GOVT TO FOREIGN GOVTS: PRO-KHALISTAN POSTERS NOT FREE SPEECH, ACT NOW

In a strongly-worded message to foreign govts on posters by pro-Khalistan groups inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that space should not be given to those advocating violence or legitimising terrorism in the name of freedom of expression.

Such posters have surfaced in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK ahead of a “rally” being organised by pro-Khalistan groups in these countries. On July 2, pro-Khalistan activists attempted to burn down the Indian consulate in San Francisco.

“In the name of freedom of expression, we should not be giving space to those who advocate violence or propagate separatism or legitimise terrorism… the posters inciting violence against our diplomats and our diplomatic premises abroad are unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest terms,” the MEA’s official spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, said.

“This is primarily a responsibility that we expect that host govts will discharge as per their obligations under the Vienna Conventions, and we are reminding them of what they need to do and also bringing to their attention specific instances which might come to our attention,” he said.

“With respect to Canada, the matter has been strongly taken up with the Canadian authorities, both in New Delhi and Ottawa,” he said.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada has always taken “serious action” against terrorism and it will continue to do so, as he asserted that it is “wrong” to believe his govt is soft on Khalistan supporters in the country.

His remarks came days after India summoned the Canadian envoy in New Delhi on Monday and issued a demarche over increasing activities by pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. His remarks also came two days ahead of a proposed pro-Khalistan rally outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa on July 8.

The MEA spokesperson also said the arson attempt at the Indian consulate in San Francisco was quickly brought under control by local authorities, adding that the US administration responded “very promptly” at senior levels.

INDIA REJECTS HAGUE COA ‘COMPETENCE’ TO HEAR PAK OBJECTIONS TO INDIA PROJECTS

Hours after a Court of Arbitration (CoA) ruled that it has “competence” to consider matters concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, a construction that Pakistan has opposed, India on Thursday reiterated its “consistent and principled position” that the constitution of the “so-called Court of Arbitration” is in contravention of the provisions of 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

In a statement, the MEA said, “A Neutral Expert is already seized of differences pertaining to Kishen-ganga and Ratle projects. Neutral Expert proceedings are the only Treaty-consistent proceedings at this juncture. The Treaty does not provide for parallel proceedings on same set of issues.”

SHARAD PAWAR ASKS HOW DID PAPERS ‘FROM AJIT PAWAR’ TAKE 5 DAYS TO REACH EC

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday chaired a meeting of the party’s working committee which expressed “full faith and confidence” in him, and approved his decision to expel “Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and nine NCP MLAs who have joined hands with the BJP”.

“I am the president of the NCP. Someone may issue a statement and say anything, that does not mean anything,” Pawar said after the meeting. “I will work more effectively now, whether 82 or 92,” he said, a day after Ajit Pawar said that he should retire.

While it has been reported that Ajit Pawar had approached the EC on June 30 seeking recognition of his faction as the real NCP, and the poll panel on Wednesday received about 40 affidavits dated June 30 from NCP MPs, MLAs and MLCs expressing support for Ajit Pawar, the NCP founder said: “I did not know that important papers took five days to travel from one place to another in this country.”

Dismissing the rival camp’s claim that they had the support of two-thirds of the MLAs, Pawar said the EC would decide. “But I know one thing, that the people have extended their support to us,” he said.

4-MEMBER GOM TO STUDY UCC ISSUES

The govt has constituted a four-member group of ministers (GoM) to study issues related to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The GoM will comprise Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Smriti Irani, Arjun Ram Meghwal and G Kishan Reddy. While Rijiju has been tasked with studying issues related to tribal societies and their customs, Women and Child Development Minister Irani will look at women-related issues. Law Minister Meghwal will give an overall legal perspective to the debatable issues while Reddy will peruse matters concerning north-eastern states.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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XI CALLS ON MILITARY TO DEEPEN PLANNING, TO UP VICTORY CHANCES:

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged the military to deepen war and combat planning to increase the chances of victory in actual combat.

Xi said the world has entered a new period of turmoil and change and China’s security situation has become more unstable and uncertain, in comments he made to troops while on an inspection tour of the Eastern Theater Command. The Eastern Theater Command is responsible for the security of eastern China, including the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Xi’s call to step up combat-readiness came as US treasury secretary Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing for talks aimed at easing tensions between the US and China. “We must persist in thinking and handling military issues from a political perspective, dare to fight, be good at fighting, and resolutely defend our national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

MILITARY TRIAL SET FOR IMRAN KHAN

Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan has been named in multiple terrorism-related cases of attacks on govt, army and ISI facilities on May 9 following his dramatic arrest by paramilitary personnel from the Islamabad high court premises.

