INDIA ABSTAINS ON RUSSIA-SPONSORED UNSC RESOLUTION INVOLVING UKRAINE

India has abstained on yet another resolution involving Ukraine, this time a motion sponsored by Russia at the UN Security Council (UNSC). Russia has claimed that biological weapons were being developed in Ukrainian laboratories with US funding and help and circulated what it said were documents regarding the alleged cooperation that it seized after invading Ukraine.

Only China voted with Russia on Wednesday on the resolution calling for an inquiry into what Moscow alleged was a joint bio-warfare programme run by the US and Ukraine in violation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).

All the 10 non-permanent members abstained and the only negative votes from the US, Britain and France did not amount to vetoes because the resolution automatically failed without getting the minimum of nine votes.

Explaining India's abstention, Counsellor Asokan Amarnath cited the absence of "an effective, universal and non-discriminatory verification mechanism" for implementing the provisions of the BWC. He told the Council that developing such a verification mechanism "is necessary to strengthen the BWC and its implementation". "We hope the current situation will provide an impetus for early consideration and negotiation of such a Protocol" for verification, he added.

The US has dismissed Russia's allegations about the bioweapons programme saying that under its Cooperative Biological Threat Reduction programme it had only assisted Ukraine in destroying any material left in that country by the Soviet Union when that country became independent.

‘INDIA’S NEUTRALITY ON UKRAINE RAISED WITH JAISHANKAR, MODI SINCE SUNAK BECAME PM’

UK PM Rishi Sunak raised India’s neutral position on Ukraine with PM Narendra Modi during their recent phone call, it has emerged. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly also raised the issue “directly” with external affairs minister S Jaishankar on his recent trip to India. The No. 10 readout of Sunak’s call with Modi did not mention Ukraine but it did say the two leaders “discussed shared global challenges”.

But in a debate on Ukraine in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK junior minister for South Asia, confirmed the matter had been raised at the highest level. He was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat peer Lord Purvis of Tweed, who asked: “Could the minister be specific about what we are saying to our allies in the Gulf and India in particular? Have the foreign secretary and the prime minister raised at the highest levels the concern about the impact of our allies in effectively providing neutrality but also therefore de facto support? This is a challenging area for the UK’s foreign policy, but one we need to tackle. It would be depressing if we are too reliant on the Gulf’s inward investment and too hopeful for a trade deal with India if that prevents us from having very hard conversations with our allies. ”

Lord Ahmad responded that Cleverly “raised the issue directly with EAM Jaishankar” on his recent trip to India. Then he said: “I know that PM Sunak has also spoken to PM Modi and again the situation in Ukraine was part and parcel of their discussions, and that will continue. ” He added that the UK was already seeing “progress”.

CANADA TOLD TO PREVENT ANTI-INDIA ACTIVITIES BY INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS

India on Thursday reiterated its concern over certain forces planning a so-called referendum in Canada on their demand for Khalistan and called upon that country to prevent anti-India activities by individuals and groups based there.

It also urged Canada to designate as terrorists under its laws those individuals and entities who have been declared as terrorists under Indian laws.

Asked about the issue of the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “I think we have made our position clear a couple of times. Our position on the efforts by anti-India elements to hold a so-called Khalistan referendum is well known. It has been conveyed to the Canadian government both in New Delhi and in Canada.”

The government of Canada has conveyed that it respects India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will not recognise the so-called referendum, which is to take place in two parts in Canada, Bagchi said.

“The Canadian high commissioner here and their deputy foreign minister reiterated this perspective earlier this week in separate statements. However, let me also reiterate what we said earlier, which is that we find it deeply objectionable that politically-motivated exercises by extremist elements are allowed to take place in a friendly country, and you are all aware of the history of violence in this regard,” he added.

GUJARAT ASSEMBLY POLL TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 1 AND 5

The Election Commission on Thursday announced two-phase assembly polls in Gujarat, as voting for the first-leg will take place on December 1 and for the second on December 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8 along with Himachal Pradesh.

Announcing the decision of the poll panel Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, 89 assembly segments will go to the polls in the first phase on December 1, and 93 seats in second phase on December 5.

The much awaited, high-stake polls are seeing a three-cornered contest among the BJP, the Congress and the AAP. The BJP has been in power in the state - Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home turf — for over two decades.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Nov 3

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Wednesday 1,316

Active Cases 16,098(-145)

Total Deaths 5,30,461 (4)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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IMRAN KHAN SHOT AT, IS OUT OF DANGER

Imran Khan on Thursday sustained bullet injury on his leg when a gunman opened fire on the container-mounted-truck carrying him during his protest march, killing one person, but the former Pakistan prime minister was out of danger in what his party claimed was an “assassination attempt.”

The incident occurred near Allahwala Chowk of Wazirabad town in Punjab when 70-year-old Khan was leading the long march to Islamabad demanding early elections.

