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Amid illegal construction controversy, Sonu Sood makes a ‘courtesy visit’ to NCP chief Sharad Pawar

OpIndia Staff
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Amid illegal construction controversy, Sonu Sood makes a ‘courtesy visit’ to NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Bombay High Court has listed actor Sonu Sood’s plea for hearing on January 13. Sood had requested court to stay the demolition notice issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for his alleged illegal hotel in Juhu. Amidst the controversy, Sood went to meet National Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday.

A civil court had dismissed Sood’s plea in which he had asked to cancel the notice by BMC in October 2020. The actor then filed a plea in the Bombay High Court challenging the notice issued by BMC. The High Court had provided interim relief to the actor against the demolition action till January 13.

BMC called Sonu Sood a “habitual offender”

In the affidavit submitted by the BMC before the Bombay High Court, the civic body has alleged that the actor is a habitual offender. It accused the actor of carrying out unauthorized work in his residential building and converting it into a hotel without permission. The civic body also alleged that there are no documents to prove Sood or his wife are the owners of the 6-storey Shakti Sagar building located in Juhu.

Sood and BMC have been fighting over illegal construction since January 2018. The civic body has mentioned in the affidavit that they had carried out the demolition process twice so far, but the actor carries out the construction and remodelling work. BMC further alleged that his hotel violates the MRTP Act provisions and the MMC Act, 1888.

Bengal Imam Association slams Owaisi and AIMIM, asks people not to vote for them

Aditi
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Bengal Imam Association slams Owaisi and AIMIM, asks people not to vote for them

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi seems to be facing troubled waters in the poll-bound state of West Bengal. Owaisi’s entry in the political scenario of the State has irked the head of West Bengal Imam Association, Mohammad Yahya. Yahya has made an appeal to the people of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ruled State not to vote for the AIMIM or any outfit backed by it.

Yahya questioned as to why AIMIM was contesting in Muslim-dominated areas

Taking a dig at Owaisi, Yahya on Tuesday accused him of playing the ‘politics of religion’ in the State. He said that Owaisi was not ‘Godfather’. “In Bengal, elections are not fought on the basis of religion. Owaisi’s emergence will not make any difference in Bengal because people here believe in development. He is not a Godfather that people would follow what he says”, said Yahya as quoted by ANI.

Yahya further said that the BJP and the AIMIM were indulging in religious polarisation in the State. “BJP is trying to divide Bengal, the same as AIMIM. The election is for everyone-not just for selective areas like Hindu dominated areas or Muslim dominated areas. Why does AIMIM want to contest election particularly in minority-dominated areas? Please do not ask for votes on the basis of religious practice”, he added.

Insinuating that the AIMIM was helping the BJP in the state, Yahya said that AIMIM comes to the rescue of the BJP wherever the latter faces a tough election. “Every vote to them is a vote for BJP. Why does a Hyderabadi politician become active in states only where BJP faces tough opposition in winning elections”, Times of India quoted Yahya as saying.

Muslim hardliners will benefit Hindutva

Yahya questioned Owaisi’s intentions and said that he could not be the face of Muslims in the State. “Where was Owaisi all these days? Suddenly he got reminded of Muslims in Bengal? When Bengalis were being driven out of Assam using NRC, where was Owaisi? Owaisi cannot be the face of Muslims in Bengal. Muslim hardliner will only give advantage to hardline Hindutva“, said Yahya as quoted by India Today.

A meeting of clerics was reportedly held in the state last week headed by Qari Fazlur Rahman, an influential spiritual leader among the Muslims in the State. During the meeting Rahman warned people against forces trying to target them for their religious beliefs and disturbing the peace. “People are free to vote for anybody they want and we don’t want to influence that decision. But do remember, this time the vote will not only decide the future of the state but of millions of people staying here. There are forces that want to disturb the peace and drive a wedge among people, sowing seeds of hatred. Many people may be targeted for their religious beliefs. We must arrive at a consensus and vote responsibly”, he said.

Last year in November, Owaisi had reportedly proposed a pre-poll alliance with the TMC ahead of the Assembly polls. Interestingly, the approach of CM Mamata Banerjee has not been very welcoming towards Owaisi and she had even called him an outsider.

China’s corona vaccine under trial in Brazil has shown less than 60% efficacy: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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China’s corona vaccine under trial in Brazil has shown less than 60% efficacy: Reports

Trials in Brazil have suggested that China’s Covid vaccine has a lower efficacy rate than expected. The reports suggest that the coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech has a general efficacy of less than 60%.

