UNACCEPTABLE: MEA ON CHINESE ‘VILLAGE’ ALONG LAC IN ARUNACHAL

The Ministry of External Affairs reacted to a recent Pentagon report stating that China has built a village along the LAC in the eastern sector by stating that India has “always conveyed strong protests against such acts through diplomatic means and will continue to do so”.

“We have taken note of the report. The Chinese had undertaken construction in the past several years in border areas, including in areas it has illegally occupied over decades. India has neither accepted the occupation of territory by China nor accepted its unjustified claims,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi when asked about the reports of a Chinese village in a disputed area in Arunachal Pradesh.

In response, India has stepped up border infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges, etc, which has provided much-needed connectivity to the local population along the border, said Bagchi.

IF ARMY CAN'T MOVE WEAPONS TO CHINA BORDER, HOW WILL IT FIGHT WAR: CENTRE TO SC

Trying to allay the concerns of landslides in Himalayan regions due to the construction of the wider Chardham highway project, the government said all necessary steps have been taken to mitigate the disaster.

The strategic 900-km-long Chardham project worth Rs 12,000 crore aims to provide all-weather connectivity to four holy towns -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath -- in Uttarakhand.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and Vikram Nath which reserved its verdict on a plea of the ministry of defence to modify its earlier order and plea of an NGO 'Citizens for Green Doon' against the widening of the road asked them to file written submissions on the steps taken and to be taken to mitigate landslides in the region.

Attorney general KK Venugopal, appearing for Centre, said, "These are inhospitable terrains where Army needs to move heavy vehicles, machineries, weapons, missiles, tanks, troops and food supplies. Our Brahmos missile is 42 feet long and needs large vehicles to carry its launchers. If the Army cannot move its missile launchers and machineries up to the northern China border, then how will it fight a war, if it breaks out."

"Landslides can happen anywhere in the country even where there is no road activity but mitigation steps which are necessary are undertaken. Our roads need to be disaster resilient. There are specialised protection measures undertaken in the vulnerable areas, where frequent landslides occur and heavy snowfall blocks the road," Venugopal said.

WILL COOPERATE WITH SC PANEL ON PEGASUS: GOVT

The government will fully cooperate with the committee of experts set up by the Supreme Court to probe allegations of snooping using Pegasus software, IT and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

He said the government would provide infrastructure, manpower, laboratory facilities and information needed by the panel to complete its probe. On social media regulations, he said while social media platforms had given people chance to express themselves freely, at the same time, misuse of technology had placed “a huge burden of thinking” on where should the regulation be. He said there had to be a balance between privacy and social responsibility.

FULLY UTILISE CHABAHAR PORT, IRAN TELLS INDIA

Iran has expressed dissatisfaction over its economic ties with India, the Iranian media reported after the meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) of Iran Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani on the sidelines of the Delhi Dialogue on Afghanistan earlier this week.

Calling for the removal of barriers to economic ties, Shamkhani said relations between the two countries were not satisfactory and steps must be taken to remove barriers in the related field.

One of the most important issues between the two countries was to accelerate full commissioning of Chabahar Port, Shamkhani was quoted as saying. “The Islamic Republic of Iran wants to use its capacities for development and growth of the region so that establishing strong bilateral relations with India can pave the way in this direction,” he said.

‘FACTUALLY WRONG, EXAGGERATION’: GHULAM NABI AZAD ON KHURSHID’S HINDUTVA-ISIS COMPARISON

Veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday became the first Congress leader to publicly disagree with his party colleague Salman Khurshid’s “Hindutva and ISIS comparison” in a new book, and termed the same as “factually wrong and an exaggeration.”

Azad in a tweet said, “In Mr. Salman Khursheed’s new book, we may not agree with Hindutva as a political ideology distinct from composite culture of Hinduism, but comparing Hindutva with ISIS and Jihadist Islam is factually wrong and an exaggeration.”

Quoting Azad, the BJP hit back at Khurshid saying he was echoing Gandhis since a member of the Congress G23 group had disagreed with the conclusion.

