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Tue, 27 October 2020
Children could be COVID spreaders: ICMR

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23:46   Italy registers highest death toll since mid-May
Italy registered 221 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday -- the highest daily toll since May 15 -- and 21,944 new infections.

The worst affected regions are Lombardy (where over 5,000 new cases were confirmed), Campania in the south and Piedmont.

The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 across the country increased by 958 to 13,955, of whom 1,411 are in intensive care.

The governments new restrictions, which include the 6pm closure of bars and restaurants, have been met with protests although Walter Ricciardi, the scientist advising the health ministry, warned the measures might not be enough to contain the virus.

He called for lockdowns in the cities of Milan and Naples, where he said it was possible to catch the virus by simply walking into a bar.
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23:24   Children could be COVID spreaders: ICMR
There is some evidence which shows that children who were earlier thought to be protected against coronavirus infection can be "spreaders, rather than super-spreaders", ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday.
  
Speaking on the coronavirus infection spread in the country among children, Bhargava said that overall the figure in India is that below the age of 17 years, only 8 per cent are COVID-19 positive.

"Below five years, the figure would probably be less than a per cent but then we can come back with a figure for this," he said.

In response to a question over surge in cases among children in Mizoram, there are 315 active coronavirus cases in the state as on date.

Over Kawasaki disease and presumably a link with COVID-19, Bhargava said India so far has not reported any cases of Kawasaki disease among COVID-19 patients.

Kawasaki is an auto-immune disease that affects children who are less than five years of age and presents with fever, Thrombocytosis and a condition in which the arteries of the heart become dilated and aneurysm. So this is a rare condition which affects more males than females. The disease is more common in the US and less common in India, Bhargava said at a press briefing.

"This has been described with COVID-19 in different parts of the world. I don't think we have had any experience of Kawasaki with COVID-19 in India so far. It is a very rare condition. 
"Having said that we have to remember that it affects small children and the arteries of the heart get dilated and clots can form in that and it can lead to heart attacks and can also be harmful for the child," he said.

-- PTI
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23:10   Mumbai records under 1,000 COVID-19 cases for 2nd day
Mumbai reported less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases on the second consecutive day, taking its tally to 2,52,888 on Tuesday, while 1,043 patients were discharged from hospitals following recovery, the city civic body said.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's  updated data, with 801 more people testing positive for the infection in the last 24 hours, the COVID-19 tally reached 2,52,888.

The death toll climbed to 10,122 with 23 fresh fatalities, significantly lower than Monday. On Monday, the city had reported 804 new cases and 37 fatalities.

This is a significant drop from early days of this month when city's daily COVID-19 cases had crossed the 2,500-mark.

-- PTI
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22:50   Trump jealous of Covid media coverage: Obama
Former US President Barack Obama skewered Trump's complaints about the attention the media devotes to COVID-19, and said his successor was "jealous' of the virus.

"What's his closing argument? That people are too focused on COVID! said Obama, speaking to a crowd of Biden supporters in a drive-in rally in Florida. COVID COVID COVID hes complaining, hes jealous of COVIDs media coverage!

Over the last several weeks, Trump, who recently recovered from COVID-19, has promised supporters that the country is rounding the turn on the virus, and took to his Twitter to chastise the national media for devoting much of its coverage on continued unemployment, recent country-wide spikes in coronavirus cases, and a growing number of infections and death. Over 226,000 Americans have now died of the virus. 

Trump has also mocked the turnout at Obamas campaign events, which the former president has ratcheted up in recent days as he campaigns for his old running mate, Joe Biden. Trump has insisted that he draws larger crowds than Obama, a claim Obama ridiculed on Tuesday.  

In his remarks on Tuesday, Obama also made fun of the presidents television-viewing habits and his frequent use of Twitter. 

Tweeting at the TV doesn't fix things, Obama said. Watching TV all day doesn't fix things. Making stuff up doesn't fix things. You've got to have a plan if you want to make people's lives better."

Trump, for his part, tweeted about Obamas speech. 

"Now @FoxNews is playing Obamas no crowd, fake speech for Biden, a man he could barely endorse because he couldnt believe he won, Trump said. 
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22:07   German minister warns of 20,000 new daily coronavirus cases within days
The number of new coronavirus infections in Germany is likely to reach 20,000 a day by the end of the week, economy minister Peter Altmaier said on Tuesday. 

He told a virtual German-French economic conference in Berlin:

"We are dealing with exponential growth. In Germany, the number of new infections is rising by 70-75% compared with the week before."

According to Altmaiers forecast, Germany is contending with a faster upswing in coronavirus cases than previously expected. At the end of September, chancellor Angela Merkel said there could be 19,200 cases a day by Christmas.

On Tuesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 11,409. That compares with 6,868 cases last Tuesday and with the record 14,714 reported on Saturday.
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21:51   'Ruling in Hathras strengthens hope for justice'
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court directive that the CBI investigation in the Hathras case is to be monitored by the Allahabad High Court, saying the decision strengthens the hope for justice.
  
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the CBI investigation in the Hathras case in which a Dalit girl was allegedly brutally raped and died of injuries, is to be monitored by the Allahabad High Court and the CRPF would provide security to the victim's family and witnesses in the case.

"Supreme Court's decision in connection with the Hathras case strengthens the hope for justice. The victim's family from day one has been demanding that there should be a court-monitored probe," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

The victim in the Hathras case and her family were treated badly by the Uttar Pradesh government, she alleged.

"Character assassination of the victim was done. Decisions were taken with malice and prejudice," the Congress general secretary in-charge UP said.

The apex court said the issue of transferring the trial out of Uttar Pradesh would be considered if the need arises in the future. It observed that all aspects of the matter are left open to be considered by the high court.

A 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly raped by four men in Hathras on September 14. She died on September 29 at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital during treatment.

The victim was cremated in the dead of the night near her home on September 30. Her family alleged they were forced by the local police to hurriedly conduct her last rites. 

Local police officers, however, said the cremation was carried out "as per the wishes of the family".

-- PTI
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21:40   Farmers' bodies announce nationwide road blockade on Nov 5 against new agri laws
Various farmers' outfits protesting against the new farm laws of the Centre on Tuesday announced a nationwide road blockade on November 5.
  
At a meeting held in New Delhi, it was further decided that there shall be a complete coordination of various farmers' outfits "to spearhead the fight against three anti-farmer, anti-people farm laws and the Centre's proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020".

Major farmer federations with over 500 constituent organisations, including the entire working group and state chapter representatives of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) and the federations led by farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal of BKU (Rajewal) and Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh, met at Delhi, where various decisions were taken, according to a statement issued by the AIKSCC.

According to the statement, it was announced at the meeting that "an all-India road blockade shall be organised on November 5".

Also, a "Delhi Chalo" protest shall be held on November 26-27.

"The demand shall be focussed on the withdrawal of the three recently-passed farm Acts and the Electricity Bill 2020. The protests will include huge state-wise/region-wise buildup of mass mobilisation and movements focussing on these demands," the statement said.

