LIVE
Tue, 17 November 2020
3rd peak is over but 3rd wave is not: Delhi Min

Timeline  Refresh

image
23:51   3rd peak is over but 3rd wave is not: Delhi Min
Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said the third peak of COVID-19 spread has crossed but the third wave of the pandemic in the national capital is not over yet.
 
Interacting with reporters, he said a large number of people are coming from outside to get tested in Delhi.
"We are not refusing anyone. Some are giving their address, while many others are giving address of their relatives or acquaintances. About 25-30 per cent of people from outside, getting their tests done here," Jain said.
Asked about the large number of deaths and cases being recorded in the last several days, Jain reiterated that the "third peak has crossed".
"However, the third wave of the spread of the coronavirus infection is not over yet," he said.
Delhi has witnessed a spurt in coronavirus cases since October 28 when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on Wednesday.
On Thursday, 104 deaths, the highest in over five months, were recorded in the city.
Jain on Monday had said there is no chance of reimposition of lockdown in the national capital since the third wave of coronavirus has peaked out in the city.
He had said the virus cannot be contained through lockdown and that people should protect themselves by wearing masks. -- PTI 
image
23:18   Biden no stranger to India: Jaishankar on Indo-US ties
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday exuded confidence that ties between India and the United States will expand further under Joe Biden's administration, noting that he was part of the period when bilateral relations underwent a radical transformation.
   
"As vice president, we dealt with him. I happened to be the ambassador during the last phase of the Obama administration. We'd known him earlier when he was in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the ranking Democratic member and then as the chairman," Jaishankar said.
 
The external affairs minister was speaking at an online discussion organised by leading think-tank Gateway House.
 
"He (Biden) is very much part of this period when Indo-American relations underwent a radical transformation, which I reasonably date back to (Bill) Clinton's visit," Jaishankar said.
 
Jaishankar said President-elect Biden is "not a stranger" to India or to the relationship between the two countries.
 
"I am very confident that we will pick up where we left off, we have done that over the last four administrations.
 
"I think that will be the case as well here and I also say that because within the American politics, it's not just that we deal with the administration of the day, we also tend to deal with the Congress," Jaishankar said.
 
"American politics by its nature has very strong elements of bipartisanship," he said. -- PTI 
image
22:51   BRICS unveils new counter-terrorism strategy
Five-nation grouping BRICS on Tuesday unveiled a counter-terrorism strategy to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation among the member countries for effectively combating the threat through a range of measures including choking financial channels of terror networks.
 
The new strategy was adopted at the bloc's annual summit which was held in the virtual format.
The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In the document titled 'counter-terrorism strategy', the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) said it will consider undertaking concerted measures against those involved in organising, instigating, facilitating, financing and encouraging terrorist activities.
It also called upon all nations to take appropriate measures to prevent the use of their territories for terrorist bases or spreading terror activities.
The BRICS said the aim of the strategy is to improve the practical cooperation among security and law-enforcement authorities of the member nations to prevent and combat terrorism, including by sharing timely and accurate information.
It said the focus would be to "suppress" the facilitation of terrorist groups, entities and associated persons by not making available financial and material resources to them.
The BRICS also said that efforts will be initiated to prevent "further geographical expansion of terrorism" and address the threats posed by terrorists returning from conflict zones to countries of departure or travelling to third countries.
Under the new strategy, the bloc also vowed to enhance cooperation in the sphere of mutual legal assistance and extradition, in conformity with their domestic laws and regulations.
The BRICS also resolved to counter "extremist narratives" conducive to terrorism and vowed to take steps to ensure that the Internet and social media platforms are not used for recruitment and radicalisation by terror groups.
"The BRICS high representatives for security shall be entrusted with leading the review of the implementation of this strategy, and the BRICS counter-terrorism working group (CTWG) shall be entrusted with its implementation," the grouping said. -- PTI 
image
22:41   Sena-BJP reunion will be tribute to Thackeray: NDA leader
The Shiv Sena, the The Republican Party of India-Athawale and the Bharatiya Janata Party coming together again in the future will be a true tribute to Shiv Sena founder the late Bal Thackeray, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Tuesday.
Athawale, who heads the RPI-A and is an ally of the BJP, made the remark on Twitter as he paid respects to Bal Thackeray on the latters eighth death anniversary.
"Humble tributes to late Shiv Sena president Balasaheb Thackeray on his death anniversary. We realised the Shivshakti Bhimshakti BJP unity of his dream (saffron forces plus Dalits), but feel sad that it broke later," said the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
Reunion (of the Shiv Sena, RPI-A and BJP) in the future will be a true tribute to the (late) Shiv Sena president, Athawale tweeted, taggingChief Minister Uddhav Thackerays office.
Long-standing allies Shiv Sena and the BJP parted ways last year following differences over sharing the chief ministerial post on a rotational basis after the Assembly polls.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena then joined forces with ideologically-different NCP and the Congress to form government under the aegis of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
In the past too, the RPI-A leader has said the BJP and the Shiv Sena should come together again. -- PTI 
image
22:24   FIFA cancels U-17 women's World Cup in India, allots it 2022 edition
The Women's Under-17 World Cup in India, which was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic, was on Tuesday cancelled by the world governing body FIFA and the country was handed the hosting rights of the 2022 edition.
   
The decision was taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council which took stock of the current global COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact on football.
 
"... with the inability to further postpone these tournaments, the FIFA-Confederations COVID-19 Working Group subsequently recommended that the 2020 editions of the two women's youth tournaments be cancelled and that the hosting rights for the 2022 editions be offered to the countries that were due to host the 2020 editions," the FIFA said in a statement.
 
"... following further consultation between FIFA and the respective host member associations regarding the 2022 editions of the tournaments, the Bureau of the Council has approved Costa Rica as host of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2022 and India as host of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 respectively."
 
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in November this year but later was postponed to February-March next year due to the raging health crisis. -- PTI 
image
22:06   Sputnik V vaccine could be produced in India: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for a joint effort by the BRICS countries on the development of the coronavirus vaccines as he suggested that Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 could be produced in China and India, which are members of the five-nation bloc.
 
"We believe it is important to speed up the establishment of the centre for development and research of BRICS vaccines, which we agreed to do two years ago, upon the initiative of our South African friends," Putin said while addressing the 12th BRICS summit via videoconferencing.
The summit, hosted by President Putin, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Putin said that Russia's Sputnik V vaccine that was registered in August could be produced in China and India, both members of the BRICS, Sputniknews reported.
"The Russian Direct Investment Fund has reached agreements with its Brazilian and Indian partners on conducting clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, it has also reached an agreement with pharmaceutical companies in China and India to launch production of the vaccine in these countries not just to cover their needs, but for third countries as well," Putin said.
On August 11, Russia became the world's first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute, while the Russian Direct Investment Fund is investing in the production and promotion of the vaccine abroad. Another Russian vaccine, EpiCoronaVac, produced by Vector Research Centre, was registered in October.
President Putin at the time said that the Sputnik V works "quite effectively" and forms a "stable immunity" against the deadly disease. 

He had disclosed that one of his daughters had tested a Russian COVID-19 vaccine on herself and that she is feeling well.
Sputnik V vaccine has shown 92 per cent efficacy in preventing COVID-19, according to interim trial results announced by the country's health ministry last week.
The vaccine has been named Sputnik-V. The name is a reference to the surprise 1957 launch of the world's first satellite by the Soviet Union.
The 12th BRICS summit was originally scheduled to be held in Saint Petersburg in July but had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. -- PTI
image
22:02   Farooq, Omar go in self-isolation
National Conference leaders and father-son duo Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah went into self-isolation on Tuesday after one of their secondary contacts tested positive for COVID-19.
 
