Tag: CLAT

NATIONAL NEWS 

India will achieve net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070, PM Modi at climate summit in Glasgow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 1, 2021, addressed the COP26 World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, where he highlighted that adaptation has not gained much importance in the global climate debate as much as mitigation of climate crisis. During India’s national statement at COP26, he elaborated on India’s vision and efforts. He said India will achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070. He also met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the COP26 Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Glasgow on October 31, 2021, to participate in the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) on Climate Change from November 1, 2021, to November 2, 2021. PM Modi had arrived in Glasgow after concluding the 16th G20 Summit 2021 during his three-day visit to Rome. Meanwhile, the COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began on October 31, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. Under the Presidency of the UK partnering with Italy in Glasgow, COP26 is being held from October 31 to November 12, 2021. PM Modi addressed the World Leaders’ Summit (WLS) at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow. He addressed the leader-level COP26 event ‘Action and Solidarity: The Critical Decade’. In his address, PM Modi highlighted that adaptation has not gained much importance in the global climate debate as much as mitigation of climate crisis. He stressed the need to include climate change adaptation policies in all development policies and projects. Lack of climate adaptation policies is an injustice to developing countries that are more susceptible to climate change. In most developing countries including India, the climate is a big challenge for farmers. Untimely rains and floods, changing cropping patterns, frequent storms destroying crops are a few of many challenges.

Vishakhapatnam: Indian Navy receives first P15B Guided-Missile Destroyer

The Indian Navy has received its first P15B stealth guided missile destroyer from the Mazgaon Shipbuilders on October 28, 2021. As per the official statement, the construction and the delivery of the ship- named Vishakhapatnam- is another testament of the impetus given by the Government of India and the Navy to the indigenous warship construction Programme. The Indian Navy said on Twitter, Vishakhapatnam- first of the indigenous P15B stealth guided-missile destroyers being built at Mazagaon Dock, Mumbai delivered to Indian Navy on October 28, 2021. Vishakhapatnam, a stealth-guided missile destroyer, has the capability of launching guided anti-aircraft missiles from its deck. As per the Indian Navy, the induction of the destroyer not only enhances the combat readiness of the Indian Navy but will also be a major leap forward towards India’s quest for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The contract for the four ships of Project 15B, as the Vishakhapatnam class ships are known, was signed in January 2011. The latest project is a follow-on of the Kolkata Class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade. The four ships, designed by the Directorate of Naval Design and built by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai, are christened after the major cities from all four corners of India, such as Mormugao, Vishakhapatnam, Surat, and Imphal.

16th G20 Summit 2021 Highlights: Leaders adopt Rome Declaration; PM Modi calls G20 Summit ‘fruitful’

Prime Minister Modi had reached Italy to attend the 16th G20 Summit which was scheduled to be held in Rome on October 30-31, 2021. He paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his first day of arrival in Rome and he also called on Pope Francis in the Vatican during his two-day visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rome and the Vatican City from October 29 to October 31, 2021, at the invitation of Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi. As the G20 Summit 2021 concludes, Prime Minister has now landed in Glasgow, United Kingdom, on November 1-2 for the COP26 meeting. He will be visiting the country at the invitation of UK PM Boris Johnson. Prime Minister Modi, along with other leaders of G20, have agreed that the WHO will be strengthened to fast-track the process for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 Vaccines. As clean energy and innovation will play a significant role in the years to come, the energy security and energy markets have also been recognized by the G20 Leaders. G20 Leaders commit to Paris Agreement: The G20 Leaders said that they remain committed to the Paris Agreement goal of keeping the global average temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue the efforts of limiting it to 1.5 degree celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Health Minister’s meeting on dengue: Centre to send expert team to states with rising Dengue cases, speed testing to be done

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a review meeting on the dengue situation in Delhi on November 1, 2021. The Minister said on the occasion that on-ground initiatives like hotspot identification, fogging and timely treatment will be carried out. The central government will also be sending a team of experts to the states with rising Dengue cases. He also assured the centre’s full support to the states. The Minister stressed on active coordination between the Centre and states during the meeting. He also pointed out that many poor people are not diagnosed properly and their death goes unreported and stressed on the need to ramp up testing. The Centre will send a team of experts to all states that have been witnessing a rise in dengue cases. The expert team will do detailed planning with the Delhi government to monitor the dengue cases in the capital. An awareness campaign will also be run in the schools and necessary speed-testing will be conducted.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration:  G20 leaders adopt Rome Declaration at G20 Summit

The leaders of all G20 nations adopted the’Rome Declaration’ at the G20 Summit, informed India’s Sherpa to G20 Summit & Union Minister Piyush Goyal. He said that the declaration gives a very strong message under health section where the leaders agreed that COVID immunization is a global public good. All leaders agreed that they should all move quickly towards mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccines, especially those that have received the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by WHO. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing digital financial inclusion of the vulnerable sections of the society including MSMEs and reiterated their commitment to strengthening long-term financial resilience & supporting inclusive growth and developing local currency capital markets. The leaders also held discussions on agriculture and livelihoods of small & marginal farmers and agreed that improving their livelihoods is an important global effort that they will have to put in. The discussions also included energy and climate change issues at their centre stage with India and many other developing countries pushing for safeguarding the interest of the developing world.

Elon Musk to spend $6 billion to solve world hunger if UN shares a spending plan

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on October 31, 2021, said that he is willing to sell some Tesla stocks if the World Food Programme (WFP) shares a plan on how 2 per cent of total wealth which is $6 billion could solve world hunger. The development came days after in response to a remark by United Nations (UN) World Food Programme’s Director David Beasley who said that a small group of ultra-rich individuals could help solve global hunger with a just a fraction of their net worth. Billionaires need to step up now, on a one-time basis, said Beasley. $6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them. It’s not complicated, Beasley added in an interview on CNN. In response, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that if WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6 billion will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it. Musk also added, Please publish your current & proposed spending in detail so people can see exactly where the money goes. WFP Director calls on billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos to step up to end world hunger Billionaires need to step up now, on a one-time basis, said Beasley. $6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them. It’s not complicated, Beasley added in an interview on CNN. David Beasley further pointed out that the 2 per cent which is $6 billion of Musk’s total wealth will prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation. He explained that $6 billion will aid in mitigating the unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, as well as global climate crises. In a response to Musk’s tweet to publish spending plans in public, Beasley tweeted, I can assure you that we have the systems in place for transparency and open source accounting. Your team can review and work with us to be totally confident of such.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Prime Minister Modi extends invitation to Pope Francis

