DEATH AND DESTRUCTION PERSIST AMIDST ESCALATING CONFLICTS IN GAZA

Amidst continuing conflicts in Gaza, a church housing 500 people was struck by a missile, and the Israeli military is investigating the incident, which resulted in numerous casualties. This tragic event follows a recent attack on the Al-Ahli hospital, where over 300 lives were lost, an incident the Israeli military now disowns. Additionally, reports from local media indicate that 80 Palestinians lost their lives in airstrikes. The situation has escalated with the US Navy intercepting missiles and drones launched from Yemen toward Israel. The Israeli military remains vigilant against threats from Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, leading to retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza at an unprecedented rate. Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent a broader conflict, with a crucial meeting hosted by Egypt that includes leaders from Arab and Gulf countries, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres. Israel has ordered the evacuation of its largest town near the Lebanese border and conducted raids in the West Bank amidst ongoing clashes. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is considering a substantial omnibus request, with over $14 billion allocated for emergency assistance to Israel, in response to hotspots worldwide where the US has strategic interests.

HAMAS RELEASES TWO AMERICAN HOSTAGES WITH POTENTIAL FOR MORE RELEASES

Gaza's ruling faction, Hamas, has released two American hostages as part of a group of around 200 individuals taken hostage in violent attacks in Israel on October 7th. Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan were safely returned to Israel on Friday, with their current condition undisclosed. The news of their release prompted US President Joe Biden to express his delight, having spoken with the two women upon their liberation.

Hamas has also indicated the possibility of further hostage releases in the near future. They have reportedly engaged with Qatar and Egypt in an effort to secure the freedom of additional "civilian" hostages. This development suggests a potential for more releases pending favorable security conditions. However, Hamas has not provided specific details about their demands for these actions.

The International Committee of the Red Cross played a role in facilitating the return of the released American hostages to Israel. Qatar, a significant contributor of humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been involved in mediating discussions between Hamas and the United States, with this release being the outcome of continuous communication among all concerned parties.

AID FOR GAZA PILES UP AS ISRAEL RALLIES TROOPS FOR INVASION

Palestinians in Gaza are still waiting for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

Desperately needed international aid piled up Friday near Gaza, with Palestinians in dire need of food and water after relentless bombing by Israel, still reeling from the bloodiest attack in its history.

The United Nations says more than one million of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced and that the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day, with no green light yet to send in the trucks lined up at the border.

Medicine, water purifiers and blankets were being unloaded at El Arish airport near Gaza, an AFP reporter saw, with Ahmed Ali, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, saying he was getting "two to three planes of aid a day".

Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al Qahera News had said the Rafah crossing -- the only route into Gaza -- would open on Friday, but Cairo later said it needed more time to repair roads.

In Geneva, the WHO's emergencies director called a deal struck by US President Joe Biden to allow in 20 trucks "a drop in the ocean of need".

"It should be 2,000 trucks," Michael Ryan said.

CHINA AND RUSSIA PLAN TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A 2-STATE SOLUTION

Beijing : China and Russia share the same position on the Palestinian issue and plan to try to work together to cool the situation and help establish a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, a top Chinese envoy said Friday.

Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy to West Asia, spoke after a meeting Thursday in Qatar with Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian president’s special representative for West Asia and Africa.

“The fundamental reason for the current situation of the Palestine-Israel conflict is that the Palestinian people’s lawful national rights have not been guaranteed,” Zhai said, according to a statement released on Friday. “China and Russia have the same position on the Palestine question, and China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with Russia to promote de-escalation of the situation,” Zhai said. The two countries want to “play a positive role in resuming talks for peace between Palestine and Israel, truly implementing the twostate solution.” Zhai said. AP

UK’S LABOUR DEALS BIG BY-POLL BLOWS TO SUNAK

London : Britain's Labour Party handed a significant blow to PM Rishi Sunak's Conservatives on Friday by winning two previously safe parliamentary seats. Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, emphasized that these victories reflect voters' desire for change in the upcoming national election. This double defeat signals a considerable drop in support for the governing Conservatives, who have secured the last four national elections. It also suggests that Labour is well-positioned to potentially win power for the first time since 2010 in the anticipated election next year. While it's common for the governing party to lose in so-called by-elections, the magnitude of these losses in two long-held Conservative constituencies intensifies the pressure on Sunak.

