Farmers’ protest: Talks between Centre and farmers remain undecided, next meet tomorrow

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December 2, 2020

A special NDPS court on Wednesday granted bail to Rhea Chakrbaorty’s brother Showik Chakraborty after almost three months of his arrest. Both Showik and Rhea were arrested in a drug case which was linked to the death case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

The information was shared by ANI in a tweet that read, Special NDPS Court grants bail to Showik Chakraborty (Rhea Chakraborty’s brother) in a drugs case registered by Narcotics Control Bureau.”

Special NDPS Court grants bail to Showik Chakraborty (Rhea Chakraborty's brother) in a drugs case registered by Narcotics Control Bureau.
— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2020

While Rhea was granted conditional bail on October 7, Showik’s bail plea was rejected and he was sent to judicial custody.

Showik had moved to the special NDPS court after his bail plea was rejected by Bombay High Court. In his plea, the 20-year-old had said that no commercial quantity of drugs was seized from during the investigation and he was being “falsely accused”.

“In the facts and circumstances of the present case, given that no commercial quantity has been alleged in respect of the applicant, there has been no recovery from the applicant and that all allegations pertain only to small quantities, the embargo imposed by Section 37 of the NDPS Act, 1985 would not be applicable,” the bail application read.

“The allegations against the applicant (Showik) will at the most make out a case of purchase of small quantities of drugs, which is in essence a bailable offence. There is not a shred of evidence to connect the applicant with the financing of any illicit traffic or harbouring any offenders and hence the ingredients of Section 27 of the NDPS Act, 1985 are not made out in the present facts and circumstances,” it added.

The drug case came into light during Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case.

Rhea, in her statement, had claimed that Suhsant was involved in frequent consumption of drugs even as she asked him to get rid of it on multiple occasions. Showik, in his bail plea, also said that there are electronic evidence to show that Rhea was trying to get rid of Sushant’s habit by restricting the doses he could access.

Nissan Magnite SUV launched in India

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December 2, 2020

Nissan Magnite has been launched in India at an introductory price of ₹4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the entry-level XE variant.

This introductory price is valid for customers who book the SUV by 31 December, 2020.

The all-new Nissan Magnite will be available only with a petrol option, two transmission options, five variants, and 10 trim levels.

The all-new Magnite will rival the likes of Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, and Ford EcoSport among others in the country.

Nissan Magnite is a sub 4 meter SUV. It enters a highly competitive segment and hence some outstanding and segment first features could pave its way to success.

It will rival some of the best selling SUVs in India among which are the Hyundai Venue, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Honda WR-V, Tata Nexon, and Ford EcoSport besides the soon to be launched Renault Kiger.

Magnite is presented in four trims of XE, XL, XV and XV Premium, the features will differ according to each variant.

It will receive 8 colour options out of which 5 will be monotones of Onyx Black, Sandstone Brown, Flare Garnet Red, Blade Silver and Storm White while there will be Vivid Blue/ Storm White, Flare Garnet Red/Onyx Black, and Pearl White/Onyx Black dual tone options.

In terms of transmission options available, Magnite will get a 5-speed manual unit as well as Nissan’s much-acclaimed X-Tronic CVT box.

Sonet is offered with five transmission options – six-speed iMT, five-speed manual, six-speed manual, seven-speed DCT and six-speed automatic.

UK approves emergency use authorization of Pfizer/BioNTech covid-19 vaccine

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December 2, 2020

The United Kingdom became first western country on Wednesday to approve emergency use authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech’s covid-19 vaccine. According to the latest reports, the vaccine doses will be rolled out from next week.

The emergency authorization has raised hope across the globe in the fight against covid-19 pandemic which has claimed millions of lives worldwide.

“The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use,” the government said.“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week,” it added.

Albert Bourla, Pfizer CEO, called it a historic moment for which they have been working since the inception of the pandemic.

“Today’s emergency use authorisation in the UK marks a historic moment in the fight against Covid-19. This authorisation is a goal we have been working toward since we first declared that science will win, and we applaud the MHRA for their ability to conduct a careful assessment and take timely action to help protect the people of the UK.

