National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides

The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS

Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent

India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh

Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?

How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?

Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition

‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal

Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch

Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine

Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states

Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions

Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy

Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS

'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia

Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift

New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot

RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress

Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'

IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act

Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott

Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances

Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation

New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims

Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed

US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance

Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built

Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH

Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school

Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report

With the presence of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, the Lok Sabha will be taking up a debate on the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government which was brought by opposition parties and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). &nbsp;

"The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, July 20th. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it," Mahajan announced in the House on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi opposed and said that the opposition does not have the numbers. When asked about the trust vote, the former Congress President told media, ''Who says we don't have the numbers?''&nbsp;

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale responding to Sonia's comment said, "I think such over-confidence will serve no purpose. We will show a clear majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the opposition."&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that all opposition parties have come to a consensus to move the Vote of No Confidence Motion in the Monsoon Session.&nbsp;

Before that, on Sunday TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu wrote letters to non-BJP, non-Congress parties' presidents and Parliamentary party leaders seeking support on a no-confidence motion against the Centre over demand for special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

Thereafter, the TDP made six-subgroups of the party leaders, who met and handover Chandrababu Naidu's letter and a booklet explaining the injustice done to the state and seek the support of various parties.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that all opposition parties have come to a consensus to move the Vote of No Confidence Motion in the Monsoon Session

With the presence of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, the Lok Sabha will be taking up a debate on the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government which was brought by opposition parties and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). "The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, July 20th. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it," Mahajan announced in the House on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi opposed and said that the opposition does not have the numbers. When asked about the trust vote, the former Congress President told media, ''Who says we don't have the numbers?'' Union Minister Ramdas Athawale responding to Sonia's comment said, "I think such over-confidence will serve no purpose. We will show a clear majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the opposition." Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that all opposition parties have come to a consensus to move the Vote of No Confidence Motion in the Monsoon Session. Before that, on Sunday TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu wrote letters to non-BJP, non-Congress parties' presidents and Parliamentary party leaders seeking support on a no-confidence motion against the Centre over demand for special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Thereafter, the TDP made six-subgroups of the party leaders, who met and handover Chandrababu Naidu's letter and a booklet explaining the injustice done to the state and seek the support of various parties. (With inputs from agencies)

Sonia Gandhi said on trust vote: 'Who says we don't have the numbers?'

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday accepted a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the government.

Mahajan said she had received notices from at least six MPs seeking no trust vote against the Narendra Modi government and was duty-bound to put it to the consideration of the House.

“The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, July 20th. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it,” Mahajan.&nbsp

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi refuted the view that the opposition does not have the numbers. When asked about the opposition's lack of numbers, Sonia Gandhi told a news channel, "<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/who-says-we-dont-have-the-numbers-sonia-gandhi-said-on-trust-vote-152647">Who says we don't have the numbers</a>?"

However, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale responding to Sonia’s comment said, “I think such overconfidence will serve no purpose. We will show a clear majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the opposition”.&nbsp

Reacting to Gandhi's comment, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Congress had shown similar kind of arrogance during Atal Ji's tenure & they had to face the consequences. "Indians have elected PM Modi as their leader and he has their confidence. We are ready to face them."

Union Minister Ramdas Athavle said that such over-confidence will serve no purpose. "We will show clear a majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the opposition," he said.

The Opposition parties brought in the no-confidence motion against the government on issues like Grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh, lynchings, atrocities against women and Dalits and dilution of a law meant for Scheduled Caste.

Sonia Gandhi refuted the view that the opposition does not have the numbers. When asked about the opposition's lack of numbers, Sonia Gandhi told a news channel, "Who says we don't have the numbers?"

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday accepted a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the government. Mahajan said she had received notices from at least six MPs seeking no trust vote against the Narendra Modi government and was duty-bound to put it to the consideration of the House. “The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, July 20th. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it,” Mahajan. Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi refuted the view that the opposition does not have the numbers. When asked about the opposition's lack of numbers, Sonia Gandhi told a news channel, "Who says we don't have the numbers?" However, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale responding to Sonia’s comment said, “I think such overconfidence will serve no purpose. We will show a clear majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the opposition”. Reacting to Gandhi's comment, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Congress had shown similar kind of arrogance during Atal Ji's tenure & they had to face the consequences. "Indians have elected PM Modi as their leader and he has their confidence. We are ready to face them." Union Minister Ramdas Athavle said that such over-confidence will serve no purpose. "We will show clear a majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the opposition," he said. The Opposition parties brought in the no-confidence motion against the government on issues like Grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh, lynchings, atrocities against women and Dalits and dilution of a law meant for Scheduled Caste.

Debate on no-trust motion in Lok Sabha on Friday, BJP remains unperturbed

As many as 314 corruption cases have been registered by the CBI between January and June this year, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said a total of 632 such cases were registered by the agency in 2017.

About 673 and 617 corruption cases were registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2016 and 2015 respectively, said Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

He said 346 such cases were registered by the CBI in the period between June 1, 2014&nbspand December 31, 2014.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said a total of 632 such cases were registered by the agency in 2017

As many as 314 corruption cases have been registered by the CBI between January and June this year, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said a total of 632 such cases were registered by the agency in 2017. About 673 and 617 corruption cases were registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2016 and 2015 respectively, said Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. He said 346 such cases were registered by the CBI in the period between June 1, 2014&nbspand December 31, 2014.

Over 300 corruption cases registered by CBI this year: Government in Parliament

A pilot who was flying Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter plane that crashed on Wednesday in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district has died.&nbsp

The jet had taken off from the Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab at 12.20 pm.

The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed around 1.20 pm, an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The fighter jet crashed in Mehra Palli village under the Jawali police station, Kangra's Superintendent of Police Santosh Patial said.

"The pilot sustained fatal injuries during the accident. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to establish the cause of the accident," the official said.&nbsp

A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
MiG-21 Indian aircraft coming from Punjab's Pathankot crashes in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. Pilot is missing. Rescue team on the way. More details awaited <a href="https://t.co/093Psw4HEj">pic.twitter.com/093Psw4HEj</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1019497546056654848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Air Force personnel reached the crash site on two IAF helicopters to conduct preliminary investigations.

(With inputs from PTI)

The MiG 21 aircraft reportedly took off from the Pathankot Air Base.

A pilot who was flying Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter plane that crashed on Wednesday in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district has died. The jet had taken off from the Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab at 12.20 pm. The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed around 1.20 pm, an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi. The fighter jet crashed in Mehra Palli village under the Jawali police station, Kangra's Superintendent of Police Santosh Patial said. "The pilot sustained fatal injuries during the accident. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to establish the cause of the accident," the official said. A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. MiG-21 Indian aircraft coming from Punjab's Pathankot crashes in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. Pilot is missing. Rescue team on the way. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/093Psw4HEj — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2018 × Air Force personnel reached the crash site on two IAF helicopters to conduct preliminary investigations. (With inputs from PTI)

IAF pilot dies after MiG-21 fighter jet crashes in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district

A 61-year-old woman, pilgrim from Maharashtra, died in the hospital today after being hit by a &nbspvehicle near the Saraswati Dham railway station on July 15.

She was identified as Gaya Bhai Kaile. She succumbed to injuries last evening, the officials said.&nbsp

On the other hand, 18th batch of ''yatris'' with 1,983 pilgrims left Jammu today to join the annual Amarnath Yatra under tight security, officials said.&nbsp

The 60-day yatra to the cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas, began on the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag district on June 28.

Over two lakh pilgrims had paid their obeisance at the cave shrine till last evening. The "yatra" is scheduled to end on August 26.

The report said that she was also the part of the group and was getting registration for the ''yatra'' when the incident occurred.&nbsp

The number has gone up to 27, of the people who died in the ongoing Yatra, and this death was third reported in Jammu region, officials confirmed.&nbsp

They said the woman was part of a group which had arrived in the city and was getting registration for the "yatra" when the incident occurred.

