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Wed, 23 September 2020
I never wear a face mask: MP home minister

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22:47   I never wear a face mask: MP home minister
Amid rising COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh, state home minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narottam Mishra on Wednesday caused a flutter saying he doesn't wear a face mask in any programme.

However, as the Congress attacked him, the minister later tempered his remarks, saying he cannot continue to wear a face mask for a long time due to a medical condition.

"I don't wear a mask in any programmes. 'Isme kya hota hai?' (so what)," the home minister told reporters when they asked him why he was not wearing a mask at a function in Indore.

Mishra was in Indore to participate in a programme for distribution of assistance under the state government's Sambal Yojana, which provides social security cover to the poor and the SC and ST communities.

However, Mishra's cabinet colleagues Tulsiram Silawat and other BJP leaders, who also attended the event, were wearing masks.

The Congress launched a pointed attack, asking are COVID-19 norms meant only for the common people.

'Is there anyone who has the courage to take action against him (Mishra). Are rules only for common people?' Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesman Narendra Saluja tweeted.

As his remarks drew fire, the home minister told reporters in Bhopal, "I normally wear a mask but I can't sport it for a long time, as I am suffering from Polypus and if I wear a mask it leads to suffocation."

Indore is among the worst-hit districts in Madhya Pradesh which has reported 20,834 COVID-19 cases and 516 fatalities so far.

An Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) official said the civic body penalises people without masks with Rs 200 fine.   -- PTI
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22:23   Mumbai: CR mainline, WR services resume
Suburban services of the Western Railway (WR) in Mumbai resumed fully as water on the tracks receded, it said on Wednesday evening as the city grappled with heavy overnight rains.

The Central Railway's (CR) suburban services resumed later in the evening on its main line, but not those on the harbour line, officials said.

With waterlogged tracks, suburban services of both Central Railway and Western Railway were suspended early Wednesday morning.

Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, WR, said its suburban special services were fully restored between Churchgate and Bandra around 5pm.

The first slow corridor train from Churchgate to Virar departed at 4 pm, while the first slow train from Bandra to Churchgate started at 4.55 pm, he said.

"Now WR's special suburban services are running on all four lines," Thakur said.

Earlier in the day, the WR had resumed suburban services on the fast corridor, but slow corridor services between Churchgate-Bandra had remained suspended due to inundated tracks.

Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer of CR, said suburban services between Dadar-Thane were resumed after water on the tracks in Dadar-Kurla section receded around 6 pm.

After more than 12 hours, traffic on the Central Railway's main line resumed fully, but Harbour line services were still suspended, he said.

The services between CSMT-Dadar stations fully resumed around 7.45 pm.

"Trains have started running from CSMT to Kalyan and beyond," Sutar said.

"Shuttle services are running between Vashi and Panvel on Harbour line," he added.

Suburban tracks of the main line and harbour were submerged above the danger level at certain locations and some locations, there was about 11 to 29 inches of water above the track level, the CR spokesperson had said earlier in the day.

Presently CR and WR are operating over 850 special suburban services only for essential services employees in view of the coronavirus threat.

Common people are dependent on the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses, but the rains crippled the civic bus service too on Wednesday.

The BEST spokesperson said the buses on 100 routes were diverted via alternative routes at 32 locations.

30 buses were stuck on waterlogged streets and 23 of them were attended by its mechanics by 3 pm. Mechanics could not reach the other seven buses, he said.

In all, BEST operated 2,375 buses on Wednesday, he said.  -- PTI
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22:10   Union Minister Suresh Angadi dies of Covid-19
Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, who was being treated for coronavirus, passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi on Wednesday.

"Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi is no more. He died at AIIMS Delhi today. He was COVID positive," a senior official of AIIMS said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said Suresh Angadi was an exceptional worker who made the party strong in Karnataka.

'Suresh Angadi was an exceptional karyakarta, who worked hard to make the party strong in Karnataka.

'He was a dedicated MP and effective Minister, admired across the spectrum. His demise is saddening.

'My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti,' the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed his condolences.

'Deeply saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Suresh Angadi, MoS Railways who succumbed to COVID. Heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray to Almighty that his soul rests in peace.'

Angadi had tested positive for COVID-19 on September 11 and was undergoing treatment. -- ANI
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21:52   NCB should probe if Kangana had said she took drugs: BJP leader
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pravin Darekar on Wednesday said that actor Kangana Ranaut is not above law and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) should conduct probe if she had said that she was a 'drug-addict'.

"If Kangana has said she was a drug addict then the NCB should probe. Law is equal for all in our country," the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council told reporters in Pune.

The NCB is probing the alleged Bollywood-drugs nexus and had arrested actress Rhea Chakraborty, who was booked by the Bihar police for allegedly abetting suicide of her actor boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput.

The CBI is probing that case. In Mumbai, the NCB has summoned actors Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Rakul Preet Singh among others for questioning.

The Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government had earlier this month ordered a probe by Mumbai police into allegations by actor Shekhar Suman's son Adhyayan Suman that Ranaut took drugs.

Darekar said no one will support if new and budding actors in film industry are falling prey to drugs.

"Shouldn't we take precautions if actors in one of the biggest film industries in the world are getting addicted (to drugs)?" he questioned.

Darekar said there should not be any problem if NCB summons any person who is consuming drugs for investigation.

The BJP leader also slammed the Shiv Sena-led Mumbai civic body for water-logging on Wednesday due to heavy rains.

"They had time of seven to eight months to fix the chronic water-logging spots. There is no dearth of funds; required machinery is also available...But despite all these things, if Mumbai is going under water, what have you done by being in the power in the BMC for the last 40 years?" he asked. -- PTI
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20:56   LS adjourned sine die; monsoon session over
Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Wednesday evening, bringing the Monsoon Session of Parliament to an end eight days ahead of schedule.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die this afternoon.