The announcement was made by Omar Abdullah on Twitter, saying doctors had advised them self-isolation for a week, before undergoing a precautionary COVID test.
"My father & I have been in contact with a person who was in turn staying with a relative who tested COVID positive. Based on medical advice, we will be self-isolating for a week before getting a precautionary COVID test," the NC vice-president said in a tweet. -- PTI 
image
21:50   Shah's remarks against PAGD reflect his 'frustration': NC
The National Conference on Tuesday rejected the allegations made by Union home minister Amit Shah against the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration as a "bout of frustration" on account of the coalition's participation in the District Development Council elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
   
The PAGD supporting the democratic process, and consequently blocking the BJP and the "king's party" from having a free run in J-K, has "irked" the Union home minister, the NC said in a statement in an apparent reference to the Apni Party floated by former finance minister Altaf Bukhari.
 
The statement was issued jointly by the party's general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, provincial presidents Nasir Aslam Wani and Devender Singh Rana, party MPs Mohammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi, and women's wing president Shameema Firdous.
 
The NC was reacting to a series of tweets by Shah calling the alliance of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir as 'Gupkar Gang'.
 
Shah also said it is an "unholy global gathbandhan" against the country's national interest and questioned Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on whether they support the PAGD, formed to demand the restoration of Article 370, scrapped last year.
 
Seeing "imminent drubbing" in the DDC elections and having been snatched of the biggest propaganda tool, the assertions made by the home minister were quite anticipated, the joint statement by the NC leaders said. 
 
"Amit Shah has woken up late in the day to attack the PAGD because it seems that contesting elections in Jammu & Kashmir is a crime and is unconstitutional. The frustration on his part is quite understandable because the BJP and its newly constituted team B in J-K were quite certain that PAGD will boycott the elections and allow them a free run," the leaders said. 
 
They said the BJP was in the process of launching a vicious campaign against the PAGD, but the regional parties have taken a big propaganda tool away from the national party by participating in the elections and fighting them as an alliance.
 
"This is what has sent him into tizzy," the statement said.
 
The joint statement also said that the PAGD was not a "gang", but a group of political parties who have all through nurtured the frail sapling of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir by putting their lives at stake. 
 
"We all have fought elections and will continue to do so. We won't allow pliant stooges and minions of BJP to grab the sacred democratic space and profit from the poll boycott," they said. -- PTI 
image
21:43   Random Covid test for people coming from Delhi to Noida from Wednesday
People coming from Delhi to Noida will be randomly tested for COVID-19 from Wednesday, the administration of Gautam Buddh Nagar, adjoining the national capital, in Uttar Pradesh said.
 
The decision for random sampling came during an online meeting of senior administration and health department officials with District Magistrate Suhas L Y on Tuesday amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in Delhi.
There will be no restriction on free movement of people between Noida and Delhi, Suhas told PTI.
"In view of the rising cases of coronavirus in Delhi, the district magistrate has directed officials to form teams that would be deployed at Noida-Delhi borders at DND and Chilla to randomly check people coming from the national capital for the infection," he said.
The district magistrate said the recent rise in cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar because of which the strategy to fight the pandemic is being "retuned".
"This rise has been due to cross-border infection from areas like Delhi and others. So, a random sampling of such people will be done and all institutions (here) will be issued advisory to look out for symptomatic people, track them early and provide them with whatever treatment is required," Suhas told reporters.
He said there was an increased cross-border movement of people during the recent days of festivals, hence the coming few days are going to be "crucial" and the health department has also been directed to make adequate preparations in hospitals.
He also appealed to the people to follow all COVID-19 protocols like wearing masks or covers, practicing social distancing in public places and avoiding casual approach against the infection.
The random sampling will be done by a rapid antigen-based test, the DM said.  
Gautam Buddh Nagar has recorded 20,566 cases of COVID-19 including 73 deaths, with 1,236 active cases, according to official data on Tuesday.
However, Delhi has recorded over one lakh new coronavirus cases and around 1,200 deaths between November 1 and November 16 while nearly 94,000 patients recovered during the same period, according to official data.
The national capital has witnessed a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases since October 28 when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on November 11. -- PTI 
image
21:13   Xi offers to cooperate with India for Covid vaccine
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday offered to cooperate with India and other BRICS nations in the development of vaccines against the coronavirus and called for holding a symposium by the five-member bloc on traditional medicine to explore its role in the COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
"As we speak the Chinese companies are working with their Russian and Brazilian partners on phase three clinical trials for vaccines. We are prepared to have cooperation with South Africa and India as well," Xi said while addressing the 12th BRICS summit via video link.
The virtual summit, hosted by Russia President Vladimir Putin, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"China has joined the COVAX facility and will actively consider providing vaccines to BRICS countries where there is a need," Xi said.
The World Health Organisation has said nine candidate vaccines, including two from China, are currently being evaluated for inclusion in the COVAX Facility. The COVAX is co-led by Gavi, an international vaccine alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the (WHO). Its aim is to accelerate the development and manufacture of vaccines.
So far the coronavirus has infected more than 54 million people around the world and killed more than 1.3 million people even as governments implemented strict lockdowns and restrictions to slow the spread of the virus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
"To support the development of BRICS Vaccine R&D centre, China has designated its own national centre. I propose we convene a BRICS symposium on traditional medicine to explore its role in coronavirus prevention and treatment, Xi said.
He also said that China will open the BRICS partnership on a new industrial revolution innovation centre in the Chinese city of Xiamen. We welcome the active participation of fellow BRICS countries, he said.
Xi said the BRICS countries need to "overcome divisions with unity and pool the maximum global synergy to beat the virus."
In his speech, Xi focussed on the need for the BRICS countries to support multilateralism, globalisation which faced headwinds from growing nationalism in the US and other developed countries and advanced five proposals for the five-member bloc.
He said BRICS countries should uphold multilateralism and safeguarding world peace and stability, deepen solidarity and cooperation in jointly coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, uphold openness and innovation to boost global economic recovery, prioritising people's livelihood and promoting sustainable development across the world and promote green and low-carbon development and advancing the harmonious co-existence of man and nature. -- PTI
image
20:30   BSF commandant held in cattle smuggling case: CBI source
Border Security Force commandant Satish Kumar was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in a cattle smuggling racket operating at the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, a source in the investigating agency said.
Kumar was summoned for questioning this afternoon by the CBI. After a marathon questioning which went on for hours, the sleuths decided to arrest him.
"Satish Kumar has been arrested. He will be produced before a court tomorrow," the CBI source said. -- PTI 
image
20:08   Govt caps withdrawal from Lakshmi Vilas Bank
The government on Tuesday placed Lakshmi Vilas Bank under a one-month moratorium, superseded its board and capped withdrawals at Rs 25,000 per depositor. 
   
The step was taken by the government, on the advice of the Reserve Bank of India, in view of the declining financial health of the private sector lender. 
 
In a statement, the RBI said in the absence of a credible revival plan, with a view to protect depositors' interest and in the interest of financial and banking stability, there was no alternative but to apply to the central government for imposing a moratorium under Section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.  
 
