FirstUp: RBI to announce monetary policy, Florida gears up for Hurricane Milton... The headlines today

It’s Wednesday and a lot is expected today.

The Reserve Bank of India will announce a monetary policy.

Hurricane Milton is going to make landfall on Florida’s west coast.

The Nobel prize for Chemistry will be announced.

Nationwide hunger strike called by doctor’s association in protest against RG Kar rape-murder case.

US, Israel defence chiefs to meet at Pentagon.

UN Human Rights Council will vote to elect new members, with a major bid from Saudi Arabia.

Hearing on bail plea for US rapper Sean Diddy Combs.

UK’s Conservative MPs vote to reduce party leadership candidates from four to two.

Here’s a glimpse of what is expected today.

RBI to announce monetary policy

The meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI to decide on interest rates, started on October 7 will deliver its decision today on the policy interest rate.

According to Business Insider, key factors on the MPC’s radar include global economic uncertainties, domestic growth prospects, and inflation, particularly in food and fuel prices, which have surged in recent months.

While many experts predict the RBI may hold the repo rate steady, rising global crude oil prices, influenced by tensions in West Asia, could prompt the central bank to reconsider its position.

This was the first meeting of the six-member RBI MPC after half the members were changed in the previous week. The MPC now comprises three members from the RBI and three external members appointed by the central government.

**Hurricane Milton to make landfall
**
Florida is gearing up Hurricane Milton, a massive Category 5 storm, which is set to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Centre’s live Hurricane tracker.

Hurricane Milton is going to hit the shore of the densely populated Tampa Bay region with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 kph).

In response, Florida’s government has ordered evacuations across Tampa Bay and other vulnerable zones. Federal support has been mobilised, with President Biden declaring a state of emergency and authorising FEMA to manage disaster relief efforts. Around 7,000 federal workers are on standby to aid affected communities.

Schools in several Florida counties are being converted into shelters, while airports in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando have closed. Meanwhile, fuel shortages have been reported in Fort Myers and Tampa as residents evacuate.

This massive storm comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which hit the same region just two weeks ago, leaving considerable damage and debris.

Nobel for Chemistry to be announced

Today marks the highly anticipated announcement of the recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Previously, Nobel prizes were awarded for Medicine and Physics, while the honors for Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences are yet to be revealed.

In a reader poll conducted by ChemistryViews, the science news magazine of Chemistry Europe, biochemist Chi-Huey Wong emerged as the frontrunner by a significant margin. Wong is renowned for his groundbreaking research in glycobiology.

Other notable contenders among ChemistryViews readers include Yaghi, with Shankar Balasubramanian—trailing closely behind.

Nationwide hunger strike by junior doctors

In a move to express solidarity with the ongoing protest over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in West Bengal, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) will stage a nationwide hunger strike today.

“We will also be holding a symbolic hunger strike at all medical colleges and hospitals across the state. Representatives of various doctors’ associations will take part in it. This will start at 9 am and continue till 9 pm. We will also hold a rally in Kolkata,” PTI quoted a member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum as saying.

This hunger strike by junior doctors marks two months since the tragic rape and murder involving a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College happened on August 9.

In another significant development, 50 senior doctors from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital submitted their resignations on Tuesday in a gesture of solidarity with the protesting medics.

US, Israel defence chiefs to meet at Pentagon

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is set to meet with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon to address recent developments in West Asia.

The two defence chiefs are expected to discuss Israel’s potential retaliation against Iran following last week’s missile attack, as well as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the fighting in Lebanon.

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder informed reporters about the meeting, emphasising that the US aims to prevent a broader regional conflict.

He noted that while the US understands and supports Israel’s right to defend itself, it is concerned about “steps that are going to escalate or cause miscalculation,” which could exacerbate the situation.

This will mark Gallant’s third visit to Washington, DC, since Hamas attacked Israel a year ago.

**UN Human Rights Council election
**
Today, the UN General Assembly will elect 18 new members for three-year terms on the Human Rights Council, starting in January 2025.

Saudi Arabia is among the countries vying for a seat, aiming to reverse its unsuccessful bid in 2020 for one seat in the 47-member body.

However, human rights organisations are urging the UN to reject Saudi Arabia’s candidacy, arguing that granting the nation a seat would undermine the council’s integrity and betray victims of human rights abuses, particularly those suffering from the regime’s violent actions and political repression.

According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency, between January and October 4, 2024, Riyadh executed 206 individuals, exceeding the previous year’s high of 196, with 85 executed for non-lethal offenses, including 59 for drug crimes.

Hearing on bail for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs 

US rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, currently in custody, is scheduled to appear in court today for the next status hearing in his case.

Combs was arrested on Monday night on charges related to years of alleged sexual abuse of women, according to federal prosecutors. A federal grand jury has indicted him on three felony counts: racketeering, sex trafficking, and using transportation to engage in prostitution.

At a previous hearing, Judge Andrew L. Carter determined that Combs would remain in jail due to the risk of witness tampering and obstruction, as reported by CNN and The New York Times.

Combs’ legal team requested his release on a $50 million bond; however, Judge Carter ruled that the government had demonstrated “by clear and convincing evidence” that no amount of bail could ensure Combs would not tamper with witnesses, according to The Associated Press.

Conservative MPs vote on leadership candidates

In a significant decision, Conservative MPs will vote to narrow the party leadership race from four candidates to two.

Currently, the contenders aiming to succeed Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservative Party include former business minister Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, former minister Robert Jenrick and Tom Tungendhat.

During the party’s conference in Birmingham, each candidate had the opportunity to present their vision and proposals to party members. Following this vote, further ballots will take place, allowing party members to determine the ultimate leader from the final two contenders.

The process is set to culminate in early November, with the new leader poised to shape the future direction of the Conservative Party as it prepares for upcoming electoral challenges.