Name: AK Antony: Sonia, Rahul never interfered in defence deals
Uploaded: 2018-12-31T18:43:54.0+05:30
Duration: T00M52S
Channel: editorji

Defending Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi from the political fallout of the AugustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, former defence minister A K Antony said that former and cur

AK Antony: Sonia, Rahul never interfered in defence deals

Defending Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi from the political fallout of the AugustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, former defence minister A K Antony said that former and current Congress presidents had not interfered in defence deals during the UPA years. He accused the centre of 'misusing agencies' to 'manufacture lies'. "As former defence minister, I would like to categorically state that Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never showed any interest in any defence deal. The moment the report came from Italy that there is corruption in this case, it was me who had ordered a CBI enquiry, not this government", said Antony.

Karnataka and capital Bengaluru reported a steep spike in Covid cases on Thursday. The state reported 2,052 new cases, 34 per cent more than Wednesday's tally of 1,531.

Karnataka and capital Bengaluru reported a steep spike in Covid cases on Thursday. The state reported 2,052 new cases, 34 per cent more than Wednesday's tally of 1,531

Karnataka: 34% spike in Covis-19 cases in 24 hrs as curbs eased

Karnataka and capital Bengaluru reported a steep spike in Covid cases on Thursday. The state reported 2,052 new cases, 34 per cent more than Wednesday's tally of 1,531. The capital city clocked 505 cases, 34 per cent higher than a day ago.
The number of active Covid cases in the state stands at 23,253. The state's positivity rate was 1.37 per cent. Karnataka recorded 35 deaths due to the infection over the past 24 hours.
Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/as-cases-spike-icmr-serosurvey-shows-kerala-has-least-covid-antibodies-1627536618376" target="_blank">As cases spike, ICMR serosurvey shows Kerala has least Covid antibodies</a>
The state government had relaxed Covid restrictions as cases began to drop.
It has reduced the duration of night curfew by an hour. Full seating has been allowed on buses and trains. Cinema and theatres were also allowed to open from July 19.
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TMC workers took out a procession with a horse in Kolkata over the 'Pegasus project' issue. Madan Mitra seen walking blindfolded.

TMC&nbsp;workers&nbsp;took out a procession with a horse in Kolkata over the 'Pegasus project' issue. Madan&nbsp;Mitra seen walking blindfolded.

Pegasus row: TMC workers protest with a horse, Maidan Mitra walks blindfolded

Workers of Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday took out a procession with a horse in Kolkata over the 'Pegasus project' issue. Party leader Madan Mitra was seen first walking blindfolded beside the horse and then riding it.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that her government in the state has set up a two-member inquiry commission to probe the Pegasus spyware row as the union government was "reluctant" to investigate the snooping allegations. She added that the panel will probe the &lsquo;illegal hacking, tracking and recording of mobile phones in West Bengal&rsquo;. Also Read:&nbsp;<a title="Mamata Banerjee meets PM Modi, asks for all-party meet on Pegasus row" href="https://www.edtr.ai/9zt4" target="_blank">Mamata Banerjee meets PM Modi, asks for all-party meet on Pegasus row</a>

Ahead of the admission process to higher educational institutes which is set to begin in Madhya Pradesh on August 1, the state’s higher education department has n

Ahead of the admission process to higher educational institutes which is set to begin in Madhya Pradesh on August 1, the state&rsquo;s higher education department has notified rules barring students facing criminal charges from getting admissions to universities and colleges.
A 48-page new rule book for admissions was notified on July 15 and made available to colleges.
Students seeking admissions will have to submit declarations that there are no pending cases against them to get admissions. Students found guilty of misbehaving with faculty, staff, or other students and vandalising property will also not get admissions.
Student leaders are however not in agreement. They have said the rules could be misused for targeting students on an ideological basis and for participating in protests against the government or colleges.
Higher education department principal secretary Anupam Rajan said they will ensure more clarity in the rules so that genuine students do not suffer.
Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/on-camera-two-tribal-women-in-madhya-pradesh-thrashed-for-chatting-on-phone-with-cousins-1625399526799" target="_blank">On camera: two tribal women in Madhya Pradesh thrashed for chatting on phone with cousins</a>

The Israeli government on Wednesday raided the offices of surveillance software firm NSO amid growing international pressure following the Pegasus snooping reveal. NSO

