LIVE! Bangladeshi woman booked for flying drone in Delhi

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Mon, 26 June 2023

Bangladeshi woman booked for flying drone in Delhi

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23:55 Malayalam actor CV Dev dies at 83

Malayalam actor CV Dev, who has acted in more than hundred films and numerous plays, died in Kozhikode on Monday.

He was 83.

According to family sources, he was admitted to a hospital due to age-related ailments, where he breathed his last.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of the artiste.

He has acted in many prominent movies including, Sadhayam, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, Mizhi Randilum, Chandrolsavam, Sandhesham among others. -- PTI

Akshardham temple in New Delhi/ANI

23:35 Bangladeshi woman booked for flying drone in Delhi

The police on Monday seized a drone flying near the Akshardham temple in New Delhi and quizzed a Bangladeshi woman operating it, officials said.

According to the police, on receiving information about the drone near the east Delhi temple, a police team from nearby Mandawali police station reached the spot and found that a Bangladeshi woman was "illegally" operating it.

The woman identified herself as Momo Mustafa (33), a resident of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

She claimed that she ran a photography business back home and was in India on a six-month tourist Visa since May.

The drone was seized and a case has been registered under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.

Further enquiry is underway, police said. -- PTI

The Delhi police and Indian Railways have launched separate probes to investigate the death of a woman after coming in contact with a live wire at the New Delhi Railway Station complex amid rainfall.

While the police said an investigation is underway and suitable action will be taken, the railways stated that a committee has been formed to probe the woman's death.

The incident took place on Sunday morning near gate number 1 when Sakshi Ahuja (34), along with her family, was on her way to board a train to Chandigarh.

According to a preliminary inquiry, Ahuja was walking towards the station in the rain when she lost her balance.

She grabbed an electricity pole to break her fall and came in contact with some exposed wires which were lying on the spot.

A day after the tragic death of his wife, the victim's husband Ankit Ahuja blamed the Indian Railways for the negligence and demanded strict action against the officials responsible for the lapses.

Delhi police spokesperson Suman Nalwa said, "We have registered a case and an investigation is being carried out."

She added that the site has been examined by forensic teams.

"We have written to the Central Electricity Authority of India to inspect the spot and give us an opinion as to how the incident took place," Nalwa said. -- PTI

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23:01 Meiteis protest in Pune, seeks PM's intervention to end Manipur violence

Members of the Meitei community held a sit-in protest in Pune in Maharashtra on Monday seeking immediate end to the violence in their native Manipur.

More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state since May 3 after clashes broke out following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

The sit-in protest against 'narco-terrorists and illegal immigrants' was held near the collector's office and was organised by Meitei Nupi Lup, Pune.

In a release, the protest organisers said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent even after 50 days of violence that has seen more than 100 deaths and displacement of 60,000 people.

Reports of heavy firing was coming in every day, resulting in people living in war-like situation with multiple security forces, mob build-up and clashes, it added.

Seeking immediate action from the governments at the Centre and in Manipur, the protesters observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to victims of the violence. -- PTI

Pakistan high commission in New Delhi/Reuters

22:20 India summons Pak envoy over attacks on Sikhs

India on Monday summoned a senior diplomat of the Pakistan high commission and lodged a strong protest over the recent incidents of attacks on Sikh community members in that country, sources said.

The diplomat has been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities who live in "constant fear of religious persecution", the sources said. Four incidents of attacks on Sikh community members have taken place between April and June and India has taken serious note of these incidents, they said.

"India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate these violent attacks on Sikh community with sincerity, and share the investigation reports," said a source.

"It has also been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities, who live in constant fear of religious persecution," the source added. -- PTI

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22:07 Monsoon advances, several parts of Gujarat receive heavy rainfall

The advancement of the southwest monsoon saw several parts of Gujarat receiving heavy rainfall on Monday, with more showers expected over the next three days, officials said.

In the 36-hour period ending at 6pm, Umargam taluka in Valsad received a massive 262 millimetres of rain, a release from the State Emergency Operations Centre said.

The SEOC release said 121 mm rain was recorded in Mahemdavad taluka of Kheda, 110mm in Nadiad taluka of Kheda, 101 mm in Vapi taluka of Valsad, 83 mm in Morbi, 75 mm in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar, 69 mm in Dhandhuka taluka of Ahmedabad and 65 mm in Wadhwan taluka of Surendranagar.

Low-lying areas, roads and underpasses in Nadiad, Morbi, Umargam and Vapi towns saw knee-deep waterlogging that affected traffic movement, officials said. In its forecast issued during the day, the India meteorological department predicted 'heavy to very heavy rain' in isolated places in Navsari and Valsad in south Gujarat on Tuesday. -- PTI

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21:33 Flyer held for defecating, urinating on Air India flight

A man travelling on a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight was arrested at the airport in Delhi for allegedly defecating and urinating in the aircraft, officials said.

According to the FIR filed by flight captain at Delhi's IGI Airport police station, on June 24, Air India's Flight AIC 866 from Mumbai to Delhi was in the air where a passenger, on seat no. 17F, defecated, urinated and spat in the aircraft on row 9 DEF of the aircraft.

The FIR further stated that this misconduct was spotted by the cabin crew and, subsequently, a verbal warning was issued by the cabin supervisor of the flight.

Later, the flight captain was also informed of the misconduct.

Further, according to the FIR filed after the incident, a message was sent to the company immediately and airport security was requested to escort the passenger on arrival. -- ANI

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21:02 YouTuber killed in road accident in Chhattisgarh

Famous YouTuber Devraj Patel was killed as he fell off his motorcycle after it brushed against a truck in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur on Monday, the police said.

He was 22.

Patel was riding pillion when the accident occurred at around 3:30 pm.

He was returning from Nava Raipur after filming a video, an official said. Patel's channel Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai has more than 4 lakh subscribers and over 8.80 crore views.

He was known for his witty style and funny videos.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed grief over the incident and said, "Devraj Patel who made everyone laugh has left us."

