UN WILL BECOME ‘IRRELEVANT’ WITHOUT REFORMS: JAISHANKAR

The United Nations Security Council reforms is like a “hard nut”, but hard nuts can be cracked, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Sydney yesterday as he cautioned that the world body will become “irrelevant” without the much-delayed reforms.

Jaishankar made the remarks while responding to questions after his address at the Lowy Institute on the growing importance of India’s relationship with Australia and the interests that both countries share as members of the security-focused Quad.

Jaishankar said that there are continents which actually feel that the Security Council process does not take into account that into their problems. “I think that’s hugely damaging to the UN. So one of the developments this time, in fact, has been a very explicit recognition by President Joe Biden of the need to actually reform the UN which is not a small development, but we need to get it because we all know why reform has been blocked for so many years,” he said.

On India-US relationship, Jaishankar said the bilateral ties started changing during President Bill Clinton’s second term and added that the last five US presidents were consistent in the manner in which they sought to engage India and to enhance bilateral relationship.

He said President Biden, who has been around for a long time, has “seen the evolution of the relationship” and actually he has been involved in growing the relationship with India.

He said the Quad comprising India, US, Japan and Australia is working well because the US is showing flexibility and understanding.

On India-Australia ties, Jaishankar said that he was the sixth Indian minister to visit Canberra after the Labour government came to power and that in itself should tell something about the seriousness with which New Delhi approaches this relationship. He said India and Australia's defence, security collaboration has contributed significantly to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

CJI NAMES SENIOR-MOST JUDGE DHANANJAYA Y CHANDRACHUD AS SUCCESSOR

Chief Justice of India UU Lalit on Tuesday recommended to the Centre the name of the senior-most Supreme Court judge Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud as his successor.

Justice Chandrachud, who has been part of several Constitution Benches and landmark verdicts of the top court, including on matters relating to the Ayodhya land dispute, right to privacy and adultery, will become the 50th CJI on November 9 once the recommendation is accepted by the government.

Justice Chandrachud, who was elevated to the top court on May 13, 2016, will have a tenure of two years as the CJI and is due to retire on November 10, 2024. Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 65.

Justice Chandrachud was also part of the benches which delivered path-breaking judgments on decriminalising same-sex relations after it partially struck down Section 377 of the IPC, validity of the Aadhaar scheme and Sabarimala issue. Recently, a bench headed by him expanded the scope of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and the corresponding rules to include unmarried women for abortion between 20-24 weeks of pregnancy.

Recently, Justice Chandrachud was among the two judges of the Collegium who had objected to the method of “circulation” adopted for eliciting the views of its members on the appointment of judges to the top court.

'ESTABLISHMENT' WON'T WIN IF VOTING IS SECRET: THAROOR

Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday claimed many electors have been

instructed by 'their leaders' to support his rival but they may eventually vote for him in a secret ballot.

Tharoor is pitted against Mallikarjun Kharge, who is being seen as a favourite for the top party post because of his perceived proximity to the Gandhi family.

Tharoor also said he is sure that those who are expecting a lopsided victory for the 'establishment', as had happened in the 1997 and 2000 elections, are in for a surprise when the votes are counted.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said he expects the central election authority (CEA) to clarify publicly that the vote will be conducted by a secret ballot, complete with sealed ballot boxes to be opened in Delhi before the candidates and their agents, and the votes mixed together before counting starts.

Asked whether some leaders who are not voicing support for him for the fear of upsetting senior leaders may eventually vote for him in a secret ballot, Tharoor said, "I certainly know that many who have not openly supported me so far for such reasons, including not even attending some of my campaign events, have privately expressed support."

PM MODI INAUGURATES MAHAKAL CORRIDOR IN UJJAIN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Mahakal Lok corridor project at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and also performed puja at the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple in the city.

