Highlights: For 9 years, BRS tried to crush ‘Telangana dream’, says Rahul Gandhi

The Punjab Police Sunday conducted an operation at various places, including railway stations, bus stands and hotels situated around them, across the state to crack down on anti-social elements.

The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public gathering in Telangana's Khammam on Sunday said, “We spoke about uniting the country during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The entire country supported the Yatra showing that they do not support the spread of hatred and violence but uniting the country. Khammam is Congress' stronghold and the people have always shown their support. The people here understand our ideology...Telangana was a dream, the dream of the poor, farmer and labourer. For 9 years TRS tried to crush this dream. Now the TRS has changed its name to BRS- BJP Ristedar Samithi.” (ANI)

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kahsmir Manoj Sinha on Sunday visited base camp in Baltal and reviews arrangements for Amarnath Yatra and took stock of amenities including healthcare, sanitation, communication, lodging and langar facilities and the day-wise status of the Yatris arriving at the camp, ANI reported.

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon will conduct joint maritime surveillance patrols this week with our Indian Navy mates. “As top-tier security partners, India and Australia will continue to work together to enhance our maritime capabilities and build maritime domain awareness,” the Australian High Commision was quoted as saying by ANI.

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will under the aegis of Ministry of Culture celebrate Ashadha Purnima at National Museum on Monday, a government statement said.

Click here for LIVE updates on the NCP crisis in Maharashtra, where Ajit Pawar, along with other MLAs, is set to take oath for the cabinet expansion today!

Amidst crisis in the National Congress Party (NCP), as Ajit Pawar and 10 other MLAs are speculated to join the Shinde government in Maharashtra, the state BJP president said,“Ajit Pawar and other NCP MLAs have come here. An Oath ceremony will be held here.” (ANI)

A Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker was killed and several other members of the ruling party and opposition outfits were injured in clashes in panchayat poll-bound West Bengal, PTI reported citing police.

A TMC worker, identified as 52-year-old Jiyarul Molla, was shot dead in Phulmalancha area in Basanti in South 24 Parganas district late on Saturday night while he was returning home, a police officer said.

The Rajya Sabha will meet from July 20 to August 11 for the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, the Upper House secretariat said.

"The President has summoned the Rajya Sabha to meet on Thursday, 20th July 2023 and to conclude on Friday, 11th August 2023," it said.

Earlier on Saturday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the monsoon session of Parliament will begin on July 20. (ANI)

At least two "village volunteers" were killed in an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen in Manipur's Bishnupur district, reported PTI citing police. 

The incident took place in Khoijumantabi village late on Sunday night when the "village volunteers" were guarding the area in a makeshift bunker, a police officer said.

Heavy exchange of fire was underway till filing of this report, he said, adding casualties are likely to go up.

Drugs worth nearly ₹12 crore were seized on Sunday and three traffickers nabbed by police in Kamrup district, an officer said.

Assam Police's Special Task Force (STF) Deputy Inspector General Partha Sarathi Mahanta said acting on a tip-off, the Kamrup district police led by Additional SP Kalyan Pathak launched an operation against trafficking of the consignment. (PTI)

China's Consulate General in Marseille complained to France after a bus carrying a Chinese tour group in the southern city had its windows smashed leading to minor injuries, China's Consular Affairs Office said in a statement on Sunday.

The Consulate General's formal complaint called for France to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and their property, the statement said. (Reuters)

Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC were relaxed in the Imphal West district of violence-hit Manipur on Sunday, according to a notification, reported PTI. 

The restrictions on the movement of people were imposed on May 3 after clashes broke out in the state, said the notification issued by Additional District Magistrate N Johnson Meetei on Saturday.

"… restriction of movement of general public outside their residences is hereby lifted for 2nd July, 2023 (Sunday) from 05:00 AM to 06:00 PM for all areas of Imphal West District," it said.

With the completion of the Niladri Bije ritual, the twelve-day-long annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra came to an end on Saturday. This world-famous Rathyatra was started on 20th June and the return car festival was held on 28th June.

The main aspect of the Niladri Bije ritual is the heavenly love and affection between Lord Jagannath and His wife Goddess Laxmi. (ANI)

Joy N Tirkey, DCP Northeast, said "Demolition drive is underway peacefully at Bhajanpura Chowk. A decision was taken by the Religious Committee of Delhi to remove a Hanuman Temple & a Mazar to further widen the road for Saharanpur Highway. Both structures are removed peacefully," reported ANI. 

Thousands of people rallied on Sunday in Australia to back a campaign to recognise the country's Indigenous people in the constitution ahead of a referendum later this year, after a recent dip in support for the change, reported Reuters. 

The referendum, likely to be held between October and December, seeks to amend the constitution and establish an advisory body - the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a direct say in policies that impact them.

Nahel M, the 17-year-old whose killing by a policeman sparked riots across France, was laid to rest. On Saturday, it appeared that the rioting was less intense even as thousands of police had been deployed in cities across the country. Read full story

Delhi Police Special Commissioner of Police Sagar Preet Hooda made surprise visits to many areas of Delhi for late-night checking, said an official.

Delhi Police checked the police personnel posted on the night picket, checked the security arrangements, and interrogated several vehicles at the West District Janakpuri night picket as well, said the Police. (ANI)

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres visited Haiti on Saturday and again called on foreign governments with strong security forces to help the struggling country fight a surge in gang violence, reported AP. 

The appeal was made after Guterres met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, civil society leaders, U.N. staff and the heads of various political parties during his one-day trip.

Israel carried out air strikes in Syria near the government-held city of Homs, Syrian state news agency SANA said on Sunday, citing a military source, reported AFP. 

"The Israeli enemy carried out air strikes coming from northeast Beirut, targeting some points in the vicinity of the city of Homs," SANA said, quoting the source.

During more than a decade of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.