July 2023 - Page 41 of 49 - Lokmarg

Sri Lanka To Release 22 Indian Fishermen Arrested From Jaffna

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

A Sri Lankan court has ordered the release of 22 Indian fishermen, who were arrested by the authorities, the Fisherman Association of India informed on Wednesday.

Four Indian fishing boats were impounded and 22 fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 22, for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters.
The fishermen, who had set sail from the Mandapam and Pudukottai fishing ports in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, were arrested near Delft Island in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

After investigation, they produced before a local police court where the judge ordered their judicial custody till July 5.

The fishermen were lodged in the Jaffna jail.

After completion of the custody, the fishermen were produced before the court again, which ordered their release after due process.

The released fishermen are expected to return home in a couple of days, the Fisherman Association of India informed further.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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SRK Spotted At Mumbai Airport Amid Rumours Of Accident In US

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

Actor Shah Rukh Khan was snapped on his return to India from the US at the Mumbai airport in the early hours of Wednesday. Earlier there were reports that the superstar suffered an injury in the US.

King Khan looked handsome as always and was seen in a blue hoody sweatshirt that he teamed up with pair of comfy pants and a white T-shirt. He accessorized his look with a black cap and a pair of sunglasses.

Reportedly, during the shooting of an undisclosed project in Los Angeles, Shah Rukh had got injured and hurt his nose. As per reports, he was immediately given medical attention.

Meawhile Shah Rukh Khan’s wife Gauri and son AbRam were also seen at the Mumbai airport. The mother-son duo was seen walking hand-in-hand and seen to indulge in fun banter.

Gauri wore a printed blue floral dress that she topped up with a black blazer. She completed her look with a black handbag and pair of sunglasses while her son looked cute in his casual outfit.

Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as the ‘King of Romance,’ has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions worldwide through his numerous romantic films. While SRK has portrayed a wide range of characters in various genres, his romantic films hold a special place in the hearts of his fans. He has given us numerous romantic comedies and intense love stories that have become timeless classics. The handsome young hunk with a dimpled smile completed 31 years in bollywood on June 25.

Shah Rukh made his much-awaited comeback after a hiatus of 4 years with Siddharth Anand’s blockbuster action-thriller ‘Pathaan’, which was released in January this year.

He will soon be seen in ‘Jawan’ and ‘Dunki’.

Helmed by Atlee, ‘Jawan’ is scheduled to hit the theatres on September 7. The film also stars Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara.

The actor will also make a cameo appearance in Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, following which he will play in the lead role in Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘Dunki’.

‘Dunki’ will mark his first on-screen collaboration with Taapsee Pannu. The film is scheduled to release in December 2023.

Not only a cameo in Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, but he might be seen making a special appearance in Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.

On Tuesday, the ace filmmaker revealed whether SRK will be having a special cameo in Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh- starrer film or not.

Karan went live on Instagram on Tuesday evening, to interact with fans about his upcoming film. One of the fans asked if he was in the film, to which he replied, “Fortunately for all of you, I’m not in the film.”

A user asked the filmmaker if Shah Rukh Khan is in the film, to which he replied, “No, Shah Rukh is not there in the film.” However, he added that SRK’s blessings are with them.

King Khan was seen in a special cameo role in Karan’s last directorial ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.

Talking about special cameos in the film KJo dropped some hints, and said, “There are three surprise cameos in the movie. I’m not revealing any of the names.” (ANI)

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Niharika Announces Separation From Husband Chaitanya

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

Chiranjeevi’s niece and actor Niharika Konidela on Wednesday announced the news of her separation from her husband Chaitanya Jonnalagadda.

Taking to Instagram, Niharika shared a post that read, “Chaitanya and I have decided to mutually part ways and ask for kindness and sensitivity as we move on. Thank you to my family and friends who have been pillars of support. I request some privacy for us to navigate this new normal in private. Thank you for understanding.”

