THE HEADLINES:-
- President Droupadi Murmu nominates four prominent personalities to Rajya Sabha from fields of arts, literature, science, and social services.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar reviews bilateral cooperation with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan; Says, Singapore is at the heart of India’s Act East Policy.
- FBI arrests eight Khalistani terrorists across United States in a major crackdown on international terror network.
- Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and crew members of Axiom-4 mission to begin journey back to Earth tomorrow.
- In Wimbledon Tennis, top seed Jannik Sinner to lock horns with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Summit Clash of Men’s Singles in London tonight.
- In Cricket, India and Hosts England gear up for crucial Day 4 in evenly poised third test of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four prominent personalities to the Rajya Sabha from fields of arts, literature, science, and social services.The distinguished figures include, eminent lawyer Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Social Worker C Sadanandan Master, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and historian and academician Dr Meenakshi Jain. Ministry of Home Affairs informed about the decision in a notification. We have report:
Ujjwal Nikam who hails from Maharashtra has served as a government counsel in the Mumbai terror attacks case and 1993 Mumbai blasts case. He has also worked on the high-profile murder cases of music mogul Gulshan Kumar and BJP stalwart Pramod Mahajan. C. Sadanandan Master from Kerala has a long career in education in the State. He has been a victim of political violence and lost both his legs. Despite this incident, Sadanandan Master did not give up and remained active in education and social service. Harsh Vardhan Shringla served as Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023. He also served as Ambassador to the United States and Thailand and High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Dr Meenakshi Jain has served as Associate Professor of history at Gargi College, University of Delhi and as member of the Governing Council of Indian Council of Historical Research. Her areas of research include cultural and religious developments in medieval and early modern India. The President nominates 12 persons to the Upper House of Parliament for their contributions towards arts, literature, sciences and social services. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a series of social media posts congratulated the four renowned personalities on being nominated to the Upper House of Parliament
Meanwhile,reacting to the announcement, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam while talking to media called it a proud moment.
<><><>
The Centre has directed States and Union Territories to take immediate and strict action against the issue of counterfeit and substandard fertilizers. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written a letter to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories in this regard. This letter has been issued with the objective of curbing the sale of fake fertilizers, black marketing of subsidized fertilizers, and illegal activities such as forced tagging across the country. Mr Chouhan said that agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy and to ensure stability in farmers’ income, it is essential to provide them quality fertilizers at the right time and affordable prices.
The Minister said, it is the responsibility of the States to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers at the right places and locations where it is required. Mr Chouhan asked States to take Strict legal action, including cancellation of licenses and registration of FIRs against the culprits. The Minister urged all States to launch a statewide campaign to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots.
<><><>
In Bihar, a large number of citizens from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar have been found during house-to-house visits in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in the state. More from our correspondent:
The ECI sources said that it was revealed to the BLOs on the duty that these persons from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar have procured documents including Aadhaar, residential Certificate, Ration Card and others. With these revelations during the SIR, in Bihar some apprehensions are being corroborated and the concerns are being duly addressed by the Election Commission of India.The ECI sources said that after proper inquiry, which is to be conducted from 1st August to 30th August, if found true, such names shall not be included in the final list to be published on 30th September this year.The voters list purification drive will continue till 25th July in all 243 assembly constituencies in the state. Dharmendra Kumar Rai Akashvani News Patna
<><><>
In West Bengal, Kolkata Police constituted a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allezed rape case in the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Joka. Meanwhile medical test of the victim has been conducted. It is revealed that the victim is a psychiatrist by profession and the accused who is a second year student at IIM called her inside the institute for counseling. It is reported the accused raped her after giving her an adulterated drink inside the boys’ hostel. The Alipore court yesterday sent the accused to police custody till 19th of this month.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar today met his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan and reviewed the progress in bilateral cooperation. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar who is on a visit to Singapore, said, the country is at the heart of India’s Act East Policy while Singapore’s Foreign Minister said, as the world inexorably transitions into multi-polarity, India will play an increasingly important role as one of these major poles of opportunity.
After his visit to Singapore, the External Affairs Minister will reach Tianjin in China to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
<><><>
In United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested eight Khalistani terrorists across the country in a major crackdown on an international terror network. Among them is Pavittar Singh Batala, a Punjab-based gangster wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for terror activities linked to the banned group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Last month, NIA had named Batala, along with Jatinder Joti and designated BKI terrorist Lakhbir Landa, in a chargesheet.
