US POLLS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL, BUT TRUMP EDGES AHEAD IN EARLY TRENDS

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are battling it

out for the White House, with polls gradually closing across the United

States Tuesday and a long night of waiting for results ahead.

The first results are trickling in, with US media projecting wins for the

Republican incumbent so far in 17 states including Indiana, Kentucky,

Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia -- all states he won in 2016.

Biden has captured 14 states including his home state Delaware and big prize

New York, plus the US capital Washington Connecticut. As with Trump, so far,

all states claimed by Biden were won by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The magic number (for electoral votes) is 270. Observers expect the hotly

contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key

battleground states.

Trump's campaign claimed victory in the must-win state of Florida, though US

media said that race was still too close to call. The president's campaign

made the claim in a tweet as ballots were still being counted in the state

that holds 29 state-by-state Electoral College votes.

The New York Times put the president's chances of winning Florida at over 95

percent.

The voter turnout indicated the largest participation in a century.

According to the United States Election Project, in at least six states -

Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Texas and Washington State - the turnout

has been more than what we saw in the 2016 polls.

The latest tally of early voting in the US shows that almost 102 million

Americans cast their votes before Election Day, an eyepopping total that

represents 73 of the total turnout of the 2016 presidential election. Early

voting - whether in person or by mail-in or absentee ballot - has swelled

during the Covid-19 pandemic as voters have sought the safety and

convenience it offers. The greatest gains have been witnessed in Kentucky

where almost 13 times as many voters cast their ballots early as in 2016.

One doesn't know how much the postal votes that will be counted the last in

most states, will matter.

'OVERALL COVID UNDER CONTROL', SAYS GOVERNMENT

Nearing the festive season, the government on Tuesday said, that the

coronavirus pandemic was overall "under control" despite a rise in cases

being witnessed in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Kerala, West Bengal, and

Manipur.

Noting, that COVID active cases have fallen to 5,41,405 (from a high of over

10 million in mid September) making up 6.5 per cent of total cases, the

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that while the previously high burdened

states Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh

were reporting a decline, a spike was evident in Delhi, Manipur, Kerala, and

West Bengal.

Bhushan said, that there had been a continuous decline, nationally, in the

average daily deaths over the last seven weeks, and the average daily cases

noticed the same.

While the average daily new deaths have fallen from 1,165 from September 16

to 22 week to 513, the average daily cases from October 28 to November 3

have dropped from 90,346 to 45,884.

53.5% POLLING IN PHASE TWO OF BIHAR ELECTIONS

The 94 assembly constituencies that went to poll in the phase two of Bihar

elections on Tuesday recorded 53.51 per cent turnout and the figure was

likely to go up as voting continued beyond schedule in several places, the

Election Commission said.

The combined voter turnout in the two phases was recorded at 53.79 per cent

till 5 PM, the Commission said.

Referring to the 54 assembly by-polls spread across 10 states held on

Tuesday, the Commission said Chhattisgarh recorded 71.99 per cent turnout,

Gujarat 57.98 per cent, Haryana 68 per cent and Jharkhand 62.51 per cent.

The turnout in Odisha was 68.08 per cent and 66.57 per cent in Madhya

Pradesh. In Nagaland, the turnout was 83.69 per cent, while it was 81.44 per

cent in Telangana. In Uttar Pradesh, the turnout was 51.57 per cent.

The Commission said the figure were dynamic in nature and likely to change

over the next few hours.

Besides 28 seat in Madhya Pradesh, eight assembly seats went for bypolls in

Gujarat, followed by seven in Uttar Pradesh, two each in Odisha, Nagaland,

Karnataka and Jharkhand, and one each in Chhattisgarh, Telangana and

Haryana.

Five assembly seats in Manipur and one Lok Sabha seat in Bihar will go for

bypoll on November 7.

GOVT DEFENDS CENTRAL VISTA PROJECT IN SC

The Centre on Tuesday defended before the Supreme Court the Central Vista

project, covering a three-km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate

in Lutyens" Delhi, saying it would "save money" paid as rent for housing

Central government ministries in the national capital.

