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Fri, 25 September 2020
I neither use nor advocate drugs: Karan Johar
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23:40 I neither use nor advocate drugs: Karan Johar
'I hope the members of the media would exercise restraint else I will be left with no option but to legally protect my rights against this baseless attack on me. (sic)'
Producer/Director Karan Johar has issued the following statement over allegations of use of drugs at a party held at his residence:
'Certain news channels, print/electronic media and social media platform(s) are wrongly and misleadingly reporting that narcotics were consumed at a party that I, Karan Johar, hosted on July 28, 2019 at my residence.
'I had already clarified my position way back in 2019 that the allegations were false.
'In view of the current malicious campaign, I am reiterating that the allegations are completely baseless and false.
'No narcotics substance was consumed in the party. I WOULD LIKE TO UNEQUIVOCALLY ONCE AGAIN STATE THAT I DO NOT CONSUME NARCOTICS AND DO NOT PROMOTE OR ENCOURAGE CONSUMPTION OF ANY SUCH SUBSTANCE.
'All these slanderous and malicious statements, news articles and news clippings have unnecessarily subjected me, my family, and my colleagues, and Dharma Productions, to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
'I would like to further state that several media/news channels have been airing news reports that Kshitij Prasad and Anubhav Chopra are my 'aides'/'close aides' I would like to place on record that I do not know these individuals personally and neither of these two individuals are 'aides' or 'close aides'. NEITHER I, NOR DHARMA PRODUCTIONS CAN BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT PEOPLE DO IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. THESE ALLEGATIONS DO NOT PERTAIN TO DHARMA PRODUCTIONS.
'I wish to further state that Mr Anubhav Chopra is not an employee at Dharma Productions. He was briefly associated with us for only two months in the capacity of 2nd assistant director for a film, between November 2011 and January 2012 and as assistant director for the short film in January 2013. He has, thereafter, never been associated with Dharma Productions for any other project.
'Mr Kshitij Ravi Prasad joined Dharmatic Entertainment (sister concern of Dharma Productions) in November 2019 as one of the executive producers on contract basis for a project which eventually did not materialise.
'However, in the past few days, the media has resorted to distasteful, distorted and false allegations.
'I hope the members of the media would exercise restraint else I will be left with no option but to legally protect my rights against this baseless attack on me. (sic)'
23:37 Polling for 8 Bihar Legislative Council seats on Oct 22
The Election Commission on Friday announced that the biennial elections for eight legislative council seats in Bihar will be held on October 22.
The Commission earlier announced the much awaited poll schedule for holding Bihar assembly polls.
The eight council seats comprise four each from graduates constituencies and teachers constituencies. The term of the eight members had ended on May 6, an EC release said.
The polling will be held for graduates constituencies of Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Kosi and for teachers constituencies of Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran.
Considering the unforeseen public health emergency due to COVID-19 and the guidelines and orders issued by the authorities concerned, the EC had postponed the election on April 3 and had said the polls for the eight seats will be held at a later date after reviewing the situation.
The date for the election has been fixed after considering the inputs received from the chief electoral officer of Bihar, the release said.
As per the schedule, the filing of nominations will start with the issuing of notification on September 28 and the last date for doing so will be October 5.
Scrutiny will be held the next day and the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be October 8.
The polling for the eight seats will be held on October 22 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m and the counting will be taken up on November 12.
The entire election process will be completed by November 14, the release said.
The broad guidelines will be followed during the entire election processes, it said adding that it mandates every person to wear face masks during every poll related activity.
Thermal scanning of all persons will be ensured and sanitiser will be made available at all locations. Social distancing will be maintained as per the COVID-19 guidelines of the state government and the ministry of home affairs at all locations. -- PTI
22:51 Sushant family not happy with CBI probe: Lawyer
The pace of Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Sushant Singh Rajput's death has suddenly slowed down and all attention is being diverted to drugs-related issues with the Narcotics Control Bureau conducting 'fashion parade' of Bollywood stars, the actor's family lawyer Vikas Singh alleged on Friday.
"Today, we are helpless as we don't know which direction the case is going in. Normally a press briefing is done by CBI. But in this case, till today, the CBI has not done a press briefing on what they have found out. This is a very serious issue," Singh alleged at a press conference.
He also claimed that a doctor, who is part of AIIMS team, had told him 'long back' that Rajput's photos -- sent by the lawyer himself -- indicated that it was allegedly death by strangulation, not suicide.
As far as the narcotics angle is concerned, the senior advocate further claimed that such a case can be made only if certain quantity of drugs is seized from someone.
Singh further alleged that NCB is conducting a 'fashion parade' of Bollywood stars to divert media attention.
"An offence can not be proved until some quantity of contraband is recovered. The only case made out is that of casual consumer and proving anyone guilty is almost impossible," he told reporters.
Singh had earlier in the day taken to Twitter saying he was getting 'frustrated' by the delay in CBI taking a decision in the case.
'Getting frustrated by the delay in CBI taking a decision to convert abetment to suicide to Murder of SSR (Sushant Singh Rajput).
'The Doctor who is part of AIIMS team had told me long back that the photos sent by me indicated 200 per cent that it's death by strangulation and not suicide,' Singh tweeted.
Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14 following which the Mumbai Police had lodged an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
On July 25, Rajput's father K K Singh lodged a complaint in the matter with Patna police against Sushant's actor-friend Rhea Chakraborty, her parents Indrajit and Sandhya, her brother Showik, the late actor's then manager Shruti Modi and his house manager Samuel Miranda.
He accused them of cheating and abetting his son's suicide. He also claimed that the accused persons had siphoned off Rs 15 crore from his son's bank accounts.
Based on this allegation, the Enforcement Directorate is probing money laundering charges.
The FIR lodged by Patna police was later transferred to the CBI, while the NCB is probing drugs angle in the case. -- PTI
22:17 NCB records Rakul Preet's statement in drug case
Actor Rakul Preet Singh's statement was recorded by the Special Investigative Team (SIT) of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with a drug case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
"Rakul Preet Singh's statement was recorded by the SIT today. It will be analysed and produced before the court," Mutha Ashok Jain, Director General, NCB told reporters in Mumbai.
NCB said that Karishma Prakash, actor Deepika Padukone's manager joined the investigation and she has been called again tomorrow.
The NCB on Wednesday had also summoned actors Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Simone Khambatta and celebrity manager Shruti Modi for the ongoing case.
Actor Rhea Chakraborty, who was arrested in the drug case, is in judicial custody has been extended till October 6.
The NCB had launched an investigation after it received official communication from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in which there were various chats related to drug consumption, procurement, usage and transportation.
The ED had on July 31 registered an Enforcement Case Information Report in the late actor's death case after a First Information Report was filed by Rajput's father KK Singh against Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28. Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. -- ANI
21:49 Amid leaks, WhatsApp says chats encrypted
WhatsApp on Friday said messages sent on its platform are end-to-end encrypted and only the recipient of a message can read the content.
The statement comes at a time when WhatsApp chats of Bollywood actors about drugs have been purportedly leaked and has raised concerns among WhatsApp users about privacy of their conversations on the messaging platform.
"WhatsApp protects your messages with end-to-end encryption so that only you and the person you're communicating with can read what is sent, and nobody in between can access it, not even WhatsApp," a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said that people sign up on WhatsApp using only a phone number and that the Facebook-owned company does not have access to the message content.
