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Sat, 31 October 2020
Yes I'm a dog and public is my owner: Scindia

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22:22   Yes I'm a dog and public is my owner: Scindia
The campaign for Assembly bypolls in Madhya Pradesh became more acrimonious on Saturday with Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jyotiraditya Scindia claiming that Congress leader Kamal Nath used the epithet 'dog' for him.

The Congress denied the allegation, saying that Nath never used the word. "Kamal Nath came here and called me a dog. Yes, Kamal Nath, I am a dog and the public is my owner. Yes, I am a dog because the dog protects his owner," Scindia said at a rally at Sadora, about 20 km from  Bhopal.

A video of the speech went viral on social media. Nath's media coordinator Narendra Saluja told PTI that the former chief minister never used such a word for Scindia or any other leader.

"Kamal Nath never used this word for anybody in his speeches," Saluja said.

Nath had courted controversy recently when he termed minister and BJP candidate Imarti Devi as 'item'.

On Friday, the Election Commission revoked his 'star campaigner' status for repeated violations of the model code.

Scindia quit the Congress in March with 22 MLAs loyal to him, which brought down the Nath-led government in the state. Bypolls to a total of 28 seats in the state will be held on November 3.    -- PTI
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20:52   'Ram naam satya hai' for 'love jihad': Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said his government would come out with a law to deal with love jihad' and used the Hindu funeral chant 'Ram Naam Satya Hai' to threaten those who don't respect their daughters and sisters. 

Welcoming the Allahabad high court ruling declaring that conversion for the sole purpose of marriage is not valid, the chief minister also said posters would be put up of those involved in love jihad', a derogatory coinage referring to the alleged campaign of Muslims forcing Hindu girls to convert in the guise of love. 

'We will bring an effective law. It is my warning to those who play with the honour and dignity of sisters and daughters by hiding their real names and identities If they do not mend their ways, their Ram Naam Satya' journey will start,' Adityanath said. 

He was addressing election rallies in Jaunpur and Deoria ahead of the November 3 by-elections for the Malhani and Deoria assembly seats.

"The posters of those involved in love jihad will be put on all road crossings," Adityanath said, sending out a warning against interfaith marriages in both his speeches.

-- PTI
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20:32   Must remove inequality in access to tech: CJI
Online functioning of courts,  necessitated due to the coronavirus pandemic, created an unintended inequality as some people did not have access to ditigal technology, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde said on Saturday.

However, he was proud that courts in the country kept functioning amid the pandemic, he said.

The CJI was speaking after inaugurating the Nyay Kaushal e-Resource Centre and a virtual court for the Maharashtra transport at department at the Judicial Officers Training Institute in Nagpur.

The Nyay Kaushal Centre is the first e-resource centre in the country providing the facility of e-filing cases in any court in the country, officials said.

CJI Bobde said that while the courts continued to function after the outbreak of coronavirus, the access to justice became dependent on technology.

It created an obvious distinction between those who could afford the technology and those who could not and this created unintended inequality, he said.

"I am told by the chairman of Bar council of India andother members that some advocates suffered so much that they had to switch to selling vegetables and there were reports that some wanted to end their careers and some wanted to end life," he said.

Therefore, it was important to make technology available everywhere, he said.

Some states have introduced mobile vans which provide Wi-Fi connectivity which litigants and lawyers can use, he noted.

"We must remove these inequalities and that I think is going to be our next emphasis. This e-Kendra, these two facilities we are inaugurating today, is a step in that direction," the CJI said.

Many more centres will be opened and 'this has to be done on war footing' to remove the inequality created by lack of access to technology, he said.

Pointing out another problem the online functioning has created, the CJI said that junior lawyers say that earlier they could get work when they attended the court and got noticed, which does not happen when courts function online.

"They are not being exposed to the litigation as only the senior lawyer can be seen on the screen and due to lack of exposure their professional chances are receding," he said.