"Even after 73 year of independence, the nation does not have a central

secretariat. Various ministries have hired premises on rent. Thousands of

crore of rent is paid for housing central government ministries. This

project saves money," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a three-judge

Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar.

The Bench - which is seized of hearing several PILs, including the one by

activist Rajeev Suri, against various permissions given to the project by

the authorities including the nod to change of land use-would resume hearing

on Wednesday.

The Central Vista redevelopment plan - which aims to free up 75 acre land in

the heart of the capital - involves demolition of around 10 buildings,

including Shastri Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan,

Vice-President's House and Lok Nayak Bhawan. It is planned that a common

central secretariat complex and a new Parliament building would be

constructed.

Announced in September last year, it envisages a new triangular Parliament

building, with seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, expected to be

constructed by August 2022 when the country will be celebrating its 75th

Independence Day. The common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by

2024.

The Supreme Court had on April 30 refused to stay the project, saying there

was no urgency.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

5 DEAD IN VIENNA'S 'ISLAMIST TERROR ATTACK'

Five people died, including an assailant, and 17 others were wounded in a

shooting in the heart of Vienna hours before a coronavirus lockdown started,

Austrian authorities said Tuesday.

The dead attacker was a 20-year-old Austrian-North Macedonian dual national

who had a previous terror conviction.

Two men and two women died from their injuries in the attack Monday evening,

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said. The suspected attacker was shot and killed

by police. "It is now confirmed that yesterday's attack was clearly an

Islamist terror attack," Kurz said, adding: "It was an attack out of hatred

- hatred for our fundamental values, hatred for our way of life, hatred for

our democracy in which all people have equal rights and dignity."

Interior Minister Karl Nehammer later told APA that the dead assailant, who

had roots in the Balkan nation of North Macedonia, had a previous conviction

under a law that punishes membership in terrorist organisations. The

attacker, named as Kujtim Fejzulai, was sentenced to 22 months in prison in

April 2019 because he had tried to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State

group. He was granted early release in December under juvenile law. "The

attacker," he said: "was equipped with a fake explosive vest and an

automatic rifle, a handgun and a machete to carry out this repugnant attack

on innocent citizens."

Authorities were still trying to determine whether further attackers may be

on the run

The attack drew swift condemnation and assurances of support from leaders

around Europe.

"The Islamist terror is our common enemy," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's

spokesman Steffen Seibert tweeted. "The battle against these murderers and

their instigators is our common fight," she added.

"These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The US stands with

Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists,

including radical Islamic terrorists," tweeted Donald Turmp.

Egypt's Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's foremost religious institution,

condemned the "terrorist attacks" in Vienna. It called on international

institutions "to stand united" against terrorism and reject violence and

hatred.

FRENCH MILITARY FORCES KILL 50 ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS IN MALI

France's defence minister says French military forces fighting Islamic

extremists in West Africa "put away" more than 50 jihadists in a recent

operation in Mali.

Defence Minister Florence Parly tweeted Monday night the French force in the

region, called Barkhane, also confiscated weapons and equipment from the

fighters in the operation last Friday, which she said "shows once again that

terrorist groups cannot act with impunity". Parly is currently visiting

Mali's capital Bamako, where she met with the head of the transitional

government.

Islamic extremist rebels were forced from power in northern Mali after a

2013 French-led military operation, but regrouped in the desert and now

launch frequent attacks on the Malian army and its allies.

CHINA LOOKS TO 'PUNISH' AUSTRALIA: LOBSTERS, WINE AND COAL BECOME TARGETS

What started as a political spat between Beijing and Canberra has become a

one-sided trade war that threatens serious disruption for an expanding

number of Australian exporters.

China won't allow imports of a swathe of Australian commodities and

foodstuffs from as early as this week, according to people familiar with the

matter. The curbs are a major escalation in Beijing's pressure campaign

following a two-year stand-off over issues from technology to the origins of

coronavirus.

China's blacklist -- delivered verbally to commodities traders -- includes

coal, barley, copper, sugar, timber, wine and lobster. It doesn't cover

materials, like iron ore or natural gas, where import curbs could unduly

damage China's own economy.

"The Chinese warned earlier this year that many of the goods that Australia

exports were replaceable," Richard McGregor, senior fellow at Sydney-based

think tank Lowy Institute said by phone. "Now they're going about replacing

them. China seems determined to punish Australia and make it an example to

other countries."