The session started on September 14 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a first, the two Houses met at different times in a day to ensure social distancing norms against the backdrop of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House sine die after the passage of the Major Port Authorities Bill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present when the House was adjourned.   -- PTI
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20:20   Not new for me: Raut on Kangana's HC plea
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday dismissed as laughable the move to make him a party in a plea filed by actor Kangana Ranaut in the Bombay high court against the city civic body for demolition of portions of her bungalow in Mumbai.

Backing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), controlled by the Shiv Sena, over its September 9 action at Ranaut's bungalow in the Pali Hill area, Raut said the civic body has right to demolish an 'illegal' construction.

The high court on Tuesday permitted Ranaut to add Raut, Shiv Sena's chief spokesperson, as a party in her plea against the BMC.

In her plea, Ranaut has urged the HC to declare the demolition of portions of her bungalow as 'illegal' and also sought Rs 2 crore in damages from the BMC and its officials.

Speaking to a TV channel in New Delhi, the Rajya Sabha MP said, "We respect law and would fight the court battle. Court cases are not new to me."

He said the move to make him a respondent in Ranaut's plea was laughable.

Raut alleged there was a 'pre-planned' conspiracy 'behind the curtains' to defame Mumbai and Maharashtra, ruled by a Shiv Sena-led coalition.

"Those who are speaking against Maharashtra are preparing their political platform. But why should Maharashtra be treated as a doormat?" he asked without naming anybody.

Raut said former Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey, who he claimed, spoke against Mumbai and Maharashtra, is set to be 'rewarded' after taking voluntary retirement from service.

Raut said there was no problem if film cities come up in different parts of the country.

"Why malign the Mumbai film industry for that? Drug nexus exists everywhere...not just in Mumbai," he said in the backdrop of the ongoing probe by the NCB in alleged use of narcotics in Bollywood.

The Sena leader said the central government should set up a film city in the Kashmir Valley.   -- PTI
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19:35   PM reviews Covid situation with CMs of 7 states
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic situation with chief ministers and other representatives of seven high-case-load states through video conference.

The virtual meeting, also attended by health ministers of these states, began in the evening.

These states are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab, officials said, noting that more than 63 per of the active cases in the country are concentrated in these seven states.

They also account for 65.5 per cent of the total confirmed cases and 77 per cent of the total deaths, a statement had said earlier.

Along with the other five states, Punjab and Delhi have reported an increase in the number of cases being reported recently, they said, adding that Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi are also reporting high mortality with more than two per cent case fatality rate (CFR).

Other than Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the case positivity rate of these states has also been observed to be above the national average of 8.52 per cent.

The Centre, as per the statement, has been leading the fight against COVID-19 in effective collaboration and close coordination with the state and union territory governments.  -- PTI
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18:59   Oppn urges Prez to deny assent to farm bills
Opposition parties have requested President Ram Nath Kovind not to give his assent to the contentious farm bills, and conveyed to him that their passage in Rajya Sabha was 'unconstitutional', Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Wednesday.

The government should have consulted all parties, farmer leaders before bringing the farm bills, Azad said after meeting the President.

"The Constitution was undermined ...We have given a representation to President that the farm bills have been passed unconstitutionally and he should return these bills," Azad said.

The Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, have been passed by both Houses and await presidential assent.

There was a ruckus during the passage of two of the three farm bills in Rajya Sabha on Sunday following which eight Opposition MPs were suspended. -- PTI
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18:15   Manish Sisodia hospitalised
Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who tested positive for coronavirus last week, has been admitted to the city's Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Hospital after complaints of fever and breathing difficulties. On September 14, Sisodia had tweeted to announce his positive status and warn those who came in contact with him.
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18:05   Dharavi adds 22 new COVID-19 cases; tally 3,087
The Covid-19 tally in Dharavi slum colony here rose to 3,087 on Wednesday with detection of 22 fresh cases, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said. Dharavi has been reporting new cases in double digits since the last seven days, he said. 

Of the total 3,087 cases, 2,625 people have already recovered from the Covid-19 disease, the official said. The slum sprawl has been witnessing a rapid increase in active cases since the beginning of this month, he said, adding that there are 182 active cases as of now. PTI
Iltija Mufti
Iltija Mufti
18:02   Mehbooba's daughter moves SC over continued detention of her mother
Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has approached the Supreme Court seeking to modify her petition challenging the detention of her mother under the stringent Public Safety Act. 

Mehbooba, the president of Peoples Democratic Party, was arrested on the eve of the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and its bifurcation into Union Territories on August 5 last year. In her application before the Supreme Court, Iltija said it has been filed praying for permission to amend the writ petition seeking inter alia a writ of habeas corpus. 

"The amendment sought is to include grounds of challenge and additional prayers for challenging the orders of confirmation (dated February 26) and subsequent extensions (May 5 and July 31) of the detention order (of Mehbooba) impugned in the writ petition," the application reads. 

The writ petition has challenged Mehbooba's detention on several grounds. It contends that the grounds and the dossier for detention are "stale, vague and that they suffer from non-application of mind, malice in law and that they violate the provisions of Section 8(3)(b) of the PSA". 

"The detention order based on stale grounds have become staler even more since the petition was filed and the respondent administration has continued to act with total non-application of mind and the malice in law has only been reinforced and aggravated in confirming and extending the order of detention for further periods," it said. 

Seeking permission to allow her to amend the section of the writ petition entitled Prayers, Iltija pleaded for issuance of the writ in the nature of habeas corpus commanding the respondents -- the central and Jammu and Kashmir governments -- to produce Mehbooba forthwith before the court for being set at liberty. -- PTI
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17:51   Sushant drug case: NCB summons Deepika, Sara
Narcotics Control Bureau issues summons to Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Shradhha Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh in a drug case related to Sushant Singh Rajput death case. NCB sources said some WhatsApp conversations purportedly discussing drugs are on the radar of the agency. Some of these chats were purportedly between Padukone's manager Karishma Prakash and one "D", they said.


