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ISRO raises the bar, 37th PSLV launches SCATSAT-18, 7 other satellites in 2 orbits

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the PSLV C-35 on 26 September for ocean, weather studies in Sriharikota.

The PSLV C-35 carries the 371-kg SCATSAT-1, along with seven other satellites, three from India, three from Algeria and one each from the United States and Canada.

This is India's first-ever multi-orbital launch. The satellites will be injected into two orbits. The multi-orbital launch is believed to be challenging and most of the countries opt to launch their satellites in single orbit.

The total weight of all the eight satellites on-board PSLV C35 is about 675 kg, ISRO said.

While SCATSAT-1 will be released first into a 730 km Polar Sunsynchronous Orbit (SSO) after about 17 minutes, the rest will be injected into a lower orbit of 689 km after around two hours.

UP Cabinet expansion: Guv Ram Naik to administer oath to new faces in CM Akhilesh's council

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will expand the state cabinet on 26 September. This may be the last reshuffle of his council of ministers ahead of the Assembly election in early 2017.

Governor Ram Naik will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at Raj Bhawan.

The expansion has been clouded by the controversy as a social activist have challenged the possible re-entry of tainted former Mines Minister Gayatri Prajapati.

With Prajapati's re-induction on the cards as a part of a compromise formula to douse the flames in the Yadav clan that took the hue of a major political crisis recently, activist Nutan Thakur has petitioned the Governor against making him minister again.

On 25 September, a day before the expansion, the Chief Minister met the Governor at Raj Bhavan after the petition was filed.

Uri aftermath: PM Modi calls meeting to discuss Indus Waters Treaty today

After attacking Pakistan on various occasion over terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a briefing on the Indus Waters Treaty on Monday, according to reports.

The reports said that the meeting will look at the pros and cons of the treaty signed 56-years ago under which India and Pakistan share the waters from six rivers.

The prime minister is expected to meet top officials of various ministries including External Affairs and Water Resources.

There have been consistent calls in India that the government scrap the water distribution pact to mount pressure on Pakistan in the aftermath of audacious Uri terror attack earlier this week.

2 minutes for education, says Maggi

Maggi noodles will be available in a different avatar soon and it has got nothing to do with its taste or alleged lead-content. According to a media report, Nestle India is giving its popular brands a new look, in which they will be displaying content to support an initiative to promote the cause of education for girls. Nescafe and Kitkat will also be a part of this campaign, which Nestle will be running in partnership with NGO Nanhi Kali. The objective of the change in packaging is to create awareness about the campaign. Accordingly, Maggi's packet will now say '2 minutes for education', instead of the iconic '2-minute noodles'.

Aditya Thakre calls for Mumbai 24*7

Shiv Sena scion Aaditya Thackeray has once again given a call to extend Mumbai's waking hours and enrich the night life of the city. Speaking at the first India Nightlife Convention and Awards, the Yuva Sena chief revived the Sena's proposal to keep restaurants, malls, and coffee shops open 24*7. The Yuva Sena chief, speaking at the first India Nightlife Convention and Awards on Sunday, also took a dig at the BJP when he blamed the state government for delaying the nightlife plan approved by the BMC in 2013, according to a news report.

"How can something that is legal in the day become illegal after midnight? Mumbai is known for its safety and Mumbaikars must be trusted," he said. His statement has come against the background of Mumbai's municipal polls that will be held next year. The plan was first mooted by him in 2013 and had received a go-ahead from former Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria. However, several BJP legislators opposed the plan and it has been hanging fire ever since. It will be interesting to watch the BJP's fresh response, with polls around the corner.

After BRICS bank, now a BRICS rating agency

Taking their challenge to the West's domination of the economic order to the next level, the BRICS countries are planning a credit rating agency of their own, a financial daiy reported. Goa will host the 8th BRICS summit on 15-16 October and reports suggest that a working group and a technical group to examine the idea will be set up during the event. The idea is to challenge the existing credit rating system and take it away from the existing issuer-pays model to an investor-pays model. India is learnt to have mooted the proposal, originally.

First President, then PM, now Vice-President visits Africa

With all the focus on Pakistan as well as the UNGA summit in New York, a key state visit by Vice President Hamid Ansari has not been able to attract due attention. Ansari left on a five-day visit to the Africa nations of Nigeria and Mali, where he will take part in several events and also hold bilateral talks. His wife Salma Ansari, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal and MPs Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Dilip Kumar Tirkey and Mohammad Salim are accompanyng him. For Mali, this will be the first-ever high-level visit from India.