Synopsis

National

India will drive global energy demand: PM Modi

New Delhi: India will drive the global energy demand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he showcased his government's recent reforms in the sector to global investors.The more Congress hates PM, the more people support Modi: Nadda

New Delhi: Hitting out at the Congress for its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda on Monday said the more the opposition party and its leaders "lie" and "hate" Modi, the more people will support him.

COVID caution goes for toss in Bihar election heat

With the campaign for the Bihar assembly election reaching a fever pitch, the Election Commission''s warning of stern action for violation of COVID-19 protocol has gone unheeded with people gathering in huge numbers at rallies without wearing masks or caring for social distancing.

Delhi's air quality 'very poor', stubble burning contribution may increase

New Delhi: The national capital''s air quality was recorded in the ''very poor'' category morning and the share of stubble burning in the city''s PM2.5 pollution is likely to increase, according to a central government agency.

Third phase human trial of COVID-19 vaccine to commence in Bhubaneswar soon

The third phase of the human trial of the indigenous vaccine against COVID-19, COVAXIN, will commence at a private hospital here soon, an official said.

20 new cases push COVID-19 tally of Andamans to 4,245

The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 4,245 on Monday as 20 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

International

Spokesman: China to sanction US arms suppliers to Taiwan

Beijing: China will impose sanctions on US companies including Boeing and Lockheed Martin for supplying weapons to rival Taiwan, a foreign ministry spokesman said Monday.

Armenia, Azerbaijan accuse each other of truce violations

Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday accused each other of violating the new cease-fire announced the day before in a bid to halt the fighting over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh that has killed hundreds, and possibly thousands, in just four weeks.

Philippines recalls ambassador who allegedly mistreated maid

The Philippines'' ambassador to Brazil has been ordered to return home to face investigation after video surfaced allegedly showing her physically mistreating her Filipino house helper, officials said Monday.

Post-Abe agenda: Suga says Japan to go carbon-free by 2050

Japan will achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared Monday in his first policy speech as leader, outlining an ambitious agenda as the country struggles to balance economic and pandemic concerns.

Over 7 million voted early in Texas, Harris to campaign Friday

A massive number of people have already voted in Texas since early voting started on October 13, leading experts to predict that the state could reach overall turnout levels unseen so far this century.

Mike Pompeo leaves for India to take part in India-US 2+2 dialogue

Washington: US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has left for India for the third edition of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue to be held in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Malaysian PM acknowledges king's rebuff of virus emergency

Malaysia''s prime minister said his government was prioritizing protecting people from COVID-19 amid a new outbreak after the king rebuffed his emergency proposal that critics saw as an undemocratic attempt to hold onto power.

Thai parliament meets to debate political protest tensions

Thailand''s Parliament began a special session Monday that was called to address tensions as pro-democracy protests draw students and other demonstrators into the streets almost daily demanding the prime minister''s resignation.

Business

Govt support in GST cut to aid entire PV industry: Tata Motors

Any kind of support from the government in terms of GST reduction would help the passenger vehicle segment immensely as it would negate some of the price increase in vehicle prices due to the shift to stricter BS-VI emission norms, according to a top Tata Motors executive.

Gold falls Rs 59; silver tumbles Rs 753

Gold prices fell Rs 59 to Rs 51,034 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday, according to HDFC Securities.

Sensex sheds over 150 pts in early trade; Nifty below 11,900

Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex dropped over 150 points in early trade, tracking losses in index majors Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank and Tata Steel amid negative cues from global markets.

Rupee falls 16 paise to 73.77 against US dollar in early trade

The rupee depreciated 16 paise to 73.77 against the US dollar in opening trade on Monday as muted domestic equities and strong American currency weighed on investor sentiment.

SBI Life net profit jumps over two-fold to Rs 299.7 cr in Jul-Sep

SBI Life Insurance Co Ltd (SBI Life) on Monday reported over two-fold jump in net profit at Rs 299.73 crore for the second quarter ended September of the current fiscal year.

Legal

Stubble burning: SC keeps in abeyance its Oct 16 order appointing Justice M B Lokur panel

New Delhi: The SC kept in abeyance its Oct 16 order appointing one-man panel of retired apex court judge Justice Madan B Lokur to monitor the steps taken by neighbouring states to prevent stubble burning, which is a major cause of pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

SC stays contempt proceedings against Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the contempt proceedings initiated against Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal for alleged non-compliance of the Uttarakhand High Court''s last year order on payment of rent by former chief ministers of the state for occupying government accommodation. A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman stayed the contempt proceedings on a plea filed by the Union minister of Education.

