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EU, Austria, and Germany suspend all aid promised to Palestine in the wake of Hamas terror attacks

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EU, Austria, and Germany suspend all aid promised to Palestine in the wake of Hamas terror attacks

On 9th October (Monday), Austria and Germany announced that they had decided to suspend aid worth tens of millions of euros to Palestinians in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. They added that the decision had been taken to ensure funds were not flowing into the wrong hands. Both countries asserted that they wanted to review their engagement with the Palestinian territories and discuss it with Israel and international partners. 

Following the announcement of their decision, the European Union (EU) also joined them in supporting Israel over this issue. The European bloc announced that it has also put all its development funding to the Palestinian territories under review in response to Hamas’s attack on Israel. 

Taking to X, the European commissioner for the EU neighbourhood, Olivér Várhelyi wrote, “The scale of terror and brutality against Israel and its people is a turning point. There can be no business as usual.” 

He added, “All payments [are] immediately suspended. All projects are put under review. All new budget proposals, including for 2023 [are] postponed until further notice. Incitement to hatred, violence, and glorification of terror have poisoned the minds of too many. We need action and we need it now.”

Notably, this decision will affect €691mn in aid earmarked for Palestine. 

Earlier, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg stated that the country was suspending aid worth around 19 million euros ($20 million) for a handful of projects.

Speaking with ORF radio, Schallenberg said, “The extent of the terror is so horrific … that we cannot go back to business as usual. We will therefore put all payments from Austrian development cooperation on ice for the time being.” 

Schallenberg did not distinguish between Gaza, a Palestinian enclave ruled by Hamas, and the West Bank run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

In recent years, Neutral Austria’s ruling conservatives have adopted one of the most pro-Israel stances in the European Union. On 7th October (Saturday), the Israeli flag was hoisted above the chancellor’s office and the Foreign Ministry after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel including attacking with rocket barrages and ground invasion by terrorists. 

While Berlin stated that it wanted to ensure that it was fostering peace in the region and sending a sign of solidarity.

Notably, Development Minister Svenja Schulze of the Social Democrats informed that no payments were currently being made for bilateral aid projects as Berlin re-examined its engagement with the Palestinian territories. 

At a news conference, she said, “This is also an expression of our unbreakable solidarity with Israel. We are in contact with our partners there and reviewing everything again.” 

For the current financial year and next year, Germany’s development ministry has earmarked 250 million euros in development funds for bilateral projects in the Palestinian territories. However, it has not specified how much of that it had already disbursed this year.

In recent days, German politicians have underscored their country’s particular duty toward Israel and its security, given the historic responsibility for the Holocaust. On 7th October (Saturday night), the Israeli flag was projected onto Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Responding to the query about whether Britain planned to follow Austria and Germany, the spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that Britain had previously provided aid to Palestinian refugees via the United Nations and he was not aware of plans to change the approach. 

Additionally, an EU top diplomat informed that European Union foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation, including reviewing aspects of development aid. 

Europe is a primary contributor of development assistance to the Palestinian population, implying that these decisions could carry significant consequences if they inspire other countries to take similar actions. 

Meanwhile, the Israel-Hamas war has entered into its third day. Reports from Israeli local media suggest that around 700 people were killed across the country in the Hamas terror attack. The number continued to rise as more bodies were being recovered. Israel has officially declared war in the wake of the terror attacks.

Hamas terrorists robbed German woman Shani Louk before killing and parading her naked: Report

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Hamas terrorists robbed German woman Shani Louk before killing and parading her naked: Report

Shani Louk, a German woman whose bruised, naked body Hamas terrorists paraded in a pickup truck, was probably robbed as well. In an interview with the German media outlet Der Speigel, the woman’s parents revealed that they had learned via Louk’s bank that her credit card had been used in Gaza.

Shani Louk was attending the ‘Festival for Peace’ party near Kibbutz Re’im when Hamas terrorists invaded the event and attacked the attendees. Videos from the event that went viral showed the people’s horror when the Islamist terrorists arrived at the gathering in the desert.

Her mother Ricarda Louk said in a video shared on X formerly known as Twitter on October 8 that she saw her daughter “unconscious in a car with Palestinians”. She urged people to send them any news or updates about her daughter. She further told Der Speigel, “I just don’t want to admit it yet”.

Amidst the massive terror and on-ground assault on Israel, a disturbing video had emerged showing the Hamas terrorists parading a naked body in a pick-up truck. Hamas initially claimed that the lifeless body was of a female Israeli soldier. However, it has now been ascertained that the woman being paraded in that video was a German tourist named Shani Louk. Apparently, the tattoo on one of the legs of the woman in that video helped in her identification.  

