In a moving ceremony, India's external affairs minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday handed over the holy relic of St. Queen Ketevan to the Government of Georgia.

Indian FM begins Georgia visit: India hands holy relic to Georgia

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias speaks to WION on new India-Grecce ties. He said Greece as an EU Member-State has the capacity to act as a bridge between the European Union and India. Watch this report to know more.

WION speaks to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias

An Indian-origin man, Pardeep Singh, who is 24-years-old, has been arrested in Canada for allegedly smuggling about 112.5 kg of cocaine to the United States. He was arrested after a commercial truck driven by him entered Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in Ontario and was pulled aside for a secondary examination.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), district director Kim Upper hailed the seizure as an “integral role” of the agency. In a statement, he said, “Our officers have interrupted the smuggling attempt of a massive amount of narcotics, and have put a full stop to the ripple effect these narcotics would have in neighbourhoods across our country,”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-going-to-happen-for-quite-a-while-canada-wont-allow-unvaccinated-tourists-396969">Also read |&nbsp;'Not going to happen for quite a while': Canada won't allow unvaccinated tourists</a>

The agency further revealed that the border agents discovered the cocaine, estimated at $14 million, inside five duffle bags.&nbsp; 
Singh was arrested and transferred to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and has been charged with the importation of a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

An Indian-origin man, Pardeep Singh, who is 24-years-old, has been arrested in Canada for allegedly smuggling about 112.5 kg of cocaine to the United States. He was arrested after a commercial truck driven by him entered Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in Ontario and was pulled aside for a secondary examination.

An Indian-origin man, Pardeep Singh, who is 24-years-old, has been arrested in Canada for allegedly smuggling about 112.5 kg of cocaine to the United States. He was arrested after a commercial truck driven by him entered Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in Ontario and was pulled aside for a secondary examination. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), district director Kim Upper hailed the seizure as an “integral role” of the agency. In a statement, he said, “Our officers have interrupted the smuggling attempt of a massive amount of narcotics, and have put a full stop to the ripple effect these narcotics would have in neighbourhoods across our country,”. Also read | 'Not going to happen for quite a while': Canada won't allow unvaccinated tourists The agency further revealed that the border agents discovered the cocaine, estimated at $14 million, inside five duffle bags. Singh was arrested and transferred to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and has been charged with the importation of a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Indian-origin man arrested in Canada for smuggling 112 kg cocaine

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a visit to Russia, where he said that the relationship between India and Russia has been among the steadiest in the world and called for constant nurturing of the bilateral ties that have remained strong years after the Second World War.

New India-Russia partnerships will be explored says EAM Jaishankar

Amid violence in Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has visited Iran & Russia. The Taliban was holding talks at the same time in both countries. Was it a coincidence or an indication of India's backchannel talks with Taliban?

Gravitas: India's backchannel talks with Taliban

The matches of India's visit through Sri Lanka are set to be rescheduled following positive cases of COVID-19 to members from the Sri Lankan team, comprehends Cricbuzz.&nbsp;

The three-match ODI series, which was scheduled to start on July 13 is currently liable to begin on July 17 or 18, with the host board wants their players to serve an extended period of isolation.&nbsp;The decision comes after batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst G. T. Niroshan were recently tested positive for COVID-19 on their return from the England tour.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/cricket-new-look-england-thrash-pakistan-in-odi-opener-396915" hreflang="en">Cricket: New-look England thrash Pakistan in ODI opener</a>

Sri Lanka Cricket is set to announce the changed schedule of the matches to the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the telecasters on Saturday.&nbsp;

As indicated by the previous schedule, the three ODIs were to be played from July 13 to 18 followed by the three T20Is which were scheduled from July 21 to 25 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The matches of India's visit through Sri Lanka are set to be rescheduled following positive cases of COVID-19 to members from the Sri Lankan team, comprehends Cricbuzz.

