FRENCH MEDIA REPORT ON RAFALE KICKBACKS TRIGGERS POLITICAL SLUGFEST

A fresh political war of words erupted on Tuesday over the Rafale issue as the BJP accused the Congress leadership of corruption citing claims of a French media report on 'commissions' being paid during the UPA rule and said the Indian National Congress should be renamed 'I Need Commission' party.

Hitting back, the Congress highlighted the report's claim of the CBI investigation and the Enforcement Directorate having information in 2018 related to the secret commissions paid by French aviation firm Dassault to a middleman to ask why the Modi govt did not initiate an investigation and accused it of a cover-up. The opposition party also renewed its demand of a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee and asked why the BJP was not asking for it

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, who has consistently alleged corruption in the purchase of the fighter aircraft by the Modi govt, accusing him of spreading 'canard, disinformation and lies' and asked for his response on the French media report that claimed that commissions were paid between 2007 and 2012 for securing the Rafale deal with India.

Rahul Gandhi, however, chose to address his party colleagues through a tweet thus: 'When the truth is with you in every step, then what is there to worry about? My Congress colleagues - keep fighting like this against the corrupt central govt. Don't stop, don't get tired, don't be afraid,' Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, using the hashtag '#RafaleScam'.

Congress leader K C Venugopal said the only answer to the charges is to conduct a JPC inquiry into the Rafale issue. "If kickbacks have been given, then there has to be an inquiry. Why are you running away from the inquiry? It is very clear that there is a need for a JPC inquiry for which we are asking the govt," he said.

NEPAL ARMY CHIEF VISITS INDIA TO BOLSTER STRATEGIC RELATIONS

Nepal Army Chief General Prabhu Ram Sharma arrived in India on a four-day visit today, indicating a thaw in the relationship between the top countries which had been frosty over Nepal’s claims at Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

Gen Sharma is paying the visit on an official invitation extended by General Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff of Indian Army.

The KP Oli govt in Nepal had taken a distinctly pro-Chinese stand which manifested in the border row over the Lipulekh Pass. India, which is facing trouble on its frontiers, rushed to assuage Nepal General MM Naravane had visited Nepal in November 2020.

TRAVEL BOOSTER: 96 COUNTRIES HAVE VAX CERT PACT WITH INDIA

In a big boost to international travel, 96 countries—including the US, UK, many European and Middle East nations—have agreed to mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates with India, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

The govt continues to be in communication with more countries so that beneficiaries of the world’s “largest Covid vaccination programme are accepted and recognised”, thereby easing travel for education, business and tourism purposes, Mandaviya said in a statement.

The move will ease travel for those vaccinated with Covishield and Covaxin. The countries on the mutual recognition list include Canada, Turkey and Australia as well.

For those who wish to travel abroad, the international travel vaccination certificate can also be downloaded from the CoWIN portal.

SUPREME COURT IN A FIX OVER CHAR DHAM ROAD PROJECT

As the Centre cites the need to facilitate rapid deployment and movement of armed forces along the LAC, the Supreme Court on Tuesday wondered if environmental concerns could override national security.

While hearing a PIL filed by the Citizens for Green Doon challenging the stage-I forest clearance and wildlife clearance granted for the expansion of roads under the Char Dham project, resulting in felling of trees in Dehradun, a three-judge Bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud sought to underline the limitations of judicial activism in such cases.

“We must tell you our predicament… If the Centre says they are doing it for tourism, we understand and we can impose more stringent conditions. But when it’s needed to defend the nation’s borders, it's a serious predicament,” it noted.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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COVID IS SURGING AGAIN IN EUROPE

Coronavirus cases may be falling in much of the world but they are on the rise again in Europe, where pandemic restrictions have been relaxed and cold weather has moved into some countries. Low vaccination rates in Eastern Europe are also to be blamed for the grim numbers. More than half of all new infections reported worldwide were from countries in Europe, with a million new infections about every four days.

Germany’s coronavirus infection rate has risen to its highest level since the start of the pandemic, public health figures showed on Monday, and doctors warned they will need to postpone scheduled operations in coming weeks to cope.

A group of hospitals in the southern Dutch province of Limburg on Tuesday called for the govt to take new measures to stem rising cases, saying they have no space or staff to handle more coronavirus patients. Infections in the Netherlands is approaching all-time highs despite adult vaccination levels around 85%. The country on Tuesday reported weekly cases were up 45% to 76,790, or more than 400 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Russia said the nationwide workplace shutdown it ended this week had helped turn the tide on Covid wave, even as officials on Tuesday reported the largest one-day virus death toll (1,211) so far. The country reported 39,160 cases in the last 24 hours, down from a peak of 41,335 on Saturday. Ukraine on Tuesday also hit record for daily Covid toll with 833 deaths over the past day, surpassing the previous high of 793 over the weekend.

