NCR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES SHUT, CONSTRUCTION AT A HALT TILL NOV 21

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas Tuesday directed closing of all education institutions, including schools and colleges, till further notice, a halt on all construction activities till November 21 as well as work from home for 50 per cent staff in government offices till then, to curb the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.

Trucks, other than those carrying essential supplies, will not be allowed entry into Delhi till November 21 and this restriction may be extended depending on the conditions.

The CAQM also directed its five member states — Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan — to “encourage’’ work from home for 50 per cent staff in all private establishments that fall in the NCR till November 21.

All construction will be halted till then, except work related to the Railways, the Metro, the airport, bus terminals and defence-related projects. Six of the thermal plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi will also be shut.

The directions came late Tuesday night, after an emergency meeting was held on the directions of the Supreme Court. The meeting was attended by members of the Commission, chief secretaries, additional chief secretaries and principal secretaries of the departments concerned, such as transport and urban development.

PAK BRINGS UP KASHMIR AGAIN AT UN, INDIA RESPONDS

India will continue to take firm and decisive action against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, New Delhi's representation at United Nations said on Tuesday. India said that the onus to create a conducive atmosphere for any meaningful dialogue that can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence.

"India desires normal neighbourly relations with all countries including Pakistan, and is committed to addressing outstanding issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration," Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Kajal Bhat said in the UN Security Council.

Ms Bhat made the response after Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram raked up the Jammu and Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council during the open debate on ''Maintenance of International Peace and Security Through Preventive Diplomacy''.

"This is not the first time the representative of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy a free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities are turned upside down," Ms Bhat said.

Ms Bhat, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, said in her remarks that UN member states are aware that Pakistan has an "established history and policy" of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists.

Categorically stating India's position, she said the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. "This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan."

AFTER CLOSURE OF 1.5 YEARS, KARTARPUR CORRIDOR TO REOPEN TODAY

Ahead of Gur Purab, the Centre Tuesday announced that the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will be reopened from November 17 to allow pilgrims from India to visit the Sikh shrine in Pakistan. Announcing the reopening, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: “This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the decision has been taken keeping in view “the improved Covid-19 situation”, and that Shah had recently held review meetings with officials to expedite the opening of the corridor. Last week, Pakistan had urged India to reopen the corridor and allow Sikh pilgrims to visit for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations.

Covid-19 guidelines would be implemented for the pilgrimage, including restricting numbers and social distancing. Sources said visitors will be required to show their vaccine certificates and an RT-PCR negative report from no more than 72 hours earlier before the pilgrimage.

The Kartarpur corridor, which opened in November 2019, has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

US OK WITH COVID SITUATION IN INDIA BUT WARNS TRAVELERS ABOUT CRIME

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a 'Level One' Covid notice for Americans travelling to India, saying the risk of contracting the infection and developing severe symptoms may be lower if one is fully vaccinated.

However, the US State Department issued level two and three travel advisories respectively for India and Pakistan, saying while citizens are urged to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and sectarian violence, those going to India must exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism.

In its advisory for India, the State Department urged US citizens not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir due to terrorism and civil unrest, and also within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.

"Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, such as sexual assault, have occurred at tourist sites and in other locations," it said.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST 16/Nov

from mohfw.gov.in ,.

Total Cases / New Cases in last 24 Hrs 3,44,66,598 (+10,197)

Active  Cases 1,278,555 (-2238)

Deaths 4,64,153  (+301) – (Of these 301 deaths,, 210 are from Kerala but these include a large no. of old deaths that are now being attributed to Covid-19 as the data is being reconciled)

Total Vaccination : 1,13,68,79,685 (+67,82,042)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

XI TALKS TOUGH WITH BIDEN, WARNS HIM OVER TAIWAN

In a lengthy speech touching a host of issues at the marathon summit, Xi, fresh from last week's ruling Communist Party of China Plenum meet endorsing an unprecedented third term for him from next year and perhaps for life, pointed Beijing's 'red lines' on several issues, including Taiwan, and said China's rise is an 'inevitable trend of history' and cannot be stopped.

Summing up the talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing that the summit lasted for three and half hours exceeding the scheduled time. "It is of great significance for China-US relations and international relations," Zhao said.

"The two sides had exchanges on a broad range of issues, including those of strategic, overarching and fundamental importance shaping the development of China-US relations, respective development agenda, domestic and foreign policies and regional and international issues of mutual interest," he said.

There was a consensus about rejecting a 'new Cold War' between the two leaders, he said.

Earlier speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, Biden said it was both his and Xi's responsibility to ensure that the ties between the US and China do not veer into open conflict. Biden said he was looking forward to ensuring 'simple, straightforward competition' between the two countries.