"Accordingly, after considering the Reserve Bank's request, the Central Government has imposed moratorium for thirty days effective from today," it said. 
 
As per the moratorium order, Lakshmi Vilas Bank will not, without RBI's permission, "make, in the aggregate, payment to a depositor of a sum exceeding twenty-five thousand rupees lying to his credit, in any savings, current or any other deposit account, by whatever name called." 
 
T  N Manoharan, former non-executive chairman of Canara Bank, has been appointed as the administrator of the bank. 
 
Meanwhile, the RBI has also placed in public domain a draft scheme of amalgamation of Lakshmi Vilas Bank with DBS Bank. -- PTI
image
19:49   BJP rigs polls, be alert: Akhilesh to people
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party rigs elections and urged people to stay vigilant in the 2022 assembly polls.
   
He also accused the BJP of not letting free and fair polls happen. 
 
The SP chief's statement has come in the wake of his party's poor show in the bypolls to seven assembly seats in the state. 

The BJP had bagged six seats while the SP won one. 

He had earlier too accused the BJP of rigging elections.
 
"The party (BJP) uses rigging as its weapon in elections. In 2022, you will have to cast your votes carefully. The victory of the Samajwadi Party is necessary to save democracy," the former UP CM said addressing a delegation of weavers at the party's headquarter in Lucknow.  
 
He said the BJP was deliberately harassing weavers and did not want their progress and prosperity.  
 
The BJP government has targeted the weavers by scrapping the electricity rate scheme of 2006, he said, promising more facilities to them once his party comes to  power in the state.  
 
He alleged that in the present regime, not a single unit of extra power was generated in the state. -- PTI
People shop at a market in Delhi
People shop at a market in Delhi
19:02   Delhi sees 1 lakh Covid cases since Nov 1
Delhi recorded over one lakh new coronavirus cases and around 1,200 deaths between November 1-16 while nearly 94,000 COVID-19 patients recovered during the same period, according to official data.
The national capital has witnessed a sudden spike in coronavirus cases since October 28 when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on November 11.
On November 12, 104 coronavirus-related deaths, the highest in over five months, were recorded in the city.
 
According to health department data, 1,01,070 coronavirus cases have been recorded so far this month.
 
Also, 1,202 people have died of COVID-19 while 93,885 coronavirus patients have recovered from the virus since November 1.
 
Delhi had recorded 5,664 cases on November 1 which increased to 8,593 on November 11, the highest-single-day spike till date.
 
The city had recorded 7,053 new cases on November 12, followed by 7,802 (November 13), 7,340 (November 14), 3,235 (November 15) and 3,797 (November 16).
 
From November 11-16, the fatality count stood at 85; 104; 91; 96; 95 and 99  respectively.
Similarly, 7,606 COVID-19 patients had recovered on November 15, the highest single-day recovery count this month.
 
On Wednesday, 7,264 people had recovered from virus while on Thursday, 6,462 people recovered. From November 13-16, the recovery count stood at 6,498; 7,117; 7,606 and 3,560.
 
On Monday, Delhi recorded 3,797 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally in the national capital to over 4.89 lakh, even as 99 new fatalities pushed the toll to 7,713.
 
These relatively low number of fresh cases came out of the 29,871 tests conducted  on Sunday. 

The active cases tally on Monday stood at 40,128. -- PTI
image
18:29   Varavara Rao is fully conscious: Maha tells HC
Jailed poet-activist Varavara Rao, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, is "fully conscious and oriented", the Maharashtra government stated in a medical report submitted before the Bombay high court.
However, on the submission of Rao's counsel Indira Jaising that the report "did not shed any light on Rao's neurological condition and the urinary tract infection he is said to have developed while at the Taloja prison", the HC
directed the government to file a "complete report detailing the type of medical exam conducted through video conferencing, and all other findings".
Rao, 81, is currently lodged as an under-trial in the Taloja prison in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.
Rao had filed a bail application and a writ petition seeking he be shifted to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai immediately, owing to his "diminishing neurological and physical health condition".
 The high court will hear both pleas of Rao on Wednesday.
Jaising told a bench of Justices SS Shinde and Madhav Jamdar that the state government's report was an "eyewash" as it is "silent on Rao's dementia".
Jaising told the bench that doctors at Nanavati Hospital who had examined Rao on November 12 via a video link, had also suggested that further tests, including a complete blood count and sonography of the abdomen, be done on him.
"The state has yet to get the tests done. Besides, the doctors examined Rao through the video link only for 15 minutes. He needs to be examined by specialists. A neurologist needs to examine him physically and these tests can't be done at the Taloja prison hospital," Jaising said.
"...Rao was not examined by a specialist so how can the video examination tell this court whether he needs to be shifted out of the prison to the hospital?" she said.
Jaising also said the state government should apprise the HC about Rao's complete medical condition in light of his application seeking bail on medical grounds.
The HC then directed the state government to submit a complete report, detailing the "type of medical exam conducted through video conferencing, and all findings".
The HC will now hear both the pleas filed by Rao via a physical hearing on Wednesday to avoid any further delay and technological hindrances, after Jaising faced issues with the audio arrangements during the day's hearing conducted via video link.
"We know the seriousness involved in this matter and that is why we will hear it physically tomorrow itself," the bench said.
Jaising sought the HC's directions to the state
image
18:21   Hold countries that support terror guilty: PM
Asserting that terrorism is the "biggest problem" facing the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said there was a need to ensure that countries supporting and assisting terrorists are held guilty, in an oblique reference to Pakistan.
 
Addressing the summit of five-nation grouping BRICS via videoconferencing, the prime minister also said there was a need to tackle the problem of terrorism in an organised manner.
The 12th BRICS summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was  also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro,  and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"Terrorism is the biggest problem the world is facing. We have to ensure that the countries that support and assist the terrorists are also held guilty," the prime minister said. Though, Modi did not name any country, his reference is seen as directed at Pakistan.
The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) is known as an influential bloc that represents over 3.6 billion people, or half of the world's population. The BRICS countries have a combined GDP of USD 16.6 trillion.
In his address, Modi also underlined the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council as well as multilateral bodies like the World Trade Organisation and the International Monetary Fund.
Talking about the COVID-19 crisis, Modi said India's vaccine production and delivery capabilities will work in the interest of humanity.
The Prime Minister also highlighted reform initiatives undertaken by his government under the 'self-reliant India' campaign.
"We have started a comprehensive reform process under the 'Self-reliant India' campaign. The campaign is based on the belief that a self-reliant and resilient India post-COVID can be a force multiplier for the global economy and make a strong contribution to the global value chains," he said. -- PTI
image
17:43   Cong vs Cong: Khurshid calls Sibal Doubting Thomas
Amid questions being raised by some Congressmen over the party's Bihar poll performance, senior leader Salman Khurshid on Tuesday took a dig at such party colleagues calling them "doubting Thomases" who suffer periodic "pangs of anxiety". 

 In a Facebook post that started with an Urdu couplet of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, former union minister Khurshid, who is among the leaders considered close to the Gandhi family, said if the mood of the electorate is resistant to the liberal values the party has espoused and cherished, it should be prepared for a long struggle rather than look for short cuts to get back into power. 

Citing the last Mughal ruler's couplet which talks about looking within for flaws that would make one not see others as flawed, he said Bahadur Shah Zafar's words might be a useful companion for many of our party colleagues who suffer "periodic pangs of anxiety". 