"There is a famous statement about access to justice-- it should not be like Ritz hotel, it should be open to all," he said.

The CJI also spoke about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) would change litigation and judicial system.

The AI makes it possible to search for information in a vast database within seconds, he said.

He also expressed concerns about disposal of motor accident claims, saying about 30 per cent of pending cases in all high courts are of motor accidents claims.

With Artificial Intelligence, these cases can be dealt with speedily, he said.

He also said that the police should devise new methods of serving summons in cases under the negotiable instruments act, because delay in issuing summons is a major problem in these matters.  -- PTI
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19:34   Actor Vijay Deverakonda invests in e-vehicle startup
Actor-cum-entrepreneur Vijay Deverakonda has announced his investment in a Hyderabad-based electric vehicle startup Watts and Volts, which is gearing to commence operations from next year.  

Deverakonda announced his investment at the launch of the Telangana government's new Electric Vehicle Policy on Friday, according to a release. He, however, did not disclose the amount of investment. 

After successfully helming his clothing line 'Rowdy', Vijay Deverakonda has now taken a step towards eco commute and shared mobility by joining hands with Watts and Volts with his investment into eco-friendly and sustainable electric bikes startup Watts and Volts Mobility Private Limited, the release said.  

"I strongly believe in sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives that facilitate a greener future. With Watts and Volts, we are working on electric cycles, bikes and scooties that will eliminate pollution, for short travel as opposed to the conventional fuel based transportation system," he said in the release. 

The company's operation plan and vision statement was also launched at the Telangana EV Summit on Oct 30 at Hyderabad, said the release, adding under its pay-per-use model, a user can just pay for using the EV only for the distance travelled. Watts and Volts will start active operations from January 2021, it added.

-- PTI
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19:29  
Bihar polls: Financial profile of candidates in second phase.
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19:26   Won't be surprised if Tejashwi becomes CM: Raut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said on Saturday that he would not be surprised if the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav became chief minister after the Bihar assembly polls.

Speaking at an event organised by the Pune Union of Working Journalists, Raut said all eyes are on ongoing elections in the northern state.

"There is a youngster who does not have any support, and investigation agencies like CBI and ED are hounding him. He is challenging the Union government as it is suppressing opposition parties," the Sena leader said, referring to Tejashwi.

"Therefore, I will not be surprised if he became the chief minister of Bihar," Raut added.

He also hit out at National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and People's Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti who have sought restoration of Article 370 which gave autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.

Asked about opposition leaders meeting Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari with their demands, Raut said they should meet the concerned ministers instead.

Meeting governor directly shows disrespect for the state, he said.

On Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar's role in the ruling Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition, Raut said Pawar advises the state government and no one should mind it.   -- PTI
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19:03  
Criminal candidates in Phase 2 of Bihar elections.
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18:46   Sean 'James Bond' Connery is dead
Legendary star Sean Connery, who epitomised author Ian Fleming's suave 007 agent in seven James Bond movies, has died. He was 90. 

The news of the Scottish actor's death was shared by BBC. 

In a career, spanning several decades, the British star featured in many critically-acclaimed and commercial blockbusters such as The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Murder on the Orient Express and The Rock

He first played the role of James Bond in 1962's Dr No, which he followed up with From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983). 

-- PTI

Connery won an Oscar for supporting actor for his turn as a tough Irish cop in Brian De Palma's 1987 classic, The Untouchables.
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18:14   Terrorists surrendering welcome development: DGP
Terrorists preferring to surrender during encounters with security forces is a welcome development, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said on Saturday, as he appealed to the youngsters, who have picked up arms, to give up the path of violence and return to the mainstream.

The DGP was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Zewan on the city outskirts on the occasion of the 'National Unity Day' that marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

"Terrorists surrendering in the last few encounters is a welcome development. The youngsters are accepting the offers of police and security forces to surrender even during a live action when bullets are being fired, so it is a welcome development," he said.

