Ahead of prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu tomorrow (July 17), Pakistani Rangers resorted to heavy shelling on the Indian forward posts and civilian areas that left a 42-year-old woman dead and six others injured in Jammu division. Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire at 8.45 am when their snipers fired at the Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers posted to guard the International Border in Kanachak sector. Meanwhile, Indian high commission in Pakistan has strongly protested and lodged a complaint with the Pakistan foreign office about the ceasefire violation. The matter will also be taken up with Pakistan high commissioner to India Abdul Basit.

Petrol and diesel dealers strike over VAT likely

With every state having different tax rates for petroleum products, the dealers are facing immense problems and have threatened to go on strike. We want one nation one rate scheme, said Ajay Bansal of all India Petroleum Dealers Association. "We will hold a meeting and decide whether to declare a strike or not," he said on Delhi's VAT (value added tax) even as Haryana raised its VAT on diesel from 12.5% to 16.4% and Punjab government took it to 13.4% from 12.5%.

Sensex rises over 100 points

Indian stocks open higher for a second day on positive Asian cues as Greek parliament approved bailout measures. The 30-share S&P BSE Sensex rises 112.59 points, or 0.4%, to 28,310.88. The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) is up 29.95 points, or 0.35%, to 8,553.75.

Greece parliament passes bailout plan

The Greek parliament passed sweeping austerity measures demanded by lenders to open talks on a new multi-billion-euro bailout package to keep Greece in the euro, but dozens of hardliners in the ruling Syriza party deserted prime minister Alexis Tsipras. The package was approved with 229 votes in the 300-seat chamber. There were 64 votes against it and six abstentions. In exchange for funding worth up to 86 billion euros ($94 billion), Greece has accepted reforms including significant pension adjustments, increases to value added taxes, an overhaul of its collective bargaining system, measures to liberalise its economy and tight limits on public spending.

SC to hear whistleblower Anand Rai's plea in Vyapam scam today

After ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Madhya Pradesh multi-crore Vyapam scam, the Supreme Court is set to hear a petition filed by whistleblower Anand Rai on Thursday. The petition filed by the whistleblower seeks a CBI probe into the seat allotments in private colleges in Madhya Pradesh. The petition claims that children of judges and officers involved in investigating the scam have been identified as beneficiaries.

Vyapam scam: CBI registers FIRs

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday registered a set of FIR's in three cases of illegalities committed during the pre-medical examination conducted by the Vyapam in 2009 to 2011 and named at least eight key officials of the Madhya Pradesh government. The agency has constituted a 40-member team headed by Joint Director RP Agarwal to probe the scam. The investigation into cases between 2009 to 2011, as well as naming of key officials in the first set of FIR's, takes the probe into areas which were not looked into the state constituted Special Task Force which was primarily looking into cases between 2012 and 2013.

Women cops in Asaram rape probe receive threat letter

A letter  has been posted threatening two women police officers who had investigated the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram. Ahmedabad city's women's police station received the letter in which the sender had threatened woman police inspector Divya Raviya and ACP of women police station, Kanan Desai. The sender has written 'Sant Asaram Ashram' on top of it and threatened the two women officers with dire consequences.

Pakistan blames India for its own 'Made in China' drone

Pakistan has triggered a controversy by claiming to have shot down an Indian drone, that was on a “spying mission”. While India has denied ownership of the drone, Pakistan appears adamant to link India to the drone so as to further its position on India's alleged involvement in spy activities on its soil. The Pakistan foreign office, Thursday, summoned Indian High Commissioner Dr TCA Raghavan to lodge an official protest. This despite new revelations that the DJI Phantom-3 drone was Made in China, and Indian security agencies don't buy equipment from China.

Narendra Modi to address mega rally in Varanasi today but rains may again spoil the show

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will visit his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi and address a mega rally in Dereka.During his visit to the holy city, the prime minister will inaugurate a trauma centre at the Banaras Hindu University.Modi is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone of ring road and kick-start the integrated power development scheme. However, weather can play a spoilsport for the BJP strongman, as incessant rains since last night has thrown life out of gear in Varanasi. Modi's June 28 rally in the holy city was cancelled due to heavy rains.

Omar Abdullah questions Modi over skipping president’s Iftar party

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah questioned prime minister Narendra Modi for missing the Iftar party hosted by president Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday. Omar posted on the micro-blogging website Twitter: “Why can't the PM just say that his religious beliefs preclude him from attending an Iftar party? I'd have far more respect for honesty.”

Centre to infuse Rs 92,000 cr for development of Northeast

Funds to the tune of Rs 92,000 crore will be spent by the Centre on development of North East, including construction of highways and developing rail networks, prime minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he held a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the region. Chief ministers of Congress-ruled Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram did not participate in the meeting which was attended by chief ministers of Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and finance minister of Mizoram.

NHRC moves SC, seeks nod to vet cases involving armed forces

The National Human Rights Commission has filed a review petition in the supreme court seeking a mandate allowing it to examine cases of human rights violation by members of the armed Forces, NHRC's acting Chairperson justice Cyriac Joseph said on Wednesday.Referring to Section 19 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (that deals with the procedure with respect to armed forces), justice Joseph said it gave the commission little option to hold a proper probe into a case of human rights violation by a member of the armed Forces.