The Israeli government on Wednesday raided the offices of surveillance software firm NSO amid growing international pressure following the Pegasus snooping reveal.
NSO called the visit by the Israeli Ministry of Defence &lsquo;inspection&rsquo;, adding that the company was working in full transparency with the Israeli authorities. A company spokesperson said that the inspection will prove the facts against what they called &lsquo;false allegations by the media&rsquo;.
Israeli news outlet Calcalist reporting sources called the raids more of a formal meeting that a thorough audit.
An international collaborative investigative project revealed that the NSO group&rsquo;s software Pegasus was used unlawfully to snoop on government authorities, journalists, activist and other human rights workers.
Countries across the globe have reacted differently to the spying reveal. While France has ordered an investigation, Mexico confirmed that the previous government&rsquo;s bought the spyware.
India has denied all allegations of snooping.

Centre has set off a new political controversy in Bihar in which the ruling BJP is part of the Nitish Kumar-led govt by saying the state is the most backward

The Centre has set off a new political controversy in Bihar in which the ruling BJP is part of the Nitish Kumar-led government. The government while responding to a question in the Lok Sabha by an MP of Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) said Bihar is India's most backward state according to a report.
Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said in his written reply that according to NITI Aayog's report, Bihar's composite score was the lowest among all states. The minister attributed Bihar's poor score to factors like poverty, the worst literacy rate in those who are 15 and above and lowest mobile use and internet use.
Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/nishikant-dubey-says-mahua-moitra-called-him-bihari-gunda-tmc-mp-replies-1627529894805" target="_blank">Nishikant Dubey says Mahua Moitra called him 'Bihari Gunda', TMC MP replies</a>
Bihar's opposition party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seized the opportunity to take a dig at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. RJD chief Tejasvi Yadav asked why despite a double engine government, Bihar is slipping on all the parameters.

PM Modi addressed policymakers in the domain of education and skill development on the completion of one year of the new National Education Policy (NEP). The Prime Min

PM Modi addressed policymakers in the domain of education and skill development on the completion of one year of the new National Education Policy (NEP).
Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/27-reservation-for-obc-10-for-ews-in-medical-colleges-under-centre-s-all-india-quota-scheme-1627558898199">27% reservation for OBC &amp; 10% for EWS in medical colleges under Centre's All India Quota scheme</a>
The Prime Minister said NEP can provide proper atmosphere, infrastructure to talented Indian youths as he launched the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) and National Education Technology Forum (NETF).
Elaborating on the initiatives launched PM Modi said engineering education will be imparted in 11 regional languages of India in its first year to plug the language divide in the country.
The list of initiatives launched on Thursday also includes Vidya Pravesh, a three-month play-based school preparation module for Grade 1 students, Indian sign language as a subject at secondary level and NISHTHA 2.0, an integrated programme of teacher training designed by the NCERT.
He also stressed that the Academic Bank of credit system based on modern technology is going to bring a revolutionary change in this direction for the students.

As the second wave of the Corona subsided, the number of tourists began to flock to the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling in West Bengal. Though there is a sense of relief

As the second wave of the Corona subsided, the number of tourists began to flock to the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling in West Bengal. Though there is a sense of relief in the rest of the state as Covid situation is under control, the infection continues to grow in the hills. The Darjeeling district administration sees the influx of tourists as one of the reasons behind the sudden increase in infections.
Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/amp/kerala-covid-surge-centre-rushes-team-state-govt-clamps-full-weekend-lockdown-1627542852692" target="_blank">Kerala Covid surge: Centre rushes team, state govt clamps full weekend lockdown</a>
To curb the spread of infection, the administration has made it mandatory for tourists to be doubly vaccinated or carry a negative RTPCR test report not more than 3 days old. Tourists are being sent back if they don&rsquo;t fulfill the condition.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has extended the COVID-19 restrictions in the state till August 15. The night curfew hours will remain in place between 9 PM to 5 AM except emergency and essential services.&nbsp; Issuing a press release, the state government reiterated that wearing of masks, maintenance of physical distancing and health &amp; hygiene protocol must be followed at all times.