"WhatsApp follows guidance provided by operating system manufacturers for on-device storage and we encourage people to take advantage of all the security features provided by operating systems such as strong passwords or biometric IDs to prevent third parties from accessing content stored on the device," the spokesperson said. -- PTI
21:00 Police honours for SP Balasubrahmanyam's funeral
Renowned singer S P Balasubrahmanyam would be laid to rest with police honours, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Chennai on Friday.
As a mark of respect to Balasubrahmanyam, who has "earned a perpetual place in the hearts of people" not only from Tamil Nadu but across the country, the singer "would be laid to rest" with honours from the police department, the chief minister announced in an official release.
The singer's body would be taken to Tamaraipakkam in Thiruvallur district, about 40 km from Chennai.
The legendary playback singer died on Friday after fighting Covid-19 at MGM Healthcare in Chennai since August 5.
-- PTI
20:45 Sisodia given plasma therapy at Delhi hospital
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is battling COVID-19 and dengue, underwent plasma therapy at a private hospital in New Delhi on Friday, his office said.
He was given plasma therapy at Max Hosptial in Saket.
Sisodia was shifted from Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Hospital to Max hospital on Thursday.
The deputy chief minister, who had tested positive for COVID-19, was later diagnosed as suffering from dengue also.
He was admitted to LNJP hospital after he complained of fever and low oxygen levels on September 23.
Sisodia had said in a tweet on September 14 that he had experienced mild fever and report of COVID-19 test was positive. -- ANI
20:12 Trying not to implement agri bills: Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is trying to not implement the farm bills recently passed by Parliament in the state.
"Farmers and farmer organisations have opposed it. NCP also opposed it. Many political parties have opposed it as farmers feel it's not beneficial for them. What is the need to hurry for it? We have seen what happened in Rajya Sabha," Pawar told reporters in Pune.
"We are trying that these (farm bills) are not implemented in the state. If the matter goes to the court, what will happen we are studying it that as well. A meeting was held by me in which Minister Jayant Patil, Balasaheb Patil, secretaries and other people were present. We all have discussed it. Advocate General and other related people's opinion has been taken," he said.
"I think Minister Balasaheb Patil has issued an order also in that regard that this should not be implemented here in Maharashtra. In rural areas, the market committees which stood up for farmers will also be in trouble with it," he added.
The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were passed by Parliament. -- ANI
19:54 SPB tuned a number on coronavirus before testing positive
Before he tested positive for coronavirus, singer S P Balasubrahmanyam composed music and sang a Tamil song to create awareness about the deadly pathogen with the lyrics brimming with confidence that mankind would eventually win over the pandemic.
'I composed this number. Let us listen to this... it is not more musical, it is more lyrical,' he had said months ago in his foreword to the song, penned by renowned lyricist Vairamuthu.
Popularly known as 'SPB', he had in the three-minute plus video post urged his fans to pay attention to the depth and import of the words and act accordingly to help prevent the virus spread.
The song that begins with 'Corona, Corona', goes on to explain that though the virus was pretty small in size, smaller than an atom, it was deadly like an atom bomb and it infected people stealthily.
The rendition by Balasubrahmanyam, who died on Friday at a hospital in Chennai days after testing negative for the virus, also attached importance to avoiding physical contact, following hygiene and other aspects aimed at avoiding the pathogen.
The 74-year old singer switched to a higher pitch while singing verses laced with confidence that human race would annihilate coronavirus and emerge victorious and the song ended on that note.
SPB later tested positive for coronavirus, but even then he was confident he would recover. -- PTI
19:01 Bihar to have rallies with distancing norms
Political parties and candidates can hold rallies as part of their campaigning for the Bihar assembly polls and the grounds where such meetings will be held will have white circles to ensure distancing norms.
Addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for Bihar assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said he wants to dispel doubts that there will only be virtual campaigning in the state. The "propganda" that only virtual meets will take place during campaigning is way off the mark, he said.
Arora said the district election officers have already identified places where gatherings can take place. The exercise of putting markers to ensure distancing norms is on.
District election officers and district superintendents of police should ensure that the number of attendees does not exceed the limit prescribed by the State Disaster Management Authority for public gatherings, an EC statement later said.
DEOs will depute sector health regulators to oversee that COVID-19 instructions are being followed during such meetings.
Political parties and candidates concerned should ensure that all COVID-related requirements such as face masks, sanitisers and thermal scanning are fulfilled during each of these election activities, the commission said.
Anyone violating the norms will face action under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code, the EC warned.
As part of restrictions put in place to check the spread of the virus, the EC has reduced the number of people who can under take door-to-door campaigning.
A group of five people, including candidates, but excluding security personnel, is allowed to campaign from door to door.
For road shows, the convoy of vehicles should be broken after every five vehicles instead of 10 vehicles.
The interval between two sets of convoy of vehicles should be half an hour instead of a gap of 100 metres.
The EC has revised the norms of the number of people accompanying the candidate and number of vehicles at the time of nomination.
It has also created an optional facility to fill the nomination form and the affidavit online and submission of the same, after taking a print, before the returning officer concerned.
For the first time, the candidates will have the option to deposit the security amount for contesting the elections online. -- PTI
18:58 India's COVID-19 recoveries close to 48 lakh
India's total COVID-19 recoveries have surged to over 47.5 lakh with 10 states and union territories including Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal accounting for 73 per cent of the new recovered cases, the Union health ministry said on Friday.
A total of 81,177 patients have recuperated from COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 47,56,164 and pushing the recovery rate 81.74 per cent.
Recovered cases have exceeded active cases (9,70,116) by nearly 38 lakh (37,86,048) as on date, the ministry highlighted.
"Spurred by this number of very high recoveries, the national recovery rate continues to follow a rising curve. It stands at 81.74 per cent as on date," the ministry said.
It said that 73 per cent of the new recovered cases have been reported from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam.
Maharashtra continues to lead with more than 17,000 new recoveries. Andhra Pradesh contributed more than 8,000 to the single day recoveries.
Also, 86,052 new confirmed cases have been reported in a span of 24 hours in the country, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The ministry said 75 per cent of the new cases are found to be concentrated in 10 states and union territories -- Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, West Bengal and Telangana.
Maharashtra contributed more than 19,000 to the new cases. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka both have contributed more than 7,000.
Also, 1,141 deaths have been registered in a day with 83 per cent of them being from 10 states and union territories -- Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Chhattisgarh.
Forty per cent of the new deaths reported on Thursday are from Maharashtra with 459 fatalities followed by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh with 76 and 67 deaths, respectively. -- PTI
18:34 ED attaches Rana Kapoor's London flat in Yes Bank case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached a residential apartment in London belonging to Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in connection with a money laundering case, officials said on Friday.
The economic offences watchdog attached the property worth Rs 127 crores in London, United Kingdom, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the Yes Bank scam case.
According to ED officials, the property was purchased by Kapoor in 2017 for 9.9 million pounds (Rs 93 crores) in the name of DOIT Creations Jersey Limited, wherein accused Kapoor is the beneficial owner.
Kapoor was arrested by the investigative agency on March 7 in the matter.