She was identified as Gaya Bhai Kaile. She succumbed to injuries last evening, the officials said

A 61-year-old woman, pilgrim from Maharashtra, died in the hospital today after being hit by a &nbspvehicle near the Saraswati Dham railway station on July 15. She was identified as Gaya Bhai Kaile. She succumbed to injuries last evening, the officials said. On the other hand, 18th batch of ''yatris'' with 1,983 pilgrims left Jammu today to join the annual Amarnath Yatra under tight security, officials said. The 60-day yatra to the cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas, began on the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag district on June 28. Over two lakh pilgrims had paid their obeisance at the cave shrine till last evening. The "yatra" is scheduled to end on August 26. The report said that she was also the part of the group and was getting registration for the ''yatra'' when the incident occurred. The number has gone up to 27, of the people who died in the ongoing Yatra, and this death was third reported in Jammu region, officials confirmed. They said the woman was part of a group which had arrived in the city and was getting registration for the "yatra" when the incident occurred.

An Amarnath pilgrim dies in Jammu, 27 death reported in the ongoing 'Yatra'

The incident occurred at Shah-Beri village at about 9:30 pm Tuesday. A number of people are feared trapped under the rubbel

In pictures: 4 dead after six-storey building falls on 4-storey building in Greater Noida

TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that apps should collect minimal data just as UIDAI does to give 12-digit Aadhar numbers to people.

Some apps are ridiculously collecting more-than-required data and the customers are unaware of what is being done with it, he said.

"For Aadhar enrollment, we collect just four sets of data - your name, date of birth and your communication address. Nothing more, nothing less. Similarly, every app must collect as much data as is required," Sharma said in an interview in Bengaluru on Tuesday

"Data minimisation should be one of the principles just as Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) adopts to collect data of people," he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLVrLQyfcDM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

TRAI had noted that the existing framework of data protection of telecom consumers is "not sufficient" and that all entities in the digital ecosystem which handle personal data should be brought under a data protection framework.

These recommendations are expected to have wide-reaching implications for tech titans like Apple and Facebook as well as apps like Paytm.

Asked whether the DoT has powers to create rules or regulations proposed by TRAI, Sharma said it is for the government to decide.

Asked whether TRAI has the power to implement such rules before the government legislates them, Sharma said he has the jurisdiction to protect consumers' interest in telecom sector.

Sharma said, there is a regulatory imbalance because these entities are not following any law and till the government comes up with a broad framework, it is but prudent to apply telecom rules on them.

Replying to a query, Sharma said TRAI is not for applying same encryption standards for different sectors including telecom or Aadhar.

"There are different rules for different sectors. For example in telecoms, the maximum encryption is proposed to be 40 bits. UIDAI has highest level of encryption where it is 2048 bits. So, what we are saying is that probably there is a need to have a general policy on encryption and we are not saying that we should apply same encryption standard," he said.&nbsp;

Sharma said the encryption standard should be proportional to the security that needs to be achieved.&nbsp;

"For Aadhar enrollment, we collect just four sets of data - your name, date of birth and your communication address. Nothing more, nothing less. Similarly, every app must collect as much data as is required," TRAI Chairman R S Sharma said in an interview in Bengaluru on Tuesday

TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that apps should collect minimal data just as UIDAI does to give 12-digit Aadhar numbers to people. Some apps are ridiculously collecting more-than-required data and the customers are unaware of what is being done with it, he said. "For Aadhar enrollment, we collect just four sets of data - your name, date of birth and your communication address. Nothing more, nothing less. Similarly, every app must collect as much data as is required," Sharma said in an interview in Bengaluru on Tuesday "Data minimisation should be one of the principles just as Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) adopts to collect data of people," he said. × TRAI had noted that the existing framework of data protection of telecom consumers is "not sufficient" and that all entities in the digital ecosystem which handle personal data should be brought under a data protection framework. These recommendations are expected to have wide-reaching implications for tech titans like Apple and Facebook as well as apps like Paytm. Asked whether the DoT has powers to create rules or regulations proposed by TRAI, Sharma said it is for the government to decide. Asked whether TRAI has the power to implement such rules before the government legislates them, Sharma said he has the jurisdiction to protect consumers' interest in telecom sector. Sharma said, there is a regulatory imbalance because these entities are not following any law and till the government comes up with a broad framework, it is but prudent to apply telecom rules on them. Replying to a query, Sharma said TRAI is not for applying same encryption standards for different sectors including telecom or Aadhar. "There are different rules for different sectors. For example in telecoms, the maximum encryption is proposed to be 40 bits. UIDAI has highest level of encryption where it is 2048 bits. So, what we are saying is that probably there is a need to have a general policy on encryption and we are not saying that we should apply same encryption standard," he said. Sharma said the encryption standard should be proportional to the security that needs to be achieved.

Apps should collect minimal data like Aadhar: TRAI chief

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday admitted a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-monsoon-session-of-parliament-begins-modi-says-govt-open-to-discussion-on-all-issues-152543">no-confidence motion</a> moved by the TDP's Kesineni Srinivas against the Narendra Modi government.&nbsp;

The Speaker named all the opposition members who had moved similar no-confidence motion notices and said the TDP's Kesineni Srinivas would move his motion as his name had come up in the lottery.

'The government which led farmers to commit suicide, under whose regime women are being raped everyday... we move no confidence motion against you,' the Congress' Jyotiraditya Scindia had said earlier in the day in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

The TDP had quit the ruling NDA coalition in March after the government refused to give Andhra Pradesh "special status".

The TDP, other Andhra parties, the CPM, and the Congress had all moved no-confidence motions against the government in the last session of parliament but none were admitted.&nbsp;

The no-confidence motion will be debated in the Lok Sabha on Friday.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s5vbRs5qEpg" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had meanwhile said earlier in the day that his government was open to discussion on all issues — today was the opening day of the monsoon session of parliament. "We hope that Monsoon Session of Parliament functions smoothly, whatever issues any party has, it can raise on the floor of the house. Government is ready for discussion on all issues," he had said.&nbsp;

Modi's government will not be falling in a hurry. It enjoys a clear majority in the 545-member Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

The opposition however would very much like to prove the point that the Narendra Modi government has lost allies.&nbsp;

It would also like to focus attention on slow job growth and a deteriorating law and order situation.&nbsp;

The elections, remember, are due next year.&nbsp;

The motion was admitted by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on the opening day of the monsoon session of Parliament. It will be debated in the Lok Sabha on Friday

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday admitted a no-confidence motion moved by the TDP's Kesineni Srinivas against the Narendra Modi government. The Speaker named all the opposition members who had moved similar no-confidence motion notices and said the TDP's Kesineni Srinivas would move his motion as his name had come up in the lottery. 'The government which led farmers to commit suicide, under whose regime women are being raped everyday... we move no confidence motion against you,' the Congress' Jyotiraditya Scindia had said earlier in the day in the Lok Sabha. The TDP had quit the ruling NDA coalition in March after the government refused to give Andhra Pradesh "special status". The TDP, other Andhra parties, the CPM, and the Congress had all moved no-confidence motions against the government in the last session of parliament but none were admitted. The no-confidence motion will be debated in the Lok Sabha on Friday. × Prime Minister Narendra Modi had meanwhile said earlier in the day that his government was open to discussion on all issues — today was the opening day of the monsoon session of parliament. "We hope that Monsoon Session of Parliament functions smoothly, whatever issues any party has, it can raise on the floor of the house. Government is ready for discussion on all issues," he had said. Modi's government will not be falling in a hurry. It enjoys a clear majority in the 545-member Lok Sabha. The opposition however would very much like to prove the point that the Narendra Modi government has lost allies. It would also like to focus attention on slow job growth and a deteriorating law and order situation. The elections, remember, are due next year.

No-confidence motion admitted against Narendra Modi government

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) on Tuesday quashed the criticisms levelled by the Indian authorities and media for its human rights report on Kashmir released recently and expressed "deep disappointment" over the reaction.

