LIVE! They themselves are Hamas: Raut on Shinde's jibe

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Wed, 25 October 2023

They themselves are Hamas: Raut on Shinde's jibe

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23:46 They themselves are Hamas: Raut on Shinde's jibe

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday likened the rival Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde with Hamas.

A day earlier, during his Dussehra rally, the Maharashtra Chief Minister had said in future Uddhav Thackeray would form alliance with the AIMIM and embrace even "Hamas, Hizbul, will meet Lashkar-e-Taiba" for the sake of power.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said Shinde's comments reflected his thinking and how the BJP had influenced the Shinde-led Sena.

"They themselves are Hamas. I do not want to take these names, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul, etc. They do not matter to Maharashtra and India, but these people's brains are occupied by Hamas," he said.

Hamas, a militant organisation which controls the Gaza Strip, is in news after it launched incursions inside Israel earlier this month, triggering a strong retaliation by the latter.

Raut further said the BJP and Shinde-led Sena will not be in power in the state and country in 2024, and the Shinde group's last Dussehra rally took place on Tuesday. -- PTI

The Western Railway (WR) will operate a special traffic block on a section of the Harbour Line on Thursday night for carrying out non-interlocking work in connection with the construction of the 6th line between Khar Road and Goregaon stations, it was announced on Wednesday.

In a press release here, the Central Railway (CR) said the ten-hour special block will be operated on the Down and UP lines between Andheri and Goregaon stations of the Harbour corridor from 00.30 am to 10.30 am (intervening night of October 26 and 27).

Suburban services on the Harbour Line between Andheri and Goregaon will not be available during the block period, the release said.

The last local train for Goregaon from Mumbai CSMT will depart at 22.54 pm (October 26), while the same for Mumbai CSMT from Goregaon will leave at 12.07 am (October 27), it said.

After the end of the block, the first suburban train for Goregaon from Mumbai CSMT will depart at 11.16 am. On the other hand, the first local train for Mumbai CSMT from Goregaon will leave at 11.23 am, said the release.

The Harbour Line is operated by the CR, while the Western Railway is constructing the 6th line between Khar Road and Goregaon stations. Part of the Harbour Line runs parallel to the Western Railway's suburban network.

Train blocks (temporary suspension of services) are operated to carry out maintenance of rail tracks and other related works. -- PTI

The Kerala government on Wednesday said that the ICMR has informed them about the presence of the Nipah virus in bats in the Wayanad district of the state, but there was no need to panic.

State Health Minister Veena George said that the Indian Council of Medical Research gave this information based on its studies of the bat samples collected by it.

"ICMR has said that it has found the presence of the virus in bats in Wayanad. It is a continuation of the ecosystem there," she said.

The Nipah virus outbreak this year was in Kozhikode district, which neighbours Wayanad, and six persons were infected, of whom two had died.

George said there was no need for the public to be afraid or panic as the information was being conveyed only to create awareness and to make people cautious and vigilant.

She said that healthcare activities in connection with the virus were being coordinated and training was being provided to healthcare and medical professionals on how to deal with suspected cases of Nipah infection.

She said the Nipah virus infection was possible anywhere across India, but since it was detected in bats in Wayanad they informed us and we are strengthening the preventive measures.

"But there is no need to panic. It is only meant to create awareness," she added.

George was speaking to reporters about the current status of the Nipah outbreak in the state which had infected six people in Kozhikode district last month and of whom two had died.

The minister said that all those people who were on the contact list of those infected had completed their isolation and quarantine periods.

She also said that it was a matter of pride that the state was able to restrict Nipah's mortality rate, which is around 70-90 per cent, to 33 per cent. -- PTI

23:06 Controversial ex-cop Gurmeet Singh Pinky dies

Controversial ex-police inspector Gurmeet Singh Pinky died at a private hospital here on Wednesday, Punjab Police sources said.

He was undergoing treatment for dengue, they said.

Pinky, who was said to be close to many militants, became a police informer to help Punjab Police fight terrorism in the early 1990s. He was later inducted into the police force and rose to the post of inspector.

He was credited with nabbing militant Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life term for the assassination of ex-Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

Pinky was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2006 for the murder of Avtar Singh Gola in Ludhiana in 2001. Later, he was dismissed from service.

He was given a gallantry award in 1997 but the Centre withdrew it in 2015.

Pinky was prematurely released from jail in 2014.

A controversy erupted after it came to light that Pinky was re-appointed as head constable in 2015. His re-appointment was set aside a few days later. -- PTI

As the state's most powerful ex-IAS officer, VK Pandian, remained silent over his future course of action following retirement from the All India Service, ruling BJD's Ganjam unit on Wednesday said the ex-bureaucrat will win from any of the 13 assembly segments in the district if he contests in the 2024 assembly elections.

Ruling BJD's Ganjam district president and former MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik said, "Pandian will win if he contests from any of the 13 seats in Ganjam. But Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will decide who will get the ticket."

Pandian came to limelight while serving as the district collector of Ganjam from where he was picked up by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and appointed him as his private secretary in 2011.

The 2000 batch IAS officer worked in the CMO as PS to chief minister and also secretary of 5T initiative till his voluntary retirement on October 23.

Stating that Pandian has not yet joined the BJD, Chyau Patnaik said chief minister and party president Naveen Patnaik will decide if the former IAS officer will join the party.

Pandian was, however, silent over his future course of action. A day after his resignation, the state government appointed him as the chairman of the 5T and Nabin Odisha initiatives with the status of a cabinet minister on October 24.

Earlier, Pandian, besides serving as the private secretary to the chief minister, also worked as the secretary of the 5T and looked after Nabin Odisha scheme under which each gram panchayat will be given Rs 50 lakh for development.

Meanwhile, BJD's three Rajya Sabha MPs -- Manas Mangaraj, Sujit Kumar and Amar Patnaik -- have openly come out in support of Pandian and praised his dedication for the people of Odisha.

While Suji Kumar described Pandian as a good administrator, Mangaraj said, "Odisha has reached the peak of development under the supervision of Pandian. He is a perfect combination of realism and commitment."