Some senior Congress leaders including Kapil Sibal have called for introspection after the party's dismal performance in the recently held Bihar assembly polls, after which the ruling NDA returned to power in the state despite the main member of the grand opposition alliance, Rashtriya Janata Dal, putting up a strong show and emerging as the single largest party.

Quite a few leaders from the RJD as well as the Congress have blamed the grand old party's below-par performance for the opposition alliance missing the majority mark in the Bihar assembly elections. 

Tariq Anwar, party's general secretary and a veteran leader from Bihar, had earlier this week acknowledged that there were shortcomings due to which the Congress performed worse than other 'Mahagathbandhan' constituents in the Bihar polls and asserted that the high command was serious about introspection as well as a thorough analysis of the results. 

"When we do well, admittedly somewhat infrequently they take it for granted. But when we underperform, not even do badly, they are quick to bite their nails. By the looks of it there would be little of the nails left for future disappointments. Is it really a case of bad workmen quarreling with their tools?" Khurshid said. 

Noting that everyone in the party is perplexed and pained by the continuing misfortunes of the Congress that some have chosen to describe as "our misadventures", he said there is something called faith, not necessarily blind, in destiny. 

The favourite panacea of "doubting Thomases", introspection and collective leadership, might do no collateral damage but is a bit overestimated, Khurshid asserted. "Our real redemption might be found in understanding the mind of the contemporary citizen, molded by prevailing circumstances and influenced by a self-serving potion of social envy and suspicion, if not hate, fed by the ruling establishment," he said. 

"If the mood of the electorate is resistant to the liberal values we have espoused and cherished we should be prepared for a long struggle rather than look for short cuts to get back into power," he said.
image
17:27   Malabar exercise: India's Vikramaditya faces off with USS Nimitz
The second phase of the Malabar exercise began on Tuesday in the Northern Arabian Sea with the participation of Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the American aircraft carrier USS Nimitz along with other Indian, US, Australian and Japanese warships carrying out 'Malabar-2020' wargames.

The Australian Navy is taking part with its warship HMAS Ballarat and Japan with destroyer JS Murasame. 

The second phase of the Malabar exercise will be conducted in the Northern Arabian Sea till November 20.

"Taking forward the synergy achieved in the recently concluded Phase 1 of Exercise Malabar 2020, which was conducted in the Bay of Bengal November from 03 to 06, this phase will involve coordinated operations of increasing complexity between the navies of Australia, India, Japan and the United States," an official release on Monday.

"Phase 2 of Exercise Malabar 2020 will witness joint operations, centred around the Vikramaditya Carrier Battle Group of the Indian Navy and Nimitz Carrier Strike Group of the US Navy. The two carriers, along with other ships, submarine and aircraft of the participating navies, would be engaged in high-intensity naval operations over four days," the release added.

The release stated that these exercises include cross-deck flying operations and advanced air defence exercises by MIG 29K fighters of VikramadityaandF-18 fighters and E2C Hawkeye from Nimitz.

In addition, advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions and weapon firings will also be undertaken to further enhance interoperability and synergy between the four friendly navies.

In addition to Vikramaditya and its fighter and helicopter air-wings, indigenous destroyers Kolkata and Chennai, stealth frigate Talwar, Fleet Support Ship Deepak and integral helicopters will also participate in the exercise, led by Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. Indigenously built submarine Khanderi and P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Navy will also showcase their capabilities during the exercise.US Navy's Strike Carrier Nimitz will be accompanied by cruiser Princeton and destroyer Sterett in addition to P8A maritime reconnaissance aircraft. 

The Royal Australian Navy will be represented by frigate Ballarat along with its integral helicopter. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will also participate in the exercise.
Representational image
Representational image
17:20   UP paedophile engineer caught after 10 years
Update: The CBI has arrested a junior engineer of Uttar Pradesh irrigation department for alleged sexual exploitation of children for last 10 years and selling videos and photographs of nefarious acts on the dark net to other paedophiles across the globe, officials said Tuesday. 

He is alleged to have victimised about 50 children in the age group of 5-16 years in the districts of Chitrakoot, Banda and Hamirpur, they said. He was arrested from Banda and is likely to be produced before the competent court soon.

During searches, the CBI has recovered eight mobile phones, cash around eight lakh, sex toys, laptop, and other digital evidence carrying huge amount of child sexual abuse material, they said.

It is alleged that the junior engineer was operational for the last 10 years, mainly contacting and sharing child sexual abuse material with other paedophiles globally using dark net and cloud services abroad, they said. He is understood to have told the investigators that he used to bribe the children with mobile phones and other electronic gadgets to keep their mouth shut about his activities, they said. -- PTI
image
17:13   UP govt engineer held for paedophilia
CBI arrests junior engineer of UP irrigation department for alleged sexual abuse of around 50 children. The accused engineer allegedly shared child sexual abuse material with other paedophiles across globe on dark net, say officials.
image
16:55   10 states account for 76% of Covid cases: Govt
Health Ministry's press briefing on COVID19: "Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi, Kerala and Maharashtra account for 76.7% of total active cases in the country.  

"In the last 45 days, the total number of Covid-19 recovered cases has increased and the number of active cases has decreased," says Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health Ministry on recent COVID19 situation. 

"Urgent actions taken by the Centre on Covid-19 situation in Delhi, which include increase in overall beds including ICU beds, double testing to 1-1.2 lakh per day, enforce quarantine of contacts, enforce containment zone SOPs among others. 

"As part of COVID-19 appropriate behavior, people must ensure that if they are having any symptoms then they must get tested; don't be hesitant to get tested. Manpower will be increased to inspect nearly 4,000 containment areas in Delhi following the government-induced Standard Operating Procedures. 

"Average daily test trajectory was increased after June in Delhi. Number of Covid cases declined in mid-August. Since October number of cases are at a record high. Fewer cases have been detected in the last 48 hours but we can't come to a conclusion now."
image
16:24   Whenever you think of kickback in def deal, think of Cong leaders: BJP
No deal without a deal and no contract without a cut has been the policy of Congress leaders, the BJP said on Tuesday, attacking the opposition party over reports of kickbacks allegedly received by its members in the AgustaWestland chopper deal. 

Demanding answers from the Congress leadership, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that from the Jeep scandal, the Bofors scam to the submarine scandal and several more, Congress leaders for their benefit made a "mockery" of national security. 

Citing a media report on the key accused in the chopper deal mentioning the names of senior Congress leaders like Salman Khurshid and Ahmed Patel, and Kamal Nath's nephew Ratul Puri, he said, "Whenever you think of a kickback in a military deal, think of some Congress leaders."

"No defence deal without a loot, no defence deal without a kickback and no defence deal without some Congress leaders becoming beneficiary of it has been the go-to policy of Congress leaders," the BJP leader said at a press conference. The Congress president and "the prince of the party" have to answer to the people, Prasad said. In 2010, there were talks of buying AgustaWestland helicopters for VVIPs like the president and the prime minister at a cost of Rs 3,600 crore," Prasad said. 

Two years later, media reports revealed that kickbacks had been given in the deal, the Union minister said. Though the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-2 government had ordered a CBI inquiry but no progress was made until the BJP-led NDA government was formed in May 2014. Thereafter, arrests were made in the case, Prasad said. Now, the key accused in the case, Rajiv Saxena, has mentioned the names of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's nephew Ratul Puri and son Bakul Nath, along with names of other Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Ahmed Patel in his statements before the Enforcement Directorate (ED), he said.

