ICC T20 World Cup: Pakistan completes win hat-trick as it beats Afghanistan by 5-wickets

Pakistan produced a clinical all-round performance to beat Afghanistan by five wickets in a super 12 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, here on Friday.

With this, Pakistan completed hat-trick of wins in the ongoing T20 World Cup and they are at the top of the points table in Group 2.

Riding on fighting knocks by Mohammad Nabi (35 off 32) and Gulbadin Naib (35 off 25), Afghanistan posted a total of 147/6 in 20 overs. Apart from Nabi and Naib, Najibullah Zadran (22) and Karim Janat (15) also made important contributions with the bat for Afghanistan.

Imad Wasim was Pakistan's standout bowler with two wickets for 25 runs while Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Shadab Khan bagged a wicket each.

In reply, captain Babar Azam hit a fighting fifty (51 off 47) and helped Pakistan chase the target in 19 overs with five wickets in hand. Fakhar Zaman (30), Asif Ali (25) also played crucial knocks for Pakistan.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 147 for 6 in 20 overs (Gulbadin 35, Mohammad Nabi 35; Imad Wasim 2/25) lost to Pakistan 148-5 in 19 overs (Babar Azam 51, Fakhar Zaman 30; Rashid Khan 2/26).

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup: Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan becomes fastest bowler to take 100 T20Is wickets

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/cricket/icc-t20-world-cup-pakistan-completes-win-hat-trick-as-it-beats-afghanistan-by-5-wickets

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Mumbai cruise drugs bust: Juhi Chawla appears as surety for Aryan Khan

Mumbai: Actor Juhi Chawla appeared as surety for Aryan Khan on Friday before a special court that had heard his bail plea and rejected it last week. The actor entered the witness box and Aryan’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde informed the court that she has known Aryan since birth as she has professional ties with his father and is standing as surety for him. He produced the actor’s Aadhaar card and passport as identification documents. The court verified the documents.

Chawla then completed formalities in the court’s department by signing the bail surety documents with the court’s registrar. The bail bond is for ₹1 lakh. It means she would be legally responsible if at all Aryan Khan failed to pay the money.

Judge V V Patil, presiding over the special court hearing cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act signed the surety bond, said Manehsinde.

Chawla later told mediapersons, “There is a sense of relief in the (Shah Rukh Khan’s) family. We are all happy it is over.” "The main thing is - ab bas bachcha ghar aajayega (Aryan will return home)," the veteran actor told reporters afterwards.

After signing the documents, Juhi obliged court staff with selfies. She was one of Shah Rukh Khan's earliest co-stars and the pair starred in many blockbusters. The two later became co-owners of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

After completion of the formalities, the legal team proceeded to Arthur Road Jail to submit the documents to the jail authorities for Aryan’s release.

Also Read: FPJ Legal: Bombay HC asks Aryan Khan, 2 others to pay Rs 1 lakh surety to secure bail; check conditions here

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-cruise-drugs-bust-shah-rukh-khans-friend-and-actress-juhi-chawla-signs-rs-1-lakh-surety-for-aryans-bail

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Mumbai: BMC reduces gap between two COVID-19 doses to 28 days for citizens travelling abroad

The BMC has now reduced the gap between two Covid-19 vaccination doses to 28 days from 84 days for those travelling abroad. Such beneficiaries can take their second dose sooner by providing their travel details at designated vaccination centres. This comes after the civic body received several requests to reduce the gap. Health officials have also welcomed the move considering the pandemic curve has flattened in the state.

Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani said there are SOPs for citizens intending to undertake international travel for educational purposes or joining employment to take the second Covishield dose before the 12-16 weeks’ prescribed time.

“Soon we will be issuing the orders for those who are willing to go abroad for holidays and are waiting for the second shot of Covid-19 vaccine. These beneficiaries need to provide their travel itinerary at the vaccine centres, and should mandatorily complete 28 days after the first dose. Moreover, we will be following the guidelines issued by the Central government and travellers need to adhere to it,” he said. Senior health experts said there is no harm in allowing travellers to take a second dose of the covid vaccine after 28 days.

“The BMC should closely monitor all the documents and the same should be verified by the travelling partner. There have been instances when fake RT-PCR documents and Vaccination certificates are being submitted by the citizens for travelling. So the civic body should make sure there are no loopholes,” said a doctor.

Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) rejected the request of Rajesh Tope, the state health minister, to reduce the time gap of 84 weeks between the two shots of Covishield. “On the scientific ground, for better efficiency rate, ICMR has refused to decrease the gap between the two shots. In their response, they have explained about the scientific importance of keeping the gap between 12 to 16 weeks,” said Tope.

1. Citizens above 18 years of age; and must have a valid passport.2. Passport number must be included in the vaccination certificate. If the first dose is not taken as passport proof, a separate vaccination certificate should be issued without the request of the vaccination officer.3. Also, employees of government and private establishments must have valid identity cards.4. Once the attached form is filled in by the beneficiary and signed by the nodal officer at the vaccination centre, it is mandatory to certify it and upload it on the Cowin portal.

Also Read: Over 100 million people missed second COVID-19 vaccination jab, shows data

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/topnews/mumbai-bmc-reduces-gap-between-two-covid-19-doses-to-28-days-for-citizens-travelling-abroad

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NHSRCL invites bids for construction of 21-km tunnel for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train

The National High-Speed Railway Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) on Friday invited bids for the construction of a 21-km long tunnel for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR). The last date of submission of these bids is March 2, 2022. The package is open to Japanese and Indian companies, said an official of NHSRCL.

