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Union Minister Jitendra Singh Asks Britain To Explore Business Opportunities

By
Jyoti B
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Union Minister Jitendra Singh invited the UK on Monday to seek business opportunities in India’s northeast region, saying the two countries can form a “mutually rewarding” relationship because of their shared commonalities, including cultural, social and linguistic.

“The bonds between the two nations are very intricately woven, making collaboration and joint pursuits easier”, according to an official statement of virtual meeting with the representatives of the British High Commission, Singh said.

Singh said the northeastern region has a special role in the promotion of trade and business ties with the ASEAN as it is the gateway to the growing economies of South-East Asia.

Covid-19 update: With 46,790 cases, India reports its lowest daily count in three months

By
Shivani Negi
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India saw a sharp decline in covid-19 cases as it reported 46,790 cases in last 24-hour which is country’s lowest in 90 days. The total tally has reached close to 7.6 million with fresh news addition. With 757 fatalities in last 24 hours, the total death toll has reached 1,15,197.

Of the 75,97,063 cases, 7,48, 538 cases are still active, while recoveries stand at 66,33,328. The growth rate of country’s covid cases has seen a drop of 50 per cent since September 18.

The Health Ministry in a tweet said that the trend in daily cases has seen decline as the 5 most affected states also show decline.

The Health Ministry on Monday said that India’s cumulative COVID-19 positivity rate has remained below 8 per cent for four days.

Here’re more updates related to the covid-19:

*US Covid-19 deaths crossed 220,000 mark, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

*At least half of India’s population are likely to have been infected with the coronavirus by next February, the panel appointed by government said.

*Pakistan PM Imran Khan has expressed concern over possible second wave of covid-19 in the country.

*Argentina has become world’s 5th country to surpass one million covid-19 infections.

*A research led by Oxford University’s scientists has said that patients can have covid-19 symptoms for months.

*The United Kingdom will conduct an hour long rapid tests at airports from Tuesday. The people will negative report will be allowed to skip quarantine period.

*No Durga Puja Pandals will be allowed to set up in Delhi’s CR Park this year. The puja in the main temple will be held with the entry of 50 people, AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

*International Monetary Fund has said that nearly all Mideast economies have been hit by pandemic recession. It also underlined that Lebanon and Oman are expected to see some growth by next year.

Meanwhile, the overall number of global coronavirus cases have surpassed 40 million mark on Monday. The tally currently stands at 40.3 million while fatalities climb has reached 1,117,430, Johns Hopkins University said in its latest update.

The University’s CSSE said that as of Tuesday morning, the total number of covid-19 cases stood at 40,333,146.

Final Trump-Biden debate to have a mute button

By
Jyoti B
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Thursday’s debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden will feature a mute button to allow each candidate to speak uninterrupted, organizers said on Monday, in a bid to avoid the disruptions that marred the first matchup.

The commission said both campaigns “this week again reaffirmed their agreement to the two-minute, uninterrupted rule,” adding that the measures weren’t a change of the rules, but were intended to make sure the existing rules were enforced.

The rule change comes after a chaotic first debate during which Trump, especially, interrupted and talked over Biden and the debate moderator.

According to a statement from the commission, they “had determined that it is appropriate to adopt measures intended to promote adherence to agreed-upon rules, and inappropriate to make changes to those rules.”

The decision is presumably a direct attempt to address the “shitshow” that was the pair’s first debate in Cleveland last month.

We’re assuming Trump will take the news with the same sense of dignity and decorum he’s used to complain about the upcoming debate’s list of topics and to attack moderator Kristen Welker, as per the statement.

Air Quality in Delhi, NCR region remains poor

By
Shivani Negi
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The air quality in Delhi and its neighbouring cities including Faridabad and National Capital region did not show any signs of improvement. While the air quality in Faridabad remained “very poor,” in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon it remained “poor”.

A heavy concentration of PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollutants in the air of four neighbouring districts of delhi was reported, the air quality index(AQI) maintained by Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) said.

The sky was hazy and was covered with smog in the early hours of Monday.

In Gurgaon, an AQI of 294 was recorded by the station in Sector 151 followed by 254 at the Teri Gram, 248 at Vikas Sadan and 171 at NISE Gwal Pahari, it showed.

