ISRAEL DELAYS GAZA GROUND ASSAULT AS ARAB NATIONS DECRY CIVILIAN KILLINGS

Israel continued its bombing of Gaza Strip that claimed the lives of 300 more civilians in the last 24 hours even as some reports claimed that it had put on hold the ground offensive for a couple of days and offered more time to North Gaza residents to evacuate.

On a parallel track, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his Middle East tour and will return to Tel Aviv on Monday amid indications that Iran was getting restive over the continuing and escalating humanitarian crises due to the bombings and the blockade. Iran has already warned of “far-reaching consequences” if Israel’s bombardment on Gaza civilians was not stopped.

Israel claimed that the offensive was being put on hold for a couple of days due to impending bad weather that would make it difficult for its ground forces and drones to operate. US President Joe Biden on Sunday drew attention to the plight of civilians, saying, “We must not lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas’ appalling attacks, and are suffering as a result of them.”

An outcome of the worldwide urging to ease the humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza was that Israel was restoring water supply to southern Gaza. It had earlier stopped the flow of water as part of its siege of the Hamas-ruled territory since the war broke out last weekend. Israel was also walking back on its bravado of taking on all adversaries by dialling down its tensions with Hezbollah of Lebanon on its northern borders. If Hezbollah restrains itself, Israel would respect the situation along the border as it is today, said the Israeli Defence Minister.

Blinken visited six Arab countries and is currently in Egypt. The common message from all the Arab capitals has been a complete opposition to Israel punishing the entire population of Gaza for Hamas’ assault. His extended shuttle diplomacy reflects the US worry about the fighting spilling over to the entire region. US NSA Jake Sullivan also did not rule out Iran getting engaged in some way and said the US is prepared for every possible contingency.

US President Joe Biden reiterated US’ support for Israel and emphasised the need for humanitarian aid for Palestinians as he held separate phone calls with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Biden stressed his belief that Israel would act by the rules of war and that innocent civilians would have access to medicine, food and water in an interview with CBS News's "60 Minutes." He also said he didn't believe Israel should control the territory long-term, saying instead the territory should be governed by "a Palestinian authority."

"I think it'd be a big mistake," Biden said. "Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas don't represent all the Palestinian people."

INDIA CAN HELP NATIONS DRAFT BILLS, SAYS OM BIRLA

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday said the P20 countries agreed to form a group to enhance domain knowledge for legislative drafting. He said India could help countries with drafting Bills before these could be tabled in their respective Parliaments, Birla added while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.

Birla said the P20 summit was the most successful P20 meet in terms of participation. He said apart from the G20 countries, 10 other countries were invited to the summit. All but one country participated in the conference.

S JAISHANKAR IN VIETNMA, INDIA, HIGHLIGHTS PROFOUND HISTORICAL TIES

India and Vietnam share profound historical connections dating back almost 2,000 years, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday while inaugurating a bust of Nobel Laureate writer-poet Rabindranath Tagore in Bac Ninh city. He is also scheduled to inaugurate a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Ho Chi Minh city.

Soon after arrival in Vietnam, he visited the historical Tran Quoc Pagoda. Constructed in the 6th century, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi. Jaishankar was welcomed by his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son at the renowned temple.

Jaishankar extended his gratitude to the leadership of Bac Ninh province, which lies to the east of Hanoi, for their support for installing Tagore’s bust.

“India and Vietnam have profound historical connections dating back almost 2,000 years, which are rooted in the legacy of Buddhism. Bac Ninh province is also a part of this ancient tradition. Historical records validate Indian monks played a significant role in introducing Buddhism to Vietnam,” he said.

“India and Vietnam share a robust comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam is a key member of our Act East Policy. The External Affairs Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to review progress in several areas and discuss ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said on Saturday.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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ISRAEL ACTING ‘BEYOND SCOPE OF SELF-DEFENCE’, SAYS CHINA

Israel’s actions in Gaza have gone “beyond the scope of self-defence” and the Israeli government must “cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza”, China’s foreign minister Wang Yisaid.