Niharika Konidela who is the daughter of actor-producer Nagendra Babu and the sister of Varun Tej tied the knot with Chaitanyan in presence of family members including Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Pawan Kalyan, among others in December 2020 in Udaipur.

Niharika began her career as a TV presenter before venturing into acting with Oka Manasu (2016), starring Naga Shourya. Niharika’s other films include Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren, Happy Wedding, Suryakantham, and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.

Chaitanya, on the other hand, is an IT professional and the son of a Guntur Inspector General of Police J Prabhakar Rao.

Reportedly, the rumours of their split first appeared a few months ago, when Niharika attended her brother Varun Tej’s engagement, Chaitanya was not present, which fuelled divorce speculations earlier this year. (ANI)

Angad Expreses His Desire To Romance Neena On Screen

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

Actor Angad Bedi who is being praised for his performance in ‘Lust Stories 2’ expressed his desire to romance veteran actor Neena Gupta on screen.

The actor recently revealed how he would love to romance her onscreen for any project. Having spent a lot of time with Neena, Angad is totally impressed by the way the veteran actor takes her roles. Angad has also expressed his desire to play a romantic role opposite her onscreen someday.
Anagad said in the statement, “Neena Gupta is an amazing actor. She has this effortless way of playing her characters, which is a lesson for many actors. In Lust Stories 2, we have a different relationship, but someday I would love to romance her onscreen for any project. I am sure it won’t be your regular romantic story so I am looking forward to any such project. I have watched many of her older projects and I feel she is one of the very underrated actors we have in the industry who is slowly getting her due credit.”

Helmed by R Balki, the movie delves into the significance of lust and sex in nurturing successful relationships, with Angad’s on-screen dynamic with Neena Gupta’s character as the grandmother highlighting the film’s compelling narrative. Neena suggested a young couple, played by Angad and Mrunal, go on a ‘test drive’ for sexual compatibility.

‘Lust Stories 2’ is an anthology of four stories directed by ace directors Amit Ravindernath Sharma, Konkona Sen Sharma, R Balki and Sujoy Ghosh.

The cast also includes Kajol, Vijay Varma, Tamannaah Bhatia, Tillotama Shome, Amruta Subhash, Neena Gupta and Kumud Mishra.

‘Lust Stories 2’ is streaming on Netflix from June 29. (ANI)

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Pawar Moves EC Staking Claim To NCP, Party Symbol

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

Election Commission has received a petition from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar staking claim to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the party symbol, sources said.

The sources said the Election Commission has also received a caveat from Jayant Patil, who is with the Sharad Pawar group. He also informed the panel that they have initiated a disqualification process against nine MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde-BJP government in the state on Sunday.
The sources said action will be taken by the poll panel as per the extant legal framework.

They said ECI had received a petition under Para 15 of the Symbols Order, 1968 from Ajit Pawar on June 30, 2023 followed by 40 odd affidavits of MPs/MLAs/MLCs dated June 30 (received in Commission on July 5).

The sources said the poll panel also received a resolution unanimously electing Ajit Pawar as NCP president.

They said the poll panel has received an email, dated July 3, from Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant R. Patil, filing a caveat.

“The Commission has also received a letter dated on July 3 from Jayant Patil informing that disqualification proceeding has been filed before the competent authority for disqualification of nine members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly,” a source said.

The crisis in Nationalist Congress Party escalated on Wednesday with the two groups holding simultaneous meetings in a show of strength.

The NCP led by Sharad Pawar held a meeting of its members at YB Chavan Auditorium in Mumbai while Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was at a meeting of NCP MPs, MLAs, MLCs, district heads and state delegates at Mumbai Education Trust (MET) Bandra.

The parallel meetings came after the two factions announced crucial appointments to assert their control over the party.

The NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar has taken affidavits from party workers to show their allegiance at MET Bandra.

Sharad Pawar loyalists raised slogans in his support at YB Chavan Centre.

