LIVE! Delhi man arrested for hoax alert on G20 summit

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Fri, 08 September 2023

Delhi man arrested for hoax alert on G20 summit

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23:56 Video of train stunt on Mumbai local train goes viral, netizens ask police to take action

A video of a man performing dangerous stunts while hanging onto a suburban train in Mumbai went viral on social media on Friday, prompting netizens to demand a police case against the person.

In the video, the man can be seen standing on the edge of the footboard of the coach's door and jumping on to the tracks while the train slows down as it approaches a station platform.

The video was uploaded on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday night and the person who uploaded it sought a case against the stunt performer.

The video has garnered more than 17,000 views in a few hours.

He shared the location as the stretch between Kurla and Mankhurd on Central Railway's Harbour Line.

Replying to the video, Railway Seva said on X the Railway Protection Force must take action, while the government railway police asked the man who uploaded the video to share more details of the incident so that appropriate action could be taken. -- PTI

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23:46 Delhi man arrested for hoax alert on G20 summit

A 21-year-old man was arrested from north Delhi's Bhalswa Dairy area on Friday for a hoax alert on social media on the G20 Summit, officials said.

The accused claimed on social media that an auto-rickshaw carrying guns and explosives was on its way towards the Pragati Maidan area where the G20 Summit is being held, they said.

Taking swift action, the Bhalswa Dairy police team traced the accused and arrested him for spreading false information in public.

The official 'X' handle of DCP Outer North was on Friday tagged on a post by the handle of one Kuldeep Sah in which he said that "an auto-rickshaw driver was going towards Pragati Maidan with guns and explosive" and a photo of the auto was also uploaded with the post, said a senior police officer.

Considering the sensitivity of the post, the police checked and found the auto registered in the name of Gurmeet Singh (50), a resident of SSN Park, an official said.

"The address was visited where auto driver Harcharan Singh (48) was found who stated that the vehicle was registered in his brother's name and he was using it for carrying material of clothes in Chandani Chowk area. He further stated that he was having dispute with one Kuldeep Sah who reside in same street over parking of his auto," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Ravi Kumar Singh said.

All facts were verified and the auto was checked thoroughly in which no suspicious thing was found, he added.

Sah was found present at his home, said the police, adding he said that he posted on 'X' by his handle @Kuldeep Sah as the auto driver parked the vehicle outside his house.

He had warned the auto driver several times not to park his vehicle there, the police said.

Legal action is being taken against Sah, who spread false rumours regarding the G20 Summit security, the police said.

"Taking swift action on bomb threat hoax in #G20Summit area, #DelhiPolice's P.S. Bhalswa Dairy team traced the accused and arrested him for spreading false information in public. Legal action is being taken," the Delhi police wrote on X.

The arrest takes place as the national capital is under heavy security for the two-day G20 Summit that begins on Saturday.

Four women buried themselves halfway in the ground as a form of protest to support the demand of reservation for the Maratha community in central Maharashtra's Beed district on Friday.

The protest was staged at Wasanwadi near Beed town.

The demand of reservation for the politically dominant Maratha community has taken centre stage once again after the police lathi-charged a violent mob at the venue of a hunger strike launched by activist Majoj Jarange in Latur district last week, causing outrage in the community. -- PTI

Rajasthan minister Ashok Chandna/File image

23:26 Rajasthan minister holds protest over electricity issue, officer shunted out

Rajasthan minister Ashok Chandna sat on a dharna outside the Bundi district collectorate in Kota on Friday alleging a dissatisfactory response by discom officials on farmers' concerns about a shortage of transformers.

The minister of youth affairs, skill development and public relations ended his 2.5-hour protest after he received a call from Power Minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati, and discom superintendent engineer J P Bairwa was shunted out.

Before staging the protest, Chandna reached the Bundi district collectorate with his supporters. Chandna got irked after Bairwa said in his status report that 426 transformers were supplied against the demand of 518 in the minister's Hindoli-Nainwan area.

He sat in protest outside the office on the Kota road along with Bundi district Congress president CL Premi, PCC secretary Sandeep Purohit and his supporters.

He demanded all the transformers needed be provided and the official punished.

He ended his protest after around 2.5 hours following a call from Power Minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati and after the discom superintendent engineer was placed under APO. -- PTI

India and the US have settled the last trade dispute at the World Trade Organisation over poultry products, according to a joint statement released on Friday.

With this, the two countries have mutually resolved all the seven pending trade disputes at the WTO.

"The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding WTO dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023," the joint statement said.

It was issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joseph R Biden, Jr., in New Delhi.

Biden is here to attend the G20 Summit to be held on Saturday and Sunday. Modi and the US President vowed to "deepen and diversify" the bilateral major defence partnership while welcoming forward movement in India's procurement of 31 drones and joint development of jet engines.

In their over 50-minute talks, the two leaders deliberated on India's G20 presidency, cooperation in nuclear energy, critical and emerging technologies such as 6G and artificial intelligence, and ways to fundamentally reshape multilateral development banks.

Earlier, the seventh dispute was discussed during the visit of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal meeting last month in Delhi. -- PTI

The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday announced the first list of 10 candidates, including nominees for two seats in Bhopal district currently held by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.

With this, the AAP has become the third political party, after the BJP and the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party, to release its first list of candidates for the year-end polls whose schedule is yet to be announced.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit had earlier announced it will field candidates in all the 230 assembly seats in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state.

The list includes candidates from Bhopal district's Govindpura seat, Sajjan Singh Parmar, and Dr Ravikant Dwivedi from Huzur in the state capital, a party release said in Bhopal.

Both Govindpura and Huzur segments are currently represented by BJP MLAs Krishna Gaur and Rameshwar Sharma, respectively.

The list also includes the names of candidates from Sewda (Sanjay Dubey), Dimani (Surendra Singh) Tomar, Morena (Ramesh Upadhyay), Petlawad-ST (Komal Damor), Sirmour (Sarita Pandey), Sironj (IS Morya), Churhat (Anendra Govind Mishra Rajan) and Maharajpur (Ram Ji Patel).

Last month, the BJP had named its candidates for 39 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, while the BSP's first list contained seven nominees. -- PTI

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22:34 2 Lashkar men arrested from apple orchard in Pulwana

Two militant associates of Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and incriminating materials were recovered from their possession, the police said on Friday.

Acting on specific intelligence input, a search was conducted by the police in the apple orchards of Gudoora area of the south Kashmir district, a police spokesperson said.

During the search operation, two terrorist associates -- Suhail Firdous, resident of Mahradpora Utterpora Puchal, and Shahid Gul, resident of Pulwama's Wagum -- were apprehended tactfully, he said.

Incriminating materials were recovered from their possession, the spokesperson said.

The investigation revealed that both the accused persons are terrorist associates of an active terrorist Aqib Sher Gojri linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT, he said.

Preliminary investigation also revealed that arrested terrorist associates were in a conspiracy with Gojri to carry out terrorist attacks in Pulwama, the spokesperson added.

A case has been registered and further investigation has been taken up.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Friday described India as "the country of the world" and a "very important" partner in the multilateral system but said it is for the members and not him to decide on its UN Security Council membership.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit, he made a strong pitch for immediate reforms to UNSC and other multilateral institutions, as he asserted that the future of the world is multipolar but "our multilateral institutions reflect a bygone age".

