WON’T MEDDLE IN KASHMIR, SAY TALIBAN

The youngest member of the Taliban peace committee, Anas Haqqani, asked India and Pakistan to not use Afghanistan “as a pawn” since they had a long enough border to settle the matter among themselves.

“Kashmir is not part of our jurisdiction and interference is against the policy. How can we go against our policy? This is clear, we will not interfere,” he said in an interview.

Anas, son of Jalaluddin Haqqani, maintained that the Taliban were ready to forget the past and take forward the relationship with India which “has helped our enemy for 20 years”. He also taunted the US, saying, “Your power is gone, your hold is gone” while holding discarded prison shackles during a tour of Bagram prison where the US forces had imprisoned him for nearly six years.

“We will clarify all policies in the days to come. We want all help for the people of Afghanistan. We want not only India but also rest of the world to come and support us,” said Anas.

The Taliban are yet to announce a new govt.

CATASTROPHIC ECONOMIC FAILURE AS IN 1990S, NEW VISION NEEDED: RAHUL GANDHI

As oil marketing companies raised the prices of non-subsidised LPG cylinder by Rs 25, a second hike in 15 days, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Indian economy was faltering as it did in the 1990s and the country needed a new economic vision.

“Catastrophic failures happened in the 1990s and the Congress gave the country the economy a new direction. Today again we need structural failures that warrant a new economic vision. The symptom of this catastrophic failure is the declining GDP. The PM is in panic mode and cannot fathom what to do. His core ministers are also panicking. We in the Congress know exactly what needs to be done and can send our experts to the PM,” Gandhi said.

In a jibe on the govt he said the only thing rising under the NDA govt was the price of another kind of GDP—gas, diesel, petrol.

Comparing global crude oil prices under the UPA regime in 2014 with today, Gandhi said despite low global prices of gas, and crude oil, domestic rates were rising.

“There is a 116 pc increase in cooking gas, 42 pc increase in petrol and 55 pc increase in diesel prices today as compared to 2014 when UPA demitted office. This when global crude oil prices were 32 pc higher and international gas prices were 26 pc more in UPA times. This is truly intriguing,” the former Congress chief said, accusing the govt of shifting “wealth from the poor to a select rich under the policy of demonetization followed by asset monetisation.”

While farmers, workers, salaried classes are being demonetised, select industrialist friends of the govt are being monetised through “sale of public assets”, alleged Gandhi.

The BJP in turn accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading “falsities” and speaking “lies”.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said an LPG cylinder price was Rs 1,241 on January 1, 2014 and Rs 1,080 on March 1 in the same year, when the Congress-led UPA govt was in power, against Rs 834 it costs now. He noted that Gandhi quoted the subsidised price during the UPA govt while referred to non-subsidised cost of the cylinder during the BJP govt.

Patra accused Gandhi of lying that the govt was selling off its assets through monetisation, asserting that it has made clear that they will be leased out for a specific period and money will be used for the public good.  The ownership will remain with the govt, he noted.

INDIA’S PRESIDENCY OF UNSC SAW SUBSTANTIVE OUTCOMES: ENVOY

India’s month-long presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that ended on Tuesday was “a success with many substantive outcomes,” said India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti.

India’s swan song at the presidency was the first resolution adopted by the UNSC on the situation in Afghanistan. The resolution, with many prominent markers, was approved on the penultimate day of India’s presidency.

In an indication of the importance attached to the presidentship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually chaired a discussion on maritime security that was joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, besides several more foreign ministers and heads of govt. This was the first time the UNSC had a comprehensive debate on maritime security.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla travelled to New York to preside over other equally important discussions — UN peacekeepers, Daesh and Afghanistan.

India, currently serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council, assumed the rotating presidency of the UN body for August.

INDIA AMONG FEW NATIONS WITNESSING SURGE: WHO

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday reported a plateauing of the number of new Covid cases globally even as India, it said, was among few nations that saw a surge last week.

The highest numbers of new cases last week were reported from the US (9,38,014 new cases; 8 per cent decrease), India (2,70,796 new cases; 17 per cent increase), Iran (2,54,753 new cases; similar to previous week), the UK (2,37,556 new cases; 8 per cent increase) and Brazil (1,75,807 new cases; 16 per cent decrease). The number of deaths reported globally was also similar to last week, with just over 67,000 new deaths reported. Among the 4 variants of concern globally, Alpha variant has now been reported in 193 countries (one new country since last week), Beta in 141 countries (no new countries), Gamma in 91 countries (five new countries) and Delta in 170 countries (seven new countries).

KEY COVID NUMBERS

Current Active Cases Countrywide: 3,83,401

New Cases in last 24 hours: 45,959

Recovered in last 24 hours: 34,775

Change in no. of Active cases in last 24 hours: +10,679

No. of deaths in last 24 hours (Total Covid Deaths so far): 505 (4,39,559)

Daily Tests (Monday): 16,43,195

Daily Positivity Rate (Proportion of Positives among total Tested): 2.6%

Percentage of Population Vaccinated (At Least One Dose / Two Doses): 37.8% / 11.3%

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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WITH KABUL AIRPORT CLOSED, FEARFUL AFGHANS RUSH FOR THE BORDER

Crowds looking to flee Afghanistan flocked to its borders while long queues formed at banks on Wednesday, as an administrative vacuum after the Taliban’s takeover left foreign donors unsure of how to respond to a looming humanitarian crisis.