The DGP said all those who picked up arms should shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream, assuring them of support in every way.

"We want the youth, who have been lured into taking a wrong path, to return. There is still time, they can return and we will help them in every way," he said.

The police chief of the Union Territory said he is happy to see Kashmiri youngsters taking part in positive activities like sports.

"We will support them in every way and continue to organise such activities," he added.

Asked about the progress in the probe into the killing of three Bharatiya Janata Party workers in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, Singh said the investigation is going on in the right direction.

"The terrorists, who carried out the attack, have been identified and further action is being taken," he said.   -- PTI
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17:00   Kamal Nath moves SC against EC's decision
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath has moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Election Commission to revoke the Congress leader's 'star campaigner' status for violations of the model code during campaign for the bypolls in 28 assembly constituencies in the state.

Senior lawyer and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha told PTI that the former chief minister has challenged the EC's decision on various grounds and an urgent hearing on his plea would be sought.

The plea has been filed through advocate-on-record Varun Chopra and the defects pointed out in it by the apex court registry have been cured, said Tankha.

The poll panel on Friday took note of alleged breach of 'ethical and dignified behaviour' and revoked the 'star campaigner' status of the Congress leader.

While the political party pays for the expenditure of a star campaigner, the candidate pays for the expenditure of other campaigners.

In the order, the poll panel said, '...for repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him, the Commission hereby revokes the status of leader of political party (Star Campaigner) of Kamal Nath, ex-chief minister, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect for the current Bye-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh.'

It said no permission will be granted by authorities to Nath as a star campaigner.

'However, if any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure related to travel, stay and visit will be completely borne by the candidate in whose constituency he carries out campaigning,' it said.

The EC said it has carefully considered the matter and has observed with 'displeasure that Kamal Nath, despite being a leader of a political party, is repeatedly violating the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and breaching the ethical and dignified behaviour'.

The commission referred to his remarks against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He had used the words 'mafia' and 'milawat khor' against a political rival at a recent campaigning event.

Last week, the EC had asked Nath not to use words like 'item' in campaigning.

He had used the jibe to hit out at state minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Imarti Devi at a rally.

The commission had announced the poll schedule on September 29 and the MCC came into immediate effect.

Campaigning for the bypolls ends on November 1.   -- PTI
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16:54   Pak violates ceasefire along IB in Kathua
Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing on forward posts and villages along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said on Saturday.

However, there was no report of any casualty or damage on the Indian side, they said.

The firing from across the border started in Chandwa, Mayari and Faqeera in Hiranagar sector around 9.45 pm on Friday, prompting effective retaliation by the Border Security Force, the officials said.

The exchange of fire between the two sides continued till 4.15 am on Saturday.

There was no report of any casualty or damage on the Indian side, they said.  -- PTI
The couple at the haldi ceremony
The couple at the haldi ceremony
15:39   Kajal Aggarwal weds Gautam Kitchlu
Actor Kajal Aggarwal tied the knot with entrepreneur Gautam Kitchlu in a pirvate ceremony in Mumbai. The couple got married on Friday with their immediate families and close friends in attendance. 

While Aggarwal opted for a scarlet bridal ensemble, styled with a pale pink embellished dupatta, Kitchlu was dressed in a silver sherwani.  

Hours before her wedding, Aggarwal had shared a black and white picture of her on Instagram.  

Donning a white bathrobe, she was seen sporting the traditional jwellery and gajra. Her exquisite lehenga was displayed in the background. 

"Calm before the storm #kajgautkitched", Aggarwal captioned the picture. 

On Thursday, the actor had shared a photo from her haldi ceremony which was also an intimate family affair. 

Aggarwal, known for movies such as Singham, Magadheera, Special 26 and Thuppakki, had announced her engagement to Kitchlu on October 6. 