Asked whether it was time for India to become a member of the UNSC, he said, "It is not for me to decide who would be in UNSC, it is for the members."

"But it is obvious that India is today the country of the world with the largest population and it is a very important partner in the multilateral system," he said.

"All I can say that I believe that we need reform in multilateral system to reflect today's world," Guterres added.

Asked whether there should be timeline for reforms to the multilateral institutions, he said, "There is a need to do it but I am not sure if we get it, but I think it is urgent."

Guterres hoped India's presidency of G20 will help achieve the transformative changes that the world desperately needs as he warned against the catastrophe of growing divisions and eroding trust in a fragmented world.

He said the phrase of 'One Earth, One Family and One Future' adopted by India as G20 theme, inspired by the Mahaupanishad, finds profound resonance in today's world.

"If we are indeed one global family, today we resemble rather a dysfunctional one," he added.

Guterres said, "I hope that India's presidency of G20 will help achieve the kind of transformative change that our world desperately needs, in line with the repeated committed of India to act on behalf of the global south and its determination to pursue developmental agenda."

"Divisions are growing, tensions are flaring up and trust is eroding, which together raise the spectre of fragmentation and ultimately confrontation. This fracturing world would be deeply concerning in the best of times, but in our times it spells catastrophe," he added.

The Congress on Friday said the victory of four INDIA bloc candidates in bypolls to seven seats proves that the people have accepted the opposition alliance as an alternative to the BJP and the ruling dispensation is not unbeatable.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the news of the day is not the arrival of G20 leaders for the Summit but the "overall result of the seven by-elections that were announced today".

"Clearly, the winner is INDIA. INDIA beat the BJP 4:3," he said on X.

He said the BJP won in two seats in Tripura and the lone seat in Uttarakhand, but the lost in Kerala, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Of these, the BJP is the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh with a formidable majority, he noted. "The BJP and its money-power are not unbeatable. The INDIA alliance has demonstrated that the BJP can be defeated even in the BJP's fort.

"The results today are a good augury for the success of the INDIA alliance," Chidambaram said.

Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said the results announced on Friday are only a trailer to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when INDIA bloc will win majority across regions.

The "bumper" victory of Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh in Ghosi confirms "my claim that India's candidate will get more than 50 percent votes on every seat", Tiwari said.

"This victory is the victory of 'INDIA' and those who were in doubt till now will become determined, and will give their everything to make 'INDIA' win and will save the country's democracy and defeat dictatorship," he said in a statement.

The assembly by-election results for seven seats in six states declared on Friday were a mixed bag for the BJP and the opposition INDIA bloc, with the saffron party winning three seats and one each going to Congress, JMM and TMC, while the Samajwadi Party won one seat.

Congress victory rally in Puthuppally

21:55 Congress, CPM cadres clash in Puthuppally

A clash broke out between youth wing members of the Congress and the ruling CPI-M in Manarcad area of Puthuppally constituency on Friday soon after the by-election results were declared.

The police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the two groups which hurled stones at each other, leaving five people injured.

At least three activists of the Youth Congress and two from the CPI-M's youth wing DYFI suffered injuries, the police said, adding that the situation was brought under control.

Senior police officials from the district, including the SP, are camping in the region.

While the DYFI members alleged that the houses of party workers were attacked when the celebratory procession of the Congress was taken out, Youth Congress workers claimed that stones were hurled at their rally.

Left candidate in the constituency Jaick C Thomas told the media that Congress workers vandalised the shop of a DYFI office-bearer.

"During the Youth Congress victory march, the Congress workers attacked the house of the DYFI office-bearer. The election here was held peacefully, there was no violence here. But the march led by the Youth Congress leaders turned violent," he alleged.

A senior police official told PTI that the crowd was dispersed, and the situation was brought under control.

The Delhi government has formed special teams to ensure that the city's air quality remains at a satisfactory level during the G20 Summit, which will witness several world leaders take part, officials said on Friday.

The 11 teams formed for each district -- comprising the district magistrate concerned, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) deputy commissioners and probationary IAS officers -- will take steps such as the use of water sprinklers and mechanised sweeping to check dust, a senior government officer said.

The G20 Leaders' Summit will be held at the newly-built international convention and exhibition centre -- Bharat Mandapam -- at Pragati Maidan on Saturday and Sunday.

The officer said, "The focused approach has started showing results with the air quality at a satisfactory level of 83 on Friday evening. It was at 87 a day before."

Delhi has grappled with pollution over the past few years. However, Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently said PM10 and PM2.5 -- the two important air pollution parameters -- registered a 45 per cent decline on an average in the national capital since 2014.

The special teams will focus on pollution hotspots in the districts assigned to them.

"Different agencies such as the MCD, New Delhi Municipal Council and the public works department are using water sprinklers and mechanised sweepers to keep dust pollution in check," said the officer.

Officials said factors such as rain, which helps dust settle, also played a part. Holidays announced for the summit have also resulted in fewer vehicles on the road and cleaner air.

Rai, in a press conference on Tuesday, said the PM10 level has declined 42 per cent from 2014 to August this year. It was at 324 in 2014 and at 188 in August, he said.

Similarly, he said, the PM2.5 level has declined 46 per cent -- from 149 in 2014 to 81 in August. -- PTI

21:08 Biden meets Modi ahead of G20 summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with United States President Joe Biden in New Delhi, with their discussions covering a wide range of issues focused on deepening the bond between the two countries.

The meeting was held soon after Biden arrived in New Delhi to participate in the G20 Summit to be chaired by Prime Minister Modi.

"Their discussions include a wide range of issues and will further deepen the bond between India and the USA," the prime minister's office said.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US NSA Jake Sullivan were also present in the meeting from the US side while the Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.

Modi is scheduled to hold 15 bilateral meetings over the next two days when world leaders gather in the national capital for the Summit.

20:51 Union min greets British PM with 'Jai Siyaram'

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was greeted with the salutation of "Jai Siyaram" by Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey who received the visiting dignitary upon his arrival here on Friday to attend the G20 summit.

Choubey informed Sunak that he is an MP from Buxar which, he noted, is an ancient town of religious significance and is believed to be the place where Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman had studied under the tutelage of Vishwamitra, the minister's office said in a statement.

The British prime minister, who is of Indian origin, has often emphasised his Hindu roots and said he is proud of it.

"Sunak keenly heard the spiritual and cultural story of India," the statement said, adding that the minister welcomed him and his wife Akshata Murty, daughter of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, as India's son-in-law and daughter as well.

"India is a land of your ancestors. Everybody is enthusiastic at your arrival," Choubey told them.

The minister gifted Sunak a rudraksh, Bhagavad Gita and Hanuman Chalisa, the statement added. -- PTI

A day before the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on diversifying bilateral cooperation and discussed issues such as connectivity and commercial linkages.

In a post on his second meeting of the day after holding talks with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Modi said he had "productive deliberations" with PM Sheikh Hasina.

