LIVE! Uddhav gets CPI backing in Andheri East bypoll

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Thu, 13 October 2022

Uddhav gets CPI backing in Andheri East bypoll

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23:38 More than 90K pension beneficiaries found dead in Punjab

As many as 90,248 pension beneficiaries were found dead in a survey conducted by the Punjab government.

"On the orders of minister for social security Dr Baljit Kaur, the department conducted verification of pensioners drawing various kind of pensions from the state exchequer. Among those verified, 90,248 pensioners were found dead," a state government statement said.

District-level officers have been directed to deposit the amount which is not distributed yet into government treasury by October 21, the statement quoting Dr Baljit Kaur said.

The department give pensions to the elderly, widows, dependent children and the disabled.

Kaur said on August 4, she held a meeting with the officials of the department after which the verification was conducted. -- PTI

23:17 Uddhav gets CPI backing in Andheri East bypoll

As the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena gears up for its most crucial electoral battle after the June revolt -- the Andheri-East assembly bypoll on November 3 -- it has got the backing of the Communist Party of India, whose candidate the saffron outfit defeated in 1970 that triggered the decline of Left forces in Mumbai.

On Wednesday, a delegation of CPI leaders met former chief minister Thackeray at his residence here and extended the Left party's support to his faction's candidate in the Maharashtra assembly bypoll in Andheri (East), a suburb of Mumbai.

CPI's Mumbai secretary Milind Ranade said his party has pledged support to Thackeray for the bypoll necessitated by the death of sitting Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke.

"The CPI will stand with the Maha Vikas Aghadi in its fight against the BJP," Ranade said.

The former CM's faction has been given the name Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) by the Election Commission as an interim arrangement.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who led a revolt against Thackeray's leadership, heads the rebel faction of the party and his group is known as Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.

Thackeray's candidate is being backed by the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party -- constituents of the MVA -- and some factions of the Republican Party of India.

Taking a dig at the Thackeray-led faction, Deepak Kesarkar, a state minister and spokesperson for the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena, on Thursday said taking support of the CPI was akin to "murder of the party's ideology".

The CPI and the Shiv Sena, which still swears by Hindutva, had been arch political foes and their fierce rivalry often spilled on to the streets of Mumbai, leading to violent clashes in the past. -- PTI

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23:00 Gold worth Rs 8 crore seized at Mumbai airport in two days, 7 held

The Customs department has seized 15 kg of gold worth Rs 7.87 crore and arrested seven passengers at the Mumbai airport in four cases, an official said on Thursday.

Those arrested included two Sudanese nationals.

The operations were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the first case, 9.89 kg of gold, valued at Rs 5.20 crore, was seized from an Indian national who had arrived from Dubai.

The contraband had been handed over to him by two Sudanese nationals at the Dubai airport, the official said, adding that it was concealed in a specially designed chest belt.

All the three accused were arrested.

In another two instances gold dust was found concealed in undergarments, and in a third case it was concealed on body, the official said.

Four passengers were arrested in these cases.

In another action, Customs seized 95,000 Dirhams worth Rs 22 lakh from two passengers who were about to board a Mumbai to Dubai flight.

The currency was found concealed in cavities inside biscuit packets, the official said. -- PTI

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22:32 Ukraine returnees to continue studies in Uzbekistan

Nearly 2,000 medical students who returned to India from the war-hit Ukraine will be relocated to universities in Uzbekistan, where they can complete their studies.

Uzbekistan's ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov said this at an event in Hyderabad on Thursday.

He presented 'provisional admission letters' to some students on the occasion.

The absorption of Ukraine-returned Indian students happened following requests from "Indian partners" to examine the possibility of relocating some of them in Uzbekistan's institutions, he said.

".... the demand for allocation was huge. We have had some requests and proposals from our Indian partners to examine some possibilities to relocate one part of Indian students who studied in Ukraine to Uzbekistan's institutions," Akhatov said.

He also said Uzbekistan aims to emerge as a major international education hub. -- PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party leader CT Ravi on Thursday said there is nothing wrong in encouraging Hindi and regional languages instead of English and claimed that the Narendra Modi-led government has been promoting mother tongues in different parts of the country.

The party's national general secretary, who hails from Karnataka and is in charge of the BJP's affairs in Tamil Nadu, refuted criticism from opposition leaders Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin that the Centre was imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.

He said people should come out of this "colonial mindset" and linked such a mentality to the use of English.

"There is nothing wrong in getting rid of this mindset and behaving like free individuals," Ravi added.

Vijayan had recently taken exception to the recommendations of a parliamentary panel which suggested that the medium of instruction in central technical and non-technical higher education institutes such as IITs in Hindi-speaking states should be Hindi and in the respective local languages elsewhere.

It further said the use of English should be made optional. -- PTI

On the day of Karwa Chauth, when many women were observing fast and praying for the long life of their husbands, a man in Hardoi of Uttar Pradesh stabbed his wife multiple times leaving her in a critical condition.

The incident is reported from the Azad Nagar, Kotwali area in Hardoi, where the victim named Moni Gupta, who was keeping the fast of Karwa Chauth for her husband, was attacked over a dozen times by her husband Manoj.

As per the police, the children had gone to the coaching.

Suddenly, the accused husband came and started attacking his wife with knives.

He stabbed her over a dozen times leaving her critically injured.

As the neighbours came to the house after hearing the victim's cries, the accused ran away.

As soon as the police were informed, they came and admitted the victim to the medical college, where her condition was still considered to be critical by the doctors.

The victim's family has alleged that although the two have been married for 22 years, the accused Manoj was harassing Moni for some time.

He also beat her three days back, after which she complained to the police, but the matter wasn't taken up.

