LIVE! Multilateralism in serious danger: Jaishankar

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Wed, 21 October 2020

Multilateralism in serious danger: Jaishankar

Timeline Refresh

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday visited the Line of Control where he met troops and was briefed on the security situation.

In a statement, the army said that Gen Bajwa visited forward areas at Chamb Sector along the LoC and was briefed on the latest operational situation including the alleged ceasefire violations by India troops.

"Interacting with officers and men, COAS appreciated them for continued vigil and remarkable operational preparedness," the army said. -- PTI

23:13 Multilateralism in serious danger: Jaishankar

Sounding a note of caution, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said multilateralism is in serious danger and it would be in the interest of the global community to reform the United Nations.

"If we can continue the way we are and given the fact that there is less and less common ground, especially between the P5, the permanent five powers...actually, we are going to make the UN less credible, less relevant, and I don't think the world wants that," he said.

He said this during a panel discussion on the occasion of the release of book Portraits of Power: Half a Century of Being at Ring Side written by former bureaucrat and current Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh.

The minister said it is time to reform the United Nations and move beyond speeches and commitments.

In the past 15 years, the UN reform process is a bit like the Groundhog Day, he said, adding that every year, they have the same conversation and start all over again.

"If this is to be serious, it has to be a negotiation. Negotiation means text, and record. Negotiation means you take it from point A to point B and then you pick up at point B to point C," he said.

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said the UN faces a "crisis of confidence" without comprehensive reforms. "We cannot fight today's challenges with outdated structures. Without comprehensive reforms, the UN faces a crisis of confidence."

Modi had said this at the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

Observing that multilateralism is in serious danger today, Jaishankar said that after the Second World War, international politics produced genuine multilateralism but today, "we are seeing more and more balance of interests, the bigger countries even more so really being very much focused on their own interests".

In order to preserve multilateralism, the countries need to move forward, he added.

"If multilateralism becomes like a reflection of one view of what globalisation is about, then I think that is putting multilateralism in as much danger as a balance of interest approach," Jaishankar said. -- PTI

At least 24 more people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the mob lynching case, in which three persons were killed in a Gadchinchale village of Maharashtra's Palghar district, an official said.

A total of three FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident that took place on April 16, following which the government came down heavily on the police personnel.

The Maharashtra CID, which is probing the incident, has arrested 24 more persons, the official said.

As many as 128 persons, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Three persons, including two sadhus, were on their way to attend a funeral in Surat amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown and were passing through the village when a mob attacked them.

The attack took place amid rumours that child-lifters were roaming in the area during the lockdown. -- PTI

22:13 UP: Journalist Prashant Kanojia granted bail

The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Wednesday granted bail to scribe Prashant Kanojia in a case pertaining to alleged sharing of an objectionable social media post on Ram Temple.

A bench of Justice A R Masoodi passed the order on the bail plea of Kanojia.

The petitioner had pleaded that he was innocent and was implicated due to ulterior reasons.

Kanojia was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police on August 18 from Delhi.

The FIR against him was registered in Lucknow at the Hazratganj Police Station on August 17 for allegedly sharing an "indecent" post on his Twitter handle and saying that he did it on the directive of Hindu Sena chief Sushil Tiwari, who denied the allegation.

The FIR registered on the complaint of sub-inspector Dinesh Kumar Shukla said, "On August 17, it was seen that Prashant Kanojia through his twitter handle (@Pjkanojia) had uploaded an indecent post related to Ram temple stating that it was done on orders of Tiwari.

The post was uploaded to "malign Tiwari's image", said the sub-inspector in his complaint, adding that such posts can disturb peace".

The case against Kanojia was lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including section 420 and those of the Information Technology Act.

In a Facebook post on August 17, Tiwari said he had nothing to do with the objectionable post, asserting that he supported ''Hindutva'' ideology and not "fake posts''.

Kanojia was earlier arrested in June last year for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on the social media. He was granted bail on the orders of the Supreme Court. -- PTI

22:08 1,609 new COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, 48 die

Mumbai reported 1,609 new coronavirus positive cases, which pushed its tally to 2,45,871 on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said.

The death toll in the city due to the virus increased to 9,869 with 48 fatalities in the past 24 hours.

The number of cases witnessed a surge on Wednesday as compared to Tuesday, when the city had reported 1,090 cases, the lowest in October so far.

The number of recovered patients climbed to 2,15,269, which is 88 per cent of the overall caseload, with 894 persons getting discharge from hospitals.

The city has 19,245 active COVID-19 cases.

So far, 13.90 lakh COVID-19 tests were done in the city.

According to the BMC release, first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, the average doubling rate of COVID-19 cases has crossed to 10 days and the average growth rate of COVID-19 cases has gone down to 0.69 per cent.

The civic body attributed it to the effective implementation of "My Family My Responsibility" drive and public awareness campaign about COVID-19.

The city has 9,255sealed buildings, 630 containment zones in slums and chawls. The civic body seals a building or declares containment zones on finding one or more COVID-19 patients there. -- PTI

Pope Francis

22:03 Pope Francis voices support for same-sex couples

Even as India's courts are wrestling with petitions to declare marriage between same-sex couples as legal, the Pope seems to have taken a bold step in this direction.

'Pope Francis, who since the beginning of his pontificate has taken a more tolerant tone toward homosexuality, appeared to break with the position of the Roman Catholic Church by supporting civil unions for same-sex couples, according to remarks Francis made in a new documentary that debuted in Rome on Wednesday,' reports Jason Horowitz in the New York Times.

In the documentary, the Pope says while speaking about the LGBT community, 'What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,' remarks that were widely interpreted as his support for same-sex unions.

According to the director of the documentary, Evgeny Afineevsky, the Pope made the remarks directly to him, reports Horowitz, here.

The Bombay high court on Wednesday permitted dining halls attached to Jain temples to open for five hours each day during the annual nine-day fast for Ayambil Oli Tap, saying it does not see any problem if a limited number of persons are allowed to eat there without congregating.

While granting permission, a division bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and V G Bisht said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the lockdown imposed amid the Covid-19 pandemic was over.

