July 15, 2024 News: Rupee Hits All-Time Low, Slips 10 Paise To 83.61 Against USD; Trump Documents Case Dismissed

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said the exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces took place in Dessa area of Doda.

It added firing has stopped now, while search operation has been launched.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Monday said “mainstream political parties cultivated leaders of terror networks” for their political gains in Valley. J&K’s top cop also said Pakistan was also able to “successfully infiltrate” into all important aspects of civil society due to mainstream politicians.

Rupee depreciated 10 paise and settled for the day at 83.61 against the US dollar on Monday, weighed down by the overall strength of the American currency in the overseas market. Forex traders said a positive trend in domestic equities, wherein benchmark indices touched all-time high levels and significant foreign fund inflows supported the rupee at lower levels.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.53, but lost ground and touched its all-time low of 83.62 against the dollar. It finally settled at 83.61 against the American currency, registering a loss of 10 paise from its previous close. On Friday, the rupee settled at 83.51 against the US dollar. (PTI inputs)

A Lebanese man accused of being a member of the Hezbollah militant group and procuring drone components that were to be exported for use in attacks against Israel has been arrested in Germany, prosecutors said Monday.

The suspect, identified only as Fadel Z. in line with German privacy rules, was arrested in Salzgitter in northern Germany on Sunday, federal prosecutors said in a statement. He is suspected of membership in a foreign terrorist organisation. He joined Hezbollah in Lebanon by the summer of 2016, prosecutors said. (AP inputs)

A writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court of Nepal on Monday challenging the appointment of K P Sharma Oli as the country's new prime minister by President Ramchandra Paudel, arguing that it was unconstitutional.

The advocates who filed the writ argued that the president should call for the formation of a new government under Article 76 (3) if a government formed as per Article 76 (2) fails the floor test in the House of Representatives.

The apex court has set July 21 as the date for a preliminary hearing in the case.

A U.S. judge on Monday dismissed the criminal case accusing Donald Trump of illegally holding onto classified documents, dealing the former president another major legal victory as the Republican seeks a return to the White House.

It marked another blockbuster legal victory for Trump, following the July 1 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that as a former president he enjoyed immunity from prosecution for many of his actions in office. (With Reuters inputs)

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and upcoming assembly elections, Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav on Monday said, "It is the responsibility of the jail authorities to take care of the health of a sitting CM who has been arrested. Since the jail comes under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government, the matter should not be politicised... This is the same government who claimed they would half the electricity prices, but now they have doubled it and the government seems unbothered. We will urge them to revise the prices, and if they do not agree, we will take to the streets... Our political alliance was limited to Lok Sabha elections. For the upcoming elections in Delhi, we are strengthening our presence on all 70 seats. Our party cadre is working hard. We are not in any kind of political alliance for the upcoming elections."

In her first reaction amid the ongoing allged fake certificate row, IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar on Monday said, "innocent until proven guilty".

A New York-bound American Airlines aircraft from Delhi was diverted to London on Monday morning due to a medical emergency and later the plane took off for the US city.

An airline spokesperson said the diversion happened at around 0700 hours (London time) and the aircraft departed for New York at about 0930 hours (London time).

American Airlines flight 293 with service from Delhi to New York (JFK) diverted to London Heathrow due to the medical needs of a customer, the spokesperson said.

Details about the number of passengers could not be ascertained. PTI

At the BJP State Working Committee Meeting, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said, "They (Opposition) are being happy like a student who gets 99 marks... But they got 99 out of 543... But I agree that should celebrate one thing and that is that Congress won just 44 seats in 2014 and 52 in 2019. The Opposition should get at least 54... This time they have at least become a recognised Opposition..."

On Operation Dhanush, NL Kulkarni, Commander, 268 Brigade on Monday said, "There have been multiple intelligence inputs from various intel agencies, with respect to presence of terrorists in multiple launchpads, opposite the Keran sector of Kupwara district. The inputs were primarily of terrorists, planning to infiltrate and carry out sabotage in the hinterland with a view to disrupt the normalcy in general and the Amarnath Yatra in particular."

He added, "The area on and ahead of the LoC has therefore been aggressively dominated by own troops for the last few weeks. On July 12, specific input was given by own intel agencies and it was further corroborated by Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding the mixed group of foreign terrorists likely to infiltrate through the Keran sector, leveraging dense cover of forests and thick undergrowth along the 'nalas'. Accordingly, multiple ambushes were jointly laid by Army, BSF and JK Police since the night of July 13-14. On July 14, at approximately 1500 hours, movement of three terrorists was spotted by own ambushes in the area under control of Pakistan Army across the LoC. The terrorists taking advantage of the thick foliage and poor visibility, sneaked across the Line of Control and started moving towards the fence. The ambush was sprung at an opportune moment and the terrorists were engaged with precise fire well ahead of the LoC fence. In the ensuing intense firefight, three foreign terrorists were neutralised."