The CEO of Bollywood talent agency KWAN, Dhruv Chitgopekar, on Wednesday appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau for questioning in connection with a drug case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.The NCB, which is probing the drug case linked to Sushant's death investigation, had yesterday summoned Chitgopekar, Head Talent Manager Jaya Saha and Karishma to join the ongoing investigation. 

Karishma handles Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone's account.

The NCB has also summoned Shruti Modi, former business manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, to join the investigation as well. All four people have been asked to be present at the NCB office in Mumbai on Tuesday. Shruti Modi had appeared before the NCB yesterday.
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17:34   Very heavy rain alert for Konkan, Goa, Guj: IMD
The India Meteorological Department has predicted isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Konkan, Goa, and Gujarat on Wednesday. IMD has further predicted the rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, East Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar between September 23 and September 26.

"Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Konkan, Goa, and Gujarat on September 23; Assam and Meghalaya on 23 and 24; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim; East Uttar Pradesh on 23-25 and Bihar on 23- 26 September," IMD wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, IMD had predicted high tide of 3.65 meters expected in Mumbai at 3:50 pm today. -- ANI
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17:20   Bhiwandi building collapse: Death toll rises to 40
The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse, which took place here on Monday, has risen to 40, the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) informed on Wednesday. A total of 25 people have been rescued so far, the NRDF added.

The three-storey building collapsed around 3:40 am on Monday in the Patel compound area in the Thane district.

Soon after the incident, the NDRF, fire brigade, and police teams had reached the spot and carried out rescue operations.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the loss of lives in the incident. --ANI
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17:09   Deeply pained by oppn boycott of RS: Naidu
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said it is "extremely unpalatable" when bills are passed amid a boycott of proceedings by some sections of the House, but not taking up legislative work in such a situation may legitimise their action as an "instrument of blocking legislation". 

He was speaking before adjourning the Upper House sine die, eight days ahead of schedule, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rajya Sabha passed 15 bills in the last two sittings with opposition parties boycotting the proceedings to protest the suspension of eight members on Monday for their "unruly" behaviour in the House during the passage of two key farm bills. 

"Though it is not the first time that some members are suspended and bills are passed when some sections of the House boycott the proceedings, I find it extremely unpalatable. "This kind of situation needs to be avoided by all means," Naidu said in his remarks on the conclusion of the 252nd session of Rajya Sabha. 

Expressing concern over the conduct of some of the members, he said it was "deeply painful" and all need to "collectively ponder" over these issues. Naidu, who has been associated with the Upper House for the last 22 years, said he gets anguished whenever bills are passed in the din.

Over the suspension on the eight members, Naidu said rules of the House do provide for such action when it becomes inevitable. "If legislative work is not taken up during the boycott by some sections of the House, it may legitimise such boycott as an effective instrument of blocking legislation," he said. Naidu said the House had to hold 18 sittings but it held only 10
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16:57   Singapore learnt to live with Covid-19: Experts
Singapore should expect new COVID-19 cases in the country as it plans to reopen its borders in a safe and controlled way, experts were quoted as saying on Wednesday. Singapore has reported 57,639 cases of coronavirus and 27 deaths due to it. On Wednesday, the country reported 12 new cases, including 4 imported ones. 

The experts, who have been closely analysing the coronavirus pandemic dynamics across the world, said ultimately, Singapore's aim has been to live with the virus unlike some countries such as New Zealand, China and Vietnam, which aim for eradication. Singapore continues to expect new cases of coronavirus as it plans to open its borders.

"People here now have to live with the virus unlike countries such as New Zealand, China and Vietnam who want to eradicate it," Prof Dale Fisher, a senior consultant in the infectious diseases division at the National University Hospital, was quoted as saying to the The Straits Times.

He said the current challenge confronting the Singapore government is of reopening the borders in a safe and controlled way amid a pandemic that is still raging in other parts of the world. Josip Car, an associate professor and director of the Centre for Population Health Sciences at Nanyang Technological University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine said the growing knowledge of how to stop the virus spread would help the country reopen its borders smartly. 

The risk from imported cases is not new, and in fact, border controls have always been a cornerstone of Singapore's defence strategies, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper. -- PTI
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16:51   A missing border pillar in Humla creates row between Nepal and China
Both sides claim that an area where Chinese have erected 11 buildings fall within their territory. Several years ago there were only two buildings there. Read the report here
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16:45   In a first, Kolkata to get tram library
In a first of its kind, Kolkata is all set to get a tram library, a top official said on Wednesday. The specially designed tram library will have books and magazines, including those on competitive examinations such as the civil services, WBCS, GRE or GMAT in order to attract readers from various educational institutions along its route, West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) managing director Rajanvir Singh Kapur said.

The tram library, which will be inaugurated on Thursday, will travel regularly between Shyambazar and Esplanade, traversing 4.5 km through the city's education hub -- College Street, Kapur said.

There are at least 30 educational institutions along or near its route, including the Calcutta University and Presidency University, Scottish Church College, Hindu School, Hare School and the Calcutta Girls' School. "The tram library, being introduced by the WBTC that oversees India's only functional tramways, is a special tram with books, magazines, which can be read while travelling on the tram," Kapur said. The tramcar will also have free wifi and will help passengers read e-books apart from laying their hands on books in the library, he said, adding that the collection will be updated regularly. -- PTI
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16:36   Can Netflix violate fundamental rights: Choksi
Businessman and diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is an accused in the PNB scam, during the hearing on an appeal against Netflix's documentary titled "Bad Boy Billionaires" on Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court whether the streaming service is permitted to violate an individual's fundamental rights.

Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Choksi, also asked whether Netflix's claim to remain unregulated and being beyond the jurisdiction of writ courts in India is legal.

