Chhagan Bhujbal Expresses Desire to Contest Lok Sabha, Keen on Rajya Sabha Nomination 2
Maharashtra minister and NCP heavyweight Chhagan Bhujbal announced on Friday his aspiration to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Nashik, while also expressing interest in a Rajya Sabha nomination.
Bhujbal, addressing speculations of his dissatisfaction following the nomination of Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to the Upper House, emphasized that any perceived injustice in ticket allocation should be directed towards party leadership.
Sunetra Pawar filed her Rajya Sabha nomination days after her Lok Sabha loss from Baramati, filling the vacancy left by Praful Patel, who secured a full six-year term in February. Bhujbal noted that he had prepared to run for Nashik based on assurances from Delhi but faced delays and subsequent disappointments when Shiv Sena’s Rajabhau Waje clinched the seat.
Addressing NCP’s subpar performance in the Lok Sabha elections, securing only one of four contested seats, Bhujbal called for introspection. He also dismissed correlations between the BJP-NCP alliance and the election results, attributing broader national trends, such as BJP’s struggles in regions like Uttar Pradesh, as influencing factors.
Supreme Court Calls for CBI Probe in NEET-UG Scandal 4
In light of ongoing controversies surrounding the NEET-UG examination, the Supreme Court on Friday demanded responses from both the Centre and the NTA regarding a plea for a CBI investigation into alleged question paper leaks and other malpractices.
Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta presided over a vacation bench hearing a PIL filed by Hiten Singh Kashyap, also requesting replies from the CBI and Bihar government within two weeks.
This PIL will be combined with other pending cases on July 8 as the top court resumes post-summer vacation. The Centre and NTA had nullified the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates who sat for the test and offered them a re-test or the option to forgo the compensatory marks.
Supreme Court Deliberates on Activist Mahesh Raut's Plea for Interim Bail 6
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond to a plea by activist Mahesh Raut, seeking interim bail to perform rituals following his grandmother’s death.
A vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Augustine George Masih scheduled the hearing for June 21. The bench queried the necessity of the bail, given the limited details provided about the ceremonies.
Senior advocate Mihir Desai, representing Raut, argued that the interim bail was to allow Raut to travel to Gadchiroli for the rituals. Last September, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Raut, which the NIA contested in the Supreme Court. The NIA claimed that the Elgar Parishad case, involving alleged Maoist links, warranted Raut’s continued custody.
"Congress Engaged in Hatching Conspiracy": BJP Slams Arrest Warrant Against Yediyurappa 8
After former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was issued a non-bailable arrest warrant, the BJP said Congress leaders are “hatching conspiracy” after their “humiliating defeat” in the Lok Sabha elections. On Thursday, BJP leader Yediyurappa was issued a non-bailable warrant under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl.
Taking to its official X handle, BJP Karnataka posted, “Shocked by the humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leaders are engrossed in hatching one conspiracy after another against the BJP.” The post further added, “Congress, resentful towards the BJP, is now attempting to arrest our respected leader BS Yediyurappa, based on a complaint from a mentally unstable woman. This comes after Rahul Gandhi faced court proceedings for spreading misinformation against BJP in Karnataka.”
The party in its tweet further claimed that the Congress is trying to divert attention from a corruption case involving Minister B. Nagendra. “In light of the corruption charges involving Minister B. Nagendra in the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation and the subsequent allegations against the government itself, Congress has devised a conspiracy to divert attention by maligning Yeddyurappa,” BJP said.
The BJP also said that State Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara had earlier said that there was no weight in the complaint filed by the “mentally unstable” woman. “Previously, the Home Minister Dr Parameshwara himself had stated that the complaint from the mentally unstable woman was malicious and without merit. It is absurd that the case is being revived after three months,” the party said.
It added further, “Why is the government focusing on Yeddyurappa only, among 53 complaints filed by the woman, including against her own children and husband? Why plot a sudden arrest three months after the complaint was filed?” Stepping up their attacks on Congress, the BJP said that the party will be destroyed in the state if it continues its hatred politics.
“If Congress leaders in Delhi succumb to such vile, vindictive politics and target Yeddyurappa, there is no doubt that Congress will be thrown out of Karnataka,” the BJP Karnataka said in the post. Notably in March, the mother of the victim had filed a complaint against the former Chief Minister at the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru, alleging that Yediyurappa had sexually assaulted her daughter. In this regard, the brother of the victim filed a petition in the court.
