*26 OCT. PRIME TIME NEWS*

*INDIA-NEWS*

 

Naqvi must question radicalism of RSS, BJP, not that of Jamaat-e-Islami & PFI, says Congress leader Meem Afzal and other Muslim leaders

NEW DELHI—Reacting against the Union Minister for Minority Affairs and senior BJP leader, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, senior Congress leader Meem Afzal and a few Muslim leaders asked him about the RSS radicalism and the BJP that always talks of communal politics and division of society on the basis of religion, targeting the Muslim community. Replying to BJP, Congress leader Meem Afzal said, “My question is before giving comment on radicalization of minorities, he should make comments on radicalization of the RSS and the BJP that have been spreading hate in the country. BJP candidates contest elections in the name of hate and communalism”.Alleging that the BJP is contesting assembly elections in Bihar on the agenda of hate,  he said, “Having seen all this I believe that Naqvi should make comment on BJP and RSS, its mother organization first”, Meem Afzal said.All India Muslim Majlis Mushawar (AIMMM) President Navaid Hamid said, “The world knows the political party that is spreading communal hatred in India and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi belongs to that party.  The Jamaat-e-Islami has no such record of spreading hate or doing hate politics and in spite of all these hate campaigns against Muslim organizations, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi will not succeed”.  India Tomorrow

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/10/26/naqvi-must-question-radicalism-of-rss-bjp-not-that-of-jamaat-e-islami-pfi-say-congress-leader-meem-afzal-and-other-muslim-leaders/

 

Welfare Party demands public apology from Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

NEW DELHI—Welfare Party of India has sought an immediate apology from BJP leader and Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, for calling WPI a “radical and terrorist organization”.In a statement on Monday, WPI President Dr. SQR Ilyas said that allegations made by Naqvi are “baseless” and aimed at “maligning the image of Welfare Party of India which is a value-based secular political party, independent of any affiliation and registered with the Election Commission of India”.DR. Ilyas said that Naqvi’s comments indicated the desperation of BJP as it is losing its hold in Bihar which is going to polls. “BJP is using its most popular methodology to divert, distract and polarize the voters”, Dr. Ilyas said, adding that “the people will reject BJP as they are tired of their fake tactics and slogans”.India Tomorrow

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/10/26/welfare-party-demands-public-apology-from-union-minister-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi/

 

 

Naqvi’s Attack on Congress Linking it With Jamaat-e-Islami Seen as BJP’s Panic Reaction Over Bihar

NEW DELHI – Bihar appears to be slipping out of the hands of BJP and its main ally, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United).At least, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s attack on Congress points towards this fact. Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in Delhi on Sunday, Naqvi accused the Congress of allying with “radical organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and PFI” in poll-bound Bihar and sought to know if RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his party are also part of such “an understanding”.Naqvi’s assertions are based on lies. Neither the Jamaat nor the PFI is a political party. Naqvi has also referred to the Welfare Party of India (WPI), supposedly a front of the Jamaat. But WPI, a small political party formed nine years ago, has no unit in Bihar and it is not contesting any seat or even supporting any party.BJP’s attack on Congress has come just two days after CPI(M) made a similar charge against the Congress. The Left party’s attack is also related to the election, but it is related to civic body polls in Kerala.Clarion India

https://clarionindia.net/naqvis-attack-on-congress-linking-it-with-jamaat-e-islami-seen-as-bjps-panic-reaction-over-bihar/

 

  

Law Against Cow Slaughter in UP Being Misused: Allahabad High Court

Granting bail to a man jailed over cow-killing allegations, the Allahabad High Court today expressed concern over what it called the repeated misuse of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and its implication on innocent persons in such cases, pointing out "accused persons continue in jail for an offence that may not have been committed at all".The court also noted that in a number of cases, meat found by the authorities was presented as cow meat (beef) without it being analysed by experts."Whenever any meat is recovered, it is normally shown as cow meat (beef) without getting it examined or analysed by the Forensic Laboratory. In most of the cases, the meat is not sent for analysis. Accused persons continue in jail for an offence that may not have been committed at all," the court said while hearing the bail application of a man called Rahmuddin, who has been in jail since August 5 on cow slaughter charges.The court raised questions about how cows were treated by their owners, pointing out many were often left to fend for themselves and wander the roads. The stray cows that are recovered (by the state) do not have proper documentation and "one does not know where the cows go after...", the court continued.The court made these remarks after being told that Rahmuddin, or Rahmu, had been in jail for over a month but no specific allegation was listed in the FIR filed by the local police against him.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/act-to-prevent-cow-slaughter-being-misued-says-allahabad-high-court-2316017?pfrom=home-topscroll

