BIDEN TO HOST MODI FOR BILATERAL TALKS ON SEP 24 AT WHITE HOUSE

US President Joe Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral meeting at the White House on September 24, according to the president's weekly schedule released on Monday.

"The President will participate in a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India," it said.

Later in the day, Biden will host the first-ever in-person Quad Leaders' Summit at the White House with Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

INDIA TO RESUME EXPORT OF COVID VACCINE NEXT MONTH

India will resume export of surplus COVID-19 vaccines next month under the 'Vaccine Maitri' programme and to meet its commitment to the COVAX global pool, but vaccinating its own citizens remains the topmost priority of the govt, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday.

Addressing the media, the minister said the govt will receive over 30 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines in October and over 100 crore doses in the next three months.

Asserting that vaccination of our own citizens remains the govt's topmost priority, Mandaviya said the export of surplus vaccines would begin in the next quarter (October-December) under the Vaccine Maitri programme and in order to fulfill the commitment of India towards COVAX. This is in line with our motto of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', he said.

NO VIOLATION, INSTIGATION BY PAK SINCE CEASEFIRE IN FEB: TOP ARMY OFFICER

With the India-Pakistan border truce in its seventh month, the top Army commander in Kashmir said Monday that there has been no ceasefire violation from across the border in the Valley. The GoC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps also said that there have been only two known successful infiltration attempts by militants this year, including one on Sunday in the Uri sector, in which an Army soldier was injured.

Speaking about the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, GoC Lt Gen D P Pandey said there was no need to worry about any spillover of Afghan and Pakistan militants into Kashmir. On the effect of the Taliban rise in Kashmir, Pandey said: “Why are you worried? You are safe and would be kept safe.”

He said if anyone picks up arms, they would face the consequences. “I am not looking at questions on the Taliban or foreign terrorists or local terrorists. For us, it has got nothing to do with the quality and quantity. If there is a gentleman who picks up a weapon, he will be neutralised either way — by getting killed or by getting apprehended, and if he comes and offers (to) surrender, we will take surrender,” he said.

RACISM, OFFENSIVE: JAIRAM RAMESH, THAROOR SLAM UK’S COVID TRAVEL RULES

Former Union ministers Jairam Ramesh and Shashi Tharoor on Monday slammed the UK’s Covid-19-related travel rules under which Indians vaccinated with Covishield would still be treated as unvaccinated, with Ramesh saying it “smacks of racism”.

Tharoor said because of the restrictions he had even pulled out of a debate at The Cambridge Union debating society and from the launch events for the UK edition of his book, ‘The Battle Of Belonging’.

Passengers who aren’t recognised as being fully vaccinated with authorised vaccines and certificates under England’s international travel rules, including Indians, will still have to take a pre-departure test, further PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8 of arrival, and self-isolate at their given address for 10 days upon entry, according to the rules.

Tweeting on the restrictions, Congress leader Ramesh said, “Absolutely bizarre considering Covishield was originally developed in the UK and The Serum Institute, Pune has supplied to that country too! This smacks of racism.”

From October 4, the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries based on levels of Covid-19 risk will be scrapped in the UK and replaced with one red list only.

The scrapping of an amber list, which is what India is currently on, means reduced cost burden for travellers—especially for the Indian diaspora vaccinated in the UK—related to compulsory PCR tests.

However, an expanded list of countries whose vaccines are recognised in England does not include India, which means that Indians vaccinated with Covishield—the Serum Institute of India produced Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine—would still be subjected to the restrictions mandatory for those unvaccinated.

KEY COVID NUMBERS

Current Active Cases Countrywide: 3,02,311

New Cases in last 24 hours: 24,913

Recovered in last 24 hours: 34,470

Change in no. of Active cases in last 24 hours: -9,808

No. of deaths in last 24 hours (Total Covid Deaths so far): 251 (4,45,416)

Daily Tests (Sunday): 12,81,598

Daily Positivity Rate (Proportion of Positives among total Tested): 2.4%

Percentage of Population Vaccinated (At Least One Dose / Two Doses): 45.3% / 15.4%

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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BIDEN EASING FOREIGN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, REQUIRING VACCINES

President Joe Biden will ease foreign travel restrictions into the US beginning in November, when his administration will require all foreign nationals flying into the country to be fully vaccinated.

