G20: MUST STAND AGAINST 'MIGHT IS RIGHT' CULTURE: PM MODI, AHEAD OF SUMMIT

PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his domestic policy of ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas and sabka prayas’ was the Govt’s guiding principle in global relations as well and asked the world to strongly stand against the might is right culture in times of growing pressure on natural resources. In an interview to business portal Moneycontrol on the eve of the G20 summit, he warned against irresponsible financial policies and renewed his call for reformed multilateralism.

“Institutions that cannot reform with time… end up as irrelevant debating clubs. Further, when it is seen that such institutions cannot act against those who violate global rules-based order or worse and get hijacked by such entities, these risk losing credibility...,” the PM said.

Pointing to India’s G20 presidency that he calls ‘People’s Presidency’, the PM said historically there was a certain reluctance to think beyond Delhi, particularly Vigyan Bhavan, for hosting national and international events. “….by the end of our G20 presidency, over 1.5 crore individuals in our country have been involved in these programmes or have been exposed to related aspects,” he said on India’s initiative to democratise the conference.

CONGRESS VS CENTRE OVER 'SECRECY' ON SPECIAL PARLIAMENT SESSION AGENDA

Caste census, “occupation” of Indian territory by China and formation of a JPC to probe transactions by the Adani Group are among the issues that featured in a letter written by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking up for discussion during the upcoming special session of Parliament.

In the letter, Sonia Gandhi noted that the session was being held without any consultation with other political parties, which were clueless about the agenda. She, however, said the Opposition would “most certainly” like to participate in the session to raise matters of public interest. Sonia urged PM Modi for allocation of time to discuss the rise in the prices of essential commodities, unemployment, growing inequality and problems faced by the MSME sector.

The agenda for the session has been kept under wraps so far.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi wrote back to her, lamenting what he described as “unfortunate politicisation of parliamentary work and procedures and attempt to rake up a controversy where none existed”.

Joshi said the special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22 had been called by the President under constitutional provisions after a due recommendation from the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. “Perhaps you are unaware of the procedures. There is no provision to either consult political parties before calling a Parliament session or discuss agenda with them in advance. It is only before the session commences that a meeting of party leaders is called and business and agenda discussed. Our Govt has always been ready to discuss any issue. All the issues you raised were discussed during the debate on the no-confidence motion in the monsoon session and the Govt had responded to each of them. The agenda for the special session will be shared as per procedure at the right time,” said Joshi.

ABSENCE OF FEW LEADERS AT G20 EVENT NOT UNUSUAL: JAISHANKAR

The absence of China’s President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit this weekend in New Delhi is not unusual and will not affect negotiations to produce a consensus communique at the meeting, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said.

The summit is being held against the backdrop of a “very turbulent” global environment and expectations from G20 to find solutions to some of the world’s pressing problems are “very high”.

He downplayed his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov’s statement that Moscow would block the summit’s final declaration unless it reflected Moscow’s position on Ukraine and other crises. He said countries try to maximise their negotiating positions and people should not “prejudge” the outcome.

“I am confident that every one of the G20 coming to Delhi will understand the responsibility that they bear...that the other 180 countries of the world are looking at them to set directions and that they cannot afford to fail them.” The G20 is “very much a collaborative forum” and “not the arena for power politics”, said Jaishankar.

RISHI SUNAK, AHEAD OF HIS INDIA VISIT

India’s diversity and its extraordinary successes means it is the “right country at the right time” to hold the G20 presidency, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday. He hailed Narendra Modi’s leadership over the last year, noting that India’s presidency of the bloc came when the world is facing innumerable challenges.

The first Indian-origin PM of Britain said the relationship between the UK and India would define the future of the two countries, even more than it is defining the present.

He also allayed India’s apprehensions about Britain’s unwillingness to address aggressive and near-violent activities of pro-Khalistan elements in the UK even as over 70 MPs cutting across party lines have asked him to seek “immediate release” of British Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal, detained for over five years in India.

Before his departure to India for the G20 summit on September 9-10, he said no form of extremism was acceptable and the right to hold lawful protest didn’t extend to violent or threatening behaviour. In an interview via email to PTI, he said the UK was working closely with its partners in the Indian Govt to tackle the threat from pro-Khalistan extremism.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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SRI LANKA TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF INTEL COMPLICITY IN ’19 EASTER BOMBINGS

Sri Lanka’s Govt will appoint a parliamentary committee to investigate allegations made in a British television report that officials with the South Asian country’s intelligence had complicity in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 269 people, including 42 foreigners from 14 countries.

The attacks, which included simultaneous suicide bombings, targeted three churches —two Catholic and one Protestant — and three tourist hotels during Easter celebrations.

Junior defence minister, Pramitha Tennakoon, told parliament on Wednesday that the cabinet has decided to appoint a committee to probe the allegations in the British Channel 4 report.

