INDIA TO US: EASE DEFENCE SALE NORMS, TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY

India on Monday asked the United States to remove the “stringent hurdles” — existing in the form of complicated rules and regulations — in sales of military equipment and transfer of critical defence technologies to it. This was among a range of issues Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin discussed at their bilateral talks on Monday, which saw the two sides committing to a closer collaboration on “our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific”.

At the meeting, officials said, India also conveyed to the US side in detail that Pakistan cannot be trusted with western military equipment and platforms as they could share the technology with China for them to be reverse engineered.

At the meeting, officials said, the Indian and the US sides discussed military capacity building, ensuring a greater maritime domain awareness, strategic infrastructure and logistics, besides future collaboration on a range of defence technologies, with an emphasis on the underwater domain.

In a statement later, the US said that Austin and Singh committed to strengthen operational collaboration across all military services, with an eye on supporting India’s leading role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

CBI MEANT TO PROBE CRIME, NOT TRAIN MISHAPS, KHARGE WRITES TO PM MODI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday slammed the BJP govt for entrusting the Odisha train accident probe to the CBI and said the decision was a “diversionary tactics to derail any attempt to fix accountability” (for the accident).

In a letter, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge recalled that after a derailment incident in Kanpur in 2016, in which 150 persons lost their lives, the Railway Minister had asked the NIA to investigate.

“Subsequently, you (PM Modi) yourself claimed in an election rally that there was a conspiracy. The nation was assured that strictest punishment would be meted out. However, in 2018, the NIA closed the investigation and refused to file a chargesheet. The nation is still in the dark. Who is responsible for the 150 avoidable deaths?” Kharge said in the letter.

Kharge further said, “The Railway Minister claims to have already found the reason behind the accident, yet he has requested the CBI to investigate.”

Reacting to questions on the need for a CBI probe when the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) was already probing the incident, an official indicated that the preliminary inquiry revealed the need for a more thorough investigation. "Lot of information has come during the course of the investigation. Various kinds of information have been made available which required a professional investigative agency," he said.

The accident in which a speeding Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary goods train on the loop line instead of travelling on the main line indicated issues with the electronic interlocking system which changed the route of the train and led to the collision. "Unless there is deliberate interference in the system, it is impossible that a route set for the main line is switched to the loop line," he said.

Meanwhile, passenger trains have resumed operations on the repaired tracks after restoration works were undertaken on a war footing.

RAHUL HAS OPENED ‘NAFRAT KA SHOPPING MALL’

Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ongoing US visit, BJP president J P Nadda on Monday alleged that the Congress leader has opened a “nafrat ka mega-shopping mall”.

Alleging that Rahul had backed the “tukde-tukde gang” because he is “unable to digest” the success India has achieved under Modi, Nadda said, “He has been praising vaccines produced by other countries but has raised questions on Indian ones. There were questions (from Rahul) on surgical strikes…. He is trying to create division among communities here…he has made claims on mohabbat ki dukan [shop to spread love]. In fact, he has opened a mega-shopping mall of nafrat [hatred].”

ON HEALTH OF DEMOCRACY UNDER PM MODI, US SAYS "GO SEE FOR YOURSELF"

India is a vibrant democracy and anybody who happens to go to New Delhi can see that for themselves, the White House said Monday, as it appeared to dismiss concerns about the health of democracy in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a state visit to the US later this month.

"India is a vibrant democracy. Anybody that, you know, happens to go to New Delhi can see that for themselves. And certainly, I would expect that strength and health of democratic institutions will be part of the discussion," John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a news conference in Washington.

"Look, we never shy away. And you can do that with friends. You're supposed to do that with friends. You never shy away from expressing concerns that we might have with anyone around the world. But this (State) visit is really about advancing what is now and what we hope will be a deeper, stronger partnership and friendship going forward," Kirby said in response to a question.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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KYIV COUNTEROFFENSIVE? FIERCE BATTLES RAGE ON FRONTLINES

Ukrainian forces stepped up their artillery strikes and ground assaults in a flurry of offensive military activity that by Monday was raging along multiple sectors of the frontline, US and Russian officials said. The American officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the surge in attacks was a possible indication that Kyiv’s long-planned counteroffensive against Russian forces had begun. They based their assessment in part on information from US military satellites, which detected an uptick in action from Ukrainian military positions.

Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine had attacked on Sunday morning with six mechanised and two tank battalions in southern Donetsk. “The enemy's goal was to break through our defences,” it said. “The enemy did not achieve its tasks, it had no success. ” Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said Russian assertions were meant to distract attention from losses Moscow is taking around the long-contested eastern city of Bakhmut. In a Telegram post, Maliar said Ukraine was “shifting to offensive actions” in some areas along the frontline but dismissed suggestions this was part of a major operation.

PAK TO HOLD POLLS IN OCT, SAYS DEFENCE MINISTER

Pakistan general elections will be held without any delay in October this year, defence minister Khawaja Asif has said, dispelling speculation about a possible postponement in polls. Political experts firmly believe that only free, fair and timely general elections can bring back desperately-needed political stability in Pakistan, which is also facing a severe economic crisis.

The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by ousted PM Imran Khan had expressed apprehensions that the ruling coalition may delay the general elections.

“The assemblies will complete their five-year term in August and polls will take place within the next 60 days. Elections will be held on time,” Asif said on Sunday. When asked what he meant by “on time”, he replied: “In October. Elections will take place in October without any delay.”

THE REST

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JOINT OPPN MEETING: AMID DATE ISSUES, NITISH SAYS PARTIES MUST SEND THEIR CHIEFS

With the first joint meeting of the Opposition parties which was scheduled to be held on June 12 in Patna postponed, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – who was doing the legwork for the conclave, reaching out to most of the parties – Monday said that those which have agreed to attend must be represented by their respective heads.

“We had to put off the June 12 meeting after the Congress and another party conveyed to me that they found the date inconvenient. I have therefore decided to postpone the meeting and asked the Congress to suggest a new date after consultation with other parties,” he said, adding: “But I have made one thing very clear. All parties which agree to attend the meeting must be represented by their respective heads… If any party insists that it be represented by someone else, that would not be acceptable.”

ED CONDUCTS SEARCHES IN PAPER LEAKS; GEHLOT SAYS AGENCY ‘EAGER’ TO ACT AS POLLS ARE NEAR

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot targeted the Centre on Monday saying the central investigation agencies were “eager to enter Rajasthan” ahead of the Assembly elections. Gehlot’s comments came as the ED began searches at multiple locations in connection with the paper leaks.

The Gehlot govt has been faced with frequent leaks of examination papers for recruitment into govt services. Between 2019 and 2022, at least 15 examinations have been affected due to paper leaks, leading to around 160 FIRs.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Jaipur, Gehlot said: “ED, CBI, IT tadap rahi hai Rajasthan mein ghusne ke liye [ED, CBI and IT (Income Tax department) are eager to enter Rajasthan] … I pray and request the officials that time has come for you to stop being pressurised from above, open your ears and listen.”

AIIMS-BHUBANESWAR CALLS IN EMBALMING EXPERTS; KIN TO GET HELP UNTIL LAST RITES

With more than 100 bodies of the Balasore train accident victims yet to be identified and decomposition setting in, experts have been engaged from outside Odisha to embalm the bodies to preserve them for more days. More than 12 anatomy and forensic experts from AIIMS, Nagpur and Raipur have been engaged in the process.

For the bodies that are being claimed, the Railways, in a marked departure from convention, has decided to assign an official as a helping hand for each of the victims’ families. Their job will be to assist the bereaved families all the way till cremation, coordinating with railway systems and state authorities. In addition, if and when the victims’ families desire to immerse the remains in the river, Railways will extend help in that too.

A Senior Administrative Grade-level officer of the East Coast Railway has been entrusted with organising this exercise of “victim mapping”.