The accident occurred near Labhandi area under Telibandha police station limits when the handle of the motorcycle hit the truck which was going in the same direction and Patel, who was riding pillion, came under the rear wheel of the heavy vehicle, the official said.

Bike rider Rakesh Manhar, who escaped unhurt in the accident, called up an ambulance following which Patel was shifted to a hospital where he was declared dead, he added.

Patel, a resident of the state's Mahasamund district, was staying in a rented house in Raipur. -- PTI

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20:48 Chinese spy balloons seen over Asia: BBC

The British media on Monday reported new evidence of China's spy balloon programme, including flights over Japan and Taiwan, months after US-China relations were derailed when one such airship was shot down off the US coast.

Working with Synthetaic, an artificial intelligence company which sifted through huge amounts of data captured by satellites, the BBC has found multiple images of balloons crossing East Asia.

The company's founder, Corey Jaskolski, found evidence of one balloon crossing northern Japan in early September 2021.

These images have not been published before, the BBC reported.

Jaskolski also believes the evidence points to this balloon having been launched from deep inside China, south of Mongolia.

US-China relations were thrown into turmoil in February this year, when a Chinese spy balloon, said to be the size of three buses, was shot down by American fighter jets over the Atlantic Ocean off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.

China has repeatedly claimed the balloon seen over the US airspace was a civilian airship, used for scientific research such as meteorology -- and that it was an unintended and isolated event. -- PTI

KCR's motorcade leaves for Maharashtra/BRS/Twitter

20:39 KCR, cabinet colleagues arrive in Maha's Pandharpur in motorcade of 600 vehicles

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his cabinet colleagues arrived in renowned temple town Pandharpur in Maharashtra's Solapur district on Monday in a motorcade with 600 vehicles, a Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader said.

Rao will offer prayers at the Lord Vitthal temple on Tuesday, ahead of Ashadhi Ekadashi on June 29, said Shankar Dhondage, the BRS' Maharashtra in charge.

"Rao and all his cabinet colleagues arrived in 600 vehicles," he said.

A party functionary said the BRS' request to allow Rao to shower petals on the palanquins at Pandharpur from a helicopter has been denied by the administration citing security reasons.

Hundreds of 'palkhis' accompanied by 'warkaris' (devotees of Lord Vitthal) walking from various parts of the state converge at Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi at the end of their pilgrimage. -- PTI

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20:28 Kerala actor Prithviraj hurt during shooting, undergoes keyhole surgery

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran sustained a ligament tear while shooting a stunt sequence for the Malayalam movie Vilayath Buddha at Marayoor in Idukki district, producers of the movie said on Monday.

The actor, who got injured on the set on Sunday afternoon, was shifted to a private hospital in Kochi where he underwent keyhole surgery today.

The producer of the movie, Sandip Senan, said the actor was immediately taken to a nearby hospital after the accident, which took place occurred during a stunt sequence involving a bus.

"Doctors said it was a ligament tear and he was shifted to Kochi yesterday itself. Today, after consulting with his personal doctor, he underwent keyhole surgery," Senan told PTI.

He said the actor will have to rest for four to six months.

Vilayath Buddha, directed by Jayan Nambiyar, is based on a book written by G R Indugopan.

The shooting of the movie has been temporarily halted. -- PTI

Video grab of the incident

19:59 Prithvi Shaw did not molest Sapna Gill, police tells court

Social media influencer Sapna Gill's allegation that Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw had molested her at a pub in suburban Andheri in Mumbai is false and unfounded, the police told a court in Mumbai on Monday.

The investigating officer appeared before the magistrate, presiding over the case, on Monday and submitted a report about the matter.

After the police submitted the report, Gill's lawyer Ali Kaashif Khan requested the court to allow him to present the video footage of the alleged brawl that Gill's friend had recorded on his phone, which went viral in the media.

He also sought a CCTV grab of the incident that occurred outside the pub.

The court asked the police to submit the footage of the entire incident and adjourned the matter to June 28.

Gill had lodged a complaint before a magistrate court in Andheri seeking registration of FIR under IPC sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) against Shaw and his friend Ashish Yadav for assaulting her with a bat in February.

Before moving the court, Gill had approached the Airport police station in Andheri for registration of a molestation case against the cricketer and his friend.

Hyderabad Customs on Monday destroyed various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances weighing around 8,950 kg valued at Rs 295 crore by incinerating the lot near in Hyderabad on the occasion of International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, officials said.

As part of the 'Nasha Mukht Bharat' (drug-free India) and 'Say No to Drugs' campaigns initiated by the Central government on the occasion, the drugs seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence of Hyderabad and the Hyderabad Customs in various instances were destroyed, an official release said.

The destroyed drugs included 2655.942 kg of cannabis (ganja), 11 kg of heroin, 409.39 kg of Alprazolam and related materials, 142.932 kg of ephedrine hydrochloride and related materials, 74.92 kg of ketamine hydrochloride, 2.956 kg of mephedrone, 53.983 kg of methaqualone and 5595.14 kg of chemicals used for the clandestine manufacture of Ephedrinee it said.

The 11 kg of heroin which is valued around Rs 77 crore was seized by the DRI during April and May 2022 from the passengers of Malawi, Tanzania and Angola at the International Airport in Hyderabad. -- PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday slammed former United States president Barack Obama's statement about minority rights in India, saying he should first think about how many Muslim-majority countries were attacked during his tenure.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama reportedly said if India does not protect the rights of "ethnic minorities", there is a strong possibility at some point that the country starts pulling apart.

Interacting with mediapersons at a national security conclave in Jammu, Singh said Obama should know that the people of India believe in the concept of 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' and consider all people as members of one global family.

"He (Obama) should also think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked (as US president)," Singh told reporters when asked to react to Obama's remarks.

Singh said India has a secular character as people of different religions, including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians live together harmoniously.

"I want to tell you with confidence that even Muslim countries would not have all the 72 sects of the community. It is only in India that you will find them all," he said.