The exact motive behind the crime is unknown yet, and further investigation is underway in the case. -- ANI

The presence of a tiger on the sprawling 650-acre campus of the prestigious Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh entered the 11th day on Thursday even as forest department officials waited for the big cat to move out of the premises and closely monitored its movement.

The behaviour of the tiger, T-123-4, has defied common perception that big cats move out of one place in seven to eight days, officials admitted. MANIT authorities had earlier announced a mid-term break for 5,400 undergraduate students from October 11 to 30, while classes for 600-odd students in post-graduation courses continued, its public relations officer Dr Amit Ojha said.

"The tiger is still on the campus on the 11th day. Usually, as per tiger behaviour studies, the big cat moves from one place to another in seven to eight days. Today (Thursday), we spotted pugmarks. We have placed 11 cameras to monitor its movement. Five more cameras will be installed soon," Bhopal divisional forest officer Alok Pathak said.

"The tiger today came close to the cage kept with bait, but did not enter. We want it to move out of the campus naturally, on its own. Since October 3, it has killed two cows," he added.

The official said a tiger marks a territory of around 25 square kilometres and then moves in it, killing and resting. -- PTI

India cannot and should not rely on imports of military hardware and the government is committed to achieve self-reliance in defence production to remain prepared to deal with any future security challenges, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

He also noted that atma nirbharta (self-reliance) does not mean isolation from the rest of the world, but to ensure national security and strategic autonomy through a modern military.

The defence minister was addressing a conference of defence attaches posted in Indian missions across the globe.

The conference was also attended by chief of defence staff Gen Anil Chauhan and the three service chiefs.

In his address, Singh described the defence attaches as the bridge between India and friendly foreign countries for mutual defence cooperation.

He also urged them to showcase the capabilities of the Indian defence industry in their countries of postings.

Appreciating the performance of the DAs, the minister said they are making a significant contribution in securing national interests in line with the country's foreign policy.

The defence minister called upon the DAs to carry forward the government's vision of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, describing it as the only way to make India strong and respected at the world stage amid the constantly-evolving global security scenario.

"Asserting that India cannot and should not rely on imports, Singh reaffirmed the government's commitment to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing to remain prepared to deal with future security challenges," the defence ministry said in a statement. -- PTI

Journalist Rana Ayyub has said funds raised by her for COVID support were used with the sole aim of helping people in "dire need" and called the Enforcement Directorate chargesheet yet another "desperate attempt" to target and intimidate her.

The ED has filed a chargesheet against Ayyub under the anti-money laundering law, alleging that she utilised publicly raised funds of Rs 2.69 crore for herself and also contravened the foreign contribution law.

The federal agency filed its prosecution complaint against Ayyub before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on October 12.

Calling herself a "voice that questions and critiques the ruling regime", Ayyub said this abuse of process by the ED will not withstand judicial scrutiny.

Ayyub, who is currently in the US, said the funds raised by her for COVID support were used with the sole aim of helping people in "dire need".

"I am happy that many families ravaged by COVID received support," she said.

In a statement posted on Twitter, she said it is noteworthy that the ED had provisionally attached her bank account funds, including her professional income, but the attachment proceedings were stayed by the Delhi high court and the attachment of funds has not been confirmed.

"The chargesheet filed by the ED is yet another desperate attempt to target and intimidate me for my work, and yet another example of the abuse of PMLA law and misuse of law enforcement agencies to silence me, a voice that questions and critiques the ruling regime. I am confident that this abuse of process by the ED will not withstand judicial scrutiny. I too will not be deterred from performing my role as a journalist," she said. -- PTI

CM Basavaraj Bommai and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa

20:09 Video shows Dalits being asked to serve K'taka CM only branded tea

The Congress on Thursday shared a video purportedly showing officials instructing a Dalit family to serve only branded and packaged tea powder instead of ordinary tea to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, among others.

Bommai, Yediyurappa, along with tourism minister Anand Singh, water resources minister Govind Karjol and other BJP leaders had breakfast in a house at Kamalapura in Vijayanagara district on Wednesday.

Later, the chief minister's office shared the picture and videos of their breakfast.

On Thursday, the Congress came up with the video in the twitter handle wherein the officials were purportedly giving instruction to the family even before Bommai and his team reached there. In the video, an official accompanied by a police sub-inspector is heard saying that they would take the sample.

"... Get 250 grams of...any company's tea. Keep other tea dust separately. Don't use it. Get the company (branded) items," the official is purportedly telling the family in the video.

The video ended showing a local newspaper report, which reported that the officials told the Dalit family to use branded item and not others.

Also, the video claimed that only packaged drinking water was served to the chief minister and others.

The Congress said this incident exposed the mentality of Sangh Pariwar.

"The real mentality of the Sangh Parivar has been exposed in the chief minister's 'Dalit house meal' farce. Meals at Dalits' home had been an insult for the BJP, now it suspects it too. Did the PayCM Basavaraj Bommai entered Dalits' houses to insult Dalits? Is BJP so suspicious of Dalits?" the Congress tweeted.

The PayCM is the Congress coinage accusing the chief minister of running a corrupt government where hefty commission is charged for public works.

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP to this tweet. -- PTI

The Samajwadi Party will be holding prayer meetings across Uttar Pradesh on October 21 to pay tributes to its departed leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, a party statement said on Thursday.

The ashes of Samajwadi Party patriarch have been kept in urns as the family prepares for post-cremation rituals.

Family sources in Lucknow said that now the post-cremation rituals like immersion of ashes and shanti yagya will be taken up.

There are plans to take the ashes to Prayagraj or Haridwar for immersion but the details are yet to be finalised, sources said, adding once the date and place is final, it would be made public.

SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav (82) who had died in a Gurugram hospital on Monday was given a tearful farewell in Saifai, his native village, with tens of thousands of people turning up at the funeral of a leader who influenced politics far beyond his home state.

SP state unit president Naresh Uttam Patel has, through a letter, instructed the grieving workers and supporters to organise programmes to pay tributes to Mulayam Singh Yadav on October 21. -- PTI

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19:23 Mob attacks mosque in Gurugram, no arrests

A mob of more than 200 people ransacked a mosque in Gurugram in a village assaulting people who were praying inside and threatened to expel them from the village.

The police registered an FIR in the incident that happened in Bhora Kalan village Wednesday night, but no arrests were reported till Thursday evening.

According to a complaint filed by Subedar Najar Mohammad, Bhora Kalan village has only four houses of Muslim families.

He said that the ruckus began Wednesday morning, when a mob comprising about 200 people reportedly led by Rajesh Chauhan alias Babu, Anil Bhadoria, and Sanjay Vyas surrounded the mosque and entered the prayer hall where they threatened the namazis with expulsion from the village.

"In the night again, when we were praying inside the prayer hall in the mosque, the mob came and assaulted the namazis and even locked the prayer hall. They also threatened to kill us," the subedar said in his complaint, according to the police.

By the time the police reached, the accused had fled.

The police recovered a mobile phone from the spot which may belong to someone part of the attacking mob, officials said.

Following Mohammad's complaint, an FIR was registered against Rajesh Chauhan, Anil Bhadoria, Sanjay Vyas and several others under sections of IPC related to rioting, trying to cause religious strife, and unlawful assembly at Bilaspur police station. -- PTI

Nearly 39 per cent of all job card-holding households interested in working under the MNREGA scheme did not get a single day of work in the Covid pandemic year 2020-21, according to a survey.

On average, only 36 per cent of the households that worked received their wages in 15 days, showed the survey of 2,000 households across eight blocks in four states conducted by Azim Premji University in partnership with the National Consortium of Civil Society Organisations on NREGA and Collaborative Research and Dissemination.

The survey was conducted in November-December 2021 in Phulparas (Madhubani) and Chhatapur blocks (Supaul) in Bihar, Bidar (Bidar) and Devadurga (Raichur) in Karnataka, Khalwa (Khandwa) and Ghatigaon (Gwalior) in Madhya Pradesh, and Wardha and Surgana (Nashik) in Maharashtra.

"Across all blocks, roughly 39 per cent of all the job card-holding households interested in working in MGNREGA in the COVID year could not get a single day of work while they wanted 77 days of work on average," it said.

"Among households that found some work, the unmet demand (difference between the number of days desired and the number of days of work received) across all blocks was 64 days," the report stated. -- PTI

18:16 Infy announces share buyback, interim dividend

India's second-largest IT services company Infosys on Thursday announced a share buyback of Rs 9,300 crore via open market route, for a price not exceeding Rs 1,850 per equity share.

The board has also declared an interim dividend of Rs 16.50 per share, an increase of 10 per cent over FY22 interim dividend.

The total amount of interim dividend will be about Rs 6,940 crore, Infosys said in a statement.

"The Board in its meeting held today approved...buyback of equity shares, from the open market route through the Indian stock exchanges, amounting to Rs 9,300 crore (maximum buyback size, excluding buyback tax) at a price not exceeding Rs 1,850 per share (maximum buyback price), subject to shareholders' approval," the statement said.

The buyback price is 30 per cent higher than the scrip closing price of Rs 1,419.7 apiece on Thursday.

Under a share buyback or repurchase, a company buys back its own shares from investors or shareholders. It is seen as an alternative, tax-efficient way to return money to shareholders. -- PTI

Jawaharlal Nehru University has started the process for admission to postgraduate programmes and candidates can fill out application forms online till October 25.

The classes for first-year postgraduate students will begin on November 28, a university official said.

JNU is offering admissions in MA, MSc, MCA, MPH, M.Tech, PG diploma and advanced diploma programmes for the academic session 2022-23 through the Common University Entrance Test-PG.

This is the first time the university is admitting students to postgraduate courses through CUET.

The National Testing Agency announced CUET-PG results on September 26.

Students and university teachers had voiced concerns regarding the delay in starting the admission process.

"Only those applicants who had opted for JNU and appeared in CUET-PG conducted by the NTA can fill their application forms with effect from October 10 to October 25," JNU said in a notification.

After the window for filling applications closes, the students will be given two days -- October 27 and 28 -- for correcting their particulars in applications, the official said.

The first merit list will be released on November 2.

The candidates can block their seats from November 2 to 4.

The second list will be published on November 8 and the candidates can block their seats till November 10.

The third and supernumerary seat list will be out on November 13 and seats can be blocked till November 15.

From November 16 to 25, physical verification of admission and registration of the selected candidates will be done, the official said. -- PTI

A 20-year old woman died after her boy-friend allegedly pushed her before a running train here on Thursday, and escaped from the scene, police said. According to the police, the victim has been in relationship with the man for the last few years.

This afternoon, an argument broke out between the couple at a railway station and the man, in his early 20s, allegedly pushed her before the local train, said the police.

This triggered panic among commuters, they said. The woman died on the spot while the man fled, they added.

Railway police said they have sent the body of the woman for an autopsy. Her mother is a police constable and the father a private company employee, the police said.

Special teams have been formed to catch the suspect, they said.

Migrants walk home during what has been called the world's harshest lockdown

16:25 No MNREGA work for 39% during crippling 2020-21

Around 39 per cent of all job card-holding households interested in working under the MNREGA scheme did not get a single day of work in the Covid pandemic year 2020-21, according to a survey.