Wang’s remarks, made on a call to his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday, came as Israel appeared poised for a ground offensive against Hamas militants inGaza. “Israel’s actions have gone beyond the scope of self-defence,” Wang said.

China has increasingly positioned itself as a mediator in West Asia, brokering a restoration of ties in March between Saudi Arabia and key Hamas backer Iran. “(Israel) should listen earnestly to the calls of the international community and the UN secretary general, and cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza,” Wang added in what is the strongest stance China has expressed so far on the conflict.

BBC DRAWS SUNAK IRE FOR NOT CALLING HAMAS ‘TERRORISTS’

The BBC is facing criticism from PM Rishi Sunak and several of his ministers for not calling Hamas a “terrorist organisation”, besides being forced to institute an internal investigation into some BBC Arabic staff allegedly supporting Hamas on social media.

Hamas was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the British government in 2021, meaning anyone supporting the group can face 14 years in jail. The BBC describes Hamas terrorists as “Palestinian militants” and “Hamas fighters”, refusing to use the word “terrorist”.

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, reported that several BBC Arabic journalists appeared to celebrate the Hamas attack on Israel. It said reporters endorsed comments likening Hamas to freedom fighters besides describing the October 7 attack on Israel as a “morning of hope”.

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TO COUNTER CONG’S SIX POLL GUARANTEES, KCR ROLLS OUT HIS PROMISES

With the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s (BRS) manifesto, party president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has set out a vision for the state’s development, pitching it directly against the Congress’s six poll guarantees that were announced last month.

Telangana’s ruling party has promised several sops and doles. All ration card holders will receive 5 kg of fortified rice through PDS shops instead of normal rice. All 93 lakh families living below the poverty line (BPL) in the state would be provided life insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) under the KCR Bima scheme, with the government paying the premium.

The Aasara monthly pension for senior citizens, widows, beedi workers, filaria victims, single women, and handloom weavers would be raised to Rs 5,000 in the next two years from the existing Rs 3016, KCR said. The BRS has promised to increase the monthly pension amount for handicapped persons from Rs 4016 to Rs 6016, the Rythu Bandhu farm investment support will be increased to Rs 12,000 per acre per farmer from Rs 10,000 right now. The CM said he aimed to gradually increase it to Rs 16,000 per acre per farmer. Eligible women will receive Rs 3,000 per month and eligible women beneficiaries will get LPG cylinders for Rs 400. The limit of the flagship Aarogyasri health insurance scheme will be increased to Rs 15 lakh.

The government has also promised to construct homes for the urban and rural poor while women’s organisations will get their own buildings. The sops have been announced to blunt the effect of the Congress’ guarantees that include providing LPG cylinders for Rs 500, an increase in farm support to Rs 12,000, and an increase in pension amounts.

TMC'S MAHUA MOITRA 'TOOK BRIBES' TO ASK QUESTIONS IN PARL: CLAIMS BJP MP

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Sunday accused Trinamool Congress's Mahua Moitra of taking 'bribes' from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament and urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to constitute an 'inquiry committee' to look into the charges against her.

Moitra hit back, saying she 'welcomes any move against her after the Lok Sabha Speaker is finished dealing with pending charges against him (Dubey)'.

The two MPs, known for their fiery parliamentary speeches and belligerent attacks on adversaries, have often exchanged blows over a host of issues over the years.

On Sunday, Dubey wrote to Birla under the subject 'Re-emergence of nasty 'Cash for Query' in Parliament, Direct involvement of Smt. Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for serious 'Breach of Privilege', 'Contempt of the House' and a 'Criminal Offence' under Section 120-A of IPC'. Citing a letter he has received from an advocate, Dubey said the lawyer has shared 'irrefutable' evidence of bribes exchanged between Moitra and a businessman.

Hitting back, Moitra said on X, 'Am using all my ill gotten cash & gifts to buy a college/ university in which Degree Dubey can finally buy a real degree.'