"This pandemic has certainly shed a sobering light on our joy, but we are thrilled to start our lives together and know that all of you will be cheering us on in spirit," Aggarwal had said in a statement.
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15:25   Stage, tent collapse at Pappu Yadav's rally
The stage and tent set up for Jan Adhikar Party leader Pappu Yadav's campaign rally collapsed on Saturday while he was addressing people in Muzaffarpur's Minapur assembly constituency of Bihar. 

Further details awaited.
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15:17   India ready to protect territorial integrity: PM
Indian soldiers have the power to give a befitting reply to those eyeing the land of the country, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, adding that today India is fully prepared to protect its territorial integrity, sovereignty and honour.

"India's posture and approach at its borders have changed. Our brave soldiers are fully equipped and prepared to give a befitting reply to those who put their evil eyes on us. Security apparatus and infrastructure along our borders are stronger than ever!" Prime Minister said in Gujarat on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

"The way some forces have openly come in support of terrorism is a global concern for world peace and humanity. It is more imperative now than ever that all nations, governments and sects must unite to defeat all forces that aid and abet terrorism," he added.

He also said all countries of the world need to unite against terrorism, no one can benefit from terrorism and violence.

"The country can never forget that some people were not saddened at the sacrifice of the security personnel during the Pulwama attack. At that time, these people were only doing politics...I request them not to do such politics in the interest of the nation," he added.

He added that the way the truth (about the Pulwama attack in India) has been admitted in the parliament of the neighbouring country, it has exposed the real faces of those who did politics over the incident.

The prime minister further stated that 130 crore Indians together honoured the COVID19 warriors in their fight against this pandemic.

"The way the country has proved its collective potential during this time is unprecedented," he added.

Speaking about boosting tourism in Kevadia, PM Modi said, "A seaplane service from Sardar Sarovar to Sabarmati riverfront will be started today. This will help boost tourism in this area. All these efforts are going to increase tourism in this area too. Tribal people are getting equal chances of employment. I congratulate the Government of Gujarat and the people of the state for these achievements."

"Many new sites like Jungle Safari Park, Ekta Mall, Children's Nutrition Park, Arogya Van have been launched here in Kevadia. In the coming time, on the banks of 'Maa Narmada', not only India but this place is going to make its place on the tourism map of the whole world," he added.

The prime minister also wished people on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti today.

"Sardar Patel gave the present form to India by making the diversity of the country, power of free India by uniting the hundreds of princely states of the country. In 2014, we all started celebrating his birthday as a festival of the unity of India," he added.

Sardar Patel, who is credited with uniting all 562 princely states of the pre-independent country to build the Republic of India, passed away on December 15, 1950. -- ANI
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14:22   LIVE! Truth of Pulwama accepted in Pak parl: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the truth of last year's Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, has been accepted in Pakistan parliament. 

His statement comes two days after Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry admitted his country's role in the Pulwama attack during a debate in their National Assembly (parliament).  

Modi also said that when the entire nation was mourning the brave soldiers' death in Pulwama attack, some people indulged in "dirty politics" for their political gains. 

Without mentioning China, the prime minister said that Indian soldiers are giving a befitting reply to those eyeing to grab the country's land.  

He was speaking at Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district after paying tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel atthe Statue of Unity on his 145th birth anniversary.

-- PTI
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14:14   My grandmother introduced me to Valmikis teachings: Priyanka's tribute
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today posted an Instagram tribute to her grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi who was martyred this day in 1984. The day also happens to be the birth anniversary of Saint Valmiki, the renowned author of Ramayan.  

'Today is the birth anniversary of Valmiki, the author of Ramayan,' Priyanka wrote in Hindi, 'It is also the day of my grandmother's martyrdom.'  

'She introduced me to the teachings of Valmiki, which have enabled me to raise my voice for the underprivileged and to fight for their rights.'
President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute to Sardar Patel
President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute to Sardar Patel
13:58   Prez, VP, others pay tributes to Sardar Patel
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary on Saturday, which is observed as the 'National Unity Day'.

