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BJP MLA from Ganj Basoda, Leena Jain on Monday approached the police stating that she has received a letter in which a person threatened to blow up Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well as her, police said.

"Personal Assistant of MLA, Satish Srivastava presented a letter to us. He said that the letter was sent at his office via post. The letter has threatened to blow up the railway station, hospital, police station, the MLA and the Union Home Minister," Town Inspector, Ganj Basoda Prakash Sharma told reporters here.

"We have informed the senior officials and the security has been tightened in the area. Bomb disposal squad has also been called," he said.

Jain told the police that she received a letter at her office on Monday."I have received the letter around 2:30 pm at my office. In the letter, someone has threatened to blow up Home Minister Amit Shah, Ganj Basoda railway station, police station and Rajiv Gandhi hospital were threatened to blow up," she said.

BJP MLA from Ganj Basoda, Leena Jain on Monday approached the police stating that she has received a letter in which a person threatened to blow up Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well as her, police said.

BJP MLA from Ganj Basoda, Leena Jain on Monday approached the police stating that she has received a letter in which a person threatened to blow up Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well as her, police said. "Personal Assistant of MLA, Satish Srivastava presented a letter to us. He said that the letter was sent at his office via post. The letter has threatened to blow up the railway station, hospital, police station, the MLA and the Union Home Minister," Town Inspector, Ganj Basoda Prakash Sharma told reporters here. "We have informed the senior officials and the security has been tightened in the area. Bomb disposal squad has also been called," he said. Jain told the police that she received a letter at her office on Monday."I have received the letter around 2:30 pm at my office. In the letter, someone has threatened to blow up Home Minister Amit Shah, Ganj Basoda railway station, police station and Rajiv Gandhi hospital were threatened to blow up," she said.

Madhya Pradesh: Bharatiya Janta Party MLA Leena Jain receives threat letter to blow up Amit Shah

Equity benchmark indices fell during early hours on Tuesday in line with Asian stocks as heavy rains in the financial capital prompted authorities to declare a public holiday.

Investors were cautious after Monday's rally ahead of the Economic Survey and Union Budget later this week.

At 10:15 am, the BSE S&amp;P Sensex was down 104 points at 39,583 while the Nifty 50 shed 30 points to 11,833. Except for FMCG, IT and metal, all sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the negative territory.

Nifty realty was down over 1.4 per cent. Yes Bank dived 5.8 per cent to Rs 102.75 per share.

Cox and Kings was down 4.9 per cent as the company defaulted on Rs 50 crore payment out of the aggregate amount of Rs 65 crore.

Major auto stocks too tumbled after reporting poor sales.

Tata Motors, Hero MotorCorp, Bajaj Auto and Eicher Motors were all in the red.

However, energy stocks like ONGC, Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and NTPC showed marginal improvements.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks were mixed as enthusiasm over the US-China trade truce proved short-lived as weak global manufacturing activity data reinforced worries about slowing growth.

Hong Kong shares climbed as the city`s market reopened after a holiday despite violent local protests overnight. Japanese and South Korean shares were little changed.

Equity benchmark indices fell during early hours on Tuesday in line with Asian stocks as heavy rains in the financial capital prompted authorities to declare a public holiday.

Equity benchmark indices fell during early hours on Tuesday in line with Asian stocks as heavy rains in the financial capital prompted authorities to declare a public holiday. Investors were cautious after Monday's rally ahead of the Economic Survey and Union Budget later this week. At 10:15 am, the BSE S&P Sensex was down 104 points at 39,583 while the Nifty 50 shed 30 points to 11,833. Except for FMCG, IT and metal, all sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the negative territory. Nifty realty was down over 1.4 per cent. Yes Bank dived 5.8 per cent to Rs 102.75 per share. Cox and Kings was down 4.9 per cent as the company defaulted on Rs 50 crore payment out of the aggregate amount of Rs 65 crore. Major auto stocks too tumbled after reporting poor sales. Tata Motors, Hero MotorCorp, Bajaj Auto and Eicher Motors were all in the red. However, energy stocks like ONGC, Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and NTPC showed marginal improvements. Meanwhile, Asian stocks were mixed as enthusiasm over the US-China trade truce proved short-lived as weak global manufacturing activity data reinforced worries about slowing growth. Hong Kong shares climbed as the city`s market reopened after a holiday despite violent local protests overnight. Japanese and South Korean shares were little changed.

Equity gauges fall in early trading, auto and financial stocks in the red

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president.

In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit.

Speaking to ANI, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said,&nbsp;"I told Rahul Gandhi that Congress cannot work without him. After his mother Sonia Gandhi, if there is a leader who can run the party, it is him."

Narayanasamy said that in a two-hour meeting, Gandhi was urged to re-think his decision, but he chose to remain quiet throughout.

Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking the moral responsibility for the Congress'&nbsp;abysmal performance in the 17th General Elections.

His resignation offer was, however, unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed.

Delhi Congress Working President Rajesh Lilothia said the party respects the decision taken by Gandhi but will continue to convince him not to leave the post.

Even though there is no official statement on the matter, sources said that several party leaders will sit on a hunger strike at the party headquarters today to protest again Gandhi`s decision to step down.

A senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member told ANI, "It has been over a month since the last meeting of CWC, in which Rahul Gandhi had decided to quit, was kept.

Now, the senior leaders must call a meeting of CWC to decide on the issue.

"The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president. In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit.

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president. In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit. Speaking to ANI, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said, "I told Rahul Gandhi that Congress cannot work without him. After his mother Sonia Gandhi, if there is a leader who can run the party, it is him." Narayanasamy said that in a two-hour meeting, Gandhi was urged to re-think his decision, but he chose to remain quiet throughout. Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking the moral responsibility for the Congress' abysmal performance in the 17th General Elections. His resignation offer was, however, unanimously rejected by the CWC. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed. Delhi Congress Working President Rajesh Lilothia said the party respects the decision taken by Gandhi but will continue to convince him not to leave the post. Even though there is no official statement on the matter, sources said that several party leaders will sit on a hunger strike at the party headquarters today to protest again Gandhi`s decision to step down. A senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member told ANI, "It has been over a month since the last meeting of CWC, in which Rahul Gandhi had decided to quit, was kept. Now, the senior leaders must call a meeting of CWC to decide on the issue. "The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Congress Chief Ministers urge Rahul Gandhi not to quit as party president

Amidst the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-heavy-downpour-causes-wall-collapse-in-mumbai-pune-19-dead-232185">heavy downpour</a> in the city, Mumbai airport`s main runway remained closed on Tuesday after a Spice Jet aircraft from Jaipur overshot the runway while landing here.

"SpiceJet SG 6237 Jaipur-Mumbai flight overshot runway yesterday while landing at Mumbai Airport. All passengers are safe, no injuries reported," Mumbai Airport PRO said.

No injuries were reported. Around 54 flights were diverted to the nearby airports and 52 flights were cancelled as heavy rains continue to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, an airport official said on Tuesday.

IMD has predicted intermittent heavy showers in Mumbai today.

"Clouds observed over north Maharashtra coast including Mumbai. More impact likely over south Gujarat and adjoining areas. Intermittent heavy showers expected in Mumbai today. Extremely heavy rainfall, over 200 mm recorded at many places in the city; more towards suburbs in last 24 hrs," IMD said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-indian-navy-deploys-various-teams-to-assist-stranded-as-1000-evacuated-in-mumbais-kurla-due-to-heavy-rains-232205">torrential downpour has hampered train services</a> to and from the city.

"Due to rains, Central Railway Suburban Services will run in following sections till further notice--CSMT-Bandra on Harbour line, Vashi-Panvel on Harbour line, Thane-Vashi-Panvel on Trans-Harbour line,4th corridor to Kharkopar, Thane-Kasara/Karjat/Khopoli on main line," said Sunil Udasi, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai.

The Central Railway informed that suburban services are running normally between Churchgate and Vasai Road.

"As water receded to some extent at Nallasopara, WR locals are being run with a frequency of 30 mins between Vasai Rd-Virar.

Services are running normal btwn Churchgate- Vasai Rd. AC local will not be run today.," Central Railway tweeted.

Five trains including 12980 Jaipur-Bandra Terminus, 19116 Bhuj -Dadar, 12479 Jodhpur -Bandra Terminus, 14707 Bikaner -Bandra Terminus, and 12902 Ahmedabad - Mumbai Central were short terminated following the heavy rain downpour.

After several suburban train movements got suspended today, Railway Protection Force (RPF) served refreshments to stranded passengers at Thane railway station.

