Breaking News, June 26: Hello, readers! Outlook India brings to you minute-by-minute updates of top events and developments through live blog in which focus today is on Day 3 of Parliament session of 18th Lok Sabha, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal bail issue, closure of Telangana schools and weather updates among others.
Delhi Court Remands CM To CBI Custody For 3 Days
Congress Reappoints Sam Pitroda As Chairan Of Indian Overseas Congress
Bihar Court Sends 2 Accused To CBI Remand For 3 Days
Bengaluru Court Rejects Bail Plea Of Prajwal Revanna In Sexual Assault Case
NATO Appoints Dutch PM As Next Secy General
Encounter Breaks Out In J&K's Doda
Welcome to Outlook India's Breaking News Live Blog, through which we bring you real-time updates on major events and developments across the globe. Here’s a look at the top events and developments in focus today:
Weather updates,
Arvind Kejriwal's bail issue,
Telangana school closure called by ABVP,
Parliament session updates.
and much more
In case you missed it, here are the key developments from yesterday that hit headlines:
As the new session begins in Telangana, BJP's student wing - Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) - has called for a state-wide school bandh on June 26. With this announcement, the student organisation has called for all Telangana schools to declare a holiday on June 26. READ FULL STORY
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said party general secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday. This decision was announced after the INDIA bloc floor leaders held a meeting at Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi.
This is Rahul Gandhi's first constitutional post. Read Full Story
First Parliament session of 18th Lok Sabha is entering the third day today after two days of oath-takings of newly elected leaders. The first day of the 18th Lok Sabha began on a stormy note on Monday amid a war of words between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over the imposition of Emergency in 1975 and strident appeals to protect democracy.
The opening session saw a total of 262 newly-elected MPs, including the prime minister, taking oath, the opposition staged a protest march inside Parliament complex, with MPs of the INDIA bloc raising slogans on "saving democracy" and displaying copies of the Constitution.
The remaining new MPs took oath on Tuesday, while the election for the post of Speaker is scheduled for today.
The election for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled today with Opposition fielding Congress leader K Suresh against NDA's consensus candidate Om Birla, who is most likely to win given the numbers of the ruling alliance.'
Opposition's move to nominate Congress leader K Suresh for Lok Sabha Speaker post after BJP-led NDA's consensus candidate Om Birla filed nomination paved way for a historic election to the top Parliamentary post on Tuesday.
While Om Birla's way initially seemed clear to take charge of the Lok Sabha speaker post after Opposition leaders said they were willing to back him, their condition of deputy speaker post's allotment to a member of the INDIA bloc, in lines with parliamentary tradition, were allegedly not agreed upon, prompting them to field their candidate for the top post. READ FULL STORY
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has pleaded guilty to a single felony charge for publishing US military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that secures his freedom and concludes a drawn-out legal saga that raised divisive questions about press freedom and national security.
The plea was entered Wednesday morning in federal court in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a US commonwealth in the Pacific. He arrived at court shortly before the hearing was to begin, wearing a dark suit with a tie loosened at the collar, and entered the building without taking questions.
(via AP)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi concluded his oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha with 'Jai Palestine' on Tuesday. An uproar from the treasury benches led to the Chair striking Owaisi's mention of Palestine off record.
Owaisi, who won the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections 2024 frlm the Hyderabad seat of Telangana, starting his oath with an Islamic phrase and ended it with "Jai Bhim, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine".
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday clarified that Rs two hike in price of Nandini milk from June 26 is proportional to the increase in volume per packet.
His clarification came after opposition attacked the Congress government over increase in milk prices. Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) announced a hike in prices while enhancing the quantity of milk in its half and one litre packets by 50 ml. READ FULL STORY
The central government has sanctioned a 1,700-strong armed security contingent of the CISF for the Noida international airport, which is expected to be operational from next April, official sources cited in a news agency PTI report said on Tuesday.
The Union home ministry recently approved the aviation security deployment plan and the survey conducted by the security agencies for the greenfield airport, the sources told PTI.
A man shot five people dead and critically injured a 13-year-old girl at apartments near Las Vegas before killed himself, authorities said Tuesday.
