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10:41 PM

Nearly 120 dead, over 1,000 injured as 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan

The death count from a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in western Afghanistan on Saturday has risen to "about 120", disaster relief authorities said, with more than 1,000 others being treated for injuries. "So far, more than 1,000 injured women, children, and old citizens have been included in our records, and about 120 people have lost their lives," Herat province disaster management head Mosa Ashari told AFP. The United States Geological Survey said the epicentre was 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the region's largest city Herat, and was followed by seven aftershocks with magnitudes between 4.6 and 6.3.

10:29 PM

Hamas chief Haniyeh claims group 'on verge of great victory'

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said Saturday the Palestinian group was on the "verge of a great victory" after it launched a surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. "We are on the verge of a great victory and a clear conquest on the Gaza front," Haniyeh said in a speech broadcast on Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television. "Enough is enough, the cycle of intifadas (uprisings) and revolutions in the battle to liberate our (Palestinian) land and our prisoners languishing in occupation (Israeli) prisons must be completed."

10:07 PM

US condemns 'unprovoked attacks' on Israel by Hamas 'terrorists'

The United States on Saturday "unequivocally" condemned attacks by "Hamas terrorists" against Israel and promised to ensure the key US ally has the means to defend itself.
 

"The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement, adding that "there is never any justification for terrorism."

 

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and will remain in close contact with Israeli partners over the operation, according to the statement.

9:04 PM

Bahrain calls for de-escalation, self-restraint in Gaza: Foreign ministry

Bahrain has called for self-restraint and de-escalation in the Gaza Strip, warning that continued fighting will harm regional peace and stability. The Bahrain Foreign Ministry stressed the need to protect civilians and called on the international community to help end the conflict. "The continuation of violence will impede efforts aiming at achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," it said.

 

8:33 PM

Air India cancels two flights in wake of Hamas attack on Israel

An Air India Flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 07 October 2023 and the return flight AI140 from Tel Aviv to Delhi has been cancelled in the interests and safety of our guests and crew. Passengers are being extended all support, as per their requirements, said Air India spokesperson.

 

8:29 PM

Israel-Palestine Crisis: US support to Israel

US President Joe Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his support for Israel's right to self-defence following the recent rocket attacks from Hamas."US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasized that the US stands alongside Israel and fully supports Israel's right to self-defence," stated Office of the Prime Minister of Israel.

 

8:28 PM

Israel-Palestine Crisis: 'Hamas militants holding Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage in Gaza'

Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the Hamas militants are holding Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage in Gaza.

 

8:26 PM

Israel retaliates to Palestinian attacks with major airstrikes

Israel is at war with Hamas after a barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on Saturday morning. Israeli national rescue service said that at least 40 killed in the wide-ranging Hamas incursion. Israel retaliates to Palestinian attacks with major airstrikes on Gaza. As per the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 198 people have been killed and more than 1,600 wounded in Gaza in Israeli retaliation after a Hamas attack killed at least 40.

8:22 PM

Fire broke out at a firecracker shop in Attibele, Karnataka

7:05 PM

'Don't help the enemy', Israel urges citizens not to spread rumours on social media

Israel has issued a call to its citizens, urging them to exercise vigilance and not to disseminate rumours on social media platforms like WhatsApp after Hamas launched a " surprise attack". A visual message shared by the Israel Prime Minister's Office on X reads: "Don't help the enemy."

6:04 PM

Israel-Palestine Crisis: EU shows solidarity with Israel

“Indiscriminate attacks by Hamas are causing deep suffering to the Israeli people, increasing tension and undermining Palestinian interests. My full solidarity with Israel. More than ever it is necessary to work for a sustainable peace through reinvigorated efforts in the MEPP,” said Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy.

