1. Israel-Hamas War UNSC to Meet Again as Rages On
2. 9 Dead, 30 Injured in Collision of Two Trains in Andhra’s Vizianagaram
3. Kerala Blast: Man Surrenders Taking Responsibility of Ernakulam Explosions; Death Toll Rises to 3 CM calls for all-party meeting, Other States on alert
4. Ex-Hamas Chief Khaled Mashal’s speech at Kerala sparks row, Organisers say nothing Unusual
5. India’s biggest data leak so far? Covid-19 Test Info of 81.5Cr citizens with ICMR up for sale

What Else

• Punjab: BSF recovers 2 Pakistani drones within 24 hr carrying drugs, battery
• J-K: Police officer shot at by terrorists in Srinagar; hospitalized
• Armenia bats for connecting its payment systems with UPI
• Jaishankar to embark on official visit to Portugal, Italy on Oct 31
• US Condemns Violence In Bangladesh, Calls for Calm, Restraint
• Over 8000 Afghan migrants forced to return from Pakistan with just 2 days remain in deadline
• Pakistan: Two soldiers killed during exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan
• China: Path towards Xi-Biden meeting is ‘not smooth’, says Chinese foreign minister
• UN Secretary-General Guterres meets Prime Minister Dahal, Foreign Minister Saud

——————-

Israel-Hamas War UNSC to Meet Again as Rages On

• The UNSC is set to meet on Mon to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed diplomats and without elaborating.
• The Council will meet as Israel entered a new phase of its war on Hamas on Sat, expanding its ground attacks after blacking out nearly all communication in Gaza.
• In a press conference, PM Benjamin Netanyahu called it a war for Israel’s existence and said “’Never again’ is now.” (here)
• ‘Not Hospital, Al-Shifa is Hamas Hideout and HQ in Gaza’: Israel Releases ‘Terrorists’ Confessions’
• Hamas is using hospitals in Gaza as covers and have turned them into ammunition depots, according to a video of the interrogation of “Hamas terrorists” released by Israel Security Agency Shin Bet.
• The Israeli military has claimed that those featured in the video released on Sat are Hamas terrorists, who participated in the Oct 7 attack.
• According to the man, Hamas is only fuelling their vehicles and not allowing anyone to even go to Egypt.
• Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes early Sun near the Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza.
• The strikes came a day after Israeli PM Netanyahu announced a “second stage” in Israel’s war on Hamas, 3 weeks after Hamas launched a brutal incursion into Israel.
• Tanks and infantry pushed into Gaza over the weekend in what officials described as a widening ground offensive as Israel pounded the territory from air, land, and sea. (here)
• PM Modi, Egypt President Sisi discuss West Asia turmoil amid Israeli offensive in Gaza: PM Modi spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sat, during which they exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia
• After his telephonic conversation with Sisi, PM Modi said they expressed their shared concerns about the escalating terrorism, violence, and loss of civilian lives in the region.
• They underscored the urgent need for restoring peace and stability while facilitating humanitarian assistance, he added, without mentioning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• The Egyptian statement said President El-Sisi received a phone call from PM Modi and the two exchanged views on the developments in the Israeli military operations.
• The president underscored the critical need for unified international action to find a prompt solution at the diplomatic level, and reinforce an immediate humanitarian truce per the resolution of the UNGA, which was adopted on Oct 27, it added.
• India abstained in the UNGA on the resolution as New Delhi stressed that terrorism is a “malignancy” and the world should not buy into any justification of terror acts
• The resolution ‘Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations’ was overwhelmingly adopted with 121 votes, 14 against, and 44 abstentions
• Along with India, countries abstaining from the resolution included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine, and the UK. (here)
• Key comments at a time when India abstained from a UN resolution proposed by Jordan that did not explicitly condemn the Hamas terror attack.
• US defense advisor to the President said “onus on Israel to save ‘innocent civilians’ in Gaza”
• US President Biden, Israeli PM Netanyahu discuss developments in Gaza(here)

9 Dead, 30 Injured in Collision of Two Trains in Andhra’s Vizianagaram

• At least 9 people were killed and over 30 others were injured in a collision of two trains in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh after a passenger train, which was going to Rayagada from Visakhapatnam derailed in Vizianagaram district on Sun.
• There was an overshoot of train 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger with 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger, where 3 coaches were involved and about 10 persons were injured.
• Rescue operations began at the accident site and one train was dispatched from Vizag to move stranded passengers.
• The chief minister announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakhs for the dead and Rs 2 lakhs for those seriously injured.
• PM Modi Takes Stock of Situation: PM on Sunday spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the incident in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram.
• The official statement by CPRO East Coast Railways stated human errors likely to be a reason behind the collision which killed at least six people so far. (here)

