News highlights: PM hails Cabinet decisions on shipping, animal husbandry, AYUSH

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HC to hear Chhota Rajan's appeals against conviction in three cases

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday admitted for hearing appeals filed by gangster Chhota Rajan challenging convictions in three cases. In two of these cases Rajan, whose real name is Rajendra Nikalje, was convicted for attempt to murder.

Justice Anuja Prabhudesai admitted the pleas filed by his lawyer Tushar Khandare and posted them for hearing after two weeks.

Human-elephant conflict claim 812 lives in Assam in 10 years

Altogether 812 people have died due to human-elephant conflict in Assam during the last 10 years, Environment and Forests Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said in the state assembly on Wednesday.

The highest number of 115 deaths were reported from Udalguri district, followed by 103 in Sonitpur, 74 in Goalpara, and 51 in Darrang, the minister said in reply to a question by BJP MLA Terash Gowala.

Prices of all kinds of liquor will be increased by 20% from tomorrow in Puducherry.

Godavari River water overflows at the Polavaram project in West Godavari district, Wednesday.

Credit: PTI Photo

PM hails Cabinet decisions on shipping, animal husbandry, AYUSH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday hailed the Cabinet decision to revise and realign schemes of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, saying the move sets the tone for the sector's transformation and benefit lakhs of people associated with it.

The prime minister's remarks came after the Centre decided to revise the schemes and implement them as part of the special livestock sector package over the next five years starting this fiscal in a bid to leverage an investment of Rs 54,618 crore.

US to begin evacuation of Afghans who aided US military

The Biden administration is set to begin evacuations of Afghans who aided the US military effort in the nearly 20-year war during the last week of July, according to a senior administration official.

The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly, said Wednesday that Operation Allies Refuge flights out of Afghanistan will be available first for special immigrant visa applicants already in the process of applying for US residency.

Mohammad Fahad is national president of SP's youth wing

The Samajwadi Party on Wednesday appointed former Aligarh Muslim University student union leader Mohammad Fahad as the national president of the party’s youth wing.

Fahad, a resident of Kasganj, was the secretary of AMU Students’ Union in 2017-18, he said.

"On directions of party president Akhilesh Yadav, Mohammad Fahad of Kasganj has been appointed national president of the SP Yuvjan Sabha," said Naresh Uttam, the party’s state president.

Nearly 39,000 pigs died in Assam due to African Swine Fever in last 18 months

Nearly 39,000 pigs have died of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Assam in the last one and a half years, the Assembly was informed on Wednesday. In a written reply to a query by BJP MLA Chakradhar Gogoi, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora said 38,700 pigs died due to ASF since its detection in the north- eastern state in 2020.

As many as 13,200 families have been economically affected as a result of the pig deaths, the minister said.

After TN, Puducherry to oppose Karnataka's Mekedatu project

After Tamil Nadu, the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry has decided to oppose Karnataka's proposed dam on river Cauvery at Mekedatu, with Chief Minister N Rangasamy set to take up the issue with the Centre, official sources said on Wednesday.

Rangasamy would write shortly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking their intervention in the matter, requesting them not to permit Karnataka to construct the estimated Rs 9,000 crore balancing reservoir.

The issue has become a dispute between Karnataka and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, a lower riparian state, with the latter insisting its interests would be affected if the project takes shape.

Racist abusers to be banned from football stadiums, says UK PM

Laws banning football hooligans in England from attending matches will be extended to target those responsible for racially abusing players on social media, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.

The proposed change to football banning orders follows a deluge of abuse being directed at several black England players after the team's defeat in the Euro 2020 final against Italy on Sunday.

"What we're doing is today taking practical steps to ensure that the football banning order regime is changed, so that if you are guilty... of racist abuse online of footballers then you will not be going to the match," he told MPs.

RBI imposes restrictions on Mastercard from on-boarding new domestic customers from July 22, 2021

Satyadev Narayan Arya takes oath as new Governor of Tripura at Raj Bhavan in Agartala, Wednesday

Credit: PTI Photo

Former union minister Ramesh Bais takes oath as Governor of Jharkhand, administered by Chief Justice of State High Court Dr. Ravi Ranjan, at Raj Bhawan in Ranchi

Credit: PTI Photo

Amarinder Singh, Sukhbir Badal hit out at each other on Twitter

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh attacked the Shiromani Akali Dal over the issue of farm laws by posting a video of its leaders praising the bills, prompting SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to take him on his pre-poll promise of farm debt waiver.

