DH Evening Brief: June 18, 2021

Here are the top headlines this evening.

Rule of land supreme, not your policy: Parliamentary panel to Twitter India officials

Amid a tussle between the Union government and Twitter over the new IT rules, members of a parliamentary panel on Friday strongly objected to Twitter India officials' observations that they abide by their policy and categorically told them that the rule of land is supreme. Read more

India should brace for third Covid-19 wave by October, say health experts

A third wave of coronavirus infections is likely to hit India by October, and although it will be better controlled than the latest outbreak the pandemic will remain a public health threat for at least another year, according to a Reuters poll of medical experts. Read more

The Ganga is returning the dead — It does not lie

The Ganges, or Ganga, is the holiest of India’s rivers, and most Hindus believe that dipping their body in it will purify their soul. But when the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit, the river also became an exhibit for the Modi administration’s failures and deceptions. Read more

No political crisis in Karnataka, says CM B S Yediyurappa

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday asserted that there was no political crisis in the state, in the wake of dissident activities seeking his ouster. Read more

SC declines to interfere with release of student activists in Delhi riots case

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to interfere with the release of three student activists on bail in a Delhi riots case but directed that the Delhi High Court's judgment, concerning anti-terror law, should not be treated as a precedent in other cases. Read more

Calcutta HC defers Mamata's plea challenging Nandigram poll result to June 24

The Calcutta High Court on Friday adjourned hearing to June 24 in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's petition challenging the election of Leader Of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram. Read more

India vs New Zealand World Test Championship Final, Day 1: Play abandoned due to rain

The play of the first day of the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton has been abandoned due to incessant rain. This means that the reserve day on June 23 will now come into play. Read more

Covovax may begin trials for children soon: All you need to know about this Covid-19 vaccine

After Novavax’s recombinant nanoparticle protein-based vaccine, Covovax, has shown promising results in its Phase 3 trials in the US, the UK and Mexico, the Centre is keen to start trials of the vaccine on children. Read more

Rat-ted out! Rodents expose liquor sent via postal service

Rodents in a Postal Department of Kochi have "ratted out" a suspected friendly gesture of sending liquor through parcel from Bengaluru to Kerala amid Covid-19 curbs. The "smuggling", said to be exposed by a rat that gnawed the parcel attracted by a packet of mixture (snacks) inside it, is likely to invite up to ten-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for both. Read more

Pfizer, Moderna Covid-19 vaccines don't lower sperm count, study says

Covid-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna do not harm male fertility, suggests a study which found the levels of sperm in participants remained at healthy levels after they got two doses of the mRNA preventive. Read more

BJP seeks to mend fences with estranged allies in poll-bound UP

Apparently anticipating a tough fight in the next Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, which is due in nine months, the BJP has been frantically trying to mend fences with its estranged allies in the state and bring them back to its fold, and prevent them from aligning with the rival political players. Read more

Israel launches new airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation for fire balloons; See Pics

Israeli jets launched air strikes on Gaza after militants in the Palestinian territory again set off incendiary balloons into southern Israel, the army and AFP journalists said. The fire balloons and air strikes are the latest violence heaping pressure on a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers that came into place on May 21, ending 11 days of heavy fighting. See pictures

Ghaziabad assault case: Police slap legal notice on Twitter India MD

Uttar Pradesh Police sent a legal notice to the Managing Director of Twitter India and asked him to appear before it over a viral video, where elderly man Abdul Samad Saifi was allegedly beaten up, had his beard chopped, and was forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' by four men. Read more

Global Covid-19 death toll exceeds 40 lakh

Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide passed the grim mark of 40 lakh on Thursday, according to a Reuters tally, as many countries struggle to procure enough vaccines to inoculate their populations. Read more

Owner of Delhi's 'Baba ka Dhaba' attempts suicide, hospitalised

The owner of south Delhi's 'Baba ka Dhaba', Kanta Prasad, allegedly attempted suicide and has been admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital, police said on Friday. Read more