The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers.

The Maharashtra Government has declared July 2 as a public holiday amid heavy downpour causing water logging at various places in the financial capital and surrounding metropolitan area.

"In wake of the extremely heavy rainfall forecast by the IMD, the Government of Maharashtra has declared a public holiday on 2nd July as a precautionary measure for Mumbai city and its citizens," said BMC CPRO.

Officials have received 45 complaints of waterlogging including locations from Thane, Mumbra, Diva and Kalwa here till 8:30 AM.

At least 21 people have died due to various accidents related to rains in Mumbai including 18 people who were killed as a wall collapsed in Malad area.

The government has declared July 2 as a public holiday.&nbsp;

Amidst the heavy downpour in the city, Mumbai airport`s main runway remained closed on Tuesday after a Spice Jet aircraft from Jaipur overshot the runway while landing here.

Amidst the heavy downpour in the city, Mumbai airport`s main runway remained closed on Tuesday after a Spice Jet aircraft from Jaipur overshot the runway while landing here. "SpiceJet SG 6237 Jaipur-Mumbai flight overshot runway yesterday while landing at Mumbai Airport. All passengers are safe, no injuries reported," Mumbai Airport PRO said. No injuries were reported. Around 54 flights were diverted to the nearby airports and 52 flights were cancelled as heavy rains continue to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, an airport official said on Tuesday. IMD has predicted intermittent heavy showers in Mumbai today. "Clouds observed over north Maharashtra coast including Mumbai. More impact likely over south Gujarat and adjoining areas. Intermittent heavy showers expected in Mumbai today. Extremely heavy rainfall, over 200 mm recorded at many places in the city; more towards suburbs in last 24 hrs," IMD said. The torrential downpour has hampered train services to and from the city. "Due to rains, Central Railway Suburban Services will run in following sections till further notice--CSMT-Bandra on Harbour line, Vashi-Panvel on Harbour line, Thane-Vashi-Panvel on Trans-Harbour line,4th corridor to Kharkopar, Thane-Kasara/Karjat/Khopoli on main line," said Sunil Udasi, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai. The Central Railway informed that suburban services are running normally between Churchgate and Vasai Road. "As water receded to some extent at Nallasopara, WR locals are being run with a frequency of 30 mins between Vasai Rd-Virar. Services are running normal btwn Churchgate- Vasai Rd. AC local will not be run today.," Central Railway tweeted. Five trains including 12980 Jaipur-Bandra Terminus, 19116 Bhuj -Dadar, 12479 Jodhpur -Bandra Terminus, 14707 Bikaner -Bandra Terminus, and 12902 Ahmedabad - Mumbai Central were short terminated following the heavy rain downpour. After several suburban train movements got suspended today, Railway Protection Force (RPF) served refreshments to stranded passengers at Thane railway station. The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers. The Maharashtra Government has declared July 2 as a public holiday amid heavy downpour causing water logging at various places in the financial capital and surrounding metropolitan area. "In wake of the extremely heavy rainfall forecast by the IMD, the Government of Maharashtra has declared a public holiday on 2nd July as a precautionary measure for Mumbai city and its citizens," said BMC CPRO. Officials have received 45 complaints of waterlogging including locations from Thane, Mumbra, Diva and Kalwa here till 8:30 AM. At least 21 people have died due to various accidents related to rains in Mumbai including 18 people who were killed as a wall collapsed in Malad area. The government has declared July 2 as a public holiday.

Mumbai rains: 54 flights diverted, 52 cancelled; 5 trains short terminated

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-royal-courts-of-justice-in-london-approves-vijay-mallyas-plea-to-appeal-against-extradition-case-232488">Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya</a> on Tuesday said that he was "glad" after a court here permitted him to appeal against the UK Home Secretary's order to extradite him to India to face trial in alleged fraud and money laundering charges involving Rs 9,000 crore.

"I am glad. I won on the prima facie. The division bench felt that (Westminster) magistrate's decision is appealable. It means the most to me," a confident Mallya told media persons.

Mallya, however, reiterated his offer to the consortium of Indian banks to return their money.

"I still want the banks to take all the money. All they have to do is to leave me in peace," he said.

A two-member bench of Justices George Leggatt and Andrew Popplewell of the Administrative Court division of the Royal Courts of Justice granted him permission to appeal against the order signed off by Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

While Clare Montgomery represented Mallya, there was no representation from the Home Secretary and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to argue for the government of India.

Mallya's counsel Montgomery told the court that her client would not receive a fair trial in India, be subjected to a "trial by media, and the judicial process would be coloured by political bias; the prison conditions in India would breach his basic human rights."

Seeking the court's permission to appeal against the order, Mallya's counsel also said that the Indian government did not have a prima facie case against him.

While rejecting the first four of the arguments, the court agreed that India still has to do more to prove a prima facie case against the accused.

Montgomery said that the order of Westminster Court Judge Emma Arbuthnot was erroneous in sending his case to Home Secretary Sajid Javid to order his extradition.

"The Government of India submitted fabricated e-mails (evidence) to the court. Instead of questioning the mail's authenticity, the judge took it as evidence.

The e-mails were presented as statements of the witnesses," she told the court.

Montgomery said that British law requires every document produced in the court to be backed by proof of its origination.

"In the face of it, there is no evidence against Mallya," she submitted.

She also told the court that Mallya was not just charged because he is an economic offender but because of his political views too.

The businessman's counsel also argued that Kingfisher Airline made its financial position very clear as against Judge Arbuthnots'&nbsp;ruling that Mallya and the defunct airline misrepresented its financial situation to the consortium of banks.

The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines chief lost a "leave to appeal" in the UK High Court on paper on April 5 against the extradition order, leading to an oral hearing of his renewal application.

On April 11, he applied for an oral hearing to argue his case, which had been listed in a four-hour slot on Tuesday.

Mallya came with his son Siddharth and girlfriend and former Kingfisher Airline hostess Pinki Lalwani to the court.

Mallya, who flew out from India in March 2016, has been living in the United Kingdom since then.

The Patiala House Court in New Delhi had already declared Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in January 2018. The court had also issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against him for evading summons and law of the land in 2017.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Tuesday said that he was "glad" after a court here permitted him to appeal against the UK Home Secretary's order to extradite him to India to face trial in alleged fraud and money laundering charges involving Rs 9,000 crore.

Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Tuesday said that he was "glad" after a court here permitted him to appeal against the UK Home Secretary's order to extradite him to India to face trial in alleged fraud and money laundering charges involving Rs 9,000 crore. "I am glad. I won on the prima facie. The division bench felt that (Westminster) magistrate's decision is appealable. It means the most to me," a confident Mallya told media persons. Mallya, however, reiterated his offer to the consortium of Indian banks to return their money. "I still want the banks to take all the money. All they have to do is to leave me in peace," he said. A two-member bench of Justices George Leggatt and Andrew Popplewell of the Administrative Court division of the Royal Courts of Justice granted him permission to appeal against the order signed off by Home Secretary Sajid Javid. While Clare Montgomery represented Mallya, there was no representation from the Home Secretary and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to argue for the government of India. Mallya's counsel Montgomery told the court that her client would not receive a fair trial in India, be subjected to a "trial by media, and the judicial process would be coloured by political bias; the prison conditions in India would breach his basic human rights." Seeking the court's permission to appeal against the order, Mallya's counsel also said that the Indian government did not have a prima facie case against him. While rejecting the first four of the arguments, the court agreed that India still has to do more to prove a prima facie case against the accused. Montgomery said that the order of Westminster Court Judge Emma Arbuthnot was erroneous in sending his case to Home Secretary Sajid Javid to order his extradition. "The Government of India submitted fabricated e-mails (evidence) to the court. Instead of questioning the mail's authenticity, the judge took it as evidence. The e-mails were presented as statements of the witnesses," she told the court. Montgomery said that British law requires every document produced in the court to be backed by proof of its origination. "In the face of it, there is no evidence against Mallya," she submitted. She also told the court that Mallya was not just charged because he is an economic offender but because of his political views too. The businessman's counsel also argued that Kingfisher Airline made its financial position very clear as against Judge Arbuthnots' ruling that Mallya and the defunct airline misrepresented its financial situation to the consortium of banks. The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines chief lost a "leave to appeal" in the UK High Court on paper on April 5 against the extradition order, leading to an oral hearing of his renewal application. On April 11, he applied for an oral hearing to argue his case, which had been listed in a four-hour slot on Tuesday. Mallya came with his son Siddharth and girlfriend and former Kingfisher Airline hostess Pinki Lalwani to the court. Mallya, who flew out from India in March 2016, has been living in the United Kingdom since then. The Patiala House Court in New Delhi had already declared Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in January 2018. The court had also issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against him for evading summons and law of the land in 2017.