Another Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik wrote on X, "While I think personally it is a difficult decision for anyone to leave the so very respectable job of the IAS, particularly with several years left to retire, he (Pandian) seems to have taken this decision solely to serve Odisha and the people of the state. SALUTE!."

The opposition Congress, however, maintained that Pandian may be accepted by the leaders of BJD, but not by the people of Odisha. "The BJD leaders may accept Pandian, but not the people of Odisha," OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

"Why are 16 lakh people in the state unable to arrange a square meal a day and lakhs of youth are migrating outside the state in search of jobs?," the Congress leader said.

BJP spokesperson Golak Nayak said his party was all along demanding resignation of Pandian from government service as he was doing politics by breaking the All India Service Rules.

"It is a fact that he has taken voluntary retirement. But, he has been again attached to CMO."

21:54 Air India suspends Tel Aviv flights till Nov 2

Air India has extended the suspension of its scheduled flights to Tel Aviv till November 2 amid the continuing tensions between Israel and militant group Hamas.

The latest conflict has been triggered by the unprecedented attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza on October 7. Israel has launched a massive counter-offensive in Gaza to avenge the attacks.

An Air India official on Wednesday said the scheduled flights to Tel Aviv have been suspended till November 2.

The airline has not operated a scheduled flight to and from Tel Aviv since October 7.

Normally, the full-service carrier operates five weekly flights to Tel Aviv from the national capital. The service is on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

During this month, the airline operated a few chartered flights to Tel Aviv from the national capital under the government's Operation Ajay to bring back Indians who wished to come back from Israel against the backdrop of the escalating conflict. -- PTI

Six people, including two women, have been arrested for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans during a 'jagran', a programme dedicated to Goddess Durga, at a village in this district, police said on Wednesday.

A 15-year-old girl has also been detained in the incident which took place on Monday in Chauri village under the Parshurampur police station area, they said.

According to a complaint lodged by village head Ashish, the 'jagran' was being held on Monday evening when the girl came on the stage where idols of gods and goddesses were kept and started raising anti-India slogans.

"At around 11 pm, under a planned way, the girl (daughter of Suggan Ali) climbed the stage, threw a black cloth towards the idols, and started chanting slogans 'Islam zindabad', 'Pakistan zindabad' and 'Hindustan murdabad'. Her sister Sahiba and three brothers supported her. Her father Suggan Ali, mother Sahabuddin Nisha, along with Mohd Shami and Mohd Zakir Ali, also supported her," Ashish alleged in his complaint.

He further said that this act hurt the sentiments of the people who had gathered for the 'jagran' event. "When they were asked not to indulge in such acts, they threatened the Hindu community of dire consequences and also of riot," the village head said.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case on Tuesday against the girl, her sister Sahiba (18), three brothers including Arman (19), parents Suggan Ali (48) and Sahabuddin Nisha (42), and Mohd Shami (55) and Mohd Zakir Ali (50) under sections 153B (imputation, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, Basti Additional Superintendent of Police Deependra Nath Chaudhary said. -- PTI

21:18 Congress moves EC against Shah, Himanta

The Congress on Wednesday lodged complaints against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with the Election Commission, alleging that their remarks during the Chhattisgarh assembly poll campaign violated the model code of conduct.

A delegation of Congress leaders met the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners, and presented to them eight different memorandums of poll code violations in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.

The delegation comprised AICC general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, party leader Salman Khurshid, AICC state in-charge for Telangana Manikrao Thakre, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief Revanth Reddy, former TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and CLP leader (Telangana assembly) Bhatti Vikramarka.

In its complaint against Shah, the Congress told the EC that the home minister claimed in a speech in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon on October 16 that "...Bhupesh Baghel's government, for appeasement politics and vote bank politics, lynched Chhattisgarh's son Bhuneshwar Sahoo and got him killed..."

Shah further said that the BJP had pledged to bring Sahoo's killers to justice and "in his honour, we are fielding his father Ishwar Sahoo as a candidate in the elections", the complaint stated.

The opposition party alleged that these statements and claims are in blatant violation of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The Congress' complaint against Assam Chief Minister Sarma pertained to a speech he delivered in Chhattisgarh's Kawardha on October 18 while campaigning against Congress candidate Mohd Akbar.

In his speech, the Congress alleged, Sarma said, "If one Akbar comes to some place, he calls 100 Akbars. So, send him off as soon as possible, otherwise the land of Mata Kaushalya will get defiled."

The complaint stated that Sarma subsequently levelled allegations against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, saying, "Today, the tribals of Chhattisgarh, who are dear to us, are being encouraged to convert their religion on a daily basis. And when someone raises their voice against it, Bhupesh Baghel ji says 'we are secular'. Is beating up Hindus your secularism? This country is a country of Hindus and will belong to Hindus. Do not teach us secularism, we do not need to learn secularism from you."

Congress leaders claimed that these statements and claims highlight a clear-cut intention to incite sections of society against one another.

In another complaint, the Congress alleged the central government issued orders directing civil servants and Indian Army soldiers to promote achievements of the BJP dispensation.

"These acts of politicising the conduct of civil servants and Army soldiers violate the model code of conduct and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964," the party said. -- PTI

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, which is expected to take place on January 22.

Modi said in a post on X that he is feeling blessed and it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this historic occasion in his lifetime.

"Jai Siyaram! Today is full of emotions for me," the prime minister said, posting about the invitation to him.

He posted a picture of functionaries of the trust, which is presiding over the temple's construction, extending him an invitation.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said on Tuesday that the idol of Lord Ram will be installed at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, and asked people to organise programmes at temples across the country to celebrate the occasion.

Time has come for India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist organisation like many other nations have done, Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon said on Wednesday.

The Israeli envoy, at an interaction with journalists, also thanked India for its "100 per cent" support to Israel in its anti-terror operations against Hamas.

Gilon said Israel conveyed to relevant Indian authorities to declare Hamas as a terrorist organisation following its brutal attack on Israel on October 7.

At the same time, he indicated that the matter was taken up earlier as well.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among first world leaders to condemn the terror attack... India is a very important moral voice in the world and the important countries for us are with us," Gilon said.

"It is time for India to declare Hamas as terrorist organisation in India," he said, adding many countries have already done that.

