Amitabh Bachchan was a boxer in school, old letter reveals

Page 30 Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 Vol. 16 Issue 20 Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 $ 1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com The Demon On My Palm Mobile-Loving India Faces Strange Digital Disorders

The addiction to the internet is emerging as India's newest lifestyle disease but we are not ready to accept it. The smartphone revolution is caus- ing enormous digital distress

Home Business Auto NLIGHT INSURANCE Insurance (A Division of Nlight Financial LLC) Call : 917-612-3158 See Full Page Advt on page 27 Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 COMMUNITY 2 Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary celebrated in New York, 5 Honored by Shanti Fund with Mahatma Gandhi ganization dedicated to Korea and many other Peace & Non Violence promoting Mahatma State Heads. Award for their contribu- Gandhi's ideals of peace The event was attended tions to community while and non-violence by many dignitaries. Dr. maintaining the through education. In Rajni Kant Shah, promi- Gandhian philosophy existence for over 25 nent jeweler Haridas and ethics. years, it is the only such Kotahwala, philanthro- Honoree Kamlesh organization in the State pist Jack Poola, eminent Mehta, publisher of The of New York if not the attorney Jaspreet Mayall, South Asian Times, was entire North America. Swami Param Anand, recognized by Shanti Shanti Fund is the Rotarians Dave Vyas Fund for high ethics in his founder of the unique Sharma, Salil Zaveri, various publications. He Gandhi Peace Garden Mukesh Modi, Gautam is also founder of RANA on earmarked 50 acres Sanghvi, Roopam Mani, - Rajasthan Association of land on the vast cam- and Shashi Malik were in of North America and pus of SUNY Old attendance along with many other community Westbury on Long Is- Shanti Fund Founder (News Agencies) Sandeep Chakravorty The life and message of groups, and has served land. Beautiful 150 trees Surinder Rametra. The Hauppauge, NY: Shanti and many elite members Mahatma Gandhi was quite a few leading trade brought from all 50 US event was managed by Fund celebrated the of Indian American com- shared by the scholars & community organiza- States have been founder Shri Arvind Vora 150th Birth Anniversary munity. and honorees of the tions at senior positions. planted to commemorate and President of Shanti of Mahtama Gandhi at Gandhi’s favorite event -- Dr. Kirit Gosalia He was the Rotary Inter- the 150th Birth Anniver- Fund Mr. Bakul the Suffolk County Ex- bhajans ‘Vaishanav jan of Phoenix, Mr. Rajesh national District Gover- sary of Mahatma Matalia.Caption for Km ecutive Building on Oc- tau tene kahiye je pir Jain of Kolkata, Dr. nor in 2015-16. He also Gandhi. The Gandhi honor: Kamlesh Mehta was tober 2nd, which was at- parai jane re’ and Kishore Kuncham, Su- served local Govern- Peace Garden was virtu- conferred the Mahatma tended by over 150 'Raghupati Raghav Raja perintendent of of ment as Director of ally inaugurated by Gandhi Peace & Non Vio- guests including NYS Ram' were presented by Freeport Public Schools, Nassau County Office of Prime Minister Narendra lence Award by Shanti Fund. Assemblyman Andrew Indian and Korean sing- Amb. Sandeep Business and Economic Modi ji from UN on 24th He is seen here with Consul Raia, Town of Huntington ers. A group of Korean Chakravorty and Pub- Development for 5 Sept in the presence of General of India Amb. Supervisor Chad youth also sang many lisher of The South Asian years. General Secretary of Sandeep Chakravorty, Lupinacci, Consul Gen- songs in chorus with live Times Mr. Kamlesh C. Shanti Fund is a not for UN, Prime Ministers of Shanti Fund’s Arvind Vora eral of India Amb. orchestra. Mehta. All were honored profit volunteer-run or- Bangladesh and South and Bakul Matalia. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 COMMUNITY 3 International Society for Krishna Consciousness Celebrated Grand Janmasthami Celebration at ISKON Brooklyn On Friday August 23rd 2019, ISKON Brooklyn has cel- ebrated Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebration and Festival at the ISKON New York Center at 305 Scharmerhonr St. Brook- lyn, NY 11217. The event was attended during the day by more than 3000 devotees and there will be different drama , delicious vagetarian food as well as devotees participated in Abhishek. Event was graced by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adam , who has also honored President Hansarupa Das with the Proclamation, Dignitaries which include Mr. Nair , Mr. Chauhan participated in the event. India Association of Long Island - India Feat 2019 vide food each attendee state of Kerala. Indeed all without any charge. IT day program was showcase WAS A COMPLETE FREE the culture of INDIA. EVENT to all attendees. Mr. Steve Bellone ,Suffolk FREE FOOD,FREE AD- County Executive & Mr. MISSION, FREE FOOD. Kevin Thomas NYS Senator With the generous donation also honored the occasion of supporters for food. More with their presence. Fifteen than two thousand people past presidents of the asso- attended this event with their ciation also attended the family & friends & enjoyed event. President Lalit Aery all day cultural programs welcomed everyone on be- ,fashion show, very profes- half of his whole committee sional musical group from & honored the sponsors with India with singers. There the plaques. It was very suc- India Association of Long program & roomy hallways about thirty five vendors with own booth to teach how to were very professional cessful event keeping in Island biggest showcase of for vendors . Program tim- all kind of merchandise like wear saree& turban. First (GATKA PERFORMERS mind the over two thousand cultural event held on Sep- ing was from 12.00.Noon sarees, jewelery,bank, time in the history of IALI, )from Punjab & there were attendance in spite the venue tember 22nd,2019 at HYATT time to 8.P.M. . As it was travel company,& also association was able to pro- also drum players from the was far east in Long Island. REGENCY-LONG ISLAND like (Indian Mela) kind of some non-profit ,very big ballroom for cultural atmosphere.There were organizations.IALI has their US announces deployment of addi- tional 3000 troops to Saudi Arabia

Iranian aggression, he said. Hook added that since May, the Department of Defense had increased the number of forces by approximately 14,000 to the CENTCOM area of responsibility as an investment in regional secu- rity. Reiterating that the Trump administration did not want a conflict with Iran, Hook, however, said, “We The United States has an- defensive capabilities and to stand with our partners and nounced to deploy addi- help restore deterrence our allies to safeguard glo- tional 3,000 troops to Saudi against Iranian aggression.” bal commerce and regional Arabia in view of the “in- Pompeo said the Iranian stability.” Hook also asked creased threat perception” regime should either the international community due to drone attacks on oil “change its behaviour” or be a part of the efforts. “Na- facilities. The US has “watch its economy col- tions around the world need blamed Iran for the attacks. lapse”. In an interaction with to hold Iran accountable, “Today, an additional 3,000 reporters, Hook said Saudi press it to de-escalate and troops will flow to Saudi Arabia was a long-standing join us in our commitment Arabia,” Special US Envoy security partner of the US to providing stability in the for Iran Brian Hook told re- and had requested an addi- region,” he said, adding that porters at the State Depart- tional support to supple- “willful blindness” in the face ment. Secretary of State ment their defences and of threats did not advance Mike Pompeo said in a defend the rules-based in- peace. Hook asserted that tweet, “The United States is ternational order. This deci- the US administration imple- deploying additional forces sion is supported by many mented their pressure cam- and military equipment to partners in the region, who paign against Iran with two Saudi Arabia to enhance its were on the frontlines of the primary objectives. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 USA 4 New York’s Museum of Modern Art set to reopen, bigger and better MoMA, which moved to its current location in 1939, has undergone remodeling in 1950, 1962, 1980 and 2001 to cope with a growing collection and increased footfall. (News Agencies) New MoMA, which moved to its it as a laboratory to which a real estate project by exhibit around 2,400 works debates and arguments York’s heralded Museum current location in 1939, the public was invited. The selling some land to a a year, compared to an that are still taking place,” of Modern Art reopens this has undergone remodeling public would participate in developer to build a luxury average of 1,500 said Lowry. “(We want to) month after a multi-million- in 1950, 1962, 1980 and the experiment of looking tower, in which MoMA previously, Lowry said. make the public aware the dollar makeover that will 2001 to cope with a at and thinking about would make use of the first The most radical questions are more allow curators to display growing collection and modern art,” Lowry said. three floors.By also change is that for the first interesting than the hundreds more works every increased footfall. Space “He understood that the making some tweaks to its time artworks will be answers,” he added. year. The museum has was expanded by a third museum was to be a work existing buildings, MoMA presented by theme rather Themes and artwork will been closed for four this time and director in progress, changing and has increased its capacity than by time period. The change every six months or months but will open again Glenn Lowry says the evolving as modern and to 165,000 square feet works will also have the so but the major pieces, such on October 21 following the layout has been reinvented contemporary art changes (15,329 square meters). benefit of more natural as Claude Monet’s “Water latest renovations which to reflect the philosophy of and evolves,” Lowry told The upgrade, which cost light. “What makes modern Lilies” and Pablo Picasso’s increase the venerated the museum’s first director, reporters at a preview. The $450 million, means the and contemporary art “The Ladies of Avignon” will institution’s capacity. Alfred Barr. “Barr imagined museum took advantage of museum will be able to exciting is precisely the always be on show. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 5 The Sangh’s annual message: Translate the sentiment of peace on the ground Mohan Bhagwat’s message to the Sangh’s workers to follow the rule of law is important. This, too, needs to be enforced strictly for some individuals claiming to speak for the Sangh have often justified such incidents.