The union govt has announced a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in medical and dental courses at under-gra

The union govt has announced a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in medical and dental courses at under-graduate and post-graduate level&nbsp;under its All India Quota scheme from academic year 2021-22.&nbsp;
The scheme was introduced in 1986 to provide&nbsp;merit-based opportunities to students from any state who aspire to study in a good medical college in another state.&nbsp;
The statement issued by the govt said that so far the 27% quota for OBCs&nbsp;was only implemented in central institutions but now it will be extended to state medical and dental colleges as well.&nbsp;
10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections was implemented in medical education in 2019 but seats falling under AIQ&nbsp;were not included in it so far, the statement added.&nbsp;
According to the govt,&nbsp;around 1500 OBC students in MBBS and 2500 OBC students in postgraduation and also around 550 EWS students in MBBS and around 1000 EWS students in postgraduation&nbsp;will benefit from this decision every year.&nbsp;

The Delhi Assembly on July 29, passed a resolution asking the Home Ministry to cancel the appointment of senior IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the national capital's Pol

The Delhi Assembly on July 29, passed a resolution asking the Home Ministry to cancel the appointment of senior IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as the national capital's Police Commissioner.
Also Read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/ex-cbi-special-director-rakesh-asthana-appointed-delhi-police-commissioner-1627437779070" target="_blank">Ex-CBI special director Rakesh Asthana appointed Delhi Police commissioner</a>
However, the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri praising Asthana noted that he was instrumental in cracking the fodder scam against the then Chief Minister of Bihar.
Meanwhile, Delhi Home Minister Satyender Jain took pot shots at Bidhuri's speech, saying that in his praise for the new Commissioner, he has highlighted the fact that the Commissioners before Asthana were useless.
In an order issued on Tuesday, Home Ministry said that Asthana, who was serving as the Director General of the Border Security Force, would join as the Delhi Police Commissioner with immediate effect.

International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on July 29 to spread awareness on tiger conservation.

On the occasion of <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/international-tiger-day-2021-with-only-3900-tigers-left-in-the-wild-help-save-them-now-1627371233491" target="_blank">International Tiger Day</a>, Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;greeted wildlife lovers,&nbsp;especially those who are passionate about tiger conservation.
Accompanied by photographs, in a series of tweets, PM&nbsp;Modi said that home to over 70 per cent of the tiger population globally, India reiterates its commitment to ensuring safe habitats for tigers and nurturing tiger-friendly eco-systems.
Also See |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/tiger-project-india-s-success-story-1627427750813" target="_blank">In depth: The Tiger Project and India's success story</a>
In another tweet, PM Modi wrote: India is&nbsp;home&nbsp;to 51 tiger reserves spread across 18 states. The last tiger census of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger population.
Prime Minister further tweeted,&nbsp;India's strategy of tiger conservation attaches topmost importance to involving local communities.
International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on July 29 to spread awareness on&nbsp;tiger conservation.
The date July 29, is historic because on this day several countries signed the agreement in the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, which was held in Russia in 2010.

Along with being the leader of the largest democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now one of the most followed on Twitter.

Along with being the leader of the largest democracy, Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;is now one of the most followed on Twitter.&nbsp;
Since 2009, when he first joined the microblogging&nbsp;platform, Modi&nbsp;has amassed over 70 million followers. Coincidentally, Kim Kardashian&nbsp;also shares that accolade with our prime minister.
Modi is very active on Twitter and regularly uses the tweets&nbsp;his views on the country&rsquo;s development, highlighting new achievements and promoting welfare programmes carried out by his government.
After Modi, Pope Francis is the world leader with the highest number of followers on the site at 53 million.
Also Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/delhi-high-court-gives-twitter-last-chance-to-comply-with-it-rules-1627533158364" target="_blank">Delhi High Court gives Twitter 'last chance' to comply with IT rules</a>

The Union Health Ministry will depute a six-member team to Kerala for effective Covid-19 management as the state reports a spike in daily cases. The team headed by Nat

The Union Health Ministry will depute a six-member team to Kerala for effective Covid-19 management as the state reports a spike in daily cases.
The team headed by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director S K Singh will reach Kerala on Friday and visit some districts reporting a high case positivity rate, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
In a tweet, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "The Central government is sending six-member team to Kerala. As a large number of COVID cases are still being reported in Kerala, the team will aid state's ongoing efforts in Covid-19 management." The ministry's statement said the team will work closely with state health authorities, take a stock of the ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions to contain the spread of the virus.
Also See |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/as-cases-spike-icmr-serosurvey-shows-kerala-has-least-covid-antibodies-1627536618376" target="_blank">As cases spike, ICMR serosurvey shows Kerala has least Covid antibodies</a>
With an active caseload of 1.54 lakh as of latest update, Kerala accounts for 37.1 per cent of the total active cases in the country.
Meanwhile, the Kerala govt has further extended the weekend lockdown from this week.

