U.S. seeks to dissuade India on Russian S-400 air defence systems
The United States is trying to discourage India from buying large defence systems from Russia, an action that might attract sanctions, according to a senior State Department official. The 2017 law Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CAATSA, requires that countries that have significant defence cooperation with Russia must be sanctioned by America.
Letter seized from activist's house speaks of Naxals mulling over ‘another Rajiv Gandhi incident’: Pune police
A letter retrieved from the house of one of the five recently arrested activists recently for having links with the outlawed CPI (Maoist) speaks of Naxalites mulling over “another Rajiv Gandhi incident” as part of “concrete steps to end the Modi raj,” the Pune police submitted before the Sessions court in Pune.
Piyush Goyal announces committee to set up Asset Reconstruction Company
Finance Minister Piyush Goyal today announced setting up of a committee to give recommendations in two weeks on formation of an Asset Reconstruction Company for faster resolution of stressed accounts.
Haryana govt seeks share of athletes’ earnings, withdraws after facing flak
The Haryana government on Thursday courted controversy when it asked sportspersons employed by it to deposit one-third of their earnings from commercial and professional commitments to the State sports council but put the notification on hold after drawing sharp criticism from elite athletes.
U.S.-Japan-India-Australia Quad not part of India’s ‘Indo-Pacific policy’, says New Delhi’s envoy to Moscow
India does not consider the newly re-established quadrilateral format of U.S.-Japan- India-Australia as a part of its “Indo-Pacific” region policy, says India’s Ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran, who suggested that India would like to engage more closely with Russia in the Indo-Pacific region as well.
Pranab Mukherjee’s morphed photo: RSS blames divisive political forces
The RSS on June 8 blamed “divisive political forces” for first trying to make former President Pranab Mukherjee “refrain” from attending its event and then for posting a morphed photograph showing him in a prayer position identified with the organisation.
Maoist commander gunned down in Chhattisgarh encounter
Police gunned down a Maoist commander in Bijapur district of south Chhattisgarh on June 8. “An exchange of fire took place between police and Maoists near the Jaramongia village under the Bhairamgarh police station limits of Bijapur around 5.30 a.m. on June 8. Around 25 to 30 Maoists were present on the spot led by Maoists’ platoon commander Mallesh. The exchange of fire lasted for around 30 to 40 minutes after which the Maoists ran away, taking shelter in the thick forest and river,” said a police official posted in Bijapur.
U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain commits suicide at 61
U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, and host of CNN ’s food-and-travel-focused Parts Unknown television series, has hanged himself, CNN said on Friday, in the second high-profile suicide of a U.S. celebrity this week. He was 61.
Putin calls Xi a ‘good friend’ as they face challenges from U.S.
Chinese President Xi Jinping treated Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to a state visit on Friday as the neighbouring giants forged closer ties in the face of U.S. diplomatic and economic challenges.
UK places of worship to be protected with million-pound security fund
Places of worship in the United Kingdom that have been subjected to or could be vulnerable to hate crime attacks will be supported with a further 1 million-pound funding for protective security, the government said on Friday. Successful applicants in England and Wales will receive up to 56,000 pounds towards improved security to counter the threat from hate crimes at their premises.
