted in the Gularthal area just hours before Gandhi's scheduled visit.
&nbsp;
Two individuals from the Kuki-Zo community have been arrested in connection with the incident, and weapons were seized from their possession, according to latest reports.
&nbsp;
The exchange, lasting from 3:30 am to 7 am, reportedly targeted a bulletproof Casspir vehicle of the state police, as stated by Superintendent of Police Jiribam, Jiribam Pradip Singh, during a 10 am press briefing.
&nbsp;
Multiple security personnel sustained injuries during the incident.
&nbsp;
Local press sources indicated that the gunmen fired multiple rounds from Phaitol in the nearby Tamenglong hill district towards Gularthol. The incident prompted heightened security measures with additional personnel deployed to surrounding areas.
&nbsp;
Singh credited effective coordination between police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles for neutralizing the attack, underscoring ongoing tensions in Jiribam following recent violent incidents.
&nbsp;
Background of Jiribam violence
&nbsp;
The district witnessed unrest following the death of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, a 59-year-old Meitei, allegedly killed by unidentified assailants two months ago.
&nbsp;
This sparked protests and arson, leading to curfew imposition on June 8 in Jiribam and adjacent areas due to escalating clashes.
&nbsp;
The BJP meanwhile criticised Gandhi's visit, with party IT cell chief Amit Malviya accusing him of engaging in "sick tragedy tourism" and attributing the violence in Manipur to Congress's historical governance. 
"The ethnic conflict in Manipur is a legacy of the Congress party," Malviya stated on social media, citing decades of civilian, police, and military casualties during Congress's tenure in power.

Rahul Gandhi meets displaced in Manipur's Jiribam camp

India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on Monday said he has been "living a dream" for the past few days as he expressed gratitude for the stupendous reception that he and the rest of his teammates got for winning the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
&nbsp;
The 30-year-old, who picked up 15 wickets in the mega-event that concluded on June 29 in Barbados, was a key figure in India's second overall and first in 17 years world trophy in the shortest format. He was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his performance. 
&nbsp;
"I am so thankful for the last few days. I've been living a dream and it has filled me with happiness and gratitude," Bumrah posted on X, along with a video of him enjoying the rapturous homecoming that included a breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a victory parade attended by lakhs of fans in Mumbai. 
&nbsp;
The 42-second clip featured the audio of Virat Kohli's speech during the felicitation function after the parade last Thursday where the champion batter had lauded Bumrah's contribution.
&nbsp;
The fast bowler had combined with all-rounder Hardik Pandya to turn it around wonderfully for India in the final.
&nbsp;
The two were brought in for their second spell in the match at a time when South Africa needed 30 off 30 balls. They wreaked havoc to ensure that the Proteas eventually fell short by seven runs.
&nbsp;
Kohli had called Bumrah a "once in a generation" player during the speech at the Wankhede Stadium, prompting the assembled crowd to chant the bowler's name in appreciation "What I would like everyone to do is to applaud a guy who brought us back into games again, and again, and again. It was phenomenal. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler. I am so glad he plays for us," Kohli, who retired from T20 Internationals at the end of the World Cup, had said.
&nbsp;
Bumrah was welcomed with flower petals after arriving at his Ahmedabad home recently.&nbsp;

Feels like I'm living a dream since win: Bumrah

A day after registering an FIR against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for her &ldquo;derogatory&rdquo; remark on NCW chief Rekha Sharma, the Delhi Police on Monday sought from social media company X details of the lawmaker&rsquo;s now-deleted comment.
&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;">Moitra was booked under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that deals with a word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a 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 TMC leader commented on a video posted on X that showed Sharma arriving at the site of a stampede in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Hathras on July 4.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;
Moitra later deleted the post, which referred to a man holding an umbrella and walking behind the National Commission for Women (NCW) chief.
&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;">An official source said the Delhi Police had written to X and added a response from the social media company was still awaited.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 details of the post were required for the investigation, though investigators had already collected its screenshots.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">If required, Moitra will be called in the coming days, they 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 Delhi Police&rsquo;s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations Unit has been asked to conduct the probe.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 officer earlier said the FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint to the police commissioner by the NCW.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 commission is mandated to monitor and look into the matters relating to deprivation of women&rsquo;s rights&hellip; and provide protection to women,&rdquo; the officer said, referring to the FIR&rsquo;s contents.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Saying the NCW took suo motu cognisance of Moitra&rsquo;s &ldquo;derogatory remarks&rdquo;, the FIR stated, &ldquo;The crude remarks made by Moitra are extremely outrageous and a sheer violation of a women's right to live with dignity.&rdquo; 
&nbsp;

Police seek details of Mahua's remark against NCW chief

While some Bollywood celebs have been very guarded around their cancer diagnosis, others have been candid enough about their journey to inspire others to overcome the illness.
&nbsp;
In the last week of June, Bigg Boss fame actress Hina Khan decided to go public about her personal health battle. Taking to her social media pages, the actor announced that she had been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. &ldquo;Despite this challenging diagnosis, I want to reassure everyone that I am doing well. I am strong, determined, and fully committed to overcoming this disease. My treatment has already begun, and I am ready to do everything necessary to emerge from this even stronger,&rdquo; she wrote in a heartfelt post that not only resonated with all the fans but probably gave hope and strength to all those battling the same medical condition. 
As Khan continues to garner much-needed support from beyond her fanbase, there are many actors in the past who have been vocal, public and transparent about their journey of overcoming cancer.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Those who hid 
Among those who have been hush-hush about their medical condition is actor Rishi Kapoor, who in 2019 announced through a very cryptic post, &ldquo;I am taking a short leave of absence from work to go to America for some medical treatment. I urge my well-wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. It&rsquo;s been 45 years plus of wear and tear at the movies. With your love and good wishes, I will be back soon.&rdquo; He wrote further giving rise to speculations around his visit. The rumours surrounding his health or the visit never died down. A few months down the line, Kapoor was spotted in a brand new white wig, giving rise to speculations that it was for a new script or a movie role.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Those who shared&nbsp; <img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/sonalinaijpg_1720436214519.jpg" width="1500" height="800"> 
&nbsp;
Among the Indian actors, who have been very forthcoming about their diagnosis, is actress Sonali Bendre.&nbsp; In 2018, in a lengthy and heartfelt post, the actress wrote that,&rdquo; Sometimes when you least expect it, life throws a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with a high-grade cancer that has metastasized.&nbsp;A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis.&rdquo;&nbsp; Educating her fans, she added, &ldquo;There is no better way to tackle this than to take swift and immediate action. As advised by my doctors, I am currently undergoing a course of treatment in New York. We remain optimistic and I am determined to fight every step of the way.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Actor Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. The actor has been among the few sharing wigless pics of herself at different points in time, and also speaking about the illness and the need for awareness.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The actress penned her ordeal with the disease and emerging victorious in her book, Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Story of struggle and triumph&nbsp;
 Among other actors who took on the disease head-on, has been actor Lisa Ray. She has been extremely candid about her battle with the disease ever since she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2009. However, even for a survivor, a cancer relapse is not easy to battle.&nbsp; <img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/lisaraynaijpg_1720436265165.jpg" width="1500" height="800">
&nbsp;
The actress revealed during a talk show that she hid her relapse from her husband which happened within a month of her wedding in 2012. &ldquo;That was a really difficult time. 
I was hiding that secret from my husband. I thought I just have to get through the wedding and then will figure out what to do.&rdquo; Luckily for her, diet and lifestyle changes worked. &ldquo;So right after that I started incorporating a lot of nutrition and holistic healing. Ironically, within three months of changing my diet radically, I was in remission.&rdquo;&nbsp;
 In September 2018, Ray was blessed with two daughters. Among those who beat the odds is Bendra, whom the doctors once told, &ldquo;that she had a thirty per cent chance of surviving and that cancer had spread like a Christmas tree in her body.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Perhaps one of the most unexpected cancer diagnoses in Bollywood happened to be that of actor Emraan Hashmi&rsquo;s son Ayaan, who was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer in 2014, at the age of three.&nbsp; 
In a throwback interview, the actor spoke about his son being diagnosed as, &ldquo;the profound and deeply devastating.&rdquo; The actor also shared how the whole process is, &ldquo;psychologically disturbing.&rdquo; &ldquo;While researching about the disease, I came to know that nutrition plays an important role in the treatment as the body needs a strong immune system while going through the treatment.&rdquo; After a five-year-long battle, Ayaan was declared cancer-free in 2019. The actor poured his experiences into a book The Kiss of Life: How a Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer. The book talks of Hashmi&rsquo;s experience as a father and also how his little displayed faith and resilience, at the age of three. Ayaan drew psychological inspiration from his favourite superheroes, thereby exemplifying how hope and belief are powerful allies in this battle.&nbsp;

Strong against cancer: B-town battles for hope & triumph

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi on Monday affirmed his solidarity with the flood-stricken people of Assam during a visit to a relief camp in Fulertal, Cachar district on Monday.
&nbsp;
He declared himself their advocate in Parliament, urging the central government to swiftly provide comprehensive support to the state.
&nbsp;
"I stand with the people of Assam, I am their soldier in Parliament, and I urge the central government to extend all possible help and support to the state expeditiously," Gandhi posted on 'X', following his assessment of the flood's impact.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The extreme devastation caused by flooding in Assam is heartbreaking - with innocent children like 8-year old Avinash being taken away from us. My heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families across the State. Assam Congress leaders apprised me of the situation on&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/Nbx356QPEF">pic.twitter.com/Nbx356QPEF</a>
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1810201542605058105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
Expressing deep concern over the widespread devastation caused by the floods, Gandhi stressed the immediate need for a "comprehensive and compassionate vision" encompassing short-term relief, rehabilitation, and compensation.
&nbsp;
He also called for the establishment of a pan-Northeast water management authority to address long-term flood control measures.
&nbsp;
"The extreme devastation caused by flooding in Assam is heartbreaking &mdash; with innocent children like 8-year-old Avinash being taken away from us. My heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families across the state," Gandhi stated, reflecting on the tragic incident in Guwahati.
&nbsp;
During his visit, Assam Congress leaders briefed Gandhi on the ground situation, highlighting that over 24 lakh people have been affected, with more than 53,000 displaced and over 60 casualties reported.
&nbsp;
"These numbers underscore the severe mismanagement by the BJP's double engine government, which promised a flood-free Assam," Gandhi criticised.
&nbsp;
In addition to assessing flood relief efforts, Gandhi visited a camp in Thalain where internally displaced people from Manipur were taking shelter following recent violence. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Borah and other senior leaders welcomed Gandhi at Kumbhirgram airport, where Borah submitted a memorandum seeking special central assistance for Assam's flood relief and reconstruction efforts. 
"We urge Rahul Gandhi to convey our plight to the Centre and secure adequate relief and compensation," Borah stated, criticizing the BJP government for insufficient support during the crisis. 
Borah also highlighted the long-standing issues contributing to Assam's recurring floods, attributing part of the problem to deforestation in the hills leading to riverbed siltation and reduced river carrying capacities. He emphasised the necessity of a pan-Northeast water management authority empowered to implement comprehensive flood control measures. 
"The BJP government has failed to adequately fund flood-related repair and reconstruction efforts in Assam, despite repeated appeals," Borah alleged, noting a significant disparity between the funds requested and those received from the Centre. 
Meanwhile, Congress leaders, MPs, MLAs, and party organizations have been actively engaged in assisting flood-affected communities, providing immediate relief and support. 
Gandhi concluded his visit to Assam by reaffirming his commitment to highlighting the state's plight at the national level and advocating for substantial assistance from the central government. He departed from Silchar airport for Jiribam, continuing his tour with a scheduled visit to Imphal, Manipur.