Citing Indian media outlets' accusations such as "Nefarious conspiracy", "Pakistan-authored report", "fallacious", "mala fide" and Indian authorities' reaction who dismissed the report as "fallacious, tendentious and motivated" against the UN Human Rights Office, the spokesperson for the UNHCR said that they were disappointed by the reactions.

"The report was developed through remote monitoring after the Indian and Pakistani authorities failed to grant us unconditional access to the region.&nbsp

Since the report was published, we have been deeply disappointed by the reaction of the Indian authorities, who dismissed the report as "fallacious, tendentious and motivated" without examining it and responding to the very serious concerns about the human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir as laid out in the report," the spokesperson said.

He also refuted reports in the Indian media that the High Commissioner, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, was in contact with a Canada-based imam of Pakistani descent, named Zafar Bangash, and that he had influenced the report.

"The High Commissioner has never spoken with Mr Bangash, and we are not aware of receiving any information from him, let alone using it, although it is possible he sent an email or letter and received a polite acknowledgment, as is the case with thousands of letters and emails sent to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights," the spokesperson added.

Since the report was published, we have been deeply disappointed by the reaction of the Indian authorities, who dismissed the report as 'fallacious, tendentious and motivated'

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) on Tuesday quashed the criticisms levelled by the Indian authorities and media for its human rights report on Kashmir released recently and expressed "deep disappointment" over the reaction. Citing Indian media outlets' accusations such as "Nefarious conspiracy", "Pakistan-authored report", "fallacious", "mala fide" and Indian authorities' reaction who dismissed the report as "fallacious, tendentious and motivated" against the UN Human Rights Office, the spokesperson for the UNHCR said that they were disappointed by the reactions. "The report was developed through remote monitoring after the Indian and Pakistani authorities failed to grant us unconditional access to the region. Since the report was published, we have been deeply disappointed by the reaction of the Indian authorities, who dismissed the report as "fallacious, tendentious and motivated" without examining it and responding to the very serious concerns about the human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir as laid out in the report," the spokesperson said. He also refuted reports in the Indian media that the High Commissioner, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, was in contact with a Canada-based imam of Pakistani descent, named Zafar Bangash, and that he had influenced the report. "The High Commissioner has never spoken with Mr Bangash, and we are not aware of receiving any information from him, let alone using it, although it is possible he sent an email or letter and received a polite acknowledgment, as is the case with thousands of letters and emails sent to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights," the spokesperson added.

Disappointed over Kashmir human rights report criticism: UNHCR

Indian farmers in eastern Siliguri city of West Bengal have adopted Israeli based&nbsp;greenhouse technique to grow tomatoes during the rainy season.

The technique which requires warm and fairly dry weather in Israel is helping the farmers of the Siliguri region to crow crops during the rainy&nbsp;season.

Around 10,000 tomato saplings have been planted with the help of the technique which has resulted in the good quality products and is being sold in other parts of the country.

Technical officer of the district horticulture department Amarindra Pandey said that they took help from Israel greenhouse technology and installed high tech greenhouse as the farmers in the region were not able to produce tomatoes during the off seasons.

"During offseasons, in the months of rains and summers, the farmers are not able to produce tomatoes in the open fields so&nbsp;we import tomatoes from outside, from Nashik, Bengaluru. So we thought why not let the farmers adopt the same technology in north Bengal that is used (in other countries)." Pandey said.

Greenhouse technology is the process of creating a protected environment for cultivation. The vegetables and fruits grown under such circumstances provide high-quality produce. The Israeli greenhouse technique involves usage of developed computer hardware, software, automated water supply to plants and offers climate control. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Around 10,000 tomato saplings have been planted with the help of the technique which has resulted in the good quality products and is being sold in other parts of the country

Indian farmers in eastern Siliguri city of West Bengal have adopted Israeli based greenhouse technique to grow tomatoes during the rainy season. The technique which requires warm and fairly dry weather in Israel is helping the farmers of the Siliguri region to crow crops during the rainy season. Around 10,000 tomato saplings have been planted with the help of the technique which has resulted in the good quality products and is being sold in other parts of the country. Technical officer of the district horticulture department Amarindra Pandey said that they took help from Israel greenhouse technology and installed high tech greenhouse as the farmers in the region were not able to produce tomatoes during the off seasons. "During offseasons, in the months of rains and summers, the farmers are not able to produce tomatoes in the open fields so we import tomatoes from outside, from Nashik, Bengaluru. So we thought why not let the farmers adopt the same technology in north Bengal that is used (in other countries)." Pandey said. Greenhouse technology is the process of creating a protected environment for cultivation. The vegetables and fruits grown under such circumstances provide high-quality produce. The Israeli greenhouse technique involves usage of developed computer hardware, software, automated water supply to plants and offers climate control.

To grow tomatoes in off season, Bengal farmers adopt Israeli greenhouse technique

Heading the Congress Working Committee (CWC) for the first time, party president Rahul Gandhi reconstituted the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the party on Tuesday.

The new CWC list&nbsp;released with 51-member includes 18 permanent invitees and 10 special invitees.

The first-time in-charges of states were included as permanent invitees.

The reconstituted CWC which features seven women did not give representation to several states.&nbsp;

West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Jharkhand have not been accommodated in the committee, whereas some of the states have been given a huge chunk in comparison.

Four Kerala leaders namely Oommen Chandy, A K Antony, KC Venugopal and PC Chacko have been given space in the new CWC.

Meanwhile, Haryana's Kumari Selja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Hooda and Kuldeep&nbsp;Bishnoi are included in the list.

Senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mohan Prakash, CP Joshi and Shashi Tharoor have not been included in the new CWC.

The members include Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Motilal Vora, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, AK Antony, Ahmed Patel, Ambika Soni, Oommen Chandy, Tarun Gogoi, Siddaramaiah, Anand Sharma, Harish Rawat, Kumari Selja, Mukul Wasnik, Avinash Pande, KC Venugopal, Dipak Babaria, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Raghuveer Meena, Gaikhangam and Ashok Gehlot.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Jharkhand have not been accommodated in the committee, whereas some of the states have been given a huge chunk in comparison

Heading the Congress Working Committee (CWC) for the first time, party president Rahul Gandhi reconstituted the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the party on Tuesday. The new CWC list released with 51-member includes 18 permanent invitees and 10 special invitees. The first-time in-charges of states were included as permanent invitees. The reconstituted CWC which features seven women did not give representation to several states. West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Jharkhand have not been accommodated in the committee, whereas some of the states have been given a huge chunk in comparison. Four Kerala leaders namely Oommen Chandy, A K Antony, KC Venugopal and PC Chacko have been given space in the new CWC. Meanwhile, Haryana's Kumari Selja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Hooda and Kuldeep Bishnoi are included in the list. Senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mohan Prakash, CP Joshi and Shashi Tharoor have not been included in the new CWC. The members include Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Motilal Vora, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, AK Antony, Ahmed Patel, Ambika Soni, Oommen Chandy, Tarun Gogoi, Siddaramaiah, Anand Sharma, Harish Rawat, Kumari Selja, Mukul Wasnik, Avinash Pande, KC Venugopal, Dipak Babaria, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Raghuveer Meena, Gaikhangam and Ashok Gehlot. (With inputs from ANI)

Many states denied representation in Congress Working Committee

An Indian aircraft, MiG-21 was crashed in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday.

The aircraft that crashed in&nbsp;Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district was coming from Punjab's Pathankot.

The pilot of the aircraft was missing from the site.

More details awaited.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
MiG-21 Indian aircraft coming from Punjab's Pathankot crashes in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. Pilot is missing. Rescue team on the way. More details awaited <a href="https://t.co/093Psw4HEj">pic.twitter.com/093Psw4HEj</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1019497546056654848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The aircraft that crashed in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district was coming from Punjab's Pathankot

An Indian aircraft, MiG-21 was crashed in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. The aircraft that crashed in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district was coming from Punjab's Pathankot. The pilot of the aircraft was missing from the site. More details awaited. MiG-21 Indian aircraft coming from Punjab's Pathankot crashes in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. Pilot is missing. Rescue team on the way. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/093Psw4HEj — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2018 ×

Pilot missing after MiG-21 crashes in Himachal Pradesh

After Social Activist Swami Agnivesh was allegedly thrashed by workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday, he told the media that the attack was pre-planned and that he could have been murdered.

