7 Big Stories You Probably Missed While Waiting in the ATM Queue

A quick peek into what else is making news around the world.

Congress party president Sonia Gandhi might give up her post to her son Rahul Gandhi due to health reasons after UP, Punjab polls in 2017. Photo: Reuters)

The chaotic and serpentine lines outside banks and ATMs across the country, following the currency ban, will continue. So will the hot topic of demonetisation. Here is a quick peek into the ‘other’ ongoing issues across the world.

1. 7 Pakistani Soldiers Killed Along LoC

File photo of an Indian security personnel along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: Reuters)

On Monday, Pakistan said that seven of its soldiers were killed after "unprovoked" cross-border firing by Indian soldiers along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement released by the Pakistani army, it said that their troops responded by targeting Indian posts "effectively".

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhary also summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambewale and asked him to convey to the Indian government that provocative firing must be stopped and ceasefire must be observed.

Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag reviewed the security situation along the LoC on Tuesday and exhorted the troops to be alert against any inimical designs and be aggressive in their approach.

Also read: Modi Meets Military Chiefs, Reviews Security Situation Along LoC

2. Sutlej-Yamuna Row: Congress Resignations “Under Consideration”

File photo of Amarinder Singh. (Photo: IANS)

After Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh and 42 of his party MLAs submitted their resignations over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link issue, Assembly Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal said that the matter was "under consideration".

The collective step by the Congress came after the Supreme Court declared the 2004 law enacted by the state government to terminate the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states as "unconstitutional".

A special session on the issue will be convened in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday. The Haryana government, too, will hold a cabinet meeting to discuss the matter.

Amarinder has also sought President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention and will meet him on 16 November.

The Badal- led Punjab government announced on Tuesday that the land acquired for SYL canal project stands de-notified with immediate effect.

Also read: Sutlej-Yamuna Canal Row: Congress, SAD, AAP Scramble to Cash in

3. South China Sea: India, Japan Stand Together

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) with Japanese President Shinzo Abe (R). (Photo Courtesy: Twitter.com/@MEAIndia)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently concluded his three-day trip to Japan. Despite China stressing that India and Japan respect "legitimate concerns" and efforts of its neighbours in maintaining peace and stability in the contested South-China sea, both the countries stood their ground on the matter.

Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe issued a joint statement that said, "The two Prime Ministers stressed on the importance of resolving the disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Also read: Modi in Japan: Civil Nuclear Deal Signed, Make in India Endorsed

4. 95% Appear For Class XII Exams in Kashmir; Class X Board Exams From 2017

(Photo: AP)

After the unrest, which was unleashed in the Valley following Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's killing in July 2016, educational institutions had been shut.

But on Monday, nearly 95 percent of the 32,000 students appeared for their Class XII board examinations in Kashmir. Security had been beefed up prior to the examinations.

Minor stone-pelting incidents were reported from different district like in Pulwama, Budgam, etc. but did not affect the conduct of the examinations.

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar has also announced that board examinations for Class X will be re-introduced in all CBSE schools from 2017-18 academic year.

Also read: Schools on Fire: Kashmir Valley Is Returning to the Medieval Era

5. Sonia Gandhi Likely To Quit After UP, Punjab Polls

Sonia Gandhi with her son, Rahul Gandhi (Photo: Reuters)

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is likely to quit from her post after the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab Assembly polls in 2017. Sources told The Indian Express that she might quit citing health issues and that she wanted to step down "much earlier", but party leaders wanted her to continue till the conclusion of polls in the two crucial states.

The youth party leaders have been demanding that Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi takes over the reins but the "old guards" are more comfortable with Sonia Gandhi.

Also read: Ready for Challenge: Rahul After CWC Backs Him for Congress Chief

6. India, Israel to Intensify Anti-Terror Cooperation

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin with PM Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee. (Photo: AP)

After extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who is on his first visit to India, the two nations decided to further “broad-base” their already close defence partnership and intensify cooperation in combating radicalisation and extremism.

The two countries also agreed to deepen their cooperation in a variety of areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, water resources and cyber crime.

Giving a gist of his talks with the Israeli leader, Modi, in a media statement, said people of both the countries were constantly threatened by forces of terrorism and extremism and both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in combating them effectively, particularly having "practical and specific" engagement, such as in the cyber domain.

7. Video Calling Now Available on WhatsApp

(Photo: iStockphoto)

Instant messaging phone app WhatsApp launched its new video calling feature on Monday. The feature will be available on all platforms - Android, iOS and Windows.

The feature has been developed by Indian engineer Manpreet Singh.

“Video calling is one of the most requested features from the people in India. We're proud to have the opportunity to launch this feature in India, where we now have 160 million users, and we look forward to seeing people use WhatsApp to talk to their friends and loved ones face to face,” said Jan Koum, CEO and Co-Founder, WhatsApp.

Also read: Why WhatsApp’s Global Launch of Video Calling in India Is Big

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)