SC asks Karnataka HC to decide CCI plea for vacating stay on probe against e-com firms

The Supreme Court Monday asked the Karnataka High Court to decide the CCI plea for vacating stay on the investigation against e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart for alleged anti-competitive practices.

Coal scam: Ex-Minister Dilip Ray awarded 3-yr jail term

Former union minister Dilip Ray was on Monday awarded three-year jail term by a Delhi court in a coal scam case pertaining to irregularities in the allocation of a Jharkhand coal block in 1999.

Woman's plea for passport to son stuck abroad for 8 yrs; HC seeks Centre stand

The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre''s reply on a woman''s plea seeking directions to the government to provide a passport to her son, who is stuck abroad for the last eight years as he does not have a valid travel document.

Entertainment

Polish city names square after Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Big B says moment of pride

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he is thrilled that the city of Wroclaw in Poland has named a square after his late father and celebrated poet, Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Must make another superhero film for catharsis: Anubhav Sinha on nine years of 'Ra.One'

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha on Monday said his ambitious Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Ra.One" was both, an accomplishment and a disappointment, and believes he must make another superhero film just for "catharsis".

Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star with Elnaaz Norouzi in 'Sangeen'

Mumbai: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is set to star in director Jaideep Chopra''s "Sangeen", featuring his "Sacred Games" co-star Elnaaz Norouzi, the makers announced.

Halle Berry to start shooting for 'Moonfall'

Hollywood star Halle Berry is set to begin filming for Roland Emmerich''s next disaster thriller "Moonfall".

Mandira Bedi adopts baby girl: Feel grateful, blessed

Actor Mandira Bedi and her director-husband Raj Kaushal have adopted a four-year-old girl and named her Tara Bedi Kaushal. Bedi took to Instagram on Sunday and shared a picture of the family, along with their nine-year-old son Vir. "She has come to us. Like a blessing from above. Our little girl, Tara. Four years and a bit. With eyes that sparkle like stars. Sister to her Vir. Welcoming her home, with open arms and pure love. Grateful, thankful, blessed," she captioned.

NCB arrests TV actress for procuring drugs in Mumbai

A 30-year-old television actress was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau after she was allegedly caught buying drugs in Mumbai, an official said on Monday.

Sports

Delhi Capitals eye playoff berth in clash against SRH

Dubai: Delhi Capitals would look to complete the unfinished business and seal their place in the playoffs when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Bhullar finishes T-55 in Italy

India''s Gaganjeet Bhullar rounded off the week with a second straight even par 72 to finish Tied 55th at the Italian Open golf championship here.

Gavaskar praises Rahul's captaincy, credits Kumble for KXIP turnaround

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar has attributed Kings XI Punjab''s impressive turnaround of fortunes in the IPL to the captaincy of KL Rahul and the fighting spirit of head coach Anil Kumble.

Hope this hundred gives family some happiness in difficult time: Stokes

Abu Dhabi: Rajasthan Royals'' star England all-rounder Ben Stokes is hoping that his swashbuckling return to form with a hundred would not just rejuvenate his side but also give some happiness to his family as it copes with his father Ged''s battle with brain cancer.

Anderlecht player, staff member test positive

A player and a member of the medical staff at Belgian soccer club Anderlecht have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Lorenzo beats Roberto as Insigne brothers meet for 1st time

Brother against brother on the field. World Cup-winning teammates against each other on the touchline.

GK Snapshots on 26 October 2020

1. 75th United Nations Day Observed on October 24, 2020

2. 59th Raising Day of Indo-Tibetan Border Police 2020: October 24

3. International Day of Diplomats observed on 24th October, 2020

4. World Polio Day 2020 – October 24

5. World Development Information Day Observed on October 24 2020

6. UP Emerge as Top Domestic Tourists Destination in 2019 & Secures 3rd Rank in Attracting Foreign Tourists in 2019: ITS 2020

7. India Meteorological Department Dedicated 1st “Flash Flood Guidance Services” for South Asia

8. World Bank Sanctions approx Rs 3 crore for Goa to develop India’s first Sand Dune Parks

9. Suman Dubey’s Debut Novel, “The Fixer” to be Released

10. Parle Agro Appointed Priyanka Chopra Jonas & Jr. NTR as Brand Ambassadors

11. World Junior Badminton Championships 2020 cancelled