Top stories on 26 July in a capsule

Sabrimala will turn Ayodhya if ban on women scrapped: Petitioners tell SC

Petitioners appearing for the ban on women’s entry in Kerala’s Sabrimala Temple, warned the Supreme Court that scrapping the age old tradition will turn the temple into ‘another Ayodhya.’ Representing the temple body, Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti lawyer Kailasanatha Pillay said, “Any interference with the age-old custom will result in another Ayodhya and will create social tension in Kerala.” Another petitioner People of Dharma, represented by lawyer Sai Deepak, said the worshippers of Lord Ayappa themselves form a ‘religious denomination’ and in no way discriminates women. The apex court that is hearing petitions challenging the restriction of women in the temple, the practice will have to face constitutional provisions.

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No place in Goa for drunk tourists and those who litter, Tourism Minister warns

In a stern message to tourists who visit Goa, Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said people who litter the beaches or indulge in drinking and drugs will not be welcomed in the state. "There is a difference between a drunk Goan and a tourist who is drunk. Goans will walk straight on the road while tourists walk shaking their body," the Minister said. Ajgaonkar also went on to add that there is a need to amend the Tourism Act as it is not strong enough. He also said that the India Reserve Batallion (IRB) personnel that guard the beaches are not enough and the local police too needs to take action against disturbing element.

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Chinese army reappearing in Doklam claims US, India denies

Almost a year after the standoff between the armies of India and China in the border region of Doklam in June 16 last year, China has resumed its activities in the area, a top US official claimed on Thursday. “Although both countries back down, China has quietly resumed its activities in Doklam and neither Bhutan nor India has sought to dissuade it,” Alice G Wells, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia told American lawmakers during U.S. Congress subcommittee hearing. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the reports saying there has been no new development in the area. “I would reiterate that since the disengagement of Indian and Chinese border personnel in the Doklam area on August 28, 2017, there have been no new developments at the face-off site and its vicinity. The status quo prevails in this area,” MEA spokesperson said in a statement.

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If India ready, we can solve the Kashmir issue: Imran Khan

Addressing the media for the first time since the Pakistan elections, Pakistan Tehreeq-e-Insaf’s (PTI) chairperson and possible Prime Minister elect Imran Khan on Thursday said, "we are ready to discuss the Kashmir issue with India, given the Indian leadership is ready." PTI PM candidate Imran Khan created history on Thursday in Pakistan’s politics by winning all seats he contested in, say reports. Prior to Imran Khan, only Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto contested from four constituencies at the same time where he had won three and lost one seat to Mufti Mehmood. PTI is leading in over 110 seats as the results keep trickling in. Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has voiced his support for the mandate in favor of Imran Khan. Musharraf has also said that Khan has never voiced any discontentment against India.

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'Firework bomb' set off outside Indian embassy in Beijing 

A blast rocked the city of Beijing in China when a man detonated a bomb outside the United States and Indian Embassies, while a woman was also detained for spraying gasoline on herself. The embassies that are located in crossroads were lined with public who had arrived for visa facilities when the incident occurred at 8 am. The Beijing Police has identified the bomber as a 26-year-old Inner Mongolia native, Jiang. The bomb was found out to be a homemade one, apparently ‘made from fireworks’. The police further said that there were no casualties or injuries, except for the bomber himself which injured his hand. The motive of the blast has not been found yet.

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Bihar CM directs shelter home case to be given to CBI after opposition's criticism

Weeks after the horrific case of 41 girls being raped in Muzaffarpur based shelter home was reported, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday ordered for the case to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). As per reports, the CM ordered the Chief Secretary, Principal Home Secretary and the Director General of Police to shift the case, following the opposition creating a ruckus at the State Assembly for poor handling of the case. The development came on the second day of state Assembly, Congress MLA Vijay Singh Dubey during the Question Hour demanded to the case be handed to CBI while ministers from the RJD, Congress thronged the well of house slamming Nitish Kumar.

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BCCI agitated over Asia Cup schedule, India vs Pak match

The Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI) on Wednesday expressed anger over the Asia Cup schedule related to the Indian team playing against the Pakistani side, and has called the schedule ‘mindless.’ “The scheduling is mindless. There appears to be zero application of mind. How can you accept a scenario where India plays a game today and tomorrow it will face its arch-rival Pakistan who will have a two-day period of rest?” a senior BCCI official apparently told CricketNext. The schedule as of now shows India paying a qualifier on September 18, and will face Pakistan on the very next day, on September 19.

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Facebook loses 17 billion in 2 hours over weak financial data

Facebook shares went into a freefall Wednesday as a stunningly weak financial outlook raised fresh concerns for the social networking giant after its data breach scandal. Its market capitalization plummeted late Wednesday, at one point by about $151 billion, as sales and user growth disappointed investors. A move of that magnitude on Thursday would likely be the largest ever loss of value in one day for a US-traded company. Missing the financial targets are rare for Facebook. Its problems started over the data privacy issue when it was found that many companies like Cambridge Analytica are targeting users by analyzing their political affiliations. This was followed by Facebook’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg testifying before US Congress for hours on the company’s actions.

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