"3 British-Era Laws Changed With Concept Of Speedy Justice": Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the three laws of the British-era that were governing the Indian Judicial system have been changed on the concept of delivering speedy justice.

Mr Shah was speaking at the MoU signing event between the Haryana government and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar in Panchkula to build a centre of excellence in the state.

In his address, Amit Shah said that, in association with NFSU, work has been done to give a scientific base to the criminal justice system of Haryana today.

"Three laws of the British era were governing the Indian judicial system, they have been changed with the concept of speedy justice and justice to all. As a part of these changes, forensic team visits have now been made mandatory for offences carrying a sentence of seven years or more. This will increase the demand for forensic experts across the country, which the NFSU will cater to," Mr Shah said.

"Human resources have to be created to implement these new criminal laws. It was with this approach that the National Forensic Science University was taken forward and at the same time the framing of these new laws were also underway," he added.

The Home Minister further mentioned that so far, campuses of this university have been opened in 9 states and work will be done to take this university to 16 states across the country.

"This would create trained manpower and help in speeding up the pace of solving crimes and improving the conviction rate," Amit Shah said.

He said that this will not only result in trained human resources but will also be of great benefit in getting the new laws implemented at the grassroots level.

The Union Home Minister asserted that having a laboratory, university and training institute at the same campus itself will greatly simplify both the instructor and the trainee.

"If a training institute is planned to be opened here, then the Government of India will provide good arrangements for training in forensic science at its own expense. The Forensic Science University not only works to educate children and prepare trained manpower but also helps in strengthening the forensic infrastructure," Mr Shah added.

"This will help Police Sub Inspectors (PSIs), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs) and Superintendent of Police (SPs) level officers and judges of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir," he said.



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"Preparing To Hold Next India-Russia Summit, Will Share Dates Soon": Centre

The preparations for the next India-Russia summit are underway, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

"We have a very well established arrangement of bilateral summits with the Russian Federation. Twenty-one such meetings have happened so far," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"We are preparing to hold the next summit. We will share the dates with you as soon as we can," he said.

Mr Jaiswal's comments at a media briefing came days after a Kremlin official in Moscow said active preparations are underway for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia.

"I can confirm that we are preparing a visit by the prime minister of India. We cannot (say) the dates as yet, because the dates are announced by the parties in agreement," Yuri Ushakov, an assistant to the Russian president, said on Tuesday.

"But we are actively preparing. I will emphasise once again, this visit will take place," he told reporters, replying to a question.

Diplomatic sources said the Indian prime minister's day-long visit is being planned around July 8, adding there is no finality on the date yet various options are being explored.

The annual summit between the prime minister of India and the president of Russia is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The annual summits are held alternatively in India and Russia.

The last summit was held on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi. President Vladimir Putin had visited India to attend the summit.

The summit saw both sides sealing 28 MoUs and agreements besides coming out with a joint statement titled "India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity".

Mr Modi and Putin last held bilateral talks on the margins of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Samarkand in Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022.

In the meeting, Mr Modi had famously pressed Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine saying "today's era is not of war".

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Modi has held several telephonic conversations with Putin and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In reflection of its strong friendship with Russia, India has not yet condemned Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

India's import of Russian crude oil has also gone up significantly notwithstanding the G7 price cap and increasing disquiet over the procurement in many Western countries.

In December 2022, the G7 grouping and its allies announced a cap on the price of Russian oil as part of a series of punitive measures against Moscow in view of its invasion of Ukraine. The price cap restricts countries to pay more than USD 60 a barrel.

Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. Development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India's foreign policy.



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Assam Cabinet Okays Witness Protection Scheme, Tweaks Road Fines

The Assam Cabinet on Thursday approved the Assam Witness Protection Scheme 2024 to ensure adherence to Section 398 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, protecting witnesses against imminent threats during investigations and trials.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved the scheme, which will require witnesses to submit a Witness Protection Application in a prescribed form to a competent authority through its member secretary to obtain a protection order.

The competent authority will be the standing committee in each district, chaired by the District and Sessions Judge, with witnesses categorized as A, B, and C based on threat perception.

A State Witness Protection Authority and a witness protection fund will also be constituted for the purpose, the Chief Minister told reporters after the meeting.

The protection measures under the scheme will include holding of in-camera trials, installation of security devices in the homes of the witness, close protection and patrolling near their home, temporary change of residence, escort to and from the court, provision of government vehicles on the date of hearing, among others, Mr Sarma said.

Regarding traffic regulations, the Cabinet decided to waive fines for document-related violations for two and three-wheelers, although fines will still apply for not wearing helmets.

The Transport Department will not levy fines for lacking documents such as licences, registrations, or pollution certificates, opting instead for legal actions as necessary. Three-wheelers will receive four warnings before fines are imposed for rule violations.

In educational reforms, the Cabinet approved a special recruitment drive to regularise contractual teachers under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and state pool teachers, benefiting approximately 35,133 teachers. This move aims to stabilise the teaching workforce and improve educational outcomes in the state.

Other decisions included the approval of the Assam Private Placement Agencies for Recruitment of Workers' (Regulation) Rules, 2024, aimed at ensuring worker safety and maintaining a comprehensive database of workers and private placement agencies in the state.

The Cabinet also cancelled tenders for markets, bazaars, and haats previously floated by Zilla Parishads and Panchayats due to concerns over high bidding prices, opting to reissue tenders.

Infrastructure development projects were also greenlit, including water supply schemes worth Rs 81.38 crore for Karimganj and Rs 72.74 crore for Hailakandi to enhance clean drinking water access in urban areas.

In Nalbari, several initiatives were approved, including the establishment of a convention centre, a circuit house, construction of embankments along Mora Pagladiya and Burhadia rivers, a flyover to Nalbari Medical College, a new degree college in Barkhetri, financial grants for temples, a state-of-the-art sports complex, and a skill centre in Dhamdhama.



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Australian Envoy Says Eager To Be Part Of India's Space Journey

India is a top-tier strategic partner and Australia is now eager to be part of the fast-developing South Asian nation's space journey, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green OAM said on Wednesday. Space Machines, an Australian firm, entered into a $18 million pact with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

This partnership will involve deploying a satellite inspection and observation payload aboard ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in 2026.

Rajat Kulshrestha, co-founder of Space Machines, said this will be the largest satellite launched by Australia to date.

"We now describe India as a top-tier strategic partner, along with the US, the UK, and Japan. For us, India is now in that very elite group. We have a specific partnership with India, to which we are devoting $18 million to support collaborations between Australian and Indian space firms," Green said during the inaugural session of India Space Congress 2024 in New Delhi.

This mission will mark a defining moment for both nations in the area of space collaboration, the Australian High Commissioner said.

"We all have come here with a hunger to be part of India's space journey. India is a large subcontinent, but it is only a third of the size of Australia. You are the most populous nation on Earth, with 50 times the number of people in Australia. That difference drives complementarity.

"Because of our large landmass and small population, we have some of the darkest skies in the world, which is a significant advantage in space. Our tracking stations, particularly in Perth and Canberra, were privileged to be the first to receive signals from Chandrayan's successful moon landing last year," he said.

Green said Australia's geographic location allows it to host launch sites, including one near the equatorial sweet spot.

In addition to our unique territory, we possess skills and competencies built on deep scientific capability in areas such as robotics, composite materials, and earth observation, he said. 



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Charity Group That "Diverted" Funds Of Poor Students Raided By Probe Agency

Searches against a Telangana-based charity group have found that about Rs 300 crore worth of foreign funds raised partly from domestic donations in the name of providing free education and meals to downtrodden children were diverted for "unauthorized" purposes, the Enforcement Directorate said on Tuesday.

The raids were undertaken at 11 locations of the Operation Mobilisation (OM) group of charities and its key office-bearers in and around Hyderabad on June 21-22, the federal agency said in a statement.

The money laundering case stems from a state police CID FIR that alleged that the charity group and others raised "substantial" funds of around Rs 300 crore from foreign donors based in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Malaysia, Norway, Brazil, Czech Republic Republic, France, Romania, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland in the name of providing free education and meals to Dalit and downtrodden children.

These children, according to the CID FIR, were studying in more than 100 Good Shepherd schools run by the group that is alleged to have "diverted" the said funds for asset creation and other "unauthorised" purposes.

"CID investigation found that suppressing the fact of sponsorship of students, tuition and other fees ranging from Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 per month were collected from the students and substantial funds were put into fixed deposits and/or diverted to other related entities of the OM group.

"Funds were also received from the government under the Right to Education Act but the same were not recorded properly and other incomes were grossly under-reported in the books of accounts," the ED alleged.

