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Thu, 26 November 2020
First, Pak refugees to vote in J-K local polls

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23:35   In a first, Pak refugees to vote in J-K local polls
For 73-year-old Surat Singh, who migrated during the Partition, and several other West Pakistan refugees it will be a dream come true as they will exercise their franchise for the first time in a local poll in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Except for parliamentary elections, these refugees, were, till last year, barred in Jammu and Kashmir from voting in assembly, panchayat and urban local body polls.

This became possible after the Centre on August 5 last year abrogated Article 370 and they got domicile status.

Surat Singh, along with other refugees, comprising Sikhs and Hindus, will be eligible to vote in the District Development Councils (DDC) elections that will be held in eight phases in Jammu and Kashmir beginning Saturday.

Voting in local polls is now possible as the refugees, who till August 5 last year were 'stateless', have now got domicile status in Jammu and Kashmir with the abrogation of Article 370, West Pakistani Refugees Action Committee (WPRAC) vice president Sukhdev Singh said.

The refugees, who migrated during the Partition from parts of west Punjab and Gujarat that are now in Pakistan, were also barred from government jobs, scholarships and admission in colleges, welfare schemes, and right to own land till the Centre's last year decision.

"It is a dream come true for us to get voting rights. We lived as unwanted and stateless people for over 70 years. Now, I will be voting for the first time in a local election," said Surat Singh, a resident of Akhnoor, which goes to polls in the first phase of the DDC elections.

West Pakistan refugees will no longer be 'unwanted citizens' of Jammu and Kashmir, they can also participate in elections now, whether to the assembly or panchayat, he said.

83-year-old Tirth Singh said, "Now, I will be voting for the first time in these local elections. We will no longer be unwanted citizens of J&K, but the proud voters."

The Centre last year had abrogated the article, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Since then the government has introduced several laws, including those related to land and domicile status.

"We thank the Modi government for ensuring justice to West Pakistan refugees," said Sukhdev Singh, adding that August 5 is like Diwali and Independence Day for the refugees.

West Pakistan refugees after migrating settled mainly in R S Pura, Akhnoor, Samba, Hiranagar and Jammu. Currently there are over 1.5 lakh refugees in the Union Territory, and according to the WPRAC official have remained economically and socially backward.

"We had to struggle for basic needs and the right to live in India," he said.

After the scrapping of Article 370, West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis and Gurkhas can now vote in local elections, purchase land and apply for jobs in Jammu and Kashmir, and besides these, they can also contest elections.

Around 14,000 Valmikis, who reside in Jammu and Kashmir, can now also change their occupation, according to the Valmiki Samaj.

Its president Gaurav Bhati said getting voting rights is a welcome development.

"We will contest polls and also vote. We can now switch to other jobs. This was long overdue," he said. -- Anil Bhatt/PTI
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22:26   Farmers protest: Free rescheduling of AI flights
Air India has said passengers affected due to traffic disruption on Thursday amid closure of the borders of the national capital region (NCR) will be allowed to reschedule their flights for free.

People coming to the national capital from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh faced traffic snarls at several border crossings as the Delhi Police intensified vehicle checking in view of the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers from Punjab against the Centre's farm laws.

"In view of traffic disruption in NCR region due to closure of Delhi borders, we are allowing no-show waiver & one free reschedule to passengers who couldn't report for their flights," Air India said on Twitter.

"Waiver will be valid for flights scheduled out of Delhi airport only for 26th Nov '20," it added.

Senior police officials said heavy deployment was made on the Faridabad, Singhu and Gurgaon border crossings with Haryana and vehicle checking was intensified as a precautionary measure in view of the protest march.

Farmers from Punjab were scheduled to reach Delhi through five highways connecting the city as part of their march.   -- PTI
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21:51   JCO killed, civilian injured in Pak shelling
A junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the army was killed and a civilian injured as Pakistani troops shelled and fired on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.

The unprovoked ceasefire violation took place in Qasba and Kirni sectors in the district, the officials said.

The JCO was injured in the firing at around 1.30 pm and was taken to a military hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries, they said.

The civilian, Mohmmad Rashid has been shifted to GMC hospital in Jammu for specialised treatment, the officials said.   -- PTI
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21:49   Campaigning in J-K ends for first phase of DDC polls
Campaigning for the first phase of the district development council (DDC) polls and by-elections to local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Thursday evening, officials said.

Voting to decide the fate of 1,475 candidates in this phase would take place on Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm.

Officials said campaigning took place in a peaceful manner and there was no untoward incident.

Out of the 1,475 candidates, 296 are contesting in the maiden DDC polls in the union territory, they said, adding 172 are from the Kashmir valley and 124 from Jammu region.

In the first phase of the eight-phased DDC polls, 43 constituencies will go to polls -- 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu, the officials said.

For the by-elections to panchayats, 899 candidates are in the fray for panch seats and 280 for the sarpanch seats.

A total number of 2,644 polling stations have been set up and there are 7,03,620 electors for this phase, the officials said.

They said all arrangements have been put in place for smooth conduct of the polls.   -- PTI
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20:24   After Nivar, TN likely to receive heavy rains
Slammed by the severe cyclonic storm Nivar early Thursday, Tamil Nadu is likely to receive another spell of very heavy rainfall as a fresh low pressure area is expected to form in the Bay of Bengal from November 29 onwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the low pressure area likely to form on November 29 may bring very heavy rains over Tamil Nadu.

He, however, said it needs to be seen whether the low pressure area will intensify into a cyclone.

A low pressure area is the first stage of formation of a cyclone.

"We are closely monitoring it (the low pressure area)," Mohapatra said.

Cyclone Nivar, which hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' in the early hours of Thursday, has brought heavy rains over the state, especially in its northern parts.

Under its influence, Puducherry received 30 cm rainfall, the highest among the affected regions, followed by Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu with 27 cm precipitation. Nagapattinam recorded 6.3 cm rainfall, Karaikal 9.6 cm and Chennai 11.3 cm.

The IMD has also issued an amber-coloured warning (second most dangerous in the list) for coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 27.

The Bay of Bengal witnesses formation of cyclones, especially during October-December months.