The North Las Vegas Police Department said the suspected shooter, 57-year-old Eric Adams, killed himself Tuesday morning as he was confronted by officers in a neighborhood. Authorities had been searching for him since Monday night's shootings in separate apartment units.
(Via AP)
Two leopards were seen entering a cowshed in Tikli village of Haryana's Gurugram. Ten cattle have reportedly been killed by the leopards.
Forest official said, "We have given directions to the cowshed management to raise the height of its boundary wall and set up nets. They have requested us to put up catering cages. We will set up two cages here. The chances of the leopards being caught are very slim because this is an open area..."
An Indian-origin woman, former manager of a post office in UK's England, was wrongly jailed over 12 years ago after being accused of stealing GBP 75,000 from her post office branch in Surrey where she was the sub-postmistress. The woman, Seema Misra, has rejected the apology of an engineer whose evidence helped convict her over faulty accounting software.
Misra, now 47, was imprisoned while she was pregnant and had her conviction quashed in April 2021 as the Court of Appeal ruled that she had been wrongly jailed. READ FULL STORY
Four members of a family suffocated to death after a fire broke out due to short circuit in an inverter at their house in Dwarka's Prem Nagar area of Delhi on Tuesday early morning, officials said.
A Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said the department was informed about the fire around 3.30 am and two fire tenders were sent to the spot.
The deceased were identified as Heera Singh Kakkar (48), his wife Neetu (40) and their sons Robin (22) and Lakshay (21). Kakkar was a photographer by profession and the house was owned by the family, police said.
(PTI info)
An aircraft carrying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has left Saipan heading to Australia, reports AP.
Following heavy rains, the Nilgiris district administration declared a one-day holiday for schools in Gudalur and Pandalur area of Tamil Nadu.
Four people died when the retaining wall collapsed on the house at Madani Nagara, outskirt of Mangaluru, Mullai Muhilan, Deputy commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, said.
Sensex climbs 134.64 points to hit all-time high of 78,188.16 in early trade; Nifty up 28.2 points to 23,749.50.
Rupee falls 3 paise to 83.46 against US dollar in early trade.
An Indian-American, manager of a motel, was killed after being punched by a stranger in Oklahoma this weekend. The incident reportedly took place at the parking lot of the motel.
Hemant Mistry, 59, died in a local hospital following an officer's response to the assault near I-40 and Meridian Avenue Saturday around 10 pm.
Oklahoma police arrested the assaulter, Richard Lewis, 41.
Delhi CM and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been brought to Rouse Avenue Court. He will be produced by CBI for a hearing in the liquor policy case.
Delhi is likely to receive light rains on Wednesday with the minimum temperature settling at 31.6 degrees Celsius, 3.7 notches above the season's normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
As per the IMD's forecast, Delhi is likely to experience very light rains accompanied by gusty winds of up to 20-30 kilometres per hour during the day. The rainy weather is expected to prevail over Delhi till July 1, according to the IMD's seven-day forecast.
The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius. The weather agency has said monsoon is likely to hit Delhi around the end of this month.
Polling was underway for elections to 25 civic bodies in Nagaland on Wednesday morning, amid tight security arrangements, an SEC official said. This was a historic election in the northeastern state as the polling to three municipalities and 22 town councils was being conducted after a gap of 20 years.
The urban local body polls were being held for the first time with 33 per cent women reservation, said the official at the Nagaland State Election Commission.
(Via PTI)
On the words used by him while taking oath in Parliament, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said on Monday, "Let them do whatever they want. I also know a little bit about the Constitution. These empty threats will not work on me."
A row erupted on Tuesday after Owaisi concluded his Lok Sabha speech by hailing a conflict-hit West Asian country.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was produced by CBI before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi. AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged on Tuesday that the BJP has hatched a conspiracy with CBI officers to frame Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a "fake case".
There was no immediate reaction to the allegation from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday after producing him in the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the alleged excise policy 'scam'.
The central probe agency sought Kejriwal's custody saying that the it would like his custody to interrogate him and formally arrest, according to reports.
Lok Sabha on Wednesday elected Om Birla Speaker by voice vote in an election for the top post that took place for the time since India's Independence after Opposition fielded Congress leader K Suresh against NDA's consensus candidate, in whose favour the numbers were given the majority of the ruling alliance.
