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Thu, 30 June 2016
Two Indian nationals kidnapped in Nigeria

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23:30   UN Votes To Create Its First LGBT Rights Watchdog
The United Nations Human Rights Council voted Thursday to create the institution's first LGBT rights watchdog. The resolution passed in a vote of 23 to18, with 6 abstentions.

The person appointed to this role will be known as an "independent expert' and the position is charged with monitoring "violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.'

Read this story HERE
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23:29   UN votes to create its first LGBT rights watchdog
The United Nations Human Rights Commission voted Thursday to create the institution's first LGBT rights watchdog. The resolution passed in a vote of 23 to 18, with 6 abstentions.

The person appointed to this role will be known as an "independent expert' and the position is charged with monitoring "violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

This was the most ambitious effort yet to advance LGBT rights within the United Nations system, and the resolution included the strongest language to date suggesting LGBT rights should be a concern of international human rights law.

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23:20   Two Indian nationals kidnapped in Nigeria
Suspected terrorists have kidnapped two Indian nationals from Gboko, a town in the Benue state of north-central Nigeria, family members of one of them here said today.

Mangipudi Sai Srinivas who hails from Visakhapatnam and his colleague Anish Sharma were reportedly kidnapped yesterday. Srinivas's relatives approached the district collector N Yuvaraj today, requesting him to take steps for their release. Sharma and Srinivas were travelling to Dangote Cement Plc Plant in a car from their residential quarters at around 7.20 pm on Wednesday when a group of armed men kinapped them at a traffic signal. Srinivas's wife M Lalitha said he is a civil engineer and has been working for Dangote Cement in Gboko for the last three years.

Before that he worked with Aditya Birla group in Raipur. "I tried to reach my husband on Wednesday but could not contact him. I called up the officials of the Plant this morning and they informed me about kidnapping," she said.

Image for representation only
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22:15   'Income-based quota against the spirit of the Constitution'
Petitioners challenging Gujarat government's ordinance granting 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections for unreserved category on Thursday told the high court that such income-based quota is against the spirit of Constitution as it would divide the society.
In their reply submitted before a division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi, the petitioners refused to accept the government's claim that ten per cent EWS quota is just a classification and not a reservation.
In the reply, the petitioners said that the ordinance would lead to classification among socially and educationally advanced classes.
"The classification has divided the socially and educationally advanced classes into two classes on the basis of income criterion, which is against the spirit of the Constitution," it said.
It further said that the government has not applied its mind in devising the ordinance and making it applicable in technical faculty, such as engineering, as a large number of seats remain vacant every year in Gujarat.
"The question of providing reservation does not arise if there are lesser number of candidates than the seats available. The reservation is needed when there are competing claims and lesser number of seats available," it said.
It is further submitted that "granting benefit of reservation on the basis of income, merit is sacrificed at the cost of public interest. It overlooks the interest and rights conferred by the Constitution under Articles 14,15 and 16"
stated the reply. 
Challenging the government's claim that 10 per cent EWS quota is just a classification and not reservation, the petitioners said that "it is erroneous to suggest that there is no reservation...It is a reservation for them as indicated in the ordinance". 

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21:52  
JUST IN: Petrol price cut by 89 paise a litre, diesel by 49 paise a litre
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21:24   IMF says Brexit uncertainty a top risk to global economy
The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that Britain's shock vote to leave the European Union a week ago has created uncertainty that poses a major threat to the global economy.
"We see the uncertainty right now as probably the biggest risk to the global economy," said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice, calling on European leaders and other policymakers to take "decisive" actions that could lower the threat.

The European Union and Britain face negotiations on the Brexit that are expected to be difficult and protracted.
European Union leaders say that until Britain formally begins exit proceedings, no talks can begin - formally or informally - on resetting Britain's ties with the EU, a process meant to last two years.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, who resigned after the June 23 Brexit vote, has resisted pressure to immediately activate the Article 50 mechanism to leave the EU, saying he is leaving it to his successor, who will not be named until September 9.
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21:18   Putin says NATO provoking arms race 'frenzy'
Russian President Vladimir Putin today insisted Moscow will not be dragged into an arms race by NATO as he accused the US-led alliance of tearing up the military balance in Europe.
The Kremlin strongman warned that Russia "knows how to react adequately and we will" to NATO bolstering its forces in eastern European nations such as Poland and the Baltic states in moves he said were aimed at "undermining the military balance built up over decades".
"We don't intend to give in to this militaristic frenzy but it seems that is what they are pushing us to, to provoke a costly and pointless arms race," Putin told Russian diplomats in Moscow.
"This will not happen. But we will also not be weak. We will always be able to defend ourselves reliably," he said.
Relations between Russia and the West have slumped to their lowest point since the Cold War over Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and its alleged masterminding of a separatist uprising in Ukraine.
Fears of Russian expansionism have sent a chill through NATO members such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and have seen the US-led alliance bolster its presence in eastern Europe.
NATO announced this month that it would deploy four battalions to the Baltic nations and Poland to counter a more assertive Russia, ahead of a landmark summit in Warsaw on July 8-9.
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20:43   US designates Al-Qaeda in Indian subcontinent as terror group
The United States on Thursday designated Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent, a regional branch of the global terror network, as a "foreign terrorist organisation" and added its chief Asim Umar on the list of global terrorist.
The announcement by the state department prohibits US citizens to engage in transactions with AQIS and Umar and the freezing of all of their property and interests in the US.
In addition, the consequences of AQIS' FTO designation include a prohibition against knowingly providing, or attempting or conspiring to provide, material support or resources to the organization.
In a video message in September 2014, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri had announced the formation of AQIS to take the fight to India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The group is led by Umar, a former member of US designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation Harakat ul-Mujahidin.
AQIS claimed responsibility for the September 6, 2014 attack on a naval dockyard in Karachi, in which militants attempted to hijack a Pakistani Navy frigate.
It has also claimed responsibility for the murders of activists and writers in Bangladesh, including that of US citizen Avijit Roy, US Embassy local employee Xulhaz Mannan, and of Bangladeshi nationals Oyasiqur Rahman Babu, Ahmed Rajib Haideer and AKM Shafiul Islam.
"This action notifies the US public and the international community that AQIS and Umar are actively engaged in terrorism," the State Department said.

"Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other US agencies and other governments," it said. 
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20:39   PM Sharif to return to Pakistan after Eid
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who underwent an open-heart surgery in London last month, will return to Pakistan shortly after Eid, his daughter said on Thursday.
"Shortly after Eid, Insha'Allah," the Prime Minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted when someone asked when her father will return to Pakistan.
Sharif was discharged from hospital on June 6 after he underwent an open-heart surgery on May 31.

The 66-year-old PML-N leader had gone to London on May 22 for a regular medical checkup but was diagnosed with a heart complication by doctors who suggested surgery. 
This was Sharif's second cardiac procedure in five years.
Meanwhile, in a message to the people of Pakistan, Sharif asked his party leaders and workers not to organise any lavish welcome ceremony for him on his return.
The Prime Minister also said that "as soon as doctors would allow him to travel, he will be present among his own people."
"The holy month of Ramazan was ending, Eid-ul-Fitr was on its way, and people should prepare for Eid festivities according to their religious and cultural traditions," he said.
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20:35   June ends with rainfall deficiency of 11 per cent
Of the four-month monsoon season in the country, June has ended up with the overall rainfall deficiency of 11 per cent and it is fast declining .
 
Monsoon is yet to reach several parts of the country, especially northwest India and all region barring the southern peninsula have received deficient rainfall until now. 

In east and northeast India, monsoon was deficient by 28 per cent, while the deficiency was 17 and 7 per cent in central and northwest India respectively. 

 The Northern Limit of Monsoon continues to pass through Dwarka, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Sawai Madhopur, Gwalior, Lucknow, Pantnagar, Dehradun, Una and Jammu. It is expected to cover Delhi, Haryana and Punjab in next two days.

June to September is considered as the rainfall season in India. As per the IMD forecast after two consecutive bad rainfall seasons, this monsoon will be "above normal". 

Here is a look at the distribution of rainfall in June. 
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20:32   Pakistan to have more officials than athletes in Rio
The slide in Pakistan sports will be visible in the Rio Olympic Games this summer as the Pakistan contingent will include more officials than athletes. 
     
With the failure of the national hockey side to qualify for the Rio Olympics, the 18-member Pakistan contingent will include seven athletes and 11 officials.
     
The athletes include swimmers Lianna Swan and Haris Bandey who are based abroad, judoka Shah Hussain, who also lives in Tokyo, shooters Ghulam Mustafa and Minhal Sohail and two sprinters.
     
All the Pakistani athletes have got chances to compete in the Rio Olympics only through wild card entries as none of the country's athletes in different disciplines couldn't come through the qualification process.
     
Not even a single boxer could qualify for the Olympics although one of Pakistan's two non-hockey medals came through boxing in 1988 when Hussain Shah won a bronze.
     
Judoka Shah Hussain is the son of the medal winning pugilist.
     
The president of Pakistan Olympic Association, Arif Hasan has blamed the Pakistan Sports Board for the sad state of affairs.
     
Hasan, in particular, was upset over the failure of the hockey team to qualify for the Olympics, a first for the country.
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20:19  
UPDATE: Officials find no active shooter at Joint Base Andrews, says law enforcement official, reports the Associated Press.
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20:14   All clear at Andrews Airbase in US after lockdown
All clear at United States joint base Andrews in Maryland; the lock down has been lifted: US Media

"All Clear." The lock down on base has been lifted,"  read the tweet from Joint Base Andrews.
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20:06   A shower while travelling inside a bus
Rains are in Mumbai and inside city's air conditioned buses too, quite literally.

Passengers are forced to hold up their umbrellas to escape the shower on them thanks to an ill-maintained BEST bus whose roof was leaking.

Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com who was travelling by bus no AS-2 said that this is not the first time a 'leaky' bus is travelling on the route.

One year ago it was the same story and then they say BEST losses are to be borne by passengers. 

Image: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
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19:33   NCW summons Salman for rape remarks
Unsatisfied with the written reply from Salman Khan, National Commission for Women today summoned the Bollywood actor to appear before it on July 8 in connection with his controversial rape remarks.

The Commission also warned the 50-year-old actor that if he fails to appear before the panel, it may proceed to take action as it deems fit.

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women yesterday issued summons for Salman's personal appearance on July 7 after the actor failed to turn up before it to offer explanation for his rape analogy to describe the grueling shoot for his upcoming film Sultan.

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19:20  
JUST IN: Active shooter confirmed at United States joint base Andrews in Maryland, Reuters quotes a US defence official as saying.
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19:15   Andrews Airbase in US on lockdown after reports of 'active shooter'
Andrews Airbase, the military facility that services Air Force One, was placed on lockdown on Thursday because of a report of an active shooter, the Joint Base Andrews said on Twitter.

All personnel at the base, located in Maryland just outside Washington, DC, were instructed to remain in place, USA Today reported.

'JBA is currently on lockdown due to a report of an active shooter. All personnel are directed to shelter in place. More info as it comes,' read the tweet from Joint Base Andrews.

Joint Base Andrews had planned drill today. Unclear if shooter is related to the drill. First responders are on-scene now, US media reports.