The period also brings the Northeast Monsoon over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, parts of Kerela, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.  -- PTI
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19:56   Foreign nations funding love jihad: MP minister
Amid the uproar over 'love jihad', Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Arvind Bhadoria on Thursday said love jihad and religious conversions were being funded by foreign countries and termed it a conspiracy against India. 

"Love jihad and religious conversions are being funded by foreign countries. It's a big conspiracy against India. Targets are given saying they will give money to marry Hindu girls. There should be a detailed probe by Home Ministry into such funding and action should be taken against the culprits," Arvind Bhadoria told ANI.  

"The Madhya Pradesh government is bringing a strict law on 'love jihad'. The women who were exploited in the garb of it and abandoned later should be rehabilitated. Unless strong laws are not brought the menace of love jihad will continue," he added. 

The Madhya Pradesh government has proposed a maximum punishment of 10 years for so-called 'love jihad'-related offences, in its new ordinance. 

With this, the state government has doubled the jail term in its proposed Freedom of Religion Bill 2020. 

It had earlier proposed a five-year jail term. 

Under this proposed ordinance, there will be a provision of punishment of up to five years for the religious leaders, qazis or maulvi who have preformed religious conversion before submitting the application. 

The complaint of conversion and forced marriage can be made by the victim, parents, family or guardian.

-- ANI
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19:17   Ex-employees lock up Congress hq in Lucknow
The Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Mall Avenue area of the state capital Lucknow were locked up for some time on Thursday by some former employees of the party.

The party's office was locked up by people living in some illegally built hutments and outhouses inside and around the office campus after the party administration disconnected their power supply.

Party officials said they disconnected the supply to these outhouses as their residents were "stealing" power from the party's main supply line.          

"Relatives of some former employees of the party office live illegally with their families in the area adjacent to the Congress office. These people have taken the power connection from the party office," Anup Gupta, the administration in-charge of the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters told PTI.

The party acted against the illegal residents after the party received a huge power bill of Rs 6 lakh this month, he said.

"When the electricity department officials were asked about the bill, it transpired that out of the total bill, power worth Rs 3.5 lakh had been consumed by the illegal occupants," said Gupta.

At this, the power supply lines of these houses were snapped, he added.

"To protest against the snapping of power, some persons locked the party's main gate at around 10 am. They, however, removed the lock later," he said.

He said appropriate action would be taken against these "illegal occupants" as per law.

-- PTI
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19:09   Nivar: Discharge from Chembarambakkam lake reduced
Authorities on Thursday drastically scaled down the discharge from Chembarambakkam lake in Chennai, a day after releasing a torrent of surplus water into river Adyar following heavy rains as cyclone Nivar approached the coast.

Residents heaved as sigh of relief on seeing lesser water gushing out today as delayed opening of the reservoir in 2015 after very heavy rains was seen as a trigger for the devastating floods that hit the city then, though the government had rejected it.

Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) reduced the discharge from about 5,000 cusecs on Wednesday to about 1,500 cusecs today as inflows into the lake declined sharply.

The quantum of discharge is likely to be brought further down to 500 cusecs to maintain the water level in the lake at 22 feet as against its full level of 24 feet, officials said.

"This is being done anticipating more rains this northeast monsoon period," a senior official said.

At present, the level at Chembarambakkam stood at 21.86 ft.

All arrangements were in place and there has been no loss of lives as people living in low lying areas of Adyar river were evacuated to safer places, ahead of the water release, a senior official at the Greater Chennai Corporation said.

Posting a video of the Adyar river gushing with water, Dr Alby John, Regional DC, South region, Greater Chennai Corporation, tweeted, 'Adyar River at River view Avenue Also, the outflow from Chembarambakkam lake is reduced from this morning.'

The gates of Chembarambakkam reservoir, one of the four key drinking water resources catering to Chennai, were opened yesterday for the first time in five years as a precautionary measure, after its storage was just 20 per cent short of its capacity due to heavy rains ahead of the incoming cyclone.

Meanwhile, people thronged the lake to see it brimming with water and the Adyar river as well.

Officials however warned them against getting too close to the water bodies.   -- PTI
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18:44   Swamy files new plea for winter clothes, sipper
The National Investigation Agency on Thursday told a court in Mumbai that it had not taken a straw and sipper from Stan Swamy at the time of his arrest in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links' case, following which the activist filed an application seeking winter clothes and a straw and sipper.

The special NIA court rejected Swamy's earlier application seeking straw and sipper.

Hence, he made a fresh application for these items to be allowed to him in Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai, where he is currently lodged following his arrest in September this year.

The court then asked for a report from the prison on December 4.  -- PTI
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18:14   Entire Delhi can be vaccinated in a month: Govt
Delhi is geared up for the COVID-19 vaccination programme and the city's entire population can be covered in a month if hospital staff and nurses are involved, State Immunization Officer Suresh Seth said Thursday. "We have 600 cold storage points and around 1,800 outreach sites for the universal immunization programme for children. We have sufficient equipment for vaccines that can be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and those that need minus 15 to minus 25 degrees Celsius. The central government is further strengthening the infrastructure and providing more equipment," Seth told PTI.

He said the equipment and infrastructure for vaccines that need ultra-cold conditions (minus 70 degrees Celsius) are not there, but "we don't think there will be any problem logistically because the immunization programme will be carried out in a phased manner".

"If we involve hospital staff and nurses etc., we can easily vaccinate the entire population in a month," he said, adding that at present, the Delhi government is collecting data of health care workers who are at top of the priority list of the Delhi government.

"If a vaccine is available, we can administer it to all healthcare workers in just three days... We have sufficient equipment and cold storage space, we are geared up. We won't let Delhi falter," Seth stressed. 

On their part, experts said that Delhi has sufficient infrastructure and equipment to effectively cover its entire population. Dr Ajit Jain, the nodal officer for COVID-19 at Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty hospital, said, "Being the national capital, it has got the equipment and capacity. All we need is trained manpower to carry out the immunization programme effectively." 

 The extreme low temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius required for storing a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer poses a big challenge for its delivery in a developing nation like India, especially in its smaller towns and rural areas where maintaining such cold chain facilities would be very difficult, experts have said. 