 

 

SC temporarily stays Lokur panel after Centre assures law on stubble burning

The Supreme Court Monday kept in abeyance its October 16 order appointing a one-man panel of retired apex court judge Justice Madan B Lokur to check the menace of stubble burning.A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde passed the order while considering the Centre’s stand that it is coming out with comprehensive legislation to deal with air pollution, including the aspect of stubble burning. “The only issue is people are choking because of pollution and it is something which must be curbed,” said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that the Centre has taken a “holistic view” of the matter and the draft of the proposed law on curbing pollution would be submitted before the apex court within four days.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-temporarily-stays-lokur-panel-after-centre-assures-law-on-stubble-burning-6883952/

 

SC declines interim relief for OBC quota in AIQ seats in TN govt.-run medical colleges

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to order the interim relief of implementing 50% reservation this year itself for NEET-UG students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in medical and dental seats contributed to the All India Quota (AIQ) by State government-run colleges in Tamil Nadu.A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao refused the interim relief on separate petitions filed by Tamil Nadu government represented by senior advocate V. Giri, AIADMK represented by advocate Balaji Srinivasan and DMK by senior advocate P. Wilson, among other parties.In the last hearing held in the case, the National Medical Commission had said it was not possible to extend OBC quota benefits this year for NEET-UG candidates because students had filled their application forms for NEET in January-February itself.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-rejects-pleas-for-interim-relief-of-medical-obc-quota-in-tn/article32942396.ece?homepage=true

 

 ‘This has never been the level of our public discourse’: CJI tells Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami’s counsel

Chief Justice of India on Monday passed certain remarks on the style of reporting followed by Arnab Goswami, Chief Editor of the Republic TV."You can be a little old-fashioned with reporting. Frankly speaking, I cannot stand it. This has never been the level of our public discourse", CJI Bobde told Senior Advocate Harish Salve, who was appearing for Goswami, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.The court was hearing the special leave petition filed by the state of Maharashtra against the June 30 order of the Bombay High Court staying the investigation against Republic TV Chief Editor, Arnab Goswami. The FIRs were registered on the allegations that Arnab Goswami's coverage of Palghar lynching and Bandra migrants gathering incited communal hatred.CJI Bobde observed while the court accepts the importance of freedom of press, it cannot mean that a media person should not be asked questions.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/this-has-never-been-the-level-of-our-public-discourse-cji-tells-republic-tv-chief-arnab-goswamis-counsel

 

TRP manipulation case: Republic TV must be responsible; don’t victimise its journalists, says Editors Guild

In the wake of multiple FIRs filed by Mumbai Police in an alleged TRP manipulation case against Republic journalists, Editors Guild of India issued a press statement Monday saying an investigation must not become a tool to suppress media rights.“We do not wish to influence the probe by the authorities, even if we recognise it has the potential to bring in much needed transparency on the manipulation of popularity, and creation of “proceeds of crime” – as claimed by the police; but the victimisation of the journalists should immediately stop. The use of arbitrary state power is not and has never been in the interests of working journalists,” Guild said.“This standoff between Mumbai Police and the TV channel is unprecedented and threatens the tenuous but important to maintain balance between media freedom and the imperative for it to reside within the rule of law. Right to free speech does not mean a licence to promote hate speech,” the statement read.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/trp-manipulation-case-republic-tv-must-be-responsible-dont-victimise-its-journalists-says-editors-guild-6884067/

 

Sudarshan TV case: SG tells SC Centre’s order on complaints ready, can be served tomorrow