Opposition's move to nominate Congress leader K Suresh for Lok Sabha Speaker post after BJP-led NDA's consensus candidate Om Birla filed nomination paved way for a historic election to the top Parliamentary post on Tuesday.
BJP MP Om Birla occupied the Chair of Lok Sabha Speaker after being elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accompany him to the Chair.
The previous Lok Sabha passed several path-breaking legislations under your leadership, PM Modi told Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday. BJP MP Om Birla occupied the Chair of Lok Sabha Speaker after being elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.
PM Modi also said that the "conduct of members and their accountability increase faith of people in Parliamentary democracy."
"Previous Lok Sabha clocked 97 per cent productivity, highest in 25 years," PM Modi said.
Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution urging Centre to conduct caste census.
(Via PTI)
By allowing opposition to speak, you will do your duty of defending the Constitution of India, LoP Rahul Gandhi said in an appeal to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
We expect voice of opposition will not be crushed and there will be no more expulsions, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav said in Lok Sabha.
An encounter broke out on Wednesday between terrorists and security forces in a forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, police officials said.
The gunfight started in Bajaad village in Gandoh area around 9.50 am amid intensified search and cordon operation by the police along with the Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following twin terrorist attacks in the hilly district on June 11 and 12, the officials said.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was brought out of the courtroom for tea and biscuits after his sugar level dropped. He was taken to the Ahlmad room.
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Wednesday allowed CBI to arrest Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged excise policy 'scam'.
Addressing Lok Sabha after his election as Speaker, Om Birla said, "I am grateful to this House for giving me opportunity to serve as presiding officer for second term."
18th Lok Sabha should be of new vision and resolutions, Om Birla said.
Reacting to Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the CBI, his party AAP said, "Today when there was a possibility of CM Arvind Kejriwal getting bail, BJP panicked and got him arrested by CBI in fake case".
CBI has sought 5-day custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal in excise 'scam' related corruption case.
A 46-year-old doctor and his teenage daughter have tested positive for Zika virus infection in Pune city of Maharashtra, but their health condition is stable, an official said on Wednesday.
The man recently developed symptoms like fever and rashes, following which he was admitted to a private hospital. The medical facility sent his blood samples to the city-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) for analysis. On June 21, his reports confirmed that he tested positive for Zika virus infection, a health official of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said.
(Via PTI)
NATO appoints Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next secretary general at a critical time for European security, reports AP.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday read out a resolution condemning the imposition of Emergency and termed the decision by then prime minister Indira Gandhi an attack on the Constitution, triggering a wave of protests by the opposition in the House.
Om Birla's reference to the Emergency, shortly after his election as Lok Sabha speaker, also saw a face-off between the government and the opposition in the first session of the lower house.
Opposition MPs, including from the Congress, were on their feet, raising slogans against the reference to the Emergency. BJP leaders also staged a protest inside Parliament premises over Emergency.
After Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday read out a resolution condemning the imposition of Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra backed the same and said he was "glad".
"I am glad that the Honourable Speaker strongly condemned the Emergency, highlighted the excesses committed during that time and also mentioned the manner in which democracy was strangled. It was also a wonderful gesture to stand in silence in honour of all those who suffered during those days," PM Modi said in a post on X.
"The Emergency was imposed 50 years ago but it is important for today's youth to know about it because it remains a fitting example of what happens when the Constitution is trampled over, public opinion is stifled and institutions are destroyed. The happenings during the Emergency exemplified what a dictatorship looks like," PM Modi said.
The Union Budget is likely to be presented on July 23 or 24 with the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament expected on July 22, sources cited in a Financial Express report said.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, which commenced on Monday, will go on till July 4 and will close sine die as this is a special session.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi opposition alliance on Wednesday boycotted CM Eknath Shinde's tea party on the eve of the state legislature monsoon session, accusing the government of failing to address issues of the masses.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve made the announcement at a press conference here.
The customary tea party, held ahead of every legislature session, was scheduled later in the day on Wednesday.
(Via PTI)
At least six people have died in Kenya where protesters stormed Parliament amid violent demonstrations over a controversial tax plan. Kenyans woke up to the acrid smell of tear gas still lingering in the capital on Wednesday, a day after the protests erupted.