"India is solidly supporting us in our counter-terror operations," he said.

The latest conflict has been triggered by the unprecedented and multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza on October 7. Israel launched a massive counter offensive in Gaza to avenge the attacks. -- PTI

Sushilkumar Shinde with daughter Praniti

20:20 Shinde names daughter from Solapur for 2024 polls

Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde has said that he is "as good as" retiring from politics, and his daughter and MLA Praniti Shinde will contest the coming Lok Sabha election from Solapur in southern Maharashtra.

Shinde, a former chief minister, represented the Solapur Lok Sabha constituency in 1998, 1999 and 2009, but lost to BJP candidates in 2014 and 2019.

Praniti is a three-time MLA from Solapur City Central constituency.

"I have announced publicly that Praniti will be contesting the Lok Sabha seat as I am as good as retiring from politics. I will be extending all the help, but Praniti will be the candidate," said Shinde, replying to a reporter's question at Solapur on Tuesday.

Asked about the statement, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said Shinde aired his view that Praniti Shinde should get the ticket, but it is the party high command that will take the decision.

19:52 India resumes visa services in Canada

India has resumed visa services in Canada amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between two countries.

India will resume visa service for -- Entry visa, Business visa, Medical visa and Conference visa, India's High Commission in Canada said on Wednesday.

The ties between India and Canada nosedived after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged on September 18 that there was a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.

New Delhi strongly trashed the charges. Days later, it announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in India.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said his government has disbursed more than Rs 6.13 crore to deputy commissioners to provide assistance to over 61,000 people currently living in relief camps in the violence-hit northeastern state.

The financial aid was provided to them to purchase clothes and personal belongings ahead of the winter season, he said.

Each person living in the relief camps will get Rs 1,000 as part of the assistance, the chief minister said.

"Financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per head has been disbursed for all the displaced persons residing at the relief camps on October 24, 2023 through the DCs. These payments are aimed at providing the displaced people some assistance to purchase clothing and personal belongings as winter approaches in the state," Singh said.

"A total of Rs 6.138 crore has been released to DCs which will be utilised for providing assistance to 61,387 people" currently living in relief camps in the state, he said.

The state government will continue to provide assistance to everyone affected, irrespective of the communities they belong to, the chief minister said.

He also expressed happiness over the fact that 98.28 per cent of students staying at relief camps have been re-admitted to their nearest schools.

"Pleased to learn that 98.28 per cent of the students staying at the relief camps have been admitted back to the nearest feasible schools.

"The Department of Education has appointed nodal officers for each relief camp and daily data on the requirements of displaced students is being collected by the department by opening a control room," Singh said on the microblogging site.

More than 180 people have been killed and several hundreds injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. -- PTI

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from October 26 to 27, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Wednesday.

The president will inaugurate the Foundation Week of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, as part of its golden jubilee celebrations at Bengaluru, Karnataka on Thursday.

She will also interact with the women entrepreneurs and officials of the N S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at IIM Bangalore, it said in a statement.

On October 27, Murmu will grace the 8th convocation of Indian Maritime University at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the statement said. -- PTI

19:06 Amol Muzumdar named India women head coach

Former Mumbai captain and domestic doyen Amol Muzumdar was on Wednesday named the head coach of the Indian women's cricket team, an appointment that was on cards for a long time.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape had interviewed the short-listed applicants for the position of head coach a few months back.

While it was an open secret that Muzumdar was the favourite for the post, the ratification of his appointment took a long time.

"After thorough and thoughtful deliberation, the three-member committee unanimously recommended Mr. Amol Muzumdar to take over the role," the BCCI said in a press release.

Former India batter and National Cricket Academy (NCA) staffer Hrishikesh Kanitkar was handling the responsibility on an interim basis after Ramesh Powar shifted to the Bengaluru centre as spin bowling consultant.

"I am deeply honoured and privileged to be appointed as the head coach of the Indian women's cricket team. I thank the CAC and the BCCI for placing their trust in me and believing in my vision and the roadmap for Team India," Muzumdar was quoted as saying in a press release.

"This is a huge responsibility and I look forward to working closely with talented players and providing them with the right preparation and guidance to excel."

Two World Cups (T20 and 50 over) will be Muzumdar's key area of focus.

Kanitkar is expected to go back to NCA and would either work with men's A team on shadow tour to South Africa or U-19 boys group that will play junior World Cup in Sri Lanka next year.

Muzumdar scored over 11,000 first-class runs, including 30 centuries, in 171 matches during his illustrious 21-year first-class career.

He also featured in over 100 List A games and 14 T20 matches.

He won multiple Ranji Trophy titles with Mumbai and later represented Assam and Andhra Pradesh. He also represented India U-19 and India A in various representative games.

"The next two years are extremely important as two World Cups are scheduled in the period. Together with the coaching and support staff, we will look to tick every box and give ourselves the best chance to succeed," he added

BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that Muzumdar's knowledge of modern day cricket went a long way in clinching his appointment.

"He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and possesses a keen understanding of the modern game. The BCCI is strongly committed to women's cricket and will continue to provide an environment necessary for the team to excel both on and off the field. The Board will fully support Muzumdar and work closely with him to help our players reach their full potential," Shah said. -- PTI

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya

18:49 Somaiya sues 3 for Rs 100 cr over obscene videos

BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya has filed three defamation suits in the Bombay high court against Ambadas Danve, leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council, Lokshahi news channel and one Anil Thatte, who runs a YouTube channel for uploading content pertaining to an alleged obscene video of Somaiya.

Somaiya has sought Rs 100 crore damages from each of the defendants claiming that they have made allegedly defamatory statements against him with regard to the video.

He also sought a direction to the respondents to take down the videos, not upload any more such defamatory videos or make statements against Somaiya in future.

Somaiya also sought an unconditional apology from the defendants.

A single bench of Justice S M Modak on Wednesday directed the respondents to file their affidavits within four weeks.

Somaiya's lawyer Hrishikesh Mundargi informed the court that the Lokshahi news channel in July ran the alleged obscene video along with defamatory statements.

