UKRAINE WAR: RUSSIA ALERTS RAJNATH SINGH ON ‘DIRTY BOMB’

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu called up Defence Ministers of India and China Wednesday to convey Moscow’s concern about a purported Ukrainian plan to use a “dirty bomb”, repeating an allegation that Ukraine and the West have already rejected.

A dirty bomb combines radioactive material with conventional explosives.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on his part, told Shoigu that the Ukraine conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side.

The conversation took place at the initiative of the Russian Defence Minister amid escalation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

The conversation Wednesday follows Shoigu’s calls to British, French, Turkish and US counterparts Sunday in which he made the same claim. Britain, France and the US rejected that claim as “transparently false”.

BORDER PEACE MUST TO IMPROVE TIES: EAM

Indirectly refuting the observations by outgoing Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Wednesday that peace in border areas was essential for normal ties between India and China.

Normalising ties was in the interest of both countries, of Asia and the world at large, Jaishankar told Sun when he called on him. The Chinese envoy in his farewell remarks on Wednesday had said both countries should seek common ground while reserving differences. “China and India are important neighbours to each other. It is only natural for China and India to have some differences. The key is how to handle these differences. We should be aware that common interests of the two countries are greater than the differences,” he had said.

In effect, the Chinese envoy was suggesting that the two countries should develop ties in other areas while trying to sort out the border dispute. In a tweet, Jaishankar reiterated his proposal on “three mutuals” to evolve a sustainable relationship between the two countries.

In his last major address on China on October 18, he had said: “India is keen on bilateral ties based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. The continuation of the current impasse will not benefit either India or China. New normals of posture will inevitably lead to new normals of responses.

“Peace and tranquility in the border areas clearly remains the basis for normal relations. From time to time, this has been mischievously conflated with the sorting out of the boundary question.”

MALLIKARJUN KHARGE TAKES OVER, HIS CLARION CALL RAHUL'S 'DARO MAT' SLOGAN

History was created on Wednesday with 80-year-old Karnataka leader Mallikarjun Kharge assuming charge as the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 24 years, signalling the beginning of a new era in the journey of the 137-year-old party that faces the worst-possible odds ever.

The Congress retains power in only Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, faces an aggressive BJP in poll-bound Himachal and Gujarat this year and nine states—MP, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram—in 2023.

The new Congress president’s clarion call to cadres yesterday was former party president Rahul Gandhi’s slogan “Daro Mat” (do not fear). Kharge “expressed gratitude” to Rahul for undertaking the “mass connect” event, urging workers to ensure national resonance for the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, and said, “When Congress workers shed fear, the mightiest of empires kneel down.”

Kharge, who took over from Sonia Gandhi at an event at the AICC headquarters today, dotted his acceptance speech with generous praises of the outgoing chief and Rahul even as he promised to demolish BJP’s “dispensation of lies, deceit and hate”, and questioned the govt’s “new India” as the one where “the youth lacked jobs, Godse was called a patriot and Mahatma Gandhi a traitor”.

The 47-member steering committee Kharge announced - his first official orders—to function in place of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) features all three members of the Gandhi family, Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka, along with former PM Manmohan Singh, G23 leader Anand Sharma, former ministers Ambika Soni, Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Bansal, and Randeep Surjewala. The panel was necessitated after the CWC members and AICC office-bearers resigned to make way for a new organisation under Kharge.

Taking on the BJP, Kharge asked, “What kind of new India is this where the youth have no jobs, farmers are mowed down… national assets are being sold, starvation is growing and rupee is depreciating...”

Sonia, while relinquishing charge after 22 years, said she felt “truly relieved” at having passed the mantle.

KEJRIWAL’S SUGGESTION: PUT PHOTOS OF LAKSHMI, GANESH ON RUPEE NOTES

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has a solution to the country's economic progress and prosperity -- print images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on new currency notes.

His demand, however, drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which called it an 'unsuccessful attempt' to hide the 'ugly' anti-Hindu face of Aam Aadmi Party in view of upcoming elections.