I stand with Assam, their soldier in Parliament: Rahul

In a significant ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court declared that courts cannot compel accused individuals to share their Google Maps location as a condition for bail.
&nbsp;
The decision, emphasising privacy rights, came from a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, who asserted that such conditions violate personal privacy by allowing continuous police monitoring of the accused.
&nbsp;
The court underscored that bail conditions should not undermine the very purpose of granting bail, which is to enable accused persons to await trial without undue restriction.
&nbsp;
The verdict overturned a specific bail condition set by the Delhi High Court in 2022, which required a Nigerian national accused in a drug case, Frank Vitus, to share his location via Google Maps with investigating officers.
&nbsp;
"We have said Google PIN cannot be a condition. Police cannot peep into the accused&rsquo;s private life for bail," stated the bench in its ruling, highlighting the intrusive nature of the requirement.
&nbsp;
The Supreme Court's decision emphasises the protection of privacy rights, asserting that conditions facilitating continuous monitoring by authorities are impermissible.
&nbsp;
The case arose from an appeal challenging conditions imposed by the Delhi High Court, which had also mandated assurances from the Nigerian High Commission regarding the accused's presence in India.
&nbsp;
The Supreme Court's intervention clarified that bail conditions must align with the principles of justice and personal liberty, without unduly infringing on privacy.
&nbsp;
A detailed judgement explaining the rationale behind the decision is expected later today. The ruling sets a precedent against overly intrusive bail conditions that could compromise individuals' privacy rights during legal proceedings.

SC rules out Google maps location sharing in bail

Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal and a deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Indira Mukherjee have landed in trouble for allegedly maligning the office of West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose.
&nbsp;
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated disciplinary action against the commissioners for &ldquo;promoting and spreading canards&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Union Home Ministry has initiated disciplinary action against IPS officers based on a detailed report submitted by Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose,&rdquo; the Raj Bhavan official told the media.
&nbsp;
The governor, reportedly, submitted a report alleging that the commissioners were functioning in a manner which is completely &lsquo;unbecoming of a public servant&rsquo;.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;These IPS officers through their acts have not only tarnished the office of the Governor but also functioned in a manner which is completely unbecoming of a public servant. They have conveniently chosen to ignore the Conduct Rules,&rdquo; the governor added.
&nbsp;
In his report submitted to Union home minister Amit Shah last month, the governor alleged that Kolkata Police officers did not allow victims of post-poll violence to meet him despite him issuing the requisite permission, the media report added.
&nbsp;
The copies of the letter were sent to the state government on July 4, the official added.
&nbsp;
The governor has also accused other police officers, posted at the Raj Bhavan, of promoting and encouraging concocted allegations by a woman employee during April-May 2024, the official added.
&nbsp;
On July 4, the Calcutta High Court&nbsp; said that it will hear the defamation suit filed by the governor against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on July 10.
&nbsp;
CV Ananda Bose had filed a defamation case against the chief minister on June 28, a day after she alleged that women complained to her saying that they were afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan.
&nbsp;

WB: CP, DCP in trouble for defaming Guv's office

parvesh_kapoor

India opener Abhishek Sharma has revealed that his mentor Yuvraj Singh was delighted when he got out for a duck on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe here as the swashbuckling former all-rounder, for reasons best known to him, felt it was a "good start".
&nbsp;
Making his India debut, Abhishek was out on duck as the Men in Blue lost the first T20I against hosts Zimbabwe by 13 runs on Saturday. But the 23-year-old came back strongly to set the stage ablaze with a blistering maiden century (a 47-ball 100) to fashion India's 100-run win in the second game a day later.
&nbsp;
"I spoke to him yesterday (Saturday) also, and I don't know why he was very happy when I got out on zero. He said that's a good start but he must be very happy and proud just like my family," Abhishek said in a video posted by BCCI.
&nbsp;
He credited the hero of India's 2011 World Cup triumph for not only helping him hone is skills on the cricket field but also supporting him in his life away from the field.
&nbsp;
"It's all because of him as well, the hard work he has put in (shaping) me. (For) two-three years, he has worked really hard not only on my cricket but off the field (life) as well." After Sunday's game, Abhishek called Yuvraj, who couldn't be happier for the youngster.
&nbsp;
"Well done very proud, you deserve it. Many more (such innings) to come this is just the start," Yuvraj said.
&nbsp;
Since there was no rest day in between the first two games, the visitors didn't get a lot of time to think about the opening loss and that worked in India's favour as they levelled the five-match series 1-1.
&nbsp;
"We lost yesterday but I felt, today is my day and I should take the match to the end, the positive was that we didn't have much time to think about the next game," he pointed out.
&nbsp;
Abhishek combined with Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 not out off 47 ball) for a match-winning 137-run stand for the second wicket.
&nbsp;
"I was in a flow, and just wanted to express myself. I spoke to Rutu as well, he said the same thing that 'don't think much about the balls and hit what you think you can'," he said.
&nbsp;
He once again thanked India skipper on the tour and his Punjab teammate Shubman Gill for lending him his bat.
&nbsp;
"Special thanks to Shubman who timely gave me his bat, this was a much-needed innings for me and the team.
&nbsp;
"This has been going on from U-14 times. Whenever I play with his bat I have done well, today also, the same happened.
&nbsp;
"I played with his bat only, which I got after a lot of difficulty, he doesn't give it easily. That is like my last option when I feel I have to play with his bat for a comeback," he quipped.&nbsp;

Harare

'Well done, proud of you', Yuvraj Singh to Abhishek Sharma

The apex court of India on Monday dismissed the plea, which challenged Calcutta High Court&rsquo;s order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali.
&nbsp;
A plea challenging the HC&rsquo;s order was filed by the West Bengal government.
&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;Why should the state be interested in protecting someone?&rdquo; a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan observed, adding that on the last date of hearing, the counsel appearing for the state said the matter be adjourned after the apex court asked this specific query.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;Thank you. Dismissed,&rdquo; the bench 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 top court was hearing the state government&rsquo;s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court&rsquo;s April 10 order.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 hearing the plea on April 29, the apex court asked the West Bengal government as to why the state should come in as a petitioner for &ldquo;protecting the interest&rdquo; of some private individuals.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 its plea before the apex court, the state government said the high court&rsquo;s order demoralised the entire state machinery, including the police force.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 is already investigating the case of attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali and has registered three FIRs related to incidents on January 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;">Noting that the investigation will be monitored by the court, the high court directed the CBI to file a comprehensive report on the alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land into water bodies for pisciculture after conducting a thorough inspection of revenue records and physical inspection of land alleged to have been converted.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 high court also directed the CBI to investigate allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali and submit a comprehensive report to it on the next date of hearing. 
&nbsp;

Sandeshkhali case: SC rejects WB govt's plea

Manish Sisodia, senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, currently in custody for nearly 16 months in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam, has approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent listing of his bail pleas.
&nbsp;
Represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sisodia's plea was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. Singhvi informed the court that the Supreme Court had earlier granted liberty to revive special leave petitions challenging the denial of bail.
&nbsp;
"The Supreme Court had granted liberty to list it after the 3rd of July. It is a revival because the court kept the matter in abeyance," Singhvi explained, noting that July 23 was tentatively set for listing and an urgent email request had been sent to the registry.
&nbsp;
Chief Justice Chandrachud assured prompt attention to the email, stating, "I will attend to the email the moment we rise. It will not be deleted."
Previously, the Supreme Court had disposed of Sisodia&rsquo;s plea for bail in corruption and money laundering cases upon an undertaking by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the final charge sheet or complaint in the liquor policy case would be filed by July 3.
&nbsp;
Earlier attempts for bail were denied by the Delhi High Court, citing failure to meet the triple test for bail in the corruption case and conditions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. Despite this, the High Court allowed Sisodia to continue visiting his ailing wife weekly, under terms set by the trial court.
&nbsp;
In a setback earlier this year, the Supreme Court rejected Sisodia&rsquo;s curative petitions against its 2023 verdict denying bail, suggesting he could reapply if trial proceedings slowed within three months.
&nbsp;
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court had subsequently denied Sisodia bail in April, attributing delays in proceedings partly to actions attributable to him.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, a Delhi court has extended Sisodia's judicial custody until July 15 in connection with the excise policy case under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Sisodia urges SC for bail plea hearing in excise scam

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the interim head coach of the national cricket team ahead of their upcoming limited-overs series against India.
&nbsp;
This announcement follows the resignation of Englishman Chris Silverwood, who stepped down after Sri Lanka&rsquo;s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated in the league stage.
&nbsp;
The Indian cricket team is set to tour Sri Lanka for three T20 Internationals and three One Day Internationals, commencing on July 27.
&nbsp;
Jayasuriya, 55, a legendary opener renowned for his aggressive batting style, will lead the Sri Lankan side in this crucial home series.
&nbsp;
In addition to the India series, Jayasuriya will also oversee Sri Lanka's Test tour to England, according to a report by The Daily Mirror. His extensive experience and past role as a chief selector are expected to provide stability and strategic insight to the team during this transitional period.
&nbsp;
Jayasuriya, who served as a consultant during this year&rsquo;s T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean, brings a wealth of experience to the coaching role.
&nbsp;
His illustrious playing career includes 110 Test matches in which he scored 6,973 runs at an average of 40.07, including 14 centuries and 31 fifties.
&nbsp;
In One Day Internationals, he amassed 13,430 runs across 445 matches, with an average of 32.36, 28 centuries, and 68 half-centuries.
&nbsp;
A key figure in Sri Lanka&rsquo;s 1996 ODI World Cup-winning team, Jayasuriya also had a stint in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from 2010 to 2015.

