Latest LIVE: Eyeing Guj Assembly polls, AAP names 850 new office bearers

The active cases comprises 0.10 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.66 per cent. Stay tuned for more

India logged 8,582 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,32,22,017, while the active cases increased to 44,513, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The death toll climbed to 5,24,761 with four fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprises 0.10 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.66 per cent, the ministry said.

The stage is all set for a face-off between the developing and developed countries at the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting in the Swiss town of Geneva.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian delegation which will begin on Sunday.

A clear divide emerges as WTO try to negotiate an agreement on fisheries and India has categorically said that it is the developed world which is responsible for the depletion of marine resources and it will not compromise on subsidies to its fishermen.

Ahead of the formal start of the 12th ministerial meet, a permanent representative of India to WTO, Brajendra Navnit said, "We are committed to protecting rights of our traditional fishermen, we will not let any impact on their livelihood, there will be no stoppage in subsidies they are getting, this is India's commitment and India will not bend on this."

Meanwhile. suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nupur Sharma has been summoned by Mumbai police to appear at Mumbai's Pydhonie police station on June 25, the ANI reported.

Mumbai police's summon was regarding the enquiry and recording of Sharma's statement. This comes as the row over the comments on Prophet Muhammad by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma has blown up, leading to global outrage.

11:54 PM

Delhi BJP accuses AAP govt of supporting illegal Rohingya, Bangladeshi migrants

The BJP's Delhi unit on Sunday passed a resolution condemning the AAP government's "support" to the illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants in the city.

In the two-day executive meeting of the BJP's Delhi unit that concluded on Sunday, various leaders trained their guns on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over various issues.

They alleged that those behind the Jahangirpuri violence on Hanuman Jayanti on April 16 were AAP workers and leaders.

The AAP has supported Rohingyas and Bangladeshis and has crossed all limits in protecting them, the Delhi BJP claimed in the resolution.

It alleged that the illegal immigrants were getting free ration and the women travelling in buses for free and their children getting free education.

11:48 PM

$5 trn economy achievable by 2026; Chidambaram view wrong: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday termed "very wrong" senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's statement that the goal of a $5 trillion GDP appears to be a case of "shifting goalposts" as the original target year was 2023-24.

Speaking to reporters here in Maharashtra, the MOS for Electronics and Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said India has become a $3 trillion economy and will become a $5 trillion economy by 2026.

Reacting to Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran's remarks that IMF has forecast the Indian economy to cross $5 trillion by 2026-27, Chidambaram has said that the "goal of a $5 trillion GDP appears to be a case of 'shifting goalposts'".

"Chidambaram can suggest that we follow the US economic model. He will say anything and what he has said is his personal view which is a very, very wrong view. He was wrong before and has been continuously wrong. There is a phrase for (such) people who were caught with their hand in the cookie jar," Chandrasekhar said.

He said the goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2026 is achievable.

11:39 PM

Activists urge Maha legislators to initiate efforts to have law for protection of widows' rights

Activists working for the protection of widows' rights have written to over 200 members of the Maharashtra legislature, urging them to take steps towards enacting a legislation to end the evil practices against such women.

Pramod Zinjade, coordinator of the campaign, told PTI that he and his colleagues have also met these legislators and urged them to raise in the legislature the issue of humiliation of widows.

"Legislators can raise the issue of evil practices that widows are subjected to through various forums in the legislature like the question hour, calling attention notice, debates and work towards enacting a law," he said.

The campaign needs government's support as humiliation of widows should not happen in progressive Maharashtra, he added.

According to Zinjade, practices like wiping the sindoor, breaking her bangles, removing the mangalsutra and toe rings during the funeral of the husband need to be banned.

"Even though times have changed and women are educated and earning, a widow is not allowed in religious, social functions," he said

11:35 PM

Farmers will wage fierce battle against govt if it doesn't bring MSP law: Satya Pal Malik

Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday said the farmers' movement is not over yet and that they will wage a "fierce battle" against the government if it does not bring a law on minimum support price (MSP).

Speaking at a Jat community programme here, Malik said he will also join the movement once he completes his term as Meghalaya governor.

Malik has targeted the government several times in the recent past over farmers' issues.

"The farmers' movement is not over yet, it was the dharna which ended. If a law on MSP is not made, then the farmers will wage a fierce battle against the country's government," Malik said.

He said only four months of his tenure as Meghalaya governor are left and he will also join the movement once he completes his term.