"Across all blocks, roughly 39 per cent of all the job card-holding households interested in working in MGNREGA in the Covid year could not get a single day of work while they wanted 77 days of work on average.

"Among households that found some work, the unmet demand (difference between the number of days desired and the number of days of work received) across all blocks was 64 days," the report stated.

"The most frequently mentioned reason for not getting as much work as needed, across all blocks, was the lack of adequate work being sanctioned or opened. On average, 63 per cent of all job card-holding households cited this reason in the surveyed blocks," it added.

Despite these shortcomings, the survey found, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act made a marked difference during the pandemic, protecting the most vulnerable households from significant loss of income.

Increased earnings from MGNREGA were able to compensate for somewhere between 20 to 80 per cent of the income loss depending on the block, it stated.

"Our study shows how much the workers value the need and utility of MGNREGA. More than eight out of 10 households recommended that MGNREGA should provide 100 days of employment per person per year.

"We also found a massive extent of underfunding. A conservative estimate yields that the allocations in the surveyed blocks should have been three times the amount that was actually allocated in the year after lockdown to fulfil the true extent of work demand," said Rajendran Narayanan, co-author of the study and faculty member at Azim Premji University. -- PTI

16:14 Will always support school uniform, says BJP

The BJP on Thursday asserted that it will always be opposed to students wearing hijab or any dress other than uniforms in schools, and said religious freedom cannot be used to promote "separatism".

Soon after the Supreme Court gave a split verdict on the ban on hijabs in Karnataka educational institutions, BJP national general secretary C T Ravi, a senior party leader from the state, said it will not be appropriate for him to comment on the judgement. But he will always speak against the "separatist mindset" that, he claimed, promotes the use of Muslim headscarf in schools.

"Uniform in schools is meant to promote uniformity among students. I believe that separatism is promoted in the garb of issues like promotion of burqa or hijab. This mindset was the reason behind India's partition. This separatism progressively morphs into extremism which can be a source of terrorism," he claimed.

Rules mandating wearing uniform in Karnataka schools have been in force since 1965, he said.

Citing popular protests in Iran, an Islamic country, against the mandatory use of hijabs, he claimed that religion freedom in India cannot mean promotion of "separatist" designs.

He added that the issue is not about wearing or not wearing hijab but what to wear in schools. "And there should be no hijab or other dresses in schools but only uniforms", he said.

Following the split verdict, the two-judge Supreme Court bench referred the matter to the chief justice of India for constituting a larger bench.

While Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeals against the March 15 verdict of the Karnataka High Court that had refused to lift the ban and held that hijab is not part of "essential religious practice" in Islamic faith, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia allowed the pleas and observed that it is ultimately a "matter of choice".

Rujuta Latke

15:56 Deck clear for Uddhav's candidate in Andheri bypoll

The Bombay High Court on Thursday asked the Mumbai civic body to accept the resignation of Rutuja Latke, the candidate of 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray' party for the upcoming Andheri East Assembly bypoll.

A division bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Sharmila Deshmukh said the use or non-use of discretion by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner in taking a decision on the resignation in this case was "arbitrary".

The bench directed the competent authority of the BMC to accept the resignation and issue appropriate letter by 11 am on Friday.

This would pave the way for Latke to file her nominations for the by-election on Friday.

"She (Latke) is your (BMC) employee...You should be helping her out," the court said.

Earlier in the day, Latke's counsel Vishwajeet Sawant had told the court that she is a clerk and has no pending dues or enquiries.

The last date for filing the nomination papers for the November 3 by-election is October 14.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Latke's husband and sitting MLA Ramesh Latke.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction had on Wednesday alleged that Rutuja Latke was being pressured by the group led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to contest on their ticket.

The Thackeray faction also alleged political pressure on the Mumbai civic body to delay the resignation of Latke as its employee to scuttle her candidature for the bypoll. However, BMC commissioner I S Chahal had denied any political pressure. PTI

15:25 When tenure ends you have to go: Ganguly

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on the end of this tenure. "I was president of Cricket Association Bengal for 5 years and served as president of BCCI for three years. After the tenure gets over, you have to go. You can't play and remain an administrator forever. It was great seeing both sides of the coin as a player and an administrator," Ganguly said.

As news of Roger Binny replacing the former India captain came to the fore, the Trinamool Congress alleged that the move was a political vendetta targeted at Ganguly.

Taking to Twitter, TMC MP Shantanu Sen said, "Another example of political vendetta. The Son of Amit Shah can be retained as Secretary of BCCI. But Ganguly can't be. Is it because he is from the State of West Bengal or he didn't join BJP? We are with you dada!"

Sen noted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah came to Gangulys' residence for dinner in May this year, adding that Shah had asked (Ganguly) to join BJP multiple times. He wanted Ganguly to become a face against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

He further said that Ganguly's presidency was snatched because he turned down that offer". He added, This is not just a politically influenced act but cheap saffronisation of sports. The BJP has reserved all top managerial positions for the family members of their leaders.

14:58 Tharoor and a tale of two Gandhis

Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor tweets, "A tale of two Gandhis in Ahmedabad yesterday: garlanding Gandhiji's statue at Sabarmati Ashram & paying homage to Rajiv Gandhi's at @incGujarat. The values of one & the aspirations of the other inspire us all."

Image: Shashi Tharoor before Rajiv Gandhi's statue.

A file pic of the dog, Zoom

14:41 Braveheart Army dog Zoom dies of gunshot injuries

Army dog Zoom, under treatment at 54 AFVH (Advance Field Veterinary Hospital ), passed away around noon today. He was responding well till around 11:45 am when he suddenly started gasping and collapsed, the Army said in a bulletin.

The assault dog was a part of a combat team and was stationed in Kashmir's Anantnag region when he was shot.