The top dignitaries paid their tributes to the first home minister of independent India at his statue located at Patel Chowk in New Delhi.

Later, Shah also administered the 'National Unity Day' pledge to government officials, security personnel and others.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and New Delhi MP Meenakashi Lekhi were also present on the occasion.

Later, in a tweet in Hindi, Shah said Patel's bold leadership, devotion and patriotism will always guide the nation.

The Centre observes October 31 across the country as a day to foster and reinforce the government's dedication to preserve and strengthen the unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' or 'National Unity Day' to commemorate Patel's birth anniversary.

The Narendra Modi government has been observing Patel's birth anniversary as the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' since 2014.

Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat's Nadiad.

He is credited for the merger of over 560 princely states into the Union of India.

As part of Patel's birth anniversary celebrations, various programmes are being organised across the country, recalling his contribution to the unification of India.

Prime Minister Modi is attending a special function in Gujarat's Kevadia, where a giant statue of Patel is located.   -- PTI
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13:06   Free vaccine promise doesn't violate poll code: EC
The Bharatiya Janata Party's promise of providing free coronavirus vaccine in its manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls is not violative of the provisions of the model code, the Election Commission has held.

Responding to a complaint by RTI activist Saket Gokhale, the commission said it has found no violation of the provisions of the model code in the issue.

'...no violation of any of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct has been observed...,' the commission said.

Gokhale had claimed that the promise is discriminatory and a misuse of powers by the central government during elections.

According to sources, the commission cited certain guidelines for election manifestos contained in Part VIII of the Model Code of Conduct to conclude that the free vaccine promise was not violative of it.

'The Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution enjoin upon the State to frame various welfare measures for the citizens and therefore there can be no objection to the promise of such welfare in election manifesto,' one of the provisions quoted by the EC said.

Trust of voters should be sought only on those promises which are possible to be fulfilled, the other provision cited by the EC said.

'It is stated that the election manifestos are issued by political parties, candidates in respect of a particular election,' the EC response said.

Gokhale wrote on Twitter on Friday, 'ECI shockingly ignored the fact that the Union government announced it for a specific state and said action is taken when election atmosphere is vitiated.'

Earlier this month, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had released the BJP manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls which promised free COVID-19 vaccine once it is cleared by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Opposition parties had slammed the BJP for promising free COVID-19 vaccines in its Bihar poll manifesto and demanded action by the Election Commission, while alleging that the ruling party was using the pandemic for political gains.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the BJP, saying one has to refer to the state-wise election schedule to know when one will have access to the vaccine.

The BJP, however, said health is a state subject and its manifesto is for Bihar, not for the entire country, where it has promised that the state will buy the vaccine for its people.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress, Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party and the National Conference all raised questions on the BJP's poll promise of free vaccine for Bihar, alleging that it is politicising the matter.   -- PTI
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12:45   Raj brings bills to negate Centre's farm laws
The Rajasthan government introduced three bills on Saturday to negate the impact of the farm laws recently enacted by the Centre.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal introduced the Essential Commodities (Special Provisions and Rajasthan Amendment) Bill 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation and Rajasthan Amendment) Bill 2020.

He also introduced the Code of Procedure (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill 2020 on the first day of the Assembly session.

After the assembly passed the obituary remarks on the demise of former president Pranab Mukherjee and other leaders who passed away recently, the speaker adjourned the House for the day.   -- PTI
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11:37   Delhi's air quality likely to improve in 2 days
Delhi's air quality recorded a marginal improvement but remained in the 'very poor' category on Saturday morning, while a government forecasting agency said it is likely to get better due to a favourable wind speed.

The city recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 369 at 9.30 am.

The 24-hour average AQI was 374 on Friday, 395 on Thursday, 297 on Wednesday, 312 on Tuesday and 353 on Monday.

