News headlines for September 18, 2020: Friday saw a number of major newsbreaks, Below are the day’s biggest headlines:
‘No dilution of MSP regime, govt procurement of agricultural produce to continue’: PM Modi assures farmers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday downplayed the political storm over the three farm bills recently passed by the Lok Sabha saying the proposed legislations are in the interest of the farmers. Before iterating that only BJP has fulfilled promises made to the farmers, PM Modi lashed out at the Opposition for “opposing the reforms in the agricultural market”. He further added that the government is not diluting the MSP (minimum support price) regime or deciding against government procurement of agricultural produce.
My house was targeted because I supported PM Modi and lit ‘diyas’, says Bengaluru riots survivor
Narrating his ordeal, Bengaluru riots survivor has claimed his house was targeted because he supported Narendra Modi and lighted diyas responding to the PM’s appeal in April during COVID-19 lockdown. Talking to Times Now he said that rioters first damaged the CCTV cameras installed and then attacked their house.
Urmila Matondkar ready to apologise to Kangana Ranaut for ‘rudali’ comment
Urmila Matondkar, in a recent interview, said that she was ready to apologise to Kangana Ranaut for her ‘rudali’ comment. The actress said that she had used the word in a certain context and that she had no qualms in saying that she was sorry about it. Urmila and Kangana have been at loggerheads for quite some time.
Good news for Dubai passengers! Air India Express flights to Dubai to operate as per schedule
Air India Express flights from/to Dubai will operate as per the original schedule, the airline informed passengers via a tweet on Friday. It said: “Attention Passengers from/to Dubai! All Air India Express flights from/to Dubai will operate as per original schedule w.e.f tomorrow, September 19, 2020.”
Railways to charge ‘user fee’ at nearly 1,000 stations, tickets may cost more
Indian Railways is planning to introduce ‘affordable’ user fees at 700-1,050 railway stations across the country with high footfalls in order to generate more revenue while providing better world-class facilities to passengers. In a press briefing on Thursday, Railway Board Chairman V K Yadav stated that the national transporter will soon start levying a “user fee” as part of train fares for stations that have been redeveloped and major stations with high footfall to generate more revenue to provide better facilities for passengers.
US bans WeChat, TikTok citing national security
The US will ban the use of WeChat Sunday to safeguard the national security of the United States. The Chinese app TikTok will also be banned by Nov. 12, but Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said early Friday on CNBC that access to that app may be possible if certain safeguards are in place.
Pakistan plots proxy online war against India, attempts to create fake Kashmir narrative
In yet another bid to draw the international community’s attention over the Kashmir issue, Pakistan is planning to launch an anti-India propaganda on Twitter on Saturday. It should be noted that Islamabad’s stunt has been planned ahead of the 75th session general debate in the UN General Assembly (UNGA). According to sources, Pakistan is conspiring and planning to execute a Twitter campaign throughout the world with the hashtag #KashmirWantsFreedom on September 19, 2020.
Amid tensions with China, EAM S Jaishankar hails ‘broader’ India-Japan ties with Indo-Pacific as focus
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Friday, hailed the strategic relationship between India and Japan and said that the two countries have a vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at the launch of India Japan report by FICCI, Jaishankar said that the breadth of Indo-Japan dialogue has now become broader.
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