'I am glad that I won,' says Mallya after London court allows him to appeal against extradition

With heavy rains lashing Mumbai for the fifth consecutive day, air, train and road traffic has been disrupted. At least 21 people have been killed in separate incidents of wall collapse in the state due to heavy rains. In view of the Indian Meteorological Department’s forecasts of heavy rains today in and around Mumbai, Maharashtra has declared Tuesday as a public holiday in Mumbai.

Mumbai: 27 killed as overnight downpour brings city to a standstill, heavy rainfall expected today

Indian navy deployed various teams to Maharashtra's Kurla area in Mumbai on Tuesday after around a thousand people were evacuated to the safety. The teams will provide assistance to the stranded people as<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-heavy-downpour-causes-wall-collapse-in-mumbai-pune-19-dead-232185"> heavy downpours continue to wreak havoc</a> the area.

Around 1000 people were evacuated from Kranti Nagar, Kurla, to "prevent any untoward incidents due to overflowing Mithi river," Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster Management said on Twitter.

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1000 people were evacuated from Kranti Nagar, Kurla, to prevent any untoward incidents due to an overflowing Mithi river <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRains</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRainsLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRainsLive</a>
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mybmc/status/1145875994907205632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Following the evacuations, rescue and relief&nbsp;efforts are underway with various teams, including NDRF, fire brigade, Naval as well as local volunteers working in the area.

Parts of Maharashtra state came to a halt with heavy rains causing waterlogging at various places in the state. Streets in the city have been flooded affecting public transport as well.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-trains-rescheduled-railway-tracks-submerged-due-to-heavy-downpour-231898"> Central railway has also suspended the movement</a> of suburban trains, citing safety hazard as Central Railways spokesperson called the heavy rains "nature's fury".

"It is nature's fury. Moving trains in Kurla-Thane section in such rains is a safety hazard at this point of time. Suburban train movement has been suspended till further advice. Inconvenience is deeply regretted."

The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers.

In a precautionary measure, a public holiday as also been declared today after which, all government and private school, colleges to remain closed today.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted "Intermittent rain in city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places" for the next 24 hours.

Mumbai police also advised Mumbaikars to stay inside or check weather updates before heading out.

"Heavy to very heavy rains expected in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Area in the next 3 days as per intimation received from IMD. We request Mumbaikars to check weather updates and plan the day accordingly. Take care and stay safe," Mumbai Police tweeted from their official Twitter.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian navy deployed various teams to Maharashtra's Kurla area in Mumbai on Tuesday after around a thousand people were evacuated to the safety. The teams will provide assistance to the stranded people as heavy downpours continue to wreak havoc the area.

Indian navy deployed various teams to Maharashtra's Kurla area in Mumbai on Tuesday after around a thousand people were evacuated to the safety. The teams will provide assistance to the stranded people as heavy downpours continue to wreak havoc the area. Around 1000 people were evacuated from Kranti Nagar, Kurla, to "prevent any untoward incidents due to overflowing Mithi river," Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster Management said on Twitter. 1000 people were evacuated from Kranti Nagar, Kurla, to prevent any untoward incidents due to an overflowing Mithi river #MumbaiRains #MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates #MumbaiRainsLive — माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) July 2, 2019 × Following the evacuations, rescue and relief efforts are underway with various teams, including NDRF, fire brigade, Naval as well as local volunteers working in the area. Parts of Maharashtra state came to a halt with heavy rains causing waterlogging at various places in the state. Streets in the city have been flooded affecting public transport as well. The Central railway has also suspended the movement of suburban trains, citing safety hazard as Central Railways spokesperson called the heavy rains "nature's fury". "It is nature's fury. Moving trains in Kurla-Thane section in such rains is a safety hazard at this point of time. Suburban train movement has been suspended till further advice. Inconvenience is deeply regretted." The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers. In a precautionary measure, a public holiday as also been declared today after which, all government and private school, colleges to remain closed today. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted "Intermittent rain in city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places" for the next 24 hours. Mumbai police also advised Mumbaikars to stay inside or check weather updates before heading out. "Heavy to very heavy rains expected in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Area in the next 3 days as per intimation received from IMD. We request Mumbaikars to check weather updates and plan the day accordingly. Take care and stay safe," Mumbai Police tweeted from their official Twitter. (With inputs from agencies)

Maharashtra: Indian navy deploys teams in Mumbai's Kurla as a 1000 evacuated due to heavy rains

Riyaz Bhati, an aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was on Tuesday arrested by the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Crime Branch here.

A case against Bhati, who is also wanted for other serious offences by Mumbai Police, had been registered by the AEC last year.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, a local court in Mumbai directed the Central Jail authorities to admit underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar either to St George's Hospital or JJ Hospital by the evening.

The court gave the directions on a plea moved by Iqbal, currently in the jail, through his counsel Vishal Ingole citing medical reasons.

Speaking to media persons, Ingole said, "My client has diabetes, high blood pressure and can barely walk as he has a swelling in his feet."

The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of Thane Police had arrested Kaskar in September 2017 on the charges of extortion.

The arrest was made on the basis of a complaint filed by a builder, who alleged that the fugitive don's brother had been extorting money from him since 2013.

The builder was taken into confidence by cops and a complaint was registered against Kaskar at Kasarvadavali police station.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Riyaz Bhati, an aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was on Tuesday arrested by the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Crime Branch here. A case against Bhati, who is also wanted for other serious offences by Mumbai Police, had been registered by the AEC last year.

Riyaz Bhati, an aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was on Tuesday arrested by the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Crime Branch here. A case against Bhati, who is also wanted for other serious offences by Mumbai Police, had been registered by the AEC last year. Earlier this month, a local court in Mumbai directed the Central Jail authorities to admit underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar either to St George's Hospital or JJ Hospital by the evening. The court gave the directions on a plea moved by Iqbal, currently in the jail, through his counsel Vishal Ingole citing medical reasons. Speaking to media persons, Ingole said, "My client has diabetes, high blood pressure and can barely walk as he has a swelling in his feet." The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of Thane Police had arrested Kaskar in September 2017 on the charges of extortion. The arrest was made on the basis of a complaint filed by a builder, who alleged that the fugitive don's brother had been extorting money from him since 2013. The builder was taken into confidence by cops and a complaint was registered against Kaskar at Kasarvadavali police station.

Mumbai: Dawood Ibrahim aide arrested by Anti-Extortion Cell

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with BJP working president JP Nadda is scheduled to start the party's membership drive on July 6 from his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to start the membership drive in Telangana, said former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, Chouhan, who is heading BJP's Membership Committee, said,&nbsp;"Prime Minister Modi will start a membership drive on July 6 from Varanasi. He will be accompanied by JP Nadda. BJP president Amit Shah will start the drive in Telangana."

"The arrangments for the membership campaign are in the last phase. The meetings of General Secretaries of all States and Districts are over. Now the village level meeting is going on," Chouhan said.

"About 2 lakh membership drive coordinators will visit a polling booth for one whole day, mainly those booths where we have lost in the General Elections," he said."Our party workers will go to railway stations, bus stands, markets, hostels and near factories during the membership campaign," he added.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with BJP working president JP Nadda is scheduled to start the party's membership drive on July 6 from his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with BJP working president JP Nadda is scheduled to start the party's membership drive on July 6 from his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to start the membership drive in Telangana, said former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI, Chouhan, who is heading BJP's Membership Committee, said, "Prime Minister Modi will start a membership drive on July 6 from Varanasi. He will be accompanied by JP Nadda. BJP president Amit Shah will start the drive in Telangana." "The arrangments for the membership campaign are in the last phase. The meetings of General Secretaries of all States and Districts are over. Now the village level meeting is going on," Chouhan said. "About 2 lakh membership drive coordinators will visit a polling booth for one whole day, mainly those booths where we have lost in the General Elections," he said."Our party workers will go to railway stations, bus stands, markets, hostels and near factories during the membership campaign," he added.