18:09 SPB's mortal remains brought home
The mortal remains of singer SP Balasubrahmanyam have been brought to his residence in Chennai. SPB, as he was popularly known, passed away at around 1 pm today. The 74-year old veteran singer succumbed to a two- month-long battle with coronavirus.
18:01 Medical Council of India abolished
In a historic reform in the field of medical education, the National Medical Commission has been constituted to function as the top medical education regulator, along with four Autonomous Boards. Meanwhile, the Medical Council of India has been abolished.
Four Autonomous Boards of Under-Graduate Medical Education Board, Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Medical Registration Board have also been constituted to help the NMC in its day-to-day functioning.
"This historic reform will steer medical education towards a transparent, qualitative, and accountable system. The basic change that has happened is that the regulator is now 'selected' on merits, as opposed to an 'elected' regulator.
Men and women with impeccable integrity, professionalism, experience, and stature have been now placed at the helm to steer the medical education reforms further," the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the notifications in this regard were issued late on September 24.Dr. SC Sharma, retired professor, ENT, AIIMS, Delhi, has been selected as the Chairperson for a period of three years. Besides the Chairperson, NMC will have 10 ex-officio members that include Presidents of the four Autonomous Boards, Dr. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr. Rajendra A Badwe, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Dr. Surekha Kishore, Executive Director, AIIMS, Gorakhpur."
In addition, NMC will have 10 nominees from Vice-Chancellors of Health Universities from States and Union Territories, nine nominees from State Medical Councils, and three expert members from diverse professions," the statement said. -- ANI
17:56 8,700 Covid tests done during parliament session
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said that the lower House of parliament saw 68.65 per cent average attendance of members during the monsoon session, which had 10 sittings and was held with precautions against Covid-19.
Birla said that 8,700 Covid-19 tests were done during the session in parliament, which began on September 14 amid several precautionary measures and ended on September 23.
"As it was an extraordinary session due to Covid-19, regular Covid tests were being done in the parliament," he added.
He said the debate on Covid-19 lasted for 5 hours 8 minutes and 74 MPs participated in the discussion.Ahead of the session, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria briefed MPs on Covid precautionary measures on September 13 and September 14.
For the first time in the history of Parliament, members of both houses sat in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha including galleries during the proceedings to maintain social distancing.
The Speaker told the media that the session saw several achievements though it as full of challenges amid conditions created by COVID-19.
"India's democracy is strong and people have faith in it. Since 1952, voters' percentage has increased as they exhibited faith in democracy. Many countries held their Parliament virtually. The kind of support we received from all political parties and government, we were able to finish more work compared to the time we had. We saw a good percentage of MPs present in Parliament," added the Speaker.
On the first day of the session, 369 MPs attended the Lok Sabha. The maximum number of MPs were present on September 22 when 383 MPs attended the house, he said. -- PTI
17:48 Kerala govt allows nine Class 12 students to write exams after sunset
The Left government in Kerala has allowed nine Class 12 students to write their improvement exams after sunset on religious grounds acting on a request from Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
The students, belonging to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, will give their state board improvement exams after sunset on Saturday, after the end of Sabbath.
The Director of Public Instruction issued an order regarding the same on a request made by the Christian Protestant Church to the Chief Minister and Education Minister to reschedule the improvement exams timing.
The church had sent a memorandum seeking to reschedule the exam in view of the weekly Holy Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
"We humbly request you to reschedule the timetable for plus two exams on any other day other than Saturday or after the sunset on Saturday. The Seventh-day Adventist Church universally observes the Holy Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening weekly in thousands of churches across the World," the church said in its memorandum.
It said that all their plus two students and their parents were shocked to seek that important subjects such as Mathematics, Biology and Computer Science are scheduled on September 26 morning and evening.
"All the families connected with the Seventh-day Adventists families and Pastors are on a shock wave and immediately through church authorities presented the memorandum to Chief Minister, Education Minister and Education Department," it said. -- PTI
17:44 'My family, my responsibility' drive will make Maha fit: CM
The Maharashtra government's 'my family, my responsibility' anti-COVID-19 drive will create a health map for the state and make its people fit, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Friday. He was speaking at a review meeting held on the outbreak situation in Konkan and Pune regions, with officials from there taking part through video-conferencing.
The campaign aims to survey and screen households in the state to detect COVID-19 patients as well as those with other ailments. Volunteers were compiling data of those who had been detected with the infection, those who had recovered and their post-coronavirus situation, Thackeray said.
"In Konkan, 10.63 lakh families have been surveyed. In Pune, they have surveyed 182 villages and 13 municipal councils," the CM said. He said the campaign was being extended in Pune to include factories, housing societies and civic wards.
He said easing of lockdown restrictions, also called 'unlock' and 'begin again' by authorities, increased the threat of the virus spreading and asked people to ensure they wear masks and maintain social distancing norms. "Now we see two kinds of people. One who has tremendous fear for the coronavirus and the other who is very careless about the outbreak. The threat of spread of the virus is more from asymptomatic patients," Thackeray claimed. PTI
17:42 Industry body urges Centre to remove curbs on export of N-95 masks
The All India Mask Manufacturers Association on Friday urged the government to remove restrictions on the exports of N-95 masks, saying the country currently possesses a production capacity of 20 crore pieces a month as against the monthly export quota of 50 lakh units. Recently, the government relaxed curbs on exporting of masks and medical coveralls, which are used to control the spread of Covid-19.
A monthly export quota of 50 lakh units has been fixed for N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent for issuance of export licences to eligible applicants, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said last month.
"We would request the government to please open up the export of N-95 masks without any restrictions. Currently, there is a limit of 50 lakh per month on its exports which has been imposed by the government," said the All India Mask Manufacturers Association Vice-President Anshumali Jain at a virtual conference to announce the Nonwoven Tech Expo.
He said the 50 lakh monthly export quota is a small number as India's present manufacturing capacity of N-95 masks is 20 crore pieces a month. The world's first virtual Nonwoven Tech Expo, an exhibition on non-wovens and hygiene technology, will be held from October 19 to 25.
The Expo aims to prepare the road map for the non-woven industry to enter the new normal by transforming and building businesses through a digital culture. The Nonwoven Federation of India, which represents more than 250 non-woven manufacturers, said the Expo will focus on usage of non-woven products for medical, hygiene, packaging protective, agriculture, geo-textile, filtration, automobiles, and other industries. -- PTI
17:34 Covid antibodies can lead to passive vaccine
Scientists have identified highly effective antibodies against the novel coronavirus, which they say can lead to the development of a passive vaccination for Covid-19. Unlike in active vaccination, passive vaccination involves the administration of ready-made antibodies, which are degraded after some time.
However, the effect of a passive vaccination is almost immediate, whereas with an active vaccination it has to build up first, the researchers said. The research, published in the journal Cell, also shows that some SARS-CoV-2 antibodies bind to tissue samples from various organs, which could potentially trigger undesired side effects.
The scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin isolated almost 600 different antibodies from the blood of individuals who had overcome COVID-19, the disease triggered by SARS-CoV-2. By means of laboratory tests, they were able to narrow this number down to a few antibodies that were particularly effective at binding to the virus.