 However, drugmaker Moderna says its vaccine candidate is stable at regular freezer temperature - minus 20 degrees Celsius - for up to six months, and after thawing it can last in the refrigerator for 30 days. It can also be kept at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Also, the vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca "can be easily administered in existing healthcare systems, stored at 'fridge temperature' and distributed using existing logistics", according to Oxford University. -- PTI
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17:57   Neither opulence nor ostentation worked for Ahmed Patel
'It was inevitable that Patel should have become the perfect 'political aide' to Sonia Gandhi; after initial years of a tepid relationship, Sonia came to value his judgment, advice and sagacity. If Sonia sustained herself as the longest serving president of this very old party it was for one and only one reason -- she had Patel in her corner, watching out for her interests as well as what was best for the Congress. 

'And, if a Congress decline seems inevitable, it is because the younger Gandhis -- Rahul and Priyanka -- never learnt to respect Patel. Now Sonia is old and rather unwell, and there is no Patel to steer the Congress. A chapter in the Congress's history finally comes to an end,' writes senior journalist Harish Khare, who as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor had a ringside view of the goings-on in the UPA, in The Wirehere.
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17:46   Pudu CM surveys damage
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy visits Uppalam area to assess damage by Cyclone Nivar and meet people affected by the cyclone.
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17:46   Pudu CM surveys damage
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy visits Uppalam area to assess damage by Cyclone Nivar and meet people affected by the cyclone.
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17:44   25 NDRF teams deployed across TN, Pudu, AP
Twenty-five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh in view of Cyclone Nivar, NDRF officials said.

"Landfall happened yesterday at midnight. 25 NDRF teams were assigned, 15 in Tamil Nadu, four in Puducherry and six in Andhra Pradesh. The cyclone is weakening gradually but it has the potential to cause further damage. Precautionary measures are being taken," Randeep Rana, DIG NDRF, told ANI on Thursday.

He said a total of seven teams of NDRF have also been deployed in Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, which share their border with Tamil Nadu.

The "very severe" Cyclonic Storm Nivar made landfall on the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 on Thursday and moved west-northwest direction while moving at the speed of 9 kmph, India Meteorological Department stated.

Speaking to ANI Atulya Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary of the state said, "It was a very serious cyclone. So measures were taken by the state government. Things are very much in control. At least three people have been killed while another three suffered injuries due to Cyclone Nivar in Tamil Nadu. 101 huts were damaged, and 380 fallen trees were removed. There is a complete restoration of essential services. There is no problem of drinking water, electricity or healthcare." -- ANI
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17:11   Delhi minister Gopal Rai hospitalised
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has been admitted to Max Hospital, he is stable: Office of the Environment Minister. Rai on Thursday tested positive for coronavirus. Rai is the third minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government to have contracted the virus.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain had been infected with coronavirus. An official said that Rai, who is also AAP's Delhi convenor, had met party workers around Diwali. The minister had not attended the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Delhi on November 19 as he was not feeling well.
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17:06   BJP workers, police clash in Kolkata
Clashes break out between BJP workers and police, while the workers were staging protest over delay in construction of Majerhat Bridge. Protestors were also lathi-charged and later detained by police.
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16:24   Sensex recoups losses, rallies 432 points
Equity benchmark Sensex rallied 432 points on Thursday, tracking gains in banking and financial stocks as the November series derivatives expired amid largely positive cues from global markets. 

After a volatile session, the 30-share BSE index ended 431.64 points or 0.98 per cent higher at 44,259.74. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty surged 128.60 points or 1 per cent to 12,987. Tata Steel was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising around 5 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Auto, HDFC, HCL Tech and Titan. On the other hand, Maruti, ONGC, IndusInd Bank and Tech Mahindra were among the laggards. 

Domestic equities witnessed sharp recovery led by sharp rebound in banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) stocks and metals. BFSIs continued to be a key driving force for the market, said Binod Modi, Head- Strategy at Reliance Securities. 

"Improved prospects of earnings recovery in the backdrop of improvement in collection efficiencies, better outlook for credit costs and possibility of reversal of provisions due to resolution of select large accounts along with better valuations attracted investors in BFSIs," he noted. Heavy buying sentiment was also seen as November derivative contracts expired, traders said.
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16:21   Palghar lynching: Court grants bail to 53 accused
A special court in Thane on Thursday granted bail to 53 persons arrested in the Palghar mob lynching case, in which two sadhus and their driver were killed at a village in Maharashtra's Palghar district. District judge P P Jadhav in his order granted the accused bail with a surety of Rs 15,000 each.

Earlier this month, the court had granted bail to four persons, including a man and his two sons, in the case.

On April 16, 2020, a mob lynched two sadhus - Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70) and Sushilgiri Maharaj (35) - and their driver Nilesh Telgade (30) at Gadchinchale in Palghar district, 140 km north of Mumbai.

While the two monks were travelling to Gujarat in a car for a funeral, the mob suspected that they were thieves. A total of 201 persons were arrested in the infamous case, of which 57 have been granted bail. -- PTI
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16:14   Two soldiers killed in terror attack in Srinagar
Two Indian Army soldiers were killed in an attack by terrorists in the HMT area located on the outskirts of Srinagar city on Thursday, officials said today. The attack was carried out by three terrorists.

"Two soldiers were critically injured and were evacuated to the nearest medical facility. However, they succumbed to their injuries," Defence PRO, Srinagar said.

Speaking to mediapersons, IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said, "Our Army jawans were on routine duty when three terrorists started shooting at them. Two jawans were critically injured."

The IGP said it is suspected that the out of the three terrorists, two are from Pakistan while the third is a local. "Jaish has active movement here, and by evening we will identify the group. The terrorists fled in a car and were armed," IGP Kumar said.

The attack came on the 12th anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks and ahead of the District Development Council (DDC) elections in the Union territory. The elections 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
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15:55   Farmers' march: Mega traffic jams at Delhi borders
Delhi Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers in the border areas of the national capital on Thursday and all incoming vehicles were being checked in view of the 'Delhi Chalo' march by Punjab farmers against the Centre's farm laws. 