"The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more," Modi said.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "PM @narendramodi had productive talks with PM Sheikh Hasina on diversifying the India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation. They agreed to strengthen ties in a host of sectors including connectivity, culture as well as people-to-people ties."

Modi is scheduled to hold about 15 bilateral meetings over the next two days.

"I will also be holding bilateral meetings with several leaders and Heads of Delegation to further deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation," Prime Minister Modi earlier said.

The meeting between Modi and Hasina comes a day before the G20 meeting.

The G20 leaders will deliberate on pressing global issues at the grouping's annual summit on September 9 and 10. India is hosting the summit in its capacity as the current G20 chair.

In its G20 presidency, India has been focusing on various issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

A 21-year-old man was arrested from north Delhi's Bhalswa Dairy area on Friday for allegedly making a hoax alert on social media on the G20 Summit, officials said.

The accused claimed on social media that an auto-rickshaw carrying guns and explosives was on its way towards the Pragati Maidan area where the G20 Summit is being held, they said.

Taking swift action, Bhalswa Dairy police team traced the accused and arrested him for spreading false information in public.

Considering the sensitivity of the post, the police checked and found the auto registered in the name of Gurmeet Singh (50), a resident of SSN Park, an official said.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday said he is not very hopeful that there will be a peace solution in the immediate future for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi ahead of the G20 summit, Guterres said the two countries still do not appear to be ending the conflict.

Asked whether India could mediate to end the war, he said, "When you have a conflict, all efforts of mediation are welcome.... (But) I am not very hopeful that we will have a peace solution in the immediate future."

On the need for reforms to multilateral institutions, Guterres said when these multilateral institutions were created, many of the countries of today did not even exist.

"This is true for the UNSC and many others," he said.

Asked whether it was time for India to become a member of the UNSC, Guterres said, "It is not for me to decide who would be in the UNSC, it is for the members (to decide)."

"But it is obvious that India is today the country of the world with the largest population and it is a very important partner in the multilateral system.

"All I can say is that I believe that we need reforms in the multilateral system to reflect today's world," he added.

Asked whether there should be a timeline for reforms to the multilateral institutions, Guterres said, "There is a need to do it, but I am not sure if we get it. But I think it is urgent." -- PTI

United States President Joe Biden arrived in Delhi on Friday to participate in the G20 Summit to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Biden is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Modi on Friday itself. During the meeting, the two leaders are likely to review the progress made on the decisions that they took during the prime minister's official state visit to Washington in June.

The US president will follow COVID-19 guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during his visit for the G20 Summit, the White House has said.

First Lady Jill Biden, 72, tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. President Biden, 80, was tested for the virus both on Monday and Tuesday but his results were negative.

India is set to make a dash for the goal line at the two-day summit starting Saturday in addressing some of the complex global challenges such as concerns of the Global South, consequences of the Ukraine conflict, gloomy economic scenario, and fostering inclusive growth amid a fragmented geopolitical environment.

A "specially-curated menu" tailored to sync with the delicacies consumed during the Indian monsoon awaits the heads of state and other delegates at President Droupadi Murmu's grand dinner at the G20 Summit venue on Saturday.

Preparations are underway and senior managers and staff members of a luxury hotel group are busy setting up the dinner tables at Bharat Mandapam, which will host the two-day summit.

Sources said the ceremonial dinner will be served in bespoke silverware made especially for the occasion.

"We have prepared a specially-curated menu, keeping in mind the culinary delicacies consumed during this (monsoon) season in India. Millet-based dishes will be on the menu too," a source in the luxury hospitality group told PTI.

Officials are tight-lipped on the exact menu but it is expected to reflect India's culinary diversity.

Murmu will host the grand dinner at Bharat Mandapam after the end of the summit's first day.

While the details of the menu are being kept "tightly guarded", the heads of state are in for an "Indian delight" that will leave a "pleasant and unforgettable taste" in their mouths, another source said.

"Sweets of varied kinds such as gulab jamun, rasmalai and jalebi, etc are planned to be served," the source said, adding that the serving staff will wear a special uniform.

There has been no official word on the menu from the Indian government yet.

Asked if the delegates will use bespoke silverware, the luxury hospitality group source replied in the affirmative.

A Jaipur-based metalware firm on Tuesday said several luxury hotels commissioned made-to-order tableware and silverware that would be used by the foreign delegates staying at their establishments and at the special dinner.

Most of the tableware have a steel or brass base or a mix of both with a coating of silver while some the plates that will be used to serve the welcome drinks have a gold plating, Laksh Pabuwal of Iris Jaipur had told PTI.

Just In: Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh wins Ghosi assembly bypoll defeating Dara Singh Chauhan of BJP by 42,759 votes.

Stating that the country's secularism and unity are under threat and that an attempt is being made to destroy social justice, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of functioning against the Constitution of India.

After he came to power, the Prime Minister said that the Indian constitution was his 'veda' and even bowed before Parliament. "But now he is going against the Constitution. People should realise this and oppose it," the chief minister said while addressing a meeting at the Kerala Media Academy here.

"There's a threat to India's unity and diversity, and secularism, and an attempt is being made to destroy social justice. Through this, they (the BJP) are attempting to destroy India. We strongly oppose this," Stalin who is the president of the DMK, said.

For some, the mention of the word 'Dravidam' is causing "irritation," he said, and added that the people of both the states, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, belong to the same Dravidian family. He appealed to the people of both states to function like a double-barrelled gun to protect India. -- PTI

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva

18:17 G20 delegates greeted with 'Willkomen', 'Swagatam'

From 'Bienvenue' in French to 'Hosgeldiniz' in Turkish, G20 delegates and other international guests will be greeted in multiple languages when they enter the delegation centre at the Summit venue here.

In a spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', 'welcome' has been printed in languages of all G20 member nations and invited countries, on an official welcome backdrop installed in the Delegation Offices set up at Hall no. 14 of the Bharat Mandapam complex.

From 'Willkomen' in German to 'Selamat Datang' in Indonesian and 'Bienvenido' in Spanish to Hosgeldiniz' in Turkish, the backdrop wears a colourful look.

In a late Thursday night post on 'X', G20 India shared glimpses of the 'RBI Innovation Hub Pavillion', 'Digital India Experience Zone' and other facilities which have been created for delegates and others, in a video of the Bharat Mandapam.

In the short video, G20 Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla also gave a sneak peek into dedicated office spaces which have been built for delegates of all G20 members nations and invited countries, besides a common spacious lounge area.

The welcome backdrop was also shown in the video.

From greetings in Bangla to German and Russian to Mandarin, the massive backdrop fronted by flags of all G20 members and invited countries and international organisations, paints a picture of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - One Earth. One Family. One Future. -- the theme of India's presidency of the G20. -- PTI

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18:07 Oil spill reported from Uran beach near Mumbai

A minor crude oil spill was reported at the seashore near Pirwadi beach of Uran in Navi Mumbai but the spill was soon arrested, sources said.

The spill was reported around 0545 hours on Friday.

The Oil Spill Response (OSR) team of ONGC Uran rushed to the spot,

they said, adding that the root cause was detected and the spill stopped.

Corrective measures were taken and the spill was arrested immediately, they said.

The cause of the spill was not immediately known.

