Breaking News June 22 Highlights: GST Council Meeting, Delhi Water Crisis & More

NEET-NET Controversy: Ex-ISRO Chief To Lead Panel On Improving Exam Process Read full story 

12% GST On All Milk Cans, Carton Boxes: Key Decisions From GST Council Meeting Read full story 

Delhi Water Crisis: Atishi's Hunger Strike Sees Chaos, Anti-Kejriwal Slogans Raised  Read full story

Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: Toxic Liquor Supplier Arrested After Death Of Over 50 In Tamil Nadu Read full story 

Mamata Banerjee To Campaign For Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi In Kerala’s Wayanad: Report Read full story 

Jagan Accuses Chandrababu Naidu Of 'Vendetta Politics' After Demolition Of YSRCP's Under Construction Office Read full story 

‘They Return To India, Become Billionaires’: Trump Promises Green Cards To Foreign College Graduates Read full story 

As Israel And Hezbollah Edge Closer To War, Iran Has A Warning Read full story 

Hindujas 'Appalled' After Swiss Court Ruling, File Appeal In Higher Court; Confident That 'Truth Will Prevail' Read full story 

Hello, readers! Welcome to Outlook India's Breaking News Live Blog, through which we bring you the latest updates on the most important developments in India and across the globe. Here's what's in focus today:

• Weather Updates

• Developments in the NEET UG 2024 row

• UGC-NET row and NTA

• Hinduja Family Sentenced By Swiss Court

• Updates on Israel's war on Gaza

• and more

In case you missed it, here are the top developments from June 21 that hit the headlines:

• Pune Porsche Crash: Father Of Accused Teen Granted Bail By Sessions Court

• Delhi High Court Stays Bail Order For Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM To Remain In Jail

• 'UGC-NET Paper Leaked On Dark Net': Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan On Exam Irregularities

• Delhi Water Crisis: Atishi Begins Indefinite Hunger Strike, Sunita Kejriwal Comes Out In Support

• Watch: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un Take Turns To Drive Each Other In Russian Luxury Car

• Armenia Joins List Of Countries That Recognise Palestine; Israel Summons Envoy For 'Stern Reprimand'

The anti-paper leak law under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 -- the anti-paper leak law for examinations for central recruitment and entrance into central educational institutions came into effect on Friday.

A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the central government hereby appoints the 21st day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force."

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Health Minister met the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy victims at the Government Medical College and Hospital and took stock of their treatment and health.

Speaking to the media after meeting the victims, the DMK leader said, "Till now 185 people have been hospitalised at four hospitals, Kallakurichi Hospital, JIPMER Hospital in Puducherry, Salem government hospital, Viluppuram Government Hospital. Till now, 50 people have died. Our higher officials have been here for the past three days and are continuously monitoring the situation."

"CM has taken quick action in the incident. Today also CM clarified in the Tamil Nadu Assembly session. CM has announced 10 lakhs for those who lost their life whereas the sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also came here yesterday and met with the family members and gave money to them," he added.

Israeli forces shelled tent camps for displaced Palestinians near the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Friday, killing at least 25 people and wounding 50 others, Gaza's Health Ministry officials said. FULL STORY HERE

A fire broke out at the 5th Garstin Place in Kolkata early on Saturday. As many as six fire tenders are at the spot. Further details are awaited.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "This is the third exam that NTA has postponed...The Education Minister said that he has taken responsibility, whoever will be found guilty, strictest action will be taken against them. What happened to that claim?"

"Today our youth are angry, today they are protesting on the roads. On how many careers will you put a question, on how many careers will you put a full stop? Prime Minister, the country is looking at you that to date you have not broken your silence," she added.

As water crisis in the national capital continues to severely affect the residents, people were seen queueing up near a water tanker to collect water in Okhla's Sanjay Colony, Mayur Vihar's Chilla Gaon and other areas.

Fire broke out in Arjun Tower at Thane's Gokhale Marg on Saturday morning. Firefighters are working to douse the fire. So far, no injuries have been reported.