It said a probe found that several suspicious transactions indicated "diversion" of the funds of the OM group of charities and multiple immovable properties of the key office-bearers of the group that are spread across Telangana, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

"FCRA registrations for most of the group entities were not renewed and to bypass the same, foreign funds received in FCRA registered 'OM Books Foundation' were diverted to other group entities as loans which are yet to be repaid," it claimed.

The office-bearers of the group were employed as consultants with shell entities incorporated in Goa and were receiving salaries, the ED said.

The searches led to the seizure of "incriminating" documents, digital devices, records of "clandestine" transactions, properties and benami companies, the agency said.



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Replace Mumbai Unit Chief, Congress Leaders Write To Mallikarjun Kharge

Sixteen senior Maharashtra Congress leaders have written to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanding that its Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad be replaced to strengthen the party ahead of upcoming state poll.

The leaders complain that Ms Gaikwad, who recently won the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat, does not have the time to work at the organisational level and have objected to her style of functioning, NDTV has learnt.

Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat's Congress candidate Bhushan Patil has also claimed he received no help from the city party unit.

These leaders, in a letter dated June 16, have sought time from the Congress leadership to discuss rejuvenation of the party in Mumbai ahead of the assembly elections, and the Mumbai civic polls which are overdue.

Signatories of the letter include Rajya Sabha MP and Congress Working Committee member Chandrakant Handore, former city party chiefs Janardhan Chandurkar and Bhai Jagtap, senior leaders Naseem Khan, Suresh Shetty, Madhu Chavan, Charansingh Sapra, Zakir Ahmed and Maharashtra Congress treasurer Amarjit Manhas.

"Recently, at a protest in connection with the UGC-NET exam chaos, Gaikwad did not call all party leaders at the city unit office. Hence they had to stage a separate protest in suburbs," reported news agency PTI citing a source. 

"It is now 13 months she is the city unit head, but she has not spearheaded any substantial activity to galvanize the party cadre," the news agency reported claimed citing the unnamed source.

A meeting related to Maharashtra is scheduled in Delhi on Tuesday.

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly polls, the Congress won only 4 of the 36 seats in Mumbai.

During the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the Congress secured 1 of the 2 seats it contested in the city.



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Enemy Agents Act Against Supporters Of Terror In Jammu And Kashmir

Locals who are found supporting foreign terrorists will be dealt with under the Enemy Agents Act, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police RR Swain said on Sunday.

The top cop's statement came in the wake of a series of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two weeks.

Ten people, including seven pilgrims, returning from Shiv Khori temple and a CRPF jawan were killed and scores of others injured in four terror incidents between June 9 and 12 in Reasi, Doda, and Kathua districts. Two Pakistani terrorists were also killed in one of the encounters in Kathua.

Under the Enemy Agents Act, which is much harsher than Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the minimum punishment for an accused is life imprisonment or death sentence.

"This Act is harsher than UAPA. In the act, it's mentioned terrorist associate and acting as an agent of enemy who are coming from outside," the DGP said.

According to RR Swain while the terrorists will be killed in encounters, those helping them will be dealt under harshest law in J&K.

"As for as fighters are concerned, they don't fall under ambit of any investigations. They will be killed in kinetic action. But those who support them will be treated as enemy agent. In our Enemy Agents Act, the minimum punishment is life imprisonment or death.. there is no other punishment under this Act," said Mr Swain.

The top officer said special courts will be set up for trials of those arrested under the Act.

Asked about the terror attacks in Jammu region, the top cop said police have made six arrests from Kathua and also made a breakthrough by arresting a conspirator in the Reasi terror attack case.



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Haryana Government Increases Reservation For OBC

Haryana Government on Sunday took multiple decisions for the benefit of the Other Backward Classes in the state.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced these decisions.

The state government has increased the upper income limit for the creamy layer to Rs 8 lakh per year.

The reservation for backward classes has been increased from 15 percent to 27 percent in Group-A and Group-B government posts.

Creamy layer is a term used in Indian politics to refer to some members of a backward class who are highly advanced socially as well as economically and educationally.

The Government has announced that the backlog of jobs for Backward Classes A and B will be filled on priority basis, for which a special recruitment campaign will be run.

Meanwhile, on the preparations for upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, Nayab Singh Saini said, "Today, we have welcomed our Union Minister and Haryana Assembly election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan; Haryana Assembly election co-in charge Biplab Kumar Deb and newly elected members of the parliament."

He said, "As the elections process has already set in for Haryana, because of the developmental works we had done, we will form the government in Haryana for the third consecutive term under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi Ji and with the support of our elections in charges."

He added, "We have done various works which includes providing the employment to the youths and developing Haryana in a definite manner.

Taking a jibe at Congress party and Hooda family, Saini said, "In Haryana, the father-son duo of Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deepender Singh Hooda is busy in projecting each other. Similarly, the way Congress had projected only Rahul Gandhi as leader. This is not a political party, rather it is family."

Exuding his confidence, CM Saini asserted, "Haryana has a government of the people and the poor. The government has taken steps in the interest of the poor, farmers and women. In the coming times, BJP will form the government for the third time."

Assembly polls will be held in Haryana along with Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir at the end of the year.



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Ancient Antarctic Mountains Unearthed By Pink Sands In Australia

What began as an unusual pink hue on the shores of Petrel Cove has led to a surprising discovery.

The culprit behind the colourful sand? Garnet, a mineral remnant of an ancient Antarctic mountain range, was previously hidden beneath miles of ice.

Scientists were initially perplexed by the pink sand but quickly identified it as garnet. However, the mineral's age and origin were a mystery. Further investigation revealed the garnet to be an astonishing 590 million years old, far older than surrounding geological formations.

"The garnet is too young to have come from the Gawler Craton and too old to have come from the eroding Adelaide Fold Belt," says Sharmaine Verhaert, PhD candidate and lead of the University of Adelaide research team.

"Garnet requires high temperatures to form and is usually associated with the formation of large mountain belts, and this was a time when the South Australian crust was comparatively cool and non-mountainous."

The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, established that garnet does not originate from local source rocks, but they knew it had travelled from nearby, as garnet is typically destroyed through prolonged exposure to the marine environment.

They discovered that the glacial sedimentary deposits of the Cape Jervis Formation, cropping out along the South Australian shorelines, contain layers of sand with garnet that are also around 590 million years old.

This discovery suggests the existence of an ancient mountain range in Antarctica, currently buried under the continent's vast ice sheet. The garnet travelled a long journey, likely deposited by glaciers millions of years ago before being reworked by modern waves and tides onto the beaches of South Australia.

This pink sand is not just a pretty sight; it's a window into our planet's deep history and the hidden secrets buried beneath the ice.



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Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Group 2 Recruitment 2024 Notification Released

TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2024: The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released the recruitment notification for the Combined Civil Services Examination II (Group II and IIA Services). Eligible candidates can apply online through the official website of the TN Public Service Commission's one-time registration (OTR) platform at tnpsc.gov.in.

TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2024: Steps To Apply

  • Go to the official website of TNPSC, tnpsc.gov.in
  • On the homepage, click on the Apply Online section or find the Group 2 application form link
  • Fill in all the required details and click on submit
  • Download and print the submitted application for future reference

TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2024: Important Dates

  • Last date for online applications: July 19
  • Application correction window: July 24 to July 26
  • Preliminary examination date: September 14, 2024
  • Main examination date: To be announced

The official notification reads: "Mere admission to the preliminary examination, main examination, certificate verification, counselling, or inclusion of name in the selection list will not confer on the candidates any right to appointment. The Commission reserves the right to reject candidature at any stage, after due process even after selection has been made, if a wrong claim or violation of rules or instructions is confirmed."

This recruitment aims to fill a total of 2,327 vacancies, with 1,820 for Group IIA and 507 for Group II. Selection for these posts will be based on the prelims and mains exams followed by an interview.

Group IIA services are in departments such as Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Legal Studies, Co-operative Societies, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Local Fund Audit, Handlooms, Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, Commercial Taxes, Revenue Administration, Disaster Management, and others.

Group II services are in departments like Labour, Commercial Taxes, Employment and Training, Child Welfare and Special Services, Registration, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Greater Chennai Police, Criminal Investigation, Law, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Forest, and Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Limited.



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Poll Body Gets Applications For EVM Verification On 8 Lok Sabha Seats

The Election Commission has received eight applications from aggrieved candidates, including those from the BJP and the Congress, for verification of tampering or modification in micro-controller chips embedded in the EVMs post declaration of Lok Sabha election results on June 4.

Terming the suspicion of manipulation of the electronic voting machines "unfounded", the Supreme Court had on April 26 rejected the demand for reverting to the old paper ballot system.

