Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed solidarity with Kerala and said that people from all walks of life across the country have come in support of those whose lives were devastated in the massive floods. “In today’s pressing, hard times, the entire nation is with Kerala. Our sympathies are with those families who lost their loved ones. Loss of lives cannot be compensated, but I assure the grief-stricken families that in this moment of suffering and misery, 125 crore Indians stand by them,” Mr. Modi said in his monthly “Mann Ki Baat” programme. “I earnestly pray for those injured in this natural disaster to get well soon. I firmly believe that the sheer grit and courage of the people of the State will see Kerala rise again,” he added. The Prime Minister said that while the monsoon, on one hand, brings a new ray of hope to the toiling farmers and provides much needed succour to the scorched trees and shrubs and to parched water bodies, on the other hand excessive rainfall causes devastating floods. “Disasters, unfortunately leave behind a trail of destruction. But one gets to witness facets of humanity, humaneness during disasters,” Mr. Modi said. “From Kutch to Kamrup, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, everyone is endeavouring to contribute in some way or the other so that wherever a disaster strikes, be it Kerala or any other part of India, human life returns to normalcy. Irrespective of age group or area of work, people are contributing,” he said. Mr. Modi commended the armed forces involved in the rescue and relief operations in the State for “leaving no stone unturned as saviours of those trapped in the floods”. “I would like to specially mention the arduous endeavours of the National Disaster Response Force daredevils. At this moment of hardship and agony, their service stands out as a shining example,” he said.

Days after Netflix's first India original Sacred Games released to acclaim, the showrunners found themselves in a controversy over seemingly defamatory statements made about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in one of the episodes. A gangster character called Ganesh Gaitonde (played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui) refers to the late Rajiv Gandhi's alleged involvement in the Bofors scandal to justify his own illegal activities. Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed the row surrounding Sacred Games in a tweet posted to his official account on the evening of 14 July. Gandhi wrote: "The BJP/RSS believe the freedom of expression must be policed and controlled. I believe this freedom is a fundamental democratic right. My father lived and died in the service of India. The views of a character on a fictional web series can never change that." A Congress party member Rajeev Kumar Sinha first filed a complaint against Sacred Games in West Bengal on 10 July. In a letter to the Kolkata Police, Sinha accused Nawaz and Netflix of "abusing Rajiv Gandhi and misrepresenting facts during his regime".

Indian companies are bracing for a possible flood of steel imports should the US and China follow through on their threats about a trade war.

Russia has two tsars, one in the Kremlin and the other who sits equally imperiously on the throne of the Mariinsky theatre in St Petersburg as the country's biggest classical music star. The globetrotting conductor Valery Gergiev is, as it happens, a great admirer of his opposite number, Russian President Vladimir Putin. Without him, Russia might have shared "the fate of Syria", he told AFP. "Twenty years ago Russia was at a low ebb and I am not saying that Putin, on his own, has given it back its international importance, but I'm afraid that's the case," he added. Gergiev -- who sees Putin five or six times a year -- has been fiercely loyal to the Russian leader, supporting his annexation of Crimea, giving Pussy Riot short shift and flying to Syria for a concert in the ruins of Palmyra. He has also performed in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia -- which is only recognised by Moscow.

Bollywood actor-producer Arbaaz Khan on Saturday had confessed to his involvement in betting during past T20 cricket seasons, according to police officials. Reports claimed that the star admitted he had been betting on cricket matches for the past five to six years, but not during the 2018 season. This betting scandal has come at a time when Arbaaz’s superstar brother, Salman Khan has only just begun promotions for his upcoming Eid release, ‘Race 3’. Salman made it a point not to divulge any details about the same during a recent audio launch event, but a new report doing the round has an insider claiming that the family is in a ‘state of shock’. New 2018 Hyundai Creta. Test drive today! Hyundai India Extravagant space is where you step in at Signia High, Sta.. Signia High Recommended By Colombia According to a daily, a friend of the family was quoted saying that Arbaaz didn’t let the Khans know about his involvement in the betting racket. They allegedly only came to know about the same when he was summoned for interrogation.

After being outclassed in the first game of the three-match series, Bangladesh will be searching for quick answers to turn around their fortunes as they gear up for the second match against Afghanistan in Dehradun on Tuesday (June 5). It was the turn of the spin troika of Mujeeb ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan that ripped apart Bangladesh's middle order after a poor stroke from Mushfiqur Rahim opened the doors for a flurry of wickets to hand Afghanistan a 45-run win. Bangladesh, ahead of their must-win clash, need to find a route to tackle the threat of Nabi, Mujeeb and Rashid on the spinner-friendly track in Dehradun. The failures of Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman to golden ducks didn't help their cause and laid added burden on the likes of Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

The Supreme Court (SC) today permitted the Centre to provide reservation in promotion for SC/ST employee as per law until the issue is adjudicated by its Constitution bench. At the same time, the SC didn't clarify which law to follow. The Centre told the bench that it was bound to give promotion to its employees, and that promotion has virtually come to a standstill after orders passed by various high courts. "I'm govt and I have to give promotion to my employee," said Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh to the SC.

When US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet for their historic summit in Singapore later this month, they will be protected by men from one of the fiercest warrior tribes in the world - the Gurkhas of Nepal. While both leaders will bring their own personal security teams, elite Singaporean police, including its Gurkha Contingent, will be securing the summit venue, roads and hotels, according to diplomats familiar with VIP security in the island state.