At least three people died and 10 others injured after a man opened fire at a grocer story in Arkansas.

The wounded included two law enforcement officers who exchanged fire with the shooter, state police said.

Arif Shaikh alias Arif Bhaijaan, brother-in-law of gangster Chhota Shakeel, died of a heart attack at JJ Hospital in Mumbai.

He was arrested in 2022 by the NIA in a terror funding case related to underworld mafia Dawood Ibrahim and was lodged in Arthur Road Jail since then.

Blasts occured at a fireball manufacturing factory in Gurugram's Daulatabad Industrial Area late on Friday night, leaving two people dead.

As many as 24 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, who brought the fire under control.

Bihar Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) exam has been postponed and the revised dates for the same will be announced later. The exam was scheduled to take place between June 26 and 28.

The central office of YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh's Tadepalli was demolished early on Saturday.

As per YSRCP, "TDP is doing vendetta politics. The demolition proceeded even though the YSRCP had approached the High Court the previous day, challenging the preliminary actions of the AP CRDA (Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority). The court had ordered a halt to any demolition activity."

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan and was received by PM Modi.

AIADMK MLAs arrived at the Tamil Nadu Assembly wearing black shirts over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which claimed the lives of 50 people.

AIADMK leaders raised slogans and protest over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy at the premises of the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

They had asked for time for a discussion on the hooch tragedy during Question Hour. However, the Speaker denied their request and said he will give time during Zero Hour, following which the AIADMK walked out of the Assembly.

"Speaker M. Appavu refused to give time to speak about the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The government is so lethargic. According to the information we have, 55 people died and 183 people are affected by the hooch tragdey," said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair a pre-budget meeting with all the States and Union Territories' Finance Ministers to take suggestions for the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25.

The meeting is set to take place at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, Delhi.

Kallakurichi district collector MS Prashanth on Saturday confirmed that the death toll in spurious liquor case has risen to 53.

Rape accused Prajwal Revanna's brother, JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna, filed a complaint against a party worker and his brother-in-law, saying that they were threatening and blackmailing the MLC with false allegations of sexual assault.

Based on Suraj's complaint, police registered an FIR under sections 385 and 506.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday chaired a pre-budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories to take suggestions for the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25 at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi said, "This is the second day of my fast. There is an acute shortage of water in Delhi...Delhi receives water from its neighbouring states. Delhi receives a total of 1005 MGD of water that is supplied to the houses in Delhi."

"Of this, 613 MGD of water comes from Haryana but for the past several weeks, it has been releasing only 513 MGD...Due to this more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are not receiving water...I tried everything but when Haryana Government didn't agree to supply water, I was left with no choice but to sit on a fast," she added.

She further noted, "Even today, the situation of water crisis persists. Yesterday, Haryana supplied 110 MGD lesser amount of water (than the designated)...I will continue my fast until Haryana Government supplies water to Delhi, until 28 lakh people of Delhi get water."

The Bahujan Samaj Party on Saturday released a list of 13 star campaigners for the upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly by-elections.

A 70-year-old woman died after a tree fell on her in Palghar's Virat area due to strong winds. Amala Sagri Police Station said that she had been trapped under the tree for two days.

Bharatiya Janata Party workers staged a protest outside the Delhi Jal Board office against the ongoing water crisis in the national capital.

Police had to resort to water cannon to disperse the crowd.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasine met at the Hyderabad House in the national capital on Saturday.

Imported drugs worth Rs 3.5 crore were seized in Gujarat. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch said that the operation was still underway and a case was being registered.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, "AAP has been in power in Delhi for the last 10 years. They have the Delhi Jal Board, MCD. They have all the important departments. So are they protesting against their own government? The reality is that their own ally Congress party is now admitting that Haryana is sending more water. It is sending more than what it has committed to send."

"The Supreme Court has also acknowledged this... Today, instead of taking action against the water tanker mafia, they are again doing drama and demonstrations. The question is why are they protecting the water tanker mafia? Is it because they are getting commission on every water tanker?" he added.

