SIMULTANEOUS POLLS WILL BENEFIT PUBLIC AND CENTRE IRRESPECTIVE OF PARTY, SAYS RAM NATH KOVIND

Former president Ram Nath Kovind, who heads the government-appointed high-level committee on ‘one nation, one election’, said on Monday that holding simultaneous elections would benefit the public and whichever party was in power at the Centre, adding that the funds saved could be used for development work.

Speaking to reporters in Rae Bareli, Kovind said: “We are requesting everyone to give their positive support to us, because this is in national interest. It does not have anything to do with any particular party. For example, if this is implemented, then the benefit will go to whichever party is in power at the Centre, whether it is the BJP or the Congress or any other political party. There is no discrimination in this. The biggest benefit will be to the general public. The revenue that comes, the savings can be used for development work.”

Kovind’s remarks come at a time when the high-level committee has invited comments from political parties, having met representatives of the Law Commission of India in its second and most-recent meeting, on October 25. Saying that he had reached out to all national parties for their suggestions, Kovind said every party had supported the idea of simultaneous polls at some point.

Kovind said the issue had been examined by a parliamentary standing committee, the NITI Aayog and the Election Commission.

DON’T PICK & CHOOSE, SENDS WRONG SIGNAL: SC TO GOVT ON JUDGES’ SELECTION

Reiterating its displeasure over what it termed as a “pick and choose” practice adopted by the Centre in clearing the Collegium’s recommendations for appointment and transfer of High Court (HC) judges, the Supreme Court said on Monday that this “sends a very wrong signal”.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said of the names recommended for appointment as HC judges recently, eight have not been cleared, including some who are senior to those who have been appointed. Besides, five names from the earlier lot which were reiterated, too, have not been appointed, it said.

“In Punjab, two seniormost have not been appointed. This is the problem which arises when selective appointments take place, people lose their seniority. Why will people be ready to become judges,” said Justice Kaul, who is a member of the apex court Collegium.

On transfers, Justice Kaul said: “Last time also, I said (it) doesn’t send a good signal. If you pick and choose transfers out of the ones recommended by the Collegium, ultimately they are going to work in one court or the other. It’s not a question of choice of the judges to be appointed. Last time also, I emphasised don’t do selective transfers. It creates its own dynamics, and that is what has happened. One from Allahabad, one from Delhi, and some from Gujarat, six transfers are pending. This is something not acceptable.”

‘CONGRESS WANTS TO END SANATAN… IT MEANS END OF RAJASTHAN CULTURE’: PM MODI

Attacking the Congress at his public meetings in Rajasthan’s Pali and Hanumangarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said that the party along with the INDIA alliance wanted to end Sanatan Dharma, and added that it only valued “corruption, dynasty politics and appeasement”.

At the Pali rally, Modi said the people need to teach a lesson to the Congress, which has a “twisted” mentality. Referring to the INDIA alliance as a “ghamandiya gathbandhan (arrogant grouping)”, the PM said: “What all they have said about Sanatan has been seen by the entire country. My mothers and sisters have expressed great resentment… Ending Sanatan means ending the culture of Rajasthan. Will you let them do it?”

Modi claimed that INDIA leaders had “started an indecent drive against women” since the passage of the women’s reservation law. “The leaders of the ghamandiya gathbandhan have made indecent remarks about our mothers and sisters. The Chief Minister of Bihar has in the state Assembly used extremely derogatory language for women.”

Asking why the Congress had not said anything to this, Modi said it was because the party does not act for the welfare of women, and went on to attack the Ashok Gehlot government over crimes against women in the state.

With the Congress and other parties attacking the Centre over inflation, Modi said: “Do you remember the mobile bills you paid earlier? If the price of mobiles today was the same as in 2014, then every month, just in phone expenses, you would have to spend Rs 5,000. Today, there are 4-5 mobiles in one family. Tell me, how much money has been saved. This is Modi’s way of working.”

He also mentioned the Jan Aushadhi Kendras providing medicines at “80% discount” and blamed the Congress government for the fuel rates, saying it sells “overpriced petrol”.

BOGUS NEWS MEANT TO GENERATE EUPHORIA’: CONGRESS ON GDP CLAIMS

The Congress took a swipe at the ruling BJP on Monday for claiming that India’s GDP has crossed the USD 4-trillion mark and alleged that the “bogus” news is only for generating euphoria and doing headline management.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said some Union ministers and the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister have made a “fake” claim.

“Between 2:45 pm and 6:45 pm yesterday, when the nation was glued to watching the cricket match, various drumbeaters of the Modi government, including senior Union ministers from Rajasthan and Telangana, the Deputy CM of Maharashtra, as well as the PM’s most favoured businessman, tweeted that yesterday itself India’s GDP had crossed the USD 4 trillion mark,” Ramesh said. “This was totally fake and bogus news meant to generate more euphoria and a pathetic attempt at both sycophancy and headline management,” he alleged.