The defence minister said that certain forces across the world are responsible for creating a negative perception of India. But people should investigate the number of Muslim countries that India has attacked.

Singh's comments have come a day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at Obama, saying his remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US "bombing" during his tenure.

The finance minister alleged that "organised campaigns" were being run to level "baseless" allegations on the treatment meted out to minorities in India at the behest of the Opposition as it cannot electorally defeat the Modi-led BJP. -- PTI

Pakistan Army on Monday announced that three officers including a Lieutenant-General were sacked and action was taken against three major- generals and seven brigadiers for failing to protect the military installations during the May 9 violent protests following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Khan's party workers vandalised over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time.

Military spokesman Major General Arshad Sharif said the army conducted two probes into the protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters and took action.

"After a deliberate accountability process, keeping the requests of in-court inquiries in view, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to keep the security and honour of garrisons, military installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters intact.

"Three officers, including a Lieutenant-General, have been removed and strict disciplinary proceedings completed against other officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, have been completed, he said.

He said probes were carried out by officers of major general level officers.

"All the people involved (in May 9 violence) will be punished under the Constitution and law," said Sharif while addressing a press conference.

He described the incident of May 9 as "extremely disappointing, condemnable and a black chapter in the history of our country".

"The events of May 9 have proven what enemies couldn't do in 76 years, a bunch of miscreants and their facilitators did," the officer said, as he described the incident as "a conspiracy against Pakistan.

The May 9 violence elicited a strong reaction from the government and military with vows of taking action against the culprits, leading to an ongoing crackdown against those involved. -- PTI

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19:27 3rd year medical student in Andhra Pradesh dies by suicide

A third-year medical student was found dead at Vishwa Bharathi Medical College in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, the police said on Monday.

According to the police, Dentepurthi Lokesh, 22, hanged himself around 10 pm on Sunday night in his hostel room at Penchikalapadu village, around 25 km from Kurnool town, where the medial college is located.

We are not sure why he hanged himself. He stays alone in his room and used a bedsheet to die by suicide, a police official told PTI on Monday.

The police are probing the case from all angles to check if any other issues might have triggered the student into taking the extreme step.

Lokesh's father Brahmananda Rao told the police that he did not face any issues and he was not sure as to might have led to his son choosing to end his life.

Lokesh is a native of Kavali in Nellore district and was a bright student who cleared the first two years of MBBS course with distinction.

The police have registered a case and have begun investigation.

Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Monday urged Muslims to strictly follow government guidelines while offering sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha and not to share pictures of slaughtered animals on social media.

Eid ul-Azha, also called the festival of sacrifice, will be celebrated on Thursday.

Muslims across the globe offer sacrifice of animals as permitted by law in their respective countries as a symbol of the willingness and obedience to God that Prophet Ibraham showed in offering his son Ismael as sacrifice.

In a statement, Jamiat Uleme-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani said that in view of the current situation, it is important that Muslims take precautionary measures while offering the sacrifice of animals.

He urged them not to share pictures of slaughtered animals on social media.

Madani also urged Muslims to strictly follow the government guidelines while performing 'qurbani (sacrifice) and not to sacrifice prohibited animals.

He urged them to take the administration into confidence wherever anyone tries to stop the legitimate sacrifice.

Madani also advised Muslims to take special care of cleanliness on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha and stressed that animal waste should not be thrown on the roads, streets and drains, but buried in a manner that it does not raise any stench.

The Jamiat chief asserted that every possible effort should be made so that no one gets hurt by the actions of Muslims.

He also urged people to file a complaint with the local police station if there is "any kind of provocation by sectarian elements". -- PTI

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18:48 Air France cancels Paris-Toronto flight, pax stranded

Air France has said its flight from Paris to Toronto was cancelled due to a technical problem and unavailability of a new aircraft, amid many passengers, including those who travelled from India to take the connecting flight, getting stranded at Paris airport.

In a tweet, Air France said it sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation and is doing its utmost to get customers to their final destination as quickly as possible.

The airline's response was to a series of tweets by a Twitter user highlighting the issues being faced by the stranded Indian passengers at Paris airport.

"We confirm that flight AF356 on June 24, 2023, from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Toronto had to be cancelled due to a technical problem and the unavailability of a new aircraft.

"Some customers without Schengen visas and therefore not allowed to leave the terminal building were taken care of and assisted by Air France teams, and accommodated in a dedicated area of the airport. Air France sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation and is doing its utmost to get customers to their final destination as quickly as possible," the airline said.

In a series of tweets, Paris-based journalist Noopur Tiwari said that for the record, passengers arrived in Paris on June 23 from Mumbai on flight AF 217 and were to board AF 356 to Toronto, and the latter flight was cancelled.

She also tweeted a statement quoting Indian Embassy in Paris as saying, "Embassy officials are on way to the airport to negotiate with Air France and airport authorities to arrive at an amicable settlement".

A statement from Air France on the issue was awaited.

As many as 35 Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders, including former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and ex-minister Telangana government Jupally Krishna Rao, announced their intention to join the Congress and met the party's top leadership in New Delhi on Monday, sources said.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders will formally join the Congress at a public rally in Khammam, Telangana expected to be held in the first week of July with the likely presence of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. Reddy was a BRS MP from Khammam in the previous Lok Sabha polls.

The development comes ahead of assembly elections in the state later this year.

The leaders met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi in the presence of general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and Telangana Congress chief A Revanth Reddy. -- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Border Security Force of scaring voters in the bordering areas of the state at the behest of the saffron camp and asked the police administration to keep a close watch on their activities.

"I have information that in the run up to the panchayat election, some BSF officials are visiting the border areas, threatening voters and forcing them not to vote. I will ask people not to be scared of their tactics and fearlessly participate in the elections," she told an election rally in the bordering district.

While referring to the alleged shooting of villagers by the BSF last year, whom the border force claimed as smugglers, Banerjee said, "Police will lodge FIRs in such cases and the law will take its own course."

"They don't have the right to shoot and kill anyone. No one is above the law; it seems killing people in Cooch Behar district has become a norm," she said.

