1. HM Amit Shah has sought explanation on the targeted killing of Hindus in J&K as Kashmiri Pandits threaten mass exodus from the valley: In the last month, targeted killings by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir took away the lives of three civilians and two security personnel. Fearing for their lives and of their kin, over 4,000 Kashmiri Pandits in the valley’s Jammu region have threatened the government that they would leave the valley en masse. Given the current developments in the Union Territory, Home Minister Amit Shah has sought an explanation from the Lt Governor.
2. Sonia & Rahul summoned by ED in laundering case involving AJL, Young Indian, and National Herald: Congress party president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were issued summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a money laundering case against Young Indian. Responding to the ED summon, Sonia Gandhi would appear on June 8. However, Rahul Gandhi has sought deferment.
3. Covid cases rise again in Mumbai with a test positivity rate of 6 percent, BMC on high alert: The test positivity rate in Mumbai has gone up to six percent, raising an alarm of a fresh wave of Coronavirus spread. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged officials to increase testing on a war footing. It has also asked private hospitals and testing labs to be fully prepared, and well-staffed to address any looming rise in hospitalization.
4. Sidhu Mossewala’s murder prompts the Punjab government to restore the security of 424 VVIPs: The Punjab government has decided to restore the security of 424 VVIPs from June 7. The decision was informed to the Punjab and Harayana Court on Thursday. The courts are hearing a petition from the former deputy chief minister of Punjab Om Prakash Soni.
5. More targeted killings in the valley: Vijaya Kumar who was working as a manager of the Ellaqui Dehati Bank at the Areh Mohanpora branch in the south Kashmir district was shot dead inside the bank. Meanwhile, terrorists have opened fire at two non-local laborers in the Chadoora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. One of them has succumbed to the gunshot.
6. India’s first official visit and talk with the Taliban: A official team from India was in Kabul on Thursday to discuss bilateral ties and the distribution of humanitarian aid. It is the first-ever official visit from India after Afghanistan was taken over by the Taliban. Receiving Indian delegates, Afghan foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi said, “a good beginning in ties between the two countries.”
7. India’s first sologamy: Kshama Bindu aged 24 from Vadodara, Gujarat will be marrying herself on June 11, as per rituals. Like any other marriage, wedding cards were distributed by Bindu’s folks. The bride, who says individuals who marry themselves will be happier, has ordered a Lehenga.
8. LPG subsidy limited to Ujjwala beneficiaries: Oil Secretary Pankaj Jain said there would be no subsidy for regular LPG users. However, a price benefit of Rs.200 would be extended to all Ujjwala beneficiaries. In Delhi, the cost of a 14.2 kg cylinder is Rs.1003. Ujjwala beneficiaries would receive the cylinder for Rs.803.
9. Hardik Patel has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Patel shot to fame following the Patidar quota agitation in 2015. Subsequently, he joined the Congress party and was working as the Congress’s state unit chief in Gujarat. After joining the BJP. Patel has called PM Modi a successful prime minister.
10. Sri Lanka is mulling over developing the Triconamalle port: Sri Lanka announced that it would convert the Triconamalle into an industrial harbor. The move is likely to attract investments, and also monetize the land that belongs to Sri Lanka Port Authority.