National Political News:
1. Phase 4 of Bihar elections for its legislative assembly has seen the highest voter turnout at 57.59% theirby surpassing the previous high of 57.33% in 2014 Lok Sabha Polls. Female voters were recorded at 60.4%against male voters at 54.2%.
Prime Minister Modi in his elections speeches in Bihar flays the Jungle Raj and JantarMantar of RJD, JDU combine also known as the Mhagathbandan which retorts back with their election plank of “BiharivsBahari”.
2. A Bihari youth killed in Nepalese Police firing at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj city customs near the India Nepal Border. Nepalese community of Mahesis and Thanus had blocked the Raxaul Birgunj crossing to protest against the Nepal’s new constitution which is loaded against these communities as claimed by them.
3. Congress protest march lead by Sonia Gandhi petitions the President of India on growing intolerance in the country as claimed by some artists, intellectuals and opposition parties against the BJP lead NDA Government.
4. SAD (A) a splinter Akali group President Simranjeet Singh Maan rakes up the Khalistan issue to be placed on the agenda of Sarbat Khalsa meet of the Sikhs. It is a move to gain political mileage by disturbing peace in Punjab as stated by the State Government.
5. PM announces a Rs. 80,000 Crore package for development of J&K at Srinagar. It is beginning of a mission to transform strife torn J&K into a new and modern Kashmir. The Prime Minister addressed a gathering of 10,000 people in Srinagar. The financial package shall also be used for rehabilitation of Kashmir flood victims and displaced Kashmiri Pandit’s affected by militancy.
International Political News:
1. Australia scraps the Knights and Dames honours awarded to its distinguished citizens for not being appropriate with the 21st Century. This honours award is part of Order of Australia. The recommendation to do away with the awards has been made to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England who is the titular head of Australia also.
2. Al Shabaab gunmen, a terrorist organization linked to Al Qaida killed 13 persons in an attack on a hotel in Mogadishu. A vehicle packed with explosives was rammed into the gate of Sahafi Hotel popular with MP’s, government employees and businessmen.
3. 4 Punjabi origin Sikh members of the Canadian Liberal Party have become ministers in the Canadian Government that has taken oath after its recent win. They are– 42 year old Harjeet Saga as defence minister, 38 year old Navdeep Bains as innovation, science and economics development minister, Amarjeet Sohi as minister for infrastructure anda young Sikh women Bardish Chagger has been made Minister for small business and tourism.
4. Maldives declares a 30 day emergency citing threat to national security. This action is the result of Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) holding a rally in 2 days time for the release of former President Mohammed Nasheed detained under anti terror laws.
Business News:
1. The hero number 1 of Hero Motocorp and Hero Honda motorcycle, the World’s largest motorcycle maker Brij Mohan Munjal dies at the age of 92 in New Delhi. He is credited with founding and running the above company to the dizzy heights at which it is today from being a maker of bicycles in Ludhiana. The Hero groups turnover today stands at Rs. 30,000 Crores.
2. RCom the telecom company of Anil Ambani takes over the Russian conglomerate Sistema’s Indian telecom unit for Rs. 4500 crores ($ 690 million) in a stock deal. Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL) to hold 10% stake in Rcom. Shyam Group has 23.98% stake, the Russian Government 17.14%, the rest being owned by small investors in SSTL. SSTL offered mobile services in 9 telecom circle.
3. Nikkei Manufacturing Purchase Managers index for India declined to 50.7 in October from 51.2 in September thereby indicating a contraction in growth. The core sector growth accelerated in September to a 4 month high as per data released by the Government of India. The Automobile sector had lead to this increase in core sector growth.
4. US based Sun Edison wins a 500 MW solar project at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The solar power tariff offered by it is at Rs. 4.63 per unit against the current rates of over Rs6 per unit.
Science and Technology:
1. The chemical Parabens found in shampoos, body lotions and sun creams increases the breast cancer risk in women. Parabens are class of preservatives used in consumer products and are considered to be estrogenic. Studies have linked exposure to estradiol and related estrogenswith a increased rate of breast cancer. They activate same estrogen receptor as the natural hormone estradiol.
2. Scientist in US at the Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied sciences are developing next generation battery for pacemaker implantable in the human heart. This advancement is based on piezoelectric system that converts vibrational energy created inside chest by beating of the heart into electricity to power the pacemaker. The old Battery replacement time is anywhere between 5–12 years which may be considerably enhanced with this new system.
The pacemaker regulates the heart beat electrical signal delivered to the heart.
Sports:
1. In the Mexico City Grand Prix, German Mercedes team of Nico Roseberg beats triple world champion Lewis Hemilton of another Mercedes team by finishing the race 1.9 seconds ahead while starting from pole position.
2. India beat South Africa in the cricket test match series at Mohali in 3 days on a turning wicket. India scored 201 and 200 runs in the first and second innings of the match respectively. South Africa replied with 184 and 109 runs in both the innings and thus lost test by 108 runs.
Misc.
1. The release of James Bond 007 movie ‘Spectre’ in Indian cinemas although censored by the Indian Censure Board draws nostalgic viewers. The Aura of actors like Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Morre, Timothy Dalton, Peirce Brosnan and their leading ladies ranging from Ursula Andress to Halle Berry still continues.