Undersea pipelines bring crude oil from State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) fields in the Arabian Sea to Uran before it is transferred to refineries for processing into fuels like petrol and diesel.

The pipeline had spills in the past, too, the last major one being in 2013.

Sources said government authorities have been briefed by ONGC management about the incident. It was assured that there is no reason for panic as the spilled oil quantity was very small and it is being recovered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth in Delhi, the Indian leader's first bilateral meeting before the start of the G20 Summit.

Jugnauth arrived on Thursday to a warm welcome at the New Delhi Airport to attend the Summit from September 9-10.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold 15 bilateral meetings over the next three days when world leaders gather in the national capital for the Summit.

On Saturday, Modi will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the UK, Japan, Germany and Italy besides attending the G20 events.

On Sunday, he will have a working lunch meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, sources said. -- PTI

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17:37 Gehlot's helicopter denied permission to go to Sikar in view of G20 Summit

In view of the G20 Summit in the national capital, the Union Home Ministry on Friday did not allow Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's helicopter to go from Udaipur to Sikar following which his programme was cancelled.

Gehlot was scheduled to visit Sangliya Peeth in Sikar as part of the death anniversary programme of Baba Shri Khinwadas Ji Maharaj.

"Today there was a programme to go to Sangliya Peeth, Sikar, as part of the death anniversary programme of Baba Shri Khinwadas Ji Maharaj, but due to the G-20 meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, did not give permission to go to Sikar by helicopter from Udaipur due to which today I am not able to reach Sangliya Peeth," Gehlot said on 'X', formerly Twitter.

A bangle maker at the G20 summit at Pragati Maidan

17:22 AI platform called Jugalbandi at G20 can do this...

To showcase India's reach in power conversation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in any domain, 'Jugalbandi' has been set up at one of the pavillions at the G20 Summit venue in Pragati Maidan.

'Jugalbandi' is a free and open platform that combines the power of ChatGPT and Indian language translation models under the 'Bhashini' mission to power conversational AI solutions in any domain.

High-quality conversational AI in over 50 Indian languages can enable all kinds of solutions by cutting through language and interaction barriers. With the help of Myscheme.gov.in, 'Jugalbandi' ' is already powering WhatsApp and Telegram chatbots that allow anybody to ask questions about 121 government schemes in 10 Indian languages.

'Jugalbandi' stack-based apps such as JIVA and JAGRIT can power Whatsapp and Telegram chatbots and apps that can democratize access to legal information. Jugalbandi can power Whatsapp and Telegram chatbots and apps that can bring quality healthcare to citizens. Jugalbandi' is a platform under the Bhashini, which is a local language translation mission that aims to break the barrier between various Indian tongues by using available technology. -- ANI

No, not the Covid lockdown, this is Connaught Place shut for G20

16:46 Just hours before G20 meet, PM says, I believe...

A day before the G20 Summit begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed confidence that it will chart a new path in the human-centric and inclusive development.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, he said on X that it is important to emulate his mission of serving the underprivileged, the very last person in the queue, as he underlined India's great emphasis on a human-centric way of furthering progress.

"We seek to accelerate progress of SDGs, Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future and strengthen Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century. We attach immense priority to futuristic sectors such as technological transformation and digital public infrastructure. We will also collectively work to further gender equality, women empowerment and ensure world peace," he said.

Rooted in our cultural ethos, India's G20 presidency theme, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future', deeply resonates with our world view that the whole world is one family, he said.

"India's G20 presidency has been inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented. We actively voiced the developmental concerns of the Global South," he added.

Noting that it is the first-ever G20 summit being hosted by India, he said India is delighted to host the 18th summit on the weekend at the iconic Bharat Mandapam. "It is my firm belief that the New Delhi G20 Summit will chart a new path in the human-centric and inclusive development," he said. -- PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that the debate around the country's name that erupted on social media following the G20 Summit invitations going out in the name of the President of Bharat are panic reactions and distraction tactics by the government.

Gandhi also said such controversies seem to play out every time his party raises concerns of crony capitalism.

The dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu to foreign leaders attending the G20 summit this weekend comes in the name of "President of Bharat".

It triggered a war of words on social media, with BJP leaders clashing with the Opposition and several celebrities and sports personalities also wading into the row.

Addressing a media conference in Brussels, the Congress MP claimed that the Opposition naming its alliance Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) has disturbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi enough that he wants a name change for the country.

"I'm perfectly happy with the names that we have in our Constitution. India, that is Bharat, works perfectly well for me, he said when asked which name he prefers. But I think these, in a sense to me, are panic reactions. There's a little bit of fear in the government. These are distraction tactics," he said.

"We of course came out with the name I.N.D.I.A. for our coalition, and it's a fantastic idea because it represents exactly who we are, we consider ourselves to be the voice of India and so the word works very well. But it's obviously disturbed the Prime Minister enough that he wants to change the name of the country, which is absurd, but that's what it is," Gandhi said.

"It's also interesting that every time we raise the issue of Mr Adani and crony capitalism, the Prime Minister comes out with some dramatic new diversion tactic. It's curious that just after I did a press conference on Adani, this entire diversion was put into place. It's interesting," he added. -- PTI

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

16:11 SA prez, Russia FM, UN Secy Gen, Oman PM arrive

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa received a rousing welcome as he arrived in the national capital on Friday to attend the G20 Summit hosted by India this year.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Delhi for the G 20 Summit. He will be standing in for Russia president Vladimir Putin.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrives in Delhi.

Oman PM and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said arrives in Delhi for the G 20 Summit.

There will be no change of guard ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 9 due to the G20 summit, an official statement said on Friday. The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition that is held every week to enable a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards to take charge.

In a statement, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, "The change of guard ceremony will not take place tomorrow (September 9, 2023) at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to G20 summit." The G20 summit will be held in Delhi from September 9-10.

15:41 Jawan rakes in Rs 65 crore on Day 1

Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh on Jawan's 1st day collections: "Jawan hits the ball out of the stadium, SHATTERS *ALL* PREVIOUS RECORDS' BIGGEST OPENER [#Hindi films] in #India'

*Day 1* biz' #Jawan: 65.50 cr [19.09% HIGHER than #Pathaan]

#Pathaan: 55 cr #KGF2 #Hindi: 53.95 cr #War: 51.60 cr #TOH: 50.75 cr Nett BOC. #India biz. #Boxoffice."

Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda will not attend the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for world leaders on Saturday due to "health reasons".

Sources said former prime ministers and chief ministers, including opposition-ruled states among others, have been invited to the gala dinner. Both Singh and Deve Gowda have conveyed to the central government about their inability to attend the dinner.

TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has confirmed their presence at the event. According to sources, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are also likely to attend the G20 dinner. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is also coming to the national capital on September 9 to attend the President's dinner, his close aides confirmed.

There are also reports that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may also attend the dinner.

Meanwhile, Congress sources said Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition, who is equivalent to a Union minister rank and holds a constitutional position, has not been invited to the dinner.

Asked about Kharge not being invited to the G20 dinner, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "They have decided not to invite the Leader of the Opposition, it tells you something. It tells you that they don't value the leader of 60 percent of India's population. And it's something that people should think about. Why do they feel the need to do that and what is the type of thinking that goes behind that," he told reporters in Brussels when asked about it.