She asserted "law and order is a state subject" and the Centre has no role in it.

Asserting that Trinamool will defeat BJP in the three-tier rural polls, Banerjee said, "We will then oust the BJP from the Centre and bring a development-oriented government in the country."

The BJP dubbed the allegations of using BSF to serve its political purpose baseless.

"Such comments are unacceptable and an insult to our security forces. These remarks reflect the mindset of TMC as they have been up against the BSF since its jurisdiction was increased," BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said.

The BJP-led central government in 2021 had amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50km stretch, instead of 15km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

It had snowballed into a major political issue in Bengal, with the ruling TMC passing a resolution in the state assembly opposing the Centre's decision.

Banerjee questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Manipur, where over 100 lives have been lost in ethnic strife since May.

While claiming that the party is giving importance to panchayat elections, Banerjee said it would ensure there is no corruption at the ground level.

"Earlier, we might not have given much importance to panchayat elections, but this time, you have seen how we have conducted the mass outreach campaign, where people's views have been taken regarding selecting candidates. We will ensure that there is no corruption in the panchayat," she said. -- PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dared Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray to put details of his family's properties in the public domain.

Fadnavis and Thackeray have been trading barbs after the BJP leader termed the meeting held in Patna last week as the gathering of parties with an agenda to save their "families and dynasties".

Speaking in Chandrapur on Sunday night, Fadnavis reiterated that the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last nine years forced the "family-centric" parties to come under one roof to save their political heirs.

He was addressing BJP leaders and others at an event to mark the Modi government's completion of nine years in power.

A book titled Architect of New India (Marathi version), written by BJP leader and state minister Sudhir Mungantiwar was released on the occasion.

"The work of PM Modi has forced the family-dominated parties to gather under one roof to save their dynasties at Patna. The meeting's agenda was not to remove Modi from power but to save their families," Fadnavis claimed.

He asked whether leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray are more concerned about their children or about India.

"PM Modi counts the whole country as his family. The Opposition leaders gathered at Patna only passed a resolution to find a suitable match for Rahul Gandhi," Fadnavis said, adding that Modi is like Sun.

Targeting Thackeray, Fadnavis said he doesn't interfere in other's business, "but if I do, I do not leave halfway".

"I said the Patna meeting was joined by family-centric parties but you (Thackeray) commented on my wife. I don't live in a glasshouse. People living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones at the houses of others. My life is an open book," the BJP leader said.

Fadnavis said he is challenging Thackeray to public details of his family's properties.

Addressing Shiv Sena-UBT workers in Mumbai last Saturday, Thackeray launched a strident attack on former ally Fadnavis over his remarks that the Patna meeting was held with a "parivar bachao" agenda.

"I am very sensitive about my family. Do not stoop to such a low level. You (Fadnavis) also have a family, and WhatsApp chats about your family are out in the open," Thackeray had said.

He was apparently referring to phone chats between Fadnavis's wife Amruta Fadnavis and alleged cricket bookie Anil Jaisinghani and his daughter. The chats are part of a chargesheet filed against them in a case related to the alleged demand of bribes and extortion money from Amruta Fadnavis. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off five new Vande Bharat Express trains physically and virtually from Rani Kamlapati railway station in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal on Tuesday, an official statement said.

At around 10:30 AM, the Prime Minister will reach Rani Kamalapati railway station and flag off five Vande Bharat Express trains. This includes -- Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express; Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express; Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express; Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express; and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express.

Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express will connect Mahakaushal Region (Jabalpur) to the Central Region (Bhopal) of Madhya Pradesh. The connectivity will benefit tourist places like Bheraghat, Pachmarhi, Satpura, etc. The train will be faster by about thirty minutes compared to the fastest train on the route.

Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express will improve the connectivity of the Malwa Region (Indore) and Bundelkhand Region (Khajuraho) to the Central Region (Bhopal). This will benefit important tourist sites like Mahakaleshwar, Mandu, Maheshwar, Khajuraho, and Panna. The train will be about two hours and thirty minutes faster than the fastest existing train on the route.

Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai The Vande Bharat Express will be Goa's first Vande Bharat Express. It will run between Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Goa's Madgaon station. It will help save about one hour of journey time when compared with the current fastest train connecting the two places.

Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will connect important cities in Karnataka - Dharwad, Hubballi, and Davangere - with the state capital, Bengaluru. It will immensely benefit tourists, students, industrialists, etc. in the region. The train will be faster by about thirty minutes compared to the fastest train on the route.

Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express will be the first Vande Bharat for Jharkhand and Bihar. Enhancing connectivity between Patna and Ranchi, the train will be a boon for tourists, students, and businessmen. It will help save about one hour and twenty-five minutes of journey time when compared with the current fastest train connecting the two places, the official statement read.

According to official release, Modi will also attend a public programme in Shahdol at around 3 PM, where he will honour Rani Durgavati, launch the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, and kickstart the distribution of Ayushman cards.

17:33 Rajya Sabha MP Hardwar Dubey passes away

Hardwar Dubey, BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, has died at a private hospital in New Delhi, sources said on Monday. He was 74.

Dubey breathed his last at the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, the hospital sources said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to Twitter to condole Dubey's demise.

"The (news of the) demise of honourable Rajya Sabha MP and former Uttar Pradesh minister Shri Hardwar Dubey ji is very sad. My condolences are with the bereaved family members. May Lord Shri Ram grant the departed soul a place at his holy feet and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti," Adityanath said in a tweet in Hindi. -- PTI

Legendary Indian woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami and two English players in Heather Knight and Eoin Morgan have joined the MCC World Cricket Committee (WCC) ahead of its meeting at the Lord's, the club said on Monday.

Besides Goswami, England women's team skipper Knight and 2019 ODI World Cup winning captain Morgan too have joined the WCC, which is an independent body comprised of current and former international cricketers, umpires, and officials from across the world.

Often regarded as one of the fastest bowler in the women's game, Goswami retired from international cricket last year, and fittingly her final appearance was at Lord's in the ODI against England, where she was given a guard of honour.