Tis Hazari Court extended the judicial custody of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar till July 6 in the Swati Maliwal arrest case.

He was produced before the court through video conferencing after the expiry of judicial custody.

The Karnataka High Court's division bench on Saturday prohibited horse racing and betting at Bangalore Turf Curb till the time petition filed by the BTC and others are finally heard and adjudicated before a single judge bench, The Hindu reported.

A hoax bomb threat was made with regard to an Air Arabia flight scheduled to leave for Sharjah from Kerala's Calicut International Airport on Saturday morning, prompting the aircraft to be grounded from bomb detection squad to inspect it, sources were cited as saying by news agency PTI.

"It was later found that the note was a hoax bomb threat. The inspection and security drills have just been concluded. We are awaiting a report from the bomb detection squad before the flight is cleared for take off," an official said.

India and Bangladesh exchanged MoUs and Agreements in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House in Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that though in the past year, him and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina have meet 10 times, but today's is a special meeting as she is the first State Guest in the NDA government's third term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that Bangladesh is at the confluence of their Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, Vision Sagar and Indo-Pacific Vision.

"In the last one year, we have together completed many important projects of public welfare...Trade in Indian Rupees has started between the two countries. The world's longest river cruise on the Ganges River between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed," he said.

"The first cross-border friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh has been completed. Export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid has become the first example of sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector. Implementing such a big initiative in so many areas in just one year reflects the speed and scale of our relations," Modi added.

PM Modi said that India will start e-medical visa facility for those coming from Bangladesh for treatment.

"We have taken the initiative to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur for the convenience of the people of the North West region of Bangladesh. I wish both the teams all the best for the Cricket World Cup match this evening," he further said.

"Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and we give utmost priority to our relations with Bangladesh," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We have kept connectivity, commerce and collaboration as our focus. In the last 10 years, we have restored the connectivity that existed before 1965. We will now focus on digital and energy connectivity even more. This will speed up the economies of both countries."

"Both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights..54 rivers connect India and Bangladesh - we have cooperated over flood management, early warning and drinking water projects," he added.

"We have decided to initiative technical-level talks on the renewal of 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta River in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon," PM Modi said.

Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Friday announced that the annual pilgrimage 'Amarnath Yatra' will commence from June 29.

Speaking to reporters Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Atal Dulloo said, "All the arrangements have been made. The yatra will begin on June 29. Security forces are being deployed as pilgrims’ safety is our top priority."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to her country during joint press meet with the later at Hyderabad House in Delhi.

She said,"I invite PM Modi to visit Bangladesh. Come to Bangladesh to witness what all we have done and plan to do."

The authorities on Saturday demolished the houses of two persons accused of gangraping a tribal girl in Ujjain.

The government's Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has introduced a new rule requiring all employees, including senior officials, to arrive at work by 9am. Staff are expected to register their attendance through the biometric system by 9:15am at the latest, allowing for a 15-minute grace period, The Times of India reported.

Those who fail to do so will have half a day's casual leave deducted.

A circular from the DoPT outlines the need for advance notice and the application of casual leave if an employee is unable to attend work on a particular day.

The Ministry of Education on Saturday announced the constitution of a high-level committee of experts headed by former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations.

The committee will make recommendations on reform in mechanism of examination process, improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of NTA.

Iran has warned Israel that any attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon would lead to devastating consequences for the region. Tehran says Hezbollah is capable of defending itself and Lebanon, and that Israel would be the ‘ultimate loser’ in an all-out war.

Tehran’s statement on Friday came as fears of a major Israeli offensive in Lebanon continued to mount.

“Any imprudent decision by the occupying Israeli regime to save itself could plunge the region into a new war, the consequence of which would be the destruction of Lebanon’s infrastructure as well as that of the 1948 occupied territories,” Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a social media post.

“Undoubtedly, this war will have one ultimate loser, which is the Zionist regime. The Lebanese Resistance Movement, Hezbollah, has the capability to defend itself and Lebanon – perhaps the time for the self-annihilation of this illegitimate regime has come.”