The matches of India's visit through Sri Lanka are set to be rescheduled following positive cases of COVID-19 to members from the Sri Lankan team, comprehends Cricbuzz. The three-match ODI series, which was scheduled to start on July 13 is currently liable to begin on July 17 or 18, with the host board wants their players to serve an extended period of isolation. The decision comes after batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst G. T. Niroshan were recently tested positive for COVID-19 on their return from the England tour. ALSO READ: Cricket: New-look England thrash Pakistan in ODI opener Sri Lanka Cricket is set to announce the changed schedule of the matches to the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the telecasters on Saturday. As indicated by the previous schedule, the three ODIs were to be played from July 13 to 18 followed by the three T20Is which were scheduled from July 21 to 25 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Cricket: Sri Lanka vs India series set to be rescheduled: Reports

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is all set to begin his engagements in Moscow today (Thursday) as he began his 3 days Russia visit. Jaishankar will hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, during the visit. The key focus during his visit will be on Afghanistan as US troops depart from the war-torn country.

Indian FM Jaishankar to hold talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov

Indian cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undergone an overhaul. A total of 43 leaders took oath as ministers in a ceremony held in the Darbar Hall of the President's House on Wednesday.

Indian PM Modi reshuffles cabinet: 43 new ministers sworn in at President's House

Twitter has informed the Delhi High Court that it has appointed an interim Chief Compliance Officer for India and will make other key appointments soon. Twitter further said that it needed eight weeks' time to appoint a grievance officer in India in compliance with the new IT rules.

Twitter appoints interim Chief Compliance Officer for India, yet to fill other posts

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday slammed Twitter for inordinate delay in making key appointments in compliance with the country’s new digital laws. The high court also directed Twitter to explain why no new India-based grievance officer has been appointed after the resignation of Dharmendra Chatur on June 21.

How long does your process take?: Delhi HC slams Twitter for delay in key appointments

The Indian Embassy in Kabul described reports stating that India is closing its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan in view of escalating violence as incorrect. They added that they are closely monitoring the evolving security situation.

Indian Embassy describes reports saying India closing its mission in Afghanistan as false

The US coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region Kurt Campbell said that US President Joe Biden will host a Quad meeting with the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan this year. Campbell made the remarks at an event hosted by the Asia Society think tank.

Joe Biden to host Indian PM Modi & other Quad leaders this year

India denies report of closing Afghan consulates

In a bid to further ease its travel curbs, Germany lifted a ban on travellers from India, the UK, and three other countries, where the delta variant of coronavirus has been found in the samples of COVID-19 patients.

Germany eases travel curbs, lifts ban on travellers from India and UK

India's vaccination booking application CoWIN has gone global. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement during CoWIN global conclave. Till now around 50 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama and Uganda, have shown interest in adopting the app.

CoWIN app goes global, over 50 countries show interest

The Indian government has told Delhi High Court that Twitter has failed to comply with the country's new IT rules. The center in an affidavit filed said that any non-compliance amounts to a breach of provisions to IT rules leading to Twitter losing its immunity confirmed under the IT act.

Indian govt to Delhi High Court: Twitter fails to comply with IT rules

Highlighting the significance of the Indo-Pacific vision and its role in current geopolitics, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that it "represents a return of history" and "reflects the reality of globalization" and "emergence of multi-polarity and the benefits of rebalancing".

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 1st edition of the Indo-Pacific Business Summit, EAM said, "seamless and integrated space was disconnected decades ago" but as "many Indian Ocean economies trade further east and as Pacific ones too have displayed a presence south and westwards, we are quite sensibly seeing the landscape for what it really is".

Indo-Pacific as a vision, whose geographical boundaries are from eastern shores of Africa to the western shores of Americas is backed by Delhi and Washington. The term is increasingly gaining currency in recent time, with many European, ASEAN and African countries backing it.

EAM explained&nbsp;the vision, saying&nbsp;"[it] means the overcoming of the Cold War and a rejection of bipolarity and dominance" and is an "expression of our collective interest in promoting global prosperity and securing the global commons."

During the address he pointed out to the "salience of health" amid the Covid crisis, the "power of the digital", urging&nbsp;"like minded countries must work together for data driven digital development partnerships" while highlighting&nbsp;"the importance of building or re-building greener".