"The tunnel will be built between the underground station at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata in Thane district of Maharashtra," said Sushma Gaur, spokesperson of the NHSRCL.

"The bids have been invited for the tunneling work 20.36 km underground, including a 7-km long undersea tunnel to be built using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)," she added.

The tunnel will be a single tube twin-track tunnel having a diameter of 13.1m which starts from BKC and ends at Shilphata. The total length of the tunnel is 20.37 km which includes 7 km undersea.

Of the 20.37km, 15.42 km of tunneling will be carried out with Tunnel Boring Machines and the remaining 4.96 km will be carried out with the NATM method. The tunnel will cross the Thane creek and the survey work under the creek was done through the underwater static refraction technique and was completed.

Asked about the opening date of bids, an official of NHSRCL said, "Both the bids (Technical and Financial) are most likely to be opened in the first week of March 2022. First, we will open technical bids, followed by financial bids."

During per bid conference, seven Indian companies had shown interest in the construction of the undersea tunnel for the ambitious MAHSR corridor.

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/nhsrcl-invites-bids-for-construction-of-21-km-tunnel-for-mumbai-ahmedabad-bullet-train

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Relief for Maharashtra: 48% drop in active COVID-19 cases in October

In what comes as a silver lining during the pandemic, the state has recorded a 48.45 per cent drop in the number of active Covid cases in the last 28 days.

According to the statistics, there were 36,371 active cases until October 1, which dropped further to 18,748 till October 28. State officials have attributed this drop to a number of factors like the implementation of restrictions and the ‘Breaking the Chain’ mission. These, officials said, have played a vital role in bringing down the number of cases. Moreover, they were focusing on critical patients, increasing the number of testing which helped them to curb the daily cases and deaths.

Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer, said that in the last few days, more patients have recovered. Many people are recovering within 7-10 days, following which the active cases are reducing.

“The decision of lockdown in the state was taken at the right time; else the situation would have been different. We have taken several efforts to curb cases from rising, which includes increasing Covid testing, contact tracing and treatment. We will continue to follow this. Earlier, there were more than 60,000 cases, but now the number of newly infected people is between 1,500 to 2,500, which is a good sign,” he said.

Mumbai has the most active cases at 4,944, followed by Pune and Thane with 3,929 and 3,005 patients respectively. The fourth and fifth positions are occupied by Ahmednagar (2,048) and Raigad (659) respectively.

The number of active cases during the peak of the second wave earlier this year had reached 6,00,000. For months till Tuesday, Pune was leading in the number of active cases, followed by Thane. The third position had been alternatively held by Mumbai, followed by Ahmednagar and Satara in recent months. However, on Wednesday, Mumbai overtook Pune in terms of active cases.

Meanwhile, a senior official from the state health department said that though they have yielded good results in controlling the number of active cases in the state, they will not compromise on the Covid care facilities and safety measures.

“We will maintain the same level of preparedness as before. The same level of oxygen supply, bed capacity, medicines and medical staff will be made available. The state needs to be prepared for any type of surge in cases in the future.

Moreover, the daily cases have also reduced as compared to the cases reported in the last four months,” he said.

The drop in active cases has been reported when the state is predicting another wave in July. “We have been augmenting our health infrastructure to be prepared to take up the additional burden of cases in case of a spike. The current dip in active cases have helped ease the burden on the health machinery,” the official said.

Also Read: Mumbai: Driver in BEST bus-dumper collision dies

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/relief-for-maharashtra-48-drop-in-active-covid-19-cases-in-october

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Thai authorities indict company over sale of second-hand medical gloves after CNN investigation #wanitaxigo

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T20 WC: Pak score hat-trick of wins to inch closer to semis

Skipper Babar Azam hit a composed 51 while Asif Ali hit four sixes in the penultimate over as Pakistan completed a hat-trick of victories in the T20 World Cup with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in a Super 12 Group 2 match on Friday.

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West Bengal: Local trains to run from October 31; cinema halls, restaurants, bars to operate with 70% capacity

Kolkata: At a time when Covid numbers are increasing in Kolkata and North 24 Parganas, the West Bengal state government has given permission to run local trains from October 31 and also reduced several other lockdown-like restrictions.

Releasing a notice, Nabanna gave affirmative nudge to run the local trains with 50 percent capacity after six months from October 31.

According to Eastern Railway sources, depending on the Covid situation soon the Eastern Railways will run trains with full capacity.

Apart from starting local trains, night curfew will be lifted between November 2-5 on account of Kali Puja and Diwali and on November 10-11 for Chhath puja.

All non-government offices related to non–essential and non–health services will also be operational with 50 percent occupancy and cinema halls, theatres, restaurants, bars will have 70 percent occupancy and will operate till 11pm.

The notification floated by the West Bengal secretariat also mentioned that 70 percent people will be allowed during marriages, social gatherings and also during shootings.

However, the state government also mentioned that all activities will be done in keeping to the covid protocol violation of which the person will be liable for proceedings as per provision of Disaster Management Act.

At a time when daily passengers are happy with the opening of local trains but a section of doctors feel that opening of all the activities might lead to the increase in Covid patients in West Bengal.

Meanwhile, Kolkata police made ‘mask abhiyaan’ across the city and arrested those who didn’t wear masks and were travelling in public transport.

“Despite several reminders, certain people are still casual and are not wearing masks. There is no other option but to arrest them to teach them a lesson,” said a police officer in Lake Town.