Addressing a gathering after visiting the temple, the Prime Minister said, “Ujjain has led India’s prosperity, knowledge, dignity and literature for thousands of years,” he said. “India is reclaiming its glory and today, cultural destinations across India are seeing all-around development. The construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya is going on in full swing and the Vishwanath Dham in Kashi is giving us more reasons to be proud of our culture,” he said.

The PM was accompanied by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, whom he praised for putting the project on the track.

Under the project, costing around Rs 850 crore, the temple precinct will be expanded nearly seven times. The existing footfall of the temple, which is currently around 1.5 crore per annum, is expected to be doubled, say officials.

Asserting that construction began under the Kamal Nath administration, Congress leaders said the temple was renovated because of his efforts. The BJP dismissed the claim, saying the strategy was planned in 2017 when Chouhan was the CM.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Oct 11

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Monday 1,954

Active Cases 27,374 (-705)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,28,822 (5)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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

HISTORIC DEAL BETWEEN ISRAEL-LEBANON: TERMS, SIGNIFICANCE

In what is being seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough, Israel announced a “historic” deal with Lebanon on Tuesday, aimed at resolving a long-running maritime border dispute over Mediterranean waters. Israel and Lebanon do not have official diplomatic relations and the two countries remain technically at war.

Analysts believe that this deal may pave the way for reduced tensions between the nations.

The draft agreement, floated by US envoy Amos J Hochstein, who is the special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs and leads the bureau of energy resources (ENR) at the US Department of State, aims to settle Israel and Lebanon’s competing claims over offshore gas fields in the region.

On Tuesday morning, Eyal Hulata, Israel’s national security adviser and the lead negotiator at the talks, had said in a statement, “All our demands were met, the changes that we asked for were corrected. We protected Israel’s security interests and are on our way to an historic agreement.”

The statement came shortly after Lebanon’s representative Elias Bou Saab had said the agreement had satisfied the country’s earlier concerns. Saab told Reuters that the latest draft “takes into consideration all of Lebanon’s requirements and we believe that the other side should feel the same.”

'WORST IS YET TO COME': IMF'S GLOOMY FORECAST FOR GLOBAL ECONOMY IN 2023

The IMF has predicted a tough 2023 as it cut growth predictions and forecast economic contraction in a third of the world. "The worst is yet to come", the global financial institution's World Economic Outlook report said. "For many people, 2023 will feel like a recession", it said.

A downward revision of the global growth rate for 2023, from the amount the IMF said it expected in July, has been made in the report.

Now, 2.7 per cent growth is expected next year. It's down from the 6 per cent growth experienced last year and the 3.2 per cent growth forecast for this year.

This is the "weakest growth profile" since 2001, excluding the acute phase of Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis, the IMF said.

It reflects "significant slowdowns" for the largest economies as America's GDPcontracted in the first half of 2022, followed by the Euro area's contraction in the second half of 2022, and prolonged Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns in China with a growing property sector crisis.

"The world is in a volatile period: economic, geopolitical, and ecological changes all impact the global outlook," the report says. About a third of the world economy faces two consecutive quarters of negative growth, the IMF also forecast.

NEW 'HIGHLY INFECTIOUS' COVID VARIANTS EMERGE IN CHINA

As China imposes fresh lockdowns and travel restrictions amid Covid surge, the country has detected new Omicron sub-variants BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, which are highly infectious with greater transmissibility.

Meanwhile, holiday spending during China's Golden Week has plunged to its lowest level in seven years, as broad Covid curbs discouraged people from travelling or spending, while a darkening economic outlook continues to erode consumer confidence.

For local officials, doubling down on zero-Covid is a way to toe the Party line, demonstrate their loyalty to President Xi Jingping, and prevent any large-scale outbreak that could jeopardise their career weeks before the Party Congress.

New Covid cases are spiking across mainland China, prompting many local authorities to tighten controls on movement.

THE REST

=========

MULAYAM CREMATED WITH FULL STATE HONOURS, TOP LEADERS PAY RESPECTS

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was cremated with full state honours at his native Saifai village in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon.