"The defendants (Lokshahi channel and Danve) gave scandalous opinions. Somaiya is a married man with children. He has a political standing in society. He has unearthed several scams of certain political leaders, following which these alleged videos have surfaced," Mundargi said.

He added that a police complaint has already been lodged by Somaiya and the probe is on.

As per the plea, Thatte, too, in his YouTube channel published the videos which maligned Somaiya's reputation.

Dubbing Janata Dal-Secular state president H D Kumaraswamy a "political villain," Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday claimed that he was "more frustrated" than the BJP.

He hit out at the former Chief Minister for his recent attacks directed towards him and his government.

"If there is anyone who is a political villain, it is him, it is Mr Kumaraswamy. He has targeted me for watching a cricket match. But when his government (Congress-JDS) coalition government) was about to collapse, he was sitting in America for a week. What should we call him?" Siddaramaiah said, in response to a question on Kumaraswamy allegedly comparing the Chief Minister to villains in the epic Mahabharata.

Speaking to reporters here, he claimed that, during his entire one year and two months as Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy spent time in a luxury hotel in Bengaluru.

To a question that Kumaraswamy has accused him of destabilising his government leading to its collapse in July, 2019, Siddaramaiah pointed out that earlier, the JD-S leader had on record, in the Assembly, blamed the BJP for his government's collapse.

"He had made this statement accusing the BJP for his government's collapse, during the trust vote in the Assembly, but now he is saying different things and is blaming me, did he mislead the House then" he said, adding Kumaraswamy is "more frustrated" than the BJP and hence was making such statements.

In the May elections this year to the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the Congress bagged 135 seats, the BJP 66 and the JD-S 19.

Last month, the JD-S joined the BJP-led NDA; the two parties said they will have an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Lashing out at Kumaraswamy for calling Siddaramaiah 'Mir Sadiq', Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar too, said the JD-S leader had blamed the BJP for the collapse of his government and questioned as to how he has joined hands with the same party now.

Mir Sadiq, a minister during Tipu Sultan's rule, conspired with the British. His name is used when calling someone a traitor.

Pointing out as to how Siddaramaiah, the Congress party, its legislators and leadership stood by him during the then coalition government, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, accused Kumaraswamy of now "hugging" the same BJP which was responsible for its collapse and challenged him for a debate during the Assembly session in Belagavi and even for a media debate.

"...Who spoke what...let's bring things on record for future generations to know...earlier I had kept quiet abiding by a few (Vokkaliga) community leaders, but I have to speak now, as we too have self-esteem like you," he added.

Both Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar belong to the Vokkaliga community. -- PTI

Representational image

18:15 Nepali pilot with burn injuries dies during treatment in Mumbai

A Nepalese pilot who sustained serious injuries in a chopper crash near the Everest Base Camp, died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in India, Manang Air said.

Pilot Prakash Kumar Sedhain was admitted at the National Burns Centre, Mumbai, for advanced treatment as he could not be treated in Kathmandu, according to a statement issued by Manang Air.

The Manang Air chopper crashed at Lobuche of Solukhumbu during landing on October 14. Sedhain, the only person in it, sustained burn injuries in 45 to 50 per cent of his body, including his face and limbs.

The chopper was flying to Lobuche from Lukla in Solukhumbu district to rescue some travellers who were stranded in the mountain area due to high altitude. It slightly overturned and caught fire while attempting to land in Lobuche in North-East Nepal, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said.

Founded in 1997, Manang Air is a helicopter service based in Kathmandu. It operates helicopters in commercial air transportation within the Nepalese territory under the Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The company is also known for providing chartered services and is focused on personalised services such as adventure flights, helicopter excursions or expedition work.

Law Commission chairperson Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, along with some of its members, met the high-level committee on simultaneous polls headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the roadmap for holding synchronised elections in the country.

The panel had invited the Law Commission to seek its views on how simultaneous polls can be held in the country.

The high-level panel, which had in its first meeting recently decided to seek views of political parties, has now written to them to elicit their views on holding sustainable simultaneous polls in the country.

In a communication to the parties, it has sought an interaction with them on a "mutually agreed date", sources said citing the letter.

They said parties have also been given an option to send their views in writing in the next three months.

The Law Commission is working on a formula to synchronise all assembly polls by extending or reducing the tenure so that these elections can be held along with the Lok Sabha polls 2029 onwards.

The law panel is devising a mechanism to ensure a common electoral roll for Lok Sabha, assemblies and local bodies to reduce cost and use of manpower for undertaking an almost identical exercise which is carried out now by the Election Commission and various state election commissions.

For synchronising various assembly polls to ensure both state and Lok Sabha elections are held together from 2029 onwards, the commission may suggest reducing or enhancing the tenure of legislative assemblies.

A mechanism is being devised to ensure that once Lok Sabha and assembly polls are synchronised, voters go to the polling booth only once to cast their ballot for both the elections.

The sources said since assembly and parliamentary polls are held in phases, the commission is working out modalities to see that voters do not go to polling stations more than once to cast their ballots for the two polls.

The commission, they said, is of the view that assembly and parliamentary polls can be held together and it is only working out modalities for the smooth conduct of the gigantic democratic exercise. -- PTI

A Molotov cocktail was lobbed by a man in front of the Raj Bhavan's main gate in Chennai on Wednesday, the police said.

The man who threw the petrol bomb was immediately overpowered, they said.

A senior police official said the accused is being questioned for his motive in hurling the petrol bomb.

A Molotov cocktail is an incendiary, usually petrol, filled in a bottle and a piece of cloth is used as a wick to light it.

The BJP's state unit president K Annamalai alleged the incident "reflects the true law and order situation in Tamil Nadu."

A coach of Patalkot Express train caught fire near Agra station Wednesday afternoon, an official said.

There was no report of any casualty as of now, Agra Railway Division PRO Prashasti Srivastava said.

The express train runs between Firozpur Cantonment in Punjab and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh.

The fire broke out in the 4th coach after the engine at 3.45 pm after the train left Agra station, a railway source said.

The train was halted and the coach evacuated, the source said.

It was not immediately known what triggered the fire. The affected coach has been detached from the train, the source said.