The researchers then produced these antibodies artificially using cell cultures. The so-called neutralising antibodies bind to the virus, as crystallographic analysis reveals, and thus prevent the pathogen from entering cells and reproducing, they said. -- PTI
17:23 Rhea got drugs for Sushant through brother: NCB
Rhea Chakraborty used to procure drugs through her brother Showik and supply them to her boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput, a Narcotics Control Bureau officer said in Mumbai on Friday. The probe into drugs angle of the Rajput death case led the bureau to the discovery of several "linkages" or drug supply networks, he said.
The NCB is probing the drugs case related to Rajput's death as well as an alleged nexus between Bollywood and drug peddlers. Showik Chakraborty's name came up during the interrogation of alleged drug peddler Basit Parihar, a resident of suburban Bandra, the official said.
Parihar allegedly revealed that he used to procure `bud' (a curated form of marijuana) and weed for his friend Showik. During questioning, Showik accepted that he used to procure weed and bud through Parihar and Kaizan Ebrahim and pass them to his sister Rhea who gave it to Sushant, the official said.
Rajput's manager Samuel Miranda and cook Dipesh Sawant used to collect the contraband and make `joints' (marijuana cigarettes) for the deceased actor, he claimed.
The starting point of the entire probe was some WhatsApp chats about drugs that the Enforcement Directorate came across in its money laundering probe against Rhea and her family. The ED informed the NCB about these conversations.
Rediff.com cartoonist Uttam's take on the 2015 attack
16:53 Two wounded in knife attack near Charlie Hebdo office in Paris
Reports say that at least two people were wounded in a knife attack near the former offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris. One person has been arrested. Police are still searching the area for more suspects even as they question the arrested suspect..
Police initially announced that four people were wounded in the attack, but it is now believed that two people were involved in the attack.
On 7 January 2015 at about 11:30am local time, two brothers, Sad and Chrif Kouachi, forced their way into the offices of the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Armed with rifles and other weapons, they killed 12 people and injured 11 others. The gunmen identified themselves as belonging to the terrorist group al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula, which took responsibility for the attack.
Charlie Hebdo is a French publication that has always courted controversy with satirical attacks on political and religious leaders. It published cartoons of Muhammad in 2012, forcing France to temporarily close embassies and schools in more than 20 countries amid fears of reprisals.
16:35 Vodafone wins Rs 20,000 cr tax case against govt
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that the Indian governments demand from Vodafone Group Plc of Rs 22,100 crore as retrospective tax was in breach of the guarantee of fair and equitable treatment.
The court has also asked the Indian government to reimburse 4.3 million pounds to Vodafone Group for legal representation, assistance, and for fees paid by the company to the arbitration court.
The company had moved the arbitration court in 2016 after both the parties failed to agree on an arbitrator for the process. India had in 2009 raised a demand of Rs 7,990 crore in capital gains tax in Vodafone Groups $11 billion dollar deal involving purchase of 67 per cent of Hutchison Whampoa. The total demand against Vodafone Group after adding the interest and penalty imposed on the company would have come to Rs 22,100 crore.
16:24 Terrorists exploiting Covid lockdown: India at UN
Due to widespread Covid-19, terrorists are making malevolent attempts to exploit the financial and emotional distress caused by lockdowns to disturb the cohesiveness of societies, India said at the 45th session of Human Rights Council. Pawan Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to UN in Geneva while making a statement at the Council said, "Terror groups have also exhorted supporters to target security forces and health workers. Another disturbing trend has been the collection of funds by proscribed terrorist outfits ostensibly for undertaking charitable activities, but which, in reality, would be used to finance terror."
The topic of the debate was "Human rights situations that require the Council's attention".
"The increased presence of people online and on social media has been targeted by terrorists to disseminate misinformation through hate speeches, fake news and doctored videos. The intent has been to entice and establish links with vulnerable individuals and recruit them in their cadres," Pawan Badhe added.
"We underscore the need to foster a society in which individuals and communities are able to counter the spread of terrorist ideologies and challenge those who espouse them," he added.
India emphasised that the Council can't remain immune to the devastating human rights impact caused by terrorism. It needs to play a key role in creating awareness about the protection of the rights of the most vulnerable groups particularly children and young persons in order to prevent their radicalisation and indoctrination by terrorist ideologies. -- ANI
16:17 Delhi court directs police to lodge FIR over morphed video of Kejriwal
A court has directed the Delhi Police to register an FIR on a complaint over a morphed video of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal allegedly singing an obscene song, saying its tone and manner lowers his reputation and addresses the public in an abusive manner. Metropolitan Magistrate Kishor Kumar directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Paschim Vihar Police Station to lodge an FIR on the basis of the complaint filed by an advocate within one week. It further directed the police to file a compliance report by December 2.
The complaint filed by advocate Amit Sahni, claimed that after the result of Delhi Vidhan Sabha Election on February 12, 2020, a video was uploaded on Youtube in which Kejriwal has been shown singing an obscene song. The court said in its order passed on September 24, "In the video in question, the tone and manner of the song was not only lowering the reputation of a constitutionally elected Chief Minister but it was also addressing public/voters in abusive manner who have exercised their constitutional/electoral rights while voting for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the purpose of electing Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi."
"I find there is prima facie cognisable case having been disclosed by the complainant on the basis of the CD in question in which Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi is shown singing...under section 294 (obscene acts and songs) of IPC (Indian Penal Code) read with 67 (lascivious content) of Information Technology Act," the judge said. An Action Taken Report was filed by the police stating that the video in question does not attract any cognisable offence as there was nothing obscene. - PTI
16:15 Manish Sisodia's health improves
The condition of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is battling a double infection of Covid-19 and dengue, is better now, an official from his office said on Friday. Sisodia is undergoing treatment at Max Hospital, Saket, where he was moved on Thursday evening from the Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital due to his "falling" blood platelet count and low oxygen level. He is admitted to the ICU of the private hospital in south Delhi.
"His condition is better now," said an official from the deputy chief minister's office. Sisodia had tested positive for COVID-19 on September 14 and was under home isolation. He was admitted to LNJP Hospital on Wednesday for treatment, and tested positive for dengue a day later. He is perhaps the first prominent personality in the city to have been diagnosed with both infections. -- PTI
15:43 Ajit pays tribute to Hindutva icon Upadhyay, deletes tweet
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar onFriday paid tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary, but later deleted the tweet on the late leader. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also paid tribute to Upadhyay, a Hindutva icon and a revered figure for the BJP, his former ally. The BJS was the predecessor of the BJP.
Taking to Twitter, Pawar, a senior NCP leader, wrote, "Tributes to the founder of Jana Sangh and senior leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary."
However, the tweet by Pawar, who had briefly joined hands with the BJP before the MVA government was formed in November last year, was later deleted. Asked about his deleted tweet, Pawar said, "We speak good about people who are no more and that is why I had tweeted. But in politics, we have to listen to our seniors." The NCP leader, however, did not elaborate.
15:25 Can Bihar polls be held amid pandemic, asks Raut
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday asked if it was appropriate to conduct assembly elections in Bihar amid the prevailing coronavirus situation in the country. Talking to reporters, Raut said the pandemic has given rise to an "unprecedented" situation.
"Is coronavirus pandemic over now? Is the situation right for elections?" he asked. The Election Commission on Friday announced dates for the Bihar assembly elections, which will be held in three phases- on October 28, November 3 and November 7- while the counting of votes will take place on November 10.