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Monday that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was ready with its order on the complaints against the 'Bindas Bol' show of Sudarshan News TV, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.The Ministry had earlier heard Sudarshan News TV on the complaints that its show violated the program code by communalizing the entry of Muslims into the civil services.The Solicitor General submitted that the order can be served on the parties tomorrow.Based on that submission, a bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee adjourned the case Firoz Iqbal Khan v Union of India till November 19.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/sudarshan-tv-case-sg-tells-sc-centres-order-on-complaints-ready-can-be-served-tomorrow

 

J&K: 3 held while trying to hoist tricolour at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk

Srinagar :Three people, claiming to be BJP workers from Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, were on Monday detained while trying to hoist the tricolour at the historic clock tower near the city centre here, officials said.Three people tried to hoist the tricolour at ‘Ghanta Ghar’ (clock tower) in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk here early Monday morning, the officials said.PTI

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-3-held-while-trying-to-hoist-tricolour-at-srinagars-lal-chowk-6883941/

 

"Hurt Sentiments": 3 Leaders Quit Mehbooba Mufti's Party Over Her Remarks

Srinagar: 3 leaders today quit Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir saying her remarks on the national flag had "hurt patriotic sentiments".PDP leaders TS Bajwa, Ved Mahajan and Hussain A Waffa sent a single resignation letter to party chief Mehbooba Mufti, who was released earlier this month after 14 months in detention under PSA.The leaders wrote they were "feeling quite uncomfortable" over some of her actions and statements.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-leaders-quit-mehbooba-muftis-party-in-j-k-say-her-remarks-hurt-patriotic-sentiments-2315960?pfrom=home-bigstory

 

 

Jammu and Kashmir is past stage of uneasy calm, says Army Corps Commander

Srinagar :More than a year after the Central government removed the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and split the state into two Union Territories, the region is “past that stage of uneasy calm”, according to Lieutenant General B S Raju, Commander of the Army’s Chinar Corps (XV Corps), which is responsible for operations along the Line of Control and against militancy. Raju was speaking to reporters a day before the Centre amended the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act to include a third tier of governance, at the district level, to set the stage for the Panchayat and District Development Committee elections.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-is-past-stage-of-uneasy-calm-says-army-corps-commander-6883300/

 

Jammu Lawyer Who Fought Kathua Rape-and-Murder Case Booked for ‘Hurting Religious Feelings’

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday booked an advocate for hurting the ‘religious sentiments’ of a community. Police sources said advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat has been booked under sections 295A and 505 (b) (2) of the IPC for creating enmity and hatred between different classes of people.Rajawat, who shot to fame in 2018 for representing the 8-year-old Asifa’s family in the Kathua rape-and-murder case, had last week expressed fears that she could be attacked after several right-wing groups were outside her house to protest against her tweet.In the tweet, on October 19, Rajawat posted a cartoon showing a man touching the feet of the deity during Navratri and the same man holding both the legs of a woman during the rest of the days and captioned it ‘Irony’.The tweet drew outrage from the Hindutva activists claiming that she had targeted the Hindu community. Several members of right-wing organisations gathered around her house in Jammu and shouted threatening slogans against her. She had to seek police help to disperse the mob.In her response, Rajawat said that her intention was not to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindu brothers and sisters as she was herself Hindu and observing Navratri. She told the media that she was trying to highlight the hypocritical approaches towards women in society as she had been witnessing sexual crimes against women daily.Clarion India

https://clarionindia.net/jammu-lawyer-who-fought-kathua-rape-and-murder-case-booked-for-hurting-religious-feelings/

 

 

BJP Bags 15 Out Of 26 Seats In LAHDC Polls, First Big Win Since Ladakh's UT Status

BJP on Monday secured its first major victory in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh after it swept the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) polls in Leh bagging a whopping 15 out of 26 seats. BJP's Ram Madhav took to Twitter to announce the development. The LAHDC, Leh elections that took place on October 22 and recorded a 65.07 per cent turnout. An electorate of 89,776, including 45,025 women from the region voted in the 294 polling stations that were set up across 26 constituencies of the Leh district. Around 94 candidates including 26 each of the BJP and Congress ran for the  LAHDC, Leh elections. This year, the AAP tried its luck for the first time fielding 19 candidates. The remaining 23 contestants were independents.

