WAITING, WATCHING, SAYS GOVT AS OPP SEEKS CLARITY ON ITS TALIBAN STRATEGY

The govt is adopting a “wait-and-watch” approach in dealing with the Taliban, depending on the evolving situation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday while briefing all-party leaders on the Afghanistan situation.

Describing the situation as “critical”, he said the govt is committed to “full evacuation” of Indians.

The Congress questioned the govt on its strategy vis-a-vis the Taliban, asking whether it would engage with the Taliban. Sources in the Congress said the govt’s response was “wishy-washy”.

Responding to a similar question while speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jaishankar said: “Let the situation settle… You will have to keep patience on the question of our future policy”.

“Our immediate concern and task is evacuation and long term interest is friendship for the Afghan people,” he tweeted.

At the meeting, which lasted for about three-and-a half-hours, the Congress questioned the govt’s “wait-and-watch approach” and “relative silence” on the new regime, and also expressed concern about New Delhi’s marginalisation in the Afghan talks and isolation from traditional allies in the region.

Citing Pakistan’s support to the Taliban, many Opposition leaders expressed concern about the impact on regional security, and asked the govt to take strong counter-terrorism measures and shore up defences in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress, in this context, demanded restoration of the political process as also full statehood for J&K.

Referring to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s reported comment that the “harrowing time” faced by Afghan Sikhs and Hindus was the reason why the Citizenship Amendment Act was necessary, TMC’s Saugata Roy said this was not the time to raise such divisive issues.

CPI MP Binoy Viswam said Jaishankar “patiently heard and addressed every question”. “But the govt’s policy seems to be not to divulge any details. “Many critical questions were unanswered,” he said.

NEW DRONE POLICY NOTIFIED: AIR TAXIS MAY BE A REALITY SOON, SAYS SCINDIA

The govt yesterday notified the new liberalised drone use policy rules, as Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia said with these norms in place cities could soon witness the running of air taxis.

The progressive and liberalised rules aim to promote drone usage across sectors, including transportation, logistic, defence and infrastructure, officials in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, adding that these would ensure ease of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as several of the regulations have been done away with. Scindia, while briefing media on the issue, said the new rules aimed at simplifying procedures and reducing compliance burden for drone operation. “We are all set to usher in a new era of drone usage in India… Our aim is to make India a global drone hub by 2030,” he said.

The minister said the new drone rules were very likely to make air taxis traversing the airspace in the coming days.

PM Narendra Modi tweeted to highlight the significance of the new rules. “The new drone rules usher in a landmark moment for this sector in India. The rules are based on the premise of trust and self-certification. Approvals, compliance requirements and entry barriers have been significantly reduced,” the PM said.

2ND WAVE NOT OVER YET; CELEBRATE FESTIVALS WITH CAUTION: GOVT

The central govt on Thursday said the months of September and October will be crucial in pandemic management and cautioned that festivals should be celebrated in accordance with COVID-19-appropriate behaviour.

Addressing a media briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "We are still in the midst of the second surge of COVID-19 in our country. The second surge has not yet concluded. It is not over and therefore, we have to maintain all necessary precautions, particularly in light of our experience that after every festival we see a spike."

"The coming months of September and October are crucial for us because we would be celebrating a few festivals. Thus festivals have to be celebrated with Covid-appropriate behaviour," he added.

The govt said 41 districts in India were reporting a COVID-19 weekly positivity rate of more than 10 per cent.

Of the 3.38 lakh active cases in the country, Kerala has 1.81 lakhs, followed by Maharashtra (50,393), Karnataka (29,43,463), Tamil Nadu (18,069), Andhra Pradesh (14,448).

KEY COVID NUMBERS

Current Active Cases Countrywide: 3,38,705

New Cases in last 24 hours: 44,553

Recovered in last 24 hours: 32,926

Change in no. of Active cases in last 24 hours: +11,134

No. of deaths in last 24 hours (Total Covid Deaths so far): 493 (4,36,889)

Daily Tests (Wednesday): 19,44,831

Daily Positivity Rate (Proportion of Positives among total Tested): 2.4%

Percentage of Population Vaccinated (At Least One Dose / Two Doses): 35.0% / 10.3%

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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SUICIDE BLASTS IN KABUL KILL SCORES, INCLUDING 13 US SOLDIERS

Islamic State struck the crowded gates of Kabul airport in a suicide bomb attack on Thursday, killing scores of civilians and at least 13 U.S. soldiers, disrupting the airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans desperate to flee.

Kabul health officials were quoted as saying 60 civilians were killed. Video shot by Afghan journalists showed dozens of bodies strewn around a canal on the edge of the airport. At least two blasts rocked the area, witnesses said.

Islamic State said one of its suicide bombers targeted "translators and collaborators with the American army". U.S. officials also blamed the group.

The attack was carried out as U.S. forces raced to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden vowed to go after the perpetrators of Thursday's bombing and said he had ordered the Pentagon to plan how to strike ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate that claimed responsibility. "We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," Biden said during televised comments from the White House.