All foreign travellers flying to the US will need to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within three days of flight, said White House Covid-19 coordinator Jeff Zients, who announced the new policy on Monday. Biden will also tighten testing rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who will need to be tested within a day before returning to the US, as well as after they arrive home.

Fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine, Zients said.

The new policy replaces a patchwork of travel restrictions first instituted by President Donald Trump last year and tightened by Biden earlier this year that restrict travel by non-citizens who have in the prior 14 days been in the United Kingdom, European Union, China, India, Iran, Republic of Ireland, Brazil and South Africa.

“This is based on individuals rather than a country based approach, so it’s a stronger system,” Zients said.

It was not immediately clear which vaccines would be acceptable under the US-system and whether those unapproved in the US could be used. Zients said that decision would be up to the CDC. The new policy will take effect in “early November”, Zients said, to allow airlines and travel partners time to prepare to implement the new protocols.

WORLD SHARES JOLTED BY EVERGRANDE CRISIS AS DEBT PAYMENT TEST LOOMS

Global stock markets are caught in the grip of contagion fears sparked by troubles at China Evergrande as growing risks the property giant could default on its massive debt prompted investors to flee riskier assets.

Selling pressure persisted in early trade in Asia ahead of a major test for Evergrande this week, which is due to pay $83.5 million in interest relating to its March 2022 bond on Thursday. It has another $47.5 million payment due on Sept. 29 for March 2024 notes.

Both bonds would default if Evergrande fails to settle the interest within 30 days of the scheduled payment dates.

Shares in Evergrande, which has been scrambling to raise funds to pay its many lenders, suppliers and investors, sank 10.2% on Monday.

Regulators have warned that its $305 billion of liabilities could spark broader risks to China's financial system if its debts are not stabilized.

Investors also fear troubles at China's property sector, one of the key engines of the country's stellar economic growth over decades, could have ripple effects across the global economy.

Whether Evergrande can make payments, and if not, whether the authorities will bail it out?

Or how far will President Xi Jinping go with his crackdown on China’s real estate sector? These are the immediate questions.

“Even though most people don’t expect Evergrande to collapse all of a sudden, the silence and a lack of major actions from policy makers is making everyone panic,” said Ding Shuang, chief economist at Standard Chartered Plc in Hong Kong. “I expect China to at least offer some verbal support soon to stabilize sentiment.”

THE REST

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UNDER FIRE, CONGRESS SAYS WILL FIGHT PUNJAB POLLS UNDER BOTH CHANNI, SIDHU

A row erupted in Punjab Congress on Monday after senior leader Sunil Jakhar slammed AICC state in-charge Harish Rawat for purportedly saying the party would go to the 2022 polls under the leadership of state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The chatter around Jakhar’s dissent on the day of the swearing-in of Punjab’s first Dalit Sikh chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi forced a clarification from Congress, which denied Rawat had made any such remark and said the party would face the electorate under the collective leadership of Channi and PCC chief Sidhu.

Opposition BJP promptly latched on to Jakhar’s statement to question the Congress claiming credit for installing a Dalit Sikh CM, saying Channi would only be keeping the seat warm for a few months.

The issue was prickly for Congress given the impression that Sidhu would be the party’s “face” in the polls and he had been overlooked only so that deposed chief minister Amarinder Singh wasn’t further provoked. Tagging a news agency report quoting Rawat, Jakhar took to Twitter to say this was not acceptable.

Jakhar expressed vindication by citing Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala’s  clarification. “Rahul Gandhi has picked Channi as the new CM. Rawat is a senior leader and such a statement on this day should have been avoided. Rahulji took note of my concerns and the party has clarified. Under the leadership of Soniaji and Rahulji, both Channi and Sidhu will work together,” he told reporters.