The virtual meet saw participation of Maldives FM Abdulla Shahid, Australia FM Marise Payne, Mauritius's FM Alan Ganoo, France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Franck Riester. The event, jointly organised by CII and MEA also saw envoys of 12 countries - Australia, Chile, France, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Fiji, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and UAE speaking.

On Covid crisis, EAM assured that "India is coming out of the second wave and will witness a strong economic recovery". He expressed confidence, that the country will "contribute to being an engine of growth for the global economy" and "will be very much a part of more reliable and resilient supply chains that the post-Covid world requires". &nbsp;

Global supply chains, largely dependent on China saw lot of pressure amid the Covid pandemic, something which is being slowly changed with likeminded democratic countries.

Highlighting the significance of the Indo-Pacific vision and its role in current geopolitics, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that it "represents a return of history" and "reflects the reality of globalization" and "emergence of multi-polarity and the benefits of rebalancing".

Highlighting the significance of the Indo-Pacific vision and its role in current geopolitics, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that it "represents a return of history" and "reflects the reality of globalization" and "emergence of multi-polarity and the benefits of rebalancing". Speaking at the inaugural session of the 1st edition of the Indo-Pacific Business Summit, EAM said, "seamless and integrated space was disconnected decades ago" but as "many Indian Ocean economies trade further east and as Pacific ones too have displayed a presence south and westwards, we are quite sensibly seeing the landscape for what it really is". Indo-Pacific as a vision, whose geographical boundaries are from eastern shores of Africa to the western shores of Americas is backed by Delhi and Washington. The term is increasingly gaining currency in recent time, with many European, ASEAN and African countries backing it. EAM explained the vision, saying "[it] means the overcoming of the Cold War and a rejection of bipolarity and dominance" and is an "expression of our collective interest in promoting global prosperity and securing the global commons." During the address he pointed out to the "salience of health" amid the Covid crisis, the "power of the digital", urging "like minded countries must work together for data driven digital development partnerships" while highlighting "the importance of building or re-building greener". The virtual meet saw participation of Maldives FM Abdulla Shahid, Australia FM Marise Payne, Mauritius's FM Alan Ganoo, France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Franck Riester. The event, jointly organised by CII and MEA also saw envoys of 12 countries - Australia, Chile, France, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Fiji, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and UAE speaking. On Covid crisis, EAM assured that "India is coming out of the second wave and will witness a strong economic recovery". He expressed confidence, that the country will "contribute to being an engine of growth for the global economy" and "will be very much a part of more reliable and resilient supply chains that the post-Covid world requires". Global supply chains, largely dependent on China saw lot of pressure amid the Covid pandemic, something which is being slowly changed with likeminded democratic countries.

Indo-Pacific represents a return of history: India's EAM Jaishankar

Did you know that India is steering more than 500 development projects across 64 countries? India's development diplomacy is exposing China's "belt and loan" trap.

Gravitas: India's development diplomacy exposes China's debt trap

Germany's health agency on Monday, July 5, said that it would lift a ban on most travellers from India and the UK amid increased cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said India, Nepal, Russia, Portugal and the UK would be reclassified from Wednesday as "high-incidence areas".

Germany introduced its "virus variant country" travel category in a bid to stop new coronavirus variants that have not yet spread widely on home soil. However, Health Minister Jens Spahn said last week that the Delta variant was fast becoming dominant in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/possible-in-future-to-mix-vaccine-doses-says-german-health-minister-395572">Also read |&nbsp;Possible in future to mix vaccine doses, says German health minister&nbsp;</a>

Given the increasing spread of Delta and research suggesting vaccines are effective against it, "we will look at the situation in the next few days", Spahn said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Spahn told reporters that it would be possible in future to mix vaccine doses. This means that, in Spahn's opinion, it would be possible to combine the first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine with the second shot of mRNA vaccines like those from Pfizer or Moderna.

Spahn said that the addition of an mRNA shot offered more protection against the Delta variant of coronavirus. Delta variant is considered to be more infection.

Germany has enough shots available of all vaccines to be able to do this, as well as to provide booster shots to those who wanted them in the autumn, he added.