A division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, hearing Choksi's petition against a single-judge bench order dismissing his plea seeking pre-screening of the documentary, slated the matter for further hearing on Thursday.

Appearing for Choksi, advocates Aggarwal, Mudit Jain and Ashul Agarwal argued that it is a travesty of justice that a person had approached the writ court for protection of his fundamental rights to a fair investigation, which is a facet under Article 21 of the Constitution of India; however, he was relegated to avail his remedies before the civil court.

Senior advocates Neeraj Kishan Kaul and Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Netflix, argued that the appellant is not entitled to any relief, as he is not a Citizen of India, as he has forsaken his citizenship, and therefore, not entitled to the protection of any fundamental right.

The said argument was responded by Aggarwal stating Mehul Choksi left India prior to any registration of FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation  and thus, his not being in India cannot be read against him. -- PTI
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16:15   Sensex ends 66 pts lower; Bharti Airtel crashes 8%
Extending its losses for the fifth straight session, equity benchmark Sensex ended 66 points lower on Wednesday, tracking weakness in Bharti Airtel, TCS and Bajaj Finance despite largely positive cues from global markets.

After opening on a positive note, the 30-share BSE index pared all intra-day gains to settle 65.66 points or 0.17 per cent down at 37,668.42. Similarly, the NSE Nifty fell 21.80 points or 0.20 per cent to close at 11,131.85. 

Bharti Airtel was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, tanking around 8 per cent, followed by Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, NTPC, PowerGrid, ONGC and TCS. On the other hand, Axis Bank, HUL, Infosys, Nestle India and HDFC Bank were among the gainers. According to traders, despite positive global cues, domestic benchmarks were dragged lower by stock-specific selling in index majors. -- PTI
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16:00   Temporary shortage of Remdesivir in Maha: Govt
A batch of Remdesivir for treatment of Covid-19 patients has been withdrawn in view of "sub-standard quality" of the medicine, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday. He told reporters that the move caused a short-term shortage of the drug in the state.

"A batch of Remdesivir medicine was found to be (of) substandard (quality) and has been withdrawn, resulting into a short term shortage in its supply," he said.

Seeking to allay concerns over shortage of Remdesivir, the minister said the government held talks with pharma companies and ensured sufficient supply of the medicine for Covid-19 patients.

"I spoke to collectors of various districts in the state and asked them to place orders of the medicine (Remdesivir) as per their respective requirement. Its supply will soon increase and patients will get their routine dosages," the minister said. 

Tope further said NCP chief Sharad Pawar has stepped in and assured to arrange 1,000 injections of Remdesivir in his personal capacity for the treatment of people. Maharashtra had 2,72,410 active cases as on September 22 while the total caseload stood at 12,42,770. -- PTI
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15:51   Delhi riots: No action against FB VP till Oct 15
The Supreme Court Wednesday directed a Delhi Legislative Assembly panel not to take coercive action against Facebook India VP and MD Ajit Mohan till October 15 in connection with a summon asking him to depose before it with regard to north east Delhi riots.

The panel is probing the social media firm's role in spread of alleged hate speech. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose and Krishna Murari issued notices to the secretary of the Legislative Assembly; the ministries of Law and Justice, Home Affairs, Electronics and IT; Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, represented by the Secretary General, and Delhi Police, asking them to respond to the plea. 

The apex court's order came on the plea by Mohan and others challenging the September 10 and September 18 notices issued by Delhi Assembly's peace and harmony committee that sought his presence before the panel which is probing the Delhi riots in February and FB's role in spread of hate speech. -- PTI
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15:14   News briefs at this hour
SC issues notice to Delhi Assembly, Centre on plea by Facebook VP on summons asking him to depose on Delhi riots.  

CBI books former Visva Bharati University vice-chancellor Sushanta Duttagupta for alleged corruption. 

Bharti Airtel on Wednesday said it has picked up a strategic stake in Waybeo under its start-up accelerator programme, in line with its strategy to ramp-up cloud offerings.
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15:02   Mumbai rains: 5 NDRF teams on standby, says govt
Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force are on standby in view of heavy rains that have lashed Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts and caused water-logging in many areas, Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar said on Wednesday. 

Mumbai and neighbouring areas received intense spells of rain since Tuesday night, leaving many parts of the metropolis in waist deep water and disrupting rail and road traffic. Wadettiwar said in a statement that heavy rains caused flood-like situation in many places, adding that Disaster Management department is keeping a close watch on the situation. 

He appealed to people to stay indoors in view of flooding in many areas in Mumbai and other places. "Since last night, Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts have been witnessing very heavy rains, due to which there is flood-like situation in many places. 

Five teams of NDRF are on stand by to assist local administration," the minister said. Mumbai received one of the highest showers in the last 24 hours of this monsoon season and more rainfall is likely in the city and suburbs on Wednesday, as per India Meteorology Department. -- PTI

Image: People wade through a waterlogged street in Parel this morning. Pic: PTI
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14:52   Delhi govt hospitals have 7 days oxygen stock
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said that there is a shortage of private hospital beds in the capital especially in ICUs. However, he further stated that there is "no shortage" of medical oxygen in the capital for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

"There is no lack of oxygen, but some suppliers have been told that they will first have to supply in Rajasthan. This problem will be resolved soon. Oxygen comes from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in Delhi because the plants are large in number in these areas.

"Delhi government hospitals have six to seven days of oxygen stock," he added.

He also spoke about the ratio of coronavirus patients in Delhi and the availability of the beds stating, "Out of 15,804 beds in Delhi hospitals, 7,051 beds are occupied at present. However, we're facing a problem as there is a shortage of beds, especially in ICU in some private hospitals as people from outside Delhi prefer specific hospitals for treatment.