On Taiwan, President Biden underscored that the United States remains committed to the 'one China' policy. At the same time, he said the United States 'strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait'.

Xi ascribed the tensions to the repeated attempts by the Taiwan authorities to look for US support for their independence agenda as well as the intention of some Americans to use Taiwan to contain China. "Such moves are extremely dangerous, just like playing with fire. Whoever plays with fire will get burnt. The one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques are the political foundation of China-US relations," Xi told Biden.

CHINA OVERTAKES US AS WORLD’S RICHEST COUNTRY

Global wealth tripled over the last two decades, with China leading the way and overtaking the US for the top spot worldwide. A report by McKinsey & Co. examines the national balance sheets of ten countries representing more than 60 per cent of the world's income. China accounted for almost one-third of gains in global net worth over the past two decades, the report said.

"We are now wealthier than we have ever been," Jan Mischke, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute in Zurich, said in an interview.

Net worth worldwide rose to $514 trillion in 2020, from $156 trillion in 2000, according to the study. China accounted for almost one-third of the increase.

Its wealth skyrocketed to $120 trillion from a mere $7 trillion in 2000, the year before it joined the World Trade Organisation, speeding its economic ascent, the report said. The US, held back by more muted increases in property prices, saw its net worth more than double over the period, to $90 trillion.

In both countries — the world's biggest economies — more than two-thirds of the wealth is held by the richest 10 per cent of households, and their share has been increasing, the report said.

THE REST

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PREVIOUS GOVTS REDUCED EASTERN UP TO ‘MAFIAWAAD’ AND POVERTY: MODI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on opposition parties saying the previous govts in Uttar Pradesh led by them reduced the state's vital eastern part to "mafiawaad" and poverty, but the BJP govt is now writing a new chapter of development.

The prime minister was addressing a rally in Sultanpur after inaugurating the 341-km-long Purvanchal Expressway.

He said development under previous chief ministers was limited to places where they had homes and families, but the present govt is giving fruits of development to the eastern region as well as to the western part of Uttar Pradesh.

The prime minister said the six-lane expressway would serve as the lifeline of the eastern region and give a big push to economic development of the region and the state.

The 341-km expressway links state capital Lucknow with Ghazipur and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 22,500 crore.

Modi landed on the Purvanchal Expressway airstrip in a military transport aircraft.

LAWYERS, ACTIVISTS WELCOME COLLEGIUM’S RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT FIRST GAY JUDGE

Four years after he was first considered for elevation to the Bench, the Supreme Court Collegium has finally recommended senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal—an openly gay man— for appointment as a judge of the Delhi High Court. The decision has been hailed by several senior lawyers and activists.

Senior advocate and former Delhi High Court Bar Association President AS Chandhiok said, “It’s a step in the right direction”. He, however, said “It should have been done much before. After the historic Supreme Court verdict on Section 377 IPC, there is no point in holding one’s sexual orientation against him.”

Before Saurabh Kirpal—son of former Chief Justice of India BN Kirpal—becomes the first gay judge, the Ministry of Law and Justice has to clear his name for appointment.

BSF PERSONNEL 'TOUCH WOMEN INAPPROPRIATELY', SAYS TMC MLA; SPARKS ROW

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and MLA Udayan Guha courted controversy on Tuesday as he accused the Border Security Force of 'touching women inappropriately' in border areas under the garb of frisking operations. The BSF has rejected the charge as "utterly baseless".

Guha's remark drew a sharp reaction from the BJP, which termed it as an 'insult to the security forces'.

During a discussion in the assembly on a resolution opposing the Centre's decision to extend the BSF's jurisdiction, Guha spoke about the 'atrocities let loose by the BSF on people living in the border areas'.

BJP MLAs demanded that his remark be expunged, but Speaker Biman Banerjee refused to do so.

Guha later told reporters that he has just 'spoken the truth'.

AFTER AMRAVATI VIOLENCE: MAHA GOVT CALLS IT BJP CONSPIRACY

As the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) administration in Maharashtra nears its two-year-mark, strife-stricken Amravati has become the latest battleground between the ruling alliance and the opposition BJP. The district police have arrested a former BJP minister for Saturday’s violence in the city, and his party has alleged that the government is targeting only Hindu protestors.

MVA leaders such as Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and NCP minister Nawab Malik have characterised the violence as a BJP conspiracy to stir up trouble in Maharashtra and destabilise the government. Raut questioned why the recent riots in Tripura resulted in a backlash only in Maharashtra and not in any BJP-ruled states.

