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India strongly condemned death of civilians: PM Modi on Hamas-Israel conflict

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New Delhi: New challenges are emerging from the incidents in West Asia and it is time for the countries of the Global South to talk in one voice for greater global good, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.

In his address at the second edition of the India-hosted virtual Voice of Global South Summit, Modi said New Delhi has emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy along with restraint to deal with the situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

India condemned the barbaric October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, he said

At the same time, the prime minister said India strongly condemned the death of civilians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“We are seeing that new challenges are emerging from developments in West Asia,” he said.

India hosted the first edition of the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ in January to flag concerns and challenges facing the developing countries.

“The Voice of Global South is the most unique platform reflecting the changing world of the 21st century,” Modi said.

The prime minister also called for cooperation under the framework of ‘five Cs’ — consultation, communication, cooperation, creativity, capacity building.

“I cannot forget that historic moment, when African Union was inducted into G20 as a permanent member with India’s efforts,” he said.

In a significant milestone under India’s G20 presidency, the African Union in September became the new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world in the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

Listing achievements for the Global South under India’s G20 presidency, Modi said significant seriousness was shown this time on climate finance. There was consensus at G20 on providing finance and technology in easy terms to countries of the Global South for climate transition, he said.

India considers that new technology should not increase distance between Global South and North, he said.

Israel forces search Gaza hospital as civilians stranded inside

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Israeli forces were searching building to building at Gaza’s main hospital Thursday as Hamas said the military had “destroyed” parts of the compound where deep concern has mounted for the up to thousands of Palestinians trapped inside.

Soldiers raided the Al-Shifa a day ago in the hunt for a command centre they say the militants built below the complex, a charge denied by Hamas and leaders of the hospital that has become a focal point of the war.

“The soldiers are proceeding one building at a time, searching each floor, all while hundreds of patients and medical staff remain in the complex,” an Israeli army official said.

Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, told AFP Israeli troops “destroyed the radiology service, and bombed the burns and dialysis departments”.

“Thousands of women, children, sick and wounded are in danger of death,” he said.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Al-Shifa without enough food, water and fuel for generators.

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and saw about 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials.

The Israeli military says 51 of its troops have been killed in Gaza since fighting began.

But with the Hamas government media office saying the death toll from the offensive has now topped 11,500, including thousands of children, calls for a truce are mounting.

Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been caught in the war, with more than half rendered non-functioning by shortages, combat and damage, the UN has said.

The Red Crescent said a “violent attack” was underway on Gaza’s Al-Ahli hospital, which was hit by a deadly strike on October 17.

Hamas blamed the blast on Israel, while Israel said a misfired Islamic Jihad group rocket was responsible, a position supported by US and some other western security officials.

“Israeli military tanks besiege Al-Ahli Baptist hospital in Gaza, and violent attack is underway. (Red Crescent) teams are unable to move and reach those who are injured,” the group said on social media.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday set aside deep divisions over the conflict to agree a resolution calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in fighting.

The resolution — which passed with abstentions from the United States, Britain and Russia — called on Hamas and Israel to protect civilians, “especially children”.

Israel has agreed to temporary localised pauses in fighting, but has rejected calls for a broader ceasefire.

“The @UN Security Council’s resolution is disconnected from reality and is meaningless,” Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, wrote on X.

He also reiterated the Israeli government’s war aims, saying: “Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned.”

The Israeli foreign ministry called Thursday on the Security Council and the international community to “stand firm on the prompt release” of all those kidnapped.

“Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas terrorists,” it said.

Israel has concentrated its heavy bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza City, announcing this week the seizure of the parliament building, government offices, Hamas police headquarters and key port.

Israel’s army claimed an initial raid in Al-Shifa had uncovered military equipment, weapons and what spokesman Daniel Hagari described as “an operational headquarters with comms equipment”.

A video narrated by another Israeli army spokesman showed rifles and ammunition magazines inside an area he identified as Al-Shifa’s MRI scanner building.

“This was hidden very conveniently, secretly behind the MRI machine, said the spokesman, Jonathan Conricus.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza argued Wednesday the Israeli military did not find any weapons when it raided the hospital.

The death and suffering in the densely populated coastal territory has prompted growing concern for Gaza’s civilians, who have fled south to try to escape the heaviest combat.

Gaza City’s Al-Quds Hospital was evacuated during fighting in the area, forcing patients to make their way south to other facilities.

“We were in pain along the road… I feel pain in the knee,” said Ahmad Abou-Sabra, wounded evacuee.