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Monday said, "“ILO released its report recently, which says that if 100 people are unemployed in the country, 83 of them are youth. Uttar Pradesh is also facing such dire circumstances. Additionally, diesel and petrol prices are at a high, even though crude oil is cheap at the international level."

CBI booked ex-Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission chairperson Taman Singh Sonwani and others in recruitment 'scam' case, the officials said on Monday.

On AAP's claim about CM Arvind Kejriwal's health in Tihar Jail, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Monday said, "Arvind Kejriwal's political weight is reducing... with the role he has played in corruption and liquor scam. As far as his weight in jail is concerned, a panel of doctors at AIIMS is regularly monitoring him and he is being provided medicines timely. He is being given home-cooked food, which he is eating. We are being informed that he himself has started a low-diet and whenever he is about to appear before court, the AAP prepares an ecosystem around his health."

BJP leader Deepak Prakash on Monday said, "Hemant Soren's government of 4.5 years has been one that wreaks havoc on the public, one that takes away employment from the youth. Hemant Soren government is a synonym for corruption. The government has been involved in mining scam, tender scam and one that has brought 'jungle raj' in the state."

A Delhi court on Monday extended the judicial custody of AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

Special judge for CBI and ED Kaveri Baweja extended the custody of Sisodia till July 22 after he was produced before the court through video conference on the expiry of his judicial custody.

Information Minister Tarar told Pakistan media that the government has decided to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party founded by Imran Khan. The government has alleged 'anti-state activities' against PTI.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday spoke to chief ministers of Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to take stock of the situation there due to floods and heavy rains and assured them of all central help, sources said.

In his talks with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the telephone, Shah enquired about the flood situation in the state. Sarma briefed Shah about the prevailing situation and steps taken so far, sources said.

In his calls to Chief Ministers Yogi Adityanath and Bhupendra Patel, the Union home minister took stock of the situation in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat due to rising water levels in rivers following heavy rains.

Shah assured the three chief ministers of all possible assistance from the Central government to tide over the situation, sources said.

- PTI

Government data reveals that India's imports rise by 5 pc in June 2024 to USD 56.18 bn, from USD 53.51 bn a year ago. India's exports up 2.56 pc to USD 35.2 bn in June 2024, as against USD 34.32 bn in year-ago month

Indian Army J&K police and CRPF using Hi-tech drones, conducted a joint search operation after suspicious movement, in Jammu's Akhnoor.

Flood-like situation arises in 2 tehsils of the Gonda city due to increased water level in the Saryu River In UP.

District Magistrate Gonda, Neha Sharma says, "A lot of villages in a particular Tehsil are affected by the flood. The good thing is that flood water is draining. Ration has been distributed under the direction of ADM... The administrative teams are constantly reaching the affected areas..."

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press meet on Monday said, "Only two people have applied so far. Anybody (according to CAA) who has come to India before 2015, they have the first right to apply for citizenship. If they don't apply we will lodge a case for them. So this is a statuary instruction. We will deport those who have come after 2015. Only two persons have applied so far who came before 2015. Out of five applications, three were not present in the hearing and only two have applied for CAA."

Delhi University forms a committee to inquire into the matter of vandalisation at the office of Delhi University Students' Union on the night of 13th-14th July.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee firmly stood by her statement that women had expressed fear about visiting the Raj Bhavan here, opposing a plea before the Calcutta High Court by Governor CV Ananda Bose for an interim order related to a defamation suit he filed against the CM and other TMC leaders.

Bose, represented by his lawyer, sought to restrain Banerjee, two newly elected MLAs and another TMC leader from making further comments in connection with alleged incidents at Raj Bhavan.

In response, Banerjee's counsel SN Mookherjee argued before Justice Krishna Rao that her remarks were a fair comment on issues of public interest and not defamatory.

Standing by her earlier comment, Banerjee’s lawyer submitted that she merely echoed apprehensions of women over certain alleged activities in Raj Bhavan.

The counsel said he was ready to state on affidavit the names of women who expressed such apprehensions.

Delhi commuters faced a harrowing time Monday morning as they had to wade through waterlogged roads following rains in parts of the city.

The Delhi police issued a traffic advisory after waterlogging was reported at Chaudhary Fateh Singh Marg, asking people to take diversions from Mall Road signal to Burai via Khyber Pass, Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad flyover.

Commuters were asked to avoid the affected stretch which is under construction.

"Traffic is affected in both the carriageways of New Rohtak road due to waterlogging at Anand Parbat near Gali No 10," the Delhi traffic police said in a post on X.

Delhi Police on Monday filed a supplementary charge sheet before a court here in the Parliament security breach case.