Mohan Bhagwat’s has assumed particular doubt on the economy. This, he was careful to message to the Sangh’s salience. It is the most Two, while there is emphasise, did not mean workers to follow the rule definitive articulation of the overwhelming that the RSS was anti- of law is important. This, Sangh’s worldview. convergence, Mr Bhagwat minorities; it sought too, needs to be enforced Mohan Bhagwat’s address was clear in reaffirming the harmony. This message, strictly for some individuals on Tuesday had four key Sangh’s ideological stance however, needs to be more claiming to speak for the strands. The first is a on Swadeshi economics. effectively and consistently Sangh have often justified reflection of the This broadly protectionist conveyed because what such incidents. convergence between the view emphasises self- often percolates to the distancing Indian culture important. This, too, needs The Vijaya Dashmi speech Sangh and the Bharatiya reliance, imports and workers on the ground is from it, and clarifying that to be enforced strictly for of the Rashtriya Janata Party-led integration with the world that India is a country while no one from the some individuals claiming Swayamsevak Sangh government in New Delhi. economy only when where Hindus have primary Sangh was engaged in to speak for the Sangh (RSS) chief is an annual The RSS is happy about necessary, boosting one’s rights. The onus lies on the such activities, if at all have often justified such affair in the organisation’s the latter’s ideological own national productive Sangh to ensure they do someone was accused in incidents. At a time when calendar. But as the direction, its moves on assets, and encouraging not interpret it this way. And such cases, he would have it enjoys unprecedented Sangh’s political power Kashmir, and its strong, Indian capital. finally, in the wake of to go through legal influence, the RSS must and its penetration into anti-terror stance. It is also Third, Mr Bhagwat also growing instances of channels. His message to translate Mr Bhagwat’s different aspects of social willing to give the reiterated his belief that lynching, Mr Bhagwat was the Sangh’s workers to message of peace and life has grown, the speech government the benefit of India is a Hindu rashtra. emphatic in condemning it, follow the rule of law is harmony on the ground. Trump finally faces the impeachment challenge, but plans to brazen it out Democrats realised that they could not let Trump go unchallenged. But he has the numbers in the Senate This one has truly come in Democrat leader and House alleged that Trump had from the outfield. While Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has abused the Presidential impeachment has been been reluctant to push office in appealing to a whispered around the impeachment, possibly foreign county to get dirt on corridors of Washington DC because a weak, fizzled- a political rival and influence since the beginning of the out impeachment process the 2020 elections, using Donald Trump Presidency, may have only ended up military aid as leverage. it has never been a serious strengthening Trump’s re- This complaint, backed up future president would be and have nothing to do with Trump crumbles. So far, political reality chiefly election prospects. She had as credible by the abysmally low. the 2020 elections. During but for Mitt Romney and because till the November in mind too that several intelligence watchdog, has Since then, the story has a press gaggle on the south some lone voices, others 2018 mid-term elections, moderate Democrats, proved to be a tipping point moved incredibly fast, and lawns of the White House, appear unwilling to buck both the House and Senate elected from Trump and a consensus quickly instead of hushed he called on China, Trump’s base. of the United States districts, would then find it coalesced around the whispers, we now have not currently adversary number If the President were to be Congress were in harder to be re-elected in impeachment idea. Seven one, but two whistleblower one, to investigate Biden; impeached in the House, Republican hands. Most 2020 and thus jeopardise first-time Democratic complaints, a reconstructed even hard-boiled observers but not removed from office Republicans, whatever the Democratic majority and Congress members, not transcript, text messages, of Trumpian Washington by the Senate, he would be some of them may feel in Pelosi’s speakership. Thus, thinking in narrow careerist subpoenas issued to the are left gaping. in the same position as two private, have thought it despite provocations, the terms, wrote a joint op-ed White House for The enquiry is clearly earlier presidents: Andrew politically expeditious to impeachment notion has in The New York Times documents, and six House gathering steam. The Johnson in 1868 and Bill back Trump. been tossed around like a asking Congress to proceed committees working on the House Judiciary Clinton in 1998. Richard Even when the House math hot potato that one may with impeachment if the issues. Committee will have to Nixon, who would have changed in favour of the want, but finds too allegations against Trump So far, President Trump is decide if the evidence been removed from office Democrats in 2018, the uncomfortable to hold. are true. Pelosi, sensing the being characteristically is sufficient to frame by the Senate, preferred impeachment idea did not All that changed in the last mood of her Party, brazen. Describing the articles of to resign. No matter gather strength though one two weeks. Washington announced a formal Ukraine call as “perfect”, he impeachment. These which path the controversy after another — was rocked by revelations impeachment inquiry for has denied any quid pro would require only a developments take, obstruction of justice with in a whistleblower complaint “betrayal of oath of office, quo. He has called the simple majority to pass President Trump will regards to possible about a Trump phone call betrayal of national security impeachment inquiry “the in the House, and the continue to battle it out Russian collusion in the to President Zelensky of and betrayal of the integrity greatest witchhunt in the Democrats have that. vigorously, running down 2016 elections, campaign Ukraine on July 25, in which of American elections”. history of our country”, and This would be followed the process and the finance violations and so on Trump asked Ukraine to Pelosi probably had little tweet-stormed the “Do by a Senate trial where a Democrats, and presenting — radiated from the White investigate Joe Biden and choice — if such allegations Nothing Democrats” as well two-thirds majority would himself to his supporters as House. The somewhat his son Hunter Biden. about the phone call, as the process in be needed to remove the the embattled crusader. But wishy-washy conclusions Trump officials had earlier backed by evidence, went aggressive, colourful President from office. what seems missing is a from the Mueller report on put a hold on $390 million unchallenged, the credibility language. With an eye on This seems unlikely at well-thought-out defence the Russian collusion issue of Congress-cleared of the Democrats would be his base, he has adopted present, and can only plan. also did not add much wind military assistance for under question and the bar the narrative that his actions come about if the Navtej Sarna to the sails. The canny Ukraine. The Democrats for the behaviour of any are an attack on corruption Republican support for Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 EDITORIAL 6 Larry Elder: Impeachment is just the latest How one scandal softened the Democratic attempt to take out Trump ground for impeachment In 1972, President Richard Nixon's appeal one of ITT's suits to the The Democrats' purported outrage about physical incapacity of the president." administration was plagued by scandal. Supreme Court. President Trump's phone call with Then there was the outcry over Trump's But not the one you're thinking of. It was no coincidence that, around the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky payments to former mistresses. About the This was the ITT scandal. And same time, the DOJ's target in the might be taken seriously by the payments, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., President Donald Trump's White investigation assisted the Republican Republicans were it not for the Democrats' said: "The president is a criminal. ... This House would be wise to read up on it, National Committee and the drive to oust Trump from the moment he criminal must be brought up by the because it just might explain the recent President's campaign in a big way: ITT won the presidency. Congress of the United States for and sudden movement in national polls contributed $400,000 (roughly $2.5 CNN's Van Jones, with zero proof, impeachment." toward impeachment. million in today's dollars) to the attributed Trump's victory to "whitelash." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., I was reminded of the ITT scandal when Republican National Committee for the Trump received 57 percent of the white said from "day one" Trump committed an I noticed Trump's call with Ukrainian GOP's 1972 convention.The deal came vote, actually a lower percentage of the impeachable offense for allegedly violating president Volodymyr Zelensky had to light about a year before Nixon's white vote than the 59 percent received the emoluments clause of the U.S. come the day after Special Counsel reelection. While some observers by Mitt Romney, the Republican Constitution, which prohibits all persons Robert Mueller testified before suspected there had been some sort presidential candidate in 2012. In 2008, holding federal office from accepting "any Congress about the Russia inquiry. And of quid pro quo arrangement, it wasn't Democrat Barack Obama received a present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of then I thought about how quickly until a still-unknown whistleblower sent greater percentage of the white vote than any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, current poll numbers on impeachment an internal memo to a syndicated John Kerry did four years earlier. Obama or foreign State." Last year, Ocasio-Cortez are moving now, given that we saw no columnist that things heated up. As if also received 95 percent of the black vote. said: polling bump after Mueller's testimony. to emphasize the document's None dared call it "blacklash." "I think that there are serious grounds in There are many differences between shadiness, the memo ended with the Stunned, angry and bewildered by Trump's violations of the emoluments clause from the 1970s and now. But it's possible line: "please destroy this, huh?" win, some Democrats urged the Electoral day one. I think that is, first and foremost, that in Nixon's case, the initial Brit Hume, then just a scrappy young College to refuse to certify his victory. In a one of the basic elements and violations. corruption allegation around the ITT reporter working under syndicated Washington Post op-ed, John Podesta, And then, once again, it's hard to predict scandal may have softened the ground columnist Jack Anderson, confirmed the Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, said, what's going to happen over the next few for impeachment by the time memo's authenticity in the Washington "The [Obama] administration should brief months. There are one or more Watergate came around -- even if the Post, saying he'd gotten confirmation from members of the Electoral College on the investigations happening." ITT scandal didn't move poll numbers ITT spokesperson Dita Beard. (Beard later extent and manner of Russia's In July, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, wanted at first. denied that she'd offered Hume this interference in our election before they vote Trump impeached for his "racist tweets" If that's true, it's also possible that confirmation.) Vice President Spiro Agnew on Dec. 19."Nearly 70 Democratic that attacked several Democratic voters simply reach a tipping point on was involved in the affair, holding meetings lawmakers vowed to boycott Trump's freshman House members known as "the presidents like Nixon and Trump who with ITT officials. But Nixon was inauguration. Nearly a dozen Democrats squad." Green tweeted: "[Trump's] can't help but run back into the fire just unchastened and persisted in his quest refused to attend Trump's first State of the racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, days after almost being burned. for reelection by whatever means Union address. In explaining his refusal transphobia, xenophobia, and In 1971, the Department of Justice was necessary. His approval numbers sagged, to attend, Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., said, Islamophobia can no longer be tolerated conducting an independent but his support among Republicans "This is a presidency that has been built or ignored. We must impeach." investigation into ITT, the technology actually increased in the early months of on racism, stupidity and lies, which has One can only marvel at how, with a manufacturing company founded as 1972. In fact, as the ITT scandal unfolded already wasted enough of America's time straight face, Democrats call Trump International Telephone & Telegraph, that spring, most polls were still predicting and I will not waste any more of mine." "racist" while embracing as "kingmaker" when Nixon told then-Deputy Attorney the President would win reelection. Trump's refusal to turn over his tax returns the race card-hustling Rev. Al Sharpton General Richard G. Kleindienst not to (Contd on page 24) provoked claims of corruption. Rep. Bill and refusing to denounce anti-Semitic Pascrell, D-N.J., said: "What's Minister Louis Farrakhan. unprecedented is [Treasury Secretary Of course, for 2 1/2 years, special counsel Steven Mnuchin] refusing to comply with Robert Mueller investigated allegations of our lawful, Article I request. What's Russian "collusion," and he drilled a dry unprecedented is a Justice Department hole. On the issue of obstruction of justice, that again sees its role as being bodyguard he punted. Before the Mueller report came ISSN No. 1554 06X to the executive and not the rule of law. out, House Intelligence Committee Chair Editor in Chief & Publisher : What's unprecedented is an entire federal Adam Schiff, D-Calif., claimed there was Sharanjit Singh Thind government working in concert to shield a "direct evidence [of collusion] but ... also Editor (Political Affairs-India) : Aruna Singh corrupt president from legal abundant circumstantial evidence." accountability." If Congress impeaches Trump, the Senate Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Special Correspondent : There was the bill introduced in April 2017 will not convict. Meanwhile, all this Ukraine Photographers: Hamad Gagandeep Singh (INDIA) by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., with 67 co- business just places attention on Joe's Editorial Intern: Roubin Singh Thind Web Coordinator : Harpreet Singh sponsors, to determine whether to invoke Biden's son. Hunter Biden received a the 25th Amendment, under which a lucrative monthly fee to sit on the board A Publication of Media Partners Capital, Inc. president can be removed if "unable to of directors of a Ukrainian energy discharge the powers and duties of his company, despite his lack of energy REGD & MAILING OFFICE : office." Raskin told Vanity Fair last month: expertise or his inability to speak the local P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 "It is still very much on my mind and the language. Joe Biden's candidacy will be time will come. I don't think of it as an irreparably harmed, increasing the odds alternative remedy for impeachment. They that hard-left Elizabeth Warren will win the Phone: 917 612 3158 TelFax : 516 342 1076 address different problems. The core of Democratic nomination. Trump, post- [email protected], [email protected] the concern of impeachment is high impeachment, can credibly call himself a www.thesouthasianinsider.com crimes and misdemeanors committed by victim of a political vendetta and ride that Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints the president. The core problem addressed narrative to victory in 2020. Well played, expressed by the various writers, authors and forum participants in The South Asian Insider do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Editor. All advertisers advertising in The South Asian Insider assume responsibility for accuracy of their advertisements. The South Asian Insider by the 25th Amendment is the mental or Speaker Pelosi. and/or people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers and don't endorse any product or services advertised in The South Asian Insider. We strongly urge consulting your lawyer before buying/contracting /hiring through the ads published in the newspaper. We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 OP-ED 7 To prevent cooperative bank scams, RBI can use its powers creatively The central bank should act on suspicion, rather than wait for facts. Cooperatives must pass the ‘smell test’ Benjamin Franklin is supposed to combination of elected playing fast and loose with have said that “an ounce of shareholders, community-based depositors’ money. prevention is worth a pound of borrowers, and loose compliance RBI can, similarly, act on auditors cure”. The same can be said of requirements for such banks before a scam is unearthed. The the manner in which we need to leads to cooperative banks being managing director of the PMC deal with scams like that at the popular conduits for funds from bank has said that various audits Punjab & Maharashtra Co- politically-connected people. All were done in a superficial manner operative (PMC) Bank last week. of these are red flags for a normal due to time constraints. It should It is frustrating that another bank. be possible for RBI to prohibit financial scam has been Yet, since there is an apparent firms from undertaking an audit if perpetrated, despite Reserve social and legislative sanction for inspections find the firm has not Bank of India (RBI)’s inspections. a more lax regulatory regime for highlighted the weaknesses. People familiar with the these banks, what more can be Perhaps it could use its good cooperative banking sector will done within RBI’s current powers offices to ensure that other of what we have seen across the disposal are required. These pre- accept that it represents a to prevent fraud? RBI, we believe, regulators such as the Securities financial sector, and given that emptive actions, even if done with compromise between oversight would be well within its powers and Exchange Board of India and the sector is a custodian for public bonafides, may sometimes be and financial inclusion by lending to act on the basis of suspicion the Insurance Regulatory and funds, we must strengthen this challenged in courts. However, a to those who might otherwise not rather than facts (usually Development Authority also place mechanism. This is an easy step mindset to use these tools will get loans. Recognising the risks available when it is too late). such firms on a blacklist before to take. test the extent of the powers of in this sector, RBI has pointed out The suspicions of a regulator are such events occur.In the PMC In cases where an organisation RBI, and also equip the central (Malegham report 2010 and aroused in many ways. If, during case, loans to the property does not pass the “smell test”, bank with better responses as to R.Gandhi reports 2015 ) that the an inspection, a regulator company, Housing Development the approach cannot be one of why they could not have acted dual regulation of cooperative believes that the management Infrastructure Limited, were correctness that stands up to otherwise. It will also force a banks, by the Registrar of doesn’t meet a high standard of allegedly routed through 21,000 legal standards of evidence. This debate on whether the public Cooperative Societies and RBI, transparency, delays providing fake accounts. This would require is because when things go would like greater supervision or inherently dilutes its responses, claims its systems collusion among employees. wrong, public money is lost, and less. effectiveness. In other are not in order, or their managers Taking a leaf from the Securities at that point, relatively few RBI is widely regarded as a role commercial banks, RBI has demonstrate professional and Exchange Commission and stakeholders appreciate model for many central banks, powers to approve directors and incompetence, RBI could ask for the United States’ Food and Drug regulatory forbearance. and has managed its role key managers. In cooperative higher provisions, increased Administration books, RBI could One would be the first to agree extremely well. It has enough banks, it is usually the capital adequacy, and prevent make its whistle-blower that none of these credibility with the public and shareholders who select the the bank from reaching out to the mechanisms more remunerative. recommendations are simple courts to realise that it is unlikely directors, and this is often capital market. RBI can Whistle-blowers become more solutions. However, given the to act in a frivolous manner. In influenced by political selectively send a signal that if courageous if the incentive is politically-connected nature of general, one hopes that after the considerations. Even a cursory such a bank does not large (say, the residual salary due these banks, it is highly unlikely experiences of the last three or look at the boards of most professionalise the board and to them for the rest of their lives). that laws will be changed to four years, the central bank will cooperative banks reveal an management, it will set higher While the whistle-blower system strengthen banking regulations. In choose to take proactive steps astonishing lack of professional standards for provisioning. These must avoid becoming a channel this situation, stronger and more based on prevention. expertise. Furthermore, the are some of the disincentives to for vexatious accusations, in light creative use of tools at RBI’s Govind Sankaranarayanan Drone arms drop: A new security threat emerges on India’s western border Pakistan’s drone drop reflects inimical intent and enhanced capability. Our offensive defence must continue The media discourse over the drone drop is evidence of the pre-emptive strike”. It was response in the category of action against an imminent drone past fortnight has been all about confluence of inimical intent and prominent in China’s 1998 White offensive defence? launch from across the the United Nations General enhanced capability, and is Paper, where Deng Xiaoping was The Indo-Pak narrative has international border in Punjab, Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Lost actually an invasive action quoted as saying: “active defence always been led by Pakistan, with Rajasthan and Gujarat. This in it was the significant news against India. It should be read is not merely defence per se, but India reacting to events. This has would raise political temperatures about the use of drones by as a statement of offensive includes defensive offensives. been so right from the 1947-48 in Pakistan, with the public Pakistan-based entities to airdrop intent, akin to the message the Active defence includes our going war, the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, demanding a response, and this arms and ammunition in Punjab. Indian Airforce strikes on Balakot out, so that if we are attacked we and the last big skirmish at Kargil. cycle could easily get out of Pakistan-based Khalistanis have terrorist camps sent. will certainly counter attack.” In between, from the end-1980s, hand. So, the ball is squarely in always planned to resurrect Balakot changed the rules of The 2019 Chinese White the Pakistani methodology Islamabad’s court, and the themselves. But what they the Indo-Pak dialogue, not just Paper re-emphasises that “the changed to retaining the initiative leadership there will have to lacked was an effective capability vis-à-vis J&K but on the wider military strategic guideline for a via sub-conventional means. Till decide whether it should risk to arm their sympathisers in canvas of inter-State relations. new era adheres to the principles Kargil, it tried to blunt India’s such a turn of events. Punjab, and/or be a conduit for India upped the ante and of defence, self-defence and post- conventional advantage by The almost insane transfer of weaponry to terrorists signalled that there was a change strike response, and adopts attempting to lower the nuclear proliferation of drones in the in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), in the way New Delhi would active defence”. It keeps to the threshold, unsuccessfully. open market has added to the where supplies are choked due approach matters of security. The stance that “we will not attack Balakot was the final proof that it woes of the security the security clampdown in the narrative until then had been one unless we are attacked, but we has failed. establishment of every country. Valley. Be that as it may, a new of strategic restraint, but Balakot will surely counter-attack if Nobody is buying the nuclear While its use as an “errand boy” security threat has opened up on conveyed that, hereafter, it would attacked”. bogey raised again at the UNGA in operations other than war is our western border. be offensive defence. India neglected this approach by Prime Minister Imran Khan, noteworthy, the misuse of the In the field of national security, The strategy of offensive of China to its disadvantage in and hence the only option for capability it brings to bad guys a confluence of a nation’s intent defence has generally been 1962, but has been resolute ever Pakistan would be to keep the can have enervating effects on and capability results in action. associated with the strategic since vis-à-vis its northern sub-conventional pot simmering. a nation’s security. India can While the intent is governed culture of China. Andrew Scobell, neighbour — as seen in It is in this context that the gravity afford to take it easy on the mainly by politico-economic a professor in the US Army War numerous border stand-offs, the of the drone arms drop in Punjab drone drops in Punjab at its own factors, the availability of new College, in a landmark 2002 last one being at Doklam. The needs to be seen. With India’s peril. New Delhi must not leave technology becomes a catalyst study, brought out that Chinese same had not been so vis-à-vis new normal of offensive defence, any element of doubt in its in implementing the State’s intent officials “.. broadly define defence Pakistan till Balakot happened. the Indian military could well be approach to this serious through enhanced capability. The as virtually anything, including a Can the drone drops result in a authorised to take pre-emptive development on its western front. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 OPINION 8 Fadnavis aims to consolidate Maharashtra turf, tough test for Opposition

In five years, Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as a leader in his own right. He has battled internal rivals, established a strong administrative grip, engineered large-scale defections from opposition parties to swell the ranks of the BJP in areas where the party had been weak, and set up a working relationship with Sena chief Uddhay Thackeray. which had been dominated by Centre has enabled the party endeavour would be to retain give the BJP an edge. other castes politically; and to bank on what Modi has the party’s vote share in the In five years, Fadnavis has a man with a strong RSS been calling “double-engine” Lok Sabha elections in emerged as a leader in his background -- as CM. -- where having the same Maharashtra. “We have own right. While Modi was the Five years later, dispensation at both the chalked out a plan to reach face of the national campaign, Fadnavis faces a re-election. central and state level would out to every voter and every the fact that BJP and Shiv The politics of the nation has lead to greater coordination, household to ensure that they Sena got 41 of the 48 seats changed with the continued more resources, and, vote for us. We have planned in the Lok Sabha is also hegemony of the BJP; the therefore, more development. the campaign in phases,” he seen, partly, as an politics of the state has The argument resonated with added. endorsement of Fadnavis. He changed, with BJP the voters of Maharashtra in There is one other element of has battled internal rivals, consolidating its gains and 2014, and could well do so the national picture which has established a strong For the Bharatiya Janata Shiv Sena in an alliance that establishing its status as the again. salience for Maharashtra - the administrative grip, Party (BJP), Maharashtra came to power in the 1990s. senior partner in the alliance The BJP-led central paralysis in the Congress’s engineered large-scale has always occupied a But never had the party been with the Shiv Sena; and the government’s moves too have decision-making and its defections from opposition special place. It was here, in able to install its own leader Opposition - of Congress and helped. Its perceived strong national projection. The parties to swell the ranks of Mumbai (then Bombay), that as the chief minister. the Nationalist Congress stance on terror and party’s inability to the BJP in areas where the the BJP was formed in 1980. And that is why 2014 Party - faces its toughest Pakistan, and its decision to communicate a strong party had been weak, and And it is here, in Nagpur, that was such a significant election. The state votes on effectively abrogate Article counter to the BJP, its despite the Shiv Sena’s the headquarters of the breakthrough for the BJP. October 21. 370, reports suggest, seem leadership crisis wherein it consistent criticism, and set Rashtriya Swayamsevak Coming soon after Narendra Elections to the to have wide popular backing. took months to find a up a working relationship with Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s Modi’s spectacular victory in Maharashtra assembly are Party president Amit Shah, at replacement for former chief Sena chief Uddhay ideological fount, has been the Lok Sabha elections, the happening in a particular a meeting in Mumbai, Rahul Gandhi, and its Thackeray. based since its founding in BJP emerged as the single- national backdrop. declared that Article 370 is an organisational weakness have Ashish Chandorkar, a public 1925. Yet, the BJP’s own largest party in the Modi has won his second election issue and asked had an impact on all states policy analyst in Pune who political quest for power in Maharashtra assembly. It term as PM. And he remains, Congress to come up with its — including Maharashtra. has written a book on Maharashtra had always went on to appoint Devendra by all accounts, the country’s stance. This national background is Fadnavis, said the CM turned been unsuccessful. It had Fadnavis - a young, Nagpur most popular leader. The fact BJP spokesperson Madhav supplemented by a set of on their head all the limitations been a junior partner to the leader, a Brahman, in a state that BJP is in power at the Bhandari said the party’s local factors, which appear to he faced in politics. RSS backs govt on economy, says lynching a western idea Bhagwat also stressed that belief in a “Hindu Rashtra” did not mean being “anti-minority”, and drew a distinction between the Sangh’s call for cow protection and the violence by vigilantes, asserting that the Sangh’s cadre are not involved in lynching, which, he said, was a “foreign” concept. Rashtriya Swayamsevak mainstay of the Sangh softened its stance on the government is currently Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan chief’s speech. issue. considering and which the Bhagwat on Tuesday At a time when even the “…To strengthen the Sangh’s offshoots are defended the Union RSS’s own offshoots have economy, the government vehemently opposed to, government against expressed concern about is compelled to take Bhagwat said India must criticism of its economic the state of the economy steps, such as allowing formulate its own policy, but underscored the and slump in production, FDI and disinvestment of economic policy. The need for protecting Bhagwat tried to blunt the industries. However, while emphasis, he said, must domestic interests, firming criticism of the implementing many be in creating more and up trade agreements on government’s policies by government schemes and more employment, with the India’s terms, and stating the Centre is welfare policies at the lower least consumption of insulating the economy sensitive towards the level, more alacrity and energy, and expanding agriculture in particular, in pitched for making the from global turbulence. economy and has taken efficiency and avoiding trade relations with the the name of free trade. This army self-sufficient and Bhagwat also stressed certain steps, and it is the unnecessary stringency world on the basis of its needs to be stopped,” said said while it was imperative that belief in a “Hindu responsibility of everyone can set many matters strength and terms. He Ashwani Mahajan, the to purchase equipment for Rashtra” did not mean to contribute to the nation’s right,” Bhagwat said. also said India should not national convener of SJM. the armed forces from being “anti-minority”, and progress. He reiterated the concept give into to any kind of arm- Govind Lele, general countries abroad, it was drew a distinction between “The slowing down of the of Swadeshi and echoed twisting when it comes to secretary of LUB, said equally important to the Sangh’s call for cow world economy has left its the concerns of offshoots trade negotiations or feel centralisation of money ensure that the terms of the protection and the violence impact everywhere. Many such as the Swadeshi compelled to give up its power and monopolistic trade are not skewed. The by vigilantes, asserting countries, including India, Jagran Manch (SJM) and rights to self sufficiency. practices are challenges Sangh chief also sought to that the Sangh’s cadre are have to suffer the result of the Laghu Udyog Bharati “…This has been the that have to be addressed. dispel the notion that its not involved in lynching, the ongoing global trade (LUB) when he pitched for stated position always. He said just as globalised cadre are involved in cases which, he said, was a war between the US and more room and attention of However, it is significant economies use of violence against “foreign” concept. China,” he said, adding the small and medium that Bhagwat ji has interventions, such as anti- minorities by distancing In his annual Vijayadashmi “…personalities leading our enterprises. He also reiterated at this time, when dumping duties or tariff Sangh volunteers from speech in Nagpur, economy are competent quoted Sangh ideologue officials negotiating RCEP barriers, to protect their vigilantes. “The Sangh has Bhagwat chose to applaud enough.” Dattopant Thengadi and are pushing India into an domestic sectors, India, never supported people the Narendra Modi The RSS, which has Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s unequal and disastrous too, should have who were involved in such government for decisions traditionally opposed push for self-reliance. treaty, caving in to the mechanisms to offer equal incidents and it stands such as the nullification of Foreign Direct Investment Without naming the demands of China and opportunities to the local against each and every Article 370, beefing up (FDI) in spheres such as Regional Comprehensive other countries, manufacturers. such incident. security, and the dip in multi-brand retail, food Economic Partnership detrimental to the interests This is not the first time Swayamsevaks are terror incidents. processing, defence (RCEP), a trade of Indian economy in that Bhagwat has raised working in this direction so But it was concerns about production and the pharma agreement involving 15 general and the issue of MSMEs. In is that such incidents do not the economy that were the sector, seemed to have other nations the manufacturing, dairy and speech last year, he take place. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 OPINION 9 The Congress is failing in its democratic duty The party’s job is to challenge the incumbent. But it seems to have given up In a fortnight from now, two cursory glance at the and dissent by influential the national level, has key states — Maharashtra Congress’ preparations for figures like Sanjay criticised the government’s and Haryana — will go to the polls shows how weak Nirupam. Two, the party’s moves on Kashmir — but polls. Both states have been it has become. For one, in campaign has been in Haryana, Hooda is Congress bastions in the both states, there has lacklustre — even as the supportive of it. And finally, past, with the party leading been a high degree of Bharatiya Janata Party the party’s organisational the government in Haryana internal factionalism. The chief ministers, Manohar weakness and its inability for 10 years between 2004 feud between Ashok Lal Khattar and Devendra to enthuse are visible. All and 2014, and 15 years in Tanwar and former Chief Fadnavis, have been on the these issues can be Maharashtra between 1999 Minister Bhupinder Singh road for months. The traced to a crisis at the and 2014. Both states have Hooda was resolved in Congress has been unable top. Rahul Gandhi quit thrown up important leaders favour of the latter only a to mobilise public as president, and to actively spend time on address discontent, and for the Congress in the past, month ago — but it has sentiment even though it appears to have the ground campaigning. build a mass movement, been key avenues for come at the cost of Mr could have capitalised on retreated from day-to- Until the national the Congress’ future will resource mobilisation for the Tanwar quitting the party. anti-incumbency. Three, day functioning. Sonia leadership is able to remain bleak. By almost party, and contributed to its There has also been large- the Congress’ lack of clarity Gandhi’s political firmly resolve issues in giving up even before voting, national dominance. scale defections of party on key ideological issues instincts remain sharp, state units, carve out an it is failing in its task as the But that is history. Even a leaders in Maharashtra is apparent. The party, at but she will not be able agenda and political line, country’s primary opposition. India must resist China’s Tibet plan PM Modi should encourage Beijing to talk to the Tibetans, and facilitate a Xi-Dalai Lama meeting

