1. PM Narendra Modi releases ₹20,000 crore for 9.26 crore farmers, thanks Varanasi for ‘hat-trick’
2. US delegation, including Pelosi, arrives in Dharamshala for talks with Dalai Lama
3. Days after meeting PM Modi in Italy, Canada PM Trudeau sees ‘opportunity’ to engage
4. ‘Modi ji won’t be intimidated’: Taiwan calls China’s objection an ‘unreasonable interference’
5. Chief of defense staff releases joint doctrine for cyberspace operations

What Else

1. Terrorist gunned down in Bandipora
2. ‘Great discontent’: Modi-NDA govt could topple with smallest disturbance, says Rahul Gandhi
3. Senior Congress leader Kiran Choudhry, daughter Shruti quit: ‘Being run as personal fiefdom’
4. NIA seizes Rs 1.13 crore in Naxal Magadh zone revival case
5. Days after ‘attack’, U.P. cattle transporter dies
6. US blasts ‘aggressive’ China over South China Sea collision with Philippine ship
7. Brigadier (R) Amir Hamza, former 1122 Academy chief, shot dead in Jhelum
8. Journalist Khalil Jibran gunned down in KP’s Landi Kotal
9. More than 1,200 people hospitalised across Punjab and K-P due to overeating during Eid ul Adha

—————-

PM Narendra Modi releases ₹20,000 crore for 9.26 crore farmers, thanks Varanasi for ‘hat-trick’

• PM Modi on Tue released a sum of ₹20,000 crore for over 9.26 crore farmers as part of the income support scheme, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi.
• At an event in Varanasi, which was also attended by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, PM Modi thanked the people of the ancient city for electing him for the third time in a row.
• “After winning the elections, I have come to Varanasi. I bow to the people of Kashi, Baba Kashi Vishwanath and Maa Ganga,” PM Modi said.
• PM Narendra Modi said the people of Varanasi have blessed him by electing him as their representative to the lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha.
• He said the Lok Sabha elections, which the BJP-led NDA won, displayed India’s strength to the world.
• He further said the agriculture sector will play a massive role in making India world’s 3^rd-largest economic power.
• Today’s program is also going to strengthen this path of developed India.
• “₹20,000 crore of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi have reached the bank accounts of crores of farmers across the country,” PM Modi said at the event, per ANI. (here)

US delegation, including Pelosi, arrives in Dharamshala for talks with Dalai Lama

• To meet with the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Reps which includes Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul arrived in HP on Tue.
• On Wed the 7 members of the US House delegation will meet with Indian govt officials and members of the US business sector in India besides meeting the spiritual leader.
• The visit comes nearly a week after the US House of Reps approved a procedural vote on the Resolve Tibet Act.
• The US House of Representatives enacted the Resolve Tibet Act in Feb 2023, and the Senate approved it in May of this year.
• The Bill calls for China to engage in unconditional negotiations with the Dalai Lama, or his representative, or democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan population.
• China’s response: [On expected line] Foreign Ministry Spox said, “It’s known by all that the 14^th Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion.”
• “We are gravely concerned over the relevant reports and urge the US side to fully recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai group, honor the commitments the US has made to China on issues related to Xizang”
• Following a failed rebellion against Chinese control, the Dalai Lama left Tibet in 1959 and has since resided in India. (here)

Days after meeting PM Modi in Italy, Canada PM Trudeau sees ‘opportunity’ to engage

• Amid strained ties between both countries, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that he sees an “opportunity” in engaging with the new govt in India.
• His statement comes days after he met PM Modi in Italy for the G7 summit. He also said that the relations with India are “really important economic ties.”
• Trudeau said that a very good thing about the G7 summit is that one gets the opportunity to directly engage with a huge range of different leaders, with whom there are multiple issues to be raised.
• The Canadian PM said, “…and certainly with India, there are massive people-to-people ties, they’re really important economic ties.”
• “There’s alignment on a number of big issues that we need to work on as, as democracies as a global community. …, I think there is an opportunity for us to engage, including on some very serious issues around national security and keeping Canadians safe and the rule of law that we will be engaging,” Trudeau said to CBC News. (here)
• Public perception of India in Canada deteriorated in past year over Nijjar killing: Survey-A recent survey from the non-profit polling agency ARI noted that “positive appraisal of India has declined by 11 points in Canada since March 2023; a minority of one-third (33%) who say they view the country favorably are outnumbered by the majority (54%) who do not”. The positive rating for India in 2019 was 56%.
• Another country accused of foreign interference also suffers in public perception, with 79% having a negative view of China. (here)
• India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism, India in Vancouver: India works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat.
• 23 June 2024 marks the 39^th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, lost their lives in the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.
• Reminding Kanishka Air India tragedy, India points to the threat of terrorism on a day when the Canadian Parliament remembers listed terrorist Nijjar: a wanted extremist in India, who was twice on the Interpol list and Canada no-fly list
• A Memorial Service is scheduled at 1830 hrs on June 23, 2024 at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park’s Ceperley Playground area.
• India in Vancouver encourages members of the Indian Diaspora to join the event in a show of solidarity against terrorism.
• Reminding Kanishka Air India tragedy, India points to the threat of terrorism on a day when the Canadian Parliament remembers listed terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
• ‘Serious’ national security issues will be addressed with India, says Canada PM Trudeau: Canadian PM Trudeau has said that he sees a new opening to engage with India on “some “very serious” issues on national security after the return of PM Modi to office for a third consecutive term. (here)

