LIVE: MEA spokesperson Bagchi appointed India's ambassador to UN in Geneva
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MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi appointed India's ambassador to UN in Geneva. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was on Monday appointed India's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations in Geneva. Bagchi, a 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official, took over as spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in March 2020 and deftly handled a number of critical issues and developments including the eastern Ladakh border row, India's COVID-19 response and New Delhi's G20 presidency.
The World Health Organization on Monday warned there were only "24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left" in the Gaza Strip before "a real catastrophe" sets in. In a recent development, the Israeli military has updated the number of individuals abducted by Hamas to 199, higher than previous estimates. The cross-border attacks initiated by the militants led to a devastating conflict. Israeli officials, as well as foreign citizens, are among those who have been abducted in the ongoing crisis, which began on October 7. Efforts to secure the release of these hostages are now a top national priority for Israel.
Israeli Kan radio said that residents of the northern city of Metulla, located close to the Lebanese border, were instructed to remain indoors as a precaution against a potential armed infiltration. Israeli authorities have not yet provided immediate confirmation.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Monday, the second time within a few days, to pledge support for the country as it prepares a major military offensive in Gaza, the Washington Post reports.
Cricket was on Monday officially included in the programme for the 2028 Los Angles, marking the sport's return to the Summer Games after 123 years. Besides cricket, which will be played in T20 format, the other sports approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its 141st session, were squash, baseball/softball, lacrosse and flag football.
Allahabad High Court acquits prime accused in Nithari case, Surendra Koli, in 12 cases in which he was awarded a death penalty by the trial Court.
President Joe Biden is considering a trip to Israel in the coming days but no travel has been finalised, a senior administration official said on Sunday. It would be a powerful symbol of sympathy and support following the brutal attack by Hamas.
Rejecting India's low rank in Global Hunger Index-2023, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said parameters that are currently being followed for evaluation are not based on conditions specific to the country. Interacting with students at IIT-Guwahati, he refuted reports of large-scale malnutrition in India.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has called on Hamas to "immediately" release the hostages without keeping any sort of conditions. In a post on social media platform X, Guterres made two humanitarian appeals amid the present situation in the Middle East.
10:31 PM
Israel expanding armed civilian response groups to cities, AFP reported
Israeli police have announced plans to arm civilians as first responders in cities across the country, as the conflict with Hamas in Gaza continues. The move will involve the creation of 347 new units manned by 13,200 police volunteers who will be given rifles and protective gear. These units will work in coordination with the army and police during attacks or emergencies. The decision comes after an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people in Israel.
10:31 PM
Israel at war with Hamas, not with Palestinians: Spokesperson for Israeli PMO
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Tal Heinrich, Spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) outlined that Israel's battle is against Hamas and not against the people of Palestine. Heinrich emphasised the resilience of Israeli families and the importance of taking action against Hamas, saying, "Their resilience is our strength. The ones who are aching the most are the ones giving us the most strength."
10:29 PM
Hamas gunman's GoPro footage shows him on a rampage, and his death
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MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi appointed India's ambassador to UN in Geneva
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi appointed India's ambassador to UN in Geneva.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was on Monday appointed India's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations in Geneva. Bagchi, a 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official, took over as spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in March 2020 and deftly handled a number of critical issues and developments including the eastern Ladakh border row, India's COVID-19 response and New Delhi's G20 presidency.
10:06 PM
Gaza's Rafah border crossing area hit in strike: AFP
The area of the Rafah border crossing between the blockaded Gaza Strip and Egypt was hit Monday in a military strike, AFP correspondents said, as hundreds of Palestinians gathered hoping to cross. The area of the shuttered crossing point in Gaza's south had been hit at least three times last week by Israeli air strikes after Gaza-based Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 triggered all-out war.
9:29 PM
Putin stresses 'unacceptability' of violence against civilians in series of Middle East calls, reports Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the escalation of the Israel-Palestinian conflict with the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Syria and the Palestinian Authority on Monday and said any form of violence against civilians was unacceptable, the Kremlin said. In the conversations, "there was also serious concern about the likelihood of the conflict escalating into a regional war", it said. Putin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to co-ordinate with all "constructive partners" to stop the fighting between Israel and the Palestinians.
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Supreme Court to deliver judgment tomorrow on plea seeking marriage equality rights for LGBTQIA+ Community
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PM Modi to inaugurate 17 km India's first Regional Rapid Transit System Delhi-Meerut section on Oct 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 17 Km priority section on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor on October 20, NCRTC officials said on Monday. The trains are similar to metro trains in look but their coaches are equipped with features like luggage carriers and mini screens, they said.
8:33 PM
Will keep coming to Bengal and continue to fight for change in state, says Amit Shah in Kolkata
Will keep coming to Bengal, continue to fight for change in state, says Amit Shah in Kolkata.
He also greeted the people of West Bengal on day 2 of Navratri. I came here from Gujarat via Chhattisgarh. These nine days after bigger than Diwali for West Bengal, he said. Will pray to Maa Durga that corruption, atrocities end in Bengal.
Earlier today, he was in poll bound Chhattisgarh where he addressed a rally in Rajnandgaon. Amit Shah, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed his optimism about the party's prospects in the upcoming elections. Using the lotus as a symbol of the BJP, he declared that the "lotus will bloom in Chhattisgarh on December 3." This statement is a common political metaphor, signifying the party's hope for electoral victory on that date.
8:28 PM
24 hours left for aid to enter Gaza before 'catastrophe', says WHO
The World Health Organization on Monday warned there were only "24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left" in the Gaza Strip before "a real catastrophe" sets in.
4:43 PM
Israel radio warns of possible infiltration in city near Lebanon border
Israeli Kan radio said that residents of the northern city of Metulla, located close to the Lebanese border, were instructed to remain indoors as a precaution against a potential armed infiltration. Israeli authorities have not yet provided immediate confirmation.
4:35 PM
Brazilian Football legend Ronaldinho meets West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at her residence in Kolkata
4:33 PM
Lotus will bloom in Chhattisgarh on December 3, says Amit Shah at Rajnandgaon rally
During a rally in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, Amit Shah, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed his optimism about the party's prospects in the upcoming elections. Using the lotus as a symbol of the BJP, he declared that the "lotus will bloom in Chhattisgarh on December 3." This statement is a common political metaphor, signifying the party's hope for electoral victory on that date.
4:02 PM
US Secy Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv as Israel prepares for Gaza offensive
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Monday, the second time within a few days, to pledge support for the country as it prepares a major military offensive in Gaza, the Washington Post reports. On Sunday, the Israel Defence Forces chief said that the army will soon enter the Gaza Strip to decimate the Hamas terror group, reported The Times of Israel.
3:49 PM
Gaza's crowded hospitals near breaking point as Israeli invasion looms
Palestinians in besieged Gaza crowded into hospitals and schools on Monday. The enclave's food, water and medicine supplies are dwindling. Hospitals say they are on the verge of collapse and unable to heed Israeli demands to evacuate patients.
Topics : Vladimir Putin Joe Biden Narendra Modi Benjamin Netanyahu Amit Shah Rahul Gandhi Arvind Kejriwal Israel-Palestine Gaza Hamas United States Russia China BJP Congress mallikarjun kharge AAP Politics State assembly polls United Nations Antonio Guterres Middle East Mansukh Lal Mandaviya top news of the day Today News Nithari case Global Hunger Index
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First Published: Oct 16 2023 | 9:05 AM IST