PM Modi to launch BJP's membership drive in Varanasi on July 6: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

As <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-trains-rescheduled-railway-tracks-submerged-due-to-heavy-downpour-231898">rains continued&nbsp;to wreak havoc</a> in parts of Maharashtra, at least 18 people lost their lives in&nbsp;Mumbai's Malad area while in another incident reported from&nbsp;Pune, six persons were killed.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> Mumbai: 18 dead after a wall collapsed on hutments in Pimpripada area of Malad East due to heavy rainfall today. <a href="https://t.co/0rm63e57VL">https://t.co/0rm63e57VL</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1145918341598498816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A compound wall collapsed on the hutments built on a hill slope in Kurar Village in area of Malad East due to heavy downpour. Many are feared trapped under the debris.

"We pray for the departed souls and are watching over the injured admitted at the hospital,"&nbsp;BMC added in another tweet.

Maharashtra Chief Minister&nbsp;Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh to be given to the kin of the deceased in Malada wall collapse incident.

"Pained to know about the loss of lives in Malad Wall Collapse incidence. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones and prayers for a speedy recovery of injured. Rs 5 lakh will be given to the kin of deceased," news agency ANI quoted Fadnavis as saying.

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Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: Pained to know about the loss of lives in Malad Wall Collapse incidence. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones &amp; prayers for speedy recovery of injured. Rs 5 lakh will be given to the kin of deceased. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/31bjg4SSeP">pic.twitter.com/31bjg4SSeP</a>
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The search operation for more victims under the rubble has been called off, National Disaster Response Force's Rajendra Patil said adding that&nbsp;"In the search by advance equipment, canine search&amp;physical search no more bodies were found."

"So search operation is now being closed."

While, in Pune, six people died and three sustained injuries after a wall collapsed near Ambegan police station.&nbsp;

More victims are still feared under the rubble and a team of NDRF is at the site for rescue and relief operations.

On June 29, at least <a href="Maharashtra: Heavy downpour causes wall collapse in Mumbai, Pune; 19 people dead">15 people had died while three others sustained injuries</a> after a portion of a wall collapsed near Talab Masjid in Kondhwa area of Pune.

Watch: Rains continue to lash Mumbai; Local train network affected

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Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted, "Intermittent rain in city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places" for the next 24 hours.&nbsp;

Following the heavy downpour, the BMC has declared July 2 a public holiday "as a precautionary measure for Mumbai city and its citizens".

The Central railway has also suspended the movement of suburban trains, citing safety hazard.&nbsp;

The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers

&nbsp;

As rains continued to wreak havoc in parts of Maharashtra, at least 18 people lost their lives in Mumbai's Malad area while in another incident reported from Pune, six persons were killed.

As rains continued to wreak havoc in parts of Maharashtra, at least 18 people lost their lives in Mumbai's Malad area while in another incident reported from Pune, six persons were killed. #UPDATE Mumbai: 18 dead after a wall collapsed on hutments in Pimpripada area of Malad East due to heavy rainfall today. https://t.co/0rm63e57VL — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019 × A compound wall collapsed on the hutments built on a hill slope in Kurar Village in area of Malad East due to heavy downpour. Many are feared trapped under the debris. "We pray for the departed souls and are watching over the injured admitted at the hospital," BMC added in another tweet. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh to be given to the kin of the deceased in Malada wall collapse incident. "Pained to know about the loss of lives in Malad Wall Collapse incidence. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones and prayers for a speedy recovery of injured. Rs 5 lakh will be given to the kin of deceased," news agency ANI quoted Fadnavis as saying. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: Pained to know about the loss of lives in Malad Wall Collapse incidence. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones & prayers for speedy recovery of injured. Rs 5 lakh will be given to the kin of deceased. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/31bjg4SSeP — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019 × The search operation for more victims under the rubble has been called off, National Disaster Response Force's Rajendra Patil said adding that "In the search by advance equipment, canine search&physical search no more bodies were found." "So search operation is now being closed." While, in Pune, six people died and three sustained injuries after a wall collapsed near Ambegan police station. More victims are still feared under the rubble and a team of NDRF is at the site for rescue and relief operations. On June 29, at least 15 people had died while three others sustained injuries after a portion of a wall collapsed near Talab Masjid in Kondhwa area of Pune. Watch: Rains continue to lash Mumbai; Local train network affected × Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted, "Intermittent rain in city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places" for the next 24 hours. Following the heavy downpour, the BMC has declared July 2 a public holiday "as a precautionary measure for Mumbai city and its citizens". The Central railway has also suspended the movement of suburban trains, citing safety hazard. The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers

Maharashtra: Heavy downpour causes wall collapse in Mumbai, Pune; 24 dead

Very heavy rains forecast for Mumbai in next 24 hours. Suburban trains has been suspended in Mumbai. A wall has been collapsed as well in Malad where atleast 12 are dead & 5 has been injured. All schools & colleges to remain closed today. Watch this video to know more.

Mumbai breaks past rain records, fails drainage test again

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Tuesday carried out a tough task to bring down the bodies of seven mountaineers from a height of 18,900 feet to the Nanda Devi Base Camp 2 at 17,000 feet.

The ITBP is trying to bring the bodies to Base Camp 1 at 15,250 feet. Earlier, an ITBP team had recovered the bodies of the climbers, who went missing on May 26 after being hit by an avalanche on way to the mountain peak.

The body of the eighth member of the team, however, could not be located due to bad weather.

According to the district administration, the bodies are being brought down by the ITBP to a location from where they can be airlifted.

"If the weather remains favourable, the bodies will reach the district headquarters in a day or two," Pithoragarh District Magistrate VK Jogdande said.

The bodies were found at an altitude of approximately 21,000 feet. The mountaineers were on an expedition to Nanda Devi East peak.

A 10-member team of ITBP dug out the seven bodies, including that of a woman climber, from under the snow.

The team had launched `Operation Daredevil` for the missing group of mountaineers - 4 British, 2 Americans, and 1 each from India and Australia.

Standing at a height of 25,643 feet, Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain in India and 23rd highest overall.&nbsp;

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Tuesday carried out a tough task to bring down the bodies of seven mountaineers from a height of 18,900 feet to the Nanda Devi Base Camp 2 at 17,000 feet.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Tuesday carried out a tough task to bring down the bodies of seven mountaineers from a height of 18,900 feet to the Nanda Devi Base Camp 2 at 17,000 feet. The ITBP is trying to bring the bodies to Base Camp 1 at 15,250 feet. Earlier, an ITBP team had recovered the bodies of the climbers, who went missing on May 26 after being hit by an avalanche on way to the mountain peak. The body of the eighth member of the team, however, could not be located due to bad weather. According to the district administration, the bodies are being brought down by the ITBP to a location from where they can be airlifted. "If the weather remains favourable, the bodies will reach the district headquarters in a day or two," Pithoragarh District Magistrate VK Jogdande said. The bodies were found at an altitude of approximately 21,000 feet. The mountaineers were on an expedition to Nanda Devi East peak. A 10-member team of ITBP dug out the seven bodies, including that of a woman climber, from under the snow. The team had launched `Operation Daredevil` for the missing group of mountaineers - 4 British, 2 Americans, and 1 each from India and Australia. Standing at a height of 25,643 feet, Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain in India and 23rd highest overall.

Nanda Devi: Bodies of 7 mountaineers brought down to Base Camp 2

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-proposes-prisoner-swap-with-us-report-232186">Russia proposes prisoner swap with US: Report</a>

Russia called on the United States on Monday to free Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko and proposed a prisoner swap with Washington to win the release of any American national held in Russia, Interfax news agency reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-evacuates-four-buildings-after-possible-sarin-exposure-232175">Facebook evacuates four buildings after possible sarin exposure</a>

Facebook Inc evacuated four buildings and two people were being evaluated for possible exposure to the nerve agent sarin on Monday after a package at the social media company's Silicon Valley mail facility tested positive for the toxic compound.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-will-keep-strong-intel-presence-in-afghanistan-even-after-troops-withdrawal-donald-trump-232171">US will keep strong intel presence in Afghanistan even after troops withdrawal: Trump</a>

The United States President Donald Trump on Monday said he will leave a strong intelligence presence in Afghanistan even after US troops depart from the country. He also termed the country "Harvard of terrorists" while he was speaking in a video interview.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-heavy-downpour-causes-wall-collapse-in-mumbai-pune-19-dead-232185">Maharashtra: Heavy downpour causes wall collapse in Mumbai, Pune; 19 dead</a>

As rains continued to wreak havoc in parts of Maharashtra, at least 13 people lost their lives in Mumbai's Malad area while in another incident reported from Pune, six persons were killed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-playing-with-fire-on-nuclear-deal-trump-232172">Iran playing with fire on nuclear deal: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

&nbsp;

Russia proposes prisoner swap with US: Report Russia called on the United States on Monday to free Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko and proposed a prisoner swap with Washington to win the release of any American national held in Russia, Interfax news agency reported.