According to Indian Army officials, he fractured his rear leg and sustained injuries to his face. The next 24 to 48 hours are critical and he is under close observation of a medical team at the Army Veterinary Hospital in Srinagar, said officials.

He had helped the forces eliminate two terrorists after an encounter broke out in the Tangpawa village of Kokernag in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

14:32 Kharge's Eid comment on PM face

If you missed this from yesterday... A pertinent quote from Congress presidential candidate Mallikarjun Kharge in Bhopal, where asked whether he or Rahul Gandhi will be PM face, replies, "There is a saying "Bakrid mein bachenge toh Muharram mein nachenge". First, let these elections get over and let me become president, then we'll see."

Rosilyn, left, and Padma who were allegedly murdered by the trio

14:24 Court grants 12-day custody of accused in human sacrifice case

A court in Kochi on Thursday granted the Kerala police custody of the three accused in the sensational human sacrifice case, in which two women lost their lives, for detailed interrogation.

The court granted 12 days custody to police as sought by it for collecting evidence and further investigation into the horrific crime.

The court had on Wednesday remanded the prime accused Shafi (52), Bhagaval Singh (68), a massage therapist and his wife Laila (59) to 14-day judicial custody.

In the custody application filed before a local court here on Thursday, police said the accused need to be further interrogated to probe whether there was any other reason behind the human sacrifice.

The police said they need to investigate whether there are more victims of this horrific crime.

The gold ornaments of the deceased women are missing. It seems like they have been sold or pledged by the accused. They are yet to be traced, police said.

The custody application also said that the accused need to be taken to various places in Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam districts as part of collecting evidence.

The police said they also need to probe the classes taken by Singh and the sectors associated with him. The chopped body parts of the deceased were exhumed from the premises of the couple's house at Elanthoor village in Pathanamthitta on October 11.

The first woman went missing on September 26 and the probe led to Shafi. On further interrogating him, police found that the trio had earlier murdered the second victim in a similar manner in June. PTI

14:19 ED files charge sheet against Rana Ayyub

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge sheet against journalist Rana Ayyub under the anti-money laundering law, alleging that she utilised publicly raised funds of Rs 2.69 crore for herself and also contravened the foreign contribution law.

The federal agency filed its prosecution complaint against Ayyub before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) on October 12.

"Rana Ayyub launched three fundraiser charity campaigns on 'Ketto platform' starting from April, 2020 and collected funds totalling Rs 2,69,44,680," the ED said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The campaigns, it said, were meant to raise funds for slum dwellers and farmers; relief work for Assam, Bihar and Maharashtra and help Ayyub and her team to help those impacted by COVID-19 in India.

Probe found, the agency said, that the funds raised on the online platforms were received in the accounts of Ayyub's father and sister and subsequently transferred to her personal accounts.

"Ayyub utilised these funds to create a fixed deposits of Rs 50 lakh for herself and also transferred Rs 50 lakh in a new bank account.Investigation found that only about Rs 29 lakh was used for relief work," it claimed.

"In order to claim more expenses towards relief work, fake bills were submitted by Ayyub and subsequently, bank balances in the accounts of Ayyub amounting to Rs 1,77,27,704 (including FD of Rs 50 Lakh) were attached under the PMLA vide a provisional attachment order dated 04.02.2022," it said.

The ED alleged Ayyub "illegally" raised the Rs 2.69 crore funds and "cheated" general public donors.

"These funds were not used for the intended purpose and instead used for creation of assets for herself. Ayyub has tried to project these funds as untainted and thus has laundered the funds received from general public," the agency alleged.

"Ayyub also received these funds from foreign countries without any approval or registration from the government which is required under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010," it said.

Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor, in Delhi.

"We are contesting elections, there is no spirit of enmity in our party. Kharge Sahab is my senior leader and I have worked closely with him. The election is about two colleagues seeing how to work to strengthen the party.

"Do you want party to go with change or are you satisfied with everything? If you think everything is fine, don't vote for me as I want such a change in the party that would bring back voters who didn't remain with us in 2014 and 2019."

Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday asserted that if he becomes the AICC chief, he would fully implement the party's existing constitution which requires CWC elections and revival of the parliamentary board that has been dormant for about 25 years.

On his "uneven playing field" remark, Tharoor says, "In several PCCs, leaders welcomed and met Kharge Sahab. It wasn't done for me. I visited PCCs but PCC chiefs weren't available. Not complaining, but do you not see a difference in treatment?"

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13:06 Gadchiroli tiger that killed 13 people captured

The Maharashtra forest department on Thursday tranquilised and captured 'conflict tiger' CT-1 after it had killed 13 persons in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts in the state's Vidarbha region, an official said.

The tiger was moving in Wadsa forest range in Gadchiroli and was becoming a threat to human lives, he added.

"The tiger had killed six persons in Wadsa, four in Bhandara and three in Brahmapuri forest range in Chandrapur district. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Nagpur had, in a meeting on October 4, directed that conflict tiger CT-1 be captured," he said.

"Accordingly, the Tadoba Tiger Rescue team, the Rapid Response Teams of Chandrapur, Navegaon-Nagzira and other units worked on war-footing to capture the tiger. It was tranquilised and captured from Wadsa forest range on Thursday morning," he informed.

It has been sent to Gorewada rescue centre in Nagpur, some 183 kilometres from here, for rehabilitation, the official added. Generally, tigers that attack humans apart from circumstances like defending cubs or trying to save one's own life are referred to as conflict tigers. PTI

12:39 BJP minister calls AAP, 'Loud-mouthed people'

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday called the Aam Aadmi Party "loud-mouthed" while raising heights of suspicion on Arvind Kejriwal's 'Delhi Model' of governance.

