Thursday, Oct 28, 2021 | Last Update : 09:39 AM IST
Columns
Respecting the right of party functionaries to speak out, without incurring punishment ought to be the norm rather than the exception
That ideal inspired Syama Prasad Mookerjee to break the law and court arrest, leading to his death, in Kashmir in 1953
Indian military officials just confirmed that the PLA has sent 50,000 troops to the India-Tibet border
On August 7, 2020, the SII, the country’s largest private vaccine manufacturer, signed an agreement with the global vaccine alliance GAVI
South Asia
Pakistan's ex-PM Sharif mulling political comeback after year-long gap
Sharif has been living in London since last November after the Lahore HC granted him permission to go abroad for four weeks for treatment
Sri Lanka bans travellers from India with immediate effect
Several countries like UK, UAE, Australia and Singapore have already banned travellers from India as well as other South Asian countries
Pak leader likely to be booked for treason over Abhinandan remarks
Posters of Sadiq have also appeared in Lahore, dubbing him a 'traitor'
14 die as heavy rains lash Sri Lanka
Rains have been pounding several districts of the island nation since Thursday night
China to start opening vaccination programme to general public
Sichuan is the first province to outline a timeline of its vaccination plans for the general public
Asia
Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to become new Prime Minister
Kishida replaces outgoing party leader Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga
India: Want Taliban to keep terror off Afghanistan
India said its primary concern was that Afghan soil should not be used for terror against India
North Korea says it tested new long-range cruise missiles
The allies say the drills are defensive in nature, but they have cancelled or downsized them in recent years to create space for diplomacy
Gunfire at Kabul airport kills 1; Taliban mass near Panjshir
The Taliban have pledged amnesty to those who worked with the U.S., NATO and the toppled Afghan govt, but many still fear revenge attacks
Middle East
Taliban leaders meet with UK, Iran delegations amid economic woes
The meeting marked Britain’s first diplomatic visit to the country since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the U.S. exit
Israel to set new nationwide lockdown as virus cases surge
Lockdown is credited with having brought down what were much lower infection numbers, but it wreaked havoc on Israel's economy
A curtain divides male, female students as Afghan universities reopen
What happens in universities and schools across the country is being closely watched by foreign powers
Emirates to fly from India again as Dubai lifts ban over virus
Dubai said that only passengers from India 'who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine' would be allowed to travel to the emirate
Taliban issue no-shave order to barbers in Afghan province
During the Taliban's previous rule, the conservative Islamists demanded that men grow beards
Africa
South Africa says 12 million 'probably' had coronavirus
Some South African experts suggest that Africa's most developed economy may be approaching herd immunity
Sudan bans travellers from India, imposes other COVID-19 restrictions
Sudan's health emergency committee also warned that cases country could top 100,000-mark by mid-June if restrictions were not imposed
Maduro announces arrest of 'American spy' near Venezuelan refineries
The arrest occurred after a 'plan to cause an explosion' was 'discovered and dismantled' at El Palito refinery, authorities say
Ousted Mali president Keita leaves country as transition talks begin
West African leaders, fearing the coup could set a precedent that would undermine their power, initially insisted Keita be restored to power
Europe
UK health workers to receive 3 per cent pay rise
Earlier this week, the UK lifted almost all COVID-19 restrictions as part of the government's roadmap out of lockdown
UK PM Boris Johnson to set out plans for end of lockdown on July 19
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid will announce the plans for an end to all legal lockdown restrictions from July 19 to Parliament
UN: Millions driven from homes in 2020 despite COVID-19 crisis
99 of the more than 160 countries that closed their borders due to COVID didn't make exceptions for people seeking protection as refugees
Vaccine certification for travel must meet 'minimum criteria', says UK
Indian travellers to the UK will continue to be treated as non-vaccinated and therefore required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival
After Rihanna, Greta Thunberg extends support to farmers' protest
Thunberg tweeted soon after singer Rihanna shared a news article highlighting the Centre's crackdown on the farmers
Americas
Hundreds in Canada, US believed dead in heat wave despite efforts to help
Weather experts say the number of heat waves are only likely to rise in the Pacific Northwest, a region normally known for cool weather
'A tragic mistake': US admits strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, not IS militants
The drone strike killed 10 people, including seven children, according to McKenzie, none of who ultimately were linked to IS
US rules out adding India or Japan to security alliance with Australia and UK
On September 15, Joe Biden, Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson jointly announced the formation of AUKUS
Newly released FBI memo hints at Saudi involvment with 9/11 hijackers
The memo from April 4, 2016, showed links between Omar Bayoumi and two of the Al-Qaeda operatives
Oceania
New Zealand to lift virus curbs in most of country on September 21
New Zealand on Monday reported one new case of coronavirus in the community, taking the total number of cases to 1,447 and 24 deaths
New Zealand sees first case-free day in five weeks
Friday’s report also marked the fourth consecutive day without any cases of community transmission
New Zealand declares climate emergency, promises carbon neutral government by 2025
New Zealand joins 32 other countries including Japan, Canada, France and Britain that have declared a climate emergency
New Zealand Covid cases hit record despite vaccination push
Health authorities announced 94 new virus cases, exceeding the previous daily record of 89 set in April last year during the first wave
New Zealand extends Delta outbreak lockdown
PM Jacinda Ardern said the initial three-day lockdown, which would have expired overnight Friday, would be extended by another four days