“Salman Khurshid, close to the Gandhis, writes that Hindutva is similar to the jihadist Islamist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram. Ghulam Nabi Azad, member of G-23, calls it factually wrong and exaggeration. It would therefore be fair to assume that Khursheed is echoing Gandhis,” BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said as Khurshid’s remarks continued to stir a controversy.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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XI CEMENTS AUTHORITY WITH HISTORIC CPC RESOLUTION

China’s Communist Party delivered Xi Jinping a breakthrough on Thursday that will help secure his political future — by rewriting history. Senior party officials in a closed-door meeting in Beijing approved a resolution reassessing the party’s 100-year history and enshrining Xi in the party’s official firmament of era-defining leaders. The move, signalled in an official summary of the meeting, elevated Xi to a stature alongside Mao Zedong, the founder of the country’s Communist rule, and Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of its economic takeoff.

Under Xi’s leadership, China has “made historic achievements and undergone a historic transformation”, said an official summary, or communiqué, from the meeting, hailing what the party described as successes in the economy, foreign policy, fighting pollution and containing Covid. Under Mao, Deng and now Xi, the communiqué said, China had “achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong.”

The announcements will play a big part in the leadership shake-up at a Communist Party congress that is likely to be held in 2022, when Xi, China’s most powerful leader in decades, appears on track to secure a third fiveyear term as the party’s general secretary. There is no rival leader or heir apparent in view. The decision to place Xi among the country’s historical giants will bolster his argument that he is the only leader capable of steering China toward superpower status through uncertain times.

‘CARBON COLONIALISM’: INDIA, CHINA AMONG NATIONS TO REJECT FIRST DRAFT

A group of developing countries that includes India and China has rejected the first draft of the expected agreement from the Glasgow climate conference and asked for changing the entire section on enhancing of mitigation actions.

With less than two days left for the official end of the conference, this group, which calls itself Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) and also includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia among several others, accused the developed countries of attempting to transfer their responsibilities on the rest of the world, and trying to impose new rules.

Bolivia’s chief negotiator, Diego Pacheco, speaking on behalf of the LMDC group on Thursday, called it “new carbon colonialism” and said the 2050 net zero targets being “forced” on the developing countries ignored historical responsibilities of the developed nations and the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“If we are going to accept net zero by 2050 for all countries, then the developing countries would be trapped in a very unjust way of addressing climate change. That is because only the developed countries will have the financial capabilities and technological capacities to achieve that target. As developing countries, we will be trapped in that narrative because we will never be able to achieve the targets that they are putting for the entire world. And those countries that would not able to achieve the net zero targets would be ethically and financially condemned. That is unfair and against climate justice,” Pacheco said at a press conference.

“So, we need to fight the developed world against this carbon colonialism. It is very risky for our countries and completely ignores that there are historical responsibilities of the developed nations,” he said.

THE REST

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CHENNAI BATTLES RAIN FURY

The flooding in Tamil Nadu, triggered by intense showers and the release of surplus water from dams, has claimed 14 lives. As several parts of Chennai remained under water till late on Thursday, over 75,000 police officers and other government authorities are on war footing to help citizens.

The excess water from the dams has turned the suburbs into a virtual, large water body as streets swirled with deluge and trash.

The authorities used heavy duty motors, robotic excavators and deployed its full manpower to pump out water, de-clog drains, remove trash and uprooted trees.

The heavy rainfall, since Wednesday night covered almost the entire city under sheets of water, including downtown Mylapore and heavily inundated several parts of neighbourhoods including Velachery, and rain water entered state-run hospitals in KK Nagar and Chromepet prompting authorities to shift patients to other facilities.

FIGHT AGAINST COVID AT FINAL STAGE, SHOULD NOT LET OUR GUARD DOWN: MANDAVIYA

Stating that the fight against COVID-19 is at the final stage, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday cautioned against letting the guard down before it is completely over and requested states to enhance the vaccination coverage and motivate the over 12 crore beneficiaries who are due for their second dose to take it.

He also urged states and Union territories to ensure the entire adult population is administered the first dose during the ongoing har ghar dastak campaign.