“The situation was bad, and the distance. We stayed in the army (checkpoint) for more than two hours,” he told AFP at a Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in Khan Yunis.

Over a month after the Hamas attack, mourners gathered for the funeral of 74-year-old Israeli-Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver whose killing was confirmed days ago.

“Vivian was a woman who believed in peace. She was a woman who, in moments of despair, would bring us back the hope,” peace activist Ghadir Hani said. “She believed that, both in Gaza and around Gaza, we all deserve to live in peace.”

Call for war probe
UN human rights chief Volker Turk pointed to what he called serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested an international investigation was needed.

“Where national authorities prove unwilling or unable to carry out such investigations, and where there are contested narratives on particularly significant incidents, international investigation is called for,” he said in a briefing to UN member states in Geneva.

Polls in Israel show widespread public support for military action against Hamas following the October 7 attacks, the worst in the country’s history.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu, who has led Israel on-and-off for 16 years, is under intense domestic pressure to account for political and security failings surrounding the attack.

Protesters have taken to the streets demanding greater efforts to free the hostages.

If anyone opposes me, they oppose Modi Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra

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BENGALURU: Newly appointed state BJP chief BY Vijayendra has said that his priority is to win Karnataka for PM Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to The New Indian Express, Vijayendra downplayed the issue of senior BJP leaders, including BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh, Pralhad Joshi, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and V Somanna skipping the event in which he took charge as state party chief on Wednesday.

“The first person to wish me was Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. BL Santosh Ji is among the tallest leaders of the party. As far as leaders V Somanna and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal are concerned, I will visit and speak to them,” Vijayendra added. “If anyone opposes me, he is opposing Modi,” the 47-year-old MLA from Shikaripura added. On BJP leader Arvind Bellad giving the event a miss, he said, “I have spoken to him and he has wished me all success. I have visited so many leaders. I visited Basavraj Bommaiji at his residence. He came to the party office and blessed me even though he underwent surgery recently. He told me that it is his duty to bless me.’’

On being compared to Abhimanyu of Mahabharata and that forces opposing him would try to pin him down and harm his political career ahead of the LS polls, Vijayendra said, “Who made me the party president? Was it Yediyurappa? It is PM Modiji, Home Minister Amit Shahji and party president JP Naddaji. My job is to deliver all 28 seats in Karnataka to Modiji. If anyone opposes me, they oppose Modiji. I am confident that even Somanna and Yatnal and all others will work unitedly for the party. I have tried to reach out to Yatnal. I am confident that seniors in the party and other leaders will talk to them. I will personally go and reach out to them. Things will take time but will settle down.”

Vijayendra said he would visit New Delhi on 23, 24, 25 this month and meet Modiji, Shah and Nadda. While there was a talk that he would hold a formal celebration meeting in Bengaluru on November 25 for his supporters, he said nothing has been decided as yet. He also expressed confidence in the BJP performing well in the LS polls.

“There is a pro-incumbency wave in favour of Modiji. What does the Congress government have to offer except for some half-baked guarantees? People have realised that they have been let down. What fresh programme has the State Government offered to the state except for blaming the Centre?”

Asked how many seats the BJP would win in Karnataka in the polls,  he said with confidence, “Wait and see.’’

When asked about social media posts alleging that senior leaders skipping Vijayendra’s installation ceremony was a sign of resentment, he said, “We will all come together. I am confident.’’ 

It is clear that Vijayendra’s first big challenge is to take everyone along and quell the “dissent” in the state unit of the party. He said he would tour Karnataka after his return from Delhi. 

Madhya Pradesh elections: Polling begins for 230 seats 2,533 candidates in fray

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Polling began Friday morning for assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, where 2,533 candidates, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his predecessor Kamal Nath, are in the fray for 230 assembly seats in a largely straight contest between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

Top leaders crisscrossed the state, addressing rallies, holding road shows, trading charges, and making a slew of promises to seek votes for their candidates.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is contesting from Budhni and state Congress president Kamal Nath from Chhindwara.

The electioneering saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chouhan, among others, address rallies to drum up support for the saffron party nominees.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, Nath, and Digvijaya Singh, among others, addressed rallies to seek support for their party nominees.

Modi made nine visits to the state and addressed 14 public meetings after the elections were announced. The BJP is heavily banking on his charisma to retain power.

