Republicans threaten contempt of Congress proceedings as FBI withholds alleged Biden bribery document

Republican Representative James Comer has accused the FBI of withholding an unclassified document that allegedly implicates President Joe Biden in a criminal bribery scheme. Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, has threatened to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against FBI Director Christopher Wray if the document is not released. While Wray has confirmed the document's existence, he has refused to provide it to the committee, leading to an intensifying standoff between House Republicans and the FBI.

On ‘health of democracy’ under Modi, US says ‘go to Delhi and see for yourself’

The White House has dismissed concerns over the health of democracy in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that India is a vibrant democracy and anyone who visits New Delhi can see that for themselves. The comments were made ahead of Modi's state visit to the US later this month, during which he will be hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The Biden administration has also underlined the importance of India as a friend, partner and strong ally on many levels, including defence, trade and Indo-Pacific security.

Days after Amazon, Microsoft fined by US for illegally collecting kids' personal data

Microsoft will pay $20 million to settle charges from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it breached the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting the personal data of children using its Xbox gaming system without their parents' consent. The company will also be required to improve privacy protection for child users of its system and extend COPPA protections to third-party gaming publishers that use children's data. From 2015 to 2020, Microsoft retained data collected from children during the account creation process, even if a parent failed to complete their registration.

California Governor Newsom threatens Ron DeSantis with kidnapping charges over migrant Flights

California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared to threaten his Florida counterpart Ron DeSantis with kidnapping charges Monday, as a second planeload of migrants arrived via private jet in state capital Sacramento. DeSantis has pursued a policy of flying migrants to Democratic-controlled states in protest at President Joe Biden's immigration policies. While Florida officials have not commented on the two recent flights to Sacramento, California officials said some of the migrants were carrying documentation "purporting to be from the government of the State of Florida."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's authenticity under fire: Growing skepticism surrounding their motives

Public perception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has shifted in recent times, with growing skepticism towards the couple's authenticity and motives. Critics have raised concerns about their tendency to portray themselves as victims and heroes simultaneously in all forms of media. Comedian Tim Dillon has criticized the couple's perceived grift and expressed the sentiments of those who view them as opportunistic individuals. A recent survey carried out by Newsweek in January showcases a substantial decrease in their popularity, reflecting a growing skepticism towards Harry and Meghan.

Former royal etiquette coach expresses heartbreak over Meghan and Harry's post-royal behavior

Meghan Markle's former royal etiquette coach, Edmund Fry, has expressed his disappointment over the behavior of the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry since they departed from the royal family. Fry believes that the couple has "tainted" their royal connections by disregarding established protocols. He criticized Prince Harry's public remarks about his family and emphasized the importance of following established rules and protocols. However, Fry remains hopeful that tensions between Meghan, Harry, and other senior royals will eventually subside, allowing things to settle down.

MLA addresses grievances at Panchkula janta darbar

Haryana Assembly Speaker and Panchkula MLA Gian Chand Gupta presided over a janta darbar during which several local issues were raised, including a request for the removal of high-tension wires above a house in Rattewali village and calls for an underpass in Kona village to ensure the safety of children crossing National Highway 105 to get to school. Gupta directed officials of the Uttar Haryana Bijali Vitran Nigam limited to remove the high-tension wires and pledged to write to the NHAI to find a solution for the underpass.

NIRF 2023: Panjab University slips by three spots to rank 44

Panjab University (PU) has dropped three spots to rank 44 in the Union education ministry's National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023 rankings, with the university's overall score improving from the previous year. While PU managed to retain the 25th rank among universities, it slipped dramatically in engineering, where it did not even feature in the top 100 institutions in India. However, Chandigarh's other universities, including IIT Ropar, Chandigarh University, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, improved their rankings.

UILS director’s appointment challenged in HC

The appointment of a political science professor as the director of University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) at Panjab University has been challenged in court. The plea argues that Sarabjit Kaur, who was appointed as director on May 31, has no experience of teaching law, and that only a professor with 15 years' experience in teaching law may be appointed as director of an institute imparting legal studies. The high court has asked for a response from the university and its vice-chancellor by July 5.

Former Test cricketer Harvinder picked as new PCA coaching director

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has appointed Harvinder Singh as the coaching director for the upcoming domestic season. Singh, who played three Test and 16 ODIs for India as a fast bowler, has been tasked with laying out plans for various Punjab age-group and senior teams?and will be supported by the PCA in hiring qualified coaches, trainers and physiotherapists. The aim is to prepare teams for the Board of Control for Cricket in India tournaments and to overhaul the system to build a strong base for the future.

Chandigarh: Youth to undergo 20-yr RI for raping, impregnating minor step-sister

A fast-track POCSO court has awarded 20-year rigorous imprisonment to a 22-year-old man for raping and impregnating his 14-year-old step-sister in January 2021. Convicted under Section 376-3 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the youth was also fined ?70,000. Despite the minor girl not supporting the case and being declared hostile, the prosecution's case was sustained by medical evidence. The court rejected the accused's plea for leniency and condemned his "heinous act".

Chandigarh’s GCG-11 wins best environment society award

The Post Graduate Government College for Girls in Sector 11, Chandigarh, has received the Best Environment Society Award for 2022 under National Green Corps. The award was presented by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit on World Environment Day. Eleven schools and colleges received state-level Eco Club Awards in three categories, while the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee celebrated World Environment Day by flagging off a tableau depicting solutions to plastic pollution. The committee also took an oath to make changes in their daily lives and to encourage others to adopt environment-friendly habits.

NIRF 2023: PGIMER second best medical institute for sixth straight year

The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) has ranked second in the Union education ministry’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023 rankings for the sixth year running. The premier medical institute achieved a score of 88.53 out of 100 in teaching, learning and resources, 83.15 in research and professional practices, 79.79 in graduation outcome, 64.97 in outreach and inclusivity and 71.78 in the perception score. AIIMS, New Delhi, ranked first while CMC, Vellore, came in third.

Identify black spots, accident-prone areas: Panchkula DC

Deputy commissioner (DC) Priyanka Soni has ordered the identification of black spots and accident-prone areas in a bid to reduce road fatalities in the Indian district of Panchkula. The authorities will build speed bumps and rumble strips in required areas and reports will be sought from companies commissioned to develop a five-kilometre stretch on model roads. The DC has also asked the public works department for a safety audit report and has called on the National Highway Authority of India to speed up construction work on traffic lights and footbridges.

Speeding Audi runs over man in Ambala hit-and-run

A labourer was killed after being hit by a speeding Audi SUV on National Highway-44 near Mohra village in Ambala Cantonment on 4 October. The driver of the Chandigarh-registered Audi initially stopped, but then fled the scene. Police have lodged a case against the unidentified driver under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304-A (causing death by negligence). The deceased was identified as Nitish Kumar, a native of Tetarpur village in Bihar’s Samastipur district, who was working at a factory in the area.