Colombo

Jayasuriya to be Sri Lanka's interim coach for India series

Singapore has made a significant leap in its food innovation landscape by approving 16 species of insects for human consumption. This move, announced by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Monday, includes crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, mealworms, and silkworms.
&nbsp;
The announcement has been eagerly awaited by industry players who have been preparing to cater to the local market with insects sourced from China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
&nbsp;
The SFA's decision comes with stringent guidelines. Importers and local farms must provide proof that the insects are farmed in regulated establishments with robust food safety controls.
&nbsp;
This measure ensures that the insects are not harvested from the wild, maintaining a high standard of safety for consumers. Any insect species not on the approved list will undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they are safe for consumption.
&nbsp;
Additionally, companies selling pre-packaged insect-based food products must label their packaging clearly.
&nbsp;
This transparency allows consumers to make informed decisions about whether to purchase these products. The SFA will also conduct food safety testing on insect products, and any items that do not meet the agency&rsquo;s standards will be barred from sale.
&nbsp;
The approval of insects as a food source aligns with global trends towards more sustainable dietary options.
&nbsp;
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has long advocated for insects as a viable alternative to traditional meat, citing their high protein content and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
&nbsp;
Singapore, which has already been a pioneer in lab-grown meats, continues to lead in innovative food solutions.
&nbsp;
The SFA began public consultations on the inclusion of insects in the diet back in October 2022. Initially, the agency projected that these species would be approved for consumption by the second half of 2023, but this timeline was extended to the first half of 2024.
&nbsp;
Local businesses have been quick to capitalize on this new opportunity. House of Seafood restaurant, led by Chief Executive Francis Ng, is planning to introduce a menu featuring 30 insect-infused dishes.
&nbsp;
Ng reports a high level of interest from customers, particularly younger diners under 30, who are eager to try whole insects in their meals. The restaurant will offer superworms, crickets, and silkworm pupae, integrating them into popular dishes like salted egg crab. Ng anticipates that these new offerings could boost his revenue by around 30%.
&nbsp;
Logistics entrepreneur Javier Yip has also entered the insect food market. His new business will import a variety of bug snacks, including white grubs, silkworms, crickets, and mealworms.
&nbsp;
Having secured a license to import these insects, Yip is working with farms in China, Thailand, and Vietnam to ensure a steady supply for the Singaporean market.
&nbsp;
Japanese start-up Morus, led by CEO Ryo Sato, is targeting high-end restaurants and health-conscious consumers with its range of silkworm-based products.
&nbsp;
These include pure silkworm powder, matcha powder, protein powder, and protein bars, all rich in protein, amino acids, vitamins, fiber, and minerals.
&nbsp;
Recognising that Singaporeans do not have a historical precedent for eating insects, Morus plans to conduct pop-up events and consumer workshops to educate and engage potential customers.
&nbsp;

Singapore

Singapore OKs 16 insect species for human consumption

The Delhi High Court has asked for a response from the jail authorities regarding a plea by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal is seeking two additional legal meetings with his lawyers via video conferencing from Tihar Jail, where he is currently in judicial custody concerning the Delhi Excise policy case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna has requested a reply within five days, with the matter set for arguments on July 15.
&nbsp;
Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, representing Kejriwal, argued that there is no harm in granting the applicant additional legal meetings with his counsel. On the other hand, senior counsel Zoheb Hossain, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), also expressed a desire to file a response, though Gupta objected, stating that the ED is not a party in this application. Meanwhile, the counsel for the jail authorities appeared and requested more time to file their reply, which the court granted.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal is challenging orders issued by the trial court on April 10 and July 1, which denied him the two additional legal meetings. The Rouse Avenue Court had dismissed Kejriwal's application seeking directions for the jail authorities to grant these meetings via video conferencing.
&nbsp;
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who rejected the application, stated that the counsel for the applicant had failed to demonstrate how Kejriwal was entitled to the additional meetings based on the same grounds that had been previously discussed and dealt with.
&nbsp;
The court highlighted that a similar application filed by Kejriwal for additional legal meetings had been dismissed on April 10, 2024. The special judge noted that the current application disclosed no new grounds to justify a different decision from the previous orders. The court also differentiated the relief granted to co-accused Sanjay Singh, who was allowed additional legal meetings by an order dated February 22, 2024.
&nbsp;
The court's order on July 1 emphasised that there was no reason to allow Kejriwal's application for additional legal meetings. The decision reiterated the points made in the earlier order from April 4, 2024, and concluded that the application did not warrant a different outcome.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal's counsel argued that the Chief Minister is involved in approximately 30 litigations across the country, necessitating additional meetings with his lawyers to ensure a fair trial.
&nbsp;
The counsel also mentioned that Kejriwal has been arrested in another case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after filing this application. Furthermore, the relief granted to co-accused Sanjay Singh for additional legal meetings was cited as a precedent.
&nbsp;
As the Delhi High Court awaits the response from the jail authorities, the case continues to draw attention, highlighting the ongoing legal battles faced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the complexities involved in ensuring fair legal proceedings for individuals in judicial custody.

Jail authorities to respond to Kejriwal's HC petition

Elon Musk is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former Twitter shareholders who accuse him of delaying the disclosure of his significant ownership stake in the social media company in early 2022.
&nbsp;
The shareholders claim this delay cost them substantial gains.
&nbsp;
Musk argued that it is implausible to believe he intended to defraud shareholders unaware of his 9.2% Twitter stake, causing them to miss out on significant profits. Musk emphasized that all indications, including those in the pleadings, suggest the delay was a mistake.
&nbsp;
The proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Musk and his wealth manager, Jared Birchall, were aware of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule requiring disclosure by March 24, 2022, when Musk's stake reached 5%. However, they waited another 11 days to disclose this information. The delay allegedly allowed Musk to purchase additional shares at lower prices, saving more than $200 million. Twitter's stock, now trading under the name X, surged 27% on April 4, 2022, following Musk's revelation of his 9.2% stake.
&nbsp;
Musk, the world's richest person according to Forbes magazine, and CEO of several companies, including Tesla, claimed in his filing that he initially intended to reveal his Twitter stake at the end of 2022. He asserted that he promptly disclosed it upon realizing his misunderstanding of the SEC's disclosure requirements.
&nbsp;
"This is not a scheme to defraud," Musk stated. "All indications including those in the pleadings point to mistake."

California

Musk seeks dismissal of Twitter stake lawsuit

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has concluded consultations with various stakeholders, marking a significant step in the preparations for the upcoming FY25 budget.
&nbsp;
Set to be presented on July 23, this budget will be Sitharaman's seventh and the first full budget under the Modi 3.0 government, which aims to pave the way for a developed India by 2047.
&nbsp;
The series of pre-budget consultations, held between June 19 and July 5, 2024, involved over 120 invitees from ten key stakeholder groups. These groups included farmer associations, trade unions, representatives from the education and health sectors, employment sectors, MSMEs, industry experts, economists, financial markets, and infrastructure sectors.
&nbsp;
Meetings were chaired by Sitharaman and included key officials such as Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Finance Secretary T V Somanathan, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth, DIPAM Secretary Tuhin K Pandey, Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi, and Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra.
&nbsp;
In her interactions, Sitharaman expressed gratitude to the participants for their valuable suggestions, assuring them that their inputs would be meticulously reviewed during the budget's formulation.
&nbsp;
President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to Parliament last month, hinted at significant economic initiatives in the forthcoming budget session. &ldquo;This budget will outline the government&rsquo;s extensive policies and futuristic vision,&rdquo; Murmu stated in her first joint sitting address since the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha. &ldquo;Alongside major economic and social decisions, historic steps will also be evident in this budget.&rdquo;

Budget 3.0: Sitharaman concludes stakeholder talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent departure for a two-nation tour to Russia and Austria marks a significant diplomatic mission aimed at fortifying India's relations with these nations.
&nbsp;
Before boarding his flight, PM Modi emphasised the importance of this visit, highlighting the potential for deepening the long-standing friendships and partnerships India shares with both countries.
&nbsp;
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm for the trip, underscoring the historical bonds India has with Russia and Austria.
&nbsp;
"Over the next three days, I will be in Russia and Austria. These visits will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with these nations, with whom India has time-tested friendship. I also look forward to interacting with the Indian community living in these countries," PM Modi stated.
&nbsp;
This visit is seen as an opportunity not only to strengthen governmental and economic relations but also to connect with the Indian diaspora.&nbsp;Focusing on his visit to Russia, PM Modi expressed his anticipation of engaging in detailed discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
&nbsp;
He emphasised the importance of reviewing bilateral cooperation and discussing various regional and global issues. "I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues. We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region. The visit will also provide me with an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia," PM Modi noted.
&nbsp;
The relationship between India and Russia has flourished over the past decade, evolving into a special and privileged Strategic Partnership. This partnership spans numerous areas including energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. PM Modi's visit is expected to further advance these areas of cooperation, solidifying the foundation of mutual support and collaboration.
&nbsp;
Following his visit to Russia, PM Modi will travel to Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 40 years. In Austria, he plans to meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
&nbsp;
Speaking about this leg of the trip, PM Modi said, "In Austria, I will have the opportunity to meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Austria is our steadfast and reliable partner and we share the ideals of democracy and pluralism."
&nbsp;
The Prime Minister is particularly excited about exploring new and emerging areas of collaboration with Austria, focusing on innovation, technology, and sustainable development.
&nbsp;
"This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 40 years. I look forward to my discussions to take our partnership to even greater heights in new and emerging areas of innovation, technology and sustainable development among others. Together with the Austrian Chancellor, I look forward to exchanging views with business leaders from both sides to explore mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. I will also be interacting with the Indian community in Austria which is well-regarded for its professionalism and conduct," he added.
&nbsp;
Echoing the Prime Minister's sentiments, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the visit to Russia. He noted the importance of annual summits and the robust economic relationship between the two countries.
&nbsp;
"There was a bit of a delay in our annual summits, it is a good tradition, we are two countries which have a strong history of working together. We did value the need for an annual summit. Last year when I went to Moscow, I carried a message from the PM that we are committed to the annual summit and we will do it sooner&hellip;it is a regular recurrence. It is a way of taking stock of any relationship&hellip;one of the biggest changes has been, that our economic relationship with Russia has grown tremendously&hellip;at the leadership level, it will be a great opportunity for PM Modi and (Russian) President Putin to sit down and directly talk to each other," Jaishankar said.
&nbsp;
President Putin is set to host PM Modi, and a community event in Moscow will be one of the highlights of the visit, offering an opportunity for the Prime Minister to engage with the Indian community in Russia. This trip is anticipated to strengthen the ties between India and these two European nations, fostering deeper cooperation and mutual growth.

PM Modi begins Russia Austria visit to strengthen ties

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren today won the trust vote in the State Legislative Assembly during a special session called for the purpose.
&nbsp;
Soren received a total of 45 votes during the confidence motion brought by him, while the Opposition boycotted the trust vote, resulting in zero votes against the motion.
&nbsp;
After winning the trust vote, the Cabinet expansion of the Hemant Soren government will take place on July 8 itself. It is expected that two new ministers will take the oath of office, apart from eight old faces in the new Cabinet.
&nbsp;
Earlier, CM Hemant Soren brought the confidence motion in the House, on which a debate was conducted.
&nbsp;
Speaking against the motion, Leader of Opposition in the House Amar Bauri first congratulated Hemant Soren and said that the government started on the foundation of lies. The promises with which it was formed are still unfulfilled.
&nbsp;
Bauri said that assistant police personnel are on strike and you are silent.
&nbsp;
This government has only brought a scheme to cheat people. People have not received their pension for four months in this government. People with ration cards are not getting ration. There are constant irregularities in the examinations.
&nbsp;
Bauri termed the government a corrupt one, saying that one of its ministers is in jail on charges of corruption. Exams are conducted by blacklisted companies. Tribal interests are not being protected.
&nbsp;
"After love and land jihad, vote jihad has started" he added.
&nbsp;
He questioned why the government has been formed for two months. Is it formed to erase the evidence of the corruption that has taken place, he asked.
&nbsp;
Speaking for the motion, CM Hemant Soren said that they brought a motion in the House that the government should get a vote of confidence.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;And this is going on as per the constitutional process. It can be understood from the conduct of our opposition colleagues as to how they must be feeling seeing me here again&hellip; I know that they do not have any political thinking,&rdquo; said Soren.
&nbsp;
AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto congratulated former Chief Minister Champai Soren for his five-month tenure. &ldquo;You have adopted the conduct of democracy,&rdquo; he said.
&nbsp;
Mahto said that the government already had confidence. This confidence motion has been brought against Champai Soren. These are the circumstances that have been created. This government is again going into the conduct of monarchy.
&nbsp;
He said that the people of Jharkhand are still not getting the basic things. Pension has been stopped for three months, food grains are not being provided to the needy. Now, the elections are also near, so people will decide their fate.
&nbsp;
During the voting on the confidence motion, BJP legislators came into the well of the House and started sloganeering against the government.
&nbsp;
Later, they boycotted the voting process and went out of the House, resulting in zero votes against the confidence motion.
&nbsp;