In Gautam Buddh Nagar’s Noida, the AQI was measured at 264 by the station at Sector 62 and 212 at Sector 116. The stations at sectors 1 and 125 showed “insufficient” data for the last 24 hours.

AQI in some parts of Faridabad was reported to be “very poor”.

In Greater Noida, an AQI of 264 was recorded in Knowledge Park V while it was 217 in Knowledge Park III, according to the CPCB figures.

As per the air quality index, the AQI between zero and 50 falls under good category. 51 and 100 is satisfactory while 101 and 200 calls for moderate AQI.

From 200 to 300, the AQI is considered very poor and in between 301 to 400, it becomes very poor. Above 400, the AQI is considered severe.

Delhi’s air quality had marginally improved on Sunday but the condition worsened on Monday.

The deteriorating air quality has remained the constant issue of concern in Delhi and NCR region during winter. With cold weather conditions and stubble burning in neighbouring states, the condition becomes severe.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a press release, on Monday said that if all the governments work hard and make honest efforts together, then the pollution caused due to stubble can be substantially reduced in a short period.

India plays important role in fight against covid-19: Bill Gates

By
Shivani Negi
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American philanthropist Bill Gates has said that India’s research and manufacturing will play important role in fight against coronavirus. He also underlined that India will play a crucial role in making vaccines on a large scale.
Addressing the Grand Challenges Annual Meeting 2020, Gates said that India is very inspiring as it has focused in imporving its health sector immensly in the last two decades.

“And now, India’s research and manufacturing will be critical to fighting COVID-19 especially when it comes to making vaccines at large scale,” he said. Gates said scientists all over the world are involved in a particular ‘grand challenge’ – ending the current pandemic. He said researchers are breaking down silos and rather than waiting to go through the publication process, they are sharing data on a daily basis.

“Since the pandemic began, scientists have shared 1,37,000 viral COVID-19 genomic sequences,” the Microsoft Corp co-founder said.

The billionaire focusing on the process of vaccine development said that he mRNA vaccine is an area where progress has been made. He said that the vaccine alone can not suffice to control the spread of virus as there would be many logistical problems. He further expressed hope that mRNA platforms will scale up vaccine production as well as bring down the costs.

. “Even when sometimes people are tested, results come back negative because some of the tests are not sensitive to the small nano virus,” he said, adding, this also leads to infection. “So, the diagnostics are letting us down,” Gates said, stressing on the asymptomatic nature of the infection.

“Right now, the current business model is identifying people with symptoms and we need to change that. We need sensitive and specific diagnostic tests which matter and we need to make it easy to access,” he said. He also said although the RT-PCR test has high specificity, a lot of challenge is about the logistics. Gates suggested that there should be test kits that can be spread out into the community and can be stocked in medicine cabinets, community centres and pharmacies.

On cooperation by the scientific fraternity, he noted that international teams of scientists are collaborating with full speed on the vaccine clinical trials. “One or more of these vaccines will be available by early next year and as there will be multiples vaccines, it is necessary to make sure to understand how exactly and where to use each of them,” he said.

Pakistan Cricket team approaches ICC over Indian visas for World T20

By
Harshit
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Pakistan, Pakistan cricket team, ICC World T20
Pakistan, Pakistan cricket team, ICC World T20

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Officer Wasim Khan said that the board wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) interference in the T20 World Cup which will be held in India in October next year. Pakistan cricket team will face an issue in getting the visas of their players and officials.

The PCB CEO also confirmed that there is no possibility of an India-Pak bilateral series in the ‘near future’ and that it will not be included in the upcoming Future Tour Program (FTP) starting 2023. India will host the T20 World Cup in October. In view of the tense diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan, the PCB has sought assurance from the ICC that they will settle the visa process of their players and support staff.

“This is an ICC matter. We have discussed our concerns,” Khan told PTI. “There is a ‘Host Agreement’ that states very clearly that the host nation (India, in this case) will have to provide visas and accommodation for teams that are due to participate in the T20 World Cup, and Pakistan is one of them, .

“We have sought assurances from the ICC that our players will receive visas and ICC is now taking this up with the BCCI because that directive and confirmation will clearly need to come from their government.”

“We have asked for a deadline till December-January, which we believe is the right thing,” he said. “We expect a response from the ICC on whether our players and officials will receive visas to participate in the tournament.