A look at the constituency:

  • The single-phase voting covering all 230 assembly seats—47 of them reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 35 for Scheduled Castes—has more than 5.6 crore registered electors.
  • Inputs from ground zero suggest that the Gwalior-Chambal, Vindhya, and Bundelkhand regions may ultimately hold the key to who comes to power, despite the communally sensitive Malwa-Nimar region housing a maximum of 66 seats.
  • Opinion polls in the recent past have been predicting a close race between both the main players (with an edge to the Congress).
  • In 2018, Congress emerged as the largest party, winning 114 seats and forming the government with the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Mohammed Shami makes history, becomes first Indian bowler to claim 50 ODI World Cup wickets

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Mohammed Shami makes history, becomes first Indian bowler to claim 50 ODI World Cup wickets

Mumbai: In a historic moment during the ICC ODI World Cup Semifinal against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mohammed Shami became the first Indian bowler to achieve the remarkable feat of bagging 50 wickets in ODI World Cups. Shami reached this milestone by dismissing Kane Williamson, securing his third wicket in the match.

With this achievement, Mohammed Shami joins the elite ranks of bowlers who have claimed 50 or more wickets in World Cup tournaments. The distinguished list includes cricket legends such as Glenn McGrath (71 wickets), Muttiah Muralitharan (68 wickets), Mitchell Starc (59 wickets), Lasith Malinga (56 wickets), Wasim Akram (55 wickets), and Trent Boult (53 wickets). Shami’s accomplishment highlights his significant contribution to India’s bowling prowess on the global stage.

Notably, Mohammed Shami also secured the title of the fastest bowler to reach the 50-wicket mark in ODI World Cups both in terms of innings and fewest balls taken to claim 50 wickets. He achieved this milestone in just 17 innings, surpassing the records of other prominent bowlers. Mitchell Starc took 19 innings, Lasith Malinga took 25 innings, and Trent Boult achieved the feat in 28 innings.

In terms of balls taken to 50th dismissal, Shami reached the landmark in 795 balls followed by Mitchell Starc (941 balls), Lasith Malinga (1187 balls), Glenn McGrath (1540 balls), Trent Boult (1543 balls).

Shawarma death case: Kerala HC says eateries must exhibit date, time of food preparation on packing

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Shawarma death case: Kerala HC says eateries must exhibit date, time of food preparation on packing

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has issued instructions for eateries to display the date and time of food preparation on packaging, particularly focusing on the popular dish ‘Shawarma’. The directive comes in response to a petition filed by the mother of a 16-year-old who lost her life in 2022 after consuming Shawarma.

Justice Devan Ramachandran, while addressing the plea, emphasized the need for public awareness regarding the importance of consuming such food items within a specified timeframe. The court directed the issuance of instructions to eateries to prominently exhibit the date and time of food preparation on packaging, whether served over the counter or through parcels.

The Food Safety Commissioner, Afsana Parveen, informed the court that consuming Shawarma beyond the recommended timeframe was a significant cause of accidents. She reported that ‘Shawarma Guidelines’ had been issued in September 2022, accompanied by an ‘Order of Ban’ in January 2023. Regular enforcement drives and inspections were conducted, resulting in notices and orders issued to eateries concerning parcel labeling and the mandatory mention of the specific date and time of manufacture.

Despite the ban on using raw eggs in the production and storage of mayonnaise, the court noted an incident of death due to Shawarma consumption after the ban’s issuance. The court acknowledged the Food Safety Commissioner’s efforts but emphasized the importance of making eateries and consumers aware of the potential risks.

The court decided to maintain the writ petition on file to monitor the implementation of orders, regulations, and circulars in the interest of public safety. In response to the petitioner’s allegations, the court directed the respondents to file a counter affidavit outlining their response, along with details of guidelines, orders, regulations, and actions taken against the eatery in question.

The court had initiated a suo motu case after the 16-year-old’s death and hospitalization of over 50 individuals linked to Shawarma consumption. The mother, seeking compensation of Rs. 1 Crore and strict compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, filed the present plea.

The case will be further considered on December 5.

K’taka BJP legislature party meeting on Nov 17, likely to elect its LoP in assembly: BY Vijayendra

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K'taka BJP legislature party meeting on Nov 17, likely to elect its LoP in assembly: BY Vijayendra

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday said that the Legislature Party meeting is scheduled to take place on November 17, during which the election of its leader, who will also be the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, is likely to be announced.

Earlier in the day, Vijayendra formally took charge as the state BJP president.

“The Legislature Party meeting is scheduled for 6 PM on Friday. Central observers will be coming. According to information, two observers will be coming. We will get to know tomorrow, as to who will be coming,” Vijayendra said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, the Leader of Opposition is likely to be announced on the same day, based on the opinion of all the legislators, in the presence of Central observers.