In his first visit to the Vatican Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Pope Francis to visit India. The invitation was extended during a meeting between them on Saturday morning in the Vatican. Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India, said the Prime Minister Modi in a social media post after the meeting. Modi was scheduled to meet the Pope for half an hour but an informed source said the meeting extended beyond the scheduled time. Mr. Modi and the Pope discussed a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better such as fighting climate change and removing poverty, said the source. Modi, who gifted a silver candle stand to the Pope, was accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The Prime Minister gave Pope Francis a silver candelabra and a book, The Climate Climb: India’s strategy, actions and achievements. The Pope gave Mr. Modi a collection of his main teaching documents and a bronze medallion featuring a tree and the words in Italian The desert will become a garden. Pope Francis has been vocal about the need to act on climate change and spoken in the past against enduring conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan. He has called upon countries to take in refugees from Afghanistan and spoken against racism and other forms of hate crimes. The Pope has called on countries to act urgently to deal with the issue of climate change. On Friday, he said, Climate change can be faced with a renewed sense of shared responsibility for our world, and an effective solidarity based on justice, a sense of our common destiny and a recognition of the unity of our human family in God’s plan for the world. Modi became one of the leaders of the G20 who met the Pope on the sidelines of the summit in Rome. U.S. President Joe Biden met Pope Francis on Friday. The last Papal visit to India took place in 1999 when Pope John Paul II was hosted here. Pope Francis visited Sri Lanka in 2015 and he was hosted by Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017. But on both the occasions, India was not part of his travel plans. He made history by visiting Iraq earlier this year, which was his first visit to the war-torn country. He also visited the United Arab Emirates in 2019. Modi’s personal invite indicates that a Papal visit to India is likely soon. The Prime Minister also interacted with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Aryan Khan is out on bail

Mumbai film industry star Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan was released from the Arthur Road jail on the morning of October 30, after spending 25 days in prison. Khan junior was arrested on October 3 by the Narcotics Control Bureau from a cruise ship after some other individuals on board were found with contraband. He was sent to Arthur Road Jail on October 8. The Bombay High Court on October 29 directed Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha to execute a bond of ₹ 1 lakh with one or more sureties in order to be released from jail in the drug case busted on a cruise ship. While he was granted bail by the Bombay high Court on October 28 the detailed bail order, citing bail conditions was made available only the following day; his release got further delayed by a day.One of the advocates appearing for Khan told The Hindu that there was a delay in taking the papers to Arthur Road Jail and as per protocol no inmate is released after 5.30 p.m. Hence, Khan had to spend one more night in prison. Each of the Applicants/Accused shall execute P. R. Bond of ₹1 lakh with one or more sureties in the like amount. They shall not indulge in any activity similarly registered against them for offences under the Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances Act. Applicants/Accused shall not try to establish communication with co-accused or any other person involved directly or indirectly in similar activities or make any call to any person indulging in similar activities as alleged against them, through any mode of communication. They shall not undertake any action which is prejudicial to the proceedings before the Hon’ble Special Court [established under the NDPS Act]. They shall neither personally or through anyone make any attempt to influence witnesses nor tamper with the evidence. They shall surrender their passport before the Special Court immediately. They shall not make any statement regarding the aforesaid proceedings pending before the Special Court in any form of media i.e. print media, electronic media etc. including social media. They shall not leave the country without prior permission from the Special Judge for NDPS. They shall attend the NCB Mumbai office on each Friday between 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to mark their presence. The HC’s order granting bail to Aryan Khan was hailed by several film personalities, while a huge group of fans gathered outside Shah Rukh Khan’s sea-facing bungalow ‘Mannat’ in suburban Bandra in a show of solidarity and to celebrate end of his son’s incarceration.

Mamata Banerjee attacks Congress

Modiji is going to be more powerful because of the Congress, Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said as she continued her attack on the Congress during her visit to Goa; making it the second time since the Bengal CM trained her guns on the Congress. The West Bengal Chief Minister also accused the Congress of not being serious about politics. It was not taking decisions in time, she alleged. They did not take politics seriously. Modiji is going to be more powerful because of the Congress… If one cannot make the decision, why the country should suffer for that. They [Congress] have got enough opportunities, she stated. This was the second day in a row that the Bannerjee had targeted the Congress. Her criticism of the grand old party came on the day when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was visiting Goa. Banerjee arrived in Goa on October 28. On October 30, she interacted with media persons and visited the Mapusa market and interacted with locals. Ms. Banerjee noted that the Congress fielded candidates against her party in her State Assembly polls and one should not expect her to throw flowers at them. Instead of the BJP, they contested against me in my State. When they contested against my political party in Bengal, how can they expect that we will shower flowers in return, she remarked. The Congress, along with Left parties and the Indian Secular Front, fielded candidates against the Trinamool Congress. It, however, did not field a candidate against Banerjee in the Bhabanipur bypoll on September 30. Reacting to her remarks, West Bengal Pradesh Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury observed that Banerjee was the Trojan Horse of the BJP. Before August 20, the Congress was all good. What happened between August 20 and September 16 that the Chief Minister nephew [Abhishek Banerjee] came out of the office of the Enforcement Directorate and started targeting the Congress, Chowdhury asked.

Kohli lashes out spineless trolls for targeting Shami

A livid India captain Virat Kohli on Saturday hit back at spineless trolls who attacked Mohammed Shami’s religion after the team lost to Pakistan in its inaugural T20 World Cup game and said targetting people for their faith is the most pathetic thing to do. Shami, who endured an off day in India’s 10-wicket defeat, was trolled on Instagram for his Muslim identity. Attacking someone over their religion is the most, I would say, pathetic thing that a human being can do, skipper Kohli didn’t mince words on the eve of his team’s crucial match against New Zealand when asked about the trolling that his senior pacer faced. There is a good reason why we are playing on the field and not some bunch of spineless people on social media that have no courage to actually speak to any individual in person, he said. Kohli reminded the naysayers that the bond among the team members is so strong that this kind of chatter doesn’t infiltrate the protective shield they have created for themselves. Talking about his take on social media abuse, Kohli termed it as the lowest level of operative human potential.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

USAID Launched 5 Year Initiative ‘SAREP’ to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition and Improve Energy Access in South Asia

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP), a new 5 year, 49 million USD initiative to facilitate collaboration among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This initiative will harness the clean energy potential of the South Asian region to reduce emissions, combat climate change, and stimulate economic growth and powers health systems. The initiative aims to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. During the April 2021 Leaders Climate Summit, Joe Biden, President of America and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India launched the US India climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership. SAREP will support various regional activities established under this collaboration and assist both countries to demonstrate how the world can align swift climate action with inclusive and resilient development across the region. SAREP will offer opportunities to move forward using advanced technologies and infrastructure and assist to facilitate a transition to sustainable energy, including through innovative financing. The clean energy transition will support women’s economic empowerment and lead to a wide range of economic and health benefits for the 1.5 billion citizens of the South Asian region. The initiative which is customised to the priorities of each country will enable the deployment of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, transform and modernize utilities, drive regional cooperation, and stimulate private-sector participation and investments.