The Islamist militia focused on keeping banks, hospitals and govt machinery running after the final withdrawal of US forces on Monday brought an end to a massive airlift of Afghans who had helped Western nations during the 20-year war.

With Kabul’s airport inoperable, private efforts to help Afghans fearful of Taliban reprisals focused on arranging safe passage across the land-locked nation’s borders with Iran, Pakistan and central Asian states.

More than 1,23,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in the US-led airlift after the Taliban seized the city in mid-August, but tens of thousands of Afghans at risk remained behind.

Germany alone estimates that between 10,000 and 40,000 Afghan staff still working for development organisations in Afghanistan have a right to be evacuated to Germany if they feel endangered.

Meanwhile, the Taliban is talking with Qatar and Turkey over how to run Kabul’s airport, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, but it could take days or weeks to finalise those negotiations.

The Taliban have declared an amnesty for all Afghans who worked with foreign forces during the war that ousted them from power in 2001. Taliban leaders have also called on Afghans to return home and help rebuild, while promising to protect human rights, in an apparent bid to present a more moderate face than their first regime, known for its brutal enforcement of radical Islamic law.

The White House on Tuesday said 98% of Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan were able to do so, and President Joe Biden affirmed that the United States remained committed to helping the remaining 100 to 200 US citizens who had some intention to leave.

Biden said the US govt had reached out 19 times to Americans in Afghanistan since March, offering to help them leave the country.

THE REST

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KASHMIRI SEPARATIST LEADER SYED ALI GEELANI PASSES AWAY

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, avowedly a pro-Pakistan supporter who spearheaded the separatist movement in Jammu and Kashmir for over three decades, died at his residence in Srinagar on Wednesday night.

The separatist leader had been suffering from a kidney disease for over two decades, besides having other age-related issues, including dementia.

Mobile internet was being shut down in Kashmir valley as a precautionary measure to prevent confusion due to spread of rumours.

There were several cases pending against him in the Enforcement Directorate, police and Income Tax Department.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted saying that she was saddened by the news of his death. "We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness and standing by his belief..."

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed condolences over Geelani's death on his official Twitter handle.

WEST BENGAL GOVT MOVES SC OVER CBI PROBE

The West Bengal Govt on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court against a Calcutta High Court order for a CBI probe into the incidents of violence, including murder and rape, allegedly by the ruling TMC supporters targeting BJP workers after the state assembly election results were declared on May 2.

Accusing the CBI of acting at the behest of the Centre, the Mamata Banerjee govt contended that it could not expect a fair probe by the Central agency, which had been foisting cases upon TMC leaders.

It also alleged that there were several discrepancies in the NHRC report that formed the basis of the Calcutta High Court’s August 19 order for a CBI probe.

ON WHY CONGRESS BROKE TIES WITH ITS RECENT ALLY BADRUDDIN AJMAL IN ASSAM

Months after fighting — and losing — Assembly elections in Assam with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), the Congress has decided to sever ties with the regional outfit led by Badruddin Ajmal. The decision provoked surprise and several questions.

The immediate provocation apparently was some ‘pro-BJP’ statements from AIUDF leaders. Ajmal’s brother Sirajuddin recently called Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma “dynamic”, and the “number one” CM in the fight against drug cartels. Sarma was doing a “lot of development work”, and Assam would progress under his leadership, he said.

The Congress alleges the Ajmals are praising the CM to protect their vast personal and business interests. “The AIUDF leadership and senior members’ continuous and mysterious praise of the BJP and the Chief Minister has affected the public perception of the Congress,” the party said on Tuesday.

But not many are willing to buy the Congress’s high-moral-ground explanation.

One view is the Congress made a strategic move ahead of upcoming byelections. “Bypolls are due for five seats, three of which are in Upper Assam. They are trying to reach out to Hindu voters saying ‘look we have cut ties with Ajmal’,” a former Congress leader said.

HARYANA OFFICER WHO ASKED COPS TO 'BREAK FARMERS HEADS' SHIFTED

The Haryana govt on Wednesday transferred 19 IAS officers, including Karnal SDM Ayush Sinha, who was recently caught on tape allegedly telling policemen dealing with a farmers' protest to "break their heads".

Sinha will now be the additional secretary of the Citizen Resources Information Department, a govt order said, adding that he has been shifted against a vacant post.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier admitted that the choice of words by Ayush Sinha, a 2018-batch IAS officer, was wrong but had defended the police action.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmers' outfits spearheading the stir against the Centre's farm laws, had said a murder case should be registered against Sinha and he be dismissed from service.

