Karnataka political crisis: All eyes on the Speaker on Tuesday
All eyes are set on Legislative Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar as he returns to office on Tuesday and takes a call on the resignations submitted by the 13 MLAs last week. His decision will play a key role in how the fiasco over the government pans out.
The Speaker, on Saturday, promised to initiate the process on Tuesday by calling all MLAs, speaking to them, and then taking a decision. The rebel MLAs are expected to meet the Speaker on Tuesday morning. They would, however, not be attending the Congress Legislature Party meeting, sources claimed.
India slams U.N. rights office report on J&K as continuation of ‘false narrative’
The UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) on Monday said India and Pakistan had failed to improve the situation in Kashmir and not taken any concrete steps to address the numerous concerns raised in its earlier report.
Last year, the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights released its first-ever report on Kashmir, urging action by both countries to reduce tensions.
“A UN human rights report on the situation in Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from May 2018 to April 2019, says the number of civilian casualties reported over the 12-month period may be the highest in over a decade,” the new report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu expected in Delhi in September
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to travel to India in September just days before he faces elections, official and diplomatic sources confirmed to The Hindu .
Mr. Netanyahu, who was due to be in Delhi in February this year, also just ahead of the last Israeli election, will make a “short visit”, possibly just for a day on September 9, where he is due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discuss the bilateral relationship. However, the final date of the visit was being worked out, the sources said.
Congress opposes Jallianwala Bagh Bill
The Congress opposed the introduction of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday. It seeks to remove the Congress president as a permanent member of a trust that runs the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial.
The Bill was moved by Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and states that it seeks to “delete” the mention of “President of the Indian National Congress” as a trustee. A similar one was brought by the previous government but it could not get parliamentary nod and lapsed.
Crackdown in Valley on Wani’s death anniversary
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir imposed restrictions and slowed down Internet speeds in parts of the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday, as separatists called for a shutdown on the third death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen “commander” Burhan Wani.
The shutdown call paralysed life, with schools, offices, banks and petrol pumps remaining closed. There was very thin road traffic, and rail services were suspended. Speed of mobile Internet service was reduced “as a precautionary measure”.
Rajya Sabha too clears Aadhaar amendment Bill
Parliament on Monday cleared the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as proof of identity for users to open bank accounts and get mobile phone connections. Rajya Sabha cleared the bill through a voice vote on Monday. It was scleared by Lok Sabha on July 4.
Majority of Tamil Nadu parties oppose 10% EWS quota
A majority of political parties on Monday reiterated their opposition to the 10% quota in higher educational institutions for economically weaker sections (EWS) within the general category. Consequently, they wanted the Tamil Nadu government to reject the Medical Council of India’s offer to increase the sanctioned strength of students in medical colleges by 25% if the State came forward to implement the quota.
Senior Congress leaders discuss replacement for Rahul Gandhi
Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and outgoing party president Rahul Gandhi were part of an orientation programme for newly elected Lok Sabha members on Monday where they were told how to be more effective as lawmakers.
Senior Congress leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, P. Chidambaram, Ahmed Patel and Anand Sharma are believed to have met separately to discuss the political situation in Karnataka and choosing a replacement for Mr. Gandhi.
Manic Monday at Wimbledon witnessed maximum mayhem on the women’s side as three of the top remaining seeds — reigning World No. 1 and Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty, No. 3 Karolina Pliskova and two-time winner and No.6 Petra Kvitova — were all packed off in the fourth round.
Each of the three matches went the distance — Pliskova’s against fellow Czech Karolina Muchova was the longest, ending 13-11 in the third set. Kvitova was out-gunned by local favourite Johanna Konta while Barty’s variety, versatility and grass-court nous finally found a match in Alison Riske.
IND vs NZ: Cricket World Cup 2019 | Men in Blue may be humming, but the Kiwi test looms
Blue skies turned dull, cottony tufts of clouds sauntered in but the sun was out too at Old Trafford which geared up for Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal pitting India against New Zealand. A drizzle has been forecast, perhaps the rain gods are being naughty after having draped a wet curtain on the league fixture between the rivals at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge on June 13.
The weather isn’t exactly a cause for alarm plus there is a reserve day too though rains are predicted for Wednesday. Monday, not the manic one usually seen at Wimbledon, essentially was about the two teams putting a lid on big-game angst. India had optional training and the work-outs were more about relaxing the limbs than exerting them.