 

5:31 PM

Death toll from Hamas rocket fire reaches to 22; PM Modi expresses solidarity with Israel

Israel is at war with Hamas after a barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on Saturday morning. The death toll in Israel from the Hamas rocket fire rose to 22, and around 300 people were wounded in the attack. Ofir Liebstein, the mayor of the Israel town, and head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, was killed in the deadly rocket fire from Hamas. Terror cells from the Gaza group have infiltrated a number of communities in the south of the country. Hamas has also claimed to have kidnapped five IDF soldiers. Mohammed Deif, the Hamas terror commander has called for an all-out attack on Israel. Hezbollah has praised the Hamas operation calling it a "message to Arab countries normalising with Israel". PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel "is at war".

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep shock over the terrorist attacks in Israel on X. He said that India stands in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.

 

"Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour," he said.

4:50 PM

14 dead, 78 injured as 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit western Afghanistan on Saturday killing 14 people and injuring 78, an official said, predicting the toll could rise amid reports of people buried under collapsed buildings. "These are the numbers that have been brought to the central hospital so far, but this is not the final figure," the public health director of Herat province Mohammad Taleb Shahid told AFP. "We have information that people are buried under rubble." The United States Geological Survey said the epicentre was 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the region's largest city of Herat and was followed by five aftershocks with magnitudes of 5.5, 4.7, 6.3, 5.9 and 4.6.

4:43 PM

Central Election Committee meeting of Cong to finalise candidates for MP Assembly elections underway in Delhi

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MPs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are attending the meeting.

 

4:42 PM

FM on compensation cess

Council may discuss roadmap for compensation cess in future, says Sitharaman

 

4:23 PM

Council may discuss roadmap for compensation cess in future, says FM

FM also said that to promote tourism conditional exemption for foreign flagged vessels from IGST if they do coastal run.

4:08 PM

GST Council meet live updates

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said, "Till Jan 31, 2024 appeals can be filed for order passed till March 2023 with enhanced pre-deposits."

3:59 PM

GST rate notification to be amended for extra neutral alcohol for industrial use at 18%, says FM

On Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "GST Council today has ceded that right to tax ENA to the states. If the states want to tax it, they are welcome to do it. If the states want to leave it, they are welcome to take a call on it. The GST Council is not taking a call to tax it, although the right to tax lies here. So in the interest of the states, we have, if I may use the word ceded that right to the states..."

3:53 PM

No tax on millet flour when sold loose, 5% GST on pre-packaged ones

Food preparation of millet flour containing at least 70 per cent of composition by weight, will have nil GST whem sold loose without branding, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press briefing. She added that GST on Millets flour preparation reduced to 5 per cent from 18 per cent on branded and pre-packaged and labelled.

3:47 PM

The president and the members shall have a tenure up to a maximum age of 70 years: FM

After the 52nd meeting of the GST Council, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "In the last 2-3 meetings, we had taken a call on setting up tribunals. In this meeting as well, a decision was taken on the tribunal-related issue. For the constitution of a GST Appellate Tribunal decision was already taken. Today the council decided to make a few amendments to the decision taken earlier. They pertain to the judicial member and also for the lawyers' community who may get appointed, particularly on the issue of their age. So the decision today is that the president and the members shall have a tenure up to a maximum age of 70 years. Earlier, this was 67. For the president and the members, it was 67 and 65 respectively. Whereas what we've now done is the tenure can be up to 70 and 67, respectively..."

3:37 PM

Gaming companies should not be taxed retrospectively, say states

Goods and services tax (GST) on online gaming companies should not be imposed retrospectively, states have said while deliberating on the issue during the GST Council meeting on October 7, according to Maharashtra minister Deepak Vasant Kesarkar.

 

A host of online gaming companieshave been slapped with exorbitant show-cause notices worth Rs 55,000 crore over the past couple of weeksfor allegedly evading dues arising out of GST, with some demands dating back to 2017.

3:31 PM

GST on millet food preparation reduced to 5%, confirm council members

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on decided to slash GST on millet flour food preparations from the current 18 per cent GST to 5 per cent, council members TS Singh Deo, Deepak Vasant Kesarkar confirmed post the meeting.
 