Chief ministers of Congress-ruled states of Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are unlikely to be present. There was no confirmation available about Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's presence at the dinner. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah is also not attending the President's G20 dinner, sources close to him said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Delhi on Friday to attend the G20 Summit which is being hosted by India this year.

Sheikh Hasina was received by Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles and in Ministry of Railways at the Delhi Airport. India and Bangladesh share bonds of history, language, culture, and a multitude of other commonalities.

No, we don't know why Sheikh Hasina and Jardosh were laughing but the India-Bangladesh partnership has strengthened, matured and evolved as a model for bilateral relations for the entire region and beyond.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and established diplomatic relations with the country immediately after its independence in December 1971. India's links with Bangladesh are civilisational, cultural, social and economic.

14:50 Japan PM arrives

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in Delhi for the G 20 Summit. At the airport, Kishida was received by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives in Delhi for the G 20 Summit. He was accompanied by his wife Akshata Murthy. The Sunaks were received by MoS for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Rishi Sunak said on Friday that his visit to New Delhi for the G20 Leaders' Summit is 'obviously special' as he joked about being referred to as the 'son-in-law of India' as the first British prime minister of Indian heritage and married to an Indian in Akshata Murty.

Speaking to reporters in a huddle on his flight to New Delhi, the 43-year-old British Indian leader said he was excited to be back in India, 'a country that is very near and dear to me'.

He is joined on the visit by his wife, the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, and is scheduled for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit.

'I'm heading to the G20 Summit with a clear focus. Stabilising the global economy. Building international relationships. Supporting the most vulnerable,' tweeted Sunak as he embarked on the three-day tour.

"It's obviously special. I saw somewhere that I was referred to as India's son-in-law, which I hope was meant affectionately," he told reporters travelling with him.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been flagged as a key topic on the agenda for the UK during the summit discussions, with Downing Street saying India's role and influence is vital.

"Once again, Vladimir Putin is failing to show his face at the G20. He is the architect of his own diplomatic exile, isolating himself in his presidential palace and blocking out criticism and reality. The rest of the G20, meanwhile, are demonstrating that we will turn up and work together to pick up the pieces of Putin's destruction," Sunak told reporters.

His Downing Street spokesperson said the UK will use every opportunity to show its support for Ukraine and further foster global support as well.

"India has a vital role to play as the world's largest democracy in calling out Russia's assault on human rights and indeed democracy itself. We will use meetings with Modi or elsewhere to encourage them to use that influence to bring an end to Putin's brutal invasion," Sunak's spokesperson said.

The India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations are likely to also feature highly during the Modi-Sunak bilateral discussions, having just completed 12 rounds of negotiations but with no set timeframe for its conclusion.

Separately, Downing Street has indicated that there will be no changes to the UK immigration policy as part of the deal, though short-term business visas are up for discussion as part of the trade talks. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was looking forward to his meetings with US President Joe Biden, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on Friday evening.

"The meetings will give an opportunity to review India's bilateral ties with these nations and further strengthen developmental cooperation," Modi said on X.

The meetings are scheduled to be held at the prime minister's official Lok Kalyan Marg residence ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit starting Saturday.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold 15 bilateral meetings over the next three days when world leaders gather in the national capital for the summit.

On Saturday, Modi will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the UK, Japan, Germany and Italy besides attending the G20 events.

On Sunday, he will hold a working lunch meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, sources said.

The prime minister will also have a pull-aside meeting with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau. Besides, he will have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Comoros, Turkiye, the UAE, South Korea, the EU/EC, Brazil and Nigeria, the sources said. PTI

The national capital has started welcoming foreign delegates and leaders from all across the world for the G20 Summit. As a host nation, the Centre has taken special care of the arrangements and experiences of foreign dignitaries while they are in India.

For a unique experience for guests arriving at Bharat Mandapam, various exhibitions are being set up. These exhibits would showcase India's technological prowess and innovation and offer a multitude of unique experiences for foreign guests.

The Global Summit will be held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan on September 9 and 10.

Speaking of Indian tradition and culture, as part of the arrangement, a "Culture Corridor" has also been set up at the venue for the G20 guests, which will showcase a unique international project called 'Culture Corridor: G20 Digital Museum'.

The culture corridor will represent and celebrate the shared heritage of G20 members and invitee countries. It will incorporate iconic and notable cultural objects and the heritage of the G20 members and nine invitee countries.

This Culture Corridor will serve as a powerful platform for promoting understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural expressions, knowledge sharing, inclusivity, and equality, and fostering a sense of shared identity.

Digital India Experience Zone: The Digital India Experience Zone, being set up in Halls 4 and 14, will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the power of technology being implemented by India firsthand. The Zone will provide key insights into the crucial initiatives of Digital India.

Initiatives being showcased include Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UPI, eSanjeevani, DIKSHA, Bhashini, ONDC, and Ask GITA. Ask GITA'"Guidance, Inspiration, Transformation, and Action'"combines the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita with cutting-edge AI technology.

The Zone will also include MyGov, CoWIN, UMANG, JanDhan, e-NAM, GSTN, FastTag, and other such initiatives of the government.

RBI's Innovation Pavilion: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will display cutting-edge financial technologies at the G20 Summit, showcasing their potential to revolutionise the financial landscape.

It will include products demonstrating unique facets of India's innovation in the financial sector. These include Central Bank Digital Currency; the Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit, which uses technology to provide loans in a digitised, paperless manner; and unique payment system products such as UPI One World, Rupay on the Go, and cross-border bill payment through Bharat Bill Payments.

Payment system experience centre: UPI One World is UPI designed for inbound foreign travellers who do not have bank accounts in India. Foreign nationals can open a prepaid payment instrument linked to UPI to experience hassle-free and secure payments during their stay in India. Delegates will be onboarded on UPI One World. Their wallets will be prefunded with Rs. 2000, which they can utilise as they desire.

Crafts Bazaar: A 'Crafts Bazaar' is being set up in Hall No. 3 at Bharat Mandapam. It will showcase handicraft products from different parts of India, with a special focus on One District, One Product and GI-tagged items. It will offer delegates the unique opportunity to purchase locally sourced products.

Around 30 states and UTs, as well as central agencies like Khadi Village and Industries Commission, TRIFED, etc., will be participating in the Crafts Bazaar. -- ANI

13:08 Renowned cartoonist Ajit Ninan dies

Renowned cartoonist Ajit Ninan, best known for the 'Centrestage' series in 'India Today' magazine and 'Ninan's World' in 'Times of India', died at his flat in Mysuru on Friday. He was 68.

"He passed away early this morning in his apartment. I think it's a cardiac arrest," a family member said. Ninan leaves behind wife, two daughters and two grand-children, sources said. Ninan, who was living in Mysuru for the past two years, was alone at home. His wife, who was not keeping well, had gone to their daughter's place in Goa, sources said. One of his popular cartoon characters was 'Detective Moochhwala' in the children's magazine 'Target'. PTI

German Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann said that the absence of the Chinese President and the Russian President will not make any difference in the G20 Summit being held in New Delhi this year.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Ackermann said "President Putin didn't attend the last Summit either. I think that was to be expected. We were a little surprised by the Chinese no-attendance by President Xi Jinping. But let me say very clearly, this is a G 20 plus meeting. I think when you have the Chinese PM in attendance and not the Chinese President - it doesn't make a big difference.'