issue of Dalai Lama’s ties. economic clout, it can deter Dalai Lama’s wishes reincarnation has led to To the Tibetans, the countries from coming on his reincarnation, questions about whether struggle to choose the forward on the issue. It and act proactively to there is adequate Dalai Lama’s perhaps also believes that ensure these will be realisation, willingness reincarnation reflects the Tibetans, who identify all endorsed by not just the and preparation within the struggle for leadership of hopes and aspirations with Tibetans but the Chinese President Xi usual irritants in bilateral Government of India to Tibetan Buddhism. More the person of the 14th Dalai Buddhist world at large. Jinping is expected to relations such as the thwart China’s design to than political, the Tibetan Lama, will not only be The US Congress has arrive soon for his border dispute and trade ultimately install its own struggle is a civilisational demoralised at his passing already passed the second informal meeting imbalance, not much candidate in Potala one for survival of its on, but also fragment into “Tibetan Policy and with Prime Minister progress is expected on Palace. unique culture and ineffectual uncoordinated Support Act of 2019”, Narendra Modi. The the traditional faultlines in Though the Dalai Lama identity. It is sustained by groups, bereft of financial which has officially coming summit is taking Sino-Indian relations. has spoken of various a deep attachment to and political backers. declared China has no place in the backdrop of Even though Tibet does possibilities regarding his their spiritual leaders, the For New Delhi to acquiesce role in selecting the important developments not seem to figure on the reincarnation, he has highest of whom is the to any such Chinese design reincarnation of the on which the two agenda, the meeting will consistently rejected any Dalai Lama. China has would be a folly. It must not Dalai Lama. countries have taken be followed with Chinese government role not been able to dilute this fall prey to arguments that Some Chinese scholars confronting stands. particular interest in in the process. He has loyalty to any significant the passing on of the Dalai have argued that the While China advised Dharamshala. This stated that if he extent. Its experiment to Lama would remove an approach to suppress restraint on rising follows misgivings in reincarnates, it will be in install an imposter obstacle to border Tibetan civilisational tensions with Pakistan some Tibetan quarters a free country, thereby Panchen Lama has failed. settlement and normalise aspirations has neither following the Pulwama that New Delhi is ruling out China or Attempts to mould an relations with China. succeeded nor is likely and Balakot episodes, it gradually diluting its Chinese-controlled Tibet. indoctrinated monastic Given its policy of to. This should be our has openly criticised support to the Tibetan He has instructed order have also not regaining its lost advice too to President India on the recent cause. This impression Tibetans to reject any succeeded. Its repressive territories, assertions on Xi. The time has come constitutional and gained ground following Chinese appointee as an measures indicate China Arunachal Pradesh and for India to encourage administrative changes the government’s imposter. The Chinese remains wary of civil Ladakh, its military build- China to convert its in Jammu and Kashmir. direction to tone down have been equally unrest of the kind that up in Tibet, plans to build intermittent contacts It reiterated its claim on the “Thank You India” emphatic, declaring that erupted in Tibet in 2008. dams and divert river with the Dalai Lama into all of Ladakh, stating the programme that the choosing the next Dalai n authoritarian regime waters, and its formal or structured changes violated China’s central Tibetan Lama is their historical cannot countenance an undermining of India in talks to find an territorial integrity which administration had prerogative. Chinese institution not under its its neighbourhood, acceptable solution. A it would not “idly watch”. planned in January 2018, officials conveyed a blunt control. Therefore, there can be no bold step for Modi It supported Pakistan in and the subsequent message to the appointing its own Dalai assuaging China. On could be to facilitate a the United Nations and directive that elected Government of India Lama is a strategic priority. the contrary, supporting meeting between Xi has additionally objected leaders and senior through visiting Indian What has encouraged the Tibetans Jinping and the Dalai to the army exercise government officials journalists that New Beijing to vehemently strengthens India’s Lama, like the one the currently underway in should avoid sharing a Delhi’s failure to not assert its intentions is its hand in dealing with latter held with Premier Arunachal Pradesh, public platform with the recognise Beijing’s perception that international China. New Delhi Chou en-Lai in New which it claims as its Dalai Lama. The recent candidate would support for Tibet is flagging, should take immediate Delhi in 1956. own. So, apart from the war of words over the adversely affect bilateral and with its political and steps to ascertain the Amitabh Mathur Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 VIEWPOINT 10 ‘Jobs lost, businesses shutting down’: Uddhav Thackeray’s caustic message Uddhav Thackeray said that vendetta politics should not be practiced, hinting at the use of investigating agencies such as Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against political opponents. In a veiled jibe at the part of the interview to who have murdered the Enforcement Directorate practice vendetta Instead, he spoke about Bharatiya Janata Party- Sena leader and trees will have to pay the (ED) and the Central politics... Honestly, this climate change led government at the Saamana editor Sanjay price for it.” He said they Bureau of Investigation issue was not required becoming an issue not Centre, Shiv Sena chief Raut, Thackeray spoke are opposing the site of (CBI) against political before the elections,” he just for Maharashtra but Uddhav Thackeray said on a range of issues, car shed and not the car opponents. said. He also took on the for the world. He said that whether one accepts including its opposition to shed. The Mumbai Metro The 59-year-old leader Congress-NCP party for that lately the volume of the current economic the car depot at Aarey felled 2,141 trees at the said that vindictive vindictive politics in case rain received in a month slowdown or not the Milk Colony in Goregaon, Aarey Milk Colony, known politics has no place in of Sena founder Bal is poured in a day. problems of job and Mumbai, about issues in as the city’s green lung, Maharashtra. He was Thackeray in 2000 over The Sena chief is on business losses persist. Centre’s crop insurance before the Supreme Court referring to the ED case an editorial in Saamana Tuesday scheduled to “Whether there is scheme, handling of the stepped in to stop cutting against Nationalist written during the mid- address a traditional economic slowdown or drought and flood- of trees till further orders. Congress Party Sharad 1990s. Dussehra rally in Shivaji not we will see later but affected areas in The felling was preceded Pawar and his nephew Maharashtra floods Park in Dadar, Mumbai. jobs are going, Maharashtra, etc. by massive protests by Ajit Pawar. “If the When asked if the state He is expected to speak businesses are shutting Won’t spare murderer people government is acting government has lagged on various issues faced down this is clearly of trees in Aarey’ ‘Vendetta politics’ with vengeance or with a behind in providing relief by the state. visible and let us accept Thackeray also attacked The Sena chief said that mindset of vendetta to flood-affected people Traditionally, the that,” Thackeray said in the state administration vendetta politics should [then] my firm opinion is and the ones reeling Dussehra rally is where an interview to party over the felling of trees in not be practiced, hinting that power and rights under drought in parts of the Sena chief gives mouthpiece Saamana. Aarey for a Metro car at the use of investigating should not be misused Marathwada, Thackeray political messages to its In the second and final shed and said, “Babus agencies such as and no one should did not answer directly. cadre. Ahead of PM Modi-Prez Xi meet this SC must uphold justice, says Kamal Haasan week, a shift in China’s Kashmir stand on sedition case against celebrities The change in Beijing’s position comes on a day when Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday hoped that the Supreme Court Beijing, and days ahead of President Xi will uphold justice in the sedition case filed against 49 eminent personalities Jinping’s India visit where he will have the pointing out that the case was against the letter and spirit of Prime Minister second round of the “informal summit” Narendra Modi’s aspirations of ’harmonious India’. with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday hoped that the Supreme Court will uphold justice in the sedition case filed against 49 eminent personalities pointing out that the case was against the letter and spirit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aspirations of ’harmonious India’.