Germany's health agency on Monday, July 5, said that it would lift a ban on most travellers from India and the UK amid increased cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

Germany's health agency on Monday, July 5, said that it would lift a ban on most travellers from India and the UK amid increased cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said India, Nepal, Russia, Portugal and the UK would be reclassified from Wednesday as "high-incidence areas". Germany introduced its "virus variant country" travel category in a bid to stop new coronavirus variants that have not yet spread widely on home soil. However, Health Minister Jens Spahn said last week that the Delta variant was fast becoming dominant in the country. Also read | Possible in future to mix vaccine doses, says German health minister Given the increasing spread of Delta and research suggesting vaccines are effective against it, "we will look at the situation in the next few days", Spahn said. Meanwhile, Spahn told reporters that it would be possible in future to mix vaccine doses. This means that, in Spahn's opinion, it would be possible to combine the first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine with the second shot of mRNA vaccines like those from Pfizer or Moderna. Spahn said that the addition of an mRNA shot offered more protection against the Delta variant of coronavirus. Delta variant is considered to be more infection. Germany has enough shots available of all vaccines to be able to do this, as well as to provide booster shots to those who wanted them in the autumn, he added.

Germany relaxes curbs on travellers from India and UK

A week after two drone attacks on India's Air Force base in Jammu, the Srinagar district administration officially banned the use and possession of drones and other similar aerial vehicles.

Week after Jammu attack, Srinagar bans use, possession & sale of drones

Following the expansion to its event programme in the next cycle, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has commenced the process to identify the hosts for men’s white-ball events to be held post-2023. The hosting of the ICC World Test Championship Final, the ICC women's and under-19 events in the new cycle will be determined in a separate process that will get underway later this year.

Eight men’s ODI and T20 events, comprising two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, and two ICC Champions Trophies, will be staged from 2024-2031 and ICC Members were invited to submit a preliminary technical proposal as a potential host. This included individual country submissions as well as joint proposals.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-mitchell-starc-unperturbed-by-quarantine-hurdle-amidst-australias-tight-scheduled-395874" hreflang="en">Cricket: Mitchell Starc unperturbed by quarantine hurdle amidst Australia’s tight scheduled</a>

Initial submissions have been received from Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, UAE, USA, and Zimbabwe.

ICC Acting Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted with the response from our Members to hosting ICC men’s white-ball events post 2023. This process gives us an opportunity to extend our range of hosts and grow interest in cricket worldwide reaching more fans whilst creating a long-term legacy for the sport.

“Cricket has more than a billion fans around the world and ICC events have a proven track record of bringing significant economic and social benefits for host counties. These events provide hosts with a wonderful opportunity to work closely with local communities to grow the game whilst supporting economic and social development public policy goals.

“We will now move forward to the second phase of the process where Members will provide a more detailed proposal before the ICC Board takes decisions on our future hosts later this year.”

Following the expansion to its event programme in the next cycle, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has commenced the process to identify the hosts for men’s white-ball events to be held post-2023.

Following the expansion to its event programme in the next cycle, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has commenced the process to identify the hosts for men’s white-ball events to be held post-2023. The hosting of the ICC World Test Championship Final, the ICC women's and under-19 events in the new cycle will be determined in a separate process that will get underway later this year. Eight men’s ODI and T20 events, comprising two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, and two ICC Champions Trophies, will be staged from 2024-2031 and ICC Members were invited to submit a preliminary technical proposal as a potential host. This included individual country submissions as well as joint proposals. ALSO READ: Cricket: Mitchell Starc unperturbed by quarantine hurdle amidst Australia’s tight scheduled Initial submissions have been received from Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, UAE, USA, and Zimbabwe. ICC Acting Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted with the response from our Members to hosting ICC men’s white-ball events post 2023. This process gives us an opportunity to extend our range of hosts and grow interest in cricket worldwide reaching more fans whilst creating a long-term legacy for the sport. “Cricket has more than a billion fans around the world and ICC events have a proven track record of bringing significant economic and social benefits for host counties. These events provide hosts with a wonderful opportunity to work closely with local communities to grow the game whilst supporting economic and social development public policy goals. “We will now move forward to the second phase of the process where Members will provide a more detailed proposal before the ICC Board takes decisions on our future hosts later this year.”

