FirstUp: Jaishankar in Kyrgyzstan, Maha Speaker on Sena pleas... The big news

It’s Thursday! While it’s not quite time to thank God and gear up for the weekend just yet, there is enough time for quick look at the events that are expected to make the news today. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Speaker will hold a hearing on clubbing the pleas filed by rival Shiv Sena factions. Also on Thursday, the top Indian Air Force Commanders are set to gather in Delhi. The Karnataka High Court will hold the next hearing of the bail petition of a rape-accused seer. The Cricket World Cup 2023, meanwhile, rumbles on as a ragged England stare down Sri Lanka. Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect today: S Jaishankar at SCO India’s eloquent and outspoken External Affairs Minister is on a visit to Kyrgyzstan. The central Asian nation is hosting the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the SCO – which comprises India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and is an influential economic and security bloc – in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping. Jaishankar will be joined by Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and China’s Wang Yi in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. Keep your eyes peeled for news from this meet. Sena vs Sena Yet another round of the Sena vs Sena faction wars is set to play out today. All eyes will be on Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who previously clubbed the petitions filed by the rival Shiv Sena factions that sought the disqualifications of each other’s MLAs after a split in the party last year. [caption id=“attachment_12821652” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Which way will Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar go? PTI[/caption] The Supreme Court had come down hard on Narwekar – ordering him to hear the petitions ‘expeditiously’. Which way will Narwekar go? Only time will tell. IAF commanders meet The top Indian Air Force Commanders will meet in Delhi today. On the agenda? Talking about how best to safeguard India’s national security and enhance the country’s aerial firepower especially with cutting-edge technologies. A review of the situation along the border with Pakistan and China is also expected. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan are expected to be present and address the commanders. Bail for rape accused seer? The Karnataka High Court will hear the petition of the rape-accused seer of the Chitradurga mutt. The accused, Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru, has been in prison since 1 September, 2022 – when he was taken from the mutt in Chitradurga amid high drama. He is facing the charges under the POSCO, IPC sections, Atrocity Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act. The court seems to be losing patience with the defence – as it observed in its previous hearing on 29 September that a date is fixed for the argument every week and then submissions are made for the hearing to be postponed. Eng vs Sri Lanka Can England turn it all around? The defending ODI champions have just two points from four games and are staring down the barrel of an early exit from the World Cup. [caption id=“attachment_13295692” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Defending champions England are struggling in World Cup 2023. AP[/caption] The Sri Lankans, meanwhile, are similarly beleaguered. History says the England team has a big task ahead – they’ve lost their last four games against Sri Lanka in the ICC tournament. Catch our coverage  here. This day in history: Kashmir’s Maharaja signs Instrument of Accession to India On 26 October, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession with India. The signature, which made Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India, came after an attack by Pakistan army-backed tribals on Jammu and Kashmir. The Maharaja’s son and heir Karan Singh said at the time, “Death and destruction were fast approaching Srinagar, our smug world had collapsed around us….” The signature would irrevocably alter things between India and Pakistan and create a flashpoint for the two nascent nations. Happy birthday Hillary! Hillary Rodham Clinton turns 76 today! [caption id=“attachment_13296632” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Hillary Clinton turns 67 today.[/caption] Clinton has worn many hats – from former presidential hopeful to US secretary of state under then president Barack Obama, Senator from New York, First Lady of the United States and First Lady of Arkansas. While she was unable to shatter the highest, hardest glass ceiling in the United States, she has put millions upon millions of cracks in them and been an inspiration to many women around the world.