Tagging the Lok Sabha Speaker, she said, 'Finish the enquiries against him for false affidavits & then set up my enquiry committee.'

In his letter to the speaker, Dubey said 50 of 61 questions she asked in Lok Sabha till recently were focused on the Adani Group. 'There is not an iota of doubt about a criminal conspiracy hatched by Mahua Moitra to garner and protect the business interests of a businessman -- Shri Darshan Hiranandani -- by asking Parliamentary Questions, which is reminiscent of 'Cash for Query' episode of 12 December, 2005,' the BJP MP said.

“If Adani group is relying on dodgy dossier created by dubious Sanghis & circulated by fake degree wallahs to either shut me up or bring me down I would advise them not to waste their time. Use your lawyers wisely,” retorted Mahua Moitra.

AFTER PASMANDAS, BJP MAKES A PLAY FOR SUFI SUPPORT

After the much-talked-about Pasmanda Muslim outreach of the BJP, endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, the ruling party has set in motion a parallel outreach programme with the country’s largest religious minority in mind — the Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan or the Sufi dialogue.

The BJP’s Minority Morcha organised a programme under the Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan in Lucknow on October 12 where nearly 200 Sufis from more than 100 dargahs were present. They were requested to take the message of the Modi government’s policies and schemes to Muslims across India.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi admires the Sufis as an important part of Bharatiya tradition. The Sufis lived among the common people, taught pluralism, and were inclusive towards all, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or belief. He wants the BJP to reach out to the Sufis across the country to share the vision of the PM and information about the welfare policies of the government. This is a specific outreach apart from the Pasmanda outreach. It is aimed at taking through Sufi spiritual leaders the message of the BJP among their followers, who come from all strata of society, particularly Muslim society,” says Minority Morcha president Jamal Siddiqui.

RS 315-CRORE ASSETS LINKED TO EX-NCP MP ATTACHED BY ED

The Enforcement Directorate has attached land, windmills, silver and diamond jewellery and bullion worth more than Rs 315 crore as part of an alleged bank fraud-linked money laundering probe against a former NCP MP from Maharashtra, his family and businesses.

Ishwarlal Shankarlal Jain Lalwani, a former Rajya Sabha MP from the NCP, is the promoter of Rajmal Lakhichand Jewellers Pvt Ltd, RL Gold Pvt Ltd and Manraj Jewellers among others. An ED statement said it had recently issued a provisional order under the PMLA to attach 70 immovable assets located in Jalgaon, Mumbai, Thane and Aurangabad districts of Maharashtra and Kutch in Gujarat.

“VAJPAYEE TURNED DOWN SUGGESTIONS TO BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2002”

IN 2002, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee shot down suggestions from his team to become the President and leave the premiership to his deputy L K Advani. He said an incumbent Prime Minister becoming the President would not augur well in a parliamentary democracy like India and would set a “very dangerous precedent”, according to a new book written by his media adviser.

Tandon, who was granted the rank of an additional secretary, recounts tales from his PMO days in a section in the book called “From the Author’s Personal Diary”.

ADANI TO PUMP IN RS 20,000 CR FOR 4X BOOST IN PORTS CAPACITY BY 2030

The Adani group is planning to invest up to Rs 20,000 crore in expanding its cargo capacity at ports four times to 1 billion tonnes by 2030 to emerge as the world’s largest company in this field.

In this regard, the group may look at acquisition globally if it gets a good local partner in a country with economic and political stability, Karan Adani, scion of the Adani group and chief executive officer of Adani Ports & SEZ (AP&SEZ), said in an interaction on Sunday.

The group, which acquired Haifa Port in Israel early this year for $1.2 billion, is looking to acquire ports in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), Vietnam, and some in the Mediterranean Sea. 

“The port overseas must have good trade ties with India and a strong domestic economy for us to invest,” Adani said. “Many ports across the world are run by the governments and they are looking to privatise them. We are looking at a few of them.”