The seamer enjoyed a career spanning two decades, taking over 300 wickets in white-ball cricket across 272 appearances, as well 44 wickets in 12 Test matches.

She was made an Honorary Life Member of MCC in April this year.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jhulan, Heather and Eoin to the World Cricket committee," Chair of the MCC World Cricket committee Mike Gatting, said in a release.

"These are three players who have excelled at the very top of the international game and their knowledge of how the elite level of cricket works will be an advantage to the committee.

"It is also important that we are growing the female representation on the committee with the growth that women's cricket has enjoyed in recent years. Jhulan and Heather join Clare Connor and Suzie Bates who can all offer first-hand insight into the women's game."

The WCC will meet on Monday and Tuesday at Lord's ahead of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia, with various outputs from the meeting to be communicated after the conclusion of the match. -- PTI

Asaduddin Owaisi

17:09 FIR filed over Aurangzeb slogans at Owaisi rally

The police registered an FIR against unidentified persons for allegedly raising slogans glorifying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb during a rally addressed by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, an official said on Monday.

The police took cognisance of video and audio clips doing the rounds of social media and registered a case based on a complaint lodged by the police personnel present at the rally, the official said.

Owaisi addressed the rally on Saturday evening in Malkapur city. During his speech, some unidentified persons raised slogans glorifying Aurangzeb, the official said quoting the FIR.

He said the viral audio and video clips could have caused communal tension in the area.

Considering the past incidents of communal tension, the Buldhana police took serious cognisance of the slogans and registered an FIR, he said.

The police invoked sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 505 (1) B (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or public tranquillity) of the Indian Penal Code.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief on Sunday claimed the reports about pro-Aurangzeb slogans were false.

Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said it will soon be revealed who is shouting such slogans and at whose behest.

Suraj Chavan

16:26 ED questions Uddhav man in Covid centres scam

Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Suraj Chavan on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate investigating a money laundering link in the alleged Covid centres scam to record his statement, an official said.

Chavan reached the ED office in south Mumbai at around 12.30 pm, the official said.

He was summoned by the ED to record his statement after the federal agency raided 15 locations in Mumbai on June 21 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged Covid centres scam against businessman Sujit Patkar, believed to be a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.

Chavan identifies himself as a secretary of Shiv Sena and a core committee member of Yuva Sena on his social media handle.

Raids were also conducted at the residence of Chavan and the locations of some officials of Mumbai civic body and others, including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, officials had said.

The ED recovered jewellery worth Rs 2.4 crore and Rs 68 lakh during the raid, an official had said earlier.

Patkar and his three partners allegedly bagged Mumbai civic body contracts fraudulently for managing Covid-19 field hospitals during the pandemic, the official said.

The Mumbai police had registered a forgery case against Lifeline Hospital Management Services firm, Patkar, and his three partners in August last year.

Based on the FIR at Azad Maidan police station in south Mumbai, the ED registered a case to investigate the money laundering angle.

As per the FIR, the hospital management firm partners in June 2020 submitted an alleged fake partnership deed to the BMC and obtained contracts for jumbo Covid-19 centres at NSEL, Worli, Mulund, Dahisar (in Mumbai) and Pune without having any experience in the medical field.

Image only for representation

15:48 Train runs over teens taking selfies on railway bridge

Two teenagers were run over by a train while they were taking selfies on a railway bridge in the Roorkee town of Uttarakhand's Haridwar district.

The accident occurred on Saturday evening, Laksar police station in-charge Mamta Gola said on Monday.

Siddharth Saini (19) and 16-year-old Shivam Saini were knocked down by the Delhi-Dehradun Shatabdi Express when they were taking selfies on the Dosni railway bridge, she said.

The pair died on the spot, the police said.

They had come to Laksar from their village with their families to perform a religious ritual on the banks of the Solani river, Gola said.

Unaware that the Delhi-bound train was speeding towards them, the teenagers climbed the railway bridge across the river to take selfies, the police officer said. -- PTI

15:29 Days after Oppn meet, Mamata slams Cong, CPI-M

Days after the mega opposition meeting in Patna, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the role of Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Congress, saying despite her efforts to form a grand opposition alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, their actions as playing second fiddle to the saffron camp in the state are throwing a spanner in the efforts.

Drawing the battle lines, opposition parties on Friday resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a crucial meeting, even as fissures emerged with the Aam Aadmi Party asserting that it would be difficult for it to be part of any such gathering in future till the Congress publicly supports it on the ordinance issues.

Over 32 leaders, including Banerjee, of more than a dozen political parties, had attended the meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna.

"We are trying to form a grand alliance (Mahajot) against the BJP at the Centre. But the CPI-M and the Congress are trying to work with the BJP in Bengal. I will break this unholy nexus in Bengal," the TMC supremo said while addressing a panchayat election rally in Cooch Behar on Monday.

This is for the second time in the last ten days that Banerjee has criticised the Congress and CPI-M for having a tacit understanding with the BJP.

Reacting to Banerjee's claim, West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the 'credibility of the TMC in the fight against the BJP was always under a question mark'.

"We all know the role that TMC had played in all these years in the fight against the BJP."

Echoing Chowdhury, the CPI-M said Banerjee should be the last person to lecture the Communists and the Congress on ways to fight against the BJP.

Meanwhile, the BJP rubbished the allegations of having any form of understanding with the CPI-M and the Congress in the state.

"The CPI-M, Congress, and the TMC are on the same boat. It is the BJP which is fighting against the anti-people policies of the state government," BJP leader Rahul Sinha said. -- PTI

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami. Photo: ANI Photo

14:52 SGPC warns Punjab govt: Withdraw Gurdwaras Bill or...

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday warned that an agitation will be launched against the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government if the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was not withdrawn.

Dhami also slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of interfering in SGPC matters and trying to implement the anti-Sikh thinking of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal with a motive of capturing the SGPC.

Dhami was addressing a special general house session of the SGPC in Amritsar against the state government's move of bringing the bill.