The charge sheet was filed before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur after obtaining sanction to prosecute all accused under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The court listed the matter for arguments on cognisance for August 2. It all extended the judicial custody of all accused till the next hearing.

- PTI

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday submitted its scientific survey report of the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal-Maula mosque complex to the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

ASI's counsel Himanshu Joshi handed over the more than 2,000-page report to the HC's registry.

"I have submitted the report," Joshi told PTI over phone.

The HC will hear the case on July 22, he said.

(With PTI inputs)

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's plea to quash the CBI FIR against him in the disproportionate assets case.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli took oath for his new role and formed his cabinet of 22 ministers, which includes four parties supporting him.

Ministry of Commerce & Industry in a notification revealed that the wholesale price inflation has risen to 3.36 per cent in June, as against 2.61 per cent in May.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue court asked competent authority to decide the question of sanction against former Railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and other public servants within two weeks in Land for job CBI case.

The conclusive charge sheet filed by the CBI is at the stage of consideration. The court listed the matter on July 31.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus going from Alibaug to Panvel overturned.

There were 45 to 50 passengers on the bus. 4 passengers were injured in this accident, and they have been admitted to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Raigad Police told ANI that the officials of Poynad Police Station of Raigad reached the spot as soon as they received the information and evacuated the passengers.

BJP workers staged a protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over the power tariff and water issues, at Chandni Chowk, Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated K P Sharma Oli on his appointment as prime minister of Nepal and said he looked forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Congratulating Oli, Modi said on X, "Look forward to working closely to further strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between our two countries and to further expand our mutually beneficial cooperation for the progress and prosperity of our peoples."P

Rescuers have recovered a total of seven bodies from the river that two buses full of people were swept into by a landslide, officials said Monday.

Rescuers were able to find the bodies in different locations on the riverbanks as the search continues for the missing buses and people on board.

(via AP)

Vikram Misri assumed charge as Foreign Secretary today.

"Team MEA extends a warm welcome to Foreign Secretary Misri and wishes him a successful tenure ahead," tweeted MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Lautaro Martinez scored in the 111th minute, in extra time, leading to Argentina's 16th title win. The defending champions beat Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday launched the expansion of the breakfast scheme for primary school children to state-aided private schools.

Inaugurating the scheme at St Anne's school in Tiruvallur district, Stalin sat alongside the children and served them food and also ate with them.

The scheme's expansion also marks the birth anniversary of late Chief Minister K Kamaraj, which is observed as 'Kalvi Valarchi Naal,' (Education Development Day) by the state government.

The move will benefit 2,23,536 children in 3,995 government-aided primary schools across the state, the government said.

Police informed that 6 persons died after truck hits bus on Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway near Anand town in Gujarat.

At the MoU signing for implementation of Four Community Development Projects in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, "...On behalf of the people of India, let me extend congratulations for successfully organizing the 10th Micronesian Games last month in Marshall Islands. India and the Republic of Marshall Islands share a long history of friendly bilateral relations which has expanded over the years, including under the aegis of the Forum of India Pacific Islands cooperation...We believe that today's MoU will enable the implementation of four community development projects. I am glad that these projects cover areas including a community sports centre, Airport terminal, community centres... These would surely provide better infrastructure to the people of the Marshall Islands..."

As Kerala reels under heavy monsoon showers, the IMD on Sunday predicted that North Kerala will receive extremely heavy rainfall tomorrow and issued a red alert in three districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Monday in Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

In view of the incessant rains, the district authorities of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Monday.

In Kasaragod district, all tourism activities have been suspended in view of the weather forecast.

In a late evening announcement, the Goa Education Department on Sunday declared a holiday for schools up to Class 12 on Monday (July 15) citing heavy rains in the coastal state.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert in Goa for Monday amid heavy downpours lashing the state for the past three days.

Due to heavy showers and the red alert sounded by the IMD, all schools from Std I to Std XII across Goa will remain shut on Monday, State Education Director Shailesh Zingde told reporters.

Indore on Sunday set a new Guinness World Record in the category of "the most trees planted by a team in 24 hours" by planting more than 11 lakh saplings.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that Indore, already the cleanest city in India and the economic capital of Madhya Pradesh, has now achieved the world record of planting more than 11 lakh saplings in a single day. The programme was organised by the state government.

The flood situation in Assam continued to improve significantly on Monday as water level has been receding fast from different parts of the state, officials said.

The India Meteorological Department's Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati has also not issued any warning except predicting some rains in Barak valley and a few districts of central Assam.

A report by Assam State Disaster Management Authority said that the total number of people losing their lives in this year's flood, landslide, storm and lightning has increased to 109.

The report also mentioned that more than 5,97,600 people are hit due to flood in Cachar, Chirang, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karimganj, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari and Sivasagar districts.