AFTER 2 STATEMENTS AGAINST HIM, MINOR WITHDRAWS CHARGES AGAINST WFI CHIEF BRIJ BHUSHAN

After alleging sexual harassment and stalking against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in two statements, one before the police and another before a magistrate, the lone minor among the seven female wrestlers is said to have withdrawn her allegations.

Sources said the 17-year-old has recorded a fresh statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The statement is deemed to be evidence before the Court. This statement could mean that it will be up to the Court to decide if the charges can be pursued and a trial will decide which statement under 164 will be given precedence.

“I am not surprised,” says senior advocate Rebecca John. “The calculated delay in arrest in such cases puts the complainant through pressure. These kinds of struggles are long and painful. When women come out in such cases, they put their lives and careers at stake,” she said.

WRESTLERS MET AMIT SHAH, BUT DENY THEY HAVE ENDED THEIR PROTEST

India's top wrestlers, who have been protesting against BJP MP and chief of the country's wrestling federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, met Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday.

Amit Shah assured the wrestlers that the law remains same for everyone. "Let the law take its own course," he reportedly told the wrestlers.

On Monday, Sakshi Malik was seen in her office in New Delhi - she's an OSD in Railways. It led to reports that the wrestlers have ended their protest after meeting Amit Shah.

But she said the wrestlers had a “normal conversation” with Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday night over their ongoing protest. "We have not withdrawn our names, Vinesh (Phogat), I and Bajrang (Punia) are together in this protest and we have not withdrawn our names," she told ANI.

On her attending office on Monday, Sakshi Malik said: "No this is all rumours we did not pull out of the protest. I came to the office to finish some pending work for a day or two and we are making our strategy on what to do next, how to continue the protest in a non-violent way."

"The fight will continue till justice is served," Bajrang Punia also said in a tweet.

NO INTERIM BAIL FOR SISODIA, BUT CAN MEET WIFE FOR A DAY

The Delhi High Court Monday denied “interim bail” to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, sought on account of his wife’s illness in the Enforcement Directorate’s probe into the excise policy case, and allowed him to meet his wife for a day while “in custody”.

A single-judge bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma observed, “The court while dealing with such applications always is in a dilemma. On one hand, there are pressing humanitarian issues and at the same time, there are serious issues which go to the core of the administration of justice. The allegations in the present case are extremely serious in nature. Though this court does not allow itself to get influenced or overawed by the gravity of allegations, but, at the same time, this court cannot forget the positions being held by the petitioner in the present dispensation and the nature of the case.”

The HC, after taking into account the “totality of facts and circumstances”, said it finds it “very difficult to persuade itself to release the petitioner on interim bail for six weeks”.

Justice Sharma, however, said Sisodia “should get an opportunity to see and meet his wife”.

“Therefore, for one day, as per the convenience of Seema Sisodia, the petitioner be taken to his residence/hospital (if she is admitted to the hospital) from 10 am to 5 pm in custody. However, during this period, the petitioner shall not interact with media in any manner nor shall he meet anybody except his wife or members of his family. The Commissioner of Delhi Police is also directed to ensure there should not be any media gathering near… his residence or hospital… The petitioner shall also not use any phone or internet,” the HC said.

EX-MLA ANSARI GETS LIFE TERM FOR 1991 MURDER

Almost 32 years after the murder of a Congress leader’s brother, a Varanasi court on Monday held gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari guilty of the crime and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Awadhesh Rai, the brother of former MLA Ajay Rai, was shot dead on August 3, 1991, at the gate of his Lahurabir residence in Varanasi. An FIR was registered against Mukhtar Ansari and others.

“This is the end of our many years of waiting. I, my parents, Awadhesh’s daughter and the whole family kept patience… Govts came and went and Mukhtar strengthened himself. But we did not give up,” Ajay Rai told the media.

