ESCALATION IN ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT RAISES CONCERNS OF BROADER REGIONAL CONFLICT

Amid an intensifying conflict between Israel and Hamas, the situation has raised concerns of a wider regional war. The Gaza administration reports a significant number of casualties, with 266 Palestinians, including 117 children, killed in the past 24 hours due to Israeli airstrikes. The conflict escalated after a mass infiltration into Israel by Hamas gunmen on October 7, prompting Israel to impose a total siege on Gaza.

The conflict's impact has extended beyond Gaza, with Israeli missiles hitting Damascus and Aleppo airports in Syria, leading to their closure and causing casualties. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, engaged in clashes with Israeli forces along the Israel-Lebanon border, marking the deadliest escalation in violence since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Both sides have reported casualties.

Amid the heightened tensions, Israel has added more communities near the Lebanese border to its evacuation plan. Palestinians in Gaza have received warnings to move from the north to the south of the territory to avoid the most intense conflict zones. Israeli military leaflets have contained warnings about potential identification as sympathizers with a "terrorist organization" if they remain in place.

The conflict has also raised the possibility of an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, with troops and tanks positioned at the border. Israel has emphasized that its airstrikes target Hamas members and installations and that it aims to minimize risks to its troops in the "next stage of the war." The situation is being closely monitored as international concerns grow over the potential for a broader regional conflict.

PROPOSED GLOBAL MINIMUM TAX ON BILLIONAIRES COULD GENERATE $250 BILLION: EU TAX OBSERVATORY

The EU Tax Observatory is advocating for the implementation of a global minimum tax on billionaires, a move that could yield approximately $250 billion annually, according to their recent report. The proposed tax represents just 2% of the total wealth of the 2,700 billionaires worldwide, which stands at nearly $13 trillion.

Currently, billionaires often pay significantly less in personal taxes compared to individuals with more modest incomes. They can shield their wealth from income tax by placing it in shell companies, contributing to growing concerns about the sustainability of tax systems and social acceptance of taxation.

The observatory's director, Gabriel Zucman, stressed the need for such a tax to address these disparities, particularly when billionaire tax rates in some countries are as low as 0.5%, or even zero in certain cases. Calls for a fairer distribution of the tax burden have intensified, given rising wealth inequality, the financial demands of addressing climate change, and the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed global minimum tax on billionaires could be a step towards rectifying these imbalances and contributing to vital public finances.

PENTAGON SEES THREAT TO US TROOPS IN WEST ASIA, BEEFS UP MILITARY ASSETS

The US is concerned about a potential escalation in attacks on its troops in West Asia, prompting them to reinforce their military presence in the region, including sending additional forces and advanced missile defense systems to support Israel. The aim is to deter further escalation and maintain readiness in case attacks on US forces occur.

US URGES CITIZENS NOT TO TRAVEL TO IRAQ AFTER ATTACKS ON TROOPS

The US state department said US citizens should not travel to Iraq after recent attacks on American troops and personnel in the region. The travel advisory says, “Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to US citizens.” There has been a spike in attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria since the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza broke out.

GAZA RECEIVES MORE AID AMID WESTERN CONCERNS FOR CIVILIAN SAFETY

The UN's humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, has announced the delivery of an additional 14 trucks carrying aid to Gaza, providing a small glimmer of hope for Palestinians. However, he stressed the need for more substantial assistance. While Oxfam welcomed these efforts, they emphasized that sending only a few trucks a day falls short of the necessary support.

Meanwhile, The Israeli military said one of its tanks had accidentally fired and hit an Egyptian position near the border, expressing sorrow for the incident but giving no further details. The Egyptian military said the blast had caused “minor injuries” said Israel had “immediately expressed its regret over the unintentional incident and an investigation is underway”.

Leaders from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy have expressed their support for Israel while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding civilians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country is engaged in a life-and-death battle against Hamas, vowing to intensify air strikes on Gaza. The Israeli military also issued warnings to Palestinians in the northern part of the territory, urging them to move to the south.

Iran's foreign minister cautioned Israel and the US about the potential escalation of the situation in the Middle East if Israel doesn't cease its military actions.