"The Delhi Health Minister also talked about the preparations undertaken by the government for combating Dengue menace and said campaigns have been launched to create awareness among the masses and added that "the number of cases of this disease has come down in comparison with last year."

"At present, we need coronavirus wards, the Dengue wards were needed in 2015. I don't think we will need dengue wards now," Jain added. -- ANI
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14:18   Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
The coronavirus pandemic delayed the Monsoon Session by at least a month, the attendance remained low throughout and now with the session cut short over Covid-19 concerns, the 252nd session of the Rajya Sabha has become the third shortest in terms of total sittings since the Upper House came into existence in 1952.

There have been a total of 69 monsoon sessions for the Rajya Sabha till date. 

In July 1979, the 110th session and the 187th session in 1999 had only six sittings. Compared to this, the current session of the Rajya Sabha had only 10 sittings as a majority of the MPs flagged concerns about rising cases of the novel coronavirus.

Rajya Sabha Secretariat's publication 'Rajya Sabha Statistical Information 1952-2018' and subsequent official records show that of the 252 sessions so far, the 111th session was the shortest with just one sitting on August 20, 1979.

The session was cut short as the then prime minister Charan Singh resigned on that day following the tumult in the first coalition government led by Janata Party after Emergency.

Of a total of 69 monsoon sessions in Rajya Sabha, three sessions, including the current session, had sittings of 10 or below.

The longest Monsoon Session of the Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, was the 89th which was held during July-September, 1974 with 40 sittings.
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14:09   EC says no direction to CBDT to issue notice to Pawar on poll affidavits
 The Election Commission on Wednesday said it has not given any direction to the Central Board of Direct Taxes to issue a notice to NCP chief Sharad Pawar over his poll affidavits.
  
The EC's statement came a day after Pawar said that the Income Tax department has served him a notice in connection with his poll affidavits submitted to the poll panel.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday, Pawar said the Income Tax department has sought his "clarification and explanation" on some poll affidavits furnished by him.

"I got the notice yesterday... We are happy that they (the Centre) love us from among all the members... The notice was served by Income Tax after the Election Commission asked (it) to... We will reply to the notice," he said.

The poll panel, referring to media reports, in a statement said, "...It is stated that the Election Commission of India has not issued any such direction to CBDT to issue a notice to Shri Pawar." 

-- PTI
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13:31   Humbled! Ayushmann on TIME's 100 influencers
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who has been voted as one of the most influential people in the world by TIME magazine, on Wednesday said he has always aimed to bring a positive change in society through cinema. The 36-year-old actor has come a long way from being a contestant on a reality show to an RJ to a VJ, followed by hosting popular television shows.

Having made his acting debut in Bollywood in 2012 with "Vicky Donor", Khurrana has made a niche for himself with social entertainers including "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", "Bareilly Ki Barfi", "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", "Badhaai Ho", "Article 15", among others.

The National Award winner is among the five Indians who have featured on this list. Others are Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sundar Pichai CEO of Google, London-based Indian-origin doctor Ravindra Gupta, who found a cure for AIDS and Bilkis - Dadi of Shaheen Bagh, a Delhi neighbourhood that became the epicentre of the anti-CAA protests.

Khurrana is the youngest Indian to be featured in this year's TIME Magazine. The "Andhadhun" star said he is humbled with the recognition bestowed on him. 

"As an artiste, I have only looked to contribute towards bringing a positive change in society through cinema and this moment is a huge validation of my belief system and my journey," he said in a statement. Khurrana said he believes cinema has the power to bring about change by triggering the right conversations among people in society. 

"Hopefully, through my content choices, I have been able to contribute towards my country and countrymen," he added. 

Khurrana's colleague Deepika Padukone has written a short article in the magazine, appreciating his talent. On the work front, Khurrana will be reuniting with his "Article 15" director Anubhav Sinha on a new project. The actor will soon begin shooting for Abhishek Kapoor's next in which he plays a cross functional athlete. PTI

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13:22   'Modi's agri reforms will change the status quo'
'Modi's bills have thrown a direct challenge to these well-entrenched vested interest of mandi managers. Mandis have become more political and less progressive. Many mandis has refused to join E-National Agricultural market, giving the excuse that they cannot follow lab testing etc.  

'The new bills will change the status quo. In a short term, the Mandis will survive but in a long term with these two acts, outsiders will get level playing field to take on local bullies of the agro-based-businesses as the new law doesn't allow imposing of tax on trade outside mandis.  

''Right now, for a poor Indian farmer, it's a buyers' market. Modi's bills are trying to make it a seller's market,' writes Senior Rediff.com contributor Sheela Bhatt in her column analysing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agri reform bills, in the Gulf Newshere.
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13:10   Mum hospital begins phase II, III vaccine trials
The civic-run King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday began phase II and III trials of the Oxford Covishield vaccine for COVID-19, an official said. The hospital, located in Parel area, on Tuesday got the approval of the Maharashtra ethics committee for conducting the vaccine trials. KEM Hospital Dean Dr Hemant Deshmukh told PTI that the hospital has started screening volunteers for the trials. The medical facility will be conducting the trials on 100 volunteers, he said. 

The city-based B Y L Nair Hospital, another facility run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, has also received approval for conducting trials of the vaccine. 

Both the KEM and Nair hospitals will be conducting the trials collectively on over 200 volunteers, sources said. As part of the trials, volunteers who are found negative for coronavirus in both RT-PCR and antigen tests will be given the vaccine, they said. Trials of the Oxford vaccine candidate are being conducted in Pune also.
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13:04   Kamala Harris 'grossly incompetent': Trump
US President Donald Trump has termed Senator Kamala Harris as "grossly incompetent," saying he was surprised when his Democratic rival Joe Biden picked her as his running mate in the November 3 presidential election. Harris, 55, is the first-ever Black, African-American and Indian-American woman to be the vice-presidential candidate of a major political party. 

