NEPAL FAST-TRACKS MAP BILL, BRINGS IT TO UPPER HOUSE AMID CALLS FOR TALKS

Nepal fast-tracked Sunday the passage of a constitution amendment Bill to

approve the country's new map that includes Kalapani, Lipulekh and

Limpiyadhura which figure in Indian maps.

The Bill, passed unanimously Saturday by the House of Representatives, was

tabled in the Rastriya Sabha, the Upper House, where several members, while

urging the government to "reclaim" the "encroached" territories, called for

early dialogue with India.

The passage of the Bill appears to be a formality given that 50 of the 59

members of the Upper House are from the ruling Nepal Communist Party.

Members cutting across party lines have already backed the Bill.

Under the procedure for discussion and voting on the Bill, 72 hours is

required for its maturity after introduction. But given the fast-tracking of

the Bill, there is speculation that it may be sent Wednesday to President

Bidhya Devi Bhandari for assent.

INDIA IS TRYING TO RESOLVE CONFLICT WITH CHINA THROUGH TALKS: RAJNATH SINGH

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India was trying to

resolve conflicts with China through militarily- and diplomatic-level talks.

He said that China had also shown its willingness to solve all conflicts

through dialogue.

"Talks-both at the military and the diplomatic level-are already going on

between the two countries," the Defence Minister said while addressing the

first-ever virtual 'Jammu Samvad Rally' to highlight the achievements of the

BJP-led government at the Centre.

"Neither the opposition nor Parliament will be kept in the dark about talks

with China," said Rajnath Singh.

In an obvious reference to recent statements of Congress leaders, he said,

"In a democracy, we realized the importance of the opposition and we respect

them also...We are living in a democratic country and the opposition has its

own role. I assured the opposition that details of the ongoing dialogue

between India and China will be divulged at the appropriate time..Time and

again the government has briefed the nation about developments on the

borders."

Singh made it clear that the "pride of the nation" will be protected at any

cost. "There will be no compromise on the nation's pride," he said.

AMIT SHAH MEETS DELHI CM, LG ON COVID-19 MANAGEMENT

From doubling testing capacity in the next 48 hours to a proposal to ensure

that private hospitals provide 60 per cent of their Covid beds at low rates,

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spelt out a multipronged strategy

for the national capital, which is struggling to cope with the surge in

novel coronavirus infections.

In view of reports of shortage of hospital beds, Shah announced after a

review meeting that the Centre will immediately provide 500 converted

railway coaches to the Delhi government to house Covid-19 patients.

"With this, 8,000 more beds will be available in Delhi and these will be

equipped with all facilities," Shah posted on Twitter.

On Friday, the Supreme Court had asked the Delhi government to explain the

reduction in testing numbers in recent days. On Sunday, Shah made two

specific announcements: Testing will be increased twofold in the next two

days, and trebled after six days; and after a few days, in Delhi's

containment zones, testing facilities will be made available at each polling

station.

Sunday's review meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh

Vardhan, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind

Kejriwal, and AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria.

Sunday's review meeting was focussed on the national capital, where the

number of cases has risen from 9,333 on May 17 to 38,958 on June 14. The

decisions taken at the meeting, however, provide a template for the focus

areas when the PM has another round of video conference with the chief

ministers this week.

ACTOR SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT COMMITS SUICIDE AT MUMBAI HOME

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging at his Bandra

apartment on Sunday, police said. He was 34.

Reportedly, Sushant was suffering from depression for the last few months.

He was under medication for the same.

Rajput's last big-screen release was Rajkumar Hirani's "Chhichhore".

No suicide note was found from the spot, they said.

Rajput hailed from Bihar and was educated in Patna and New Delhi, before

shifting to Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Rajput's death, remembering him as a

"bright young actor".

Curiously, his ex-manager, 28-year-old Disha Salian, ended her life by

jumping from a high rise building on June 9. The actor had mourned Salian's

death and called it "devastating news".

In his last post on Instagram, the actor shared a short poem with a picture

of him juxtaposed with that of his mother.

An engineering dropout (he hd secured 7th rank in AIEEE), Rajput was

inclined towards dancing when he was a student at Delhi Technological

University. He soon enrolled in choreographer Shiamak Davar's dance classes

and later joined acting guru Barry John's classes.

It was the small screen that gave the "outsider" his breakout role as the

coy and mild-mannered Manav in soap opera "Pavitra Rishta", which ran from

2009-11, and was produced by Ekta Kapoor.

Two years later, he made his foray into films with "Kai Po Che!" in 2013. He

has starred in movies such as "Shuddh Desi Romance", "Raabta", "Kedarnath"

and "Sonchiriya" but his most prominent role came as cricketer Mahendra

Singh Dhoni's in the 2007 biopic, "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story".