But at the same time, the top court had opened a window for the aggrieved unsuccessful candidates securing second and third places in the poll results and allowed them to seek verification of micro-controller chips embedded in five per cent EVMs per assembly constituency on a written request upon the payment of a fee to the poll panel.

BJP's Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) candidate Sujay Vikhe-Patil has sought verification of the machines from 40 polling stations.

Vikhe-Patil had lost to Nilesh Lanke of NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction.

A YSRCP and a DMDK candidate too have applied for the verification, according to data shared by the poll panel.

According to the EC, eight parliamentary seats spread across six states are involved. The total number of polling stations for which verification has been sought is 92.

Candidates who come second or third and seek verification of the EVMs will have to pay Rs 47,200 per EVM set, according to the standard operating procedure issued by the EC on June 1.

According to the EC's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the cost submitted by manufacturers BEL and ECIL to carry out EVM "check and verification" is Rs 40,000 (plus 18 per cent GST) per set of EVM.

"In addition to the cost incurred by the manufacturers, there are also administrative costs like cost of labour to shift the units, CCTV coverage, electricity charges, videography costs and various other operational costs at the district election officer level," the document said.

It, however, said to make the verification process "more accessible" and inclusive in compliance to the referred mandate of the Supreme Court, it is decided that instead of going purely by the actual economic costs incurred, the administrative expenditure on EVM verification will be treated as "election expenditure and borne by the central or state government, as the case may be".

"Accordingly, the administrative charges will be waived for the applicants -- the same shall not be charged to the applicants," it noted.

The charges for EVM verification to be paid by the applicant candidate is for the current financial year 2024-25 -- till March 31, 2025, it said.

An EVM set has at least one Ballot Unit, one Control Unit and a VVPAT machine.

Separately, YSRCP and BJD candidates from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha respectively have also applied for EVM check following the announcement of assembly results on June 4.

Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh were held along with the Lok Sabha elections.

In the verification exercise for assembly poll results, total assembly constituencies involved are three where verification has been sought in 26 polling stations.

According to the SOP, the concerned state chief electoral officer (CEO) was required to communicate to the manufacturers the consolidated list of applicants within 30 days of the date of declaration of results -- by July 4. The CEOs have already conveyed the same to the manufacturers 15 days ahead of the schedule, the EC said.

The technical SOP enumerating the methodology and steps for checking and verification of burnt memory/ micro-controller of the EVM units will be issued by the EC in due course. 



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At 35.2 Degrees, Delhi Sees Warmest Night In 14 Years: Weather Office

Delhi recorded its warmest night in at least 14 years, with the minimum temperature settling more than eight notches above normal at 35.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said on Wednesday.

The maximum temperature was recorded 4.8 notches above the season's average at 43.6 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the previous warmest night in Delhi was recorded on June 3, 2010, when the minimum temperature had soared to 34.7 degrees Celsius.

An IMD official said the books of Delhi's benchmark Safdarjung observatory were analysed till 1969 to ascertain this record.

"With this, the minimum temperature in Delhi has reached an all-time high for the month of June. Delhi is on an 'orange' alert due to the prevailing heatwave conditions," the official added.

Temperatures in the city have remained above 40 degrees Celsius since May 12. In these 36 days, the city recorded 16 days when the mercury reached or surpassed 45 degrees Celsius, according to IMD data.

Late on Wednesday, Delhi is likely to experience a duststorm or thunderstorm or lightning with very light rain, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kilometres per hour, the IMD forecast said.

A fresh western disturbance is expected to bring some relief from the high temperatures. On Thursday, the city may witness light rainfall, induced by a fresh western disturbance.

Hospitals in Delhi are witnessing a spike in heatstroke casualties as the brutal heat wave continues to sweep the national capital.

At the Centre-run RML Hospital, the authorities received 22 patients in the last two days. There have been five deaths and 12 to 13 patients are on ventilator support.

At the Safdarjung Hospital, there have been a total of 60 heatstroke cases, including 42 who have been admitted. The hospital has reported six casualties, including a 60-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man who died on Tuesday.

According to LNJP Hospital authorities, four patients have died due to suspected heatstroke in the last two days.



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"Political Football": Woman Suing UK Intel Services Denies China Spy Claims

A woman accused of "political interference activities" in the UK on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party denied the claims on Tuesday as part of her legal claim against intelligence services.

Domestic intelligence service MI5 warned in 2022 that Christine Lee was a Chinese agent who had engaged with members of parliament after she donated £500,000 ($635,000) to Labour MP Barry Gardiner.

Lee is now suing the security services, and on Tuesday told a hearing that she was used as a "political football" and that she "categorically denied" the claims.

She also alleged that she had been discriminated against "on the grounds of my race".

The Security Service submitted to the two-day hearing that the decision was "rational and lawful".

"Ms Lee's race and/or nationality played no part in the decision to issue an interference alert," said Victoria Wakefield, lawyer for the Security Service.

"As noted, the decision was made on grounds of national security in order to counter the threat posed by Ms Lee's links to the CCP," she added.

The hearing is expected to end on Tuesday, with a decision due at a later date.



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Scientists Spot 6 Distinct Biological Types Of Depression

In a first, scientists on Monday said they have sorted depression into six biological subtypes, or "biotypes", and identified treatments that are more likely or less likely to work for three of these subtypes.

Brain imaging combined with machine learning can reveal subtypes of depression and anxiety, according to a study led by researchers at Stanford Medicine in the US which has been published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Using a machine learning approach known as cluster analysis to group the patients' brain images, the team identified six distinct patterns of activity in the brain regions they studied.

"Better methods for matching patients with treatments are desperately needed," said Leanne Williams, director of Stanford Medicine's Center for Precision Mental Health and Wellness.

In the study, patients with one subtype, which is characterised by overactivity in cognitive regions of the brain, experienced the best response to the antidepressant venlafaxine (commonly known as Effexor) compared with those who have other biotypes. Those with another subtype, whose brains, at rest, had higher levels of activity among three regions associated with depression and problem-solving, had better alleviation of symptoms with behavioural talk therapy.

Those with a third subtype, who had lower levels of activity at rest in the brain circuit that controls attention, were less likely to see improvement in their symptoms with talk therapy than those with other biotypes, the team noted. "To our knowledge, this is the first time we've been able to demonstrate that depression can be explained by different disruptions to the functioning of the brain," Ms Williams said.

In another recently published study, Ms Williams and her team showed that using MRI brain imaging improves their ability to identify individuals likely to respond to antidepressant treatment.

Ms Williams and her team are now expanding the imaging study to include more participants. "The goal of our work is figuring out how we can get it right the first time," she said. "It's very frustrating to be in the field of depression and not have a better alternative to this one-size-fits-all approach."



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Won't Do Any Work Of Muslims, Yadavs: Nitish Kumar's Party MP Sparks Row

A newly elected MP of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) on Monday found himself at the centre of a controversy for laments about "Muslims and Yadavs" not voting for the BJP-led NDA.

In a video clip that has gone viral on social media, Sitamarhi MP Devesh Chandra Thakur can also be heard ruing that "NDA's own voters" gravitated towards the opposition RJD.

Mr Thakur, 71, a former chairman of the state legislative council, made his parliamentary debut in the recently held Lok Sabha polls, winning the seat by a modest margin of less than 55,000 votes.

"I did not get votes of Suris (a fishing community) and Kalwars. Even the Kushwahas deserted me. Just because respected Lalu Prasad (RJD supremo) gave tickets to many Kushwahas. Could a Kushwaha elected from elsewhere be of any help to members of the community in my constituency?" Mr Thakur could be heard asking in the video, which was not independently verified by PTI.

Later, he said, "I have made it clear that Yadavs and Muslims must not expect me to be of any help to them. They will be treated with due respect, even offered tea and snacks, when they call on me. But I will not take up any of their problems." The JD(U) MP added that he had expressed the sentiment before a "Muslim" who visited him after the elections.

"I asked the Muslim brother how can you expect me to work for you when you did not vote for me just because my party is aligned with the BJP," said Mr Thakur, claiming that the visitor agreed with the contention and went back feeling regret for his electoral choice.

Often called "Ajaatshatru" in political circles because of his friendly disposition, Mr Thakur retained the seat for his party which chose to drop sitting MP Sunil Kumar Pintu.

Mr Thakur defeated his nearest RJD rival Arjun Roy, who is a former MP from the Lok Sabha seat.

The JD(U) leader's outbursts met with disapproval from the RJD as well as ally BJP, leaving the party to fend for itself.