Karnataka has become the Congress' ATM and the party has collected huge sums of money through "corruption" to fund the upcoming polls in different states including Telangana, BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam alleged on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference here, he said recently a huge amount of cash was seized in Karnataka after raids.

"The Congress government is indulged in rampant corruption in Karnataka. The state has become the ATM of Congress... There are clues of huge collections of money at several places in Karnataka to use in Telangana elections and other states. They accumulated thousands of crores of rupees from builders, contractors and businessmen through a 50 per cent commission and that money is being sent to Telangana from Tamil Nadu," he charged.

The Income Tax department is investigating the matter, he said.

The BJP leader further attacked the ruling BRS, Congress, Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM over "corruption and dynastic politics".

"Be it Congress, AIMIM or BRS, their only work is to do corruption and their motive is to protect their families. These dynastic parties don't care about the people," he alleged, adding they want to set new records of corruption.

Calling the BRS, the "Bhrashta Rishtedar" party, in an apparent reference to corruption and dynastic politics, he alleged "BRS has looted the state and their corrupt acts are being exposed and, in the coming days, many corrupt practices in which BRS has a direct hand will also get exposed". -- PTI

Damaged vehicles in Khan Younis. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

16:21 'Hamas set up road blocks to stop evacuations'

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari has accused Hamas of setting up roadblocks to stop people evacuating from the north of the Gaza Strip.

Hagari says Israel targeted those roadblocks overnight "to allow the population to evacuate".

Hagari said Hamas and its leadership "are exploiting Gazans, they are using your homes, your schools, hospitals, underground, under your homes, near schools and hospitals, they are hiding there".

16:08 Sensex, Nifty tumble nearly 1 pc

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty plunged nearly 1 per cent on Wednesday, in continuation with the pessimistic trend amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Falling for the fifth day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 522.82 points or 0.81 per cent to settle at 64,049.06. During the day, it dropped 659.72 points or 1.02 per cent to 63,912.16. The Nifty fell 159.60 points or 0.83 per cent to 19,122.15.

Among the Sensex firms, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, NTPC, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Tech Mahindra, Titan and Axis Bank were among the major laggards.

Israeli mourners cover graves with earth. Shir Torem/Reuters

15:25 1 lakh Israelis file for gun licenses since Oct 7

In the 18 days since the October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel, more than 100,000 Israelis have filed requests for gun licenses, according to the National Security Ministry in Tel Aviv.

Before the war, the ministry added, that number would have equalled two years of requests.

"If I don't protect myself, no one will," Shahar Fishbein told the Tazpit Press Service.

The 23-year-old resident of Kadima Tzoran in central Israel recently finished his military service and is in the process of obtaining a firearm license. But after filling out and sending in the requested paperwork, Fishbein says he has no idea what the status of his request is.

"I have been waiting for an answer from the Ministry of National Security but only got a confusing message that my request was absorbed in the system," he said.

Hamas's assault on Gaza border communities triggered a tsunami of requests for permits as the Israel Defense Forces were caught off guard by the attacks. It took several days for the military to regain control.

"India" should be replaced with "Bharat" in the school textbooks for all classes, a high-level committee for social sciences, constituted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revise the school curriculum, has recommended.

According to committee chairperson C I Isaac, the panel has suggested replacing the name "India" with "Bharat" in the textbooks, introducing "classical history" instead of "ancient history" in the curriculum and including the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in the syllabus for all subjects. NCERT officials, however, said no decision has been taken yet on the panel's recommendations.

"The committee has unanimously recommended that the name 'Bharat' should be used in textbooks for students across classes. We have also recommended introducing 'classical history' instead of 'ancient history' in the textbooks," Isaac told PTI.

He said the committee has also recommended highlighting "Hindu victories" in various battles in the textbooks. "Our failures are presently mentioned in the textbooks. But our victories over the Mughals and sultans are not," said Isaac, who is also a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR). -- PTI

An ambulance in the convoy of Antonio Guterres at Rafah. Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

14:48 Israel stops visas to UN officials

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan Wednesday said that his country will deny visas to UN officials after remarks by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that appeared to justify Hamas' assault on Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

"Due to his remarks we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives," Erdan tells Army Radio.

"We have already refused a visa for Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths," Erdan said.

"The time has come to teach them a lesson."

Guterres angered Israelis during a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday when he said, "It is important to also recognise the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum," claiming that "The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation."The Portuguese diplomat went on to say, "They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced; and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing."

Hamas terrorists killed at least 1,400 Israelis and wounded more than 4,500 in a massive offensive launched from Gaza on October 7, which included the firing of thousands of rockets at Israel and the infiltration of the Jewish state by terrorist forces.

"Mr. Secretary-General, in what world do you live?" Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen rebutted as he addressed the Security Council. "Definitely, this is not our world."

Cohen cancelled a private meeting with Guterres, he subsequently announced on X. "I will not meet the UN secretary-general. After October 7, there is no place for a balanced approach. Hamas must be erased from the world," wrote the Israeli Foreign Minister.

In a post on X, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan called on Guterres to resign "immediately."

"The shocking speech by the UN secretary-general at the Security Council meeting ... proved conclusively, beyond any doubt, that the secretary-general is completely disconnected from the reality in our region and that he views the massacre committed by Nazi Hamas terrorists in a distorted and immoral manner," Erdan said. -- ANI

A Delhi court on Wednesday sent NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty to police custody till November 2 in a case lodged under the anti-terror law UAPA over allegations that the news portal received money to spread pro-China propaganda.

The accused were produced in the court on the expiry of their 15-day judicial custody granted by it earlier. The police had requested the court on October 10 to send the accused persons to jail and had submitted that the agency could ask for their further custodial interrogation later.

The police on Wednesday told the judge that it wanted to confront the accused with some protected witnesses and also some devices which were examined and the data that has been extracted.

Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana, appearing for Purkayastha, opposed the police remand plea claiming that there was no new ground in the application.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3. According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal came from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country.

It also alleged Purkayastha conspired with a group -- People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) -- to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on October 3 on the suspects named in the FIR and those that surfaced in the analysis of data, police said.