In his last screen appearance, "Chhichhore", Rajput played the role of a

father who conveys the message of hope and affirmation to his son after he

attempts suicide.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD - (Nos. IN INDIA / Nos. WORLDWIDE)

(Indian data from covid19india / and World Data from

worldometers.info/coronavirus/ )

Total Cases 3,32,973 (+11,373) / 79,88,615 (+1,27,863)

Total Deaths 9,520 (+321) / 4,35,446 (+3,246)

Total Recovered 1,69,691 (+7,349) / 41,07,520 (+71,729)

Active Cases 1,53,762 (+3,703) / 34,45,649 (+52,888)

Serious / Critical Cases - N.A. / 54,457 (+375)

Top impacted nations so far: (And some of India's Neighbours)

Country, Total Cases / Total Deaths / Recovered Cases / Active

Cases

1 USA 21,62,144 / 1,17,853 /

8,67,849 / 11,76,442

2 Brazil 8,67,882 / 43,389 /

4,37,512 / 3,86,981

3 Russia 5,28,964 / 6,948 /

2,80,050 / 2,41,966

4 India 3,33,008 / 9,520 /

1,69,689 / 1,53,799

5 UK 2,95,889 / 41,698 / N/A

/ N/A

6 Spain 2,91,008 / 27,136 / N/A

/ N/A

7 Italy 2,36,989 / 34,345 /

1,76,370 / 26,274

8 Peru 2,29,736 / 6,688 /

1,15,579 / 1,07,469

9 Germany 1,87,671 / 8,870 /

1,72,200 / 6,601

10 Iran 1,87,427 / 8,837 /

1,48,674 / 29,916

11 Turkey 1,78,239 / 4,807 /

1,51,417 / 22,015

15 Pakistan 1,39,230 / 2,632 /

51,735 / 84,863

18 Bangladesh 87,520 / 1,171 / 18,730 /

67,619

100 Sri Lanka 1,889 / 11 /

1,287 / 591

Top 18 impacted Indian States so far: (Total No. of Confirmed case / No. Of

Deaths)

State / Confirmed Cases / Active Case / Recovered /

Deceased

Maharashtra 1,07,958 / 53,017 / 50,978 /

3,950

Tamil Nadu 44,661 / 19,679 / 24,547 /

435

Delhi 41,182 / 24,032 / 15,823 / 1,327

Gujarat 23,590 / 5,779 / 16,333 / 1,478

Uttar Pradesh 13,615 / 4,948 / 8,268 /

399

Rajasthan 12,694 / 2,836 / 9,566 /

292

West Bengal 11,087 / 5,552 / 5,060 /

475

Madhya Pradesh 10,802 / 2,666 / 7,677 /

459

Haryana 7,208 / 4,117 / 3,003 /

88

Karnataka 7,000 / 2,951 / 3,960 /

87

Bihar 6,475 / 2,464 / 3,975 / 36

Andhra Pradesh 6,152 / 2,752 / 3,316

/ 84

Jammu and Kashmir 5,041 / 2,593 / 2,389 /

59

Telangana 4,974 / 2,412 / 2,377 /

185

Assam 4,119 / 2,147 / 1,961 / 8

Odisha 3,909 / 1,187 / 2,708 / 14

Punjab 3,140 / 717 / 2,356 / 67

Kerala 2,462 / 1,340 / 1,101 / 20

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

MACRON REJECTS RACISM BUT COLONIAL STATUES TO REMAIN

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed on Sunday to stand firm against

racism but also praised police and insisted that France wouldn't take down

statues of controversial, colonial-era figures, as he addressed the issues

for the first time since George Floyd's death in the U.S.

In a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening, Macron called for

the nation's "unity" at a key moment when the country is trying to put the

coronavirus crisis behind while being shaken by a series of protests against

racial injustice and police brutality.

Echoing American protesters, demonstrators in France have expressed anger at

discrimination within French society, particularly toward minorities from

the country's former colonies in Africa.

Unusually for a French leader, Macron acknowledged that someone's "address,

name, colour of skin" can reduce their chances at succeeding in French

society, and called for a fight to ensure that everyone can "find their

place" regardless of ethnic origin or religion. He promised to be

"uncompromising in the face of racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination."

Amid calls for taking down statues tied to France's slave trade or colonial

wrongs,

Macron said "the republic will not erase any trace, or any name, from its

history ... it will not take down any statue."

"We should look at all of our history together with lucidity" including

relations with Africa, with a goal of "truth" instead of "denying who we

are," Macron said.