The supposed accident of a judge in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad has taken a chilling turn after CCTV footage from the scene revealed that a tempo driver deliberately ran

The supposed accident of a judge in Jharkhand&rsquo;s Dhanbad has taken a chilling turn after CCTV footage from the scene revealed that a tempo driver deliberately ran him over during his morning walk.
The CCTV footage shows the Jharkhand judge Uttam Anand jogging by the roadside when the tempo starts moving from the middle of the road towards the sidewalk even when the entire road looks empty.
The tempo then hits the judge and speeds away. The tempo&nbsp;driver has been arrested.
Judge Anand was found lying on the road, bleeding, by a man who took him to hospital, where he died later.
The incident was raised in the Supreme Court on Thursday. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said he had spoken to the Jharkhand High Court and asserted: "We are aware of the case and we will take care."
&nbsp;

As Covid cases show an alarming rise in Kerala, the findings of the 4th national serosurvey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows Kerala's se

As Covid cases show an alarming rise in Kerala, the findings of the 4th national serosurvey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows Kerala's seroprevalance is at the bottom with 44.4%, when compared to other states.
The ICMR serosurvey done between June 14 and July 6 showed that at least two-third of the population surveyed in 11 states were found to have developed coronavirus antibodies. Madhya Pradesh leads the chart with 79 per cent seroprevalence, while Kerala is at the bottom with 44.4 per cent.
Kerala on Wednesday recorded 22,056 fresh Covid-19 cases pushing the infection caseload to 33,27,301, with the total death toll in the state rising to 16,457 with 131 more deaths.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/mumbai-doctor-tests-covid-positive-3-times-twice-after-getting-both-vaccine-doses-1627448596201" target="_blank">Mumbai doctor tests Covid positive 3 times, twice after getting both vaccine doses</a>
The Health Ministry has also flagged the rise of cases in Kerala. Seven districts from Kerala have reported an increasing trend in daily new coronavirus cases during the last four weeks which is a cause of concern.

India recorded 43,509 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, which pushed the nationwide tally to 31,528,114. The death toll climbed to 4,22,662 with 640 daily fat

India recorded 43,509 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, which pushed the nationwide tally to 31,528,114. The death toll climbed to 4,22,662 with 640 daily fatalities.
Active cases now stand at 4,03,840, according to data released by the ministry. The national Covid-19 recovery rate stands at 97.38%. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to over 3 million. 
The total number of vaccine doses administered so far has reached 44.19 crore. The Centre has said more than 2.18 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states, Union Territories and private hospitals for inoculation.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/daily-covid-cases-cross-70-000-in-the-us-google-apple-postpone-return-to-work-on-virus-surge-1627528072382" target="_blank">Daily Covid cases cross 70,000 in the US, Google &amp; Apple postpone return to work on virus surge</a>

K Vanlalvena, Rajya Sabha MP from Mizoram on Wednesday openly threatened Assam police, amid an escalating border dispute between two neighbouring states Assam and Mizor

K Vanlalvena, Rajya Sabha MP from Mizoram on Wednesday openly threatened Assam police, amid an escalating border dispute between two neighbouring states Assam and Mizoram.
"More than 200 policemen entered out territory and they pushed back our policemen from our own posts and they gave firing orders first, before we fired. They are lucky that we didn't kill them all. If they come again, we shall kill them all," he said.
A team of Assam Police are now going to Delhi to question K Vanlalvena on what they alleged is a deliberate, unprovoked attack by the Mizoram Police near the border on Monday.
Six Assam policemen died in unprecedented violence between the police forces of two states earlier this week. The Assam police have alleged a conspiracy and accused the Mizoram MP of having a role in it.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/assam-mizoram-agree-to-deploy-neutral-forces-at-contested-border-1627494813264" target="_blank">Assam, Mizoram agree to deploy neutral forces at contested border</a>
The violence in which 45 people were also injured, had started on Monday morning at the Inner Line Reserve Forest area of Cachar district. Later each state had issued tit-for-tat allegations of intrusion in violation of a previous understanding. Paramilitary forces were deployed to keep the peace at the disturbed area.