“If it (visa) is not (there), then like any nation would expect, we would also expect ICC to take that up directly with India and the Indian government through the BCCI to resolve this matter.”

“I think we have to be realistic about India and Pakistan bilateral series,” Khan said. “BCCI needs to get permission before they can play Pakistan in any bilateral series, home, away or even on neutral venues.

“I think on both sides, there is plenty of cricket to be played against other countries, but sadly for fans and players in both countries, it does not look like that India and Pakistan will be playing bilateral series in the foreseeable future. So there is no current planning that we can factor into the next FTP (2023-31) unless circumstances and viewpoints of the Indian government change. “

IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals roped in Praveen Dubey as replacement of Amit Mishra

By
Harshit
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Amit Mishra, Praveen Dubey, IPL, IPL 2020
Amit Mishra, Praveen Dubey, IPL, IPL 2020

Delhi Capitals has signed with Praveen Dubey as a replacement of leg-spinner Amit Mishra who was ruled out of IPL-13 due to injury.

The franchise issued a statement on Monday and informed about this. Hailing from Karnataka, Dubey has played 14 domestic T20 matches for his state and has taken 16 wickets at an average of 6.87.

Amit was is suffering from a finger injury due to this, he was dropped out of IPL. He has undergone surgery and is currently recovering.

Amit, who took three hat-tricks in the IPL, played only three matches this season and registered three wickets in his name.

“The pacer experienced an acute episode of left rib cage pain while bowling at a team training session on October 7 in Dubai. Subsequent investigations revealed that he sustained a left internal oblique muscle tear,” DC later informed through a release.

Vijay Setupathi backs out from Muralitharan’s biopic ‘800’

By
Harshit
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Vijay Setupathi, Muttiah Muaralitharan, 800 movie
Vijay Setupathi, Muttiah Muaralitharan, 800 movie

Actor Setupathi walks out of Muthiah Muralitharan’s bippic 800 after the cricketer requested him to do so. Setupathi shared this information through his tweet and he also shared Muralitharan’s statement.

Muralitharan stated that the film can harm Setupathi’s carer and therefore he should quit the project.

Setupathi wrote “Thank you and goodbye” in his tweet after sharing Muralitharan”s letter.

https://twitter.com/VijaySethuOffl/status/1318126679445950464?s=20

Muralitharan’s statement-

Muthiah Muralitharan’s statement reads, “I am issuing this statement as there has been controversy around my biopic 800.

Due to misconception, several people were pressing actor Vijay Sethupathi to drop out of 800 the film. I don’t want one of the finest actor’s in Tamil Nadu to face any kind of trouble, hence I request him to drop out of the project. There should be no obstacles for Vijay Sethupathi in the future because of this movie.

I never get tired of the obstacles. I have reached this position only by facing and overcoming obstacles. I accepted this biopic because I thought the movie will inspire and provide confidence to aspiring young cricketers. I am sure that the makers will overcome these hurdles. They have promised me that they will make an announcement regarding this soon. I will stand by their decisions.

I wholeheartedly thank the press, politicians, fans of Vijay Sethupathi, and most importantly, the people of Tamil Nadu who supported me in these circumstances.”

Indian government says FDI with even the smallest Chinese holding will need govt nod

By
Neha Kumari
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During the Corona period, China started investing in India, so that the Modi government started keeping a watch on FDI coming from neighboring countries in the month of April. It was decided that there will be no FDI from these countries through automatic route.

However, then there was a discussion on this, there will be a limit to it, so that if more investment is made, it will have to get the approval of the government first.

It was believed that the maximum limit of FDI could be fixed at 10% under the Companies Act or 25% under the Money Laundering Act, but now an official has revealed that the government has not set any maximum or minimum limit is. That is, FDI coming from neighboring countries like China, no matter how big or how small, must first get the government’s permission for it.

The government is doing all this so that Chinese companies like Singapore or any third country like Mauritius Do not enter India through. Startups like Paytm, Zomato and BigBasket are also closely watching the government’s move, with China investing heavily. Guidelines for investment from neighboring countries are also likely to be finalized in the next few days.

BARC expresses disappointment over the mails recently made public by the Republic media

By
Neha Kumari
-

No comment has been made by BARC India on the alleged fake fraud recently surfaced in the TV media world and the ongoing investigation in this matter. BARC India has issued a statement saying that it is helping legal agencies in all possible ways in the investigation. By issuing a statement, BARC India has also expressed disappointment over the mails recently made public by the Republic media.