Starmer asserted that these votes demonstrate Labour's role as the "party of the future" and that voters have turned away from the underperforming Tory (Conservative) government. Labour's triumph in Mid Bedfordshire involved overturning a nearly 25,000-vote majority, marking the party's most substantial comeback in a by-election since 1945. Additionally, they reversed a significant majority in another Conservative stronghold, Tamworth, with the party experiencing the second-largest swing from Conservatives since WWII. Notably, the Conservative party has only emerged victorious in one of the last 12 by-elections in this parliamentary session.

RUSSIA DISMISSES CLAIMS OF N. KOREA SUPPLYING MUNITIONS TO MOSCOW

MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off U.S. claims that North Korea transferred munitions to Russia, saying Washington has failed to prove the allegation. Mr. Lavrov is on a two-day trip to Pyongyang for talks on ways to boost relations between the two countries.

PAK., CHINA SIGN 20 DEALS DURING PM KAKAR'S VISIT

Pakistan and China have inked 20 agreements and MoUs during the maiden visit of interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar to enhance cooperation under the Beijing-backed Belt and Road Initiative, according to a joint statement issued on Friday.

During the visit, the two sides signed 20 agreements and MoUs, covering cooperation on the BRI, infrastructure, mining, industry, green and low-carbon development, health, space cooperation, digital economy, development cooperation and export of agricultural products to China, the joint statement said.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES CHANGES IN H-1B VISA SYSTEM TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Washington: The Biden administration is proposing changes to the H-1B foreign workers program, aiming to streamline eligibility, enhance efficiency, and provide more flexibility to various categories of non-immigrant workers without altering the annual limit of 60,000 H-1B visas mandated by Congress. These proposed rules, scheduled for publication by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services on October 23, are part of the administration's efforts to attract global talent, reduce employer burdens, and curb immigration system fraud and abuse.

The proposed changes will revamp the H-1B registration selection process to mitigate the potential for misuse and fraud. Each individual will now enter the selection process once, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf, leveling the playing field for legitimate registrations. The criteria for specialty occupation positions will be revised, reducing confusion and clarifying degree requirements. The proposed rule extends certain exemptions to nonprofit entities and governmental research organizations, and beneficiaries not directly employed by a qualifying organization.

The changes also provide flexibility for F-1 visa students seeking to switch to H-1B status and introduce new eligibility requirements for aspiring entrepreneurs. Measures to strengthen integrity and reduce misuse include prohibiting related entities from submitting multiple registrations for the same beneficiary and empowering USCIS to conduct site visits, with non-compliance potentially leading to petition denial or revocation.

These proposed changes represent a substantial step in streamlining the US immigration system and making it more accessible to highly skilled professionals and international students. The move is seen as promoting a more competitive environment for American industries while maintaining the US worker protection norms. Indian American Ajay Bhutoria, an advocate for immigration reform, welcomed these reforms as a thoughtful approach to addressing long-standing issues in the H-1B visa program, providing flexibility to students and improving conditions for non-immigrant workers.

ITALY PM ANNOUNCES SEPARATION FROM PARTNER AFTER HIS SEXIST TV COMMENTS

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said on Friday she had separated from her TV journalist partner Andrea Giambruno, who has drawn criticism in recent weeks for sexist comments. She told reporters last month she should not be judged over Giambruno’s remarks and in future would not answer questions about his behaviour. The split comes as the 46-year-old PM celebrates her first year in office at the head of a rightwing coalition government that has defended the traditional family as one of its policy hallmarks. “My relationship with Andrea Giambruno, which lasted almost 10 years, ends here,” Meloni wrote on her social media accounts. “Our paths have diverged for some time, and the time has come to acknowledge it.” The couple, who met in a TV studio in 2014, have a7-year-old daughter. Giambruno, 42, is the presenter of a news programme transmitted by Mediaset, part of the MFE media group owned by the heirs of the late Silvio Berlusconi. This week, another Mediaset satirical current affairs TV show broadcast off-air video excerpts from Giambruno’s programme showing him using foul language, touching his groin and appearing to make advances to a female colleague. In a second audio aired on Thursday, he is heard talking about being in an affair and telling female colleagues they can work with him if they take part in group sex. He had been criticised in August for comments interpreted by many as victim-blaming, following a rape case.