Around 300 electronic gadgets were also seized from the offices of NewsClick and residences of the journalists who were examined. Following the raids, 46 individuals, including nine female journalists, were questioned by the Special Cell in Delhi and NCR. PTI

Buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza. Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

13:59 Hezbollah chief meets with Hamas, Islamic Jihad

The head of Lebanon's Hezbollah met with top leaders of Palestinian terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the Times of Israel reported on Wednesday.

The Israeli publication posted an image tweeted on social media X to show Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, with Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri, and Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala.

The screenshot of the tweet published in the daily read, "Among other topics, discussions regarding the appropriate measures that Resistance Axis members must take to reach a definite victory in Gaza and Palestine took place."

The "Axis of Resistance", according to the New York Times report is term used for a regional network of militias in the alliance of Iran, Palestinian militant groups, Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah and other factions.

Earlier, a terrorist cell attempting to fire anti-tank missiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory in the area of Har Dov was struck by the Israeli military, the Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday according to TPS, Israel's independent news agency. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday that Iran directly aided Hamas ahead of the October 7 attack on southern Israel. -- ANI

The Congress has changed its candidates in four constituencies for the November 17 assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, days after its lists sparked protests at various places in the state.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Wednesday morning changed its earlier announced candidates from Sumaoli, Pipariya, Badnagar and Jaora assembly seats.

From Badnagar, the Congress has now fielded Murli Morwal, whose supporters had staged an aggressive protest and burnt tyres in front of party state chief Kamal Nath's bungalow in Bhopal. Earlier, the Congress had given the ticket to Rajendra Singh Solanki from this seat.

In Pipariya (SC) of Narmadapuram district, the Congress has replaced Guru Charan Khare with Virendra Belvanshi.

From the Sumawali seat in Morena district, the party has now fielded its sitting legislator Ajab Singh Kushwaha in place of the earlier announced Kuldeep Sikarwar.

Kushwaha had emerged victorious on a Congress ticket during the bypoll after the collapse of the Kamal Nath government in 2020. After he was denied a Congress ticket this time, Kushwaha had taken out a protest rally along with his supporters.

The Congress has also changed its candidate from the Jaora seat in Ratlam district, where Himmat Shrimal had been put up earlier. It has now nominated Virendra Singh Solanki from this seat. Solanki's supporters had opposed the candidature of Shrimal.

The Congress has already announced candidates for all the 230 seats in the state, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has declared the names of its candidates for 228 constituencies.

The last date for filing the nomination is October 30.

The polling for the 230-member MP assembly will be held on November 17 and votes will be taken up for counting on December 3. -- PTI

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat sustained minor injuries when his car collided with a divider in Udham Singh Nagar district, the police said on Wednesday.

According to information received, the senior Congress leader along with some of his workers was going from Haldwani to Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar late Tuesday night when the accident occurred, they added.

While trying to overtake a vehicle near the Bajpur railway crossing, the driver of Rawat's car lost control of the vehicle and it collided with the divider, the police said.

Rawat, who was sitting in the front seat at the time of the accident, received minor injuries, they added.

Rawat on Wednesday took to X to share about the incident.

In a post in Hindi, the former chief minister said he suffered mild tremors when the car collided with the divider, following which he went to the hospital for a checkup and doctors said everything was fine and discharged him.

He added, "...There is no need to worry. Me and my colleagues are fine."

A Red Crescent worker sorts aid. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

13:06 Israel airstrikes kill eight Syrian soldiers

Israeli airstrikes on southwestern Syria have left eight Syrian soldiers dead. Syria's state news agency says the attack happened around 01:45 local time on Wednesday.

Israel's military confirmed it attacked Syrian targets. Israel said its fighter jets carried out a strike on military infrastructure and mortar launchers after rockets were fired across the border.

Palestinian children at a refugee camp. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

12:10 IDF thwarts Hamas' sea-borne infiltration attempt

Israeli Navy forces intercepted and thwarted an attempted infiltration by a group of Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip into Israel via the sea on Tuesday evening, The Israel Times reported.

The exact number of Hamas divers involved in the infiltration was not specified by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), but Hebrew-language media reports estimate it to be between five and eight individuals.

The infiltration attempt triggered alarms in the border communities of Zikim and Karmia, which have largely been evacuated following Hamas' October 7 assault on southern Israel.

Only essential personnel and local security teams remain in the area, which has been declared a closed military zone, as reported by The Times of Israel.

The IDF responded to the situation by deploying a fighter jet, which carried out an airstrike on a compound believed to be the launching point for the terrorists.

IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that Navy forces, including naval commandos, were actively searching for any additional members of the terrorist cell in the sea.

They had identified the Hamas cell entering the sea from a tunnel originating from Gaza City's coast. Navy forces engaged the divers, resulting in their elimination. Hamas claimed responsibility for the sea-borne attack attempt and stated that its members had clashed with Israeli forces after allegedly managing to infiltrate into Israel.

Later in the evening, another infiltration warning was sounded in Zikim, Karmia, and Netiv Ha'asara. However, shortly afterwards, the IDF Home Front Command declared the incident to be over, providing an all-clear signal.

The Israeli Navy has been successful in preventing multiple infiltration attempts via the sea, both during and following Hamas's October 7 invasion of southern Israel.

Video footage released by the IDF last week showed members of the Navy's Snapir unit repelling Hamas terrorists attempting to infiltrate via the sea on the morning of October 7. The IDF reported that dozens of Palestinian terrorists on speedboats and other vessels were killed during that assault.

While global economic growth faced stagnation for the second consecutive month in September, India continued to shine as a beacon of economic resilience, expanding at one of the strongest rates in nearly 13 years.

According to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence, this comes as the private sector output in developed markets, including manufacturing and services, faced a mild contraction.

According to the Asia Credit Outlook 2023 released by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the Indian economy will be 3rd largest economy by 2030. The Indian economy is growing and will give huge opportunities for medium to long term If the projected trajectory holds India will supersede Japan and Germany to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030.

As per the S&P Outlook India's GDP is poised to touch USD 7.3 trillion by 2030. Currently, India is the 5th largest economy in the world at USD 3.7 trillion worth of GDP in 2023-24.