A newly-launched programme coordination body will lead the protests.

A committee of the coordination body shall include V M Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Gurnam Singh, Raju Shetty and Yogendra Yadav. It will coordinate the two initial programmes on November 5 and another one on November 26-27.

It was decided at the meeting that farmers all over the country will protest before government offices, including those of the central government, offices of the leaders of the ruling BJP and its allies as well as big corporates.

"The meeting condemned the central government's decision to stop the operation of goods trains to Punjab...this is blackmail of the people and farmers of Punjab and is most unbecoming of a democratic government," the statement said.

Amid protests by farmers on railway tracks against the new farm laws, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal sought the Punjab government's assurance on Monday on the safety of trains and their crew members to restore freight services, hours after Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked him to intervene in the matter.

Goods train services resumed in Punjab after the farmer unions, on October 21, announced exempting them from their weeks-old "rail roko" agitation over the farm laws.

However, the railways decided to extend its suspension of goods train operations in the state, saying the protesting farmers are still blocking the tracks.

-- PTI
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21:18   Kamala's ancestral village in India prays for her victory
Banners of US presidential candidates and their running-mates are not unusual in the run-up to an important election.

But even though the village of Thulasendrapuram in southern India is thousands of miles away from the US, its residents are praying for the victory of their most famous descendent -- Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.

Harris's maternal grandfather was born in the village more than a century ago and almost a dozen banners have been erected in support of her White House bid, according to Reuters news agency.

We are really hoping she wins, the head of Thulasendrapurams village committee said, adding that he planned a special prayer at the local temple on election day.

The village has received global fame because of her. She is our pride.

Kamala Harris is the child of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father who emigrated to the US.

If Democratic candidate Joe Biden wins the November election, Harris will become the first female, first black and first Asian-American vice-president in US history.
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20:55   Delhi records highest single-day Covid spike
Delhi recorded 4,853 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest single-day spike till date, as the infection tally in the city mounted to over 3.64 lakh, authorities said.
  
The previous highest single-day spike of 4,473 cases was recorded on September 16.

Forty-four new fatalities pushed the death toll in the national capital to 6,356, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.

The 4,853 fresh cases came out of the 57,210 tests conducted the previous day.

The active cases tally on Tuesday rose to 27,873 from 25,786 the previous day, as per the bulletin.

The bulletin said that the total number of cases has climbed to 3,64,341. 

-- PTI
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20:29   J-K now up for sale: Omar Abdullah
After the Centre paved way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy land in the union territory, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday slammed the government. 

Omar Abdullah said the amendments were "unacceptable" and added that "J&K is now up for sale". "Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when purchasing non-agricultural land & transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale & the poorer small land holding owners will suffer," Omar tweeted.

In a gazette notification, the Centre has omitted the phrase "permanent resident of the state" from Section 17 of the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act that deals with disposal of the land in the union territory.

Before the repeal of Article 370 and Article 35-A in August 2019, non-residents could not buy any immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the fresh changes have paved the way for non-residents to buy land in the union territory.
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20:05   Mumbai Police bans drones, flying objects within city till November 28
Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued an order banning drones, remote-controlled micro-light aircraft, aerial missiles, and para-gliders in the area under the jurisdiction of Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate from October 30 to November 28.

The order is issued under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

Giving the reason behind the ban, the police said, "It is likely that terrorist or anti-national elements might make use of drones, remote-controlled micro-light aircraft, aerial missiles and para-gliders in their attack and thereby target VVIPs, endangering the life of public at large, destroy public property and cause disturbance to law and order in the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate."

The police added that it has become necessary that "certain restrictions" should be put on the activities of such elements across the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate to prevent probable sabotage through such flying objects, and therefore some 'preventive and protective measures' were needed to be taken to prevent the same.

-- ANI
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19:40   Rahul Gandhi needs to rediscover Congress sentiment
'Post-Bihar elections, the next 24 months are going to be the most crucial for Congress's future. Rahul Gandhi's actions and inactions will make or break Congress. A lot has been said about the party's need to clarify its stand on Hindutva and nationalism, acknowledge the liabilities of dynasty politics, and project a strong leader but above all there is an urgent need for Congress to revive, reset and ignite the Congress sentiment that the Congress families proudly flaunted,' writes Sheela Bhatt in Gulf Newshere.
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19:37   MP to cancel cases against Padmavat protesters
Ahead of bypolls, Madhya Pradesh  Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday announced that a memorial of Rani Padmavati will be built in Bhopal, and cases against those who protested against the film "Padmavat" would be withdrawn.

He attacked Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial 2018 period drama "Padmavat", calling it a "blow to society's honour", and noted that it was banned in Madhya Pradesh.

"We have decided to withdraw all the cases registered during the protest against the film in the state as the protesters were opposing injustice," he said.

Lessons on Rani Padmavati will be included in school curriculum from the next academic year, the BJP leader said.

Bypolls to 28 assembly seats will be held in the state on November 3.

Bhansali's film on queen Padmini/Padmavati had faced stiff resistance from Rajput organisations which alleged that it distorted history.

-- PTI
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19:08   Deepika Padukone's manager summoned by Narcotics Control Bureau
Actor Deepika Padukone's manager, Karishma Prakash, has been summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau after drugs were recovered from her Mumbai house on Tuesday, sources said. She is currently untraceable, and a notice has been pasted on the door of her house.

Prakash had been questioned earlier by the anti-drugs agency, which has been investigating the sale and use of banned substances in Bollywood.

The drugs recovered from her house in a search today were not in commercial quantity, sources said.
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18:43   Top Facebook India executive Ankhi Das quits
Ankhi Das, Facebook's India head of public policy, is leaving the company on Tuesday months after she was alleged to interfere in the companys content moderation policy in the country to show favouritism to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Das, who served as the Public Policy Director for Facebook India, South and Central Asia, said she is leaving the company to pursue her interest in public service.

In a message to her colleagues, Das recounted the earlier days of Facebook and internet ecosystem in the country when she joined the company in 2011. We were a small unlisted startup back then guided only by our mission and purpose to connect people in India. After nine long years, I feel that mission has largely been met. There is an enormous amount I have learnt from incredibly smart and talented people in the company, particularly from people on the policy team. This is a special company and a special group of people. Thank you, Mark for creating something beautiful for the world. I hope I have served you and the company well. I know we will be in touch on Facebook, she wrote.

In a statement, Ajit Mohan, the head of Facebook India, said, Ankhi was one of our earliest employees in India and played an instrumental role in the growth of the company and its services over the last 9 years. She has been a part of my leadership team over the last 2 years, a role in which she has made enormous contributions. We are grateful for her service and wish her the very best for the future.
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18:27   Rahul exempted from court appearance in defamation case
A court in Ahmedabad on Tuesday granted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a permanent exemption from appearance in a criminal defamation case he is facing over remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R B Etaliya allowed Gandhi's plea seeking exemption, his lawyer said.