Last Friday, Islamist organisation Raza Academy called protests across cities in Maharashtra, amid reports of a mosque being allegedly vandalised in Tripura. The protests became violent in Amravati, Nanded and Malegaon, after which the BJP called a bandh in Amravati Saturday. This bandh also turned violent.

SC: COURTS CAN’T INTERFERE IN DAILY TEMPLE RITUALS

The constitutional courts can’t interfere in the day-to-day affairs of temples, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday as it refused to issue directions on a petition alleging irregularities in rituals performed at Tirupati Balaji Temple.

Constitutional courts can’t spell out how rituals and “pooja” should be performed…how coconut should be broken…how a garland should be put on a deity, etc.,” a Bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana told petitioner Sarvari Dadda.

Dadda, a devotee of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy, alleged irregularities in the conduct of “sevas” and rituals at the Tirupati temple.

CBI FILES CASES AGAINST 83 FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a nationwide coordinated crackdown on crime related to online child sexual abuse material, the CBI has registered 23 separate cases against 83 persons in 14 states. It was alleged that various syndicates of individuals based in different parts of India and foreign countries were indulging in circulating, storing and viewing child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) through various social media platforms and groups.

Searches are being conducted today at around 77 locations across the country.

It is estimated that there may be involvement of nationals of around 100 countries spread across various continents. The CBI is coordinating with sister agencies through formal and informal channels.

AS FOCUS SHIFTS TO COVID PILLS, INDIAN COs EYE AFFORDABLE ANTIVIRAL MEDICINE

With the focus shifting to Covid treatment through oral pills, domestic companies such as Cipla, Dr Reddy’s, Sun Pharma and BDR Pharma, are eyeing antivirals — including Pfizer’s new drug, Paxlovid. Most of these antivirals are expected to be manufactured in India and will be available at a fraction of the global prices.

With coronavirus heading to the endemic stage in some countries, the oral pills are expected to get a huge market. Recently, Pfizer announced positive results of Paxlovid, which significantly reduced hospitalisations and deaths. It plans to submit the data for Emergency Use Authorisation in the US soon. “Pfizer is looking to deliver safe and effective oral antiviral therapeutic(s) as soon as possible at an affordable price, subject to regulatory authorisations,” a company official said.

On Tuesday, the US-based firm tied up with the UNbacked Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to license the drug in 95 countries, including India. The MPP has invited expressions of interest from generic companies globally and will soon sub-licence the manufacture and sale.

Cipla said Pfizer’s antiviral is of interest to the company, while Dr Reddy’s remains open to all opportunities. A Sun Pharma spokesperson said: “It is our endeavour to accelerate access to new drugs for Covid treatment in India and other markets.”

These companies are among those that have tied up with Merck for its pill, which is expected to be launched after a regulatory nod.

AVIATION MINISTRY ALLOWS AIRLINES TO SERVE MEALS ON ALL DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday said it has allowed airlines to serve meals on all domestic flights. The carriers had not been allowed to serve meals in flights, which have duration of less than two hours, since April 15 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The airlines, operating flights on domestic sectors may provide meal services on board, without restriction on duration of the flight,” the ministry’s order said on Tuesday.

The ministry has also permitted resumption of magazine and reading materials for passengers on domestic flights, the order noted.

The decision to resume meals and magazines has been taken as “Covid caseload” has reduced due to “proper implementation of appropriate Covid behaviour protocol”, it mentioned.

RAKESH JHUNJHUNWALA’S AIRLINE ORDERS 72 BOEINGS

Akasa Air on Tuesday placed an order for 72 Boeing 737 MAX jets, valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices - a deal that could help the US planemaker regain lost ground in one of the world's most promising markets.

The order by billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed airline comes months after air safety regulator allowed the country's airlines to fly the MAX jet, ending its nearly two and a half years of regulatory grounding after two fatal crashes in five months killed 346 people.

Mr Jhunjhunwala, known as "India's Warren Buffett", has teamed up with former chief executives of IndiGo, the country's biggest carrier, and Jet Airways to tap into demand for domestic air travel, which is nearing pre-pandemic levels as the country recovers from a devastating outbreak earlier this year.

The low-cost airline received initial clearance from the civil aviation ministry to start operations in October and is expected to begin flying next year.

"We are already witnessing a strong recovery in air travel, and we see decades of growth ahead of us," Akasa Air Chief Executive Vinay Dube said at the Dubai airshow, where the order was announced.

The order by Akasa includes two variants, the 737-8 and the high-capacity 737-8-200, the companies said.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. - Mahatma Gandhi

OFF TRACK

On wall in ladies room: "My husband follows me everywhere."

Written just below it: "No, I do not."