The police officials were also seen entering buses to ensure that people are maintaining covid protocols.

On October 29, West Bengal recorded 982 new covid cases and eight new deaths.

Also Read: West Bengal: Calcutta HC bans all firecrackers during Diwali, Kali Puja and other upcoming festivals

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-local-trains-to-run-from-october-31-cinema-halls-restaurants-bars-to-operate-with-70-capacity

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ICC T20 World Cup: Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan becomes fastest bowler to take 100 T20Is wickets

Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan on Friday became the fastest bowler to take 100 T20Is wickets. Rashid achieved the feat during the match against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Afghanistan spinner dismissed Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to reach the milestone. Shakib Al Hasan, Lasith Malinga and Tim Southee are the players who have 100 T20I wickets.

Rashid picked his 100th wicket in his 53rd match as he broke Malinga's record. The Sri Lanka bowler had picked his 100th wicket in the 76th game.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan game was set to have fans coming in from across Dubai, but not many would have expected a near stampede situation as groups of Afghanistan fans tried to get into the Dubai International Cricket Stadium without tickets.

Fans had started coming in for the Friday evening game in large numbers from as early as the afternoon, but the trouble started when some fans tried to enter the stadium minus tickets.

One of the Pakistan fans who came down all the way from London for the game wasn't able to enter the stadium in time as the gates had been closed. "We are going to watch a T10 game here because people without tickets were jumping over the gates and we couldn't get in," the fan rued pointing at his young kids who had their bags checked.

While the security cordon tried its best to keep non-ticket holders away from the entrance, the large number of fans seemed hell-bent to enter the ground to witness the Afghanistan players in action against Pakistan. In fact, the worst part was that some of the fans who had tickets were forced to skip the game.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup: Near stampede situation at Dubai stadium as groups of Afghanistan fans try to get in ticketless

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/cricket/icc-t20-world-cup-afghanistan-star-spinner-rashid-khan-becomes-fastest-bowler-to-take-100-t20is-wickets

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Is Facebook's relaunch to 'Meta' a bid to escape reality?

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has announced the company will change its name to Meta, saying the move reflects the fact the company is now much broader than just a social media platform (which will still be called Facebook).

The rebrand follows several months of discourse by Zuckerberg on the notion of metaverse – the idea of integrating real and digital worlds ever more seamlessly, using technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Zuckerberg was mercilessly mocked after the announcement which his detractors saw as a desperate bid to distract from numerous scandals.

The new name was immediately the subject of many memes and Twitter users played on the name with one person saying it was because 'Zuckerberg never ‘met(a) girl until college.' Others were quick to remark that the name suggests that the company is looking to steal 'literally all' of its users' metadata while another made light of a bleak future where society is even more addicted to devices and social media thanks to an all-consuming 'metaverse'.

According to Daily Mail, the attempt to escape reality couldn't come at a better time for the embattled brand. A whistle-blower, a Facebook former product manager, left the company with tens of thousands of confidential documents that she copied in secret and released to roughly two dozen news outlets. She has also testified before Congress and British Parliament, presenting findings on the harm social media caused young users.

Detractors see the renaming as just a shallow PR exercise, with Zuckerberg trying to reset the Facebook brand after several scandal-ridden years. However, the more charitable see it a genuine bid to set the company on course for the future of computing?

Last week, Facebook announced plans to hire another 10,000 developers in the European Union to work on its metaverse computing platform. While much of its work remains behind closed doors, Facebook Reality Labs' publicised projects include Project Aria, which seeks to create live 3D maps of public spaces, and the recently released Ray-Ban Stories - Facebook-integrated sunglasses with 5-megapixel cameras and voice control. The journey, Zuckerberg fans say, has just begun.

According to some experts, the Meta move is reminiscent of when Google abruptly renamed itself Alphabet in 2015, making Google a subsidiary and allowing it to become a technology conglomerate.

Also Read: Facebook is now Meta; CEO Mark Zuckerberg says it reflects focus on building metaverse

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/is-facebooks-relaunch-to-meta-a-bid-to-escape-reality

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Bhopal: Life of King Prithiviraj Chauhan staged

Bhopal: A three-day drama festival began with a play, Prithiviraj Chauhan, at Rangshree Little Ballet Troupe in the city from Friday.

The fest is being organised by Aahan, an educational, cultural and social welfare committee.

Written, directed and conceptualised by Ashish Shrivastava, the play was based on life of Prithviraj Chauhan, a king from Chauhan dynasty. He ruled Sapadalaksha, the traditional Chahamana territory, in present-day north-western India. He controlled much of present-day Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi; and some parts of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. His capital was Ajayameru (modern Ajmer).

Early in his career, Prithviraj achieved military successes against several neighbouring kingdoms, most notably against Chandela king Paramardi. He also repulsed the early invasions by Muhammad of Ghor, a ruler of Muslim Ghurid dynasty. However, in 1192 CE, the Ghurids defeated Prithviraj at the second battle of Tarain, and executed him shortly after. His defeat at Tarain is seen as a landmark event in Islamic conquest of India and has been described in several semi-legendary accounts. The most popular of these accounts is Prithviraj Raso, which presents him as a Rajput.

Ashish Ojha played the role of Prithviraj Chauhan. A play, The Bear and Message, directed by Shobha Chatterjee will be staged on Saturday from 7 pm.