The fast-track court hearing the petition issued a non-bailable warrant against the former CM of Karnataka, directing his immediate arrest. According to a statement from Yediyurappa’s office, he has applied for anticipatory bail at a special court, seeking prevention from arrest.
Ireland Pacer Mark Adair Believes USA Have 'Pretty Well-Balanced Side' in T20 WC 2024 10
Ahead of his side’s fixture against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Florida, Ireland bowler Mark Adair showered praise on his opponents and said that they have a ‘well-balanced’ team in the tournament. Ireland are at the bottom of the Group A points table after failing to clinch a single win in the tournament. They are coming into this match after a 12-run loss to Canada.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Adair said that the USA has good players on the bench as well. He also claimed that the Irish batting lineup is stronger on paper. “They’re pretty well-balanced side and they’ve got good guys on the bench as well, which is always a sign of a good side. But yeah, I’d say if the two sort of- For me, it would be if our bowling line-up and their bowling line-up, it’s probably going to be who fires there. I would like to say our, our batters are probably the stronger on paper, but you know, those guys have come into form, really good time and yeah, they’ve have shown why they’re, why they’re doing so well,” Adair said.
He also talked about their previous match of the tournament and said that it was a ‘disappointing’ game against Canada. “We had a bit of a disappointing last game against Canada. Moved on from New York. I think there were two people happy to get out of New York. Mostly the batters. But yeah, look, it’s been a tough enough start for us. But yeah, looking forward to getting stuck in the Fort Lauderdale if the weather plays ball,” he added.
Ireland Squad: Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Craig Young, Benjamin White, Neil Rock, Graham Hume, Ross Adair. United States Squad: Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous (WK), Aaron Jones (C), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Jasdeep Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Nosthush Kenjige, Monank Patel, Nisarg Patel, Milind Kumar.
Delhi Faces Severe Water Crisis Amidst Blame Game Between AAP and BJP 12
Delhi is currently grappling with a severe water crisis, experiencing a shortfall of 50 million gallons per day. This alarming situation was highlighted by AAP Water Minister Atishi on Thursday, who made an urgent appeal for citizens to conserve water.
Atishi emphasized that while restraining the tanker mafia is necessary, it alone won’t solve the crisis. She pointed out that the average water production has significantly decreased, falling from 1,000-1,005 million gallons per day to 951 million gallons per day as of June 12. This decline has severely impacted areas at the tail end of the water pipeline network.
The water crisis is exacerbated by an unprecedented heatwave, leaving Delhiites in a dire situation. Both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are engaged in a blame game, accusing each other of failing to address the crisis effectively. Atishi assured that the Delhi government has taken all necessary measures, including issuing challans for water wastage and disconnecting unauthorized water connections.
Moreover, over 1,000 tankers are currently supplying water to areas lacking pipeline access. However, Atishi stated that even restraining the tanker mafia would not fully resolve the issue, as it only accounts for a minimal amount of the daily water shortfall. She called for a collective effort from the public and political will to overcome this challenging situation.
Results of 1,563 NEET UG Candidates Cancelled: National Testing Authority Tells Supreme Court Re-exam on June 23 14
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday told the Supreme Court that score-cards of 1563 candidates who got “grace marks” in the 2024 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exam will be cancelled and the candidates will have a chance to reappear for the exam. NTA told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that a committee has been constituted to review the results of over 1,563 candidates who were awarded “grace marks” to compensate for the loss of time suffered while appearing for NEET-UG.
“The Committee has decided to cancel the score-cards of 1563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who were given grace marks and these students will be given the option to take a re-test,” NTA said. “Exam will be conducted on June 23 and result will be declared before June 30,” it added.
The Apex Court reiterated that it will not stay the counselling of NEET-UG, 2024. “Counselling will go on and we will not stop it. If the exam goes then everything goes in totality so nothing to fear,” said the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court will hear the petitions on July 8. The Court took into record the statement of NTA that a re-test of 1563 students will be notified today itself and it would likely be held on June 23 and results would be declared before June 30 so that counselling which is set to begin in July is not affected.
Alakh Pandey, petitioner and CEO of Physics Wallah said, “Today, NTA accepted in front of the Supreme Court that the grace marks given to the students were wrong and they agree that this created dissatisfaction among the students and they agreed that they will remove the grace marks. Re-examination of those 1,563 students who got grace marks will be done on 23rd June or the original score without grace marks would be accepted by the students. NTA agreed in front of the SC that the grace marks they awarded were wrong. The question is if NTA has other discrepancies that we are unaware of. So, there is a trust issue with NTA…The issue of paper leak is open and hearing on that will continue.” Advocate Shwetank said, “We filed PIL regarding the NEET Exam issue and our main issue was regarding the paper leak and other malpractices by the NTA. The Court has directed that a re-examination will be conducted on 23rd June.”