Raut said the issue of passage of farm sector bills in the Parliament will have no impact on the elections in Bihar as the state votes "only on the basis of caste and religion".
Replying to a question if actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death will become an election issue in Bihar, the Shiv Sena MP alleged, "The government there does not have any issues related to development or governance to speak about."
"What happened to the CBI probe in Sushant case? The Bihar DGP has now resigned and will be contesting assembly polls," Raut claimed.
Former Bihar police chief Gupteshwar Pandey has been in line of fire of non-BJP parties in Maharashtra after he sought a CBI probe in Rajput's death and then opted for voluntary retirement amid speculation of his electoral foray in that state. Pandey stepped down late Tuesday night.
When asked about the proposed film city in Uttar Pradesh, Raut said, "It's a good proposal. Uttar Pradesh is an important state in the country and the entertainment business offers employment opportunities." He said film cities should come up in all states. "With the abrogation of Article 370, a film city should also be set up in Kashmir valley," he said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently announced that the country's "biggest" film city would be set up in his state. PTI
15:16 Varun Dhawan undergoes Covid test before shooting
Actor Varun Dhawan on Friday took to social media to share that he has taken a Covid-19 test, as a precautionary measure, before returning to the sets. The 33-year-old actor shared a picture and a video on his Instagram page, in which he is seen with a healthcare professional, who is clad in a PPE suit. Dhawan is seen undergoing a swab test for COVID-19. The actor also urged his fans to maintain social distancing and wear a mask, whenever they go out.
"Returning to work with all precautions. Do gaz ki doori. Mask hai zaroori. Swipe to see my test (it always stings) thank you to all the medical personnel," Dhawan captioned the post. On the film front, the actor's next release is "Coolie No 1", directed by his father, filmmaker David Dhawan.
15:07 Fashion Street is open for shoppers
Mumbai's iconic Fashion Street reopens after six months of Covid-induced lockdown. Almost none of the people in the image have masks perched where they should be. Pic: Sahil Salvi
Anushka Sharma cradles her baby bump
14:59 Message was distasteful, Mr Gavaskar: Anushka
Former India skipper and commentator Sunil Gavaskar's remarks on air about Virat Kohli during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) game at the Dubai Cricket Stadium has miffed actor Anushka Sharma.
Kohli was dismissed for just a run on Thursday and Gavaskar made a remark on how the India and RCB skipper hardly had any training time against quality bowling during the coronavirus-induced break. He also used Kohli's wife, Anushka's name while making the remark.
Reacting to being dragged into the episode, the actor took to Instagram and wrote: "That, Mr Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her for her husband's game? I'm sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commenting on the game. Don't you think you should have equal amount of respect for me and us?
"I'm sure you can have many other words and sentences in your mind to use to comment on my husband's performance from last night or are your words only relevant if you use my name in the process? It is 2020 and things still don't change for me. When will I stop getting dragged into cricket and stop being used to pass sweeping statements? Respected Mr Gavaskar, you are a legend whose name stands tall in this gentleman's game. Just wanted to tell you what I felt when I heard you say this," she added.
Having started the season with a win, RCB didn't have a good outing against KXIP on Thursday as they lost by 97 runs at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Kohli made no bones about the fact that it was a bad day in the office not just for the team, but also for him individually.
While the RCB skipper managed to score just a run with the bat, he missed two catches of KXIP skipper KL Rahul and that did make a difference as Rahul hit a brilliant century to lead his team from the front. In fact, Rahul was in the 80s when he was dropped and went on to hit an unbeaten 132 off 69 balls."Yeah it didn't (go well). I think we were good in the middle phase with the ball, they got off to a decent start and we pulled things back nicely. I have to stand in front and take the brunt of it, not the best day in the office, couple of important chances of KL when he was set and that cost us 35-40 runs at a later stage," he had said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
14:43 President Kovind, PM Modi condole passing away of singer SP Balasubrahmanyam
President Ram Nath Kovind condoles the passing away of singer SP Balasubrahmanyam.
He wrote on Twitter, "In the passing of music legend SP Balasubrahmanyam Indian music has lost one of its most melodious voices. Called Paadum Nila' or Singing Moon by his countless fans, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan and many National Awards. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers."
Prime Minister too paid tribute to the singer, writing, "With the unfortunate demise of Shri SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer. A household name across India, his melodious voice and music enthralled audiences for decades. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti."
14:31 Britain's Princess Eugenie is pregnant: Buckingham Palace
Princess Eugenie, the younger daughter of Britain's Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, is pregnant and expecting to give birth early next year, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.
Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting a baby in early 2021, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, Mr and Mrs George Brooksbank, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted with the news.
14:11 Bihar DGP always spoke like BJP neta: Maha HM
Former Bihar police chief Gupteshwar Pandey spoke like some BJP leader when he mentioned the Sushant Singh Rajput death case and that suspicion has proved to be true, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said. Pandey has been in line of fire of non-BJP parties in Maharashtra after he sought a CBI probe in Rajput's death and then opted for voluntary retirement amid speculation of his electoral foray in Bihar where assembly polls will be held in October-November.
The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress, partners in the MVA government in Maharashtra, have been critical of the former IPS officer over his recent comments and perceived closeness to the BJP.
Speaking to reporters in Gondia on Thursday, Deshmukh also accused the BJP of conspiring to defame Maharashtra and its police with an eye on the Bihar elections.
"You saw over the past one-and-half or two months that Pandey, despite being a senior police official, would speak as if he was a senior BJP leader. And it has turned out to be true," Deshmukh said. "He has resigned...the only thing I want to say is that it was the BJPs conspiracy to defame Maharashtra and its police eying the Bihar polls," the NCP leader added.
Pandey stepped down late Tuesday night and a day later, dropped hints about joining politics, asserting he is a "free man" now and that contesting elections is not illegal. -- PTI
14:04 Sushant died of strangulation: Family quotes AIIMS doc
Sushant Singh Rajput's family lawyer Vikas Singh claimed on Friday that a doctor, who is part of AIIMS team, had told him "long back" that Rajput's photos sent by the lawyer indicated that it was allegedly death by strangulation, not suicide.
The senior advocate took to Twitter saying he was getting "frustrated" by the delay in CBI taking a decision in the case. "Getting frustrated by the delay in CBI taking a decision to convert abetment to suicide to Murder of SSR (Sushant Singh Rajput).
"The doctor who is part of AIIMS team had told me long back that the photos sent by me indicated 200% that it's death by strangulation and not suicide," Singh tweeted.
Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14 following which the Mumbai Police had lodged an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
On July 25, Rajput's father K K Singh lodged a complaint in the matter with Patna police against Rhea Chakraborty, her parents Indrajit and Sandhya, her brother Showik, the late actor's then manager Shruti Modi and his house manager Samuel Miranda. He accused them of cheating and abetting his sons suicide. He also claimed that the accused persons had siphoned off Rs 15 crore from his son's bank accounts. -- PTI
13:57 Sid Mallya to turn author with book on mental health
Sid Mallya, son of fugitive business tycoon Vijay Mallya, will make his debut as an author with a book on mental health, announced publishing house Westland. Tentatively titled "conSIDer This", borrowed from his recent web series where Mallya talked about his own mental struggle and how he overcame it, the book is scheduled to be published in May 2021, they added.