In a statement, the Punjab police said that seven people were injured and one person was killed during the attack on Khan. It added that a suspect has been taken into custody.

Senior party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Khan is out of danger now. He added that the “attack was not just on Imran Khan but on the Pakistani nation”.

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the attack on Khan was a “well-planned assassination attempt”. “It was not 9mm [pistol], it was burst from an automatic weapon, no two opinions about that it was a narrow escape,” he tweeted.

Geo TV reported that the attacker was identified as Naved, who said that he wanted to kill Khan because “he was misleading the public.”      

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and directed the Interior Minister for an immediate report on the incident. “I pray for the recovery and health of PTI chairman & other injured people. Federal government will extend all support necessary to Punjab govt for security & investigation. Violence should have no place in our country’s politics,” Sharif tweeted.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU MAKES A COMEBACK, ISRAEL PM CONCEDES DEFEAT

Israel's caretaker Prime Minster Yair Lapid congratulated on Thursday his rival Benjamin Netanyahu on his "victory", conceding defeat two days after the country went to the polls.

Lapid's concession sets the former premier up to form what may be the most right-wing government in Israeli history.

With up to 99 percent of ballots counted, according to the Central Elections Committee, the results put the veteran hawk's right-wing bloc solidly ahead in the country's fifth election in four years.

"Prime Minister Lapid congratulated Opposition Leader Netanyahu on his victory in the elections, and updated him that he has instructed his entire office to prepare an organised transition of power," a statement from Lapid's office said.

Netanyahu's Likud party, its ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies and a surging far-right alliance called Religious Zionism were on track for a clear majority in Israel's 120-seat parliament, spelling the end of an unprecedented period of political deadlock.

The 73-year-old clinched his comeback after 14 months in opposition. He remains on trial over corruption allegations, which he denies, with the case returning to court on Monday.

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"MAZEL TOV MY FRIEND": PM MODI CONGRATULATES NETANYAHU

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu for his success in the Israeli general elections and said he looks forward to continuing their joint efforts to deepen the India-Israel strategic partnership.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid Thursday conceded defeat in the general elections and congratulated opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whose coalition of right-wing parties secured a comfortable majority in parliament to form the next government and end the political impasse plaguing the country.

"Mazel Tov my friend @netanyahu for your electoral success. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts to deepen the India-Israel strategic partnership," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.

PM Modi also thanked Yair Lapid for giving priority to the India-Israel strategic partnership. "I hope to continue our fruitful exchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of our peoples," Narendra Modi said.

DELHI IMPOSES BAN ON PLYING OF DIESEL LMVS, ENTRY OF TRUCKS INTO CAPITAL

With Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) a notch short of entering the “severe plus” category, a central panel on Thursday directed authorities to ban the plying of four-wheeled diesel light motor vehicles in Delhi and adjoining NCR districts and the entry of trucks into the capital as part of anti-pollution measures under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan.

However, BS-VI vehicles and those used for essential and emergency services are exempted, according to an order issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The order stated that the state government may take a call on the closure of educational institutions, non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on odd-even basis.

Central and state governments may decide on permitting work from home.

JHARKHAND CM HEMANT SOREN IGNORES SUMMONS, DARES ED TO ARREST HIM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday skipped summons issued by the Enforce Directorate to face questioning in connection with a case of alleged illegal mining, and is going to Chhattisgarh to attend a tribal programme instead.

The ED had asked Soren to appear for questioning at its regional office at 11 am but he did not go there.

“The ED has summoned me following a conspiracy. Come and arrest me if I have committed a crime instead of sending a summons for questioning. I am neither afraid nor worried. Rather I am emerging stronger. If people of Jharkhand wish, opponents will not find a place to hide,” Soren said while addressing JMM workers near his residence.

The JMM executive president alleged that the BJP is making attempts to destabilise his democratically elected government ever since it was voted to power.

SC ORDERS STATUS QUO ON SOWING OF GM MUSTARD; NEXT HEARING ON NOV 10

The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Centre not to allow planting genetically modified (GM) mustard until the next hearing on the matter on November 10.

The Centre told the court it needed time --- till Monday --- to put the latest facts on record.

The court’s direction could come in the way of the early sowing of GM mustard this rabi season because the ideal planting time closes in 10-15 days.

The Bench of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said the petitioners had pointed out the crop was hazardous. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Aruna Rodrigues, said the court-appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) had advised against using any herbicide-tolerant crop. “It also said the regulatory system in India is in a shambles and needed to be revamped,” he said. Bhushan said the shoring up of the system needed at least 10 years.

“During this time there should be a moratorium on any kind of environmental release of GM varieties. A Parliamentary Committee Report of 2017 had said the same thing,” he said.

‘EXTORTION, SKYROCKETING INCOME, TIES TO CATTLE KINGPIN’ — CBI CHARGE SHEET AGAINST TMC’S MONDAL

Call records showing his bodyguard collected money from a cattle smuggling ‘kingpin’, Rs 18 crore in fixed deposits and two rice mills brought using proceeds of the alleged crime — these are among the charges the CBI mentions in its charge sheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Anubrata Mondal.