"This is a group of loud-mouthed people (AAP)... What is their Delhi model? If they are honest, they should take you (media) to Delhi to see it. I'm scared of people who show no responsibility, this is such a group of people," said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressing a press conference at Kadi in Gujarat's Mehsana.

Pradhan was here to participate in the party's Gujarat Gaurav Yatra which is slated to be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Ahmedabad today.

"I am here amongst you today to take part in BJP's 'Gujarat Gaurav Yatra'. We are confident that this time again the people of the state will express their confidence in us," Pradhan said.

This has come as a move to strengthen its roots of power in the state before its upcoming election as it is facing huge competition here, especially by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP whose confidence in registering victory at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's homeland has increased manifold after it won in Punjab. -- ANI

12:33 Each day brings some new horror and hate

"It's worrying that ordinary Hindus aren't so shocked. I don't want to belabour Nazi Germany parallels because, so far at least, they do not fit. But there are parallels with the Taliban and Islamism," writes Vir Sanghvi. Read the column here.

Mask up! Covid has not 'gone'.
One in 20 people suffer long-term effects after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to one of the largest such studies to date.

The research, published recently in the journal Nature Communications, found that long-COVID symptoms were more likely following severe infections requiring hospitalisation.

The most reported long-COVID symptoms included breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, and confusion, or 'brain fog', the researchers said.

Long-COVID was also more likely in individuals who were older, female and those from deprived communities, they said.

The Long-CISS (COVID In Scotland Study) -- found that 1 in 20 people who took part in the research had not recovered from having COVID-19 at their most recent follow up -- between six and 18 months following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

The CISS study was set up in May 2021 to understand the long-term impact of COVID-19, and compare it with the health and wellbeing of people who had not yet been infected.

12:08 TMC MP points out the dynasts in the BJP

TMC MP Derek O'Brien hits out at the BJP's long-standing litany on dynastic politics with this chart of dynasts in the BJP.

"I am Jay Shah, once more becoming @BCCI secretary. My papa is Union Home Minister @AmitShah. I am Arun Singh Dhumal, new Chairman of IPL. My elder bhaiya is Union Sports Minister @ianuragthakur. We are examples of BJP's ParivarVaad mukt Bharat & @narendramodi 's DYNASTS CLUB," O'Brien writes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a Bulk Drug Park in Una district during his visit to poll-bound Himachal Pradesh.

He also dedicated to the nation the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Una and flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat Express from Amb Andaura in Una district to New Delhi.

"The festival of Diwali has arrived early for Una and Himachal Pradesh. Today I flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat train. This is the 4th Vande Bharat train to be introduced in the country," Narendra Modi

said.

"Development of rural roadways, availability of water supply & healthcare facilities along with progress in digital infrastructure has always been the top priority of the government. New India is overcoming the challenges of the past and growing rapidly," the PM added.

He added that medicines will become cheaper when both raw materials and production will take place in Himachal Pradesh.

Modi laid the foundation stone of the Bulk Drug Park at Haroli which will be built at a cost of more than Rs 1,900 crore.

The park will help reduce dependence on API imports. It is expected to attract investments of around Rs 10,000 crores and provide employment to more than 20,000 people. The foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Una was laid by Modi in 2017.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused previous governments of not providing people with facilities that were available to people elsewhere in the world even in the 20th century and in Gujarat a few years back.

He was addressing a public meeting at the Indira Gandhi stadium in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh's Una district.

"We will provide you facilities of the 20th as well as the 21st centuries," Modi added. He said the people in Himachal Pradesh would now beak the trend of voting different parties to power in every elections.

"I am pleased to announce gifts worth several thousand crores for Himachal before Dhanteras and Diwali," the prime minister said.

Earlier, the prime minister flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat Express. It is the fourth Vande Bharat train introduced in the country and is an advanced version compared to the earlier ones, being much lighter and capable of reaching higher speed in shorter duration. It accelerates to 100 Km per hour in just 52 seconds. Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Bulk Drug Park at Haroli which will be built at a cost of more than Rs 1,900 crore.

Breaking: The Supreme Court today gave a split verdict on petitions challenging the ban on hijabs worn by some Muslim women in schools and colleges in Karnataka.

The case is being heard by Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

The court has now reserved its judgement on the pleas against the Karnataka High Court judgement refusing to lift the ban on hijab on September 22 after hearing arguments for 10 days.

While Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeals against the high court verdict, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia allowed them.

"There is divergence of opinion," Justice Gupta said at the outset while pronouncing the verdict.

In view of the split verdict, the bench directed that the appeals against the high court verdict be placed before the Chief Justice of India for constituting an appropriate larger bench.

"It's a matter of choice, nothing more, nothing less," says Justice Dhulia while pronouncing the order. Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia allowed the appeals and set aside the Karnataka High Court order.

A lovely picture of EAM Dr S Jaishankar and his wife Kyoko in Australia. "Welcome Indian Minister for External Affairs, @DrSJaishankar and his wife recently visited HMAS Penguin and Holsworthy Barracks. At #HMASPenguin, Dr Jaishankar was greeted by Captain Damien Scully-O'Shea and took a flight in an #AusArmy MRH-90 Taipan helicopter," the Australian Defence ministry said.

Murji Patel, the likely candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the Andheri East Assembly by-election, on Wednesday said he was ready to withdraw from the bypoll race if his party asked him to do so.

October 14 is the last date of filing of nominations for the November 3 bypoll.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party have pledged support to the 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray' party, making Rutuja Latka the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate, while the BJP is likely to field Murji Patel. The stand of the Shinde faction, now called "Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena", on contesting the bypoll is not clear yet.

The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Rutuja Latke's husband and sitting MLA Ramesh Latke earlier this year.