Imran’s nomination in cases related to the attack on the Pakistan army GHQ in Rawalpindi, and damaging army and ISI property, has apparently paved the way for his possible trial in military courts. His nomination in at least six cases came after regional police officers were directed by their chief to nominate Imran in all cases registered for May 9 attacks by adding-Penal Code Section 34 to those FIRs. Section 34 states that when a criminal act is done by several people, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act in the same manner as if it was done by him alone.

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MANIPUR: AS CM ORDERS BUNKERS’ REMOVAL, FORCES & PEOPLE SKEPTICAL

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s announcement that all bunkers built by Meiteis and Kukis to defend their villages would be destroyed has left a large section of the security establishment skeptical about how this would be achieved given that violence continues unabated from both sides and people are not even ready to surrender their guns.

The Kuki groups have rejected the announcement and said bunkers are essential to protect their villages from marauding mobs. The Meitei groups have supported the idea but underlined that the govt must ensure security of their villages.

During a press conference in Imphal, Singh announced that the operation to destroy bunkers would be led by the Indian Army. Defence sources, however, said this was easier said than done.

HIGH COMMAND MESSAGE TO RAJASTHAN CONG: UNITY, DISCIPLINE FIRST

The Congress high command is learnt to have assured Sachin Pilot that it will direct the Ashok Gehlot govt to act on his three demands, including a probe into alleged corruption cases against the previous Vasundhara Raje regime in Rajasthan, and warned against leaders speaking outside party forums.

At a much-awaited meeting to put its house in order in Rajasthan, where the party is caught in a long-running tussle between Pilot and Gehlot, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday assured the younger leader and cautioned the senior, while praising Gehlot for his govt’s popular welfare schemes.

Pilot was present at the meeting along with 28 other leaders from the state for talks that lasted four hours, with the overall thrust being firming up the party’s strategy for the forthcoming Assembly elections. Gehlot, who was advised rest by doctors after he fractured his left toe a few days ago, joined the meeting virtually.

Addressing a press meeting later, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said leaders had been warned strictly to maintain discipline.

BENGAL PANCHAYAT POLLS: CENTRAL FORCES TO STAY FOR 10 DAYS AFTER RESULTS

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed that the Central forces will remain deployed across West Bengal for 10 days after the panchayat poll results are declared on July 11 in order “to ensure the safety of people and elected panchayat members”.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Uday Kumar passed the order while hearing a plea of BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Suvendu Adhikari who sought deployment of Central forces in the state apprehending post-poll violence.

The BJP leader had filed a contempt petition against the State Election Commission (SEC) for not following the High Court’s orders on the deployment of Central forces.

The matter is listed for further hearing on July 10.

WHY DO YOU NEED FACT-CHECK UNIT WHEN YOU HAVE PIB: BOMBAY HC TO CENTRE

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said if the effect of a rule or law is unconstitutional, it has to go, no matter how laudable the motive may be.

A division bench of Justices Gautam S Patel and Neela K Gokhale made these observations as it began final hearing on pleas challenging the amended Information Technology Rules that empower the govt to identify “fake news” about it on social media platforms through the Fact Check Unit (FCU).

The bench also questioned the Centre’s silence on the need for amended Rules – these have been challenged by standup comedian Kunal Kamra, Editors Guild of India, New Broadcast and Digital Association and Association of Indian Magazines.

According to the IT Rules amended in April this year, content marked by the FCU as “fake or misleading” will have to be taken down by online intermediaries if they wish to retain their “safe harbour” (legal immunity against third-party content).

The bench questioned whether the mechanism of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), that has been in existence for long, is so inadequate that it requires an amendment to include the FCU.

Senior Advocate Navroz Seervai, representing Kamra, claimed that the Rules were amended by the govt to show “it is my way or the highway”. He said the govt, in a way, is saying that it will ensure that social media covers only what it wants and everything else is censored.

“It wants to take the role of parents or nanny of the public,” Seervai said, adding that the petitioner did not understand why the govt was underestimating the intellect of citizens by being the “nanny state” under the garb of shielding public from what is bad and distasteful.

Responding to Kamra’s claim that the impugned Rules violated fundamental rights of citizens, the bench said, “No matter how laudable or high the motives are, if the effect is unconstitutional then it has to go.”

FIRST OVERSEAS IIT CAMPUS TO COME UP IN TANZANIA

The first IIT campus outside India will come up in Tanzania’s Zanzibar and it is expected to launch academic programmes in October, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. The MoU was inked on Wednesday in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Zanzibar’s President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

Jaishankar described the move as a “historic step” that reflected India’s commitment to the Global South. IIT Madras degrees will be awarded to the students enrolled in this campus.

The campus in Zanzibar is envisioned as a world class higher education and research institution with a broader mission to develop competencies in response to emerging global requirements.