The government has constituted a high-level committee to investigate and improve the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), following allegations of exam irregularities and paper leaks. The move comes after controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET exams, which were taken by over 30 lakh students.

The seven-member committee, headed by former ISRO chief Dr K Radhakrishnan, includes prominent academicians and experts. “The committee will make recommendations on reforming the mechanism of the examination process and improving data security protocols and the structure and functioning of NTA,” the Ministry of Education said in a press release.

Sri Lanka has survived two difficult years of its economic crisis and it was possible because of the financial support of USD 3.5 billion from India, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday.

“Having now survived two difficult years, I must acknowledge that this was possible because India gave us a loan of USD 3.5 billion. All that will be repaid,” he said.

Wickremesinghe said that sustainable energy is one of the grave areas that the two nations would be jointly working on.

“When I was in Delhi last week, I discussed with Prime Minister Modi the need to accelerate the joint programme that we have decided, agreed on. So the major ones are identified. Now this will show the new path we are taking, and a number of projects, all will be in one parcel,” he said.

Police have lodged an FIR against 45 named and 50 unidentified accused for rioting over the death of a prisoner lodged in the Firozabad jail, an official said on Saturday.

A 25-year-old Dalit man remanded in judicial custody on charges of theft died in a hospital, where he was taken on Friday after his condition deteriorated in the prison.

The family members of Akash, the victim, alleged that he died after being beaten by the police.

(With PTI Inputs)

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina meets President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s two-day visit to India from Friday. Hasina was among the leaders of seven regional countries invited to New Delhi for the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term on June 9.

An Israeli was shot dead in a Palestinian town in the northern West Bank Saturday morning, Israel's army said, while deadly strikes rocked northern Gaza.

The army said a man was pronounced dead after being shot in the town of Qalqilya, and that Israeli troops were currently operating in the area. The day before, Israeli forces shot dead two militants in the same West Bank town.

No further details were made public.

(With AP Inputs)

Sending a technical team by India to Bangladesh soon for a mega project to conserve and manage Teesta river, moving ahead to start negotiations on a comprehensive trade pact and boosting defence ties were among major outcomes of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Saturday.

The two sides signed 10 agreements providing for bolstering ties in a range of critical areas such as digital domain, maritime sphere, blue economy, railways, space, green technology, health and medicine.

Both sides also firmed up a "futuristic vision" for bringing transformative cooperation between the two "trusted" neighbours in a raft of new areas. (PTI Inputs)

There was chaos in South Delhi's Bhogal where Delhi Water Minister Atishi continued her indefinite hunger strike, which entered the second day on Saturday, over the water crisis in the national capital.

Protesters raised slogans against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following which they were taken out by AAP workers.

The Delhi Police used a water cannon to disperse a group of BJP workers protesting against the AAP government over a severe water shortage in the national capital.

The protesters, led by former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, gathered outside a Delhi Jal Board office in Okhla, chanting slogans against the AAP government. Despite warnings from the police, they refused to disperse, leading to the use of a water cannon to break up the demonstration.

Two militants were believed to be killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Saturday, officials said.

Army personnel noticed suspicious movement along the LoC in the Gohallan area of north Kashmir's Uri sector, the officials said.

On being challenged, the militants opened fire, inviting a retaliation by the Army, the officials said. They said there was an exchange of fire for sometime which has now stopped. (PTI Inputs)

Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, chaired the 53rd GST Council meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting was attended by finance ministers from states and Union Territories.

Uniform GST rates were recommended by GST Council for these items:

    - 12 per cent for all milk cans

    - 12 per cent for all carton boxes

    - 12 per cent for all sprinklers, including fire water sprinklers

The GST Council recommended the exemption of GST for services provided by Indian Railways, including platform tickets.

A case has been filed against Suraj Revanna, the brother of sex crimes-accused former MP Prajwal Revanna, over alleged sexual assault.

A man filed the case against Suraj at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district on Saturday, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by him at his farmhouse on June 16.