During a virtual interaction with the health ministers of states and Union territories, Mandaviya observed that the fight against COVID-19 is at the final stage, a health ministry statement said.

"The two weapons of vaccination and CAB (COVID-19-appropriate behaviour) will be our greatest defence against it and we should not let our guard down before it is completely over," he said.

The minister stated that at present 79 per cent of the adult population has got the first dose of vaccine and 38 per cent has also received the second dose.

BATTLE THROUGH DEFAMATION SUITS

In a battle of defamation suits, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, sent a legal notice to Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik over defamation and sharing tweets that claim the connection between her and alleged drug peddler Jagdeep Rana.

As per the legal notice, shared by Amruta Fadnavis on her official Twitter handle, the allegations levelled by Nawab Malik that there is a connection between Amruta Fadnavis and alleged drug peddler Jagdeep Rana are ‘baseless’.

She demanded that Malik delete the tweets in 48 hours with an unconditional public apology.

Earlier yesterday, Nawab Malik's son-in-law Sameer Khan, who was arrested in a drug-related case earlier this year, had sent a legal notice to Devendra Fadnavis over defamation and demanded Rs 5 crore for inflicting ‘mental torture, agony and financial loss.

COVAXIN EFFICACY STANDS AT 77.8%, SAYS PEER-REVIEWED LANCET STUDY

The interim data from a Phase 3 trial of Covaxin, India’s vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR, has been peer-reviewed and published in The Lancet journal Friday. The study shows that two doses of the vaccine offer 77.8 per cent protection against symptomatic Covid.

Although Bharat Biotech in a statement in July had shared the efficacy data, the results of the trials were not published in any peer-reviewed journal.

The Lancet study indicates that the vaccine induces a robust antibody response. No severe vaccine-related adverse events or deaths were reported among the trial participants. The majority of the adverse events, including headache, fatigue, fever, and pain at the injection site, were mild and occurred within seven days of vaccination.

WON'T HAVE AIRLINES TO BOARD IF FARE LIMITS ARE NOT INCREASED: SCINDIA

At the 'Times Now Summit 2021', Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is about 40 per cent of an airline's cost structure in the country. "Look at what has happened to ATF prices. Oil prices over the last eight months increased from USD 22 per barrel to USD 84. So, the airline's cost structure has gone up by four times."

"Add to that the excise duty of 11 per cent and VAT charged by the state governments in the range of 1 per cent to 30 per cent. How is an airline going to survive unless it (ATF) becomes economical?" he posed.

The reason for the Aviation Ministry raising the fare bands is that airlines must be given some cushion when there is a 400 per cent jump in the prices of raw materials. "If you are not able to give a 12.5 per cent hike on the revenue side then you and I won't have an airline to board," he added.

'MADNESS OR TREASON?' VARUN GANDHI SLAMS KANGANA RANAUT

Varun Gandhi, a BJP leader, yesterday slammed actor Kangana Ranaut for describing India’s Independence in 1947 as “bheek” or alms — a remark that kicked off yet another controversy yesterday.

Known for her inflammatory statements and right-wing leanings, the actor received criticism across the spectrum, with several social media users calling her remark as “nonsense”.

Varun said, “Sometimes insult to the sacrifice and penance of Mahatma Gandhi, sometimes showing respect to his killer and now this disdain for the sacrifice of millions of freedom fighters from Shaheed Mangal Pandey to Rani Laxmibai, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and others...“Should I call this kind of thinking madness or treason?” he said, sharing the clip in which Ranaut could be heard saying that India’s Independence in 1947 was not freedom but “bheek. And we got real freedom in 2014” amid sound of clapping from some members of the audience.

RISING GLOBAL INFLATION IGNITES MARKET SELL-OFF, RUPEE SLIDES

The benchmark indices declined on Thursday, taking cues from global peers as US inflation data hit a 30-year high on Wednesday, amid volatility due to the weekly expiry of F&O contracts. The Sensex slipped below 60,000, closing at 59,919.69, down 433.13 points. The Nifty gave up 18,000 levels, closing 143.60 points lower at 17,873.60.