LIFE TERM WITHOUT REMISSION FOR FOUR DELHI BLAST CONVICTS

Citing severity of the offence resulting in death of innocent persons, the Supreme Court on Thursday awarded life imprisonment for the remainder of their lives without remission to four convicts in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar bomb blast case in which 13 persons were killed and nearly 40 injured.

The four convicts are Mohd Naushad, Mirza Nissar Hussain, Mohd Ali Bhatt and Javed Ahmed Khan.

A powerful blast rocked the bustling Lajpat Nagar market in South Delhi on the evening of May 21, 1996, killing 13 persons and injuring around 40 others, besides causing damage to private and public properties.

The Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF) had taken responsibility for the attack.

The Bench, which expressed concern over the delay in taking the case to its logical conclusion, noted that expeditious trial of such cases was the need of the hour, especially when it concerned national security and the common man.

GOVT OKAYS DRAFT NOTIFICATION FOR MANDATING AIR CONDITIONED TRUCK CABINS

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the draft notification to mandate the installation of air-conditioning systems in the cabins of trucks has been approved.

This decision marks a significant milestone in providing comfortable working conditions for truck drivers, thereby improving their efficiency and addressing the problem of driver fatigue, Gadkari said.

Last month, the minister said truck drivers play a key role in the transport sector which is one of the most important areas for India, and there is a need to address issues regarding their working conditions and state of mind.

Lamenting that truck drivers have been forced to work in extreme heat conditions, the minister had said that he has been pushing for air-conditioned cabins for truck drivers for a long time even as "some people objected to it saying it will increase costs."

US ASKS COURT NOT TO STOP 26/11 ACCUSED RANA'S EXTRADITION

The US administration has urged a court to deny the writ of habeas corpus filed by Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana and sought his extradition to India to face trial for his involvement in the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks.

“The US respectfully requests the court to deny Rana’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus,” said E Martin Estrada, US attorney for Central District of California in his petition before the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Rana’s attorney has argued that his extradition would violate the US-India extradition treaty on two counts. First, a US court has tried and acquitted Rana for charges based on the identical conduct for which India sought to prosecute him. The treaty says, “Extradition shall not be granted when the person sought has been convicted or acquitted in the requested state for the offence for which extradition is requested”. Second, the materials submitted by the govt of India failed to establish he committed the offences, the attorney said.

TWITTER ACCUSES THREADS OF STEALING TRADE SECRETS

Threads, the app launched by Meta to beat out struggling Twitter, has run into legal trouble just hours after its launch. While the app has already gained over 30 million users since being launched on Thursday, its rival has threatened a lawsuit, claiming that Threads violates Twitter's “intellectual property rights”.

Elon Musk's lawyer Alex Spiro has written to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing him of "unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property." The letter was first published by the news outlet Semafor.

The letter accused Meta of hiring dozens of former Twitter employees who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information."

“Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information,” Alex Spiro wrote in the letter.

Musk, in response to a tweet citing the news said, "Competition is fine, cheating is not."

Meta in its defence claimed that no one in the engineering team at Threads is a former Twitter employee.

LEEDS TEST, DAY 1: FORTUNES SWING ALL DAY

On another sensational day of Ashes action, with the pendulum swinging this way and that, England finished Day One of the pivotal third Test on 68-3 after bowling Australia out for 263 at Headingley. A superb century from forgotten man Mitchell Marsh (118) on Thursday dragged Australia back into the contest after the tourists had been struggling at 85-4, before a blistering spell of bowling from Mark Wood had the crowd off their seats.

Taking the final six Australian wickets for 23 runs, England looked to be in the ascendancy in a match they have to win to prevent the tourists retaining the Ashes with two games to spare.

However, the dismissals of both openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, along with new number three Harry Brook, before the close of play ensured it was difficult to call who had the advantage after an action-packed encounter.

WIMBLEDON: FRENCH OPEN FINALISTS RUUD, MUCHOVA CRASH OUT

The Roland Garros finalists in the men’s and women’s draws bowed out of Wimbledon. Norwegian Casper Ruud, the fourth seed, lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 0-6 to British wildcard entrant Liam Broady in the second round and Czech Karolina Muchova, went down 6-4, 5-7, 1-6 to 23-year-old German Jule Niemeier.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Happiness is mostly a byproduct of doing what makes us feel fulfilled. - Benjamin Spock

OFF TRACK

Feeling edgy, a man took a long hot bath. Just as he became comfortable, the doorbell rang. The man got out of the tub, put on his slippers and robe and started for the door. He took one step, slipped on a wet spot, fell backward, and hit his back against the hard porcelain bathtub.

Cursing under his breath, the man struggled into his street clothes and with every move a stab of pain, drove to the doctor.

After examining him, the doctor said, "You know, you've been lucky. Nothing is broken. But you need to relax... Why don't you go home and take a long hot bath?"