Kerala Blast: Man Surrenders Taking Responsibility of Ernakulam Explosions; Death Toll Rises to 3 CM calls for all-party meeting, Other States on alert

• One person was killed and over 40 have been injured in a suspected terrorist attack that took place at a convention center in Ernakulam of Kerala on Sun 0940 hrs.
• Multiple explosions hit a Jehovah Witness Convention in the Kalamassery area, Ernakulam district on Sun, killing one person and injuring over 50 others.
• Witnesses said multiple blasts went off at a convention center where the event, for which 2,000 people had gathered, was going on.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Kerala termed the incident as “unfortunate” and “serious” and called for an all-party meeting.
• One suspect has been detained from Kannur Railway Station.
• Witnesses said multiple explosions took place during a ‘Jehovah’s Witness’ Convention for which over 2,000 people had gathered.
• Sources-Initial valuation is suggesting it to be a terror attack, particularly 4 serial blasts.
• A bomb squad, a forensics team, a team of NIA, and NSG have reached the spot. (here)
• Traces of ammonium nitrate, timer, and bomb found (here)
• Meanwhile, CPI-M leaders including CM and party leader Sitaram Yechury protested outside AKG Bhawan in Delhi over the Israel-Hamas war with the message “Stop this Genocidal Aggression on Gaza”
• Local media reports that the blasts took place in the same area where the Jewish community also lives.

Ex-Hamas Chief Khaled Mashal’s speech at Kerala sparks row, Organisers say nothing Unusual

• The participation of a Hamas leader at an event in Kerala has sparked a massive row, with the BJP saying that the incident shows “the failure of the Pinarayi Vijayan govt” and the organizers of the event justifying it as “nothing unusual”.
• Hamas leader Khaled Mashal on Sat participated virtually in and also addressed a protest program organized by an Islamist group in the state against Israel’s war with the militant outfit.
• Khaled Mashal is said to be a founding member of the Hamas politburo and was its chairman until 2017. (here)
• Hamas leaders at pro-Palestine rallies in India a matter of concern: Top intel sources: Hamas leaders’ virtual presence in pro-Palestine rallies in India is a matter of concern, according to top intelligence sources.
• “Hamas is not a banned organization in India. So far, Hamas leaders have not spoken anything against India. All options are open,” he said.
• Sources added that India is “not neutral on this issue and action will be taken after careful analysis”. (here)

Punjab: BSF recovers 2 Pakistani drones within 24 hr carrying drugs, battery

• The Border Security Force recovered 2 Pakistani drones carrying suspected heroin on Sat and Sun in Punjab.
• The illegal substance was recovered from both the drones in Tarn Taran by BSF along with the Punjab Police.
• Pm, DJI Mavic Quadcopters were made in China.
• Earlier, the BSF troops on Mon recovered a Pakistani drone carrying a packet of suspected narcotics in the Kalsian Khurd area from the same district. (here)

J-K: Police officer shot at by terrorists in Srinagar; hospitalized

• A Jammu and Kashmir Police officer was shot and critically injured in a targeted attack in the downtown area of the capital Srinagar on Sun, officials said.
• A senior J&K police officer said that the victim identified as Masroor Ahmad Wani was shot with a pistol from point-blank range near Eidgah locality of Srinagar.
• The police have described the shooting as a terrorist attack and in a post on, said that the area was cordoned off and a case was registered in connection with the incident.
• Sources said a lone shooter fired at least 3-4 shots at Wani near Eidgah ground, which is normally bustling on Sun with local cricket enthusiasts.
• The assailant later fired more shots in the air to scare the crowd to escape from the area. (here)

India’s biggest data leak so far? Covid-19 Test Info of 81.5Cr citizens with ICMR up for sale

• News18-In what is suspected to be the biggest data leak case in the country so far, details of 81.5 crore Indians with the Indian Council of Medical Research are on sale.
• Given the grave nature of the incident, India’s premier agency CBI is likely to probe the matter once ICMR files a complaint.
• A ‘threat actor’ with a handle on X has advertised the database in the breached forum on the dark web which involves records of 81.5 million Indian citizens — Aadhaar and passport information along with names, phone numbers, and addresses.
• The ‘threat actor’ claimed the data — extracted from the COVID-19 test details of citizens — was sourced from ICMR.
• ICMR has been facing multiple cyber-attack attempts since Feb and central agencies as well as the council were aware of it.
• Over 6,000 attempts were made last year to hack ICMR servers.
• The agencies had also asked ICMR to take remedial action to avert any data leak, sources said. (here)

Armenia bats for connecting its payment systems with UPI

• Armenia has launched a dialogue with India to connect its national retail payment infrastructure company with UPI and set the foundation for collaboration amid the impressive rise in the Indian labor force and tourists here.
• The India-Armenian dialogue is currently revolving around a mutually agreed interchange fee structure, Armenian Central Bank Governor told ET. (here)