"But the virus (coronavirus) continues. Now we have to leave it to the public. How long can we continue this lockdown?" the court said.

The court permitted the dining halls, which are spread over 1,000 sq ft and more, to remain open for six hours (10 am to 4 pm) for serving food (10 am to 3 pm) and one hour for cleaning thereafter. A total of 40 persons will be allowed to eat inside these halls every hour and in five hours, not more than 200 people can be fed each day, the court said.

"We, however, clarify that the Jain temples would not be open and nobody would be given access to the same. Only the dining hall shall remain open," the court said.

The bench was hearing an application filed by Shree Atma Kamal Labdhi Suriswarji Jain Gyan Mandire Trust seeking permission to open dining halls attached to Jain temples in the city during the nine-day fast, which is scheduled to begin on October 23.

The trust moved the high court after the Maharashtra government permitted hotels, food courts, restaurants and bars to operate with 50 per cent capacity.

Mumbai Police on Wednesday issued notices to Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel, asking them to appear before cops next week to record their statements in connection with a case filed

against them for allegedly promoting enmity between communities through their remarks, an official said.

The Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate's court had on Saturday ordered the police to investigate a complaint filed by Munawwar Ali Sayyed, a Bollywood casting director and fitness trainer, which referred to Ranaut's and her sister's tweets and other statements.

On the directions of the court, the Bandra Police had registered a First Information Report against Ranaut and her sister under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc), 295A (deliberate acts hurting religious sentiments) and 124-A (sedition), 34 (common intention), the police official said.

"We have issued notices to Ranaut and her sister, asking them to appear before the police in connection with the FIR registered against them. They have been asked to remain present on Monday and Tuesday," he said.

In the complaint submitted before the court, Sayyed had alleged that Ranaut has been defaming Bollywood for the last two months by calling it a "hub of nepotism", "favouritism", etc, through her tweets and television

interviews.

She also tweeted "very objectionable" comments, which not only hurt his religious sentiments, but also the feelings of many artists and she was trying to divide artists on communal lines, the complainant had alleged. -- PTI

Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar on Wednesday said a decision on allowing all passengers to use local train services in Mumbai will be taken in the next two-three days.

At present, staffers of essential services and women passengers have been allowed to use the local train services, considered as the lifeline of Mumbai.

Wadettiwar, the state Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, on Wednesday held a meeting on the issue with officials, including representatives of the Railway.

Talking to a Marathi news channel after that, he said Mumbaikars "need not wait for long" to travel by local trains.

"This decision will be taken soon. Mumbaikars need not wait for long. It will be finalised over the next two-three days. We will take all the organisations into confidence," he added.

Till Tuesday, only those engaged in essential services as categorised by the Maharashtra government were allowed to travel in the local trains run by the Central Railway and the Western Railway, through a QR code mechanism.

Beginning Wednesday, women passengers have also been allowed to use the services.

The railway authorities have permitted women to travel in local trains on both the Central and Western Railway routes during non-peak hours -- from 11 am to 3 pm and 7 pm onwards -- from Wednesday. -- PTI

20:56 India at doorstep of economic revival: RBI guv

Reserve Bank governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday said the country is at the doorstep of economic revival on the back of accommodative monetary and fiscal policies being pursued by the central bank and the government.

Das was speaking at the launch of the book Portraits of Power: Half a Century of Being at Ringside, written by former bureaucrat and current chairman of the Finance Commission N K Singh.

"We are almost at the doorstep of revival process and it's very important that the financial entities have adequate capital (to support growth)," he said.

Many of them have already raised capital and others are planning, he said, adding they would certainly do so in the coming months.

Das further said India followed the fiscal expansion path to deal with COVID-19-related challenges.

"I think post COVID, once there is containment of pandemic, the government will certainly have to spell out a fiscal roadmap that India should adopt," he said.

Both fiscal and monetary policies are in an accommodative stance, he added. -- PTI

20:31 India to host 2+2 dialogue with US on Oct 27

India will host third edition of 2+2 ministerial dialogue with the United States on October 27, the ministry of external affairs said.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper to visit India on Oct 26-27 for two-plus-two talks, the MEA. said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will lead the delegations from the Ministry of Defence and the MEA respectively.

20:19 Bimal Gurung's GJM walks out of NDA

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supremo Bimal Gurung, on the run since 2017 following an agitation for a separate state in Darjeeling, on Wednesday said his outfit has decided to walk out of the National Democratic Alliance, as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led dispensation "failed to find a permanent political solution" for the Hills.

Gurung, flanked by close aide Roshan Giri, rued that the central government was yet fulfil its promise of recognising 11 Gorkha communities as Scheduled Tribes.

He vowed to support the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Conress in its fight against the BJP in the 2021 Bengal Assembly elections.

"We have been a part of the NDA since 2009, but the BJP-led dispensation hasn't kept its promise of finding a permanent political solution for the Hills. It has not included 11 Gorkha community in the list of Scheduled Tribes. We feel cheated, so we are walking out of NDA today," Gurung said at the press meet at a hotel in Kolkata.

The GJM leader further said that he lived in New Delhi for three years, after fleeing the Hills, and moved to Jharkhand just about two months ago.

"I don't have any problem if I get arrested today," Gurung, who has been charged with more than 150 cases for alleged involvement in the agitation, added. -- PTI

The government is open to further stimulus measures to boost the coronavirus-hit economy, Economic Affairs Secretary Tarun Bajaj said on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a slew of measures to spur demand and ramp up capital expenditure earlier this month.

This was the third stimulus package since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government had announced a Rs 1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana in March to protect the poor and vulnerable sections from the impact of COVID-19 crisis.

It was followed by the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package of Rs 20.97 lakh crore in May, largely focussed on supply side measures and long-term reforms.

"So I think with all these efforts and as I said, as the finance minister said, we are seeing what all other things can be done (to boost economy)," Bajaj said while addressing a virtual event organised by CII.

Earlier this week, Sitharaman had said the option for another stimulus package has not been closed.

"I have not closed the option for another stimulus package if it comes out to be, because every time we announced one, it has been after a lot of consideration of inputs which have come from various sections of society.