Jahangirpuri (412), Mundka (407) and Anand Vihar (457) recorded the air quality in the 'severe' category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

On Thursday, Delhi's AQI touched the 'severe' levels for a brief period, before slipping back to the 'very poor' category.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitoring agency, SAFAR, the share of stubble-burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was 19 per cent on Friday.

It was 36 per cent on Thursday, the maximum so far this season, 18 per cent on Wednesday, 23 per cent on Tuesday, 16 per cent on Monday, 19 per cent on Sunday and nine per cent on Saturday.

The number of farm fires has again increased in Punjab (around 3,000), Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and is likely to impact Delhi-NCR's air quality.

The wind speed has picked up. A significant improvement is predicted by Monday and the air quality is likely to slip back to the 'poor' category, the SAFAR said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the predominant wind direction was northwesterly and the maximum wind speed 15 kilometres per hour.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 13 degrees Celsius.

Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while a favourable wind speed helps in their dispersal.

The city's ventilation index -- a product of the mixing depth and the average wind speed -- is likely to be around 8,500 square metre per second on Saturday -- favourable for dispersal of pollutants.

The mixing depth is the vertical height in which pollutants are suspended in the air.

It reduces on cold days with a calm wind speed.

A ventilation index lower than 6,000 square metre per second, with an average wind speed of less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for dispersal of pollutants.   -- PTI
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10:58   Moderna preparing to launch potential Covid-19 vaccine
Moderna Inc is "actively" preparing to launch its potential coronavirus vaccine mRNA-1273. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson is planning to start testing its experimental Covid-19 vaccine among those aged 12 to 18 as soon as possible. Also, India announced on Friday that it will help all countries with vaccine and storage capacity.

Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel has said in a press release that the pharmaceutical company is preparing to launch its potential coronavirus vaccine mRNA-1273.

"We are actively preparing for the launch of mRNA-1273 and we have signed a number of supply agreements with governments around the world," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel was quoted by reports.

Last week, Moderna had completed enrollment for its 30,000-participant late-stage trial. Till then, more than 25,650 participants had received the second of the company's two-dose Covid-19 vaccine. A report in CNBC had quoted Moderna as saying that about 37 per cent of the participants were from diverse communities and 42 per cent were at high risk of severe disease.

Moderna Inc had told Reuters that it would seek emergency FDA authorisation to use its vaccine in high-risk groups if an interim assessment of its trial showed its vaccine was at least 70 per cent effective.
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10:41   1 dead after crane hits Mumbai's metro pillar
One person died and two others injured after a crane rammed into a metro pillar in Mumbai on Saturday morning.

A metro crane which was going from Jogeshwari towards Bandra lost control and collided with a metro pillar near a bus stop at Andheri Gundavali near Western Express Highway. The impact of the collision was so strong that the crane split into two parts.

A woman standing at the bus stop got trapped under the rear wheels of crane and died on the spot. Two more people who were nearby were also injured and they have been admitted in a hospital.

The driver of the crane escaped from the spot. The police reached the spot and the body was sent to post-mortem. 

-- ANI
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10:14   Delhi's air quality hits 'very poor' category
The air quality in the national capital witnessed a slight improvement on Saturday as air quality shifted from the 'severe' category yesterday to 'very poor', Central Pollution Control Board data revealed.

The Air Quality Index near the Indira Gandhi International Airport was recorded at 339, which is in the 'very poor' category.

An AQI between 0-50 is marked good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is considered severe.

To tackle the rising air pollution, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched the "Green Delhi" app, which would enable people to register complaints about violation of anti-pollution norms.

"Today we are launching the Green Delhi app to involve every citizen. You can file any kind of complaint regarding pollution via this app, which is available on the Play Store. If you witness industrial pollution or dust, you can upload its video, picture, or audio. Automatically the location will be sent to us," said Kejriwal.