Five sand-laden trucks have been stationed at Singhu border to stop tractors being driven by the protesters. Also, drones have been deployed for security purposes, police said. While clarifying that the borders have not been sealed, officials said all pickets have been made active, while all vehicles entering the national capital were being checked. 

According to officials, it was decided that Delhi Metro trains connecting the neighbouring cities in the NCR would not cross the national capital border till 2 pm on Thursday.  

Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava visited the bordering areas and took stalk of the situation there. -- PTI

Image: Traffic congestion at Delhi-Gurugram (Haryana) border due to checking of vehicles, in view of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march.
Police personnel and police dogs pay tribute at the 26/11 memorial at CST
Police personnel and police dogs pay tribute at the 26/11 memorial at CST
15:35   India can't forget wounds of 26/11: Modi
Asserting that India can never forget the wounds of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the country is fighting terrorism with a new policy and a new process. In his valedictory address at the 80th All India Presiding Officers' Conference, Modi remembered the 26/11 martyrs on the 12th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack.

"Todays date is associated with the biggest terror attack on the country. On this date in 2008, terrorists sent from Pakistan had attacked Mumbai, Modi said in his address via video-conference. 

"Many people died in that terror attack, and people of many nationalities were the victims. I pay my homage to all. I bow down to the security personnel who lost their lives in the attack, Modi said.

"India cannot forget the wounds of the Mumbai terror attack, he said. "India is now fighting terrorism with a new policy and a new process," Modi said. He also lauded India's security forces fighting terrorism by foiling terror plans. "I bow down to our security establishment involved in foiling big terror strikes like the 26/11 Mumbai attack. They are giving a befitting reply to terror and are involved in securing our borders, he said. -- PTI
Disha Salian was Sushant Singh Rajput's manager
Disha Salian was Sushant Singh Rajput's manager
15:09   No CBI probe into Disha Salian's death: HC
The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the death of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and said if any person has information in the case, he/she is free to approach police. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni observed that the petitioner, Delhi-based advocate Puneet Dhanda, had no locus standi (capacity) to file such a plea.

"Who are you? If there is any foul play in the death of this person Disha Salian, then her family can take appropriate steps as per law," the court said. Salian, 28, died on June 8 this year after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building in suburban Malad, following which the the city police had registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). -- PTI
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15:05   Indian Army to get drones from Israel, America for surveillance along China border
In a major boost to its capabilities, the Indian Army is soon going to get Israeli Heron and American mini drones for upgrading its surveillance capabilities in Eastern Ladakh and other areas along the China border.

"The deals for the acquisition of the Heron surveillance drones is in the final stages and is expected to be inked in December. The Herons are going to be deployed in the Ladakh sector and they will be more advanced than the existing fleet in the Indian armed forces," government sources told ANI.

The acquisition of these drones is being done under the emergency financial powers granted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to the defence forces under which they can buy equipment and systems worth Rs 500 crores to upgrade their warfighting capabilities, amid ongoing border conflict with China, they added.

According to sources, the other small or mini drones are being acquired from the US that will be provided at the Battalion level to the troops on ground and the hand-operated drones would be used to attain awareness about a specific location or area in their respective areas of responsibility.--  ANI
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15:03   Panneerselvam visits flooded areas in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam visits water-logged areas in Chennai to review the situation after heavy rains due to Cyclone Nivar. Knee-deep in muck, that's how a deputy CM surveys his state, not by air and that is why Tamil Nadu is one of the best governed states in the country
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14:30   Most lungs recover well after Covid, says study
Lung tissue of patients who suffer severely from Covid-19 shows good recovery in most cases, according to a study. The researchers at the Radbound University in the Netherlands found that the group which was referred by a GP did not recover as well as patients who were admitted to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit. 

The study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, included 124 patients who had recovered from acute COVID-19 infections. 

The patients were examined by CT scan and a lung functional test. After three months, the researchers took stock, which revealed that the patients' lung tissue is recovering well. Residual damage in the lung tissue was generally limited, and was most often seen in patients who were treated in the ICU, they said. 

According to the study, the most common complaints after three months are fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pains. "The patterns we see in these patients show similarities with recovery after acute pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in which fluid accumulates in the lungs," pulmonologist Bram van den Borst said.

"Recovery from these conditions also generally takes a long time. It is encouraging to see that lungs after COVID-19 infections exhibit this level of recovery," van den Borst said in a statement. 

In the study, the patients were divided into three categories: a group who were admitted to the ICU, patients who were admitted to a nursing ward in the hospital, and those who could stay home but experienced persisting symptoms that eventually warranted a referral from their GP. 

The study assessed how patients fared after three months, and revealed that the patients who were referred to the aftercare clinic by their GP showed the worst recovery in the following period, the researchers said. This latter group of patients was referred because of their persisting symptoms, they said.

"However, it does seem that there is a clear subgroup of patients who initially experienced mild COVID-19 symptoms and later kept experiencing persistent long-term complaints and limitations," van den Borst explained.

"What is striking is that we barely found any anomalies in the lungs of these patients. Considering the variety and seriousness of the complaints and the plausible size of this subgroup, there is an urgent need for further research into explanations and treatment options," he said. PTI

Image: A group of eunuchs take part in an awareness program about Coronavirus and traffic rules, at Hazratganj in Lucknow. 
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14:25   Ahmed Patel had a sense of Congress history
Ahmed Patel knew the Modi phenomenon better than any Congressman, but he could not get the senior leaders of the party to unite in their fight against the rising wave of Hindutva by understanding and decoding Modi's strengths and the BJP's strategies, writes Sheela Bhatt for the Indian Express. Read the column here.
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14:21   Maradona was the player everyone wanted to be
Expressing grief over the demise of Diego Maradona, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said the Argentine great was the "player everyone wanted to be like".

Maradona passed away on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack at the age of 60.

"I regret having to start with this news because we learned about it this evening and it's incredibly sad, not just for football but for the whole world. My main memories of Maradona are from the World Cup in '86, I was 14 years old and as you say, he was a unique player," the club's official website quoted Zidane as saying.

