Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, four other Kashmiri leaders sign bonds to secure release
At least five political leaders in the Kashmir Valley have signed bonds to secure their release, a senior government official told The Hindu . The detentions were made under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) and the politicians who signed the bonds gave an undertaking that they would not indulge in any political activity after their release. Those who signed the bonds include moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, two former legislators of the National Conference, one former legislator of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a People’s Conference leader
Keeladi findings traceable to 6th century BCE: report
In a major turning point in the cultural historiography of the ancient Sangam Age, the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department (TNAD) has stated that the cultural deposits unearthed during excavations at Keeladi in Sivaganga district could be safely dated to a period between 6th century BCE and 1st century CE. The findings place Keeladi artefacts about 300 years earlier than previously believed - 3rd century BCE. “These results clearly ascertained that they attained literacy or learned the art of writing as early as 6th century BCE,” the 61-page report stated.
“Howdy Modi” brings together Indian-Americans, Hindu Americans: Tulsi Gabbard
“Howdy Modi” is bringing together Indian-Americans and Hindu Americans from across the U.S., Democratic presidential aspirant and the first Hindu woman in the U.S. Congress Tulsi Gabbard said. “I’m very happy to see that Howdy Modi is bringing together Indian-Americans and Hindu Americans from across our country, including many of my colleagues in the U.S. Congress,” Ms. Gabbard said. Ms. Gabbard earlier cancelled her appearance in the Houston event over “scheduled presidential campaign events.”
Access to Internet is a basic right, says Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that the right to have access to the Internet is part of the fundamental right to education as well as the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. Justice P.V. Asha made the observation while ordering the Principal of Sree Narayanaguru College, Kozhikode, to re-admit a student who had been expelled from the college hostel for using her mobile phone beyond the restricted hours.
In liquidity push, PSBs plan ‘loan melas’ in 400 districts
In a bid to dispel the notion that only the banks have liquidity and it is not flowing to the NBFCs and the customers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced that all scheduled banks will hold large gatherings in a total of 400 districts, where customers can come and take any type of loan they want from the banks and the NBFCs partnering with them. The Finance Ministry, in a release, added that banks had already entered into 14 tie-ups with NBFCs for co-originating loans, with another 36 such tie-ups in the pipeline.
India unlikely to meet ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ targets, finds study
India is unlikely to meet targets set under the ambitious Poshan Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission (NNM) for reduction in prevalence of stunting, underweight, low birth weight and anaemia in women and children by 2022 if there is no progress achieved in improving the rate of decline observed between 1990 and 2017, according to a new study published in The Lancet .
For the sake of Ram, trust judiciary: PM
In a veiled attack on Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for his comments on building the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that some “bayan bahadur” and “badbole” (loudmouths) were making flippant statements in the last few weeks. He urged them to stop this as the the matter was being heard in Supreme Court. Mr. Thackeray has been raising the Ram Mandir issue over the last few weeks in the middle of seat-sharing talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Assembly elections.
GST Council may review rates on auto sector
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is likely to discuss the viability of a tax rate cut for the automobile sector, easing the annual return filing procedure for small businesses and possibly rationalise the two different rates on lotteries at its 37th meeting to be held in Goa on Friday, according to tax analysts. “The auto industry is demanding a GST rate cut from 28% to 18%,” said Ankit Agarwal, MD, Alankit Ltd. “The concerns related to the automobile industry will be taken up in the upcoming Council meeting. The Council may also lower levies on items such as biscuits,” he said.
U.S. drone strike kills 30, injures 40 in Afghanistan
A U.S. drone strike intended to hit an Islamic State (IS) hideout in Afghanistan killed at least 30 civilians resting after a day’s labour in the fields, officials said on Thursday. The attack on Wednesday night also injured another 40 people after accidentally targeting farmers and labourers who had just finished collecting pine nuts at Wazir Tangi in eastern Nangarhar province, three Afghan officials told Reuters .
IND vs SA second T20I: India not unbeatable, says Temba Bavuma
Taking responsibility surely comes easily for a not-so-young T20 debutant Temba Bavuma. Minutes after South Africa’s seven-wicket defeat in the second T20 match here, the 29-year-old minced no words in owning responsibility for the team’s sub-par total on a good batting surface.
Europa League: Greenwood grabs first goal for Manchester United in 1-0 win over Astana
Seventeen-year-old striker Mason Greenwood scored his first senior Manchester United goal in a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan's Astana in their Europa League Group L opener at Old Trafford. The prodigy slotted home through the keeper's legs at the near post in the 73rd minute after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's young and much-changed line-up had dominated possession but struggled to break the deadlock.