THE REST

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ARNAB GOSWAMI ARRESTED BY MUMBAI POLICE IN 2018 ABETMENT TO SUICIDE CASE

The Mumbai Police on Wednesday arrested Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab

Goswami house in connection with the death of interior designer Anvay Naik

and his mother Kumud Naik in Alibaug in 2018.

Naik, a 53-year-old interior designer, and his mother Kumud Naik had died by

suicide in May 2018. A suicide note purportedly written by Naik claimed that

Goswami and two others owed him Rs 5.4 crore and had refused to pay it back,

forcing him to take the extreme step.

The monetary transaction had taken place during the construction of Republic

TV studio. When Naik's mother learned about Naik's death, she too killed

herself.

The Alibaug police had registered a case of abetment to suicide the same

month but the case was reportedly closed by the Raigad police in 2019.

But in May this year the Maharashtra government ordered a fresh

investigation into the case against Goswami and two others by the state CID.

Republic TV had earlier denied the charges and claimed that "a false and

malicious campaign" was being run against it by certain groups with vested

interest.

RAJIV GANDHI ASSASSINATION CASE: SC ASKS IF IT CAN REQUEST GOVERNOR TO

DECIDE ON CONVICT'S PARDON PLEA

The Supreme Court Tuesday conveyed its unhappiness over the pendency of the

file seeking remission of sentence of one of the convicts in the Rajiv

Gandhi assassination case - the matter has been pending with the Tamil Nadu

Governor for two years.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi asked

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who appeared for convict A G

Perarivalan, if the court can exercise powers under Article 142 of the

Constitution to request the Governor to decide on the matter.

Sankaranarayanan said the Tamil Nadu government had also made a

recommendation but the file was still pending with the Governor.

The bench then said "we don't want to exercise our jurisdiction at this

stage but we are not happy that a recommendation made by the government is

pending for two years".

Advocate Balaji Srinivasan, who appeared for the state, told the bench that

it is a case of "larger conspiracy" and the Governor is waiting for a report

from the CBI.

To this, Justice Rao remarked that the "larger conspiracy" only dealt with

whether other people are involved, and not with respect to those already

convicted and in prison. The bench also added that the larger conspiracy

probe has been pending for many years now.

Adjourning the case to November 23, the bench asked the parties to reply how

the court can give directions to the Governor.

FINANCE MINISTRY SAYS NO INCREASE IN SERVICE CHARGES BY ANY PUBLIC SECTOR

BANK

The Finance Ministry on Tuesday said there has been no increase in service

charges by any public sector bank even as Bank of Baroda decided to withdraw

changes made with regard to the number of free cash deposit transactions in

a bank account per month.

Bank of Baroda had made certain changes with effect from November 1, 2020,

with regard to the number of free cash deposits and withdrawals per month, a

Finance Ministry statement said.

The number of free cash deposits and withdrawals, have been reduced from

five each per month to three each per month, with no change in the charges

for transactions in excess of these free transactions, it said.

"Bank of Baroda has since informed that in the light of the current COVID

related situation, they have decided to withdraw the changes. Further, no

other PSB has increased such charges recently," it said.

As per RBI guidelines, all banks are permitted to levy charges for their

services in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner, based upon

costs involved.

JAVED AKHTAR FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST KANGANA OVER COMMENTS

Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar on Tuesday filed a criminal complaint

against actor Kangana Ranaut in a local court for allegedly making

defamatory and baseless comments against him in television interviews.

Akhtar filed the complaint before the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate,

seeking action against Ranaut under the relevant provisions of the IPC for

defamation.

As per the complaint, Ranuat had recently made certain baseless comments on

Akhtar which has caused damage to the reputation of the veteran

poet-lyricist. It added that Ranaut dragged Akhtar's name while referring to

a "coterie" existing in Bollywood following the death of actor Sushant Singh

Rajput in June. She had also claimed that Akhtar had threatened her to not

speak about her alleged relationship with actor Hrithik Roshan, it said.

All these statements made by Ranaut have garnered views in lakhs and thus

tarnished Akhtar's reputation, the complaint said.