China successfully launches Optical Remote Sensing Satellite ‘Jilin-1 Gaofen 02F’

On October 27,2021, China successfully launched an optical remote sensing satellite namely ‘Jilin-1 Gaofen 02F’ from a low-cost small, solid-fuel carrier rocket Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) in the Jilin-1 Earth-imaging constellation. It was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gansu Province. The Jilin-1 constellation will consist of up to 138 satellites by the end of the decade. It will contain different types of satellites to perform different roles. Jilin-1 Gaofen 02F will provide high-resolution images and high-speed data transmission. Kuaizhou-1A is a low-cost small solid-fuel carrier rocket with a short preparation period. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, it is designed to launch low-orbit satellites weighing less than 300kg.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Aryan Khan to spend one more night behind bars; jail official says papers did not reach in time

Aryan Khan, son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, will spend one more night in Mumbai’s Arthur Road prison as a senior jail official said his release papers did not reach them within the stipulated time. We won’t give special treatment for anyone. The law is the same for all. The deadline for receiving the bail papers was 5.30 pm. That has passed. He won’t be released today, the official told PTI. The assertion by the prison official came even as there were indications from Aryan Khan’s legal team that a slight postponement till 7 pm was possible. While granting Aryan Khan bail on Thursday in the drugs-on-cruise case, the Bombay High Court imposed 14 bail conditions on him, paving the way for his release from jail. In the five-page order, the High Court said that Aryan Khan and his two co-accused Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha, who were also granted bail, shall be released on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh each, with one or two sureties of the same amount. As per the conditions set by the High Court, the trio will have to surrender their passports before the special NDPS court and shall not leave India without taking permission from the special court and they will have to attend the NCB office each Friday to mark their presence. The HC had granted bail to Aryan Khan 25 days after he was arrested during a drug raid on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast.

‘Genie is out of the bottle,’ says Nawab Malik after family members of NCB official Wankhede meet BJP leader 

Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik on Friday took potshots over a meeting between family members of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, saying the genie is out of the bottle. Malik, who has levelled a slew of allegations against Wankhede in the context of the drugs-on-cruise case, accused the BJP of misusing central agencies to defame Maharashtra and the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai. Speaking to reporters, Malik said, The wife of Sameer Wankhede had written a letter to Chief Minister yesterday seeking his support by playing the Marathi card, but in the evening the whole family met BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. It means the genie is out of the bottle. I had already raised questions about BJP’s uneasiness when I was targeting an NCB official for his alleged involvement in fraud. Kranti Redkar, the wife of Wankhede, has written a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, seeking justice in the wake of the attack on her family and her personal life. Redkar, and Wankhede’s father and sister on Thursday afternoon met Somaiya, who later tweeted his photo with the family members and claimed they are disturbed because of slanderous attacks by Nawab Malik. The State Minister, who has dubbed the cruise drugs case as bogus, has accused Wankhede of forging documents to get a government job and lying about his religion, among other things. The IRS officer and his family have denied all allegations. Elaborating on his claims over the BJP’s alleged involvement in the episode surrounding the cruise drugs bust, the Maharashtra Minister said, Kiran Gosavi, who is a witness (of the NCB) in Aryan Khan’s arrest, has a partnership with a BJP leader in some firm. He is already facing allegations of extortion, corruption and kidnapping. Gosavi (arrested by Pune police in a fraud case) alone will expose many things about the BJP. I have more explosive information which I will reveal in the winter session of the State legislature. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also tried to woo the Hindi film industry appealing them to shift to his State. By shifting Bollywood there, is Yogi Aadityanath trying to set up UPHood there? It will not work, he said. The film industry here generates jobs for millions of people. You cannot harass them for not shifting to U.P., said the Minister.

Three farm laws will also be withdrawn soon, says Rahul after cops start removing barricades at protest site 

After the Delhi Police started removing barricades at the farmers’ protest site in Ghazipur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the three anti-agriculture farm laws would also be withdrawn soon. Only artificial barricades have been removed so far, soon the three anti-agriculture laws will also be withdrawn. Hail Annadata Satyagraha, he said in a tweet in Hindi, using the hashtag ‘FarmersProtest’. The Delhi Police on Friday started removing the barricades and the concertina wires it had put in place at the anti-farm laws protest site at Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border. Multiple layers of iron and cement barricades, and at least five layers of concertina wires were put up last year, and further strengthened after the January 26 violence this year during the farmers’ protest against the three contentious farm laws. The removal of barricades comes after the October 21 Supreme Court direction that called for unblocking of roads which have remained out of bounds for commuters due to the protests at Delhi’s border points of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur. While the protesting farmers have been claiming that the three laws enacted last year are against their interest, the Centre has been saying these legislations are pro-farmer. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Priyanka Kashyap said Friday, The process of removing barricades on NH-9 has been started. The temporary barricading is being removed to ease out vehicular movement. However, National Highway 24 was already open for traffic. The opening of the road stretch would help thousands of commuters in Ghaziabad, Delhi, Noida as well as those travelling between the national capital and interiors of Uttar Pradesh to Meerut and beyond.

Farmers will continue protest at Ghazipur border, says Bharatiya Kisan Union 

Responding to the removal of barricades at the Ghazipur border by the Delhi Police on Friday, Bharatiya Kisan Union general secretary Yudhvir Singh said the protest would continue at the Ghazipur border with even more vigour. The farmers will continue to come to the border like before. Singh said the move did not seem to be an indication of the Government reaching out to farmers for a peaceful resolution of the protest against the contentious farm laws. My 40 years of experience in holding protests for farmers’ cause tells me that the Government wants to stretch it [the impasse] further rather than arriving at a decision. ‘Sarkar kheenchna chahti hai, faisla nahin chahti,’ said Singh. He said farmers never wanted to create problems for the general public. It was the Delhi Police that had put these barricades after the January 26 episode. It seems after the SC order, they have removed them.

Actor Puneeth Rajkumar dies of heart attack

Puneeth Rajkumar, 46, one of the marquee names of Kannada film industry and the youngest of the five children of matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar, passed away on October 29 after suffering cardiac arrest in the morning. Revenue Minister R. Ashok announced the demise of the actor at Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru. Puneeth Rajkumar is survived by his wife Ashwini Revanth and two daughters Drithi and Vanditha. Dr. Ranganath Naik of Vikram Hospital said, Puneeth Rajkumar complained of chest pain in the morning and was rushed to the private clinic of his family physician where an ECG test was done. It showed a heart attack and he was immediately rushed to Vikram Hospital. When he was brought to the hospital, there was no cardiac activity. We put him on a ventilator and tried to revive him, but all efforts failed. Ashok said the last rites of the actor will be performed on October 30, and the details will be finalised after discussions with the family. He appealed to the actor’s fans not to become emotional and maintain peace. His mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at Kanteerava Stadium. Puneeth Rajkumar, christened ‘Power Star’ by the film industry and lovingly called ‘Appu’, was associated with the silver screen since he was a toddler. He made his screen debut as a six-month-old baby in Premada Kanike (1976) starring Dr. Rajkumar. He went on to act as a child actor in 13 films, most of them with his father. He won the national award for best child actor for the film Bettada Hoovu in 1985, and two best child actor State film awards for Chalisuva Modagalu in 1982 and Eradu Nakshtragalu in 1983. He also sang several popular songs as a child artist. He took a break and debuted as a lead actor in Kannada films in 2002 with the film Appu, directed by Puri Jagannadh. Lead actors Rakshitha and Ramya also made their debut in this film. Puneeth played the role of a college student, and the film went on to become a massive hit. He has been the lead actor in 29 films since then, with his last release being Yuvarathnaa, which hit the screens in April earlier this year. Two of his films, James and Dvitva, were under production.

