Day: October 13, 2023

Hamas’ Secret Tunnels: Israel’s Tall Challenge in Ground Offensive Plan

Manish Kumar

As Israel gears up for an all-out ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, one of the biggest challenges they face is Hamas’ extensive tunnel network under Gaza.  The densely populated area with a network of tunnels is a key aspect of Israel’s tall security challenge.  Israel Defence Forces spokesperson yesterday said they are striking parts of the tunnel network, but it won’t be an easy battle.  Hamas leader had claimed that the tunnel network in Gaza is 500 km long and only 5 percent had been destroyed in 2021.  Saleh…

13 hostages killed in Israeli airstrikes, Hamas says; Hezbollah ‘ready’ to contribute to confrontations against Israel

Manish Kumar

Thirteen hostages held by Hamas have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, the militants have claimed.  Israel previously said as many as 150 people were being held hostage by Hamas militants.  the UK defence secretary, told the News agency earlier that Britons were “very likely” to be among the hostages.  Hezbollah ‘ready’ to contribute to confrontations against Israel.  Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite group, has long aligned itself with the Palestinian cause.   Israel will receive its second aircraft from the US today, which will send a “strong…

Israel-Palestine War: Gaza health system at ‘breaking point’, WHO warns of ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ amid Israel blockade

Manish Kumar

The Gaza Strip, which hosts about 2.2 million Palestinians, is home to the Hamas militant group which leveled the biggest attack on Israel since 1973.  The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Thursday stating the healthcare system in Gaza was at a “breaking point”  As Hamas militants went on killing civilians and taking Israeli soldiers hostage, Israeli Defense Forces launched a counterattack against Hamas in Gaza.  WHO added that the hospitals only had a few hours of electricity every day and were forced to ration fuel reserves which…

“India has connected the election process with modern technology”

Manish Kumar

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi today. The summit is being hosted by the Parliament of India under the broader framework of India’s G20 Presidency with the theme of ‘Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future’. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed the dignitaries to the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit on behalf of 140 crore citizens of India. “The Summit is a ‘Maha Kumbh’ of all Parliamentary practices from across the globe”, the Prime Minister remarked.…

PM addresses concluding ceremony of Amethi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita 2023

Manish Kumar

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the concluding ceremony of Amethi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita 2023 via video message today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that it is a special feeling to connect with those participating in the Amethi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita 2023. Noting that this month is auspicious for sports in the country as Indian players have scored a century of medals in the Asian Games, the Prime Minister pointed out that many players from Amethi have also showcased their sporting talent amidst these events by taking…

Industrial production growth rises to a 14-month high, Retail inflation dropped to a three-month low

Manish Kumar

A low base pushed factory output to a 14-month high of 10.3 percent in August, data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed.  Mining grew by 12.3 percent, manufacturing expanded by 9.3 percent, and power, 15.3 percent.  Retail inflation fell to a three-month low of 5.02 percent in September.  Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, warned that global uncertainties combined with dome.  Retail inflation, which is based on the cost price index (CPI), has stepped inside the Reserve Bank’s threshold of below 6 percent after a gap of…

Adani Group imported coal well above market prices, overcharged Indian consumers: FT report

Manish Kumar

The Adani group has been rocked by another damning report that claims it imported billions of dollars of coal at prices well above market prices, igniting suspicion that the country’s largest private importer of coal has been inflating fuel costs and forcing consumers and businesses to overpay for electricity. The London-based Financial Times pored over customs records since July 2021 and found that the Adani group paid a “total of $4.8 billion to the three companies for coal sourced at substantial premiums to market prices”. The three offshore intermediaries based…

United States to provide employment authorization cards for five years, more than 10.5 lakhs Indians are in the queue

Manish Kumar

The US has announced it will provide employment authorization cards to some non-immigrant categories.  These include applicants for asylum or withholding of removal, adjustment of status under INA 245, and suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal, the federal agency said.  Increasing the maximum EAD validity period to 5 years is intended to significantly reduce the number of new Forms I-765.  According to a new study, more than 10.5 lakh Indians are in the queue for an employment-based Green Card.   A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card,…

Israeli military orders evacuation of northern Gaza in 24 hours, signals a looming ground offensive from Israel

Manish Kumar

The Israeli military has directed the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern Gaza, according to a United Nations spokesperson.  The order signals a looming ground offensive from Israel amid PM Netanyahu’s vow to “crush” the Hamas militants.  As Israel continues to relentlessly bombard Gaza from the air, Hamas militants have also fired thousands of rockets into Israel.  The United Nations has warned of “devastating consequences” after the Israeli military asked over a million Gazans to relocate south within 24 hours.  Israel has imposed a “complete” siege on Gaza, cutting…

Puri International Airport gets site clearance from MoCA, construction work can start as early as next year

Manish Kumar

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted site clearance approval for the proposed Sri Jagannath International Airport in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri.  The state will have to submit its application along with the DPR for in-principle approval of the steering committee on greenfield airports within two years.  A total of 1,164 acres of land has been earmarked for the proposed airport, which is likely to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 5,631 crore.  If everything is completed on time, sources said, construction work can start as…