"Then we sit and work it out within the ministry and Prime Minister's Office and then take a final call. So, I have not closed the option to come up with one more stimulus," Sitharaman had said.

Speaking about the capital markets, Bajaj said the government has taken lot of measures to deepen the market.

Citing an example, he said "we have undertaken some reforms and it is an ongoing process. In the last Parliament session, the Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill was converted into an Act, after passage of both the houses and the President's assent was received."

As per estimates, it would result in capital saving of Rs 50,000-60,000 crore for banks alone in this whole process.

"I exhort the insurance companies and the regulators in that area to look at credit default swaps now that the netting bill has been passed. And if that happens, I think it should assist the bond markets as well," he said.

Bajaj also said Sebi and the finance ministry are in touch on the 'backstop facility'.

Sebi had earlier said it plans to set up a 'backstop entity' to buy illiquid investment-grade corporate bonds from mutual funds.

On direct listing of Indian companies on overseas exchanges, Bajaj said the Companies Act amendment bill passed by Parliament recently has provisions for this.

"The regulations and the other guidelines are in the process of reaching a finality. I have personally held very extensive discussions with the players in this area..I think this is also another step which was waiting to happen, which will give a fillip to some of our industries and some of our so-called unicorns a chance to actually pick up capital," he said. -- PTI

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supremo Bimal Gurung, on the run since 2017 following an agitation for statehood in Darjeeling, was on Wednesday spotted outside Gorkha Bhavan in Salt Lake area near Kolkata, where he had arrived to address a press meet, official sources said.

The police, which was also present at the venue, did not arrest Gurung, who has been charged with more than 150 cases, including those under UAPA, for his alleged involvement in the agitation three years ago, the sources said.

Authorities at Gorkha Bhavan, however, refused to let him in, following which the GJM leader, seen waiting in his car, left the place.

This is for the first time Gurung came out in the open following the Darjeeling unrest in 2017.

He had been hiding since then to evade arrest. -- PTI

19:29 EC notice to Kamal Nath on 'item' jibe

The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath on his "item" jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Imarti Devi, saying his remarks were found to be in violation of the model code in place in the state due to the assembly by-election.

"Now, therefore, the Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand in making the above said statement within 48 hours of receipt of this notice, failing which the Election Commission of India shall take a decision without further reference to you," the notice said.

Addressing a poll meeting on Sunday in Gwalior's Dabra town, where the BJP has fielded Imarti Devi, Kamal Nath had said the Congress candidate was a "simple person" unlike his opponent who was an "item".

Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, led by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Monday held a protest against Kamal Nath, while the National Commission for Women sought an explanation from the Congress leader for his remark.

Kamal Nath, who is the state Congress president, had later expressed regret over it and asserted that he did not say anything disrespectful.

Bypolls to 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly seats will be held on November 3. -- PTI

19:25 Dharavi reports only 4 COVID-19 cases

Dharavi slum in Mumbai recorded only four COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, which took its infection count to 3,443, a senior civic official said.

This is one the lowest number of cases reported from the area in a day.

Before this, Dharavi had recorded the lowest number of three coronavirus positive cases on August 27, before witnessing a surge in the number of daily cases.

Out of the total number of 3,443 patients from the area, 2,993 have already recovered and got discharge from hospitals, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

Dharavi has just 143 active COVID-19 cases at present, he said.

The first COVID-19 case in Dharavi was detected on April 1, nearly 20 days after the first such patient was found in the city.

Spread over 2.5 square kms of area, Dharavi is considered as the largest slum in Asia with a population over 6.5 lakh. -- PTI

The government on Wednesday relaxed import norms till December 15 to facilitate the early shipment of onion to boost the domestic supply and check the retail prices of the key kitchen staple.

The Union consumer affairs ministry, in a statement, said it will also offload more onion from its buffer stock in the open market to contain price rise.

An estimated Kharif crop of 37 lakh tonne is likely to start arriving in the Mandis that will give reprieve to the rising prices, it added.

According to the ministry, a sharp spike in onion prices in the past 10 days by Rs 11.56/kg has taken the all-India retail price of the commodity to Rs 51.95/kg, which was 12.13 per cent higher than the last year's price of Rs 46.33/kg.

The retail price of onion has shown a marked increase from August-end 2020, though the price level was below that of last year till October 18, it said.

To facilitate import of onion, the ministry said, "the government has on October 21 relaxed the conditions for fumigation and additional declaration on Phytosanitary Certificate under the Plant Quarantine Order (PQ), 2003 for import up to December 15, 2020".

The Indian high commissions have been instructed in the relevant countries to contact the traders to push for greater onion imports to the country.

Such consignments of imported onions, which arrive at Indian ports without fumigation and endorsement to that effect on the PSC, would be fumigated in India by the importer through an accredited treatment provider.

If Stem and Bulbs nematode (Ditylenchus Dipsaci) or onion maggot (Hylimia Antiqua) is detected it would be eliminated through fumigation and the consignments to be released with no additional inspection fee.

"An undertaking will be obtained from the importers that the onion will be used only for consumption and not for propagation," the ministry said.

Such consignments of onions for consumption will not be subjected to four times an additional inspection fee on account of non-compliance of conditions of import under the PQ order, 2003, it added.

In order to moderate prices, the ministry said that onion from the buffer stock is being released in a calibrated manner from the second half of September 2020 to major mandis, retail suppliers such as Safal, Kendriya Bhandar, and NCCF as well as state governments.

"More will be done in the coming days," it added.

In September, the government said it had taken a pre-emptive measure by announcing a ban on onion export to ensure availability to the domestic consumers at reasonable rates during the lean season before the Kharif onion arrival.

While the rate at which retail prices increased had been "moderated to some extent", recent incidents of heavy rainfall in onion growing districts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh had "caused damage to standing Kharif crop, stored onion and seed nurseries," the ministry said.

"These developments on the weather front have resulted in sharp increase in onion prices," it added. -- PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said Indian soldiers have done a "miraculous job" in their standoff with the Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh and asserted that no power can capture even an inch of Indian land under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong leadership.

Referring to the situation along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, Singh said he cannot divulge operational details of the Indian Army's actions there, but asserted that people will not just clap but start jumping with joy if they get to know about their valour.