Leander Paes joins Trinamool Congress 

Tennis veteran Leander Paes on Friday joined the Trinamool Congress in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Panaji. Banerjee, who is in the coastal state on a three-day visit, welcomed Paes into the party fold. Senior actor and activist Nafisa Ali, who contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from South Kolkata against Banerjee, also joined the party. The party tweeted saying We are extremely delighted to share that Shri Leander joined us today in the presence of our Hon’ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee. Together, we shall ensure that every single person in this nation sees the Dawn of Democracy that we have been waiting for since 2014! Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee told her party workers in poll-bound Goa that the BJP calls her anti-Hindu although it has no authority to give a character certificate to her, and added that the initial letters in her party’s name — TMC — also stand for temple, mosque and church. The West Bengal chief minister, who arrived in Goa on Thursday evening as part of her three-day visit to the BJP-ruled state, also said her party wants to fight elections here not to divide votes but to make the coastal state strong and self-sufficient and asserted that the state will not be run from Delhi. She said her party doesn’t divide people on religious lines even if they are Hindus, Muslims or Christians. The TMC has announced its decision to contest all 40 Assembly seats in Goa in the upcoming polls and started inducting several local leaders into its fold. Banerjee’s tour is being seen as an attempt by her to gauge political mood in the state ahead of the Assembly polls slated in early 2022. During her maiden interaction with the TMC leaders in Goa, Banerjee accused the BJP of defacing her posters in the state and said people of India will deface the saffron party. When I come to Goa, they deface my posters. You will be defaced from India, she said. Banerjee said that if the TMC comes to power in Goa, it will not work with the agenda of revenge, but work for the state. Listing out various welfare schemes rolled out by her government in her home state, she said if the TMC can do it in West Bengal, the it can also do it the small state of Goa. I will be happy to do it. I am not going to be the chief minister of Goa, but I will see that there is policy, mechanism, and no corruption in the government, she said. Banerjee said the TMC is a national party and it can go anywhere.

Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments 

The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,42,59,010 with the death toll at 4,57,766. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday allowed full-seating capacity in cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes, and also raised the number of people attending wedding functions and last rites from 100 to 200. An order, issued by the DDMA, listing various allowed and restricted activities in view of COVID-19 will come into effect from the intervening night of October 31 and November 1. The order stated that owners of cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will be responsible for strict adherence to standard operating protocol (SOP) and official guidelines as well as Covid-appropriate behaviour at the premises. It also allowed all the authorised weekly markets in the city to reopen from November 1.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

Solar Storm 2021: Strong geomagnetic storm to hit Earth on October 30.

A strong Geomagnetic storm is set to hit Earth on October 30, 2021, after the US Space Weather Prediction Center under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a watch out for a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm. On October 28, 2021, the Sun blasted a significant solar flare and Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from sunspot AR2887 wherein the Sun emitted X1 class solar fare. The CME erupted at a speed of 973 km/s and will take 2 days to cross the Sun-Earth divide and reach Earth’s atmosphere by October 30. The US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) continuously observes the Sun. The Solar Dynamics Observatory of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also captured a ‘significant solar flare’ blasting off from the Sun. The US space agency NASA also confirmed that the Sun emitted an X1-class flare on October 29, 2021. The US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) confirmed that the X1-class solar flare currently erupted from a sunspot called AR2887 which is positioned in the centre of the Sun and facing the Earth, based on its location. The geomagnetic storm set to hit Earth on October 30 has been rated as G3 on the 5-step scale of ranking of solar events. The impact of a G3 solar storm is generally nominal, stated the SWPC. Though the harmful radiation from such a solar flare cannot pass through the atmosphere of Earth but could disrupt some high-frequency radio broadcasts and low-frequency navigation. It may affect GPS signals, satellites, and the electricity grid. The SWPC said that that the X1-class solar flare that erupted from the Sun on October 28 caused a temporary yet strong radio blackout across the sunlit side of the Earth-centered South America.

South Asia Suffers most loss of Human Capital due to Air Pollution-World Bank Report

As per the latest The Changing Wealth of Nations 2021: Managing Assets for the Future released by the World Bank, South Asia suffered the most loss in the world on human capital due to air pollution. The report was prepared by the World Bank, measuring wealth creation \& distribution in 146 countries covering a period of 20-years from 1995-2018. As per the World Bank, Human Capital is defined as Earning over a person’s lifetime. Parameters Measured – Economic Value of Renewable Natural Capital, Nonrenewable natural capital, human capital, produced capital, Net foreign assets. This is the 1st time that the report measured Blue natural capital (mangroves & ocean fisheries). Between 1995-2018, 50 % of wealth creation was made through Human capital. South Asia is the most severely affected country in the South Asian region due to air pollution, which also severely impacts human capital. Gender parity will increase human capital by 42 percentage points in South Asia, where men account for 80 % of wealth creation. Human Capital, the largest source of wealth generation, accounted for 64 % of Total Global Wealth Generation in 2018. There was an 8 % per capita decline in Forest wealth in 2018 compared to 1995 among the Low & Middle-income countries. With 8 % of Global population, only 1 % of the wealth creation was made from Low-income countries.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Bombay High Court grants bail to Aryan Khan, two others

The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan who has been arrested in a drugs case. A single bench of Justice N.W. Sambre also granted bail to his co-accused Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha. All three pleas are allowed. I will pass detailed orders by tomorrow evening, Justice Sambre said. Aryan Khan’s advocates then sought permission to submit cash bail to which the court refused and said surety is to be given. I could have given the order also tomorrow. But I gave it today, Justice Sambre said. Justice N.W. Sambre began hearing the bail application on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Aryan Khan’s counsel Mukul Rohatgi, co-accused Arbaaz Merchant’s lawyer Amit Desai and advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh who appeared for Munmun Dhamecha completed their arguments. Aryan Khan (23), Merchant and Dhamecha were arrested along with others on October 3 following a raid by the NCB on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast and alleged seizure of drugs. They approached the High Court last week after a special court for NDPS Act cases rejected their bail pleas.

Ex-CAG Vinod Rai apologises to Sanjay Nirupam over charges in 2G spectrum case 

Seven years after he alleged that Congress leader and former MP Sanjay Nirupam had pressured him in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation case, former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai has tendered an unconditional apology to Nirupam. In 2014, Rai, in the course of interviews to the media, named Nirupam as one of the MPs who reportedly pressured him to keep former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s name out of his report on the 2G spectrum allocation case. The interviews were broadcast and published at the time of the release of Rai’s 2014 book, ‘Not Just an Accountant: The Diary of the Nation’s Conscience Keeper’. In a video statement, Nirupam, commenting on Rai’s unconditional apology, remarked that it was a golden day. I had urged the former CAG to retract his wrong statements at the time but he refused to do so. I accordingly filed a defamation case against Rai in the Metropolitan Court in New Delhi’s Patiala house, he said. He dubbed Rai’s entire report on the coal block and 2G spectrum allocation cases as utterly fake. The court didn’t say this, but I would like to say that the report that he prepared in the case of the 2G spectrum allocation and the coal block allocation was nonsense… In case of the 2G report, after seven years of hearings, the judge said the CBI has not given any proof of the alleged scam. The report was fake. The coal block allocation report was also fake. Vinod Rai should apologise for these fake reports too, not to me but to the entire country, he explained. Nirupam also tweeted a copy of the notarised affidavit, saying Rai must apologise to the nation now for all his forged reports about 2G and coal block allocations done by the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government. In the affidavit (notarised on October 23), Rai observed that he made certain statements against Nirupam in September 2014 in media interviews aired on Times Now news channel, and published in media publications, including The Times of India and The Indian Express, subsequent to his book’s launch. I have realised that in answers to questions posed to me by the interviewers, I had inadvertently and wrongly mentioned the name of Shri Sanjay Nirupam as one of the MPs, who pressurised me to keep the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s name out of the CAG report on the 2G spectrum allocation during the meetings in the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) or the sidelines of the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) etc, Rai stated in the affidavit, adding that the statements televised and published were factually incorrect. I understand the pain and agony my statements have caused to Shri Sanjay Nirupam, his family, and his well-wishers and thus, would like to offer my unconditional apology for the hurt caused by my such statements to Shri Sanjay Nirupam, his family, friends and his well-wishers… I hope that Shri Sanjay Nirupam will consider and accept my aforesaid unconditional apology and close this issue, he said.