Sustained selling from FIIs amid expectations of a hike in interest rates also kept the markets in check.

Sector-wise, Nifty Realty was the top loser, shedding 2.3 per cent, whereas Nifty Auto, Nifty Metal, and Nifty PSU Bank ended lower by 1 per cent each. The Nifty Metal index was the only sector ending in the green in an otherwise volatile session.

The BSE mid-cap and BSE small-cap indices ended 0.6 per cent and 0.5 per cent lower, respectively.

Meanwhile, as per a PTI report, the rupee fell 18 paise to end at 74.52 against the US dollar on Thursday, as heavy selling pressure in equities and a strong greenback weighed.

T20 WORLD CUP: AUSTRALIA BEAT PAKISTAN IN 2nD SEMI FINAL

Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis produced a late assault, after David Warner’s fiery 49 set the chase up, to enable Australia beat Pakistan by five wickets and enter the final of the T20 World Cup.

In Sunday’s final, Australia will meet New Zealand.

Chasing down 177 to win the second semi-final, Australia were on the backfoot after Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Aaron Finch for a duck. But the Aussies rode out the storm and seemed to be taking control of the match as Warner raced to a fiery 49.

Spinner Shadab Khan then turned the game Pakistan's way, taking four wickets for 26 runs, to leave the match on a knife’s-edge.

In the end, the remarkable semi-final had a final twist in the tale, as Wade and Stoinis blazed away in the final overs to get Australia across the line.

Stoinis finished with 40 from 31 balls and Wade scored 41 off just 17 deliveries, including three consecutive sixes off Afridi to seal victory..

Earlier, having been put in to bat, Mohammad Rizwan posted his third half-century in the T20 World Cup as Pakistan posted an imposing 176 for 4.

Australia won with 177/5 in 19 overs. Needing 62 in last 5 overs, they got there in 4.

ROHIT SHARMA WANTS REST, NOT TO PLAY TEST SERIES VS NEW ZEALAND

India opener Rohit Sharma has also sought rest from the first Test against New Zealand after skipper Virat Kohli had been rested from the 3-match T20I series and the first Test.

In that case, Ajinkya Rahane, the current vice-captain who led the side in Kohli’s absence in Australia, will lead the team against the Black Caps.

The selectors decided on Thursday to give some rest to Rohit Sharma, who has been appointed as the new T20I captain.

The selectors have given recovery time to Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja from the T20I series with Kohli’s seeking rest from the first Test as well.

With Ajinkya Rahane struggling for form, it was also discussed to appoint Rohit Sharma the Test captain in the first Test, but after a thorough analysis of the opener’s workload, it was decided that he should be given rest as well.

INDICATORS

Sensex 59,920 (-433), Nifty 17,874 (-143), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 58,014

Nasdaq 15,704 (+82) Dow 35,921 (-159), S&P 4,649 (+3)

US$-Rs. 74.28 GBP-Rs. 99.47, Euro-Rs. 85.16, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.22, Can$-Rs. 59.19, Aus$- Rs. 54.24

GBP 0.74 /US$, Euro 0.87 /US$, Jap.Yen 114.00 /US$, Aus$ 1.36 /US$, Sing 1.35 /US$, Bang Taka 84.30 /US$, Can$ 1.25 /US$, Mal Ring 4.16 /US$,

Pak Re 171.74 /US$, Phil Peso 50.06 /US$, Russian Rouble 71.28 /US$, NZ$ 1.42 /US$, Thai Baht 32.81 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 25.90 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 64,726

Dollar Index 95.24, Brent Crude 82.52, BDI 2,861

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,859 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,834 / 4,734, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 70,600

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future. - Kathleen Norris

OFF TRACK

For the past 2 years, my wife has been complaining about me not putting the cap back on the toothpaste.

This anniversary, I decided to change this bad habit to make my wife happy.

For a week, I was diligent, always capping the toothpaste.

I was expecting my wife to thank me, but she never did it.

Finally, last night, she looked at me and asked - "Why have you stopped brushing your teeth ??"