Hemant Soren wins trust vote, cabinet expansion soon

Telugu actor Ram Charan announces the completion of shooting for his upcoming film Game Changer.
&nbsp;
The actor, 39, on Monday shared an Instagram collage of behind the scenes shots from the set.
&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 project was announced in 2021. It is now set to move to the pre-production stage.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 GAME is about to CHANGE! &lsquo;#GAMECHANGER&rsquo;. That&rsquo;s a wrap! See you at the cinemas,&rdquo; Charan shared.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Directed by S Shankar, the action thriller will also feature Kiara Advani as the female lead.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;
The actor was last seen in Satyaprem Ki Katha where she starred alongside Kartik Aaryan.
&nbsp;
Game Changer will mark the second collaboration for Charan and Advani, 31, after their appearance in action drama Vinaya Vidheya Rama. The film had its release in 2019 and was directed by Boyapati Srinu.
&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;">Written by Karthik Subbaraj, the music for Game Changer has been composed by S Thaman.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;
The makers previously released the first track of the film in March titled &lsquo;Jaragandi&rsquo;.
&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;">SJ Suryah, Anjali, Jayaram, Sunil, Naveen Chandra and Samuthirakani will round off the cast of the 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;">Distributed by AA Films and Zee Studios, the film is produced by Dil Raju and Sirish. It will star Charan in the role of an IAS officer.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 movie will be a pan-India release.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

It's a wrap for Charan-Kiara starrer Game Changer

Security forces on Sunday uncovered a well-constructed terrorist hideout within a civilian home in the Kulgam district.
&nbsp;
The secret bunker, hidden inside a wardrobe, reportedly housed four terrorists who were killed in an encounter on Saturday night.
&nbsp;
The encounter on Saturday lasted several hours, resulting in the deaths of six terrorists and two soldiers, including an elite para commando.
&nbsp;
A video circulating online shows security officials inspecting the small, fortified concrete hideout behind the wardrobe in the civilian residence.
Authorities are now investigating possible local involvement in providing shelter to the terrorists.
&nbsp;
Recently, J&amp;K police announced they are considering invoking the Enemy Agents Ordinance 1948 against individuals found linked to or supporting foreign terrorists operating within J&amp;K.
&nbsp;
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police RR Swain hailed the neutralisation of the terrorists as a significant achievement.
&nbsp;
"This is undoubtedly a major milestone in strengthening the security environment," Swain said, adding, "These successes are meaningful both substantively and in terms of messaging.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Swain highlighted that these successful operations signify progress in the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
&nbsp;
"The involvement of people is leading to the flow of human intelligence, and this fight will be taken to its logical conclusion," he added.
&nbsp;
These incidents have occurred during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in South Kashmir, during a period when Jammu and Kashmir have seen an increase in terrorist attacks.

Srinagar

Terrorist hideout busted in Kulgam following encounter

Desperate to level the three-match series after the second game was washed out, India would hope weather doesn&rsquo;t play spoilsport, besides eyeing a much-improved bowling effort in the final women&rsquo;s T20I against South Africa on Tuesday.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">India are trailing the three-match series 0-1 after losing the opener by 12 runs. Their problems compounded after the second game here on Sunday was washed out midway due to persistent drizzle.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">And with 30 to 40 per cent of rain forecast for Tuesday, the Indians are left on the mercy of weather gods.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 both the matches, the Indian bowlers cut a sorry figure as South Africa amassed 189 for 9 and 177 for 6 respectively.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Match will start at 7PM, as Indian Standard Time.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Barring Pooja Vastrakar, who picked up two wickets each in both the games, and spinner Deepti Sharma, most of the Indian bowlers failed to shine against the Proteas women.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Renuka Singh leaked runs in the first game and was subsequently replaced by Sajeevan Sajana in the second T20I but the latter also didn't her cause.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav picked up a wicket each on Sunday but continued to leak runs.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur would want her bowlers to pull up their socks with the series at stake.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">On the batting front, it has been a decent show by the Indians in the first game. The likes of Jemimah Rodrigues (53 not out), Smriti Mandhana (46), Harmanpreet (35), Shafali Verma (18) and Daylan Hemalatha (14) all making double digit scores.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Uma Chetry, who made her T20I debut on Sunday, is likely to persisted with as Harmanpreet and the team management would like to see her exploits with the bat.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">South Africa, on the other hand, has been rock solid with the bat with Tazmin Brits, who hit consecutive half-centuries, leading the charge.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Besides Brits, skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Anneke Bosch have contributed with the bat as well for the visitors.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">South Africa&rsquo;s only concern is Chloe Tryon, who has scored identical 12 runs in the two games.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">And with the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in mind, Tryon will be desperate to prove her detractors wrong.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">India Women: India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Smriti Mandhana(vc), Uma Chetry(wk), Richa Ghosh(wk), Dayalan Hemalatha, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Sajeevan Sajana, Deepti Sharma, Asha Sobhana, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Shabnam Shakil, Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Mieke de Ridder(wk), Sinalo Jafta(wk), Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tumi Sekhukhune.
<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;

Chennai

Weather to play spoilsport as India hopes to draw Series

Suffocation claimed one devotees life during the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha&rsquo;s Puri on Sunday. He, reportedly, belonged from Bolangir, officials officials said on Monday.
&nbsp;
Millions of devotees assembled to pull the chariot of Lord Balabhadra during the festival, which led to the situation.
&nbsp;
The man, who went unconscious, was rushed to the Puri district headquarters hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
&nbsp;
In another incident, a devotee allegedly died after coming under the wheels of a chariot during Rath Yatra in Jharsuguda district on Sunday, police said.
&nbsp;
The mishap occurred during the pulling of the chariot of Jagannath temple at Kukujangha village in the district. The deceased has been identified as Shyam Sundar Kishan (45).
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
&nbsp;
Additionally, nearly 130 devotees were injured as a multitude of people gathered on the grand road moved in haste to take part in the grand procession.
&nbsp;
The injured, too, were taken to the Puri district headquarters hospital, which state health minister Mukesh Mahaling visited to take stock of the situation.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are trying to ascertain the identity of the deceased. I have personally monitored the health infrastructure and directed the hospital authorities to be ready to ensure proper healthcare to the injured,&rdquo; Mahaling told the media.
&nbsp;
As part of the Rath Yatra (Gundicha Yatra), the idols are placed on three huge decorated chariots following the Pahandi ritual (ceremonial procession).
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Millions of devotees pull the chariots for around 3 kilometres on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) of Puri town.
<p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;
The idols are taken to the Gundicha Temple, considered the deities&rsquo; birthplace, where they stay till the Bahuda Yatra (returning car festival).
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Lord Balabhadra&rsquo;s chariot, Taladhwaja, traditionally leads the Rath Yatra while those of sibling deities &mdash; Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra &mdash; follow.
<p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Before the chariots are pulled on the Rath Yatra, the scion of the erstwhile Puri royal family, who call themselves the first servitor of the Lords, performs a special ritual called &ldquo;Chhera Panhara&rdquo;, as part of which he sweeps the floor of the chariots with a golden broom.
<p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;
The ritual is said to stress the dignity of labour, to show that no task is low or high in the eyes of the lord.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 three chariots will be pulled today again as the Gundicha yatra this year is a two-day affair after a gap of 53 years.
&nbsp;

Puri

Two die, several gets injured during Rath Yatra in Puri

Benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex experienced a sluggish start on July 8, reflecting the previous session's trend as profit booking, particularly in bank stocks, weighed on the market. In contrast, the FMCG and Pharma indices traded in the green, offering some support.
&nbsp;
As of 10 am, the Sensex was down 0.21 percent at 79,828, and the Nifty fell 0.17 percent to 24,282. Market breadth was marginally positive with about 1,682 shares advancing, 1,600 shares declining, and 109 shares remaining unchanged.
&nbsp;
"I believe the market will now take cues from the quarterly results before we enter the big budget announcements on July 23," said Aishvarya Dadheech, founder and CIO of Fident Asset Management.
&nbsp;
He added that excitement around budget-related stocks will remain high and that foreign institutional investors pumping money into frontline stocks will continue to show momentum.
&nbsp;
Among sector trends, FMCG and Pharma sectors were the bright spots. The FMCG index emerged as the frontrunner, led by gains in Hindustan Unilever, ITC, and Marico stocks. Conversely, the Nifty Bank index traded lower, slipping 0.6 percent, with major laggards including ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda.

Nifty, Sensex dip as bank stocks decline

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on Monday for the first time in five years, at a time when Moscow is deepening its embrace of New Delhi&rsquo;s rival, China.
&nbsp;
Modi is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit, which will extend into Tuesday. India&rsquo;s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters in New Delhi that given the lack of recent summits, several issues on the bilateral agenda &ldquo;have piled up, which need to be addressed.&rdquo; Senior Indian diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while major announcements are unlikely, Modi&rsquo;s visit is intended to send a signal that the two sides remain close.
&nbsp;
Russia&rsquo;s ties to India stretch back to the Cold War, and the country is India&rsquo;s biggest supplier of weapons and oil. That relationship has remained &ldquo;resilient,&rdquo; Kwatra said.
&nbsp;
However, India is watching carefully as Russia draws closer to China, which has served as an economic and diplomatic lifeline amid sanctions over the Kremlin&rsquo;s grueling war on Ukraine. During a security summit in Kazakhstan last week, Putin described relations with China as the &ldquo;best in history.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Relations between India and China have been strained since a border dispute erupted into violence in 2020, though the two sides have agreed to talks to resolve the disagreement.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;India, situated between Russia, China, and the West, seeks more predictability from Russia and is willing to play a bigger role in promoting peace in Ukraine,&rdquo; said Petr Topychkanov, associate senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. &ldquo;Nevertheless, behind closed doors, Putin may face questions from Modi about the increasingly close ties between Russia and China,&rdquo; he added.
&nbsp;
Moscow will be Modi&rsquo;s first bilateral visit since he won a third term in office last month. His decision to travel to Russia instead of neighboring countries like Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka marks a break in convention for Indian leaders.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Measures to reduce a trade imbalance between the two countries are likely to figure prominently in the talks, Kwatra said.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Modi in Russia: Key issues to be discussed with Putin

The Supreme Court laid down guidelines against "disparaging" portrayal of persons with disabilities in visual media and films on Monday, saying that terms such as "cripple" and "spastic" have acquired "devalued meanings" in societal perceptions.
&nbsp;
The decision was made in response to a request from Nipun Malhotra, who claimed that the Hindi movie 'Aankh Micholi' included insulting remarks about people with disabilities.
&nbsp;
Pronouncing the verdict, a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said, "Words cultivate institutional discrimination, and terms such as cripple and spastic have come to acquire devalued meanings in societal perceptions about persons with disabilities."
&nbsp;
Laying down several guidelines, the bench said the film certification body CBFC must invite the opinion of experts before allowing screening.
&nbsp;
"Visual media should strive to depict diverse realities of persons with disabilities, showcasing not only their challenges but also successes, talents and contribution to society. They should neither be lampooned based on myths nor presented as super cripples," it added.