It replaced the U.K. as the 5th largest economy in 2022. -- ANI

A Palestinian man grieves over deaths. Mohammed Salem/Reuters

11:30 Jordan queen: Israel shelling entire families

Jordan's Queen Rania has lashed out at the "glaring double standard" of the Western mainstream media in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, for failing to condemn civilian deaths in Tel Aviv's bombardment of Gaza as the conflict threatens to destabilise relations between the United States and Arab leaders, CNN reported.

"The people all around the Middle East, including in Jordan, we are just shocked and disappointed by the world's reaction to this catastrophe that is unfolding. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen a glaring double standard in the world," Queen Rania said on Amanpour & Co, in a video interview from the Jordanian capital, Amman.

The Jordanian royal said that when "October 7 happened" the world "immediately and unequivocally" supported Israel and its right to defend itself but in the last couple of weeks, "we're seeing silence in the world." The 53-year-old queen who has for long been a vocal advocate for the rights of Palestinian people said that it was "for the first time in modern history that there is such human suffering and the world is not even calling for a ceasefire." Queen Rania said there was a feeling that the Western world is "complicit" in the mass death of civilians.

"Are we being told that it is wrong to kill a family, an entire family, at gunpoint, but it's OK to shell them to death? I mean, there is a glaring double standard here," Queen Rania told CNN. "It is just shocking to the Arab world," she said.

Gaza's 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water and medicine since Israel sealed off the territory following the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas on towns in southern Israel.

The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 704 people over the past day, mostly women and children. Israel said Tuesday it had launched 400 airstrikes over the past day, killing Hamas commanders, hitting militants as they prepared to fire rockets into Israel and striking command centers and a Hamas tunnel shaft.

Israel reported 320 strikes the day before.

Hamas is sworn to Israel's destruction. Israel, for its part, has vowed repeatedly since the massacre to crush Hamas.

On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told the U.N. Security Council that the proportionate response to the October 7 attack is a total destruction to the last one of the militants. "It is not only Israel's right to destroy Hamas. It's our duty," he said.

File pic

10:56 Protesting farmers take crocodile to electricity office in K'taka

Farmers in Vijaypura, Karnataka, took a crocodile to the office of the state-run Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) in an unusual protest against irregular power cuts that disrupted their agricultural activities.

They were peeved at the risk posed by wild animals and snakes when they went to their farms during night due to inadequate supply during day time. A farmer spotted an alligator in his agriculture field when he went to water his farm after power supply was restored late in the night last week.

Villagers said the crocodile had come from the nearby Krishna river in search of a prey. The farmer then quickly called the fellow villagers, who tied the alligator and took it to the HESCOM office on October 19 to "demonstrate" the danger posed to them. Finding the "unusual guest" near their office, the terrified HESCOM officials called the police and forest officials to take it away.

10:27 Hamas stockpiling 5L litres of fuel: Israel

Israel Defense Forces says that civilians and hospitals in Gaza need fuel to produce electricity. "Hamas has that fuel," IDF says retweeting this image alongside, purportedly of fuel tanks.

Several countries around the world call for "humanitarian pauses" in the fighting to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza.

UN relief workers in the territory have warned they will run out of fuel tonight.

But the Israeli military has accused Hamas of stockpiling fuel, posting a satellite photo of a dozen fuel tanks inside the Gaza Strip it says contain 500,000 litres of fuel.

"Ask Hamas if you can have some," it said in response to the UNRWA.

10:13 'Jailer' actor arrested

'Jailer' actor Vinayakan was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly creating a ruckus at a police station in Kochi in an inebriated state, officials said. The actor allegedly caused a commotion at the Ernakulam Town North police station in the evening, where he was summoned by the police over a dispute with his wife at his apartment.

He was arrested for making trouble at the police station, a senior police officer said. The actor was then taken to a nearby hospital for necessary medical examination, the officer said. Police later let him off on bail after due procedure.

Meanwhile, Vinayakan, while leaving with the police from the hospital after his medical examination, told mediapersons that he was unaware why he was arrested.

When asked about the reason for his arrest, the actor said, "I came to file a complaint. Please ask the police why I was brought here (hospital)."

A police official accompanying the actor to the hospital told reporters that he was arrested for creating a ruckus at the police station in an inebriated state. The official also said that earlier in the day, police were called to Vinayakan's apartment by the actor to resolve some issues with his wife.
-- PTI

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a house. Mutasem Murtaja/Reuters

09:48 700+ people killed in air strikes in 24 hrs in Gaza

More than 700 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

The BBC reports that Israel's military said it struck 400 'terror targets' and killed several Hamas commanders over the same period.

The Hamas-run health ministry said it had been the deadliest 24 hours of the war so far, with 704 people reported killed, including 305 children, 173 women and 78 elderly people. That brought the overall death toll in Gaza to 5,791, it added.

Weapons allegedly used by the Hamas. Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

09:31 IDF strikes back at Syria after rocket attack

The Israel Defence Forces on Wednesday said that it struck several Syrian military targets after rockets were fired from Syria toward Israeli communities in the Golan Heights.

The IDF said that fighter jets hit "military infrastructure" and mortar launching sites.

"In response to rocket launches from Syria toward Israel yesterday, IDF fighter jets struck military infrastructure and mortar launchers belonging to the Syrian Army," posted IDF on X.A day ago, the IDF said two rockets were launched from Syria at northern Israel, setting off alarms in the Golan Heights communities of Neot Golan, Bnei Yehuda and Givat Yoav.

According to the IDF, both projectiles landed in open areas and it was responding with artillery shelling at the source of the fire in Syria.

"Responding to the rocket launches from Syria toward Israel yesterday, IDF fighter jets struck military infrastructure and mortar launchers belonging to the Syrian Army," IDF said.

A rocket warning alert sounded in Kissufim, a kibbutz east of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning and sirens were also heard overnight in two other kibbutzim in the area, The Times of Israel reported.

In another development from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, at least 3 people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike in Jenin, The Times of Israel quoted the Palestinian Authority's Wafa news agency as saying. -- ANI

09:10 India concerned over civilian deaths in Gaza

India has voiced deep concern over the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilian life in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, urging the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and restarting direct negotiations through de-escalation and ending violence.