As per a Reuters report, Sao Paulo’s Butantan Biomedical Centre, which has patterned with Sinovac for the trial and production of the Chinese vaccine, called the ‘60%’ efficacy reports purely speculative. The organisation, which is running a later stage trial, had earlier stated that the vaccine has shown a 78% efficacy rate against mild cases and entirely prevented severe cases. However, independent experts have demanded more transparency and called it an ‘incomplete disclosure’. Sinovac’s vaccine candidate is named as ‘CoronaVac’.

Last week’s report published in state-sponsored news website UOL

Butantan claims report is ‘speculative’

Butantan Biomedical Centre had partnered with Sinovac to test and produce the vaccine in Brazil. The centre said that the report of lower efficacy rate is “purely speculative” and it will release a complete set of results on Tuesday 15:45 GMT (21:45 IST). Director of the Butantan biomedical centre, Dimas Covas said that ongoing analysis had shown a new general efficacy rate in addition to the clinical efficacy announced in the first week of January.

Complete set of data to be revealed this week

Along with Sinovac, AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University have applied for emergency use authorization for their Brazil vaccine. News website UOL talked to Covas on Monday who said that Butantan prioritized getting the data to Anvisa, health regulator of Brazil while analyzing the results in parallel. He further added that the complete data would be released to a scientific conference this week.

On Saturday, Anvisa had said that CoronaVac lacked some relevant information for analysis of the study including age, gender and comorbidities of the volunteers. The federal agency that is managing the trial had raised questions about its independence that has added the tensions between Sao Paulo officials and the government of President Jair Bolsonaro. Further, there are concerns over the vaccines developed by Chinese producers as they are not subject to the same public scrutiny compared to European and US alternatives.

Turkey and Indonesia have chosen CoronaVac

As per the reports, Turkey and Indonesia have also chosen CoronaVac. Indonesia has already given approval for the vaccine emergency use on Monday based on interim data that showed the vaccine is 65% effective. On the other hand, Turkey had ordered 50 million doses of the vaccine and so far received 3 million shots. Prof. Vedat Bulut, Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Secretary-General said in a statement that the World Health Organization states that a Covid vaccine should be minimum 50 percent effective to be eligible for the mass use.

Germany-based neuroscientist Çağhan Kızıl, said on Twitter that the efficacy rate of the Chinese vaccine is even lesser than what it is being said. He said, the actual efficacy rate of the vaccine stands at 50.38 percent. He further added that the efficacy rate of 78 percent is for the mild cases and it is not possible to comment properly without checking the fully explained data.

Covid-19 in Brazil

Brazil has so far reported 81,31,612 Covid-19 cases. 79,28,032 people have recovered so far and 2,03, 580 people have lost their lives to the infection.

Uttar Pradesh: Minor girl repeatedly raped by ‘boyfriend’, four others, prime accused Faiz Sheri blackmailed her by leaking intimate videos

OpIndia Staff
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A minor girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by her ‘boyfriend’ Faiz Sheri he promised marriage to her. He even made their intimate videos and shared it with his friends. Following that, his friends blackmailed that they will make the videos viral and then raped her. While a case of gang rape has been registered against all five accused, all are currently absconding.

As per reports, the victim claimed that Faiz Sheri promised her marriage a year ago and has been raping her since. He also made obscene videos and photos of hers which he made viral on social media on January 1. After her family got to know of it, they approached the police.

The police have also recovered the video and have sent it for forensic testing. Teams have been formed for arresting the absconding accused.

Faiz Sheri raped her after promising marriage

According to the police, the girl in her complaint said that she was in relationship with Faiz who had made the intimate video. He later misused the video to blackmail her. His four friends repeatedly raped her for months over the video. Recently, the girl ask Faiz to marry her. However, he refused and shared the video on social media.

The girl and the victim belong to the same community as per police. The accused are booked under IPC section 376-D (gangrape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 67 of the IT Act. Section 354C (voyeurism) was also added as the prime accused Faiz shared the video with others and misused it to sexually assault her.