Adi Louk confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the woman seen in the video was her sister, Shani Louk, a German citizen, and a tattoo artist, reported the New York Post.

According to Shani’s first cousin, Shani Louk reportedly went missing after Hamas terrorists took control of an open-air festival on Saturday morning. 

Australian media quoted her cousin saying, “It is definitely Shani. She was at a music festival for peace. This is a nightmare for our family.” As per reports, Shani had attended the music festival which was the first site of attack by Hamas terrorists. On Saturday morning Hamas attacked a dance party near Kibbutz Urim and other Israeli communities, unconfirmed videos of such music festivals have surfaced online in which Hamas terrorists can be seen in backdrop paragliding.

According to a social media account that belongs to her, Shani Louk is a tattoo artist and hair stylist. The tattoo seen on the legs of the dead body matches the tattoos seen on her legs in the photos posted by her on Instagram.

So far, around 800 people have been killed in Israel in the Hamas attack, while the number of injured rose to over 2000. Israel has launched a massive military action titled ‘Operation Swords of Iron’ against Hamas in Gaza Strip, in response to the surprise rocker and ground attack by Hamas titled ‘Al-Aqsa flood’.

Israel-Palestine war: Days after deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Congress party declares support for Palestinians

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Israel-Palestine war: Days after deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Congress party declares support for Palestinians

The Congress Party expressed its sympathy for Palestinians on Monday (9th October), a day after its General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh ‘condemned‘ the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ brutal attacks on the people of Israel.

A resolution passed today, 9th October, by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) voiced concern over the situation and urged for a ceasefire. The resolution however backed the Palestinian people’s rights.

Since Saturday, 7th October, over 700 people have been killed in terrorist attacks launched by Hamas on the Israeli defence forces and Israeli citizens. The Congress party’s official statement emphasised the process of “dialogue and negotiations” to resolve the problem between Israel and Palestine.

“The Indian National Congress has always believed that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a life of self-respect, equality, and dignity must be fulfilled only through a process of dialogue and negotiations while ensuring the legitimate national security interests of the Israeli people. Violence of any type never provides a solution and must stop,” an X (formerly Twitter) post by Congress said.

On the third day of arduous gunfights to clear stubborn Hamas fighters whose unexpected attack surprised the nation, Israel’s army announced Monday (9th October) that it had recovered control of southern territories bordering the Gaza Strip.

On Saturday (7th October), a devastating conflict erupted between the terrorist organization Hamas and Israel, resulting in a tragic toll of at least 700 casualties and over 2,000 injuries.

Hamas unleashed over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, while also seizing several Israeli soldiers near the border. The terrorists also have held several Israelis hostage including women, children, and the elderly. They have killed several civilians in indiscriminate firing and videos of the incident doing rounds on the internet reveal that they had also paraded women bared and bruised on the streets.

In a video statement, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was engaged in a state of war and warned that Hamas would face consequences for initiating an attack on Israel.

Netanyahu said, “We are at war, not an operation. Hamas has launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. I ordered first of all to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated and ordered a large-scale mobilization of reserves. The enemy will pay a price they have never known.”

Following the massive attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted from his X handle that his thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims of the attack on Israel by the Hamas terrorists. On India’s stand, Consul General of Israel, Kobbi Shoshani has also thanked India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “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.”

Hamas is an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, which means “Islamic Resistance Movement” in English. It was founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin who was a Palestinian cleric. In 1997, the United States designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization.

Over 260 bodies of civilians have been recovered from a site where a music festival was underway when the Hamas terrorists started firing indiscriminately. Hundreds of civilians and soldiers alike, including children, have been abducted following the attack.

A German tourist named Shani Louk was abducted and murdered, and her naked body was paraded by Hamas terrorists in a pickup truck inside Gaza. Eye witness accounts state that women in the music festival were raped near the dead bodies of their friends. Many of them were later executed.

Hamas terror attacks: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to host a Cobra emergency meeting on the ongoing situation in Israel

OpIndia Staff
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Hamas terror attacks: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to host a Cobra emergency meeting on the ongoing situation in Israel

On 9th October (Monday), UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak informed that he will chair a meeting of the government’s COBRA emergency response committee to discuss the ongoing developments in Israel later in the day. Notably, Sunak has already pledged to provide diplomatic, intelligence, or security support to Israel, if requested. This comes in the wake of attacks on Israeli citizens by Hamas terrorists that began on 7th October.  

After holding a meeting at a business in Newark, Nottinghamshire, Sunak said, “And as I said to the prime minister [of Israel], we will continue to provide – whether that’s diplomatic, intelligence or security support – as they need.” 

He said, “I’m chairing a Cobra with my ministerial colleagues this afternoon when we’ll continue to discuss the situation, but we’re in close dialogue with our Israeli counterparts.”