https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/politics/bjp-bags-15-out-of-26-seats-in-lahdc-polls-first-big-win-since-ladakhs-ut-status.html

 

China’s hand seen in Myanmar’s insurgent group targeting India-backed Kaladan project:HT

Arakan Army, an insurgent group whose activities have severely affected the India-backed Kaladan multi-modal transport project in Myanmar, has benefited from the clandestine transfer and smuggling of Chinese-made weaponry, people familiar with developments said on Monday.The group, designated a terrorist organisation by Naypyitaw, clashed with Myanmarese troops on nearly 600 occasions last year, and a majority of the skirmishes occurred in close proximity to the $480-million Kaladan project.There have also been at least four instances of Arakan Army cadres targeting the shipment of materials for the infrastructure project or attacking Myanmar troops providing security to the project, the people said on condition of anonymity. In 2019, just as a key phase of the Kaladan project was nearing completion in Rakhine and Chin states, the Arakan Army shifted its area of operations to these regions, they added.“Arakan Army has always kept its anti-Kaladan activities below a certain threshold to not raise the ante. But its activities have had the overall impact of severely impeding the execution of the project,” one of the people cited above said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-s-hand-seen-in-myanmar-s-insurgent-group-targeting-india-backed-kaladan-project/story-W4PBPgq1Ym1ae7pM8kdl2M.html

 

US Secy of State Mike Pompeo arrives in India for 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue: India to sign geo-spatial agreement with US

India and US will sign the last foundational agreement, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA) during the 2+2 ministerial dialogue on October 27, the Defence Ministry confirmed on October 26. “The two Ministers expressed satisfaction that agreement of BECA will be signed during the visit,” the Ministry said in a statement after bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of Defence Mark Esper. Both Mr. Esper and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the national capital on October 26.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/two-plus-two-ministerial-dialogue-india-to-sign-geo-spatial-agreement-with-us/article32940939.ece?homepage=true

 

 

Dissent Deliberately Stifled As Terrorism or Branded As an ‘Anti-national Activity’: Sonia Targets Modi Govt

NEW DELHI — Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has attacked the Modi government for what she called “targeting political opponents and civil society members” and cautioned that the world’s largest democracy was at the crossroads as “dissent was stifled as terrorism or branded anti-national activity”.In an article published in a newspaper and later released by the Congress, she alleged that the Indian economy was in deep crisis.“But what is less appreciated is that all the pillars of a democratic system of the governance are under assault. The fundamental right to freedom of expression has been systematically suspended through suppression and intimidation. Dissent is deliberately stifled as ‘terrorism’ or branded as an ‘anti-national activity’,” Sonia Gandhi said.

https://clarionindia.net/dissent-deliberately-stifled-as-terrorism-or-branded-as-an-anti-national-activity-sonia-targets-modi-govt/

 

 ‘Article 370 not an issue in Bihar…Modiji tries to divert attention’:Bihar Congress president Madan Mohan Jha

Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Madan Mohan Jha speaks about anger against PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar in Bihar, impact of Chirag Paswan  factor in the polls, unhappiness within party over seat-sharing and tickets, and forming the next government in the state. When asked about the PM attacked on Congress leaders for supporting restoration of Article 370, Jha said, "Modiji always tries to divert attention from issues. This is not an issue in Bihar. Here the issues are development, the pandemic, security, health, education, harassment of women. If you try to divert attention from issues…people have become very smart. Last time also he had done that but the people of Bihar had given a mandate against BJP. This was at a time Modiji (popularity) was at his peak. This shows that voters of Bihar are very intelligent."

https://indianexpress.com/elections/madan-mohan-jha-interview-congress-bihar-elections-6884207/

 