Channel 4 interviewed a man who said he arranged a meeting between a local Islamic State-inspired group, National Thowheed Jamath, and a top state intelligence official to hatch a plot to create insecurity in Sri Lanka ahead of the presidential election. The allegations include that the attacks were meant to enable Gotabaya Rajapaksa win polls.

17 DIE IN RUSSIAN MISSILE ATTACK IN UKRAINE AS BLINKEN VISITS KYIV

Ukraine has made important progress in its counteroffensive against Russia’s invasion, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said during a visit overshadowed by a Russian attack in east that killed at least 17 people. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, which officials said hit a crowded market in the city of Kostiantynivka, close to the battlefield. He said a child was among the dead, and officials said at least 32 people were hurt. “This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible,” Zelensky said, describing it as a deliberate attack on a “peaceful city”. Aides posted video footage showing an explosion after what sounded like a missile approaching, and people scurrying for cover or falling to the ground.

Russia did not immediately comment on the attack, and has denied deliberately targeting civilians.

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MODI’S INSTRUCTIONS TO MINISTERS AHEAD OF G20 SUMMIT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked his ministers to strongly refute opposition leaders on their controversial comments on Sanatan Dharma and expose them but told his ministerial colleagues to avoid the political row around the Bharat issue.

Modi spoke on the issues during his interaction with the Union council of ministers in which he laid down the dos and don'ts to be observed by them during the upcoming G20 summit. He asked them to remain in the national capital during the mega exercise and discharge any duty assigned to them to ensure that visiting dignitaries are not put to any inconvenience.

The ministers were also told by the prime minister to let designated people speak on various matters pertaining to G20 issues and avoid speaking out of turn.

With opposition leaders accusing the Govt of violating the Constitution after Droupadi Murmu was addressed as the "President of Bharat" and Modi as the "Prime Minister of Bharat" in official communications recently, ministers were asked to avoid joining the debate.

MALLIKARJUN KHARGE ON INDIA-BHARAT ROW: WE SAY BHARAT JODO, BJP SAYS TODO

Amid the India-Bharat naming row, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the BJP on Wednesday, saying it was worried by the Opposition INDIA bloc and wanted to change the country’s name to Bharat “to mislead people”.

“We say Bharat Jodo and they always say Bharat Todo (break India). Some of us like-minded parties came together and formed a strong organisation, which we called INDIA. Now they get nervous seeing INDIA. They say leave the name India and keep Bharat. The Constitution itself says that India means Bharat – both these words are there, what is your objection?…,” Kharge said while addressing a Kisan Sammelan in Bhilwara.

Whenever the Congress does something that helps people, the BJP either “try to malign it or mislead people”, the Congress chief said. “We were the ones who got the country its Independence, we are the ones saving it, and we are the ones who gave life for the country. Did you, the BJP people, do anything for the nation’s Independence?”

SEVERAL INJURED AS CROWD OF 30K DEFIES CURFEW IN MANIPUR

At least 28 people were injured in Manipur on Wednesday when security forces tried to stop a 30,000-strong crowd mobilised by a valley-based organisation to defy a curfew and break through an Army barricade along the Churachandpur-Bishnupur border to reclaim Meitei homes in Kuki-inhabited areas.

The clash at Phougakchao Ikhai on NH2, which runs across the simmering border flashpoint located around 52km from Imphal, was the latest in a fresh phase of unrest triggered by displaced people on either side of the ethnic divide seeking to go back to their villages and homes.

The two-tier security deployment ahead of the Army barricade fired 200-odd tear gas shells to disperse the large gathering of protesters from the valley, a few thousand of whom refused to budge from there until evening.

‘ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION’: EC SAYS READY FOR POLLS AS PER LEGAL PROVISIONS

Amid a raging political debate over the BJP’s ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea of holding simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in the country, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, responding to a query if the Election Commission was ready for such an election, said Wednesday that the panel was “ready to conduct elections as per legal provisions”.

Last Saturday, the Centre, citing “national interest”, named an eight-member high-level committee to “examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections” to Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.

SC PROTECTS EDITORS GUILD MEMBERS FROM ARREST OVER MANIPUR REPORTS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Manipur Police not to take coercive action against four members of the Editors Guild of India till Monday in connection with two FIRs registered against them for allegedly promoting enmity between two communities in the ethnic violence-hit state.

Asking the Manipur Govt to respond to the Editors Guild of India’s petition, a three-judge Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud posted the matter for further hearing on Monday.

Earlier, the Bench agreed to take up the matter immediately after senior counsel Shyam Divan mentioned it for urgent hearing, saying the petitioners stared at arrest.

In its report published on Saturday, the Editors Guild of India had slammed the Internet ban in the state as being detrimental to media reportage, criticised what it termed as one-sided reporting by some media outlets and claimed there were indications that the state leadership “had turned partisan” during the conflict period.