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Infosys net profit rises by 22.7% to Rs 5,195 cr, revenue grows by 17.8% to Rs 27,896 crore in April-June quarter over the year-ago period.

Olympic athletes to put on own medals at Tokyo ceremonies

Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics will put their medals around their own necks to protect against spreading the coronavirus.

The "very significant change" to traditional medal ceremonies in the 339 events was revealed on Wednesday by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

"The medals will not be given around the neck," Bach told international media on a conference call from Tokyo.

"They will be presented to the athlete on a tray and then the athlete will take the medal him or herself."

"It will be made sure that the person who will put the medal on tray will do so only with disinfected gloves so that the athlete can be sure that nobody touched them before," Bach added.

Kerala Guv observes day-long fast against dowry; Cong, BJP criticise govt

Days after a series of dowry deaths rocked Kerala and kicked up a heated debate on the menace,Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday observed a fastto create social awareness against the social evil andend atrocities against women.

It may be for the first time in the history of the southern state that any Governor was fasting for such a social cause.

Dearness Allowance for central govt staff hiked to 28%

The Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central government employees and pensioners has been increased from 17 per cent to 28 per cent, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday.

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AYUSH Mission to continue till 2026 with cost of Rs 4607.30 crores, says Anurag Thakur

Heavy rain at isolated places in west UP

Light to moderate rain and thundershower occurred at isolated places in Uttar Pradesh while isolated pockets in western part of the state received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

Rainfall has been reported from Deoband (in Saharanpur district), Dhampur (Bijnor), Muzaffarnagar Teh (Muzaffarnagar), Tulsipur (Balrampur), Sadabad (Mahamaya Nagar), Kairana (Shamli), the MeT Department here said.

Tokyo reports most daily Covid-19 cases in six months as Olympics loom

Tokyo reported the highest number of new Covid-19 cases in almost six months on Wednesday, with the Olympics due to open in the capital in just nine days.

The city government said there were 1,149 new cases, the highest daily tally since January 22, adding to evidence that a new fifth wave of infections is under way, driven by more infectious virus variants and a low vaccination rate.

Amid rising cases, the government declared renewed state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding prefectures last week and Olympics organisers announced that no fans would be allowed at events in those areas.

Delhi riots: Court allows UAPA accused Tasleem Ahmed to undergo treatment in govt hospital (PTI)

Akali leaders detained while trying to 'gherao' residence of Punjab minister (PTI)

UK publishes plans to decarbonise transport by mid-century (AFP)

Siddaramaiah urges govt to convene Karnataka legislature session in Belagavi (PTI)

Pope Francis leaves hospital (Reuters)

ICC confirms new WTC points system: 12 for win, 4 for draw, 6 for tie

China says it strongly opposes US position on South China sea (Reuters)

SC agrees to examine fresh plea challenging sedition law (PTI)

China urges Pakistan to 'severely punish' bus blast attackers (AFP)

TMC delegation to meet EC on Thursday to press for bypolls (PTI)

Afghanistan troop pullout a mistake: George W. Bush

Congress veteran Somen Mitra's son resigns as party's Bengal general secy (PTI)

Schools for classes 11 and 12 to reopen in MP from July 26 with 50% capacity: CM

AP government effects transfers of 12 IPS officers (PTI)

Power engineers, staff to boycott work on Aug 10 to oppose Electricity (Amendment) Bill (PTI)

Myanmar anti-coup activists protest as US seeks regional action (Reuters)

China asks Taliban to make 'clean break' from all terrorist forces (PTI)

UK could work with Taliban in Afghan govt: defence secretary

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Wednesday Britain will work with the Taliban if it enters into a power-sharing government in Afghanistan and respects human rights.

"Whatever the government of the day is, provided it adheres to certain international norms, the UK Government will engage with it," he told the Daily Telegraph.

