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LIVE: Qatar, Kuwait summon India envoy over BJP leaders' remarks

Nupur Sharma had made some controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad

Image BS Web Team New Delhi
Nupur Sharma withdraws her controversial statement after suspension from BJP

Nupur Sharma

4:15 PM

Nepal starts exporting additional 144 MW electricity to India

Nepal has started exporting an additional 144 MW of electricity generated by its Kaligandaki hydropower plant to India through its power exchange market.

Buoyed by continuous rainfall this year, the Himalayan nation is exporting surplus electricity to India through its power exchange market for the second consecutive year, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the state-owned power utility body.

The average rate of selling electricity was around Rs 7, according to Pradeep Thike, Deputy Chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

The NEA started exporting the additional electricity generated by its Kaligandaki hydropower plant to India from Saturday midnight.

The electricity is being exported to India under the Nepal-India power exchange agreement, Thike said.

The NEA earlier started selling 37.7 MW electricity generated by its 24 MW Trishuli and 15 MW Devighat power plants from Wednesday midnight after the Himalayan nation's power plants started generating surplus energy.

After the addition of electricity generated from 144 MW Kaligandaki Hydropower Project, Nepal will be selling a total of 178 MW electricity to India through India Energy Exchange Limited (IEX), said Thike.

 
4:15 PM

Apple's AR/VR headset to feature content created by Hollywood directors: Report

Tech giant Apple is reportedly teaming up with Hollywood directors to create video content for its upcoming augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) headset.

Sources familiar with the matter told The New York Times that Jon Favreau is just one of the directors involved -- he is reportedly tasked with delivering a mixed reality experience based on Prehistoric Planet, the dinosaur-filled Apple TV Plus series he produced, reports The Verge.

Unfortunately, it does not look like users will be able to immerse themselves in a Jurassic Park-like landscape anytime soon as the tech giant may not launch its headset until 2023.

The mixed reality device may not make an appearance at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) either, as Apple may shift its focus towards software instead.

Sources told the NYT that Apple is gearing up to introduce a toolkit for developers to add camera and voice functionality to their apps, enabling hands-free control ahead of the headset's arrival.

Apple has not yet confirmed the existence of the headset, but the device will likely be capable of offering both immersive virtual reality experiences, as well as virtual overlays made to look like they are part of the real world.

--IANS

4:01 PM

Focus on giving precaution shot of Covid vaccine to 47 mn elderly under Har Ghar Dastak 2.0

The government plans to focus on administering precaution dose of Covid vaccine to 4.7 crore 60-plus population, due for it by July 31, under its ongoing door-to-door Har Ghar Dastak 2.0 campaign, officials said on Sunday.

Of the estimated 13.75 crore senior citizens in the country, 11.91 crore have been administered both the doses of Covid vaccine till June 3. Of the 6.67 crore beneficiaries in the age group due for the booster dose till July 31, 1.94 crore have taken the shot.

Besides, 1.04 crore of the total estimated senior citizens are yet to take the first dose of the Covid vaccine.

In 27 states, the coverage of precaution dose among 60 years and above is below the national average of 42 per cent.

These states include Nagaland (13 per cent), Meghalaya (15 per cent), Arunachal Pradesh (16 per cent), Manipur (19 per cent), Jharkhand (27 per cent), Punjab (24 per cent), Maharashtra (31 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (31 per cent) and Assam (29 per cent).

The second round of the door-to-door campaign to accelerate the pace and coverage of the COVID-19 vaccination commenced on June 1. It is a two-month-long programme.

The Union Health Ministry has asked states and Union Territories to focus on vaccinating all those due for the second dose and those aged 60 and above eligible for precaution shot through the door-to-door activity.

States have also been advised to organise school-based campaigns for focussed coverage of the population in the 12 to 18 years age group.

 
3:46 PM

VP Naidu holds delegation-level talks with Qatar PM; reviews bilateral ties

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday met Qatar's Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani here and the two leaders held delegation level talks and reviewed bilateral relations including trade, investment, economic and security cooperation.

Naidu, who reached here on the last leg of his three-nation tour from May 30 to June 7, was accorded a ceremonial reception and a Guard of Honour at the Doha airport on Saturday.

He was also welcomed by the Indian community upon his arrival.

His visit to Qatar is taking place as both sides prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Sunday said that Vice President Naidu and Qatar Prime Minister Abdulaziz Al Thani held delegation level talks.

 
3:44 PM

Pak PM Shehbaz seeks emergency plan to cut load shedding

Amid an acute power crisis plaguing Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to prepare an emergency plan to reduce electricity load-shedding in the country within the next 24 hours, according to media reports on Sunday.

The load shedding in various parts of the country has been creating problems for citizens -- particularly the business community.