The Congress leader is facing the case for calling Shah a "murder accused" at an election rally in Rajasthan before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
 
Gandhi's lawyer had last September sought permanent exemption from appearance before the court for his client, stating that he was a leader of a national political party and had a busy schedule.

Hearing on the plea was delayed first due to adjournments sought by the lawyer for the complainant, BJP
corporator Krishnavadan Brahmbhatt.

When Brahmbhatt's lawyer S V Raju was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India, and consequently needed permission of the Union Ministry of Law and Justice to appear in the case, it caused further delay.

The order on Gandhi's plea for permanent exemption from appearance is another criminal defamation case, filed by Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank and its Chairman Ajay Patel, is also reserved for order by another city court, said Gandhi's lawyer P S Champaneri.

In the present case, Brahmbhatt has said in his complaint that the slur used by Gandhi was slanderous as Shah was discharged in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case in 2015.
-- PTI
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18:07   Dynastic corruption big challenge for India: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that "dynastic corruption" is a major challenge for the country and lamented that it has become a part of political tradition in many states. Addressing a conference, he said that corruption which goes on from one generation to another makes the country hollow like a termite. 

"Today, I am going to mention another big challenge before you. This challenge has been gradually growing in the past decades and has taken a formidable form in the country. 

"This is the challenge of dynastic corruption (bhrashtachar ka vanshwaad), that is, corruption which is carried forward by one generation after another," Modi said. He said in the past decades it has been seen that when one generation involved in corruption escapes punishment, the next generation tends to be more brazen in committing such acts. 

"He sees that when nothing has happened to the one who earns crores of rupees at home, then his confidence is further enhanced," Modi said in his address in Hindi. 

The prime minister said there is a need to have systemic checks, effective audits, capacity building and training against corruption. "Fighting corruption is not a job of a single agency but is a collective responsibility," Modi said after inaugurating the national conference on vigilance and anti-corruption. The three-day conference, inaugurated via video conference on Tuesday, is being organised by the CBI. -- PTI
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17:59   India's growth will be negative this year: FM
India's growth this year will be negative or near zero, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said at the 4th Annual India Energy Forum by CERA Week. She added that the festival season has commenced in India, as a result of which she expected the demand to go up and therefore, be sustainable also. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow between April & August of 2020, grew by about 13% compared to non-COVID 2019's comparable period.

India's public debt ratio, which remarkably remained stable at around 70 per cent of the GDP since 1991, is projected to jump by 17 percentage points to nearly 90 per cent because of increase in public spending due to COVID-19, the IMF said last week.
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17:35   MHA extends guidelines for re-opening till November 30
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday issued an order extending the guidelines for 're-opening' the country, issued last month, till November 30.

The MHA extended the earlier guidelines keeping in mind the ongoing coronavirus phase.

"There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements," the guidelines read.

However, lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till November 30, 2020.Further, the states and union territory governments cannot impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without consulting the Centre.

As per the guidelines, National Directives for Covid-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior.

Furthermore, states and UTs have been allowed to take the call on reopening of metro rails, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and hospitality services, religious places, yoga and training institutes, gymnasiums, cinemas, and entertainment park, etc.

As of Tuesday, with 36,469 new COVID-19 cases, India's total cases surged to 79,46,429, as per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare .
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17:21   Kerala 1st state to fix floor price for veggies
Kerala on Tuesday became the first state to fix the floor price for vegetables, which would be 20 per cent above the production cost, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Tuesday. The scheme would come into effect from November 1, he said.

Launching the scheme online, he said this was the first time the floor price was being fixed for 16 varieties of vegetables produced in Kerala. This was also the first such initiative by any state which would provide relief and support to farmers, he said. The floor price would be 20 per cent above the production cost of the vegetables, he said in an official release. 

Even if the market price went below this, the produce would be procured at the floor price from farmers. The vegetables would be graded as per the quality and the floor price fixed accordingly, he said. 

"Farmers across the country are not satisfied...but for the last four and half years, we have supported them . The government has taken up several initiatives primarily targeted at the development of agriculture in the state," the Chief Minister said.

He said 16 varieties of vegetables would be covered in the first phase and there was a provision to revise the floor price on a regular basis. Local Self Government (LSG) bodies would play an important role in this scheme as they would be coordinating procurement and distribution of vegetables, he said. 

The scheme would benefit a farmer with a maximum of 15 acres of vegetable cultivation per season. They can register on the agriculture departments registration portal from November 1 after insuring the crop to get the benefit of the floor price, he said. The scheme also envisages setting up the entire supply chain process like cold storage facilities and refrigerated vehicles for transporting the produce. 

The Chief Minister also claimed that vegetable production in Kerala has more than doubled in the last four and a half years, from seven lakh tonnes to 14.72 lakh tonnes.
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17:10   Soumitra's condition worsens, barely conscious
The health of actor Soumitra Chatterjee, currently on ventilator support, worsened further on Tuesday morning, and efforts were being made to boost his platelet count, a senior doctor at the hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, said. The 85-year-old thespian's creatine and urea levels have been on the rise since Monday, and nephrologists were mulling the option of providing "renal replacement therapy support", the doctor said.

The 85-year-old actor, under treatment for the past 22 days, is also suffering from secondary pneumonia, he said.

"Mr Chatterjee is barely conscious. He is being treated for dehydration. His kidneys are not functioning well. The octogenarian's urea and creatinine levels have been on the rise. His overall condition has worsened. He is definitely critical but we have managed to stabilise his condition a bit. 

"Our nephrologist is taking a call on whether he may be given any support in the form of renal replacement therapy. He is on a ventilator. His saturation is more than 95 per cent with basic oxygen support," the doctor explained. 

There has been "no deterioration in the mental status of the veteran actor, he said. Doctors were planning to carry out blood transfusion on Tuesday, hoping that it would improve Chatterjee's condition to an extent.

"His platelet count has not gone down from what it was yesterday. We have given him medicines to bring up that count. We are planning a blood transfusion later today, hopefully that will improving his condition," he said. Chatterjee was put on ventilator with an endotracheal intubation on Monday evening to protect his airways. -- PTI
BJP president JP Nadda at a poll rally in Bihar
BJP president JP Nadda at a poll rally in Bihar
16:54   Avoid Covid super-spreader events: Govt
Union Health Ministry press briefing on Covid-19 situation in the country. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry: There has been a continuous decline in average daily new deaths for the last five weeks. Recovery rate is now at 90.62% in the country, it is constantly increasing which is a good sign. 78 per cent of active cases are present in 10 states and UTs.  58% of new deaths reported in five States & Union Territories (Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka), in the last 24 hours. During the festival season, cases have increased in Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi.  It took us 57 days to register a recovery of 10 lakhs from 1 lakh; however the latest 10 lakh recoveries have been achieved in 13 days which is a satisfactory sign. 