Uganda bans Twitter and Facebook over election interference allegations, Twitter cries ‘Human Rights’ violation

OpIndia Staff
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Uganda bans Twitter and Facebook over election interference allegations, Twitter cries ‘Human Rights’ violation

Twitter, which has been facing a massive backlash across the world for stifling the freedom of speech by banning the sitting President of the United States Donald Trump over ideological issues, on Tuesday ironically posted a tweet condemning the Ugandan authorities blocking social media apps in the run-up to an election in the African country.

According to the reports, the Uganda government on Tuesday through the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered internet service providers to block access to social media applications and websites. It was reported that Twitter and Facebook were trying to interfere in the elections by blocking certain pro-government voices.

Amidst the ongoing interference in the elections by the big-techs companies such as Twitter and Facebook, the Ugandan officials had ordered internet service providers to shut down social media and messaging applications on Tuesday. The move comes two days ahead of the country’s presidential election. The sitting president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni is facing a contest against opposition frontrunner and popular singer Bobi Wine.

Twitter, Facebook accused of election interference in Uganda

The decision to ban social media companies comes as retaliation after Facebook had arbitrarily deleted some government-linked accounts.

Facebook claimed that it removed the accounts for seeking to manipulate public debate ahead of the election, adding that they were tied to the Ministry for Information and Technology. Uganda struck back at Facebook and Twitter by banning them from the internet after they started censoring Uganda officials ahead of the elections.

Following the decision to ban to social media apps, the President of Uganda Yoweri K Museveni said, “these platforms should be used equitably, if you want to take any parts, then you can’t operate in Uganda, because Uganda is our country, we can’t accept them to decide who is good and who is bad.”

“I apologize that the Government of Uganda has closed Facebook in Uganda, this is very unfortunate but inevitable. If they are to operate here, they have to be equitable,” President Museveni added.

Taking to Twitter, the Ugandan government said, “We demand that Facebook & Twitter write directly to the individuals that lost their accounts. Since Facebook cited MoICT of Uganda in their statement, let them write to us so that there’s a chance for a fair hearing. Accounts lost on Facebook belong to the Government of Uganda employees.

Twitter outrages over ban, claims violated ‘human rights’

Following the temporary ban on social media apps in Uganda, Twitter ‘tweeted’ to condemn the Ugandan government’s action to stop tech giants interference in the elections.

Just days after arbitrarily banning US President Donald Trump, after months of stopping posts about alleged election fraud in the US, and literally carrying out a witch hunt against the outgoing US President to favour his opponent, Twitter flaunted its hypocrisy by claiming that ban on social media apps was nothing but ‘censoring speech’ and basic ‘human rights’ in an election.

The under-fire micro-blogging site posted a tweet saying, “Ahead of the Ugandan election, we’re hearing reports that internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps. We strongly condemn internet shutdowns- they are hugely harmful and violate basic human rights and the principles of #openinternet.”

Twitter also said that earlier this week in close coordination with their peers, they had suspended a number of accounts targeting the election in Uganda. If we can attribute any of this activity to state-backed actors, we will disclose to our archive of information operations, it added.

“Access to information and freedom of expression, including the public conversation on Twitter, is never more important than during democratic processes, particularly elections,” Twitter claimed in a tweet exposing its own hypocrisy over the issue of free speech on the internet.

Big-techs election interference in US Presidential elections and banning of POTUS Trump

Allegations of election interference by Big-tech became a huge issue in the run-up to the US Presidential elections last year after social media giants such as Facebook, Twitter along with Google began to censor and manipulate the accounts linked to conservatives and Republican party supporters, thus giving an unfair advantage for the radical left and Democrats to further their propaganda in the US elections.

Addition to that, Big Tech such as Facebook, Google and Twitter have made it very clear that they have Democrat-leaning bias and they work towards unjustly silencing Republican voices on their platforms.

After censuring his content, Twitter and Facebook also took an extreme step of banning the sitting President of United States – Donald Trump from its platforms citing that he had incited violence ahead of the Capitol Hill protests that erupted in Washington DC.

BMC cites Sonu Sood as a habitual offender in its affidavit to Bombay HC. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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BMC cites Sonu Sood as a habitual offender in its affidavit to Bombay HC. Read details

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has called Sonu Sood a habitual offender in its affidavit submitted in the Bombay High Court. The BMC affidavit asserts that Sood keeps carrying out unauthorized construction work in a residential building that he had converted to a hotel without permission. BMC had issued a demolition notice to the actor for his 6-storey hotel in Khar.

