News Highlights: NIA arrests key conspirator in Bengaluru riots case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested an alleged key conspirator in the riots in Bengaluru in August last year that left four people dead.

Thirty-eight-year-old Syed Abbas, a resident of Govindpur, was arrested from Bengaluru, a spokesperson of the agency said. (PTI)

. Center reduces duty on Crude Palm Oil by 5%. Further, to cool down prices of RBD Palmolein, DFPD recommends removal of restriction on import of RBD Palmolein & put it in open general category of imports: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

. World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $500 million program to support India’s large informal workforce and create greater flexibility for states to cope with the ongoing pandemic, future climate, and disaster shocks: World Bank

. The combined Index of Eight Core Industries stood at 125.8 in May 2021, which increased by 16.8% (provisional) as compared to the Index of May 2020: Ministry of Commerce & Industry

. Lt General Sanjeev Kumar Sharma will assume the appointment of the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) on 01 July 2021. Lt Gen SK Sharma takes over the appointment from Lt Gen Paramjit Singh who superannuated on 30 June 2021: Indian Army

. Ethiopia's government says its military could re-enter the capital of its embattled Tigray region within weeks, calling into question the unilateral cease-fire it declared in Tigray just days ago.

Redwan Hussein, spokesman for the Tigray emergency task force, spoke to reporters on Wednesday in Ethiopia's first public remarks since its soldiers retreated from the Tigray capital and other parts of the region on Monday in a dramatic turn in the nearly eight-month war. (AP)

. CBI has conducted searches at 19 premises in Nagpur, Mumbai & Ahmedabad premises of private persons including Proprietors/Partners of importing firms, Customs House Agents & others in an on-going investigation of a case. Investigation is continuing: CBI

. Two days ago, Income tax department had sent me a notice related to my fixed deposit. They don't have time to go after Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi. This money was saved before AAP was formed. Are BJP leaders ready to declare all their assets transparently?:Atishi

. Twitter has a zero-tolerance policy for Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). We will continue to invest in proactive detection & removal of content that violates Twitter rules & work with law enforcement and NGO partners in India to tackle the issue: Twitter Spokesperson

. Spain's ruling Socialists will "never" allow an independence referendum in Catalonia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday, as his government prepares to resume negotiations with Catalan separatists.

His comments come a week after nine Catalan political leaders were pardoned and freed from jail for their part in the northeastern region's failed push for independence in 2017. (AFP)

. From July 1st, 2021, Namma metro train services will be available from 7 am to 6 pm, with a frequency of 5 mins in peak hours and 15 mins in non-peak hours from Monday to Friday, said theBangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

. SSP Kundwa Chainpur PS, on June 26, found 3 persons with 8 drones. They couldn't provide an explanation andwere handed over to police u/s 309 & 411 IPC. As per probe, they're locals using drones for wedding videography. Further probe is on: Jitendra Kumar, Bihar ADG

. Enforcement Directorate has attachedimmovable properties worth more than Rs 185 Crore of M/s Frost International Ltd., its group companies i.e. M/S Globiz Exim Pvt. Ltd., M/s NSD Nirman Pvt. Ltd and RS Builders and promoter/director under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

. Putin says he is against nationwide mandatory vaccinations

. Overall GST rates have been reduced on 400 goods and 80 services. Given that, in the pre-GST regime, the combined Centre and States rates were more than 31 per centon most of the items. This reduction marks a significant relief for the taxpayer:Ministry of Finance

. Actor Naseeruddin Shah was admitted to Hinduja Hospital in Khar, his wife and actor Ratna Pathak Shah confirmed. He was diagnosed with a small pneumonia patch and will be discharged soon. ( ANI )

. Singapore is set to roll out a new medical system for migrant or foreign workers to provide primary healthcare and reduce the risks of future disease outbreaks through active surveillance, a media report said on Wednesday.

The system, to be rolled out from November 2021, will be in six geographical sectors, with each sector housing at least 40,000 migrant workers both in and out of dormitories, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

. The DGCA has extended the ban on scheduled international flights till July 31. The ban on international commercial passenger flights was to end on June 30.

. Britain's coronavirus-hit economy shrank by slightly more than expected in the first quarter before a subsequent easing of lockdown restrictions, revised official data showed on Wednesday.

Gross domestic product contracted by 1.6 percent in the three months to the end of March, down from the previous figure of 1.5 percent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. ( AFP )

. PM Narendra Modi will interact with beneficiaries of ‘Digital India’ on July 1

. Novak Djokovic landed on his backside twice early in the first match played on Centre Court at Wimbledon this week. He was no worse for the wear.

Roger Federer's opponent on Day 2, Adrian Mannarino, lost his footing in the main stadium, too, but he was not so lucky: The Frenchman's 33rd birthday ended with a twisted knee and a loss, because he was too hurt to keep playing.

That also happened to Serena Williams in the very next match Tuesday, and her latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title ended with her “heartbroken” and in tears after just 30 minutes and less than a set. ( AP )

. The economic impact from the plunge in tourism since pandemic emerged could top $4 trillion, UN report says ( AFP )

. Rupee slips 2 paise to 74.25 against US dollar in early trade

. Mona Biswarupa Mohanty, an artist from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, has received the UAE's coveted 'golden visa' or long-term residence visa for 10 years.

The long-term cultural visa is granted to talents in the fields of arts, creative industries, literature and culture, heritage history and cognitive studies.

It enables foreigners to live, work and study in the West Asian country without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the UAE's mainland. ( PTI )

. 4 killed as vehicle plunges into gorge in J&K's Ramban. Mumbai Police found 48 live cartridges of 0.2 mm in the Goregaon Aarey area yesterday. Police seized all the live cartridges and has registered a case and started the investigation. ( ANI )

. Twice Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu will gear up to defend his title at the Beijing Games when he begins his Grand Prix season in Tokyo in November.

Hanyu skipped last year's Grand Prix season over fears his asthma would put him at higher risk if he became infected with coronavirus. ( AFP )

. Canada's Senate on Tuesday adopted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government's budget bill, the final step in extending Covid-19 supports through the summer and ahead of a likely election in the fall.

Bill C-30 passed the Senate 63-to-19 late in the evening. Trudeau's Liberals, who have a minority, last week pushed the bill through the House of Commons with the help of the opposition New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois. ( Reuters )

. Uttarakhand government will move Supreme Court today against High Court order to stay Char Dham pilgrimage that was supposed to begin from this Thursday

. Just like in the 1966 World Cup final, England triumphed over a German team at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, winning 2-0 to reach the European Championship quarterfinals.

News Highlights: NIA arrests key conspirator in Bengaluru riots case

Bengal govt to open 2 cancer units in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital (PTI)

Amazon wants critic atop US regulatory body sidelined (AFP)

JNU, DRDO sign pact of cooperation in education and research (PTI)

NIA arrests key conspirator in Bengaluru riots case

Finance ministry keeps interest rates on small savings schemes unchanged for second quarter of current fiscal (PTI)

Follow us on