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry: Even countries of much greater economic capability, per capita income and good health system can succumb to a huge second peak is a lesson for all of us. We are very fortunate that our trend is in the opposite direction. Looking for a super-spreading event in the case of an individual positive case is an imp area of our work. Super-spreading events happen when we are together not only in very large numbers but also in medium numbers. So, super-spreading event must be avoided.

Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR: Kawasaki disease is an auto-immune disease that affects children who are less than 5 years of age. It is less common in India. I don't think we have had any experience of Kawasaki with Covid-19 in India so far, that's a very rare condition. Overall the figure in India is that below the age of 17 years, only 8% are Covid-19 positive, and below the age of 5 years, that figure would be much less.
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16:25   Centre amends laws, you can buy land in J-K now
The Centre has paved the way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy land in the union territory by amending several laws, over a year after the nullification of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution. 

In a gazette notification, the Centre has omitted the phrase "permanent resident of the state" from Section 17 of the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act that deals with disposal of the land in the union territory. Before repeal of Article 370 and Article 35-A in August last year, non-residents could not buy any immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the fresh changes have paved the way for non-residents to buy land in the union territory. 

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha told reporters that the amendments did not allow transfer of agricultural land to non-agriculturists. However, there are several exemptions in the Act which enable transfer of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, including setting up of educational or health care facilities. 

Former Advocate General Mohammad Ishaq Qadri said the amendments have opened floodgates for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy lands. 

"Now there is no legal bar on purchase of land here by outsiders," he said. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the amendments were "unacceptable". 

"Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when purchasing non-agricultural land & transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale & the poorer small land holding owners will suffer," Omar tweeted. PTI
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15:48   Rebuffed man stabs TV actress in Mumbai
A man allegedly stabbed a TV actress with a knife in suburban Andheri after she turned down his marriage proposal, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place around 9 pm on Monday in Versova area of Andheri when actress Malvi Malhotra was returning home from a cafe. 

The accused, Yogesh Mahipal Singh, who was in a car, stopped her on the way and asked why she had discontinued talking to him, a police official said. This led to an argument between them and the accused stabbed Malhotra with a knife in the abdomen and on both hands and fled, he said. The actress was rushed to a private hospital where she is undergoing treatment, the official said. -- PTI
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15:42   Tarun Tejpal sexual assault case: Trial to end by March 31
The Supreme Court Tuesday extended till March 31 the time for completing trial in the sexual assault case against Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal. Tejpal is alleged to have sexually assaulted a former woman colleague inside an elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in 2013. He has denied the allegations levelled against him. He was arrested on November 30, 2013 by the crime branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court. 

He has been out on bail since May 2014. The matter came up for hearing on Tuesday before a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justices R S Reddy and M R Shah, that the trial judge has made a request for extension of time. 

The Goa government had earlier moved the top court seeking extension of time to complete the trial. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, said the apex court had already extended the time till December 31 this year for completion of trial and the bench may put up the matter for hearing in last week of December or in January.

If the trial is completed by December end, then this application by the trial judge would become infructuous and if it is not completed, then time can be extended, Sibal said. There is no question of completion of trial by December 31 as there are witnesses to be examined. It will be better if we extend it till March 31, the bench observed.

The bench said, "The problem is Mr Sibal you are not even ready for video-conferencing or it would have got completed in two months." The apex court, while taking the application seeking extension of time on record, extended it till March 31 next year. -- PTI
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15:36   Anurag Thakur likens RJD to Gabbar
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday used the iconic 'so ja bete nahi to Gabbar Singh aa jayega' dialogue of the 1975 Bollywood blockbuster 'Sholay' to warn people against Bihar's return to 'jungle raj' if the RJD was voted to power. Thakur, the Union Minister of State for Finance, asked people to be wary of parties who want to push the state back to the era of caste tension and social discrimination.

"'So ja bete nahi to Gabbar Singh aa jayega'. Mothers, who have seen the jungle raj days in Bihar, please do tell your children, especially youth, on the polling day to cast their votes carefully, otherwise they (the RJD) may return to power....those who ran a regime of terror and fear," he told a press conference. 

Terming the RJD-led Grand Alliance a "depressed and confused" lot, Thakur reminded the electorate how a series of massacres along caste lines occurred in Bihar before the party now leading the coalition exited from power in 2005. Representatives of allies JD(U) and HAM were present at the press conference.

"I just want to ask the RJD and its leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav why did he align with CPI(ML), tukde-tukde gangs, or those who believe in perpetrating massacres?" the union minister asked. "Do they want to bring the jungle raj days back in Bihar, or do they want the state to witness bloodshed once again?" Thakur wondered how will the people trust Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition alliance's chief ministerial candidate, when he got even the photographs of his father and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad removed from party's posters and hoardings. -- PTI
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15:29   Confident of 2/3rd majority: Tejashwi
Confident of the 'Mahagathbandhan' getting two-thirds majority in the Bihar polls, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said providing jobs to unemployed youth would be top priority for him and his government will also bring a legislation in the first assembly session to nullify the "anti-farmer" laws brought by the Centre. 

Yadav, who is the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face, said he is running an issue-based campaign in the assembly polls which was resonating with the masses and come November 10, the day of the counting of votes, "Bihar will witness a new dawn".

In an interview with PTI, Yadav said for the first time in history a promise has been made to the youth of Bihar that 10 lakh jobs will be provided with the "first stroke of the pen in the very first cabinet meeting", if voted to power. 

Asked how many seats he is expecting to win, the former Bihar deputy chief minister said, "I am no astrologer but the public reception during canvassing gives me confidence that we have the blessings of the great people of Bihar and they have decided to entrust us with a huge responsibility." Yadav expressed confidence that the Mahagathbandhan will get a "thumping two-thirds majority". 

"I can confidently tell you that deposits will be forfeited of NDA candidates in maximum constituencies. Come 10th November, Bihar will witness a new dawn," he asserted. Talking about his major promises and poll plank, he said that if voted to power, providing jobs to unemployed youth would be his topmost priority. 

"Ours would be a responsible government which will have a responsive administration. Employment, health, education and industries are the sectors which have been neglected in 15 years of (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar's rule. We will revive and transform these sectors," the 30-year-old leader said. 

Asked about Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan walking out of the NDA and whether there was a possibility of a post poll tie-up with him, Yadav said Paswan has already made it clear that he is with the BJP and wishes to replace Nitish Kumar with a BJP CM. 

On the third front formed by the likes of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, he said Biharis have the highest political awareness in the country and "these A, B, C parachute alliances of the BJP will have no impact on this election".
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15:20   Immunity from Covid antibodies lasts few months
The hope for long-term immunity from Covid-19 was thrown into doubt on Tuesday as a large UK study concluded that protective antibodies in people fall "quite rapidly" after a coronavirus infection. Imperial College London's research, which tested more than 365,000 people in England, found that antibody response to the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 wanes over time, which indicates that any level of immunity could last only a few months. 

