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Centre slams Samajwadi Party over horrific Bulandshahr gangrape

Calling the Bulandshahr brutal gangrape incident a disgrace to society, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on 31 July sought answers from the Samajwadi Party led-Uttar Pradesh government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh.

"The incident is heart wrenching and also issues alert about the state of our society. I think the people of Uttar Pradesh as well as the state government will have to answer as to where the state is heading," Sharma told ANI.

Floods kill 52 in Bihar, Assam

Union home minister Rajnath Singh conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit Assam on 30 July to take stock of the flood situation which has claimed the lives of at least 29 people.

At least 29 people have been displaced in the floods which have affected over 3,300 villages.

Twenty six people have died in Bihar. After meeting victims in Morigaon, Rajnath Singh said:"The situation is grim. No efforts are being spared (to help) and the people are satisfied with government's response," he said.

"Declaring floods as a national calamity is not a solution to the problem. There is a need for a action plan to deal with such serious flood situation," he said.

The army tweeted, saying, "Nine army columns deployed for floor relief in Assam and Bihar. 2000+ rescued. Brahmaputra breach being plugged." In Bihar, around 25 lakh people have been affected by floods across 10 districts.

PM Modi delivers 22nd edition of Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on 31 July, with the 22nd edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme.

The first edition of the programme was aired on 3 October 2014. During the radio address, PM Modi touched upon a number of topics ranging from flood woes and water-borne illnesses, to the need to promote sports in the country.

PM Modi flags off Run For Rio event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Run for Rio event in Delhi from Major Dhyanchand National Stadium near India Gate on 31 July.

Over 20,000 school children participated in the event. "I'm sure our athletes will win hearts the of the world and will show the world what India is about," PM Modi said.

"When the 2020 games take place, let every district affirm that one athlete from our district will represent India at those games," he said.

"On 15th August when we shall unfurl our Indian flag, I am sure that in Rio too we will get a chance to unfurl our Indian flag," he said, wishing the Indian contingent the very best.

Over 10,000 Indians Facing Food Scarcity In Saudi Arabia, Says Sushma Swaraj

Over 10,000 Indian workers in Saudi Arabia are facing severe food shortage due to financial hardship after losing their jobs and the government has ordered its mission in the Gulf nation to provide food to them besides other assistance.

Late in the evening, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj appealed to 30 lakhs Indians in that country to help their "fellow brothers and sisters", asserting that there is nothing "mightier" than the collective will of the Indian nation.

Her initial response came following a tweet by a man who said around 800 Indians were starving for the last three days in Jeddah and sought her intervention.

The Indian Consulate officials have already left for a highway camp near Jeddah where hundreds of workers need assistance. The Consulate, in association with the Indian Community in Jeddah, has already distributed 15,475 kg of food stuff and other items.

AAP slams PM Modi as Delhi Police arrests another MLA

With the arrest of yet another of its MLA, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on 31 July came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioning his sanity and accusing of him of acting on pure 'vengeance' against the Delhi government.

"Another AAP MLA arrested. Has Modi gone mad?Has he lost his mental balance? If PM acts with such anger/vengeance then is country safe!," AAP leader Ashutosh tweeted.

AAP legislator from Narela Sharad Chauhan, who was earlier grilled by police in the alleged suicide of a party worker, was arrested on 30 July.

Soni, an AAP worker had committed suicide on 19 July, alleging harassment by fellow party worker Ramesh Bhardwaj, who allegedly asked her for sexual favours.

New species of dinosaur discovered in Argentina

Researchers have reported the discovery of the fossils of a carnivorous dinosaur in Argentina.

The creature, called Murusraptor barrosaensis, lived about 80 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period.

The dinosaur, which measures around 6½ meters-long, is a member of the megarptors family. The discovery comes on the heels of reports that fossils of a carnivorous dinosaur named Gualicho had been found in Argentina.

The research was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Gotta catch 'em all! Pokemon Go is now a university course!

The University of Idaho is planning to introduce Pop Culture Games, a physical education class, into the course curriculum next fall.

The class comprises smartphone games that get players moving, including Pokémon Go and Humans vs Zombies.

"It's a great way to engage youth through adults, and a great way to engage families in active games together," Department of Movement Science chair Philip Scruggs was quoted as saying.

Cow slaughter case: Mob attacks house in Muzaffarnagar

Tension prevailed in Kandhla village in Muzaffarnagarafter a mob attacked a house where an alleged cow slaughter took place with police booking four members of the family on the charge.

The trouble started when irate locals gathered outside Zishan Qureshi's house late on 30 July accusing him and his family members of cow slaughter, they said.

The mob damaged Qureshi's house and tried to set it on fire but police reached the spot and brought the situation under control, police said.

When the mob gathered outside the house, Qureshi along with his wife Shenaz and two others Saddam and Mota escaped from the spot, they said.

A case has been lodged against the family members for alleged cow slaughter, police said.

Lightning kills 27 in Odisha

At least 27 persons were killed after being struck by lightning in different parts of Odisha on 30 July, police said.

While eight deaths were reported from Bhadrak district, there were seven casualties in Balasore district, five in Khurda, three in Mayurbhanj and one each in Kendrapara, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Nayagarh, police said.

Expressing sorrow over the deaths, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the special relief commissioner (SRC) to immediately provide assistance to the bereaved families in accordance with the relief code, CM's office said in a statement.