The incident is ongoing at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility.

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18:52   Women Commission member who took selfie with rape survivor resigns
Somya Gurjar, the member of Rajasthans State Commission for Women who clicked a selfie with the Alwar rape survivor has resigned.

Earlier, a selfie clicked by Gurjar with the 30-year-old woman -- who was allegedly raped by her husband and his two brothers who tattooed expletives on her forehead and hand for not giving Rs 51,000 as the dowry -- had stoked a major controversy.

The chairperson of the commission, who was also seen in the selfie, sought a written explanation from Gurjar.

Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza had said that it is shameful the saviours of women rights are violating laws.

It is so shameful that the chairperson and the member of the Rajasthan Women Commission are taking selfie with a rape victim, who was tattooed and gang-raped by her husband and his brothers, said Ojha, demanding resignation of the wilful defaulters.

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18:30  
A BSE Sensex and Top Gainers for today.
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18:26   Turkish officials say airport attackers were from IS; toll hits 43
Turkish officials have strong evidence that the Istanbul airport attackers came from the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa in Syria and that the groups leadership was involved in the planning the attack, a senior Turkish government source was quoted as saying by the CNN.

Earlier, a Turkish official had said that the attackers who carried out Tuesdays shootings and suicide bombings at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport were from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Also on Thursday, Turkish Interior Minister Efkar Ala announced that the death toll from the attacks had risen to 43, according to state news agency Anadolu.

While no one has yet claimed responsibility for the airport assault, Turkish authorities have said most signs point to the dreaded Islamic State.

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18:16   SC reserves order on BCCI's implementation of Lodha panel report
The Supreme Court of India has reserved its order on the Board of Control for Cricket in Indias plea in the case concerning implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations.

The judgement is likely in three weeks.

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18:11   Babulal Gaur resigns from the post of Madhya Pradesh home minister
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur, 86, and Public Works Department minister Sartaj Singh, 76, resigned from his post on Wednesday.

According to reports, with the elderly ministers resignation, the portfolios of six others are likely to be changed, they said.

The cabinet expansion-cum-reshuffle is scheduled on Thursday evening. It is the first such exercise since Chouhan took office in December 2013 for his third successive term as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.

The expansion was expected in 2014 and 2015, but it did not happen.

As per the Constitutional provision, 11 more ministers can be appointed.
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17:51   Market gets a 259-pt lift as economy shows traction
Stocks today wiped off their Brexit losses suffered last week by soaring over 259 points, in line with a global rally, on improving prospects of the economy to close just below the 27,000-mark. This is the strongest quarterly show of the market in two years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic election win in 2014. The broader NSE Nifty scaled the 8,300 mark for the first time this year.


Of late, the government has taken a clutch of steps to turn around the economy as it relaxed FDI rules, cleared pay hike for its employees and approved a new mineral exploration policy and model law on shops and establishments. All this cheered investors, dealers said.
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17:41   Obama towers above peer group, says Pew survey
Pew Research Centre's latest survey gives a flattering rating for US President Barack Obama. He stands head and shoulders above his peer group in other world capitals -- Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, Ji Jinping, etc, posts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar on RediffBlogshere.
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17:25   Monsoon 1% above average in the last one week
Monsoon rains were 1 per cent above average in the week ending June 29, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. The June-September monsoon has remained 12 per cent lower than average so far, but rains have covered almost the entire country, and helped quicken the planting process of summer crops such as rice, soybeans, cotton and pulses.

The IMD has forecast a 106% rainfall for the country and has said that the chances of 2016 becoming another drought year were zero.


File pic.
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17:14   Raghuram Rajan wishes RBI Governor had a 4-year term
Raghuram Rajan today said the three-year tenure of a Reserve Bank of India Governor in India is "too short" and advocated a minimum term of four years, "like in the US", reports India Today.

The 53-year-old economist, who was forced to quit the RBI following a campaign against him led primarily by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, made the proposal while briefing a parliamentary standing committee on finance.

When asked by the members on what should be the tenure of the RBI Governor, he said that a three-year term is short, sources said.In the US Fed, in addition to serving as members of the Board, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman serve terms of four years, and may be reappointed to those roles who in turn serve until their terms as Governors expire.Rajan, whose current three-year tenure ends on September 4, has already said no to a second term in the RBI.

In his meeting with the MPs, Rajan was also not in favour of further reducing the interest rates."Banks have enough cash but they are not lending," he said, and added that the government banks are doing worse than their private counterparts as far as lending is concerned.

Rajan also dismissed the impact of the recent Brexit vote in the UK on the Indian economy. "If Brexit happened today, then India would have some concerns, but since it is some time away, India might end up gaining from it," he said.
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16:51  
Turkish official says Istanbul airport suicide attackers were from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: AP
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16:44   Punjab teenager shoots mother for refusing money for drugs
A teenaged boy was arrested on the charge of murder after he shot dead his mother in Punjab's Mansa district when she refused to give him money to buy drugs, police said on Wednesday. Police said the boy, aged around 16, fatally shot his mother Kulwinder Kaur with his father's licensed gun in Kot Dharmu village. His father Kuldeep Singh was away from home when the shooting took place on Monday. Kuldeep had filed the police complaint.
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16:38  
The former London Mayor who was a shoo-in for 10 Downing Street said in a statement this morning, "I must tell you, my friends, you who have waited faithfully for the punchline of this speech, that having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me," he said.

Johnson had gathered the media for a speech at a central London location for what was expected to be his campaign launch, but announced he was opting out instead.

My role will be to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration to make sure that we properly fulfill the mandate of the people that was delivered at the referendum, and to champion the agenda I believe in to stick up for the forgotten people in this country," Johnson said.