The BJP, which is the principal opposition party in the state, has not appointed its legislature party leader yet, who will also play the role of the Leader of Opposition in the assembly.

The previous assembly session in July was held without the Leader of the Opposition.

In the elections to the 224-member assembly held in May this year, the Congress ousted the BJP from power with a landslide victory. The Congress got 135 seats, the BJP 66 and the JD(S) 19.

The BJP legislature party meeting to elect its new leader is taking place ahead of the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi, from December 4.

The party had been facing intense criticism from the ruling Congress for its inability to make an appointment to the post, and there was disgruntlement within the party over the delay.

Stating that he has sought appointment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayendra said, after getting the appointment, he will be visiting New Delhi, during which he will also meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party’s national president J P Nadda and party’s general secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh, and seek their blessings.

Responding to a question about Congress criticising his appointment by pointing at the alleged disgruntlement within the BJP, he said, “…we will reply to their criticism in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.”

The BJP last week appointed Vijayendra, the younger son of veteran leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, as its state unit president. He was until now the state vice president of the party.

The 47-year-old, who is the first time MLA from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district has replaced Nalin Kumar Kateel, a three-time Lok Sabha member from Dakshina Kannada, who had completed his three-year term as the BJP state president, and was given an extension last year in view of the impending assembly elections.

India books Final berth, defeats NZ by 70 runs

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ICC ODI WC '23: India books Final berth, defeats NZ by 70 runs

Mumbai: Virat Kohli’s world record 50th ODI hundred and a scintillating century by Shreyas Iyer powered India into the final of the World Cup with a 70-run victory over New Zealand in their last-four clash here on Wednesday.

Rohit Sharma’s (47 off 29 balls) pyrotechnics, tons by Kohli (117 off 113) and Iyer (105 off 70), and a fluent 66-ball 80 by Shubman Gill, who retired hurt due to cramps, propelled India to an imposing 397 for four after the skipper won a good toss.

New Zealand were stopped at 327 in 48.5 overs as Mohammed Shami finished with incredible figures of 7/57.

The highlight of the New Zealand innings was a 181-run partnership between Kane williamson (69) and Daryl Mitchell (134).

Earlier Rohit, as is his wont, went after the bowling straightaway, and almost killed the contest in the first hour of play at the Wankhede Stadium, his dazzling array of stokes leaving the Kiwis bruised and battered.

Going for one too many, Rohit fell for a 29-ball 47 but Gill took over from there and continued to torment the Kiwis with his repertoire of strokes.

After Gill was forced to go back, Kohli and Iyer carried on the good work to set New Zealand an improbable target. Gill, though, came back and remained not out on 80 off 66 balls.

During the course of his innings, Kohli also became the first batter in the history of the game to score 50 ODI centuries, going past his idol Sachin Tendulkar.

Brief Scores:

India: 397/4 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 117, Shreyas Iyer 105, 80 not out).

New Zealand: 327 all out in 48.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 134, Kane Williamson 69; Mohammed Shami 7/57).

Waugh-supported centre for children bat for Australia

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Steve Waugh's donation ensures the children get involved with tertiary study and vocational training and later get placements in various sectors. (Photo | Udayan)

KOLKATA:  Legendary former Australian captain Steve Waugh got associated with Udayan, a residential centre for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients’ children on the outskirts of Kolkata, 25 years ago. A meeting with Mother Teresa in the city in 1996 inspired him to begin charity work and a couple of years later he decided to help out children of leprosy patients through the non-government organisation.

Since then the association as one of the patrons of the NGO has only grown with the World Cup-winning captain also making sure he visits the centre whenever he is in the country. The last visit he made to the centre located at Sewli Telinipara village, Barrackpore, was in 2020 when the centre celebrated its 50th anniversary.

With Australia playing South Africa in their all-important semifinal in the city on Thursday, the children have decided to cheer for the team from Down Under which once was led with great pride by their philanthropist. “The children are not visiting the stadium for the match. Instead, they will watch it live on a projector at our recreation centre,” Dipak Sahu, director of Udayan, told this daily.

As Waugh is not here at the venue, where his team once famously won its maiden World Cup with him being an integral part of it, the children wanted to send a message saying they are standing firm behind the team from his country. “At the moment, the NGO is supporting 113 girls and 157 boys. All of them along with us will watch the match and cheer for the Aussies. We have been certified by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India and Waugh donates around Rs 40 lakh to `50 lakh every year through it to Udayan,” informs Sahu.