Addressing an election rally in Bihar's Barhara, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader also said he salutes mothers of the Bihar Regiment bravehearts who sacrificed their lives during a violent standoff with Chinese soldiers at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control.

"I salute and bow in front of the mothers of bravehearts of Galwan valley who not only made the Bihar but the entire country proud," Singh said.

He further said, "I want to assure you that no power can take an inch of our land under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I can't divulge details about the situation there and what our soldiers have done, but if you get to know about that, you all wouldn't not only clap, but start jumping with joy. They have done such a miraculous job," Singh said.

"Let's give a standing ovation to all our soldiers for their miraculous job," Singh told the audience.

He also attacked Congress and the opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi on the China issue, saying that they should introspect on the records of their own governments in the past before making tall claims that a Congress government could have pushed out Chinese soldiers within two or three days.

"I don't want to say anything, but what did happen in 1962. I don't want to make any disclosure about the then prime minister, but I want to tell the youth of the country that they should read the history of 1962 and the time after that. I don't want to take the support of the people by telling any lies," Singh said.

Singh said it is unfortunate that the opposition party is spreading lies and indulging in propaganda on the issue of standoff at the LAC.

"Opposition is running a propaganda on this issue. Rather than doing politics by misguiding people, Rahul Gandhi should do politics by looking into their eyes and speaking truth," Singh said.

He said credibility is the most essential asset in politics. -- PTI

A powerful explosion ripped through a four-storey building in Pakistan's Sindh province, killing at least five people and injuring 20 others, police said.

At least two floors of the building near Maskan Chowrangi in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area in Karachi were severely damaged, leading authorities to fear that the toll may rise.

The death toll in the incident has increased to five, Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Ambulance Service said.

Seven of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

The security forces have cordoned off the area after the explosion.

Police chief Mushtaq Mahar said the bomb disposal squad and anti-terrorism officials are yet to determine the cause of the explosion.

A police official said that initial investigations suggested that the explosion could have been caused due to a gas leak.

The official said that no trace of an improvised explosive device was found at the scene.

The incident happened a day after five people were injured when an IED bomb exploded at the entrance of a bus terminal in the Shireen Jinnah colony area of the city.

Media reports said that the explosion was so powerful that it shattered the windows of nearby buildings and also damaged vehicles.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has sought a detailed report of the incident from the authorities. -- PTI

17:43 I suffered a lot in BJP: Khadse on joining NCP

Former BJP leader from Maharashtra, Eknath Khadse's first reactions after joining the NCP. "I will be joining the NCP on October 23. The then CM (Devendra Fadnavis) instructed police to register an FIR against me on a false allegation of harassment by a woman. He said the case would be withdrawn later. Inquiries for corruption was initiated against me in which I came clean. I suffered a lot in BJP," Khadse said.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil has said that the resignation of Eknath Khadse has been accepted. Patil told reporters on Wednesday, "I got Eknath Khadse's resignation this morning and it has been accepted. We give him our best wishes for joining a new party."

16:38 Govt to buy 12 lakh tonne apples from J-K

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of a scheme under which cooperative NAFED will procure 12 lakh tonne apples in Jammu and Kashmir during the current 2020-21 season. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) has also been allowed to use the government guarantee of Rs 2,500 crore for this operation. The losses, if any, will be shared between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government on a 50:50 basis. A decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Union Cabinet approved the extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the current season also i.e. 2020-21 on the same terms and condition as was done in J&K during last season 2019-20," an official statement said.

About 12 lakh tonne apple can be procured under this scheme directly from apple growers of Jammu and Kashmir, and the payment will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into their bank account, it added.

This will provide an effective marketing platform for apple growers and will facilitate the employment generation for the local people. It will ensure remunerative prices for apple, resulting in the overall income enhancement of farmers in J&K, the statement said. -- PTI

Image: Kashmiri apple farmers put apples in the boxes after picking them at Shopian district, Srinagar. Pic: ANI

16:27 Sanjay Dutt: I have recovered from cancer

Almost a week after talking about beating cancer, senior actor Sanjay Dutt on Wednesday shared the news of his recovery with his fans on the day of his child Shahraan's birthday.

Dutt took to Twitter to share a statement about his health update and expressed gratitude as he revealed that he has recovered from his illness.

He began the note by stating how "difficult" the past weeks had been for him and his family.

"The last few weeks were very difficult time for my family and me. But like they say, God gives the hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. And today, on the occasion of my kids' birthday, I am happy to come out victorious from this battle and be able to give them the best gift I can -- the health and well-being of our family," his statement read.

The 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S,' actor went on to thank his fans, family, and friends for the "unwavering faith and support," that they have extended towards the actor.

"This wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering faith and support from all of you. I am eternally grateful to my family, friends and all the fans who have stood by me and been my source of strength through this trying time," he said.

"Thank you for the love, kindness and the countless blessings that you have sent my way," the 61-year-old actor added.

Dutt ended the note by extending gratitude towards his doctor Dr Sewanti and medical staff at Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital.

"I am especially grateful to Dr. Sewanti and her team of doctors, nurses and the medical staff at Kokilaben Hospital who have taken such good care of me in the last few weeks. Humbled and grateful," the 'Sadak,' actor's statement read.

After being hospitalised for two days due to breathlessness, Dutt had earlier in August announced that he is taking a break from work due to his health conditions.

Following Dutt's announcement, his wife, Manyata, released a statement sharing an update about his health, and urged people to not "fall prey to speculations and unwarranted rumours." -- ANI

UP CM Yogi Adityanath campaigning in Paliganj, Patna: "Bihar has a responsibility today. You have won the battle against Corona to some extent under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. But RJD and Congress want to leave CPI and CPI (M-L) amid you as a new Corona, this is no less than COVID-19.

"There can be no greater misfortune in Indian politics than RJD-Congress's support to those who are raising slogans in premier institutes of India, with intention of breaking the country into pieces. They intend to spread terrorism, naxalism, extremism and separatism again.

"Pakistan used to carry out terrorist activities in India, and Congress leadership used to say, we won't do anything to Pakistan lest they use atom bomb against us. Now Pak PM is running around world, wary if Indian jawans will carry out another surgical strike there."