Last week, an FIR was filed in China on Tuesday said the Premier Li Keqiang and head Bihar’s Muzaffarpur against issue of Kashmir should be of China’s Parliament, personalities, including directors resolved between India and National People’s Congress Aparna Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan Pakistan through dialogue chief, Li Zhansu during his visit, and writer-columnist Ramchandra personalities, including directors FIR has been lodged against and consultation, omitting the his third this year.Pakistan Guha for alleged sedition over a Aparna Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan forty-nine of our colleagues in the recent references Beijing had army chief, General Qamar letter they wrote to the PM in July, and writer-columnist Ramchandra cultural community, simply made about addressing the Javed Bajwa will hold a series voicing concern over growing Guha for alleged sedition over a because they performed their dispute in accordance with of high-level meetings incidents of mob lynching. letter they wrote to the PM in July, duty as respected members of the UN Charter, UN Security including with his People’s “The Prime minister seeks a voicing concern over growing civil society. They wrote an open Council resolutions and Liberation Army counterpart. harmonious India. His statements incidents of mob lynching. letter to the Prime Minister, bilateral agreement. The Answering a query on Khan’s in the Parliament confirm it. Should Over 180 members of the cultural expressing concern about mob change in Beijing’s position visit and whether Kashmir was not the state and its law follow it in community, including actor lynching in our country. “Can this comes on a day when Prime discussed, foreign ministry letter and spirit? 49 of my peers Naseeruddin Shah, be called an act of sedition? Or is Minister Imran Khan is in spokesperson, Geng Shuang have been accused, of sedition, cinematographer Anand Pradhan, harassment by misusing the Beijing, and days ahead of said Beijing’s stand on the contradicting the PM’s aspirations,” historian Romila Thapar and courts a ploy to silence citizens’ President Xi Jinping’s India dispute has been consistent. the veteran of close to 200 Tamil, activist Harsh Mander among voices?” the letter read. The visit where he will have the “And, so you are paying Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and others, condemned the FIR signatories, including writers second round of the “informal attention to the Kashmir issue, Kannada movies wrote on twitter. lodged against 49 celebrities for Ashok Vajpeyi and Jerry Pinto, summit” with Prime Minister right? China’s position on The Tamil politician added, “I an open letter they wrote to Prime academician Ira Bhaskar, poet Narendra Modi.China will Kashmir issue is clear and request as a citizen that Our Higher Minister Narendra Modi. In new Jeet Thayil, author Shamsul announce President Xi’s visit consistent. We call on India courts move in to uphold justice letter issued on Monday, October Islam, musician TM Krishna and to India, and possibly Nepal, and Pakistan to engage in with Democracy and quash the 7, the eminent personalities filmmaker-activist Saba Dewan, later this week at a special dialogue and consultation on all case emanating from Bihar.” questioned how writing an open promised they will continue to briefing on Wednesday. issues including Kashmir issue Last week, an FIR was filed in letter to the prime minister could speak up against silencing of Meanwhile, Khan will meet Xi, and consolidate mutual trust. Bihar’s Muzaffarpur against be called “an act of sedition”. “An “people’s voices”. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 INDIA-CURRENT AFFAIRS 11 Pak's Army Chief Talk Kashmir With Chinese Military Leadership In Beijing Chief of Army Staff Bajwa and Pak PM Imran Khan will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang later in the day. visit, Dawn news reported. PLA headquarters. The two needs to respect UN stability in the region. The According to the ISPR, the sides discussed regional resolutions and ensure the two sides also discussed the Pakistani military's media security environment and human rights of developing situation in Gulf wing, Gen Bajwa called on Pakistan China defence Kashmiris," reads the and efforts for peace in (News Agencies) Beijing, the Inter-Services Commander Army General cooperation, the ISPR ISPR statement. The Afghanistan. Both sides Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Public Relations (ISPR) said. Han Weiguo of the said. "The COAS apprised military leadership of both agreed to enhance (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Beijing earlier People's Liberation Army Chinese military the countries agreed that existing defence Bajwa and the Chinese on Tuesday, just hours (PLA), and General Xu leadership about the continued unresolved cooperation. Bajwa and military leadership on before Prime Minister Imran Qiliang, Vice Chairman of ongoing situation in Pakistan-India tensions Khan will meet President Tuesday discussed the Khan reached the Chinese the Central Military Kashmir if it's not amicably will have serious Xi Jinping and Premier Li Kashmir issue here in capital on his official two-day Commission (CMC), at the resolved, for which India implications for peace and Keqiang later in the day. India-born AQIS chief Asim Umar killed in Afghanistan A US treasury statement on Asim Umar’s designation as a “specially designated global terrorist” in June 2016 gave his place of birth as Sambhal and said he was born between 1974 and 1976. officials said. A US treasury Umar as “a Pakistani conditions in the talks, Pakistan Navy frigate. AQIS statement on Umar’s citizen”, though people in which broke down last also claimed responsibility designation as a “specially Kabul familiar with month, was that the Taliban for the murder of activists designated global terrorist” developments said this would not allow al-Qaeda and writers in Bangladesh, in June 2016 gave his place could be because the slain and other terror groups to including US citizen Avijit of birth as Sambhal and said terrorist was found with a operate from Afghan soil. Roy and US embassy he was born between 1974 Pakistani identity card. The “The AQIS chief’s presence employee Xulhaz Mannan. and 1976. The National NDS said the slain AQIS in a Taliban compound While in Pakistan, Umar Directorate of Security members were “embedded suggests the Taliban have studied at Karachi’s (NDS), the Afghan spy inside the Taliban compound no intention of cutting their notorious Jamia Uloomul agency, tweeted: “#NDS in the Taliban stronghold of ties with al-Qaeda,” said an Islamia madrassa, which can now confirm the death Musa Qala”. US and Afghan Indian security official who has produced several of Asim Omar, leader of #Al forces conducted an asked not to be named. In terrorist commanders, and Qaeda in the #Indian extensive overnight June 2016, the US state at Darul Uloom Haqqani in Subcontinent (AQIS), in a operation in Helmand on department announced the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, joint US-Afghan raid on a September 22-23 and initial designation of both Umar another madrassa with Taliban compound in Musa reports suggested that and AQIS as terrorists. close links to the Taliban. Qala district of Helmand Umar escaped. There were Ayman al-Zawahiri Umar came in contact with province on Sep 23.” The also reports that some 40 announced the formation of Osama bin Laden, the slain al- (News Agencies) Asim Afghanistan’s spy agency NDS said Umar was killed civilians were killed in an air AQIS in a video in Qaeda chief, while training in Umar, the India-born terrorist announced on Tuesday. with six other AQIS strike during the operation. September 2014. AQIS Afghanistan. He also played who led al-Qaeda in the Umar was born Shaan-ul- members, most of them Umar’s death in a Taliban subsequently claimed a key role in al-Qaeda’s Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) Haq at Sambhal, Uttar Pakistanis. Among the dead base raises questions about responsibility for the online propaganda operations since its creation in 2014, Pradesh, and went to was “Raihan, Omar’s courier the militant group’s pledges September 6, 2014 attack and was believed to have was killed in a joint US- Pakistan in 1995 and joined to Ayman al-Zawahiri”, the during talks with the US on a naval dockyard in close ties with Indian Afghan raid on a Taliban the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen head of al-Qaeda, it added. about breaking ties with al- Karachi, during which Mujahideen and Ansar-ut- compound last month, (HuM), Indian security The NDS’ tweets described Qaeda. One of the key terrorists tried to hijack a Tawhid fi Bilad al-Hind. Kashmir saved, and then drowned Imran Khan ? To hide his failures, he ratcheted up the Kashmir rhetoric. But with little to show, he now stares at marginalisation. (News Agencies) Pakistan’s according to a Pakistani Kashmir. For both the Pakistan diplomatic effort undertaken by Khan returned to a Pakistan “selected” Prime Minister Imran political observer, there are no government and the all-powerful Pakistan was part of a build-up which was in even deeper Khan has thrown everything he’s rumours in Islamabad, only military, whipping up emotions that would climax in what was economic and political crisis got into agitating over the issue premature facts — had for some and passions over the enormity expected to be a path-breaking than what it was when he of Jammu and Kashmir, both on weeks been churning out stories of India’s actions in Kashmir speech by Khan at the United proclaimed himself an the international stage as well about how the “selectors” (read also served the purpose of Nations General Assembly ambassador of Kashmir. as at the bilateral level with Pakistan’s military deflecting attention of the people (UNGA). The UNGA speech The spike in his India. Counter-intuitive though it establishment) were unhappy from their existential crises. certainly wowed his diehard political stock because of his may appear, the change in the with their selection, and were For nearly two months, supporters back home. But UNGA speech did not quite constitutional status of the contemplating either changing the Pakistani media was once the high was over, reflect in the stock markets erstwhile state of Jammu and the “team” or perhaps just the saturated with news related to questions started being asked back home. Pakistan’s Kashmir has given a temporary “captain”. Kashmir. The country went into on what it achieved. The hype economy has continued to tank. lease of life to Khan. But after August 5, a propaganda overdrive to not around the speech had created With the opposition itching to A little over a year in office, Khan these rumours receded. just internationalise Kashmir, an impression that as soon as oust him using his own dharna has proved himself to be an Overnight, growing panic over but also mobilise the people to Khan steps off the UNGA playbook, and reports of utterly clueless and the collapsing economy and make it the primary agenda of podium, India would be forced discontent within his own ranks, incompetent administrator. The rising economic distress gave the Pakistani State and society. to abandon Kashmir. But things are likely to go further rumour mills in Islamabad — way to national hysteria over The entire domestic and Kashmir wasn’t “liberated” and south for Khan. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 INDIA-CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 Saudi Arabia rules women can join armed forces (News Agencies) Saudi forces. Crown Prince Arabia announced Mohammed bin Salman, the Wednesday it will allow kingdom’s de facto ruler, has women in the ultra- approved a handful of reforms conservative kingdom to serve aimed at widening women’s in the armed forces as it rights, including allowing embarks on a broad them to drive and to travel programme of economic and abroad without consent from social reforms. The move is the a male “guardian”.But he has latest in a series of measures at the same time overseen aimed at increasing the rights of the arrest of several women in the kingdom, even as prominent women’s rights rights groups accuse Riyadh of campaigners, including cracking down on women activist Loujain al-Hathloul. activists. “Another step to Saudi Arabia, the world’s Bernie Sanders to scale back campaign empowerment,” the foreign largest crude exporter, is ministry wrote on Twitter, adding pushing to improve its that women would be able to image and attract tourists schedule in the wake of heart attack serve as private first class, as part of a plan to corporal or sergeant. Last year, diversify its economy (News Agencies) Sen. Bernie campaign manager weighed in. weigh on how people feels about you, Saudi Arabia authorised away from oil. First Sanders said Tuesday he is prepared "As Bernie said, we are going to have and my own view is that it's the voters women to join its security Published: Oct 10, to change the nature of his an active campaign," said Faiz who view you look at the totality of presidential campaign after seeing a Shakir. "Instead of a breakneck who the candidate is," He said. "You cardiologist in his hometown of series of events that lap the field, we look at what that candidate stands Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay Burlington, VT. The exam served as are going to keep a marathoner's for the integrity of that candidate, the a follow-up appointment after Sanders pace that still manages to outrun history of our candidates, I've been was hospitalized for more than two everyone else." fighting for working families, for my $8 billion over drug side effect days when he suffered a heart attack Sanders was in Nevada last week entire adult life." (News Agencies) A awarded “grossly last week on the campaign trail. when he experienced what his Sanders said earlier on Tuesday he Pennsylvania jury ruled disproportionate” with the Sanders told reporters outside of his campaign described the next had been "dumb" to ignore recent Tuesday that US initial award in the case of home that he won't be able to keep morning as "chest discomfort." symptoms, including increased pharmaceutical giant $680,000. “The company is up the robust schedule he and his Sanders had two stents inserted fatigue, that might have been related Johnson & Johnson must confident (the ruling) will be supporters have become after doctors found an arterial to the heart attack he suffered last pay $8 billion in damages overturned,” the statement accustomed to during his 2016 and blockage and remained hospitalized week. and interest for failing to said, and “will be 2020 campaign. "We were doing (in) over the next few days. On Friday, "I must confess, I was dumb," warn that a psychiatric drug immediately moving to set some cases five or six meetings the campaign confirmed that he had Sanders told reporters outside his could cause breast growth aside this excessive and today, three or four rallies and town suffered a heart attack. Sanders home in Burlington, Vermont. "During in men. Johnson & unfounded verdict.” In the meetings and meeting with groups returned to Vermont this weekend this campaign, I've been doing, in Johnson and its subsidiary statement, Johnson & of people. I don't think I'm going to do and is not expected back on the some cases three or four rallies a Janssen Pharmaceuticals Johnson accused the court that," Sanders said. "But I certainly campaign trail before next week's day, running all over the state -- Iowa, were blamed as plaintiff of preventing their defense intend to be actively campaigning. I Democratic primary debate in Ohio. New Hampshire, wherever. And yet Nicholas Murray told the team from presenting “key think we can change the nature of While Sanders said he plans to scale I, in the last month of two, just was Philadelphia court that the evidence” on Risperdal the campaign a bit. Make sure I have things back, he gave no indication more fatigued than I usually have drug Risperdal, prescribed labeling. The company is the strength to do what needs to be that he plans to end his bid for the been." to treat schizophrenia and facing a series of complaints done." White House any time soon. He did In his most detailed in-person bipolar disorder, had made in state courts for failing to The admission by Sanders though acknowledge that his health comments since falling ill, Sanders him grow breasts. properly warn of Risperdal’s marks the first tangible long-term issues may be something that voters expressed regret over not having The company challenged side effects, including in adjustment to his campaign plan take into account when they judge sought medical attention sooner. the ruling in a statement, Pennsylvania, California and going forward in the wake of the heart his candidacy. calling the damages Missouri. attack. Later in the day, his "Everything that happens every day, China asserts it will protect ally Pakistan’s core interests In a swift response, India’s external affairs ministry said Kashmir is an integral part of the country and it was not for other nations to comment on India’s internal affairs. (News Agencies) Two days After Khan called for efforts to the situation” and that the holding a large-scale military “As far as we know, the so-called ahead of his informal summit avoid the deterioration of the Chinese side is “paying close exercise in the “disputed eastern military exercise is not a fact, it with Prime Minister Narendra situation in Kashmir, Xi said the attention to the current situation sector” as it hasn’t taken is not true.” “Second, the region Modi in India, President Xi “right and wrong of the situation in Jammu & Kashmir”. In a swift place.After formally announcing you mentioned is a sensitive Jinping said China was was clear”, according to state- response, India’s external affairs Xi’s visit to India, vice foreign region and we don’t want to hear closely following the situation run Xinhua news agency. Xi ministry said Kashmir is an minister Luo Zhaohui told a that reference,” Luo said, in Kashmir and will support added that the two parties should integral part of the country and special briefing: “We have no seemingly setting aside, Pakistan on issues related to resolve the dispute through it was not for other nations to worry at all because that is not even dousing, a controversy its “core interests”. Xi’s peaceful dialogue. The Kashmir comment on India’s internal true.” He was responding to a ahead of the visit. The remarks, made during a issue also found mention in a affairs. question by the Chinese media exercise in question is the meeting with visiting Pakistan joint statement issued after the Khan was on a two-day visit that on whether Beijing was Indian Army’s “Him Vijay” Prime Minister Imran Khan on Xi-Khan meeting, which said the was primarily aimed at seeking concerned that the military drill, taking place 100km Wednesday, reflected China’s Chinese leader “reiterated China’s support on the Kashmir exercise in the “disputed eastern from the Line of Actual consistent support to its all- solidarity with Pakistan in issue. sector” could impact the Control (LAC) in Arunachal weather ally Pakistan – an safeguarding its territorial China also sought to play down summit. To a question from HT Pradesh. News reports from issue that emerged as an sovereignty, independence and other irritants that have hit on whether he was referring to India said it is the biggest irritant in the run-up to the security”. The statement further bilateral relations with India, with the military exercise in exercise to test the combat second India-China informal said China “opposes any a top Chinese diplomat saying Arunachal Pradesh, which China capabilities of new integrated summit on October 11-12. unilateral actions that complicate Beijing isn’t worried about India claims as south Tibet, Luo said: battle groups. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 13 GOP presidential candidate Mark Sanford warns of ‘financial storm the likes of which we’ve never seen’ President Trump is a Don federal budget for 2019 is condition of the country to relative to GDP that we’ve Quixotic-like quest. $3.4 billion and runs a a family in the ever had in peace time. And “Obviously my running is similar deficit. “If we wait neighborhood with “an not all of that is the preposterous at a whole five years for the next incredible lifestyle” that president’s fault, I want to number of different levels, presidential debate, the includes expensive make it clear. It doesn’t all it’s a daunting task, an storm will already have vehicles and a large go at his feet; it has been impossible David and come. I believe that they’re home. They were the accumulating for a while, Goliath story. But I’m right, I believe we don’t envy of the neighbors but he’s not doing anything running because the buddies have eight years,” Sanford with all their toys and about it. He hasn’t even who kept encouraging me to said. “I believe in the next gadget and a life of started the conversation.” do so kept saying ‘You’ve four years, very much in comfort. “But then years “When he ran, he said ‘If you (News Agencies) Mark government a central part invested a long number of our lives, very much later, there comes a elect me, I will eliminate the Sanford, who is running for of his campaign. The years in your life to financial impacting our retirement financial storm and they debt over the eight years I the Republican deficit is expected to top prudence and financial accounts, very much get wiped out,” Sanford might be in office.’ That’s presidential nomination, $24 trillion next year, a rise restraint.’ And we don’t have impacting our building and said. “Turns out they were what he said. Instead his issued dire warnings about of $5.9 trillion since 2015, the luxury of waiting four jobs, will be a financial just jacking up the credit own budgets propose raising the financial future of the and the growth of years ‘til the next presidential storm the likes of which cards and creating the the national debt by $9 U.S. A former two-term spending shows no signs cycle to have this debate.” we’ve never seen because illusion of real wealth. billion. If you look at the governor of South Carolina of slowing down. “I don’t The federal budget proposed there is always a straw That’s what is happening in assumptions behind who also spent a think we have eight to 10 by Trump for 2020 is a record that breaks the camel’s our country right now. them, they are rather combined 12 years in years, that’s why I’m $4.746 trillion, which would back.” Sanford added that We’re running the largest hopeful, I’ll leave it at that. Congress, Sanford is running,” Sanford told FOX increase the deficit by $1.1 “our math doesn’t add up deficits we’ve ever run in our So the actual deficit making fiscal Business. He admitted trillion, according to in Washington.” He likens country’s history in peace. increase will be more than responsibility in trying to unseat incumbent estimates. The current the current financial We’ve had the largest debt $9 billion.” Iranian Instagram star 'arrested for blasphemy' (News Agencies) An education, blasphemy, exaggeratedly upturned news agency Sputnik, Iranian Instagram star insulting the Islamic veil, nose and extra-large pouty published in December famous for her radical spreading hatred and lips. 2017, she debunked most appearance and cosmetic encouraging youth to In some pictures, she also of the claims made about surgery has been arrested commit corruption. boasts a white plaster on her. for blasphemy by the Tehran Tasnim reported that her nose, reminiscent of the "It is Photoshop and Prosecutor's Office, complaints were made ones worn by plastic makeup," she told Sputnik. according to the country's about her to the surgery patients. "Every time I publish a photo semi-official Tasnim News prosecutor's office. Sahar Tabar became a I make my face more fun. It agency. Tasnim News said On Instagram -- where her minor viral sensation in is my way of self the influencer, who goes by account has since been 2017, when several media expression, a kind of art. My Sahar Tabar on Instagram deactivated -- Sahar Tabar outlets published stories followers know that this is but was identified as regularly posted photos of about her, claiming that she not my real face." Fatemeh Kh by Iranian herself. Many believe she had undergone more than In the interview, she denied media, using the first made herself up to look like 50 cosmetic surgeries and reports that she was character of her surname in a zombie version of the weighed only 40 kilos (88 attempting to look like Jolie, Farsi, is accused of actress Angelina Jolie, with pounds). saying "I had no interest at promoting violence, illicit sunken cheeks, an In an interview with Russian all to be like Angelina Jolie,

and I did not want to look confession" was broadcast 11 elephants are dead after falling from a Thai waterfall like the character from on state TV. 'Corpse Bride.' I understand In 2014, six people were (News Agencies) Five more that I do have some arrested for dancing in a elephants have died after falling similarities with them, but I YouTube video to the from a waterfall in Khao Yai am my own muse and I did Pharrell Williams song National Park in Thailand, bringing not want to look like anyone. "Happy." They were later the total dead to 11. Drone That was not my aim." freed after humanitarian footage showed five more bodies She went on to say that she groups launched an in the same ravine where six had only had a handful of international campaign elephants had died earlier, procedures -- including against their arrest. Nakhon Nayok Gov. Natthapong enlarging her nose and lips Williams himself voiced his Sirichana said Tuesday. and liposuction -- and her support for the dancers. On Saturday, five adult elephants weight was in a normal This July, an Australian stumbled into the ravine in what range. "I was trying to lose couple were arrested, weight, that is true. But I accused of having taken authorities said was an attempt only lost 5-7 kilograms, not illegal photos with a drone. to free a 3-year-old calf stuck in 40 or even 30. Now I weigh They have since been another part of the Haew Narok 54 kg (119 pounds)," she released. waterfall. All of them died after said. Instagram is the only falling from the nearly 500-foot In 2018, an Iranian teenager major social media waterfall. was detained for posting network that is not It's the country's biggest loss of two Saturday that were returned Haew Narok, which means "hell videos of herself dancing to banned in Iran. wild elephants in a national park, to their herd. abyss," so they don't pollute the Western music on Facebook, Twitter, officials said. Now, officials are working to stream, Thai news outlet MCOT Instagram. YouTube and Telegram Park officials managed to rescue quickly remove the 11 bodies from reported. Amnesty International are all blocked, according reports that her "forced to Amnesty International. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 14 Apply for visa 90 days prior to Bad air spikes on rise in farm fires, fall in wind speed employment start date: US (News Agencies) result in stagnant weather Delhi-NCR's air quality conditions such as low Embassy deteriorated on wind speed that does not Thursday to its worst allow pollutants to level in nearly three disperse," said Kuldeep months as winds Srivastava, head, regional slowed down, the weather forecasting temperature dipped centre (RWFC), India and an increasing Meteorological number of farm fires took place AQI had risen to 223 - a level Department (IMD). in nearby states - recreating a not seen since July 14 when The System of Air Quality and combination of factors that has the AQI was 235. The spike Weather Forecasting and been turning pollution during took place a day after Delhi Research (SAFAR), a unit of winter months into a public saw its cleanest post- the Union ministry of earth The United and India bilateral ties. H-1B is (News Agencies) health crisis in recent years. Dussehra air in five years. sciences, said air quality will considered as the most sought- States (US) Embassy here on According to Central Pollution Weather officials said the deteriorate further over the next after work visa among highly- Thursday asked visa applicants Control Board (CPCB) data, immediate change is due to 48 hours. skilled Indian professionals. It is to apply up to 90 days before the 24-hour average air quality climatic conditions typical of The most prominent impact a non-immigrant visa that allows their employment begins. index (AQI) till 4pm was at 211 pre-winter period: As the from slowing winds is the US companies to employ foreign “Applying for your work #USvisa? - considered 'poor'. By evening, monsoon withdraws, an anti- trapping of local pollutants - workers in specialty occupations You can apply up to 90 days the blue sky in the morning had cyclone wind pattern has vehicle exhaust gases, road that require theoretical or technical before the employment start turned hazy and by 10pm, the formed over Rajasthan. "This dust and industrial emissions. date noted on your I-797 form,” expertise. the US Embassy wrote in a tweet. 7 killed as bus runs over Vaishno Devi pilgrims sleeping on pavement in UP's Bulandshahr The I-797 form is a document the (News Agencies) Seven people were killed after United States Citizenship and a bus ran over them in UP's Bulandshahr early Immigration Services (USCIS) morning Friday. The deceased, who were uses “to communicate with returning to Hathras after visiting Vaishno Devi applicants/petitioners or convey shrine in Jammu-Kashmir, were sleeping on a an immigration benefit,” reads pavement when the incident took place. the USCIS website. The pilgrims, including 4 women and 3 minors, The US work visa for Indian died on the spot. The bodies have been sent for nationals is one of the most postmortem, police said. important issues between US Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 INDIA-NEWS ANALYSIS 15 Narendra Modi Xi Jinping Meet: Wuhan set the template India backs OECD with 'Chai pe Charcha', now up to Mahabalipuram each other's sensitivities and offered short-term solutions and move on digital tax long term hope in complex (News Agencies) The Union could face opposition from the bilateral ties. "The forward- government has signalled its firms that are mostly based in the looking dialogue raised the level support for a plan by OECD United States of America. of strategic communication nations to make big digital According to two government about the perspective, priorities, companies such as Facebook officials who asked not to be and vision that guide their and Google pay taxes in named, India has given an "in- respective policy choices countries where they have a principle" approval to the domestically, regionally and significant number of users, a proposal. "The government has globally," the foreign ministry had proposal that could lead to a two basic concerns with regard said after Wuhan and added that revenue windfall for a country like to global online giants and e- the first-of-its-kind informal India that has an online commerce companies such as (News Agencies) Prime Minister draw him into a 'chai pe charcha' summit had also helped them in population of millions. Amazon, Flipkart, Google, Twitter Narendra Modi and Chinese on a boat at the East Lake, in an "forging a common OECD, or the Organisation for and Facebook - the loss on President Xi Jinping held the first informal and refreshing meeting understanding" of the future Economic Co-operation and account of tax revenue and the informal summit in Wuhan in between the leaders of the two most direction of India-China relations Development (OECD), includes loss due to unregulated information. 2018, setting the template for populous nations whose differences built upon "mutual respect for some of the most prominent The OECD proposal is a step in the closer engagement between the range from counter territorial claims each other's developmental economies among its members right direction, but it will address only two of the fastest growing to trade. Wuhan was able to develop aspirations and prudent and the proposal, experts said, one issue. The second issue relates economies and regional rivals greater understanding and management of differences with would alter fundamental to such companies storing data in that fought a war over boundary appreciation by both countries of mutual sensitivity". international tax principles but countries were they operate is also disputes nearly six decades ago. important," one of the officials, who The second edition of the meet Mamallapuram turns a fortress for PM Modi-Xi Jinping's informal summit has direct knowledge of the matter, is taking place in Mahabalipuram (News Agencies) The beach have been deployed across announced the informal summit said. The second official, working for from October 11 to 12. town of Mamallapuram where Prime Mamallapuram and a Coast on Wednesday after weeks of one of the ministries overseeing A peacock-motif menu card Minister Narendra Modi will meet Guard ship has been deployed speculations. There were some economic matters, said the drawn with colours of the Indian Chinese president Xi Jinping on near the Shore Temple. Modi and irritants ahead of the meet after OECD's proposal would reinforce flag had welcomed Prime October 10 and 112 has become a Xi will attend a cultural China appeared to be backing India's demand of having an programme near the temple Pakistan's position after India Minister Narendra Modi to fortress ahead of the informal "equitable" share in taxes on which will be followed by dinner. removed the special status for Wuhan which also saw Xi Jinping talks between the two world revenues earned. leaders. Over 5,000 policemen India and China formally Jammu and Kashmir. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 16 Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 WORLD-NEWS ANALYSIS 18 Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Foundation REMOVES Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from its website and abolishes an 'empowering women' programme after couple left to launch their own charity (News Agencies) The Duke and in five different categories, feud, saying the split was Duchess of Cambridge's Royal including Conservation and and 'largely about preparing both Foundation has wiped mentions Mental Health, but it has couples for their future roles, of Prince Harry and Meghan removed Empowering which are obviously on divergent Markle from its website, Communities, which highlighted tracks'.But a backlash over the following the couple's split from Meghan's work on female Sussexes privacy demands and the charity earlier this year. empowerment. their jet-setting lifestyle have led Prince William, 37, and Kate It follows Harry and Meghan's to further claims that they are Middleton, 37, are now listed as decision to move out of growing apart from the the only two 'principals', with the Kensington Palace, where Cambridges. Duke of Cambridge credited with William and Kate are based, to 'founding' the charity, despite set up home at Frogmore Cottage Despite launching the foundation launching the organisation with and establish their own own alongside his brother in 2009, the Prince Harry, 35, in 2009. Sussex Royal charity site has been updated to remove Projects launched by Harry while foundation. The move will do little all mention of Prince Harry as a part of the Royal Foundation, to help rumours of a fallout of the founder of the charity. such as The Invictus Games and so-called 'fab four', believed to The homepage of the site now Meghan's Together: Our have stemmed from tension reads: 'Driven by a desire to Community Cookbook, have between the two Duchesses, as make a difference together, the been removed from the well as William and his younger Royal Foundation is a primary Programmes section of the site. brother. philantropic and charitable The site now lists Programmes Royal sources have denied the vehicle for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 'Our programmes support a broad and ambitious spectrum of activities, ideas, and resources together to understand issues, explore creative solutions and be a catalyst for long-term impact.' The foundation is now listed as focusing on five main areas: Conservation, Service, Young People, Early Years and Mental Health. When Meghan officially joined the charity after marrying Harry, the site was updated to include Women & Girls as one of its Programmes. British grandfather thrown in Ukraine jail with murderers and rapists over £30k cheque that bounced THIRTEEN years ago (News Agencies) A British lifted I am a stuck here and it just do with the cheque and to this shipping company manager was seems so unfair.'Robert was visiting day have no idea who wrote it. To thrown in a Ukraine jail for more than the Ukraine last November for say I was in shock at the airport when a month after wrongly being arrested Newcastle-based ASP Shipping I was arrested would be an over a bounced cheque written 13 Management when he was suddenly understatement. I just could not years ago. Robert Urwin had to arrested at the airport. believe what was going on.' share a cell with murderers and He was told that he was being After being held in a police rapists while being held over the held on what is known as a Interpol station in Kiev he appeared in £30,000 cheque written in Dubai that Red notice - a request for an arrest court and was transferred to a he insists he didn't even write. – issued by the HSBC bank in Dubai. detention centre where his ordeal Despite being released from The bank claimed that Robert had took a more sinister turn.Robert prison without charge, the 67-year- written a cheque from his personal said the food consisted of inedible old still can't leave the Ukraine account in 2006 that later bounced. Russian war rations and there because an Interpol arrest remains Robert had documents to prove was no hot water for showers or in place. that he had left Dubai the previous washing. He was also victim of Speaking to MailOnline from the year and had not signed the cheque. extortion from a mafia type city of Odessa where his is living He said: 'The cheque was from gangster who ran the cell block. awaiting clearance to return home my personal account but when it was 'I asked for some water and to Newcastle, Robert said: 'It has written I had left the country. had to pay 50 Euros for a single just been a nightmare and I want to 'I had not lived in Dubai for the bottle, he said. 'The gangster who go home to my wife. previous six months. All I can think ran the cell was always trying to 'I've never committed a crime in of is that someone used my identity get money.' my life and yet I ended up in jail for and wrote the cheque. I did not After initially having a cell to a bounced cheque that I had nothing even have access to the cheque himself he was pulled aside by to do with. I wasn't even in the book. prison guards who gave him a country when the cheque was 'I could not believe it when the choice of either paying a £10,000 written and am the victim of identity authorities told me why I was bribe or be put in with murders theft. 'But until the Interpol notice is being arrested. I had nothing to and a triple killer. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 US & THE WORLD 19