"One should not let this Summit be overshadowed by the non-attendance of one President. I think the Chinese PM is a very good representative of China and China will make its voice heard at the table," the Ambassador added.

The German envoy also endorsed India's move to invite the African Union for permanent membership in G20 and said his country supports India's call.

He said, "We wholeheartedly support this Indian endeavour to get the new member at the table in the form of the African Union. That will be the second big Union of countries, next to the European Union. We are completely in favour of it."

The ambassador affirmed that India's presidency has elevated the G20 to the next level and hoped that the G20 outcome statement will be consented to by most of the G20 states. -- PTI

As many as 55 passengers, most of them school and college students, were injured when the bus they were travelling in collided with a truck in Palghar district of Maharashtra on Friday morning, officials said.

The accident took place around 6.45 am near Desai village in Wada tehsil, an official of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) said.

"The bus involved in the accident was operated by the MSRTC. It was carrying a large number of school and college students," the corporation's Thane divisional controller Vilas Rathod said.

A total of 70 passengers were travelling in the bus when it collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction on Chinchpada-Wada Road.

Of them, 55 passengers, including 47 students, were injured. However, none of them suffered any major injury, he said. All the injured persons, who included the bus driver, were taken to local hospitals. After primary treatment, all of them were allowed to return home, he said.

IMF MD, Kristalina Georgieva, arrives in Delhi

12:30 G20: Arrivals begin, Italian PM dances at airport

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentine President Alberto Fernndez and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva are among the top leaders who arrived in the national capital on Friday morning for the G20 summit.

The G20 leaders will deliberate on pressing global issues at the grouping's annual summit here on September 9 and 10. India is hosting the summit in its capacity as the current G20 chair.

The leaders of the influential grouping are being welcomed at the airport with cultural performances.

On her arrival, a visibly excited Georgieva danced to the beat of music at the airport. Under its G20 presidency, India has been focusing on various issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access.

The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.

A police patrol down the Yamuna

12:00 G20: Security upped in Tibetan settlements

Ahead of the G20 summit, security forces have been deployed near north Delhi's Majnu ka Tilla area in anticipation of a protest by some Tibetans on Friday, police officials said. Majnu ka Tilla is a Tibetan settlement.

"We have barricaded a certain part of Majnu ka Tilla. Delhi Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi told PTI.

The step has been taken in anticipation of a protest by Tibetans, the officials said.

The G20 Leaders' Summit will be held in the national capital over the weekend. In the run-up to the summit, security has been beefed up across the city, especially in New Delhi district, with police, paramilitary forces and other agencies maintaining a hawk-eye vigil. Delhi Police is being assisted by over 50,000 security personnel, K9 dog squads and mounted police. PTI

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said he would not attend the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday due to health reasons. The Janata Dal (Secular) supremo on Friday said he has already communicated this to the Union government. "I wish the G20 summit a grand success", he said on 'X', formerly Twitter. PTI

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the G20 Summit scheduled to be held under India's Presidency on September 9-10.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje welcomed Meloni at the airport. Earlier this March, Meloni had visited India to attend the eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue.

During her visit, she held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi. The two leaders decided to elevate the India-Italy partnership to the level of strategic partnership. India and Italy are ancient civilizations with trade ties for over 2000 years.

Political relations between India and Italy were established in 1947.

The G20 Summit is being held at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan in the national capital. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. This is the first time that a G20 Summit is taking place under India's presidency. -- ANI

11:20 BJP wins Tripura bypolls

BJP wins by-elections to Dhanpur, Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura's Sepahijala district: EC.

A 30-year-old Bangladeshi national was arrested here for allegedly sexually harassing a female flight attendant on board a Muscat-Dhaka flight travelling via Mumbai, a police official said on Friday.

The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday some time before the Vistara flight was scheduled to land at the Mumbai international airport, he said.

"The accused, identified as Mohammed Dulal, who is a Bangladeshi national, was going to Dhaka from Muscat via Mumbai on a Vistara flight. Half an hour before the plane was to land in Mumbai, Dulal got up from his seat, hugged a female flight attendant and tried to kiss her," the official said.

He also tried to flash at other cabin crew members and passengers when they tried to intervene, he said. The accused flyer also did not listen to the flight captain when the latter was reading out a red warning card, declaring him an unruly passenger, he said.

After landing at the Mumbai airport, the accused was handed over to security officers, who took him to the Sahar police station, the official added.

Based on a complaint lodged by the flight attendant, a first information report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against the accused and he was placed under arrest, he said. He was produced in a local court, which remanded him in police custody till Friday, he said. PTI

With bright murals, graffiti and painted walls, New Delhi has pulled out all the stops to ensure a smooth G20 Summit that will host world leaders on September 9 and 10.

The G20 Summit being held in New Delhi under India's Presidency will draw the participation of the top leaders.

The G20, or the Group of Twenty, comprises 19 countries-- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United States -- and the European Union.

During the summit, the national capital will play host to US President Joe Biden, Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, among others.

The authorities have beautified roads, footpaths, roundabouts, markets, flyovers, and public areas with over 1 lakh potted plants.

The G20 members at a glance. KBK Infographics

11:03 Mamata to leave for Delhi today for president's G20 dinner tomorrow

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be travelling to New Delhi on Friday afternoon to attend President Droupadi Murmu's dinner invitation on the occasion of the G20 meeting, officials said.

During her visit to the national capital, Banerjee will meet leaders of different political parties, besides attending the official engagements, they said.

The president will host the dinner on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the G20 summit of world leaders. Banerjee was earlier scheduled to travel to New Delhi on Saturday, but it was rescheduled to Friday owing to regulation of flight movements in the national capital due to the G20 summit, officials said.

The chief minister will return to Kolkata on Sunday, they said. PTI

Representational image

10:56 DM who brought water to UP village shunted out

August 30 was the first time 76-year-old Anjaria Yadav saw water flowing from a tap in Uttar Pradesh's Lahuria Dah village. Like her, the whole village knew who to thank: "It was DM sahab (District Magistrate Divya Mittal) who made it possible," said Yadav, sitting at her son's tea stall on the highway which leads to Rewa in Madhya Pradesh.

Read the report here.

Indian authorities are downplaying inconvenient macroeconomic facts so that they can celebrate seemingly flattering headline figures ahead of hosting the G20 summit. But in covering up the growing struggles faced by the vast majority of Indians, they are playing a cynical and dangerous game, says Ashoka Mody.

He is Visiting Professor of International Economic Policy at Princeton University and previously worked for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Read the column here.

File pic

10:50 BJP leads in both seats in Tripura by-elections

The BJP on Friday morning was leading in both assembly seats in Tripura's Sepahijala district where bypolls were held, according to the Election Commission. After four rounds of counting, BJP's Tafajjal Hossain was leading by 25,478 votes in the Boxanagar seat.