His son and party chief Akhilesh Yadav lit the funeral pyre.

A large number of people and dignitaries turned up for his funeral in Saifai on Tuesday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were among those who paid tributes to the leader.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, NCP leader Praful Patel, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat and the Left leader Sitaram Yechury were among the other dignitaries who paid their tributes to the leader.

Speaking to reporters, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recalled his relationship with the SP patriarch and said Yadav was connected to the roots. If there was any leader who was connected to the public and the ground, it was Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajnath said.

EC ALLOTS 'TWO SWORDS AND A SHIELD' SYMBOL TO SHINDE FACTION

The Election Commission on Tuesday allotted 'two swords and a shield' as the poll symbol to the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The Shinde faction, which is now named as 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena', will be able to use the symbol for the Andheri East assembly bypoll, should it decide to contest the election scheduled for November 3.

Shinde welcomed the allocation of the poll symbol.

NO HARTALS BUT SECURITY UP IN SRINAGAR AFTER DEATH OF SEPARATIST ALTAF AHMAD SHAH

Shops were open, there was no call for a shutdown or hartal, no crowds and the situation was largely peaceful amid tight security in Srinagar Tuesday, following the death of Kashmiri separatist Altaf Ahmad Shah in Delhi.

Shah, the son-in-law of late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, died at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Monday night of renal cancer. The incarcerated separatist leader was in jail since 2017, charged with funding terrorist activities in the Valley.

When Geelani died in September last year, the Valley was locked down and internet and cellular services snapped to prevent a public funeral and protests.

MUZAFFARNAGAR RIOTS: BJP MLA GETS 2-YR IMPRISONMENT

BJP legislator Vikram Saini and 11 others were sentenced to two years imprisonment in a 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case by a special MP/MLA court on Tuesday. Special Judge Gopal Upadhyay convicted them for rioting and other offences. The court acquitted 15 other accused in the case for lack of evidence.

Saini, who is the BJP MLA from Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh, said that he will file an appeal against the verdict.

The killing of the two youths -- Gaurav and Sachin -- and one Shahnawaz triggered the communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas in August and September 2013, claiming 60 lives and leaving 40,000 people displaced.

INTERPOL REJECTS DELHI RED CORNER REQUEST FOR KHALISTAN SEPARATIST

In a setback to the Centre’s case against Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Interpol has rejected India’s second request to issue a Red Corner Notice on terror charges against the Canada-based founder and legal advisor of pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), stating that Indian authorities failed to provide sufficient information to support their case.

Interpol also flagged that UAPA, under which the red corner was asked for, has been criticised for being “misused” to target minority groups and rights activists without “respecting” their right to due process and a fair trial.

Interpol acknowledged that Pannun is a “high-profile Sikh separatist” and that SFJ is a group that calls for an independent Khalistan. Yet, they said, it concluded that Pannun’s activities have a “clear political dimension”, which cannot be the subject of a Red Corner Notice according to Interpol’s Constitution.

TWO WOMEN KILLED IN ‘HUMAN SACRIFICE’ IN KERALA

Two women in Kerala were allegedly abducted, beheaded and buried as part of a suspected ‘witchcraft ritual’ to gain financial prosperity at Elanthoor village in Pathanamthitta district, the police said on Tuesday, adding that one person has been arrested in the case while two others are in custody.

While the police took Bhagaval Singh, a traditional healer who used to attend to patients at his home, and his wife Laila, into custody from Elanthoor, a person named Shafi alias Rasheed from Perumbavoor was arrested.

“He is the first accused in the case. The arrest of the healer and his wife would be recorded soon. The women were taken to the healer by Shafi on the promise of money. They adopted a very cruel method to kill the women,” Kochi City Police Commissioner C H Nagaraju said. “We suspect that a ritualistic human sacrifice has taken place. We have to exhume the bodies of the women. The women were beheaded and their bodies were buried at Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta,” he added.