BARC India has stated that Republic Networks not only made private and confidential information public but also misrepresented it. BARC India clarified that it did not comment on the investigation being carried out by law agencies on its behalf and is disappointed with the steps taken by the Republic Network.

The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) announced a temporary suspension of news channels ratings last Thursday following an alleged fake TRP scam. An official statement said the council intends to review and improve the current standards of measurement to improve “statistical robustness”, and due to this exercise the weekly rating will be “postponed” by 12 weeks. .

BARC said: “BARC has not commented on the ongoing investigation and it is providing necessary assistance to the law enforcement agency.”

“BARC is highly disappointed with the actions of Republic Network by disclosing private and confidential communications and misrepresenting the same”.

“BARC reiterates that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and without prejudice to BARC India’s rights, it expresses its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network,” it added.

“Republic Media Network is delighted to inform the people of India that it has an official email from rating agency BARC clearly stating that there is not a single complaint or malpractice found against Republic TV, Republic Bharat or any other affiliate of the News Network. With the disclosure of BARC, the fake-news based campaign against Republic led by Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh comes to an end.”

“On October 17, Republic Network Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani received an official email from BARC clearly stating that there is not a single complaint or malpractice found against or by our Network by the rating agency,” it said.

According to the statement, BARC’s mail had said: “If there was any disciplinary action initiated under the said Code against ARG Outlier Media then BARC India would have communicated the same to you along with necessary documents for your response.”

Earlier, Republic Network, in a statement, said: “With the BARC email in public, the fake news-based campaign against Republic Media Network led by Mumbai Police Commissioner comes to an end.”

Amid India China tension, Chinese soldier caught by Indian Army

By
Neha Kumari
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Security force have arrested a Chinese soldier in Chumar-Demchok area of ​​Ladakh amidst tension between India and China over LAC. They said that he must have inadvertently entered Indian territory. Currently, the Chinese soldier’s Icard has been checked, some more documents have also been recovered. The soldier says that he had entered the Indian border in search of his yak. Intelligence agencies are still questioning him.

In this regard, the Indian Army has issued a statement saying that the PLA soldier has been identified as Corporal Wang. Which was caught after crossing the LAC in Demchok sector of East Ladakh. Medical assistance, food and warm clothes have been provided to protect her from extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions.

After being detained, the PLA soldier was given medical assistance, including oxygen, food and warm clothing, to protect him from extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions. The PLA of China had requested the Indian Army about the missing soldier.

According to the established protocol, the Chinese army was handed back to the Chinese authorities at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completing the formalities. According to protocol, a soldier who crosses the border unknowingly is sent back to his country.

IPL 2020: MS Dhoni factor still threatens Dinesh Karthik?

By
Harshit
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IPL, IPL 2020, IPL updates, Dinesh Karthik, KKR, MS Dhoni, CSK
IPL, IPL 2020, IPL updates, Dinesh Karthik, KKR, MS Dhoni, CSK

There was another match between Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad that went till the super over. Kolkata Knight Riders won their fifth game of the season by defeating SunRisers Hyderabad in super-over. Kolkata scored 163 while batting first, another decent show from KKR batsmen.

While chasing Hyderabad looked good initially but failed to utilize the good start into a winning note. David Warner’s 47 helped Hyderabad to equal the target and the match went to the super over. Kolkata Knight Riders required just 3 runs in the 6 ball encounter and they chased the target easily.

“I think throughout my career there’s one thing that’s for sure — it was the fact that there was a lot of pressure whenever I played games. Just the fact that I had to be a part of the side I had to be something, it had to be something special. I just couldn’t do ordinary stuff and be a part of the side because there was an enigma named MS Dhoni around,” said Karthik while speaking with Saurav Ghosal on ‘Finish Line’.

“So when you have a player like that around, you have to seize the moments with something special. At times I seized it and at times I did not hence life is not always going to be a bed of roses, at times as an individual you do have to run the tough race as well,” he added.

Dinesh Karthik, has played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 32 T20Is for Indian cricket team.