"Those arrested were allowed to walk free after few hours, this seems to be a drama. Inquiry ordered by DIG also seems fake. I demand an inquiry by a retired or sitting judge of Ranchi HC. This was an attempt to murder, I could've been murdered. This was pre-planned," he told ANI.&nbsp;

Agnivesh was in Jharkhand's Pakur to attend an event and was in his hotel when a mob, allegedly of the ABVP and Yuva Morcha workers, surrounded him.&nbsp;The workers were protesting against Agnivesh and were raising slogans like, "Agnivesh Go Back!!"

He had lodged a complaint with the Ranchi police stating that a couple of people belonging to RSS, and BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) entered the premises and assaulted him.&nbsp;

Reacting to the incident, Agnivesh said that there was no police personnel present outside the hotel and that he wanted to establish a dialogue with the mob. However as soon as he stepped out of the hotel, he claimed that the mob began thrashing him.

"There was no police personnel present there. Even when I repeatedly called the Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate, they didn't turn up. I told the mob that there was no need to protest, they can come in and talk. No one came in at that time. When I left the hotel they suddenly attacked and hurled abuses at me," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Moments after the incident, the state government headed by Raghubar Das provided the security to Agnivesh.

Condemning the attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a jibe at the BJP in the form of a 'pop quiz' on micro-blogging site Twitter. Rahul Gandhi posted a news report of the incident with his tweet early morning.

However, the Jharkhand wing of the BJP condemned the action and said that the people involved in the incident were not workers of the party.

"They weren't workers of our party. We condemn this but his track record is such that this reaction doesn't come as surprise. Pakur has recently been in news for religious conversion," said Jharkhand BJP spokesperson, P. Sahdeo to ANI.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
Pop Quiz 
 
I bow to the most powerful in the line. A person's strength & power are all that are important to me. 
 
I use hatred & fear to maintain the hierarchy of power. I seek out the weakest & crush them. 
 
I rank all living beings based on their usefulness to me. 
 
Who am I? <a href="https://t.co/y7jw49Hei7">pic.twitter.com/y7jw49Hei7</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1019410359554277376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(With inputs from ANI)

Agnivesh was in Jharkhand's Pakur to attend an event and was in his hotel when a mob of the ABVP and Yuva Morcha workers surrounded him.

After Social Activist Swami Agnivesh was allegedly thrashed by workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday, he told the media that the attack was pre-planned and that he could have been murdered. "Those arrested were allowed to walk free after few hours, this seems to be a drama. Inquiry ordered by DIG also seems fake. I demand an inquiry by a retired or sitting judge of Ranchi HC. This was an attempt to murder, I could've been murdered. This was pre-planned," he told ANI. Agnivesh was in Jharkhand's Pakur to attend an event and was in his hotel when a mob, allegedly of the ABVP and Yuva Morcha workers, surrounded him. The workers were protesting against Agnivesh and were raising slogans like, "Agnivesh Go Back!!" He had lodged a complaint with the Ranchi police stating that a couple of people belonging to RSS, and BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) entered the premises and assaulted him. Reacting to the incident, Agnivesh said that there was no police personnel present outside the hotel and that he wanted to establish a dialogue with the mob. However as soon as he stepped out of the hotel, he claimed that the mob began thrashing him. "There was no police personnel present there. Even when I repeatedly called the Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate, they didn't turn up. I told the mob that there was no need to protest, they can come in and talk. No one came in at that time. When I left the hotel they suddenly attacked and hurled abuses at me," he was quoted as saying by ANI. Moments after the incident, the state government headed by Raghubar Das provided the security to Agnivesh. Condemning the attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a jibe at the BJP in the form of a 'pop quiz' on micro-blogging site Twitter. Rahul Gandhi posted a news report of the incident with his tweet early morning. However, the Jharkhand wing of the BJP condemned the action and said that the people involved in the incident were not workers of the party. "They weren't workers of our party. We condemn this but his track record is such that this reaction doesn't come as surprise. Pakur has recently been in news for religious conversion," said Jharkhand BJP spokesperson, P. Sahdeo to ANI. Pop Quiz I bow to the most powerful in the line. A person's strength & power are all that are important to me. I use hatred & fear to maintain the hierarchy of power. I seek out the weakest & crush them. I rank all living beings based on their usefulness to me. Who am I? pic.twitter.com/y7jw49Hei7 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2018 × (With inputs from ANI)

'This was pre-planned,' Swami Agnivesh says after mob attack

TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that apps should collect minimal data just as UIDAI does to give 12-digit Aadhar numbers to people.

Some apps are ridiculously collecting more than required data and the customers are unaware of what is being done with it, he said.

"For Aadhar enrollment, we collect just four sets of data your name, date of birth and your communication address. Nothing more, nothing less. Similarly, every app must collect as much data as is required," Sharma told that in an interview&nbsp;yesterday.

"Data minimisation should be one of the principles just as Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) adopts to collect data of people," he said.

TRAI had noted that the existing framework of data protection of telecom consumers is "not sufficient" and that all entities in the digital ecosystem which handle personal data should be brought under a data protection framework.

These recommendations are expected to have wide-reaching implications for tech titans like Apple and Facebook as well as apps like Paytm.

Asked whether the DoT has powers to create rules or regulations proposed by TRAI, Sharma said it is for the government to decide.

Asked whether TRAI has the power to implement such rules before the government legislates them, Sharma said he has the jurisdiction to protect consumers' interest in the telecom sector.

Sharma said, there is a regulatory imbalance because these entities are not following any law and till the government comes up with a broad framework, it is but prudent to apply telecom rules on them.

Replying to a query, Sharma said TRAI is not for applying same encryption standards for different sectors including telecom or Aadhar.

"There are different rules for different sectors. For example in telecoms, the maximum encryption is proposed to be 40 bits. UIDAI has the highest level of encryption where it is 2048 bits. So, what we are saying is that probably there is a need to have a general policy on encryption and we are not saying that we should apply same encryption standard," he said.&nbsp;

Sharma said the encryption standard should be proportional to the security that needs to be achieved.&nbsp;

RS Sharma said that some apps are ridiculously collecting more than required data and the customers are unaware of what is being done with it.

TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that apps should collect minimal data just as UIDAI does to give 12-digit Aadhar numbers to people. Some apps are ridiculously collecting more than required data and the customers are unaware of what is being done with it, he said. "For Aadhar enrollment, we collect just four sets of data your name, date of birth and your communication address. Nothing more, nothing less. Similarly, every app must collect as much data as is required," Sharma told that in an interview yesterday. "Data minimisation should be one of the principles just as Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) adopts to collect data of people," he said. TRAI had noted that the existing framework of data protection of telecom consumers is "not sufficient" and that all entities in the digital ecosystem which handle personal data should be brought under a data protection framework. These recommendations are expected to have wide-reaching implications for tech titans like Apple and Facebook as well as apps like Paytm. Asked whether the DoT has powers to create rules or regulations proposed by TRAI, Sharma said it is for the government to decide. Asked whether TRAI has the power to implement such rules before the government legislates them, Sharma said he has the jurisdiction to protect consumers' interest in the telecom sector. Sharma said, there is a regulatory imbalance because these entities are not following any law and till the government comes up with a broad framework, it is but prudent to apply telecom rules on them. Replying to a query, Sharma said TRAI is not for applying same encryption standards for different sectors including telecom or Aadhar. "There are different rules for different sectors. For example in telecoms, the maximum encryption is proposed to be 40 bits. UIDAI has the highest level of encryption where it is 2048 bits. So, what we are saying is that probably there is a need to have a general policy on encryption and we are not saying that we should apply same encryption standard," he said. Sharma said the encryption standard should be proportional to the security that needs to be achieved.

Three bodies have been recovered by the National Disaster Response Force at the site of the building collapse in Greater Noida. Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident, one is the builder and his two associates. However, the necessary action and rescue operation not adequate.