Also Read: Bhopal: Stand-up comedian Sundeep Sharma to perform in city

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-life-of-king-prithiviraj-chauhan-staged

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MP Assembly bypolls: Capture booths, says BJP leader, FIR lodged on Congress complaint

BHOPAL : On the eve of polling, a video of a BJP leader from Prithvipur Anil Pandey, has gone viral on social media platforms, in which he is openly talking of booth capturing and framing those who are against BJP.

Congress has lodged complaint with Election Commission and has demanded installation of CCTV cameras at polling booths to monitor and record booth capturing planned by BJP on a large scale.

The BJP leader Pandey could be seen sitting in a garden along with villagers. Pandey says that they have been instructed to capture booths and to ensure win of BJP candidate. “Rathore (Nitendra) is not going to win. There are 70 Yadav dominated booths. We have been asked to capture booths. Only our people will cast their vote there,” BJP leader is heard telling the villagers.

Pandey shows his mobile phone to the villagers and says, “Look, CM had called me some time ago.”

He also says that if anyone acts smart, he will be sent to jail after placing 60 litres of liquor near their bore well. “We have to win means we have to win; it is immaterial how many die or how many cases are registered,” Pandey says threatening the people sitting around him.

Congress incharge of election works JP Dhanopia lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission on Friday, along with a copy of video and its transcript. Congress has demanded to install CCTV cameras at all polling stations and deployment of extra police force to stop any kind of rigging. Congress has also demanded arrest of BJP leader Pandey and his accomplices.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: 7,700 beneficiaries get Rs 170 crores under government's 'Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Sambal' scheme

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-assembly-bypolls-capture-booths-says-bjp-leader-fir-lodged-on-congress-complaint

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China Puts City Of 6 Million Under Lockdown

Beijing:

China placed a third city under lockdown on Thursday to tackle Covid-19 numbers, with around six million people now under orders to stay home as Beijing chases zero cases before the upcoming Winter Olympics.

The country has taken a zero tolerance approach to the virus since it first emerged in central China in 2019, stamping out emerging flare-ups with border closures, targeted lockdowns and strict quarantines.

Although the hard-line measures have kept the number of new cases far lower than most countries, the world's most populous nation is currently grappling with small outbreaks in at least eleven provinces.

The resurgence prompted officials this week to lock down Lanzhou city -- with a population of over four million -- and Ejin in the Inner Mongolia region.

After confirming one new case, authorities in Heihe in Heilongjiang province followed suit Thursday, ordering people to stay at home and forbidding residents from leaving the far northern city except in emergencies, according to a local government statement.

Officials in the city -- which borders Russia to the north -- have also begun testing 1.6 million residents and tracing close contacts of the infected person, the statement said.

State media reported that bus and taxi services had been suspended and vehicles were not allowed to leave the city.

China reported 23 new domestic cases on Thursday, less than half of the previous day's number, in a sign that the country's tough disease controls may be working.

Lanzhou, which has been under lockdown since Tuesday, recorded just one new case, while Ejin -- home to around 35,000 -- added seven, according to government statements.

Tens of thousands more people remain under targeted lockdowns of housing compounds in several cities, including Beijing.

The capital, which will host the Winter Games in February, has also curbed access to tourist sites and urged residents not to leave unless necessary.

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/china-puts-city-of-6-million-under-lockdown

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Biden announces $1.7 tr US spending deal

Washington:

US President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised $1.75 trillion social spending plan that he is confident Democrats will support, ending weeks of wrangling and delivering a political victory hours before he departs for twin summits in Europe.

Biden failed in his original goal of securing a vote in Congress, where Democrats hold a razor-thin majority, before going to Rome for meetings with Pope Francis and G20 leaders, then a UN climate summit in Glasgow.

Instead, his dramatic last-minute intervention will present Democrats with a deal too good to refuse, senior aides believe.

Putting the full prestige of his presidency on the line, Biden will unveil the framework agreement to Democratic leaders, then address the American people from the White House, before heading to the airport to board Air Force One.

The White House said Biden will lay out a compromise outline of legislation pouring $1.75 trillion into education, childcare, clean energy and other social services. This is much less than the original $3.5 trillion price tag Biden and left-leaning Democrats wanted. However, this would still represent a major win a year after Biden, 78, defeated Donald Trump with a promise to heal America's "soul."

Weeks of Democratic feuding over both the details and costs have threatened to sink the bill, along with a second initiative meant to invest an additional $1.2 trillion in America's crumbling infrastructure.

Biden is now sure he has Congress ready to accept his deal, although the timing of a vote remains up to the Democratic speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

"The president believes this framework will earn the support of all 50 Democratic senators and pass the House," a senior White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/biden-announces-17-tr-us-spending-deal

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‘Slim & trim ‘Kim’ minus 20kg not his body double’

Seoul:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently lost about 20 kilograms (44 pounds), but remains healthy and is trying to boost public loyalty to him in the face of worsening economic problems, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers Thursday.

The National Intelligence Service gave the assessment during a closed-door parliamentary briefing, saying it used artificial intelligence techniques, an analysis of super-resolution video of Kim and other methods to investigate Kim's condition, said two lawmakers who attended the session.

Kim's heath has been a focus of keen outside attention in recent months because he has appeared noticeably thinner in state media photos and videos. Kim, 37, hasn't publicly anointed a successor and some experts say an abrupt incapacitation could trigger chaos in the impoverished nuclear-armed country.