Fearing bypoll loss, BJP engaging in ‘bargaining game’: Kamal Nath

BHOPAL:A day after a Congress MLA joined the BJP, the party’s Madhya Pradesh unit president Kamal Nath on October 26 hit out at the saffron outfit, saying due to its imminent rout in the upcoming Assembly bypolls, it is engaging in “game of bargaining” and luring his legislators.On October 25, Congress MLA from Damoh Rahul Lodhi joined the BJP after resigning from the Assembly. His resignation from the Congress came ahead of the November 3 bypolls to 28 Assembly seats, the results of which will be declared on November 10.PTI

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fearing-bypoll-loss-bjp-engaging-in-bargaining-game-kamal-nath/article32944166.ece?homepage=true

 

 

Bihar Assembly election: Phase I campaign ends

Curtain came down on October 26 over campaign for 71 Assembly segments of Bihar which go to polls on October 28, in the first phase of elections.Leading the NDA charge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew down to address as many as three rallies where he urged the voters to vote Chief Minister Nitish Kumar back to power. The voting in the first phase on October 28 will decide fate of nearly half-a-dozen Ministers of Nitish Kumar Cabinet-Krishnandan Varma, Prem Kumar, Jay Kumar Singh, Santosh Kumar Nirala, Vijay Sinha and Ram Narayan Mandal.Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, whose party is contesting the elections in alliance with Lalu Prasads RJD and three Left parties, also chipped in with two rallies.PTI

https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/bihar-assembly-election-campaign-ends-for-first-phase/article32944567.ece?homepage=true

 

Former NDA Minister Dilip Ray sentenced to 3 year imprisonment in coal scam case

A Special CBI court on Monday sentenced former Union Minister Dilip Ray to three-years imprisonment in a coal block allocation case. Ray was the Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1999.The case pertains to allocation of 105.153 hectares of non-nationalised and abandoned coal mining area in Jharkhand's Giridih district in favour of Castron Technologies Limited by 14th Screening Committee of the Ministry of Coal in 1999.Special Judge Bharat Parashar also awarded three years term each to two senior officials of the Ministry of Coal at that time -- Pradip Kumar Banerjee and Nitya Nand Gautam -- and Castron Technologies Limited's Director Mahendra Kumar Agarwalla. CBI had earlier urged the court to award life imprisonment to Ray and other convicts to send a message to the society as white-collar crimes were on a rise.IANS

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/former-nda-minister-dilip-ray-sentenced-to-3-year-imprisonment-in-coal-scam-case

 

Jamiat Challenges Assam NRC Coordinator’s Order on ‘Doubtful Voters’

 

NEW DELHI – Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has challenged in the Supreme Court an order of the Assam State Coordinator for the National Register of Citizenship (NRC).As per the order, Hitesh Dev Sarma has directed district commissioners (DCs) of Assam to delete 10,000 names of “ineligible persons” from the final list of NRC. The Jamiat is of the view that the order, issued on October 13, is arbitrary and contrary to the apex court’s directives.In his order, Sarma told the DCs to issue speaking orders (reasoned decisions) for the deletion of such names. “Some names of ineligible persons found entry to the NRC,” Sarma said in the order. These “ineligible persons” include those declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals (DF), those marked as Doubtful Voters (D-Voters) by the election officials or persons whose cases are pending at Foreigners Tribunals (PFTs) and their descendants.Sarma directed the DCs to issue orders for deletion of such names from the NRC as per Clause 4(6) of the Schedule under the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, after “specifically ascertaining the identity of the person”.Clarion India

https://clarionindia.net/jamiat-challenges-assam-nrc-coordinators-order-on-doubtful-voters/

 

Sri Kulkarni: Indian Americans Protest Against Growing RSS Role in US Politics

NEW YORK – An inter-faith coalition of civil rights activists and allies organised on Sunday a successful protest against the growing foreign intervention in US elections and expressed concern over the close ties of Sri Preston Kulkarni, a Democratic Indian American candidate running for District TX-22, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to a press statement.“Hindutva in no way should be confused with Hinduism or Indian. We will control our own elections. We will control our own vote. We will not let RSS to buy our candidates,” said Jada Barnard, an African American activist and video journalist. He said that RSS has been involved in more than 400 pogroms in India. He also condemned the persecution of the Amnesty India staff by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Clarion India      

https://clarionindia.net/sri-kulkarni-indian-americans-protest-against-growing-rss-role-in-us-politics/