"The remarks made by Mr Thakur are objectionable. An MP is the representative of all sections of society in his constituency," said Bhai Virendra, the RJD's chief spokesperson and an MLA.

BJP OBC Morcha national general secretary Nikhil Anand also came out with a strongly worded statement, but without mentioning Mr Thakur by name.

"Giving vent to frustration in a manner that smacks of caste prejudice is shameful and deplorable in politics. The BJP takes all social segments along. In Bihar, no political party can succeed if it tries to marginalise Yadavs, who are 14 per cent of the total population," said Mr Anand.

The BJP leader underscored "27 OBCs, four of them Yadavs" in the Union Council of Ministers and claimed that it was proof of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to "social harmony".

JD(U) chief spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar responded to the criticisms, saying, "It is unthinkable that Thakur will discriminate against any section of society. He was just expressing his pain at not getting votes of even those whom he may have helped him personally but who got swayed by other considerations."



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3 Injured In Clash Between 2 Groups In Odisha, Prohibitory Orders In Place

Three people were injured and several motorcycles damaged in a clash between two groups in Odisha's Balasore town on Monday, following which prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC were imposed, officials said.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spoke to Balasore's Collector Ashish Thakare, and asked him to take immediate measures to bring the situation under control, they said.

Maintaining that he would not allow any disturbance to the law and order situation of the state, Majhi urged people to maintain peace.

Protesting the blood of animal sacrifice on the road, a group of people sat on dharna in the Bhujakhia Pir area of the town. The other group allegedly hurled stones at them, following which the clash broke out, police said.

Both sides hurled stones at the other, injuring three people and damaging over half a dozen motorcycles, they said.

Police had to baton charge the mob to bring the situation under control, following which the prohibitory orders were imposed, they added.

The injured persons were admitted to the Balasore district hospital, officials said.

At least 150 police personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent any further flare-up, they said.

Night patrolling would also be held in some sensitive areas, they said.



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Eating Samosa, Burger When Stressed Out Can Fuel Anxiety: Study

Eating junk food like a samosa or burger when feeling stressed out can elevate anxiety levels, researchers said on Monday. When under stress, people tend to turn to high-calorie food for solace.

The study by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder found that in animals, a high-fat diet disrupts resident gut bacteria, alters behaviour and influences brain chemicals in ways that increase anxiety.

Lead author Christopher Lowry, a professor of integrative physiology at CU Boulder, said that to think that just a high-fat diet could alter the expression of these genes in the brain is extraordinary. "The high-fat group essentially had the molecular signature of a high anxiety state in their brain," Mr Lowry added in the study published in the journal Biological Research.

Throughout the study, the researchers assessed the animals' microbiome or gut bacteria. When compared to the control group, the group eating a high-fat diet gained weight. However, the animals also showed significantly less diversity of gut bacteria.

The high-fat diet group also showed higher expression of three genes involved in the production and signalling of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with stress and anxiety.

While serotonin is often called a "feel-good brain chemical," certain subsets of serotonin neurons can, when activated, prompt anxiety-like responses in animals.

Mr Lowry suspects that an unhealthy microbiome compromises the gut lining, enabling bacteria to slip into the body's circulation and communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, a pathway from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain.

"If you think about human evolution, it makes sense," Mr Lowry said.
"We are hard-wired to really notice things that make us sick so we can avoid those things in the future."

Not all fats are bad, and healthy fats like those found in fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds can be anti-inflammatory and good for the brain, said researchers.
 



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BJP Central Team Reaches Kolkata Amid Allegations Of Post-Poll Violence

A four-member central team of the BJP, including senior leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Biplab Kumar Deb, arrived in Kolkata this evening for a two-day visit to take stock of the situation amid allegations of violence against party workers in the state after the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Prasad claimed that the people of the state along with the party workers were afraid and apprehensive over the alleged post-poll violence.

"Elections were held across the country, but violence happened only in Bengal," he told reporters at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

"If Mamata ji believes in democracy, she has to reply to this," Mr Prasad, a former Union minister, said.

Biplab Deb, former Chief Minister of Tripura, claimed there has not been any political violence in the northeastern state since BJP came to power there.

"We will speak to the victims and take stock of the situation during our two-day stay in Bengal," he said.

The BJP alleged that its workers and supporters were being subjected to violence and intimidation in different parts of Bengal by supporters of the Trinamool Congress after the Lok Sabha elections ended.

The BJP won 12 of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bengal, while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC emerged victorious in 29 seats and the Congress bagged one.



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Japanese Climber Found Dead In Mountains In PoK, Another Missing

One of two Japanese climbers was found dead and his body recovered from a mountain in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on Saturday, with a search ongoing for the second man, a government official said.

Ryuseki Hiraoka and Atsushi Taguchi were attempting to summit the 7,027-metre (23,054-foot) Spantik mountain in the Karakoram range before they went missing this week.

"The dead body of a Japanese climber was found, and a search is ongoing for the second climber," Wali Ullah Falahi, the Shigar district deputy commissioner, told AFP.

He later added that the body had been identified as Ryuseki Hiraoka.

He said the body was found 300 metres (984 feet) below Camp 3, which is set at around 6,200 metres (20,341 feet) and where climbers prepare for the final summit.

The search by high-altitude climbers and experts was backed by two Pakistan Army helicopters.

The pair had reached base camp on June 3 and were attempting the climb without the help of porters.

They were last seen on June 10 and the alarm raised the following day by fellow climbers who had expected to cross paths with them.

A military helicopter spotted the climbers on Thursday, but the search was suspended due to poor weather conditions.

Spantik, also known as the Golden Peak, is described as a "relatively accessible and straightforward peak" on the website of a tourist company, Adventure Tours.

The country is home to five of the world's 14 mountains higher than 8,000 metres -- including K2, the world's second highest.

In 2013, more than 8,900 foreigners visited the remote Gilgit-Baltistan region, according to government figures, where most of the Karakoram range is located, with the summer climbing season running from early June to late August.



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Ex Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji's Custody Extended Till June 19

A sessions court on Monday extended till June 19 the remand of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14, 2023 in a money laundering case.

Principal Sessions Judge (PSJ) S Alli, before whom Mr Balaji was produced by the prosecution through video-conferencing from the Central Puzhal Prison here, extended his judicial custody till June 19.

The judge said she would pass orders on June 19 on a petition filed by Mr Balaji seeking to discharge him from the case.

Meanwhile, the judge dismissed three other petitions filed by Mr Balaji.

In one petition, he sought to defer the proceedings in the case till City Union Bank produces the original counter foils/challans used for making deposits in his account and in the account of his wife.

In another petition, he sought a direction to City Union Bank, Karur to furnish the list of bank employees, more specifically the clerk, cashier and manager employed at City Union Bank, Karur for the period 2012 to 2022.

This plea came as the ED had heavily relied on the counter foil challans issued by the bank, referred to as "Relied Upon Documents Nos 16 and 17", which has been allegedly utilised for depositing the cash by the Petitioner and his wife.

In yet another petition, he sought a direction to the City Union Bank, Karur to furnish the copy of the PAN cards of the Depositors in "RUD Nos 16 & 17" ie the counter foil challans for the period from the year 2016 to 2022.

Mr Balaji was arrested on June 14 by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam when he was the transport minister during the previous AIADMK regime.

Soon after his arrest, he underwent a bypass surgery at a private hospital. Later, the ED took him into custody for interrogation, following which he was remanded in judicial custody. His remand has been periodically extended by the court.

Meanwhile, the ED had on August 12 filed a charge sheet, running to 3,000 pages against Mr Balaji.

The Madras High Court had on October 19 dismissed the bail petition filed by Mr Balaji. His earlier bail applications were dismissed twice by the PSJ.

His third bail application was also dismissed by the PSJ on January 12. His second bail application was dismissed by the high court on February 28. His earlier petition to defer the trial was dismissed by the PSJ on February 15.



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Landslides Hit Sikkim After Heavy Rain, 3 Dead, Houses Damaged

Heavy rain in Sikkim has led to flash floods and landslides, killing three and damaging several houses. The Debris has blocked National Highway-10, which serves as a lifeline between Sikkim and Kalimpong in West Bengal, official sources said.

Several residents are also missing in the Himalayan state with most mobile networks left non-functional due to heavy rain. The state is also bracing for more rainfall over the next four to five days.

Heavy rain hit Sikkim on Monday night, dealing extensive damage to houses in Thek village of Pakyong district. The Pakyong administration said that it triggered erosion along the river banks.

A loaded truck got stuck while crossing Tintek Khola, blocking the Dikchu-Singtam road, sources said, forcing commuters to take an alternate route.