JALLIANWALA BAGH COMPLEX RESTORED WITH UTMOST RESPECT: CULTURE MINISTRY

Amid allegations the govt was “glamourising” the Jallianwala Bagh complex, the Culture Ministry Wednesday said it has been “restored” by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the agency that has restored World Heritage sites in the country, to conserve it for posterity.

Ministry of Culture Secretary Raghvendra Singh argued the complex was in dire need of conservation. “Instead of letting a derelict structure to fall, we have restored it to conserve it for posterity,” he said, but refused to comment on the political storm brewing over the restoration.

On the criticism over the light and sound show, Singh said that the show existed but it became defunct over time. “The soundtrack is so poignant. It has been very sensitively done and is informative as well. Anyone coming to this place will leave better informed. The galleries too have been improved, technology has been improved to bring out the poignancy of the killings of innocents and how the incident influenced other bravehearts,” said Singh.

Apart from opposition, some historians have also criticised the work terming it an “insult towards the martyrs”. “This is corporatisation of monuments, where they end up as modern structures, losing the heritage value. Look after them without meddling with the flavours of the period these memorials represent,” tweeted historian S Irfan Habib.

Officials, however, say that these allegations are “untrue”. They said the accusation that the bullet marks have even “hidden” was false. The bullet marks have been conserved, they said.

They said the earlier structure was “filthy” with defunct fountains which have now been restored, cleaned and a lily pond installed. The entire area has been landscaped, officials said, making the place visually appealing.

Officials involved in the process said the well was covered with rubbish, now it has been restored and even lit from inside.

COW SHOULD BE DECLARED NATIONAL ANIMAL: ALLAHABAD HC

The Allahabad high court on Wednesday said Parliament should make a law declaring cow a national animal and to punish those who harm it.

Observing that the animal is an important part of the Indian culture, Bench of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav said a fundamental right is not only the prerogative of beef eaters but also of those who worship cows and are financially dependent on it.

"The right to life is above the right to kill and the right to eat beef can never be considered a fundamental right," the court further said denying bail to Javed of Sambhal district, who allegedly stole a cow before killing the animal.

The court said cow should be declared a national animal as when a country's culture and faith gets hurt, the country becomes weak.

YOGI ADITYANATH CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST GUILTY OFFICIALS IN SUPERTECH TWIN TOWER CASE

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday called for an inquiry and strict action against guilty officers in Noida in the Supertech illegal twin tower case. The chief minister also directed the officers to register criminal case against guilty persons, if need be, as he reviewed the matter in Lucknow, an official spokesperson said.

RS 1.12 LAKH CRORE GST MOP-UP IN AUGUST, BUT LOWER THAN JULY

In what indicates that the pick-up in economic activity has been sustained after a series of localised lockdowns during the Covid-19 second wave, GST collections in August (for sales in July) crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark.

The August collections at Rs 1,12,020 crore were 29.6 per cent higher than in August 2020. In the last 11 months, GST collections have consistently remained over Rs 1 lakh crore, except in June (for sales in May). The second wave was also the most brutal in April-May.

The GST revenue in August is, however, 3.76 per cent lower than the Rs 1.16 lakh crore mop-up in July. This sequential decline has left some economists concerned.

The Finance Ministry maintained that GST revenues were likely to remain robust in the coming months too. Pointing out that collections topped Rs 1 lakh crore both in July and August, it said the economy was recovering at a fast pace. “Coupled with economic growth, anti-evasion activities, especially action against fake billers, have also been contributing to the enhanced GST collections,” it said.

ZOMATO RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER ADS FEATURING HRITHIK ROSHAN, KATRINA KAIF RECEIVE CRITICISM

Zomato issued a clarification after their latest ads featuring actors Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif were criticised on social media. The food delivery app released a statement addressing the issues raised by a section of viewers. The company maintained that the ads were 'well-intentioned, but were unfortunately misinterpreted by some people.

In a detailed note published on Twitter on Monday, the food-delivery company stated that the intention behind the ad was to show how their customers were no less stars like Hrithik and Katrina for them. It added that at the same time they wanted to project that their delivery executives were no less than heroes for them.

In one of the ads released by Zomato, actress Katrina Kaif is seen offering a piece of her birthday cake to her Zomato delivery executive. However, the delivery guy leaves the place without having the piece of the cake as he receives notification for his next order. He does this so that he wouldn't be late for delivering his next order. In another ad featuring Hrithik, the delivery executive gives up a selfie opportunity for a similar reason.

The ads created a debate on social media about the working conditions of delivery executives and the pressures their face on the duty. Some of the users also slammed the company for projecting their executives as heroes rather than focussing attention on creating better treatment and working conditions for them.

Zomato, however, said that they wished to show people how to be polite to the workers like Hrithik and Katrina were in the video.

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Bitcoin - USD 49,677

Dollar Index 92.52 Brent Crude 71.27 BDI 4,013

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,812 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,738 / 4,638, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 68,700

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have. - Vince Lombardi

OFF TRACK

"I failed my driver's test. The guy asked me, "What do you do at a red light?" 

I said, "I don't know, look around, listen to the radio"