Putin's threat follows his test-firing of the latest missile system on Thursday - initially thought to be the first-ever use of an ICBM. The intermediate-range ballistic missile, called Oreshnik, carries several warheads, conventional and nuclear, and evades interceptors. It struck Ukraine's Dnipro missile city. On Tuesday he had revised the nuclear docrine following Biden's permission to Ukraine to use ATACMS. The doctrine now allows nuclear attack on non-nuclear countries and the source countries of the weapons used even if Russia is attacked by conventional weapons.

Prognosis: An unstable Putin feels insecure without annexing Ukraine. But with a US divided between Biden and Trump, he is at a loss to decide what to do next. In case he does what he threatens, Russia will no more be there. In case he doesn't, he will not be there!

MOSCOW, Nov 22: Without naming the US and the UK which have supplied modern weapons to Ukraine to defend itself against the invasion by Russia, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow has the right to strike military targets of countries whose weapons are used by Ukraine to hit Russian territory. His address was a followup to the day's Oreshnik attack on Dniprov, which was initially said to be an ICBM.

The invasion that began in February 2022 took a new turn last week with Ukraine firing drone missiles at Mosow damaging its airports and other buildings leading to one casualty and several people being injured after Russia, emboldened by Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, intensified its attack on Ukrainian targets far inside.

Following these incidents and Russia's deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers at Kursk, US President Joe Biden last weekend accepted a long-pending demand of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to allow him to use the latest long-range ATACMS missiles supplied by America.

Provoked by the US approval, Putin revised the nuclear doctrine on Tuesday, just days after the US gave the greenlight. In quick succession, on Thursday Moscow launched the ICBM attack, which has later been explained as a different, new hypersonic missile which travels ten times the speed of sound and is not detected by any interceptor. Putin said in a his elevised address, it was a new intermediate-range ballistic missile called Oreshnik that struck Ukraine's missile factory in Dnipro city. It has a 5,500 km range. Video footage showed multiple warheads hitting different targets.

“A serious moment”

“In response to the use of American and British long-range weaponry" (US' ATACMS and UK-made Storm Shadow missiles), the Russian forces carried out the strike on a Ukraine military site, Dnipro, Putin said.

UK's Defence Secretary John Healey described the situation as . “a serious moment” while the US did not appear concerned.

According to the new nuclear policy, Russia will attack even non-nuclear countries with nuclear weapons if its territory comes under fire. It will even target the source countries of those weapons used, meaning the US and the UK, even if those weapons used are conventional.

Zelensky had said Russia had launched a total of 120 missiles and 90 drones in a large-scale attack across Ukraine and that is why US approved use of ATACMS. The Biden administration's decision followed months of pleading from Ukraine and warnings of dire consequences from Moscow.

Referring to the change in Russia’s nuclear doctrine, observers have commented that Russia will use nuclear weapons whenever the President decides to do so. ”He is the man to do it. Has all the powers. Putin’s unpredictable nature is worrisome."

“Russia’s new nuclear doctrine means NATO missiles fired against our country could be deemed an attack by the bloc on Russia,” former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, said. “Russia could retaliate ... "That means World War III,” Medvedev said.

Meanwhile, analysts said on Wednesday that the change to Russia's nuclear doctrine is only a an effort to deter the West. Kyiv’s allies in Europe are not worried either.

'Is dangerous behaviour”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters in Brazil on Tuesday that “irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia is not going to deter our support for Ukraine.” So also French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, “we are not intimidated.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Putin announcement lowering the nuclear threshod "is dangerous behavior.”

In September soon after Biden met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Putin had warned that there would be a war with the US and allies if they allowed Ukraine to use Western weapons. On the other hand, both UK and US leaders expressed "deep concern about Iran and North Korea’s provision of lethal weapons to Russia."

Kyiv has permission to use Western long-range weapons such as American ATACMS and British Storm Shadows to strike Russian border territory only if attacked.

Biden has bipartisan Congressional support in allowing Ukraine to use the controversial weapons.

In August last following an Ukraine attack on Russia's western Kursk region also, Russia had warned the West against allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with foreign-supplied missiles. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautioned the US of a World War Three. However, the US had denied any role in the Kursk attack when Moscow said British tanks and US rocket systems were used. Kyiv confirmed using US HIMARS missiles.

Since the invasion began in February 2022, Putin has warned the West several times of an escalation of the war.

Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine had stated that Moscow will use a nuclear weapon only as a response to an attack that is nuclear or conventional and "the very existence of the State is put under threat".