While Channi’s swearing in and first day in office got off to a rocking start, with a show of unity and enthusiasm in state Congress, it also highlighted the tough challenge the Congress faces in balancing the aspirations of an ambitious Sidhu and a CM whose appointment is being cited by the party as major evidence of its commitment to social justice. For some, Jakhar is nursing grievance of losing out in the race for the CM.

UMA BHARTI CAUGHT ON A WRONG FOOT

In controversial remarks against bureaucracy, senior BJP leader Uma Bharti has said govt officials are there only to “pick up our (leaders’) slippers”.

As a video containing Bharti’s critical comments against bureaucracy surfaced on social media on Monday, the former Union minister expressed regret over her intemperate language used during an interaction with a delegation.

The video was shared by several social media users.

“Aapko Nahi Pata Bureaucracy Kuchh Nahi Hoti, Chappal Uthanewali Hoti Hai. Chappal Uthati Hai Hamari. Hum Log Hi Raji Ho Jate hai Uske Liye. (You do not know that bureaucracy is nothing. Bureaucracy is there to pick up our chappals (slippers). They pick up our slippers. We only got agreed for that),” she is heard saying in the video.

She said, “Do you think bureaucracy controls the leader?..no, first they talk (with us) in private, then bureaucracy makes a file and process it. I have been a minister at the Centre for 11 years, I have been a Chief Minister. First we (leaders and bureaucracy talk) discuss then a file moves.”

After the clip surfaced, Bharti issued a clarification in a series of tweets, saying it was an informal interaction with a delegation of representatives from other backward classes (OBCs) at her home in Bhopal and the video of same went viral on social media.

“I am thankful to the media that they showed my complete video because I was speaking only in defence of bureaucracy… Some of us leaders, the incompetent ones sitting in power, take the cover of bureaucracy to avoid their inefficiency to show that we are very good but bureaucracy does not allow us to do good work,” she said.

She expressed regret for the kind of language she used against bureaucracy.

FOCUS ON STUDIES: SC JUNKS MINOR’S PLEA TO OPEN SCHOOLS

The Supreme Court Monday advised a 17-year-old Class 12 student, who sought re-opening of schools across the country, to focus on studies instead of getting involved in seeking Constitutional remedies.

The top court said it would not call the plea a publicity gimmick but it was a misplaced petition and children must not get involved in such issues.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and B V Nagarathna refused to entertain the petition, saying the student from Delhi may pursue his remedies with the state govt.

The bench told advocate Ravi Prakash Mehrotra, “Ask your client to focus on studies in school and not get involved himself in seeking Constitutional remedies. You see how misplaced this petition is. Imagine the situation in Kerala, Maharashtra cannot be the same in Maharashtra and Delhi. I am not saying it is a publicity gimmick but this is why children must not get involved in these issues. We don’t have any kind of data before us.”

SONU SOOD REACTS TO TAX RAIDS: 'EVERY RUPEE WAITING TO BE USED'

Every rupee in his foundation is 'awaiting its turn' to be used to reach the needy and save lives, actor Sonu Sood said in a statement on Monday in response to the Central Board of Direct Taxes' (CBDT) allegation that he and his associates evaded tax of Rs 20 crore.

Sood routed his 'unaccounted income in the form of bogus unsecured loans from many bogus entities', the CBDT claimed after the Income Tax Department raided the actor and a Lucknow-based infrastructure group. It also accused the actor -- who came into the national spotlight for his work with migrants and others during the Covid pandemic through his Sood Charity Foundation -- of violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while raising donations from abroad.

Sood said in his statement that he had pledged himself to the service of the people of India with all his 'strength and heart'. 'You don't always have to tell your side of the story. Time will. Every rupee in my foundation is awaiting its turn to save a precious life and reach the needy. 'In addition, on many occasions, I have encouraged brands to donate my endorsement fees for humanitarian causes too, which keeps us going,' he said.

''Kar bhala to ho bhala, ant bhale ka bhala' (A good deed always ends well),' he wrote in Hindi.