Aspirants have raised the issue of leakage of question paper, awarding compensatory marks and anomalies in question of NEET 2024. Several petitions were filed in the apex court seeking direction to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct the examination afresh, alleging paper leakage and malpractices in the test held on May 5.
NEET-UG examination, conducted by NTA, is the pathway for admissions into MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.
Pema Khandu Takes Oath as Arunachal Pradesh CM for Third Term 16
Pema Khandu took the oath as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term on Thursday. This significant event further solidifies Khandu’s leadership in the state.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by notable figures including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. The event, held at the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre, underscored the extensive support Khandu enjoys from the party’s top brass.
Additionally, eleven other MLAs were sworn in as ministers. The cabinet includes Deputy CM Chowna Mein, former assembly speaker PD Sona, BJP state president Biyuram Wahge, and Dasanglu Pul, widow of former CM Kalikho Pul. Dasanglu Pul is the lone woman minister, and the new cabinet features eight fresh faces. Later in the day, portfolios will be allocated, followed by the first cabinet meeting of the new government.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea on Wednesday, authorities said, the latest escalation despite a US-led campaign trying to protect the vital waterway. The use of a boat loaded with explosives raised the spectre of 2000’s USS Cole attack, a suicide assault by al-Qaida on the warship when it was at port in Aden, killing 17 on board. Associated Press journalists saw the Cole in the Red Sea on Wednesday, now taking part in the US campaign while visiting one of her sister ships, the USS Laboon. Yemen’s military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying the vessel targeted as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Tutor. He described the attack as using a “drone boat,” as well as drones and ballistic missiles.
In a warning to shippers, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre described the vessel as being hit in its stern by a small white craft southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. The captain “reports the vessel is taking on water, and not under command of the crew,” the UKMTO said. He also “reports the vessel was hit for a second time by an unknown airborne projectile.” The US military’s Central Command also acknowledged the attack, saying the Tutor “most recently docked in Russia.” “The impact of the (drone boat) caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room,” it added.
The US military separately destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile launchers in Houthi-held Yemen, as well as one rebel drone over the Red Sea. The Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles over the Red Sea, but they caused no damage, Central Command said. The Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. They say the attacks are aimed at stopping the war and supporting the Palestinians, though the attacks often target vessels that have nothing to do with the conflict.
The war in Gaza has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there, while hundreds of others have been killed in Israeli operations in the West Bank. It began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.
The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration. A US-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say.
Associated Press journalists on an embark with the US Navy were interviewing Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, the commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Laboon, when the alert came in on the attack. Blomberg took multiple calls from sailors on board the vessel, giving updates on the apparent attack. The Laboon is one of the destroyers accompanying the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and both has shot down Houthi fire and escorted vessels through the region. Though Blomberg and others stressed they were still investigating the attack, he said it appeared the vessel targeted had nothing to do with the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis “hit ships that are completely not associated or tied to the U.S. or Israel at all,” Blomberg said. “These are just innocent merchant sailors carrying goods through the Red Sea, trying to get it through the least-expensive route, and they’re paying for it,” he said.
'Likes' No Longer Public on X to Protect Users' Privacy 19
X users will be now be able to unhesitatingly like posts on the social media platform without anyone else getting to know about it. X made the ‘likes’ private starting Wednesday (US local time).
“Your Likes are now private. We are making Likes private for everyone to better protect your privacy. Liking more posts will make your “For you” feed better,” one can see a popup once they log into their accounts. Users will still be able to see posts they have liked (but others cannot), the engineering team of the X (formerly known as Twitter), had said.
Users will be able to see who liked their posts. Like count and other metrics for one’s own posts will still show up under notifications.
Elon Musk on his X timeline wrote that it was important to allow people to like posts without “getting attacked for doing so!” Reportedly, the private likes feature already existed for X premium users.
“Public likes are incentivizing the wrong behavior. For example, many people feel discouraged from liking content that might be “edgy” in fear of retaliation from trolls, or to protect their public image. Soon you’ll be able to like without worrying who might see it. Also a reminder that the more posts you like, the better your For you algorithm will become,” Director of Engineering at X, Haofei Wang, wrote on the platform in May.