-- ANI
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09:46   Coronavirus cases in India cross 81 lakh-mark
India reported a daily jump of 48,268 coronavirus infections in 24 hours, taking its tally past the 81-lakh mark, the Health Ministry data this morning showed. 

The number of cases in the country now stand at 81,37,119.

In the 24-hour period, India, which is the second worst-hit country, reported 551 deaths linked to the virus, taking the total number of fatalities to 1,21,641.
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09:17   Amit Shah to visit Bengal on November 5
Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah will be on a two-day visit to West Bengal from November 5 to take stock of the party's organisational matters ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, party sources said on Friday night.

West Bengal BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said the scheduled visit of BJP national president JP Nadda from November 6 stood cancelled.

"JP Nadda Ji's visit stands cancelled as of now. It has been decided that Amit Shah ji will be in West Bengal on a two-day visit from November 5," he said.

"He is likely to visit Medinipur organisational district on November 5 and on the next day he will meet party leaders in the state. The schedule has not been finalised as of now," Basu said.

Amit Shah, who had played a crucial role in the growth of the BJP's organisation in the state, will look into various aspects of the organisation and will discuss the party's strategy for the upcoming assembly elections, BJP national general secretary and in-charge of Bengal Kailash Vijayvargiya said.

"It will be more-or-less indoor programmes. There are chances that he might address a press conference in Kolkata," he said.
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08:49   Modi pays tribute to Indira Gandhi on death anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her 36th death anniversary. 
  
The then prime minister was assassinated by her bodyguards here in 1984.

"Tributes to our former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji on her death anniversary," Modi tweeted.

The prime minister had paid tribute to Gandhi in his monthly Mann ki Baat radio broadcast last Sunday as well. "On the 31st of October we lost former Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi. I most respectfully pay my tributes to her," he said.

-- PTI
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08:25   Paying tribute to Iron Man of India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. 

Photograph: ANI/Twitter
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08:12   Kamala urges voters to vote in large numbers
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has urged the Americans to come out and vote in large numbers to bring a change at the White House.  

Speaking at a rally in Texas, Harris, 56, accused the Republicans of creating a confusion on votes.
"Everyone should vote to bring a change at the White House. Need to realise the power of vote and the opponents are for creating confusion on votes," Harris, who is the first Democratic vice-presidential candidate to address an election rally in Republican stronghold Texas in decades, said. 

"They know our power. They know when we vote, things change. They know when we vote, we win. We vote to honour the ancestors. We vote because everything is at stake. Everything is at stake," Harris added.

She said the country is undergoing a major health crisis, with the death of more than 220,000 Americans due to coronavirus pandemic and blamed President Donald Trump for the situation.

"We want to make sure we see it through and then let's make sure on Election Day, everybody we know has made sure that their voice, their powerful voice, is represented in this election through their vote, because there is so much at stake and so many reasons to vote," she said.

US is the worst impacted nation by the coronavirus, with the total number of infections and deaths standing at 9,034,925 and 229,544, according to Johns Hopkins University.

"We're in the midst of a public health pandemic. You also have a situation where we have a president who, while we are seeing spikes around our country, talking about we've turned the corner, continuing to mislead the American people," she said.

She said that because of the pandemic, the worsening of the wealth gap in America has been such that over 30 million people in just the last several months had to file for unemployment insurance. 

-- PTI
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00:10   Indian-Americans seem more confident voting for Trump
United States President Donald Trump has described the November 3 election as the "most important" in US history. 

For the influential 1.8 million Indian-Americans, it is much more so as they hold unprecedented sway in key battleground states and could be what a top Democratic lawmaker termed "an absolute difference maker".
 
There are more than 257 million people in the US who are 18 or older, and nearly 240 million citizens are eligible to vote this year, according to an American daily.
 