Union Cabinet approves the adaptation of the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. This move will help establish all the three tiers of grass-root level democracy like in other parts of the country, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, said.

The Union Cabinet also approves productivity linked bonus and non-productivity linked Bonus for 2019-2020. More than 30 lakh non-gazetted employees will be benefited by the bonus announcement and total financial implication will be Rs 3,737 crores. The bonus will be given in a single installment, through Direct Benefit Transfer, before Vijayadashami.

15:19 Khadi footwear, anyone?

Khadi and Village Industries Commission launches India's first-ever Khadi fabric footwear on Wednesday. Speaking at the launch event of the footwear via video conferencing, Union MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Minister Nitin Gadkari said each pair of shoes and sandals is priced between Rs 1,100 to Rs 3,300.

Initially, 15 designs for female footwear and 10 designs for male footwear have been introduced. The footwear will be sold on the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) portal. Highlighting the potential of the country's footwear sector for employment generation and exports, Gadkari said: "I believe that after China and the US, India is the third largest footwear manufacturer globally. It is a Rs 1.45 lakh crore industry with a domestic market of Rs 85,000 crore and exports of Rs 45,000 to Rs 55,000 crore". The minister said he will request actor-turned-politician Hema Malini to endorse the Khadi footwear on a pro bono basis and become its brand ambassador. PTI

PM Narendra Modi will virtually address the people of West Bengal on the commencement of Durga Puja tomorrow. Elaborate arrangements have been made to telecast the address in every booth of the state's 294 constituencies, following all social distancing norms. There are 78,000 booths.

On Monday, BJP president J P Nadda addressed a rally in Siliguri and said the implementation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was delayed due to the pandemic and the law will be implemented soon. Nadda also slammed the West Bengal government for adopting a "divide and rule policy' and stopping benefits of Centre's schemes from reaching the people of the state.

14:58 Lantern is broken in Bihar: Rajnath on RJD

BJP bigwigs begin campaigning in Bihar.

Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Kahalgaon, Bihar: "Laalten phoot gayi hai aur tel beh gayi hai, ab na panjaa ka chali aur na unka koi khel chali." He was referring to the Mahagathbandhan of Congress and RJD for the Bihar polls.

"Around 25 lakh people in the state of Bihar are receiving benefits under Ayushman Bharat Scheme. There will come a time when everyone in Bihar will receive the healthcare benefits from the scheme," he said.

BJP national president JP Nadda, in Bettiah: "Prior to 2014, nobody presented their report card. People used to speak of their caste in public addresses and ask for votes on basis of their caste and region. In 2014 Narendra Modi changed the character of India's politics.

"Tejashwi's posters don't show Lalu. Modiji's politics have made people so aware that son is removing his own father from posters. Tejashwi knows that if there's Lalu ji's photo, it'll remind of 'lalten yug' & when JP speaks with Modi ji's photo it'll remind of 'LED yug'."

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said he will stand by farmers on the recently passed farm laws. "Punjab's voice has reached the Governor, he'll pass it on to President... I don't care about President's Rule. You want to sack my govt? Sack my govt, I don't give a damn. I am doing this for farmers of the state and the country."

Singh, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Harpal Singh Cheema and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sharan Jit Singh Dhillon hand over to Governor VP Singh Badnore the resolution against FarmLaws passed in the state assembly, yesterday.

14:29 Rahul promised help: Wife of arrested scribe

Journalist Siddique Kappan's family met Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi at a rest house in Kalapetta today and requested him to intervene and ensure the early release of the journalist. Kappan was arrested at the toll plaza in UP on his way to Hathras on October 6.

"Rahul Gandhi has agreed to provide all assistance for my husband's release. He was going after Rahul Gandhi during his Hathras visit when he was arrested. We are concerned as even lawyers haven't been able to meet him," says Rehanath, Kappan's wife.

After the arrest on October 6, a prominent journalist body of Kerala said Kappan was 'a senior Delhi-based journalist'.

The plea states that the arrest was made in violation of the mandatory guidelines laid down by apex court and with the sole intention of obstructing the discharge of duty by a journalist.

14:07 Big blow to BJP in Maha, Khadse to join NCP

BJP leader Eknath Khadse to join NCP, says Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil.

Khadse is BJP's senior-most leader in Maharashtra, and has been disgruntled ever since he had to resign as a minister from the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.

Jayant Patil said, "Eknath Khadse promoted BJP in Maharashtra over years. I've been informed that he has resigned from his party. We've decided to give him an entry in NCP. He will be formally inducted into NCP at 2 pm on Friday."

However, his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse, who is an MP from Raver Lok Sabha constituency in Jalgaon, will remain in BJP.

Pic courtesy: @AUThackerayMinister

13:41 Aaditya meets Pawar; holds discussion on tourism in Maha

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray met NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Wednesday. Thackeray, who is a Shiv Sena leader, later said they held parleys on encouraging tourism in the state. He also shared on Twitter a photograph of his meeting with Pawar, whose party is an alliance partner in the state government.

"Met @PawarSpeaks saheb today morning. Held discussion from the point of view of encouraging tourism in Maharashtra. Took his guidance," Thackeray said on the micro-blogging site. The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress are in power in the state under the aegis of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. -- PTI

Mother of the Hathras victim being taken to hospital. Pic: ANI

13:38 Death of conscience

It is that time of the year again when Durga, the mother goddess, returns home. This year, Durga, the manifestation of strength (shakti), peace (shanti) and wisdom (buddhi), returns to take the place of a young Dalit girl -- nineteen -- perhaps a few years younger than her.

Shakti in Hathras isn't the strength of character that Durga represents, but the strength of one's caste. In the aftermath of the incident, sordid stories of caste divisions have emerged from Boolgarhi village where the incident took place

Read the column here

A day before Bengal's biggest festival begins, the Calcutta High Court today eased its order which declared Durga Puja pandals "no-entry zones" for visitors amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, reports NDTV. After 400 top Durga Puja organisers in the state capital appealed for a review of the order, the court today allowed entry of up to 45 people at a time.