The centre aims at providing children quality education including tertiary study and training like nursing, mechanics and physiotherapy which in turn provides them job opportunities. Waugh’s donation ensures the children get involved with tertiary study and vocational training. “His donation helps us impart employment-based training to children which in turn helps them land jobs and make a living out of it. He is one of our patrons and his continued support is one of the reasons we are able to deliver year after year,” signed off Sahu.

Mohamed Muizzu, to be sworn in as Maldivian president, vows to expel Indian troops, says will not allow China, any other nation to replace them

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FILE: Mohamed Muizzu speaks during an election campaign rally in Thinadhoo on September 26, 2023, ahead of the second round of the Maldives' presidential election. (Photo | AFP)

The Maldives’s incoming president Mohamed Muizzu has vowed to expel Indian troops after taking office later this week.

“Maldives is too small to be entangled in geopolitical rivalry,” the president-elect said in an interview on the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelago. “I am not very much interested to engage the Maldivian foreign policy in this.”

Muizzu’s election success in September hinged on a sustained campaign against India’s outsized political and economic clout in the Maldives, and specifically his pledge to eject Indian forces.

But he said he will not allow China — or any other nation — to replace them, and dismissed reports of him being closer to Beijing. He insists he is only “pro-Maldives”.

“We are going to work together with all the countries, India, China and all other countries as well,” the 45-year-old leader, who will be sworn in on Friday, said at his home in the capital Male.

Known for its pristine beaches and secluded resorts as one of the most expensive holiday destinations in South Asia, the Maldives has also become a geopolitical hotspot.

Global east-west shipping lanes pass the nation’s chain of 1,192 tiny coral islands, scattered around 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator.

Muizzu was regarded as a proxy of pro-China former president Abdulla Yameen, who had shifted the country heavily into Beijing’s orbit till his 2018 defeat.

Muizzu said he hoped to begin formal negotiations with New Delhi on the withdrawal of an estimated 50 to 75 Indian personnel, a sensitive campaign issue.

“The people of the Maldives did not vote for me to allow any military presence in the Maldives,” the British-educated civil engineer added.

“That is why we are talking with the Indian government to remove them, and I’m sure we can do that in a peaceful and democratic manner.”

Muizzu said his mandate was to remove a unit of Indian security personnel, deployed to operate three aircraft gifted to the Maldives to patrol its vast maritime territory.

“I’m not asking for the Indian troops to leave our country to make room for any other country to bring their military troops here,” he said.

Regional power India had considered the Maldives with its population of about 380,000 Sunni Muslims to be within its sphere of influence, but had been worried about China’s expanding footprint during Yameen’s administration.

New Delhi has a history of entanglements with Male, including the deployment of soldiers to thwart a 1988 coup attempt.

“For the Maldives, it is very important that we put our interests first… also we want to work together with all the countries, have a good friendly relationship, cordial, candid relationship,” Muizzu said.

The party nominated Muizzu after Yameen was barred from running for office following a criminal conviction of corruption during his five-year term when the country saw a spurt of Chinese-funded construction.

Muizzu, a former housing minister, is credited with implementing Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, including the construction of 7,000 apartments and a landmark bridge linking the capital island Male with the nearby airport island of Hulhule.

“We are situated in a very strategic location, in which many of the sea lanes of communication go across our country,” he said, adding that he was inviting foreign investment to develop ports and logistics as well as set up a tax-free zone.

Muizzu said he was banking on completing the ambitious expansion of the international airport, in a bid to jump-start an economy that was hit by heavy debt and a decline in tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He was hopeful of filling “funding gaps” for the nearly $1 billion expansion of the Velana International Airport, which he sees as a gateway to attracting more foreign direct investment.

But the country’s public and government-guaranteed debt was about $7 billion, or 113.5 percent of GDP at the end of last year, according to official data.

“When we look at the economy, there’s a huge debt that needs to be addressed. The level of confidence of investors to come and invest in Maldives is really low,” Muizzu said.

He said he was keen on expanding ports and harbour-related services to increase domestic earnings, while also looking for debt-free financing for his ambitious economic expansion plans.

In addition, Muizzu said he was seeking up to $500 million in international funding to protect beaches and coral as warming and rising waters threaten his low-lying nation.

Eighty percent of the Maldives is less than a metre (three feet) above sea level, making it one of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels linked to climate change.

The president-elect quoted a report that said 60 percent of corals had been bleached by rising water temperatures.

“Every coral has value, every waterway that is contaminated has a value,” he said, insisting his country must be compensated for “every fish that dies due to global warming”.

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