The fitment committee of the GST Council had earlier recommended the exemption on powdered millet. The committee had refused to give any incentive for prepared produce made out of millet.

3:26 PM

GST Council decides to cut tax on molasses to 5%

The GST Council on Saturday decided to reduce GST on molasses to 5 per cent, from 18 per cent, and exempt alcohol for human consumption from the levy. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo, who is a member of the GST Council, said extra neutral alcohol (ENA) for industrial use will continue to attract Goods and Services Tax (GST). "ENA (potable alcohol) for human consumption will be exempt from GST and the same will be communicated to the Supreme Court," Deo told reporters after the 52nd GST Council meeting. The tax rate on molasses, a by-product of sugarcane and used as raw material for alcohol production, has been reduced to 5 per cent from 18 per cent currently, Deo added. He further said that some states like Delhi and Goa raised the issue of online gaming companies facing GST demand notice for alleged evasion. "There were discussion on charges (tax demand notice) on these companies retrospectively. Because DGGI is an independent body, there cannot be any interference. The (GST Council) chairperson said she would make clarifications available to DGGI, if required," Deo added.

3:19 PM

The decision (online gaming) taken last time ratified: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo

3:15 PM

GST council meet ends, FM Sitharaman to brief media shortly

The 52nd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council in New Delhi has now ended. Several decisions, including tax cut on millet flour food preparations to 5 percent, were taken in the meeting, which will be announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press briefing shortly.

3:07 PM

Israel will repel combined assault of rocket fire, ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists: India envoy Gilon

Following the barrage of rockets on Israel from the Gaza Strip, Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, on Saturday said his country will "repel this combined assault of rocket fire and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists".

Meanwhile, Israel hit back with 'Operation Iron Swords', deploying its fighter jets to launch airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel is currently fighting to repel coordinated, large and multi-pronged Palestinian terror attacks. These attacks which were launched early this morning by Hamas on our civilians, sleeping peacefully in their beds, in cities and villages of the south and central Israel are war crimes," read an official statement from Ambassador Naor Gilon.

3:06 PM

Israel launches operation 'Iron Swords' after Hamas' surprise attack

The Israel Defence Forces on Saturday launched operation 'Iron Swords' in response to Hamas's surprise attack on Israel, the Times of Israel reported.

 

IDF is striking Hamas targets in Gaza. "In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza," Israel Defense Forces said in a post on 'X'

 

3:05 PM

Netanyahu tells Israel 'we are at war' after Hamas launches an unprecedented attack on the country

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told Israel that it is at war with Hamas militants that rule the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's comments in a televised address mark his first since the Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers launched a major, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday. He ordered a call-up of reservists and promised that Hamas would pay a price that it hasn't known until now.

We are at war, Netanyahu said. Not an 'operation,' not a 'round,' but at war.

1:42 PM

Cong did nothing for backward classes in 70 years, it also opposed reservation for them: Scindia

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has hit out at the Congress, accusing it of not doing anything for backward classes during the 70 years of its rule, and alleged that it also opposed reservation for people from this community.

The Civil Aviation Minister made the allegation while talking to reporters in Gwalior on Friday.

His remark comes in the wake of the 'Jitni abaadi, utna haq" (rights proportionate to the population) pitch made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following the Bihar government's caste survey report, which revealed that the Extremely Backward Classes and the Other Backward Classes constitute 63 per cent of the state's population. 

1:30 PM

US lawmakers led by Senate Majority Leader Schumer arrive in China on first such visit since 2019

A delegation of US lawmakers led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer arrived in China on Saturday in the first congressional visit to the country since 2019.

The trip comes amid a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries and as Chinese and American officials try to lay the groundwork for a possible meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in November.

The delegation of six senators, which includes three Democrats and three Republicans, landed in Shanghai in the mid-afternoon. The Republicans were led by Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, the senior member of his party on the Senate Finance Committee. Schumer is a New York Democrat.