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16:35   Britain's Boris Johnson will NOT run for PM
Just in: Britain's Boris Johnson says he will NOT run for prime minister. The BBC also reports that Johnson has announced he will not stand as Conservative leader. "Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances of Parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me," Johnson said.

The former London mayor was the frontrunner to lead the country after he led the Vote Leave campaign to victory in the EU referendum.



Michael Gove's sensational entry to the Tory leadership race has electrified a contest that had hitherto been proceeding predictably enough towards a final round between Theresa May and Boris Johnson. The justice secretary's statement tears up the script and adds an intriguing new dimension to the post-referendum landscape.
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16:27   Another BSP leader quits
After Swami Prasad Maurya, Senior BSP leader and former minister RK Chaudhary followed suit by quitting the party and accusing BSP chief Mayawati of auctioning tickets ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Maurya, who had also accused BSP chief on open auction of tickets, had earlier hit out at Mayawati for ignoring backward caste workers to fulfill personal interests.
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16:10   Raghuram Rajan was a great RBI governor: World Bank prez
Multi-lateral lender World Bank on Thursday announced funding support of $1 billion for expansion of solar power capacity in India.


It also signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consisting of 121 countries led by India, to collaborate on increasing solar energy use across the world, with a goal of mobilising $1 trillion in investments by 2030.


The pact, which was signed in the presence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Power Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, establishes the multilateral lending agency as the financial partner for ISA.


While speaking to NDTV,  Kim said, "Raghuram Rajan was a great RBI governor. The sense I got from speaking to PM Modi and the team is that RBI will remain independent, all the good work will be carried forward."

The World Bank also announced that it plans to provide more than $1 billion to support India's ambitious solar initiatives through investments in generation, a World Bank statement said.

The World Bank-supported projects in the works include solar rooftop technology, infrastructure for solar parks, bringing innovative solar and hybrid technologies to market, and transmission lines for solar-rich states.These combined investments for India would be the Bank's largest financing of solar for any country till date.

The central government and the Bank have also signed an agreement for the $625 million Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme, which will finance at least 400 mw of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations."The development of a $200 million Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Project under a public-private partnership model is also under preparation," the statement said.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank's private sector arm, was one of the earliest financiers of wind and solar projects in India. It is supporting Madhya Pradesh to set up a 750-mw Rewa ultra-mega solar power project, billed as the largest single-site solar unit in the world."India's plans to virtually triple the share of renewable energy by 2030 will both transform the country's energy supply and have far-reaching global implications in the fight against climate change," said Kim. "The World Bank Group will do all it can to help India meet its ambitious targets, especially around scaling up solar energy."
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16:02   Battle of the Somme: Letters reveal last days of British soldiers killed on front line
Hundreds of letters sent by British First World War soldiers have been released to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, giving insight into many young men's last days on the front line.

The handwritten messages were written on the eve of or during the battle in northern France in which almost 500,000 British Army soldiers were killed, with one letter talking of giving the Germans "consummate hell' and another asking for "some safety razor blades as soon as poss'. Read
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15:57   World Bank reiterates support to India, lauds PM Modi's vision
World Bank president Jim Yong Kim on Thursday expressed his delight over India's progress in recent times courtesy Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to achieve difficult and important targets. Kim, who is presently on a two-day visit to India, lauded Prime Minister Modi's vision. The World Bank president is in India to explore ways to support the government's initiatives on nutrition and renewable energy.

Image: The World Bank president with finance minister Arun Jaitley
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15:42   Yet again Pak asks India to provide more evidence in 26/11 trial
Pakistan today said it has asked India to provide "more evidence" for the early completion of the Mumbai attack trial in which LeT operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and six others are accused.


"Our foreign secretary has written to India's foreign secretary to provide more evidence so that Mumbai case trial is competed. The response from the Indian side is still awaited," Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at a press briefing.


Zakaria, however, did not elaborate when exactly the letter was written. Pakistan arrested seven Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked militants, including Lakhvi, for their role in the 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people were killed. Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack.

Lakhvi is living at an undisclosed location after he got released from jail on bail a year ago. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi.

The case has been going on in the country for more than six years. India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest. It has said that enough evidence has been shared with Islamabad to prosecute the accused. However, Pakistani officials say India has not provided enough evidence needed to successfully complete the trial. Meanwhile, Zakaria also said that the dialogue was the only option to resolve all outstanding issues with India.
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15:36   Remembering WWI's most fearome battle
A 100 years ago on July 1, a million men died at the Battle of Somme during the World War I. This is what happened at the Somme in numbers. Read
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15:27   Rajnath to review J-K security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the security arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.As per reports, the Home Minister chaired a high-level meeting during which he discussed the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier in June conducted mock exercises at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps to assess the preparedness and response mechanism of all those involved in management of the Yatra.
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15:23   Pak actor shot at in Karachi
Actor, television host and musician Nadeem Jafri was injured after suspected robbers opened fire at him in Karachi's Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on Thursday, reports The Express Tribune. The Wrong No actor received multiple bullet wounds in an alleged robbery incident outside his house at sehri time, TV actor and host Fakhr-e-Alam said on Twitter.

The attack comes a week after Pakistani qawal Amjad Sabri was shot dead in the country.
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15:19  
Sonu gets a warm hug from External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who facilitated his homecoming. 
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15:19   Boy abducted from Delhi home 6 years ago reunited with family
Abducted from outside his East Delhi house in 2010, Sonu has now been reunited with his family after a gap of six years.

He was handed over to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka by a court in Bangladesh's Barguna district without signing of a security bond of one lakh taka on humanitarian grounds.