"He was the player everyone wanted to be like. Every kid wanted the chance to talk to him and I got the opportunity to tell him he was an unbelievable player and I still remember that. It's sad news and we're thinking of his family. May he rest in peace, that's the most important thing," he added.

Zidane's remarks came after Real Madrid's Champions League clash against Inter Milan. Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win in the match.The manager praised the team's performance and said they deserved the win.

"It was a great display. They were 3 crucial points tonight. It was a final, as ever, and the team showed great spirit from beginning to end and never let their focus drop. We deserved the 3 points, we knew how important the game was," Zidane said. -- PTI
Water logging in Chennai's Madipakkam area after rainfall last night. Pic: ANI
Water logging in Chennai's Madipakkam area after rainfall last night. Pic: ANI
14:00   Cyclone Nivar: 3 dead, 101 homes damaged in TN
At least three people have been killed while another three suffered injuries due to Cyclone Nivar in Tamil Nadu, Atulya Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary of the state said here on Thursday.

"It was a very serious cyclone. Due to measures taken by the state government, things are very much in control. As of now only 3 deaths have been reported while 3 people were injured. 101 huts damaged, and 380 fallen trees removed. There is a complete restoration of essential services. There is no problem of drinking water, electricity, or any healthcare," Mishra told ANI.

Waterlogging in parts of Chennai city was seen following overnight rainfall due to the cyclone.

India Meteorological Department said "severe" cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu.

"It would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during the next 6 hours and into a depression by subsequent 6 hours," IMD said.

According to the IMD, Chennai will have moderate rainfall till tomorrow. Fishermen have been advised not to go to sea in South-coastal Andhra Pradesh and North-coastal Tamil Nadu.

The storm crossed the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 am on Thursday and moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 9 kmph. -- PTI
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13:34   Farmers stopped in Ambala
This is Ambala, Punjab: Farmers headed to Delhi to stage protest, attempt to break through police barricades at Sadopur border, water cannons used by security personnel to disperse crowds.
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13:29   Equity indices trade in the red in noon session
After hitting a high, Indian equity benchmark indices were trading in the red on Thursday afternoon. The 30-scrip BSE Sensex opened at 43,967.59 and was trading at 43,726.02 (at 12:40 pm), down by 102.08 points or 0.23 per cent.

BSE Sensex traded at a low of 43,582.40 points and high of 44,023.26 points so far in the trading session.

Similarly, 50-scrip NSE Nifty was trading at 12,828.50 points (at 12:40 pm), down by 29.90 points or 0.23 per cent.

During the trading session, the sectors trading high were -- basic materials up by 0.31 per cent, healthcare increased by 0.49 per cent and telecom higher by 0.50 per cent.

The sectors, which were trading lower were -- utilities down by 0.44 per cent, auto plummeted by 0.44 per cent and oil and gas lower by 0.76 per cent. -- ANI
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13:20   Bilawal Bhutto tests positive for Covid
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday tested COVID-19 positive, Geo News reported. Taking to Twitter, Bilawal said that "I have tested positive for COVID19 & am self-isolating with mild symptoms. I'll continue working from home & will be addressing PPP foundation day via video link. Wear a mask everyone, see you on the other side IA."

Finance and Health Minister, Pakhtunkhwa, Taimur Khan Jhagra sent the PPP chairman his best wishes on Twitter saying, "Get well soon, Bilawal sb. Best wishes. To everyone sitting on stage at the PDM Jalsa, if in Pakhtunkhwa please call on 1700 KP Corona helpline & get yourself tested through our rapid response teams; GoKPcares about everyone's health; all tests are free of charge. Wear a mask."

On Tuesday, the PPP chairman went into self-isolation after his political secretary Jameel Soomro tested positive for coronavirus, Geo News further reported. -- ANI
Water flows into Adyar River as shutters of Chembarambakkam Lake were opened
Water flows into Adyar River as shutters of Chembarambakkam Lake were opened
13:09   Cyclone Nivar will continue to weaken in 12 hours
Severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu. It would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during next six hours and into a depression by subsequent six hours: India Meteorological Department.
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13:04   Indo-Nepal bilateral talks begin
Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla holds bilateral talks with Nepal Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal Foreign Secretary Shringla is on a 2-day official visit to Nepal.
Ahmed Patel was laid to rest near his parents' graves
Ahmed Patel was laid to rest near his parents' graves
12:53   Ahmed Patel laid to rest; Rahul attends funeral
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel was laid to rest at his native village Piraman in Gujarat's Bharuch district on Thursday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the funeral of the party's key strategist and troubleshooter, who died on Wednesday. 

Patel's mortal remains reached Piraman from Vadodara and he was laid to rest at a Muslim cemetery in the presence of hundreds of locals and Congress leaders. The mortal remains reached Vadodara airport Wednesday night and were kept at the Sardar Patel Hospital at Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district.

After landing at Surat airport on Thursday morning, Gandhi reached Piraman by road and consoled the grieving family of the former Congress MP. As per Patel's wishes, his mortal remains were buried next to his parent's grave, a local resident said. -- PTI
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12:29   Weakened Nivar cyclone leaves TN waterlogged
Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours of Thursday, India Meteorological Department said while heavy rains pounded Tamil Nadu and the union territory leading to inundation and uprooting of trees. 

Nivar weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry, the IMD said. In both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, there were no reports of loss of life due to the cyclone, which left a trail of uprooted trees, authorities said. 

Many areas in these regions including suburban Mudichur in Chennai, however, saw flooding. As per updated meteorological data, Puducherry received the highest rainfall of 30 cm, followed by Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu with 27 cm. Nagapattinam recorded 6.3 cm rainfall, Karaikal 9.6 cm and Chennai 11.3 cm. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Have spoken to CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and CM Shri @VNarayanasami and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams already on ground to help people in need." Power supply, which was disconnected in most coastal regions was in the process of restoration and water logging being drained out, authorities said. -- PTI

Image: Water-logging in Puducherry's Kamaraj Nagar today, following landfall made by Cyclone Nivar last night. 
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12:21   Ahmed Patel ran an open house for Congress workers
'He would treat visitors to Gujarati snacks as he simultaneously saw many people in various nooks he had in his home. Multiple gatherings that he moved between. Always, a queue outside. 