Jaishankar to embark on official visit to Portugal, Italy on Oct 31

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is all set to embark on an official visit to Portugal and Italy from Oct 31 to Nov 3, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
• In Portugal, EAM will hold discussions with his counterpart, Joao G Cravinho, on the range of bilateral relations and regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
• Jaishankar will remain in Portugal for 2 days, and is expected to meet the Portuguese leadership, besides others meet, the MEA said.
• Notably, India and Portugal have grown mutually beneficial relations in all spheres, which have strengthened over time.
• Post Portugal visit, the EAM will travel to Italy from Nov 2-3.
• EAM will meet his counterpart, Antonio Tajani, Min of Defence and Min for ‘Made in Italy’. He is also expected to meet the top leadership of the country.
• He will be addressing the Joint Session of the Senate’s External Affairs and Defence Commission, and EU Affairs Commission (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US Condemns Violence In Bangladesh, Calls for Calm, Restraint

• The US has condemned the political violence that took place in Dhaka on Sat and said that it will be “reviewing all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions.”
• It called for calm and restraint on all sides.
• The US Embassy in Dhaka called for calm and restraint on all sides.
• Taking to X, the US Embassy in Dhaka stated, “The reported killing of a police officer, a political activist, and the burning of a hospital are unacceptable. …We will be reviewing all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions.”
• The political rallies sparked clashes as election tensions rose resulting in the death of a BNP activist and a police and leaving many others injured on Sat
• B’desh’s major political parties BNP and Awami League held protests with scattered violence ahead of expected elections in Jan 2024. (here)
• The ruling Awami League govt has been told in no uncertain terms by a senior US official, who recently visited Dhaka, that the Sheikh Hasina regime may consider stepping down from power and handing over charge to the Jatiya Sangshad speaker by Nov 3, (sources) Northeast News. (here)
• Opposition leader Fakhrul was detained, a day after massive protests, Dhaka Police says not aware of the leader’s protest

Over 8000 Afghan migrants forced to return from Pakistan with just 2 days remain in deadline

• As the deadline to send refugees”Afghan refugees to Pakistan approaches, over 8,000 Afghan migrants have been forcefully deported back from Pakistan.
• The Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan on Sat declared that approx 7,910 Afghans have returned via the Spin Boldak border.
• According to the Taliban official located in Kandahar, a total of 1,330 families, comprising 7,800 individuals, including 110 detainees who were previously held in Pakistani prisons, have been set free.
• Additionally, the Taliban ministry said that these detainees repatriated against their will by Pakistan, are now officially registered with the Ministry of Migrants. (here)

Pakistan: Two soldiers killed during exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan

• Two soldiers were killed during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Awaran district of Pakistan’s Balochistan, vernacular reported citing ISPR.
• According to the release, the soldiers reached the terrorist’s location and killed them while 2 others got injured.
• During the exchange of fire, 2 soldiers were killed.
• Sanitization of the area is being conducted to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.
• According to ISPR, the security forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism.  (here)
• 3 more killed, 5 injured in Kurram clashes: 3 more persons were killed and 12 others injured as incidents of firing continued for the 5^th day on Sat at different places in the Kurram tribal district.
• The ongoing clashes unfolded in various locations, including Bashkhel, Boshrah, Pewarha, Tri Mengal, Kanj Alizai, and other areas.
• The confrontations involved the use of heavy weaponry among the involved groups.
• The violent clashes, which claimed 18 lives and left 35 others wounded since Tue, erupted after a controversial video went viral on social media. (here)

China: Path towards Xi-Biden meeting is ‘not smooth’, says Chinese foreign minister

• Chinese FM Wang Yi has said that the journey toward a meeting between US President Biden and Chinese President Xi was “not smooth”, Chinese media reported.
• This week, Wang met President Biden and other senior US officials in Washington.
• Both sides agreed on Friday to set up a meeting between the leaders next month.
• Biden has invited Xi Jinping to San Francisco in Nov for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
• On Sat, Wang spoke in front of the audience at a Washington event which was hosted by the Aspen Strategy Group.
• He said that “both sides hope to stabilize and improve bilateral relations as soon as possible and agreed to work together toward a San Francisco summit between the two heads of state”. (here)

UN Secretary-General Guterres meets Prime Minister Dahal, Foreign Minister Saud

• Visiting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sun.
• Before the meeting, Chief Secretary and Foreign Secretary welcomed Guterres to the Singha Durbar-based Office of the PM and Council of Ministers.
• Before this, Guterres held a separate meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Purna Bahadur Khadka and Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud.
• Guterres arrived in Kathmandu in the wee hours of Sun on a 4-day official visit at the invitation of PM.
• It’s his second visit to Nepal. (here)