J&K government employee sacked for ‘celebrating Pakistan win’ 

A female government employee was terminated from her service in the Pir Panjal valley’s Rajouri in Jammu division on Thursday after her WhatsApp status allegedly celebrated Pakistan’s victory in T20 cricket. In an order issued by Dr. Brij Mohan, Principal of the Government Medical College, Rajouri, an operation theatre technician, Safiya Majeed, was terminated from service. The order read, A viral video seems to have posted her WhatsApp status showing celebration of defeat of the Indian Cricket Team against Pakistan in T-20 World Cup 2021, the activity which seems to be disloyalty towards nation. The order said no employee of the institution shall be allowed to be disloyal to the nation. She had proceeded on a casual leave for five days from October 21, 2021 and also failed to join her duties on the expiry of said leave. And whereas no prior notice is required to be given to such an employee for gross indiscipline in her duties, the order said. Street celebrations, including bursting of crackers, were reported in several parts of the Kashmir valley on October 24, when the Pakistan team defeated the Indian team in the T20 World Cup. Street celebrations, including bursting of crackers, were reported in several parts of the Kashmir valley on October 24, when the Pakistan team defeated the Indian team in the T20 World Cup. The J&K police have already lodged two FIRs against students who were seen cheering and celebrating Pakistan’s win at two medical colleges in Srinagar in videos that went viral on social media. However, no arrests have been made so far. Meanwhile, the J&K police have started an investigation into a threat letter circulated online by the United Liberation Front (ULF), the outfit allegedly behind the killing of non-local labourers in the valley this month. We have taken cognisance of the statement. An investigation is on, a senior police officer told. In a statement, the ULF alleged that the FIR against local students was lodged because of non-local employees and students. The ULF statement, being probed by the police, said, We warn these elements to apologise within 48 hours otherwise wrath will befall them. Those non-local employees and students who have lodged the complaint against the doctors and students in Soura, Kara Nagar and Batamaloo are warned of dire consequences.

Delhi Police file second charge sheet in murder case involving Olympian Sushil Kumar 

Delhi Police have filed a supplementary charge sheet against the remaining accused in the Chhatrasal Stadium murder case involving Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar. The first charge sheet, which was filed by the police on August 2, named 13 accused, including Sushil Kumar as the main accused. There are a total of 17 accused in the alleged murder case, according to the police. It is submitted by Investigating Officer of the case that supplementary charge sheet qua the remaining accused persons has been filed by him, Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand noted in an order dated October 27. Kumar, along with others had allegedly assaulted former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar and his friends at the stadium in May over an alleged property dispute. Dhankar later succumbed to the injuries. In the first charge sheet, the police had said that the brawl at the stadium was the result of a conspiracy hatched by Sushil Kumar, who wanted to re-establish his supremacy among younger wrestlers. Kumar’s bail was rejected earlier this month. Delhi Police had filed an FIR against the accused of offences such as murder, attempt to murder, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, robbery, rioting, among others.

BJP attacks Congress over Internet shutdowns in Rajasthan 

The BJP on Thursday slammed the Congress government in Rajasthan for shutting down Internet service frequently in the State during important exams and accused it of washing its hands of law and order responsibility by resorting to the practice to prevent any leak of question papers. At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also highlighted a tweet of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had slammed the Central government in 2019 for shutting down Internet service in Jammu and Kashmir, and accused him of double standards over the issue of freedom of expression. In Kashmir it was done to prevent terror incidents, he said, and wondered if the Rajasthan government believes that examinations are more dangerous. Rathore said Internet service was shut down in Rajasthan four times in the last one month for preventing leaks and cheating. In the last 10 years, Internet shutdowns have taken place in Uttar Pradesh 29 times, 17 times in Haryana, 13 times in West Bengal, 10 times in Gujarat and 11 times each in Bihar and Maharashtra. However, in Rajasthan it has happened 78 times, he noted. Internet shutdowns have caused a loss of ₹800 crore to Rajasthan as they hit trade and other services, Rathore claimed.

Sensex plunges 1,159 points; Nifty slumps below 17,900 

Equity benchmark Sensex plunged 1,159 points on Thursday following an across-the-board selloff as monthly derivatives expired amid a weak trend in global markets. The 30-share index tanked 1,158.63 points or 1.89% to close at 59,984.70. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty plummeted 353.70 points or 1.94% to 17,857.25. ITC was the top loser in the Sensex pack, tumbling over 5%, followed by ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, SBI and HDFC Bank. On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, L&T, UltraTech Cement and Asian Paints were among the gainers. Domestic equities witnessed heavy selloff with high volatility mainly led by sharp correction in heavyweight financials and IT, which wiped out around ₹4.5 lakh crore from investors wealth, said Binod Modi, Head, Strategy at Reliance Securities. All key sectoral indices fell sharply, with Nifty PSU Bank falling over 4%. In addition to weak global cues, unwinding of long positions especially in financials on F&O expiry, which had seen a sharp rally in recent period were the prime reasons for the sharp market correction, he added.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

North Korea Food Crisis: Leader Kim Jong Un urges its people to eat less till 2025

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has asked the people of his country to eat less food until 2025 in order to tackle the food crisis in North Korea. North Korea is witnessing a surge in food prices due to a lack of supply in relation to the demand of people in the country. The food crisis situation has worsened as the agricultural sector failed to fulfill its grain production plan, said Kim Jong. The COVID-19 pandemic, sanctions, last year typhoons have also added fuel to the food situation in North Korea. Kim Jong had mobilized the military to conduct relief work in areas hit by heavy rains. Calling the food crisis the worst-ever situation, Kim Jong in April 2021 had called ruling party officials to launch ‘Arduous March’ while linking the current economic and food crisis with the time period in the 1990s of famine and disaster in North Korea.

Validation phase of exercise Yudh Abhyas 2021 held in Alaska from October 25 to 28

The validation phase of exercise Yudh Abhyas 2021 was held in Alaska, the US in two parts from October 25 to 28, 2021. The pair of teams, one led by the US army and another led by the Indian army conducted their assault for two days each. Geronimo and Site Summit were selected as the two target sites for the final assault phase where troops from all four teams were sequentially inserted by CH-47 Chinooks and vehicles. The aim of the validation phase of exercise Yudh Abhyas 2021 was to validate the cold weather skills acquired over the past 10 days, practice the conduct of small team operations in extreme cold weather conditions, and train soldiers in the Arctic survival.