SC issues guidelines for portrayal of disabled in films

The recent heavy rainfall has caused a significant increase in the ammonia levels of the Yamuna River over the last three days, as confirmed by testing of untreated water taken from the river at Wazirabad, as reported by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), attributing the rise to the influx of industrial waste from upstream Haryana.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Officials have noted that the initial monsoon showers transport industrial waste that has accumulated in Haryana's drains. They stated that ammonia levels ranging from 2 to 3 parts per million (ppm) have been recorded over the last three to four days. 
DJB has the capacity to effectively treat ammonia levels of up to 0.9 ppm in untreated water. However, when the ammonia level exceeds this threshold, the use of chlorine gas for ammonia neutralisation often results in the formation of harmful chloramine compounds.
&nbsp;
According to DJB reports, the water utility supplied 938 MGD million gallons of water per day on July 4, falling short of the target of 1,000 MGD. This was due to decreased production at both the Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants caused by elevated ammonia levels. On July 5, the water supply decreased even further to 934 MGD, but then rebounded to 972 MGD on July 6. High ammonia levels in the water serve as indicators of the presence of industrial waste and dyes.
&nbsp;
DJB officials have stated that pollutants such as dyes, chlorides, and ammonia-based chemicals flow into the water from the Panipat industrial dye drain.
&nbsp;
Images of dead fish floating in the Yamuna river have been observed in recent days, indicating low levels of BOD (biological oxygen demand) and DO (dissolved oxygen). Local residents have reported that dead fish have been appearing along the river floodplain for nearly two weeks, but the situation has improved in recent days.
&nbsp;
The issue of elevated levels of ammonia in untreated water is a year-round occurrence, however, the frequency of ammonia spikes seen in the winter (between January and March) is notably higher, with the city experiencing 15-20 such occurrences annually.

Yamuna ammonia levels spike from upstream waste

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Russia has sparked keen interest and some envy from Western nations, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Scheduled for July 8-9, this visit is seen as significant, with discussions planned between PM Modi and President Vladimir Putin on various global and regional matters of mutual importance.
&nbsp;
Peskov remarked that the West's close attention to Modi's visit reflects its recognition of its importance. He emphasized that such high-level engagements underline the deep strategic ties between India and Russia, which continue to evolve amidst global shifts.
&nbsp;
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra highlighted that discussions during the visit will include key issues in the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring its relevance to both nations. The agenda will feature restricted-level talks between Modi and Putin followed by broader delegation-level discussions.
&nbsp;
In addition to diplomatic discussions, PM Modi's itinerary includes interactions with the vibrant Indian community in Russia and visits to cultural landmarks, such as the Kremlin. A special cultural event on July 9 will celebrate the artistic connections between India and Russia, featuring performances by Russian artists trained in Kathak, a classical Indian dance form.
&nbsp;
Natalia, one of the Russian artists set to perform, expressed her excitement, noting her seven-year dedication to mastering Kathak and her pride in showcasing this art form before PM Modi. This cultural exchange highlights the enduring cultural bonds between the two nations.
&nbsp;
India's Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, described PM Modi's visit as highly significant, marking the first overseas trip since his re-election as Prime Minister. Kumar emphasized the tradition of annual summit-level meetings between Indian and Russian leaders, highlighting the last summit held in 2021 during President Putin's visit to New Delhi.
&nbsp;
The upcoming 22nd India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit aims to strengthen strategic cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration. It comes at a pivotal time, with both countries navigating evolving global dynamics and seeking to deepen their longstanding partnership across various sectors.
&nbsp;
PM Modi's visit is expected to consolidate bilateral ties, reaffirm shared strategic interests, and explore opportunities for future cooperation in areas such as trade, defense, and technology.
&nbsp;
As India's first major diplomatic engagement since his re-election, the visit underscores the country's commitment to strengthening relationships with key global partners amidst changing geopolitical landscapes.
&nbsp;
The discussions between Modi and Putin are anticipated to set the tone for enhanced cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, reflecting the shared vision of stability and progress in an increasingly interconnected world.

West’s eyes on Modi’s Russia visit, says Russia

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation on Monday, citing his commitment to overseeing the upcoming Paris Olympics as a top priority. This decision follows initial election projections indicating a lead for the leftist coalition, dealing a blow to Macron&rsquo;s ruling party and positioning the right-wing National Rally in third place.
&nbsp;
Attal expressed readiness to continue his duties until a successor is appointed, emphasising the imminent Paris Olympics scheduled to start on July 26. In his resignation speech, he highlighted concerns over potential outcomes of the election, including the risks posed by extreme right and left-wing dominance, which he believes were minimised by the electorate.
&nbsp;
The election marked a significant shift in the French political landscape, with the National Rally making gains despite expectations. Party leader Jordan Bardella criticised Macron for causing uncertainty and instability, despite his party's increased parliamentary seats falling short of expectations.
&nbsp;
Celebrations erupted among supporters of the leftist coalition, known as the New Popular Front (NFP). Socialist leader Olivier Faure outlined their agenda to repeal Macron&rsquo;s pension reforms and unite under a single program.
&nbsp;
The outcome was met with satisfaction beyond France, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk noting varied international reactions to the election results.
&nbsp;
Strategic candidate withdrawals aimed at consolidating votes against National Rally candidates underscored the high stakes of the election. Public reactions in Paris ranged from jubilation among leftist supporters to concerns about a potentially hung parliament affecting French governance.
&nbsp;
Macron&rsquo;s decision to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections followed previous defeats, with the NFP emerging as a unified response to political changes. The election&rsquo;s implications extend beyond France, affecting European solidarity, diplomatic ties, and economic stability within the EU.
&nbsp;
The results are expected to impact European support for Ukraine, global diplomacy, and Macron&rsquo;s remaining presidential term influence. Initial projections were released at 8 PM Paris time, with official results expected to be announced by late Sunday or Monday.

Paris

Gabriel Attal steps down amidst leftist coalition's victory

After a disappointing performance in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik has announced a major organisational restructuring of the party. This move is aimed at addressing the reasons behind the electoral setbacks and revitalising the party's structure.
&nbsp;
As part of this restructuring, several new appointments have been made within the BJD. Fourteen leaders, including Prasanna Acharya, Pramila Mallik, Debi Prasad Mishra, Pratap Keshari Deb, Arun Kumar Sahoo, Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra, Devi Ranjan Tripathy, Shrimayee Sweta Snigdha Mishra, Lekhashree Samantsinghar, Sudam Marndi, Sulata Deo, Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Bhrugu Baxipatra, and Lenin Mohanty, have been appointed as state-level spokespersons.
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At the national level, Santrupt Misra, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Amar Patnaik, Sasmit Patra, and Pradeep Kumar Majhi have been named as spokespersons for the BJD. Santrupt Misra has also been appointed as the political secretary to Naveen Patnaik.
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In addition to these appointments, Pratap Jena has been named the Senior State Media Coordinator, Swayam Prakash as the Social Media Coordinator, and Lenin Mohanty and Priyabrata Majhi as Media Coordinators. Sukant Kumar Panda has been appointed as the Public Relations Officer to the Leader of the Opposition and BJP President Naveen Patnaik.
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The party has dissolved its state-level office bearers, with new appointments expected soon. However, district-level BJD office bearers will continue in their positions for the time being.
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The recent elections saw a significant setback for the BJD. In the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the party failed to secure any of the 21 seats, while the BJP won 20 seats and the Congress managed to win one seat. In the state assembly elections, the BJD won 51 out of 147 seats, while the BJP secured a majority by winning 78 seats.
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This election result marks a significant change in Odisha's political landscape. The BJD, which has ruled the state since 1997, lost to the BJP, ending Naveen Patnaik's 24-year tenure as Chief Minister.
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Following the party&rsquo;s electoral loss, VK Pandian, a former bureaucrat and close aide to the ex-chief minister, has decided to step back from active politics. This move signifies a potential shift in the party's strategy and leadership dynamics as it looks to rebuild and regain its foothold in the state's political arena.

Bhubaneswar

Naveen Patnaik orders BJD reshuffle post poll defeat

After Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena directed a temporary halt on the transfer of 5,000 teachers, Delhi Education Minister Atishi expressed strong opposition to any attempts to disrupt Delhi's education system. Her comments followed Saxena's decision to pause the transfer orders as an interim measure.
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Atishi criticised the transfers, which took place overnight on July 2, alleging they were orchestrated by the BJP through the Lieutenant Governor. She emphasised that these teachers played a crucial role in transforming Delhi's government schools over the past decade alongside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
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According to Atishi, the dedication of these teachers has elevated the city's public schools to a standard surpassing private institutions.&nbsp;Atishi welcomed Saxena's decision to halt the transfers, stating that her party will continue to defend the rights of teachers and ensure the quality of education for Delhi's children.
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She reaffirmed the commitment of Kejriwal's government to protecting the interests of the schools and opposing any future attempts to undermine Delhi's educational progress.
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Ajay Veer Yadav, General Secretary of the Government Schools Teachers Association of India, met with LG Saxena regarding the transfer orders. Following the meeting, Yadav reported that Saxena assured the formation of a committee to review the transfer policy, providing significant relief to the teachers.
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Raj Niwas Delhi, managed by the Delhi LG Secretariat, announced on its official X handle that Saxena had received numerous representations from various government school teachers' associations and had met with their delegation. The post highlighted Saxena's ongoing efforts to improve service conditions for government employees to enhance their performance.
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Saxena advised the Chief Secretary and the Directorate of Education to take a sympathetic, holistic, and fair view of the recent transfer orders. He suggested that the orders be kept in abeyance for the time being.
&nbsp;
Previously, on July 4, Atishi wrote to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, directing the immediate withdrawal of the transfer orders issued on July 2. She also called for a halt to any further compulsory transfers of teachers who had completed ten years at a particular school.
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According to Atishi, Clause 16 of the transfer circular mandated that teachers who had served more than ten years in the same school apply for transfers. Failure to comply would result in their reassignment to other schools by the Directorate of Education (DoE). This clause led to nearly 5,000 teachers being transferred, despite their significant contributions to the city's education system.
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Atishi also demanded disciplinary proceedings against officers who defied her directive issued on July 1, 2024, regarding the compulsory transfers. She called for a vigilance inquiry into any corruption or malpractice related to the teachers' transfer process.