The actor-producer, who has been part of films like "Brahman Naman" and "Best Fake Friends", has garnered "over three million views" for the web series posted on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
"When I launched my 'conSIDer This' series earlier in the year, my aim was to just try and help as many people as I could by sharing my own experiences with mental health in an open and transparent manner.
"The amazing response that the series received inspired me to want to keep spreading awareness around mental health, and I'm happy to be able to continue my journey by partnering with Westland to turn 'conSIDer This' into a book," said the 33-year-old. While in the web series Sid used examples from his journey and addressed a gamut of topics within the sphere of mental health, the book will delve into what tools he used to help him cope and more importantly find a way to highlight the importance of seeking professional help. -- PTI
13:55 Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam dies of Covid
Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away at 1:04 pm today, announces his son SP Charan. He was 74.
The popular singer, admitted to MGM hospital in Chennai on August 5 after he tested positive for coronavirus, was put on the ECMO support, a heart-lung assistance machine.
The singer's close friend, actor Kamal Haasan, visited the hospital on Thursday night.
Tamil Nadu resounded to prayers for his wellbeing, but after over a month-long struggle, the singer passed away this afternoon.
S P Charan, his son has been sharing health updates about his father on social media and was optimistic these last few weeks. On Wednesday, he wrote on Instagram that S P Balasubrahmanyam was making "steady progress" and was undergoing physiotherapy. SPB was "eager to leave the hospital as early as possible."
However, SPB's condition deteriorated in the last 24 hours with the hospital putting him on maximum life support.
13:32 Nearly 7-cr Covid tests conducted in India
A record 14,92,409 tests have been conducted for detection of COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours, taking the total tests done so far in the country to nearly 7 crore, while the national cumulative positivity rate stands at 8.44 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
The Tests Per Million (TPM) stand at 49,948 as of today, it said. This exponential surge in the daily testing capacities strongly demonstrates the determined escalation of the testing infrastructure in the country, the ministry said.
"Evidence has revealed that higher numbers of testing subsequently leads to lowered positivity rate. States that are testing the highest numbers are also reporting a gradual decline in the positivity rate," the ministry said.
"India has scaled a historic peak in the fight against COVID-19. In a landmark achievement, for the first time, a record high number of nearly 15 lakh COVID-19 tests have been conducted in a single day taking the cumulative tests conducted so far to 6,89,28,440," it said. With the expansion of testing infrastructure, the daily testing by states and UTs has also increased.
As many as 23 states and UTs including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Punjab and Telangana have better tests per million than the national average (49,948).
13:24 Bihar polls on Oct 28, Nov 3, 7; counting Nov 10
The Bihar assembly elections will be held in three phases from 28 October to November 10. The second phase will be held on November 3.
The counting will be held on November 10.
In the 1st phase, 71 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts, including most of the LWE (Left wing extremism) affected districts will go for poll. In 2nd phase, 94 Assembly constituencies in 17 districts and in 3rd phase, 78 Assembly constituencies in 15 districts will go for polls.
The Model Code of Conduct stands enforced from today.
The Bihar election will be the first major state election to be held in the middle of coronavirus crisis. The term of the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly comes to an end on November 29.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who leads a coalition with the BJP, will fight for a fourth term in these polls, with the opposition RJD of jailed former Chief Minister Lalu Yadav and the Congress challenging him.
12:58 Special voting facilities for Covid patients: CEC
CEC Sunil Arora: COVID-19 patients who are quarantined will be able to cast their vote on the last day of poll, at their respective polling stations, under the supervision of health authorities. This is beside the option of postal facility already extended to them.
Social distancing norms will need to be followed at public gatherings during election campaign.
EC says voting time to be extended by one hour till 6 pm; COVID-19 patients can vote in last hour of the day.
To further decongest polling stations and allow more free movement of voters, polling time has been increased by 1 hour. It'll be held from 7 am-6 pm, instead of 7 am-5 pm earlier. However, this will not be applicable to Left-wing affected areas.
12:49 Massive sanitation drive for Bihar polls: CEC
The Election Commission of India holds a press conference to announce the dates for the Bihar elections. This is the first elections to be held amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic in India.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora says the term of assembly in the state of Bihar is due to expire on 29th November, 2020. Bihar assembly has a strength of 243 members, of whom 38 seats are reserved for SCs and two for ST.
The CEC says over 7 lakh hand sanitiser units, about 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh PPE kits, 6.7 lakh units of faces-shields, 23 lakh (pairs of) hand gloves arranged. For voters specifically, 7.2 crore single-use hand have been arranged.
"As days and months passed and COVID-19 showed no signs of abetting, it was realised that some way would have to be found to balance the democratic rights of the electorate while also making sincere and systematic efforts to protect health and safety of people," CEC Arora says.
12:42 TN farmers protest bills
Massive protests over the recently passed farm bills in Tamil Nadu. Farmers from the National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers' Association sit outside the Collector's office in Trichy with human skulls, chained hands and nooses around their necks to demonstrate against recent bills.
12:27 PM asks BJP workers to bust 'lies' on farm bills
PM Narendra Modi takes part in the celebrations of the Foundation Day of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana on the occasion of his birth anniversary, via video conferencing. He used this occasion to address the recently passed farm bills which is seeing widespread protests in Punjab and UP.
"The contribution of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya ji to make India better as a country and society has inspired generations. The path he has shown to every BJP worker instils confidence in us.
"Previous govts used to make a complicated web of promises and laws which farmers or labourers could never understand. But BJP-led NDA govt, has constantly tried to change this situation and has introduced reforms for the welfare of farmers.
"In last few years, NDA govt made full efforts to connect farmers with banks. Over Rs 1 lakh crore was transferred to over 10 crore farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Our effort was to provide KISAN credit cards to more and more farmers so they can avail loans easily.
"All BJP Karyakartas should reach out to farmers on the ground and inform them in a very simplified language about the importance and intricacies of the new farm reforms and how these will empower them. Our ground connect will bust the lies and rumours being spread in virtual world.
"The new labour reforms will transform the lives of our labour force. Till now, only 30% of the workers across the country were covered under the minimum wage guarantee scheme. Now, it will expand to workers of all the industries in the unorganised sector."
12:19 SAD protests farm bills
In Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal's Bikram Singh Majithia attends a protest in Amritsar against recent Farm Bills. SAD is an ally of the NDA government at the Centre.
12:05 Bills will enslave farmers, says Rahul
Voicing support for the Bharat Bandh call given by farmer organisations to protest the farm bills, the Congress on Friday alleged that the new agriculture laws will "enslave" farmers and the MSP will be "snatched away" from them. Various farmer groups have called for a nationwide shutdown on Friday against the three bills, which were passed by both houses of Parliament during the Monsoon session and await presidential assent.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Randeep Surjewala spoke out against the farm bills and backed the Bharat Bandh.
"A flawed GST destroyed MSMEs. The new agriculture laws will enslave our farmers," former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted with the hashtag 'I Support Bharat Bandh'. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also hit out at the government, saying the three farm bills brought by it are reminiscent of the "East India Company rule".
"The MSP (minimum support price) of the farmers will be "snatched away" and they will be forced to become slaves of billionaires through contract farming," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. `"Neither will they get the price nor respect. Farmers will become labourers in their own land," she alleged.