“This authorization is a goal we have been working toward since we first declared that science will win, and we applaud the MHRA for their ability to conduct a careful assessment and take timely action to help protect the people of the UK,” he added.

Pfizer had applied for emergency use authorization in the United States and the United Kingdom following its study analysis result that showed the vaccine to be 95 per cent effective against the covid-19 infection.

Earlier during the day, Pfizer has also applied for emergency authorisation across EU.

Meanwhile, US FDA will announce its decision on vaccine on December 10 after holding a meeting with vaccine and virus experts.

Pfizer has said that it has 50 million doses of vaccine which are ready to be rolled out in the market. The UK, which has ordered 40 million doses, will start vaccine drive from next week and is expected to receive 10 million doses by the end of 2020.

Pakistani woman accuses cricketer Babar Azam of sexual and physical abuse

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December 2, 2020

A Paksitani woman has accused Pakistan National Team Cricket Captain Babar Azam of sexual and physical abuse. The woman has claimed that she shares a decade long relationship with the acclaimed cricketer, adding that the she financially supported Azam before his professional career took off.

The woman also alleged that Azam promised her of marriage and asked her hand for marriage. When her parents denied the permission, she ran away with the cricketer and started living in rented apartments. Meanwhile, Azam, who had promised her a marriage, kept delaying it, saying that their conditions aren’t favourable yet.

Speaking to GeoSports, the woman said, “We share a long relationship from the time when Babar was not even a cricketer. He was my school fellow and we used to live in the same locality,” the woman recalled. “In 2017, I made a police complaint against Babar at the Nasirabad station. He has exploited me for 10 years, both physically and sexually,” she added.

The woman further said that when she filed an FIR against the cricketer at Nasirabad Police Station, Azam asked her to take back her complain and assured her of marriage yet again.

Earlier, a video of the woman went viral on social media wherein she was seen briefing a press conference. “He promised to marry me, he got me pregnant, he beat me up, he threatened me and he used me,” the woman can be heard as saying in the video. “He was from a poor household. I hope all my brothers and sisters here are going to help me get justice so that no daughter gets to go through what I have. Babar and I have grown up in the same colony, we used to stay together,” she said.

So this lady has made accusations against Babar Azam "he promised to marry me, he got me pregnant, he beat me up, he threatened me and he used me"
Video courtesy 24NewsHD pic.twitter.com/PTkvdM4WW2
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 28, 2020

PCB and Babar Azam has refused to react to the allegations yet. Meanwhile, Babar Azam is currently on New Zealand tour with the Pakistan Team where he is following 14-day quarantine protocol ahead of the series.

Covid-19 India updates: 501 new deaths take total fatality toll to 1,38,122

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December 2, 2020

India logged in 31,118 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall Covid -19 tally in the country over 94.62 lakh. With 501 more people succumbing to the virus in last 24-hour, the total fatality toll has reached 1,38,122.

While the total number of cases in country currently stand at 94,99,414, the active cases are 4,28,644.

The total recoveries have crossed 89,32,647 with 43,062 more people discharged in last 24-hour.

The cumulative number of samples tested in the country has now reached 14,24,45,949. Of these, 10,96,651 samples were tested in last 24-hour, according to Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR).

The recovery rate in the country stands at 94.03 per cent while fatality rate is at 1.45 as per cent, the Health Ministry said.

Here’re more updated related to the pandemic:

*The major infected states in the country are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Delhi.

*With 1,330 cases in a day across Karnataka, its Covid-19 tally has reached 8,86,227, including 23,709 active cases, while recoveries rose to 8,50,707.

*The UP Govt has splashed rates of covid-19 test to Rs 700 from 600 in private labs.

*Jharkhand’s COVID-19 tally rose to 1,09,332 with 181 more people infecting with the virus, a health department official said on Wednesday.

*Delhi recorded 4,006 new COVID-19 cases in last 24-hour. While 5,036 recoveries were reported, 86 people lost their lives to the virus in the national capital, according to state health department.

*”If we’re able to vaccinate the critical mass of people and break virus transmission, then we may not have to vaccinate the entire population,” said ICMR chief.

*Covid-19 vaccine candidates Moderna and Pfizer have sought emergency approval from EU on Tuesday.

