FirstUp: PM at COP28, Telangana polls & more... Today in news

It’s set to be another action-packed Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Dubai for two days to attend COP28 – World Climate Action Summit. The summit is seen as a crucial platform for India, which recently concluded its G20 presidency with an agreement to reduce coal power. All eyes are also focused on the battles within battles in the Telangana Assembly election. A depression is likely to intensify into cyclone “Michaung” over Bay of Bengal, affecting eastern states of Odisha and Union Territory Andaman and Nicobar. Meanwhile, US space agency NASA has warned that a solar storm could the Earth today, causing a minor blackout of radio and GPS signals. Here’s a simple overview of what to expect today. PM Modi to attend COP28 summit PM Modi is set to attend the United Nations’ World Climate Action Summit (COP28) in Dubai. The summit is seen as a platform for New Delhi to build upon its G20 achievements, which concluded its G20 presidency with an agreement on reducing coal power, the government said. [caption id=“attachment_13446142” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he visits International Media Center, on the second day of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Reuters[/caption] The conference may also highlight the divide between developed and emerging economies on the issue of coal dependency. According to Reuters, France, which is backed by the US, intends to propose a cessation of private financing for coal-based power plants of COP28. Telangana goes for polls Following a high-octane campaign, Telangana goes to polls today. The stage is ready for voting to choose the 119 members of the upcoming state legislature. Voters would use the 35,655 polling booths spread out over the state to exercise their right to vote. The fate of 2,290 contenders will be determined by more than 3.26 crore eligible voters. In 106 seats, polls would be conducted from 7 am to 5 pm, and in 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) impacted districts, from 7 am to 4 pm. [caption id=“attachment_13446192” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] BRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao during ‘Praja Ashirvada Sabha’ ahead of the state Assembly election, in Gajwel. PTI[/caption] Exit poll in five states The electoral battles in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana commenced on 7 November. These five states will be entering the last stage of voting today after the voting ends in Telangana. Odisha on alert The state government has put seven coastal districts on alert amid a low pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea, which is likely to intensify into a cyclone named “Michaung.” Girls to be part of NDA passout parade The first batch of girl cadets, who are now in their second year of three years of military-cum-academic training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla near Pune, will be marching along with male cadets at the passing out parade of the academy’s 145th course. OPEC+ meet to assess oil output The online ministerial meeting is widely anticipated to deepen and extend cuts to oil production amidst concerns of supply being continuously higher than demand. [caption id=“attachment_13446212” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih, left, waves off journalists’ shouted questions as he leaves a petrochemical conference with Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, right, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP[/caption] NASA issues storm alert NASA has alerted that a solar storm is likely to hit Earth, due to a coronal mass ejection. Space weather specialist Dr Tamitha Skov said that minor inconveniences can be faced by radio and GPS signals, which is normal during solar storms. Important for pensioners! The deadline to submit “life certificate” or “Jeevan Pramaan Patra” for government pensioners is 30 November. The documents serve as a proof of life, a prerequisite for the continuous disbursal of pensions to approximately 69.76 lakh central government pensioners, along with numerous others under state governments and affiliated institutions. This day in history… The first-ever international football match took place on 30 November 1872 between Scotland and England in a field at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in Partrick, Glasgow. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was founded by former Pakistan foreign minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Lahore in 1967 Michael Jackson’s second solo album, also one of the bestselling album of all time, Thriller was released in 1982. Exxon and Mobil signed a $73.7 billion merger agreement forming a new company called “ExxonMobil,” the world’s largest company in 1998.