The terminations are part of a large-scale exercise going on all across Fed departments and organisations to reduce wasteful Government expenditure as decided by a Trump in a mess gone berserk, and improve administrative efficiency following the whims of billionaire and his associate Elon MusK and his DOGE. It has not been shared how terminations are going to raise the efficiency bar! It looks like Trump has stolen some of the prescriptions meant for India. But the American problems are quite different.

Suddenly these colonial clerks feel this effortless, little rule will tremendously enhance security and convenience for the railway passengers manifold. More stations will be covered in the next 77 years! (Also See: New Delhi station stampede... What went wrong?)

ANALYSIS: "The standard operating procedure for deportations by aircraft used by ICE that is effective from 2012 provides for the use of restraints," says the Government. That means, it is taken for granted the US will set the standard for deportations. For another, the Government is more interested in comparing with what happened in 2012 under a different Government to justify its own compliance! No surprise, others are trampling upon us. (How we conduct ourselves inside decides, inherently, how we are treated outside) Thirdly, the Government blamed the gangs doing the business of human trafficking for the illegal migration. For all the crimes taking place in the country, let us blame the criminals! Funny! We will never move an inch forward! The mindset defines what we are.

Meanwhile, a UN-returned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor sounded like a layman when he said, "If they are citizens of India we have an obligation to take them back." Who said 'No'?. He should know that is not the issue now. Who will identify an undocumented person, and how?

The function was held indoors from 12 pm (10:30 pm IST) at the rotunda of the US Capitol building because of unusually intense cold and snow. Delivering his inaugural address, Trump remarked, “The golden age of America begins right now," and just hours later signed a slew of executive orders to redeem the election pledges.

The issue: Trump says he is open to 'economic force' to acquire Canada as its '51st State' if it does not stop the flow of illegal migrants and drugs into the US and secure its border.

Trudeau gets ready for the battle: Trudeau under Trump's onslaught had appeared quiet as a lamb because he was facing serious internal problems and now the situation has changed. He has resigned and has enough space for a single-minded counter-attack as acting PM. And that is what he is doing to Canada's advantage. He will prapare Canada to take the 'bull' by the horns (literally) when he takes office on January 20.

There is more to it: On the same page now, Conservative Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has also outlined his plan to deal with the US President-elect's threats. Both will stand united against the common enemy, and take on him adequately when he assumes office.

And the latest: The counter-attack begins. In a CNN interview, Trudeau strategically addresses the Americans, tells them a ghostly 25% tariff will create a recession in Canada but will be equally devastating for the US economy. And he has a point.

• A President-elect at the instance of 'sensible' aides has declared, “A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America.” A Trump statement said he will chop off the bureaucratic flab, or in his own words, “drain the swamp” in Washington. This contrasts with India where millions and millions of clerks rule the roost with the blessings of petty vote bank politicians, who badly needed them, all these 77 years.
• The South African migrant who will benefit more than Trump himself from the election victory has climbed to the helm - Elon Musk will be the monarch of all he surveys in Washington!
• Musk will lead a 'Department of Government Efficiency' with Vivek Ramaswamy, the eccentric dreamer.
• They will slash bureaucracy and Government spending and restructure Federal agencies. (But no mention of what next and how!)
• The irony lies here: Musk will also be the boss of all Federal agencies, including those currently investigating business frauds in his own companies like Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, which receive Government funding, inter alia making him the richest man on earth.

"We are the only nation not based on race or religion. Literally we are the only nation based on an idea... That all men are created equal."

The former President asked voters to cast their ballot early. (Last elections large-scale early voting had helped Democrats foil any foul play by Trump's alleged foreign agents.)

MAYHEM IN THE AIR: The Civil Aviation Ministry wants to take strict action to prevent more such incidents disrupting Indian aviation!!! Punishment: Culprits of the hoax bomb threats will be put on no-fly list!!! LUDICROUS! Typically this will continue - Both the crime and the punishment. Because our system pushes the scum to the top.

COMMENT: Dragon, unlike what has been reported in the media, is not a rescue mission. Its schedule of liftoff or return has not been changed to suit the stranded astronauts. On the other hand, the astronauts' return has been put off by several months to suit the Dragon's schedule. What SpaceX has done is only dropping two spacemen to accommodate Suni and Wilmore on the capsule's return. And that too was at the instance of NASA which has authority over the choice of astronauts under the contract which facilitates flow of moneys from the American treasury to the pocket of Elon Musk for running his SpaceX business, making him a billionaire and dance with abandon. Result: NASA is a divided house!

Note: The video of the debate (above), a replica of the live telecast, is the best bet to get a real picture of what really was the latest American presidential debate, first hand. Watch.