The organisers approached the court on Tuesday as part of the Durgotsav Forum, an umbrella body of Durga Puja organisers.

Dhakis, or traditional drum players, are allowed to perform in "a limited number", just outside the no-entry zone at each pandal, the court said today, adding the "list of persons allowed should be fixed on daily basis". These lists will be put outside the pandals every day at 8 am.

While the larger pandals - which have an area of more than 300 sq metre - can list up to 60 people, not more than 45 people can be allowed at a time. The smaller pandals can list up to 15 people.

The court refused to pass any orders on the appeals by Kalyan Banerjee, who appeared for the organisers, to allow two important rituals - Anjali and Sindoor Khela.

On Monday, the High Court had said only organisers would be allowed inside pandals; 25 for bigger Pujas and 15 for the smaller ones. The names of the organisers would have to be put up on a display board daily and could not be changed, the court said.

The Chinese government has asked the US to stop interfering in China's internal affairs or undermining the development and stability of the country's Tibet region after Tibetian President-in exile Lobsang Sangay met with the US special coordinator for Tibetan issues Robert Destro.

Lobsang last Friday has tweeted saying it was the first time a president of the exiled government, called the Central Tibetan Administration, had been formally invited inside the State Department.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a daily briefing in Beijing on Tuesday that Destro "violated the commitment and the policy stance of the US side on not supporting Tibet's independence and not acknowledging this government in exile."

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman termed the Tibetan government in exile as a "separatist political organization" that is "organized and has a program that vainly seeks to achieve 'Tibet independence.'

"It completely violates the Chinese Constitution and laws and has not been recognized by any country in the world. As its leader, Lobsang Sangay is a complete anti-China separatist. China firmly opposes Lobsang Sangay's anti-China separatist activities in any country in any capacity and in any name, and firmly opposes any contact between officials of any country in any form," Zhao said.

The US, time and again, has expressed concerns with the People's Republic of China's repression of the Tibetan community and severe restrictions on Tibetans' religious freedom and cultural traditions within China. -- ANI

12:52 Uddhav promises help to flood-hit Marathwada

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said his government is committed to restore normalcy in the lives of those hit by heavy rains and floods in the state as soon as possible.

Addressing the flood-hit people at Katgaon in Osmanabad as he toured parts of the Marathwada district, Thackeray said the state cabinet will meet on Wednesday or Thursday to take a decision on the relief to be given to the affected people.

The chief minister said he would not declare figures related to assistance only to gain popularity and asserted that he commits only what he can fulfil. Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat accompanied Thackeray during the visit.

Last week, heavy rains and floods claimed at least 48 lives in Pune, Aurangabad and Konkan divisions, while crops on lakhs of hectares were damaged. Thackeray said, "The cabinet will meet today or tomorrow. Spot inspections have been completed up to 80 to 90 per cent...this Maha Vikas Aghadi government is committed to restore normalcy in your life as soon as possible."

"I am not here to declare figures for popularity. Whatever we will do, will do it for your satisfaction and for your happiness," he told the people. Thackeray also said that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials told him that the threat of heavy rainfall in the state has waned, while lightning may occur over the next seven to eight days.

"This year has begun with calamities - coronavirus, floods in Vidarbha and now heavy rains in other parts of the state," the chief minister noted. "I am here to witness the losses and to assure you that the government is with you. Along with crops, the soil has also been washed away...help will be given as soon as possible," he said. PTI

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

12:39 RJD tops the list in giving tickets to candidates with criminal record

No qualms in fielding candidates with a criminal background and it is reflected in the 1st phase of Bihar elections 2020 as out of 1064, 328 (31%) candidates are with criminal cases and Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) tops the list while Bharatiya Janata Party comes in the second position with (72%), according to an election watchdog Association of Democratic Reforms.

No political party can claim that it has not given tickets to candidates with pending criminal cases including serious cases which are non-bailable offences, RJD has fielded most number of candidates with a criminal background (73%), followed by BJP (72%).According to the report, 244 (23%) candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Serious criminal cases are non-bailable offences with over five years of imprisonment where 22(54%) out of 41 candidates analysed from RJD, 20(49%) out of 41 candidates analysed from LJP, 13 (45%) out of 29 candidates analysed from BJP, 9 (43%) out of 21 candidates analysed from INC, 10 (29%) out of 35 candidates analysed from JD(U) and 5 (19%) out of 26 candidates analysed from BSP have declared it in their affidavits.

Highlighting other parties, the polls body says that about 24 (59 per cent) out of 41 candidates analysed from the LJP have declared criminal cases against themselves and 20 (49 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

The report also noted 12 (57 per cent) out of 21 candidates analysed from the Congress, 15 (43 per cent) out of 35 candidates analysed from the JD(U) and eight (31 per cent) out of 26 candidates analysed from the BSP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

On the financial side, out of the 1064 candidates analysed by the watchdog, 375 (35%) are crorepatis.

The average assets of candidates contesting phase 1 election is Rs 1.99 crores. Of this 9% of candidates have wealth of Rs 5 crore and above, while 12% have wealth between Rs 2 and Rs 5 crore.

Highest asset candidate is RJD's Anant Kumar Singh and 5 candidates from various parties have declared zero assets.

LJP Chief Chirag Paswan

12:25 'Bihar 1st, Bihari 1st': LJP releases manifesto

Congress and the Lok Janshakti Party release their manifestos ahead of the Bihar polls.

LJP chief Chirag Paswan releasing the party's manifesto said, "Today, with the release of our party's manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls, I put forward our vision of 'Bihar 1st Bihari 1st' which will resolve various problems that the people of Bihar have been facing."

The Congress also released its manifesto. "Our 'Badlav Patr' talks about loan waiver, electricity bill waiver and increasing irrigation facilities for farmers. If our government comes to power in Bihar, we'll reject NDA govt's Farm Laws by bringing separate state Farm Bills as we did in Punjab," said Congress Leader, Shaktisinh Gohil.

Paswan, the Lok Janshakti Party chief, has broken away from the alliance and has fielded candidates against Nitish Kumar's JDU in several constituencies, forcing a triangular contest.