Prime Minister Sharif took stock of the situation in detail on Saturday during a 5-hour long meeting where he was briefed on the hurdles in providing electricity to domestic and commercial consumers, Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said.

Sharif tasked a committee comprising ministers for Energy, Petroleum, and Finance to present an actionable plan pronto. He also pledged that effective implementation of the plan to gradually reduce load-shedding would be ensured, state-run APP news agency said.

The meeting attended by federal ministers and high-level officials, discussed the hours-long load shedding in various parts of the country that has left citizens suffering soaring high temperatures, Dawn newspaper reported.

The meeting reviewed the loadshedding situation and stressed measures to reduce the electricity shortfall in the country.

The prime minister directed that the plan should ensure a visible decrease in electricity load-shedding for the people of Pakistan.

 
3:42 PM

BJP busy promoting films amid targeted killings in Kashmir, claims Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday criticised the ruling BJP at the Centre, claiming the party was busy promoting some movies amid the "targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits and Muslim security personnel" in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to reporters here, Raut claimed the BJP was neglecting the Kashmir Valley's security.

"Did the atrocities against the Kashmiri Pandits stop with surgical strikes (conducted by the BJP-led central government across the Line of Control). They have increased," Raut claimed.

"There have been targeted killings of Hindus and Kashmiri Pandits as well as Muslim security personnel because they are serving the country. The BJP is busy promoting movies, like 'The Kashmir Files and 'Samrat Prithiviraj'," the Shiv Sena's chief spokesperson said.

From Srinagar to Pulwama (in Kashmir), at least 20 Muslim security personnel have been killed, the Rajya Sabha member claimed without specifying the details.

"The BJP leaders are not speaking about this. They are busy trying to find 'Shivling' in the Taj Mahal (Agra) and the Gyanvapi mosque (in Varanasi)," he said.

3:40 PM

Russia says Kyiv strikes destroyed tanks donated by West

Russia's defence ministry said the military destroyed tanks donated by Ukraine's allies and other armour in a barrage of missile strikes that shattered five weeks of eerie calm in Ukraine's capital early Sunday. There was no immediate confirmation from the Ukrainian side.

In a posting on the Telegram app, the Russian ministry said high-precision, long-range air-launched missiles were used. It said the strikes destroyed on the outskirts of Kyiv destroyed T-72 tanks supplied by Eastern European countries and other armoured vehicles located in buildings of a car-repair business.

3:39 PM

Kanpur violence case: Security beefed up in Yateem Khana-Parade crossroads

After a violent clash broke out in Kanpur on Friday, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed and the security has been beefed up between Yateem Khana and Parade crossroads while the accused were interrogated, informed the officials on Sunday.

"SIT has been formed in the Kanpur violence case and action will be taken against those who have done the work of erasing the CCTV footage," said Kanpur Police Commissioner Vijay Singh Meena.

Huge security has been detailed in the area with an aim to maintain peace and keep the situation under control.

"The situation is under control and heavy police force has been deployed on the spot, while the interrogation of the arrested accused is going on," informed Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Akmal Khan.

A violent clash broke out between two groups belonging to different communities allegedly over a market shutdown in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

Two persons and one policeman were injured in the aftermath of the clashes.

3:33 PM

Uttarakhand plans 36 sewage treatment plants to make Ganga pollution-free

The central government has sanctioned 36 sewage treatment infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand so far to rejuvenate River Ganga.

According to National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), through its flagship 'Namami Gange' project, the Centre is working on a mission mode in a multi-layered effort to ensure that every section of Ganga in the state receives clean water.

The key projects include intercepting major drains falling into the river and diverting them to sewage treatment plants (STP).

In Uttarakhand, as of the date, a total of 36 sewage infrastructure projects costing Rs 1,373 crore were sanctioned to create 195 MLD (millions of litre per day) STP capacities and to lay/rehabilitate a 184-km sewer network. Out of which 34 projects have been completed and the remaining 2 projects will be completed soon.

"We have now attained a very high quality of purification of water so there is no sewage going into the Uttarakhand sector and it is much beyond standards in Uttarakhand. We intend to keep the pristine river flow continuously as a part of 'aviraldhara'. And, the government of India has also been very sensitive to eco-sensitive zones in those areas. We as are committed to ensuring that pristine water flows in Uttarakhand and to a large extent we have achieved it also," said NMCG director G Asok Kumar.

The Chamoli district, which recorded a spike in untreated waste in the past few years now has a 1.12 MLD STP in Gopeshwar. It successfully intercepts and treats water before it meets the river. This plant is based on electric coagulation where 7 MLD is currently being treated.