Want to Stop Russia From Messing With Our Democracy? Rethink U.S. Counterintelligence. (News Agencies) News that aggressive operations to recruit uncontrollable forces of nature. they resourced, trained, tasked? providing strategic direction to hackers backed and plant spies, steal America’s Some can be deterred, and all Who are their leaders, their CI activities government-wide. by the Iranian most closely guarded secrets, have vulnerabilities that can be American targets officers, their As a first order of business, my government targeted a 2020 and hack into our computer exploited given sufficient time, liaison relationships?—in order new office conducted a top-to- presidential campaign brings systems to take what they want resources and creativity. to devise a coherent strategy to bottom review and concluded back vivid flashbacks of Russia’s and disrupt our society at will. But here is the problem. Apart stop them. that the disjointed CI model was infiltration into the 2016 Moscow is far from alone, as from the CIA’s approach to the This is a big problem. The rich working about as well as it election—and raises concerns evidenced by China’s increasing KGB during the Cold War, diversity of complementary could. Clearly, we needed a new about what could happen next efforts to recruit U.S. officials, American counterintelligence skills and capabilities across the way of doing business. The first year. Congress is still ongoing cyberattacks, influence has never had a standing CI enterprise should be an national counterintelligence investigating Russia’s attempts operations and defense strategic mission of finding and inherent strength of the United strategy, signed by Bush in to undermine U.S. democracy technology theft. According to disabling hostile intelligence States, but without a national 2005, directed that the national last election cycle, while press reports, at least 20 CIA services before they target the program to provide strategic counterintelligence enterprise dedicated intelligence and law sources were executed by the United States. As a result, U.S. direction or integration, be reconfigured to be able to enforcement officers, diplomatic, Chinese government between counterintelligence is not wired America’s counterintelligence work together to go on offense. security and military personnel 2010 and 2012—a sweeping to preempt. will never be as effective as it A national team would do the are doubling down on their roundup of men and women in Unlike most other governments, could be. And since no one centralized strategic planning; efforts to keep it from happening China who had risked their lives the United States has never had government organization has a the execution would be again. providing information about a unified organization or a common operating picture of distributed to the FBI, CIA and But looking back will not be Chinese plans and capabilities national counterintelligence foreign intelligence threats or the the Defense Department. The enough to keep it from directed against the United “service” to carry out CI resources available to counter goal was to exploit where we happening again—whether at States and our allies. It was a operations. Instead, the U.S. them, there are inherent holes can, and interdict where we the hands of Russia, Iran or any devastating blow to U.S. has a siloed system, with each in the CI architecture that must, degrading adversary other foreign adversary. In all the intelligence and to the branch organized, trained and adversaries can and do exploit. intelligence services and their reports and hearings over the policymakers and operators equipped to accomplish agency- These structural flaws have ability to operate against us. past 2½ years, no one has who depend on that intelligence specific objectives. In simple been understood at least since But just as our work was getting identified the real problem: U.S. to make critical decisions. terms, the FBI’s job is to find 2002, which was the last time underway, the Office of the counterintelligence is not set up Similarly, targeting of U.S. the spies in the U.S. and arrest Congress took a hard look at Director of National Intelligence to preempt foreign intelligence business and industry— them, the CIA’s job is to make U.S. counterintelligence. The was established, along with a operations directed against the especially by the Chinese—to sure our spies abroad succeed, country had just weathered new bureaucracy that had United States. If the government steal proprietary information and and the military’s job is to protect betrayals by traitors like CIA officer other priorities. The doesn’t empower U.S. acquire key assets is a U.S. troops against enemy Aldrich Ames, FBI special agent realignment of U.S. counterintelligence to go on purposeful, strategically intelligence operations. Robert Hanssen and DIA analyst counterintelligence was put offense, we are destined to orchestrated undertaking, in These are all vital CI missions, but Ana Montes, as well as the on hold indefinitely as the remain on our back feet. which foreign intelligence all the incentives are to work one staggering theft of all U.S. nuclear Bush and Obama It’s not only our elections that services play integral roles. case at a time—Did we catch the design secrets by the Chinese. administrations concentrated are under assault. Russian There are trillions of dollars at spy? Did we find the hidden Something had to change. effort and resources on the intelligence services have been stake, yet the principal U.S. microphone or the embedded Congress decided it was time to war on terror. The prototype on a global offensive under response has been to chase microchip? Did we expose the front put someone in charge. When CI program we had designed President Vladimir Putin. They export control violations and company?— instead of going after President George W. Bush was stripped of funding and are poisoning people in England, industrial security incident the foreign service as a whole to appointed me his national never renewed. In 2014, my working to undermine the hard- reports while we continue to lose disrupt its operations. There is no counterintelligence executive in old position (which had been won beginnings of democracy in ground. centralized planning to assess 2003, I became the first moved under the DNI) was Eastern Europe and propping up It’s time U.S. counterintelligence hostile intelligence services and statutory head of U.S. renamed director of the brutal dictators like Bashar went on the offense. Hostile their vulnerabilities—How and counterintelligence. I was National Counterintelligence Assad in Syria. They’re running intelligence operations are not where do they operate? How are charged with integrating and and Security Center. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 FRONT PAGE 20 The Demon On My Palm Mobile-Loving India Faces Strange Digital Disorders phone in his pocket and are aware of their unusual like 95 per cent mobile- never woke up: the phone -attachment to digital toting Indians, their device exploded. In Delhi, a man devices: 47 per cent is their lifeline. In the first mowed down his three- believe they spend too study of its kind, experts year-old nephew: he was much time on their mobile from AIIMS, Bhopal and driving and talking on his phones. Over 62 per cent IIT-Kanpur have shown that -phone. In Jharkhand, a admit they remain 50 per cent selfie deaths WhatsApp -message attached to their devices in the world occur in India. spread false rumours and even when they eat. “No-selfie zones should be turned a village into a lynch What’s more, one in five -declared across tourist mob, killing an -innocent across all age groups say areas, especially places man. In Uttar Pradesh, they feel tired from such as water bodies, video clippings of gang excessive social media mountain peaks and over rapes shot on mobile use. Hunched over their tall buildings,” they have among 56 per cent young oMO, or Fear of phones are being sold for computers, smartphones pointed out. professionals, college and Missing Out, was added Rs 100. or -tablets for 7-10 hours India may embrace school students. to the Oxford English As screens, clicks, every day, back pain is technology with open There are new names Dictionary in 2014. It has taps and emojis mediate their biggest bane, forcing arms, but doctors are for new disorders (see). been described as ‘‘the experiences and one in nine to pop worried about the range of Foremost among them is uneasy and sometimes interactions more and painkillers regularly. behavioural aberrations nomophobia, or the fear of all-consuming feeling that more, the lines between Depression, anxiety, they come across: from having no mobile phone, you’re missing out—that real lives and -virtual anger and guilt wear out 28 anxiety and irritability to when you feel your cell your peers are realities are getting per cent -respondents. sleeplessness, neglecting phone is ringing when it is doing…something better blurred. An -unnerving new Uneasy secrets lie behind important -activities, not. Linked to it are than you,’’ by Andrew word is doing the rounds closed bedroom doors: 64 avoiding face-to-face textaphrenia—you think a Przybylski, social She sits pretty on the for unnatural attachment to per cent men and women inter-actions with family message has arrived, psychologist and director railing of a bridge, smiling digital dev-ices: internet say that they don’t have the and friends, and -drifting when it actually hasn’t— of research at the Oxford at the camera. A clear addiction. Yet, the time to think about sex, away from intimate and textiety, or panic Internet Institute, blue sky above her and a phenomenon remains don’t have sex often, are relationships. “Most attacks over not receiving University of Oxford, who river far below. She is virtually undocumented in bored or tired of sex. sufferers don’t realise they or sending text has conducted one of the holding the end of her red national surveys. In When questioned about have a problem and most messages. And they are earliest studies on FoMO. saree about her head, as contrast, China, South the addictive potential of don’t seek treatment,” much more common than The disorder starts with if bracing against the wind. Korea and Japan technology, 45 per cent says Dr Manoj Kumar we believe them to be. sadness and envy. Social If a picture says a recognise internet rea-dily confess they want Sharma, associate When Dr Sanjay Dixit, media makes it worse, as thousand words, the 20- addiction as a serious to bring down the time professor of clinical professor and head of one scrolls down the year-old’s photograph tells public health problem. In they spend on their mobile psychology, who set up community medicine at screen and stares at the the sweet story of a newly May 2019, online gaming phones.Powered by India’s first digital detox the MGM Medical College “picture perfect” lives of wed woman. What it addiction, or the unhealthy increased availability of centre at NIMHANS-—the in Indore, conducted the others. And that leads one doesn’t say is, it is also need to access online bandwidth, cheap data SHUT clinic or Service for first ever study on to check social media her last photograph. games, has been given the plans and rising Healthy Use of cellphone addiction in again and again. The On August 16, when status of a unique disorder, awareness driven by Technology. The disorders India in 2009, he found nine unreasoning, yet Rupali Patel toppled over similar to gambling government programmes, are often not severe out of 10 of the 150 relentless, fear of missing the Mandleshwar bridge in addiction, by the World India is witnessing the rise enough to cause medical students he out on the joys of life Madhya Pradesh into a Health Organization. of a “new digital audience”, functional impairment, studied had some of these -induces a lot of stress. Narmada in spate, she “Digital disorders are according to a 2018 report although in severe form disorders: 56 per cent felt Przybylski documents and her husband were hugely under-recognised by analytics company they can be devastating, compelled to keep mobile how FoMO is linked to busy posing for selfies. A in India,” says Dr Rajesh ComScore. They jam each leading to loss of phones close to their general discontent, moment of distraction Sagar, head of psychiatry other’s phones every day judgement, insight and body, 93 per cent got insecurity, stress, fatigue ended it all for her. That at the All India Institute of with cheery “Good control. panic attacks if they did and troubled sleep. Others very day, some 300 km Medical Sciences Morning” messages, Reports do the rounds: not get messages and 19 report how FoMO often away at Mandsaur, a (AIIMS), Delhi. “But it is unlike any other nation. sometimes, of a Mumbai per cent had painful forces its victims towards mother-daughter duo met fast emerging as India’s They connect largely college student making thumbs due to excessive “conspicuous sociality”, with a -watery end. They, newest lifestyle disease.” through mobile phones, 150 calls a day to a girl texting. attem-pting to convey an too, were clicking selfies. Outlook decided to each spending over 3,000 from 64 different phone They were the latest in a chronicle and analyse the minutes online a year. -numbers; sometimes, of country that stands out as health-seeking behaviour India’s massive 1.19 billion a Delhi husband filing a the world capital for selfie of a society in the throes mobile users, 560 million divorce suit for his wife’s deaths. of major socio-economic internet subscribers and relentless late-night chats It’s not just death by changes. Market 310 million social media on WhatsApp; selfies. In the sweet spot researcher Karvy sent out users record the world’s sometimes, of a Bangalore of the world’s digital field workers across nine highest data usage at youth for his obsessive revolution, something -cities—Delhi, Lucknow, 1GB a day. need to watch Netflix strange is -happening in Mumbai, Indore, Calcutta, The average young videos for seven to 10 India: a mysterious Patna, Chennai, Indian checks mobile hours a day. Queues relationship -between new Bangalore and phones 150 times a day, outside doctors’ technology and human Vijayawada—asking streams music for 1 hour chambers are getting -behaviour. In August, 1,648 men and women, 29 minutes and watches longer with distraught dangerous stunts for between age 18 and 55 videos for 52 minutes, -parents. They complain of video-sharing app TikTok years, about their attitude loads up their phones with falling academic grades of killed two daredevils in to health and sickness. 200 apps, whether to use their children, sudden Bihar and West Bengal. Over 70 per cent or just for a lark, spends behaviour changes, and Weeks -before, a respondents were 23 hours a week texting. avoiding friends, family Maharashtra teen stabbed executives or business One in every three texts -outings, food or sleep. his brother for not letting owners, all graduate and and talks even when they Doctors from AIIMS and him play an online game. above. are driving. One in two Maulana Azad Medical A 60-year-old in Rajasthan The survey reveals that cannot survive -beyond five College in Delhi report went to bed with a mobile many of the -respondents hours without internet. And pathological mobile use Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 FRONT PAGE 21

