Key BJP meeting
A key BJP meeting chaired by its president Amit Shah on Saturday vowed to work to ensure the party’s return to power in the Lok Sabha elections with a bigger victory than 2014 when it had won a majority on its own for the first time in its electoral history, sources said. Additionally, the party has chosen not to have organisational polls till the general elections are done. The party will face elections under the leadership of Mr. Shah whose term was to end in January next year.
NC threatens to boycott Assembly, parliamentary polls
NC president Farooq Abdullah pays tribute to his father-and-National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 36th death anniversary, in Srinagar on September 8, 2018.
Days after the National Conference announced its decision to not participate in the panchayat and urban local bodies (ULB) elections, the party on Saturday threatened to boycott the assembly and parliamentary polls too if the Centre does not take effective steps for protection of Article 35-A. “How can we go to our workers and ask them to come out to vote? First do justice to us and clear your (Centre) stand (on Article 35-A). If your plan is that (weakening Jammu and Kashmir’s special position), then our ways are separate. Then we cannot have elections. Not only these (urban local bodies and panchayat) polls, but we will also boycott the assembly and parliamentary elections then,” NC president Farooq Abdullah said. He was addressing party workers at a function here to mark the 36th death anniversary of his father and NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Police detains Yogendra Yadav
Yogendra Yadav, president of Swaraj India Party, was detained enroute to a private meeting with farmers near Chengam on September 8, 2018.
Yogendra Yadav, president of Swaraj India Party along with a group of farmers and activists were manhandled and detained en route to a private meeting with farmers in Tiruvannamalai on Saturday. “Today, I had first hand experience of police state in Tamil Nadu,” Prof. Yadav told The Hindu . Speaking to The Hindu over phone from a wedding hall where they were detained, Prof. Yadav said, “The team had reached Athipadi on the invitation of the Movement against the eight-lane project. We just wanted to do a fact-finding study of what really was going on.”
Kejriwal launches mega tree plantation drive
School children plant trees at Yamuna flood plains, village Usmanpur, Garhi Mandu near Shastri park, in New Delhi on September 8, 2018.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday launched a mega tree plantation drive by planting a sapling at the Yamuna floodplain in Usmanpur village, with thousands others joining him in the initiative.The government wants to plant 5 lakh trees and shrubs in the city in a day as part of the drive. Officials said around one lakh students and residents are participating in the campaign at 600 locations across the city to fight air pollution. Mr. Kejriwal said studies have shown 70 per cent of pollution in Delhi originated beyond its borders, but “this could not be an excuse to avoid tackling the situation".
Sharad Yadav meets Hardik Patel
Rebel Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav arrives to address the media after meeting Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader, Hardik Patel at hospital in Ahmedabad on Saturday September 08, 2018.
Former Rajya Sabha MP and rebel Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav met PAAS leader Hardik Patel at hospital in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Patidar leader's healh deteriorated on Friday necessitating hospitalisation. He was rushed to hospital on the advice of a team of doctors after he had stopped water intake also.
Toronto International Film Festival
Actor Dev Patel meets with fans as he arrives for the world premiere of Hotel Mumbai at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada.
From a period piece set in the time of Partition to a love story in contemporary Punjab; from Assam to Tibet — the Indian film representation at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is not just marked by abundance but diversity across gender, geography, genre, time and themes.
International Literacy Day
Girl students create a human chain at a school in the shape of the literacy logo on International Literacy Day in Karad, Maharashtra.
The International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on 8 September, is an opportunity for Governments, civil society and stakeholders to highlight improvements in world literacy rates, and reflect on the world's remaining literacy challenges. The issue of literacy is a key component of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .
According to the U.N., this year’s theme is ‘ Literacy and skills development .’ Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist, and at the same time the demands for skills required for work, evolve rapidly. This year's theme explores integrated approaches that simultaneously support the development of literacy and skills, to ultimately improve people’s lives and work and contribute to equitable and sustainable societies.
del Potro-Djokovic clash for US Open title; Nadal injured
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, is treated by a trainer during a change over against Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in New York.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal retired injured from his semi-final match against No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro. Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic reached his eighth U.S Open final, defeating Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Friday.
Djokovic and del Potro will face each other in the finals on Sunday.
Nadal, the defending U.S Open champion, was trailing 7-6, 6-2 when a knee problem forced him to stop after almost two hours of playing time.
Ishant, Bumrah pick up wickets after Cook's fall
A general view of play during day one of the Specsavers 5th Test match between England and India at The Kia Oval in London.
At stumps on Friday, Day 1 of the fifth Test at the Oval, the home side was 198 for seven, having ambled along at just over two runs an over. Ishant Sharma took three for 28 as wickets fell in a heap in the evening.
It was a day that will live long in Alastair Cook’s memory, as England’s departing hero scored a typically gutsy half-century in his final Test match.