'I once asked him how do you deal with so many people on a daily basis. This was when his daughter-in-law was battling a terminal disease. He said "These Congress people come from such far away places, spend so much money to get here. Wait in line. All they want is a feeling that someone hears them, a hand on their shoulder, and then they are ready to battle for the Congress again'.' 

This is how Patel maintained Gandhi's hold on the congress party, writes Swati Chaturvedi in ndtv.com of the Congress party's Ahmed Patel who passed into the ages on Wednesday. '

If Patel had one regret expressed privately, it was that Rahul Gandhi did not really like him. Yet, in 2018, with the Congress party broke, Gandhi had to appoint him treasurer to fund the 2019 elections,' she recalls. 

And concludes: 'The last time I met him at his home about 10 months ago, he said, "It is time to retire. I want to go back to Bharuch". I laughed and said, "Nobody including your boss will let you go, Ahmed Bhai." He just smiled.' 

You can read the article here.  
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11:56   Kejri supports farmers' march, slams police
It is absolutely wrong that farmers are being prevented from holding peaceful demonstrations against the Centre's new farm laws and water cannons are being used on them, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday. 

Haryana put up road barricades along its border with Punjab on Wednesday as farmers in the adjoining state massed with their tractor-trailers for their "Delhi Chalo" march to protest against the laws. 

Water cannons were used at least twice to disperse them and stop them from going to Delhi. Taking to Twitter, the Delhi chief minister said peaceful demonstration was a constitutional right of the farmers. 

"All the three farming bills of the central government are anti-farmer. Instead of withdrawing them, farmers are being prevented from holding peaceful demonstrations, water canons are being used on them. This is absolutely wrong. Peaceful demonstrations are their constitutional right," he said in a tweet in Hindi. 

The Haryana government on Thursday completely sealed its borders with Punjab. Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers along the state's borders with Delhi as well. The BJP-ruled Haryana government has suspended bus services to Punjab.

The three laws -- the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 -- took effect from September 27 after President Ram Nath Kovind's assent.

Protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the Centre's farm laws would pave the way for dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates. The government has maintained that the farm laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture. PTI
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11:42   Maha: 799 new COVID-19 cases in Thane; 15 more die
As many as 799 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Maharashtra's Thane district, taking the tally to 2,25,613, an official said on Thursday. The death toll in the district has gone up to 5,634, with 15 more people succumbing to the disease, he said.

Kalyan town in the district has so far reported the maximum number of COVID-19 cases at 53,175, followed by Thane city-50,446, Navi Mumbai-47,550 and Mira Bhayander-23,879.

Among the fatalities, Thane city has reported 1,220, Kalyan-1,050, Navi Mumbai-969 and Mira Bhayander-755. Currently, there are 6,995 active COVID-19 cases in the district, while 2,12,984 patients have recovered, the official said. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the district is 94.40 per cent, the mortality rate stands at 2.50 per cent, while the active cases comprise 3.10 per cent of the total infections reported so far, he added.
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11:36   Rahul reaches Bharuch to attend Ahmed Patel's last rites
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached Bharuch in Gujarat on Thursday to attend the last rites of senior party leader Ahmed Patel.

The mortal remains of Patel, who died following COVID-19 complications at the age of 71, was on Wednesday night brought to his native place in Bharuch where his last rites would be performed.

The Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, who was undergoing treatment at a Gurugram hospital after testing positive for the COVID-19, breathed his last in the wee hours of Wednesday, after fighting the related complications for over a month.

Patel started his political journey in the Congress Youth Wing and became a highlighted leader during the Janta Party period after Emergency.

He was elected as a councillor of Bharuch Municipality of Gujarat at the age of 25 and went on to become the political secretary of Sonia Gandhi. He remained a bridge during the UPA-I tenure between the party and the government.

He represented Gujarat eight times in the Parliament, including three times in the lower house between 1977-1989. He represented Congress five times in the Upper House since 1993. -- ANI
Water cannons being used on protesting farmers in Haryana
Water cannons being used on protesting farmers in Haryana
11:26   Cops stopping democratic right to protest: Farmers
Farmers' protests: The Haryana Police officials at the Shambhu inter-state border with Punjab used loud speakers, asking farmers who had assembled on the Punjab side to disperse when some of them tried to cross and remove the barricades. The situation remained tense at the Shambu inter-state border on the national highway as protesting farmers threw police barricades into the Ghaggar river. Some of the protestors were also seen waiving black flags. Multi-level barricading has been put by Haryana Police to prevent the farmers from moving towards the national capital. 

A farmer from Punjab present at the site told reporters, "It is condemnable that Haryana Police is using such measures to suppress an assembly of peaceful protesters. We are protesting in a peaceful manner, but they want to prevent us from using our democratic right to protest."
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11:12   Will walk to Delhi even if stopped: Farmers
Haryana: Farmers gathered in Karnal to protest against farm laws, on their way to Delhi "They have barricaded the roads but we're still going to walk through. The public is facing problems. They shouldn't have closed the road," says a protestor. 

Security deployment has been increased near Karna lake in Haryana's Karnal, in view of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest march from November 26 to November 28.

A traffic jam was witnessed on the Delhi-Jammu highway due to a strike called by farmers.

Meanwhile, heavy deployment of police personnel has been on the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) in the anticipation of farmer's protests. Police are using drones to monitor the situation.

Furthermore, security has been tightened at the Delhi-Haryana border near Faridabad and Singhu village, in view of the protest march.Forces from at least two police stations, besides three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalions, have been deployed at the Delhi-Faridabad border.

"We are checking every vehicle passing from here. Home Guard jawans are here. Senior officers are making rounds. We are prepared to deal with any situation," Sub-Inspector Prithviraj Meena told ANI on Thursday.
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10:45   Applaud the unity and acts of kindness: Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons pays tribute to those who lost their lives this day, 12 years ago, in the terror attack on Mumbai. 166 people died in the multiple attacks on November 26, 2008 in the commercial capital of India. The attacks were helmed by the Lashkar-e-Taiba from Pakistan. 
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10:37   Farmers en route to Delhi tear gassed in Haryana
Thousands of farmers heading to Delhi in tractors and on foot for a protest braced for a confrontation this morning with security personnel posted by BJP-ruled Haryana, which has put up barricades to block them. 