Claiming that the Indian economy was not in good shape, Kejriwal said at a press conference the country needed a lot of effort to get the economy back on track along with the 'blessings of our gods and goddesses'.

"Today, I am appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre that our currency notes have the image of Mahatma Gandhi on one side. It should remain as it is but on the other side, there should be an image of Ganesh and Lakshmi," he said.

Asserting that he was not requesting to exchange all the notes in circulation, Kejriwal said his suggestion was to include the images of Ganesh and Lakshmi on the new notes.

He claimed that the Indian economy was going through a delicate phase, adding that the rupee was getting weaker against the United States dollar every day and the common man had to bear the brunt.

When asked about how the idea came to him, Kejriwal said he felt that currency notes should have the images of the two deities while performing Diwali puja on Monday.

Lashing out at Kejriwal, the BJP said his demand was the height of U-turn as he was 'trying' to be a Hindu.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Oct 26

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Tuesday 829

Active Cases 21,607 (-942)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,28,981 (0)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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PUTIN OVERSEES NUCLEAR DRILLS, SAYS 'READY TO USE ALL MEANS'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday monitored drills of the country's strategic nuclear forces involving multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles, the Kremlin said. State television showed Putin overseeing the drills from a control room.

The manoeuvres followed President Vladimir Putin's warning about his readiness to use 'all means available' to fend off attacks on Russia's territory, in a clear reference to the country's nuclear arsenals.

Russia's Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that Putin had overseen the training, which he said was being held to practice delivering a 'huge nuclear strike in response to an enemy nuclear strike'.

The United States said that it was notified Russia was planning to stage the routine drills and the country had complied with the terms of the nations' last arms control agreement.

Military exercises involving land, sea and air components of the Russian nuclear triad have taken place on an annual basis to train the country's nuclear forces and demonstrate their readiness. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig Gen Pat Ryder in a press briefing said, "The US was notified, and, as we've highlighted before, this is a routine annual exercise by Russia."

SUNAK BRAVES FIRST VOLLEYS FROM OPPOSITION

A combative Rishi Sunak, the newly appointed Indian-origin Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on Wednesday strongly defended the reappointment of Suella Braverman as home secretary, days after she was forced to resign over a breach of govt ethics rules.

Braverman, 42, resigned from the cabinet of former prime minister Liz Truss last week, having breached the ministerial code by sending secure information from her private email.

On his first full day as Prime Minister, Sunak met his new cabinet on Wednesday before facing opposition leader Keir Starmer in Prime Minister Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons.

Labour Party leader Starmer initially welcomed Sunak -- the first Indian-origin British prime minister -- saying that it's a reminder that 'Britain is a place where people of all races and beliefs can fulfil their dreams'.

Then Starmer asked Sunak: "Was the home secretary right to resign last week for a breach of security?" He noted that Sunak has promised to govern with 'integrity, professionalism and accountability', but points out that he has put in charge of the Home Office a woman forced to leave her job just a week ago.

Sunak responded by thanking Starmer for his kind and generous welcome, adding that he knows they will no doubt have 'robust exchanges'. On the issue of the re-appointment of Braverman as home secretary, Sunak said she made 'an error of judgment', but she had recognised that. He said that he is delighted to welcome her back into a 'united' cabinet that brings 'experience and stability to the heart of govt'.

Countering the Labour leader, Sunak said Braverman will be focused on 'cracking down on criminals' and 'defending borders', while the party in opposition (Labour) remains 'soft on crime' and in favour of 'unlimited immigration'.

Labour MP Richard Burgon said, “A nurse would have to work over 20,000 years in order to match the vast wealth of this prime minister” and suggested he introduce wealth taxes instead of austerity.

Sunak appeared unfazed by this attack on his wealth and said there had been pay increases for nurses and that he would approach difficult decisions with fairness and compassion.