‘Modi ji won’t be intimidated’: Taiwan calls China’s objection an ‘unreasonable interference’

• A “very unreasonable interference,” said Taiwan, slamming China’s reaction and criticism over the exchange of messages between PM Modi and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
• Taiwan’s Deputy FM, while responding to a question on China’s criticism of strengthened ties between India and Taiwan, on Tue.
• He said: “The new president, Lai Ching-te, congratulated Modi ji for becoming the Prime Minister for the third time. I think Modi ji also used that platform (X) to respond. This is a very common thing to congratulate each other.”
• “Why do other people have something to say about it? I don’t understand. This is a very unreasonable interference between two leaders congratulating each other,” he added.
• “I am sure Modi ji and our president will not be intimidated by China’s reaction,” Chung-kwang said.
• Intensifying his attack on China, the Deputy FM of Taiwan further said: “Some regime probably they could not tolerate the friendship. They only do something they think is correct, but most of the time their thinking is not right.” (here)

Chief of defense staff releases joint doctrine for cyberspace operations

• Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan on Tue released the joint doctrine for cyberspace operations, with the ministry describing “a boost to the ongoing drive for jointness and integration of the three services”.
• It was released during a meeting of the chiefs of staff committee of which CDS is the permanent chairman.
• The ministry described the joint doctrine as “a keystone publication” that will guide commanders in conducting cyberspace operations in complex military operations
• In May, Chauhan said jointness and integration among the tri-services were pre-requisite to the creation of functional integrated theatre commands
• A long-standing and crucial reform for the best use of the resources to fight future wars.
• Also in May, the govt notified Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, with the law aimed at pushing jointness among the tri-services. (here)

Terrorist gunned down in Bandipora

• Security forces on Mon gunned down an unidentified terrorist in an encounter with forces in Aragam, Bandipora.
• The officials said the gunfight ensued after security forces launched an intel-based cordon and search operation in the Aragam located in the periphery of the Bandipora.
• For the last 2 months, forces have been receiving inputs about the presence of militants in the forests of Aragam and its adjoining forests.
• The army had exchanged fire with militants in May, in which 2 soldiers had sustained injuries.
• Since then the RR unit based in the village has been carrying out specific operations in the forests which in the past had been used by terrorists.
• Officials said the operation is still underway and RR and SOG of Police are involved.
• The identity of the terrorist has not been revealed. Sources, however, said the terrorist could be a local. (here)

‘Great discontent’: Modi-NDA govt could topple with smallest disturbance, says Rahul Gandhi

• Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, in an interview, has claimed that members of the Narendra Modi camp are in touch with the INDIA bloc.
• He has also suggested that even a minor disturbance could topple the NDA govt.
• Gandhi, in an interview with the FT, claimed that there was “great discontent” within the ruling Modi govt and that it would struggle to survive.
• “The space in the Indian political system has been blown open. A tectonic shift has taken place in Indian politics,” he said. [So much that NDA Govt repeated 3^rd time!]
• “The idea that you can spread hatred, you can spread anger and you can reap benefits of that — the Indian people have rejected it in this election. Essentially, what has happened is that the basic architecture of BJP — the idea of creating religious hatred — that has collapsed.”  (here) [On the same line nearly the same day, ABC broadcasted a documentary: Is it a coincidence?]

Senior Congress leader Kiran Choudhry, daughter Shruti quit: ‘Being run as personal fiefdom’

• Senior Haryana Congress leader Kiran Choudhry and her daughter Shruti Chaudhary resigned from the primary membership of the party alleging that the state unit is being run as a “personal fiefdom”, in a veiled reference to her bete noire Bhupinder S Hooda.
• “To spread the values ​​and ideology of the father of Haryana, Choudhary Bansi Lal in Haryana and honest development of the region and the state will always be my priority,” she posted on X.
• Kiran Choudhry, the daughter-in-law of former Haryana CM Bansi Lal, is learned to be upset with the denial of a ticket to Shruti Choudhary from Bhiwani constituency
• The Congress had given the ticket from the seat to sitting MLA and Hooda loyalist Rao Dan Singh, who lost to BJP’s sitting MP Dharambir Singh. (here)