The Finance Ministry and the National Statistical Office did not immediately comment on the viral social media posts on the country’s GDP crossing USD 4 trillion.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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ISRAEL’S MILITARY RELEASES VIDEO IT SAYS SHOWS HOSTAGES AT AL-SHIFA

Israel’s military on Sunday released video of what it said was a 55-metre section of a fortified tunnel running 10 metres beneath the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City, seeking to bolster its allegations that Hamas has used the largest medical centre in the Palestinian enclave as a base for its military operations.

The military released two videos, one of which appeared to have been filmed by a drone and shows parts of a metal spiral staircase. A longer video, which appeared to have been recorded by a robot or a camera carried by an animal, starts out above ground and shows the descent to a cloister-like tunnel with utility cables along one wall that leads to what Israeli officials described as a blastproof door.

The door had a firing hole in it, the military said, adding that such doors are used by Hamas “to block Israeli forces from entering the command centers and the underground assets belonging to Hamas.”

New York Times verified that both videos were recorded at Al-Shifa Hospital, which Israeli forces stormed last week.

Gaza’s health ministry said in a statement that the authenticity of the videos could not be verified, and took the opportunity to renew its criticism of Israel over a blockade that has led to a collapse of health services in the enclave to the deaths of hundreds of sick and injured. “Given what the Israeli occupation reported, this confirms that the hospitals of the ministry of health provide their medical services to everyone who deserves them, regardless of their gender and race,” the ministry said. The videos were released on the fifth day of the military’s operation inside the Shifa Hospital compound.

HOUTHI MILITANTS RELEASE CHILLING FOOTAGE OF CARGO SHIP HIJACKING

The Yemenese militant group Houthi released a video yesterday showing armed men landing on the India-bound cargo ship from a helicopter in a bid to hijack it as it was claimed to be linked with Israel. Houthis-owned TV channel Al Masirah released the footage of the mission which was undertaken on Sunday.

The footage reveals around 10 armed men being deployed onto the ship's deck, with much of the video captured from head cameras. The armed men are seen taking command of the bridge from the crew. In a later segment of the video, there are purported scenes of small boats hovering around and approaching the ship.

"All communications were subsequently lost with the vessel," the Isle of Man registered Galaxy Maritime Ltd, owner of the pure car carrier Galaxy Leader, said in a statement. "The company, as a shipping concern, will not be commenting further on the political or geopolitical situation."

The United States condemned the hijack of the ship as a violation of international law and called for the prompt release of both the vessel and its crew.

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6-INCH LIFELINE PIPE REACHES TRAPPED MEN IN SILKYARA, TO SEND COOKED FOOD

Rescuers on Monday pushed a six-inch-wide pipeline through the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel, a breakthrough that will help them supply larger quantities of food and possibly allow live visuals of the 41 workers trapped inside for eight days.

Earlier, a four-inch existing tube was being used to supply oxygen and items like dry fruit and medicines into the section of the tunnel beyond the rubble of the collapsed portion of the under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) director Anshu Manish Khalkho called it the "first breakthrough" at the site. "We have sent the pipe 53 metres to the other side of the rubble and the trapped workers can hear and experience us," he said.

Drones and robots from the DRDO have also been brought to the site to look into the possibility of other escape routes for the trapped men.

But rescue workers were yet to resume the horizontal drilling through the debris after a boulder appeared to block the progress of the heavy-duty auger machine earlier this week.

Rescuers are also preparing to exercise the option of drilling more than 80 metres down into the hill to reach the workers. A road has been laid for heavy drilling machinery used by the ONGC to get to the top.

The pipeline development comes on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the rescue operation. According to a statement, the PM said it was necessary to keep up the morale of the trapped workers.

Col Deepak Patil, who is also involved in the relief operations, told reporters that food items like dalia (porridge), khichdi, and sliced apples and bananas can now be sent into the new pipeline.

He said the rescuers will try to establish a link for live streaming visuals from inside.

The rescuers and those inside the tunnel have been communicating with each other even now, and relatives allowed to talk with the workers. But the six-inch pipe will be a significant upgrade.

SUPREME COURT QUESTIONS DELAY IN PASSING OF TAMIL NADU BILLS

In strong remarks, the Supreme Court on Monday asked why the Tamil Nadu Governor had acted on some Bills sent for his assent only after the matter had reached the court. Saying that the Bills had been pending since January 2020, it asked: “What was the Governor doing for three years?”

The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, was hearing a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Government accusing Governor R N Ravi of not acting on some Bills sent by the Legislature.

Last week, days after the Supreme Court expressed concern over Governors not acting on Bills, Ravi had withheld assent and returned 10 pending Bills to the state government. In a special sitting on Saturday, the Tamil Nadu Assembly re-adopted the Bills.

“The Governor says he has disposed of these Bills on November 13. Our concern is that our order was passed on November 10. These Bills have been pending since January 2020. It means that the Governor took the decision after the court issued notice. What was the Governor doing for three years? Why should the Governor wait for the parties to approach the Supreme Court,” the CJI asked.