Despite Kim's thinner appearance, longtime North Korea observers have said Kim has no apparent health problems and his weight loss is likely the result of his efforts to improve his physique. They noted that he has continued his regular public activities and no unusual developments have been seen in North Korean videos.

But unconfirmed rumors about him have continued to appear, with one tabloid claiming that recent public appearances used an impostor. The NIS dismissed that report as groundless, lawmaker Kim Byung-kee said.

He said the NIS told the parliamentary session that Kim's weight has fallen from about 140 kilograms (308 pounds) to 120 kilograms (264 pounds). The NIS has previously said Kim is about 170 centimeters (5 feet, 8 inches) tall.

It said Kim has been engaged in public activities for 70 days so far this year, a 45% increase from the same period last year.

The lawmaker said the NIS found that Kim had photos of his late father and grandfather - who ruled North Korea before him - removed from a Workers' Party conference room.

Another lawmaker, Ha Tae-keung, quoted the NIS as saying North Korea has begun using the term "Kimjongunism," a political ideology named after Kim Jong Un that is independent of existing ideologies named after his father and grandfather, "KimJongilism" and "Kimilsungism." After about 10 years in office, Kim is struggling to overcome what appears to be the toughest period of his rule due to economic hardships worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the NIS, North Korea's annual trade with China, its main ally and economic lifeline, declined by two-thirds to $158 million through September this year compared to the previous year, Ha said.

North Korean officials are struggling to deal with soaring prices of goods and shortages of medicine and other essential supplies that have accelerated the spread of water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever. The country has also been unable to import the paper and ink it uses to print banknotes, forcing North Korean officials to issue temporary currency, according to Ha's account of the NIS briefing.

While reduced trade has limited the supply of materials needed for industrial activity, North Korean officials are pushing workers hard to increase production. Excessive factory operations caused an explosion at a major fertilizer plant in August, Ha quoted the NIS as saying.

The NIS corroborated recent reports by the World Health Organization that North Korea is beginning to ease its tough COVID-19 border restrictions to receive outside help.

The western North Korean seaport of Nampo is now "saturated" with supplies from the outside world after authorities recently began allowing increased maritime transport and the entrance of medical supplies, according to the NIS. North Korea is preparing to open another seaport in the northwest, Yongchon, to handle the increased supplies and is also considering restarting rail transport with China and Russia, it said.

North Korea has yet to report any cases of the coronavirus. While experts have questioned its claim of a perfect record, Ha said the NIS has yet to see any signs of a major COVID-19 outbreak.

Despite its severe virus-related border controls, North Korea hasn't shown the same kind of urgency for vaccines, as mass immunizations continue to be delayed amid global shortages.

Ha said North Korea has rejected outside offers of Russian and Chinese vaccines. Kim, the lawmaker, said the NIS has determined North Korea also hasn't shown interest in obtaining Pfizer vaccines, which would require negotiations with the drugmaker and the U.S.

Analysts say North Korea could be uneasy about international monitoring requirements that would be attached to vaccines it receives from the outside world. There are also views that Kim Jong Un has domestic political motivations to tighten the country's self-imposed lockdown as he calls for unity and tries to solidify his grip on power.

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/slim-trim-kim-minus-20kg-not-his-body-double

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How an astronaut saw climate disasters from space

Paris:

From his perch 400 kilometres above Earth, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has had a unique perspective on the climate-fuelled natural disasters that have swept the planet over the past six months.

Pesquet recently finished up his second mission at the International Space Station, an experience that made him appreciate Earth's fragility like never before.

He spoke to AFP ahead of the UN climate summit kicking off on October 31, sharing his hopes and fears for the planet.

What images strike you the most?

The massive storms, and the forest fires. I have never seen anything like it, incredibly huge fires with plumes of smoke visible from space for days and days.

It was striking to think about the energy it gave off and the damage it caused for people unfortunate enough to be in its path.

We had never seen so many extremely impressive tropical storms -- you could practically see into the eye of the cyclone. They're walls of clouds with phenomenal power, coming more and more often and causing more and more destruction.

Does the Earth seem fragile?

Yes, absolutely. Seeing the planet from the window of your space craft makes you think. You only have to see it once: you can spend two days in space and just getting that distance, seeing the fragility of the atmosphere, that thin bubble that makes life possible in the vacuum of space, that incredible oasis -- it changes your life.

When you see changes over the long term -- sometimes you need more than five years to see it -- you can't help but feel concerned.

That's why I became an ambassador for the (UN's) Food and Agriculture Organization, and an advocate for many environmental causes.

What worries you the most?

The idea that we might not succeed in reaching an agreement at an international level, and that economic concerns dominate over environmental ones.

It's a completely short-sighted approach. Over the long-term, profits are directly threatened by climate change. When you see the Great Barrier Reef not included on the list of endangered sites because of Australian government pressure, you think the priorities are wrong and we're in trouble.

The first thing to do is listen to the experts who have dedicated their lives to providing solutions on a local, regional, national and global level. We have to try to put solutions in place.

The most urgent task at hand is to decarbonise. You have to prioritise renewables and carbon-free energy. And that takes restrictive measures and international commitments for which countries can be held accountable. That's what COP26 is all about.

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/how-an-astronaut-saw-climate-disasters-from-space

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Madhya Pradesh: Cut-off coal supply ups textile production costs, leaves industry players concerned

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Shortage of coal in Madhya Pradesh has left the coal-dependent industries like textile mills concerned as per Madhya Pradesh Textile Mills Association.

