Gubernatorial reshuffle likely this week

The National Democratic Alliance government is likely to announce a major gubernatorial reshuffle this week. Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah has been in touch with various candidates who are likely to move to Raj Bhavans. P B Acharya is holding additional charge of Assam, Kaptan Singh Solanki is in charge of both Punjab and Haryana and N N Vohra has been governor of Jammu & Kashmir from 2008.

What will PM reveal in I-Day speech?

What will Prime Minister Narendra Modi say in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort this year? In his first such address in 2014, he emphasised inclusion in government, making it more efficient and far-reaching. The Jan-Dhan Yojana was launched. He also launched Swachh Bharat, the Sansad Adarch Gram Yojana and others. In 2015, he announced the 'Start Up India' and 'Stand Up India' programmes. He stressed on more programmes for the poor and launched a massive campaign to build toilets.

What will be the big idea this year?

UK PM Theresa goes on holiday; Modi rues

It isn't only Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice-president, who likes taking periodic holidays and makes no secret about it. British Prime Minister Theresa May has, within weeks of assuming office, announced she will be on holiday in Switzerland. She has not indicated when she will leave, only that she will return on August 24. May says she likes Switzerland for the opportunity of strenuous walking it affords and the peace and quiet it offers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rues he has not been able to take a day's holiday in the two-year-plus he has been in power.

Akbar visits West Asia, to promote peace

In his first official visit, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar will travel to Lebanon, Syria and Iraq on August 17 to 23. He will discuss key security issues, including threats by the Islamic State and the 39 Indians taken hostage in Mosul.

Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the visit to these countries in was a reaffirmation of India's deep interest in promoting bilateral relations, as also in the peace and security of the region in its extended neighbourhood.

Swarup also said the minister's visit will give India an opportunity for a first-hand assessment of the evolving security situation in the region.

J&K: Separatists call for a week's shutdown

Expect an escalation in violence and paralysis in Jammu & Kashmir this week. The joint separatist leadership has announced a referendum march and warned the local administration not to hoist flags on Independence Day, which is to be treated as a 'black day'.

The warning also tells parents not to send their children to school to participate in Day functions. Residents have been asked to wear black bands and raise black flags on shops, chowks, homes and schools.

On Wednesday, members of all trade bodies have been asked to sit on dharna from morning till evening while playing ázaadi taranas. It is also to be observed as UNO Day, with people marching from every village to the UN office at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. People have also been asked to sit wherever they are stopped and protest. The separatists have called for a shutdown all week.