Breakthrough in nuclear deal adorns Modi-Obama meet
On Sunday, the second summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting US President Barack Obama resulted in decisions to establish a new hotline between their offices, a renewed 10-year defence partnership and a much-anticipated breakthrough in the nuclear deal between the two countries. Overall, both leaders of state expressed their belief that bilateral ties between the two countries had been taken to "a whole new level", to use Modi’s words. At the same time, a wary China issued a statement saying not much could be done in three days, which is the duration of Obama’s visit.
Padma Awards to be given on Monday
On Monday, nine eminent personalities are set to receive the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour. They are senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani, Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar, industrialist Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan, Tusli Peeth seer Jagadguru Ramanandacharya, nuclear scientist MR Srinivasan, Dharmasthala Jain temple administrator D Veerendra Heggade, and lawyer KK Venugopal. They will be followed by 20 Padma Bhushan awardees – which include Bill and Melinda Gates, Fields Medal-winner Manjul Bhargava and David Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in the US.
Maoists vandalise government-owned hotel in Wayanad
A hotel in Kerala’s Wayanad district was attacked on Sunday by six Maoists, who vandalised the restaurant and reception counter, and left behind posters protesting US President Barack Obama’s visit to India. The hotel staff later said the group threatened them not to raise an alarm until they left the scene. The establishment is owned by the government. In a similar incident two months ago, a private resort had been vandalised. The police had then recovered pamphlets expressing concern over the growth of tourism in the agrarian district, at the expense of farmers and the tribals.
Liaquat’s arrest was planned in advance, says NIA
A 26-page chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency over the weekend shows former Hizbul Mujahideen militant Syed Liaquat Shah had been falsely convicted by the police, and also reveals the extent to which the Delhi police went to frame him and destroy evidence once it was exposed. It also details how they helped their informer Sabir Khan Pathan to escape. According to the NIA, Pathan planted explosives in Haji Arafat Guest House near Jama Masjid in Delhi while Shah was blamed and arrested for it on terror charges. The chargesheet indicts DCP Sanjeev Yadav, two inspectors and three head constables.
Four years after uprisings, Egypt still in turmoil
Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the 18-day Egyptian uprising in 2011 that saw the ousting of then-president Hosni Mubarak. It was marked by clashes between anti-government protesters and the police around the country, especially in Cairo’s eastern Matariyah district, leaving 15 dead and dozens others injured. The incumbent President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has been continually challenged Islamists loyal to Mohammed Morsi – the elected president he ousted in 2013 – and secular and liberal groups behind the 2011 uprising. His problems have also been magnified by the country’s ailing economy.
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On Sunday, the second summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting US President Barack Obama resulted in decisions to establish a new hotline between their offices, a renewed 10-year defence partnership and a much-anticipated breakthrough in the nuclear deal between the two countries. Overall, both leaders of state expressed their belief that bilateral ties between the two countries had been taken to "a whole new level", to use Modi’s words. At the same time, a wary China issued a statement saying not much could be done in three days, which is the duration of Obama’s visit.
Padma Awards to be given on Monday
On Monday, nine eminent personalities are set to receive the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour. They are senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani, Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar, industrialist Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan, Tusli Peeth seer Jagadguru Ramanandacharya, nuclear scientist MR Srinivasan, Dharmasthala Jain temple administrator D Veerendra Heggade, and lawyer KK Venugopal. They will be followed by 20 Padma Bhushan awardees – which include Bill and Melinda Gates, Fields Medal-winner Manjul Bhargava and David Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in the US.
Maoists vandalise government-owned hotel in Wayanad
A hotel in Kerala’s Wayanad district was attacked on Sunday by six Maoists, who vandalised the restaurant and reception counter, and left behind posters protesting US President Barack Obama’s visit to India. The hotel staff later said the group threatened them not to raise an alarm until they left the scene. The establishment is owned by the government. In a similar incident two months ago, a private resort had been vandalised. The police had then recovered pamphlets expressing concern over the growth of tourism in the agrarian district, at the expense of farmers and the tribals.
Liaquat’s arrest was planned in advance, says NIA
A 26-page chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency over the weekend shows former Hizbul Mujahideen militant Syed Liaquat Shah had been falsely convicted by the police, and also reveals the extent to which the Delhi police went to frame him and destroy evidence once it was exposed. It also details how they helped their informer Sabir Khan Pathan to escape. According to the NIA, Pathan planted explosives in Haji Arafat Guest House near Jama Masjid in Delhi while Shah was blamed and arrested for it on terror charges. The chargesheet indicts DCP Sanjeev Yadav, two inspectors and three head constables.
Four years after uprisings, Egypt still in turmoil
Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the 18-day Egyptian uprising in 2011 that saw the ousting of then-president Hosni Mubarak. It was marked by clashes between anti-government protesters and the police around the country, especially in Cairo’s eastern Matariyah district, leaving 15 dead and dozens others injured. The incumbent President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has been continually challenged Islamists loyal to Mohammed Morsi – the elected president he ousted in 2013 – and secular and liberal groups behind the 2011 uprising. His problems have also been magnified by the country’s ailing economy.