Speaking to reporters here, Patel said, "I am ready to withdraw from the contest if my party BJP asks me so. State Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar will take a decision on it. I will abide by the party's decision in this bypoll."

In the 2019 state assembly elections, Patel had contested the election as an independent candidate against Ramesh Latke, but the latter had won. Patel later joined the BJP.

Spokesperson of Sena's Shinde camp Kiran Pawaskar said Shinde and Fadnavis would take a decision regarding who will contest the Andheri East assembly segment bypoll. -- PTI

Applauding India's digitisation efforts, the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday said the move was a game changer as it had allowed the Indian government to do things that would have been extremely difficult otherwise.

"Digitisation is helping along a number of dimensions. One is financial inclusion, obviously because there are a lot of people in countries like India that were unbanked. And having access to digital wallets is a way in which they can enter into transactions that are not just cash transactions, which are very inefficient," Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the chief economist of IMF, told PTI in an interview in response to a question about India's digitisation efforts.

"I think it (digitization) has allowed the (Indian) government to do things that would have been extremely difficult to do otherwise. Yes (it is a game changer). It is certainly something that is a very welcome development, Gourinchas suggested.

"So that's a huge plus in terms of bringing people into a more modern economy. That's a factor for growth, he said, adding that your market becomes very different if you are plugged into this digital instrument.

"The second one which I think has also been important in the case of India is these digital instruments also allow governments to reach and disburse systems in ways that are much harder to do sometimes with some of the regular pipes of the safety net, he said.

"One of the lessons we've learned from both the pandemic and we're learning it again with the energy crisis, is how can we provide the assistance where it's needed. Because it's enormously costly to just have a blanket policy that is going to cover everyone, he said.

Most people don't necessarily need this and most businesses may not need it. But sometimes it has to be done that way because that's the only way it can be done, he added.

"Digitisation offers the promise of more targeted assistance when it's needed. That is potentially a game changer because it means that now policy can be more nimble. It can have less of an impact on sort of the overall fiscal stance. So, more protection, more insurance can be provided, Gourinchas said.

"That's also a very important factor for supporting the economy and helping it rebound when it's done. There's going to be shocks of all kinds of things happening and it offers this possibility for something that is much more agile and targeted, he said in response to a question. -- PTI

The deputy commissioner of Jammu has withdrawn the notification which authorised all tehsildars to issue certificates of residence to people residing in Jammu "for more than one year".

This comes a day after the Jammu administration on Tuesday issued an order authorising all tehsildars (revenue officials) to issue a certificate of residence to people residing in the district for more than one year. The purpose of the certificate of residence was to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls.

The new order read under the subject The Special Summary Revision 2022, acceptance of document for registration of electors, dated October 11 issued is withdrawn and be treated as void.

The political parties including the People's Democratic Party, te National Conference, and the Congress had opposed this order.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said that the value of the vote of a Jammu and Kashmir voter will be finished.

She further said that this law is not applied anywhere in the country except in Jammu and Kashmir and the "BJP wants to eradicate the original citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and settle the outsiders."

"With the help of delimitation, they strategically planned to divide the constituency in such a way that it favours the vote of BJP, but people of J-K discovered that BJP is using it to gain their vote," she added.

Speaking to mediapersons in Kulgam, the PDP chief said, "This means that the value of the vote of a J&K voter will be finished. This law is not applied anywhere in the country except Jammu and Kashmir."

"I have been telling for 23 years that the desire of BJP to abrogate article 370 is illegitimate. They want to eradicate the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir," the former Chief Minister said.Mufti said that if people in the Union Territory come from outside and settle over there then the culture, society and employment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be lost.

"There is already high crime rate in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. The BJP want to create a clash among communities of UT. People of J-K need to understand that our destiny is unique," she said.

India slammed Pakistan for raising the issue of Kashmir during an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the Ukraine conflict, saying such statements by Islamabad deserve the "collective contempt" of the international community and "sympathy for a mindset which repeatedly utters falsehoods".

"Before I conclude, Mr President, one final point," India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, said as she delivered the explanation of the vote after the 193-member General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to condemn Russia's illegal referendums and annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine.

"We have witnessed unsurprisingly yet again an attempt by one delegation to misuse this forum and make frivolous and pointless remarks against my country.

"Such statements deserve our collective contempt and sympathy for a mindset which repeatedly utters falsehoods," Kamboj said.

"It is important, however, to set the record straight. The entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India irrespective of what the representative of Pakistan believes or covets. We call on Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism so that our citizens can enjoy their right to life and liberty," Kamboj said.

In his remarks to the UNGA emergency special session that was convened on the Ukrainian conflict, Pakistan's ambassador to the UN Munir Akram raised the issue of Kashmir, saying that under international law, the right of self-determination applies to peoples who are under foreign or colonial domination and those who have not yet exercised the right to self-determination "as in the case of Jammu and Kashmir".

He said the exercise of the right to self-determination should be conducted in an environment free of military occupation and under impartial auspices species, preferably under the supervision of the United Nations.

Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

08:35 Maharashtra govt transfers 20 IAS officers

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday night transferred 20 IAS officers, including Medical Education Commissioner Virendra Singh, who has been posted as Managing Director of Maha IT Corporation in Mumbai.

Shushil Chavan, Collector of Aurangabad district, has been posted as Development Commissioner (Un-organised Labour) and transferred to Mumbai, according to an official statement.

Ajay Gulhane, an IAS officer of the 2010-batch who was serving as Collector of Chandrapur district, has been appointed Additional Muncipal Commissioner of Nagpur.

Deepak Kumar Meena, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Nagpur, has been named Additional Tribal Commissioner of Thane.

