1. Over 100 history-sheeters detained ahead of Karnataka bandh
More than a hundred history-sheeters were detained in the wake of a Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations on Saturday, according to the DCP (West), Bengaluru. The bandh was called by pro-Kannada organisations, led by Vatal Nagraj group, against the state government's decision to form a Maratha Development Authority and allot it Rs 50 crore.
2. Adar Poonawalla among 6 named 'Asians of the Year' by Singapore daily
Adar Poonawalla, the chief executive of the world's largest vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India, is among six people named "Asians of the Year" by Singapore's leading daily, The Straits Times for their work in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has collaborated with the University of Oxford and the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for making the COVID-19 vaccine, ''Covidshield'', and is conducting trials in India.
3.Rahul Gandhi hits out at Centre over MSP, APMC
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the minimum support price (MSP) and Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act and also urged citizens to support the protests led by farmers. Farmers are protesting against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
4. Jaishankar extends greetings to Thailand counterpart on National Day
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday extended greetings to Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on their National Day. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Felicitate Dy. PM and FM Don Pramudwinai and the Government and people of Thailand on their National Day. Greatly value our multifaceted relations based on shared culture and history. Thailand is a key partner in our Act East Policy."
5. Biden officially secures enough electors to become president
California certified its presidential election Friday and appointed 55 electors pledged to vote for Democrat Joe Biden, officially handing him the Electoral College majority needed to win the White House. Secretary of State Alex Padilla's formal approval of Biden's win in the state brought his tally of pledged electors so far to 279, according to a tally by The Associated Press. That's just over the 270 thresholds for victory.
6.Cyclone Burevi 'practically stationary', likely to weaken in 12 hours
Cyclone Burevi continued to hover over the Gulf of Mannar near the Ramanathan district coast on Saturday, remaining 'practically stationary' for the last 30 hours, the India Meteorological Department reported. However, the Tamil Nadu and Kerala still remained under high alert. The Depression is likely to remain in the same state over the region and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area in the next 12 hours. Severe waterlogging in various parts of Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram and Puducherry witnessed following heavy rainfall in the region.
7. US imposes visa restrictions on more Chinese citizens
The US on Friday imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials and individuals engaged in overseas influence operations, the latest punitive measures against China by the outgoing Trump administration. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the restrictions would apply to Chinese Communist Party officials or any individual taking part in propaganda or influence campaigns linked to the United Front Work Department.
8. GST Fraud: Kingpin’s bail rejected after high drama in Mumbai court, 8 more arrested
In the ongoing pan-India drive against the use of fake GST invoices, tax officials Friday arrested eight more offenders, taking the total number of arrests to 104 within three weeks of the launch. The crackdown has seen arrests of several masterminds and kingpins, including the son of a powerful Maharashtra MLA whose bail plea was rejected by a Mumbai Court on Thursday.
9. Spare elderly the vile nonsense: Swara to Kangana
Actors Swara Bhasker and Kangana Ranaut are two outspoke ladies of Bollywood who often unleash savage Twitter attacks on each other. The two have different political ideologies which serve as the root cause of their most debates if not all. These days, Swara has reasons to celebrate as her latest Netflix web series Bhaag Beanie Bhaag is receiving rave reviews. More than the positive reviews, it is Diljit Dosanjh calling out Kangana on Twitter which apparently is giving more joy to Bhasker.
10.AUS vs IND: Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of rest of T20I series with concussion
India suffered a blow ahead of the second T20I as all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the remaining series and pacer Shardul Thakur is added to the national squad. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said Jadeja remains under observation and will be taken for further scans if required on Saturday.
