SL to offer free visas on arrival to boost tourism after bombings
Sri Lanka will offer free visas on arrival to citizens of 48 countries, including India and China in a bid to boost tourism. The government’s move comes in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka in April. Foreign visitor arrivals in Sri Lanka in May fell by 70.8%, the lowest since the end of the civil war.
ACB nabs govt officer while taking ₹6,000 bribe in Andhra
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday nabbed a government officer red-handed while taking a bribe of ₹6,000 from a complainant in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam, police said. As per officials, the officer sought bribe from the complainant for clearing bills of nine workers who had recently retired from their services. The police have seized the bribe money.
3 Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh cadres arrested in Assam
Three Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) trained cadres were arrested in different raids in Assam’s Barpeta, police said. The police added that they had been keeping a watch on the JMB activities in view of the upcoming Independence Day. A country-made revolver and four live rounds were seized from a JMB cadre’s possession, Superintendent of Police said.
Everything is fine, don’t pay attention to rumours: J&K Guv
Reacting to some leaked government orders, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said, “None of the orders being shown are valid” and everything is “fine” in the state. There’s no need to pay attention to rumours, he added. His comment came amid the CAPF’s deployment and a leaked note by a railway security officer on stockpiling rations in J&K.
Microsoft acquires data privacy, governance startup BlueTalon
Microsoft has acquired California-based data privacy and governance service startup BlueTalon for an undisclosed amount. Backed by investors including Bloomberg Beta, Maverick Ventures, Signia Venture Partners and Stanford’s StartX fund, BlueTalon has raised over $27 million to date, as per Crunchbase. BlueTalon works with leading Fortune 100 companies to eliminate data security blind spots.
Residential academies need of hour to lift Indian football: Thapa
Ex-footballer and chairman of AIFF technical committee Shyam Thapa has said having residential academies across India is the “need of the hour” if the level of football has to be improved in the country. “If…even 15 states agree (to have an academy) then see how many boys we’ll have and we can also conduct competitive tournaments for them,” he added.
Caster Semenya blocked from competing at world championships
Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya won’t be eligible to compete in 800m at this year’s world track and field championships after a Swiss court reversed a June ruling that had allowed Semenya to compete. The ruling had suspended a regulation imposed by IAAF regarding testosterone levels pending her appeal. The 28-year-old has refused to take medication to be in compliance.
CBI opens probe into Rolls-Royce’s dealings with three govt firms
The CBI has alleged that British engine maker Rolls-Royce improperly used a third-party to conduct business with Hindustan Aeronautics, ONGC and GAIL. The agency said Rolls-Royce’s appointment of Ashok Patni, director at Singapore-based Aashmore, as a commercial adviser in dealing with the firms violated regulations. Aashmore was paid commission of at least ₹55 crore between 2007 and 2011.
Dubai Princess seeks marriage protection order after fleeing UAE
Dubai’s Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein has applied for a forced marriage protection order and a non-molestation order in a UK court after she fled the UAE following the break-up of her marriage. Princess Haya also applied for the wardship of her children. Meanwhile, Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum applied for the return of his children.
Pak violates ceasefire in J&K’s Tangdhar, 4 civilians injured
Four civilians were injured in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Jammu and Kashmir’s Tangdhar sector on Tuesday, officials said. Pakistani troops also violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Nowshera sector, following which the Indian Army retaliated effectively. Earlier, a jawan was martyred in Rajouri district following a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops.
T’gana Deputy Speaker stuffs cash into kid’s mouth during festival
A video has surfaced online, showing Telangana Deputy Speaker T Padma Rao stuffing cash into a child’s mouth during Bonalu festival celebrations in Secunderabad. The boy was playing a percussion instrument for the crowd when the incident took place. Following criticism for his act, Rao said, “I was impressed with the boy’s performance…It’s not such a big thing.”
Delhi hospitals warned for denying free treatment to burn victims
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday met representatives of 152 private hospitals and medical institutions and warned them against denying free treatment to victims of accidents, burns and acid attacks. Promising strict action against “irresponsible” hospitals, he stated, “If a person dies due to their negligent behaviour, the government won’t think twice before cancelling the hospital’s licence.”
8-foot-long crocodile emerges out of roadside drain in Maharashtra
A video of an 8-foot-long crocodile emerging out of a roadside drain in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district has surfaced online. Locals alerted the fire brigade and the Forest Department after they heard sounds coming from the drain as the reptile struggled to escape. “This is quite common in this region during monsoon…It was released back into the river,” said an official.
Residents of ‘Pakistan Wali Gali’ in UP urge PM to change its name
Residents of ‘Pakistan Wali Gali’ in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida have urged PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath to change the name of their street. The residents claimed that they aren’t getting employment and are treated badly by people due to the name. The area got the name after some people from Pakistan settled down there during partition.
Congress expels 14 rebel MLAs in Karnataka
Congress on Tuesday expelled the 14 rebel Karnataka MLAs, whose resignations led to the fall of Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state. The action by the party comes days after these MLAs were disqualified from the state legislature by Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar before he tendered his own resignation. The MLAs had also abstained from voting during trust vote.
Can’t leave women crying on footpaths: RS Prasad on triple talaq
Defending the Triple Talaq Bill on Tuesday, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government cannot abandon women who have been divorced by triple talaq via WhatsApp or other such means. Calling it a matter of humanity and women empowerment, he asked, “Should I leave them crying and sobbing on the footpaths?” The Bill has been passed by Rajya Sabha.
I did 17 films with David, even his son won’t do that: Govinda
Actor Govinda, while opening up about his rift with filmmaker David Dhawan, said he has done 17 films with him and added, “I do not think his son [Varun] will ever do 17 films with him, because he is, after all…educated.” “I did not even treat my relatives so well as I treated him,” Govinda added.
Body of missing CCD Founder Siddhartha found from Mangaluru river
Cafè Coffee Day Founder VG Siddhartha’s body has been found on the banks of river Netravati in Mangaluru after he went missing on Monday. Siddhartha had asked his car driver to drop him at a bridge across the river. Earlier, a letter by Siddhartha surfaced online, wherein he wrote, “I fought for a long time but today I gave up.”