"The BJP demands that the Congress party not maintain silence on this grave issue. The nation is awake and listening," Prasad said and asked "why do we always get names of Congress leaders whenever a defence deal is referred to an investigative agency". -- PTI
image
16:22   Sensex closes at fresh lifetime high of 43,952 pts
Equity benchmark Sensex surged 315 points to close at a fresh lifetime high on Tuesday, driven by heavy buying in metal, industrials, banking and finance stocks. After touching its all-time peak of 44,161.16 during the session, the 30-share BSE index settled 314.73 points or 0.72 per cent higher at 43,952.71. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty touched a fresh intra-day high of 12,934.05. It finally finished 93.95 points or 0.74 per cent up at its closing record of 12,874.20. 

Tata Steel was the top gainer among the Sensex constituents, surging around 6 per cent, followed by SBI, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, LT, Maruti, IndusInd Bank and HDFC. On the other hand, NTPC, HCL Tech, ONGC, Infosys, ITC, PowerGrid, and Hindustan Unilever were in the red. 

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai and Seoul ended in the red, while Hong Kong and Tokyo closed with gains. Stock exchanges in Europe were trading on a mixed note in early deals. Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.25 per cent lower at USD 43.71 per barrel. -- PTI
image
16:12   Chinese journalist faces imprisonment of up to 5 years for reporting on Covid outbreak
In another move by China to curb freedom of expression, a citizen journalist from China, who has been detained since May for reporting the COVID-19 outbreak from Wuhan, is facing a sentence of up to five years in jail after she was formally indicted on charges of spreading false information.

Zhang Zhan, who is a former lawyer, is being held in a detention facility in Shanghai after being arrested for over 6 months as she reported on the virus outbreak, reported The Guardian.Furthermore, Zhang was accused of 'picking quarrels and stirring up trouble'. 

These accusations are frequently used against critics and activists in China.According to the prosecution document, the indictment sheet on Monday claimed that Zhang had sent formal information through text, video and other media through the Internet media such as WeChat, Twitter and Youtube."She also accepted interviews from overseas media Free Radio Asia and Epoch Times and maliciously speculated on Wuhan's COVID-19 epidemic," it said -- ANI
image
16:10   Nitish keeps home, Dy CMs get finance, industry
Bihar portfolio allocation: Nitish Kumar keeps Home Department, General Administration and Vigilance.  Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad gets Finance, Urban Development, and Deputy CM Renu Devi gets Panchayati Raj, Backward cast upliftment and Industry. Mukesh Sahni gets Animal Husbandry and Fishery, Mangal Pandey gets Health and Art and Culture and Bijendra Yadav gets Energy, Planning and Food and Consumer Affairs
image
15:38   Will wield sword of Hindutva when needed: Sena
As part of the ongoing war of words between the two former allies, Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party will come wielding the sword of Hindutva whenever the country needs it. He asserted that Sena was and will always be Hindutvawadi.

"We do not need to get our Hindutva certified from any party. We were, we are and we will always be Hindutvawadi. We do not play Hindutva politics like them. Whenever the country needs us, Shiv Sena will always come forward wielding the sword of Hindutva," Raut said while speaking to reporters.

Earlier, Raut had said that BJP should not take credit for the victory of Hindutva as the decision to shut the religious places was taken by the Centre amid Covid-19 pandemic and these are now set to reopen in Maharashtra.

"The lockdown was imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the decision to shut the temples was also taken by him, so there is no reason for BJP to take credit for the victory of Hindutva in this matter. I believe that the Prime Minister will have to tell the meaning of victory and defeat to such people," Raut had said while reacting to the question asked by a reporter stating, BJP is asserting that reopening of religious places in Mumbai is the victory of Hindutva.

All religious places in Maharashtra reopened for devotees from November 16, after several months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister's Office informed. -- ANI
image
15:26   Soumitra Chatterjee and the inheritance of loss
The passing of Satyajit Ray's renaissance man feels like the snapping of the last connection with a generation that built a nation and defined grace while facing everything life had to throw at them, writes Sumit Bhattacharya, in this moving eulogy. Do read
image
15:07   BJP promises Gujarat model for jobs in Bengal
West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday said that the party wants to emulate the Gujarat model in West Bengal to provide employment opportunities to the people.

"At times Didi (Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) says that there are attempts to transform Bengal into Gujarat. I say, of course, we want to transform it into Gujarat so that people of West Bengal get employment here itself and need not go to Gujarat anymore," Ghosh told media persons.

This comes amid the war of words between BJP and Trinamool Congress leaders who are urging BJP leaders to leave West Bengal and settle in Gujarat.

Earlier, the BJP state chief had alleged that West Bengal has become a hub of "terrorists and anti-nationals" and said that the situation there was worse than Kashmir.

"The other day six Al-Qaeda terrorists were arrested from Alipurduar (in North Bengal). A network has been formed in several places of the state. Even Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia has said the terrorists are being trained in India and sent to Bangladesh to create disturbance. This state has become a centre of terrorists, and anti-nationals. They are coming here from other places and taking shelter. The situation of Bengal is now worse than Kashmir," he had said. -- ANI
File pic
File pic
14:55   Priyanka slams Yogi govt on women's safety
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday attacked the Uttar Pradesh government over the issue of women's safety, saying will Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath answer how successful is his 'Mission Shakti' as news reports on crimes against women show they are "not safe" in the state at all. Chief Minister Adityanath last month launched 'Mission Shakti' campaign focusing on ensuring the safety and dignity of women and girls, with a stern warning that perpetrators of crimes against females will be dealt with an iron hand. 

Attacking the government, Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, "Will the Chief Minister of UP bother to tell how successful is his Mission Shakti?" "Because news reports on crimes against women from UP are saying that UP is not safe for women at all. In many places, girls committed suicide because their pleas were not heard," the Congress general secretary in-charge UP said.

The Congress has been attacking the UP government over the state of law and order, alleging that criminal activities are rampant, a claim denied by the Adityanath dispensation. PTI
image
14:42   Nomads harassed, displaced across J-K: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said it was disconcerting to see nomads being "harassed and displaced" across Jammu and Kashmir and sought Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's intervention to ensure that this stops. 

On Monday, Mehbooba visited the upper reaches of Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district and met people whose 'Dhoks' (temporary shelters) were demolished by authorities as part of an anti-encroachment drive. 

During her visit, she warned the government against evicting the members of Gujjar-Bakerwal community from forest areas in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the consequences will be dangerous if they are harassed. 

In a tweet on Tuesday, Mehbooba said, "Disconcerting to see nomads across J&K being harassed & displaced. They've been the rightful inhabitants & are now being evicted on discriminatory grounds. Kindly intervene @manojsinha_ & ensure that this stops." 

On Monday, the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) chief had also alleged that the Centre has failed to implement the Forest Act which could have protected the Gujjar-Bakerwal community. PTI
image
14:38   Pakistan becomes 'Pavlovian' whenever India is mentioned: India at UNGA
India has slammed Pakistan for making irrelevant and irresponsible remarks in the UN, saying the General Assembly is a forum for serious debate, not frivolous allegations. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said this on Monday while speaking in the UN General Assembly on question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council'.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram, in his speech, made references to the Line of Control as he voiced opposition to India's UNSC membership.  "I do not wish to waste the time of this Assembly by responding to the irrelevant and irresponsible remarks made by the representative of Pakistan, which becomes 'Pavlovian' whenever India is mentioned," the Indian envoy said, referring to Islamabad's automatic or predictable reactions in the past.