Greater Noida building collapse: Necessary action and rescue operation not adequate

The IMD has forecast a good monsoon this year. This brings cheer to farmers and many others who depend on agriculture. The same hope though is not held out about the Monsoon Session of Parliament that begins today.

Relations between the government and Opposition parties have remained in a cynical stalemate since at least the Winter Session of Parliament last year. The Budget Session was also an almost wash out with even the Budget itself getting passed without debate or discussion.&nbsp;

The opposition parties had tried unsuccessfully, and perhaps prematurely, to move a no-confidence motion during the Budget Session mainly because they were outmaneuvered by the BJP that was said to have tacitly backed AIADMK and TDP disruptions. Citing ‘lack of order’ in the House the Speaker disallowed the opposition’s no-confidence motion.&nbsp;

Opposition’s No-confidence&nbsp;motion&nbsp;a Symbolic Victory?&nbsp;

It’s not an easy question to answer. Even though BJP’s tally of seats&nbsp;hovers around&nbsp;the majority figure of 272, it&nbsp;still has a&nbsp;brute majority in the&nbsp;Lok&nbsp;Sabha&nbsp;and can easily win the trust-vote.&nbsp;But giving Opposition hope is the fact that&nbsp;a lot has happened since the Budget session. BJP’s failure to dislodge Congress from power in Karnataka where the grand old party managed to muster an alliance with arch rival&nbsp;JD(S)&nbsp;and the subsequent show of opposition unity at the swearing-in of&nbsp;Kumaraswamy&nbsp;as Chief Minister has induced a new energy among opposition ranks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The consolidation of Opposition unity has also been tested successfully at the various&nbsp;Lok&nbsp;Sabha&nbsp;bypolls. 
 
In UP,&nbsp;Bahujan&nbsp;Samaj&nbsp;Party’s&nbsp;Mayawati&nbsp;and&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;Yadav&nbsp;of&nbsp;Samajwadi&nbsp;Party have shown&nbsp;the&nbsp;way by winning three by&nbsp;bypolls&nbsp;including the Gorakhpur seat, which was considered a BJP bastion and which was held by Chief Minister&nbsp;Adityanath.&nbsp;Lately, the two parties joined hands with the&nbsp;Rashtriya&nbsp;Lok&nbsp;Dal and were able to win oust BJP from&nbsp;Kairana&nbsp;Lok&nbsp;Sabha&nbsp;seat, which has further bolstered the opposition.&nbsp;In Maharashtra too, BJP lost one of two&nbsp;Lok&nbsp;Sabha&nbsp;bypolls&nbsp;to NCP-Congress combine.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In&nbsp;bypolls&nbsp;held in Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya, non-BJP parties have performed well and won most of the&nbsp;bypolls. In&nbsp;Meghalaya where Congress had been ousted from government by a BJP-engineered coalition, it&nbsp;is once again the&nbsp;single-largest party after it won the&nbsp;Ampati&nbsp;bypoll.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Outside the Parliament, things are certainly looking better for the opposition compared to the last monsoon session when it was on shakier ground and had still not come together to fight elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Skyrocketing fuel and food prices, the cascading effects of US-China trade war on our economy, and the crumbling state of public sector banks have all negatively impacted both the average Indian consumer and investor confidence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The perception of&nbsp;jobless&nbsp;and insipid growth,&nbsp;an increasingly fragile state of law and order with a&nbsp;spate of mob killings,&nbsp;and crucial judicial developments such as the alleged dilution of the Atrocities Act- all these give enough firepower to the Opposition’s plans to corner the government. But, as we have seen in the past sessions, only a united Opposition can outsmart the treasury benches inside the house. The presence of even one chink in its unity can derail Opposition plans. 
 
Though nobody expects the no-confidence motion to pass,&nbsp;the fact that it has been&nbsp;moved&nbsp;gives the Opposition&nbsp;a symbolic victory&nbsp;and morale booster&nbsp;ahead of the next round of assembly elections, and the general elections next year. Now that&nbsp;the no-confidence motion has been moved we can perhaps hope that once it is over the Parliament can carry on with its primary&nbsp;job-to deliberate on laws and policies- no less than 18 new Bills are to be introduced in the Parliament, and a total of 108 pending Bills (both Houses) need to be taken up in this session.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

No less than 18 new Bills are to be introduced in the Parliament, and a total of 108 pending bills need to be taken up in this session.

The IMD has forecast a good monsoon this year. This brings cheer to farmers and many others who depend on agriculture. The same hope though is not held out about the Monsoon Session of Parliament that begins today. Relations between the government and Opposition parties have remained in a cynical stalemate since at least the Winter Session of Parliament last year. The Budget Session was also an almost wash out with even the Budget itself getting passed without debate or discussion. The opposition parties had tried unsuccessfully, and perhaps prematurely, to move a no-confidence motion during the Budget Session mainly because they were outmaneuvered by the BJP that was said to have tacitly backed AIADMK and TDP disruptions. Citing ‘lack of order’ in the House the Speaker disallowed the opposition’s no-confidence motion. Opposition’s No-confidence motion a Symbolic Victory? It’s not an easy question to answer. Even though BJP’s tally of seats hovers around the majority figure of 272, it still has a brute majority in the Lok Sabha and can easily win the trust-vote. But giving Opposition hope is the fact that a lot has happened since the Budget session. BJP’s failure to dislodge Congress from power in Karnataka where the grand old party managed to muster an alliance with arch rival JD(S) and the subsequent show of opposition unity at the swearing-in of Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister has induced a new energy among opposition ranks. The consolidation of Opposition unity has also been tested successfully at the various Lok Sabha bypolls. In UP, Bahujan Samaj Party’s Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party have shown the way by winning three by bypolls including the Gorakhpur seat, which was considered a BJP bastion and which was held by Chief Minister Adityanath. Lately, the two parties joined hands with the Rashtriya Lok Dal and were able to win oust BJP from Kairana Lok Sabha seat, which has further bolstered the opposition. In Maharashtra too, BJP lost one of two Lok Sabha bypolls to NCP-Congress combine. In bypolls held in Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya, non-BJP parties have performed well and won most of the bypolls. In Meghalaya where Congress had been ousted from government by a BJP-engineered coalition, it is once again the single-largest party after it won the Ampati bypoll. Outside the Parliament, things are certainly looking better for the opposition compared to the last monsoon session when it was on shakier ground and had still not come together to fight elections. Skyrocketing fuel and food prices, the cascading effects of US-China trade war on our economy, and the crumbling state of public sector banks have all negatively impacted both the average Indian consumer and investor confidence. The perception of jobless and insipid growth, an increasingly fragile state of law and order with a spate of mob killings, and crucial judicial developments such as the alleged dilution of the Atrocities Act- all these give enough firepower to the Opposition’s plans to corner the government. But, as we have seen in the past sessions, only a united Opposition can outsmart the treasury benches inside the house. The presence of even one chink in its unity can derail Opposition plans. Though nobody expects the no-confidence motion to pass, the fact that it has been moved gives the Opposition a symbolic victory and morale booster ahead of the next round of assembly elections, and the general elections next year. Now that the no-confidence motion has been moved we can perhaps hope that once it is over the Parliament can carry on with its primary job-to deliberate on laws and policies- no less than 18 new Bills are to be introduced in the Parliament, and a total of 108 pending Bills (both Houses) need to be taken up in this session. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Give us a good Monsoon Session

A hospital in Bengaluru has registered its first case of texting addiction.

With the growth of mobile usage in India, Bengaluru based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences or NIMHANS has registered the first case of texting addiction of a 19-year-old.

The 19-year-old patient was spending 8-10 hours on the phone responding to an average of 200 texts every day. The addiction was identified at the service for healthy use of technology or SHUT clinic when the patient showed an inability to stay away from her mobile phone.&nbsp;

Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Co-ordinator of SHUT Clinic, NIMHANS said that the patient used to develop psychological problems such as irritability, anger whenever she was asked to restrain herself from texting.&nbsp;

The doctor said that due to the excessive texting habit the girl was not taking out time for social activities and texting had become the first and the foremost thing in her life.&nbsp;

The clinic assessed the impact of the texting behaviour on the girl and gave her a feedback that texting was becoming a compulsive behaviour and the excessive texting was having an adverse impact on her activities.