DEVELOPING NATIONS PROPOSE ‘AT LEAST’ $1.3 TRILLION/YEAR IN CLIMATE FINANCE

Developed countries should deliver “at least” US $1.3 trillion per year between 2025 and 2030 in climate finance, split equally between climate mitigation and adaptation, the African Group (comprising 54 countries), backed by the Like Minded Developing Countries (24, including India) has proposed at the ongoing COP26 in Glasgow.

However, developed nations involved in the negotiations have resisted discussion on this proposal, and have pushed back on certain aspects of it.

Developed countries had made a commitment in 2009 to deliver $100 billion in climate finance to developing nations every year, up to 2020. In the Paris Agreement, this period was extended till 2025.

Developing countries have argued that climate finance is essential to driving their climate ambitions and achieving their targets under the Paris Agreement.

The run-up to the second week of negotiations saw a spate of announcements and pledges to increase climate finance by developed nations, but developing nations have repeatedly said this will fall short, and that this contrasts how negotiations have been unfolding within closed doors.

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VICE ADMIRAL R HARI KUMAR IS NEXT NAVY CHIEF

The govt on Tuesday night announced it had appointed Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Western Naval Command chief, as the next Indian Navy Chief.

He will take over on November 30 when present Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh retires from service. Born on April 12, 1962, Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy in January 1983.

He has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar’s sea command includes INS-Nishank, Missile Corvette, INS-Kora and Guided Missile Destroyer INS-Ranvir. He also commanded Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier

NAWAB MALIK, DEVENDRA FADNAVIS TRADE BARBS OVER LAND DEAL, UNDERWORLD CONNECT

In a major twist in the Mumbai potboiler, Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis yersterday accused NCP minister Nawab Malik of a property deal with 1993 Mumbai bomb blast convict Sardar Shah Wali Khan and Mohd Salim Ishaq Patel, a front man of Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Parkar.

The former Maharashtra CM told the media in Mumbai that “a prime property of 2.80 acres was bought by Solidus Investment Private Limited for a meagre Rs 30 lakh. The signatory of the deal was Faraz Malik, son of Nawab Malik.

“Nawab Malik held a high post in the company, but resigned before becoming a minister in 2019. His wife Mehjbeen Nawab Malik and son Aamir Malik are the directors of the company,” he said.

The minister, who has refuted the allegations and termed the transactions legal, claimed he would “expose the underworld links of Fadnavis” tomorrow. “I will drop a hydrogen bomb tomorrow in connection with Devendra Fadnavis. I will expose his underworld links,” Malik was quoted as saying.

“Devendra Fadnavis is trying to malign my image by connecting me to blast convicts and the underworld. They did the same by saying that drugs were recovered from my place... I will send him a legal notice,” said the minister.

SIDHU HAS HIS WAY: PUNJAB GOVT ACCEPTS AG'S RESIGNATION

Yielding to the pressure mounted by Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, the state Cabinet on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Advocate General A P S Deol.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said a new advocate general will be appointed on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh after the Cabinet meeting, Channi said Deol had resigned a few days ago. "The Cabinet today accepted it (resignation)," said Channi, adding that it would be sent to the state governor.

"Tomorrow, the new AG will be appointed," said Channi, who was accompanied by Sidhu and Deputy CM O P Soni, ministers

The move came amid Sidhu's strong opposition to the appointments of Deol as the state's advocate general and Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota as the officiating DGP of the state.

On the issue of the DGP, Channi said a panel of senior police officers having over 30 years of experience has already been sent to the Centre. Out of which, a panel of officers will be received from the Centre for the selection of the new DGP, he said.

MADRAS HC COMES DOWN HARD ON CIVIC BODY OVER FLOOD MANAGEMENT

The Madras High Court on Tuesday came down hard on the Greater Chennai Corporation over the inundation caused in the city due to the ongoing downpour. “For half of the year, we are made to cry for water (apparently due to shortage) and for another half we are made to die in water,” the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu said, while entertaining a PIL petition on Tuesday.

The bench was finding fault with the civic body in its efforts to prevent inundation in the city during the recent rains. It has failed in its attempts to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people due to the water-logging because of the incessant rains.

“What the authorities were doing for the past five years after the 2015 deluge?”, the bench wondered and warned the officials that it would not hesitate to initiate (contempt) proceedings if the situation is not improved within a week.

The PIL was against the encroachments on public roads and to restore their original length and breadth.

MULLAPERIYAR DAM CAN’T BE PERPETUATED, KERALA TELLS SUPREME COURT

The Kerala govt has told the Supreme Court that “no amount of rejuvenation” can perpetuate the 126-year-old “deteriorated” Mullaperiyar dam and there is a limit to the number of years one can keep dams in service through maintenance and strengthening measurers.

It said the only permanent solution for removing the “eternal threat owing to the safety concerns” of the dam and for protecting the safety of lakhs of people living in the downstream of Mullaperiyar dam, is to build a new dam in the downstream reaches of the existing dam. Mullaperiyar Dam was built in 1895 on the Periyar River in the Idukki district of Kerala. In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the Kerala Govt has urged the apex court that the proposal to fix the upper rule level of Mullaperiyar dam at 142 feet on September 20 as formulated by Tamil Nadu may be avoided.