Macron's speech also sought to "turn the page" of the virus crisis, as

France will reopen nearly everything starting today.

ASTRAZENECA STRIKES DEAL WITH EUROPE'S INCLUSIVE VACCINES

Pharma giant AstraZeneca has struck a deal with Europe's Inclusive Vaccines

Alliance to supply up to 400 million doses of an experimental Covid-19

vaccine.

The alliance forged by Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands to speed

up production of a coronavirus vaccine is set to take delivery by the end of

2020 of a vaccine being tested by the University of Oxford. The agreement

struck Saturday aims to make the vaccine available to other European

countries that wish to take part.

The cost is expected to be offset by funding from the governments.

AstraZeneca, an Anglo-Swedish company, recently completed similar agreements

with Britain, the United States the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness

Innovations, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for 700 million doses. A license

also has been agreed with the Serum Institute of India for another 1 billion

doses.

Other companies, including Moderna and Sanofi, are racing to develop and

produce a vaccine against the new coronavirus, a step experts say will be

crucial to easing restrictions on public life and preventing additional

waves of infections.

THE REST

========

EARTHQUAKE OF 5.3 MAGNITUDE, AFTERSHOCK SHAKE PARTS OF GUJARAT

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude shook parts of Gujarat on Sunday night but no

major damage to property or life has been reported as per preliminary

assessment, the state government said.

The epicentre of the tremor was located near Bhachau in Kutch district,

officials said.

An official of the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) said that the

tremor was recorded at 8:13 pm.

JAMIAT ULAMA-I-HIND MOVES SC AGAINST HINDU OUTFIT'S BID TO OPEN KASHI,

MATHURA DISPUTES

A day after a Hindu outfit sought to open Kashi, Mathura temple disputes by

challenging the validity of the Place of Worship Act, 1991, that prohibits

changing character of religious places, a Muslim organisation moved the

Supreme Court against it, saying it will open floodgates of litigation

against countless mosques.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind - which works for Islamic causes - urged the Supreme

Court not to entertain the petition filed by Vishwa Bhadra Pujari Purohit

Mahasangh, that said the impugned Act protected the "barbarous action of

invaders who had converted the Hindu places of worship".

"Even issuance of a notice in the present matter will create fear in the

minds of the Muslim community with regard to their places of worship,

especially in the aftermath of the Ayodhya dispute and will destroy the

secular fabric of the nation," Jamiat said in its intervention application

filed on Saturday.

SC REFUSES TO STAY PROBE INTO SEDITION CASE AGAINST JOURNALIST VINOD DUA

The Supreme Court on Sunday refused to stay the probe into a sedition case

lodged against senior journalist Vinod Dua by Himachal Pradesh Police in

Shimla.

After a special hearing conducted via video-conferencing, a three-judge

Bench headed by Justice UU Lalit asked Dua to join the probe and cooperate

with the police in the process.

Police can interrogate Dua at his residence in Delhi after giving him a

24-hour prior notice, the Bench said. It means Dua can't be arrested till

next date of hearing

On behalf of Dua, senior advocate Vikas Singh sought protection from arrest

for the senior journalist in the sedition case. Terming it a harassment of a

journalist for speaking out against the government, Singh said, "If what my

client has said is sedition, then only two channels will work in this

country." He said, "If this kind of content can attract sedition, then half

of the country will be committing sedition."

Singh urged the court to order stay on further proceedings on the FIR lodged

against Dua.

PETROL AND DIESEL PRICES HIKED FOR NINTH DAY IN A ROW

State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Monday increased the price of

petrol and diesel for the ninth consecutive day as they continued to adjust

retail rates in line with costs after an 82-day break from rate revision

amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Petrol will now cost Rs 76.26 per litre after an increase by 48 paise and

diesel 74.62 per litre after it was raised by 59 paise in Delhi. Petrol

price was raised by 62 paise and diesel by 64 paise in the national capital

on Sunday.

On Sunday, the price of petrol in Delhi was Rs 75.78 per litre after an

increase by 62 paise and that of was diesel Rs 74.03 per litre after a

raised of 64 paise

Rates have been increased across the country and vary from state to state

depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT.

COVID-19 PEAK IN INDIA MAY ARRIVE MID-NOV: ICMR STUDY

The peak stage of COVID-19 pandemic in India has been delayed by the

eight-week lockdown along with strengthened public health measures and it

may now arrive around mid-November during which there could be a paucity of

isolation and ICU beds, and ventilators, according to a study.