Atishi rues LG decision to pause teacher transfers

A bus from Haryana Roadways flipped over in Pinjore on Monday, resulting in injuries to several school children, as reported by the police.
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The precise count of injured children in the incident near a mountainous region was not immediately apparent.
&lt;&gt;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Around 40 school students injured after a bus overturns near Pinjore in Haryana; Injured students admitted to govt hospital in Pinjore Visuals from Govt hospital, Pinjore <a href="https://t.co/zI5rEUI2mS">pic.twitter.com/zI5rEUI2mS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1810167665551438078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;"Some school children are among those injured in the accident involving a Haryana Roadways bus," a police official from Kalka said over the phone.
&nbsp;
When asked how many school children were injured in the accident, the official said, "we are gathering full details".
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Some of the injured children have been rushed to a hospital, police said.&nbsp;

Bus overturns in Pinjore, school children injured

A spokesperson stated that in Assam's renowned Kaziranga National Park, a total of 129 wild animals have perished due to the severe flood as of Sunday.
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By Saturday, the devastating flood, which has affected the entire Northeastern state, had claimed the lives of 114 animals.
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Among the deceased creatures are six rhinoceroses, 100 hog deer, two sambar, and an otter. Drowning was cited as the primary cause of death, while two animals perished in collisions with vehicles while migrating to higher ground, according to the spokesperson.
&nbsp;
The animals use a section of the NH-715 to traverse the hills of Karbi Anglong.
&nbsp;
The spokesperson reported that twenty of these animals passed away during treatment.
&nbsp;
To date, 96 animals have been rescued, including 84 hog deer, two each of rhino, sambar, and scops owl, as well as one each of swamp deer, hare, rhesus macaque, otter, elephant, and jungle cat.
&nbsp;
The official said that 26 animals are currently under medical care, while 50 others have been released after treatment.
&nbsp;
The park is experiencing the worst inundation in recent years. The last such devastation happened in 2017, when 350 animals died.
&nbsp;
The official said that of the 233 camps in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, 68 were inundated by Friday evening.
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The camps inside the national park are where forest personnel reside for patrolling and other related tasks in order to safeguard the plants and animals.
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At the same time, restrictions on vehicular movement along NH-715 have been enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with vehicles limited to speeds of 20-40 km per hour.
&nbsp;

129 animals die in flood at Kaziranga National Park

Violence erupted across France following an exit poll suggesting a left-wing coalition&rsquo;s lead in the snap election. This unexpected outcome dealt a significant blow to Marine Le Pen&rsquo;s ambitions of forming France&rsquo;s first hard-right government since World War II.
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Masked demonstrators took to the streets, igniting flares and causing disturbances. Riot police were dispatched nationwide to manage the chaos. The French election night turned turbulent as results showed a left-wing coalition poised to claim the majority of parliamentary seats. This prompted both celebrations and unrest in Paris.
&nbsp;
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation as a far-left political alliance unexpectedly surged ahead in the snap elections. Thousands gathered at Paris&rsquo;s Place de la Republique to cheer the news, highlighting widespread support for the coalition over Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron&rsquo;s centrist bloc, which secured second place. Conservatives were left reeling by the upset, having anticipated Marine Le Pen&rsquo;s National Rally to seize power.
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Social media footage captured fiery scenes in Parisian streets. Authorities in riot gear managed crowds as tear gas was deployed amid clashes. Protesters reportedly threw Molotov cocktails and set off smoke bombs.
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The victorious left-wing coalition, known as the Popular Front, comprises France&rsquo;s Socialist Party, the French Communist Party, the Ecologists, and France Unbowed.
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Their platform includes overturning Macron&rsquo;s pension reforms, advocating for a retirement age of 60, raising public sector wages, reinstating a wealth tax, and increasing France&rsquo;s minimum wage.
&nbsp;
The election results marked a significant shift in French politics, with the National Rally, led by Jordan Bardella, claiming substantial gains despite initial high expectations.
&nbsp;
Bardella criticised Macron for purportedly &ldquo;pushing France into uncertainty and instability&rdquo; and expressed disappointment at falling short of projected outcomes despite an increase in parliamentary seats.
&nbsp;
President Emmanuel Macron will wait to make decisions about a new government, according to a statement from Elysee Palace, following the announcement of preliminary results from the second round of parliamentary elections.
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In Paris, the announcement that the left-wing Popular Front was projected to surpass the National Rally sparked jubilation among supporters. The result marked a turnaround from the National Rally&rsquo;s initial lead after the first round of elections. Parisians took to the streets, holding signs and cheering as the outcome was confirmed at 8 pm local time.
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Amidst the celebrations, expressions of relief were evident as flares were lit and chants of &ldquo;everyone hates fascists&rdquo; echoed through the streets. Initial projections were released at 8 PM Paris time, with official results anticipated to be announced between late Sunday and Monday.

Violence erupts in France amid Left-wing election Lead

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Austria will mark the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country in 41 years. The last visit was by Indira Gandhi in 1983.
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Modi's official visit is scheduled for July 9-10 and coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Austria.
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Jawaharlal Nehru visited Austria in 1955, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1949.
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"India and Austria have had a regular exchange of visits including at the level of leaders, ministers and parliamentarians highlighting the importance that both countries accord to further strengthening their relations," according to a profile of India-Austria bilateral relations put up on the Ministry of External Affairs website.
&nbsp;
It also shares the history of PM-level and President-level visits from India to Austria.
&nbsp;
It said that then-prime minister Indira Gandhi visited Austria in 1971, which was followed by the visit of then-Austrian chancellor Bruno Kreisky in 1980. Gandhi's visit in 1983 was followed by the visit of then-chancellor Fred Sinowatz in 1984.
&nbsp;
Gandhi was in Vienna from June 16-18 during her 1983 visit, and people familiar with the matter said,
&nbsp;
While India has not had prime ministerial visits since Indira Gandhi's visit, there have been President-level visits.
&nbsp;
According to the profile on the MEA website, President KR Narayanan visited Austria in 1999, then President Heinz Fischer in 2005, Austrian Vice Chancellor Josef Proll in 2010, and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in 2011.
&nbsp;
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra briefed the media on Friday about Prime Minister Modi's upcoming tour to Russia and Austria from July 8 to 10.
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The official visit to Moscow by the prime minister is scheduled for July 8-9, following an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
&nbsp;
The second part of the trip involves Modi's visit to Austria on July 9-10, which is being arranged at the invitation of the Chancellor of Austria.
&nbsp;
"This will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Austria. Prime Minister had met then Austrian Chancellor, who's now the Foreign Minister, His Excellency Schallenberg, in October 2021 on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow.
&nbsp;
"The last prime ministerial visit from India to Austria took place more than 40 years ago," the foreign secretary said.
&nbsp;
During his visit, Modi will call on the President of Austria and "hold restricted delegation-level talks as also a high-level business engagement in Austria", in addition to interacting with the Indian community in Vienna.
&nbsp;
Kwatra said Austria offers "excellent opportunities" for bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, renewable energy, high-tech areas, start-up sectors, media, and entertainment.
&nbsp;
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Austria from December 31, 2022, to January 3, 2023.
&nbsp;
During the trip, he had meetings with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, and President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka.
&nbsp;
He engaged in talks with the Austrian Foreign Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, along with a delegation.
&nbsp;
Additionally, five agreements were signed during the visit, as mentioned in the bilateral relations profile dated June 2023.
&nbsp;
During Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg's visit to India in 2022, both ministers had discussed the "entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial and consular ties".
&nbsp;
Before his trip to Austria, Prime Minister Modi stated on Sunday that the common principles of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law are the foundation for the two nations to establish a stronger partnership.
&nbsp;
Modi's remark came a day after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer posted on 'X', "I very much look forward to welcoming Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, the world's largest democracy, next week in Vienna." "This visit is a special honour as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over 40 years and a significant milestone as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations with India," he said.
&nbsp;
"We will have the opportunity to talk about further deepening our bilateral relationship and closer cooperation on the many geopolitical challenges," the Austrian chancellor said.
&nbsp;
Responding to Nehammer, Modi said, "Thank you, Chancellor Karl Nehammer. It is indeed an honour to visit Austria to mark this historic occasion.
&nbsp;
"I look forward to our discussions on strengthening the bonds between our nations and exploring new avenues of cooperation." Austria is known for its rich cultural and architectural heritage with Vienna renowned for its legacy of orchestral music and legendary composers.
&nbsp;
"The visit of India's philosopher-poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore twice to Vienna -- in 1921 and 1926 -- was one of the crucial bridges of cultural and intellectual exchange between India and Austria," the MEA website said.

Austria hosted Nehru in 1955, Indira Gandhi in 1983

Last month, millions of people on five continents experienced extreme heat, and on Monday, the European Union's (EU) climate agency, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), verified that June was the hottest on record.
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This also indicated that global temperatures had been 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average for 12 consecutive months.
&nbsp;
C3S scientists stated that every month since June of the previous year had been the warmest on record.
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In January, the world marked an entire year with the mean surface air temperature surpassing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold. Additionally, June was the 12th consecutive month with monthly average temperatures above those of the 1850-1900 pre-industrial era.
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During the 2015 UN climate talks in Paris, world leaders pledged to restrict the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. However, a continual breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius limit outlined in the Paris Agreement pertains to sustained warming over a 20 or 30-year period.
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The global surface temperature of the Earth has risen by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to the average in 1850-1900, due to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere. This increase in temperature is believed to be the cause of extreme droughts, wildfires, and floods across the globe.
&nbsp;
New data indicates that June 2024 experienced the highest temperatures on record, with an average surface air temperature of 16.66 degrees Celsius. This was 0.67 degrees Celsius higher than the average for the month of June during the period from 1991 to 2020, and 0.14 degrees Celsius higher than the previous record set in June 2023.
&nbsp;
"The month was 1.5 degrees Celsius above the estimated June average for 1850-1900, the designated pre-industrial reference period, making it the 12th consecutive month to reach or break the 1.5-degree threshold," C3S said in a statement.
&nbsp;
It also marked the 13th straight month of setting record-high temperatures, which was due to both the 2023-24 El Nino event and human-induced climate change. While uncommon, a comparable series of consecutive monthly global temperature records occurred back in 2015-16.
&nbsp;
"This is more than a statistical oddity and highlights a large and continuing shift in our climate. Even if this specific streak of extremes ends at some point, we are bound to see new records being broken as the climate continues to warm. This is inevitable, unless we stop adding greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the oceans," said Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S.
&nbsp;
The global average temperature for the most recent 12 months (July 2023-June 2024) has been confirmed as the highest on record by the European climate agency, with a rise of 0.76 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and 1.64 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.
&nbsp;
In June, the world's sea surface also reached its highest recorded temperature for the month.
&nbsp;
June saw several countries grappling with unprecedented heatwaves, as well as devastating floods and storms.
&nbsp;
According to an analysis from Climate Central, a group of independent scientists and communicators based in the United States, over 60% of the global population experienced extreme heat during June 16-24, and climate change makes it at least three times more likely.
&nbsp;
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), northwest India experienced its highest June temperatures since 1901.
&nbsp;
India, which endured one of its most scorching and prolonged heatwaves, documented over 40,000 suspected cases of heatstroke and more than 100 heat-related fatalities. The extreme heat strained the water supply and electricity grids, leading to a severe water shortage in Delhi.
&nbsp;
According to the IMD, 11 states experienced 20 to 38 days of heatwaves&mdash;up to four times the typical number of such days&mdash;from April to June. The temperature soared above 50 degrees Celsius in some parts of Rajasthan, and nighttime temperatures remained around 35 degrees Celsius in numerous areas.