The shortage of coal that subsequently led to a hike in energy costs has led to a three-fold increase in cost of operations, while the prices of colour chemicals have risen simultaneously.

The traders are worried about fast slipping inventories and about losing international orders, say the industry experts.

Apart from textile, industries including paper mills, rolling mills and a few pharmaceutical units among others use coal to run boilers and thermal packs in the state but the jump in the costs of coal has thrown a severe challenge to keep plants running.

Madhya Pradesh has about 700 boilers registered with the directorate of and at least 70 per cent of them run on coal, as per the official statistics.

Textile Mills Association chairman Akhilesh Rathi says, “The industry was on a path of revival but was already facing a pressure due to rising prices of raw materials – both natural and synthetic fibres – and colour chemicals costs. Shooting fuel cost has come as a double whammy, further dampening the margins. The power prices were already running high in the state and the continuous shortage has increased them further, bringing down the profit margins to a negligible stance.”

“Coal, power, raw material, colour chemicals and manpower are the five main requirements of the industry. Unfortunately, all of these are taking a huge toll on our pockets right now. Global companies are now worried that mills may halt production due to high energy costs. They have begun to source out fearing the production cuts and shipment delays,” he adds.

More than 25 large and 100 small and medium textile units in the state are dependent on coal. An alternative to coal, agro-fuel, also reduces due to monsoon, say the experts.

I bought imported coal at about Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per tonne a month ago and now it has reached Rs 14,000 to 15,000 per tonne. Generally, around 30 to 35 tonnes of coal is used in the textile industry in a day to generate steam, says the owner of a textile mill in Ratlam.

“The production cost has skyrocketed. Though there is high demand of textile post pandemic-induced lockdown, we are not earning margins,” he adds.

Coal - Six months ago - Presently (per tonne)

Indian coal - Rs 4,700 - Rs 7,300

Pet coal - Rs 12,400 - Rs 17,000

Imported coal - Rs 9,000 - Rs 14,000

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Last rites of ISKCON devotee to be performed in city

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-cut-off-coal-supply-ups-textile-production-costs-leaves-industry-players-concerned

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FPJ Legal: Thane court issues non-bailable warrant against former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh in extortion case

Thane: A Thane court issued a non-bailable warrant against the former Mumbai police commissioner, Param Bir Singh, on Thursday. The court had asked for his arrest in an extortion case registered at Thane Nagar police station.

The warrant states that Param Bir Singh, resident of house number 133, Sector 27, Chandigarh, stands charged with the offence under sections 384, 386, 387, 389, 392, 324, 323, 506, 506 (2), 166, 109, 120b of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Arms Act.

The warrant has further directed the police to arrest the said accused and produce him before the court. In the last week of July 2021, the Thane Nagar police had registered an extortion case against ex-Mumbai top cop Param Bir Singh, encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, gangster Ravi Pujari and 25 others.

The case was registered on a complaint filed by Ketan Tanna, 52, a builder and bookie. Tanna, in his statement to police alleged that the accused police officers and others threatened to file a false case against him and bookie Sonu Jalan and kill them in an encounter. Using various channels to issue the threats, they abused and demanded money in return for not implicating them in a false case.

A few months ago, the Thane police had also issued a look-out circular against Singh.

Non-bailable warrant issued against former .@MumbaiPolice Commissioner #ParambirSingh in Thane
.@fpjindia
.@deepakbhatuse
.@DGPMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/2cBTqGlntr

— Sanjay Jog (@SanjayJog7) October 28, 2021

Also Read: Extortion case: Mumbai Police begins process to declare former top cop Param Bir Singh absconding

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/legal/fpj-legal-thane-court-issues-non-bailable-warrant-to-ips-officer-param-bir-singh-in-extortion-case

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Facebook changes its name to Meta, here's why

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Human species who lived 500,000 years ago named as Homo bodoensis

Species was direct ancestor of early humans in Africa and discovery has led to reassessment of epoch

Researchers have announced the naming of a newly discovered species of human ancestor, Homo bodoensis.

The species lived in Africa about 500,000 years ago, during the Middle Pleistocene age, and was the direct ancestor of modern humans, according to scientists. The name bodoensis derives from a skull found in Bodo D’ar in the Awash River valley of Ethiopia.

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World Internet Day 2021: How was the world in pre-digital era vs today

Internet has become one of the most vital necessities of the humans when in the year 1969 this technology was invented. On October 29 came the pioneering invention of what would be known today as the internet. The internet is everyone’s best friend now. But it is not all about social media. The internet gives you access to an endless amount of information, work opportunities, platforms to get artistic, endless communication, and much, much more.

While the year 1969 goes down as a notable year with the world being introduced to Neil Armstrong - the first human to go on the moon, in the same year, little known 21-year old UCLA student programmer, Charley Kline administered the first electronic message between computers, a truly ground-breaking moment within the initial stages of the technological age.

The day marks the sending of the first electronic message which was transferred from one computer to another in 1969. The day is celebrated to commemorate a momentous day in the history of telecommunications and technology.

History and significance of World Internet Day:

International Internet Day History The first International Internet Day was celebrated on October 29, 2005, and from then this day has been crucial, we cannot imagine our lives without the internet, and it revolves around the internet.

The internet has revolutionised and reshaped our lives a way that we never imagined. The Internet has made it easier for us to stay in touch with our friends, miles away. From being an incredible tool the internet has made it easier for us to turn to work from home as a practical alternative, it has contributed a lot. This critical invention in human history is consequently celebrated around the world on October 29 as International Internet Day.