Cricket: India, England, Australia, among 17 countries to signal interest for future ICC events

A complaint has been filed before the Delhi Police Cyber Cell against Twitter India's Managing Director, Manish Maheswari and a non-profit organisation for allegedly spreading communal hatred.

The complaint filed by advocate Aditya Singh Deshwal and addressed to DCP Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police sought registration of an FIR against Twitter Communications India Private Ltd, Manish Maheshwari, MD, Twitter India, Shagufta Kamran, Public Policy Manager of Twitter India as well as Armin Navabi and Susanna Macintyre, the founder and CEO respectively of Republic Atheist.

The advocate cited a picture of Goddess Kali shared by the handle Atheist Republic and said that content posted by the Twitter users was not only abusive but has been posted for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred and ill will in society.

"It would also be not out of place to mention here that these posts have been put by the said user deliberately, to outrage the religious feelings of Hindus to insult our religious beliefs," the advocate said.

In his complaint, the advocate said, "Twitter which is a microblogging website/platform in connivance with Armin Navab and the Atheist Republic has been showing this blasphemous content since July 2011. The user profile of the Atheist Republic is full of such blasphemous content about Hindu Religion and other religions.

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"Twitter on the other hand, as a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMN), has taken no steps to remove such content but in a blatant violation of Indian laws has been acting as an accomplice to the crime and showing such blasphemous and insulting content. "

The advocate said that Twitter through its platform has deliberately promoting hate speech about the Hindu religion which is a violation of provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 in the light of section 79 of Information Technology Act, 2000 Deliberately no action has been taken by Manish Maheshwari and Shagufta Kamran to remove such objectionable content from its platform even after passing of one month with the intention of promoting communal hatred and disturbing the social tranquillity in the country.

The advocate has requested to immediately register FIR against all the accused persons named in his complaint and urged Delhi Police to arrest them to prevent further commission of the offence.

A complaint has been filed before the Delhi Police Cyber Cell against Twitter India's Managing Director, Manish Maheswari and a non-profit organisation for allegedly spreading communal hatred.

A complaint has been filed before the Delhi Police Cyber Cell against Twitter India's Managing Director, Manish Maheswari and a non-profit organisation for allegedly spreading communal hatred. The complaint filed by advocate Aditya Singh Deshwal and addressed to DCP Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police sought registration of an FIR against Twitter Communications India Private Ltd, Manish Maheshwari, MD, Twitter India, Shagufta Kamran, Public Policy Manager of Twitter India as well as Armin Navabi and Susanna Macintyre, the founder and CEO respectively of Republic Atheist. The advocate cited a picture of Goddess Kali shared by the handle Atheist Republic and said that content posted by the Twitter users was not only abusive but has been posted for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred and ill will in society. "It would also be not out of place to mention here that these posts have been put by the said user deliberately, to outrage the religious feelings of Hindus to insult our religious beliefs," the advocate said. In his complaint, the advocate said, "Twitter which is a microblogging website/platform in connivance with Armin Navab and the Atheist Republic has been showing this blasphemous content since July 2011. The user profile of the Atheist Republic is full of such blasphemous content about Hindu Religion and other religions. Also read | Philippine military plane carrying 92 people crashes; 40 rescued, 17 dead "Twitter on the other hand, as a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMN), has taken no steps to remove such content but in a blatant violation of Indian laws has been acting as an accomplice to the crime and showing such blasphemous and insulting content. " The advocate said that Twitter through its platform has deliberately promoting hate speech about the Hindu religion which is a violation of provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 in the light of section 79 of Information Technology Act, 2000 Deliberately no action has been taken by Manish Maheshwari and Shagufta Kamran to remove such objectionable content from its platform even after passing of one month with the intention of promoting communal hatred and disturbing the social tranquillity in the country. The advocate has requested to immediately register FIR against all the accused persons named in his complaint and urged Delhi Police to arrest them to prevent further commission of the offence.

Complaint filed against Twitter India, MD Manish Maheshwari for 'spreading communal hatred'

The Indian mission is located within the fortified diplomatic enclave in Islamabad, across a key road that runs in front of Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

Pak Drone Threat: India raises security concerns with Pakistan

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