Russia proposes prisoner swap with US: Report Russia called on the United States on Monday to free Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko and proposed a prisoner swap with Washington to win the release of any American national held in Russia, Interfax news agency reported. Facebook evacuates four buildings after possible sarin exposure Facebook Inc evacuated four buildings and two people were being evaluated for possible exposure to the nerve agent sarin on Monday after a package at the social media company's Silicon Valley mail facility tested positive for the toxic compound. US will keep strong intel presence in Afghanistan even after troops withdrawal: Trump The United States President Donald Trump on Monday said he will leave a strong intelligence presence in Afghanistan even after US troops depart from the country. He also termed the country "Harvard of terrorists" while he was speaking in a video interview. Maharashtra: Heavy downpour causes wall collapse in Mumbai, Pune; 19 dead As rains continued to wreak havoc in parts of Maharashtra, at least 13 people lost their lives in Mumbai's Malad area while in another incident reported from Pune, six persons were killed. Iran playing with fire on nuclear deal: Trump US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to maintain peace in the state as political killings are not good for democracy and such incidents must be stopped.

Replying during a debate in Rajya Sabha over a resolution seeking an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-government-working-on-atal-jis-path-of-jamuriyat-kashmiriyat-aur-insaniyat-amit-shah-232137">extension of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir</a> for a further period of six months and also the Jammu and Kashmir reservation Bill, Shah also said Modi government was committed to NRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill.

"Advisories were issued to West Bengal government, not for law and order situation in the state. It was issued for political killings. Mamataji should maintain peace. Sending advisories is my right. Political killing is not good for a healthy democracy. It must be stopped," Shah said.

He was responding to the criticism by Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien that Modi government sent two advisories to West Bengal but remained silent on deaths of children in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and killings in Uttar Pradesh.

"Advisories are not issued on health issues," Shah said differentiating the violence in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

"Uttar Pradesh has not witnessed a single political killing after the BJP government took over," he said.

The Union Minister said that the Modi government was clear that infiltration must be curbed and infiltrators must be identified and sent away.

"We are committed to NRC," he said.

Shah said the government will bring Citizenship Amendment Bill to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted Hindu refugees. 
&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to maintain peace in the state as political killings are not good for democracy and such incidents must be stopped.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to maintain peace in the state as political killings are not good for democracy and such incidents must be stopped. Replying during a debate in Rajya Sabha over a resolution seeking an extension of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a further period of six months and also the Jammu and Kashmir reservation Bill, Shah also said Modi government was committed to NRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill. "Advisories were issued to West Bengal government, not for law and order situation in the state. It was issued for political killings. Mamataji should maintain peace. Sending advisories is my right. Political killing is not good for a healthy democracy. It must be stopped," Shah said. He was responding to the criticism by Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien that Modi government sent two advisories to West Bengal but remained silent on deaths of children in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and killings in Uttar Pradesh. "Advisories are not issued on health issues," Shah said differentiating the violence in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. "Uttar Pradesh has not witnessed a single political killing after the BJP government took over," he said. The Union Minister said that the Modi government was clear that infiltration must be curbed and infiltrators must be identified and sent away. "We are committed to NRC," he said. Shah said the government will bring Citizenship Amendment Bill to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted Hindu refugees.

Political killings must stop in West Bengal: Home Minister Amit Shah to Mamata Banerjee

Congress party is all set to send former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, highly placed sources in the party told ANI on Tuesday.

The seat has been vacant after the death of state BJP president Madan Lal Saini. Saini was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year when the BJP was in power in the state.

However, this time around, the Congress party is in majority in the Legislative Assembly.

Manmohan Singh's name as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat has almost been finalised though a final decision in this regard will be taken only after the announcement of elections, a senior Congress leader said.

A minister in Rajasthan government also confirmed that a discussion about sending Manmohan Singh from Rajasthan is on.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met the former Prime Minister at his residence here on Monday after meeting the party president Rahul Gandhi.

When asked about the development, Singh's office said that no information in this regard has been shared by the party.

Even the elections have not been announced yet, his office said, while terming his meeting with Gehlot as a courtesy call.

The former Prime Minister represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for 28 years before his tenure ended last month. Last month, the Congress had approached the DMK for help in sending Singh to the Upper House of Parliament.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Congress party is all set to send former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, highly placed sources in the party told ANI on Tuesday.

Congress party is all set to send former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, highly placed sources in the party told ANI on Tuesday. The seat has been vacant after the death of state BJP president Madan Lal Saini. Saini was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year when the BJP was in power in the state. However, this time around, the Congress party is in majority in the Legislative Assembly. Manmohan Singh's name as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat has almost been finalised though a final decision in this regard will be taken only after the announcement of elections, a senior Congress leader said. A minister in Rajasthan government also confirmed that a discussion about sending Manmohan Singh from Rajasthan is on. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met the former Prime Minister at his residence here on Monday after meeting the party president Rahul Gandhi. When asked about the development, Singh's office said that no information in this regard has been shared by the party. Even the elections have not been announced yet, his office said, while terming his meeting with Gehlot as a courtesy call. The former Prime Minister represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for 28 years before his tenure ended last month. Last month, the Congress had approached the DMK for help in sending Singh to the Upper House of Parliament.

Congress all set to send Manmohan Singh to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/i-am-here-to-watch-the-game-says-vijay-mallya-spotted-at-oval-for-indvaus-world-cup-encounter-225680">Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya</a>'s permission to appeal against the extradition case against him has been approved by the Royal Courts of Justice, London.&nbsp;

The hearing was set for today, July 2, to convince a High Court judge that Mallya should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal process against his extradition to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores.

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Vijay Mallya’s permission to appeal against the extradition case has been approved by the Royal Courts of Justice,London. Details awaited. <a href="https://t.co/5wzU0KzVpK">pic.twitter.com/5wzU0KzVpK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1146060835040587776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss had filed the "renewal application" earlier in April after he failed in his first written attempt seeking leave to appeal in the High Court, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

United Kingdom's Westminster Court had last year ordered Mallya's extradition to India after he failed to convince authorities there.&nbsp;

On April 8, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mallyas-extradition-uk-high-court-to-hear-vijay-mallyas-plea-on-july-2-213741">UK court denied permission to appeal</a> against his extradition order to India to face trial for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore.

The beleaguered liquor baron had approached the court against the February 5 order signed by the UK Home Secretary approving his extradition.

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya's permission to appeal against the extradition case against him has been approved by the Royal Courts of Justice, London. The hearing was set for today, July 2, to convince a High Court judge that Mallya should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal process against his extradition to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores.

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya's permission to appeal against the extradition case against him has been approved by the Royal Courts of Justice, London. The hearing was set for today, July 2, to convince a High Court judge that Mallya should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal process against his extradition to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores. Vijay Mallya’s permission to appeal against the extradition case has been approved by the Royal Courts of Justice,London. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/5wzU0KzVpK — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019 × The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss had filed the "renewal application" earlier in April after he failed in his first written attempt seeking leave to appeal in the High Court, news agency PTI reported. United Kingdom's Westminster Court had last year ordered Mallya's extradition to India after he failed to convince authorities there. On April 8, a UK court denied permission to appeal against his extradition order to India to face trial for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. The beleaguered liquor baron had approached the court against the February 5 order signed by the UK Home Secretary approving his extradition.

The Royal Courts of Justice in London allows Vijay Mallya to appeal against extradition

The indefinite sit-in which was organised&nbsp;by several Congress party leaders&nbsp;urging Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation ended peacefully on Tuesday evening.

Not more than 300 people gathered outside party headquarters when the sit-in started earlier in the day.

The number reduced to odd 150 people by evening. Through the day, not a single senior Congress leader came to express solidarity with junior AICC functionaries.&nbsp;

The indefinite sit-in has been staged to create pressure on Rahul Gandhi to rescind his decision to resign from the post of Congress&nbsp;president after the party's&nbsp;abysmal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Junior AICC functionaries who have come for sit-in have refrained from giving speeches.

Not a single senior leader has come in for the event. Most of the leaders at the sit-in were appointed by Rahul Gandhi in the Congress during his tenure.&nbsp;

<img alt="congress sit in" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="00d840ce-d972-4f46-b21f-52d6593812a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/sit-in.JPG" />

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WION spoke to Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in his papers.&nbsp;

"We want Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision. We will wait but the sit-in is not directed against any senior leader," Vashisht said.