With so much of our lives revolve around the internet, this celebration is essential to not only thank the creators for this innovative tool that has genuinely reshaped our lives but also considering how the internet has affected our lives - in both positive and negative way. An instrument of convenience if used rightly, International Internet Day celebrations allows you to find the balance and identify the internet usage that works for you.

How was the world then when it was internet free:

Our world, lives and almost all our activities are dependent on the internet. Exercising? Try this online app to measure your progress. Are you working from home? Trying to unwind? Studying? Shopping? Watching your favourite shows on streaming sites? Consulting your doctor online? Whatever we do we need internet and its need was felt even more during the pandemic.

However, the world was way different when the internet was not in its full glory even though the technology was invented way back in 60s.

Also Read: How did Facebook 'disconnect' itself from the internet? Explanations and conspiracy theories abound

Tring Tring! phone calls were a thing:

If you wanted to get in touch with someone, you had to dial them a call, or meet them personally. It wasn’t as quick and easy as sending a text message that we send through - Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, etc today. People had to keep a phonebook (directory) of numbers and dial the number each time to contact the respective person. That’s how college students used to contact each other to check if their friends are coming the next day to the college. It was definitely a simpler time.

No e-paper only newspaper:

Keeping up with the happenings around the world had to be paid for. One had to buy newspapers just to know what’s going on in the world. But now, at the touch of a button or a slide of a screen you can literally know everything that’s going on while you’re laying in bed or just travelling.

Love stories began differently

Online dating is a thing now but Back then, people met by chance, they used to send love letters, meet outside and face the anxiety of trying to know the other person. Now with internet it’s much easier but definitely less intimate. People meet online, approach each other through direct messages, and date each other. That’s just in the new age.

People went outdoors for shopping:

Anyone reading this has probably gotten a taste of what it’s like to shop online on impulse. It’s right in front of you, and you can literally pamper yourself or others at any time of the day. It’s easily more addictive, unlike in the past, where people had to get dressed, go to the store or shopping mall, and actually pay to take their new items home.

Statistics of internet users:

As of January 2021 there were 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide - 59.5 percent of the global population. Of this total, 92.6 percent (4.32 billion) accessed the internet via mobile devices. While the total number of Internet users in India has risen from 795.18 million at the end of December 2020 to 825.30 million at the end of March 2021, registering a quarterly growth rate of 3.79 per cent, showed data by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

Also Read: Africa internet riches plundered, contested by China broker

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/world-internet-day-2021-how-was-the-world-in-pre-digital-era-vs-today

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Shah Rukh Khan greets news of son Aryan's bail in Mumbai cruise drugs case with 'tears of joy'

MUMBAI: A visibly happy and relieved SRK welcomed the court’s decision with his manager Pooja Dadlani and his legal team. According to former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who represented Aryan Khan in the Bombay High Court, the actor greeted the news of bail with "tears of joy." The actor, Rohatgi told a news portal, had "given up all his professional activities".

"He has been very, very worried in the last three-four days that I was there and I'm not even sure whether he had proper meals. He was just having coffee after coffee. And he was very, very worried. And I could see a big sense of relief, yeah, on the father's face last time I met him," Rohatgi told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

In the first photographs that have emerged after the decision on bail, the actor was seen smiling with his team of lawyers. Lawyer Satish Maneshinde is leading the battery of lawyers hired to defend Aryan Khan. Later, Rohatgi steered the bail proceedings in the High Court. Aryan secured bail three weeks after his arrest.

SRK STATEMENT: A statement by the legal team read, “Aryan Khan has ultimately been released on bail by the High Court. No possession, no evidence, no consumption, no conspiracy, right from the first moment when he was detained on October 2, 2021. Nor is there anything as of now. We are grateful to the almighty that our prayers were accepted by Mr Justice Nitin Sambre and he granted bail to Aryan. Satya Meva Jayate. Satish Maneshinde and the legal team of Aryan.”

LET’S HAVE A BLAST

"For me, it is a regular case - to win some, to lose some. I am happy that he (Khan) has got bail’’ -- Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi

"Haar ke jeetne waale ko Bazigar kehte hain!" – an SRK fan

"Thank God. As a father I am so relieved ... May all good and positive things happen" -- tweeted actor R Madhavan

"When time judges, then there is no need for witnesses (sic)” -- Sonu Sood on his Twitter handle

"I want to have a blast tonight (sic)" – tweeted filmmaker Hansal Mehta.

‘‘Welcome Home Prince Aryan, three cheers for Aryan Khan’’ – the crowd outside Mannat

PS: Kiran Gosavi (NCB witness in the drugs-on-cruise matter), also an accused in a cheating case registered with Pune City Police, has been formally arrested.

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-greets-news-of-son-aryans-bail-in-mumbai-cruise-drugs-case-with-tears-of-joy

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MP bypolls campaigning was all about making issue out of non-issue

BHOPAL: The campaigning for by-elections in one Lok Sabha and three Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the state, which ended on Wednesday, was dominated by non-issues. Words like knickers, paap and punya, dokli, circus, kanya pujan and so on formed the mainstay of the campaigning by the leaders of both the ruling and the opposition party.  

Issues like unemployment, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, lack of health and education facilities, government's track record in handling the Covid pandemic, law and order etc were singularly missing from the campaigning. The leaders hurled abuses and taunts on each other instead of talking about matters that concern the people.  