*England on Wednesday came out of a month-long lockdown but continued to report new cases of the infection.

*I just want to make this clear that the govt has never spoken about vaccinating the entire country. It’s important that we discuss such scientific issues, based on factual information only: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan

CM Yogi to ring bell at BSE for listing bond of Lucknow Municipal Corporation

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December 2, 2020

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will ring the bell at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai on Wednesday for the listing of the bond of Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC).

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister is on a 2-day visit to Mumbai. The chief minister is slated to meet N Chandrasekaran of Tata Sons, Niranjan Hiranandani of the Hiranandani Group, Baba Kalyani of Bharat Forge, S N Subrahmanyan of L&T, Sanjay Nayar of buyout major KKR Ltd, among others.

On Tuesday, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar called on Yogi Adityanath at a city hotel to discuss the immense possibilities of film shoots in the northern state.

As per the release issued by the UP’s Information and Public Relations Department, the Chief Minister spoke at length to the bollywood actor Akshay Kumar about the innumerable possibilities for film shoots in Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)

Shaheen Bagh’s Bilkis Dadi Detained For Joining Farmers’ Protests

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December 1, 2020

The police on Tuesday, 1 December detained Shaheen Bagh activist Bilkis Dadi who had reached the Delhi-Haryana border in Singhu to join the farmers protesting the government’s farm laws.

Ahead of the detention, Bilkis Dadi had said that the government should listen to the demands of the farmers.

According to a report by The Wire, “No fewer than 20 members of police personnel were involved in escorting Bilkis from the site.”

The Wire quoted her son saying, “Police are escorting her back to the city, although it is unclear if they will be taken to a police station or back home.”

Bilkis ‘Dadi’ had made headlines last year when she along with other women residents of south Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh staged a sit-in against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bills which grew into a massive movement against the legislation seen as anti-Muslim. She was also recognised by the American weekly Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2020 alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bollywood actor Ayushman Khurrana.

Shreyas Iyer happy with Australian approach against him

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December 1, 2020

Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer was sent to the pavilion by Josh Hazlewood in the first ODI match of Australia tour, while in the second match, he batted better, scoring 38 runs in 36 balls. When he was asked about the Australian strategy of aiming for short bowling, the batsman said on the eve of the final ODI, “I am very happy that he has strategized against me”.

He said, ‘I feel overwhelmed and take it as a challenge. But I do well under pressure and it will motivate me to do better against them. I think it can be taken advantage of (short leg and leg lane) and more runs can be scored. ‘

India’s number four batsman Iyer said that facing the short bowling is related to a slight change in mentality and batting at the net. He said, ‘This is related to your mindset, which needs a little change. How do you stand on a wicket? (During the stance) instead of bending too much, you have to stand upright. In such a situation it becomes easy to play short ball. ‘

Akshay Kumar to be the new brand ambassador of Horlicks Protein Plus

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December 1, 2020

Adult Nutrition brand Horlicks Protein Plus by Hindustan Unilever has roped in Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. The actor has featured in a new TVC by the brand. As a part of his association, Akshay will encourage Indian adults to make a ‘Protein ka Routine’ which aims to fight off protein deficiency.

The TVC features Akshay Kumar outlining how one should intake an appropriate of protein in their diet.

Sudhir Sitapati, executive director, foods and refreshment, HUL, said, “The relaunch campaign’s central theme reinforces how Horlicks Protein Plus, along with milk, can help to meet the protein requirements for adults thus providing nearly 30 per cent of an individual’s daily protein need. Horlicks Protein Plus contains a blend of three good quality proteins.”

Surjo Dutt, national creative director, FCB Ulka, said, “When it comes to knowing what the body needs, especially after a certain age, we couldn’t find a better fit than Akshay Kumar for Horlicks Protein Plus. He not only sets a high benchmark of exemplary lifestyle choices; he also knows the nutrition needs that are important for a fit and active life. The interview format and his real playful self keeps the message engaging and authentic.”

Ian Chappell urges ICC to ban Switch Hit

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December 1, 2020

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has suggested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban ‘switch hitting’. He has said that this shot is ‘completely unfair’ to the bowler and the team that is fielding.

