India

New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the bill to ban triple talaq, with the government asserting that the law was required as hundreds of cases of instant divorce have come to the fore despite Supreme Court striking down the practice.

Replying to the debate on the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the law was also required to prescribe punishment for those violating it.

New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Russia on Thursday criticised the US for its punitive action against Chinese telecom giant Huawei's 5G services, calling it "unfair" and "inappropriate".

The US has banned Huawei, the world leader in telecom equipment and the number two smartphone producer, over concerns of security and Washington has been pressuring other countries to restrict the operations of the Chinese telecom firm.

Ranchi, Jul 25 (PTI) Newly appointed West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar on Thursday praised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, describing her as hard working.

"She (Mamata) is very hard working. She called me over phone after I was appointed as the Governor. I respect her," Dhankar said at a felicitation ceremony here.

Guwahati/Patna, July 25 (PTI) The death toll in Bihar and Assam floods mounted to 198 on Thursday, with more than 1.17 crore people affected by the calamity in the two states, officials said.

In Assam, the death toll climbed to to 75 with one more person succumbing in Dhubri, while water level rose in seven districts of the state.

Due to release of excess water from Kuricchu Hydropower reservoirs in Bhutan's Kuricchu River, western Assam districts of Barpeta, Nalbari, Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Dhubri and South Salmara are facing rise in flood water level.

Akola, Jul 26 (PTI) A gang of eight people, two of them from adjoining Madhya Pradesh, was arrested for allegedly practicing black magic while looking for a "hidden treasure" here in Maharashtra, police said on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team went to Dahikhed village near here on Thursday and nabbed these people, all part of a gang, when they were conducting rituals at an agriculture field as part of black magic, Akot rural police station in-charge Inspector Dnyanoba Phad said.

Bengaluru, Jul 26 (PTI) State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa Friday said he will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka by Governor Vajubhai Vala at 6 p.m.

"I have requested Governor to administer me oath between 6-6.15 pm as the Chief Minister, the Governor has agreed and given me a letter," Yeddyurappa told reporters after meeting the Governor at Raj Bhavan here.

Stating that he will take oath by that time, he said, "who all are to be inducted (in the ministry), I will discuss with our national president and inform."

New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Lok Sabha witnessed high drama when Mohd Azam Khan made certain objectionable remarks against BJP's Rama Devi who was presiding over the proceedings, leading to uproar with union ministers pressing from an apology from the Samajwadi Party leader.

Participating in the debate on the triple talaq bill on Thursday, Khan made certain observations on a ruling party member.

Rama Devi asked Khan to address the chair and not to look at other members.

Noida (UP), Jul 25 (PTI) Thirty-three people, including 16 women, have been arrested from a fake call centre here for allegedly duping scores of people on the pretext of providing them loans at low interest rates, police said on Thursday.

The accused were held on Wednesday after a raid was conducted at their office in Sector 3 by teams of Sector 20 police station and Noida Cyber Cell, a senior official said.

New Delhi, July 24; GANASHAKTI: A Bill to tighten the lead anti-terrorist law to empower the government to designate individuals as terrorists and streamline the process of confiscating their property, among other things, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with voice vote despite the opposition's demand for its scrutiny by a Standing Committee.

Hyderabad, July 24 (PTI) Faced with a 'weak' monsoon, residents of a locality here have performed marriage of two donkeys praying the rain God to show mercy on them.

The ceremony held by people of Harijan Basti in Bowenpally at local Nalla Pochamma temple two days ago was no different from any other wedding as drum-beatings, songs and dance marked the occasion with the 'bride' and 'groom' elegantly dressed as per the Hindu marriage tradition.