More than 80 million Americans have already cast their ballots, according to a tally on Thursday from the US Elections Project at the University of Florida, setting the stage for the highest participation rate in over a century.
"We're seeing a very energised, interested electorate, and we're seeing a public that is responding to a message that you need to cast that ballot early this year," said Paul Gronke, a professor of political science at Reed College who runs the Early Voter Information Center.
 
The influential Indian-American community is finding itself increasingly wooed by both parties through a series of ads, speeches and exhortations of community leaders.
 
Democratic National Committee chair Thomas Perez has said that the Indian-American vote can be an "absolute difference maker" in the US polls.
 
"The Indian-American community contributes a lot to the US, and it is the best country in the world but we have to protect them. So, we need the American community to remember that President Trump has given us the lowest unemployment and has allowed for businesses to thrive," Indian-American Nikki Haley, the former UN Ambassador said recently.
 
"The relationship with India has never been stronger. India is the largest democracy that shares our values. And President Trump and Prime Minister Modi get along so well. But now we are actually partnering with them on defense and trade and other areas," she said.
 
Many Indian-Americans seem to agree with Haley and feel they are better off voting for Trump.
 
"The main issues pushing the vote in this direction are; Indians love law and order and 'defunding the police' calls in various cities have not gone down too well with them," feels prominent Houston community leader Achalesh Amar.
 
"Adverse comments by top Democrats on Kashmir and CAA have infuriated many Indian voters. China and Pakistan conflicts and the recent support given to India by the USA has been noticed and appreciated, he said.
 
Vibhuti Jha, an expert on US polls and executive director Nalanda International, USA, hopes Indian-Americans will likely show their wisdom to free themselves from the "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and vote for him based on his administration's support towards India.
 
"The Democratic leadership and its idli samosa coalition' of 5 desi names in Congress, have only supported anti-India resolutions passed against India. I am positive Indian votes will shift to Trump as the majority are angry with the Biden-Kamala agenda to chastise India at the behest of anti-India forces," Jha said.
 
Lakshmi Mahadevan prayed for a Trump victory and voted early on Dussehra. She fears if Biden wins, there will be potential for lawlessness, social unrest, nepotism and chaos.
 
"Harris' disdain in allowing a relative to desecrate Goddess Durga during auspicious Navratri fortnight has offended all Hindus and to add insult to injury has refrained from issuing an apology. That shows poor judgement,"she said.
 
Harris' myopic geopolitical vision and warmongering attitude are evident from her statements, she said.
 
President Trump whom we at Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) call "Reagan on Steroids", has been true to all his 2016 election promises to the Indian-American community and India, said industrialist and founder of the RHC Shalabh Kumar, who held a rally for Trump in October 2016 in Edison, New Jersey, where Trump pledged to the crowd that India would always have a friend in the White House if he was elected.
 
"Trump's focus on keeping the economy running during COVID-19 times by giving a boost to all small businesses, either by a tax cut or by the prompt stimulus to keep them afloat, shows his business acumen and concern for the small business community," said Karishma Himatsinghani, a Dallas-based media entrepreneur.
 
Paramita Sarkar, another Trump supporter, said this election is not just for choosing the next president but is about setting a course for global cooperation amongst vibrant democracies and defeating the socialist "radical forces of evil".
"It is about standing with a proven leader who has kept promises to lower taxes, streamline regulations, ensure protection of our constitutional rights and enhance the nation's security. I'm voting for Donald Trump for his optimism, fearlessness, outspoken, upstanding leadership and for promoting merit-based immigration," she said.
 
"Indian-American voters can clearly see Democrats have given lollipops that taste good but have no substance. They send messages on Hindu festivals, but take a stand against Kashmir or other policies that matter for India or Indian Americans," said Dr Krishna Bhatta, from Maine.
 
"This time Indian Americans need to think and decide to vote based on who is better for law and order? Who is better for the economy and who can stand against the menace of terrorism or the high handedness of China? Who can achieve more without going to war?  And finally, who can be trusted, the one who says she is Black in one forum and Brown in another," he said. -- PTI 

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