The Punjab Assembly on June 20 had passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is aimed at ensuring free telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.

Addressing SGPC members here, Dhami, while condemning the Bill, asked the Punjab government to withdraw it immediately.

"If the state government does not stop interference in Sikh matters, then a morcha (agitation) will be started against it after performing 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht and then it will be the responsibility of the state government," he said.

Dhami said any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 can be made only with the approval of a two-third majority of SGPC members.

The SGPC chief asserted that neither the Centre nor the Punjab government has any right to amend the law.

On Mann's charge that Dhami was being dictated by SAD leaders, the SGPC chief said he cannot be dictated.

Taking a swipe at Mann, Dhami said the chief minister speaks what he is asked to say by Kejriwal.

It is not happening like this. It is the conspiracy of 'Babu' Kejriwal, said Dhami while apparently referring to the Bill.

Mann on Sunday had slammed the SGPC chief for his meeting with the SAD leaders and had said Dhami would announce an already decided verdict on opposing the bill.

SGPC member Jaswant Singh Prain asked the SGPC to make its agreement with the PTC channel public.

Currently, Gurbani is broadcast from the Sikh shrine by PTC, a private channel often linked to the Badal family.

The SGPC has been opposing the bill, claiming the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 can only be amended by Parliament. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with senior cabinet colleagues and officials soon after his return from State visits to the United States and Egypt.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Urban Affairs and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Senior officials including P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, were also present.

Modi arrived in New Delhi in the early hours of Monday from State visits to the US and Egypt. -- PTI

The Karnataka high court. Pic: ANI

13:54 Squeezing a person's testicles is not attempt to murder: HC

Squeezing another person's testicles during a fight cannot be termed 'attempt to murder', the high court of Karnataka has said.

It differed with the trial court which had convicted a 38-year old man for 'causing grievous hurt' for such an incident. It also reduced the sentence from seven years imprisonment to three years.

The HC reasoned that the accused had no intention of murdering the victim and the injury was caused during a fight.

"There was a quarrel between the accused and complainant on the spot. During that quarrel, the accused chose to squeeze the testicles. Therefore, it cannot be said that the accused came with an intention or with preparation to commit murder. If at all he has prepared or attempted to commit murder, he could have brought some deadly weapons with him in order to commit murder," it said.

The HC said that the accused has caused grievous hurt to the victim.

Though the injury may have caused the death of the victim it was not the intention of the accused.

"Though he has chosen the testicles which is the vital part of the body which may cause death and the injured was taken to the hospital, also undergone surgery and the testicles was removed which is a grievous hurt. Therefore, I am of the view, it cannot be said that the accused with an intention or preparation had attempted to commit murder.

"The injury caused by the accused could be brought under Section 324 of IPC by causing grievous injury by squeezing the private part which is the vital part of the body," Justice K Natarajan said in his recent judgement.

The complaint by the victim Omkarappa stated that he and others were dancing in front of the 'Narasimhaswamy' procession during the village fair when the accused Parameshwarappa came there in a motorcycle and picked up a quarrel.

During the fight that ensued, Parameshwarappa squeezed the testicles of Omkarappa causing grievous injury. After the police inquiry and trial, he was convicted and sentenced.

Parameshwarappa, a resident of Mugalikatte in Kadur in Chikkamagaluru district, approached the HC with an appeal challenging his conviction by the trial court in Chikkamagaluru.

The trial court had sentenced him to seven years imprisonment under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC, one month imprisonment under Section 341 (wrongful restraint) and one year imprisonment under Section 504 (insult to provoke)

The incident dates back to 2010 and the trial court convicted Parameshwarappa in 2012. His appeal, filed in 2012, was disposed of by the HC earlier this month.

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Monday gifted a car to a Coimbatore-based woman who quit her job as a bus driver over a controversy surrounding issuing a travel ticket to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi last week.

The car was provided to Sharmila, Coimbatore's first woman bus driver, on behalf of the 'Kamal Panbattu Maiam' (Kamal Cultural Center) to enable her become a driver-entrepreneur, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief said in a statement.

'I was anguished over the recent debate surrounding Sharmila, who was a very good example to women of her age. Sharmila should not remain a mere driver. My belief is to create many Sharmilas,' he added.

She would now use the car for rental service and become an entrepreneur, he added.

Last week, barely minutes after Kanimozhi took a ride from Gandhipuram to Peelamedu in Coimbatore in the bus driven by Sharmila, the latter had said she had to give up her 'dream job' allegedly after her colleague disrespected the DMK Parliamentarian and also because her management accused her of seeking publicity by inviting prominent personalities to travel in the bus.

She claimed she had intimated her management about the proposed visit of the MP but she could not digest the 'disrespect' meted out to the DMK leader.

The transport firm denied being informed about Kanimozhi's visit and insisted Sharmila had left on her own accord. -- PTI

13:09 2 trapped inside collapsed Mumbai building die

Bodies of two persons, including a 94-year-old woman, were recovered on Monday morning a day after a portion of a three-storeyed building collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar (East) area, officials said.

The incident took place in Ghatkopar's Rajawadi Colony, and the deceased were identified as Naresh Palande (56) and Alka Mahadev Palande (94).

Their bodies were recovered on Monday morning after a search and rescue operation that began after the collapse incident that took place on Sunday morning, and were sent to Rajawadi Hospital.

"The missing two people were recovered and sent to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors were declared them dead," Dr Prasad Gade, CMO, of Rajawadi Hospital said.

Officials said that the search and rescue operation has been completed.

The bodies of the two missing people have been recovered, said an official.

Many people were buried under the debris of the building in the collapse incident that took place after heavy rainfall on Sunday at around 09.33 am.

However, soon after the incident, the rescue teams started evacuating people. Four people were evacuated on Sunday.

