ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT ESCALATES: THREATS, INVOLVEMENT, AND GLOBAL IMPACT

In response to the recent devastating attack by Hamas gunmen, the Israeli military has called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists and imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, hinting at a possible ground assault. Hamas, which controls Gaza, has retaliated by threatening to execute an Israeli captive for every civilian house bombed by Israel.

Inside Israel, Palestinian fighters remain entrenched, having killed hundreds of Israelis and taken numerous hostages. This conflict has taken a terrible toll on civilians on both sides, with around 900 casualties in Israel and 560 in Gaza.

The European Commission has responded to the conflict by suspending its development aid for Palestinians, worth 691 million euros ($729 million). Germany, Austria, and Italy have also taken similar steps. However, the suspension raises concerns about the humanitarian impact on the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, where millions require assistance.

Additionally, the conflict has resulted in the deaths and kidnappings of numerous foreigners. The US has confirmed the deaths of nine Americans, with others still missing. Over ten UK citizens are feared dead or missing, and several French nationals are missing, dead, or held hostage. Furthermore, ten Nepali students have been killed, and a significant number of Thai citizens have died, been wounded, or taken captive. Two Mexican nationals and a German Israeli citizen have also been abducted by Hamas.

As tensions rise and the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to draw international attention, leaving nations worldwide scrambling to locate and secure their citizens affected by the violence.

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS AMIDST ESCALATING CONFLICT

"Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Palestinian people in their pursuit of legitimate rights, a better quality of life, their hopes, aspirations, and the quest for a just and enduring peace," as reported by the official Saudi Press Agency. The recent escalation of violence had initially sparked speculation regarding Saudi Arabia's potential normalization of relations with Israel, conditioned on security assurances from the United States and support for its civilian nuclear program. However, Prince Mohammed emphasized the significance of the Palestinian matter, stating it is crucial to address and improve the Palestinians' living conditions. Analysts now believe that ongoing hostilities have significantly hindered progress towards normalization.

IRAN IMPLICATED IN HAMAS ATTACKS ON ISRAEL, SAYS US, DESPITE LACK OF DIRECT EVIDENCE

The United States has stated that, although there is no direct intelligence or evidence linking Iran to the attacks carried out by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Israel, Iran is still complicit in these actions. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby emphasized Iran's historical support for Hamas and other regional terrorist networks through resources, capabilities, and training. While acknowledging Iran's complicity in a broader context, Kirby clarified that there is no specific evidence linking Iran to these recent attacks.

QATAR MEDIATES HOSTAGE-PRISONER SWAP BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS

Qatari intermediaries have initiated urgent discussions with Hamas officials in an attempt to secure the release of Israeli women and children who were taken captive by the terrorist organization and are currently held in Gaza. These negotiations aim to exchange them for the freedom of 36 Palestinian women and children imprisoned in Israel, according to an individual familiar with the talks who spoke to Reuters. The ongoing discussions, carried out with the involvement of Qatar and in coordination with the United States since Saturday night, are reportedly progressing positively, as indicated by the source who received updates on the matter. However, there have been no indications of significant breakthroughs as both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions. The precise number of Israeli women and children held by Hamas, who may potentially be part of the exchange for the 36 Palestinian female and child detainees identified by Hamas, remains uncertain.

CLAUDIA GOLDIN HONORED WITH NOBEL PRIZE FOR GENDER PAY GAP WORK

Claudia Goldin, a Harvard professor, has won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for her groundbreaking research on women's progress in the workforce. Goldin, the third woman to receive the economics Nobel, is recognized for her individual contributions to the field.

In her influential 1990 book, "Understanding the Gender Gap: An Economic History of American Women," Goldin explored wage inequality's origins. She later studied the impact of the contraceptive pill on women's careers, women's retention of surnames post-marriage, and the growing number of women in undergraduate programs.

Goldin's research unveiled historical shifts in female employment. She revealed that married women's workforce participation declined in the 1800s during the shift from agriculture to industry. In the 1900s, with the expansion of the service sector, women's involvement increased. She also demonstrated that progress in closing the gender wage gap has been inconsistent. Presently, women in the US earn just over 80 cents for every dollar men earn, with the most significant disparity occurring after a woman becomes a mother.