The doctor further said that initially,&nbsp;the girl was not willing for the treatment&nbsp;however later the clinic convinced.

After conducting clinical interviews, NIMHANS has started&nbsp;working on the treatment of the teenager.

The treatment involves making the patient face the reality of her situation and then slowly wean her away from her mobile phone.&nbsp;

Though this is the first registered case, experts feel that there are many serious ramifications of early exposure to technology. A recent research had shown that an average young adult sends around 110 text messages every day.&nbsp;

Swarnalath Iyer, Psychologist who is actively involved in counselling students says that most youngsters use mobile phone as a comforter to counter the social anxiety that they face in the real world.&nbsp;

The 19-year-old patient was spending 8-10 hours on the phone responding to an average of 200 texts every day. The addiction was identified at the service for healthy use of technology or SHUT clinic when the patient showed an inability to stay away from her mobile phone

A hospital in Bengaluru has registered its first case of texting addiction. With the growth of mobile usage in India, Bengaluru based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences or NIMHANS has registered the first case of texting addiction of a 19-year-old. The 19-year-old patient was spending 8-10 hours on the phone responding to an average of 200 texts every day. The addiction was identified at the service for healthy use of technology or SHUT clinic when the patient showed an inability to stay away from her mobile phone. Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Co-ordinator of SHUT Clinic, NIMHANS said that the patient used to develop psychological problems such as irritability, anger whenever she was asked to restrain herself from texting. The doctor said that due to the excessive texting habit the girl was not taking out time for social activities and texting had become the first and the foremost thing in her life. The clinic assessed the impact of the texting behaviour on the girl and gave her a feedback that texting was becoming a compulsive behaviour and the excessive texting was having an adverse impact on her activities. The doctor further said that initially, the girl was not willing for the treatment however later the clinic convinced. After conducting clinical interviews, NIMHANS has started working on the treatment of the teenager. The treatment involves making the patient face the reality of her situation and then slowly wean her away from her mobile phone. Though this is the first registered case, experts feel that there are many serious ramifications of early exposure to technology. A recent research had shown that an average young adult sends around 110 text messages every day. Swarnalath Iyer, Psychologist who is actively involved in counselling students says that most youngsters use mobile phone as a comforter to counter the social anxiety that they face in the real world.

Bengaluru hospital registers first case of texting addiction

By Manish Shukla

China will soon be delivering eight submarines — the deal had been struck earlier — to Pakistan.&nbsp;

The delivery is expected to tilt the balance of power in the Indian Ocean.

India currently has 16 submarines, Pakistan has 10. With the additional eight submarines, Pakistan will have more submarines in its waters than India.&nbsp;

Along with the submarines, China will also be giving Pakistan anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, missile boats, corvettes, surface-to-air missiles, and combat aerial drones.&nbsp;

The ASW helicopters are able to detect and hunt down enemy submarines hidden underwater.&nbsp;

Defence ministry sources said Chinese naval officers were recently spotted training their Pakistani counterparts on the new weapons at Wuhan Naval Base.

China is also building Pakistan a forward operating base at Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan. And setting up a VLF (very low frequency) communication station at Karachi port. The VLF station is expected to help Pakistan communicate with its submarines.&nbsp;

India is currently bulding&nbsp;six&nbsp;Scorpene-class submarines.

The third of them, the Karanj, was launched in January this year but the pace of India's defence modernisation, compared to China-aided Pakistan's, has been slow.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Along with the submarines, China will also be giving Pakistan anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, missile boats, corvettes, surface-to-air missiles, and combat aerial drones.

By Manish Shukla China will soon be delivering eight submarines — the deal had been struck earlier — to Pakistan. The delivery is expected to tilt the balance of power in the Indian Ocean. India currently has 16 submarines, Pakistan has 10. With the additional eight submarines, Pakistan will have more submarines in its waters than India. Along with the submarines, China will also be giving Pakistan anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, missile boats, corvettes, surface-to-air missiles, and combat aerial drones. The ASW helicopters are able to detect and hunt down enemy submarines hidden underwater. Defence ministry sources said Chinese naval officers were recently spotted training their Pakistani counterparts on the new weapons at Wuhan Naval Base. China is also building Pakistan a forward operating base at Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan. And setting up a VLF (very low frequency) communication station at Karachi port. The VLF station is expected to help Pakistan communicate with its submarines. India is currently bulding six Scorpene-class submarines. The third of them, the Karanj, was launched in January this year but the pace of India's defence modernisation, compared to China-aided Pakistan's, has been slow.

China to soon deliver 8 submarines to Pakistan, expected to tilt balance of power in Indian Ocean

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has removed party vice-chairperson and national coordinator Jaiprakash Singh after he called Congress president Rahul Gandhi unfit for the prime ministerial post.

While addressing a press conference in the capital on Tuesday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also mentioned about Singh's speech in which he spoke against her party's ideology.

"I came to know about BSP national coordinator Jai Prakash Singh's speech in which he spoke against the ideology of BSP and also made personal remarks against the leadership of rival parties. It's his personal opinion.

So, he has been removed from his post with immediate effect," said Mayawati.

She warned party cadres against committing similar mistakes. Instead, the party workers were advised to speak only about the party's ideology and senior leaders who have inspired millions of people in the past.

She categorically told party's rank and file not to disclose any information about the party's prospective alliances for the upcoming polls.

"In Uttar Pradesh and other states as well, until an alliance with a party is announced, members of the Bahujan Samaj Party should refrain from speaking anything about it at any level. They should leave it to the high command, " said BSP supremo.

Mayawati also advised her party leaders that while addressing public meetings they should read from written speeches rather than speaking extempore. This practice would help avoid the scope of committing a mistake.

"I suggest that each leader of the BSP should first write their views on a piece of paper before giving out any speech in public, " she said.

Mayawati also advised her party leaders that while addressing public meetings they should read from written speeches rather than speaking extempore.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has removed party vice-chairperson and national coordinator Jaiprakash Singh after he called Congress president Rahul Gandhi unfit for the prime ministerial post. While addressing a press conference in the capital on Tuesday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also mentioned about Singh's speech in which he spoke against her party's ideology. "I came to know about BSP national coordinator Jai Prakash Singh's speech in which he spoke against the ideology of BSP and also made personal remarks against the leadership of rival parties. It's his personal opinion. So, he has been removed from his post with immediate effect," said Mayawati. She warned party cadres against committing similar mistakes. Instead, the party workers were advised to speak only about the party's ideology and senior leaders who have inspired millions of people in the past. She categorically told party's rank and file not to disclose any information about the party's prospective alliances for the upcoming polls. "In Uttar Pradesh and other states as well, until an alliance with a party is announced, members of the Bahujan Samaj Party should refrain from speaking anything about it at any level. They should leave it to the high command, " said BSP supremo. Mayawati also advised her party leaders that while addressing public meetings they should read from written speeches rather than speaking extempore. This practice would help avoid the scope of committing a mistake. "I suggest that each leader of the BSP should first write their views on a piece of paper before giving out any speech in public, " she said.

Mayawati removes BSP leader from post for Rahul Gandhi comment

Taking a strong stand over several incidents of mob lynchings in the country, the Supreme Court has urged the Parliament to create a separate law to deal with cases of mob violence.