 

11:24 PM

PM Modi wishes Parkash Singh Badal speedy recovery

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished a speedy recovery to former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who has been admitted to a hospital in Mohali following a complaint of gastritis and bronchial asthma.

The five-time chief minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch was taken to the Fortis hospital on Saturday night.

Modi tweeted, "Praying for the good health and speedy recovery of Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji.

11:23 PM

Website of Nagpur's Institute of Science hacked by 'DragonForce Malaysia' "on insult of Prophet"

The website of the Institute of Science, Nagpur was found hacked on Sunday with the hackers identifying themselves as 'DragonForce Malaysia' whose message on its home page read that "it is a special operation on the insult of our Prophet Mohammad", police said.

The restoration work of the website is going on, they said.

The hacking of the website occurred amid protests in parts of the country over the objectionable remarks made on Prophet Mohammad by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Kumar Jindal. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Bahrain, Maldives, Malaysia, Oman, Iraq and Libya, have denounced their comments.

"The home page of the website carried a message in which people were urged to unite and start a campaign against India. The website was hacked through a malware. The hackers identified themselves as 'DragonForce Malaysia'," police inspector (Cyber) Nitin Phatangare said.

The message posted on the website's home page read: "It is a special operation on the insult of our Prophet Mohammad. We witnessed that you guys had abused Muslim people publicly..."

Police have launched an investigation, the official said.

 

11:20 PM

Kanpur admin starts sealing properties of those allegedly involved in June 3 violence

The Kanpur administration on Sunday started sealing the properties of those allegedly involved in the June 3 violence sparked by the controversial comments of two now-sacked BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad.

Kanpur police have sealed three properties in various areas, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and order) Anand Prakash Tiwari.

Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) vice-chairman Arvind Singh said properties built by Haji Wasi, Shabi, Saleem and H S Malik without taking proper clearance have been sealed.

This came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed officials to take stern action against the accused in the June 3 violence so that no one dares to disturb the peace.

The officer alleged that Haji Wasi, Shabi, Saleem and H S Malik provided financial support to some of the accused in the Kanpur violence.

The seized properties have been handed over to Station House Officers concerned, Singh told PTI.

"A request has been made to the police commissioner to instruct the SHO to lodge an FIR if anyone dares to start construction by entering the sealed properties," he added.

 

11:15 PM

LeT terrorist killed in encounter in Srinagar

One Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was neutralized by Srinagar Police during an encounter on Sunday.

According to the police, the killed terrorist has been identified as Adil Parray of Ganderbal, who was involved in the killing of two J-K police personnel in Sangam and Anchar Soura of the valley.

"LeT #terrorist Adil Parray of #Ganderbal who was involved in #killing of 02 JKP personnel Gh Hassan Dar in Sangam and Saifulla Qadri in Anchar Soura and injuring of a 9-year-old girl, killed in a chance #encounter with a small team of Police," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted quoting IGP Vijay Kumar.

The encounter was started at the Kreesbal Palpora Sangam area of Srinagar with a small team of Srinagar Police.

"A chance #encounter started at Kreesbal Palpora Sangam area of #Srinagar with #terrorists and a small team of #SrinagarPolice," Jammu Kashmir Police had tweeted," it said in a tweet.

11:10 PM

Gehlot hails Cong win in RS polls, says BJP dividing people on basis of religion

Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Sunday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party for 'dividing people on the basis of religion', amid the ongoing row over the suspended BJP spokesperson's remarks against religious minorities.

"We won't compromise with our (Congress party) ideology. BJP is dividing people on the basis of religion. Riots are being incited not only in big cities but also in small towns. We are still a national party even though our numbers have dwindled in the Parliament," the Chief Minister said while addressing reporters in the national capital.

Protests erupted in various states including Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh over the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal. Notably, some Gulf nations expressed outrage against the controversial remarks against the Prophet. The country has been witnessing protests.

11:09 PM

Pakistan registers 67 new Covid cases in last 24 hours

Pakistan reported 67 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the country's ministry of health said on Sunday.

The tally of infected people climbed to 1,531,179 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry.

A total of 30,381 people died of Covid-19 in Pakistan, with no more deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's statistics.

As many as 13,548 tests for Covid-19 were conducted in Pakistan while the positivity rate stood at 0.49 per cent. There are 47 active cases that are in critical condition in the South Asian country.

Earlier on Friday, Pakistan reported 73 new Covid-19 cases and 51 active cases that are in critical condition.