The Melli Stadium and South Sikkim playground were also flooded while houses were damaged in Dzongu, Upper Gyathang, and Nampathang.

Teesta River, which has swelled to a dangerously high level, has dealt damages to NH-10 and the foundation of a bridge in the region. A police outpost had to be evacuated after a landslide nearby.

Three people died in landslides in Majwa village in south Sikkim on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the victims.

Cops have been deployed in Mangan town for relief work while Sikkim Armed Police and State Disaster Relief Force have been requested for emergency response measures.

In October 2023, flash floods affected large parts of Sikkim. Over 100 people, including several Indian Army personnel, died in the calamity that affected more than 22,000 people, according to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority.



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Ukraine, Japan Sign 10-Year Security Agreement, Says Zelensky

Ukraine and Japan on Thursday signed a 10-year security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Ukraine, more than two years since it was invaded by Russia, has signed 15 other similar agreements pledging long-term support from its allies including Britain, France and Germany.

"In 2024, Japan will provide Ukraine with $4.5 billion and will continue to support us throughout the agreement's entire 10-year term," Zelenskiy said on X.

The deal, he added, envisages security and defence assistance, humanitarian aid, technical and financial cooperation.

Zelenskiy thanked Japan for "unwavering solidarity" and dedication to protecting international law.

A similar agreement with the U.S. is expected to be signed later at the summit in Italy.



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Organ Exchange Between Unrelated People May Enlarge Donor Pool: Experts

Opening up organ exchange between unrelated individuals may enlarge the donor pool, but policy concerns and risks remain, experts say. Media reports have claimed the Centre is in talks with non-profits and transplant surgeons about the prospects of opening up organ exchange between unrelated individuals.

The current laws mostly allow living donations from close relatives such as parents, siblings, children, spouses, grandparents, and grandchildren.

In the case of unrelated or altruistic organ donations from distant relatives, in-laws, or long-time friends, additional scrutiny is done to rule out financial exchange.

"Allowing organ exchange between unrelated individuals could significantly expand the donor pool in India, saving countless lives.

Medically, the primary concern is the risk of organ rejection, as genetic dissimilarity increases this risk. However, advancements in immunosuppressive therapies have made transplants between unrelated donors more feasible and successful," Dr Sudeep Singh Sachdev, Director and Senior Consultant Nephrology at Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.

"This will enlarge the donor pool and help patients waiting for transplants. At present India's donation rates are very low compared to countries with good transplant numbers," said Dr Bishnu Panigrahi, Group Head of Medical Strategy and Operations at Fortis Healthcare.
However, the experts also stressed the need for strict regulatory controls.

"While the potential benefits include reduced wait times and better health outcomes for patients, the risks include higher chances of complications and the ethical dilemma of ensuring truly altruistic donations, free from coercion or financial incentives," Dr Sachdev told IANS.

He also called for "robust regulatory frameworks and comprehensive pre-transplant evaluations."

"We need strict regulatory controls where for such non-related transplants the authorisation committee should not be a hospital authorisation panel but an external committee where at least two must be government nominees, a lawyer of standing and a social worker. These four must be the quorum, physically present for authorisation approval," Dr Panigrahi said.

However, not all experts believe in the need for altruistic organ donations in India.

Dr Arvinder Soin, Chairman and Chief Surgeon at Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation, told IANS that although it may increase the donation rates modestly, it also opens up the possibilities of exploitation of the poor by the rich.

He called for improving deceased donation rates in India, which currently stands at "a pathetic 0.7 per million compared to 38 per million in the US".

"I believe for India, unrelated altruistic donation is not the answer to improving transplant rates at this stage. Rather, all attempts should be made to promote deceased donor organ donation by widespread government and NGO-led public campaigns, mandatory declaration of brain death in all ICUs, and required requests from families of clinically brain-dead patients. This would yield far better dividends in terms of organ availability and save thousands of more lives," the doctor said.



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"You Never Feel Alone Here": Why This Frenchman Chose India Over France

In a world where stories of Indians settling in Europe and the United States abound, it is rare to hear of individuals from the West making India their permanent home. Jean-Baptiste, a Frenchman, has defied this norm by living in India for the past 21 years. His journey and experiences offer a unique perspective on what draws foreigners to India and what keeps them there.

In a YouTube video, Jean-Baptiste, now a long-term resident of Mumbai, shared insights into his life and the country that has captivated him. He highlighted the unexpected similarities between India and France, his strategies for forming meaningful connections with Indians, and the profound peace of mind he has found in his adopted home. He expressed his fondness for the fast-paced city of Mumbai, stating, "You never feel lonely in India, and people are gentle. Indian people don't have western egos and can become friends very easily."

Watch the video here: 

Common Ground Between India and France

According to Jean-Baptiste, India and France share a surprising number of cultural and social similarities. Both countries value family bonds, cherish their rich historical heritage, and exhibit a deep appreciation for art and cuisine. This shared cultural depth provided Jean-Baptiste with a sense of familiarity and comfort, easing his transition from France to India.

Making friends in India

Jean-Baptiste emphasised the importance of understanding and respecting Indian customs and traditions to build friendships. He found that being open-minded and genuinely interested in Indian culture helped him forge strong connections. Participating in local festivals, learning the language, and showing respect for the diverse traditions of India were key steps in making lifelong friends.

Finding peace of mind

One of the most compelling reasons Jean-Baptiste chose to stay in India was the profound sense of peace he discovered. He described India as a place where he could find tranquilly amidst the chaos, attributing this to the country's deep spiritual roots and the warm, welcoming nature of its people. The balance between the vibrant, bustling life of Indian cities and the serene landscapes of rural areas provided him with a unique sense of harmony.



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"Pressing Russia To Ensure Release Of Indians In Its Military": India

India on Wednesday said it has been pressing Russia to ensure the safety and repatriation of its nationals employed by the Russian Army.

The comments by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra came a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said two more Indians serving with the Russian military were killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The killing of two Indians has taken the number of such deaths to four.

"Since the first day, we have constantly been discussing this matter with the Russian authorities, the system and the leadership," Mr Kwatra said.

"All of our efforts are aimed at keeping the Indians safe," he said at a media briefing while responding to a question on the matter.

"We have clearly told the Russian officials that all Indians in the war zone, howsoever they got there is another matter, should be returned (to India)," he said.

Confirming the deaths of the two Indians, the MEA on Tuesday said India has strongly taken up the matter with Russia and sought early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army.

In a strongly-worded statement, it said India has demanded that there be a "verified stop to any further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army and that such activities would not be in "consonance with our partnership".

The foreign secretary said New Delhi has taken the issue very seriously.

The government has taken immediate action on receiving information about "Indians in the war zone".

"We have contacted their families, examined how the individual reached (Russia), and asked Russian authorities to respond and this will continue," he said.

In March, 30-year-old Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan succumbed to injuries sustained while serving with Russian troops on the frontlines with Ukraine.

In February, Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangua, a 23-year-old resident of Surat in Gujarat, died in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a "security helper" in the Donetsk region.

A total of 10 Indians working as support staff with the Russian military have been released and repatriated to India, according to officials.

According to reports, around 200 Indian nationals were recruited as security helpers in the Russian military. 



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Delhi Records Maximum Temperature Of 43.8 Degrees: Weather Office

Delhi sweltered under intense heat as the city's maximum temperature settled at 43.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the weather department said.

The Narela weather station recorded the highest temperature in the city at 47.1 degrees Celsius, they said.

The Safdarjung observatory, considered the official marker of the city, noted a high of 43.8 degrees Celsius, four notches above the normal average.

Delhi's other weather stations, such as Najafgarh recorded a high of 46.6 degrees Celsius while Aya Nagar recorded 44.8 degrees C, Ridge 45 degrees C and Palam 44.1 degrees C, the bulletin said.

The capital was on "orange" alert, which stands for "be prepared" in the colour codes of the India Meteorological Department (IMD(.

The relative humidity oscillated between 22 per cent and 37 per cent, according to the IMD bulletin.

The MeT has forecast a partly cloudy sky accompanied by strong surface winds and a heatwave at isolated places on Wednesday.

The national capital will be on orange alert for the next two days.

The maximum and minimum temperatures on Wednesday are likely to hover around 45 and 29 degrees Celsius, respectively. 



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Evidence Against Hunter Biden "Ugly", Jury Told In Illegal Drugs Case

The evidence against US President Joe Biden's son was grim but established that he was guilty of making a false statement about his use of illegal drugs on a background check form when he bought a gun, a government lawyer told a jury on Monday.

"It was personal and it was ugly and it was overwhelming," government prosecutor Leo Wise told the 12-member jury during closing arguments in the trial of the son, Hunter Biden, 54. "But it was also necessary."