uproariously joyous life. offer a convoluted sense of life. And this happens in Neuroplasticity has possible to turn off phones -neuroscience shows, People even purchase reality. In 2017, when teen -response to environment, -enabled people to recover at meetings, while driving, you can rewire your fake friends and -followers suicides broke out in behaviour, thinking and from stroke, -improve or having dinner with amazingly adaptive on social network for this. Maharashtra, West emotions, he explains, a symptoms of autism and family. It is certainly brain: it will allow the The envy-related anxieties Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, -concept called other brain deficits, pull feasible to exercise more negative impacts of spectrum also -includes Telangana and Kerala, the neuroplasticity. out of depression, -anxiety caution when taking smartphones, just as FoBO (the Fear of Better ‘Blue Whale challenge’, an Advances in brain scan and addictions, says selfies. It is worth a try to much as it will support Options), FoDA (Fear of online “suicide game”, technologies -reveal that Chattarji. “But it’s because keep your mobile phone your efforts to spend Doing Anything), MoMO created hysteria among internet addiction and of neuroplasticity that bad out of the bedroom. Taking time on healthier (Mystery of Missing Out) schools and parents. But gambling have a habits can get ingrained in a step further, one can activities—-meditation, and FoDO (Fear of it’s not the only one lurking remarkably similar effect the brain.” remove social media apps face-to-face Disappointing Others). in the dark depths of the on the brain. Both trigger Is it possible to switch from phones and only socialisation, Interestingly, at a time internet. The list of digital reward chemicals, off your mobile phone? No. access them from laptops. meaningful when online -rumours and disorders is growing dopamine, and hijack Is it feasible to switch off The only way out of relationships, physical falsehoods spark public longer every day. There is areas involved in the internet? No. Is it digital distress is being exercise and learning anger and even lynchings, technoference, when -motivation (cingulate probable never to take aware of dependence, new things. Just new research links FoMO digital behaviour hampers gyrus) and judgement selfies? No. Is it practical because that is where remember to sleep more, to the rise of fake news our relationships, leisure (prefrontal cortex). Hence, to sign off from social everything begins to to keep that upward spiral online. Shalini Talwar, hours, conversations and people become fixated on networks? No. But it is change. As of your brain ticking. ass-ociate professor of even intimacy in sex lives. digital devices, cease to -finance at the Somaiya There is the Google effect, care about the things that Institute of Management when we forget to once mattered to them Studies, Mumbai, and remember most things, once, take extraordinary others have probed why because everything is just risks, -explains Chattarji. people -forward such a few clicks away. There But functional MRI (fMRI) messages without is the more elusive experiments show that auth-enticating them. Truman Show delusion, a relationships are key to Published in the Journal of feeling of being the brain’s feelings of Retail and Consumer persecuted along with a -happiness, while social Services this July, the sense of being very exclusion activates the researchers have linked special, which can happen same brain circuits as the “sense of to the hyper-connected, physical pain. The upward -recklessness” from fear of who lead a lifestyle based spiral of addiction missing out to be a trigger on reality TV and social eventually puts the brain that causes people to media. There are tech into a downward spiral of share fake news. injuries, like text claw, not depression, anxiety, Addiction to screen an official medical insomnia and high-risk time, whether -gaming diagnosis, but the pain behaviour in the apps or social media, is along one’s wrist and technology-addicted. on the rise in the age band hands that many tech- Mobile phones and of 15-24 years,” says savvy individuals suffer, social networking sites -psychiatrist Dr Aniruddha along with Selfie Elbows also put people in stressful Deb of Calcutta, who and Texting Thumbs. environments. The stress routinely comes across “The past 20 years comes from the anxious young victims of have seen the rise of a new unprecedented volume of cyberchondria, seeking field, cognitive personal information that -treatment for inexplicable neuroscience, to -address increase occasions for or frivolous -symptoms the neural underpinnings of social comparisons, say after browsing the internet the human mind,” explains scientists: people -obsessively for medical neurobiologist Sumantra compare their own information. “They think Chattarji, director, the achievements with those they have all possible Centre for Brain of others, and end up disorders and they want Development and Repair feeling frustrated and therapy.” at the National Centre for dissatisfied with their own The darkest side of Biological Sciences, lives. The more one tech addiction has Bangalore. It shows that -focuses on negativity, the emerged in the past few the human brain is capable more the brain creates years, aimed at of reorganising and re- neural connections teenagers. Packed with engineering itself, both supporting that thought bullying, sexual -deviance physically and process, slowing down the and violence, online games functionally, throughout brain’s ability to function. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 CONTD FROM PAGE 32 22 2 arrested for raping deaf and mute woman in Mumbai Teenager becomes first However, the woman's mobile phone was active woman, he asked his colleague Kaale to drop her vaping fatality in New York and it showed her location in Thane, the official to her workplace in Bandra, the official said. said, adding on Monday, she was found at the However, Kaale took the woman to a room in Thane Dadar railway station along with Kurhade. and allegedly raped her, he said. When Kurhade The woman told the police in writing about came to know about the crime, he reached the her ordeal after which Kurhade was taken in spot and took the victim with him to drop her at custody, he said. During interrogation, it came her workplace in Bandra, but was arrested when to light that the woman was raped in a room in they reached Dadar, the official said. An FIR under Thane, the official said, adding the police later IPC sections 366 (kidnapping or inducing woman picked up Kaale, too, from the adjoining city. to compel her marriage), 376 (rape) and 34 (acts Kurhade revealed he met the victim via a common done by several persons in furtherance of common friend and on Sunday he took her to his home in intention) was registered against both the accused, Thane to introduce her to his parents as he he said. On Tuesday, they were produced before wanted to marry her, he said. But when Kurhade's a court which sent them in police custody till parents denied him permission to marry the October 15, the official added. and nearly 1,100 people have quarters of New Yorkers surveyed been sickened across the U.S. considered e-cigarette usage to 'Joker' - a political parable for our times with vaping-related respiratory be either a somewhat or very injuries, according to the CDC serious public health problem. Phillips clearly wants "Joker" to yank at the It also doesn't quite seem accidental that all and FDA. At least 18 other people Sixty-eight percent of chains of a society that has increasingly the incidental characters Fleck encounters have died. More than 80 percent respondents supported the found his shock-fueled style of storytelling are black: the social worker who tunes him of those illnesses have involved Cuomo administration’s less relevant and more problematic. (It's out during counseling sessions, the woman people under the age of 35, and emergency directive prohibiting worth noting that since Phillips's on the bus who fearfully shoos him away from public health officials are the sale of flavored e-cigarette breakthrough hit "The Hangover," his box her toddler, the admin who tries to prevent discouraging the use of all products — which a state office totals have trended downward in almost him from getting his mother's hospital records, vaping-related products — with appellate court put on hold late linear fashion. ) and the object of his desire, played by Zazie an emphasis on those containing last week — and more than half This goal was made explicit in Phillips's Beets. THC — as they struggle to suss of those polled backed attacks on the "outrage culture" of the "far In 1968, after Richard Nixon was elected out the root problem. The vaping banning the sale of all e- left" and his extended complaint to Vanity president, Peter Schrag cited "Forgotten industry contends its reputation cigarettes and vaping Fair that the anything-goes, douchebro Americans" as the primary reason for his and business are being maligned devices. The boy was comedy genre he helped launch had run victory -- white, working-class voters who for the problems caused by hospitalized at Montefiore aground on the iceberg of political were once the "hero of the civic books...'the counterfeit and other illicit Medical Center in the correctness. "Go try to be funny nowadays bone and sinew of the country,'" Schrag products, and the crackdowns Bronx, Cuomo said. Mayor with this woke culture," he told them. wrote. "Now he is 'the forgotten man,' perhaps imposed by New York and others Bill de Blasio, speaking at a "Comedies don't work anymore," he said, the most alienated person in America." are unfairly targeting them. separate event at roughly the because all of the comedians are afraid of Trump, in his 2016 victory speech, paid A Siena College poll released same time, said he had not heard offending people. "So I go, 'How do I do similar homage to the "forgotten men." But Monday found more than three- about the teen’s death. something irreverent... Oh, I know, let's take while Schrag pointed to Nixon's law-and-order the comic book movie universe and turn it based platform as his key appeal to the Social Media Sparked #MeToo. on its head.'" alienated, forgotten white male, Trump won After watching "Joker," it's easy to decode by using outrageous statements, theatrical Now Facebook Could End It. what Phillips really meant in this quote, and posturing and grimacing mockery to generate it's the same thing that fired "SNL" cast raucous mob energy -- the very opposite of Their new startup, short for "Friends" and "The Big Bang member Shane Gillis meant when he law and order. White men, in particular, "Quick Bites," is an odd Theory," Quibi has kept much excused his repeated use of racist, responded to his rhetoric and persona -- proposition — and a risky of its programming close to misogynist and homophobic slurs as seeing in him a disruptor of oppressive one at that. the vest. This strategy has "pushing boundaries." correctness who could lead them back to the As the streaming wars heat turned Katzenberg and It draws from the same well of resentment top of the heap and the center of the world. up, companies like Netflix, Whitman into the faces of that Trump strums with his racist rhetoric This isn't the first time Phillips' and Trump's Apple, WarnerMedia (CNN's the product. They've been at his rallies -- the fear of no longer being at worlds have collided. When his last film, "War parent company), hyping the new service at the center of the political, social and cultural Dogs," came out, Phillips said in an interview NBCUniversal and Disney are South by Southwest, on universe, with everyone who isn't you with Little White Lies, "Also there's a thing all vying to be bigger and CNBC, and in interviews in positioned at its perceived edges. (After all, going on right now where the world as a whole grander than their The Hollywood Reporter and being racist, sexist and anti-gay only is waking up to the fact that the system is competitors. Whitman and Vanity Fair — but to date, "pushes boundaries" if you define yourself rigged... It happens to be Trump's theme," Katzenberg are instead they have yet to release any as "normal" and define nonwhite, non-male even though, Phillips notes, Trump is part of daring to go small.The two trailers of the shows and or and non-straight people as marginalized the system that created these problems. are wagering a lot of money previews of the Quibi app.The outsiders.) At the end of the movie, a triumphant Fleck - — and potentially their service also arrives after It doesn't quite seem like coincidence that - seemingly dead, but magically revived by reputations as two of the decades of viewers being Fleck and his mother reside in a run-down the cheers of a throng of clown-masked rioters business world's mightiest conditioned to long-form building that seems otherwise occupied by -- does a grotesque soft-shoe on top of a moguls — on a bet that storytelling on TVs and big nonwhite tenants (prompting mother Penny shattered cop car, literally dancing on the consumers will pay for a screens. It's entering a to assert that if her old employer Thomas destroyed remains of the rule of law. Imagine mobile-only, short-form video market that's already overrun Wayne saw how they were living, he would Fleck as Trump, shrugging off impeachment, service.There's still a lot of by short-form content from be disgusted), or that the movie opens with rebounding with his roaring red-hatted mystery surrounding Quibi. the likes of YouTube, an attack on Fleck by black and Latinx supporters, winning reelection against every While Disney+ shows off Instagram and Snapchat, youth, referred to by one of Fleck's fellow prediction and probability. clips of "The Mandalorian," which is mostly free of cost. white-male clowns as "savages" and Phillips may not have intended for his film to Apple TV+ gives a sneak In a world that has new "animals." This man subsequently offers be a political parable -- or maybe he did -- peek of Jennifer Aniston and streaming services pop up Fleck a gun -- "Gotta protect yourself," he but it's hard to imagine a darker ending for Reese Witherspoon's "The seemingly every week, will says. our real-world horror-comedy than that. Morning Show" and HBO there be enough room for Max buys up familiar hits like Quibi? Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 SPECIAL REPORT 23 Smaller cities take the lead in drive against plastic waste

Data by Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) shows Indore generates nearly 50,000 kilos of municipal waste every day, 13,000 kilos of which is plastic waste.

Towering landfills, garbage come up with ways to This resulted in a huge sightseeing schedule,” the this initiative. We are now free weddings. strewn around on the recycle plastic waste. landslide. Looking at the report said. working to form a self- “The aim is to reduce the roads and plastic bags They are providing us with damage caused, the state Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh financing model for the use of plastic. Even if we becoming the staple for the technical expertise. government banned Innovation is at the centre cafe,” said Ambikapur reuse non-degradable stray animals; this has Along with the PCCs, we plastic bags,” said of recycling and reusing mayor Ajay Tirkey. articles, over years there become a common feature have installed machines Rajendra P Gurung, CEO, plastic waste in this city Tirkey said Ambikapur’s will not be much decline in of a large number of Indian called ‘plastic phatka Ecotourism and in Chhattisgarh. efforts of recycling plastic its presence. Reducing its cities, including the machines’, these are used Conservation Society of Ambikapur, which bagged waste began much before use is the more effective national capital. to cleanse contaminated Sikkim (ECOSS), a local the title of the second the launch of the garbage way to achieve our plastic- While cities such as plastic for recycling,” said non-governmental cleanest city in India after cafe. In 2015, the city laid free society goal,” Delhi, Mumbai and Dhani Ram Dubey, zonal organisation that works in Indore this year, has an one-kilometre stretch Suchitwa Mission, the Bengaluru are still in-charge at IMC. Sikkim. opened the first ‘garbage of road by mixing state’s nodal agency for struggling to manage Dubey explained that rag In an action report cafe’, which was built to granulated plastic waste sanitation, said in an email plastic waste, some pickers have been roped submitted by the Gangtok spread awareness against with tar in Bhagwanpur. response. The state also smaller cities are far head in to help the municipality municipality earlier this the use of plastic, feeding “We want to make our city launched in 2017 the in completing the daunting segregate plastic waste year to the Centre for homeless people, rag an example for other cities ‘responsible tourism’ task of controlling that can be recycled. Science and Environment pickers and to empower to follow. If we can do it, mission where tourist manufacture and recycling What is left is taken to the (CSE), a Delhi-based women who have been everyone can,” Tirkey said. destinations across of plastic already in PCC and purified and research and advocacy hired to run the facility. Ernakulam and Kerala will be given green circulation, by effective shredded. The shredded organisation, the city The concept of this cafe, Alappuzha, Kerala certification based on how policies and partnership waste is then bundled in administration said it is located near the The Kerala government in much they reduced plastic from citizens. blocks of 100 kg and now on its way to Ambikapur bus stand, is 2017 released a ‘green use. Kovalam, Munnar, Indore, Madhya carried to the cement clamping plastic bottle that people can get their protocol’ to manage Alappuzha, including Pradesh plants to be used as a fuel bans strictly. The ban will waste weighed, receive a waste, especially plastic. Alappuzha backwaters, Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s for boilers. also apply to tourists. coupon and relish an Apart from issuing strict Muhamma and Marari most populous city, was IMC estimates show nearly “We are speaking to Indian thali. The ‘rate card’ directives to government Beach, Kumarakom, Fort choking on plastic waste 45,000 kilos of plastic guesthouses and hotels to of the cafe says that one offices across the state, Kochi, Wayanad, Kollam, till early this year. In waste is recycled every put up boards asking kilo of waste will get you a the administration also Bekal and Thekkady January, the city’s day. tourists to carry their own full thali, while half-a-kilo announced incentives promise to be completely municipal body set up a Gangtok, Sikkim water bottles and fill water can get you a breakfast. such as issuing instant plastic free tourist plastic collection centre In 1998, this small city from restaurants before “We are getting great marriage certificates to destinations by the end of (PCC) to reuse and recycle nestled in the Himalayas heading for their daily support and recognition for couples who have plastic 2019, officials said. plastic waste, and the banned disposable plastic results have made the city bags. In 2016, the capital an example of how plastic of Sikkim set another can be effectively example and banned the managed. use of packaged drinking Data by Indore Municipal water in government Corporation (IMC) shows offices and events. Indore generates nearly Styrofoam and thermocol 50,000 kilos of municipal disposable plates and waste every day, 13,000 cutlery was also banned kilos of which is plastic across Sikkim to cut down waste. Till 2018, the toxic plastic pollution and agency used to dispose tackle its garbage all of its plastic waste by problem. burning it, which was also “In the 1990s, because of becoming a major reason excessive use of plastic for the deteriorating air carry bags, when a heavy quality in the city. rainstorm hit the state, the “We have tied up with an plastic got washed down NGO named ‘Sarthak’ to and blocked major drains. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 SPECIAL REPORT 24

'You are a phony, you are a fraud': 5 takeaways from the Canadian debate Justin Trudeau survived, released of him in racist he can play a moderate when Scheer used the Monday reference to “Canada First.” climate record and the Andrew Scheer went there on makeup, and that came after he wants to — something that exchange to call Trudeau a But it’s unclear how much of Conservatives’ plan the blackface scandal and a bad few months of is essential for him to win over phony who’s alienated the a dent he truly made. Bernier’s simultaneously, telling the populists courted north-of-the- revelations about the SNC- suburban voters around voters who believed in him. national poll numbers are voters they “do not need to border Trump fans with a Lavalin scandal. So Trudeau Toronto. Canada's Liberals, Remember: For Scheer to atrocious, and, speaking in his choose between Mr. Delay and "Canada First” promise. played defense most of after all, want voters to lump prevail Oct. 21 he needs second language, English, he Mr. Deny.” Having had the Two weeks before Oct. 21 Monday night, as rivals on the Scheer together with Donald progressives to abandon wasn’t nearly as polished as worst year of all the minor elections, Canada's six party left and right tried to tackle him. Trump. But Scheer was able Trudeau for the NDP and the mainstream Conservative, parties in national opinion leaders took the stage at the It was always going to be hard to brush past Trudeau’s efforts Greens, splitting the vote on Scheer, whom he’s hoping to polls, Singh had the most National History Museum in for him to assert his prime to hammer him for his the left. So Scheer turned the challenge. Scheer almost room for improvement and he Gatineau, Quebec on Monday ministerial authority. He could conservative past and present blackface scandal into an certainly got the better of their used it. night — and with only one either wrestle with his five noisy views on social hot-buttons assault. “He can’t even exchanges. And he raised real May took all other leaders official English language opponents or look on like abortion. Scheer was also remember how many times he doubts about the authenticity to task on their climate plans debate scheduled, none of passively from a distance. His aggressive and successful in put blackface on. Because the of Bernier’s Canadian populist — a Green Party leader would them could afford to misfire. efforts to do both made him confronting Trudeau on his fact of the matter is he’s turn. Sheer alluded to Bernier do that — but she made sure Canadians may be a polite look average, not unstoppable. ethical and climate always wearing a mask,” once having been a Quebec to turn directly to Trudeau to bunch, but this was a raucous, After initially holding back from contradictions. He set up Scheer said, alluding to how separatist, and to his past as register her disappointment squabbling debate. the fray, in the second half of several exchanges that Trudeau, the self-proclaimed a small-government libertarian with his climate record, noting All eyes were on the once- the debate Trudeau tried to turn allowed voters to look at him feminist, dumped female in a mainstream Conservative that Canada is far from ascendant Trudeau; only provincial issues — like and think “there’s my next Cabinet members who Cabinet before his recent, and achieving the carbon emission recently an icon of global Quebec’s Bill 21 on religious prime minister.” crossed him. “Mr. Trudeau, sudden, mimicking of Trump. reductions scientists say are liberals, he’s been hobbled by headwear in government Scheer can also consider you are a phony, you are a “I’m not sure which Maxime necessary to avert the worst a series of scandals and came workplaces and the himself lucky that People's fraud, and you do not deserve Bernier I’m debating tonight,” warming of the planet. Her in with much to lose, including unpopularity of Ontario Party leader Maxime Bernier to govern this country.” It’s Scheer said. main point: Trudeau does not his majority government. For Premier Doug Ford — into was fairly ineffectual in notable that Scheer delivered Left-wingers won the deserve to govern alone in a Conservative opposition leader national ones. It’s not clear it attacking him from the right, his toughest shot right off the battle of the minor second term, and the Greens Scheer, it was a final chance worked. Trudeau’s strongest given that his moderate pitch top; last week in the French parties. deserve to be the junior partner to overtake Trudeau’s Liberals moments came in explaining left him exposed on that flank. debate, pundits concluded New Democratic Party holding him to account. Her in a race that's neck-and-neck, his “ambitious but feasible” For all that work and good he’d had a weak start, when leader Jagmeet Singh and killer line: “Voting for Green according to national polls. climate policies. They were fortune, Scheer did not deliver the most viewers are tuned it. Green Party leader Elizabeth MPs is your very best Feeding into that cacophony attacked relentlessly, and a knock-out blow: in fact, he Scheer’s poll numbers May landed more solid jabs guarantee, Canada, that you were regional and fringe sometimes reasonably, but was weakest during what subsequently sagged in against Trudeau, from whom don’t get the government you parties, including the People’s his opponents didn’t should have been his strong Quebec. they need to steal votes, than least want.” Party and the Bloc Quebecois, demonstrate their own plans suit, the debate section on Populism is now part Bernier did in targeting Scheer did a better job which could play a huge role were more workable. pocketbook issues. It's still of Canadian politics Scheer. The debates hold pushing back his fringe as spoilers and swing the Andrew Scheer Trudeau’s election to lose. For decades, Canadian outsize importance for threat. In an early exchange election to Trudeau’s Liberals passed the prime Scheer weaponizes political parties have minor parties because on immigration, he dropped — or condemn them to a minister plausibility test the blackface scandal embraced multiculturalism, they're rare opportunities to one of several allusions to minority government in a few Conservative opposition Scheer brought up yet on Monday night People's get in front of millions of Bernier being a fraud. “You short weeks. Early voting in the leader Andrew Scheer — Trudeau’s blackface scandal Party leader Maxime Bernier voters on an equal footing have changed,” Scheer told election starts Friday. largely unknown as Exhibit A of his broader directly bemoaned current as the major parties. On the the self-styled populist. Trudeau didn’t lose — internationally — succeeded case against the prime immigration levels. He said left, Singh made sure to set “Now you are making your but he didn’t win on two fronts, which delivers minister. While the Canada adds “the equivalent himself apart from Trudeau policy based on trying to Justin Trudeau had the him a points victory rather than controversy, amazingly, did of one Nova Scotia every three on everything from taxes to get Likes and Retweets most to lose; he's had a bad a knockout blow against not come up in the first French- years.” He also winked at pro- indigenous relations. He from the darkest parts of few weeks since photos were Trudeau. First, Scheer proved language debate last week, Trump Canadians with an early also went in on the Liberals’ Twitter.” Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 SPECIAL REPORT 25 India Gets Its First Rafale Fighter Jet, Rajnath Singh Says 'Historic Day For IAF' India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016.