CPI(M) candidate Mizan Hossain was at the second spot. In the Dhanpur seat, BJP's Bindu Debnath was ahead by 14,384 votes after four rounds of counting. CPI(M)'s Kaushik Chanda was trailing.

The counting of votes began at 8 am, and six rounds of counting will be held in the two seats. The polling for the by-elections was held on September 5. An average turnout of 86.50 per cent was recorded in the two seats.

The counting was being held at the Sonamura Girls' School amid tight security. Alleging large-scale rigging during the polling and inaction by the Election Commission, the opposition CPI(M) was boycotting the counting of votes.

The two seats are witnessing a one-on-one fight between the ruling BJP and the CPI(M) with the other two opposition parties, Tipra Motha and Congress, not fielding any candidates.

PM Modi with US President Joe Biden in Bali

10:13 PM to hold more than 15 bilateral meets during G20

PM Narendra Modi will be holding more than 15 bilateral meetings with world leaders.

8th Sept: Leaders of US, Mauritius, Bangladeshi and USA.

9th Sept: UK, Japan, Germany and Italy.

10th Sept: PM will hold a working lunch meeting with President Macron of France.

Pull-asides: Canada, Comoros, Turkiye, UAE, South Korea, EU/EC, Brazil and Nigeria.

10:08 SRK's Jawan records HOUSE FULL across Bengal

With crackers and confetti, dancing and drumbeats, and whistles galore, Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan got off to an exuberant start with audiences streaming into theatres across the state all the way from Kolkata to Siliguri.

SRK's fans danced and cheered to the beat of drums outside several theatres across the state as the movie recorded 100 per cent occupancy in all the 1,100 shows in West Bengal on Thursday.

A spokesperson of SVF, the distributor of the movie, told PTI that all the shows recorded 100 per cent occupancy and long queues were seen outside every multiplex and single screens in Kolkata and elsewhere, irrespective of movie timings.

"All the 1,100 shows have been a sold out and the craze reminded about the pre-Covid days. In several places, people gathered outside theatres even at 4am not to miss the excitement and buzz in the air before the screening," the spokesperson said.

"Even the 2am show at an SVF property in the state was a sold out," the spokesperson added. PVR Inox Ltd regional director Amitabha Guha Thakurta told PTI all the 20 multiplexes in the state were screening 10 shows each.

"At one multiplex, the 6.30am show was also houseful. The next show at 8.30am was predictably houseful, too. The response has been tremendous and till Sunday it is likely to remain so," he said.

Navin Chokhani, the owner of Navina cinema, one of the landmark single screens in the state, told PTI all the five shows were sold within two days of advance booking on September 1.

"Had there been a word like 200 per cent occupancy, that could have been aptly used to define Jawan's stupendous success on opening day," he said. Members of SRK Fans' Club added zing to the celebratory mood when they turned up at 11.30 am with crackers and confetti and a giant-sized picture of the icon garlanded by flowers. -- PTI

Delhi Police's 'Parakram' vans are part of the security arrangement

10:04 Two ex-PMs invited for G20 dinner, they are...

The national capital is all decked up magnificently to hold the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10. Diginatories from across the world have started arriving in Delhi to participate in the mega event.

Besides the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some of the former senior leaders of the nation.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also been invited to the G20 Summit dinner, sources told ANI.

US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who are going to attend the event in the country's capital city.

Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China, however, will be represented at the summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is being hosted by India. Extensive preparations have been underway to portray India's tradition and strength.

09:46 G20 summit: Delhi under tight security cordon

Security has been beefed up across the national capital, especially in New Delhi district, on the eve of the G20 summit with police, paramilitary forces and other agencies maintaining a hawk-eye vigil in the city, officials said on Friday.

Markswomen and armed forces deployed at strategic locations, enhanced patrolling and intensive checking in border areas are some of the security measures taken by the Delhi Police ahead of the G20 summit that will be held from September 9 to 10 at Pragati Maidan.

Delhi Police is being assisted by over 50,000 security personnel, K9 dog squads and mounted police.

"From the airport to hotels and from hotels to the G20 summit venues, foreign delegates will be provided foolproof security by the Delhi Police during the prestigious summit," a senior official said.

In order to strengthen the arrangements, the Delhi Police is also being assisted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and specialised central agencies like the National Security Guard (NSG) and some of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

Nineteen markswomen, who have completed a four-week specialised training session conducted by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at its training centre in Karera, Madhya Pradesh, will also be deployed during the summit, according to the officials.

Armed with rifle scopes, they will be deployed at strategic locations in the city, including the G20 summit venue and hotels.

Flag marches, enhanced patrolling and picket checking are being conducted to maintain law and order in the national capital.

"Picket checking has been increased in the area and communication is being established with locals to give them a sense of confidence. The areas near Yamuna Khadar are being checked regularly. Mounted morchas have also been pressed into service.

"Checking in the border areas has been intensified. Extra pickets are being installed along the borders. Drones are also being used for surveillance. Regular communication is being held with RWA (Residents' Welfare Associations), MWAs (Market Welfare Associations) and Aman Committee members," an official said.

The security forces continue to remain on high alert to thwart any untoward incident. Police have intensified patrolling and deployed extra pickets at vital installations, the officials said, adding that citizens have been asked to inform the police if they notice any suspicious activity.

Underlining that there are national and international aspects related to the security for the G20 summit, police said a law and order situation arose in several other countries where previous summits were held due to protests by international pressure groups and local organisations.

As part of preparations for the mega-event, police have done a comprehensive assessment of protests held by various international and local groups in other nations during previous G20 summits.

They will be using chains and bolt cutters to tackle unwanted and unscheduled agitations during the summit. These will come into the picture if protesters tie themselves with chains so that they cannot be removed, the officials said.

There is real-time coordination between police and central agencies, they said.

"Whenever we get any kind of information or assessment, we arrange things accordingly. A comprehensive assessment has been done of that. The Delhi Police has the responsibility of safety, security and law and order, and we are taking it as a challenge," another senior official said.

"We have different segments of the Delhi Police that have focused roles for the summit area. Apart from this, we have the responsibility of maintaining the law and order situation in other parts of the city," the official said.

Personnel from districts and other units have also been roped in for the summit, with officials saying that Delhi will be on a 'high alert'.

There are various dimensions to security -- airport security, carcade management, event venues, anti-terror measures and maintenance of general alerts, explained an official.

As far as the venue security arrangements are concerned, special commissioner of police-rank officers will serve as the commander with deputy commissioner of police-rank officials serving as zonal commanders, police said.

They will be assisted by joint commissioner-rank officers and additional DCPs.

DCP-rank officers will serve as camp commanders of hotels where the delegates will be staying. Special commissioner of police-rank officers will have groups of hotels under their command, they said.

Officials said arrangements have been made so that no infiltration, terrorist act or sabotage takes place during the summit.

"For specialised measures, we also have the Indian armed forces assisting us. The staff has been provided role-based micro-functional training and made aware of their duties. This has been done through carcade rehearsals and point-wise briefing," another officer said. -- PTI

The Delhi government's Department of Food Safety has deployed its officers to ensure that G20 dignitaries and delegates are served hygienically cooked food during their stay at Delhi hotels, officials said.