The crisis in Nationalist Congress Party was triggered by Ajit Pawar switching sides on Sunday and joining the Eknath Shinde-BJP government as Deputy Chief Minister. Eighth other NCP MLAs took oath on Sunday with Pawar as ministers.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar has moved a disqualification petition against the nine MLAs to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

Apart from Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Mundo, Dharmaraobaba Atram, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Bansode and Anil Patil joined Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra government as ministers on Sunday.

Sharad Pawar has removed Praful Patel, who was his close aide, and Sunil Tatkare from the party for “anti-party activities”.

“Your actions of supporting Ajit Pawar and the eight other MLAs, who have sworn oath as Ministers in violation of the party’s direction and mandate, ex-facie amount to anti-party activities and that you deemed to have voluntarily left the membership of Nationalist Congress Party,” Pawar said in a communication which was also sent to the two party MPs.

“I formally remove your names from the Membership Register of the Party in view of your actions of voluntarily giving up membership of the Nationalist Congress Party,” it said.

The communication said the action of MPs, “in a surreptitious manner, without the knowledge or consent of the party president, amounts to the desertion of the party, which in turn invites disqualification from primary membership”.

Praful Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP, has been a close associate of Pawar and was appointed working president of NCP last month. He was a minister in the Congress-led UPA government along with Pawar. (ANI)

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Firing Incident Occurs In Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

A firing incident occurred in the premises of Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court in the national capital on Wednesday, said the officials.

According to the officials, the firing event took place at around 1:35 pm today at Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court in the Subzi Mandi Police Station Area.
The officials added that the incident of the firing had taken place due to a heated argument that broke out between two groups of lawyers.

“Two different groups of lawyers including office bearers allegedly shot in the air, due to a quarrel that broke out between them,” said the officials.

The officials further added that the police reached the spot of the incident and no casualties were reported from the occurrence.

The situation is being investigated legally, and a crime squad has been dispatched to the scene, said the officials.

“A legal action is being initiated into the matter, and a crime team has also reached the spot, added the officials,” they said.

Condemning the firing incident at Tis Hazari Court premises, Bar Council of Delhi Chairman KK Manan announced that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine if the guns were licenced or not.

“Detailed inquiry into the matter will be undertaken. It will be inquired if the weapons were licensed or not. Even if the weapons were licensed, no lawyer or anyone else can use them like this inside or around court premises,” said Bar Council of Delhi Chairman KK Manan.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

In April this year, a man identified as Kameshwar Singh was arrested by the Delhi police crime branch after he opened fire on Delhi’s Saket court premises.

The lawyer of the victim in the firing incident in Delhi’s Saket court had claimed that his client had been receiving death threats from the accused, who opened fire on the premises, despite her being granted a protection order by the High Court. (ANI)

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Modi Makes Veiled Attack At ‘Countries Supporting Cross-Border Terror’

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

In the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a veiled attack at “some countries” for giving shelter to terrorists and supporting cross-border terrorism.

In his virtual address at the Heads of State summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday, PM Modi, in an apparent attack on Pakistan and China, called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) not to hesitate to condemn countries that use cross-border terrorism as ‘policy instruments’ and shelter terrorists.
“Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter to terrorists,” Prime Minister Modi said adding that the SCO should not hesitate to criticise such countries and “there should be no double standards on terrorism.”

Addressing the 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation through video conference the prime minister said that “Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace, we will have to fight against terrorism.”

The summit attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“Terrorism has become the prime danger for both regional as well as global peace, and decisive action is necessary to deal with it. Terrorism in whichever form or expression, we have to collectively fight against it. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as instrument of their policies and harbour terrorists. SCO should not refrain from criticising such nations,” PM Modi said.

He added, “There should not be any place for double standards on such a serious issue. We should also increase cooperation to deal with terror financing. We should take further steps to stop the radicalisation of youth in our countries. The joint statement being issued on the issue of radicalisation is the proof of our shared commitment”.

At the United Nations last month, China opposed an effort by the US and India to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. Mir is wanted for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

This move of China was sternly criticised by India, as even after 15 years since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the masterminds behind the atrocity have yet to be brought to justice.

