| Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day's biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. We hope you are staying safe. India, U.S. ink landmark defence pact India and the U.S. on October 27 inked a landmark defence agreement that will allow sharing of high-end military technology, classified satellite data, and critical information between the two countries. The signing of the long-negotiated Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) during the third edition of the '2+2' dialogue between the two strategic partners also signals further boosting of bilateral defence and military ties. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T. Esper. Both sides were assisted by their top military and security officials. The United States will support the Indian people defend sovereignty and liberty against threats, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said, following the conclusion of the pact, which comes in the backdrop of India's tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. Pompeo also attacked the Chinese Communist Party and said it is not a friend of rule of law and democracy. The inking of the BECA completes the finalisation of four key pacts that were identified as crucial to significantly expand the strategic ties between the two countries. The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed by the two countries in 2002. The GSOMIA provides for specific measures to ensure security standards for safeguarding critical information shared by the U.S. with India. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), inked in 2016, allows the militaries of the two countries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies and also provide for deeper cooperation. In 2018, India and the U.S. signed another pact called COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and enables sale of high end technology from the U.S. to India. About BECA, officials said the agreement will give India access to classified geo-spatial data as well as critical information having significant military applications from the U.S. Ankhi Das, Facebook's public policy head in India, resigns Facebook's India public policy head Ankhi Das, whose name cropped up prominently in the controversy over alleged bias in the blocking of hate content on the social media platform, has quit the company. "Ankhi has decided to step down from her role in Facebook to pursue her interest in public service. Ankhi was one of our earliest employees in India and played an instrumental role in the growth of the company and its services over the last 9 years," Ajit Mohan, Managing Director India of Facebook, said in an e-mailed statement.  Ankhi Das. File Das's resignation comes days after she, along with Mohan, appeared before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Data Protection and faced some tough questions. Facebook India has also been questioned by its own employees over its practices in regulation of political content and hate speech. Hathras gang rape: Supreme Court asks Allahabad HC to monitor CBI probe The Supreme Court on Tuesday left it to the Allahabad High Court to monitor the CBI investigation into the alleged gang rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit girl by four upper-caste accused persons in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde, in a 16-page verdict, concluded that there was no need to divest the Lucknow Bench of the High Court of the case. Without expressing any opinions on the facts of the case and the allegations made, the apex court left it open for the High Court to consider the CBI probe and grievances about the "illegal cremation". The CBI has to report to the High Court about its progress. "The High Court has adequately delved into the aspects relating to the case to secure fair investigation and has also secured the presence of the father, mother, brother and sister-in-law of the victim and appropriate orders are being passed, including securing reports from various quarters. In that circumstance, we do not find it necessary to divest the High Court of the proceedings and take it upon this Court to monitor the proceedings/investigation," the judgment said. The court, moreover, said since the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the High Court, it would be "appropriate" for the High Court to monitor the probe "in the manner in which it would desire". Centre notifies J&K land law, omits 'permanent resident' as criterion The Centre has notified new laws, including fresh land laws, for the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir and omitted any precondition on purchase of land in J&K, as had existed under Article 370, for individuals who are not from J&K. The omission, in the gazette notification, of the phrase "permanent resident of the state" from Section 17 of the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act that deals with disposal of the land in the union territory, has thrown the door open for outsiders to buy land in the UT. The Centre has repealed most of the previous land laws, including the J&K Prevention of Fragmentation of Agricultural Holdings Act, 1960; J&K Prohibition on Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975; the J&K Right of Prior Purchase ACT, 1936 A.D; Section 3 of the J&K Tenancy (Stay of Ejectment Proceedings) Act 1966; the J&K Utilisation of Land Act, 2010; and the J&K Underground Utilities (Acquisition of rights of user in land) Act. The fresh notifications underlined that the government may, on the written request of an Army officer not below the rank of Corps Commander, declare an area as Strategic Area within a local area, for direct operational and training requirements of armed forces. The government may allow transfer of land in favour of a person or an institution for the purpose of promotion of healthcare or senior secondary or higher or specialised education in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, an amalgam of various mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday condemned the amendments, and pledged to fight them on all fronts. Hero MotoCorp and Harley Davidson to partner for Indian market Hero MotoCorp on Tuesday said that it has entered into a distribution and licensing agreement with American motorcycle maker Harley Davidson to develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley Davidson brand name. The announcement comes almost a month after Harley-Davidson Inc. announced that it will discontinue sales and manufacturing operations in India as part of a global strategic restructuring plan.  The announcement comes almost a month after Harley-Davidson Inc. announced that it will discontinue sales and manufacturing operations in the country. "As per a distribution agreement, Hero MotoCorp will sell and service Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and sell parts & accessories and general merchandise riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and Hero's existing dealership network in India," Hero MotoCorp said in a statement. It added that as part of a licensing agreement, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name. "This arrangement is mutually beneficial for both companies and riders in India, as it brings together the iconic Harley-Davidson brand with the strong distribution network and customer service of Hero MotoCorp," stated the announcement. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 79,81,954 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 1,19,996.  A worker in Patna on October 27, 2020 makes markings for voters to ensure social distancing at a polling centre on the eve of the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)on Tuesday said the "guidelines for reopening" issued last month, permitting cinema halls, entertainment parks and swimming pools for sports persons to open, will continue to be applicable till November 30 in areas outside the containment zones. The guidelines issued on September 30 were to be in force till October 31. The lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones during the period, the MHA said. "The essence behind graded reopening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is need to exercise abundant caution by adopting Covid-19-appropriate behaviour by every citizen in their daily routine," the MHA order said. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. | 
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