June warmest ever, global temps exceed 1.5°C

In a bid to rejuvenate the forests of Udhampur, the Forest Division has come up with a plan to plant 1.1 lakh saplings of diverse species.
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Officials reported that these saplings have been cultivated in the nurseries of the Udhampur Forest Division on Sunday.
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Approximately six nurseries are dedicated to growing these saplings, with the Central Nursery of the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department and the Udhampur Range Mand standing out.
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Officials noted that forest department personnel cultivate various saplings, which are subsequently planted in the forests of the Udhampur Division.
&nbsp;
This effort is vital given the recent wave of forest fires in Udhampur, which have devastated many trees, according to forest officials.
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Subsequently, the Forest Department has targeted these fire-damaged areas for a plantation drive to restore their greenery.
&nbsp;
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Navneet Singh detailed the department&rsquo;s nursery network and planting strategies.
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&nbsp;He said, &ldquo;The Udhampur Forest Division&rsquo;s six nurseries collectively produce 5 lakh saplings, with more than 3 lakh currently available.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Singh elaborated that 1.1 lakh saplings will be planted in Udhampur&rsquo;s forests during this phase, while an extra 20,000 saplings will be utilised in planting initiatives conducted in partnership with schools, colleges, the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the police.
&nbsp;
He acknowledged the significant challenges faced this year due to drought and subsequent forest fires but expressed hope that recent rainfall will aid planting efforts.
&nbsp;
Singh pointed out that &ldquo;the department is dedicated to mitigating the damage caused by forest fires, and I am confident that the upcoming plantation drive will not only restore lost greenery but also exceed previous efforts to revitalise Udhampur&rsquo;s forests.&rdquo;

Udhampur to restore forests with 1.1 lakh tree saplings

The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has introduced a "pony ambulance" service to provide critical healthcare to Amarnath pilgrims during their journey.
&nbsp;
Launched by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Director of Health Services Kashmir, under the guidance of Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Secretary of Health and Medical Education, the service has been well-received by the pilgrims.
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The pony ambulance is a horse-mounted unit equipped with medical supplies and oxygen cylinders. It accompanies pilgrims on the Baltal and Pahalgam routes and offers a swift medical response to any health issues.
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Trained personnel operate the Pony Ambulance, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality rates among pilgrims.
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Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah praised the initiative, stating, "We are committed to ensuring the well-being of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatris.
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&ldquo;The Pony Ambulance service has boosted pilgrims&rsquo; confidence and comfort during the Yatra."
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This innovative service highlights the health department&rsquo;s dedication to providing quality healthcare in challenging terrains.
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The pony ambulance has set a new standard for emergency response in remote areas, showcasing Kashmir&rsquo;s healthcare innovation.
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Health officials report that the service has received positive feedback from both pilgrims and locals, becoming an essential part of the pilgrimage experience by providing timely access to healthcare.

J&K launches pony ambulance for Amarnath pilgrims

According to several news reports, at least five Democratic lawmakers spoke out on Sunday, suggesting President Joe Biden withdraw from the upcoming US presidential election on November 5.
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During a Democratic Party phone call convened to discuss Biden's poor debate performance against his Republican rival, Donald Trump, in Atlanta on June 27, Jerry Nadler, Mark Takano, Joe Morelle, Ted Lieu, and Adam Smith all shared their opinion on this matter.
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Biden himself has described his performance as "a bad night". The level of support for him has decreased, and members of his own party have begun to question his health and ability to lead the country for the next four years. Biden has stated that he plans to continue in the race and has expressed confidence in his ability to win the election against Trump in November.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries organized an online meeting of his party colleagues in the House of Representatives to explore the changing political landscape following the June 27 presidential debate between Biden and Trump.
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The virtual meeting was billed as a "listening session" to get input from members about the viability of Biden's candidacy, "The New York Times reported. The paper added that it was clear before the call that many top Democrats felt strongly that Biden had to go.
&nbsp;
Congressman Smith, who holds the highest position on the Armed Services Committee, expressed the opinion, based on information from two sources, that Biden should step down, as reported by the daily. The four additional members of Congress shared this sentiment and agreed that it was appropriate for Biden to withdraw from the race.
&nbsp;
"Lieu was the highest-ranking person in the House Democratic leadership to support pressing for Biden to not seek reelection," "The Washington Post" reported.
&nbsp;
"The developments opened a wide crack in Biden's wall of support, bringing the number of House Democrats publicly or privately saying he should step aside to about 10. They included the top Democrats on the Judiciary, Armed Services and Intelligence committees. The defections cast further doubts on Biden's path forward, even as he largely controls his own fate thanks to sweeping the Democratic presidential primaries," "The Wall Street Journal" reported.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Biden and his team appeared defiant to such a call and asserted that he is in the race. Biden himself has exuded confidence that he would defeat Trump in November.
&nbsp;
Biden was in Pennsylvania on Sunday, addressing rallies and meeting people in the key battleground state.&nbsp;

Five Democrats call for Biden to withdraw from race

A bridge got swept away, and 54 people were saved after their homes were flooded by heavy rains in Maharashtra's Thane district in the past 24 hours, officials reported on Monday.
&nbsp;
According to a statement from the district administration, the intense rainfall on Sunday damaged around 275 houses in various areas and carried away about 20 vehicles.
&nbsp;
The district received 65 mm of rainfall on Sunday.
&nbsp;
Thane city recorded 120.87 mm of rain in the 24-hour period ending at 6.30 am on Monday, according to Yasin Tadvi, the head of the local civic body's disaster management cell.
&nbsp;
He mentioned that the city received 45.98 mm of rain within just one hour, between 3.30 am and 4.30 am on Monday.
&nbsp;
The city has received 858.87 mm of rainfall since June 1, compared to 917.90 mm during the same period last year, he added.
&nbsp;
Shahapur taluka, located in Thane district, experienced significant damage, particularly with a bridge on the Asangaon-Mahuri road being washed away and the Barangi river in the Gujrati Baug area being flooded, according to reports.
&nbsp;
Flood waters inundated 70 houses in the region, damaging various household items. Additionally, 20 two-wheelers and four-wheelers were swept away.
&nbsp;
In the Gotheghar area of Shahapur, water entered the Wafa Nursery area, necessitating the rescue of 38 occupants from three houses.
&nbsp;
In the Vashind area, 12 individuals were rescued and relocated to safer locations following the inundation of 125 houses, as reported by officials.
&nbsp;
The heavy rainfall also caused soil erosion along the railway tracks in Atgaon.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, about 12 houses in Shahapur sustained partial collapse, according to officials.
&nbsp;
In Kalyan taluka, five houses in Khadavali and three in Waveghar were affected due to flooding, they said.
&nbsp;
The officials said that water entered 40 houses in different parts of Bhiwandi taluka and damaged a 'kutcha' (mud) house in Goutepada.

Heavy rains in Thane; flooded houses, bridge washed away

The upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela in 2025 promises to be an unparalleled spiritual gathering, as declared by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Scheduled from January 14 to February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj, this grand event is expected to draw a staggering 50 crore participants from across the globe.
&nbsp;
Maurya expressed these sentiments after participating in the Pran Pratishtha and idol installation ceremony at the Shri Narmadeshwar Shiv Temple in Umarpur Niwan, Prayagraj district.
&nbsp;
Maurya emphasised, &ldquo;The Kumbh of 2025 will be historic, grand, and divine, with nearly 50 crore people expected to participate from all corners of the world.&rdquo; He underscored the significance of this upcoming event, highlighting its anticipated magnitude and spiritual resonance.
&nbsp;
In readiness for this monumental gathering, Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma affirmed the state government&rsquo;s commitment to complete all development projects well in advance of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.
&nbsp;
These projects include the construction of pontoon bridges and roads to enhance transportation for tourists and devotees. Sharma assured, &ldquo;All development initiatives will be finalised before the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, ensuring visitors experience the divine essence of this grand event.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The preparations also entail substantial efforts to upgrade facilities along major routes, with subsidies announced for the transformation of dhabas, restaurants, and hotels. These enhancements aim to offer superior amenities to the influx of tourists and devotees expected during the festival.
&nbsp;
Commencing on January 13, 2025, with the Poush Purnima bathing festival and concluding on February 26, 2025, with Maha Shivaratri, the Maha Kumbh Mela features key bathing ceremonies, notably the &ldquo;Shahi Snan&rdquo; (royal baths) on January 14, January 29, and February 3. These rituals are central to the spiritual experience sought by millions of attendees.
&nbsp;
Deputy Chief Minister Maurya also shared his reflections on social media following his visit to the Narmadeshwar Shiv Temple, expressing gratitude for the warm reception received from party officials, workers, and local residents at Bamrauli Airport, Sangam, Prayagraj. He affirmed his prayers for the well-being and prosperity of devotees, locals, and the state&rsquo;s populace during this auspicious period.
&nbsp;
As anticipation builds for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, its preparations underscore a blend of spiritual significance and logistical readiness aimed at providing an unforgettable experience for all participants.

Prayagraj

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 eyes 50 Cr pilgrims in Prayagraj

Hemant Soren, who recently took the oath of office for the third time, is set to expand his cabinet after proving his majority in a special session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. This cabinet expansion is scheduled to take place on Monday.
&nbsp;
Hemant Soren was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Jharkhand at Raj Bhavan in Ranchi on July 4. His return to the Chief Minister's office marks a significant moment in Jharkhand's political landscape, especially following his recent legal challenges.
&nbsp;
Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on June 28 after spending five months in jail. His predecessor, Champai Soren, resigned just five months after taking the oath, paving the way for Hemant Soren to reclaim the role. Champai Soren had taken the oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand at Raj Bhavan on February 2 this year.
&nbsp;
Hemant Soren's legal troubles began with his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January on charges related to an alleged land scam and money laundering. He resigned as Chief Minister before his arrest on January 31. After nearly five months in Birsa Munda Jail, he was released on June 28 following bail from the Jharkhand High Court.
&nbsp;
This isn't the first time Hemant Soren has faced challenges in his political career. He had previously taken the oath as Chief Minister on December 29, 2019, marking his second term in office. Despite these hurdles, Soren's return as Chief Minister is expected to strengthen the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which has a significant influence in the tribal-dominated state.
&nbsp;
In the 2019 assembly elections, the JMM formed an alliance with the Congress and Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), securing a comfortable majority with forty-seven seats in the 81-member house. Hemant Soren's leadership is seen as a pivotal factor in this success, and his return is anticipated to bolster the party's position further.
&nbsp;
As Hemant Soren prepares to expand his cabinet, the political scenario in Jharkhand remains dynamic. The decisions made in this new term will likely have a lasting impact on the state's governance and development. The upcoming cabinet expansion is a crucial step in shaping the administration that will govern Jharkhand in the coming years.

Hemant Soren set for cabinet expansion after floor test

In a thrilling second T20I match at the Harare Sports Club, India, led by Shubman Gill, secured a commanding 100-run victory over Zimbabwe, levelling the five-match series 1-1. Abhishek Sharma's explosive century and disciplined bowling by the Indian bowlers were the highlights of the game, as Zimbabwe struggled to chase down a massive target of 235 runs.
&nbsp;
India's innings began with a hiccup as they lost their captain Shubman Gill for just 2 runs, with Blessing Muzarabani claiming his wicket early. However, Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied the ship. The duo initially focused on consolidating the innings on a pitch that was not very friendly to batsmen. They managed to score 36 runs in the first six overs of the powerplay, with Abhishek Sharma showing more aggression.
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Abhishek Sharma's brilliance was evident as he notched up his maiden T20I half-century off just 33 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. His aggressive play helped India cross the 100-run mark in just 11 overs.
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Sharma's partnership with Gaikwad flourished, reaching 100 runs for the second wicket in 64 balls. Sharma then went on to score his maiden T20 international century in spectacular fashion, hitting three consecutive sixes to reach the milestone in just 46 balls. He was eventually dismissed for 100 by Wellington Masakadza, caught by Dion Myers, leaving India at 147 for 2.
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Rinku Singh joined Gaikwad at the crease, and the pair continued to pile on the runs. Gaikwad reached his fourth T20I half-century in 38 balls, and together with Rinku, they added 50 runs for the third wicket in just 24 balls.
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The duo's aggressive batting took India past the 200-run mark in the 18th over, with India finishing their innings at a formidable 234 for 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad remained unbeaten on 77 from 47 balls, while Rinku Singh scored a quickfire 48 from 22 balls.
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Zimbabwe's chase got off to a disastrous start, with opener Innocent Kaia falling for 4 in the first over, bowled by Mukesh Kumar. Brian Bennett showed some aggression but was soon dismissed for 26 by Mukesh, leaving Zimbabwe at 40 for 2.
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The Indian bowlers continued to dominate, with Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar taking wickets at regular intervals. Avesh Khan dismissed Dion Myers and Sikandar Raza in quick succession, reducing Zimbabwe to 46 for 4.
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Wessly Madhevere tried to anchor the innings, but wickets kept falling around him. Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi joined the wicket-taking party, with Sundar dismissing Johnathan Campbell and Bishnoi getting rid of Clive Madande for a duck.
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Zimbabwe's innings continued to collapse, with Wellington Masakadza being run out and Luke Jongwe providing some resistance before being dismissed for 33 by Mukesh Kumar. Madhevere's lone fight ended when he was bowled by Bishnoi for 43, and Zimbabwe was eventually bowled out for 135 in 18.4 overs.
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Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each, while Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar chipped in with crucial wickets. India's comprehensive win by 100 runs was a testament to their all-round performance, levelling the series and setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the T20I matches.
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The match showcased India's dominance with both bat and ball, and Abhishek Sharma's century will be remembered as a highlight of the series. The Indian team will look to carry this momentum into the remaining matches as they aim to secure the series victory.