Moreover, PM Modi also laid emphasis on food, fuel and fertilizer crisis and called it a big challenge for all countries in the world surrounded by controversies, tensions and epidemics.

“At present, the global situation is at a critical juncture. In a world engulfed by conflicts, tensions and pandemics, the food fuel and fertilizer crisis is a major challenge for all countries. We must think together that whether we as an organization can meet the expectations and aspirations of our people.”

“Are we able to meet the modern challenges? Is SCO becoming an organization that is fully prepared for the future? In this regard, India supports the proposal for improvement and modernization in SCO,” he added.

While addressing the SCO summit, PM Modi proposed to use India’s AI-based language platform Bhashini.

“We would be delighted to share India’s AI-based language platform Bhashini with everyone to remove language barriers within SCO. It can become an example of digital technology and inclusive growth. SCO can become a significant voice for reforms within the UN and other global institutions,” PM Modi said.

The prime minister also listed various pillars that India has focused on during its Presidency of SCO and they are Start-up and innovation, Youth empowerment, traditional medicine, Digital inclusion, and Shared Buddhist heritage.

He also stated that over the past two decades, the SCO has emerged as an important platform for peace, prosperity and development in the entire Eurasia region. India’s thousands of years old culture and people-to-people ties with this region are living testimony to our shared heritage.

PM Modi further stated that as Chair of the SCO, India has made efforts to take our multi-faceted cooperation to new heights.

He also said that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the past 20 years has emerged as an important platform for peace, prosperity and development in the entire Eurasia region. He said that India sees SCO as an extended family.

India’s chairmanship of SCO has been a period of intense activity and mutually beneficial cooperation between Member States. India has hosted a total of 134 meetings and events, including 14 Ministerial-level meetings. India remains committed to playing a positive and constructive role in the organization and looks forward to a successful SCO Summit as the culmination of its Chairmanship.

The rotational presidency remains with India until September 2023. (ANI)

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NCP Crisis: Supriya Reaches YB Chavan Centre To Meet Pawar

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

The crisis in NCP is escalating with the two factions calling separate meetings on Wednesday in an apparent show of strength.

Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar have gathered outside YB Chavan Centre ahead of the meeting called by the party chief.
NCP working president and MP, Supriya Sule also reached YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai.

Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who belongs to the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, said the exact number of leaders can only be seen on the stage.

“We will see the number of leaders sitting in on the stage and at other places. Supporters are signing papers and they are asked from where have they come. The exact number of leaders can only be seen on the stage,” he said.

NCP suffered a split on Sunday with Ajit Pawar joining the Eknath Shinde-BJP government along with eight other MLAs.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar has moved a disqualification petition against the nine MLAs to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal along with Dilip Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Mundo, Dharmaraobaba Atram, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Bansode and Anil Patil joined Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra government on Sunday.

Sharad Pawar has removed his close aide Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party for “anti-party activities”.

“I formally remove your names from the Membership Register of the Party in view of your actions of voluntarily giving up membership of the Nationalist Congress Party,” it said.

Praful Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP, has been a close associate of Pawar and was appointed working president of NCP last month. He was a minister in the Congress-led UPA government along with Pawar.Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule had written to him for action against the two MPs. (ANI)

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Earth was recorded on July 3, The Hill reported citing the data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

3rd July 2023 Was Recorded As Hottest Day On Earth

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

The hottest day on Earth was recorded on July 3, The Hill reported citing the data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

On July 3, the average global air temperature 2 meters above the planet’s surface touched 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit or 17.01 degrees Celsius, according to the data analyzed by the University of Maine.
Taking to Twitter, Robert Rohde, of the University of California, Berkeley, on Tuesday (Local time) said, “NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) has placed Earth’s average temperature yesterday as the hottest single day thus far measured by humans. This is driven by the combination of El Nino on top of global warming, and we may well see a few even warmer days over the next 6 weeks.”

According to NOAA, El Nino means Little Boy in Spanish. South American fishermen first noticed periods of unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean in the 1600s. The full name they used was El Nino de Navidad because El Nino typically peaks around December.