11:07 PM

Saharanpur violence: 18-year-old suspected key conspirator arrested

Uttar Pradesh police on Sunday arrested an 18-year-old youth, suspecting him to be the key conspirator behind the violence that erupted in Saharanpur after the Friday prayers.

A police official said in connection with the incident that Muzammil, who is a student in a madarsa, was seen provoking groups to join the protests. He was arrested.

Protests erupted in Saharanpur and other parts of the Uttar Pradesh on June 10 after Friday prayers opposing the controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad.

"2 involved in this had been identified & it was found they had illegal constructions. Bulldozers were brought in & their houses were mowed down. Muzammil (18) was seen invoking and provoking groups and people to join protests. He studies in a madarsa," said Rajesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Saharanpur.

"Another accused Salman, who is an adult, was involved in getting printed several posters for protest. He has been booked and will be sent to jail. No involvement of any 'funding' for the incident has come to fore," said the SP while elaborating on the incident.

 

10:57 PM

TN inoculates 1.38 million people in mega vax drive

Tamil Nadu has inoculated 1,383,573 people against Covid-19 in the 30th mega vaccination camp held in the state, the health department said on Sunday.

A total of 244,520 people received the first dose, 1,030,753 the second dose, while 1,08,300 people received the precautionary booster dose, a press release said here.

The total number of people who were vaccinated above the age of 18 years with the first dose comprises 94.31 per cent and the second dose 84.81 per cent.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian along with Minister for Milk and Dairy Development S M Nasar, and senior health department officials inspected the vaccination camps in neighbouring Tiruvallur district.

The department commenced the mass vaccination programme every Sunday beginning September 12, 2021.

10:49 PM

Religious belief and communalism are two different things: Kerala CM Vijayan

Religious belief and communalism are two different things, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday urging those who believe in secularism to come forward and fight all forms of communalism prevailing in the country.

Vijayan attacked the Sangh Parivar alleging that the grouping was trying to create a rift among the minority communities in the country and said it was engaged in a systematic agenda to alter the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.

Inaugurating a national seminar on the topic, "The world of EMS", organised as part of the 113th birth anniversary of communist stalwart E M S Namboodiripad, Vijayan criticised the Union government over its decision on abrogating Article 370 which gave special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

"News reports of attacks against minority communities including Muslims and Christians are coming from across the country. This agenda of the Sangh Parivar is not part of its so called 'aarsha bharatha' culture. It's not propagated by any of the sages. It's not there in any of the Vedas or Puranas. But they are following the Nazi propaganda of Hitler," Vijayan said.

He said the Sangh Parivar was buttering up the Christian community in Kerala but the same community was being attacked in neighbouring Karnataka.

 

10:46 PM

Over 400 arrested after Friday violence across states, accused face bulldozer action in UP

Over 400 people have been arrested so far in a clampdown on those involved in the violent protests on Friday in several states against the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad by two now-sacked BJP functionaries, with authorities in Uttar Pradesh razing "illegal" houses of the accused for the second day.

Sporadic incidents of violence and protests were reported including a group of people attacking and damaging a local train at Bethuadahari railway station in West Bengal's Nadia district on Sunday evening even as prohibitory orders continued in parts of Howrah and Murshidabad districts.

Among those arrested, 316 were held in eight districts in Uttar Pradesh and 100 in West Bengal, while the Ranchi police registered 25 FIRs against "thousands" of people for the clashes that left two dead and scores of others injured on June 10 in the Jharkhand capital, and security was stepped up in other parts of the state also.

Political parties, including the Samajwadi Party, and activists have accused authorities of high-handedness in the aftermath of the protests. Senior Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram said the prime minister should have spoken and acted immediately after the offensive utterances.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, however, said that law and order is a state subject and they should take strict action against the rioters.

 

10:38 PM

Mumbai reports 1,803 new Covid cases in last 24 hours

Mumbai reported 1,803 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to a bulletin by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Sunday.

With this, the active cases in the city stand at 10,889.

As per the bulletin, 959 Covid patients recovered in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries since the beginning in the city to 1,050,285.

The recovery rate in Mumbai is 97 per cent.

Two patients succumbed to the virus during this period. The death toll in the city rose to 19,573.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Saturday saw a marginal dip in COVID-19 cases, with the state reporting 2,922 fresh infections, 159 less than the previous day, and one fatality due to the infection, the state health department said.

With this data, the total number of active cases scaled up to 14,858 in the state. Also, with one fatality, the overall death toll in the state moved up to 1,47,868.

India reported as many as 8,582 fresh COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, informed Union Health Ministry on Sunday.