The federal government case, the first criminal trial of a US president's child, last week offered an intimate view of the younger Biden's years of struggle with alcohol and crack cocaine abuse, which prosecutors say legally precluded him from buying a gun.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to felony charges both of lying about his addiction when he filled out a government screening document for the Colt Cobra revolver and of illegally possessing the weapon for 11 days.

The trial in US District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, follows another historic first - the May 30 criminal conviction of Donald Trump, the first US president to be found guilty of a felony. Trump is the Republican challenger to Joe Biden, a Democrat, in a Nov. 5 presidential election.

Trump and some of his Republican allies in Congress have alleged the case and three other criminal prosecutions are politically motivated attempts to prevent him from regaining power.

Congressional Democrats cite the Hunter Biden prosecution as evidence that Joe Biden is not using the justice system for political or personal ends.

Wise said it did not matter if well-known people appeared in court or how they reacted to the evidence, a possible reference to first lady Jill Biden's attendance. "None of that matters. What matters came from the witness stand," he said.

Last week, Hunter Biden's ex-wife, former girlfriend and sister-in-law testified for the prosecution about his drug use, telling jurors that they often found drugs and paraphernalia in his possession and were concerned at times about his spiraling addiction.

Hunter Biden told the judge overseeing the case at a 2023 hearing that he has been sober since 2019.

Biden's lawyer Abbe Lowell told jurors during his opening statement that his client did not intend to deceive because he had been clean when he bought the gun and did not consider himself a drug user at the time.

The defense called three witnesses on Friday, including the gun shop owner and an employee and Hunter Biden's daughter Naomi, who said her father appeared to be doing well when she saw him during the weeks before and after he bought the gun.

The sentencing guidelines for the charges against Biden are 15 to 21 months, but legal experts say defendants in cases similar to his often get shorter sentences and are less likely to be incarcerated if they abide by the terms of their pretrial release.



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The 10 Big Names From Previous Cabinet Who Are In Modi 3.0

  1. Amit Shah: he was Home Minister in the previous government. He is the BJP MP from Gujarat's Gandhinagar.
  2. Rajnath Singh: he was Home Minister in Modi 1.0 and Defence Minister in the previous government. Mr Singh is the MP from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow.
  3. Nirmala Sitharaman: she served as Commerce Minister, and Defence Minister in Modi 1.0. She was Finance Minister in the previous government. She is a Rajya Sabha MP.
  4. S Jaishankar: he was External Affairs Minister in Modi 2.0. He is a Rajya Sabha MP.
  5. Nitin Gadkari: he was Minister of Rural Development, Water Resources, and Shipping in the first Modi cabinet. He served as Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Small and Medium Enterprises in Modi 2.0. He is the MP from Maharashtra's Nagpur.
  6. Piyush Goyal: he held multiple portfolios in Modi 1.0, from Corporate Affairs to Finance and New and Renewable Energy. He served as Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer Affairs in Modi 2.0. He was the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha.
  7. Dharmendra Pradhan: he was Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas in the first cabinet of PM Modi. He served as Minister of Skill Development, Steel, and Education in Modi 2.0. He is an MP from Odisha's Sambhalpur.
  8. Ashwini Vaishnaw: he was inducted in 2021, and was made Minister of Railways and Communications in 2021. He is a Rajya Sabha MP.
  9. Bhupender Yadav: he was inducted in 2021, and served as Minister of Environment, Labour, and Employment. He is the MP from Rajasthan's Alwar.
  10. Kiren Rijiju: he served as Minister of State for Home, Minority Affairs, and Youth Affairs in Modi 1.0. He held Law, and Earth Sciences in Modi 2.0. He is the MP from Arunachal West seat.


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Not Just Pics, Prove Adultery By Evidence: Court Amid Deepfake Menace

In the era of deepfakes, photographs placed by a spouse alleging adultery by the other partner would have to be proved by way of evidence before the family court, the Delhi High Court said.

The court's observation came while dealing with a man's contention that his estranged wife was living in adultery.

The high court dismissed the man's appeal challenging a family court order directing him to pay Rs 75,000 as maintenance to his wife and minor daughter.

As the counsel for the husband drew the court's attention to certain photographs of his wife, a bench of justices Rajiv Shakdher and Amit Bansal said, "It is not clear as to whether the respondent/wife is the person in the photographs, as alluded to by the counsel for the appellant/husband."

"We may take judicial notice of the fact that we are living in the era of deepfakes and, therefore, this is an aspect that the appellant/husband, perhaps, would have to prove by way of evidence before the family court," the bench said.

Deepfake technology allows for the creation of realistic videos, audio recordings, and images that can manipulate and mislead viewers by superimposing the likeness of one person onto another, altering their words and actions, thereby presenting a false narrative or spreading misinformation.

Asked by the bench whether this averment of adultery found mention in the man's reply to his wife's plea under the Hindu Marriage Act, his counsel conceded that there was no mention of it.

The bench noted that since the petition instituted by the man for divorce is pending an adjudication, the court may give opportunity to the parties to place their evidence on record in support of their respective cases if this issue is pressed.

"Notably, this aspect, which is vehemently pressed before us, almost as a measure of desperation to wriggle out of the obligation cast in the impugned judgment, finds no mention in the impugned judgment (of family court)," the high court said.

The man's counsel claimed that this aspect was raised before the family court, But, it was ignored while rendering the judgment.

"If this was the situation, the best course open to the appellant/husband was to move an application for review before the family court. However, no such measure has been taken recourse to by the husband," it said.

The man, an architect, has challenged a family court's April 15 order, directing him to pay Rs 75,000 as monthly maintenance to his estranged wife and child.

The couple had married in 2018 and has a five-year-old daughter.

The court was told that the wife has a post-graduate degree but is currently unemployed and living with her parents since her separation.

While the woman had sought Rs 2 lakh as monthly maintenance, the family court ordered the man to pay Rs 75,000.



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15-Year-Old Girl Raped By School Principal Attempts Suicide In UP: Cops

A 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by her school principal, attempted suicide by jumping in front of a goods train on Saturday, police said.

The girl has been admitted to the district hospital in a serious condition, they said.

DK Mishra is posted as the principal in Rambali Sharma Saraswati Bal Mandir School located in Bharwari Municipal Council under Kokhraj police station area.

A video of the principal in an objectionable condition with the girl, a resident of a village in the police station area, went viral on social media four days ago.

After investigating the viral video, a case was registered against the principal on the basis of the complaint of the victim's family.

The case was registered under sections 376 (punishment for rape), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC, IT Act and POCSO Act.

A team was formed by Circle Officer Sirathu Awadhesh Kumar Vishwakarma to investigate the case and arrest the accused.

Vishwakarma said that the teenage girl had attempted suicide by jumping in front of a freight train on the Delhi-Howrah railway line on Saturday.

The teenage girl was seriously injured after being hit by the train. On getting information, the police reached the spot and admitted her to the district hospital for treatment.

He said that according to the family members, the girl attempted suicide after being upset due to the objectionable video going viral.



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Colombia Says Will Suspend Coal Sales To Israel "Until Gaza Genocide Stops"

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Saturday that his government will suspend coal exports to Israel while it continues its war against Hamas in the Gaza strip.

"We are going to suspend coal exports to Israel until the genocide stops," the leftist leader wrote on X.

In May, Petro -- who describes Israel's campaign in Gaza as "genocidal" -- announced Colombia would sever ties with Israel over the conflict and open an embassy in Ramallah in the Palestinian territories.

He also said that Bogota would stop purchasing weapons made by Israel, one of the main suppliers of the South American country's security forces.

According to the Colombian government, the coal export ban will enter into force five days after the decree published in the official gazette and will not affect goods that have already been authorized for shipment.



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Kerala Woman Beats Her Baby, Sends Video Of Assault To Husband Who Remarried

A woman has been arrested for allegedly beating up her one-year-old child, filming the brutal assault, and sending the video to her estranged husband in Kerala's Alappuzha district, the police said.

In the purported video, the woman could be seen hitting the child repeatedly and saying, "Watch this and enjoy".

A case has been registered against the woman based on the complaint of her husband, who is from Thiruvananthapuram.

"As per her statement, her husband married another woman recently and she was frustrated over this. She claimed that this made her beat the child and send the video to her husband," a police officer said.

The woman was arrested today under several Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Juvenile Justice Act, he added.

Further action would be taken after consulting with the local child welfare committee since she was the guardian of two children, including the infant she beat up, the police further said.

There were no visible injury marks on the child, sources added.