“There was nervousness when I had to think this is what I need to do. There were a lot of emotions going on inside me. But I think what did help me was the fact that I was prepared. So, I knew one thing, all I needed to do was do what I have done until now which is to get into a good position. Make sure I get a good base and then react to the ball, but there was one belief that I believed that I wasn’t going to hit a 4 (in the last ball when India needed five runs to win).

“I was going to go for a six, I was going to go for all or nothing. So, I was going for a six no matter what at that stage. I didn’t want a draw (tie). So, I think the preparation in terms of getting deep in the crease, setting myself up for a ball that could probably be a yorker again. But what helped me was I had practiced before to get into a good position and to make sure I went through with the ball. It was one of the toughest shots I played that evening over the covers,” he added.

IPL 2020: Chris Gayle stated that he was angry before super-over

By
Harshit
-

The Indian Premier League witnessed one of the best games in its history. Kings XI Punjab won their third game of the season against Mumbai Indians in the second super-over. This was the first time in T20 cricket that a match went till the second super-over.

Mumbai Indians batted first and scored 176 runs in reply Punjab somehow managed to Kings XI manages to equal the score with help of captain KL Rahul’s 77 run knock and the match went to super-over. Punjab scored just 5 runs while batting first in super over with heroics of Jasprit Bumrah.

Later Mohammad Shami came to bowl from the Kings’ side and he also gave just 5 runs which resulted in another tie. The match went to another super-over and this time Punjab chased the 12 runs target set by Mumbai Indians.


“No I wasn’t nervous. I was a bit more angry and upset that we got ourselves in this position,” Gayle told Mayank Agarwal in a video uploaded on IPLT20.com. “But it’s a game of cricket and these things do happen,” he added.

“Shami is the man of the match for me,” Gayle said. “To defend six runs against Rohit and de Kock, that’s fantastic. That’s a great job. I have faced you in the nets and I know that you can nail those yorkers, and nail them well. Today he came and delivered and brought it home for us,” he added.

“And that was all that I had in my mind that I have to watch the ball and hit it. I didn’t think about taking ones and twos. I was determined to hit a boundary and luckily it did happen,” he added.

Gunjan Saxena said that she never faced gender based discrimination in IAF

By
Neha Kumari
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Former Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena told the Delhi High Court that she did not face any discrimination on the grounds of gender in the Air Force, a very progressive institution.

She mentioned that the ‘Air Force gave her an opportunity to serve the nation including the Kargil War and she would be forever grateful for the opportunities given to her by the force’.

Saxena argued this in his affidavit in a suit filed by the Center. The suit calls for the issuance of a permanent injunction restraining the film ‘Gunjan Saxena – The Kargil Girl’ from releasing Netflix, Dharma Productions and others in its broadcasts or theaters or broadcasting on other digital platforms. It has also been requested to do so without giving a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

According to Gunjan’s affidavit, the film is not a documentary, but is inspired by his life. She does not claim that every incident in the film has actually happened in her life. This is a dramatic representation of his life. Gunjan believes that the film inspires women to join the Air Force.

She said that she has no control over the exercise of creative liberties’ during the making of the movie, it remains as fact that in so far as the deponent is concerned, at an institutional level, the deponent has not faced any discrimination on the basis of her gender. The IAF rather gave the deponent an opportunity to serve the nation, including in the Kargil War.

SLINEX-20, annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian and the Sri Lanka

By
Neha Kumari
-

The 8th edition of SLINEX-20, an annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy, held in Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 October 2020. The Sri Lankan Navy will be carried by SLN Ships Sayura and Gajabahu .

According to information received from a naval officer, the Indian Navy will deploy a large number of modern light helicopters, Chetak helicopters and Dornian maritime patrol aircraft along with the anti-submarine warships INS Kamorta and INS Kilton in the exercise.

The Sri Lankan Navy will be represented by patrol ship Sayura and training vessel Gajabahu.

According to an Indian Navy spokesperson, ” the Slynex-8 exercise exemplifies the deep partnership and better synergy between India and Sri Lanka. This has encouraged mutual coordination in the maritime sector, particularly in the Bay of Bengal ”.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the previous editions of SLINEX have resulted in a deep engagement between the two nations and have further improved the cooperation in maritime operations.

“Interaction between the SLN and IN has also grown significantly in recent years, in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Hon’ble PM’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR),’” the statement said.


The SLINEX-2020 will be the second such joint naval exercise of India with another nation this month with the first one being on October 3 with Bangladesh.

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