Supreme Court urges Parliament to create separate law for mob violence

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Parliament to make a law to deal with lynching.&nbsp;

"Horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be allowed to become new norm and has to be curbed with iron hands," the court said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Violence by vigilante groups/cow vigilantism: Supreme Court says, "no citizen can take law into their own hands. In case of fear and anarchy, the state has to act positively. Violence can't be allowed." <a href="https://t.co/ryE18JbTCP">pic.twitter.com/ryE18JbTCP</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1019086256096063488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Supreme Court has said that it is the duty of the states to ensure inclusive social order, no mobocracy can be allowed: Tehseen Poonawalla, Petitioner in violence by vigilante groups matter <a href="https://t.co/pwRvCUAqNF">pic.twitter.com/pwRvCUAqNF</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1019090656520785920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We were confident that Supreme Court would give us justice. No one should be killed in the name of cow smuggling: Salim, brother of the victim killed by cow vigilante groups in Hapur <a href="https://t.co/13txTgjWYB">pic.twitter.com/13txTgjWYB</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1019098855223250944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

There have been a plethora of lynchings in the recent past. Most of them are sparked by rumours of child-lifting, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pehlu-khan-lynching-rajasthan-police-gives-clean-chit-to-6-accused-20205">cow slaughter</a>, or the consumption of beef.&nbsp;

According to news reports, some 29 people have so far been lynched as a result of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/5-lynched-in-maharashtra-on-suspicion-of-being-child-lifters-148227">child-lifting rumours</a>, and close to 20 because of the rumours of cow slaughter and beef consumption.&nbsp;

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM&nbsp;Khanwilkar, and Justice DY Chandrachud has been hearing a plea asking for the formulation of guidelines to curb such vigilantism

The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed the matter for further hearing on August 28.&nbsp;

The US government meanwhile has reopened an investigation into the 1955 lynching of black teenager Emmett Till in Mississippi, saying it had discovered new information in the case, which helped spark the nation’s civil rights movement.&nbsp;

In August 1955, Till was beaten, shot and mutilated in Money, Mississippi, four days after it was alleged that the black 14-year-old from Chicago had flirted with a white woman.

The woman’s husband, Roy Bryant, and JW Milam were charged with Till’s murder, but the two white men were later acquitted of the crime by an all-white jury. The pair later confessed in a paid magazine interview to abducting and killing the teenager. The two men have since died, in 1994 and 1981, respectively.

“We are happy that they got new evidence to reopen the case. It’s just kind of sad that it’s taken so long,” Charles Hampton, president of the Mississippi NAACP, told Reuters.

The federal case regarding Till was closed in 2007 after the Justice Department had earlier concluded it could no longer prosecute the case. It was referred the district attorney in Mississippi, where a grand jury declined to issue new charges, the department said.

Interest in the case was revived in 2017 with the publication of the book, “The Blood of Emmett Till,” which reportedly quotes the white woman in the case, Carolyn Bryant Donham, saying she had lied when she testified against Till.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

'Horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be allowed to become new norm and has to be curbed with iron hands,' the court said.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Parliament to make a law to deal with lynching. "Horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be allowed to become new norm and has to be curbed with iron hands," the court said. Violence by vigilante groups/cow vigilantism: Supreme Court says, "no citizen can take law into their own hands. In case of fear and anarchy, the state has to act positively. Violence can't be allowed." pic.twitter.com/ryE18JbTCP — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2018 × Supreme Court has said that it is the duty of the states to ensure inclusive social order, no mobocracy can be allowed: Tehseen Poonawalla, Petitioner in violence by vigilante groups matter pic.twitter.com/pwRvCUAqNF — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2018 × We were confident that Supreme Court would give us justice. No one should be killed in the name of cow smuggling: Salim, brother of the victim killed by cow vigilante groups in Hapur pic.twitter.com/13txTgjWYB — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 17, 2018 × There have been a plethora of lynchings in the recent past. Most of them are sparked by rumours of child-lifting, cow slaughter, or the consumption of beef. According to news reports, some 29 people have so far been lynched as a result of the child-lifting rumours, and close to 20 because of the rumours of cow slaughter and beef consumption. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar, and Justice DY Chandrachud has been hearing a plea asking for the formulation of guidelines to curb such vigilantism The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed the matter for further hearing on August 28. The US government meanwhile has reopened an investigation into the 1955 lynching of black teenager Emmett Till in Mississippi, saying it had discovered new information in the case, which helped spark the nation’s civil rights movement. In August 1955, Till was beaten, shot and mutilated in Money, Mississippi, four days after it was alleged that the black 14-year-old from Chicago had flirted with a white woman. The woman’s husband, Roy Bryant, and JW Milam were charged with Till’s murder, but the two white men were later acquitted of the crime by an all-white jury. The pair later confessed in a paid magazine interview to abducting and killing the teenager. The two men have since died, in 1994 and 1981, respectively. “We are happy that they got new evidence to reopen the case. It’s just kind of sad that it’s taken so long,” Charles Hampton, president of the Mississippi NAACP, told Reuters. The federal case regarding Till was closed in 2007 after the Justice Department had earlier concluded it could no longer prosecute the case. It was referred the district attorney in Mississippi, where a grand jury declined to issue new charges, the department said. Interest in the case was revived in 2017 with the publication of the book, “The Blood of Emmett Till,” which reportedly quotes the white woman in the case, Carolyn Bryant Donham, saying she had lied when she testified against Till. (With inputs from Reuters)

Supreme Court asks Parliament to make law to deal with lynching

A video has reportedly emerged showing Naxals allegedly running a school in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur.&nbsp;

ANI reported that the school was training children. &nbsp;

Bastar DIG Ratan Lal Dangi however told ANI that "we have not got any evidence regarding this."&nbsp;

He added that "most of their (the Naxals') camps have been destroyed now and their cadres have surrendered before the police."

He however said that there is a "there is a possibility that something of this sort may have existed in the past."&nbsp;

Dangi added that "Naxals have always tried to involve the youth and children in their cadre by brainwashing them."&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Something like this may have existed in past.Naxals always tried to involve youth&children in their cadre: DIG Bastar RL Dangi on video of Maoist schools in area. (Earlier tweet deleted as it had archival shots of Maoist school in'13, was part of a feature story. Error regretted) <a href="https://t.co/aKFQL5ywVD">pic.twitter.com/aKFQL5ywVD</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1019062704584224768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

ANI however did not release the purported video.&nbsp;

Bastar DIG Ratan Lal Dangi said 'we have not got any evidence regarding this' but added 'there is a possibility that something of this sort may have existed in the past'

A video has reportedly emerged showing Naxals allegedly running a school in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur. ANI reported that the school was training children. Bastar DIG Ratan Lal Dangi however told ANI that "we have not got any evidence regarding this." He added that "most of their (the Naxals') camps have been destroyed now and their cadres have surrendered before the police." He however said that there is a "there is a possibility that something of this sort may have existed in the past." Dangi added that "Naxals have always tried to involve the youth and children in their cadre by brainwashing them." Something like this may have existed in past.Naxals always tried to involve youth&children in their cadre: DIG Bastar RL Dangi on video of Maoist schools in area. (Earlier tweet deleted as it had archival shots of Maoist school in'13, was part of a feature story. Error regretted) pic.twitter.com/aKFQL5ywVD — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2018 × ANI however did not release the purported video.

Video shows Naxals allegedly running school in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

The International Monetary Fund has forecasted a growth rate of 7.3 per cent in 2018 and 7.5 per cent in 2019 for India as against 6.7 per cent in 2017, making it the fastest growing country among major economies.

IMF growth projections for India: India's growth rate to rise from 6.7% to 7.3%

The incident took place in Navi Mumbai's Taloja. There have recently been heavy monsoon rains in Mumbai

Mumbai: Car submerged under water, locals pull family to safety with rope

In an online video, a group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers can be seen breaking road in front of Mantralaya in Mumbai. The workers were protesting increased numbers of potholes in the city and associated deaths. The incident occurred last night.&nbsp

The 20-second long video clip shows agitated MNS workers break the road in front of the Mantralaya demanding better, pothole-free roads cross the 'Maximus'&nbspcity.&nbsp

MNS workers also vandalised a PWD office in Navi Mumbai over pothole-related deaths in the state. A video showed party workers throwing chairs and other objects in the PWD office.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> MNS workers break road in front of Mantralaya in Mumbai to protest against potholes in the city, late last night. <a href="https://t.co/IiSn7J8DFl">pic.twitter.com/IiSn7J8DFl</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1019072115604148225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Meanwhile, Maharashtra PWD minister Chandrakant Patil, who earlier got criticised for claiming that potholes cannot be entirely blamed for accidents, said he didn't mean to hurt anyone's sentiments.