Mandaviya launches nationwide Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Immunisation Programme

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on October 29, 2021, launched the nationwide expansion of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. It will be the first time in India that PCV will be available for universal use. The communication packages on Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) have been shared with all States and Union Territories for creating widespread mass awareness. Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age across India and globally. India accounts for 16 per cent of deaths of children due to pneumonia. The nationwide expansion of PCV is expected to reduce child mortality by approximately 60 per cent. The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is one of the largest public health programs that cover approximately 26.7 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually. Under UIP, immunization is provided free of cost against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases that include pneumococcal pneumonia, Japanese Encephalitis, Meningitis, Hepatitis B, Rotavirus diarrhea, Rubella, Measles, Polio, Tetanus, Pertussis, Diphtheria, states the Ministry.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Pegasus case: No absolute power for state to snoop into ‘sacred private space’ of individuals, says Supreme Court

Stressing that the power of the state to snoop, in the name of national security, into the sacred private space of individuals could not be absolute, the Supreme Court on Wednesday appointed an expert technical committee overseen by a former Supreme Court judge, Justice R.V. Raveendran, to examine allegations that the Centre used Israeli software, Pegasus, to spy on citizens. A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana explained that it decided to refuse the Centre’s offer to appoint an expert committee to investigate the allegations because such a course of action would violate the settled judicial principle against bias, i.e., that ‘justice must not only be done, but also be seen to be done’. Justice Raveendran would be assisted by Alok Joshi, former IPS officer (1976 batch) and Sundeep Oberoi, Chairman, Sub Committee in (International Organisation of Standardisation/International Electro-Technical Commission/Joint Technical Committee). The three members of the technical committee are Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, Professor (Cyber Security and Digital Forensics) and Dean, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat; Prabaharan P., Professor (School of Engineering), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kerala; and Ashwin Anil Gumaste, Institute Chair Associate Professor (Computer Science and Engineering), Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Maharashtra. As per cyber experts, snooping is a commonly deployed tool in the corporate world. The court said it was extremely difficult to shortlist the members. Many had politely declined while others cited personal reasons. The Bench said it had formed the committee with the best intentions to ensure absolute transparency and efficiency. The court said it consciously avoided political thickets but could not cower when allegations involved a grave threat to the privacy and free speech of the entire citizenry and raised the possibility of involvement of the Government, or even a foreign power, behind the surveillance. The court said the petitions filed before it, including ones by veteran journalists N. Ram and Sashi Kumar, Editors Guild of India, and victims of alleged snooping, had raised Orwellian concerns about an all-pervasive technology like Pegasus.

Pegasus is one of the reasons why we see a ‘muted Opposition’: Rahul Gandhi 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on October 27 termed as a big step the Supreme Court appointing a three-member panel of cyber experts to probe the alleged use of Israeli spyware Pegasus for surveillance of certain people, and expressed confidence that truth would come out. Asserting that alleged snooping using Pegasus is an attempt to crush Indian democracy, Gandhi said it is a big step that the Supreme Court has said that they are going to look into this matter. I am confident that we will get the truth out of this. Pegasus spyware was ordered either by Prime Minister or the Home Minister, Gandhi said. If the PM has done this, we would like to know why is the PM doing an illegal act, he asked, adding that Using of Pegasus is illegal in India. Prime Minister is not above the Law. We were asking three basic questions — who authorised Pegasus, which agency, which person authorised Pegasus as we all know Pegasus cannot be bought by a private individual, it has to be bought by a government; second question was who was it used against; final thing was, did any other country have access to information of our people, the former Congress chief said. If the data of Election Commission or Opposition leaders’ data is going to PM, it is a criminal act. If you are using it to tackle terrorism, then it is a different thing. But using data for PM’s personal use is a totally criminal thing, Gandhi said. Governments have been dropped, for example, in Karnataka, using Pegasus, he noted. The government was attacking national security. If the data of our Election Commission, Opposition leaders or Chief Ministers are held outside India, they are attacking national security, Gandhi noted. Gandhi said it is not a political matter but an existential matter. And this is one of the reasons why you see a muted Opposition, he added.

Supreme Court refuses bail to gangster Abu Salem in 1995 Pradeep Jain murder case 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant bail to extradited gangster Abu Salem, who is serving life imprisonment in the 1995 murder case of Mumbai-based builder Pradeep Jain. A bench of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said, This is an application filed on behalf of the applicant/appellant seeking bail during the pendency of the appeal. Having heard counsel for the parties and carefully perusing the averments made in the application, we are not inclined to grant bail to the applicant/appellant. The bench, however, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, directed the Registry to list his appeals against the February 25, 2015 verdict of the special TADA court, for final disposal in the third week of November 2021. On February 25, 2015, the special TADA court had awarded Salem life imprisonment for murdering the builder, along with his driver Mehndi Hassan. Another accused in the case Virendra Jhamb’s sentence was set off against the period of detention undergone by him in prison during the various stages of investigation in the case.

Aryan Khan bail hearing: Arguments to continue on October 28

The Bombay High Court will continue hearing the bail plea of Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan who has been arrested in a drugs case, on Thursday when the NCB will present its arguments. Justice N.W. Sambre began hearing the bail application on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Aryan Khan’s counsel Mukul Rohatgi, co-accused Arbaaz Merchant’s lawyer Amit Desai and advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, who appeared for Munmun Dhamecha, completed their arguments. After the hearing which went on for over two hours, Justice Sambre said he would hear Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, who is representing the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), on Thursday. Tomorrow we will try to finish it, the judge said. Aryan Khan (23), Merchant and Dhamecha were arrested along with others on October 3 following a raid by the NCB on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast and alleged seizure of drugs. They approached the HC last week after a special court for NDPS Act cases rejected their bail pleas.

Plenty of Congressmen are coming in, says Amarinder Singh on new party 

Claiming that several Congress members were in touch with him, former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said he would launch his new party as soon as the Election Commission cleared the name and the symbol. Our lawyers are working on it and they are in touch with the Election Commission. As soon as the Election Commission clears the name and symbol, I’ll share it. Many people from the Congress party are in touch with me and they will come out in the open when the time comes. I promise you one thing: that we will contest all 117 Assembly seats. Whether we fight in alliance or whether we fight on our own, time will tell, he told reporters. Plenty of Congressmen are coming in. We are waiting for the opportune moment. But I will not take their names. Already, my supporters are being harassed, said Capt. Amarinder. Asked how many MLAs were in touch with him, he quipped: If Rahul Gandhi needs to have back-to-back meetings with Punjab Congress MLAs, what does it mean? He rejected the Congress’s claims that a majority of the MLAs opposed his continuation in office and said, Once they [party leadership] made up their mind to replace me, all these excuses are being made. Pointing out that the so-called 18-point agenda of the Congress for his government was nothing but part of the Punjab 2017 manifesto, he said the ‘Kharge committee’ was clearly told that 92% of all the poll promises had been fulfilled. Taking on his detractors, particularly State party president Navjot Sidhu and State Home Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa, Capt. Amarinder accused them of indulging in petty politics. We will fight and defeat Sidhu from wherever he contests the upcoming Assembly polls, he said, adding that since the former had taken over the Punjab Congress reins, there had been a 25% drop in the party’s popularity, as per his survey. Slamming the Punjab government over its repeated denial of any serious security concerns, Capt. Amarinder said there was something very wrong and dangerous happening at the borders, which the state could ill-afford to ignore.

Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments 

The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,42,28,784 with the death toll at 4,56,365. The Government of India has applied for loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to procure as many as 667 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The Manila-based ADB, in which the U.S. and Japan are the biggest shareholders, and the Beijing-based AIIB, where China and India are the biggest shareholders, are in the process of considering the loans. The ADB is expected to lend $1.5 billion and the AIIB around $500 million for the vaccine purchase by the Government of India, which has been made under the ADB’s Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) initiative. Launched in December 2020, APVAX offers rapid and equitable support to its developing member countries as they procure and deliver effective and safe COVID-19 vaccines. The 667 million doses will, however, have to be vaccines qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Covishield is among those vaccines, but Covaxin is still awaiting the green light with a final assessment scheduled for November 3.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

India criticises China for its new land border law 

India on October 27 hit out at China for its unilateral decision to bring about a new land border law and said it is a matter of concern as the legislation can have implications on the existing bilateral pacts on border management and on the overall boundary question. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India expects that China will avoid undertaking action under the pretext of the law that could unilaterally alter the situation in the India-China border areas. He said such a unilateral move will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier — be it on the boundary question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Last week, China’s national legislature adopted the new law on the protection and exploitation of the land border areas, which could have bearing on Beijing’s border dispute with India. China’s unilateral decision to bring about a legislation which can have implication on our existing bilateral arrangements on border management as well as on the boundary question is of concern to us, Bagchi said. Such unilateral move will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier, whether it is on the boundary question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China border areas, he said. Xinhua news agency reported last week that the law, which becomes operational from January 1 next year, stipulates that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China are sacred and inviolable.

 

Google Doodle celebrates 161st birth anniversary of Father of Judo Kano Jigoro 

Google Doodle on October 28 is celebrating Japan’s ‘Father of Judo’ Professor Kano Jigoro on his 161st birthday with a doodle. Google has paid tribute to Kano Jigoro with a Google Doodle for not only inventing martial art but using it as a sport to bring together people on the grounds of justice, safety, courtesy, and modesty. The Google Doodle of Kano Jigoro has been created by Los Angeles-based illustrator Cynthia Cheng. The Google Doodle is honoring Kano Jigoro on his 161st birthday on October 28 is showing multiple animated slides to show the life of Jigoro and his work where he is shown to be teaching his students the values in life while they master the martial art. Born on October 28, 1860, in Mikage, Kano Jigoro at the age of 11 moved to Tokyo with his father to start working on his strength. Though Jigoro was known as a child prodigy in school but often faced adversity. Therefore, initially, he expressed interest to study the martial art of Jujutsu and eventually found a Jujutsu master and former samurai Fukuda Hachinosuke who taught him the Jujutsu art while Jigoro was studying at Tokyo University.

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

Nawab Malik claims Sameer Wankhede illegally tapping phones

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik  on Tuesday accused NCB official Sameer Wankhede of illegal phone tapping and announced that he will hand over a letter on the official’s ‘misdeeds’ to the agency head. Sameer Wankhede through two persons in Mumbai and Thane is illegally intercepting the mobile phones of some people, said Malik. Malik also claimed that Wankhede had sought the call detail record (CDR) of his family member from the police. Wankhede in his affidavit submitted to a Mumbai court on Monday claimed he was under a lurking threat of arrest as it does not suit some vested interests for conducting an honest and impartial investigation. The official had also claimed that he was being personally targeted by a well-known political figure (Malik), and the only reason he can fathom is that the NCB had arrested this person’s son-in-law Sameer Khan. Malik said he is forwarding a letter written by someone in NCB about the various illegal activities of Wankhede to the agency’s DG S.N. Pradhan. The NCP minister said the NCB should investigate the 26 allegations in the letter claiming an ‘extortion racket’ being run within the anti-drugs agency. As a responsible citizen I will be forwarding this letter to DG Narcotics requesting him to include this letter in the investigation being conducted on Sameer Wankhede, the minister tweeted. Malik on Monday claimed that Sameer Wankhede is a Muslim by birth and his real name is ‘Sameer Dawood Wankhede’. The minister had released what he claimed was the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and alleged that the latter had forged documents. However, the NCB official’s father later said his name is Dnyandev and not Dawood, as claimed by Malik. On Tuesday, speaking to reporters, Malik said, I have all the authentic documents to prove that Sameer Wankhede was born into a Muslim family, but he forged his identity and sought a job under the Scheduled Caste category. As per the law, Dalits who are converted to Islam do not get the quota privilege, thus Sameer Wankhede has denied the job opportunity to a genuine person from the Schedule Caste. A legal probe into the matter will be initiated soon, the minister said. On Sameer Wankhede’s father saying his name is not Dawood, Malik said it is true that the NCB official’s father Dnyandev Wankhede was born into a Dalit family in Washim district (earlier Akola) and he later joined state Excise department. But he married a Muslim woman here in Mumbai by converting himself to Islam and accepted the name Dawood. He has two children. However, Dnyandev Wankhede had an afterthought and he used his father’s certificate to obtain all the documents in the name of Dnyandev Wankhede so that his children would benefit, the minister claimed.

No recovery and no consumption from Aryan Khan, says advocate to HC 

While arguing for his bail, Aryan Khan’s lawyer told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that there was no recovery, no consumption (of drugs) and no medical test (for drugs) from him. Former Attorney General of India, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared on behalf of Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, before a single bench of Justice Nitin Sambre. He stated, Six grams of charas was recovered from Arbaaz Merchant’s shoes and Khan is not concerned with it. There is no conscious possession. There has been no recovery from him and no medical examination has been conducted to show any consumption. Since there is no recovery, I am wrongly arrested. Referring to the Whatsapp chats relied upon by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) against Khan, Rohatgi contended the chats are of 2018 and have nothing to do with this saga. Opposing Khan’s bail, NCB filed its reply that said, Khan is an influential person and is likely to tamper with evidence or flee justice if released on bail. During the investigation, some international linkages of Khan have been unearthed which prima facie indicate illicit drug procurement. He was in touch with persons abroad who were part of an international drug network. Material collected during investigation primarily revealed that Khan had played a role with respect to illicit procurement and distribution of contraband. Khan procured contraband from his friend Arbaaz Merchant. Khan and Merchant had been in close collaboration with each other, which is sufficient to attract offences under Section 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act which deals with conspiracy. The role of one accused cannot be dissected from another. The investigation reveals that all persons form part of a larger chain and their involvement in conspiracy to commit illegal acts cannot be ruled out. There was sufficient material in the form of whatsapp chats, pictures, etc to show that Khan was an active part of the illicit drug chain with other co-accused. In view of the above, the quantum of recovery (of drugs) from one individual becomes inconsequential and none of them can be considered in isolation for grant of bail, the central agency stated. Meanwhile, an advocate approached the bench and complained about hearing Khan’s case on priority while there are many others who languish in jails. Senior advocate Amit Desai representing Merchant will argue on October 27.

