Morning Brief: Factory Activity Rises; 14 Pak Posts Destroyed; Pope Says No To Female Priests

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Here's What You Need To Know Today.

Indian factory output rises to a new high. The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54.4 for October, the highest level in 22 months. A reading above 50 denotes expansion from the previous month, while one below 50 indicates contraction.

Back to the Tatas? S Ramadorai, ex Tata Consultancy Services vice-chairman, has resigned from the post of chairman of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA). It is rumored that he will join Tata Sons board and is likely headed there for a future role.

No more foreign funds for Naik's NGOs. The Home Ministry has initiated the process for cancellation of the FCRA registration by issuing a final show cause notice to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO, IRF. It's also looking to put Naik's Educational Trust in prior permission category which prevents it from receiving any foreign funds unless a nod comes from the government.

And the action-reaction continues at the LOC. The Border Security Force damaged 14 Pakistan Rangers posts along the International Border (IB) in a “befitting reply” to fresh ceasefire violations earlier in the day by the Pakistani side that left 8 civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pope says ban on female priests is forever. Pope Francis, who is often hailed as a liberal in the Western media, shocked everyone yesterday by his patriarchal views when he declared that he believed the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women becoming priests is forever and will never be changed. The Vatican says this teaching (of ban on female priesthood) is an infallible part of Catholic tradition.

Battle for Mosul intensifies. Iraqi forces have entered the outskirts of Mosul, as they attempt to drive Islamic State terrorists from its stronghold. About 50,000 Iraqi security forces personnel, Kurdish fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen are involved in the offensive to drive 5,000 IS terrorists out of the northern city.

New polls show Trump ahead of Clinton. The latest poll by ABC News/The Washington Post shows that Trump has edged Clinton among likely voters, 46%-45%. It is Trump's first lead in an ABC/Post poll since May. Another poll by LA Times/USC has Trump leading Clinton by four points (47-43).

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