THE REST

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8 FORMER INDIAN NAVY OFFICERS, WORKING FOR QATAR COMPANY, BEING HELD IN DOHA

Eight former Indian Navy officers, working in Qatar with a company providing training and other services to the Qatari Emiri Navy, are in custody in that country. The Indian Embassy in Doha is said to be aware of the incident.

The incident came to light after a tweet Tuesday from the handle of @DrMeetuBhargava — the Twitter bio identifies her as an ‘Educator and a spiritual being’ — who said the veterans have been in “illegal custody/detention” in Doha for “57 days”.

The post tags the Prime Minister and several ministers including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri.

The former Navy officers worked for a company called Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, reports The Indian Express. The company describes itself as a “local business partner” of the Qatar defence, security and other govt agencies, and its key competencies as defence equipment operation and maintenance.

Among the eight Indians in custody is Commander Purnendu Tiwari (retd), the managing director of the firm. He received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2019 from the then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. His profile on the company website says he commanded a minesweeper and a large amphibious warship when he served in the Indian Navy.

There are no details about why the men were picked up and what the charges against them are.

TELANGANA POLICE FOILS BID TO COAX TRS MLAS INTO DEFECTING PARTY

The Telangana police on Wednesday claimed that they busted an attempt by three people who were allegedly trying to lure four ruling TRS MLAs to leave the party. Cyberabad Police Commissioner Stephen Raveendra told reporters that the TRS legislators provided information to them that the trio were trying to entice them with several offers.

“We are inquiring into details like which party the three persons belong to," Raveendra said.

However, Govt Whip Balka Suman alleged that it is the handiwork of the BJP which is trying to lure TRS legislators.

SPAT OVER FORMAT OF ANDHRA PRADESH'S CAPITAL CITY CONTINUES

The dispute over whether Andhra Pradesh will have three capital cities, a first for any state in India, or a conventional single-city-based headquarter at Amaravati refuses to abate. In 2020, the Andhra Legislative Assembly passed a Bill that gives shape to the govt’s plans to have three capitals — an executive capital at Visakhapatnam, a legislative capital at Amravati, a new city for which land was acquired from farmers, and a judicial capital in Kurnool.

But just last week, the state’s ruling party, YSR Congress, led by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, held a rally in Visakhapatnam to drum up support for the three-capital formula. In another part of the city was a competing rally, supported by the BJP state unit, by those in favour of the single-city plan.

The Supreme Court is, meanwhile, due to hear a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state govt against a decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court (a full bench headed by Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra) in March this year, asking the state to get on with the original plan, proposed under the previous Telugu Desam Party regime of Chandrababu Naidu, to develop Amaravati as the state capital. The three-capital plan proposed by the YSR Congress implies a significant shrinkage of the Amaravati project.

DESPITE ADVISORIES, INDIAN STUDENTS REMAIN IN UKRAINE: ‘NO CHOICE’

Nearly two months after Indian students started returning to war-torn Ukraine to resume their classes, a fresh escalation of the conflict with Russia — which led to India issuing two consecutive advisories asking its citizens to leave the country immediately – has added to the uncertainty among students.

Despite the fresh tension, the youngsters, mostly students of medicine, have for now decided to stay put in Ukraine, with many of them saying they have no option but to do so.

On Tuesday, India issued its second advisory in a week asking its citizens to “leave Ukraine by all available means”. In the previous advisory, issued on October 19, New Delhi had warned its citizens against travelling to Ukraine and asked students who returned to the country to leave in view of the “deteriorating security situation”.

Since September, an estimated 1,000 students who fled the war have returned to Ukraine to resume their education.

DCW CHIEF URGES GOVTS TO CANCEL RAM RAHIM’S PAROLE

Delhi Commission of Women chief Swati Maliwal Wednesday appealed to the Haryana govt to withdraw the parole granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

Ram Rahim, who is convicted of rape, is on 40-day parole from Sunaria jail in Haryana’s Rohtak district.

“The court has sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim to life imprisonment… Why is such a dangerous person being given parole again and again? He makes discourses and songs on parole and some Haryana govt leaders clap, and is absorbed in ‘Bhakti’! The Haryana govt should immediately end Gurmeet’s parole!” she tweeted.