"Sewage which was earlier flowing directly into the river is now being treated with the help of 1.12 MLD STP as Deendayal Park STP at Gopeshwar. This plant is based on electro-coagulation where with the help of anodine and cathodine process," said Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam Nodal Officer Jagdish Kanderi.

 
3:31 PM

Era of 1990s back as BJP govt failed to protect Kashmiri Pandits: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that the BJP government has failed in giving security to Kashmiri Pandits.

Many meetings are being held, everyone wants to know the action plan ahead, he said.

"The BJP govt has failed in this. The era of 1990 has come again. They (Govt) don't have any plans. Whenever there is a murder in the valley, news comes that the Home Minister has called a high-level meeting, enough of these meetings, now we need action, Kashmir wants action", said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal was speaking at a protest rally held by the AAP at Jantar Mantar in the national capital against the Centre over the targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir.

He alleged that the administration in Jammu and Kashmir was not allowing Kashmiri Pandits to protest against the recent targeted killings in the Valley.

"When they protest against the targeted killings, the present BJP government in Kashmir does not allow them to protest. If the government behaves like this, the suffering of the people becomes double," Kejriwal said.

3:26 PM

Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist arrested in J&K's Kishtwar

A Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, who had been active for the last six years, was arrested in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Sunday.

Talib Hussain, a resident of Rashgwari in Nagseni tehsil, was arrested in a joint operation by police, Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF, the police official said.

Terming the arrest of the terrorist a "major blow" to the Hizbul Mujahideen and its plan to revive terrorism in the district, the official said he had joined militancy in 2016 and remained active by way of recruiting youths into the ranks of the proscribed group.

He said the police worked meticulously on the leads obtained about his whereabouts and pre-empted his move to effect the revival of militancy in the area by arresting him.

A case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Kishtwar police station and further investigation is underway, the official said.

3:24 PM

Dalits claim police atrocity, Kerala SC/ST commission calls for report

The Kerala State SC/ST Commission on Sunday called for a report from the police regarding allegations that its officer illegally entered homes in a Dalit colony in Haripad area of Alappuzha district of the state and also made casteist remarks against some residents there.

The chairman of the commission, B S Mavoji, while speaking to PTI termed the police action as "high-handed" and said a report has been called from the Alappuzha SP regarding the incident.

"I feel it was a high-handed approach of the police," he said.

He further said the commission on its own took up the issue based on news reports regarding the incident.

Mavoji also said residents of the colony called up the commission claiming that police carried out an illegal raid and made casteist remarks against people there.

The incident had occurred on the intervening night of June 4-5 post midnight.

According to the police, officers on routine patrol in the colony had noticed two persons standing beside a motorbike outside one of the homes and had questioned them as to why they were there late in the night.

While they were being questioned, other residents of the colony also came out and objected to the police questioning the duo, said an officer of Kareelakulangara police station, within whose jurisdiction the area falls.

The officer said with more people turning up, the situation escalated and the locals blocked the police jeep, removed its key and also assaulted the police officers.

Subsequently, more police personnel under the leadership of Kayamkulam Deputy SP had to be called in to rescue the officers and arrest three persons who had actively obstructed the officers from doing their duty, the officer said.

 
3:21 PM

Former govt responsible for Australian gas crisis: Minister

Australia's Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Sunday blamed the former government for the country's gas crisis.

Bowen said nine years of "denial" under the previous government "has ill-prepared our country for this crisis", reports Xinhua news agency

Australians are facing soaring gas and electricity prices as a result of increased winter demand, gas shortages and unscheduled outages at coal-fired power stations.

The former coalition government in 2017 legislated a "gas trigger" that allowed liquefied natural gas (LNG) destined for export to be requisitioned and deployed in the domestic market.

However, Bowen said the mechanism was poorly designed and would not come into operation until January 1 even if it was triggered immediately.

"The way they design the trigger, as I said, it's about as blunt as a basketball in terms of effectiveness in the short term. It is not the answer to this short-term crisis," he told Sky News Australia.

 
2:55 PM

Need to protect environment for the future: Kerala CM on World Environment Day

In the wake of climate change, biodiversity loss, increase in environment pollution and rising mountains of waste world-over, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said there is a need to ensure the environment is kept safe for the future generations.

Speaking at an event on the occasion of World Environment Day, Vijayan said that it should not be seen as a one-day event, rather it should be seen as a way to ensure that the environment is protected and kept safe for the future.

2:49 PM

Is Centre too fragile to withstand peaceful protest in Kashmir, asks Mehbooba

Is the Centre too fragile to withstand a peaceful protest by mainstream political parties in Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti asked on Sunday.

Her remarks came after reports that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address a rally against the Centre in the national capital over killings in Kashmir.

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First Published: Jun 05 2022 | 6:51 AM IST