SOURAV GANGULY OUT OF BCCI, ROGER BINNY TO BE THE NEW PRESIDENT

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is about to become a former BCCI president and unlikely to be the BCCI’s choice for the post of ICC chairman, either — even as secretary Jay Shah is expected to continue with his “team” set to be take charge of key positions

Roger Binny, a member of 1983 World Cup-winning team and Karnataka Cricket Association president, is set to become the new BCCI chief “unopposed”.

The BCCI election next Tuesday is expected to be a formality since none of the office-bearers’ posts had more than one nomination on the first day of filing the papers. With Wednesday being the last day for filing nominations, those in the know say the new BCCI power panel has already been decided and a consensus reached after several rounds of talks over the past month.

With the unassuming Binny replacing the charismatic Ganguly at the top, Shah is expected to be the face of India’s cricket administration. The influence wielded by Shah, who is the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is reflected in the new board team.

“Roger Binny has filed the nomination for the president’s post, myself for the vice-president’s post, Jay Shah for secretary, Ashish Shelar for treasurer and Devajit Saikia has filed the nomination for the joint secretary’s post,” BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla, who is the only official besides Shah who is expected to retain his post, told reporters.

“Arun Dhumal will head the IPL governing council. As of now, these are the nominations and all are unopposed,” said Shukla, who is the lone Congress representative among the new BCCI decision-makers.

Ganguly’s future was the talking point yesterday. It’s learnt that he was offered the post of IPL chairman. He is said to have conveyed that he wasn’t interested, focusing instead on becoming the ICC chairman or continuing as BCCI president. Both didn’t happen.

SPINNERS GUIDE INDIA TO ODI SERIES WIN OVER SA

India gave a good account of their enormous depth as a young and inexperienced side stunned a strong South African unit by seven wickets in the third ODI and secured a memorable series win in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The spin trio of Washington Sundar (2/15), Shahbaz Ahmed (2/32) and Kuldeep Yadav (4/18) picked the right lengths on a slow Kotla pitch to bundle out South Africa for 99, the Proteas lowest ODI total against India.

The home team batters, led by Shubman Gill (49), chased a paltry 100-run target in 19.1 overs.

The series loss further jeopardised South Africa's chances of a direct qualification for the ODI World Cup next year.

Pacer Mohammad Siraj (2/17) too continued his good run to make a strong case for his inclusion in T20 World Cup squad.

While Washington and Shahbaz got wickets up front, left-arm spinner Kuldeep, who missed out on a hat-trick, cleaned up the tail.

The quality of the Indian white-ball squad was on full display in the series as the second-string team came from behind to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

INDICATORS

Sensex 57,147 (-844), Nifty 16,984 (-258), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 52,814

Nasdaq 10,426 (-116) Dow 29,239 (+37), S&P 3,589 (-24)

(US$-Rs. 82.44 GBP-Rs. 91.22, Euro-Rs. 80.07, UAE Dhm-Rs.22.44, Can$-Rs. 59,97, Aus$- Rs. 52.07

GBP 0.90 /US$, Euro 1.02 /US$, Jap.Yen 145.54 /US$, Aus$ 1.58 /US$, Sing 1.43 /US$, Bang Taka 100.94 /US$, Can$ 1.37 /US$, Mal Ring 4.64 /US$,

Pak Re 218.70 /US$, Phil Peso 58.98 /US$, Russian Rouble 62.71 /US$, NZ$ 1.79 /US$, Thai Baht 37.85 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 36.73 /US$)

Bitcoin - USD 19,019

Dollar Index 113.17 Brent Crude 94.29 BDI 1,944

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,665 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 5,116 / 4,690, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 64,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand. - Baruch Spinoza

OFF TRACK

A recently ‘Bangalored’ California techie had moved into a smaller house. Within two weeks of moving, he had to call an electrician, a roofer and a carpenter. One afternoon he returned home and saw a plumber's truck in the driveway. 

 "Lord," he pleaded, looking skyward, "please let my wife be having an affair."