"BJP's agriculture bills are a reminder of the East India Company rule. We will not allow this injustice to happen," she added, using the hashtag 'Bharat Bandh'.
Congress' chief spokesperson Surjewala said the party joins farmers in their struggle. "Farmers are protesting with Bharat Bandh. Their livelihood is being snatched away and the Modi government has attacked their farms," he said in a video message. "There is chaos everywhere. Modi ji swears by farmers, but stays true to his friendship with crony capitalist friends," Surjewala alleged.
The Congress and farmers will struggle together and will never allow the Modi government to "mortgage farmers and agriculture at the doorstep of crony capitalists", he said.
The three bills are 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.
11:50 US sanctions loom over banks with China connections: Fitch
Chinese banks and international non-US banks with connections to China could become ensnared in processes leading to US sanctions, Fitch Ratings has said in a new report.In the coming weeks, the US administration must initiate a process that will result in the submission to Congress of a list of foreign financial institutions deemed to have engaged in significant transactions with parties that have allegedly sought to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy.
"However, we do not expect material sanctions against systemic Chinese banks given the likelihood of retaliation from the Chinese state and the ensuing risk to bilateral trade and investment," said Fitch.
Large non-US banking groups with meaningful footprints in China or Hong Kong including HSBC and Standard Chartered are reviewing potential escalation scenarios.
US sanctions on Chinese or Hong Kong-based individuals, some of which are already underway, could lead to reputational risk for banks, said Fitch in the report.
Extension of sanctions to corporates with strong links to the Chinese state or Chinese state-owned enterprises could increase credit risk in banks' loan portfolios or limit their growth opportunities.
So far, foreign banks do not appear to be deterred from maintaining operations in China or Hong Kong and they continue to see growth opportunities in China, including from the Belt and Road initiative. -- ANI
11:43 Tejashvi not acceptable as leader in Bihar: BJP
No coalition party of "Mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) is willing to accept Tejashvi Yadav as its leader and the alliance is likely to break before Bihar Assembly polls, said, Ram Kripal Yadav, BJP's MP from Bihar.
Bharatiya Janata Party, a coalition party in the NDA State government, is pinning its hope in the forthcoming Assembly polls on Mahagathbandhan being leaderless.
Speaking to ANI, Ram Kripal Yadav, when asked about cracks in the Opposition camp, said that no coalition party of Mahagathbandhan is ready to accept Tejashvi Yadav as its leader. He said that their use and throw attitude towards coalition partners has left the RJD ineffective in the State.
"Mahagathbandhan was founded on selfish interests. RJD is leading the Opposition camp. Neither they have the intelligence not heart to accommodate and run a coalition. RJD has a character of use and throw. They throw those out who are not of use to them. Jitin Ram Majhi has left it, Kushwaha is on verge of leaving it. VIP and Congress will meet the same fate. RJD is leaderless as their choice of leadership is unacceptable to all coalition parties," stated Yadav when asked about Upendra Kushwaha's unhappiness over Tejashvi Yadav being the leader of the coalition.
With the Election Commission likely to announce the dates of Bihar Assembly elections today, all eyes are on the regional parties that may break or make government.
Ram Kripal Yadav, considered a close confidante of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, had left the party and joined the BJP ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He has won twice from the Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 and 2019 general elections.
With cracks appearing both in Mahagathbandhan and in National Democratic Alliance, major players in the coalition like BJP, JDU, and RJD are burning the midnight oil to keep their house in order apart from bringing disgruntled elements from opposite camps to their side.
On the issue of cracks in NDA as Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) isn't relenting on the seat distribution issue and demanding the number of seats JDU isn't agreeing on, Yadav said that he is sure LJP will contest the Bihar polls as an NDA ally. -- PTI
11:25 No running water in 72% of school toilets built by CPSEs
A CAG audit survey of toilets built for schools by seven Central Public Sector Enterprises has revealed that 30 per cent of them were not in use, 72 per cent did not have running water, 55 per cent did not have hand washing facilities, and 30 per cent had no soap or disinfectants. The report was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. Read the story here
11:11 Deepika's manager arrives for drugs' probe
Karishma Prakash, actor Deepika Padukone's manager, arrives at the NCB SIT office in Mumbai. She was summoned by Narcotics Control Bureau to join the investigation of a drug case, related to the Sushant Singh death case.
11:09 31 farmers' groups put Punjab under lockdown
Farmers on Friday began their protest as part of the 'Punjab Bandh' call against the contentious farm bills that were recently passed in the Parliament. As many as 31 farmer organisations, under the ageis of the Bharatiya Kisan Union have joined hands for the complete shutdown of Punjab.
Among farmers' unions which are supporting the bandh call included Bharti Kisan Union Krantikari, Kirti Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and BKU (Lakhowal). Several organisations in Haryana, including the BKU, have also extended support to the nationwide strike called by some farmers' bodies against the bills.
Police personnel in adequate strength were deployed across the state to maintain law and order, officials said. While the ruling Congress and the AAP have extended support to the farmers' protest, the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced to hold road blockades.
Farmers at several places in the state started gathering at roads for stopping the movement of traffic. Women protesters under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committeein Amritsar took out a protest march. Shops and commercial establishments at many places in Punjab remained shut on Friday morning in the wake of farmers' stir.
Shopkeepers had been appealed to keep their shops shut in support of farmers. Krantikari Kisan Union president Darshan Pal said farmers would hold protests at over 150 places across the state adding that they were getting support from traders, transporters and taxi operators among others.
The Punjab Bandh call is getting support from government employees' unions, singers, commission agents, labourers and social activists.
Image: Youth Congress workers protest the farm bill in Delhi yesterday. Pic: ANI
10:56 Thane district reports 1,749 new Covid cases, 35 deaths
Thane district of Maharashtra recorded 1,749 new cases of coronavirus, taking its tally to 1,65,343, while 35 more patients succumbed to the infection, an official said on Friday. The maximum fresh cases were reported on Thursday from Kalyan at 481, followed by Thane city 389 and Navi Mumbai 325, among other areas, he said. He said the death toll rose to 4,269 with 35 more patients succumbed to the infection - ten of them in Kalyan.
Kalyan's COVID-19 tally stood at 40,412, Thane city's at 34,379, Navi Mumbai at 34,499 and Mira Bhayander's at 17,309, the official said. He said the recovery rate in the district was 86.51 per cent, while the mortality rate stood at at 2.58 per cent. An official from adjoining Palghar said the district has so far recorded 33,288 COVID-19 cases and 633 deaths. -- PTI
10:37 Rakul Preet Singh joins drugs probe
In the ongoing drugs probe in Mumbai, NCB has issued summons to Bollywood actresses Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali khan and Rakul Preet Singh to appear before the agency for questioning.
Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh is en route the NCB office where she will join the ongoing drugs probe.
Her name has allegedly come up during the investigation of Rhea Chakraborty.
Rakul had also approached court earlier seeking ban on media trial while the case is under investigation.
10:13 PM Modi is my son: Shaheen Bagh's Dadi
Bilkis Bano, the 82-year-old who earned the moniker "Dadi of Shaheen Bagh" during the long protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the national capital has now been named among the 100-most influential global personalities by Time magazine.
"I am very happy that I was honoured in this manner. Although I did not expect this," said the grandmother after the recognition.