Farmers from six states - Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab - are massing for a two-day "Delhi Chalo" protest march against new farm laws that they fear will take away their bargaining power and allow large retailers to have more control over prices. 

The Delhi government has refused to allow any rally in the city, citing the coronavirus outbreak. Delhi's borders at Gurugram and Faridabad have been sealed and metro services have been affected.

Image: Heavy security deployed on Delhi-Jammu highway  near Karna Lake in Karnal, in view of farmer's protest march to Delhi.

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10:27   Delhi minister Gopal Rai tests Covid positive
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai tests positive for COVID-19. A few months ago, Delhi's health minister Satyender Singh was also infected but recovered and is back at work even as Delhi's numbers rise.
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10:20   Roads blocked in Himachal cleared of snow
Desolate and seemingly ominous, but it's just snow clearing work underway at Kharapathar on Kharapathar-Shimla highway in Himachal Pradesh. Reminds us of the Stanley Kubrick horror film, The Shining.
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10:14   Maha CM, governor pay homage at 26/11 memorial
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray pay homage to victims of the 26/11 terror attack on its 12th anniversary at the memorial at the Mumbai Police Commissionerate Office premises.

The martyrs' memorial has been relocated from the site at Police Gymkhana in Marine Drive to the police headquarters at Crawford Market because of the ongoing work on the Coastal Road project, the official said.

On November 26, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others during the 60-hour siege.

The martyrs' memorial has been relocated from the site at Police Gymkhana in Marine Drive to the police headquarters at Crawford Market because of the ongoing work on the Coastal Road project, the official said.

On November 26, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others during the 60-hour siege. -- PTI
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09:52   India records 44,489 new COVID-19 cases
With 44,489 new COVID-19 cases, India's total cases rise to 92,66,706, the Union health ministry data showed. 

The country also witnessed 524 new deaths in last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities to 1,35,223. 

Currently, there are 4,52,344 active cases while 86,79,138 people have been recovered from the deadly disease.
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09:39   Nivar expected to weaken in next 6 hours: IMD
The severe Cyclonic Storm 'Nivar' is likely to continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a cyclonic storm in the next six hours, the India Meteorological Department informed on Tuesday.

The storm crossed the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 on Thursday and moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 9 kmph in the last six hours.

"The very severe cyclonic storm Nivar over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 9 kmph during past six hours and crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts near Puducherry from 11:30 pm on Wednesday night to 2:30 am today as a very severe cyclonic storm with estimated wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph," the IMD said.

"It weakened into a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph and lay centred at 2:30 am on November 26 over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, near Puducherry. The Severe Cyclonic Storm 'NIVAR' would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours," it added.

Meanwhile, the cyclone continued to wreak havoc in several parts of Tamil Nadu with Chennai witnessing waterlogging and fallen trees in may parts.

According to officials, over one lakh people have been evacuated across Tamil Nadu and more than 1,000 people shifted to safer places in Puducherry.

The Indian Navy on Wednesday put ships, aircraft, helicopters, diving, and disaster relief teams on standby. An Indian Coast Guard vessel has also been deployed off Chennai's coast with disaster relief items.

The Indian Army has also deployed eight rescue teams by "Dakhshin Bharat Area", following requisition by Puducherry civil authorities to undertake rescue operations. -- ANI
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09:32   When Maradona magic gripped the 'City of Joy'
His promise to bring "big-time" football to India remained unfulfilled as Diego Maradona died after cheating death more than once, leaving a cricket-mad nation devastated in an appropriate reflection of his immortal status.
   
Success-starved in football for decades now, India, perhaps, needed Maradona, needed his "Hand of God", to rise in a spectacularly popular sport that was made more popular by the Argentine's magic which will forever echo down the ages.
 
Many will remember the way he swayed, slithered and slalomed during his epochal World Cup triumph in 1986 in Mexico.
 
A lot many in the 'City of Joy' will recall how a little bulky version of Maradona huffed and puffed during a charity football game in Kolkata three years ago.
 
He played against a cricketing demigod in Sourav Ganguly, who was among the first to react to his death in Buenos Aires by saying that he lost his hero. 
 
The Argentine legend, who was 57 when he came here, had managed to dribble, show glimpses of his deft left foot and even crooned Spanish songs, as he sweated it out with a bunch of school children and bid them adieu with a promise to "bring football" to India.
 
In December 2017, he turned up in shorts, enjoyed every bit of the maddening attention even though the gruelling session literally drained him as he was seen drenched in sweat, pouring water on his head.
 
But he had no complaints and was eloquent in his three-minute Spanish speech.
 
"I'm here for football... It is a big step, that we take to uplift football in India," he said about his three-day private trip which was co-sponsored by a local politician among others, nearly nine years after his first visit to the city. 
 
"The country really has good players and a football school of boys. Football wants India and India wants football.
 
"Together with the people we will bring football. I have always been very well received in India. Thanks and kiss!" he had signed off, never to come back again.
 
He also obliged his many die-hard fans with photographs and did not mind sitting on the pitch for that perfect frame.
 
He then headed straight near the packed galleries and wowed his fans with shooting some footballs in the air.
 
Cheered on by a delirious crowd, Maradona then hummed a couple of songs.
 