At the same time, a search operation was on for two others who were still trapped.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade, NDRF, Police, Ward Staff, 108 Ambulance, and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) were mobilised for the rescue operation. -- ANI

IMAGE: An excavator clears the broken part of the building after two people died in a building slab collapse after heavy rainfall, in Mumbai on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Hundreds of commuters were stranded near Aut in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district as the Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked following flash floods and landslides, officials said on Monday.

Flash floods were witnessed in Khotinallah near Aut on the Pandoh Kullu stretch due to a heavy downpour and the commuters have been stranded since Sunday evening.

Officials of the Mandi administration said restoration work is underway and explosives are being used to blast heavy boulders blocking roads on the stretch.

National Highway-21, which connects Chandigarh with Manali, is expected to reopen for traffic in seven-eight hours, they said.

The commuters have been advised not to move towards Mandi until the road is opened, they added.

"We have been struck since last evening as the road is closed leading to a traffic jam and a large number of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the roads at Aut and six mile," said Prashant, one of the stranded commuters who was returning to Mandi town from Chandigarh.

Moderate to heavy rains have also lashed several parts of Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts.

Dharamshala in Kangra was the wettest with 106.6 mm of rain followed by Kataula 74.5 mm, Gohar 67 mm, Mandi 56.4 mm, Poanta Sahib 43 mm and Palampur 32.2 mm.

The local MeT office has issued an alert for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places on June 27 and 28 and thunderstorms coupled with lightning from June 27-29. -- PTI

Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Monday said no discussion took place on the 'prime ministerial post' in the meeting of opposition parties held in Patna last week ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due next year.

There were discussions on issues like inflation, unemployment and 'deliberate attempts' at some places to encourage communal forces, Pawar told reporters in Baramati town in Maharashtra.

He also hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for its criticism of the opposition meeting.

"Why was the BJP worried about the conclave," Pawar said, claiming there was lack of 'political maturity'.

Drawing the battle lines, over 32 leaders of more than a dozen opposition parties held a crucial meeting in Patna hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday and resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

At a joint press meeting, the opposition parties said they would fight the polls on a common agenda and state-wise strategy, setting aside their differences with a flexible approach.

Asked about opponents mocking that '19 prime ministerial post aspirants' came together at the meeting, Pawar said it is a childish statement.

"In the meeting, there was no discussion on the post of prime minister. A discussion took place on issues pertaining to inflation and unemployment. There was a discussion on deliberate attempts at some places to encourage communal forces and how those who are in power, that is BJP, are trying to create a rift between communities," he said.

Rift between communities on the basis of religion and caste is detrimental to any society, and the point of decision was how to control such a thing, he said.

Pawar said he has been reading statements of the 'so-called leaders' who have made remarks on the opposition meeting in Patna.

"Why is there no permission in democracy to hold the meeting (by opposition leaders)? The BJP state president, I do not remember his name...he said what was the need to hold the meeting. I read his statement that he is going to hold a meeting in Mumbai. So you (BJP) can hold a meeting and if we hold it, why are you worried?" he said. -- PTI

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday took on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over her listing the Centre's achievements, saying that if the Modi government stands tall in some areas, it is because it is standing on the shoulders of its predecessor United Progressive Alliance government.

Chidambaram countered Sitharaman's comments made in an article about the achievements of the Modi government in the last nine years.

'The Hon'ble Finance Minister has penned an article on the achievements of the Modi Government. Many examples she has cited are true as would be true of EVERY government that has ruled for 5 or 10 years,' the former finance minister said on Twitter.

The finance minister has cited five examples of the Opposition taking the government to court and losing the case, Chidambaram noted.

'She is wrong at least in three: The SC had declared triple talaq illegal even before Parliament passed a law. The Article 370 case has not yet been heard by the Court. Numerous cases under the GST laws are pending,' Chidambaram argued in his long Twitter post.

The finance minister claims credit for India achieving top ranks in production of milk, honey, fruit and vegetables, he pointed out and added that these ranks were achieved years ago and 'we retain those ranks'.

'The Hon'ble FM claims credit for Direct Benefit Transfer. She forgets that Aadhaar was conceived, created and rolled out by the UPA government and the first transfers under DBT were done by the UPA government,' Chidambaram said.

The finance minister boasts about the 11.72 crore toilets built. She should read her own government's reports on how many of them are unused and unusable because they lack water, the senior Congress leader said.

'Every government will have achievements to its credit. So does the Modi government. If the Modi government stands tall in some areas, it is because it is standing on the shoulders of the UPA government,' Chidambaram said.

In an article in The Indian Express, Sitharaman had also criticised the Opposition and said that its role had, sadly, been less in Parliament.

'It has been more to disrupt and delay through filing petitions in the courts of law rather than debate and discuss in the House. Over 15 cases, including on the GST, Article 370, vaccination, triple talaq, Central Vista, were vigorously argued only for them to lose in each one of them,' she had said. -- PTI

Image used only for representation

11:01 Hotel staff dies after his leg gets trapped outside lift

A 24-year-old housekeeping staff was crushed to death at a hotel in the Royapettah area of Chennai after his leg got trapped outside the service lift, police said.

The deceased was identified as K Abhishek, a resident of Haider Garden main road in Perambur.

Police have booked three people in connection with the incident for negligence.

As per a police official, the incident took place at 2 pm on Sunday at the hotel located on Dr Radhakrishnan Salai in Chennai.

The mishap took place when the deceased after completing his work on the ninth floor of the hotel was on his way down and had entered the lift with a trolley.

According to the police he had entered the lift and pressed the button to reach the 8th floor and they suspect that the trolley got stuck in the lift's doors.

"He entered the lift on the 9th floor with a trolley around 2.30 pm. He pressed the button for the 8th floor, but the trolley got stuck in the door and Abhishek was trapped in between as the lift started moving. He got trapped between the lift and the 8th floor where he was crushed to death," police official said.

After receiving the information about the accident, Mylapore Fire Brigade and Egmore Rescue Services rushed to the spot and recovered the body on Sunday around 5.30 pm.

Later, the body was sent for an autopsy to Royapet Government Hospital.