CITING DEEPFAKES, GOVT MAY ASK WHATSAPP DISCLOSE SOURCE ID

As the country heads to Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the Centre is looking to invoke a controversial law that would require WhatsApp to share details about the first originator of a message on account of rising artificial intelligence (AI)-led misinformation on the messaging platform.

The basis for this are multiple deepfake videos of politicians circulating on WhatsApp. A deepfake is a video of a person in which the face or body has been digitally altered so that he or she appears to be someone else, typically used to spread false information.

The move could be controversial given that WhatsApp and Facebook challenged the provision in Delhi High Court in 2021, saying it will “severely undermine” the privacy of their users. The case is currently sub judice.

EXPANDING OIDAR SCOPE: FOREIGN FIRMS ASKED TO COMPLY WITH GST NORMS

The GSTauthorities have issued intimation notices to approximately 70 foreign firms, which include subscription-based service providers, educational technology, online gaming, and advertising companies, to ensure compliance with the new tax norms.

Effective from October 1, the new regulations now make all digital firms, including heavyweights like Netflix, Google, Facebook, and Spotify, liable for an integrated GST (IGST) of 18 per cent. This applies irrespective of whether the services provided are for personal or business use.

Previously, only business-to-business services were subject to IGST, and individuals and government entities were not required to pay tax on services acquired for non-business purposes from overseas Online Information Database Access and Retrieval (OIDAR) service providers located outside of Indian jurisdiction.

JSW SPORTS EYES GOLDEN DEALS FOR ATHLETES

JSW Sports, the celebrity sports management agency of JSW Group, is currently assessing a range of deals, varying from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5 crore, depending on the stature of the individual athlete and the scope of the sponsorship deal. These deals encompass a wide spectrum, from product support to influencer campaigns, content partnerships, brand endorsements, and appearances.

The agency has also signed on Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and has already successfully closed three to four big endorsement deals for him.

JSW Sports also manages a roster of other athletes, which includes Avinash Sable (3,000m steeplechase), Parul Chaudhary (5,000m steeplechase), Amoj Jacob, Muhammad Ajmal, and Rajesh Ramesh (4x400 men’s relay), among others.

Outside the Asian Games, notable winners include Jemimah Rodrigues (cricket), Shafali Verma (cricket), and Pawan Sehrawat (kabaddi).

Singh explained that one of the biggest challenges to the marketability of Olympic athletes and sports in India has been a lack of awareness. Therefore, the agency collaborates closely with brands to boost the marketing efforts of these athletes who deserve more recognition for their contributions to Indian sports and nation-building.

“We are witnessing strong interest from categories like sports apparel, nutrition, wearables, banking, financial services and insurance, etc. What’s most interesting is to see a lot of first-time investors, especially international brands, investing in Olympic sports talent,” Singh said.

WORLD CUP, MATCH 13: AFGHANISTAN PULL OFF A STUNNING WIN VS ENGLAND

Displaying the valour that best epitomises the people of the strife-torn nation, Afghanistan caused one of the biggest upsets in the history of World Cup as they outclassed defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi on Sunday.

The Afghans' epic triumph against the overwhelming favourites was a reflection of the spirit and courage of the battle-hardened tribe from the country ravaged by years of war and internal conflicts.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (*0 off 57) gave early impetus while Ikram Alikhil (58 off 66) provided the final flourish to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 284 all out after being put into bat.

The Afghan bowlers then thrived under lights, dishing out a collective effort to bundle out England for 215 runs in 40.3 overs and register just their second World Cup win, eight years since their last against Scotland in Australia.

Results so far: England Played 3 Matches, Won 1. Afghanistan Played 3, won 1

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Freedom is not merely the opportunity to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose between set alternatives. Freedom is, first of all, the chance to formulate the available choices, to argue over them -- and then, the opportunity to choose. - C. Wright Mills

OFF TRACK

“Shay, lady, you’re about the homeliest woman I ever shaw.”

“And you’re about the drunkenest man I ever saw.”

“I know, I know…but I’ll be sober tomorrow morning.”