Factors contributing to the wage gap, such as discrimination and "greedy work" - jobs disproportionately rewarding long hours or offering less schedule control, have been identified in her work.

Goldin emphasizes understanding long-term labor market changes and the impact of societal and family structures on economic outcomes. She underscores the need for "couple equity" to achieve gender equality.

While the Nobel Prize acknowledges her achievements, Goldin recognizes that significant workplace inequalities persist, stressing the ongoing importance of striving for gender parity.

US-CHINA RELATIONS IMPACT ‘DESTINY OF MANKIND’, SAYS XI

Beijing : Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China-US ties would impact the “destiny of mankind”, as he met with a group of American senators in Beijing. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is the latest high-level American official to go to China as Washington seeks to ease tensions with Beijing, leading a six-person delegation.“How China and the US get along with each other in the face of a world of change and turmoil will determine the future and destiny of mankind,” Xi said.“I have said many times, including to several presidents, that we have 1,000 reasons to improve China-US relations, but not one reason to ruin them,” Xi said . Schumer told Xi that “our countries, together, will shape this century”. “That is why we must manage our relationship responsibly,” he said. Earlier China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said he hoped Washington and Beijing could manage their differences“more rationally”.

ZELENSKY COMPARES ASSAULT BY HAMAS TO UKRAINE INVASION

Kyiv : President Zelensky of Ukraine on Monday condemned Hamas for its assault on Israel and likened the attack to Russia’s invasion of his own country. In a speech to Nato parliamentary assembly by video link, he also criticised Iran for its support of Hamas and Moscow.

It is the second speech that Zelenskyhas delivered in support of Israel. In another sign of backing for Israel, electronic billboards in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, were lighted with the Israeli flag on Sunday night.

Zelensky said Hamas and Moscow were “the same evil, and the only difference is that there is a terrorist organisation that attacked Israel, and here is a terrorist state that attacked Ukraine.” He also compared the killings of civilians in Israel to those in the city of Bucha where hundreds of Ukrainians were tortured or killed. He also singled out Iran for its sale to Moscow of exploding drones. He noted that Iranian officials had also expressed support for Hamas.

BANGLADESH OPPOSITION LEADER ZIA AT ‘HIGH RISK OF DEATH’: DOCTORS

DHAKA: Bangladeshi doctors said Opposition leader Khaleda Zia was at “high risk” of dying without urgent medical intervention abroad after authorities rejected a plea to let her leave the country. Despite liver cirrhosis and heart problems, she was denied permission by the Sheikh Hasina government to leave the country.

CIPHER CASE: IMRAN KHAN TO BE INDICTED ON OCT 17

Islamabad : Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be indicted on October 17 in the cipher case, marking the start of the trial, a special court announced Monday. Imran is accused of leaking state secrets while leading his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government along with Qureshi, also the party’s vice-chief. Imran and Qureshi were pre sent on Monday when judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain set the indictment date.

After the hearing, Imran’s counsel Salman Safdar said they had protested in court about his treatment at Rawalpinidi’s Adiala jail, where the 70-yearold is being held. “Khan protested that he has been given a cell where it is difficult to live, difficult to move or walk,” Safdar said and called for the trial to be held in an open court rather than in prison.

ROBERT F KENNEDY JR WILL RUN FOR US PREZ AS INDEPENDENT, DROPS DEM PRIMARY BID

Philadelphia : Longtime environmental lawyer and antivaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr said Monday he will run for president as an independent and drop his Democratic primary bid, adding a wrinkle to a2024 race heading toward a likely rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Kennedy, a member of one of the most famous Democratic families in politics, was running a longshot primary bid and has better favourability ratings among Republicans than Democrats. It’s unclear whether GOP support would translate to a general election when Kennedy would also be running against Trump.

Awaiting Kennedy’s remarks Monday, hundreds of supporters gathered at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. Campaign signs teased a potential new slogan: “Declare your independence.” Among Kennedy’s fans in the crowd were several voters who said they don’t identify as Democratic or Republican and view Kennedy as a truth teller and a breath of fresh air. While Kennedy has long identified as a Democrat and frequently invokes his late father, Senator Robert F Kennedy, and his uncle former President John F Kennedy on the campaign trail, he has built close relationships with far-right figures in recent years. He also has gained support from some far-right conservatives for his fringe views, including his vocal distrust of Covid-19 vaccines.