Accusing Mondal of blatant use of political clout to conceal his wealth, the CBI further alleges that he not only opened and operated bank accounts in the name of his domestic workers but also used their credentials to purchase high-end vehicles for personal use, and even bought a petrol pump.

Mondal was arrested by the CBI from his residence in Bolpur on 11 August and has since been in jail over his alleged role in cross-border cattle smuggling for which the federal agency held its ‘kingpin’ Md. Enamul Haque in 2020.

INDIAN FIRMS OUTPACE PARENT COMPANIES IN VALUATIONS

The valuations of Indian companies have grown at a faster pace than their foreign parent. To illustrate: in 2017, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) major Hindustan Unilever’s market capitalisation (m-cap) was just 28 per cent of its Anglo-Dutch parent Unilever.

Cut to 2022, HUL’s m-cap of $70 billion is 71 per cent of Unilever ($101 billion). A reason for the higher share in m-cap is that Indian companies command a much higher premium than their multinational corporation parent.

HUL has a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 67 times even as the parent trades at just 20 times. Other domestically-listed MNCs such as Colgate-Palmolive, 3M India, ABB India, and Siemens India fare similarly—although not to the extent of HUL.

Besides valuation differential, the Indian market is considered to be one of the key markets for most of these MNCs.

INSTEAD OF PHASING DOWN COAL THE WORLD IS BURNING IT MORE THAN EVER

Last November in Glasgow, the world’s climate leaders were locked in a fierce debate over whether the final draft of the summit’s agreement should include a pledge to “phase-out” or “phase-down” coal.

Since then, the more appropriate term would probably be “phase-up.”

Even as the globe is increasingly battered by floods, droughts and storms caused by climate change, the fuel that contributes most to planet-warming emissions is undergoing a renaissance. Global coal power generation could set a record for a second-straight year and remains the world’s biggest source of electricity. Consumption has surged in Europe to replace shortfalls in hydro, nuclear and Russian gas, while top producer China is extracting record volumes from mines to insulate itself from volatile global energy markets.

Prices of exported coal have skyrocketed to records and futures contracts suggest they’ll remain at historic highs for years to come. And while plans for spending on new mines and power plants are a fraction of what they were a few years ago, that companies are still investing in new projects at all is alarming to climate scientists who say the fuel needs to be phased out by 2040 to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

T20 WC: SHADAB'S ALL-ROUND SHOW HELPS PAK STAY ALIVE

Shadab Khan produced a special all-round effort as Pakistan kept their semifinal hopes alive with a 33-run win over South Africa in a rain-curtailed T20 World Cup match in Sydney on Thursday.

Shadab first led Pakistan's strong batting display with a scintillating 22-ball 52, propelling them to 185 for nine after opting to bat.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/14) and Shadab (2/16) then blew away the South African top order as the Proteas could manage 108 for 9 in 14 overs. As per DLS method, South Africa were set a revised target of 142 runs in 14 overs after the rain interruption.

Now each team in the Group has played 4 matches. India have 6 points (NRR 0.730), S Africa 5 (+1.441), Pakistan 4 (1.117), Bangladesh 4 (-1.276)

Matches Remaining (All to be played this Sunday): India vs Zimbabwe; S Africa vs Netherlands; Pakistan vs Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH'S NURUL HASAN ACCUSES VIRAT KOHLI OF 'FAKE FIELDING'

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan has accused Virat Kohli of "fake fielding" which went unnoticed by on-field umpires and robbed his team of five potentially vital penalty runs in their T20 World Cup game.

While his skipper Shakib Al Hasan conceded that they lost fair and square, Nurul, who kept Bangladesh in the game in the final over with a six and a four off Arshdeep Singh, seemed to criticise the on-field umpires after the game.

The incident that Nurul was referring to happened in the seventh over. A video recording showed that Arshdeep threw the ball from the deep and Kohli -- at point --  feigned as if he were relaying it at the non-striker's end. The ball actually just passed by Kohli.

The two batters -- Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto -- didn't even look at Kohli at that time.

The ICC playing conditions rule 41.5, which pertains to unfair play, prohibits fielding team from "deliberate, distraction, deception or obstruction of the batter". If the umpire finds any one has breached the rule, he can call it a dead ball and award five penalty runs.

While Nurul accused Kohli of fake fielding, he didn't factor in the terms "distraction and deception" part in the rule. Neither Shanto nor Litton was looking at Kohli, and hence, they were not distracted or deceived.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

OFF TRACK

Boy Friend - I want to confess something...I'm feeling very guilty about it...I have to tell you this...today I cheated....The girlfriend cuts him mid-sentence, saying, "Good you told me. Now I have no hesitation in telling you that I've been cheating on you for last four months."

Boy Friend - "What??? You bitch; I cheated in my exam today!!!!"