El Nino can affect our weather significantly. The warmer waters cause the Pacific jet stream to move south of its neutral position. With this shift, areas in the northern U.S. and Canada are dryer and warmer than usual. But in the US Gulf Coast and Southeast, these periods are wetter than usual and have increased flooding.

Rohde also warned that humanity should expect more scorching temperatures over the next month and a half, as per The Hill.

The Hill is an American newspaper and digital media company based in Washington, D.C.

Monday’s temperatures beat the previous record set in July 2022 and August 2016 of 62.46 degrees Fahrenheit or 16.92 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the University of Maine scientists at the Climate Reanalyzer project stated that the temperature records surpassed July 3 and 4 in Quebec and northwestern Canada and Peru.

Cities across the US from Medford, Oregon to Tampa, Florida have been hovering at all-time highs, said Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Beijing reported 9 straight days last week when the temperature exceeded 35 C (95 F), The Hill reported.

This global record is preliminary, pending approval from gold-standard climate measurements entities like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. But it is an indication that climate change is reaching into uncharted territory. It legitimately captures global-scale heating and NOAA will take these figures into consideration when it does its official record calculations, said Deke Arndt, director of the National Center for Environmental Information, a division of NOAA, as per The Hill. (ANI)

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Kerala: Muslim Groups To Put Legal, Political Fight Against UCC

By LokMarg 5th July 2023

Representatives of major Muslim Organisations in Kerala decided to “fight” the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legally and politically. The organisations, led by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), opined that if UCC is implemented, it will affect not just Muslims but others as well.

“UCC is not an issue of Muslims, it is of all people. We will unite all people against it and fight legally and politically,” said Indian Union Muslim League(IUML) state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal who attended the Tuesday’s meeting.
Senior IUML leader and MLA PK Kunhalikutty alleged that UCC is being used as a tool to divide people on communal lines.

Besides IUML the meeting was attended by two factions of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, factions of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muslim Education Society, and the Muslim Service Society.

On Wednesday, the Congress in Kerala is holding a meeting and is expected to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee meeting will be attended by all MLAs, MPs, district presidents and top office-bearers.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan had on Sunday alleged that BJP is bringing the UCC to divide people and said that there is no need for UCC at present.

“The Law Commission appointed by the central government itself has made it very clear that there is no need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at present. So we are also taking the same stand that there is no need for UCC at this point in time. BJP is bringing this matter to make a split among the people,” Satheesan told ANI here in Thiruvananthapuram.

The ruling party in Kerala, CPI(M), has also criticised the Prime Minister’s pitching for the UCC in the country. On Friday, CPI(M) leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is on the “electoral agenda” of the BJP.

“Triggering debates around Uniform Civil Code is an electoral ploy by Sangh Parivar to press their majoritarian agenda for deepening communal divide. Let’s oppose any attempts to undermine India’s pluralism and support reforms through democratic discussions within communities,” Kerala CM tweeted.

Kerala CM’s stand drew a sharp reaction from the BJP Kerala president K Surendran when he said, “CPI(M) has become a Muslim party. The latest example of this is Pinarayi Vijayan’s stand against the uniform civil code.”

He further alleged that the goal of the Chief Minister of Kerala is to polarise Muslims.

“Pinarayi Vijayan’s goal is the polarisation of Muslims. No Muslim parent will accept a triple talaq. Likewise, no Muslim parent will accept discrimination against girls in property rights,” said the Kerala BJP state president.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Law and Justice meeting was held on Monday to discuss the issue of the Uniform Civil Code.

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with ANI, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that the uniform code is “the need of the hour that a law should be made by uniting and including all the people of the country and the Supreme Court has also endorsed many of its verdicts”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent strong endorsement of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) brought it back to the spotlight. PM Modi said that the country cannot run on two laws and that Uniform Civil Code was part of the Constitution.

“Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights…Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics,” PM Modi had said. (ANI)

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