Twitter has been given a 'last opportunity' by the Delhi High Court to file a 'better affidavit' within a week, showing its compliance to India's revised IT r

Twitter has been&nbsp;given a 'last opportunity' by the Delhi High Court&nbsp;to file a 'better affidavit' within a week, showing its compliance to India's revised IT rules. The court said the company was currently in 'total non-compliance' with the new rules.
A single-judge bench of Justice Rekha Palli said Twitter&rsquo;s affidavit must clearly state the details of the people it has appointed as its chief compliance officer and resident grievance officer. The firm must also explain why it has not yet appointed a nodal contact person and specify when it plans to do so.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/ghaziabad-assault-video-karnataka-hc-quashes-up-police-notice-to-twitter-india-head-1627042242757" target="_blank">Ghaziabad assault video: Karnataka HC quashes UP police notice to Twitter India head</a>
Last week, Twitter had told the court that it had filled key positions mandated by the IT Rules 2021, as per the court&rsquo;s earlier directions.&nbsp;In a memo filed, the social media giant said it had received verbal confirmation from a person who will be joining as its nodal contact person.

A war of words broke out between BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra inside and outside Parliament on Wednesday as Nishikant Dubey alleged that in the

A war of words broke out between BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra inside and outside Parliament on Wednesday as Nishikant Dubey alleged that in the meeting of the IT committee, Mahua called him a 'Bihari gunda' thrice. 
Tagging Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, Dubey wrote, that the way the TMC MP abused, the party's hatred towards North Indians and towards Hindi-speaking people was now clear in front of the country.
Mahua Moitra too responded on Twitter saying she is amused by the charge of name-calling as the said meeting did not take place, as there was no quorum.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/alone-i-am-nothing-have-to-work-together-bengal-cm-as-she-meets-sonia-gandhi-1627480415628" target="_blank">'Alone I am nothing, have to work together': Bengal CM as she meets Sonia Gandhi</a>
On Wednesday, Nishikant Dubey gave a notice to move a privilege motion seeking Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's removal as the head of the standing committee on information technology. The committee was scheduled to discuss the alleged Pegasus snooping, but the meeting could not be held as the BJP MPs refused to sign the attendance.

During a meeting on Wednesday called by the Ministry of Home Affairs to end the ongoing border tension between the two northeastern states, it was decided a neutral cen

During a meeting on Wednesday called by the Ministry of Home Affairs to end the ongoing border tension between the two northeastern states, it was decided a neutral central force will be deployed along the disturbed Assam-Mizoram border.
New agency PTI&nbsp;reported that the decision was taken after a two-hour-long meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and attended by officials&nbsp;from Assam and Mizoram.
Both state governments have agreed to the deployment of a neutral Central Armed Police Force at the disturbed interstate border along the National Highway 306, a home ministry official told&nbsp;PTI. The neutral force will be commanded by a senior officer of the CAPF.
Besides, in order to facilitate the functioning of the force, both the state governments will work out arrangements in coordination with the Union Home Ministry within a reasonable timeframe.

The US on Wednesday said that there can be no military solution to the Afghan conflict and India has and will continue to make vital contributions to Afghanistan's stab

The US on Wednesday said that there can be no military solution to the Afghan conflict and India has and will continue to make vital contributions to Afghanistan's stability and development as a leader and a critical American partner in the region.
The clear assertion was made by visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar after the two sides held extensive discussions on the evolving situation in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban making rapid advances across the country.
Blinken, the third senior member of the Biden administration to visit India this year, arrived in the national capital on Tuesday evening on a two-day visit in the midst of a deteriorating security scenario in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American troops.
The US Secretary of State said that ultimately the peace process in Afghanistan has to be "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned", a position that has been pushed by India consistently for the last several years.

AK Antony: Sonia, Rahul never interfered in defence deals

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