ANTISEMITISM, ISLAMOPHOBIA ON RISE IN WEST

Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents have surged in the US and Europe since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7. The Anti-Defamation League reported 153 anti-Semitic incidents in the US during that period, a 55% increase from the previous year. They've also observed an increase in anti-Israel rallies threatening violence and anti-Semitic harassment on the Telegram messaging app. The Council on American-Islamic Relations reported an increase in anti-Muslim incidents. In the UK, anti-Muslim attacks rose sixfold compared to the previous year. France and Germany have also seen a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and violent demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Germany's leaders, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, strongly condemned the surge in antisemitism in their nation following the Israel-Hamas conflict. They emphasized that such hatred should never be tolerated in the country responsible for the Holocaust. In response, Berlin residents gathered to show support for Israel and denounce antisemitism. During the period from October 7 to 15, Germany documented 202 antisemitic incidents, a stark increase from 59 incidents in the same week in 2022. Scholz emphasized the importance of upholding the vow of "never again."

RUSSIAN STRIKE ON UKRAINE MAIL DEPOT KILLS SIX, INJURES 17 OTHERS

KYIV: Russian missile strikes killed at least six postal workers and wounded 17 others on Saturday when they hit a mail depot in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region. Separate Russian attacks on villages near the war-battered Ukrainian city of Bakhmut killed at least two persons on Sunday.

NAWAZ SHARIF MOVES TO RESTORE APPEALS AGAINST CONVICTIONS

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who returned to Pakistan after four years in London, signed applications to restore appeals against his convictions in corruption cases. His legal team prepared the applications, which are set to be filed in the Islamabad High Court on October 24. Additionally, Sharif's legal team will seek protective bail, and he is due to appear before an accountability court on the same day. The move has sparked criticism from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, denouncing the VVIP treatment and resources used for the "convicted absconder."

IRAN JAILS 2 JOURNOS WHO COVERED HIJAB DEATH ROW, FOR ‘COLLABORATING WITH US’

Two journalists in Iran have been sentenced to prison for allegedly collaborating with the US government. Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were both imprisoned for over a year due to their coverage of Mahsa Amini's death while in police custody in September 2022. Hamedi received a seven-year sentence, while Mohammadi was sentenced to six years. Their reporting had been instrumental in spreading awareness about the incident and the subsequent public outcry. Their imprisonment has led to international condemnation of the security force crackdown. The sentencing can be appealed within 20 days.

TEEN IN COMA FOLLOWING HIJAB LAW CONFRONTATION DECLARED "BRAIN DEAD"

A 16-year-old Iranian girl, Armita Geravand, is reportedly "brain dead" after falling into a coma due to an alleged encounter with authorities over violating the hijab law. Human rights groups initially brought attention to Geravand's hospitalization, with photos showing her unconscious and on life support. Iran has denied any harm was inflicted during her confrontation with officers enforcing the mandatory Islamic dress code in the Tehran metro on October 1.

CHINA, PHILIPPINES ROW OVER COLLISIONS IN DISPUTED SEA

Manila : Beijing and Manila traded blame on Sunday for two collisions between Chinese vessels and Philippine boats on are supply mission to Filipino troops near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea.

A Philippine government task force said the “dangerous blocking manoeuvers of China Coast Guard vessel 5203 caused it to collide with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted indigenous resupply boat”. China, meanwhile, said the “slight collision” happened after the resupply boat ignored “multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner”.

In another incident, the Philippines said it coastguard vessel escorting the routine resupply mission was “bumped” by a “Chinese Maritime Militia vessel”. China accused the Philippine boat of reversing in a “premeditated manner” into a Chinese fishing vessel.

SOUTH KOREA, U.S., JAPAN HOLD JOINT AIR DRILLS INVOLVING B-52 BOMBER

SEOUL: South Korea, the U.S. and Japan carried out their first joint aerial drills on Sunday, Seoul’s military said. The exercise, which involved a U.S. nuclear-weapons-capable B-52 bomber, comes as Seoul, Washington and Tokyo beef up their defence cooperation against growing missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.

ARGENTINA VOTES IN POLLS UNDER A SHADOW OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

BUENOS AIRES: Argentines headed to the polls to vote in a general election under the shadow of the South American country’s worst economic crisis in two decades. The three frontrunners in the elections are libertarian economist Javier Milei, centrist Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa and conservative Patricia Bullrich.

INITIAL RESULTS SHOW POPULIST RIGHT LEADING SWISS ELECTIONS WITH 29%

BERN: The right-wing populist Swiss People’s Party topped Switzerland’s general election on Sunday with 29% of the vote, according to the first results projections for the lower house of Parliament. The party finished well ahead of the left-wing Social Democrats on 17% and the centre-right party The Centre on 15%.