It was not for nothing that India reacted with shock, anger and sadness after his heart stopped beating on Wednesday. -- PTI 
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09:28   Trump pardons former NSA Michael Flynn
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order granting pardon to his former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who had been charged with making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation over possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential polls.
Trump signed the executive order on Wednesday.
"It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon. Congratulations to Gen Flynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!" Trump said in a tweet.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, "The President has pardoned General Flynn because he should never have been prosecuted. An independent review of General Flynn's case by the Department of Justice -- conducted by respected career professionals -- supports this conclusion."
In fact, the Department of Justice has firmly concluded that the charges against Flynn should be dropped, she said.
"This Full Pardon achieves that objective, finally bringing to an end the relentless, partisan pursuit of an innocent man," she said.
"General Flynn should not require a pardon. He is an innocent man. Even the FBI agents who interviewed General Flynn did not think he was lying.
"Multiple investigations have produced evidence establishing that General Flynn was the victim of partisan government officials engaged in a coordinated attempt to subvert the election of 2016," McEnany said.
These individuals sought to prevent Donald Trump from being elected to the Presidency, to block him from assuming that office upon his election, to remove him from office after his inauguration, and to undermine his administration at every turn, she said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a statement said Trump's pardoning of Michael Flynn, who twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his dealings with a foreign adversary, is an act of grave corruption and brazen abuse of power.
"Trump is again using the pardon power to protect those who lie to cover up his wrongdoing, just as he did when he commuted the sentence of campaign advisor Roger Stone, who was convicted on seven felony counts," she said.
"Flynn's actions constituted a serious and dangerous breach of our national security. He must be held accountable. Yet Trump and his team continue to put the president over the country, as they politicise justice to shield Flynn and Trump from the law," Pelosi said.
"Sadly, this pardon is further proof that Trump plans to use his final days in office to undermine the rule of law in the wake of his failed presidency. In the new Congress, it is imperative that we pass House and Senate Democrats' Protecting Our Democracy Act, which prevents any president from abusing the pardon power," she said. -- PTI
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09:11   Heavy security at Delhi's border ahead of farmers' march
Security has been tightened at Delhi-Haryana border near Faridabad and Singhu village, in view of the farmers' "Delhi Chalo" protest march from November 26 to November 28

Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and a few other states are slated to reach Delhi on Thursday to demonstrate against the Centre's new farm laws. 

A call for "Delhi Chalo" was issued in this regard by various farmer groups and led to prohibitory orders being put in place by the Haryana government and the Delhi Police.

Forces from at least two police stations, besides three Central Reserve Police Force battalions, have been deployed at the Delhi-Faridabad border.

"We are checking every vehicle passing from here. Home guard jawans are here. Senior officers are making rounds. We are prepared to deal with any situation," Sub-Inspector Prithviraj Meena told ANI on Thursday.

"So far, no farmers have come here. We will try to negotiate with farmers if they come here," he added.

Barricading have been done at four to five places on the Delhi-Faridabad border.

Meanwhile, the national capital's lifeline, Delhi Metro, will also remain cut off from the National Capital Region on Thursday till 2 pm. 

The trains towards Delhi will be stopped two-three stations before the state borders due to the kisan rally.
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08:39   Goa makes screening of air, rail passengers mandatory
In a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Goa government on Wednesday made it mandatory for the passengers arriving at the state's airport and railway stations to undergo thermal screening.
The government issued standard operating procedures to this effect on Wednesday.
The order said that in view of the spread of COVID-19 due to the rising cases in other states and the likely risk to the public health and safety, the state executive committee has adopted the SOPs for persons travelling to Goa by air and trains with effect from November 25.
"All the passengers arriving at the airport and railway stations in Goa will be subjected to compulsory thermal screening," the SOPs read.
Only those who pass through such screening may go home or to their destination, the order said.
"Passengers with body temperature beyond acceptable range will be sent for COVID-19 test on payment of Rs 2,000 per individual. Further course of action will be as per the prescribed protocol of the health department," it added.
Persons travelling from Goa to Maharashtra by road, railway and air and who are desirous to obtain RT-PCR negative test report from the health authorities may do so after paying Rs 2,000, it said. -- PTI
NDRF team cuts an uprooted tree
NDRF team cuts an uprooted tree
08:12   Cyclone Nivar: Heavy rains in Puducherry, TN
Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the early hours of Thursday, bringing heavy rains to the union territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, India Meteorological Department officials said.
Nivar weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry, the IMD said.
There were no reports of loss of life due to the cyclone which uprooted trees. Incidents of wall collapse were reported from some parts of Tamil Nadu, state Revenue Minister R B Udhayakumar said.
Earlier, the IMD had said Nivar will cross coast near Puducherry with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph, gusting up to 145 kmph. 

The landfall of Nivar began late on Wednesday night.
"Very severe cyclonic Storm NIVAR: Center lies over Land. Crossed coast near Puducherry during 2330 of 25th Nov-0230 IST of 26th Nov," the IMD said in a tweet.
"Very severe cyclonic Storm NIVAR: weakens into a Severe Cyclonic storm," it said in another tweet.
Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, S Balachandran said rainfall is likely to continue in Tamil Nadu.
"The storm now lies inside the land area. There will, however, be rainfall and strong winds as well," he told PTI.
In the next six hours, the severe cyclonic storm will further weaken, he said.
Udhayakumar said there were no reports of loss of life or crop damage.
"There is no loss of lives due to the rains. People have given us full cooperation," he said.
Incidents of wall collapse were reported from a few places, he said.
"It's a solace that nothing untoward happened and the weakening of the cyclone is good news," he said.
The minister said about 2.5 lakh people were housed in cyclone shelters in Tamil Nadu as part of safety measures.
According to the inputs received so far, crops and groves are safe in the state, Udhayakumar told reporters.
However, the situation would be reviewed and based on its outcome, insurance payout and compensation to farmers, if any, would be announced by Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami, he said.
Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu recorded the highest rainfall at 24.6 cm, followed by 23.7 cm in Puducherry from 8.30 PM on Wednesday till 2.30 am on Thursday.
Nagapattinam recorded 6.3 cm rainfall, Karaikal 8.6 cm and Chennai 8.9 cm during the same period. -- PTI
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00:19   Global number of Covid cases passes 60 million
The global tally of cases has surpassed 60 million, according to researchers at both Johns Hopkins University and the Reuters news agency.

According to the latter, the pace of new infections is accelerating and the United States is reporting its worst numbers of hospitalisations. 

Officials there urged Americans to stay home for the imminent Thanksgiving holiday as soaring numbers of patients pushed medical professionals to the brink.

The United States has reported 1 million new cases in less than a week, taking its total reported infections to over 12.5 million and its death toll to 260,000, according to the Reuters data, which is based on official statements.

JHU, which bases its figures on both official and media sources, said 60,037,735 have been infected since the pandemic began. More than 1.4 million people are reported to have died.

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