Karnataka is likely to witness active to vigorous rainfall till July 16, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).

Meanwhile, Uttara Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC) Laxmipriya has declared a holiday for all schools and PU colleges in Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, Dandeli and Joida taluks on Monday, citing 'red alert' issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD).

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours.

The National Testing Agency has announced a re-test for CUET UG candidates. As per the official notice released, this retest comes based on the complaints and grievances filed by students in the objection window.

Based on the official notice, NTA will conduct this re-test on July 19. After this re-test is conducted, the central agency is expected to declare the CUET UG Results 2024.

A massive fire broke out at a cafe in Mayur Vihar area here, officials of the Delhi Fire Services said on Monday.

The fire spread to a store adjacent to the cafe, they said.

"We received a call regarding fire at a cafe and school uniform making store at 11.40 pm on Sunday in Phase 2 and Pocket B of Mayur Vihar area. We immediately rushed 20 fire tenders to the spot. One person was rescued from the location," an official of the DFS said.

The fire is under control but three to four fire tenders are still at the location and the the cooling process is underway, he said.

A car passed under a closing level crossing gate and dashed into a decelerating express train near Khardaha station in West Bengal on Sunday night, an Eastern Railway spokesperson said.

A major mishap was averted as the Hazarduari Express had less speed and the SUV was bereft of any passenger while the driver did not suffer any major injuries.

Four people died in a shooting at a Birmingham nightclub late Saturday, while an earlier shooting outside a home in the city killed three people, including a young child, authorities in Alabama said.

Officers responded shortly after 11 p.m. to a report of multiple people shot outside a nightclub, Birmingham Police Department Officer Truman Fitzgerald said in a video posted on social media.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in a gun attack by suspected militants at Mongbung village in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Sunday morning, police said.

A policeman also suffered injuries and he has been admitted to a hospital, they said.

Gunshots were reportedly heard in the village on Saturday night, too, the officer said.

Additional security forces have been deployed at Mongbung from adjacent hill areas following Sunday’s attack, another official said.

A vehicle belonging to security personnel has been damaged in the gun attack that took place around 9.40 am, he added.

Former President Donald Trump has arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention a day after he was targeted in an attempted assassination at a campaign event.

Trump's airplane touched down Sunday, the day before the four-day event kicks off with thousands of Republicans coming together to formally elect him as their 2024 presidential nominee.

The shocking scenes of violence at his Saturday campaign rally that injured his right ear, killed a spectator and injured another set a dark backdrop for the convention, which is typically four days of party pageantry, political speeches, policy platforms and the presidential nominee's keynote address.

According to Hindustan Times report, an ED official has confirmed that he Enforcement Directorate has 'completed' their investigation against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the money laundering case and alleged irregularities linked to the Delhi excise policy case.

Kejriwal was lodged in Tihar jail for months before Supreme Court granted him bail after being arrested by ED in the case, AAP leader Manish Sisodia is still in custody for the same.

The top news from July 14 includes:

• Donald Trump Survived Assassination Attempt As A Bullet Hits His Ear During Election Rally In Pennsylvania

• 1 CRPF Personnel Killed By Militants During Jiribam Ambush In Manipur

• RSS-Backed ABVP Alleges NSUI Members Attacked DUSU Office In Delhi

• KP Sharma Oli Appointed As Nepal's New Prime Minister

• Indian Army Soldiers Foiled Infiltration Bid On LoC In Kupwara, Killing 3 Militants

• Teenager Shoots Dead 32-Year-Old Patient At GTB Hospital

• PM Modi's Followers On X Reach 100 Million

• Hamas Claims Military Chief Survived Israeli Strike

In case you missed national and international happenings on July 15, 2924. Here are the top headlines of the day.

• Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody Of Manish Sisodia

• Delhi Congress Chief Says 'Political Alliance' With AAP Was Limited To LS Polls

• Rupee Hits All-Time Low, Slips 10 Paise To 83.61 Against US Dollar

• J&K DGP Swain Says 'Pakistan Infiltrated Civil Society With Help Of Mainstream Parties In Valley'

• Trump Documents Case Dismissed By Court

• Puja Khedkar Row: IAS Trainee Officer First Reaction, Says 'Innocent Until Proven Guilty'

• Pakistan Government Bans Imran Khan's Party PTI

• ASI Submits Bhojshala Survey Report To Madhya Pradesh HC

• KP Sharma Oli Takes Oath As Nepal PM

• Inflation Rises In June: Govt Data

• BJP Workers Stage Protest Against AAP Govt Over Power Tariff, Water Issues In Delhi

• Rescuers Recover 7 Bodies After A Landslide Swept 2 Buses In Nepal

• Vikram Misri Takes Over As Foreign Secretary

• Copa America 2024 Final: Argentina Lift 16th Title