"I was surprised to learn when Biden selected Harris as his running mate. Believe it or not, it's true she is rated the most liberal person in Congress. I think she's grossly incompetent I'll be honest with you," Trump said during a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. 

Trump, a Republican, said during the Democratic primaries no one treated Biden as badly as Harris. Also, Harris was dropped out of the Democratic Party's presidential race as her popularity ratings dipped low, he said. Former vice president Biden has defended Harris, saying she is smart, tested and prepared. -- PTI
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12:41   I'm subjected to witch-hunt: Rhea in bail plea
Actress Rhea Chakraborty, arrested in a drugs case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, has said in her bail plea filed in the Bombay High Court that she is innocent and NCB is "deliberately" trying to invoke stringent charges against her and her family. She also said that she has been subjected to a "witch-hunt".

In her bail application filed in the HC on Tuesday, Chakraborty said she is just 28 years of age, and besides the probe by the Narcotics Control Bureau, she has been subjected to three more investigations by police and central agencies, and a "simultaneous media trial". 

These probes refer to the ones conducted into Rajput's death by the Mumbai Police, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate. Chakraborty said all of this has taken a "severe toll on her mental health and well being". 

Any further custody will worsen her mental health, she said in her plea filed through her counsel Satish Maneshinde. Her bail plea was scheduled to be heard by a single bench presided over by Justice Sarang Kotwal on Wednesday. 

However, since the High Court suspended the day's hearings owing to heavy rains in the city, the plea is likely to be heard on Thursday. Chakraborty further said in her plea that Rajput had been in the habit of consuming drugs, particularly, "ganja" since even before she got into a relationship with him. 

While she would sometimes procure drugs for him in "small quantities", and would also "occasionally pay for them herself," she was in no way a part of any drug syndicate. She also said Rajput was the only one who was consuming the said drugs.

"The applicant (Chakraborty) is innocent and has not committed any crime whatsoever," the plea said. She also said in her plea that she has been subjected to a "witch-hunt," and after the CBI and the ED failed to gather any evidence against her, the NCB was "brought in to somehow implicate her and her family". -- PTI
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12:29   Parliament passes Financial Contracts Bill
Parliament on Wednesday passed a Bill that seeks to provide a legal framework for bilateral netting of qualified financial contracts. Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Sunday. 

The legislation allows for enforcement of netting for qualified financial contracts. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman termed the Bill as critical for financial stability in the country, and said it brings in a firm legal basis for bilateral netting for two counter parties. 

Sitharaman said: "It is just the bilateral contracts which do not have any firm legal basis. Value of bilateral derivative contracts is estimated by Clearing Corporation of India to be Rs. 56,33,257 crore as of March 2018." 

Bilateral contracts constitute 40 per cent of total financial contracts while multilateral contracts constitute 60 per cent, she added. PTI
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12:15   FIR against Anurag Kashyap in alleged rape case
Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against filmmaker Anurag Kashyap after actress Payal Ghosh accused him of sexual misconduct in 2013, an official said on Wednesday. Kashyap has dismissed the allegations as "baseless". The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Versova police station late Tuesday night after the actress along with her lawyer Nitin Satpute approached the police, the official said.

The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (I) (rape), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty,), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 342 (wrongful confinement), the official said, adding that further investigation is underway. 

Kashyap will be called for questioning in connection with the alleged seven-year-old incident, he said.

In her police complaint, the actress alleged that Kashyap raped her at a place on Yari Road in Versova in 2013. The actress and her lawyer earlier approached Oshiwara police station here on Monday, but they were asked to go to the Versova police station as the alleged incident took place under its area of jurisdiction, the official said. They had approached the Oshiwara police as Kashyap's office is located in that area.

Satpute in a tweet late Tuesday night said, "Finally FIR has been lodged against Accused for the offence Rape, Wrongful Restrain, Wrongful Confinement and outraging modesty of woman." On Saturday, the actress took to Twitter, claiming that Kashyap was sexually inappropriate towards her, an allegation the director called "baseless". Kashyap called the actor's claim an attempt to "silence" him for his outspoken views. -- PTI
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12:13   Filmmaker Madhu Mantena arrives for NCB probe
Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Film Producer Madhu Mantena arrives at Narcotics Control Bureau office in Mumbai. He has been summoned by NCB to join the investigation in the case.
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12:09   Oppn leaders meet with Azad over farm bills
MPs of Opposition parties which boycotted the ongoing Rajya Sabha session, meet at the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the House, Ghulam Nabi Azad. They will be discussing their further strategy on the farm bills passed in Parliament.
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11:54   Bihar DGP who taunted Rhea on 'aukat' quits
Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey, who had made headlines with his aukat" taunt at Rhea Chakraborty during the jurisdiction tussle between his men and the Maharashtra police in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, has taken voluntary retirement. Reports say Pandey has  decided to join politics after a go-ahead from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"I have not joined any political party as of now and I have not taken any decision on it yet. As far as social work is concerned, I can do it without entering politics too," Pandey said.
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11:51   Farm bills: 5 Oppn leaders to meet Prez at 5 pm
Rashtrapati Bhavan allots time to Opposition parties at 5pm to meet President Kovind over the farm bills. Only five opposition leaders permitted to meet, owing to Covid-19 protocols. The bills will become a law only after the President grants his assent to them. The two key farm bills, dubbed by the government as the biggest reform in agriculture, were passed by Rajya Sabha on Sunday with voice vote amid unprecedented unruly scenes by protesting opposition MPs.
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11:46   Death toll in Bhiwandi building collapse rises to 37
The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse, which took place near Mumbai on Monday, has risen to 37, the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) informed on Wednesday.

The three-storeyed building collapsed around 3:40 am on Monday in the Patel compound area in the Thane district.