Kamala Harris had pleaded for unmuting the mic but Trump had his knees knocking. She was a prosecutor and wanted to have a face-to-face with him, an exchange, some pointed questions, unmask him and his money power, expose him before the American people. But that was not to be and we will not call it a debate. Only the moderator will ask questions!

Harris will be seen Tuesday night on the television on the viewers' right side as they sit in front of the set. Viewers tend to focus towards their right side and that in turn can provide a better impact on their voting behaviour. And from the stage's right podium, or the interviewer's stand, she will be in a commanding position vis-a-vis her rival.

HERE's THE PROOF: Attorney General Merrick Garland has accused Russian State broadcaster RT of paying a Tennessee firm $ 10 m to create and distribute content to US audiences with hidden Russian Government messaging. RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan (see pix) is one of 10 people sanctioned by the US for trying to manipulate the elections.

And now Putin declaring an unsolicited support to Harris: A close connection is seen in Trump, in his interview with his chum Musk, making an inappropriate comment calling Harris as most beautiful and comparing her to his wife with a view to blunting her electoral campaign like the fox in the crow story. And Musk later sharing an AI-generated image of Harris as Communist dictator in uniform. The South African has joined the war as his empire is at stake!! All these look like a coordinated Russian traditional job. The Russians managed to give it to Trump in 2016 by damaging Clinton, but failed in 2020!

• In a fiery speech, an emboldened "girl fallen from the coconut tree" opened her box of agenda and promised the Americans she will take the country to new heights.
• Kamala exhorted all Americans to forge a new unity that will "chart a new way forward," a first in history, laying the foundations of a new America, and that's her vision. She was greeted with a non-stop standing ovation by the delegates as she took the mike at the jam-packed convention arena.
• "I will be a President who unites us around our highest aspirations. A President who leads and listens. Who is realistic. Practical," she promised.

Joe Biden was so pleasing to the ears as he sought to invoke the power of democracy and list his Government's achievements all due to the grace of God. But what broke the mike was Clinton's hard metallic, sounding so genuine and dedicated as, may be, she had a revenge carryover from 2016, the year when the Russians were alleged to have begun a social media misinformation campaign in favour of Trump and a suspected hacking of the machines using applications quite unfamiliar to the rest of the world. Which was thwarted by the Democrats in the nick of time in 2020 although Trump as President tried to block them by cutting postal funds. He went violent and attempted insurrection not fully because of his animal insticts but also because he was made to believe in a result like the 2016's and that belief was shattered. What marked out Day One at the convention was a 'presumptive' candidate's unscheduled appearance on the stage made possible by the virtual roll call of August 1 - Kamala Harris, the Vice President. The day also facilitated a less known but deserving New York Guv Kathy Hochul, the American cheetah breaking into the national scene for future purpose! Not well done this time!

ALL ISMs APART, WHO IS Muhammad Yunus? Aside from a Nobel prize that does not assess but compare, Yunus's social biz idea of melding capitalism and social responsibility in the late 1980s, known as microfinance, did revolutionise rural Bangladesh - unlike the destructive infrastructure funding mania of the political underdogs - pulling millions out of perennial poverty, setting an example for many other poor countries to emulate.

On the lines of Dr Verghese Kurien of India much much earlier, who was hounded by the communists as a CIA agent out of compulsive ignorance and a lack of basic ability to gauge what he had done which they should have indeed. He mobilised the Indian grassroots, introducing the concept of cooperatives, the implications of which the pseudo socialists and their forefathers couldn't ever dream of.

Certified for use as store, if the space was being illegally used as library, who should primarily be held responsible, irrespective of whether such usage was the cause of the tragedy or not. Could anybody guess right? No. The police have arrested any number of people! What for? Now a CBI inquiry! Into what?

The court also 'discovered' (nobody else knows!) that, "Delhi has multiplicity of authorities who are only passing the buck and blaming each other.”

A PROGNOSIS: Much maligned over old age and gaffes (or allowed to be !), Biden (81) leaving the scene has made Trump (78) the old man in the field! Now on a weak wicket, having forced to change his target mid-stream and rearrange his campaign strategy, the 'rogue' behind the Capitol rampage will be asked by a woman opponent, how old are you? Additionally, the sharpshooting prosecutor will be converting the hustings into a trial court for a decisive onslaught where the convicted felon will finally succumb.

OPINION: Quotas, permanent Government jobs, pay scales and tons of allowances and more than matching pensions are the 'gifts' of wretched vote bank politics in developing societies masquerading as a type of nascent democracy. Depressing poverty and painful migrations are the byproducts. The reality is: There can't be permanent jobs because demand for work is a 'variable'. And quota is its offspring. The agenda of creating jobs and quotas is therefore poor economics, with far-reaching social impacts, but of course serves those politicians in the short term.