 

In 2016 train accident, Panel finds welding fault but adds caveat: wait for the NIA sabotage probe

PROBE into the derailment of 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express that killed 152 passengers on Nov.20, 2016 near Kanpur was handed over to the National Investigation Agency amid suspicions raised by the government attributing the accident to terrorist sabotage. Then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had said there was “possible criminal interference by outsiders” and at a UP election rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, called it a “conspiracy”.While NIA probe is still on — no chargesheet has been filed yet — the final report of the Commissioner of Railway Safety is in. And it identifies a sudden catastrophic mechanical failure as the “probable cause”.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-2016-train-accident-panel-finds-welding-fault-but-adds-caveat-wait-for-the-nia-sabotage-probe-6883312/

 

 

 

*CORONA*

 

Petrol, diesel to become costlier as Centre may raise tax to mobilise revenue for COVID relief

The economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent pressure on revenues may again push the Centre to raise excise duty on petrol and diesel.Sources indicated that another Rs 3-6 per litre increase in excise duty on petrol and diesel may come soon if the government felt the need to mobilise more resources to finance additional economic recovery packages to fight Covid-19 related disruptions.This level of increase could provide government additional revenue to the tune of Rs 60,000 for full year. In the balance period, about Rs 30,000 crore could be mobilised.IANS

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/business/petrol-diesel-to-become-costlier-as-centre-may-raise-tax-to-mobilise-revenue-for-covid-relief

 

 

Polio networks to play crucial role in COVID-19 vaccine rollout: WHO

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous State in the country, used polio micro-plans twice in the last three months to help identify over two lakh people with COVID-19 symptoms. These persons were then followed-up and tested for COVID-19, said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director WHO South-East Asia, while citing U.P. as an example of applying strategies from polio eradication programmes, to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic.In a release issued by the WHO, South East Asia Region, Dr. Singh also indicated that in the coming months “polio networks, with their vast knowledge on vaccination and tools and strategies tailored to reach the unreached and the most vulnerable, could play a critical role for COVID-19 vaccination roll out.”

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/polio-networks-to-play-crucial-role-in-vaccine-rollout-who/article32944360.ece?homepage=true

 

Oxford Covid Vaccine Draws Immune Response Among Young, Old: AstraZeneca

London: COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford produces an immune response in both elderly and young people and adverse reactions were lower among the elderly, British drug maker AstraZeneca Plc said on Monday. A vaccine that works is seen as a game-changer in the battle against the novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 1.15 million people, hammered the global economy and shuttered normal life across the world

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/oxford-covid-vaccine-draws-immune-response-among-young-old-astrazeneca-2316041?pfrom=home-topscroll

 

 

                                                                            *WORLD NEWS*

 

Muslim world condemns Macron, France over treatment of Islam: Erdogan calls for sweeping boycott of French goods

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Turkish citizens against buying French goods, amid growing calls across the Muslim world for a boycott.His remarks on Monday widened a rift between Turkey and France. “I call on my people here. Never give credit to French-labelled goods, don’t buy them,” Erdogan said in a televised speech in Ankara, TRT reported.Muslims are threatening a boycott over French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech earlier this month, in which he claimed Islam was a religion in crisis across the world. Many are also angry about the level of support in France for caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad.While those in France say the caricatures should be allowed as a matter of free speech, Muslims find the images deeply offensive as they link Islam to “terrorism”, and as any depiction of the prophet is forbidden in Islam.Decrying rising Islamophobia in Europe, Erdogan said hostility towards Islam and Muslims has become state policy in some European countries.Addressing world leaders, he said: “If there is persecution in France, let’s protect Muslims together.“European politicians should say ‘stop’ to the hate campaign led by French President Macron.”The fallout between Macron and the Muslim world escalated on Monday, with prominent figures and groups in Asia and the Middle East condemning the French leader.In many Muslim-majority countries, street rallies accompanied campaigns on social media protesting against Macron and France.Since Friday, social media has been awash with criticism of Macron in countries from west to east, including the UK, Kuwait, Qatar, Palestine, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.The spat has drawn in world leaders as people in Muslim-majority countries organise street protests.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/26/turkish-president-call-for-sweeping-boycott-of-french-goods