"Seasonal coronaviruses that circulate every winter and cause common colds can re-infect people after six to 12 months," said professor Wendy Barclay, a virologist who was one of the researchers on the study. 

"We suspect that the way the body reacts to infection with this new coronavirus is similar to that," she said. 

Antibodies are a key part of the body's immune defences and stop viruses from getting inside the body's cells. The Imperial College London team found the number of people testing positive with a finger-prick test for antibodies has fallen by 26 per cent between June and September. 

"Our study shows that over time there is a reduction in the proportion of people testing positive for antibodies," said professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial College London. 

"Testing positive for antibodies does not mean you are immune to Covid-19. It remains unclear what level of immunity antibodies provide, or for how long this immunity lasts. If someone tests positive for antibodies, they still need to follow national guidelines including social distancing measures, getting a swab test if they have symptoms and wearing face coverings where required," he said. 

The downward trend was observed in all areas of England and age groups, but not in health workers, which could indicate repeated or higher initial exposure to the virus, the authors suggest. -- PTI
NSA Ajit Doval flanked by Pompeo and Esper
NSA Ajit Doval flanked by Pompeo and Esper
14:42   India, US defence pact focus on China threat
Indo-US joint statement after the nations inked the strategic defence pact.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the 2+2 India-US Ministerial Dialogue: Our military to military cooperation is progressing very well. In a two-day meeting, we also explored probable capacity building and other joint cooperation activities in third countries including our neighbourhood and beyond. 

"We also agreed that upholding rules-based international order respecting rule of law and freedom of navigation in the international sea and uploading territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states are essential."

EAM S Jaishankar: Discussions also covered developments in our neighbouring countries. We made clear that cross border terrorism is completely unacceptable. 

US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper: As the world confronts a global pandemic and growing security challenges, the India-US partnership is more important than ever to ensure security, stability and prosperity of the region and the world. Based on our shared values and common interests, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China. 

US State Secy Mike Pompeo: US and India are taking steps to strengthen our cooperation against all manner of threats and not just those posed by Chinese Communist Party. Last year, we've expanded our cooperation on cyber issues, our navies have held joint exercises in Indian ocean. 

India and the US on Tuesday inked a landmark defence agreement that will allow sharing of high-end military technology, classified satellite data and critical information between the two countries. 

The signing of the long-negotiated Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) during the third edition of the 2+2 dialogue between the two strategic partners also signals further boosting of bilateral defence and military ties and it comes in the backdrop of India's tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajath Singh held the talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper. Both sides were assisted by their top military and security officials.

In the 2+2 dialogue, the two sides deliberated on a host of critical issues including ways to further expand the already close relationship between the militaries of the two countries as well as broader issues of mutual interest in the Indo-Pacific region.

The inking of the BECA completes finalisation of four key pacts between the two countries which were identified as crucial to significantly expand the strategic ties.
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14:24   MP Bypolls: Scindia meets Pilot in Gwalior
BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said he met his former colleague and senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot in Gwalior and that he is welcome to the state to campaign for the November 3 by-elections. Pilot arrived in Madhya Pradesh for a two-day visit on Tuesday morning to campaign for Congress candidates in Gwalior, Shivpuri, Bhind and Morena districts of the state. 

"I met him in Gwalior and welcomed him," Scindia, who quit the Congress in March and joined the BJP, told PTI. Madhya Pradesh has the tradition of welcoming everyone on its soil, therefore he (Pilot) is also welcome here," said Scindia, the scion of the erstwhile Gwalior royal family.

Asked whether his (Pilot's) presence will make any difference in the bypolls, Scindia said in a democracy everyone has the right to campaign. By-elections to 28 Assembly seats in the state are scheduled on November 3. Twenty-five of these seats fell vacant after sitting Congress MLAs resigned and joined the BJP, leading to the collapse of the Kamal Nath-led state government.

Most of these rebel Congress MLAs were considered close to Scindia. Besides, three seats fell vacant due to the death of their sitting MLAs. To a question on his meeting with Pilot before the political crisis in Rajasthan a few months back, Scindia said he does not want to comment on the internal affairs of the Congress.

In July, Pilot and 18 other MLAs rebelled against the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan, leading to Pilot's sacking as deputy chief minister and state party chief. -- PTI
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14:15   Hizb chief Sallahuddin, IM's Bhatkal brothers designated 'terrorists' under UAPA
Chief of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Sallahudin and founders of Indian Mujahideen outfit Bhatkal brothers are among the 18 people who have been designated as "terrorists" under the anti-terror law, an official spokesperson said here on Tuesday. 

The hijackers of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 -- Abdul Rauf Asghar, Ibrahim Athar and Yusuf Azhar -- have also been named in the list, prepared under provisions of the amended Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Earlier, only terror outfits could be designated as such under the stringent law and not individuals. But the amended anti-terror Act, passed by Parliament in August 2019, introduced a provision to designate as "terrorists" individuals who commit or participate in acts of terrorism, prepare for them, or promote or encourage such acts.

By invoking the said amended provision, the Central Government had designated as terrorists four individuals in September, 2019 and nine individuals in July, 2020.

"Reinforcing the commitment of strengthening national security and its policy of zero tolerance to terrorism, the Modi government today has declared 18 more individuals as designated terrorists under the provisions of the UAPA," the spokesperson said.

"These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilizing the country," he said.

Among those named in the list of terrorists were Sajid Mir, Pakistan based top Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) commander who was one of the main planners of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack; Yusuf Muzammil, an LeT commander and accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack; Abdur Rehman Makki, brother-in-law of Lashker chief Hafiz Saeed, who heads political affairs and has served in the outfit's foreign relations department. -- PTI
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14:11   'Go Corona Go' minister Athawale tests Covid+ve
Union minister Ramdas Athawale, whose 'go corona, go' chant became a national sensation, on Tuesday tested coronavirus positive, an official said. The Republican Party of India (A) leader has been admitted to a private hospital in south Mumbai, he said. In February, a video of Athawale, alson with a Chinese diplomat and Buddhist monks chanting "Go corona, go corona" at a prayer meeting went viral on social media. The video was reportedly shot at the Gateway of India here on February 20 during a prayer session to stop the spread of coronavirus in China. 

Athawale (60) is a member of the Rajya Sabha and minister of state for social justice in the Narendra Modi-led ministry. The minister is also a diabetic, an aide said. Athawale on Monday attended an event in Mumbai to induct actress Payal Ghosh into the Republican Party of India (A). PTI
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14:02   Scientists identify different types of heart damage experienced by Covid patients
Scientists have identified the different types of structural injuries to the heart experienced by Covid-19 patients that are associated with life-threatening blood clots and cardiac arrest, findings that may lead to better monitoring of people vulnerable to these deadly conditions. 

According to the study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, these abnormalities in the heart are associated with higher risk of death among hospitalised Covid-19 patients. 