Attorney General R Venkataramani said that of the 181 Bills sent to the Governor since 2020, 152 Bills had been cleared. He said the dispute was only about Bills which sought to deprive the Governor of his power as Chancellor to appoint Vice-Chancellors of universities. Pointing out that the 10 Bills had been re-adopted by the TN Assembly and presented again to the Governor, he urged the court to await the outcome.

The Bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, agreed to the request and fixed the next hearing for December 1.

NIA BOOKS GURPATWANT SINGH PANNU, SFJ FOR THREATENING AIR INDIA FLYERS

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a case against designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and his banned organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for issuing threats to passengers flying Air India.

Pannu recently issued a warning asking Sikhs to avoid Air India flights on and after November 19, citing danger to their lives.

The NIA said Pannu had been creating a false narrative around issues prevailing in Punjab, especially with regard to the Sikh religion, by promoting enmity between the Sikhs in the country and other communities.

GAUTAM SINGHANIA TO PART WITH 75% OF HIS WALTH IN FAMILY SETTLEMENT

According to reports by ED, Nawaz Modi has sought an estimated 75% of Gautam Singhania’s net worth of over Rs 11,000 crores for their two daughters and herself as part of a family settlement following the couple’s separation.

The billionaire industrialist announced separation from his wife Nawaz on November 13, 2023, in a post on X, saying it was not the same Diwali as in the past. The couple was together for 32 years.

Singhania, the Chairman and MD of Raymond, is said to have agreed to share the wealth. However, Singhania has suggested setting up a family trust to hold the assets where he would be the sole managing trustee.

1.5° CELSIUS THRESHOLD BREACHED ON 86 DAYS THIS YEAR: UN REPORT

As many as 86 days this year so far have already breached the 1.5 degree Celsius temperature threshold, as global greenhouse gas emissions scaled a record high in 2022, a new UN report stated on Monday.

The report noted that with current climate policies of countries, the world was set to become warmer by at least 3 degree Celsius by the end of the century.

The report said that the failure of the world to take early action on climate had brought it into a situation where meeting the 1.5 degree Celsius target looks extremely difficult.

The impacts of inaction are already evident with the year 2023 all set to emerge as the hottest ever, overtaking the previous record of 2016. Almost every month of the year has set one or the other temperature record, with September emerging as the hottest month ever.

AFTER LOSS, A PM MODI PEP TALK IN DRESSING ROOM

After the World Cup final loss on Sunday, the disappointed Indian dressing room got a surprise visitor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after handing the winners’ trophy to Australian skipper Pat Cummins, dropped by to console and motivate captain Rohit Sharma’s heartbroken team

Those present at the interaction said Modi, after addressing the Indian team, sought out individual players to have a word with them.

Mohammad Shami took to social media and said he was thankful for the support the team got during the World Cup. “Unfortunately yesterday was not our day. I would like to thank all Indians for supporting our team and me throughout the tournament. Thankful to PM @narendramodi for specially coming to the dressing room and raising our spirits. We will bounce back!” he posted on X.

Ravindra Jadeja also acknowledged how the nation stood by the team that lost in the final. “We are all heartbroken but the support of our people is keeping us going. PM @narendramodi’s visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very motivating.”

INDIA'S GEN-NEXT SQUAD FOR AUS T20I SERIES

With the ODI World Cup done and dusted, the focus shifts to the upcoming T20I series against Australia. Just a day after Australia handed India a heartbreaking loss in the final in Ahmedabad, the selection committee picked the Indian team for the T20I series at home.

Barring three of the World Cup players, the rest of the players have been all rested.

The five-match series against Australia will be played from Nov 23rd to Dec 3rd.

Thesquad: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.

Shreyas Iyer will join the side as vice-captain for the final two T20Is.

ROHIT CAPTAIN AS SIX INDIANS IN ICC'S WORLD CUP TEAM OF TOURNAMENT

Six players from finalists India and two from champions Australia were selected in the World Cup team of the tournament announced by the ICC on Monday. Leading run scorer Virat Kohli -- who was named player of the tournament -- captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and top wicket-taker Mohammed Shami were all included in the team.

Team of the Tournament:

Quinton de Kock (wk) (South Africa), Rohit Sharma (c) (India), Virat Kohli (India), Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand), KL Rahul (India), Glenn Maxwell (Australia), Ravindra Jadeja (India), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka), Adam Zampa (Australia), Mohammed Shami (India)

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The Hopi Indians of Arizona believe that our daily rituals and prayers literally keep this world spinning on its axis. For me, feeding the seagulls is one of those everyday prayers. - Brenda Peterson

OFF TRACK

The priest was preparing a man for his long day's journey into night. Whispering firmly, the priest said, "Denounce the devil! Let him know how little you think of his evil!"

The dying man said nothing. The priest repeated his order. Still the dying man said nothing. The priest asked, "Why do you refuse to denounce the devil and his evil?"

The dying man said, "Until I know where I'm heading, I don't think I ought to aggravate anybody."