The remarks by India's Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador R Ravindra, came on Tuesday at the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East. "India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The mounting humanitarian crisis is equally alarming," Ravindra said.

He said the escalation of hostilities in the region has only exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation and has once again underscored the fragile nature of the ceasefire.

Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. All parties must protect civilians, especially women and children.

The unfolding humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed, Ravindra said. India urged the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and for restarting direct negotiations including through de-escalation and eschewing violence.

Current escalation has once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of credible, direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Every effort must be made to create conducive conditions for the resumption of these talks, he said.

Ravindra said India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side in peace with Israel, taking into account the legitimate security concerns of Israel.

"Towards this, we reiterate the need for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations," he said. Welcoming all efforts of regional and global players aimed towards restoring normalcy, Ravindra reaffirmed India's firm commitment to achieving a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue.

Israel has demanded the resignation of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres from his position over his remarks against the Israeli counteroffensive in Gaza after terror attacks by Hamas on October 7.

The Israeli envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan called Guterres "unfit" to lead the UN and called for his resignation.

"The @UN Secretary-General, who shows understanding for the campaign of mass murder of children, women, and the elderly, is not fit to lead the UN. I call on him to resign immediately. There is no justification or point in talking to those who show compassion for the most terrible atrocities committed against the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people. There are simply no words," he stated on social media platform X.

This came after the UN chief said that the attacks by Hamas "did not happen in a vacuum" further adding that the attacks cannot justify the "collective punishment of the Palestinian people".

"It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing," the UN chief said at the General Assembly. -- ANI

08:46 Crude oil flow from Middle East may be at risk

The entire flow of crude oil from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- among the largest sources of imported oil for India -- may be at risk if Iran attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, senior officials of state-run oil-marketing companies and refineries told Business Standard.

Overall, more than half of the crude oil bought by India passes through the strait, which is also the primary shipping route for oil from Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, they said. As much as 56 per cent of the crude oil imported by India in value terms came from these countries in FY23.

"Crude flows through the strait have remained consistent until now, and they are expected to remain so if the crisis in Israel does not escalate. But in the event of Iran getting drawn into the conflict, it could become complicated. Any incident in the strait can disrupt shipping flows, and that will raise the cost burden for us," a top official from BPCL's Kochi refinery said.

In July this year, Iran and US navies had a standoff at the chokepoint after international tankers were fired upon by the Iranian navy.

Connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and wider Arabian Sea, the strait is considered one of the most important naval chokepoints in global maritime shipping.

The 167-km-long strait has a width varying from about 96 km to as little as 39 km, and separates Iran on the north coast from the Musandam peninsula on the south coast, which is shared by the UAE and Oman.

Estimates suggest that 88 per cent of all oil leaving the Persian Gulf goes via the Strait of Hormuz. In 2018, its daily oil flow averaged 21 million barrels per day, or the equivalent of about 21 per cent of global petroleum liquids consumption, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The daily flow has consistently risen from 16 million barrels per day in 2009-10.

According to the EIA, 76 per cent of the crude oil and condensate that moved through the Strait of Hormuz went to Asian markets, including India, in 2018.While the currently affected regions do not produce oil, the conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip has raised the geopolitical risk premium on oil, resulting in rising prices, Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president and co-group head (corporate ratings), ICRA Limited, said. "However, if the conflict spreads, supplies may be affected as the Middle East region produces almost a third of the global supplies.

Higher crude oil prices would lead to an increase in the import bill and the current account deficit. The prices of feedstocks for a host of chemicals, including specialty chemicals, would increase and long-term LNG (where linked to crude oil prices) cost would rise,' he said.For India, the bigger headache would be liquified natural gas (LNG), nearly 80 per cent of which originates in Qatar and nearby countries. The EIA calculates that more than one-quarter of the global LNG trade also transited the strait in 2018."

-- Subhayan Chakraborty/Business Standard

08:35 Ceasefire in Gaza will only benefit Hamas: US

Amidst reports of an imminent ground invasion of Gaza by Israel, President Joe Biden has said that Israel can make its own decisions, as the United States firmly backs its ally while urging caution.

The latest conflict was triggered by unprecedented attacks against Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people.

Israel has launched a massive counter-offensive against the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since 2007.

Biden made the comment on Tuesday in response to a question while posing for a picture with the visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

"Are you urging Israel to delay its ground invasion?" Biden was asked, to which he replied, "The Israelis can make their own decisions."

Last week, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant laid out the Jewish nation's plan to change the 'security regime' in Gaza -- implying Hamas' removal-- and said the plan was designed in three stages.

Gallant said that the Israeli Defence Forces (IFD) was in the plan's first stage when it was carrying out aerial strikes.

It will be followed by ground incursion and finally, the change of security regime in Gaza, he said.

More than 5,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, including over 2,000 children and 1,100 women, as well as journalists, medical workers and first responders, with more than 16,000 injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters that the US will continue to ensure that Israel has the tools and capabilities it needs to defend itself.

"We're going to continue to try to get that humanitarian assistance in, and we're going to continue to try to get hostages and people out of Gaza appropriately," he said.

"A ceasefire right now really only benefits Hamas. That's where we are right now. And I understand the question, but I'm just not going to get ahead of where things are," he said.

"We have and will continue to talk to our Israeli counterparts about the importance of avoiding and minimising civilian casualties and respecting innocent life and trying to prevent collateral damage as they go after legitimate Hamas targets," he added.

"This is war, it is combat, it is bloody, it is ugly, and it's going to be messy and innocent civilians are going to be hurt going forward. I wish I could tell you something different. I wish that wasn't going to happen, but it is going to happen," Kirby said in response to a question.

"That doesn't make it right, it doesn't make it dismissible, it doesn't mean that we aren't going to still express concerns about that and do everything we can to help the Israelis do everything they can to minimise it, but that's unfortunately the nature of conflict," he said. -- PTI

IMAGE: Palestinians inspect the remains of a mosque destroyed in Israeli strikes, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in the northern Gaza Strip October 22, 2023. Photograph: Anas al-Shareef/Reuters

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