Bihar votes for a new assembly on October 28, November 3 and 7. The results will be declared on November 10.

File pic

12:10 Delhi restaurateurs distribute food among Rohingya refugees on Navratri

Even as the Covid-19 has affected the hospitality industry adversely, some restaurateurs of Delhi-NCR are doing their bit for society during the festivities amid these unprecedented times.

With the beginning of Navratri, restaurants like The Market Place, Josh-The High Energy Bar and Swagath Restro Bar distributed free food to the refugees from the Rohingya community, settled in Jasola slum on Tuesday night.

Shivam Sehgal, the owner of Josh-The High Energy Bar and The Market Place, said food has no culture; no matter who gives it to whom. "The festival is just another reason for me to spread happiness and you know blessings from these poor people can never be enough."

Varun Ahuja, the founder of Swagath Restro Bar, said distributing food and other items among the needy during festivals is part of the Indian culture. "I do this a few times a year. I'm in the hospitality industry for almost five years and this helps me with doing this all the more."

The food was distributed with precaution, following all the safety guidelines, among the Rohingyas who came to India not just from Myanmar but via other countries as well.

11:52 ED summons slain gangster Vikas Dubey's wife

Also making an appearance before the Enforcement Directorate is gangster Vikas Dubey's wife. The ED has summoned Richa, the wife of slain gangster Vikas Dubey, asking her to appear at its Lucknow office for questioning, officials said.

The ED is probing a money laundering case, which was registered against Dubey and his 10 associates including his financier Jaykant Bajpai last month. According to officials, the case was registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Reportedly, the economic offences wing had registered on the basis of around 60 FIRs against Dubey and his associates in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. Officials had said that they came across instances where prima facie money had crossed the border.

Vikas Dubey, the main accused in the killing of eight policemen in Kanpur in July this year, was killed in an encounter by the police after he allegedly tried to run away while being brought to Kanpur from Madhya Pradesh, where he was arrested. -- ANI

11:48 It's Farooq Abdullah's birthday today

Omar Abdullah reacts to the ED questioning his father and NC chief Farooq Abdullah on his birthday, today: "This on a day when my father turns 84!"

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday, for the second time this week, for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe into an alleged multi-crore scam in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir was questioned for over six hours on October 19 in the case.

File pic

11:36 Anti-triple talaq crusader gets minister rank in U'khand

Anti-triple talaq crusader Shayara Bano, who recently joined the BJP, has been given minister of state status by the Uttarakhand government. The move comes just 10 days after Bano, who was the first Muslim woman to question the constitutionality of the practice of triple talaq in the Supreme Court, joined the BJP in Dehradun in the presence of its Pradesh president Bansidhar Bhagat and a host of other leaders.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat's media coordinator Darshan Singh Rawat said ,Bano is among three women, who were appointed vice presidents of the State Women's Commission besides being accorded MoS status on Tuesday.

The other two women appointed to the post are Jyoti Shah from Ranikhet in Almora district and Pushpa Paswan from Chamoli district. The three posts in the commission had long been vacant. It is the chief minister's gift to the women of the state during Navratri, he said.

Bano was the first to challenge the constitutionality of the practice of triple talaq in the apex court in 2014, four months after being divorced by her husband through speed post. She is a resident of Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand. -- PTI

11:25 ED questions Farooq Abdullah again

NC chief Farooq Abdullah appears before ED in connection with case linked to alleged irregularities in JK Cricket Association. The ED had questioned the former J&K CM on Monday in connection with the alleged siphoning off of funds given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, when he was its president. Abdullah was questioned in Srinagar by ED sleuths at its Rajbagh office. The ED had quizzed him in July last year in Chandigarh. Abdullah's statement will again be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The Thane Municipal Corporation has started virtual yoga classes for patients at a civic-run Covid-19 hospital in the city with an aim to ensure their speedy recovery. Mayor Naresh Mhaske inaugurated the virtual yoga classes at the hospital located in Balkum area in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

"Since the coronavirus infection also causes breathing issues, the introduction of yoga classes will help in the speedy recovery of patients," he said. Till Tuesday, Thane district reported 2,01,734 Covid-19 cases and 5,100 deaths due to the disease, as per official figures. -- PTI

A day after Railway Minister Piyush Goyal allowed all women passengers to travel in local trains in Mumbai, the Western Railway on Wednesday added four 'ladies special' trains on its suburban network.

Women will be allowed to board the other suburban trains also during the non-peak hours, officials said. Railway authorities resumed the local train services in the metropolis from June 15.

Currently, only those engaged in essential services as categorised by the Maharashtra government are allowed to travel in the local trains run by the Central Railway and the Western Railway, through a QR code mechanism.

With the addition of four ladies special trains, the Western Railway is now running six trains only for women. The overall daily services on WR network has gone up to 704 amid the COVID-19 lockdown, a railway official said.

Besides, the Central Railway is running 706 local train services, including four ladies special trains, in the city and suburbs, he said. The railway authorities have permitted women to travel in local trains on both the CR and WR routes during non-peak hours - from 11 am to 3 pm and 7 pm onwards - from Wednesday. Goyal made the announcement on Tuesday, after the Maharashtra government sent a second letter to the railway authorities to consider the request at the earliest. The state government had earlier written to the Railways on October 16, requesting that all women be allowed to travel in the local trains. PTI

Five persons were killed and at least 35 injured after a bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge near Khamchoundar village in Nandurbar on Wednesday. The injured have been taken to the Civil Hospital in Nandurbar.

According to Mahendra Pandit, Superintendent of Police, at around 1 am, a bus travelling from Malkapur to Surat fell into a 60-80 foot deep gorge after another bus dashed into the bus.

"Five persons including the driver, cleaner and three of the passengers, have died on the spot," said Pandit.

"Other 35 passengers on board were injured and have been shifted to Civil Hospital Nandurbar for treatment," Pandit added. A team of police officials is undertaking the rescue operation. -- ANI

Air Intelligence Unit and Customs seized 1886 gm gold from Kozhikode International Airport in three different cases. In two cases, passengers concealed gold in underwear and rectum, while in the third case it was concealed inside the airport bathroom's flush tank, Kochi Customs said.