In the current ODI series between India and Australia, Glenn Maxwell and David Warner used switch hits several times. In this, the right-handed batsman holds the bat in the left hand as soon as the bowler leaves the ball. Australian batsmen do it quite easily.

Chappell told ‘Wide World of Sports’,’ Maxwell and Warner took many such shots in the second match, if a batsman changes his hand or foot before the ball is hit, it should be an illegal shot. “Chappell said If the batsman informs in advance then this shot is fine, otherwise it is unfair.

He said, “The bowler has to tell the umpire what kind of ball he will bowl, but if the batsman is right handed then the captain looks like a field and then suddenly he plays with the left hand then it is wrong,”

He said that he does not understand why bowlers do not complain about it. He said that cricket administrators should stop this.

Prof Emeritus Vishwa Nath Datta dead at 94

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December 1, 2020

Renowned historian Vishwa Nath Dutt, Professor Emeritus, Kurukshetra University, and former President of the Indian History Congress, died at his residence on Monday.

Dutta was a visiting professor at several universities including Moscow, Leningrad, and Berlin, and was a resident fellow at the College of Physitium, Cambridge. Born in an illustrious family in Amritsar in 1926, he was the son of a prominent businessman and famous Urdu-Persian poet and Padma Shri awardee Brahma Nath Datta ‘Kasir’.

Several academicians from the Kurukshetra University, including Vice-Chancellor, Som Nath Sachdeva and Professor Bhim S Dahiya mourned the demise of the distinguished historian.

Sachdeva said Datta had an illustrious career as an outstanding academic and with his death the Kurukshetra University has lost a guiding figure.

Vishwa Nath Datta studied at Government College in Lahore, at Lucknow University and Cambridge University in the UK.

Author of several pioneering books on modern India, his most notable works include on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, Amritsar: Past and Present, and a biography of freedom fighter Madan Lal Dhingra.

Datta is survived by his wife and three daughters. PTI CORR SUN VSD NSD NSD

Aditya Narayan ties the knot with Shweta Aggarwal, see first pics

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December 1, 2020

Singer and TV host Aditya Narayan tied the knot with girlfriend Shweta Aggarawal in Mumbai on Tuesday. The wedding was a close knit affair with only close friends and relatives in attendance, owing to the covid-19 outbreak in the country.

The wedding took place at ISKCON temple and some pictures of the couple while performing rituals have been shared by fan pages on Instagram.

Both bride and groom had donned ivory white ensembles and were seen grinning from ear to ear in the pictures that went viral.

Some pictures of the happy groom earlier in the day had gone viral wherein he was seen dancing with his father, veteran singer Udit Narayan, his mother and other relatives in the baraat.

Amid the covid-19 restriction, the wedding was kept a low key affair with only 50 people in the guest list. Among the people invited were PM Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh among other.

“The Mehendi was on Sunday. The Haldi ceremony on Monday was a family affair, and the wedding today will be at a small temple with just 50 guests in attendance, followed by a reception. I’ve invited PM Modi, Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha ji, Dharmendra ji, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Madhuri Dixit, but with COVID-19 cases on the rise, I don’t know if they will be able to attend,” Udit Narayan had told Mumbai Mirror.

Aditya Narayan and Shweta Aggarwal, who co-starred in Bollywood film Shaapit, have been in a relationship for over a decade now. The couple had kept their relationship under wraps and didn’t announce it until last month when Aditya took to Instagram to inform that he would be taking a break from the social media platform in order to prepare for his wedding.

Incidentally, today also marks Aditya’s father Udit Narayan’s birthday. What a happy day for the Narayan family!

Red Alert issued in parts of Kerala, Karnataka

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December 1, 2020

Less than a week after Cyclone Nivar battered southern India, another storm is expected to affect the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala this is due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal.

A Red alert has been issued for four southern districts of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts till December 3.

According to IMD the cyclonic storm expected to cross the Sri Lankan coast by tomorrow evening/night and on December 3, it is expected to emerge into the Kanyakumari region.

Kerala Gold Scam: Swapna Suresh and PS Sarith sent to 3 days Custom Custody

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