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"MP Shouldn't Be Attacked But...": Sanjay Raut On Kangana Ranaut Slap Row

After Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official at Chandigarh airport, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut sympathised with her, stating that an MP should not be attacked but farmers should also be respected.

Ms Ranaut was slapped by a CISF official while she was headed to Delhi on Thursday. The incident took place during an alleged argument over the farmers' protest, which was held against the farm laws (now repealed) and other issues. The official was suspended later in the day.

Addressing the media in Mumbai, Mr Raut said, "Some people give votes and some give slaps. I don't know what has happened actually... If the constable has said that her mother was also sitting (at a protest site), then it is true. If her mother was there in the farmers' agitation and someone said anything against it, then it would create anger. But if PM Modi says that there should be the rule of law, then it should not be taken into (one's) hands..."

"The people in the farmer's agitation were sons and daughters of India. If someone insults Bharat Mata and someone is offended by it, then it is something to think about. I have sympathy for Kangana Ranaut. She is an MP now. An MP should not be attacked, but the farmers should also be respected", he added.

Meanwhile, after the incident, Ms Ranaut took to her social media account and asked how growing "extremism" and "terrorism" could be ended in Punjab.

"I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident took place during the security check. After I was done with the security check, a woman constable of the CISF waited for me to pass through the cabin. Later, she came from the side, hit me in the face and started abusing me", Ms Ranaut said in a post on 'X'.

"When I asked her why she did this, she told me that she had supported the farmers' protest. My question is how we can end growing extremism and terrorism in Punjab", the BJP leader added.

Meanwhile, the CISF constable said that her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against the farm laws, which now have been repealed.

"She stated that the farmers are sitting there for Rs 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement..." she said.



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Fire Breaks Out In Coaches Of Patna-Jharkhand Passenger Train In Bihar

A fire broke out in the coaches of a Patna-Jharkhand passenger train on Thursday in Lakhisarai's Bihar.

Efforts are underway to douse off the fire.

Further details are awaited.



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"Just Words": Hamas Responds To Joe Biden's Gaza Ceasefire Plan

A senior Hamas official said Thursday that US President Joe Biden's proposed Gaza ceasefire deal was "just words" and the Palestinian group had not received any written commitments related to a truce.

Biden presented last week what he labelled an Israeli three-phase plan that would end the conflict, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power.

But Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official based in Beirut, told AFP: "There is no proposal -- they are just words said by Biden in a speech."

"So far, the Americans have not presented anything documented or written that commits them to what Biden said in his speech," he said from the Lebanese capital.

Hamdan said Biden "tried to cover up the Israeli rejection" of another deal offered earlier in May, which had been approved by Hamas.

He said Hamas was willing to accept any deal that met his movement's core demands of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.

Shortly after Biden unveiled the plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the roadmap was only "partial".

The United States, along with Qatar and Egypt, have been engaged in months of negotiations over details for a ceasefire in Gaza.

But except for a seven-day pause beginning in November, which led to the release of more than 100 hostages, there has been no break in the fighting.

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Operatives also took 251 hostages, 120 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead.

Israel's military offensive on Gaza has since killed at least 36,654 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.



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Massive SpaceX Starship Rocket Returns To Earth, Makes Soft Landing In Ocean

SpaceX's massive Starship rocket achieved its first ever splashdown during a test flight Thursday, in a major milestone for the prototype system that may one day send humans to Mars.

Sparks and debris flew off the spaceship as it came down over the Indian Ocean northwest of Australia, dramatic video captured by an onboard camera showed, even as it succeeded in its goal of surviving atmospheric re-entry.

"Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean!" tweeted SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. "Congratulations SpaceX team on an epic achievement!!"

The most powerful rocket ever built blasted off from the company's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas at 7:50 am (1250 GMT), before entering orbit and soaring halfway across the globe, in a journey that lasted around an hour and five minutes.

Starship is key to Musk's vision of colonizing the Red Planet and making humanity an interplanetary species, while NASA has contracted a modified version to act as the final vehicle that will take astronauts down to the surface of the Moon under the Artemis program later this decade.

Three previous attempts have ended in its fiery destruction, all part of what the company says is an acceptable cost in its rapid trial-and-error approach to development.

"The payload for these flight tests is data," SpaceX said on X, a mantra repeated throughout the flight by the commentary team.

During the last test in March, the spaceship managed to fly for 49 minutes before it was lost as it careened into the atmosphere at around 27,000 kilometers per hour (nearly 17,000 mph).

Since then SpaceX made several software and hardware upgrades.

On Thursday it also succeeded in the first soft splashdown for the first stage booster called Super Heavy, in the Gulf of Mexico, to massive applause from engineers at mission control in Hawthorne in California.

The cheers grew even louder in the flight's final minutes. Ground teams whooped and hollered as the upper stage glowed a fiery red during its descent, in footage relayed by SpaceX's Starlink satellite network.

A piece of flying debris even cracked the camera lens, but the ship ultimately stuck the landing.

"Congratulations SpaceX on Starship's successful test flight this morning!" NASA chief Bill Nelson wrote on X. "We are another step closer to returning humanity to the Moon through #Artemis - then looking onward to Mars."

Twice as powerful as Saturn V

Designed to eventually be fully reusable, Starship stands 397 feet (121 meters) tall with both stages combined -- 90 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.

Its Super Heavy booster produces 16.7 million pounds (74.3 Meganewtons) of thrust, about twice as powerful as the Saturn V rockets used during the Apollo missions -- though later versions should be more powerful still.

SpaceX's strategy of carrying out tests in the real world rather than in labs has paid off in the past.

Its Falcon 9 rockets have come to be workhorses for NASA and the commercial sector, its Dragon capsule sends astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station, and its Starlink internet satellite constellation now covers dozens of countries.

But the clock is ticking for SpaceX to be ready for NASA's planned return of astronauts to the Moon in 2026, using a modified Starship as the final vehicle to take astronauts from orbit down to the surface.

To accomplish this, SpaceX will need to first place a primary Starship in orbit, then use multiple "Starship tankers" to fill it up with supercooled fuel for the onward journey -- a complex engineering feat that has never before been accomplished.

At least one SpaceX fan has grown tired of waiting. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa announced this week he has canceled a planned trip around the Moon on Starship with a crew of artists, because he has no idea when it might actually happen.



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Man, 52, Gets Down Safety Net At State Secretariat In Mumbai To Protest

A 52-year-old man on Thursday climbed down onto the safety net at the Mantralaya here to stage protest over the issue of maintenance and safety of dams in Maharashtra, police said.

Deepak Bachche Patil (52), a resident of Pune, descended on the safety net from the second floor but was rescued by security personnel, a police official said.

A safety net has been installed inside the seven-storey headquarters of the Maharashtra government in south Mumbai to foil attempts to commit suicide by jumping from upper floors after a couple of such incidents took place in the past.

After he was rescued, Mr Patil told police he is an activist working in the field of drought relief, and felt that the issue of maintenance and safety of dams in the state was being neglected, the official said.

He had also staged a hunger strike over the issue in the past, Mr Patil told police.

He was being questioned further, the official added. 



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Medical Student Suspended Over Blasphemous Post In Srinagar

A non-local medical student at the Srinagar Government Medical College here was suspended on Wednesday following protests by fellow students against his alleged blasphemous post on a caller app.

"Apropos certain reports from GMC Srinagar, it is to inform that immediate cognisance of the matter was taken by GMC Srinagar administration. Pending enquiry the concerned individual has been suspended with immediate effect," the GMC Srinagar posted on X.

"An enquiry comprising 13 HOD's/HOU's has been initiated for necessary action under rules. All concerned are requested to maintain peace and tranquility in the campus," it added.

Earlier, protests broke out at GMC Srinagar over the alleged blasphemous post by a non-local medical student against the Prophet, officials said.

Dozens of students and several junior doctors held a protest against the non-local medical student at GMC Srinagar for his alleged blasphemous display picture on a calling application, the officials said.

One of the protestors said they had given three hours time to the student for removing the display picture but the latter refused to do so.

The protestors are now demanding action against the student for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Muslims, they said.



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"Entire Crime Branch On Case": Senior Cop To Porsche Victims' Families

A police team led by an official from Pune on Wednesday visited the family of two software engineers tragically killed in a Porsche car accident in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur and Umaria.

The team, headed by Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manoj Patil, assured the families of Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals, who lost their lives on May 19, of free and fair investigation.

The fatal incident occurred when a speeding Porsche, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy, collided with their motorcycle in Pune city. The victim Ashwini hailed from Jabalpur and Anish from Birsinghpur Pali in Umaria district.