"This is a forum for serious debate, not frivolous allegations," Tirumurti said.

At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly of the United Nations. 

The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France and the United States and these countries can veto any substantive resolution. There has been growing demand to increase the number of permanent members to reflect the contemporary global reality. -- PTI
image
14:33   Won't tolerate 'unholy' Gupkar gang: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration wants foreign forces to intervene in Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that Indian people will no longer tolerate an 'unholy global gathbandhan' against national interest.

Taking to Twitter, Shah asked Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi if they support the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration which, he said, insults India's tricolour.

'The Gupkar Gang is going global! They want foreign forces to intervene in Jammu and Kashmir. The Gupkar Gang also insults India's Tricolour. Do Sonia Ji and Rahul Ji support such moves of the Gupkar Gang? They should make their stand crystal clear to the people of India,' Shah tweeted.

'Congress and the Gupkar Gang want to take J&K back to the era of terror and turmoil. They want to take away rights of Dalits, women and tribals that we have ensured by removing Article 370. This is why they're being rejected by the people everywhere,' he said in another tweet.

'Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will always remain an integral part of India. Indian people will no longer tolerate an unholy 'global gathbandhan' against our national interest. Either the Gupkar Gang swims along with the national mood or else the people will sink it,' Shah said.

Parties including the National Conference, People's Democratic Party, People's Conference and Communist Party of India-Marxist, formed the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration and are fighting the maiden District Development Council (DDC) elections together.

On October 24, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had said that the PAGD has been formed to ensure the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are restored.

"All of us united that the pre-August 5th, 2019 position must be restored," he added.

While Farooq Abdullah was chosen as president of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, Mehbooba Mufti was picked to play a role of vice-president.

The DDC polls will be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir in eight phases between November 28 and December 19, and the counting of votes will take place on December 22. -- ANI
image
13:48   India has conducted 12.65 cr Covid tests so far
With 8,44,382 Covid-19 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests in India now stands at 12,65,42,907, with a cumulative coronavirus positivity rate at 7.01 per cent, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in a statement.

As many as 29,163 new Covid-19 infections reported in the last 24 hours, which is less than 30,000 cases for the second consecutive day, indicating the wide adoption of Covid appropriate behaviour among the citizens.

The number of active cases currently stands at 4,53,401, about 5.11 per cent of all cumulative count.

As many as 82,90,370 recoveries have been reported so far, taking the recovery rate to 93.42 per cent.

About 72.87 per cent of the recovered cases in the last 24 hours were from ten states/union territories, while 75.14 per cent of the new cases were also from these states and UTs.

Kerala saw the greatest number of recoveries as 6,567 confirmed cases tested negative. West Bengal registered 4,376 daily recoveries while Delhi recorded 3,560.

"78.40 per cent of the 449 new deaths are concentrated in 10 ten States/UTs. More than a fifth, 22.76 per cent of new fatalities reported are from Delhi which reported 99 deaths. Maharashtra reported 60 fatalities, followed by West Bengal (53)," the MoHFW said. -- ANI
image
13:28   'Not satisfied with Centre's affidavit on pleas over media reporting of Tablighi'
The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed displeasure over the Centre's affidavit in the case related to media reporting of Tablighi Jamaat congregation during the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, and said it should consider setting up a regulatory mechanism to deal with such content on TV. The apex court asked the Centre to create and apprise it of the mechanism.

"First you did not file a proper affidavit and then you filed an affidavit which did not deal with the two important questions. This way it cannot be done Mr Mehta," a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.  "Mr Mehta, we are not satisfied with your reply, the top court said. We want to know as to what is the mechanism to deal with these contents on television. If there is no regulatory mechanism then you create one. Regulation cannot be left to organisation like NBSA," said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.

The bench, which was hearing the pleas filed by Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind and others alleging that a section of the media was spreading communal hatred over Tablighi Jamaat congregation during the onset of pandemic, asked the Centre to file a fresh affidavit dealing with mechanism to regulate electronic media under the Cable TV Network Act. The top court has posted the matter for hearing after three weeks. PTI
image
13:22   Uddhav, Aaditya pay tribute on Bal Thackeray's death anniversary
Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray pays tribute on the eighth death anniversary of Bal Thackeray on Tuesday, at the Smriti Sthal, at Shivaji Park, Dadar.

The spot has been decorated with marigolds and white roses and a rangoli has been drawn. State CM and Bal Thackeray's son Uddhav, also paid tributes at the Smriti Sthal. 

Followers of Thackeray arrived from far off places to pay tributes to the Shiv Sena founder.

"I came from Kheda Gaon to look at Thackeray Sahab. This is not a sad day. It is a happy day as Balasaheb's dream has been fulfilled with Uddhav Thackeray as the Maharashtra Chief Minister. I wished for it to happen for a long time and I will distribute pedas (sweets) as now it has been fulfilled", said Rajuseth Hiralal Jiaswas, one of the many supporters of Shiv Sena supremo who came to pay tribute. -- ANI
image
13:05   Kejri seeks to shut Delhi's Covid hotspot markets
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought power from the Centre to impose lockdown in those market areas which may emerge as COVID-19 hotspots, and decided to withdraw an order allowing 200 guests to attend wedding functions. 

Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said the Delhi government has sent a proposal to Lt Governor Anil Baijal to allow only 50 people to attend wedding functions against the earlier limit of 200. He said the Centre and all agencies are making "double efforts" to control the COVID-19 situation in the national capital. 

"We are sending a proposal to the Centre to give power to the Delhi government to impose lockdown in market areas which may emerge as COVID-19 hotspots," the chief minister said. Kejriwal also thanked the central govt for helping people of Delhi in "such difficult times" and appealed to Delhiites with folded hands to wear masks and follow social distancing norms. 

Delhi has witnessed a spurt in novel coronavirus cases since October 28 when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on Wednesday. On Thursday, 104 coronavirus-related deaths, the highest in over five months, were recorded in the city. -- PTI


Image: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with his wife Sunita, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia at Akshardham temple on the occasion of Diwali on Saturday. Pic: ANI
image
12:56   Funds, securities worth Rs 2,300 cr settled in Karvy case, says NSE
Leading stock exchange NSE on Tuesday said funds and securities worth Rs 2,300 crore belonging to about 2.35 lakh investors of Karvy Stock Broking Ltd have been settled so far. The case pertains to Karvy unauthorisedly transferring securities of clients into one of its Demat accounts by misusing the PoAs (Power of Attorney) given by its clients.

The exchange has, in coordination with other market infrastructure institutions and under the guidance of Sebi, transferred securities to respective clients, invoked bank guarantees deposited with clearing corporations and liquidated securities held by Karvy Group companies, NSE said in a statement. 

"While disciplinary proceedings are underway, funds and securities of approximately Rs 2,300 crore belonging to about 2.35 lakh investors have been settled so far, with efforts focused on the settlement of small investors," the exchange said. Investors with fund balances up to Rs 30,000 due from Karvy Stock Broking Ltd have been settled. 