In the affidavit, BMC said, “Sonu Sood wants to enjoy the commercial proceeds of their unauthorized work and therefore once again started reconstructing the demolished portion in order to make the hotel operational albeit illegally and without permission from the License Department.”

The allegations made by Sood are baseless, says BMC

BMC said that the construction he had done in his illegal commercial hotel violates the MRTP Act provisions and the MMC Act, 1888. To save his building from demolition, the actor had made baseless and unwarranted allegations that the agency is harassing him.

Sood is putting guests at risk

In the affidavit, BMC stated that the actor had converted his residential building into a hotel without permission and carried out modification without any prior authorization from the concerned authorities. Thus, he is putting the guests to risk. BMC further asserted that as he does not have the required license and permission, the actor should not be permitted to seek any relief from the court.

Sonu Sood of his wife may not own the building

In its affidavit, BMC stated that no documents are indicating that Sood or his wife Sonali Sood are the building owners. It initiated the demolition of the unauthorized work on November 12, 2018, for the first time.

How the case has progressed against Sood

In January 2020, BMC started to pursue the case against Sonu Sood when they received a complaint by Lokayukta who had passed an order asking BMC to file a report on why action should not be taken against BMC and its officers for not taking any action against the actor.

BMC said in the affidavit, “Such is the audacity of the appellant that he once again started alterations and reconstructed the demolished portion. Therefore, the BMC once again took action of demolition on February 14, 2020.”

In October 2020, BMC inspected the building and issued notice to the actor. Sood then approached the court and sought a stay on the demolition proceedings. A civil court had dismissed his plea in December 2020. Sood filed a petition last week challenging the notice sent by BMC. Justice Prithviraj Chavan will hear Sood’s plea on January 13.

First time in eight years, Manchester United tops the Premier League after its victory over Burnley

OpIndia Staff
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First time in eight years, Manchester United tops the Premier League after its victory over Burnley

Nearly after eighty years of the long wait, Manchester United have reached the top of the Premier League after their victory against Burnley on Tuesday.

Manchester United, for the first time since they last won the title in 2012-13 under Sir Alex Ferguson, is now leading the title race after they secured a comfortable victory against Burnley. In a hard-fought game, Paul Pogba scored a winner at 71st minute to secure the lead for the visiting team.

The Red Devils went into their Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor level with the defending champions Liverpool.

After the victory, Manchester United are at the top of the league table with 36 points, three more than Liverpool after 17 matches. Manchester United will be playing its rival Liverpool in the next game of the season. The Sunday’s clash against Liverpool will be a big test for the Red Devils.

Following the victory on Tuesday, Manchester United manager said that they could not have asked for a better time to play defending champions Liverpool and added that the boys are charged up.

“It’s a brilliant position to be in. Of course, we know we’re going to the champions, they’ve had unbelievable three-and-a-half seasons so we know that’s going to be a difficult game for us but we’re ready for it,” Solskjaer said.

In 2018, Manchester United had topped the Premier League at its initial stages but could not continue its run in the later stages of the league. After a long, expensive and often turbulent journey, Manchester United has now reached the top of the table, a place it belongs to.

Elon Musk keeps his promise as Tesla registers office in India

OpIndia Staff
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Elon Musk keeps his promise as Tesla registers office in India

American electric car giant Tesla has finally come to India. As per reports, Tesla has set up its Indian subsidiary in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The American carmaker has incorporated a fully owned subsidiary ahead of setting up an R&D unit and a manufacturing plant for its electric vehicles in India.

The unit was registered as Tesla Motors and Energy Private Ltd and was incorporated on January 8. Vaibhav Taneja, Venkatrangam Sreeram, and David Jon Feinstein have been named as directors.

In December 2020, while responding to a Twitter user, Tesla chief Elon Musk had said that if Tesla India may not happen in January 2021, it was still definitely happening in 2021. Earlier in October 2020, too, Musk had confirmed that his company’s plan to launch operations in India from the next year. While responding to a tweet about when Tesla plans to enter the Indian market, Elon responded, “Next year for sure.”

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reaffirmed Tesla’s entry in India in 2021

Earlier, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari had also confirmed that the American electric vehicle company would be entering the Indian market in 2021 in a conversation during Indian Express Idea Exchange programme. Gadkari had said that Tesla is set to start its operations in India next year, adding that the company would also look at setting up a manufacturing unit based on demand.