The researchers, including those from The Mount Sinai Hospital in the US, believe the new insights may help doctors better understand the mechanism of cardiac injury among those infected with the novel coronavirus, leading to quicker identification of patients at risk and guidance on future therapies.

In the current study, the scientists looked at the levels of the protein troponin, which is released when the heart muscle becomes damaged, in combination with the presence of cardiac scan abnormalities seen using an echocardiogram instrument. 

The researchers found found that the combination was associated with worse prognosis and mortality than troponin elevations alone. The scientists assessed the heart scans of 305 adult patients with confirmed positive Covid-19 admitted to four New York City hospitals within the Mount Sinai Health System, and two hospitals in Milan, Italy, between March and May 2020.

According to the study, the average age of the patients was 63 years and 67.2 per cent were men. It noted that 190 of the 305 patients had evidence of heart damage -- 118 of them had heart damage at the time of hospital admission, and 72 developed cardiac injury during hospitalisation.

The scientists found that patients with myocardial injury had more heart scan abnormalities, and higher levels of molecules indicating inflammation when compared to patients without heart injury. They said these abnormalities were diverse with some patients exhibiting multiple signs of heart injury. -- PTI
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13:17   Thoothukudi deaths: Accused tortured for 7 hours
Thoothukudi father-son custodial death case: The CBI chargesheet in case says that has said in a chargesheet on the custodial deaths that the father-son duo - Jeyaraj and J Bennix - suffered brutal torture for more than 7 hours. 

Jeyaraj, 59, and his son Benniks, 31, were beaten so brutally that blood was splattered on the walls of the police station, forensic evidence revealed.

Jeyaraj and Benniks were arrested on June 19 for allegedly keeping their mobile phone shop in Thoothukudi open 15 minutes beyond curfew. After Jeyaraj was taken away by the police, his son, who reached the police station, was also arrested.
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12:40   Allahabad HC to monitor CBI probe in Hathras case
The Supreme Court says that the Allahabad High Court will monitor the CBI probe into the Hathras alleged gang-rape case. A three-judge bench headed by CJI SA Bobde says so far as transfer of Hathras case to Delhi is concerned, it is appropriate for the CBI to conclude probe and it will be decided later. The SC says the Allahabad HC will consider all aspects, CBI will file status reports there.

The 19-year old woman was allegedly raped by four men on September 14. She succumbed to severe assault injuries at a Delhi hospital a fortnight later which was followed by a hushed up cremation at night allegedly forced by the district administration.

The brutal injuries suffered by the woman and the administration's move to cremate her body late at night triggered massive outrage among people resulting in a pitched political battle from Delhi to Hathras.
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12:24   Nitish using unpleasant words as he can sense his imminent loss in polls
Reacting to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 'nine children' jibe at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday said the former is resorting to such "unpleasant language" because he has realized that he is losing the elections.

"Nitish Babu is all set to lose. Now he is doing loose talks and making personal attacks. Nitish was considered to be cool-headed but he gets aggressive, threatens the youth and pushes them out of the rally. When an arrogant leader's throne shakes and they use unpleasant language then it shows that his loss is visible," Surjewala told ANI.

The Congress Leader called the Jamoora comment made by Bihar Minister Sanjay Jha against LJP chief Chirag Paswan 'undignified and unacceptable'."This language is undignified and unacceptable. This kind of language shows what is their mindset. JDU and BJP both are doing loose talks. In Nadda's rally, seats were empty and Nitish Kumar is fighting with people. They are using this language as they can see their imminent loss," he adds.

Defending the Mahagathbandan (grand alliance), AICC general secretary said, "Our alliance is above caste. JDU-BJP alliance is on fear, hatred, and divisions. Our Mahagathbandan is for progress, employment, industries, and the people will decide what is the truth. Sushil Modi destroyed Bihar in 15 years. Who couldn't save Patna is aiming to save Bihar."

In an apparent attempt, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar made a personal attack on Lalu Prasad Yadav. Addressing a rally for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 on Monday, Kumar took a dig at Lalu for having nine children (seven daughters and two sons). -- ANI
Tejashwi Yadav with a garland of onions to highlight escalating prices
Tejashwi Yadav with a garland of onions to highlight escalating prices
12:13   LIVE! Tejashwi asks PM Modi 11 questions
RJD leader and Mahagatbandhan's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav has posed 11 questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Bihar on October 28.

Prime Minister will hold rallies in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Patna on Wednesday ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls.In a press statement, Tejashwi Yadav stated, "Tomorrow Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Bihar. I want to ask these questions from the double engine government of Delhi and Patna."

He posed 11 questions to the Prime Minister and asked, "Darbhanga AIIMS was announced in 2015 but why announcement for the start of its work was done before the polls?"

"PM is coming to Muzaffarpur. Will his combined government in Delhi and Patna speak on the Muzaffarpur shelter home case in which the Chief Minister is providing protection to the accused in the rape of 34 orphan girls?" he asked.

"The BJP-JDU government has promised a super speciality hospital in Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur but the promise was not fulfilled nor the appointment of doctors done. The government has promised to build Skill University what happened to that promise?" Yadav posed.

"Will PM also discuss flooding in Patna and regarding the work of Patna Nagar Nigam regarding the crisis," Yadav asked.He asked the Prime Minister to reveal to the people of Bihar that out of the 10 dirty cities of the country, six are from Bihar. "Why there is such a state of affairs in Bihar?" he asked.

"Why is Nitish Kumar such a weak Chief Minister that despite having 39 out of 40 NDA MPs, Patna University is still not given the status of a Central University?" he sought to know.

"Will PM tell, why is the state with a huge population of youth there is unemployment. How many jobs are created by the Central government in six years and by the Bihar government in the last 15 years?" Yadav asked.

He asked why migration has taken place out of Bihar and why it is increasing?

He also sought to know why students stranded in Kota and other migrant workers were stopped from coming to Bihar?

He asked the Prime Minister why the accused in the Srijan scam have not been touched by CBI yet. Why they are roaming with the NDA leaders?


Bihar Assembly elections will be held in three phases -- October 28, November 3, and 7, and the counting of votes will take place on November 10.While the BJP is fighting the elections alongside Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) and two other parties, LJP this time parted ways from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the state level opting to field candidates on over 100 seats in the state. -- ANI
LJP chief Chirag Paswan is in the fray in 41 seats
LJP chief Chirag Paswan is in the fray in 41 seats
11:58   First phase of Bihar assembly elections on Wednesday
More than two crore voters in Bihar will decide the fate of 1,066 candidates on Wednesday across 71 assembly segments in the first phase of elections. Guidelines have been issued by the Election Commission for safe conduct of the electoral exercise, which takes place in the midst of the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

These include lowering the cap on the maximum number of voters for a polling booth from 1,600 to 1,000, staggering of polling hours and postal ballot facility for those aged above 80, or those afflicted with or suspected to be carrying the contagion.