The Indian Air Force on Arrangements were "This is a historic and Tuesday received its first made for a traditional Indian landmark day for the Indian Rafale fighter jet from a Shastra Puja, or weapons' Armed forces, which series of 36 aircraft worship which forms part of reflects the depth of purchased from France in Dussehra celebrations and strategic partnership presence of Defense this year also marks Air between India and France. Minister Rajnath Singh Force Day - IAF's 87th Today marks here. anniversary. Vijayadashami – the Singh attended the Singh also flew a sortie victory of good over evil – handover ceremony of the in the Rafale jet following as also the 87th Indian Air first Rafale fighter jet the Shastra Puja, which Force Day. And therefore a acquired by the IAF along concluded with the symbolic day in so many with his French counterpart traditional breaking of a ways," he added. Florence Parly at aircraft coconut before the new India had ordered 36 maker Dassault Aviation aircraft."Today marks a Rafale fighter jets from facility in Merignac, new milestone in the Indo- France in a deal worth Rs southwestern France. French strategic 59,000 crore in September "Rafale will boost partnership and indeed a 2016. The first batch of four India's air dominance new high in the bilateral Rafale jets will fly to their exponentially," Singh said defence cooperation. Such home base in India by May after receiving the aircraft. achievements encourage 2020. Singh, who earlier held us to do more and that will All 36 jets are expected wide-ranging talks with be on my agenda when I to arrive in India by French President meet minister Parly today," September 2022, for which Emmanuel Macron in Singh said, in reference to the IAF has been of pilots. The Rafale is a describe it as a fully air defence, close air Paris, said his visit was the annual Indo-French reportedly undertaking twin-jet fighter aircraft able versatile aircraft which can support, in-depth strikes, aimed at "expanding the Defence Dialgoue preparations, including to operate from both an carry out all combat reconnaissance, anti-ship strategic partnership" scheduled for later on readying required aircraft carrier and a shore aviation missions to strikes and nuclear between India and France. Tuesday in Paris. infrastructure and training base. The manufacturers achieve air superiority and deterrence. How to shut down an over-talker at your next meeting Meetings can be a bore, but they can really drag on when someone is talking too much or going off topic. If one person dominates meeting. the conversation, it can "The actions in the deter others from speaking parking lot need to be up and mean missing out forwarded in some way," on new ideas and getting advised Hallie Crawford, a a variety of opinions. certified career coach. That "I've never led a team could mean moving an idea where there isn't some to the next meeting's degree of someone who is agenda, assigning an over-talker," said Ellen someone to look into it, or Faye, a productivity and dealing with it via email. leadership coach. Politely interrupt if there's Leaders need to learn a serial over-talker or how to manage a meeting. someone has been going They need to take charge off on a tangent for several when someone goes off minutes, it could be time the rails, but they also need to interrupt -- just be polite to tread carefully when it about it. comes to reining the If someone is being person in. verbose and not getting to "You want meetings to their point, Crawford be useful, and if you have suggested saying someone who goes on and Telling attendees that you then move on to the next We can all get into the Making sure something like: "Joe, if I on -- that meeting has plan to keep things moving person, Faye weeds sometimes and risk participants feel heard is can interrupt, I think that become non-productive," and on topic can make recommended. getting bogged down with important, but sometimes is a great thought. Do said Faye. people more aware of their Another option is to details that aren't relevant. their ideas just aren't you have any Set a firm agenda speaking time and make it outline that you want to If that's happening, relevant to the topic at recommendations of how It's easier to keep less awkward if you have hear from each participant Faye suggested saying hand. Those ideas can be we can implement that people on track with a to step in. at least once, but no more something like: Those are sent to a "parking lot," plan or strategy?" She comprehensive agenda Create time limits than three times. "That great details to work on. which is a list you create, also said phrases like: that includes topics and Setting parameters can way, everyone is compelled Let's keep a note of that for either on paper or for "Sorry to interrupt, but in time frames. It provides a also help curb over-talkers. to speak up and later. everyone to see. the interest of time" or blueprint to what will (and You can request that participate, but the over- "It takes a leader with This validates an idea, "bringing us back to the won't) be discussed, which people keep their talkers will be more confidence to know when but keeps the conversation agenda" can also get can help people stay on comments to around one limited," said Faye. enough is enough," she on topic. Just make sure people back on track topic. Set the tone of the minute or two, or that they Steer them back on said. to circle back to the without coming off as meeting from the start: share their top thought and track Create a 'parking lot' parking lot at the end of the harsh. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 SPECIAL REPORT 26