Soon after the incident, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and police teams had reached the spot and carried out rescue operations.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the loss of lives in the incident. -- ANI
The 8 suspended MPs with RS Dy chairman
The 8 suspended MPs with RS Dy chairman
11:33   Opposition parties to meet today over strategy in Parliament
Opposition parties that boycotted the Rajya Sabha have called a meeting at the office of Leader of Opposition in the House Ghulam Nabi Azad at the Parliament on Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled to be held later today and has been called by the Opposition to discuss the further strategy on the farm Bills passed in the Parliament.

Opposition members had boycotted the proceedings on Tuesday after the speech by Azad in the Upper House.

Opposition leaders staged a walk-out from the Rajya Sabha and held a protest before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises. Congress and other parties had also boycotted the proceedings of the Lower House yesterday over the government "not agreeing" to Opposition suggestions on the agriculture Bills.

Eight Opposition MPs were suspended by the Rajya Sabha Chairman on Monday over the ruckus and the unruly scenes in the house on Sunday.

While the Opposition members have expressed reservations over the manner in which the agriculture Bills were passed, the government and BJP leaders have accused them of not following the directions of the Chair. -- ANI
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11:21   Bombay High Court suspends hearings due to heavy rains
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday suspended its hearings scheduled for the day, including all virtual hearings, in view of the heavy rainfall in the city and suburbs. The bail pleas filed by actress Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty, both arrested in a drugs case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, were to be heard on Wednesday by a single bench of Justice Sarang Kotwal through video-conferencing.

Besides, a division bench led by Justice S J Kathawalla was scheduled to hear actress Kangana Ranaut's plea against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation over the demolition of a part of her bungalow in Pali Hill area of suburban Mumbai. -- PTI
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10:39   Mumbai: Covid-19 dedicated Nair Hospital flooded
Nair Hospital, Mumbai's dedicated Covid-19 hospital at Mumbai Central, was flooded after the city received incessant rains for 24 hours. The Santacruz observatory (in western suburbs) received 286.4 mm rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, India Meteorological Department's Mumbai centre Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar said.

The Colaba observatory (in south Mumbai) recorded 147.8 mm rainfall during the same period, he said. "Mumbai received one of the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours," Hosalikar said, adding that the city and suburbs are likely to receive heavy showers on Wednesday also.
Waterlogging was observed at all low-lying areas in Mumbai
Waterlogging was observed at all low-lying areas in Mumbai
10:30   Mumbai: Flooded roads, tracks after 286mm rain
Mumbai received one of the highest showers in the last 24 hours of this monsoon season and more rainfall is likely in the city and suburbs on Wednesday, a MeT official said. Heavy showers overnight and early Wednesday morning caused waterlogging at many places in the metropolis, disrupting rail and road traffic. Rains across the island city and the western suburbs picked up late Tuesday evening. 

Due to continuous rains and water-logging, traffic on all lines in Mumbai Suburban section between Churchgate and Dadar were suspended from 8.15 am today.

There was water-logging in several areas across Mumbai -- Grant Rd to Charni Rd, Lower Parel to Prabhadevi, Dadar to Matunga, Matunga to Mahim.

There were intense spells across Mumbai for a few hours overnight, an official said. The Santacruz observatory (in western suburbs) received 286.4 mm rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Mumbai centre Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar said. The Colaba observatory (in south Mumbai) recorded 147.8 mm rainfall during the same period, he said.

"Mumbai received one of the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours," Hosalikar said, adding that the city and suburbs are likely to receive heavy showers on Wednesday also. 

According to the IMD, rainfall recorded below 15 mm is considered light, between 15 and 64.5 mm is moderate and above 64.5 mm is heavy. Since June 1 this year, the Santacruz observatory has so far recorded 3,571.1 mm downpour, while the Colaba observatory has recorded 3,147.3 mm rainfall during the period, the official said. PTI
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09:52   Govt has decided to recommend adjournment of House sine die: V Muraleedharan
Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, V Muraleedharan on Wednesday announced that the Central government has decided to recommend the adjournment of the House sine die on Wednesday.

"I have to inform members that the government has decided to recommend adjournment of the House sine die today. But some important legislative business passed by Lok Sabha has to be disposed of before adjournment of the House sine die," Muraleedharan said in Rajya Sabha. 

Muraleedharn further said that a meeting of Business Advisory Committee was convened on September 22 to allow time for government legislative business. "If the house agrees, the suggested time allotment to the Bills may be accepted," he added.

Replying to the recommendation, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said, "I would like to tell the Parliamentary Affairs Minister that the government can recommend the adjournment of House, but it is up to the chair when to adjourn the House. Once I am convinced that the business we have been given is totally completed, the House can be adjourned."

A meeting of BAC was held on Tuesday which was boycotted by members of the Opposition. The Opposition members also boycotted the proceedings on Tuesday after the speech by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Eight Opposition members were suspended on Monday from the House over unruly scenes in the House on Sunday during the passage of agriculture bills.

The Lok Sabha, which has passed several bills, is expected to take up discussion on National Education Policy on Wednesday.

The ongoing session began on September 14 with precautions against COVID-19. 

-- ANI
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09:45   Ayushmaan Khurrana in Time's 100 Most Influential List
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has made it to 'Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020' list. 

He is the only Indian actor to be on the list this year. 

Lauding him for taking up unconventional roles and subduing "stereotypical masculinity" in his films, actress Deepika Padukone wrote a fitting note for the actor.

Recalling her first meeting with Ayushmann, Deepika wrote, "I remember Ayushmann Khurrana vividly from his debut film, Vicky Donor. He had, of course, been a part of the entertainment industry in various other ways for several years before that, but the reason you and I talk about him today is because of the impact he has been able to create through memorable films and iconic characters. Where male protagonist roles often fall into the trap of stereotypical masculinity, Ayushmann has successfully and convincingly transformed into characters who challenge those very stereotypes."