NDTV’S STOCK PRICES SOARED ON MONDAY AMIDST SPECULATIONS

Indian TV news channel, NDTV, has issued a statement amidst rumours of the Adani Group reportedly planning to take over its control. The rumours on the internet led to a significant jump in the TV channel’s share prices.

In a statement, NDTV said, “NDTV Limited is not in discussions now, nor has been, with any entity for a change in ownership or a divestment of any sort. Founder-promoters, Radhika and Prannoy Roy, who are both journalists, own 61.45 percent of the Company and remain in control of it. NDTV has no information on why there is a sudden surge in the stock price.” The statement went on to add that the media group could not ‘control unsubstantiated rumours, nor does it participate in baseless speculation.’

The Adani Group has not issued any statement on the rumours linking its interests in NDTV.

RAJ KUNDRA, AIDE GET BAIL AFTER 2 MONTHS IN JAIL

A magistrate court in Mumbai yesterday granted bail to businessman Raj Kundra, an accused in a pornographic films case in which he was arrested two months ago.

Kundra’s associate Ryan Thorpe, who was arrested along with him in July, was also granted bail by the court.

Kundra (46) had filed a bail plea before the court, claiming there was not a single evidence against him in a supplementary charge-sheet filed by the Mumbai police crime branch in the case. The businessman, in the plea, had claimed there was no evidence of him being “actively” involved in creation of alleged questionable porn content and that he was being made a “scapegoat” in the case.

PCB CHIEF RAMIZ RAJA SLAMS ENGLAND AS THEY CALL OFF PAKISTAN TOUR

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja took to Twitter on Monday to express his disappointment over England Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to call off the men's and women's cricket tours. Ramiz Raja said England has failed a member of their cricket fraternity when it needed it the most. "Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most. Survive we will inshallah," Ramiz Raja tweeted.

ECB on Monday announced that it has has reluctantly decided to withdraw both men's and women's teams from the tour to Pakistan. "The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women's and Men's games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip," an ECB statement read.

Ramiz Raja further said that it is a wake up call for Pakistan team to become world beaters for other teams to line up to play against them without making excuses.

IPL: DOMINANT KKR MAKE SHORT WORK OF ROYAL CHALLENGERS

Kolkata Knight Riders came up with a superb all-round display to trounce Royal Challengers Bangalore by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League match, in Abu Dhabi, on Monday.

Showing serious intent after a mediocre outing in the first phase of the league earlier this year, the Knight Riders’ bowlers fired in unison to bundle out the Royal Challengers for a paltry 92.

The opening duo of Shubman Gill and debutant Venkatesh Iyer then produced some awe-inspiring batting to chase down the target of 93 in just 10 overs.

Gill was out for a 48 off 34 deliveries while Iyer displayed fine composure during his 27-ball 41 not out. The pair put on 82 runs for the opening wicket off 55 balls.

The match was won in exactly 10 overs, with KKR score reading 94/1

KKR are no placed 5th, with 3 wins from 8 matches. RCB are 3rd, with 5 wins from 8 matches.

INDICATORS

Sensex 58,491 (-525), Nifty 17,397 (-188), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 64,555.03

Nasdaq 14,714 (-330) Dow 33,970 (-614), S&P 4,358 (-75)

US$-Rs. 73.56 GBP-Rs. 100.62, Euro-Rs. 86.21, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.02, Can$-Rs. 57.41, Aus$- Rs. 53.28

GBP 0.73 /US$, Euro 0.85 /US$, Jap.Yen 109.62  /US$, Aus$ 1.38 /US$, Sing 1.35 /US$, Bang Taka 83.40 /US$, Can$ 1.28 /US$, Mal Ring 4.18 /US$,

Pak Re 168.17 /US$, Phil Peso 50.15 /US$, Russian Rouble 73.28 /US$, NZ$ 1.42 /US$, Thai Baht 33.31 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 26.59 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 42,692

Dollar Index 93.18 Brent Crude 74.49 BDI 4,304

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,764 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,613 / 4,513, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 63,500

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. - Elizabeth Foley