The U.S. deaths were the first in action in Afghanistan in 18 months, a fact likely to be cited by critics who accuse Biden of recklessly abandoning a stable and hard-won status quo by ordering an abrupt pullout.

General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the United States would press on with evacuations, noting that there were still around 1,000 U.S. citizens in Afghanistan. But several Western countries said the mass airlift of civilians was coming to an end, likely to leave no way out for tens of thousands of Afghans who worked for the West through two decades of war.

McKenzie said U.S. commanders were bracing for more attacks by Islamic State, including possibly rockets or vehicle-borne bombs targeting the airport. "We're doing everything we can to be prepared," he said.

A Taliban spokesman described the attack as the work of "evil circles" who would be suppressed once foreign troops leave.

The fate of around 210 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, who were scheduled to be airlifted to India, hung in balance on Thursday after the two explosions.

THE REST

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BHUPESH BAGHEL TO MEET RAHUL GANDHI AGAIN; 26 MLAS REACH DELHI

The crisis in Chhattisgarh Congress intensified Thursday, as several party MLAs owing allegiance to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reached Delhi a day before his expected meeting with former party president Rahul Gandhi. Friday’s meeting is set to be their second one this week.

While some reports said the high command has summoned Baghel, AICC’s Chhattisgarh in-charge, P L Punia, said the Chief Minister sought a meeting with Rahul. But the arrival of at least 26 MLAs, some ministers and MPs is seen as a show of strength by Baghel, locked in a leadership tussle with state Health Minister T S Singh Deo.

Sources said the issue of rotational CM is still open, and the high command wants an amicable settlement. The arrival of so many party MLAs signal that Baghel is mounting pressure on the central leadership. The move is seen as an attempt to send a message that he has majority in the legislature party.

IN PUNJAB, AMARINDER SINGH MEETS OVER 60 PARTY MLAs, MPs

After a banner of revolt was raised against him and rebel party leaders sought his ouster, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, in an apparent show of strength, on Thursday met many party MLAs and MPs at a dinner event, seen as a retort to the rebels’ meeting two days ago.

Amarinder’s camp claimed more than 60 MLAs and MPs joined the meeting, following an invite by his aide and state Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi at his official residence.

The CM’s camp released pictures and videos of the dinner meet but no list of names was provided.

CBI REGISTERS NINE FIRS RELATED TO POST-POLL VIOLENCE IN BENGAL

After deciding to carry out zone-wise investigation of post-poll violence in West Bengal, the CBI yesterday said it had registered nine FIRs and began a probe into the alleged heinous crimes, including rapes and murders.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while taking up the probe following the Calcutta High Court’s order, had constituted four special teams, each headed by a Joint Director-level officer and moved their units from Kolkata to crime scenes across the state, officials in the agency said. More FIRs are under the process of registration with some of them being handed over by the state govt, they added. A five-judge Bench of the Calcutta High Court had entrusted the CBI the task to investigate alleged rapes and murders after the Assembly polls in West Bengal earlier this year.

The CBI has dispatched a team of officers comprising four joint directors, as many DIGs and 16 Superintendents of Police, and other investigators drawn from across the country, who would remain stationed in the four zones, the officials said.

TAMIL NADU BJP CAUGHT IN TANGLE OF SLEAZE TAPES

Factionalism in Tamil Nadu BJP has taken an ugly turn with two relatively new entrants in the party – state unit chief K Annamalai and YouTuber Madan Ravichandran – being at the centre of a controversy this week over allegations of sexual misconduct against a senior party leader from the RSS.

Triggering the storm, Ravichandran on Tuesday morning released a video, making serious allegations of sexual misconduct against BJP state general secretary K T Raghavan, a prominent RSS face in the party. Following the allegations of his misconduct with a woman party worker, Raghavan denied the charges and resigned from his post.

Ravichandran’s claim that he released the video with the consent of state BJP chief Annamalai forced the latter to issue a statement, claiming ignorance about details of the video although he admitted that he was aware of the issue.

On Wednesday, Ravichandran and a woman associate, were suspended from the party for their actions, which were considered “against the interest of BJP ideals”.

Upset over the action, Ravichandran released another video on Thursday, this time targeting Annamalai. The video, posted on his popular social media page “Madan Diary”, contained Ravichandran’s secretly recorded conversation purportedly with Annamalai, in an attempt to prove that the state party chief knew about the allegations against Raghavan and that he had also given multiple options to deal with the issue. The options were to release the video and make the party act or take Ravichandran to Delhi to brief top leaders although it would take time for action.

'TIHAR JAIL SHAMELESS': SC SHIFTS UNITECH'S CHANDRAS TO MAHARASHTRA JAILS

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that former Unitech promoters Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra be shifted from Tihar Jail in Delhi to Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail and Taloja prison respectively after the ED said they were conducting business from the premises in connivance with the staff.

The top court, which perused two status reports of the Enforcement Directorate, said the Tihar jail superintendent and other staff are ”absolutely shameless” for conniving with the Chandra brothers to flout the court orders and undermine its jurisdiction.