The study conducted by researchers from an Operations Research Group

constituted by the ICMR said the lockdown shifted the peak of the pandemic

by an estimated 34 to 76 days and helped in bringing down the number of

infections by 69 to 97 per cent, thereby, allowing time for the healthcare

system to shore up resources and infrastructure.

In the scenario of intensified public health measures with 60 per cent

effectiveness after lockdown, the demand can be met until the first week of

November. After that, the medical resources will be inadequate, claims the

study. However, this shortfall is estimated to be 83 per cent less than what

it could have been without the lockdown and public health measures.

GOVT ASKS AIRLINES TO EXPAND CAPACITY TO 50% FROM CURRENT CAP OF 33%

In a further sign that the government is in favour of opening up the economy

more, the Ministry of Civil Aviation intends to increase the scale of

domestic flights to 50 per cent of capacity.

Domestic flights resumed on May 25, but airlines are allowed to operate 33

per cent of capacity.

"We feel around 20 days of operations have been handled smoothly and the

diligent observance of protocols has proved air travel is safe. The scale of

operations can be increased," said a government official, adding airlines

and state governments had been asked to give suggestions.

NINE HINDI FILMS THAT RELEASED ON STREAMING PLATFORMS DURING THE LOCKDOWN

With theaters being shut since mid-March, here's a look at some Bollywood

films that were recently released on OTT platforms.

1. Gulabo Sitabo

This comedy-drama film, directed by Shoojit Sircar, stars Amitabh Bachchan

and Ayushmann Khurrana as warring men. Mirza (Amitabh) is a 78yrs old

landlord, who would move heaven and earth for his most prized possession -

an old dilapidated mansion in the heart of Lucknow. 'Baankey' (Ayushmann)'

is a shrewd, sly and squatted tenant in that mansion, who matches Mirza bit

for a bit in their ceaseless bantering.

2. Choked

This Anurag Kashyap film stars Saiyami Kher, Roshan Mathew and Amruta

Subhash among others. Choked is streaming on Netflix. The film follows

Sarita (Kher) who chances upon loads of cash that can potentially solve all

her problems. Life's hunky-dory until demonetisation hits.

3. Chintu ka Birthday

This Vinay Pathak and Tillotama Shome film released exclusively on ZEE5.

Directed by Devanshu Kumar and Satyanshu Singh, Chintu ka Birthday is set in

war torn Iraq. Here, an Indian family wishes to celebrate their son's sixth

birthday, despite all the odds.

4. Ghoomketu

This Nawazuddin Siddiqui film is streaming on ZEE5. Here, Siddiqui plays an

aspiring writer who wants to join the film industry and Anurag Kashyap plays

a corrupt cop.

5. Mrs Serial Killer

This Shirish Kunder film starred Jacqueline Fernandez, Manoj Bajpayee and

Mohit Raina in significant roles. The Netflix movie is a crime thriller

where Fernandez's character is trying to save her husband (Bajpayee) from

being implicated as a serial killer.

6. Maska

This Netflix film starred Manisha Koirala, Prit Kamani and Shirley Setia

among others. The movie's plot follows Prit's character who decides to sell

his old Irani cafe to become a Bollywood actor. His mother (Koirala) is

against selling the cafe as she wants this legacy to continue.

7. Bamfaad

This ZEE5 film marked the debut of veteran actor Paresh Rawal's son Aditya

Rawal. The movie, directed by Ranjan Chandel, also stars Shalini Pandey,

Vijay Varma and Jatin Sarna among others. It is a small-town love story.

8. What Are The Odds

Produced by Abhay Deol, What Are the Odds starred Deol, Yashaswini Dayama,

Karanvir Malhotra, Monica Dogra, Manu Rishi and Sulabha Arya. Directed by

Megha Ramaswamy, this Netflix film is the story of two accidental friends

who spend an entire day together.

9. Ateet

Starring Priyamani, Sanjay Suri and Rajeev Khandelwal, Ateet streamed on

ZEE5. Directed by Tanuj Bhramar, the film follows a soldier as he returns to

his wife and daughter only to realise that they have moved on. But the

bigger question that haunts his family is, is he even alive?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy. - Howard W.

Newton

OFF TRACK

A big, burly man visited the pastor's home and asked to see the minister's

wife, a woman well known for her charitable impulses.

"Madam," he said in a broken voice, "I wish to draw your attention to the

terrible plight of a poor family in this district. The father is dead, the

mother is too ill to work, and the nine children are starving. They are

about to be turned into the cold, empty streets unless someone pays their

rent, which amounts to $400."

"How terrible!" exclaimed the preacher's wife. "May I ask who you are?"

The sympathetic visitor applied his handkerchief to his eyes and sobbed,

"I'm the landlord."