UAE opens Israel embassy after normalisation deal (AFP)

In Varanasi, PM will also inaugurate the maternal & child health unit at BHU, regional institute of ophthalmology, Ro-Ro ferry services on river Ganga (ANI)

JP Nadda meets party workers at the party's headquarters in Delhi with Kailash Vijayvargiya also in attendance (ANI)

Terrorists arrested in Kolkata may have Al-Qaeda links: Police

WPI inflation eases to 12.07% in June; food, crude prices soften (PTI)

Pakistan bus blast death toll stands revised at 13, including 9 Chinese nationals (AFP)

Russia warns Taliban against harming security of Central Asian allies (Reuters)

Union Cabinet meeting under way

Modi to inaugurate the International Cooperation and Convention Centre, ‘Rudraksh’, tomorrow in Varanasi (ANI)

Monitoring activities by PLA: Army on eastern Ladakh situation

Satyadev Narayan Arya takes oath as Governor of Tripura, in Agartala (ANI)

Centre convenes all-party meet ahead of Monsoon session of Parliament

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Taliban capture key Afghan border crossing with Pakistan: Spokesman (AFP)

Kolkata gears up for Durga Puja, all involved to be vaccinated in 3 months (PTI)

SC takes suo motu cognizance of the decision of UP government to allow Kanwar Yatra amid Covid (ANI)

Bill in US House seeks to strengthen America’s ties with Indo-Pacific countries, including India (PTI)

Rupee falls 12 paise to 74.61 against US dollar in early trade (PTI)

Explosion targeting bus in northern Pakistan kills 8 including 4 Chinese nationals (Reuters)

AAP will provide free electricity in Goa if voted to power: Arvind Kejriwal

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan starts 'fast against dowry' organised by various Gandhian organisations

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi calls an all-party meeting at 11 am on July 18 (ANI)

Sensex drops over 100 pts in early trade; Nifty slips below 15,800 (PTI)

Jennifer Carpenter reportedly set to return for Dexter revival series (PTI)

Blinken calls on Southeast Asian nations to take action on Myanmar (Reuters)

Maharashtra Youth Congress stage protest against fuel price hike (PTI)

Asian markets fall on US inflation concerns (AFP)

4 bodies recovered from Boh valley till last night in Uttarakhand

A total of five5bodies have been recovered so far. 5 to 6 persons stillmissing. Rescue operation resumed early morning today: Kangra District Commissioner Nipun Jindal

Leopard kills woman in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district (PTI)

Estimated 2,70,000 Afghans newly displaced since January due to violence, insecurity: UN

3 LeT militants killed in encounter with security forces in Pulwama (PTI)

Blinken calls out China in meeting with ASEAN bloc ministers

Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the US rejection of China's "unlawful maritime claims" in the South China Sea in a virtual meeting with foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, State Department spokesman Ned Price said (Reuters)

Home Ministry requests CBI to inquire into the deaths of Rosy and Samuel Sangma

Family of the deceased has alleged that Rosy Sangma had died due to negligence on part of the hospital andalleged foul play in the death of Samuel Sangma by the hospital personnel. (ANI)

Final death toll in China hotel collapse put at 17 (AFP)

Harry Maguire says father suffered rib injuries in Wembley 'stampede' (Reuters)

BSF personnel open fire at flying object spotted near border in Jammu (PTI)

Heavy rainfall causes waterlogging in Sion

New York's plan to move homeless people from hotels Is blocked by a judge (NYT)

Jaishankar likely to hold a bilateral meet with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meet in Tajikistan (ANI)

Encounter breaks out at Pulwama town of South Kashmir. Police and security forces are on the job. Details awaited: Jammu & Kashmir Police

US and South Korea reaffirm their alliance at London meeting (Reuters)

China sends warplanes to Taiwan Strait in a show of force to Biden (NYT)

China sanctions Pompeo, Trump officials for violating 'sovereignty' (AFP)

US Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trillion spending for budget reconciliation bill (Reuters)

Trump's finance chief loses titles, roles after indictment (AP)

Demonstrators block traffic in Miami area to support Cuban protesters (Reuters)

Japan economy minister defends his role after lockdown criticism (Reuters)

Harris likens Texas Democrats to suffragettes, civil rights leaders

Vice President Kamala Harris said on Tuesday that Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state took a courageous stand to derail Republican efforts to pass voting restrictions, likening their efforts to those of civil rights activists and suffragettes.

In an interview with Reuters, Harris said she encourages lawmakers in every state imposing voting restrictions to stand up for the right of all Americans to vote. More than 50 Democratic lawmakers left Texas on Monday to deny the state legislature the quorum required to approve Republican Governor Greg Abbott's special-session agenda. (Reuters)

Visuals from Pulwama where an encounter broke out today

11 people injured as bus falls into gorge in J-K's Katra

Eleven people were injured when a bus fell into a gorge in Katra belt of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Tuesday, officials said.

The injured, most of them pilgrims, were hospitalised, they said.

The accident took place when bus skidded off a road at Moori, the officials added. (PTI)

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