CHINA BLOCKS JACK MA'S $35 BILLION ANT IPO, WORLD'S BIGGEST

It was heralded as China's answer to JPMorgan -- a homegrown financial giant

on the cusp of the biggest stock-market debut the world has ever seen.

Instead, with billions on the line and an initial public offering all but

sealed, Chinese authorities have abruptly thrown into doubt the future of

Ant Group Co. and its celebrated founder, the billionaire Jack Ma.

Only days before the financial-technology juggernaut was to go public in

Shanghai and Hong Kong -- a coup for China's financial markets that once

would have been unimaginable -- the $35 billion IPO was halted on Tuesday

after Ma, China's richest man, was summoned by regulators. In an

extraordinary turn of events, authorities announced that they had belatedly

discovered an array of shortcomings that, by some accounts, might require

the sprawling Ant to be overhauled.

The move upends what had been one of China's biggest business success

stories, as well as what was to be a pivotal step in the development of the

nation's fast-growing capital markets.

IPL: HYDERABAD SUNRISERS TROUNCE MUMBAI INDIANS TO MAKE PLAY-OFFS

SunRisers Hyderabad sealed the last play-offs berth in the Indian Premier

League with a thumping 10-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in Sharjah on

Tuesday.

Chasing a meagre 150 for victory, after they put the defending champions in

to bat, openers David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha took SunRisers home with 17

balls to spare.

While skipper Warner was unbeaten with 85 of 58 balls, Saha scored 58 not

out off 45 balls.

With their third straight victory, SunRisers finished third in the points

table with 14 and a much better run-rate than Royal Challengers Bangalore,

who placed fourth with the same number of points.

Tuesday's result also knocked Kolkata Knight Riders out of the competition,

the Eoin Morgan-led side having an inferior run-rate with 14 points.

With Mumbai Indians resting star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult the

task was easier for the SunRisers, more so after the mediocre total they put

up.

The sole good news for Mumbai was the return to action of skipper Rohit

Sharma after a two-week injury lay-off, declaring he is "fit and fine" after

concerns over his fitness that led to him being excluded from India's squad

for the Australia tour.

Team / points / NRR

MI 18 / 1.107

DC 16 / -0.109

SRH 14 / 0.608

RCB 14 / -0.172

KKR 14 / -0.214

Play-Offs Schedule

05-NOV: Qualifier 1, (Dubai) Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians

06-NOV: Eliminator, (Abu Dhabi), Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers

Bangalore

08-NOV: Qualifier 2 (Abu Dhabi), Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of

Eliminator

10-NOV: Final (Dubai), Winner of Qualifier 2 vs Winner of Qualifier 1

INDICATORS

Sensex 40,261 (+504), Nifty 11,813 (+144), Trading Value NSE ,(Rs.crores)

58,090.68

Nasdaq 11,161 (+203) Dow 27,480 (+555), S&P 3,369 (+59)

US$-Rs. 74.39 GBP-Rs. 96.64, Euro-Rs. 86.96, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.25, Can$-Rs.

56.47, Aus$- Rs. 52.89

GBP 0.76 /US$, Euro 0.85 /US$, Jap.Yen 104.64 /US$, Aus$ 1.40 /US$, Sing

1.36 /US$, Bang Taka 83.32 /US$, Can$ 1.31 /US$, Mal Ring 4.15 /US$,

Pak Re 159.92 /US$, Phil Peso 48.30 /US$, Russian Rouble 79.72 /US$, NZ$

1.49 /US$, Thai Baht 31.01 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 28.38 /US$, Norway NOK 9.45

/US$

Bitcoin - USD 13,758

Dollar Index 94.16 Brent Crude 40.03 BDI 1,284

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,895 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 5,095 / 4,995

Silver (Rs. Per KG) 61,900

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic

creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free

men. - John F. Kennedy

OFF TRACK

Old Farmer Johnson was dying. The family was standing around his bed.

With a low voice he said to his wife, "When I'm dead I want you to marry

farmer James."

Wife, "No, I can't marry anyone after you."

Johnson, "But I want you to."

Wife, "But why?"

Johnson, "James once cheated me in a horse deal!"