ACP Patil, speaking to reporters in Umaria, expressed solidarity with the families and affirmed the diligent investigation underway.

"We are investigating in the right direction. The case is watertight, and the entire crime branch is on the case," stated Mr Patil.

In Jabalpur, Mr Patil met the parents of the Ashwini Koshta at their residence.

"Mr Patil has assured us of fair investigation and action against the accused persons in the case," said Ashwini's father Suresh Koshta.

The police officer has told us that the investigation is in the final stage and that the documents will be submitted to the court soon, he said.

Mr Patil said they have come here to condole the death of young engineer Ashwini.



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BJP Leader Explains Big Factor Behind Party's Huge Win In Indore

The Congress candidate's decision to withdraw played a major role in the landslide victory of the BJP's Shankar Lalwani from the Indore Lok Sabha constituency, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday.

Mr Lalwani won by 11.75 lakh votes against his nearest BSP rival, though the second-highest votes were bagged by NOTA.

Akshay Kanti Bam, the Congress candidate, pulled out of the fray on the last day of withdrawal of nominations, leaving the opposition party without any candidate in Indore and offering the BJP a near walk-over. Bam joined the BJP soon thereafter.

"I think Lalwani has won by such a big margin that no one can beat his record. The credit for this goes to Bam also. Applaud (for Bam) again," said Vijayvargiya at an official function on the occasion of World Environment Day where Bam was also present on the stage.

The minister launched the renovation of an ancient stepwell as part of the Madhya Pradesh government's 'Namami Gange' campaign here. 



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"Will Speak To Him Soon": Eknath Shinde As Devendra Fadnavis Offers To Resign

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he will speak with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who has offered to resign from the post following the BJP's electoral reverses in the state.

Interacting with reporters here, Shinde said electoral defeat was a collective responsibility as the three parties -- BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP -- had contested the Lok Sabha elections as an alliance.

The BJP managed to win nine Lok Sabha seats in the state, as against 22 won in the 2019 elections, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerged victorious on seven seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP could win one seat. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition had won 41 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra.

"I will speak to Devendraji soon," Shinde told reporters here when asked about Fadnavis' offer to resign as deputy chief minister and focus on rebuilding the party for the assembly elections later this year.

He said the reasons for the defeat of the MahaYuti will be reviewed.

"We have worked together in the past and we will keep on working in the future. Failures must not discourage us," said Shinde, who ousted Uddhav Thackeray from the Shiv Sena, with the support of most of the party MLAs and MPs in 2022.

Thackeray's faction of the Shiv Sena won nine seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

"If you look at the vote share, Mahayuti got more than two lakh votes in Mumbai," Shinde said.

He said the ruling coalition of BJP-Shiv Sena and NCP collectively failed to counter the opposition's misleading claims during the election campaign. "The false narrative that the constitution will be changed hurt us," he said.

Shinde said the opposition was chanting "Modi hatao" (remove Modi), but the voters kept them away from power.



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Bansuri Swaraj, Sushma Swaraj's Daughter, Wins On Lok Sabha Debut

BJP's Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of the late Sushma Swaraj, won the New Delhi constituency on her Lok Sabha debut. 

Ms Swaraj, fielded by the BJP in place of outgoing MP and Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, trounced AAP's Somnath Bharti to win the seat by a margin of 78,370 votes.

The BJP won all seven seats in Delhi in the 2014 and the 2019 general elections, and repeated the feat yet again this time. 

Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, which rules the national capital, was in a 4:3 seat arrangement with the Congress as part of the INDIA bloc taking on the BJP. 

The AAP that contested East Delhi, West Delhi, New Delhi and South Delhi seats could not win any seat. Its vote share, however, was 24.14 per cent as compared to 18.2 per cent in 2019 polls. The AAP's vote share was 33.1 per cent in 2014 general elections but it lost all seven seats that it contested.

The Congress that failed to win any seat out of three contested by it in Delhi, lost its vote share by over three per cent as compared to 2019 Lok Sabha elections.



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In Blow To Rishi Sunak, Brexit Champion Nigel Farage Announces UK Election Candidacy

Nigel Farage on Monday said he would stand as a candidate for the anti-immigration Reform UK party in Britain's general election next month, after initially ruling out running.

"I have changed my mind... I am going to stand," Farage, 60, told a news conference. He will seek election on July 4 in the fiercely pro-Brexit seat of Clacton, southeast England.

Farage said he had had a change of heart as "I can't let down those millions of people" who had supported him throughout previous elections and referendums.

The move piles more pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose languishing Conservatives can ill afford to lose votes on its right.

Reform is currently polling at around 11 percent, which if replicated at the ballot box could split the right-wing vote, potentially depriving the Conservatives of key seats needed to win re-election.

"I genuinely believe we can get more votes than the Conservative party. They are on the brink of total collapse," said the arch-eurosceptic.

But Farage promised that Reform, which he founded and has now become leader, will also take votes from the main opposition Labour party, although conceded that they will win the election.

"What I'm really calling for, and what I intend to lead is a political revolt. A turning of our backs on the political status quo," he added. 

"Nothing in this country works any more. We are in decline."

Farage has failed in his seven previous attempts at becoming an MP in the UK parliament but was a member of the European Parliament in Brussels for UKIP and Reform UK's forerunner the Brexit Party.



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Amul Hikes Milk Prices By ₹ 2 Per Litre From Today

The price of Amul milk across all variants has been hiked by Rs 2 per litre with effect from Monday in view of the increase in the overall cost of operation and production of milk, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) said.

With this, the price of the Amul milk pouch will go up by Rs 2 per litre in all markets across the country.

The price of Amul milk across all variants has been raised by Rs 2 per litre with effect from June 3, said Jayen Mehta, MD of GCMMF, which markets the milk and dairy products under the 'Amul' brand.

The last time GCMMF had raised the milk price was in February 2023. The hike is necessitated to compensate farmers for their increased cost of production, Mehta said.

With the fresh hike, the revised milk prices for variants such as 500 ml Amul buffalo milk, 500 ml Amul Gold milk, and 500 ml Amul Shakti milk stand at Rs 36, Rs 33, and Rs 30, respectively.

"The increase of Rs 2 per litre translates to the range of 3-4 per cent increase in MRP which is much lower than the average food inflation. It is worthwhile to note that since February 2023, Amul has made no increase in prices of fresh pouch milk in major markets," GCMMF said in a statement.

This price hike is being done due to the increase in the overall cost of operation and production of milk, it said.

Amul as a policy passes on almost 80 paise of every rupee paid by consumers for milk and milk products to milk producers, according to GCMMF.

"The price revision shall help in sustaining remunerative milk prices to our milk producers and to encourage them for higher milk production," it added.



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Mr & Mrs Mahi Box Office Collection Day 3: Janhvi Kapoor-Rajkummar Rao's Film Is At Rs 16 Crore And Counting

Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao's latest offering Mr & Mrs Mahi scored impressive numbers at the box office on its third day. The sports-drama minted ₹ 5.50 crore, according to a Sacnilk report. The total earning of the film till now is ₹ 16.85 crore.  Directed by Sharan Sharma, the movie narrates the story of Mahima, a doctor who marries a failed but talented cricketer, Mahendra. Over time, Mahendra realises that his wife is a gifted cricketer and decides to train her to become a professional. The film also features Zarina Wahab, Rajesh Sharma and Kumud Mishra in important roles. Mr & Mrs Mahi has been jointly produced by Zee Studios and Dharma Productions.

A day ahead of Mr & Mrs Mahi's release, Jahvi Kapoor shared a BTS video from the sets on Instagram. In the clip, the actress is dressed as her character. As the cameraman approaches her, Janhvi can be heard saying, “Kya hai? [What?]”, “Ho gya na? [It is done, right?”, “Aaj ke liye itna hi footage milega [That's all the footage you'll get for today.]” She makes hand gestures signalling the cameraman to stop filming. Soon after, a cheerful Janhvi asks if she can share a “secret.” Janhvi's mood changes and she asks, “I wanna know what you are capturing?” and “kitna close up lega? [How much of a close-up shot are you going to take?]” Towards the end, Janhvi talks about a self-written poem that she does not wish to be recorded.

“I was clearly losing my mind on set on most days….#MrandMrsMahi out tomorrow book your tickets now!” read the text attached to the post.

In an NDTV review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee gave Mr & Mrs Mahi 2 out of 5 stars. He wrote, “The lead actors do their bit to keep us invested in the narrative and the emotions of the two principal characters. Rajkummar Rao, always on an even turf, delivers Mahendra's recriminations, some directed at his father, others at his wife, with conviction even when the lines that the character speaks are riddled with self-pity.”



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