Stay home during the festival season. With 54,044 new Covid-19 infections, India's total cases surge to 76,51,108. With 717 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,15,914. Total active cases are 7,40,090 after a decrease of 8,448 in the last 24 hours. Total cured/migrated cases are 67,95,103 with 61,775 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

With the onset of the festival season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made an impassioned appeal to people to follow COVID-19 guidelines, saying this is not the time to be careless as the virus is still around and even a small negligence can dampen the festive spirit.

09:36 India most consequential partner: US def secy

India will be the most consequential partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific this century, United States Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday ahead of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between the two countries next week.

Esper on Tuesday told a Washington audience that he and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would be travelling to New Delhi next week for the 2+2 Ministerial with their respective Indian counterparts Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The exact dates of the ministerial have not been officially announced yet.

"Secretary Pompeo and I will be there next week. It's our second 2+2 with the Indians, the third ever for the United States and India. And it's very important. India will well be the most consequential partner for us, I think, in the Indo Pacific for sure in this century," Esper said in response to a question during a webinar organised by The Atlantic Council think-tank.

To another query, he said, "India is the world's largest democracy, a very capable country, very talented people. And they face of every day with the Chinese aggression in the Himalayas specifically along that Line of Actual Control."

"So, like so many other countries in that region, I've spoken with them (Indians). I've travelled from Mongolia all the way down south to New Zealand and Australia, from as far as Thailand to Palau in the Pacific island countries. They'll recognize what China is doing," he said, adding that in some cases, it's very overt, and in many more cases it's very opaque, what they're doing.

"But they are putting political pressure, diplomatic pressure, and in some cases like India, military pressure on countries to bend to their way. We just can't put up with that. We need all countries to follow those international rules-based order, to follow the norms that have served us so well," Esper said.

The issue is not about China's rise, it's all about how they rise, said the Defense Secretary.

"That's what we talk about in all these forums. Last week we had a Five Eyes Forum, right, the US, New Zealand, UK, Canada, and UK. Anyways, we have the Five Eyes Forum and we talked about the challenges in the Indo-Pacific and how do we cooperate together, how do we confront these challenges to sovereignty, to the international rules-based order, to freedom of navigation," he said.

The Indo-Pacific is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam claim parts of it.

"So, you see a lot more closer collaboration come out, and this will be reflected in our meetings next week in New Delhi as well when we travel there," Esper said, adding that there are a number of things that the US has been discussing with the Indians for some time.

"We've made good progress on a number of them, but we'll release information on that when it's appropriate," Esper said.

Formed in 2018, the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue meetings reflect the two country's ever increasing convergence on the strategic issues.

"Last year, we conducted our first ever tri-service military exercise, Tiger Triumph, with India. And in July, the USS Nimitz conducted a combined exercise with the Indian Navy as it transited the Indian Ocean.

"We also held our first-ever US-India defense cyber dialogue in September as we expand our collaboration into new domains. Together, these efforts will strengthen what may become one of the most consequential partnerships of the 21st century," Esper said. -- PTI

President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly ended an interview with a United States-based news channel and said he is considering releasing a video of it ahead of the broadcast time for the 'sake of accuracy in reporting'.

The 'CBS News 60 minutes' interview with Lesley Stahl was scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday.

'I am pleased to inform you that, for the sake of accuracy in reporting, I am considering posting my interview with Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes, PRIOR TO AIRTIME! This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about,' Trump said in a series of tweets Tuesday afternoon.

Soon thereafter, he left the White House for his election rally in Erie, Pennsylvania.

'Everyone should compare this terrible Electoral Intrusion with the recent interviews of Sleepy Joe Biden!' said the President.

'Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes not wearing a mask in the White House after her interview with me. Much more to come,' Trump said in another tweet.

Multiple news outlets including CNN and The Hill reported that Trump abruptly cut the interview.

He also declined to participate in a planned joint appearance with Vice President Pence, the daily said. -- PTI

Representative image

08:20 Chinese soldier who strayed across LAC returned

A Chinese soldier, who had strayed across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh, has been handed over to the Chinese side by the Indian Army on Wednesday morning, said the Chinese-state media Global Times' editor-in-Chief, Hu Xinjin.

'The Indian side handed back the Chinese soldier who got lost in the border area to the Chinese side early Wednesday morning. His safe return brings an optimistic message to the tense China-India border. It is hoped the cooperation can grow into more mutual trust between the two,' he tweeted.

The soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was apprehended by the Indian Army in the Demchok sector on Monday after he had strayed across the LAC.

According to the Indian Army, the People's Liberation Army soldier has been provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions in the region. -- ANI

The Election Commission has barred parties, candidates and others from publishing political advertisements on polling day and a day prior to it the three phases of the Bihar polls unless their contents are pre-certified by screening committees.

The same restriction will apply to the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha bypoll in Bihar to be held on November 7.

The Commission has used its constitutional powers under Article 324 of the Constitution to take the decision.

The EC had taken such a decision for the first time in the 2015 Bihar polls.

Its proposal to ban political advertisements on election day and a day before has been pending with the law ministry for a few years.

In a letter to Bihar's chief electoral officer on Monday, the poll panel said instances of advertisements of offending and misleading nature published in the print media have been brought to its notice in the past.

"Such advertisements in the last stage of the election vitiate the entire election process. The affected candidates and parties will not have any opportunity of providing clarification/rebuttal in such a scenario," it said.

To ensure that no untoward incident takes place because of any inflammatory or hate advertisements, it is using its constitutional powers to direct that "no political party or candidate or any other organisation or person" will publish any advertisement in the print media on the day and one day prior to poll day in all the phases, unless the contents are pre-certified by screening committees, the letter stated.

As of now, only the electronic media is barred from showing election publicity material during the last 48 hours before conclusion of polling.

In 2016, the EC had urged the government to amend the electoral law to bar political advertisements in newspapers 48 hours before the day of polling on the lines of the restrictions on electronic media.

The move had come in the wake of the poll panel using its constitutional powers to ban such newspaper advertisements on a case-by-case basis during the Bihar assembly election in October-November of 2015. -- PTI

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