Sec 377 verdict: Bollywood welcomes it, Subramanian Swamy disapproves The Supreme Court on Thursday gave the historic verdict of scrapping the 156-year-old Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that decriminalized homosexuality, releasing a series of reactions from different strata of society. Bollywood celebrities like filmmaker Karan Johar, actress Sonam Kapoor among others hailed the verdict. Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor who had earlier tried to introduce the private member’s bill but was rejected by the majority NDA called the verdict a ‘dawn’ for India. Meanwhile, a staunch critic of homosexuality and gay rights, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy claimed the verdict could give rise to increase in HIV cases, gay bars, etc. “This judgment can be overturned by a seven-judge bench,” he added. ___________________ India-US sign key military equipment deal ahead of 2+2 meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on T...

13 dead, 34,000 housed in relief camps in Kerala rains  At least 13 people were dead and 6 went missing as heavy rainfall created a havoc in Kerala, disrupting normal life and putting several districts on high alert. The rains went reportedly severe as it did not stop after 36 hours. Several relief camps were set up with more than 30,000 people being provided rehabilitation in the same. The worst affected districts were Alappuzha, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kottayam, Kollam and Kochi, Times of India reported. As per report by Business Standard, around 36 houses were destroyed while 1,214 were damaged. The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) has predicted rains to continue till Wednesday and advised public not to venture into water bodies. ___________________  Japan: Heatwave kills 14 people in three days An intense heatwave killed at least 14 people over the past three days in Japan and hampered relief operations in flood-hit areas, Reuters reported. Six peop...

Ranchi police recuses 3rd baby that was sold by Mother Teresa house The Ranchi police on Thursday rescued third baby from Sidmega district that was being sold by the Missionaries of Charity’s shelter home, Nirmal Hriday in the controversial racket that questions the Christian charity body in the state. The police moreover said that there is a fourth kid that was sold as per the statements of the nun and the staffer who were arrested. "Of the four children allegedly sold (by the shelter home), the third child was rescued today from Simdega. A few people have been detained for questioning in this regard," Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Anis Gupta told news agencies. _______________ Amit Shah slams opposition’s speculations of JDU-BJP break up Slamming the opposition parties that predicted the BJP-JDU alliance break up in the state of Bihar, BJP Chief Amit Shah on Thursday said the opposition is making unnecessary assumptions regarding the same. Making his first vi...

Telecom Commission approves net neutrality rules The decision making body of Telecom Ministry, Telecom Commission on Wednesday passed approval for new rules, making way for net neutrality in the country making internet facilities free for all, without having to pay extra to service providers. “The Telecom Commission (TC) today approved net neutrality as recommended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) expect some critical services will be kept out of its purview,” Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan told the media. The issue of net neutrality has created much uproar in the year 2015 after public had criticized the government for favoring service providers. The proposal now, included in the National Digital Communications Policy 2018 will now be forwarded to the PM Modi led cabinet for approval. _________________ 7 killed as heavy rains lashes across Dehradun, National highways blocked At least seven people were killed, two injured and a prominent bridge w...

AG Venugopal recuses from Sec 377 case hearing Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal on Tuesday evening recused himself from the ongoing hearing of Section 377 case of the criminalising homosexuality in the Supreme Court, citing ‘difference of opinion with the Central government.’ The AG who was representing the government’s anti-homosexuality stand in the top court said, “The problem is this that I had appeared in the petition for curative. I am told the government's stance is different, therefore I can't appear,” according to news agency ANI. The five judge constitution bench of Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the petitions moved against an earlier verdict that had scrapped Delhi High Court’s order decriminalising homosexual, consensual sex in Naz foundation case. ____________ 20 injured on South Africa plane crash, no casualties At least 20 people were injured in South Africa’s Pretoria city on Tuesday after a ‘small’ plane crash occurred, the police department described...

INDIA Serious problem at home: Rahul Gandhi in Bahrain While addressing the NRI’s in Bahrain on Monday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that there is a serious problem at home (India), and they a part of the solution. He also accused the government of dividing people on the basis of caste and religion, alleging it was converting the anger of jobless youth into hatred among communities. Gandhi claimed that the government's failure to create jobs is resulting in "tremendous unrest" in India and this anger is visible in the streets and is rising with each passing day. Noting that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar were also NRIs, he said "Our ancestors needed you in 1947 to protect the idea of India and I have come to seek your help to transform India now." _____________ Italy court acquits main accused in VVIP Chopper Scam An Italian appeals court on Monday acquitted two former Leonardo executives who were accused of pa...