The watchdog, in November last year, had barred Karvy from taking new brokerage clients after it was found that the brokerage firm had allegedly misused clients' securities to the tune of more than Rs 2,000 crore. The firm misused client collateral for its own trades. Besides, Karvy was disabled (trading rights are withdrawn) by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in December 2019. -- PTI
image
12:40   Law against love jihad in MP soon, says minister
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra today said the state government would soon bring in a law to counter the 'problem of love jihad'.

He said the Madhya Pradesh government was making preparations to introduce Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2020 in the Assembly. "It'll provide for 5 years of rigorous imprisonment. We're also proposing that such crimes be declared a cognizable and non-bailable offence," Narottam Mishra said and added that the Bill would be introduced in the next session.

He said that under this, the person who has been converted, their parents/siblings will have to mandatorily file a complaint for action. A religious leader who is converting the person will have to inform the District Magistrate one month in advance. 

"There will be a provision to declare marriages taking place forcefully, out of fraud or by tempting someone, for religious conversion, null and void. Those assisting in committing this crime will also be considered a party to the crime," the MP HM said.
File pic
File pic
12:15   Outsiders led to spike in Covid cases: Delhi govt
With a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said that almost 25-30 per cent outsiders were getting their tests done in the national capital which had resulted in an increase in coronavirus numbers.

"There're many patients who are from outside Delhi but they get tests conducted here using an address in the national capital. We can't refuse anyone from getting tested. This has resulted in an increase in the number of coronavirus cases. Almost 25-30 per cent outsiders are getting their tests done in Delhi," the Minister said.

The Health Minister also said that Delhi was witnessing the third wave of Covid-19 spread. However, he assured that the third wave had passed its peak in the national capital.

"Positivity rate is now below 13 per cent from 15.33 per cent last week. Though we're in the third wave, the peak is now over. From here, we'll definitely see a downward trend. A total of 16,500 beds were reserved for Covid-19 and there are around 8,000 beds available as of now," the Minister added.

Delhi currently has 40,128 active Covid-19 cases. The city has seen 4,41,361 recoveries and 7,713 deaths, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Tuesday. -- ANI
image
12:09   SC dismisses plea for waiver of exam fees for class 10, 12 CBSE students
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to the CBSE and the Delhi government to waive examination fees for students of classes 10 and 12 in the current academic year in view of COVID-19 and financial problems being faced by some parents. 

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah dismissed the petition filed by NGO 'Social Jurist' against the September 28 order of the Delhi High Court.

"How can the court direct the government to do this? You should give a representation to the government...Dismissed," the bench said. The high court had asked the AAP government and the Central Board of Secondary Education to treat the PIL as a representation and take a decision "in accordance with law, rules, regulations and government policy applicable to the facts of the case" within three weeks. PTI
image
11:54   Sensex scales record highs on vaccine news
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened on a bullish note and hit record high levels in early trade on Tuesday, tracking positive cues from global markets amid improved risk appetite supported by fresh vaccine news. The 30-share BSE index rallied 274.66 points or 0.63 per cent to scale the fresh peak of 43,912.64. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty gained 74.45 points or 0.58 per cent to a lifetime high of 12,854.70. 

Tata Steel was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising over 4 per cent, followed by Bharti Airtel, SBI, HDFC Bank, M&M, Asian Paints and Reliance Industries. On the other hand, HCL Tech, Infosys, Bajaj Auto, ITC, Axis Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the losers. In the special Muhurat trading session to mark the beginning of Hindu Samvat year 2077 on Saturday, BSE Sensex soared 194.98 points or 0.45 per cent to close at a record 43,637.98. 

The broader NSE Nifty advanced 60.30 points, or 0.47 per cent, to finish at its lifetime high of 12,780.25. Equity markets were closed on Monday on account of Balipratipada. 

On the global front, US equities surged to record high after biotech group Moderna said its COVID-19 vaccine was highly effective. Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo were trading higher in mid-session deals, while Shanghai was in the red. The wholesale price-based inflation on Monday rose to an eight-month high of 1.48 per cent in October, as manufactured products turned costlier. -- PTI
image
11:53   This is what Kohli is doing in Australia
What is skipper Virat Kohli doing in Australia when he is not playing, of course? Kohli posted this picture saying, "Quarantine diaries. Un-ironed T-shirt, comfortable couch and a good series to watch."

The Indian cricket team will play 14 Test Matches, 16 ODIs and 23 T20 internationals from January to December in 2021. This is beside Asia Cup T20 (June), ICC World Cup (October) and IPL 2021.
image
11:26   Funeral of girl burnt to death held amid protests
Funeral of a girl, allegedly burnt to death in Vaishali district, held by family after assurance from police. Family members had held a protest at Kargil Chowk in Patna on November 15th demanding arrest of 2 accused, who allegedly burnt the 20-yr old girl.
image
11:13   MPL Sports Team India's kit sponsor: BCCI
BCCI announces MPL Sports as official kit sponsor for Team India. As part of a three-year deal, MPL Sports designed and manufactured jerseys will be worn by Men's, Women's and the Under-19 Indian cricket teams: Board of Control for Cricket in India.
image
11:04   Teeth grinding, facial pain increase due to coronavirus stress
The stress and anxiety experienced by the general population during Israel's first lockdown brought about a significant rise in orofacial and jaw pain, as well as jaw-clenching in the daytime and teeth-grinding at night, according to a new study from Tel Aviv University (TAU).

The research also found that women suffered more from these symptoms than men and that 35 to 55-year-olds suffered most.

"We believe that our findings reflect the distress felt by the middle generation, who were cooped up at home with young children, without the usual help from grandparents, while also worrying about their elderly parents, facing financial problems and often required to work from home under trying conditions," the researchers said.

The study was led by Dr. Alona Emodi-Perlman and Prof. Ilana Eli of TAU's Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine at TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine. The paper was published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine on October 12, 2020.

The study examined questionnaires that assessed the presence and possible worsening of these symptoms in the general population during the first COVID-19 lockdown, due to the national emergency and rise in anxiety levels. The questionnaire was answered by a total of 1,800 respondents in Israel and Poland.

During Israel's first lockdown, the general population exhibited a considerable rise in orofacial pain, as well as jaw-clenching in the daytime and teeth-grinding at night - physical symptoms often caused by stress and anxiety. -- ANI
image
10:51   Rita Bahuguna Joshi's granddaughter dies of burns
In a tragic incident, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi's eight-year-old granddaughter succumbed to injuries sustained during the bursting of firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali.

Further details are awaited in this regard.

Joshi, who is a daughter of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna joined BJP in 2016, is a Lok Sabha MP from Prayagraj. She had served as the chief of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee for five years (2007 to 2012). -- ANI
image
10:41   Karnataka colleges reopen
Colleges in Karnataka reopen. These are visuals from St Joseph's College in Bengaluru.  "We had to submit COVID-19 test result before joining. We've been given certain instructions to be followed. I'm feeling good but a little tense too," says Ritika, a student.
image
10:35   Inhuman act hidden till Bihar polls ended: Rahul
In a veiled attack at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that an "inhuman" act was allegedly kept under wraps for electoral gains in the Assembly polls.

"Whose crime is more dangerous? Who did this inhuman act? or Who hid it for electoral gains so as to lay the foundation of his false 'Sushashan' (good governance) on this misrule?" the Congress leader tweeted in Hindi while sharing a media report about a girl from Vaishali district who died allegedly due to the carelessness of the administration.

The former Congress chief was referring to an incident where a 20-year-old girl, who was undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital after being allegedly set ablaze for two men who attempted to molest her, succumbed to her injuries on Sunday.