Narendra Modi, Ayushman Khurrana, biologist Ravindra Gupta and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai were on the list of '100 Most Influential People of 2020' that was released on Wednesday and features pioneers, artists, leaders, icons and titans who have had the most impact in 2020.
"I have read only the Quran Sharif and I have never been to school but today I feel excited and happy. I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for also being included in this list. He is also my son. So what if I did not give birth to him, my sister has given birth to him. I pray for his long life and happiness," Bilkis Bano said.
Bilkis Dadi, who along with two other grandmothers emerged as the face of NRC-CAA protest, hails from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh.
On being asked about India's fight against COVID-19, she said: "Our first fight is against coronavirus. The disease should be eliminated from the world."
10:03 Govt promised double income by 2022, but making farmers poorer: Tejashwi Yadav
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has attacked the government over the farm bills, saying it had promised to double farmers' income by 2022 but these farm bills will make them poorer.
The government has made our 'anndata' a puppet through its 'fund data'. The farm bills are anti-farmer and have left them dejected. The government had said that they'll double farmers' income by 2022 but these bills will make them poorer. The agriculture sector has been corporatised," Tejashwi Yadav said.
Meanwhile, farmers, under the aegis of Bharatiya Kisan Union and Revolutionary Marxist Party of India, block Amritsar-Delhi National Highway near Phillaur in Jalandhar in protest against the farm bills passed in Parliament.
09:31 India's Covid-19 tally up by 86,052 cases
India's Covid-19 case tally crosses 58-lakh mark with a spike of 86,052 new cases and 1,141 deaths in last 24 hours.
The total case tally stands at 58,18,571 including 9,70,116 active cases, 47,56,165 cured/discharged/migrated and 92,290 deaths.
Meanwhile, more than 14.92 lakh tests have been done in the last 24 hours. Total samples tested upto September 24 stand at 6,89,28,440
The number of containment zones in Delhi have surged past 2,000, even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said Delhi has gone past the peak of its second wave of COVID-19 infection.
09:23 Tihar DG Prisons tests positive for COVID-19
Director General (Prisons), Tihar, Sandeep Goel has tested positive for coronavirus, jail officials said on Friday.
Several inmates and prison staff had earlier tested positive from prisons in Delhi. Multiple deaths owing to the disease had also been reported from the prisons in Delhi.
As per the Union health ministry, Delhi had 30,836 active COVID-19 cases as of Thursday.
Over 2.2 lakh patients have so far recovered from the disease, while 5,087 deaths have been recorded owing to it so far in the national capital.
-- ANI
09:05 Rakul Preet Singh to be grilled by NCB today
he Narcotics Control Bureau has summoned actresses like Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh for questioning in drug probe linked to the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.
Deepika and Sara, who were in Goa, returned to Mumbai on Thursday for the probe.
While Deepika, Sara and Shraddha are called in on September 26 (Saturday), Rakul Preet Singh, who earlier denied receiving summons, will appear before the NCB today (September 25).
The NCB have found out that around 50 names, including many actors, actresses, producers and directors, might be involved in the Bollywood drug controversy. A Bollywood actor, who hosts drug parties, is also under the NCB's radar.
08:43 EC to announce Bihar poll dates at 12:30 pm
The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for Bihar assembly elections on Friday.
The EC has convened a press conference at 12.30 pm on Friday. Though the purpose has not been mentioned, the schedule for Bihar assembly polls is likely to be announced.
The term of the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly comes to an end on November 29.
This is will be the first state election to be held in India since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
08:27 Farmers to protest against farm bills today
Intensifying their protests against the contentious farm bills, several farmer bodies have called for a national shutdown or 'Bharat Bandh' on Friday, September 25.
The nationwide protest or Bharat Bandh has been called by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, All India Kisan Mahasangh and Bharatiya Kisan Union against the farm bills.
The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee has been holding a 'rail roko' agitation in Amritsar, Punjab in protest against the farm bills. The committee is holding the 'rail roko' agitation from September 24 to 26 against the Agriculture Bills.
08:16 Brazil postpones world-famous carnival over Covid-19
Rio de Janeiro's world-famous carnival parades became the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic as officials announced they were indefinitely postponing the February 2021 edition, with Brazil still reeling from Covid-19.
"We came to the conclusion that the event had to be postponed," said Jorge Castanheira, the president of the group that organises the annual parades, the Independent League of Rio de Janeiro Samba Schools.
"We just can't do it in February. The samba schools won't have the time or financial and organisational resources to be ready," he told journalists after a plenary meeting by the group's directors.
Rio's carnival is an epidemiologist's nightmare in a pandemic: an extended festival of tightly packed crowds dancing through the streets and flocking to the city's iconic "Sambadrome" for massive parades featuring scantily clad dancers, small armies of drummers and all-night partying at close quarters.
The event draws millions of tourists from around Brazil and the world to the beachside city each year.
Speculation had been mounting that authorities would have to cancel or postpone carnival in 2021, given that Brazil is the country with the second-highest death toll in the pandemic, after the United States, and is still struggling to bring the virus under control.
Brazil has registered 4.7 million infections and nearly 140,000 deaths from Covid-19.
07:50 Hope India, China can resolve issues: Trump
US President Donald Trump hoped on Thursday that India and China would be able to resolve their current border disputes as he reiterated his offer to help the two Asian giants in this regard.
"I know that China now, and India, are having difficulty, and very very substantial difficulty. And hopefully, they will be able to work that out," Trump told reporters at the White House.
"If we can help, we would love to help," he said.
The US president's remarks in this regard come days after senior Indian and Chinese military commanders held talks aimed at resolving the months-long standoff along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. The two countries agreed to stop sending more troops to their disputed border in the Himalayas.
-- PTI
02:13 No 2nd Covid wave in Mumbai: BMC commissioner
There is 'no second wave' of COVID-19 in Mumbai and the infections are rising due to increased testing, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said on Thursday.
He also said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was in discussion with gyms and restaurant owners, and looking to allow them to reopen with one-third patrons.
The city reported 2,163 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday with 54 fresh fatalities.
"I would like to reassure that there is absolutely no second wave at all," Chahal asserted at an event organised by industry lobby CII.
Mumbai is now witnessing over 15,000 tests a day against the earlier 7,000, he said.
The civic body took a conscious call of more than doubling the testing and go for a 'stimulated spike' from September 1 because it is confident that its health infrastructure can take care of new patients, Chahal said.
Earlier, there used to be 1,100 positive patients among 7,000 tests carried out per day, which has now gone up to around 2,000 positive patients with the testing more than doubling, he said.
The BMC is planning to take the number of tests to over 20,000 a day, he added.
Even if the tests were to go up to 32,000 a day, which will take the daily spike in cases to nearly 4,000, the health infrastructure will be able cope up, he said.
Drawing a cricket analogy, he said what is important is not the number of deliveries a batsman faces, but not losing the wicket, and added that mortality among COVID-19 patients needs to come down.
The death rate presently stands at over 4.5 per cent which the city wants to get down to 2.2 per cent, he said. He also rued that people still continue roaming without masks.
"We are talking to gyms and restaurants and how we can start with one third capacity of gyms and restaurants. We are slowly moving forward. May be next will be religious places," he said. -- PTI
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