Sonu, who was tricked and brought to Bangladesh from Delhi by two women in 2010, was rescued by a Bangladeshi citizen Jamal Ibn Musa, who put in great efforts to reunite him with his family.

"I am very happy. Finally, Sonu is getting reunited with his parents," the Daily Star quoted Musa as saying.

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a series of tweets, thanked all who had looked after the young boy in Bangladesh.

"Sonu - who was kidnapped from Delhi was found in a shelter home in Bangladesh. We matched the DNA with his mother. The test is positive," Swaraj tweeted.

"Indian High Commission in Dhaka has obtained Sonu's custody. He will reach Delhi on 30th June. I thank all those who looked after our young citizen in Bangladesh," she said.


Image: External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj with Sonu and his parents in New Delhi today.
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14:55   Taliban suicide bombers kill 27 police cadets near Kabul
Suicide bombers, believed to be Taliban, have attacked an Afghan police convoy outside the capital Kabul, killing as many as 27 cadets and civilians, and injuring over 40, officials say.

The BBC reports that two bombs hit vehicles carrying graduates returning from a ceremony on the city's western outskirts.

Paghman District Governor Haji Mohammad Musa Khan told the BBC many more had been injured.

The bombing was claimed by the Taliban and follows an attack on a bus just over a week ago that killed 14 people.

The dead included Nepali security guards working for the Canadian embassy.
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14:37   First pictures of Istanbul victims
A son rushing to meet his mother, the couple preparing for their wedding and the hero who tried to stop the bomber: First pictures of Istanbul airport victims emerge. Read
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14:27   Biggest diamond discovered in 100 years fails to sell at London auction
Turns out the largest diamond discovered in over a century may not be worth that much after all. The tennis ball-sized "Lesedi la Rona' failed to find a buyer on Tuesday, a disappointing result for a stone that had been described as "the find of a lifetime' by David Bennett, the chairman of Sotheby's jewellery division.

If you want to buy, this is what it looks like.
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14:20   Kejriwal claims Modi's expenditure on clothes more than AAP's ad budget
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today did some quick Math to claim AAP's advertising budget was less than the money spent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wardrobe in the last two years.

At a meeting with with editors in Panaji, Goa, yesterday, Kejriwal claimed that the PM spent Rs 10 lakh a day on his clothes. He went on to give a break-up of how he had arrived at that figure.

I can give you the calculation. One dress that Modi wears is worth Rs 2 lakh. He changes clothes five times a day, (which comes to) 10 lakh rupees (per day). He never repeats his clothes, doesn't wash them and reuse them," Kejriwal said.

He also gave the 'biggest proof'. "Go to Google, type 'Modi' and in the images column you will never see the same clothes in two separate images. The expense comes to Rs 10 lakh per day. He has been in power for 700 days, that means he has spent Rs 70 crore on clothes alone. Rs 5 crore  more on his other clothes," said Kejriwal.


Kejriwal juxtaposed the expenditure on the PM's clothes with the AAP's ad budget and the flak his government has been getting over it.

He said, "It is being said we have given advertising of Rs 526 crore. Completely false. We have released advertising worth Rs 76 crore. That's it. Advertising expenditure of all departments of the Delhi government is less than the total expenditure on Modi's clothes."


Image: The pinstripe bandhgala Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore on during his talks with United States President Barack Obama's visit to India in 2015.
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13:48   A united Europe is the world's oldest project
The project to make a European Union is the oldest in the world, says Aakar Patel. In fact, the British exit from the Union is the latest episode in this project which goes back to ancient history.  Read his column here
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13:25   PM Modi's new Cabinet to be sworn-in on Monday, July 4 at 11 am?
Speculation over the date of the Cabinet reshuffle has remained just that -- speculation -- with almost no details emerging when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will institute key changes in the portfolios held by his ministers.

What we can tell you is this -- sources in Rashtrapati Bhavan have not received any message about the Cabinet reshuffle. Reports in a couple of newspapers said that the reshuffle was expected to take place at noon today, but sources in the PMO are also keeping their cards close to their chest.

More importantly, what we can tell you is that a BJP source, a close confidante of party president Amit Shah has indicated that astrologically, the new council of ministers is likely to be sworn in on Monday, July 4 at 11 am.

And this is why it could be true.

For a Union Cabinet shuffle or expansion, the  Rashtrapati Bhavan needs a notice of at least 48 to 72 hours for logistic reasons, an official spokesperson of Rashtrapati Bhavan tells Rediff.com.

Till such time the Prime Minister's  Office (PMO) officialy informs the Rashtrapati Bhavan in writing about the date of the investiture ceremony, talk about a Cabinet reshuffle will only remain a rumour, a PMO source tells Rediff.com.

The decision on the date is based on astrology including the availability of President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari and incumbent Union Ministers and designates to travel for the ceremony to New Delhi.

In fact, the inside story of what really happens ahead of a Cabinet Reshuffle at Rashtrapati Bhavan makes for an interesting read.

To carry out a Cabinet expansion or reshuffle and organise a smooth swearing-in ceremony  involves massive preparations in the President's residence.

First and foremost is to get the six to eight wings of the President's estate up and working, for instance the airconditioning unit for Ashoka Hall running. The grand room (originally the Ball Room of the Viceroys) is now used for holding ceremonial functions. However, it needs at least eight hours for the airconditioning to cool the room.

Another important activity that the Rashtrapati Bhavan is tasked with is printing invitation cards for the invitees, which needs a notice of eight hours.

And then there is the catering department to be given a heads up. They have to prepare a menu, organise the cooking, baking and making of 500 to 750 mini samosas, dhoklas, mithais, coffee and tea. A Rashtrapati Bhavan source told Rediff.com that sometimes the catering is outsourced, but to decide the caterer also needs time. Freshness of the food, the taste and size of the portions all undergo a standard operating procedure.