"After receiving a complaint from Abishek's brother Avinesh Kumar, a case has been registered under 304 (A) (IPC). Lift in charge of Gokul, Chief Engineer Vinoth Kumar and Hotel Operating Manager Kumar has been booked and more investigation is going on," the police official further said. -- ANI

Two people were killed in rain-related incidents as heavy rains lashed various parts of Uttarakhand on Sunday amid an 'orange alert' issued by the Met office for several districts.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster control room in Dehradun to review the situation and advised Char Dham pilgrims to proceed on their journey only after taking a weather update.

The weather office has forecast intense spells of rain at isolated places in Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri districts on Sunday.

"I appeal to the devotees that in case the weather turns bad, they should stop their yatra and follow the forecast of the Meteorological department," he said.

Incessant rain triggered landslides, blocking a number of roads, while the water level has risen in several rivers, including the Ganga.

A 50-year-old man was killed when his vehicle got trapped under the debris following a landslide in Rudraprayag district. The deceased was identified as Anil Bisht. Two other vehicles were also damaged, the official said.

In another incident, a youth was killed and three others were injured while transplanting in a field in the Kandyal village of Purola tehsil of Uttarkashi district. The deceased has been identified as Abhishek (20).

Dhami directed the officials to maintain constant communication and coordination with the districts experiencing excess rain so that emergencies can be dealt with on time.

Over the past 24 hours, Haridwar received the maximum rainfall of 78.5 mm, followed by Dehradun with 33.2 mm, Tehri 26.2 mm, Pauri 15.1 mm and Pithoragarh 12.6 mm, the Met department said.

Dhami also asked the officials in the districts to be on the alert and make adequate arrangements for police, State Disaster Response Force and health personnel to meet any challenge.

The chief minister advised people living near the rivers and streams to be extra vigilant.

He also told the officials to make adequate arrangements at night shelters so that the people who have to leave their homes due to the heavy rain are not inconvenienced. -- PTI

IMAGE: People holding umbrellas walk amid rain in Dehradun on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

United States President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and discussed the recent events in Russia, the White House said.

The two leaders also discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unflinching US support, which includes ongoing security, financial, and humanitarian assistance.

'President Biden spoke today with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to discuss support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. They discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering US support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid. The leaders also discussed recent events in Russia,' the White House readout of President Biden's Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine said.

Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy said that everyone who chooses the path of evil 'destroys' himself, as he took a sharp dig at Moscow hours after the Wagner group launched a rebellion against Russian military facilities.

Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy said, 'Everyone who chooses the path of evil destroys himself. Who sends columns of troops to destroy the lives of another country and cannot stop them from fleeing and betraying when life resists. Who terrorises with missiles, and when they are shot down, humiliates himself to receive Shahed drones. Who despises people and throws hundreds of thousands into the war, in order to eventually barricade himself in the Moscow region from those whom he himself armed.'

Accusing Russia of using 'propaganda' to 'mask its weakness', the Ukrainian President said that this attack by Wagner group exposes Russia's 'full-scale weakness'.

'For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it. And all this is one person, who again and again scares by the year 1917, although he is able to result in nothing else but this,' he said.

However, on Sunday the Wagner mercenary chief decided to halt its March to Moscow after the Belarusian president stated he was in talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin about an agreement to 'de-escalate tensions. -- ANI

Twelve members of a marriage party were killed and seven others injured as their bus collided head-on with another bus in Odisha's Ganjam district, police said on Monday.

The accident occurred late Sunday night near Digapahandi area on Berhampur-Taptapani road, around 35 km from Berhampur, when the bus with the wedding party members on board collided with another passenger vehicle, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said.

After attending a wedding ceremony at Berhampur, they were returning to Khandadeuli near Digapahandi when the accident took place.

A team of police personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured persons and shifted them to hospitals, the SP said.

"Seven members of a family and their relatives were among the 12 deceased," another police officer said.

The injured persons are undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here and Digapahandi Hospital, he said.

Two of them have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital Cuttack, the officer said.

Meanwhile, the special relief commission has sanctioned Rs 30, 000 to each of the injured persons for their treatment. -- PTI

The coastal region, including Mumbai and Madhya Maharashtra, is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours, an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official said on Sunday.

The synoptic situations such as a low-pressure area formed in the eBay of Bengal, cyclonic circulation over the Kutch region of Gujarat and an active trough spread over Maharashtra to coastal Karnataka would bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours over Konkan including Mumbai and Madhya Maharashtra, the official said.

After a long gap, the southwest monsoon has been speedily progressing and covering more and more areas, the official added.

Mumbai and its suburbs received heavy rains in the last 24 hours, resulting in water-logging at various places and affecting vehicular movement on some roads.

In a rare event, the monsoon on Sunday covered both Delhi and Mumbai together.

The Colaba observatory here, representative of the island city, recorded 86 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday while the Santacruz weather station, representative of suburbs, registered 176.1 mm of rainfall in the same period, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. -- PTI

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visits the flood-affected areas at the Milan subway, in Mumbai on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

08:47 What's happening in India, Modi asked Nadda

After returning to India from his foreign visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda and other leaders what was happening in India, party leaders, who had gone to receive him at the airport here, said.

Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed.

He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda.

BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present.

"He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy," BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked what the prime minister asked them after meeting them at the airport.

Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said the prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the party's public outreach programme going on. "We apprised him about that," he said. -- PTI

06:58 Modi returns to India after visit to US, Egypt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed.

Modi was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief J P Nadda.

BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present.

The prime minister had embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21.

Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Joe Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by Modi's address to Congress and a state dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour.

The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade.

Modi arrived in Cairo on Saturday after concluding his high-profile state visit to the US and was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

He concluded his first-ever visit to Egypt on Sunday evening.

During the visit, he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and was conferred the Arab country's highest honour 'Order of the Nile'.

Modi and Sisi discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people ties.

The two countries elevated their relationship to a "Strategic Partnership".

President El-Sisi conferred on Modi the 'Order of the Nile' award -- Egypt's highest state honour.

This is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi.

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