"In India, with a population of more than 1.3 billion, only a tiny percentage of people see their dreams come alive, and Ayushmann Khurrana is one of them. Youre probably wondering, How? Talent and hard work. Sure, that goes without saying. But more important, patience, perseverance and fearlessness. A little insight for those who dare to dream," she added in her note.

In 2019, he also won National Film Award for his film Andhadhun. 
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09:30   Covid-19: India records 83,347 new cases
India's COVID-19 case tally crosses 56-lakh mark with a spike of 83,347 new cases & 1,085 deaths in last 24 hours.

The total case tally stands at 5,646,011 including 9,68,377 active cases, 45,87,614 cured/discharged/migrated & 90,020 deaths, according to the official data.

The health ministry on Wednesday said Indias testing capacity has surged to more than 12 lakh daily tests and is in line with the governments goal of early detection of Covid-19 cases. Over 6.5 crore tests have been conducted overall in the county. 

The coronavirus situation in India is showing signs of improvement as the health ministry said on Tuesday that more than one lakh people recovered in a single day.
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09:16   Russia offers free covid vaccine to all UN staff
What do you do when Vladimir Putin offers you Russia's new coronavirus vaccine, for free? United Nations staff in New York and around the world are now facing that choice, after the Russian president offered to provide them the Sputnik-V vaccine in a speech to this year's General Assembly marking the body's 75th birthday.

"Russia is ready to offer UN workers the necessary, qualified help, and in particular we propose to supply our vaccine for free to employees of the organisation and its subsidiaries who volunteer for vaccination," said Putin, who announced the vaccine to broad fanfare last month and said his own daughter is among those who have taken it.

He described the offer as a response to popular demand: "Some colleagues from the UN have asked about this, and we will not remain indifferent to them."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, "We thank President Putin for his generous offer which will be studied by our medical services."
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09:00   India slams Turkey on Kashmir remarks at UNGA
India has termed as "completely unacceptable" references to Jammu and Kashmir by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his address to the high-level debate at the UN General Assembly, saying Ankara should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.
"We have seen remarks by President of Turkey on Indian UT (Union Territory) of Jammu & Kashmir. They constitute gross interference in India's internal affairs and are completely unacceptable. Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said in a tweet.
Erdogan, in his pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, made a reference to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the issue of Kashmir, "which is also key to the stability and peace of South Asia, is still a burning issue. Steps taken following the abolition of the special status of Jammu-Kashmir further complicated the problem."
He said that Turkey was in "favour of solving this issue through dialogue, within the framework of the United Nations resolutions and especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir".

The Turkish president, a close ally of Pakistan, had last year also raised the issue of Kashmir in his address to the high-level General Debate in the General Assembly Hall.
India has rejected any third-party intervention in the Kashmir issue and has maintained that all outstanding matters in Indo-Pak ties should be resolved bilaterally. 

-- PTI
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08:47   Contributions keep pouring in for Ram temple in Ayodhya
While the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya continues, the contributions have kept on pouring in from across the world, the latest being a $1,500 contribution made by an NRI.

Prakash Gupta, office-in-charge, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra told reporters that till date crores of rupees have been received from devotees for the temple construction. "Crores of rupees have been received for temple construction till date. Recently an NRI has sent a cheque of $1,500 as his contribution," Gupta said.

The official further said that for every contribution the Trust receives through the post they send back a receipt and prasad, with the major contributors also getting an additional thank you note from its officials.

"For every cheque that we receive through the post, we send back a receipt and prasad. We also send a thank you letter to those who send large amounts along with these, we have been getting contributions regularly ranging from Rs 101 to lakhs," Gupta said.

-- ANI
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08:30   RS Deputy Chairman breaks one-day fast
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh has broken his one-day fast.

He had gone on a fast citing the Opposition members' "humiliating" conduct towards him.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is likely to conclude on Wednesday, eight days before it is scheduled to end, amid concerns of spread of coronavirus among lawmakers. 

The Monsoon Session was otherwise scheduled to end on October 1. Sources said Rajya Sabha is likely to adjourn sine die after taking up five bills on Wednesday.
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07:57   Heavy rain leads to waterlogging in Mumbai
Heavy rains that have been lashing Mumbai since Tuesday may turn more fierce today with intense rainfall predicted in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts. 

The rains have affected local train services with the Central Railway suspending trains between CSMT-Thane/CSMT-Vashi due to waterlogging in Sion-Kurla, Chunabhatti-Kurla and Masjid. Officials said that long distance special trains are being rescheduled.

At 5:30 am this morning, Colaba recorded 122.2mm of rainfall and Santacruz 273.6mm. The weather department stated that both the places continued to record very intense spells of rains throughout the night. 

"All four lines stopped due to water logging between Dadar, Kurla station and Masjid Bundar," the Railways said, adding that services on Western line will continue as usual till further notice.
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00:27   Ayodhya trust seeks nod for foreign donations
The Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust has applied for permission from the central government to accept foreign donations for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, a Trust official said.

Devotees from foreign countries have started sending donations for the Ram temple to the Trust, its office in-charge Prakash Gupta said.

On Tuesday, the office received a cheque of 1,500 dollars from an American citizen of Indian origin.

The Trust will soon open an NRI account where the donations in foreign currencies will be deposited, he said.

Since the ground-breaking ceremony on August 5 for the Ram temple, donations have been pouring in, and the Trust's funds have risen to Rs 75 crore, he said.

"The Trust is receiving regular donations from devotees in the country. Now devotees in foreign countries are donating through cheques, mostly in different foreign currencies," Gupta said.

"The Trust has applied for permission from the government of India to receive these foreign donations. The permission is likely to be granted soon, after which the Trust will open an NRI account in Punjab National Bank," he said.

Gupta said people in large numbers are offering cash donations varying from Rs 11 to Rs 11,000.   -- PTI

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