“American auto major Tesla will have its distribution facility (sale centres) for its cars in India from next year and considering the demand it would look into setting up of manufacturing here. India has the potential to become the largest EV (electric vehicle) producer in the world in the next five years,” Gadkari said while speaking to media.

Highlighting India’s power surplus and the push by the Indian government for e-mobility solutions, Gadkari had said, “The Centre intends to have an electric vehicle sales penetration of 30 per cent for private cars, 70 per cent for commercial cars, 40 per cent for buses, and 80 per cent for two and three-wheelers by 2030 by providing various incentives, which are likely to drive the growth of EV market in India.”

Cow smugglers in UP attack police, tie female constable’s neck and drag her, Ikram, Zaid and others booked for conspiracy: Details

Dibakar Dutta
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Cow smugglers in UP attack police, tie female constable’s neck and drag her, Ikram, Zaid and others booked for conspiracy: Details

The Mwana police have arrested three people, including two women, after cow smugglers dragged a female constable by the neck in Sathla village in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

As per reports, the Mwana police received a tip-off about the cow smuggling incident in Sathla village. On reaching the crime spot, they were attacked by the miscreants. A female police constable by the name of Bita was caught in the scuffle, leaving her critically injured. News 18 reported that the cow smugglers threw a rope, used to tie up cows, around her neck and dragged her for a long distance.

Policemen attacked, three accused arrested

When the policemen rescued the female constable, they came under a volley of stones. Meanwhile, several cops from different police stations reached the Sathla village. The police then conducted several raids in the village and seized 3 quintal meat, butcher knives, plastic bags, carts and three bikes. Three people, including two women, have been arrested so far.

The police have booked10 people for conspiracy, cow smuggling and attempt to murder. They include Uvesh, Ikram Qureshi, Zaid Qureshi, Maharaj, Aafarin, Wasim Qureshi, Feroz Qureshi, Amjad Qureshi, Furkan Qureshi, and Afaq Qureshi.The locals in the area have denied charges of cow smuggling and claimed that the policemen were not attacked. However, they conceded that cow meat was being packaged in the village.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath vows to save cows at any cost

Addressing a rally in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh in October last year, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that strict action would be taken against those involved in cow slaughter. “Those involved in such an act will go to jail. We will save cow at any cost”, he said.

Expressing commitment to protect cows, the Chief Minister said that the government would not allow anyone to play with the lives of cows. Adding that cow protection was everyone’s responsibility, he informed that cow shelters were being constructed in every district for the protection of bovines with the aide of the state government.

Telugu Film Producers Council asks Govt to include film industry in the category of frontline workers for COVID-19 vaccination

OpIndia Staff
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Telugu Film Producers Council asks Govt to include film industry in the category of frontline workers for COVID-19 vaccination

With India gearing up to begin the world’s biggest vaccination drive from January 16, Telugu Film Producers Council has demanded that the film industry be included in the category of frontline workers, who are going to receive the COVID vaccine in the first phase of the drive.

The Telugu Film Producers Council has in a press note dated January 12, 2021, asked PM Narendra Modi, the respective CMs of Telangana and Andhara Pradesh and the health ministers to consider adding the actors and the various technicians working in the Telugu film industry in the priority list of the inoculation drive against the COVID-19 outbreak.

The council has argued that the people of the industry, through which both the central and the state government receives good revenue, are exposed to similar hazardous as maybe any frontline or healthcare worker is. They are prone to get COVID-19 as shooting takes place at different locations with different artists and technicians. Despite taking all necessary precautions, these people get affected by the pathogen and as a result shooting is stalled and the movies are shelved causing a major revenue loss to the film producers.

Owing to the financial losses, the council has demanded that the film industry and its workers are included in the category of frontline and healthcare workers.

COVID-19 inoculation drive in India to begin on January 16, vaccine will be free for 3 crore frontline and healthcare workers

The Modi Government is all set to start the much-awaited nationwide COVID-19 inoculation drive from January 16. The vaccination will start after the forthcoming festivals across the country including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu etc.

The PM said that priority will be given to doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis in providing the vaccines. It is estimated that initially around 3 crore frontline workers will receive the vaccine. After that, people above 50 years of age, and people below 50 with co-morbidities, estimated around 27 crore, will be selected for vaccination.

Two vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorisation or Accelerated Approval by the authorities in India. They are, Covishield developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech.

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