NUDITY NOT ESSENTIALLY OBSCENE OR INDECENT: KERALA HC

The right of autonomy over one's body is often denied to the fairer sex and they are bullied, discriminated against, isolated and persecuted for making choices about their bodies and lives, the Kerala high court said on Monday while discharging a women's rights activist in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case.

Rehana Fathima, a woman's right activist, was facing charges under various provisions of the POCSO, Juvenile Justice and the Information Technology (IT) Acts for circulating a video in which she was seen posing semi-nude for her minor children, allowing them to paint on her body.

Discharging her from the case, Justice Kauser Edappagath said that from the allegations against the 33-year-old activist, it was not possible to anyone to infer that her children were used for any real or simulated sexual acts and that too for sexual gratification. The court said that she only allowed her body to be used as a canvas for her children to paint on.

'The right of a woman to make autonomous decisions about her body is at the very core of her fundamental right to equality and privacy. It also falls within the realm of personal liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution,' it said.

The order came on Fathima's appeal against a trial court decision dismissing her plea to be discharged from the case.

In her appeal in the high court, she had asserted that the body painting was meant as a political statement against the default view of society that the naked upper body of the female is sexualised in all contexts, whereas the naked male upper body is not treated to this default sexualisation.

APPLE VISION PRO HEADSET TO OFFER IMMERSIVE SPATIAL EXPERIENCE AT $3499

Apple on June 5 debuted its augmented reality headset named Vision Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 (WWDC23). The much-awaited headset will cost $3,499 and come in early 2024. Apple calls it a new kind of computer that augments reality by seamlessly blending the real world with the digital world. It is designed to look through than at it, said Apple. The device will be based on VisionOS, which the company did not go into detail about at the WWDC23.

Apple Vision Pro could be controlled using the hands, eyes, and voice. It would turn surroundings into an infinite canvas for you to use apps anywhere and in any size. The device has built-in cameras and sensors to capture photos and videos, and to interact with the digital world in spatial settings.

“In the same way Mac introduced us to personal computing and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro will introduce us to spatial computing,” said Tim Cook. “This will mark the new beginning that will bring a new dimension to powerful and personal technology.”

FRENCH OPEN: SINGLES DOWN TO LAST 8S

Men

C.Alcaraz (1) vs S.Tsitsipas (5)

N.Djokovic (3) vs K.Khachanov (11)

H.Rune (6) vs C.Ruud (4)

A.Zverev (22) vs TM.Etcheverry

Women

I.Swiatek (1) vs C.Gauff (6)

B.Haddad Maia (14) vs O.Jabeur (7)

K.Muchova vs A.Pavlyuchenkova

E.Svitolina vs A.Sabalenka (2)

INDICATORS

Sensex 62,787 (+240), Nifty 18,594 (+60)

Nasdaq 13,229 (-11) Dow 33,563 (-200), S&P 4,274 (-9)

US$-Rs. 82.53, GBP-Rs. 102.49, Euro-Rs. 88.32, UAE Dhm-Rs. 22.46, Can$-Rs. 61.42, Aus$- Rs. 54.52

GBP 0.80 /US$, Euro 0.93 /US$, Jap.Yen 139.93 /US$, Aus$ 1.51 /US$, Sing 1.35 /US$, Bang Taka 106.59 /US$, Can$ 1.34 /US$, Mal Ring 4.57 /US$, Pak Re 285.76 /US$, Phil Peso 56.16 /US$, Russian Rouble 81.00 /US$, NZ$ 1.64 /US$, Thai Baht 34.79 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 36.75 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 26,652, Dollar Index 103.94, Brent Crude 76.58, BDI 939

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,960 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 6,033 / 5,530, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 77,700

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I do not like the phrase: Never cross a bridge till you come to it. The world is owned by men who cross bridges on their imaginations miles and miles in advance of the procession. - Bruce Barton

OFF TRACK

A lady looked at my Burger and said: You know, a Sheep died so you could have that Burger.

I looked at her Green Salad and responded: Maybe it died because you keep eating all its food!