"I did not mean to hurt anyone's sentiments. I had made a general statement," Patil told ANI.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers vandalise the office of Public Works Department in Navi Mumbai over incidents of pothole deaths in the state. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/IT4qQpfMAW">pic.twitter.com/IT4qQpfMAW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1018752017232224256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Last week, a man in Maharashtra's Kalyan was crushed to death by a truck after he fell off his scooter that tripped on a pothole.

"Five people have died so far due to potholes in Kalyan. Municipal Corporation will not fill the potholes until an important person dies due to them," ANI quoted a Mumbai resident.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp

Last week, a man in Maharashtra's Kalyan was crushed to death by a truck after he fell off his scooter that tripped on a pothole.

In an online video, a group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers can be seen breaking road in front of Mantralaya in Mumbai. The workers were protesting increased numbers of potholes in the city and associated deaths. The incident occurred last night. The 20-second long video clip shows agitated MNS workers break the road in front of the Mantralaya demanding better, pothole-free roads cross the 'Maximus'&nbspcity. MNS workers also vandalised a PWD office in Navi Mumbai over pothole-related deaths in the state. A video showed party workers throwing chairs and other objects in the PWD office. #WATCH MNS workers break road in front of Mantralaya in Mumbai to protest against potholes in the city, late last night. pic.twitter.com/IiSn7J8DFl — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2018 × Meanwhile, Maharashtra PWD minister Chandrakant Patil, who earlier got criticised for claiming that potholes cannot be entirely blamed for accidents, said he didn't mean to hurt anyone's sentiments. "I did not mean to hurt anyone's sentiments. I had made a general statement," Patil told ANI. #WATCH: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers vandalise the office of Public Works Department in Navi Mumbai over incidents of pothole deaths in the state. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/IT4qQpfMAW — ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018 × Last week, a man in Maharashtra's Kalyan was crushed to death by a truck after he fell off his scooter that tripped on a pothole. "Five people have died so far due to potholes in Kalyan. Municipal Corporation will not fill the potholes until an important person dies due to them," ANI quoted a Mumbai resident. (With inputs from ANI)

Watch: MNS workers break road in Mumbai protesting pothole-led deaths 

A high-level delegation from the US today held crucial talks with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale over the US sanctions on import of Iranian oil amid indications that Washington may offer exemption to some countries from the restrictions.

The delegation led by Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea also held separate talks with top officials of the Finance Ministry.

Official sources said the issue of US sanctions on import of Iranian oil figured in the talks the delegation had with Gokhale who explained to it India's position on the matter.

On the US sanctions, the government has been maintaining that it will go by what is in the country's national interest.

It was not immediately clear whether Gokhale requested the US delegation to consider providing India some waiver from the sanctions.

The talks here came on a day US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin reportedly said in Washington that US may consider providing waivers from the sanctions to some countries which require time to cut import of oil from Iran.

India has also been hoping that it will get some relief from the sanctions.

The US delegation is here as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reach out to countries who are major importers of oil from Iran.

The government is yet to take decision on cutting import of oil from Iran in compliance with the US sanctions.

There were no official comments from the Indian and the US side.

Yesterday, India and Iran had extensive deliberations on ways to deal with the impact of the US sanctions and decided that both the countries will maintain the momentum of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.

In May, the Trump administration had pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and brought back economic sanctions against Tehran.

The US has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from the Gulf nation to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions. India is yet to take a call on complying with the US sanctions on Iran.

The first set of US sanctions will kick in from August 6.

Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil between April 2017 and January 2018 (first 10 months of fiscal 2017-18).

Earlier this month, government sources said India is looking at the possibility of falling back on the rupee-rial arrangement for importing oil from Iran in the wake of US sanctions.

The rupee-rial arrangement was used to buy oil from Iran before sanctions were lifted against it three years ago.

Under the mechanism, India used to pay in euros to clear 55 per cent of its dues through Ankara-based Halk bank. The remaining 45 per cent payment was remitted in rupees in accounts Iranian oil companies had with the Uco Bank.&nbsp

Official sources said the issue of US sanctions on import of Iranian oil figured in the talks the delegation had with Gokhale who explained to it India's position on the matter

A high-level delegation from the US today held crucial talks with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale over the US sanctions on import of Iranian oil amid indications that Washington may offer exemption to some countries from the restrictions. The delegation led by Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea also held separate talks with top officials of the Finance Ministry. Official sources said the issue of US sanctions on import of Iranian oil figured in the talks the delegation had with Gokhale who explained to it India's position on the matter. On the US sanctions, the government has been maintaining that it will go by what is in the country's national interest. It was not immediately clear whether Gokhale requested the US delegation to consider providing India some waiver from the sanctions. The talks here came on a day US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin reportedly said in Washington that US may consider providing waivers from the sanctions to some countries which require time to cut import of oil from Iran. India has also been hoping that it will get some relief from the sanctions. The US delegation is here as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reach out to countries who are major importers of oil from Iran. The government is yet to take decision on cutting import of oil from Iran in compliance with the US sanctions. There were no official comments from the Indian and the US side. Yesterday, India and Iran had extensive deliberations on ways to deal with the impact of the US sanctions and decided that both the countries will maintain the momentum of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation. In May, the Trump administration had pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and brought back economic sanctions against Tehran. The US has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from the Gulf nation to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions. India is yet to take a call on complying with the US sanctions on Iran. The first set of US sanctions will kick in from August 6. Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil between April 2017 and January 2018 (first 10 months of fiscal 2017-18). Earlier this month, government sources said India is looking at the possibility of falling back on the rupee-rial arrangement for importing oil from Iran in the wake of US sanctions. The rupee-rial arrangement was used to buy oil from Iran before sanctions were lifted against it three years ago. Under the mechanism, India used to pay in euros to clear 55 per cent of its dues through Ankara-based Halk bank. The remaining 45 per cent payment was remitted in rupees in accounts Iranian oil companies had with the Uco Bank.

Oil import from Iran: India, US hold crucial talks

india-news

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news

india news

Sonia Gandhi said on trust vote: 'Who says we don't have the numbers?'

Debate on no-trust motion in Lok Sabha on Friday, BJP remains unperturbed

Over 300 corruption cases registered by CBI this year: Government in Parliament

IAF pilot dies after MiG-21 fighter jet crashes in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district

An Amarnath pilgrim dies in Jammu, 27 death reported in the ongoing 'Yatra'

In pictures: 4 dead after six-storey building falls on 4-storey building in Greater Noida

Apps should collect minimal data like Aadhar: TRAI chief

No-confidence motion admitted against Narendra Modi government

Disappointed over Kashmir human rights report criticism: UNHCR

To grow tomatoes in off season, Bengal farmers adopt Israeli greenhouse technique

Many states denied representation in Congress Working Committee

Pilot missing after MiG-21 crashes in Himachal Pradesh

'This was pre-planned,' Swami Agnivesh says after mob attack

Apps should collect minimal data like Aadhar: TRAI chief

Greater Noida building collapse: Necessary action and rescue operation not adequate

Opinion: Give us a good Monsoon Session

Bengaluru hospital registers first case of texting addiction

China to soon deliver 8 submarines to Pakistan, expected to tilt balance of power in Indian Ocean

Mayawati removes BSP leader from post for Rahul Gandhi comment

Supreme Court urges Parliament to create separate law for mob violence

Supreme Court asks Parliament to make law to deal with lynching

Video shows Naxals allegedly running school in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

IMF growth projections for India: India's growth rate to rise from 6.7% to 7.3%

Mumbai: Car submerged under water, locals pull family to safety with rope

Watch: MNS workers break road in Mumbai protesting pothole-led deaths

Oil import from Iran: India, US hold crucial talks