The Central Public Works Department of the Rashtrapati Bhavan has a flower unit which has 20 to 25 gardeners. They too have to be given a heads up to pick, choose, and decorate the flowers picked from the from Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. There are flowers  at the dais of the swearing-in ceremony dias , the visitors  room, and such minute details take time to be organised.

Which means if the reshuffle takes place on Monday, there is the requisite time to make the preparations.

-- R Rajagopalan/Rediff.com
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12:43   Lesbians, gays, bisexuals are NOT third gender, no change in 2014 order: SC
Just in: The Supreme Court clarifies that lesbians, gays and bisexuals are not third gender; refuses to modify its 2014 order on transgenders.

In 2014, the Supreme Court recognised the transgender community as a third gender along with males and females.

A Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and A.K. Sikri, in separate but concurrent judgments, said eunuchs, apart from the binary gender, be treated as a third gender for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under our Constitution and the laws made by Parliament and the State Legislature. The ruling came on a petition filed by the National Legal Services Authority.

The Bench directed the Centre and States to take steps to treat them as socially and educationally backward classes and extend reservation for admission in educational institutions and for public appointments.

The Bench said recognition of transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue. Transgenders are also citizens of India. The spirit of the Constitution is to provide equal opportunity to every citizen to grow and attain their potential, irrespective of caste, religion or gender.

By virtue of this verdict, all identity documents, including a birth certificate, passport, ration card and driving licence would recognise the third gender.

The Bench said gender identification is essential. It is only with this recognition that many rights such as the right to vote, own property and marry will be meaningful.


The Supreme Court yesterday declined to examine all over again a plea filed against validity of IPC Section 377, which makes homosexuality a criminal offence punishable with a sentence up to life term. The joint petition has been filed by some prominent gay personalities celebrity chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, hotelier Aman Nath and dancer N S Johar, among others.
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12:15   Council of ministers performance review at 4 pm today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the Union Council of Ministers at 4 pm at 7 Race Course Road today to assess the progress made by each minister and ministry and the impact of policy decisions of the Union Cabinet. After this performance review, the Cabinet reshuffle is expected to be announced, but not necessarily today. 

In the meeting this afternoon, ministers are expected to make presentations on work done in the two years since the BJP-led government came to power.

At least 16 major projects were analysed in the past meetings and today the Prime Minister is slated to take up the implementation proposals of the Union Budget of 2016.

The PM has undertaken such exercises in the past six months. In fact, on the last Thursday of each month, secretaries to all the departments are be present at a meeting where each Union Minister shows a powerpoint presentation to the Union Council of Ministers. At times, the PM intervenes and asks questions which is why officials and ministers come fully prepared for the meeting. The benefits of the exercise are expected to trickle down to the common man, a senior Union Minister tells Rediff.com.

Speculation over the possible changes intensified last night as PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah met for more than five hours. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was expected to attend that meeting but was not present, sources say.
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12:14   Rajini's Kabali on AirAsia
AirAsia India, the official airline partner for Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kabali,' has unveiled its new re-branded aircraft featuring a livery dedicated to the upcoming movie and Rajni-fans.

"AirAsia India unveiled its all new rebranded aircraft, with a livery dedicated to the most awaited movie of the year-Kabali," said AirAsia in a statement. According to the company, this special aircraft is a mark of respect to the Thalaiva for his contribution to Indian cinema. AirAsia said that parts of the aircraft have been painted and stickered with the livery, bearing image of the 65-year-old actor from the movie.

Reportedly, the planes from this low fare airline were used in a few scenes of 'Kabali.' The aircraft will be flying across the AirAsia India network covering destinations including Bengaluru, New Delhi, Goa, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Vizag and Kochi. As an official airline partner for 'Kabali,' it has also planned a special flight from Bengaluru to Chennai for the fans to watch the first-day-first-show of the movie.

AirAsia has also launched a social media contest on their official Facebook page where top 10 winners will get to watch the first show of 'Kabali' on the day of release.

Three other winners will stand a chance to fly to the locations where the movie was shot in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. The movie, which also stars Radhika Apte, was initially planned for a release on July 1 this year. It was later postponed to July 15 and it is widely speculated that the film has now been pushed further to July 22.
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11:39  
FLASH: Two terrorists gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.
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11:37   Anil Kumble's appointment is inspired
It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

Anil Kumble must have learnt the wisdom of those words early, for his indomitable will was his greatest asset during his cricket career. He was the heart to Rahul Dravid's soul of the Indian teams in which they played with such distinction.


If they had been blessed to have been surrounded by other selfless individuals whose only aim was to serve the team, the Indian teams in which they played would have been impossible to beat. Kumble will bring these same assets to the role as coach. His is an inspired choice.
Read more
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11:26   Bengal to become dry state next?
Few months after Bihar banned liquor, West Bengal is likely to follow its footsteps. Demanding a ban on liquor in the state, Forward Bloc party MLA Ali Imran Ramz told the state Assembly, "If Bihar can, why can't West Bengal ban alcohol?"Ramz was taking part in the discussion on state budget. He also said that this measure can also curb the law and order fiasco in the state.However, ruling party MLAs objected to Ramz's statement, his allied party members were heard echoing his voice.
Read more
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11:18   Rajan, Jaitley's first meeting since 2nd term decision
RBI governor Raghuram Rajan meets Finance minister Arun Jaitley. This is their first meeting since Rajan said he would not seek a second term.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had denounced attacks on the Reserve Bank of India Governor ahead of Rajan's decision not to seek a second term and had said the debate should be about the issues and policies, and not about the personalities.