The sit-in internally has drawn ire of the senior leaders who feel that it is unnecessarily creating more embarrassment for the already beleaguered party.&nbsp;

Many junior leaders wanted to erect a podium and give speeches but at the last minute, they decided against it. The tag line for the protest is "Satyagraha mein Agrha."&nbsp;&nbsp;

The event is going to last through the day. There is also no clarity on the matter whether junior leaders with such small numbers will be able to carry it for a few days.&nbsp;

The official rung of the party is upset and deeply divided over this protest.

The indefinite sit-in which was organised by several Congress party leaders urging Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation ended peacefully on Tuesday evening.

The indefinite sit-in which was organised by several Congress party leaders urging Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation ended peacefully on Tuesday evening. Not more than 300 people gathered outside party headquarters when the sit-in started earlier in the day. The number reduced to odd 150 people by evening. Through the day, not a single senior Congress leader came to express solidarity with junior AICC functionaries. The indefinite sit-in has been staged to create pressure on Rahul Gandhi to rescind his decision to resign from the post of Congress president after the party's abysmal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections. Junior AICC functionaries who have come for sit-in have refrained from giving speeches. Not a single senior leader has come in for the event. Most of the leaders at the sit-in were appointed by Rahul Gandhi in the Congress during his tenure. WION spoke to Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in his papers. "We want Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision. We will wait but the sit-in is not directed against any senior leader," Vashisht said. The sit-in internally has drawn ire of the senior leaders who feel that it is unnecessarily creating more embarrassment for the already beleaguered party. Many junior leaders wanted to erect a podium and give speeches but at the last minute, they decided against it. The tag line for the protest is "Satyagraha mein Agrha." The event is going to last through the day. There is also no clarity on the matter whether junior leaders with such small numbers will be able to carry it for a few days. The official rung of the party is upset and deeply divided over this protest.

Congress sit-in over Rahul Gandhi's resignation ends

The second India-Pakistan talk on the modalities of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-sahib-corridor-will-be-completed-by-september-punjab-minister-223528">Kartarpur Corridor</a> will take place on July 14 at Wagah, Pakistan.

New Delhi, last week, had proposed to Islamabad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-corridor-talks-india-proposes-meeting-with-pakistan-officials-in-july-231586">any date between July 11 and 14 for the talks</a>.

Remember, the second round of talks was originally expected to happen on April 2 but India had postponed the talks as Pakistan had appointed Khalistani elements on a committee associated with the corridor.

The focus of the upcoming meeting would be to discuss the draft agreement on the corridor which includes the movement of pilgrims, the alignment and the infrastructure along the corridor.

The first round of India-Pakistan official talks on the corridor took place on March &nbsp;14, 2019, on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border.

India, during the first round of talks, had proposed that the corridor should be open to Indian citizens and Indian diaspora with 5,000 people should be allowed every day. Pakistan, on the other hand, said it can allow only 700 people that too only Indian citizens on designated days with a paid permit. The Indian passport will be proof of the identity of the visitors.

While this is the second round of India-Pakistan official meeting, three rounds of technical-level talks between the officials of both the countries have already happened to discuss issues such as the alignment of the corridor &nbsp;- both the sides agreed in November last year.

India has already completed 45 per cent of the corridor on its side of the border and is building a 4-lane highway and a passenger bus terminal.&nbsp;

The deadline for the construction of the entire project is October 2019, just a month ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji in November.

The second India-Pakistan talk on the modalities of the Kartarpur Corridor will take place on July 14 at Wagah, Pakistan. New Delhi, last week, had proposed to Islamabad any date between July 11 and 14 for the talks.

The second India-Pakistan talk on the modalities of the Kartarpur Corridor will take place on July 14 at Wagah, Pakistan. New Delhi, last week, had proposed to Islamabad any date between July 11 and 14 for the talks. Remember, the second round of talks was originally expected to happen on April 2 but India had postponed the talks as Pakistan had appointed Khalistani elements on a committee associated with the corridor. The focus of the upcoming meeting would be to discuss the draft agreement on the corridor which includes the movement of pilgrims, the alignment and the infrastructure along the corridor. The first round of India-Pakistan official talks on the corridor took place on March 14, 2019, on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. India, during the first round of talks, had proposed that the corridor should be open to Indian citizens and Indian diaspora with 5,000 people should be allowed every day. Pakistan, on the other hand, said it can allow only 700 people that too only Indian citizens on designated days with a paid permit. The Indian passport will be proof of the identity of the visitors. While this is the second round of India-Pakistan official meeting, three rounds of technical-level talks between the officials of both the countries have already happened to discuss issues such as the alignment of the corridor - both the sides agreed in November last year. India has already completed 45 per cent of the corridor on its side of the border and is building a 4-lane highway and a passenger bus terminal. The deadline for the construction of the entire project is October 2019, just a month ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji in November.

Kartarpur Corridor talks: Second round of India-Pakistan official meet on July 14

Banned terror outfit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jamaat-ul-mujahideen-bangladesh-planning-to-set-up-permanent-bases-in-eastern-states-mha-221625">Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh</a> is using some Madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad district of West Bengal for radicalisation and recruitment activities, Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry also expressed concern to the West Bengal government over the recent political violence in the state.

"There are some inputs of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh using some Madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad for radicalisation and recruitment activities," Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

He said relevant inputs in this regard are regularly shared with the state governments and agencies concerned with the advice to take appropriate action.

"The government has notified Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen India or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Hindustan and all its manifestations as a Terrorist Organisation on May 23 this year in terms of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," he said.

The Minister said that information has been received about a number of incidents of violence before, during and after the General Election-2019 resulting in deaths and injuries to several people including political workers in West Bengal.

"Concern on the issue was shared by the government with the state government and an advisory was issued on June 9, 2019, asking the state government to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquillity in the state," he said.&nbsp;

Banned terror outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh is using some Madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad district of West Bengal for radicalisation and recruitment activities, Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday.

Banned terror outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh is using some Madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad district of West Bengal for radicalisation and recruitment activities, Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry also expressed concern to the West Bengal government over the recent political violence in the state. "There are some inputs of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh using some Madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad for radicalisation and recruitment activities," Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. He said relevant inputs in this regard are regularly shared with the state governments and agencies concerned with the advice to take appropriate action. "The government has notified Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen India or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Hindustan and all its manifestations as a Terrorist Organisation on May 23 this year in terms of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967," he said. The Minister said that information has been received about a number of incidents of violence before, during and after the General Election-2019 resulting in deaths and injuries to several people including political workers in West Bengal. "Concern on the issue was shared by the government with the state government and an advisory was issued on June 9, 2019, asking the state government to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquillity in the state," he said.

Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh using some Madrasas in West Bengal for radicalisation: Home Ministry

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-china-of-serious-consequences-if-hong-kong-rights-not-honoured-232315">UK warns China of serious consequences if Hong Kong rights not honoured</a> 
 
Protesters, angry about proposed legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China, smashed their way into Hong Kong's legislature on Monday, with police using tear gas to disperse them.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-heat-stress-could-cost-80-million-jobs-by-2030-united-nations-232401">Rising heat stress could cost 80 million jobs by 2030: United Nations</a> 
 
The World Health Organisation has said heat stress linked to climate change is likely to cause 38,000 extra deaths a year worldwide between 2030 and 2050.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jamaat-ul-mujahideen-bangladesh-using-some-madrasas-in-west-bengal-for-radicalization-home-ministry-232434">Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh using some Madrasas in West Bengal for radicalization: Home Ministry</a> 
 
Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said relevant inputs in this regard are regularly shared with the state governments and agencies concerned with the advice to take appropriate action.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/france-warns-iran-against-further-breaches-of-nuclear-deal-232313">France warns Iran against further breaches of nuclear deal</a> 
 
The statement added that Macron would take steps in the coming days to ensure Iran met its obligations and continued to benefit from the economic advantages of the deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-several-suspected-united-states-spies-face-possible-death-sentences-232329">Iran says several suspected United States spies face possible death sentences</a> 
 
In June, Iran said it executed a former contract employee of the defence ministry aerospace body on charges of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency.

UK warns China of serious consequences if Hong Kong rights not honoured Protesters, angry about proposed legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China, smashed their way into Hong Kong's legislature on Monday, with police using tear gas to disperse them.