“Are other prisoners being given such privileges? It is really horrible. The Haryana govt should cancel his parole. The Central govt should also take up this matter and parole should only be given in the rarest of rare cases,” she said.

Asked about Ram Rahim’s parole at a press conference in the capital, Khattar on Wednesday said he had no role in it. “I had no role in this… Courts announce imprisonment and a convict goes to jail. After that, the jail’s rules apply to all the inmates,” he said.

CHANNEL, ANCHOR PULLED UP FOR TURNING DEBATE INTO ‘COMMUNAL ISSUE’

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), a self-regulatory agency set up by news and digital broadcasters, has pulled up News18 India for turning a news debate on hijab into a “communal issue” and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the channel for not adhering to guidelines.

The NBDSA also directed the channel to remove the video of the programme from its website and all platforms.

Justice A K Sikri (retd), chairperson of NBDSA, stated in the order dated October 21 that in case “such violations are repeated in future, it may have to direct the broadcaster to ensure the presence of the anchor Mr Aman Chopra before NBDSA.”

On Chopra’s failure to contain other panelists from crossing the line, the order said, ”The anchor had not only acted in flagrant disrespect of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards and the Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage but also failed to abide by the decision of Hon’ble Bombay High Court in Nilesh Navalakha & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors (2021) SCC Online BOM 56, which enjoins an anchor to apply his/her mind and avoid the programme from drifting beyond permissible limits, including by muting the speaker who flies off the tangent.”

T20 WC: IRELAND UPSET ENGLAND IN RAIN-HIT MATCH

Ireland continued their giant-killing act in the T20 World Cup and pulled off yet another upset win, defeating England by five runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method to throw open group 1 of the T20 World Cup in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Having stormed into Super 12 by eliminating two-time champions West Indies, Ireland rode on a sparkling 47-ball 62 by skipper Andy Balbirnie and looked for a 180-plus total before England dragged them back to bowl them out for 157 in 19.2 overs.

Chasing the tricky target, the 2010 champions were 105/5 in 14.3 overs, five runs short of the DLS target of 110 as the play could not be started within the cut-off time due to rain and Ireland completed their second win over England in a World Cup.

Eleven years ago at the ODI World Cup in India, Kevin O'Brien had inspired a stunning win over England at the Chinnaswamy. Overall, this was Ireland's third win over England with two coming in the ODI format.

The other matchg yesterday, between Afghanistan and New Zealand was completely washed out due to rain.

INDICATORS

(The Indian Stock Markets were closed yesterday on account of Diwali-Balipratipada)

Nasdaq 10,971 (-228) Dow 31,839 (+2), S&P 3,831 (-28)

(US$-Rs. 82.61 GBP-Rs. 94.01, Euro-Rs. 81.88, UAE Dhm-Rs.22.48, Can$-Rs. 60.42, Aus$- Rs. 52.47

GBP 0.87 /US$, Euro 1.00 /US$, Jap.Yen 148.47 /US$, Aus$ 1.57 /US$, Sing 1.42 /US$, Bang Taka 100.35 /US$, Can$ 1.36 /US$, Mal Ring 4.73 /US$,

Pak Re 218.60 /US$, Phil Peso 58.69 /US$, Russian Rouble 61.61 /US$, NZ$ 1.74 /US$, Thai Baht 38.09 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 36.50 /US$)

Bitcoin - USD 20,824

Dollar Index 109.51 Brent Crude 95.69 BDI 1,755

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,665 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 5,128 / 4,700, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 64,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A man's life always starts today. Every morning is a beginning, a fresh start, and a man needn't be hog-tied to the past. Whatever went before, a man's life can begin now, today. - Louis L'Amour

OFF TRACK

"Parson meri biwi kuwe me gir gayi, bahut chot lagi, bahut chilla rahi thi."

Friend : Ab kaisi hai?

"Ab to theek hai, kal se kuwe se awaz nahi ayee."