Jaitley, however, had declined to comment on whether Rajan's term would be extended after his current three-year tenure ends this September.

Rajan had been facing a continuous attack by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy and by some other sections, who have demanded termination of his service or at least denial of any extension while alleging the RBI Governor has failed to lower interest rates and boost the economy.
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10:59   Pune bakery blast: Maharashtra moves SC against HC order giving lifer to Himayat Baig
Pune bakery blast: Maharashtra government files an appeal in the Supreme Court against Bombay high court order of reducing death sentence of Mirza Himayat Baig to life.

Baig, the lone convict in the 2010 German Bakery blast who was handed the death sentence by a Pune court, was acquitted of all terror charges by the Bombay High Court which found him guilty of the charge of possession of explosives and confirmed life imprisonment on that count.

Seventeen people died and over 50 were injured in the blast. In April 2013, when he was being awarded the death sentence, Baig had wept in court, pleading innocence and saying he was "the 18th victim of the blast". The Maharashtra ATS had claimed he was the blast "mastermind".
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10:12  
ANI: Security forces suspect presence of a terrorist in Malawara village (J&K), area cordoned off and search operation underway
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10:11   Selfie with rape survivor sparks a row in Rajasthan
A selfie clicked by the member of Rajasthan State Commission for Women with a alleged rape survivor courted controversy prompting the chairperson of the commission to seek a written explanation.

Interestingly, the Chairperson Suman Sharma is also in the selfie along with the member Somya Gurjar. The selfie was clicked by Gurjar Wednesday when she along with chairperson had gone to meet the alleged rape survivor in Mahila police station (Jaipur North).

"I was talking to the victim when the member of the commission clicked these selfies. I am not aware when she (Somya Gurjar) clicked. I do not favour such act and has sought a written explanation from her. She has been asked to submit the explanation by tomorrow," Sharma told Press Trust of India.

Interestingly, two pictures, in which Ms Gurjar is seen clicking the selfie, have gone viral.
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09:58   J&K: BJP leader arrested for giving guard's rifle to terrorists
BJP leader arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam for allegedly handing over his security guard's rifle to terrorists.

On Tuesday, BJP leader Ghulam Mohammad Chopan had claimed that suspected militants disarmed his personal security officer (PSO) Bashir Ahmad and decamped with his service rifle when they stormed into his residence at Gori Mohalla, Panzan in Chadoora of central Kashmir's Budgam district.

However, investigations revealed that Bashir Ahmad was not present in the house when the crime was committed. Ahmad was at his home which is in the same neighbourhood. Police sources said Ahmad had kept the AK 56 riffle at BJP leader's house and when some people came, it was handed over to them by his family members.

"PSO was not at the residence of Chopan when some people came and asked the family members to hand over the gun. His family members immediately went inside and handed over the gun and magazines to them. Later the suspects fled away on the bikes," said a police source.

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09:50  
News of Mrinal Sen passing away is false; he is absolutely fine and having tea right now: Legendary filmmaker's family.
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09:39   An artist who broke down boundaries
The path-breaking and protean artist savant, Kalpati Ganapati Subramanyan, who died in Vadodara at the age of 92 on Wednesday afternoon, had embraced world culture, but his aesthetic sensibility was rooted in traditions as he made no distinction between classical Indian art and the country's folk culture.

He inspired great admiration that almost bordered on reverence, yet at heart he was a no-nonsense man with a sly sense of humour that was irreverent at times.

Read more HERE
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09:39   India tests new surface-to-air missile co-developed with Israelis
India on Thursday test-fired a new surface-to-air missile developed jointly with Israel from the the Integrated Test Range at Balasore off Odisha coast.

Although DRDO officials refused to divulge details about the missile, sources said the weapon system is a variant of Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile, Barak. This is the first time that missile was tested from a land-based platform for the first time.

Also called Barak NG (next generation), the LRSAM can intercept aerial targets up to a range of 80 km. 

Apart from the missile, the system includes a multi-functional surveillance and threat alert radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile. 

The test-firing of the missile was jointly carried out by Indian defence personnel, DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries.

As a precautionary measure, Balasore district administration in consultation with defence officials made adequate arrangements to again temporarily shift 3652 civilians residing within 2.5 km radius of the launch pad No 3 of the ITR. 

A district revenue official said seven hamlets have been identified within 2.5 km radius of the launch pad and people living there have been alerted through public address system to shift to nearby shelter camps arranged by the administration.
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09:23   Mumbai: 8 dead in Andheri West slum fire
Just In: Eight dead in fire at a slum in Andheri West, Mumbai.

The fire started from a medical store and spread to the floor above.

Primary reason for the fire may be short circuit, Mumbai police PRO Ashok Dudhe said, adding that an investigation is underway.

More details are awaited.

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09:22  
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim to meet PM Narendra Modi at 11 am today
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09:09   Bihar topper scam: Vishun Roy College shut
Bihar topper scam: BSEB cancels registration of the Vishun Roy college in Vaishali after the institution allegedly took money to make fake toppers.

The college in Vaishalis Kairatpur is owned by Amit Singh aka Baccha Roy who is currently behind bars.

His college produced four of the 18 toppers, including his daughter Shalini, among the first ten on the merit list in the class 12 science and arts streams this year.

Notorious for incidents of mass cheating, Bihar was engulfed in a merit muddle when the four toppers failed to answer rudimentary questions during a media interaction soon after the results were announced in May, triggering outrage that they cheated their way to the top.