There were no reports of violence on Wednesday, however, police and soldiers patrolled the streets as city workers began cleaning up debris.
Parliament, the city hall and the supreme court were cordoned off with tape reading “Crime Scene Do Not Enter.”
One terrorist has been neutralized in the ongoing encounter in Gandoh in Doda of Jammy and Kashmir, Police said on Wednesday. The gunfight started in Bajaad village in Gandoh area around 9.50 am amid intensified search and cordon operation by the police along with the Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following twin terrorist attacks in the hilly district on June 11 and 12, the officials said.
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi will deliver its verdict over CBI's plea for 5-day custody of AAP supremo and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at 4:30 pm today.
CBI arrested Arvind Kejriwal today in connection with the alleged excise policy scam.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Delhi government, civic agencies to convene meeting to discuss comprehensive measures for enhancing green cover of national capital, Delhi.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said, "The people who talk about protecting the Constitution..., never in the history of India was the Constitution blown up as it was done during an emergency...The youth need to know about the time of emergency..."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled Wednesday that he is getting tough on officials he suspects are shirking their duties in the war with Russia that is now in its third year.
Zelenskyy and Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi visited troops in the eastern Donetsk region who have weathered fierce Russian ground and air assaults in recent months. They also discussed with local officials the drinking water supply, social issues, evacuation plans and the rebuilding of local homes, Zelenskyy said.
He added that back in Kyiv he would speak to “officials who must be here and in other areas near the front line — in difficult communities where people need immediate solutions.” AP
JNU Student Union on Wednesday staged a protest against alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination in Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
The death toll in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi hooch tragedy rose to 63 on Wednesday.
Delhi Court's order on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea is expected to be delivered by the bench shortly.
The expelled JDS leader Prajwal Revanna’s explicit videos showing him sexually assaulting women had gone viral ahead of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the security forces on Wednesday held a mock drill in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The mock drill was held by the personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in Anantnag.
Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin from June 29.
Sunita Kejriwal, who is the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in reaction to her husband's bail plea said, "Arvind Kejriwal got bail on 20th June. Immediately ED got a stay. The very next day CBI made him an accused. And today he was arrested. The whole system is trying to ensure that the man does not come out of jail. This is not law. This is dictatorship, this is emergency."
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s mother, Ama Lezang, died in a hospital in Itanagar on Wednesday.
She was 75.
Lezang who was suffering from old age-related ailments died in the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences. She was the wife of former chief minister Dorjee Khandu.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma and Arunachal Pradesh Deputy CM Chowna Mein mourned the death of Lezang. PTI
Delhi Court on Wednesday remanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to CBI custody for three days in the liquor policy case.
Earlier, the probe agency had sought five days of custody for Kejriwal. The court has directed that Kejriwal will now be produced in court on June 29.
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the newly-elected MP from Srinagar, on Wednesday urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to ensure the sanctity of the House by restraining members from making disparaging remarks like dubbing a Muslim parliamentarian a "terrorist" or rushing legislations like the abrogation of Article 370.
In his two-minute inaugural address after Birla was elected Speaker, the National Conference member made a passionate appeal and emphasised, "I would request you that from today you are neither BJP nor Congress or Samajwadi, and you have only one party, and that is the Constitution of India."
He expressed hope that the Speaker would uphold the Constitution and lead the house as a beacon of democracy. PTI
The Congress on Wednesday reappointed Sam Pitroda as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress.
A court in Bihar’s Patna on Wednesday sent two accused in the NEET “paper leak” to CBI remand for three days.
The CBI had on Sunday filed an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG held on May 5 on a reference from the Union education ministry.
The probe agency on Tuesday presented a copy of the FIR before the court, seeking custody of the suspects, who were previously arrested by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police.
The court allowed the CBI to take Baldev Kumar alias Chintu and Mukesh Kumar under its remand for further questioning.
Baldev Kumar, associated with the notorious Sanjeev Kumar alias Lutan Mukhiya gang, allegedly received the solved answer sheet of the NEET-UG in PDF format on his mobile phone a day before the exam, sources said. Mukesh is also associated with the gang, they said. PTI