The girl's family members staged a protest at Patna's Kargil Chowk demanding the arrest of suspects involved in the incident. -- ANI
image
10:30   Sonia Gandhi's special panel to meet today
After facing defeat in Bihar assembly elections and by-elections, a meeting of the special committee to assist Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi is going to take place on Tuesday.

According to information received from sources, there will be a meeting at 5 pm through video conferencing but its agenda is not clear.

This meeting is taking place at a time when the issue of review in Congress has been emerging after the defeat in the elections. 

Kapil Sibal, one of the 23 Congress leaders who wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi a few months ago to demand reforms in the party, has demanded a fresh review of the defeat, after which he has come under fire from fellow Congress leaders.

From Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary, Congress leaders are targeting Sibal for raising questions.

Amidst all this, the meeting of Sonia Gandhi's advisory committee is giving rise to a lot of speculation. 

In August, a special committee was formed to assist the interim president of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi, on organisational and operational matters.

Ahmed Patel, who is in hospital, KC Venugopal, AK Antony, Ambika Soni, Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Surjewala are its members. 

-- ANI
image
09:35   India sees 29,164 new Covid cases, 449 deaths
JUST IN: With 29,164 new COVID-19 infections, India's total cases rise to 88,74,291.

With 449 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,30,519.

Total active cases at 4,53,401 after a decrease of 12,077 in the last 24 hours.

Total discharged cases at 82,90,371 with 40,791 new discharges in last 24 hours.   -- ANI
Image only for representation
Image only for representation
09:30   2 suspected JeM terrorists held in Delhi
The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested two suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists from Sarai Kale Khan area in southeast Delhi, officials said on Tuesday.

Abdul Latif Mir, 22, a resident of Doru village in Baramulla district and Mohd. Ashraf Khatana, 20, a resident of Hat Mulla village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, were nabbed on Monday night, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said, "On the basis of the information received, a trap was laid near Millennium Park, Sarai Kale Khan, and two suspected terrorists, who are residents of Jammu and Kashmir, were apprehended around 10.15 pm."

Two semi-automatic pistols along with 10 live cartridges have been recovered from them, the DCP said.   -- PTI
image
09:03   Spent childhood listening to Ramayana: Obama
Former United States President Barack Obama said that he has always held a special place for India due to his childhood years spent in Indonesia listening to the epic Hindu tales of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Maybe it was its (India) sheer size, with one-sixth of the world's population, an estimated two thousand distinct ethnic groups, and more than seven hundred languages spoken, Obama writes on his fascination of India in his latest book 'A Promised Land'.

Obama says he had never been to India before his Presidential visit in 2010, but the country had 'always held a special place in my imagination'.

Maybe it was because I'd spent a part of my childhood in Indonesia listening to the epic Hindu tales of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, or because of my interest in Eastern religions, or because of a group of Pakistani and Indian college friends who'd taught me to cook dahl and keema and turned me on to Bollywood movies, Obama writes.

In A Promised Land, Obama gives an account of his journey from the 2008 election campaign to the end of his first term with the daring Abbottabad (Pakistan) raid that killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

A Promised Land is the first of two planned volumes.

The first part hit bookstores globally on Tuesday.   -- PTI
image
07:31   Make Chennai an embarkation point for Haj: TN govt
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to designate Chennai as an embarkation point for Haj 2021.

Palaniswami, while pointing out that more than rpt than 4,500 Haj pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states used to go for Haj pilgrimage over the years from here to Saudi Arabia, said it was not the case for the year 2021.

In a letter to Modi, the Chief Minister said the Haj Committee of India has informed Tamil Nadu that due to Covid-19 pandemic, the number of embarkation points in India have been reduced from 21 to 10 for Haj  2021 and Chennai has been left out.

"The Haj pilgrims from Tamil Nadu have been assigned Cochin as their embarkation point. It will be logistically challenging for Haj pilgrims, who are mostly senior citizens to travel from various locations of Tamil Nadu to Cochin for boarding the flight.

"These pilgrims have represented to me about the hardship and difficulties they are likely to face while embarking on Haj pilgrimage from Cochin," Palaniswai said.

Considering their hardship and inconvenience, Palaniswami requested that Chennai may be designated as an embarkation point for Haj 2021, as in earlier years.

He also said Tamil Nadu would follow all prescribed Covid-19 protocols for ensuring the safety of the pilgrims.

-- PTI
image
07:21   Dr Arun, who built TN eyecare hospital chain from scratch, dead
Dr A M Arun, who built a healthcare company 'Vasan Healthcare' that runs a chain of eyecare hospitals starting from a single pharmacy in Tamil Nadu, died in Chennai on Monday. He was 51. 

While a corporate hospital here said he was brought dead, the police, quoting preliminary inputs, said the death appeared to be only of natural causes. However, the body has been sent for a postmortem. 

"He (Dr Arun) was found motionless in his home and was rushed to a hospital. We understand from the inputs that his death was not by suicide," a senior police official told PTI, adding that the postmortem report was not expected immediately. 

Congress Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga, Karti P Chdiambaram, in his twitter handle, said, "Deeply saddened by the untimely passing away of my dear friend & entrepreneur Dr Arun @vasanhealth. He was a pioneer who envisioned & built a great company which attracted big PE @Sequoia_India @sequoia @Temasek, unfortunately was hounded by agencies for collateral purposes. RIP." 

According to the Vasan Eyecare's website, Dr Arun followed the footsteps of his grandfather and built a healthcare group that provided affordable treatment. 

Arun ventured into the healthcare business by taking over a small medical shop in Tiruchirappalli with a reputation of over 60 years and went on to build a network of eyecare hospitals in multiple locations. 

The healthcare group, which includes Vasan Healthcare Private Limited and Vasan Medical Centre (India) Private Limited, had faced searches by income tax department on their premises and an appeal connected to the proceedings also was filed in the Madras high court. 

-- PTI


image
07:12   Actor Sonu Sood is Election Commission's Punjab icon
Actor Sonu Sood has been appointed as the Punjab state icon by the Election Commission of India, an official statement said on Monday. 

The statement, quoting Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Karuna Raju, said his office had sent a proposal to the ECI in this regard and they approved the same. 

Belonging to Moga district of Punjab, Sood catapulted to the national spotlight for his work in helping migrants reach their homes during the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. 

Sood arranged transport facilities for migrant labourers stuck in various places to their homes and his humanitarian work was highly appreciated by all sections of society.

-- PTI
image
07:09   Nadella among 9 American CEOs to meet Biden
Two Indian-American CEOs, Satya Nadella from Microsoft and Sonia Syngal from GAP, were among a select group of nine business and labour leaders invited by President-elect Joe Biden on Monday to discuss issues related to the country's economy.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris joined Biden in the virtual meeting with the top American CEOs. The president-elect and vice president-elect will meet with business and labour leaders to discuss the economic recovery and building back better in the long term, the transition said. 

"He'll bring together leaders from business and labour to discuss how -- despite our different perspectives -- we can work together to reach our common goals," it said ahead of the meeting. 

Prominent among the attendees include Richard Trumka, President of AFL-CIO, Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, Mary Kay Henry, President of SEIU, Rory Gamble, President of UAW, Brian Cornell, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Targe, Marc Perrone, President of UFCW, and Lee Saunders, President of AFSCME.

-- PTI

TOP STORIES