”We are of the view that materials on record indicates that despite the orders of this court, activities are taking place within the premises of Tihar Central Jail, where the two accused are lodged, which have the propensity to undermine the authority of the court, as also to derail the investigations which have been ordered to be done by the ED including but not confined to the PMLA.

During the hearing, the bench told Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for ED, ”Tihar jail officials have actively connived with the accused to flout the orders of this court. "All we have to say is that Tihar Jail staff are shameless. Can you imagine it is happening right in the Centre and in the capital? We will certainly take them to task. We will first shift the accused from this jail.” It directed the Delhi police commissioner to personally hold inquiry forthwith about the conduct of Tihar Jail staff with regard to the Chandras and submit the report to the court within four weeks.

Both Sanjay and Ajay, who are in jail since August 2017, are accused of allegedly siphoning home buyers' money.

INDIA ALLOWS BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT TO FLY 30 MONTHS AFTER GLOBAL BAN

India’s aviation regulator DGCA on Thursday lifted the ban on Boeing 737 Max planes’ commercial flight operations after almost two-and-half years. On March 13, 2019, all Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane on March 10 near Addis Ababa, which had left 157 persons, including four Indians, dead.

On March 13, 2019, all Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane near Addis Ababa.

Officials in the regulatory agency said aircraft manufacturer Boeing had been modifying the 737 Max plane since March 2019 so that various countries’ regulators, including the DGCA, permitted its passenger aircraft to start operations again.

SpiceJet today said it had entered into a settlement with Avolon, a major lessor of Max aircraft, paving the way for the return of 737 Max aircraft.

GOVT BEGINS SURVEY TO CHART INDIA-SPECIFIC SIZES FOR CLOTHING

WHAT exactly is a “size 14”? How does a “medium” tag in the US often fit a person with a “larger” physique in India?

To do away with this confusion, an India size survey, titled INDIAsize, was officially launched on Thursday. A joint initiative of the Ministry of Textiles and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the aim of the project is to introduce a new standardised size chart for India in the ready-to-wear clothing sector.

“The textile sector is the second largest employer in the country and generates about Rs 140 billion, of which Rs 100 billion isfrom Indian consumers alone. We only export for about Rs 40 billion. The need for a standard sizing has been there for a while. Now with INDIAsize, we are conducting size surveys across six regions of India, namely Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata,” said Upendra Prasad Singh, Secretary, Textiles.

“The new sizing chart will have a size identification number, which will be created by mapping, categorisation and defining of the body size and type. Currently, only about 18 countries in the world have their own sizing charts,” said Singh.

DON’T MISUSE IT: NEERAJ CHOPRA AFTER REMARK ON PAKISTAN JAVELIN RIVAL

Neeraj Chopra blew away the rest of the field to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. In his very first throw in the men's javelin final, Neeraj Chopra achieved a distance no other athlete could match -- 87.03m. The Indian athlete revealed in an interview that he had taken his first throw hurriedly after a delay as he couldn't locate his javelin, which he spotted in the hands of Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem. On Thursday, Neeraj posted a video saying he was "extremely disappointed at the reactions" to his comments.

"I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be together and united. I'm extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments," he tweeted .

He also said there was nothing wrong with Arshad Nadeem taking his javelin and everything that transpired during the final was in accordance with the rules, and there was no need to make an issue of it.

"A big issue has been made over my remarks in an interview. All the personal javelins are kept in one place, where any thrower can use it, this is the rule. There was nothing wrong with him (Arshad Nadeem) taking my javelin and preparing for his throw. Before my throw, I asked him for it. I'm sad that a big issue is being made out of my comments. I request everyone not to do this," Neeraj said in the video.

LEEDS TEST, DAY 2: ANOTHER ROOT TON GIVES ENGLAND BIG LEAD

In-form skipper Joe Root smashed yet another hundred as England gained a stranglehold in the third Test against India by the end of Day 2, at Headingley, Leeds, on Thursday.

At close of play, the hosts were 423 for 8, with a first-innings lead of 345 runs, having dismissed India for a paltry 78 in 40.4 overs on Wednesday.

Root again led from the front, scoring a superb 121 off 165 balls, which was studded with 14 hits to the fence. It was his eighth hundred against India and third on the trot in the ongoing series.

Mohammed Shami was India’s most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 87. Ravindra Jadeja (2/88), Mohammed Siraj (2/86) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/58) were the other wicket-takers.

With England looking good to bat India out of the game, the visitors will need to produce something special to bounce back.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true.  It is the chief occupation of mankind. - H.L. Mencken

OFF TRACK

During a research on how women get their husbands to help in the house, one wife stated that her husband took care of their kids, cooked meals, shopped, cleaned and did the laundry for 2 weeks.

"He read somewhere that if a wife isn't too tired she makes a happy partner in bed", she said.

This wife was asked "Did it work" ?

" Not really," she sighed. " He was too tired "