NIA seizes Rs 1.13 crore in Naxal Magadh zone revival case

• In a major seizure linked with the Naxal Magadh Zone attempted revival case, the NIA on Tue seized funds extorted from contractors and others in Bihar and Jharkhand which were used to finance the medical studies of a relative of some of the accused.
• The money, amounting to Rs 1,13,70,500, has been seized under the UAPA in the case RC-05/2021/NIA/RNC) registered suo moto by the NIA on Dec 30, 2021.
• NIA revealed that the amount had been directly transferred to the bank account of a medical college in Chennai for the education of a relative of a Sr naxal leader.  (here)

Days after ‘attack’, U.P. cattle transporter dies

• Saddam Qureshi, the sole survivor in which 3 cattle [Cow] transporters from UP were allegedly attacked by a mob in Chhattisgarh’s Arang earlier this month, succumbed to his injuries on June 18.
• On June 7, two cattle transporters, Guddu Khan (35) and Chand Miya Khan (23), were found dead under suspicious circumstances after being allegedly chased by a mob.
• Qureshi’s testimony was crucial to the investigation in the case in which the police have neither made any arrests nor disclosed any details about the suspects so far.  
• Based on a conversation with the doctors of the private hospital, The Hindu had earlier reported that the next “48 to 72” hours were critical to his recovery. [court, jury justis: The Hindu] (here)

 [Neighborhood]

US blasts ‘aggressive’ China over South China Sea collision with Philippine ship

• The US on Mon condemned China over a collision with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, the latest in a series of increasingly fraught confrontations that have raised the potential of a flashpoint for global conflict in the vital waterway.
• A Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship collided near 2^nd Thomas Shoal in the contested Spratly Islands early Mon, according to statements from both, which blamed each other for the incident.
• China claims “indisputable sovereignty” over almost all of the SCS, and most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles from mainland China.
• Multiple govts, including Manila, hold competing claims.
• In a post on X, US diplomat to Manila MaryKay Carlson said the US condemned China’s “aggressive, dangerous maneuvers,” which “caused bodily injury” and “damaged Philippine vessels.”
• Neither Manila nor Beijing reported injuries or damage from the collision, which comes just weeks after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned. (here)
• Philippines says sailor severely hurt in SCS collision: A Philippine Navy sailor suffered “serious injury” after what the country’s military called on Jun 18 an “intentional high-speed ramming” by the Chinese coast guard during a resupply mission in the SCS.
• Military stated the Chinese coast guard’s “continued aggressive behavior and unprofessional conduct towards a legitimate humanitarian mission is unacceptable”. (here)

Brigadier (R) Amir Hamza, former 1122 Academy chief, shot dead in Jhelum

• Brig (R) Amir Hamza, former DG of the Emergency Services Academy, was shot and killed in a gun attack near the Lillah interchange in the Jhelum district of Punjab.
• His wife and daughter were also wounded in the attack on Tuesday.
• A case was registered against 4 unknown assailants in the jurisdiction of PS Lillah, Jhelum, for the murder of Hamza, on a complaint filed by the deceased’s brother.
• The complaint lists charges of murder and attempted murder against four unidentified individuals. (here)

Journalist Khalil Jibran gunned down in KP’s Landi Kotal

• A senior journalist Khalil Jibran has been killed by unidentified gunmen near his residence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Landi Kotal town, police said Wed.
• Jibran, who was associated with— Khyber News — was targeted by unidentified miscreants on a motorcycle when he was heading towards his residence with his friend.
• The journalist’s car developed a fault near his home when the gunmen surrounded him, dragged him out of his vehicle, and opened fire at him.
• Jibran, who was also former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club, died on the spot and Sajjad got wounded while the culprits fled from the scene.
• His body was shifted to a Landi Kotal hospital for post-mortem, the police officer said.
• Last month, another journalist from a Sindhi newspaper, Nasrullah Gadani, was targeted by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants near Korai Goth, 12 km from Mirpur Mathelo, leaving him seriously wounded on May 21. (here)

More than 1,200 people hospitalised across Punjab and K-P due to overeating during Eid ul Adha

• More than 1,200 people were taken to hospitals across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during Eid ul Adha, primarily due to excessive eating and ailments related to it.
• In Peshawar, 610 gastroenteritis cases were recorded during the past 24 hours.
• The majority of these cases were attributed to overeating and consumption of excessive meat, according to Mohammad Asim, spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital.
• Additionally, the hospital reported injuries from animal collisions.
• Around 500 people were admitted due to traffic accidents during the same period.
• In Punjab, the province’s six major public hospitals recorded a total of 2,200 patients during the Eid ul Adha holidays.
• Among these, 180 cases were related to gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and abdominal pain complaints.
• Similarly, Jinnah Hospital in Lahore treated more than 130 patients, while Services Hospital, Ganga Ram, and Mayo Hospital each admitted more than 100 patients. (here)
• Medical experts have advised citizens to consume meat moderately and avoid overeating during Eid ulAdha celebrations.