Besides, sanitisation of electronic voting machines, wearing of masks and other protective gear by polling personnel and availability of thermal scanner, hand sanitiser, soap and water will be ensured. Of the 2.14 crore voters who will exercise their franchise, 1.01 crore are women and 599 belong to the third gender, according to data provided by the Election Commission. 

The candidates include 952 men and 114 women, the maximum number (27) being in the fray at Gaya Town and the minimum (5) at Katoria in Banka district. Among the major political parties, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) is contesting in 35 of the 71 seats, followed by its ally BJP (29), while the opposition RJD has fielded its candidates in 42 and its coalition partner Congress is in the fray in 20 assembly segments.

Lok Janshakti Party, headed by Chirag Paswan, is in the fray in 41 seats, which include all the 35 contested by the JD(U), in keeping with the call given by the young party president, who recently pulled out of the NDA in the state, to "dislodge" the chief minister from power. -- PTI
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11:41   Doval, Esper do the elbow bump
Beyond the namaste, there is the elbow bump. In Covid times, the handshake favoured in the west has been elbowed out for obvious reasons. At today's Indo-US 2+2 Defence talks, NSA Ajit Doval and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper greet each other with the elbow bump. 
Representational image
Representational image
11:31   Study finds postpartum depression may persist three years after giving birth
A National Institutes of Health study of 5,000 women has found that approximately 1 in 4 experienced high levels of depressive symptoms at some point in the three years after giving birth. The rest of the women experienced low levels of depression throughout the three-year span.

The study was conducted by researchers at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It appears in the journal Pediatrics.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that paediatricians screen mothers for postpartum depression at well-child visits at one, two, four and six months after childbirth. Researchers identified four trajectories of postpartum depressive symptoms and the factors that may increase a woman's risk for elevated symptoms. The findings suggest that extending screening for postpartum depressive symptoms for at least two years after childbirth may be beneficial, the authors write.

"Our study indicates that six months may not be long enough to gauge depressive symptoms," said Diane Putnick, Ph.D., the primary author and a staff scientist in the NICHD Epidemiology Branch. 

"These long-term data are key to improving our understanding of mom's mental health, which we know is critical to her child's well-being and development. -- ANI
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo drops his mask at the meet
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo drops his mask at the meet
11:25   India, US can confront China together: Pompeo
India and the US on Tuesday began a high-level dialogue aimed at further ramping up their overall defence and security ties and boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific at a time China is attempting to expand its economic and military clout in the region. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the third edition of the 2+2 talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper.

"Today is a great opportunity for two great democracies to grow closer. We've a lot to discuss today-to cooperate amid pandemic, to confront Chinese Communist party's threats to security and freedom, to promote peace and stability in the region," US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, said.
 

The in-person talks are taking place at a time when India is locked in a tense standoff with China in eastern Ladakh and the Trump administration's growing friction with Beijing over a host of issues including trade tariff and the Chinese military's offensive manoeuvres in the South China Sea.

The situation in eastern Ladakh and China's overall aggressive behaviour including in the Indo-Pacific region are likely to figure in the talks, according to sources. In a reflection of growing bilateral defence ties, the two sides will seal a long-negotiated pact called BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) during the talks that will provide for sharing of high-end military technology, geo-spatial maps and classified satellite data.

The agreement will give India access to classified geo-spatial data as well as critical information having significant military applications. Esper and Pompeo arrived here on Monday on a two-day visit for the talks which are taking place just a week before the presidential election in the US. -- PTI
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11:12   BJP's Khushbu Sundar detained on way to protest
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Khushbu Sundar was detained by the police on Tuesday while on her way to Chidambaram.The BJP leader was on her way to protest against Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan's alleged remark that Manusmriti denigrated women.

The VCK leader had earlier said, "Manusmriti has made a bad structure in our society in which women are the main focus. In the name of purity, women were made slaves and their character assassination was done. We should discuss what is written. Let PM Modi come, I can discuss it with him. I am a son of Ambedkar and a student of Periyar. I have no intention to hurt anyone, particularly women."

Thirumavalavan had also demanded the ban of the Manusmriti, saying, "Periyar saw that the Manusmriti had made women slaves, which is why I believe that it should be thrown away. My protest will continue until then."

After a case was filed against him for his statements, DMK chief MK Stalin condemned the filing of the case and said that Thirumavalavan's words had been twisted with the intent of inciting communal clashes. -- ANI
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11:00   PM has 6 siblings: Tejashwi on Nitish's jibe
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's intended jibe at former Bihar CM and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav hit home with his son Tejashwi saying the remark was an insult to his mother, Rabri Devi.

"By commenting on my family, Nitish Kumar is targeting PM Modi as he also has six siblings. Using such language, Nitish Kumar has insulted women and my mother's sentiments. They don't speak on main issues including inflation, corruption, unemployment etc. :," RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said.

On Monday, winding down the campaign for the first round of voting on Wednesday, Nitish Kumar attacked Tejashwi Yadav and his father Lalu Yadav. "Does anyone care? They have eight-nine children. They have no faith in daughters. After so many daughters, they had a son. You all can see - this is the kind of Bihar they want to make," the Chief Minister said.
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10:45   Rajnath drops his mask at Indo-US defence meet
India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue underway at Hyderabad House. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper are attending it. The only person not wearing a mask is Rajnath Singh.
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10:33   Pompeo, Esper in Delhi for talks
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper pay tribute at the  National War Memorial in New Delhi. Pompeo and Esper are in India to participate in the 3rd India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
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10:30   Bihar's vote is with Cong-Mahagathbandhan: Sonia
Slamming the Bihar Government, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said, high on power and its ego, the current state government has deviated from its path. She asserted that the public is with Congress Mahagatbandhan (grand alliance).

"High on power and its ego, current Bihar Government has deviated from its path. Neither their saying nor doing is good. Labourers are helpless, farmers are anxious and youth are disappointed. The public is with Congress Mahagatbandhan and it is the call of Bihar," said Sonia Gandhi.

"The fragile state of the economy is overshadowing the lives of the people. The sons of the soil are in serious trouble today," she further stated.

"Dalits and Mahadalits have been left in a bad condition. Backward sections of society are also victims of this plight. The voice of the people of Bihar is with the Congress Grand Alliance. This is the call of Bihar today," she added.

The Congress chief added that the governments of Delhi and Bihar are 'captive governments' - demonetisation, lockout, trade-off, economic bandit, farm-barn captive, bread-employment detention. Therefore, against the captive government, the people of Bihar are ready for the creation of a new Bihar, she added.

"Now the change is in the air because change is passion, energy, new thinking and power. Now the time has come to write something new. Bihar has qualities in its hands, skill, strength, power of construction, but unemployment, migration, inflation, starvation have given them tears and blisters in their feet," she said.