UK warns China of serious consequences if Hong Kong rights not honoured Protesters, angry about proposed legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China, smashed their way into Hong Kong's legislature on Monday, with police using tear gas to disperse them. Rising heat stress could cost 80 million jobs by 2030: United Nations The World Health Organisation has said heat stress linked to climate change is likely to cause 38,000 extra deaths a year worldwide between 2030 and 2050. Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh using some Madrasas in West Bengal for radicalization: Home Ministry Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said relevant inputs in this regard are regularly shared with the state governments and agencies concerned with the advice to take appropriate action. France warns Iran against further breaches of nuclear deal The statement added that Macron would take steps in the coming days to ensure Iran met its obligations and continued to benefit from the economic advantages of the deal. Iran says several suspected United States spies face possible death sentences In June, Iran said it executed a former contract employee of the defence ministry aerospace body on charges of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Mumbai comes to standstill as heavy rain batters & disrupts air, rail traffic

The Dalai Lama is "deeply sorry" about comments he made about women in a recent BBC interview, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.

"(In) responding to a question about whether his own reincarnation could be a woman, and suggesting that if she were she should be attractive, His Holiness genuinely meant no offence," the statement said.

"He is deeply sorry that people have been hurt by what he said and offers his sincere apologies."

The comments were made in an interview with the British broadcaster aired last week from the Tibetan spiritual leader's exile in Dharamsala in northern India.

"If female Dalai Lama comes, then she should be more attractive," he had said. "If female Dalai Lama, oh, oh... that people, I think to prefer, not see her, that face."

The comment caused a stir on social media around the world.

"His Holiness, a monk now in his mid-eighties, has a keen sense of the contradictions between the materialistic, globalized world he encounters on his travels and the complex, more esoteric ideas about reincarnation that are at the heart of Tibetan Buddhist tradition," the statement said.&nbsp;

"However, it sometimes happens that off the cuff remarks, which might be amusing in one cultural context, lose their humour in translation when brought into another. He regrets any offence that may have been given.

"For all his long life, His Holiness has opposed the objectification of women, has supported women and their rights and celebrated the growing international consensus in support of gender equality and respect for women," it added.

The Dalai Lama is "deeply sorry" about comments he made about women in a recent BBC interview, his office said in a statement on Tuesday. "(In) responding to a question about whether his own reincarnation could be a woman, and suggesting that if she were she should be attractive, His Holiness genuinely meant no offence," the statement said.

The Dalai Lama is "deeply sorry" about comments he made about women in a recent BBC interview, his office said in a statement on Tuesday. "(In) responding to a question about whether his own reincarnation could be a woman, and suggesting that if she were she should be attractive, His Holiness genuinely meant no offence," the statement said. "He is deeply sorry that people have been hurt by what he said and offers his sincere apologies." The comments were made in an interview with the British broadcaster aired last week from the Tibetan spiritual leader's exile in Dharamsala in northern India. "If female Dalai Lama comes, then she should be more attractive," he had said. "If female Dalai Lama, oh, oh... that people, I think to prefer, not see her, that face." The comment caused a stir on social media around the world. "His Holiness, a monk now in his mid-eighties, has a keen sense of the contradictions between the materialistic, globalized world he encounters on his travels and the complex, more esoteric ideas about reincarnation that are at the heart of Tibetan Buddhist tradition," the statement said. "However, it sometimes happens that off the cuff remarks, which might be amusing in one cultural context, lose their humour in translation when brought into another. He regrets any offence that may have been given. "For all his long life, His Holiness has opposed the objectification of women, has supported women and their rights and celebrated the growing international consensus in support of gender equality and respect for women," it added.

Dalai Lama 'deeply sorry' for comments on women

Mumbai, which has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-rains-54-flights-diverted-52-cancelled-5-trains-short-terminated-232218">pounded by incessant rainfall</a> on Tuesday, has recorded the second highest rainfall in the last 45 years causing accidents that claimed the lives of over 20 people in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fadnavis-orders-probe-into-malad-pune-wall-collapse-incidents-232342">wall collapse in Malad</a> in the city with several areas of the city waterlogged and throwing traffic out of gear.

More rain is predicted between July 3 and 5 with close to 200 mm or more rain expected per day, according to the IMD.

"Second highest rainfall in 45 years. Entire June month's average rainfall was recorded in just three days in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-indian-navy-deploys-various-teams-to-assist-stranded-as-1000-evacuated-in-mumbais-kurla-due-to-heavy-rains-232205">Mumbai</a>," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a statement to the Maharashtra Assembly today according to a tweet put out by the CMO Maharashtra.

Mumbai received 550 mm of rainfall over a period of two days, the average of the entire month of June has been exceeded in just last 48 hours.

According to the IMD's classification, 15.6mm to 64.4mm of rainfall falls under 'moderate', 64.5mm to 115.5mm is 'heavy', 115.6mm to 204.4mm is 'very heavy'&nbsp;and more than 204.5mm is 'extreme'.

The state government has declared a public holiday and advised people to avoid stepping out of their houses. Several subways and roads have been shut due to water logging and flooding.

Watch:&nbsp;Heavy rain paralyses Mumbai

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heavy-rain-paralyses-mumbai-more-predicted-in-next-24-hours-232378/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A BEST buses got submerged in the water and faced damaged and breakdown at Andheri subway.

At Kings's Circle area of Mumbai, police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) workers came forward to help the people riding two-wheelers to cross waterlogged roads due to heavy rains.IMD has predicted, "Intermittent rain in city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places" for the next 24 hours.

IMD has also predicted an improvement in the weather situation in Mumbai.

"In the last 24 hrs Colaba received 13 cm rain, Santa Cruz received 37 cm rain. From 11.30 pm-5.30 am, more than 200 mm was recorded. The situation is gradually improving, we have brought down the warning by one level. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Mumbai today," said KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General (DDG), IMD Mumbai.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Thane &amp; Palghar today. There will be an improvement in the situation in Mumbai after the noon today," he added.

The main runway of the Mumbai airport was shut for operation after a flight overshot the main runway.

Around 54 flights were diverted to the nearby airports and 52 flights were cancelled as heavy rains continue to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, an airport official said on Tuesday.

After taking the stock of the situation in and around Mumbai, the state government has declared July 2 as a public holiday, due to extreme rains and waterlogging issue.BMC commissioner Pravin Pardeshi has directed all the ward officer to reach their office and monitor the flood situation.

The Central railway has also suspended the movement of suburban trains, citing safety hazard. The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers.&nbsp;

Mumbai, which has been pounded by incessant rainfall on Tuesday, has recorded the second highest rainfall in the last 45 years causing accidents that claimed the lives of over 20 people in a wall collapse in Malad in the city with several areas of the city waterlogged and throwing traffic out of gear.

Mumbai, which has been pounded by incessant rainfall on Tuesday, has recorded the second highest rainfall in the last 45 years causing accidents that claimed the lives of over 20 people in a wall collapse in Malad in the city with several areas of the city waterlogged and throwing traffic out of gear. More rain is predicted between July 3 and 5 with close to 200 mm or more rain expected per day, according to the IMD. "Second highest rainfall in 45 years. Entire June month's average rainfall was recorded in just three days in Mumbai," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a statement to the Maharashtra Assembly today according to a tweet put out by the CMO Maharashtra. Mumbai received 550 mm of rainfall over a period of two days, the average of the entire month of June has been exceeded in just last 48 hours. According to the IMD's classification, 15.6mm to 64.4mm of rainfall falls under 'moderate', 64.5mm to 115.5mm is 'heavy', 115.6mm to 204.4mm is 'very heavy' and more than 204.5mm is 'extreme'. The state government has declared a public holiday and advised people to avoid stepping out of their houses. Several subways and roads have been shut due to water logging and flooding. Watch: Heavy rain paralyses Mumbai A BEST buses got submerged in the water and faced damaged and breakdown at Andheri subway. At Kings's Circle area of Mumbai, police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) workers came forward to help the people riding two-wheelers to cross waterlogged roads due to heavy rains.IMD has predicted, "Intermittent rain in city and suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places" for the next 24 hours. IMD has also predicted an improvement in the weather situation in Mumbai. "In the last 24 hrs Colaba received 13 cm rain, Santa Cruz received 37 cm rain. From 11.30 pm-5.30 am, more than 200 mm was recorded. The situation is gradually improving, we have brought down the warning by one level. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Mumbai today," said KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General (DDG), IMD Mumbai. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Thane & Palghar today. There will be an improvement in the situation in Mumbai after the noon today," he added. The main runway of the Mumbai airport was shut for operation after a flight overshot the main runway. Around 54 flights were diverted to the nearby airports and 52 flights were cancelled as heavy rains continue to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, an airport official said on Tuesday. After taking the stock of the situation in and around Mumbai, the state government has declared July 2 as a public holiday, due to extreme rains and waterlogging issue.BMC commissioner Pravin Pardeshi has directed all the ward officer to reach their office and monitor the flood situation. The Central railway has also suspended the movement of suburban trains, citing safety hazard. The Railways said the state government and various other agencies have been requested to run extra buses between Mumbai and Pune for intercity travellers.