The arrests followed a multi-agency investigation. The FBI also seized firearms, ammunition, and cash during searches. Authorities said, the group faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, conspiracy, witness intimidation, and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, along with gang-related enhancements.
<><><>
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has reaffirmed Pyongyang’s unconditional support for all actions taken by Russia in its war against Ukraine, stating that both nations share identical views on all key strategic matters. Kim Jong-Un made these remarks during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Wonsan. Foreign Minister Lavrov is on a three-day visit to North Korea. The two sides held their second strategic dialogue, reinforcing cooperation under a partnership treaty signed last year, which includes a mutual defense pact.
<><><>
Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission are expected to begin their journey back to Earth tomorrow. Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in a social media post said, the undocking has been scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30 PM Indian Standard Time. He said, the crew will arrive on earth on Tuesday at around 3:00 PM IST.
Group Captain Shukla was on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. He became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to space in 1984. During the journey, Group Captain Shukla did seven India-specific experiments.
Talking to media at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s father, Shambhu Dayal said, they are praying to God that he comes back safely.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh during the next 3 to 4 days. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh during the next five days. IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into Kerala, Karnataka coasts, Lakshadweep, some parts of westcentral Bay of Bengal and southwest Bay of Bengal during the next three days. Meanwhile, National capital, Delhi experienced a fresh spell of rain during the day. The showers brought down temperatures and offered relief from the persistent humidity of the past few days.
<><><>
The IMD has forecast rain in Uttarakhand till Thursday. Our correspondent report that in view of the forecast, the administration has been instructed to remain on alert.
Light to moderate rain was recorded in the early morning today in the high altitude areas of Uttarakhand. At present, some parts of the state are cloudy,whereas the weather remains clear in most areas.The Met Department in Dehradun has predicted rain in the state till July 17. A yellow alert for rain has been issued in Dehradun, Nainital and Bageshwar districts. According to the department, this situation of rain will remain in the state for the next 5 days. According to the State Emergency Center, more than 80 roads are blocked due to rain and landslides in the state and efforts are on to open them. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News Dehradun.
<><><>
In Madhya Pradesh, heavy rainfall has triggered a flood situation across several districts. People have been shifted to safer locations in many villages of Rewa, Satna, Maihar, and Chhatarpur districts. The IMD has issued an orange alert for very heavy rain in 19 districts, including Gwalior, Morena, Harda, Khandwa, and Khargone. A yellow alert for heavy rain is in place for 22 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Alirajpur, and Dewas.
<><><>
In Wimbledon Tennis, top seed Jannik Sinner of Italy will face two-time defending champion and second seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the Men’s Singles final at the Centre Court in London tonight. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM Indian Standard Time. Sinner entered the final defeating seven-time champion Novak Djokovic while Alcaraz overpowered American Taylor Fritz in the other semifinal.
Sinner and Alcaraz will face off in the final for the second consecutive Grand Slam. The two previously battled in a thrilling French Open final last month, where Alcaraz emerged victorious.
In the Women’s Singles, Iga Świątek clinched her maiden Wimbledon title after thrashing Amanda Anisimova in the final.
<><><>
In Cricket, India and Hosts England are geared up for crucial Day 4 in evenly poised third test of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s. The Hosts will resume their second innings play this afternoon. The match will start at 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time.
England ended the third day yesterday at 2 for no loss. They now hold a 2-run lead. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were at the crease at the stumps. Earlier, India were bundled out for 387 in their first innings, equaling England’s first innings total of 387. The five-match Test series is currently level at 1-1.
<><><>
In Football, Chelsea will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at New Jersey in United States tonight. The match will begin at 12:30 am Indian Time. While both the teams have met before in UEFA Champions League showdowns, this is their first clash on the Club World Cup stage. Chelsea, two-time European champions, lifted the FIFA Club World Cup once in 2021 and were runners-up in 2012.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- President Droupadi Murmu nominates four prominent personalities to Rajya Sabha from fields of arts, literature, science, and social services.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar reviews bilateral cooperation with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan; Says, Singapore is at the heart of India’s Act East Policy.
- FBI arrests eight Khalistani terrorists across United States in a major crackdown on international terror network.
- Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and crew members of Axiom-4 mission to begin journey back to Earth tomorrow.
- In Wimbledon Tennis, top seed Jannik Sinner to lock horns with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Summit Clash of Men’s Singles in London tonight.
- In Cricket, India and Hosts England gear up for crucial Day 4 in evenly poised third test of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s.
<><><>