"Words that cannot be said have to be said with tears. Policy and governments cannot be created on the basis of fear and crime. Bihar is a mirror of India, a hope. India believes, passion is passion. Bihar is the pride and pride of India," she added.The Congress chief stated that farmers, youth, labourers, brothers and sisters of Bihar are not just in Bihar but all over India and all over the world. Today, the same Bihar is ready for new changes in its villages, towns, cities, farms and barns for its glory and future.

"That is why I said that the wind of change is in the air. The inked finger of the vote now stands with the question. The question is unemployment, to save farming, about bread and employment. The question is about education and health. The question is of industry. The question is to stop the unbridled crime. The question is on dictatorial governance," she said.

"That's why today is the time - to move from darkness to light, from lie to truth, from present to future. My appeal to the people of Bihar, called the land of knowledge, is to vote for the candidates of the grand alliance and build a new Bihar," she added.

Bihar Assembly elections will be held in three phases -- October 28, November 3, and 7, and the counting of votes will take place on November 10.
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10:22   Onion thieves make farmer cry
Pune Rural police arrested four people for stealing 58 bags of onions worth Rs 2.35 lakhs from a farmer on October 21. The accused had broken the lock of barracks where onions were kept. Our police say, "49 bags worth Rs 2 lakhs recovered while rest of the bags were sold."

Wholesale onion prices at Lasalgaon, Maharashtra, Asia's largest wholesale market were Rs 51 per kilo over the weekend.
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10:18   India records lowest 1-day tally of 36,469 cases
With 36,469 new Covid-19 infections, India's total cases surge to 79,46,429. With 488 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,19,502. Total active cases are 6,25,857 after a decrease of 27,860 in last 24 ours.  Total cured cases are 72,01,070 with 63,842 new discharges in last 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, the ICMR says a total 10,44,20,894 samples were tested for Covid-19 up to 26th October. Of these 9,58,116 samples were tested yesterday.
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09:43   Tejashwi stirs row with 'Babu Saheb' remark
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejaswhi Yadav courted a controversy on Monday when he said the poor used to walk before "Babu Saheb", a term used to refer to upper caste Rajputs in Bihar, with their head held high when Lalu Prasad was in power.
The assertion led TV channels to draw a parallel between his comment and his father Lalu Prasad's hugely-panned "BHURA baal saaf karo" remark.
BHURA was considered a crass reference to the upper caste Brahmin, Bhumihar, Rajput and Kayastha communities in a Mandalised Bihar.
        
The chief ministerial face of the opposition grand alliance, however, quickly made amends, realising the fallout his statement could have in the election.
He hastened to add he will take everybody along and treat people on merit.
Addressing a rally in Rohtas on the last day of campaigning for the first phase of the assembly polls, he said, "Jab Lalu Yadav ka raj tha, tab gareeb seena taan ke Babu Saheb ke samne chalte the. Lekin hum sab logon ko sath le ke chlenge. Jo karmchaari kam karenge unhein samman diya jayega, jo apraadh karenge unhein saja di jayegi. (When Lalu Yadav was in power, the poor used to walk before 'Babu Saheb' with their head held high. However, we will take everybody along. Employees working honestly will be rewarded and those indulging in wrongdoing punished).
His comments triggered angry reactions from political rivals who slammed him for the "casteist remarks".
BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted a video in which he said, "The RJD has made an objectionable remark against forward castes in its rally at Rohtas. The RJD had also opposed the 10 per cent reservation for upper caste poor."
"Their politics has been about eliminating Bhu-Ra-Ba-L (an acronym used for upper castes -- Bhumihar, Rajput, Brahmin and Kayasth, the last often being referred to as Lala in the state). They again want to divide Bihar on the basis of caste," he alleged
JD-U spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also accused Tejashwi Yadav of promoting casteist politics. -- PTI 
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08:54   Soumitra Chatterjee put on ventilator support, condition worsens
Legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee was put on ventilator support as his condition worsened further on Monday evening, doctors said.
 
His health condition further deteriorated late in the evening and oxygen support is less than 40 per cent, said the spokesperson of the private hospital in the city where he has been admitted.
 
The 85-year-old actor's haemoglobin has gone down as has his platelet count, the spokesperson said.
 
"We had to protect his airways. At 3 pm, we put him on ventilation support... His oxygen support is less than 40 per cent, and there were increasing chances of aspiration and secondary pneumonia.
 
"He is not that well. His health condition has definitely deteriorated. The medical board took a unanimous decision to protect his airway, and we did it by putting him on endotracheal intubation," the spokesperson said in a late-night audio statement.
According to doctors, endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure in which a tube is placed into the windpipe through the mouth or nose. 
 
The spokesperson said, "Due to gastrointestinal bleeding and dehydration, his kidney functions which were fine till morning are now taking a toll. His urea and creatinine are also not good. His urine output is also not satisfactory."
 
The critically acclaimed actor was admitted to the hospital on October 6 after he tested positive for COVID-19.
 
Chatterjee, a Dada Saheb Phalke awardee, and the first Indian film personality to be conferred with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France's highest civilian award, had tested negative for the infection last week after which he was shifted to a non-COVID ITU. -- PTI 
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08:48   Lawyers allowed to travel in Mumbai trains
Lawyers practicing in different courts and registered clerks of advocates are permitted to travel from Tuesday in special Mumbai suburban trains that are currently operating, Railway authorities said on Monday night.
The permission will take effect on October 27 and will be in force till November 23, 2020, the Central Railway and the Western Railway said in a joint release.
The release said practicing lawyers and registered clerks can use the suburban services on all working days only during non-peak hours up to 8 in the morning, between 11 am to 4 pm and 7 pm onwards till November 23.
Earlier last week, the Railway authorities permitted women to travel on special suburban services during non-peak hours.
Most recently, they had also permitted private security guards with uniform and identify cards to travel on the suburban services.
 "The facility made available cannot be availed for undertaking travel during peak hours on any ground whatsoever and/or for any reason wherever," said the release.
It said the lawyers and their registered clerks will have to buy tickets every time while traveling on suburban locals, but monthly passes will not be issued.
"Train ticket will be sold only upon production of a valid identity card issued by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in the case of lawyers and by the Bombay Hight Court registry in the case of registered clerks," it further points out.
Presently, the railway authorities are operating 1,410 special suburban services for essential services staff, including Maharashtra and central government employees. -- PTI 
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08:19   US Senate confirms Amy Coney Barrett to SC
The United States Senate on Monday has voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, just about a week before the presidential elections.

The vote was 52-48 along largely partisan lines with no Democrats voted to confirm Barrett.

"Amy Coney Barrett will be the 115th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court!" The White House tweeted.

Barrett is a judge on the Chicago-based 7th US Circuit Court of Appeal.

Barrett, who will fulfill the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is slated to be sworn in as US Supreme Court justice.

A White House official familiar with the planning told CBS News that the White House was preparing to host an event after the vote on Monday night honoring Barrett.

The White House chief of staff Mark Meadows also confirmed to reporters that if the Senate approves Barrett's nomination -- as is expected -- he expects her to be sworn in following the vote. -- ANI

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