For in-depth story on how Bihar colleges 'manufacture' toppers, CLICK HERE
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08:47   They cannot prove anything: Robert Vadra on land deal probe
A day after retired Delhi high court chief justice S N Dhingra completed his probe into land deals in Gurgaon, including the one between realty major DLF and Robert Vadra, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law took to Facebook to air his thoughts.

He posted: 'Almost a decade of governments false and baseless accusations on me! They cannot prove anything without proof n there is nothing there to prove ... I will always be used for political gains, I know ... But I will walk with my head held high as in time and with the truth, which will conquer incorrect perceptions, created! about me.'

The Dhingra commission was set up in May last year by the Haryana government to probe the grant of licences to various real estate companies in Gurgaon when the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government was in power.

The one-man commission did not summon Vadra, whose company M/s Sky Light Hospitality is among those granted colony licences in Gurgaon. It did, however, summon former chief minister Hooda, but he did not appear before it on two dates.

The commission summoned 26 government officers, including Hooda, as witnesses and examined at least 250 files pertaining to approval, grant or rejection of colony licences to various builders, and change of land use and development plans.
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08:31   DU admissions begin today; Ramjas wants 99.25% for BCom Honours
A day after the first cut-off list was announced, admissions to the Delhi University academic session 2016-17, for which the varsity had received 2.5 lakh applications, will begin today.

In a shift from previous years, no Delhi University college has kept the ceiling at 100 per cent in the first cut-off list for admission to undergraduate courses which was announced in New Delhi.

The highest cut-off for the academic session has been announced by Ramjas college at 99.25 per cent for BCom Honours, 98.75 for BCom and 98.5 for Economics Honours. 

The cut-off for Hansraj College has remained unchanged across stream with Eco(H) being the highest at 98 per cent. 

Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), ranked among the best in the country for higher studies in Commerce and Economics, announced its cut off at 98.25 per cent for Economics Honours and 98 per cent for BCom Honours.

Miranda House cutoff for science courses is also same as last year with the highest being for Economics Honours at 97.75 per cent. Lady Sri Ram College has announced its cut-off for Psychology at (98.50 pc), English (98.25 pc), Economics (98 pc) and Commerce (H) (98pc). 
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08:16   PM Modi's Cabinet reshuffle likely today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to rejig his Council of Ministers on Thursday.

The Ashoka Hall at the Rashtrapati Bhavan is being readied for a ceremony at noon, followed by lunch for attending dignitaries. 

Earlier, a high tea had been planned at the same venue for Thursday evening, which was to follow the Council's meeting -- ostensibly to review the performances of ministers -- at 10:30 am.

With Uttar Pradesh elections due next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to keep regional and caste balances in mind for his council of ministers.

Read more HERE
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03:23   Chhota Rajan fake passport case: HC seeks CBI's response
The Delhi High Court today sought response of CBI on a retired government official's plea, who is facing trial in a fake passport case along with gangster Chhota Rajan, seeking quashing of criminal and corruption charges framed against her.

Justice I S Mehta issued notice to the agency asking it to file their response before July 8 on a plea by a 62-year- old Lalitha Lakshmanan, a former public servant who worked in a regional passport office at Bengaluru. 

She sought quashing of the charges of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy under the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act framed against her by a trial court here on June 8.

Similar charges have also been framed against two other public servants -- Jayashree Dattatray Rahate and Deepak Natvarlal Shah -- who have also been accused of helping Rajan procure a fake passport in the name of Mohan Kumar.
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02:52   The unlikely godfather of the Islamic State
ISIS, perhaps the most feared terrorist group in the world, traces its short history to a man who was a prison gang leader, a high school dropout and an alleged teenage pimp.

His name: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Zarqawi was "Hitler-like" and "incredibly brutal," said Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, a retired former director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency.

Read this story HERE  


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02:08   Journalist Pooja Tiwari death: Police recreates crime scene
Forensic team today recreated the "fall" of local journalist Pooja Tiwari, who allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of her residential building here last month, police said today.

To know the truth, forensic officer S K Aggarwal recreated the scene as narrated by the accused police inspector Amit Kumar, who was with Tiwari on the night of May 2. 

Kumar was taken to the crime spot with the permission of the court, they said. The forensic team will place the result of the recreated scene in the court, ACP Astha Modi said.

On May 2, 28-year-old woman journalist Pooja Tiwari, working with an online news portal, had allegedly committed suicide in Faridabad by jumping from the fifth floor of her residential building, but her family suspects f
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01:20   Investigators download crashed EgyptAir jet's flight data
Data from one of the black boxes of a crashed EgyptAir plane showed smoke alarms had sounded on board, while soot was found on the wreckage, an Egyptian-led investigative committee said Wednesday.

The black box had been retrieved from the bottom of the Mediterranean after the Airbus A320 with 66 people on board plunged into the sea on May 19 while heading to Cairo from Paris.

Read this story HERE
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00:05   Raj women commission member clicks selfie with rape victim
A selfie clicked by the member ofRajasthan State Commission for Women with a rape victim courted controversy prompting the chairperson of the commission to seek a written explanation.

Interestingly, the Chairperson Suman Sharma is also inthe selfie along with the member Somya Gurjar.

The selfie was clicked by Gurjar yesterday when she along with chairperson had gone to meet the rape victim in Mahila police station (Jaipur North).

"I was talking to the victim when the member of the commission clicked these selfies. I am not aware when she(Somya Gurjar) clicked. I do not favour such act and has sought a written explanation from her. She has been asked to submit the explanation by tomorrow," Sharma told PTI.        

Interestingly, two pictures, in which Gurjar is seenclicking the selfie, got viral on WhatsApp today.

Both Gurjar and Sharma are in the frame of the selfie andthe pictures of the act were clicked by someone standing nearthem in the chamber of the police officer.

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