SERVICES LIKE WHATSAPP, GOOGLE MEET NOT YOUR REMIT: IT TO DOT

A difference of opinion has emerged between the Information Technology Ministry and the Department of Telecommunications over the inclusion of internet-based communication services such as WhatsApp and Google Meet in the upcoming Telecommunications Bill. The IT ministry maintains these services fall under its jurisdiction and should not be regulated under the telecom Bill.

A draft copy of the Telecommunication Bill was sent to an inter-ministerial group for consultations in May. Following the objections raised by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), the DoT is learnt to have gone back to the drawing board to reframe portions of the Bill which regulated over-the-top (OTT) communication services, a senior MeitY official said. OTT communication services are internet-based voice and text messaging services.

Last September, in the first draft of the Bill, the DoT had proposed regulating communication services including voice, video, and data offered by platforms such as Whatsapp as telecom services, requiring them to obtain a licence from the Govt just like other telecom operators.

WhatsApp and other similar services were mentioned as telecom services under the first version of the draft, addressing a long-standing demand by telecom operators which have on several occasions called for a level playing field. At present, while telecom companies need a licence to offer services, OTT platforms do not.

SC SEEKS REPORT IN UP SLAPPING CASE

The Supreme Court today asked the Muzaffarnagar Superintendent of Police to file a report on the status of investigation in the case against a teacher shown in a viral video allegedly asking other students to slap a Muslim student two weeks ago.

A Bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka also directed the SP to report about the steps taken to protect the victim. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by activist Tushar Gandhi seeking proper investigation into the case.

On behalf of Tushar Gandhi, Shadan Farasat submitted that guidelines should be issued regarding preventive and remedial measures within the school systems to check violence against children, including those from religious minorities.

Ever since the FIR has been filed, there has been a mounting pressure on the child’s family to strike a “compromise” and get the FIR against the teacher expunged, the petitioner alleged.

ASIA CUP: RAUF, IMAM GUIDE PAKISTAN TO COMFORTABLE WIN OVER BANGLADESH

Haris Rauf bowled a couple of hostile spells, while Imam-ul-Haq struck a silken 78 as Pakistan secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a Super Four clash of the Asia Cup, in Lahore on Wednesday.

Rauf (6-0-19-4) proved to be too quick for the Bangladeshi batters, who were also troubled relentlessly by Naseem Shah (5.4-0-34-3) after Shakib-Al-Hasan opted to bat.

Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for a paltry 193 in just 38.4 overs, despite a 100-run stand and twin half-centuries by Shakib (53 off 57 balls) and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim (64 off 87 balls).

The hosts knocked off the target in just 39.3 overs.

US OPEN: AFTER DJOKOVIC, BEN SHELTON AND DANIIL MEDVEDEV REACH SEMI-FINALS

Ben Shelton has become the youngest American US Open semi-finalist in 30 years after recovering from a near catastrophe in the third-set tie-break to upset 10th-seeded countryman Frances Tiafoe Tuesday night at Flushing Meadows.

Twelve months on from a first-round loss at the Open as the World No. 165, 20-year-old Shelton cracked the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings for the first time and moved to within one match of reaching his first Grand Slam final in just his fifth appearance at the majors following his 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 victory.

Standing next in his way is Novak Djokovic, who will be lacing up for a record-breaking 47th major semi-final as he continues his quest for a 10th final and fourth title at the US Open, where he hopes to build on his record haul of 23 Grand Slam titles.

Daniil Medvedev defeated fellow Russian Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in scorching conditions Wednesday to reach his fourth US Open semi-final and set up a possible meeting with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (his quarterfinal match is underway).

Third seed and 2021 champion Medvedev rallied from a break down in all three sets as he condemned a frustrated Rublev to a ninth straight Grand Slam quarter-final loss. It was an energy-sapping duel against the eighth-ranked Rublev as the temperature hit 935 degrees Celsius in New York.

At one point during the third set Medvedev muttered to a nearby TV camera "one player is going to die and they're going to see" as he grabbed a towel mid-game. "The conditions were brutal. The only good thing is that both players suffer, so it's tough for both of us," Medvedev said after the 2hr 48min encounter, during which the extreme heat policy was in effect. However, it only applies at the conclusion of the third set in the men's tournament when players are allowed to leave the court for 10 minutes.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition. - Alexander Smith

OFF TRACK

A priest, a drunk, and an engineer were scheduled to die by the guillotine. The priest went first, and when asked whether he'd like to die face down or face up, he said he wanted to go face up so he could see heaven when he passed on.

They strapped him in and lowered the blade but, amazingly, it stopped just short of his neck. They declared it a miracle and strapped in the drunk, who decided that if face-up worked for the priest, it might for him. Then, lo and behold, the blade stopped again, just short of his neck.

The engineer decided that it couldn't hurt, so he requested to go face-up as well. So once again they strapped him in. But just as they were about to lower the blade he said, "Wait a minute, I think I see the problem."