Lakhimpur Kheri: Of 5,000 people at crime scene, did you get only 23 eyewitnesses, Supreme Court asks U.P. 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday was surprised to find that the Uttar Pradesh Police could only find 23 eyewitnesses to the alleged incident of a Union Minister’s convoy mowing down farmers at a public place in Lakhimpur Kheri where 4,000 to 5,000 people had gathered for a rally to protest the agricultural laws on October 3. There were hundreds at the farmers’ rally and only 23 people are witnesses? Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, leading a three-judge Bench, asked the Uttar Pradesh Government. Senior advocate Harish Salve, for Uttar Pradesh, said the first ring of people close to the scene of the incident and those who saw the cars and the people inside these vehicles were among the 23. The Uttar Pradesh Government has filed a second status report on the investigation which said there were 23 eyewitnesses out of a total 68 witnesses. The statements of 30 of them have already been taken before the Magistrate. Salve said there were also videos on digital media about the incident. There are overlapping videos. We will receive the exact frames of these videos, which would be certified and sent to us… All that process is going on. Many of the witnesses are formal… No need to take their statements under Section 164 Cr.PC [witness statement before a Magistrate], Salve submitted. Justice Surya Kant, on the Bench, asked the State Government, Is it not your case too there were 4,000 to 5,000 people in that place. They were locals… But even after the incident, they have hesitated to come forward… Is access to these people or their identification going to be a major problem? Out of 4,000 and 5,000 people at the place of incident, some would be fence-sitters. They would not be serious witnesses. You need to find people who can stand up and say what they saw… Justice Kant told the State Government. Chief Justice Ramana, without spelling out the court’s apprehension, indicated that the influence wielded by the accused may spook the witnesses.

Review of Covaxin shot underway, says WHO 

A World Health Organization (WHO) technical advisory group was reviewing data on Covaxin shot against COVID-19 on Tuesday with a decision on its emergency use listing likely soon, a spokesperson said.If all is in place and all goes well and if the committee is satisfied, we would expect a recommendation within the next 24 hours or so, Margaret Harris told journalists at a U.N. press briefing. Millions of Indians have taken the shot produced by Bharat Biotech but many have been unable to travel pending the WHO approval.

Speculation over Amarinder’s next move, may launch party on October 27 

Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh may launch his new political party in Chandigarh on Wednesday, according to speculation triggered by the announcement of a press conference. Captain Amarinder Singh had last week said he would soon launch his own party, and that he was hopeful of a seat arrangement with the BJP provided the ongoing farmers’ stir against farm laws was resolved in their interest. The development comes just months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Captain Amarinder Singh, who faced an unceremonious exit from the state government last month, had also said that he was looking at alliances with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups. The two-time Chief Minister had added that he would not rest till he secures the future of my people and my State. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday, however, said if Amarinder Singh floated a new political outfit, he would be making a big mistake. Captain Amarinder Singh’s face in Punjab will be scarred, Randhawa said, and added that the Congress gave respect to Captain Amarinder Singh and he enjoyed several posts in the party. Randhawa has been attacking Captain Amarinder Singh over his friendship with Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam. He even went to the extent of saying that a probe would be carried out to ascertain if Alam has links with Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, too attacked Captain Amarinder Singh over the issue of his new political party. Captain Amarinder Singh never came out of his farmhouse in the last four and a half years, and now, he suddenly talks about floating a party, she alleged.

Rahul Dravid formally applies for head coach’s post 

Celebrated former captain Rahul Dravid is all but certain to be the Indian cricket team’s next head coach after he formally applied for the high-profile position on Tuesday. With Dravid, the current head of National Cricket Academy applying, the job for the Cricket Advisory Committee becomes easier as there aren’t any big names in the fray who can match the batting great’s stature. Also, it is reliably learnt that he is the first and only choice of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah. Yes, Rahul has formally applied today as it’s the last day of the deadline. His team at the NCA, bowling coach Paras (Mhambrey) and fielding coach Abhay (Sharma) have already applied. His application was just a formality, a senior BCCI official told PTI on Tuesday. Dravid had recently met the BCCI brass in Dubai on the sidelines of the IPL final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings where Ganguly and Shah spoke to him about taking up the position once Ravi Shastri steps down at the end of India’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup. Under Dravid, a new era in Indian cricket will start with the home series against New Zealand where he will take charge with a new T20 captain, which in all likelihood, will be Rohit Sharma. Former India batting great VVS Laxman could again be back in the fray to head the National Cricket Academy in case the post falls vacant in the coming days. It is learnt from sources that Laxman might not continue as the mentor of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderbad and in case he is selected, he would also have to leave his media commitments, including commentary and writing columns. The national coach and the NCA head are expected to work in close coordination, keeping the interests of Indian cricket in mind. It is understood that Dravid and Laxman, who have had a close bond since the time they played for South Zone and subsequently for India for close to a decase-and-a-half, would be the perfect choice. The other aspect that needs to be chalked out is the fact that Laxman is a resident of Hyderabad, where he has a young family with children just in their teens and also old parents. Laxman, it is learnt, was reluctant to take up the NCA Director of Cricket offer but BCCI would once again be approaching him.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

Google Doodle honours Otto Wichterle, contact lens inventor on his 108th birthday.

Google with a doodle celebrated Otto Wichterle’s 108th birth anniversary on October 27, 2021. Otto Wichterle, a Czech Chemist, is the man who invented the soft contact lenses. Google’s plan of celebrating Wichterle’s birth anniversary through a creative doodle aims at enlightening netizens about the groundbreaking work of the scientist. Modern soft contact lens, the gift by Wichterle to the world, are used approximately by 140 million people all over the world for their eyesight needs. Google doodle on Otto Wichterle features an animated figurine of the Czech chemist holding a lens on his finger, while the light is reflected to form the Google logo in the background, as the representative of the eyesight. Wishing Wichterle on his 108th birth anniversary, Google said, Happy Birthday, Otto Wichterle- thanks for helping the world see eye to eye! Otto Wichterle was the inventor of contact lenses. However, his innovations also laid the foundation for state-of-the-art medical technologies, such as smart biomaterials that are used to restore human connective tissues and the bio-recognizable polymers that have inspired a new standard for drug administration.

 

Climate Change: UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2021. 

The 12th edition of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2021 titled ‘The Heat is On’ was released on October 26, 2021, in an annual series that gives an overview of the difference between where the greenhouse gas emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to avert the worst impacts of climate change. The report comes during a fraught year such as 2021 that has been witnessing extreme weather events around the world including droughts, floods, wildfires, heatwaves, and hurricanes. Five days ahead of COP26, the Emissions Gap Report 2021 shows that climate action is still inadequate. The report clearly states that the world needs to cut greenhouse emissions by half in the next 8 years to reach the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. This means removing an additional 28 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent from annual emissions. As world leaders prepare for COP26, this report is another thundering wake-up call. Less than one week before COP26 in Glasgow, we are still on track for climate catastrophe, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap, Guterres added. The Executive Director of UNEP Inger Andersen also noted that in order to have a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half, we have 8 years in which we must make the plans and policies, implement them and ultimately meet the carbon emissions reduction targets.