India thrashes Zimbabwe by 100 runs to level T20 series

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena met with representatives of various government school teachers&rsquo; associations on Sunday to discuss recent transfer orders affecting teachers.
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During the meeting at Raj Niwas, Saxena advised the Directorate of Education to take a fair and balanced view of these transfer orders. According to a post on the official X handle of Raj Niwas Delhi, Saxena has received numerous representations from different teachers&rsquo; associations, prompting this discussion.
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The post emphasized Saxena&rsquo;s commitment to improving service conditions for government employees to enhance their performance. He suggested that the Chief Secretary and Directorate of Education should consider the recent transfer orders with sympathy and fairness. Saxena also recommended that these orders be temporarily suspended while a holistic review is conducted.
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This meeting followed a letter from Delhi Education Minister Atishi to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar on July 4, in which she directed an immediate withdrawal of the transfer orders issued on July 2. Atishi also instructed a halt to any further compulsory transfers based solely on teachers having completed ten years in a particular school.
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Minister Atishi highlighted that clause 16 of the circular mandated teachers who had served more than ten years in the same school to apply for a transfer.
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Failure to apply would result in the Directorate of Education transferring them to another school. Atishi noted that nearly 5,000 teachers who did not apply for any transfer were transferred to other schools under this contentious clause.
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Additionally, Atishi directed the Chief Secretary to initiate disciplinary proceedings against officers who willfully defied the directive dated July 1, 2024. She called for a vigilance inquiry into any corruption or malpractice related to the transfer of teachers.
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This ongoing issue reflects the broader challenges faced by educators and the administration in balancing policy implementation with the well-being and stability of teachers.
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The Lieutenant Governor&rsquo;s involvement and the Education Minister&rsquo;s directives aim to address these challenges, ensuring that teachers&rsquo; concerns are heard and addressed fairly.
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As the Directorate of Education re-evaluates the transfer orders, the focus remains on fostering a supportive environment for teachers, which is essential for maintaining the quality of education in Delhi&rsquo;s government schools.
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The outcome of these deliberations and the subsequent actions taken by the Directorate of Education will significantly impact the teaching community and the overall education system in the city.

Delhi LG advises fair review of teacher transfer orders

Not burdening a film with star fee can decide its survival and of those engaged in making it, says actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, stressing that he doesn't charge a single penny when he casts himself in a project backed by his banner.
&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;">Deshmukh, who is set to make his series debut with Pill, ventured into film production with the 2013 Marathi movie Balak-Palak under Mumbai Film Company. He later starred in Lai Bhaari (2014) and Ved (2022), both Marathi titles produced by his stable.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Asked to comment on the ongoing debate about rising star fee and overhead costs, the actor-producer told the media: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a producer who casts me and I don&rsquo;t pay myself, so I&rsquo;m fine... I just feel that it's important that you do not burden any film with an actor&rsquo;s fee because the film needs to survive. And if the film survives, everyone will survive.&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;
Helmed by director Rajkumar Gupta, Pill showcases the dark reality of the pharmaceutical world of making medicine from the lens of medical officers and whistleblowers.
&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;">Produced by Ronnie Screwvala under his banner RSVP Movies, the series will start streaming on JioCinema Premium from July 12.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Gupta, known for films such as Aamir and Raid, said the overall cost of production needs to come down.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 money needs to be spent in the right place. Having said that, there also needs to be transparency from the studio or producer&rsquo;s side. A lot of times what happens is people don&rsquo;t want to subscribe to a model because they think that there is no transparency.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Pill, set in north India, will see Deshmukh play the role of a medical officer called Dr Prakash Chauhan.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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 actor said he worked closely with a dialect coach to get into the skin of the character.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; 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;">Pill also features Pavan Malhotra in a pivotal role. 
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Riteish Deshmukh ignites debate around fees of actors

The recent killing of Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief K Armstrong has sparked significant attention, with Chennai police suspecting it to be a revenge murder linked to the assassination of gangster Arcot Suresh. Armstrong was brutally hacked to death on Friday evening by a group of unidentified men near his residence in Perambur, Chennai.
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According to Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Asra Garg, a thorough investigation has led to the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the murder.
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The police have seized seven blood-stained weapons, a Zomato t-shirt, a Zomato bag, and three bikes used in the crime. Garg revealed that the primary motive behind the killing appears to be revenge. Associates of gangster Arcot Suresh, who was murdered last year, believed that Armstrong had conspired in Suresh's assassination.
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Further investigations by special teams have resulted in the apprehension of three additional suspects. Preliminary findings suggest that the murder was orchestrated by associates of Arcot Suresh, including his brother, who has also been arrested.
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The police are continuing their comprehensive probe into the case to uncover all involved parties and the exact circumstances leading to Armstrong's murder.
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In a statement to the press, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore dismissed any political motives behind the BSP leader's murder, emphasising that the incident was a result of gang-related activities rather than political rivalry. Rathore's clarification aims to quell speculations about potential political implications in the case.
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Armstrong's death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many paying their respects to the slain leader. His mortal remains were placed at Corporation School Ground in Chennai, where numerous people, including prominent political figures, gathered to offer floral tributes. BSP Chief Mayawati and the party's National Coordinator also travelled to Chennai to pay their respects.
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Mayawati condemned the brutal murder and called for immediate action from the Tamil Nadu government to prevent such incidents in the future. In a post on &lsquo;X,&rsquo; she highlighted the dedication and hard work of Armstrong, expressing the deep impact of his loss on society and urging the authorities to take strict measures to ensure justice and safety.
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The police are diligently working on the case, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses. The focus remains on uncovering all elements of the crime and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
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Armstrong's tragic death underscores the ongoing issues of gang violence and the need for robust measures to address such threats to public safety and order.

Chennai police arrest eight in Armstrong murder case

Nearly 12,000 Afghan migrants were deported from Iran and Pakistan from July 3-6, according to the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, as reported by Khaama Press. The ministry's newsletter detailed that 11,997 Afghan migrants were expelled by the governments of these two countries and subsequently returned to Afghanistan.
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These deportees entered Afghanistan through the borders of Torghundi, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala-Herat, and Abreshim-Nimruz.&nbsp;This trend of deporting Afghan migrants continues amid a significant humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, despite international reactions and condemnation.
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The forced deportation from Iran and Pakistan has worsened the dire humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan, where many returnees face uncertain futures in a country plagued by economic instability and a lack of basic services.
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The sudden influx of returnees has overwhelmed local communities and stretched the capacities of humanitarian organisations struggling to provide adequate support.
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Human rights groups and international organisations have condemned these mass deportations, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of Afghan deportees.
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They argue that such actions violate international law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forced return of refugees to a country where they may face persecution or serious harm.
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In addition to the forced deportations, Afghanistan is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Vulnerable groups, including women and children, are among the deportees, further highlighting the ongoing human rights violations and challenges in protecting the rights and safety of Afghan refugees.
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Since taking power, the Taliban has imposed numerous restrictions on women, including closing schools for girls from grades 7 to 12, barring women from pursuing university education, and preventing most Afghan female staff from working at aid agencies. The Taliban has also shut down beauty salons and restricted travel for women without a male guardian.
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The international community has expressed deep concern over these developments, urging immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis and protect the rights of Afghan migrants.
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The forced deportations and the Taliban's restrictive policies have drawn widespread criticism, emphasising the urgent need for a coordinated response to support the returnees and address the broader issues facing Afghanistan.
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As the situation continues to unfold, the plight of Afghan migrants remains a pressing global concern, necessitating increased humanitarian aid and international solidarity to mitigate the crisis and uphold the rights of vulnerable populations.

Kabul

Afghanistan faces crisis as Iran Pakistan deport 12000

In a poignant moment of respect and sorrow, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati paid tribute to the slain party leader K Armstrong in Chennai. The tribute took place at the Corporation School Ground, where Mayawati urged the Tamil Nadu government to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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She was joined by BSP National Coordinator Akash Anand, who also honoured K Armstrong, brutally murdered near his residence in Perambur, Chennai.
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Mayawati described the incident as deeply saddening and devastating. She expressed her grief over the loss of K Armstrong, who was not only a dedicated leader of the Tamil Nadu BSP but also a close friend.
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She highlighted his unwavering commitment to the party and its principles, drawing inspiration from the movement led by Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar. Mayawati emphasised the tragic nature of his assassination, which occurred near his home, reflecting on the gravity of the loss.
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Addressing the gathering, Mayawati made a fervent appeal to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, urging them to ensure law and order in the state, particularly for the weaker sections of society.
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She stressed the importance of feeling safe in the state and criticised the government for not having apprehended the accused yet. In light of this, she called for the case to be referred to the CBI for a thorough and unbiased investigation.
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The investigation into K Armstrong&rsquo;s murder has seen some progress. Asra Garg, the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) for North Chennai, informed ANI that eight suspects have been arrested so far.
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The police have seized seven blood-stained weapons, a Zomato t-shirt, a Zomato bag, and three motorcycles used in the crime. The arrests came after extensive interrogation and careful analysis of the suspects' involvement in the crime.
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The motive behind the killing is suspected to be linked to the associates of gangster Arcot Suresh, who was murdered in August last year. ACP Garg highlighted that Armstrong&rsquo;s murder appears to be a revenge killing orchestrated by Suresh's associates, who believed that Armstrong was involved in the conspiracy to murder Suresh.
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The police have formed special teams to delve deeper into the case, with three more suspects secured recently.&nbsp;The brutal assassination of gangster Arcot Suresh in August 2023 has set off a chain of violent reprisals, with his family and associates pointing fingers at K Armstrong for allegedly masterminding the murder.
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The police&rsquo;s preliminary investigation supports the theory of a revenge killing, as Armstrong&rsquo;s murder is believed to be in retaliation for his alleged role in Suresh&rsquo;s death.
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This tragic cycle of violence highlights the urgent need for a robust and impartial investigation, which Mayawati believes can be achieved by involving the CBI.
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The call for a CBI investigation reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for justice in the face of such heinous acts. The people of Tamil Nadu, especially the followers of BSP, look forward to a resolution that brings peace and security back to their communities.

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