LIVE: Rajasthan govt issues order for conducting caste survey in state

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Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

The Rajasthan government has issued an order to conduct a caste survey in the state. According to the order issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, the state government will conduct the survey with its own resources. The survey will collect information on the social, economic, and educational status of all citizens of Rajasthan. The survey is expected to provide valuable data on the caste composition of the state's population, as well as the social, economic, and educational disparities between different castes. The data collected from the survey can be used to design and implement policies and programs that benefit all castes and communities in Rajasthan.

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.

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."

An Air India Flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv on October 7, 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.

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.

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit western Afghanistan on Saturday killing 15 people and injuring 40, 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.

The 52nd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council in New Delhi on Saturday took several decisions, including tax cut on millet flour food preparations to 5 per cent. It decided to reduce GST on molasses to 5 per cent, from 18 per cent, and exempt alcohol for human consumption from the levy. 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. 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..."

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.

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 per cent, were taken in the meeting, which will be announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press briefing shortly.

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.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked people during an event in the state whether he should become the CM again or not and whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) be voted to power. He asked the questions while addressing a gathering at Dindori, more than 450 km from here, on Friday.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to slash GST on millet flour food preparations from the current 18% GST to 5%, ANI reported citing sources.

India reaching the unprecedented milestone of 100 medals at the ongoing Asian Games is a momentous achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, announcing that he will host the country's contingent on October 10. "Every awe-inspiring performance has made history and filled our hearts with pride. I look forward to hosting our Asian Games contingent on the 10th and interacting with our athletes," he posted on X.

With assembly elections approaching, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the state will conduct a caste survey on the lines of the one done in Bihar. The issue was discussed on Friday at a core committee meeting of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) held at the party's war room here.

As the West continues to provide aid for war-torn Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Ukraine would not survive for more than "a week" without Western military and financial aid, reported Al Jazeera. Putin made this claim on the same day when the European Union official warned that the bloc could not replace the funding gap if the US's support dries up for Kyiv.

10:41 PM

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

10:29 PM

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

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

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