Mumbai records second highest rainfall in 45 years, IMD says brace for more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gurdaspur-mp-sunny-deols-poll-expenditure-found-to-have-crossed-rs-70-lakh-limit-election-officer-228737">Gurdaspur BJP MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol</a> on Tuesday issued a statement over row on him appointing a representative for his Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

"Extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all," the statement read, adding that Deol had appointed his personal assistant to represent his office in Gurdaspur and that the appointment is to ensure "smooth flow of work" whenever he is travelling.

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Gurdaspur (Punjab) BJP MP, Sunny Deol issues statement says, 'extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all.' <a href="https://t.co/U0PdHJGSD3">pic.twitter.com/U0PdHJGSD3</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1146013101050990592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The intention is to merely ensure that no work gets disrupted or delayed due to any reason whatsoever and to keep myself updated on daily basis," part of the statement read as shared by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

In the statement, Deol further said that as an elected Member of Parliament he is "genuinely committed to the cause of Gurdaspur".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday hit out at Deol for appointing a 'representative' for Gurdaspur and said that the actor-turned-politician should resign if he is unable to address the issues of the people who voted for him.&nbsp;

"There is a provision in the Lok Sabha that an MP can appoint his or her representative who can take care of the work in the MP`absence. But that does not mean that after the election, the MP vanishes from this constituency and the representative does all the work he is only supposed to help," Congress leader Punia told ANI.

He had issued a letter stating that Gurpreet Singh Palheri will be his representative who will attend meetings and follow important matters pertaining to his constituency.

Deol defeated Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar with a margin of 82,459 votes to bag the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab in the recently concluded general elections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Gurdaspur BJP MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Tuesday issued a statement over row on him appointing a representative for his Lok Sabha constituency. "Extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all," the statement read, adding that Deol had appointed his personal assistant to represent his office in Gurdaspur and that the appointment is to ensure "smooth flow of work" whenever he is travelling.

Gurdaspur BJP MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Tuesday issued a statement over row on him appointing a representative for his Lok Sabha constituency. "Extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all," the statement read, adding that Deol had appointed his personal assistant to represent his office in Gurdaspur and that the appointment is to ensure "smooth flow of work" whenever he is travelling. Gurdaspur (Punjab) BJP MP, Sunny Deol issues statement says, 'extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all.' pic.twitter.com/U0PdHJGSD3 — ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019 × "The intention is to merely ensure that no work gets disrupted or delayed due to any reason whatsoever and to keep myself updated on daily basis," part of the statement read as shared by news agency ANI. In the statement, Deol further said that as an elected Member of Parliament he is "genuinely committed to the cause of Gurdaspur". Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday hit out at Deol for appointing a 'representative' for Gurdaspur and said that the actor-turned-politician should resign if he is unable to address the issues of the people who voted for him. "There is a provision in the Lok Sabha that an MP can appoint his or her representative who can take care of the work in the MP`absence. But that does not mean that after the election, the MP vanishes from this constituency and the representative does all the work he is only supposed to help," Congress leader Punia told ANI. He had issued a letter stating that Gurpreet Singh Palheri will be his representative who will attend meetings and follow important matters pertaining to his constituency. Deol defeated Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar with a margin of 82,459 votes to bag the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab in the recently concluded general elections. (With inputs from ANI)

Controversy being created out of nothing: Sunny Deol on appointing representative for Gurdaspur constituency 

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers, but is distinct from musical theater. Such a "work" (the literal translation of Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The performance is typically given in an opera house, accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble, which since the early 19th century has been led by a conductor. Sparsh Bajpai making heads turn with her performance. Sparsh is one of the few Opera singers from India. Sparsh's performance has been lauded across Europe. Sparsh was 7 when she performed her first song. Now she is winning heart through her performance. Watch this video to know more.

Sparsh Bajpai's Journey To Opera, This Indian Opera Singer Wins Heart

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday asked the Congress government in Punjab to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme to give relief to people suffering from cancer and said no evidence had surfaced so far about fertilisers being a cause for cancer.

Responding to concerns of MPs from Punjab in the Lok Sabha over the prevalence of cancer in the state and its possible causes, he said both state and central governments were concerned over any rise in cancer cases.

There was a brief uproar in the House after Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, an MP from Bhatinda, accused the state government of stopping funds of cancer research diagnostic centre at Bhatinda.

Tomar said judicious use of pesticide and chemical fertiliser does not lead to any harmful effects and work on soil health cards was being done in mission mode under directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The question is if (chemical) fertiliser is causing cancer. We have to go by research. If we look at it..., it has not come to light that fertiliser is causing cancer," he said.

He said there was no dearth of cancer hospitals in the country.

"I would urge the government to take advantage of Ayushman Bharat scheme," he said.

The matter was raised by Congress member Ravneet Singh Bittu and AAP member Bhagwant Singh Mann during the question hour.

Bittu said there was contamination in water in areas of Punjab and this was entering the food chain which was a risk to human health.

He said a train going from Punjab is referred to as "Cancer Express" and people in the state were suffering due to "ill-effects" of use of chemical pesticides in the seventies and eighties to boost food production.

Mann asked about medical facilities for cancer patients. Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala also said that Punjab should take advantage of the Ayushman Bharat scheme under which cancer patients are also covered.

"Punjab has not accepted it. You should go there and tell this. If you want to help cancer patients, you should accept it," he said.&nbsp;

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday asked the Congress government in Punjab to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme to give relief to people suffering from cancer and said no evidence had surfaced so far about fertilisers being a cause for cancer.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday asked the Congress government in Punjab to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme to give relief to people suffering from cancer and said no evidence had surfaced so far about fertilisers being a cause for cancer. Responding to concerns of MPs from Punjab in the Lok Sabha over the prevalence of cancer in the state and its possible causes, he said both state and central governments were concerned over any rise in cancer cases. There was a brief uproar in the House after Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, an MP from Bhatinda, accused the state government of stopping funds of cancer research diagnostic centre at Bhatinda. Tomar said judicious use of pesticide and chemical fertiliser does not lead to any harmful effects and work on soil health cards was being done in mission mode under directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The question is if (chemical) fertiliser is causing cancer. We have to go by research. If we look at it..., it has not come to light that fertiliser is causing cancer," he said. He said there was no dearth of cancer hospitals in the country. "I would urge the government to take advantage of Ayushman Bharat scheme," he said. The matter was raised by Congress member Ravneet Singh Bittu and AAP member Bhagwant Singh Mann during the question hour. Bittu said there was contamination in water in areas of Punjab and this was entering the food chain which was a risk to human health. He said a train going from Punjab is referred to as "Cancer Express" and people in the state were suffering due to "ill-effects" of use of chemical pesticides in the seventies and eighties to boost food production. Mann asked about medical facilities for cancer patients. Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala also said that Punjab should take advantage of the Ayushman Bharat scheme under which cancer patients are also covered. "Punjab has not accepted it. You should go there and tell this. If you want to help cancer patients, you should accept it," he said.

No evidence of fertilizer use causing cancer: Union Agriculture Minister

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News brief: Big stories of the day

Political killings must stop in West Bengal: Home Minister Amit Shah to Mamata Banerjee

Congress all set to send Manmohan Singh to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan

The Royal Courts of Justice in London allows Vijay Mallya to appeal against extradition

Congress sit-in over Rahul Gandhi's resignation ends

Kartarpur Corridor talks: Second round of India-Pakistan official meet on July 14

Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh using some Madrasas in West Bengal for radicalisation: Home Ministry

News brief: Big stories of the day

Mumbai comes to standstill as heavy rain batters & disrupts air, rail traffic

Dalai Lama 'deeply sorry' for comments on women

Mumbai records second highest rainfall in 45 years, IMD says brace for more

Controversy being created out of nothing: Sunny Deol on appointing representative for Gurdaspur constituency

Sparsh Bajpai's Journey To Opera, This Indian Opera Singer Wins Heart

No evidence of fertilizer use causing cancer: Union Agriculture Minister