India’s opposition faces a tough test Prakash Chautala’s Indian Maharashtra and Haryana, National Democratic Alliance The Bharatiya Janata Party’s possible success in the National Lok Dal occupied the then the opposition will face (NDA) narrative is that Nitish state polls will add to its national dominance second slot with 19 seats. another severe jolt. The first is our captain, but we have The BJP clearly got the impact of this will be in the example of Shiv Sena Election fever is at its peak in national implications of the powerful than the chief mandate here, but the Jharkhand, for the political where the power balance two important states — polls. minister’s secretariat. By opposition was not quite ripple effect of BJP’s victory quickly shifted. The Bihar Haryana and Maharashtra. Maharashtra was, at one point launching Aaditya in these finished. The general will quickly extend to the story remains uncertain. After the return of the , dominated by the Congress elections, Uddhav wants to elections, however, state. There is one other key variable Narendra Modi government in and the Nationalist Congress send across a message to completely annihilated the In Bihar, Nitish Kumar had in the upcoming polls — the the 2019 elections, this is the Party (NCP). But it has now Shiv Sena workers that the opposition. The ruling party contested the previous state of play in Delhi. Will first test of whether the prime become a severe challenge. masters of Matoshree will not got 58% of the votes and won assembly elections in Arvind Kejriwal be able to curb minister’s popularity remains This election is going to be remain in the wings but will all 10 seats. The Congress alliance with Lalu Yadav. the BJP’s winning spree ? We intact, or whether the an acid test for NCP chief lead from the front. got only 28.5% of the votes. This time, Nitish is with do not know yet, but the Congress and regional parties Sharad Pawar who has The situation is quite the Like in Maharashtra, the the BJP. If the BJP wins answer will have significant have mustered the capability dominated state politics for opposite in Haryana. There opposition here also is a the elections in all these implications. to challenge this. The polls will almost four decades. are 90 assembly seats in the victim of discord and three states with ease, Let me end with greetings for also determine the direction Important leaders in his party state. In the last elections, the disintegration. It needs a will it then consider Vijayadashmi. Let’s hope the and state of politics in the are drifting away; he himself BJP got more than half the strong political tonic to Nitish the leader of the bitterness of elections will not days to come. A strong is old and unwell; and his ally, seats (47). The ruling survive, but nothing seems to coalition or will it be spoil the warmth of this festive opposition is important in any the Congress, is very weak. Congress won only 15 seats be in sight. It’s certain that if tempted to contest on its season. democracy. Unfortunately, the There has been friction in the and took third place, while Om no miracle takes place in own? As of now, the Shashi Shekhar opposition is missing entirely ruling coalition of the Bharatiya at present. These elections Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv are an opportunity for the Sena. And there was Aarey case: The damage is done. But Maharashtra must introspect regional opposition parties to speculation that the Sena The Supreme Court has register their presence. was getting ready to take the directed the Maharashtra After this round of elections, plunge on its own, and government to stop cutting polls will follow in Jharkhand contest separately, in this more trees in Mumbai’s and Delhi in early 2020, and election. Uddhav Thackeray Aarey Colony till October Bihar at the end of next year. agreed to the alliance just 21, and file a report on the These five states send 119 before elections and said the status of saplings it has members to the Lok Sabha understanding was that Shiv planted in the area. It has and 49 to the Rajya Sabha. Sena would be the senior also ordered the release of The mandate in these states partner when it came to state those arrested during the will find resonance in the polls. But the results of 2019 protests against the felling politics at the Centre. The general elections made it of trees by the Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clear to him that the BJP has Metro Rail Corporation for down temperatures. Almost marker in India’s needs development, and does not have a majority in now evolved from the junior to building a car shed. While 35 years ago, one of India’s environmental history. First, giving excessive the upper house, and needs senior partner. The Sena has the SC order is a welcome, greatest ornithologists, the activism shows that importance to the as many seats in as many had to agree to contest a the damage has already Salim Ali, wrote to former urban India is becoming environment will stall that states as possible to fill this fewer number of seats. This been done, with the state Prime Minister Indira interested in environmental process. While this is true, gap. Had the chief ministers is a decisive turn in the Sena’s government saying it has Gandhi that Sanjay Gandhi issues. Second, while there has to be a balance of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh politics. already cut the trees it National Park, including the people are becoming between the two, and and Telangana not The other departure in Sena’s needed to cut to clear the Aarey Colony, must not be aware, the government proper evaluation must be cooperated, the government politics is the decision of area. touched because they are seems negligent of the based on data. The good could not have taken such Aaditya Thackeray to The 1,300-hectare forest the city’s best ecosystems. importance of ecological news is that ecosystem important decisions as the contest. The party’s founder, land in the city’s northern What once used to be over resilience. It neither paid services can now be abrogation of Article 370 or the late Balasaheb Thackeray, suburb, Goregaon, is 3,000 acres of forest land, heed to a recommendation measured. It is time for the triple talaq. In addition, when believed more in supporting considered the lung of the however, has already been that the car depot could be state to listen to experts, it comes to critical candidates than contesting city. It is home to a variety reduced to around 1,300 relocated in north-central who have warned that constitutional amendments, elections himself. The Sena of flora and fauna; is the acres. Mumbai, nor took into Mumbai will face flooding, the government needs not remained in power for almost catchment for the city’s two Even though the trees have account suggestions for loss of open space and only a majority in both the four-and-a-half years, but rivers; and helps tackle been cut, the protest to save seven alternative sites. wildlife if the depot is built Houses, but a two-thirds Matoshree — the Thackeray pollution, floods, and brings the Colony is an important Many argue that India in the forest. majority. There are clear residence — remained more Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 HEALTH & FITNESS 27 New cases of HIV rise Stay Healthy And Super Fit With in Eastern Europe, decline in the West Dried Fruits And These Healthy Bars Almost 160,000 people were Dried fruits contain little to no fat. They also contain significant calories per diagnosed in Europe with the human immunodeficiency virus serving, making them a natural source of energy for athletes. They are also a good (HIV), which causes AIDS, according to data from the supplement for people seeking to gain weight in a healthy way. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and movement, skin health, hair control, the World Health Organization’s cancer fighting properties, improving bone (WHO) regional office for Europe. health, improved vision, easing digestion and fighting anaemia to name a few. Many More than 130,000 people were of the dry fruits are low in glycemic index, newly diagnosed with HIV last year in and so, they help slow release of energy Eastern Europe, the highest rate ever and control blood sugar. for the region, while the number of new Because most of the water is cases in Western Europe declined, extracted from fruits, their nutrients are global public health experts said on condensed into a small package. Dried Wednesday. European Union and fruits like apricots, raisins, prunes and figs European Economic Area countries saw contain high amounts of beta carotene, a reduction in 2017 rates, mainly driven vitamin E, niacin, iron, magnesium, by a 20% drop since 2015 among men potassium and calcium. Dried fruits who have sex with men. That left contain little to no fat. They also contain Europe’s overall increasing trend less significant calories per serving, making steep than previously. them a natural source of energy for All told, almost 160,000 people were athletes. They are also a good supplement diagnosed in Europe with the human As healthy living has become a fresh counterparts. for people seeking to gain weight in a immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which catchword these days, people have taken These help in various ways like healthy way.Dried fruits like apricots, causes AIDS, according to data from the to eating dried fruits and health bars. increase of good cholesterol, reduction in raisins, prunes and figs contain high European Centre for Disease Prevention Experts say these can give natural bad cholesterol, maintaining blood amounts of beta carotene, vitamin E, and Control (ECDC) and the World nutrients. V.V. Mani, Director, Operations, pressure , blood sugar control, thyroid niacin, iron, magnesium, potassium and Health Organization’s (WHO) regional Unibic, and Suhasni Sampath, Co- control, improving heart function, bowel calcium. office for Europe. “It’s hard to talk about Founder, Yoga Bars, explain how dry fruits good news in the face of another year and nuts used in health snack bars help of unacceptably high numbers of people the cause of healthy living: infected with HIV,” said Zsuzsanna Dried fruits generally contain more Jakab, director of the WHO regional fiber than the same-sized serving of their office. Calling on governments and fresh counterparts. Fiber helps in keeping health officials to recognise the your digestive system running smoothly. seriousness of the situation, she urged The various dry fruits are packed them: “Scale up your response now.”The naturally with a mix of nutritional elements United Nations AIDS agency UNAIDS like potassium, calcium, magnesium, warned in July that complacency was zinc, iron, carotenoids, antioxidants, starting to stall the fight against the vitamins, dietary fiber, flavonoids, global epidemic, with the pace of selenium and more apart from the good progress not matching what is needed. quality fat and protein that these Some 37 million people worldwide are provide.Dried fruits generally contain more infected with HIV. fiber than the same-sized serving of their Obese children more likely to develop asthma than kids of a healthy weight, warns study Parents, please take note. Your child’s weight plays an important role in determining his or her asthma risk. Obese or overweight children are at an increased risk of asthma, a new study has found. US Researchers say it is likely to develop the lung asthma is among the most researchers possible that weight gain is fuelling condition than children of a prevalent childhood conditions reviewed de- the rise in childhood asthma. healthy weight. The findings and comes at a high cost to identified Researchers discovered that suggest that the incidence of an patients, families and the greater data of obese youngsters were more asthma diagnosis among children health system,” said co-author patients with obesity Terri Finkel from Nemours aged two to wasChildren’s Hospital in Orlando. 17 without a significantly “There are few preventable risk history of higher than in factors to reduce the incidence of asthma, those in a asthma, but our data show that receiving normal weight reducing the onset of childhood care from six paediatric academic obesity among children with range and that obesity could significantly lower medical centres between 2009 asthma appears to increase 23-27% of new the public health burden of and 2015. Overweight or obese disease severity. Being asthma cases asthma,” Finkel added.For the patients were matched with overweight was identified as a were directly study published in the journal normal weight patients of the modest risk factor for asthma, and attributable to Paediatrics, the research team same age, gender, race, ethnicity, the association was diminished obesity. analysed medical records of more insurance type and location of when the most stringent definition “Paediatric than 500,000 children. The care. The researchers found that of asthma was used. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 US & THE WORLD 28 Scientists who discovered the first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star win the Nobel Prize for Physics alongside a Princeton cosmologist who studied the Big Bang (News Agencies) The cash award, a gold medal confirmation of the understanding of the Nobel Prize in Physics has and a diploma. existence of an exoplanet, evolution of our universe been awarded to three Professor James which is one which orbits and Earth's place in the scientists for their work Peebles will take half of a star other than our Sun. cosmos. exploring the universe. the winnings while the It is now regarded as a 'James Peebles took on Professor Michel Mayor Swiss duo Professor pivotal moment in the cosmos, with its and Professor Didier Michel Mayor and astronomy because no billions of galaxies and Queloz, both working in Professor Didier Queloz, planet other than those in galaxy clusters. 'His Switzerland, were awarded will share the other our own solar system had theoretical framework, for discovering the first £370,000.Speaking of the ever been found before. developed over two exoplanet orbiting a sun- Swiss duo's work on Since the discovery, decades, is the foundation like star in 1995. exoplanets the Nobel Professor Queloz has of our modern And Canadian Assembly said: 'The successfully developed understanding of the cosmologist Professor discovery by 2019 Nobel the Doppler technique to be universe's history, from the James Peebles, who works Prize laureates Michel more precise, leading to Big Bang to the present at Princeton, was Mayor and Didier Queloz the discovery of further day.' recognised for his work in started a revolution in 1,900 or so confirmed In adding a the field of cosmology astronomy and over 4,000 exoplanets. One 10th of mathematical approach to researching the origins of exoplanets have since those were discovered by understanding the the Big Bang. been found in the Milky Queloz himself. Canadian cosmos, Professor The three scientists Way. cosmologist Professor Peebles is credited with were credited for their 'Strange new worlds are James Peebles was also various contributions to the contribution to the still being discovered, with awarded for his work in Big Bang theory through understanding of the an incredible wealth of cosmology. the analysis of relic radiation this subject – I can tell you experimental evolution of the universe sizes, forms and orbits.' Dr Göran K. Hansson, left over from the light rays the date, 1964 – at the observational basis was so and 'Earth's place in the Prof. Queloz and Prof. secretary general of the which once pierced the hazy invitation of my mentor, modest. ... I just kept cosmos'. Mayor discovered 51 Royal Swedish Academy of universe. Speaking at the Professor Robert Henry going. 'Which particular They will share a Pegasi b at the University Sciences said today: 'This awards over the phone, Dicke, I was very uneasy step did I take? I would be 9million kronor (£740,000) of Geneva in 1995. year's prize goes to Professor Peebles said: about going into this very hard-pressed to say. Theirs was the first contributions to our 'When I started working in subject because the It's a life's work.' New evidence suggests a huge asteroid DID hit EARTH 12,800 years ago causing an ice age, wiping out dozens of species and decimating humans University of the on earth. Free State, said: 'Our ice age.' Many mammals Witwatersrand in Now Francis Thackeray finding at least partially became extinct in North Johannesburg, South of the Evolutionary Studies supports the highly America, South America Africa partially support the Institute at the University controversial Younger and Europe at the time of theory that a meteorite of the Witwatersrand in Dryas Impact Hypothesis the Younger Dryas. crashed into earth with South Africa believes a (YDIH). In South Africa a few global consequences – platinum spike found in extraordinary large animal along with another South Africa proves the 'We seriously need to species became extinct meteorite site discovered extinction of many large explore the view that an around that period in Chile. animals globally could asteroid impact including the giant African An episode of rapid have been caused by one somewhere on earth may buffalo, a large zebra, and (News Agencies) A 'platinum spikes' found in cooling named the The or multiple meteoroid have caused climate a very big wildebeest each huge asteroid may have ancient soil samples Younger Dryas is a well impacts. change on a global scale. weighing around 1,100lbs hit the Earth 12,800 years across the world are documented period Dr Thackeray who was 'And [it may have] (500kg) more than its ago causing global climate evidence of the meteor believed to have working with researcher contributed to some modern counterpart. change and extinction, fragments that crashed contributed to the Philip Pieterse from the extent to the process of Human populations may according to new evidence into Earth. extinction of many species University of Johannesburg extinctions of large also have been indirectly found in South Africa. Meteorites are rich in of large animals around and Professor Louis Scott animals at the end of the affected at the time in Scientists analysed platinum and the 12,800 years ago. of the University of the Pleistocene, after the last question. ancient soil at a site Wonderkrater site in the Theories previously called Wonderkrater and Limpopo Province, north of pointed to this post-ice found high levels of Pretoria in South Africa age cooling as a result of platinum - which they say adds to almost 30 other changes in oceanic supports the The Younger platinum spikes found circulation systems. Dryas Impact Hypothesis worldwide, mostly in the Another theory was that a disintegrating northern hemisphere. Until presented by American meteor hit Earth and now, proof that meteoroids scientists in 2007 – that caused a mini ice age. had impacted during that the cooling was triggered The resulting ice age is period and potentially led by the dust fallout of an believed by many to a mini-ice age had only asteroid impact.Dust scientists to have wiped been documented across circulating in the out dozens of mammals the northern hemisphere. atmosphere after an species including the A total of 28 areas with impact could have Mammoth and giant high levels of platinum had reduced the amount of wildebeest and decimated been found. sunlight reaching the the human population. The findings from the earth, affecting plant Scientists believe researchers at the growth and temperatures Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 29 Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 BOX OFFICE INSIDER 30 Nusrat Jahan says ‘I am God’s special child’ after drawing criticism for Durga Puja celebrations Trinamool Congress (TMC) face. Speaking to media persons days ago, an Islamic cleric called lawmaker Nusrat Jahan, who on Friday, Jahan said: “I have her “anti-Islamic.” The cleric said played ‘Sindoor Khela’ at a already sent a message to the that she brought a bad name to pandal on Friday, has said that people that nothing matters more the religion and urged her to she respects people of all than humanity and love. I am god’s change the name. religions. During the celebration, special child and respect When asked about the remarks Bengali Hindu women apply humanity and love more than of the cleric, the lawmaker said: sindoor on the forehead and feet anything. I respect all religions.” “I am engrossed in so much of the goddess and offer sweets Irked after Jahan, who is married happiness and festivities today to her, which is followed by to a non-Muslim businessman, that I do not want to talk about applying sindoor on each other’s performed the Durga puja a few the negative things.” Amitabh Bachchan was a boxer in school, old letter reveals Actor Amitabh Bachchan is known also boxed as a student during his was member of the Blue House. for his frequent tweets and posts on seven years in the school, between Remembering his sports and sportspersons but few 1949 and 1955. As a student from principal “Mr Dutt”, Amitabh know that he himself was an ardent class one to class seven, he even recalled how under his disciplined sportsperson and a boxer during his acted in plays, a fact that he himself guidance and care, there were school days. Records of his alma conceded in a letter written to the many moral and social initiatives mater, Boy’s High School and school on November 3, 2011—the that were imparted to him as a College (BHS) of Prayagraj and a year BHS celebrated its 150th student. “Those were the days my letter written by the actor to his anniversary friend, the happiest and the most school in 2011 is a testament to this In the letter, the Bollywood colourful. They shall never return, fact. star wrote about his athletic but living in the memory of those As Amitabh celebrated his achievements on the playing field, times with great nostalgia, shall 77th birthday on Friday, people of his the boxing ring, and also about his ever be my greatest motivation,” hometown extended their warm escapades on the stage. “During my the actor, the 2019 winner of wishes to him in their own way. years in BHS, the academic initiation Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his Academic supervisor of his former that I imbibed became forerunners of ‘outstanding contribution to the school CB Luke shared how whatever else I was to pursue in time growth and development of Indian Bachchan was an active athlete and to come,” he wrote, adding that he cinema’, had written. Ram Charan's wife just gifted 'Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy' actor Tamannaah Bhatia 5th biggest diamond worth Rs 2 crore! Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is working well at the Box Office, and the producers of the film appear to be happy with the team for the same. While Ram Charan has gone on to work with his father Chiranjeevi yet again for the latter's 125th film, his wife had a surprise for Tamanaah Bhatia. Ram's wife Upasana Konidela took to Twitter and shared a photo of Tamanaah flaunting a huge diamond ring. Alongside she wrote, "A gift for the super @tamannaahspeaks from Mrs Producer Missing u already. Catch up soon. #SyeraaNarashimaReddy." Tamannaah too replied on the post stating, "This bottle opener shall have many memories attached to it . Felt awesome to catch up after so long , waiting to see you soon , miss u more."Interestingly the ring on Tamaanaah's finger happens to be the fifth largest black diamond yet. In fact the cost of this diamond too is Rs. 2 crore.In the movie Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Tamannaah plays love interest to Chiranjeevi. Her performance was widely appreciated among viewers. Apart from Tamannaah and Chiranjeevi, the movie also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Kiccha Sudeep, Jagapathi Babu, Ravi Kishen, Niharika, Nayanthara, Anushka Shetty and Vijay Sethupathi in pivotal roles. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 BOX OFFICE INSIDER 31 War movie review Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff drama is high on action, low on story War movie review: With swag, style and sass in abundance, where is the substance in Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s new film?how he met Khalid (Tiger War is that no actor is the plot is, she disappears. international locales like Shroff) who went on to join aiming for one-upmanship, The 20-minute forced Morocco and Portugal, as his unit in an intelligence instead you see them cameo, with a song thrown well as Delhi and Kerala, the agency. Story takes an feeding off each other’s in, doesn’t impress one bit. film excels in the action interesting turn when energy. There’s a pleasant Vaani’s role seems to be department. War gives a Khalid, who has always comic vibe, too, between limited to adding glamour to callback to action worshipped Kabir as his Hrithik and Tiger and the film. It’s sad that even in extravaganzas such as mentor, is assigned the task director Siddharth Anand today’s day and age, that’s Mission Impossible and of finding and arresting him. uses it cleverly without it what many filmmakers cast Fast & Furious, and Hrithik’s Khalid is also supposed to sounding awkward. female actors in their film for. earlier outings Dhoom 2 and find out why Kabir went bad Hrithik — Bollywood’s And you’ll feel the same for Bang Bang. and another flashback resident Greek god, supporting actors too. Fine Amid all this, you wonder War espionage thriller that serves sequence post intermission unapologetically flaunts his performers such as what happened to the Director - Siddharth Anand you with just the right reveals his reasons. age and swag. You’d love Ashutosh Rana and Soni story if at all there was Cast - Hrithik Roshan, Tiger amount of action, humour Throughout War, Hrithik and those wrinkles. Tiger — the Razdan are wasted in War, any. Just like we had Shroff, Vaani Kapoor and tops it with ridiculously Tiger’s onscreen hot favourite among youth even though they somewhat Saaho a month back War has swag, style and good-looking people. camaraderie is on point. It — delivers an honest justify their screen time with which was all things sass in abundance, and However, don’t expect too is the USP of the film — just performance even though he whatever little comes their action but no story, War comes peppered with high- much from story because as makers intended. Each seems absolutely star way. Anupriya Goenka, too makes you question octane action scenes, car- with two bonafide action frame where the two appear struck by his reel and real however, does make her why filmmakers don’t put and-bike chases and jaw- stars fighting it out on the together receives whistles life mentor. But who’s presence felt. The one enough thought into dropping series of twists. big screen, everything else and cheers from fans. complaining? Unfortunately, element that you get in having a substantial plot. What else do you expect is secondary. Whether they’re fighting or War doesn’t give any scope abundance in War is War suffers from a from a film that has Hrithik War opens with Kabir dancing, or just flaunting to its female lead to perform. beautifully-choreographed relatively weak screenplay Roshan and Tiger Shroff as (Hrithik Roshan), a rogue their six-pack abs and Vaani Kapoor only appears action. The first half has that does not go unnoticed the lead pair? agent, killing his own. chiselled bodies — it’s in the film in its second half, these sequences in plenty as the two good-looking Directed by Siddharth Through a flashback nothing short of a visual and before you can even and it only gets better in the actors overshadow Anand, War is an sequence, it is established treat. The best aspect of understand what her role in second half. Shot at exotic everything else. Joker movie review Joaquin Phoenix delivers Oscar-worthy performance in daring and distressing masterpiece Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips’ film might not incite violence, but it is sure to inspire heated debate. It’s the best comic book movie since Logan. Driver and The King of own misery; drowning in its Joker isn’t an easy film to Travis Bickle and Rupert Comedy; an unrelentingly own despair. watch; nor is it particularly Pupkin, he has a tendency distressing drama about Phillips looks at Arthur, a easy to understand. It isn’t to bathe himself in delusions loneliness and unchecked mentally ill loner, not with meant to be. For instance, of self-grandeur — I fear that mental illness. judgement, but with a I don’t for one second there is a very real chance for From its gloriously gripping mixture of pity and believe that Phillips could the film to be misinterpreted opening scene to its jaw- empathy. Despite his be tactless enough to by precisely the sort of people dropping final moments, it troubles, Arthur — crucially glorify a psychopath in the who shouldn’t be seeing it as is nearly impossible to take and controversially — isn’t manner that his film a validation of their dangerous your eyes off Joaquin a bad person. He is suggests. Arthur is most feelings. Phoenix’s incredible eternally ridiculed, bullied, certainly humanised, but The risks, tragically, are performance as Arthur and beaten up; living at the he is never idolised. He is quantifiable. A Taxi Driver fan Joker comic book influences on Fleck, as much as you mercy of a system that a product of the same tried to assassinate Ronald Director - Todd Phillips director Todd Phillips’ Joker. might want to. But it is this doesn’t give two hoots civilised society that has Reagan. Mark David Cast - Joaquin Phoenix, I couldn’t think of a more very repulsion that Phillips, about him or his ailing dedicated itself to pushing Chapman had a copy of The Robert De Niro, Zazie thematically relevant quote I believe, is attempting to mother. him to the fringes of Catcher in the Rye in his Beetz, Marc Maron to sum up this incendiary tap into. Now this may well be existence and ignoring his pocket when he shot John “All it takes,” the Joker new film, which is at once There were several problematic for some frequent cries for help. Lennon. Charles Manson famously said once, “is one a fable about moral decay, moments in the film, audiences. God knows I’ve After an unrelentingly grim heard secret messages in bad day to reduce the and a cautionary tale about including Arthur’s struggled with what to feel couple of acts, Joker the music of the Beatles. sanest man alive to societal division. introductory scene, when I about it myself. A transforms into a broad (but And only Shahid Kapoor lunacy.” And that is all that Besides a couple of wanted to avert my eyes, sympathetic portrayal of a pitch-black) satire towards knows how many sexist separates him from the rest tacked-on moments as many of us do when someone who is clearly the end. This switch in Tik-Tokers Kabir Singh has of society. One bad day. (including a cute speech confronted with things that modelled after one of those tone, in my opinion, is spawned. This quote, as fans of the by the Trumpian Thomas make us uncomfortable. mass murderers that we what pulls the film off the That being said, I find it Batman comics would Wayne about men who Our first instinct, hear about on the news, ledge that it was fully ridiculous that the same know, comes from Alan hide behind masks), Joker understandably, is to get as especially in 2019, a year prepared to leap from. people who reject the Moore and Brian Bolland’s has very little to offer fans far away from the in which there have been a And Arthur is, lest we notion of movies being seminal 1988 graphic of comic book movies. It is, discomfort as possible. But reported 334 mass forget, a highly unreliable responsible for inciting real- novel, The Killing Joke, instead, inspired (heavily) no matter how far we run, shootings in America, narrator. Coupled with the life violence are the ones which is one of only a by the bleak philosophy of the source of our problems seems highly knowledge that he is prone panicking about Joker handful of recognisable Martin Scorsese’s Taxi will remain, festering in its irresponsible. to imagining things — like inspiring mass shooters. Friday 11 October - 17 October 2019 NEWS THIS WEEK 32 2 arrested for raping deaf and mute woman in Mumbai The Mumbai Police has arrested two men for raping a 25-year-old differently abled woman.

A20-year-old man and his friend have been arrested for allegedly raping a deaf and mute woman in Mumbai, Teenager becomes first vaping fatality in New York police said on Tuesday. According to a ALBANY — A 17-year-old doing because they market to containing THC — as they eight percent of respondents police official, the accused, who were Bronx resident has become the young people,” Cuomo said. At struggle to suss out the root supported the Cuomo arrested on Monday, have been first New Yorker to die from a least 110 illnesses have been problem. The vaping industry administration’s emergency identified as Lakhan Kaale and his vaping-related illness, Gov. confirmed in New York as of contends its reputation and directive prohibiting the sale of friend Sandip Kurhade (22), both Andrew Cuomo announced Monday, and nearly 1,100 business are being maligned flavored e-cigarette products — residents of adjoining Thane. The victim Tuesday. Cuomo called vaping people have been sickened for the problems caused by which a state appellate court (25) worked as a maid in a residential a “public health crisis” and said across the U.S. with vaping- counterfeit and other illicit put on hold late last week — society in upscale suburb of Bandra the state Department of Health related respiratory injuries, products, and the and more than half of those (East), he said. On Sunday afternoon, has begun investigating the according to the CDC and crackdowns imposed by New polled backed banning the sale she suddenly disappeared after she boy’s case. “Parents have to FDA. At least 18 other York and others are unfairly of all e-cigarettes and vaping went out of the housing society, the know, young people have to people have died.More than targeting them. A Siena devices. The boy was official said. When she did not return, know, you are playing with your 80 percent of those illnesses College poll released hospitalized at Montefiore her employer informed her parents who life, when you play with this have involved people under Monday found more than Medical Center in the Bronx, stuff,” he told reporters at an the age of 35, and public three-quarters of New Cuomo said. Mayor Bill de reside in Virar, a distant suburb of unrelated event at his health officials are Yorkers surveyed considered Blasio, speaking at a separate Mumbai, and they lodged a missing Manhattan offices. discouraging the use of all e-cigarette usage to be either event at roughly the same time, person complaint with the Kherwadi “These companies vaping-related products — a somewhat or very serious said he had not heard about police station, he said. know exactly what they’re with an emphasis on those public health problem. Sixty- the teen’s death. (Contd on page 23) Teenager becomes first vaping fatality 'Joker' -- a political parable for our times "Joker," the Todd Phillips movie the movie: A shocking Golden Lion in New York that reimagines the origins of win at the Venice International ALBANY — A 17-year-old Batman's killer-clown nemesis, Film Festival and a joint bulletin Bronx resident has opened this weekend to record- from the FBI and Department of setting box office -- fueled by deft Homeland Security warning about become the first New marketing and some of the most online threats of mass shootings Yorker to die from a polarizing critical reaction of any at "Joker" screenings. vaping-related illness, mass-market film in decades. Set in a very thinly disguised New Gov. Andrew Cuomo Further fueling the hype around York City, Phillips's version of the announced Tuesday. Cuomo called vaping a Social Media Sparked #MeToo. “public health crisis" and said the state Now Facebook Could End It. Department of Health has begun investigating the A defamation case pitting a powerful artist against Joker story has as its protagonist hero -- his status as a sexless boy’s case. “Parents an Instagram account could strip away a prized Arthur Fleck, a middle-aged, loner who turns to violence -- the have to know, young protection for survivors of assault — anonymity. working-class man who lives with true nature of the movie's appeal people have to know, you his invalid mother. Fleck works as is actually broader: It's an a clown for hire while fantasizing insidious validation of the white- are playing with your life, Do you like Steven Spielberg and infamous murders or crimes about romancing the lovely single male resentment that helped bring when you play with this scary TV shows? Well, he's occurred. currently working on one, but Oh, and did we mention that these mother who lives down the hall. President Donald Trump to power. stuff,” he told reporters at there's a catch: it will only be series will be diced up into short He's brutalized by young thugs. "Joker," at its core, is the story of an unrelated event at his available on mobile phones, at episodes — all just 10 minutes or He's beaten by suit-clad Wall the "forgotten man," the Manhattan offices. night. Are you a fan of Jane Austen less?They're all part of the lineup Streeters. And his answer to this metaphoric displaced and “These companies know adaptations? That's great! There's for Quibi, a new streaming service dual pincer of oppression by disenfranchised white man whose exactly what they’re a gay "Pride and Prejudice" to be launched in 2020 by two people of color and one-percenters goodwill has been abused and doing because they inspired rom-com coming soon. veteran CEOs — Meg Whitman is a murderous rampage of whose status has been reduced. market to young people,” How about home renovation of Silicon Valley (she previously revenge, which catches fire A man who has been crushed Cuomo said. At least 110 shows? Everyone likes those, headed eBay and Hewlett- among fellow angry citizens of underfoot by the elite, dragged illnesses have been right? Sure, but this one is a cross Packard) and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gotham and sends them looting down by equality-demanding confirmed in New York as between HGTV and CSI, in that it of Hollywood (he led DreamWorks through the streets. feminists and climbed over by While many reviewers have upstart nonwhite and immigrant of Monday (Contd on 23) only includes houses where Animation). (Contd on page 23) focused on Fleck as an "incel" masses. (Contd on page 23)