Addressing a public meeting, former PCC president Arun Yadav termed Union Minister Smriti Irani as a Dokri (old woman). Former chief minister Kamal Nath, referring to BJP state president VD Sharma had said that “When I entered politics he (Sharma) used to wear knickers”.

Chief MInister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during election campaign

He also tweeted "Night stay in Jobat by the CM at the house of tribal is not going to wash away the sins of the killings of tribal people in Nemawar, Khargone, Neemuch, Balaghat-Dabra”.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in his public meetings termed the Congress party as a circus and stated that Kamal Nath was out to ruin the career of the members of his party.

Urban development minister Bhupendra Singh Thakur came out in support of Kanya pujan and said that Congress has a 'dirty mindset'.

Congress has negative agenda: Agarwal

BJP leader Rajnish Agarwal told Free Press that the BJP is contesting the bypolls on developmental issues. “The Congress doesn't have any plans for development of the state. They have a negative agenda. They are just criticising the developmental works launched by the BJP for the betterment of the people of the state,” he added.

BJP only talk & talk: Patwari

Former minister and Congress media state president Jitu Patwari, blamed the BJP for sidelining the main issues like fertilizer shortage and others. He claimed that the BJP leaders were trying to lure the voters by announcing various sops for them. "But they only talk and talk. More than 22,000 announcements made by the chief minister are yet to be implemented," he claimed.

Also Read: Bhopal gets high-tech police station equipped with best of facilities

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-bypolls-campaigning-was-all-about-making-issue-out-of-non-issue

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Madhya Pradesh: Dengue recovered patient suffers mucormycosis in Indore

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Indore district reported first case of mucormycosis in a dengue recovered patient. The patient had approached the doctors of Choithram Hospital with a severe headache but was diagnosed with the deadly fungal infection.

It might be the second case in the state as the same case was reported in Jabalpur in the first week of this month.

According to ENT Consultant Dr Abhik Sikdar, a 50-year-old male, resident of Dhar district was found suffering from deadly disease. He is a farmer by profession and came to the hospital with a severe headache on October 17.

“During his initial checkup, we suspected that the patient was suffering from mucormycosis and it was confirmed with his MRI scan. The fungal infection had already infected his nasal part and reached to his right eye due to which he had already lost his eye sight. We also started administering amphotericin to the patient,” Dr Sikdar said.

He added that the patient performed nasal endoscopy of the patient and also decompressed his eye to remove the pus.

“The patient is stable and he might get the eye sight back soon. He is still under sustained observation and the decision of his discharge will be taken after a few days,” the ENT consultant said.

First case of dengue patient suffers from black fungus

According to Dr Sikdar, it is the first case in which a patient suffering from dengue was found infected with black fungus in Indore.

“Main reason behind it is the weak immunity of the patient as he is suffering from diabetes and his blood sugar level is high. Moreover, he might have taken steroids for the treatment of dengue as he had recovered only seven days before approaching us,” the doctor said.

A similar case was found in Jabalpur

A similar case of black fungus in a dengue patient was found in Jabalpur on October 3 where a 40-year-old patient suffered from black fungus and was admitted to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: EOW raids IMC clerk's properties in disproportionate assets case

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/madhya-pradesh-dengue-recovered-patient-suffers-mucormycosis-in-indore

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MP Foundation Day: Artistes go vocal for local

BHOPAL: Artistes in the state capital have pitched for giving priority to local talent. They have demanded that the Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day celebrations should be held at the district level and not be confined to Bhopal. They also say that artists from the state should be involved in the celebrations. The government, they complain, has picked choreographers and main performers for the celebrations from outside the state.

Theatre actor Nitin Tejraj says that if, 65 years after its creation, the state could not produce artistes of the status and competence to perform at Foundation Day celebrations, then they need to introspect. He says that the celebrations should not be limited to a grand programme at Bhopal.

“After all, Bhopal is not Madhya Pradesh,” he says. Instead of spending crores of rupees on inviting artistes from Mumbai and Delhi the government could have easily sanctioned a fixed amount for celebrations at all district headquarters. Tejraj also says that the celebrations should not be limited to programmes of performing arts. State’s literature, tribal art, paintings, sculptures etc should also be showcased. 

Also Read: Bhopal: Youths go collecting 'Raddi' for a good cause

Theatre actor and director Bishna Chauhan says that artistes from the state should have been given priority in the celebrations. She says that due to the Covid pandemic, the condition of the artistes is very bad. “We are worse off than labourers. The wages of labourers are fixed and they have schemes like MGNREGS for them. We have no support system,” she says.

Chauhan said that the state culture department is yet to sanction annual grants for theatre and cultural organisations. “Celebrations of the Foundation Day at the district level would have provided some help to the artists,” she said.

Former director of Sindhi Akademi, Ashok Bulani, says that it is surprising and disappointing that local artistes have not been given key roles in the celebrations. He says that the idea behind inviting big names from Bollywood and elsewhere is to draw crowds. On the one hand, auditoriums have not been opened while on the other hand, a grand function is being organised in which thousands of people would gather.

Dance-drama, concert: The State-level 66th Foundation Day function will be held at the Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal at 6.30pm on November 1. It will include a dance-drama 'Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh' choreographed by Maitriyee Pahadi from Delhi. It will be followed by a concert Sugam Sangeet of Bollywood singer Mohit Chauhan and his band.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: People raise questions about MP Government's online RTI portal's efficiency

source https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-foundation-day-artistes-go-vocal-for-local

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