Vinay Gowda, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zilla Parishad (ZP) of Satara, will be the new Collector of Chandrapur.

R K Gawade, CEO of Nandurbar ZP, has been posted as Additional Chief Electoral Officer and moved to Mumbai.

Manik Gursal has been posted as Additional Commissioner (Industries).

Shivraj Srikant Patil, Joint MD of CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation), will take over as MD of Mahanand, a state-run body, in Mumbai, while Astik Kumar Pandey is the new Collector of Aurangabad district.

Deepak Singla, MD, Maharashtra State Co-Operative Tribal Development Corporation in Nashik, has been posted as Joint Commissioner MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority).

IAS officer S C Patil has been posted as Joint Secretary, Deputy Chief Minister's Office in Mantralaya (state secretariat) in Mumbai.

R D Nivatkar, Collector of Mumbai, will also function as Commissioner of Medical Education besides looking after his current assignment.

Senior bureaucrat R S Chavan has been posted as Joint Secretary, Revenue Stamps and Forest Department at Mantralaya. -- PTI

08:20 India abstains from UN vote condemning Russia

India abstained in the United Nations General Assembly on a draft resolution on Wednesday that condemned Russia's "illegal" referenda and attempts to annex parts of Ukraine, saying New Delhi's decision is "consistent" with its "well thought out national position" and the country stands ready to support all efforts aimed at de-escalation while underlining the importance of peaceful solution through dialogue and diplomacy.

The 193-member general assembly voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to condemn Russia's "illegal so-called referendums in regions within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine and the attempted illegal annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, following the organisation of the above-mentioned referendums".

The resolution 'Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations' was adopted with 143 nations voting in favour, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, and Nicaragua voting against, and 35, including India, abstaining.

The UNGA hall erupted in applause after the resolution was adopted.

In the explanation of the vote after the action was taken on the draft resolution, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said India urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

"The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open. We therefore sincerely hope for an early resumption of peace talks to bring about an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the conflict. India stands ready to support all such efforts aimed at de-escalation," Kamboj said.

"There are other pressing issues at play, some of which have not been adequately addressed in the resolution voted today. Our decision to abstain is consistent with our well-thought-out national position," she added.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had last month told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not an era of war, Kamboj said that with this firm resolve to strive for a peaceful solution through dialogue and diplomacy, India has decided to abstain.

She emphasised it is unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukrainian conflict unfolds, the entire global South has suffered "substantial collateral damage".

"As developing countries face the brunt of the conflict's consequences on food, fuel and fertiliser supplies, it is critical that the voice of the global South be heard and their legitimate concerns duly addressed. We must therefore not initiate measures that further complicate a struggling global economy," she said.

Among the nations abstaining were China, Cuba, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Suella Braverman

00:12 India-UK trade deal may collapse over visa remarks

The India-United Kingdom free trade agreement (FTA) is reportedly on the verge of collapse after the Indian government was angered by comments made by UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman questioning action over visa overstayers from the country, a UK media report claimed on Wednesday.

The Times quoted government sources to say that ministers in New Delhi were shocked and disappointed by the disrespectful remarks made by Braverman, who said she had concerns of an open borders offer to India as part of an FTA.

The likelihood of meeting the Diwali deadline for the pact, set by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is now believed to be diminishing.

There's still a lot of goodwill but if certain individuals are still embedded in the [UK] government it will paralyse the talks, the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

A report in Politico' claims that any plans of a UK visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Diwali to sign off on an FTA is also now not likely to go ahead.

Last week, the Indian-origin Home Secretary said in an interview that she feared a trade deal with India would increase migration to the UK when Indians already represented the largest group of visa overstayers.

"I have concerns about having an open borders migration policy with India because I don't think that's what people voted for with Brexit," Braverman told The Spectator weekly news magazine.

Asked about visa flexibility for students and entrepreneurs under an India-UK FTA, she said: But I do have some reservations.

"Look at migration in this country the largest group of people who overstay are Indian migrants.

"We even reached an agreement with the Indian government last year to encourage and facilitate better cooperation in this regard. It has not necessarily worked very well."

Braverman was referencing the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) clinched between her predecessor in the Home Office, Indian-origin former Home Secretary Priti Patel, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in May last year.

The Indian High Commission in London responded by pointing out that action had been initiated on all cases referred to it under the MMP.

"Mobility has been the key Indian ask and everything else financial services, banking, education, rules of origin on whisky, etc, hinges on the mobility ask. And Suella has gone and pulled the rug from under that mobility ask," a senior UK government source told The Times.

They were apoplectic. Mad doesn't even come close to describing how angry they are, noted another.

While the perception is that Braverman is on a collision course with British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who is keen to clinch the FTA by the Diwali deadline, the media report indicates that both are aligned on the issue of migration.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, met Truss at an event in London on Tuesday evening after which he tweeted: 'Delighted and honoured to greet HE PM Liz Truss @10DowningStreet this evening and to seek her guidance to build the very special India-UK partnership in trade, investment, defence and through the #LivingBridge.'

Strategic experts on both sides are now of the view that if the Diwali deadline for the FTA is still met, the result would be a much less comprehensive deal than was expected, leaving key sectors open for future negotiations.

UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch seemed to lay the groundwork for this last week, when she said that an FTA with India would not mean that we can't do even more later. The Department for International Trade (DIT) reiterated the UK stance that it would not sacrifice quality for speed.

It said: 'We have a close, positive working relationship with India and a thriving trade partnership worth GBP 24 billion in 2021. We continue to seek improvements to our current trading relationship. This is why we are negotiating a high-ambition free trade agreement. We remain clear we won't sacrifice quality for speed, and will only sign when we have a deal that meets both countries' interests.' -- PTI

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