 

Imran Khan likens hate against Islam with Holocaust, seeks ban on Islamophobic content on Facebook

 Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again drawn an inexplicable parallel between Islamophobia and the Holocaust.In a bizarre letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Khan has sought a ban on Islamophobic content similar to the prohibition put for the Holocaust on the social networking site.In the letter that he shared on Twitter, Khan said that "growing Islamophobia" is encouraging extremism and violence "across the world" - especially through social media platforms such as Facebook."I would ask you to place a similar ban on Islamophobia and hate against Islam for Facebook that you have put in place for the Holocaust," he said.Khan said that he appreciates Zuckerberg's step to "rightly ban any posting that criticises or questions the Holocaust, which was the culmination of the Nazi pogrom of the Jews in Germany and across Europe". He added that the world is witnessing a similar pogrom against Muslims.ANI

 

 

Paul Pogba Not Quitting France's Football Team Over President Macron's Remarks; Clarifies

France's star midfielder Paul Pogba has clarified that he will not be quitting the national football team over President Emmanuel Macron's 'Islamist terrorism' statement, contradicting reports on Monday. Reports of Pogba's decision to leave the French team had come after President Macron said that 'monstrosity of Islamist terrorism' must be dealt with strongly. However, Pogba has clarified on Instagram.

https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/football-news/paul-pogba-quits-frances-football-team-after-president-macrons-remarks-on-islam-reports.html

 

Airstrike in northwestern Syria kills over 50 rebel fighters

An airstrike on a rebel training camp in northwestern Syria on Monday killed more than 50 Turkish-backed fighters and wounded nearly as many, a Syrian opposition spokesman and a war monitor said.The airstrike in the northwestern part of Idlib province, the last rebel enclave in Syria, targeted a military training camp for Failaq al-Sham, one of the largest Turkish-backed opposition groups in Syria, said Youssef Hammoud, a spokesman for the groups.Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war in Syria, gave a higher toll, at 78 fighters dead and nearly 90 wounded. Rescue missions were still underway, the Observatory said. It said it also suspected the airstrike was carried out by Russia, which is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country’s civil war.AP

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/airstrike-in-northwestern-syria-kills-over-50-rebel-fighters/article32943830.ece?homepage=true

 

Azerbaijan, Armenia trade blame for new truce violation

Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of violating a new “humanitarian ceasefire” in the conflict over the mountainous enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh shortly after it had been due to take effect on Monday.On Sunday, a joint statement from the US Department of State and the two governments said the truce would take effect at 8am (04:00 GMT) on Monday, adding that US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun had met the foreign ministers of the two countries on Saturday.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/26/azerbaijan-armenia-trade-accusations-of-violating-new-ceasefire

 

 

*OPINIONS-EDITORIALS*

 

 

Will India now be pushed to fight America’s wars, asks former MEA Salman Khurshid:Salman Khurshid

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/will-india-now-be-pushed-to-fight-americas-wars-asks-former-mea-salman-khurshid

 

RSS, which tried to separate Jammu from Kashmir, is observing J & K’s Accession today:Arun Sharma

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/rss-which-tried-to-separate-jammu-from-kashmir-is-observing-j-and-ks-accession-today

 

Nitish Kumar Is Now A Liability For The BJP:Ashutosh

https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/nitish-kumar-is-now-a-liability-for-the-bjp-2315909?pfrom=home-topstories

 

China has ramped up military presence across LAC. Ladakh isn’t only target:Shishir Gupta, Hindustan Times

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-has-ramped-up-military-presence-across-lac-ladakh-isn-t-only-target/story-VZTPSUmIcsbRyeSKpvPH6O.html

 

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