“Keeping in view the North-East monsoon extends mostly up to the month of December, it is requested that the maximum water level in the reservoir may be fixed at 140 ft on November 30,” it said.

On October 28, the SC had said Tamil Nadu and Kerala would abide by 139.5 ft water level notified by the committee till November 10.

PADMA SHRI TO UP MAN WHO CREMATED OVER 25,000 BODIES

Mohammad Sharif, the man who performed last rites of more than 25,000 unclaimed bodies, was conferred with the Padma Shri, for the 2020.

The 83-year-old former bicycle mechanic received the award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.

Popularly known as "Sharif Chacha" in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, he is reported to have performed the last rites of more than 25,000 unclaimed bodies in the district over three decades.

Sharif took to social service in 1992 after a horrific incident, in which his son Raees was murdered at the height of the communal tensions during the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

He performed the last rites of individuals across religions — Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. In his district, the police would hand over bodies unclaimed for 72 hours for cremation or burial to him.

LANCET REPORT BLAMES ‘LATE’ WHO RESPONSE FOR RAPID COVID SPREAD

The first retrospective analysis of events that caused Covid-19 to become a full-blown pandemic has revealed delay in the confirmation of human-to-human transmission of the disease by the WHO and recommended strong future measures to ensure timely warning systems.

The analysis, published in The Lancet today, shows a dedicated initial response by the WHO and some national govts, but also aspects of the response that could have been quicker—including outbreak notifications under the International Health Regulations (IHR), presumption and confirmation of human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2, declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and, most importantly, the public health response of many national govts.

Titled “How an outbreak became a pandemic”, the analysis shows that understanding the spread of SARS-CoV-2, how and when evidence emerged, and the timing of local, national, regional and global responses is essential to prepare for future health threats.

The entire research is based on two literature reviews—WHO documents and correspondence, submissions to the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and an expert verification process.

NZ T20is: ROHIT CAPTAIN, KOHLI RESTED, HARDIK DROPPED

Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming three-match T20 International series against New Zealand, starting November 17, in Jaipur.

K L Rahul was named vice-captain.

Rohit will take over the reins of the squad following Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as skipper after the T20 World Cup. Rohit's appointment was a formality, claimed a senior BCCI official.

While BCCI didn't say anything about ODI captaincy, it is understood that the it wants one white ball captain going into the 2023 50-over World Cup and a decision for the three-match ODI series in South Africa will be taken at an appropriate time.

"I am still not sure if the board will retain Virat as ODI captain. There will be some discussions but chances are bleak. He will certainly remain the Test captain," the official added.

The T20I matches will be played in Jaipur (November 17), Ranchi (November 19) and Kolkata (November 21).

The series will be followed by the two Tests, in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai (December 3-7).

The new-look 16-man squad, announced on Tuesday, also has IPL 2021's highest run-getter Rituraj Gaikwad and leading wicket-taker Harshal Patel along with Venkatesh Iyer, who is seen as a potential all-round replacement for the injury-plagued Hardik Pandya.

Pandya was dropped from the squad after failing to make an impact during India’s disastrous campaign in the T20 World Cup.Pandya, who didn't actually provide an honest picture of his fitness status, has been dropped from the squad. It is understood that the selection committee is extremely annoyed with his fitness woes and he is the only person, who is actually dropped and not rested.

Outgoing skipper Virat Kohli, pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and spinner Ravindra Jadeja were rested for the short series.

RAVI SHASTRI SIGNS OFF WITH A RIVETING SPEECH

Ravi Shastri gave a riveting speech - his last - to the Indian players in the dressing room before signing off as the head coach of the team. Shastri addressed the players after India beat Namibia by 9 wickets in their last T20 World Cup match on Monday in Dubai. Team India failed to qualify for the knockout stages as Pakistan and New Zealand went ahead in the semi-finals from Group 2.

BCCI shared the video of Shastri's speech on its social media handle with the caption: “Must Watch: A stirring speech to sign off as the Team India Head Coach. Here's a snippet from Ravi Shastri's team address in the dressing room, reflecting on the team's journey in the last few years."

Shastri who had confirmed that he won't continue as India's head coach even before the World Cup began, termed the current Indian side as one of the greatest sides in the world.

“You guys as a team have over exceeded my expectations with the way you've played. Over the last few years, you went across the globe, across formats and beat everyone. This makes you one of the great teams that has played the game. Not only a great Indian cricket team… This will go down as one of great teams that has played the game over the five-six years across all formats. The results are there to be seen,” Shastri said in his speech.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

People would rather be wrong than be different. - Henry Jacobsen

OFF TRACK

A careful patient decided she wasn't taking any chances. Prior to her operation, she taped notes to her body for the surgeon... "Take your time," "Don't cut yourself," "No need to rush," "Wash your hands..." 

After surgery, as a nurse helped the patient back into her bed,  she discovered a new note taped to her, this one from the doctor, "Has anyone seen my wristwatch?"