A senior officer of the department said on Thursday that 18 food safety officers have been collecting samples of raw food items being used at 19 five-star hotels in New Delhi and the Aerocity area, where the foreign guests will stay.

"We do routine checking and sampling but in view of the G20 summit, we have deputed 18 food safety officers and are conducting laboratory tests on the samples being collected from the hotels since Monday," the officer said.

The two-day summit will begin from September 9 and heads of state have already started arriving for it.

Twenty-three five-star hotels have been designated for the stay of the dignitaries from different countries.

The food safety officers are also ensuring kitchen and staff hygiene, including cleaning of utensils. Before serving, the cooked food will also be closely monitored and sampled for quality tests with the help of police, the officials said.

The food safety officers will inspect the cooking facilities and lifting of raw food items at different hotels. The raw food material will be used for cooking after the lab reports come within 24 hours, the officer said.

No food item will be provided and cooked in the kitchens without conducting a lab test, he added.

The food safety officers will also keep a watch on the food served at banquets and other events of the summit. Normally, reports of food samples take 15-20 days to come, but the samples of the food material to be served to the G20 guests will be expedited and made available in a few hours, the officer said.

Meetings have been held with the city police regarding the sampling of food items since all the hotels where the heads of state will stay are under a heavy security cover. The police personnel have also been trained in lifting samples of cooked food, the officials said.

The sampling and testing of food and beverages, including snacks and tea, to be served at banquets, high tea, breakfast, lunch and dinner will similarly be ensured. -- PTI

08:30 INDIA vs NDA: Counting for key bypolls begins

The counting of votes for the seven assembly seats across six states that went to bypolls on Tuesday last week, began at 8 am across centres set up in the respective states on Friday.

The bypoll results are seen as a test for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance ahead of the five state assembly elections scheduled later this year and the crucial Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

The seven seats include Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh, Puthuppally in Kerala, Dhupguri in West Bengal, Dumri in Jharkhand, and Boxanagar and Dhanpur in Tripura.

While the Bageshwar, Dhupguri and Dhanpur seats were held by the BJP, the Ghosi seat was held by the Samajwadi Party, Boxanagar by the Communist Party of India-Marxist, Dumri by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Puthuppally by the Congress. -- ANI

A 55-year-old woman died allegedly after she fell off a Ferris wheel (giant wheel) installed at a fair ground in Noida, while his daughter-in-law and grandson suffered injuries, police officials said on Thursday.

Two people, including the organiser of the fair and the wheel operator, have been taken into police custody, the officials said.

Additional deputy commissioner of police (Noida) Shakit Mohan Avasthy said the incident took place at the Som Bazar Mela in Sector 44, under Sector 39 police station limits, on Wednesday night.

"The fair has been organised here traditionally. On Wednesday, two women got severely injured while coming down from the amusement ride. A child who was along with them also suffered some injuries," Avasthy said.

"The women were taken to a hospital where Usha (55) died during treatment while her daughter in law Shalu is undergoing treatment but is in a stable condition," the officer said. -- PTI

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01:10 Kashmir valley set to host its first-ever auto-cross event

The Kashmir valley is set to host its first-ever auto-cross motorsports event from September 22, which would provide a platform for established and aspiring racers to showcase their talent.

The event is a collaboration between J&K Motorsport Federation and the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India.

"The JK AutoX 2023, a premier motor sporting event set to captivate the hearts and minds of enthusiasts and fans alike, is being held from September 22-24," the organisers told a press conference in Srinagar.

They said the event promises to bring together the best of motorsports talent, cutting-edge technology, and adrenaline-pumping action in the picturesque backdrop of Kashmir.

The event will take place at a two-km, close circuit, track at Nowgam in the outskirts of the city here. This event will feature autocross close racing that features head-to-head competitions on a specially designed circuit that demands precision, agility, and split-second decision-making, the organisers said. -- PTI

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00:48 Snag on Bhopal-Delhi Vande Bharat forces stoppage before entering Agra station

A technical issue on the Bhopal-Delhi Vande Bharat Express automatically stopped the train as it was about to enter the Agra Cantonment station, a railway official said on Thursday.

The train was on its way to the Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi from the Rani Kamalapati station in Bhopal.

It resumed its journey less than 10 minutes later after the issue was resolved, she added.

Prashasti Srivastav, the public relations officer for North Central Railway in Agra, said the technical issue was reported at 11.07 am as the train was about to enter the station for a scheduled stop. The train resumed its journey from the Agra Cantonment station at 11.14 am, she added.

Srivastav told reporters, "The Bhopal to Delhi Vande Bharat train had a technical issue. The train had an automatic stoppage before entering the platform of Agra Cantonment station."

She further said, "The vigilance device (installed in Vande Bharat trains) breaks automatically when it notices safety-related issues. We have initiated a probe and will act accordingly." -- PTI

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00:41 IAF to get first Airbus C-295 transport aircraft this month

India will get its first Airbus C-295 tactical military transport aircraft this month, an official of the European aircraft manufacturer said on Thursday.

"The first C-295 aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air Force this month only," Remi Maillard, Airbus India president and managing director, told a press conference in New Delhi.

Maillard was interacting with reporters after Airbus inked a memorandum of understanding with the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to train engineers for the aviation sector.

An Airbus functionary said that Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal V R Chaudhari will travel to Seville in Spain to take the delivery of the first C-295 aircraft.

India had inked an agreement with Airbus for supply of 56 C-295 military transport aircraft in September 2021.

As per the agreement, 40 aircraft will be built at the facility set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited in partnership with Airbus at Vadodara. -- PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held closed-door meetings with some members of the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, marking the start of his three-nation European tour.

According to sources, the human rights situation in Manipur was among the topics that were raised during his meetings in the Belgian capital.

This comes against the backdrop of a resolution entitled ndia, the situation in Manipur' which had been adopted by the European Parliament in July.

The discussions in Brussels, which were not listed on the official parliamentary agenda of the day, were described as successful by Opposition party sources.

India in the past has said that the Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order.

"The European Parliament would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues," ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in July when the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India, with particular reference to the clashes in Manipur. -- PTI

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00:09 Fighter jets on high alert for G20 summit security

The Indian Air Force has taken an operational pause in the ongoing Exercise Trishul going on in the northern sector as fighter aircraft will not be flying from September 7-10.

IAF officials made it clear that only the flying operations of the aircraft involved in Ex Trishul would be paused and other routine flying may continue.

In this period, the Indian Air Force would start operating its PHALCON AWACS aircraft to keep an eye on the air space across the country to protect the air space over the national capital region in view of the G-20 summit, defence sources said.

The Indian Air Force is also deploying its Rafale and other fighter jets at the advanced air bases to protect Delhi skies for the summit.

The surface-to-air missile systems have also been moved to places around Delhi for taking out enemy aircraft or rogue drones.

Indian Air Force has been carrying out a major training exercise codenamed Trishul in the northern sector along the borders with both China and Pakistan since September 4.

All major fleets of fighter aircraft including the Rafale, Mirage 2000 and the Su-30MKIs are participating in the drills along with heavy-lift transport aircraft and choppers including the Chinooks and Apache.

Garud Special Forces are also part of the drills where all elements of air power are being exercised. -- PTI

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