Coronavirus, Bihar polls, India weather, US elections

3 November 2020

• Delhi Weather: Mercury dips to 10 in National Capital; Harsh Winter Ahead says IMD 

  The minimum temperature in national capital dipped to 10 degrees Celsius on November 2 morning, five notches below normal and the lowest this season so far, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Director General of IMD, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, “Winters will be harsher in northern India this year due to the La Nina effect. Due to this phenomenon, night temperatures are likely to be on the lower side, bringing in a much colder winter.” 

• Goa's COVID-19 hospital doctors resume work after strike 

  Goa's two COVID-19 facilities were affected for a brief period after Resident Doctors posted there struck work on November 1 after their free accommodation privilege was revoked, but they have since rejoined duty, the South Goa district authorities said. "Some disruption in services at COVID hospitals was reported on Tuesday afternoon as Resident Doctors had withdrawn services to demanding separate accommodation," South Goa District Collector Ajit Roy said in a statement here, adding that doctors had resumed work. 

• US Election 2020: Special prayers for Kamala Harris in Tamil village 

  Special prayers were held at a temple in Tamil Nadu for the victory of Indian-origin Kamala Harris, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, in the US presidential election on November 2. 

  The prayers were held at the Sri Dharmasastha Temple in Thulasendrapuram village, which according to reports was where Harris' maternal grandfather P.V. Gopalan hailed from. 

• 32.82 per cent polling in Bihar till afternoon in 94 segments  

  The Election Commission of India (ECI) said, “An average of 32.82 per cent polling had been recorded in 94 Bihar Assembly segments in 17 districts till Tuesday afternoon.” 

  Muzaffarpur had recorded a polling percentage of 41.25, followed by West Champaran's 39.34, Khagaria 38.11, and Samastipur 36.99 till 1 pm. Vaishali's polling percentage was 32.97, Saran 29.88, Begusarai 36.15, Bhagalpur 34.99, Nalanda 35.31, Patna 28, East Champaran 30.79, Sheohar 29.75, Sitamadhi 33.28, Madhubani 30.79, Gopalgang 33.50, Siwan 29.89, and Darbhanga 26.73. 

   

• Prime Minister guns for 'Bharat Mata', 'Jai Shri Ram' opponents during Bihar election campaign 

  In his most fierce attack on the opposition during the Bihar poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that they have reservations about chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Jai Shri Ram'. He was targeting the Congress at a rally here on Tuesday. "Those who have problems with 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' chant, Bihar have problems with them," declared the Prime Minister as the crowd at Saharsa cheered. He also called this chant to be the inspiration for a self-reliant India. 

• Aspen inks COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing deal with 'Johnson & Johnson'

  South African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare said it has agreed with 'Johnson & Johnson' (J&J) for the technical transfer and proposed commercial manufacturing of their Covid-19 vaccine candidate. The vaccine candidate, Ad26.COV2-S is currently undergoing clinical trials.