His office asserted that the UK stands “poised” to help Israel militarily if it is asked for assistance. Further, it added that they are not ruling out evacuating some British citizens from affected areas, emphasising that keeping them safe was their “utmost priority”.

Earlier on 8th October (Sunday), Sunak had a telephone conversation with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Regarding this, he asserted that the UK was one of Israel’s strongest allies. He also highlighted that Britain had previously provided “the kinds of equipment that they’ve used to defend themselves over the past couple of days”. 

Responding to the query about whether the UK would support Israel if it was to launch a ground operation in Gaza, Sunak’s office said, “We support Israel exercising its right to self-defence and proportionate action to bring an end to the violence.” 

The spokesperson added that there were no plans to redeploy military assets to the area adding that there were currently British assets in the region, including HMS Duncan under NATO control, which is patrolling in the Mediterranean.

Responding to the query about whether the UK thought Iran had any involvement in the encouragement of Hamas’s attacks on Israel, his spokesperson said Hamas was “fully responsible for this appalling act of terror”. However, he added, “We do know Iran poses an unacceptable threat to Israel through its support for Hamas and Hezbollah.”

His office asserted that Suella Braverman, the home secretary, was monitoring reports of increased antisemitic attacks and had spoken with the Community Security Trust. It is the organisation that is working to protect British Jews. There is the possibility that police patrols will be surged in some areas, his office informed.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is concerned amid reports that an Irish-Israeli girl, Kim Danti, has been missing since Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel in the early hours of 7th October. For this reason, the UK Foreign Office has asked British or dual nationals affected in the Israel-Hamas war to contact its helpline. The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the region due to the conflict. It has asserted that they may opt to evacuate some British citizens from affected areas. 

Meanwhile, the Israel-Hamas war has entered into its third day. Reports from Israeli local media suggest that around 700 people were killed across the country in the Hamas terror attack. The number continued to rise as more bodies were being recovered. Israel has officially declared war in the wake of the terror attacks.

Israel under attack: Fresh barrage of rockets fired from Lebanon, IDF neutralises gunmen infiltrating from Lebanon border

OpIndia Staff
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Israel under attack: Fresh barrage of rockets fired from Lebanon, IDF neutralises gunmen infiltrating from Lebanon border

Amidst the ongoing Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which entered its third day on Monday, October 9, reports have emerged that a fresh round of rockets was fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that two mortars were launched from Lebanon at northern Israel earlier today.

Warning sirens were sounded in Iftach and Ramot Naftali, two towns in the Upper Galilee region located in northern Israel. Air raid sirens were also heard across Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, according to the IDF.

According to the military, one projectile fell in an open region causing no injuries, and the second projectile missed its target in Lebanon.

A defence journalist working for local media house Times of Isreal, took to X to post a video which was captioned, “Gunfire and explosions reported on the Lebanon border.”

He also quoted an official of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as confirming that a number of suspects infiltrated into Israeli territory from Lebanon. IDF also confirmed neutralising some gunmen who tried to infiltrate into Israel from the Lebanon-Israel border.

In a post on X, IDF said, “The IDF neutralized a number of terrorist infiltrators who crossed from Lebanon into Israel. We are defending our country and stand ready on all borders.

Local media outlet Times of Israel, meanwhile, quoted a source from Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah as telling Reuters that it had no part in a cross-border raid in which several gunmen were killed by Israeli forces after breaching the ceasefire line.

Notably, on October 8, Sunday, Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah declared that they had fired large numbers of artillery shells and guided missiles at the Israeli forces ‘in solidarity’ with its ally Hamas. In response, the Israeli army said it too has fired artillery at southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Hamas are Iran-backed Islamist terrorist groups. Both have fought multiple wars with Israel in the past few decades.

“The Islamic resistance (Hezbollah)… attacked three positions of the Zionist enemy in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa farms…with large numbers of artillery shells and guided missiles,” the Lebanese Shiite movement said in a statement, adding it was “in solidarity” with a large-scale air, sea and land attack launched Saturday by the Palestinian group Hamas on Israel.

The attack by the Palestinian terrorist group Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), popularly known by its acronym Hamas, that began on October 7, left hundreds of people dead and thousands injured in the Jewish nation in one of the deadliest terror attacks. On Monday (October 9) afternoon, the toll was updated to 800.

In response to the unprovoked attack, Israel, on the same day, formally proclaimed a state of war and launched Operation Iron Sword against Hamas.

The catastrophic Palestinian terror attack on Israel by land, sea and air which resulted in an unparalleled number of fatalities and hundreds of injuries has drawn condemnation from nations throughout the world. Leaders from throughout the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden have expressed their solidarity and support to Israel.

‘Journalist’ turned politician Prashant Kanojia rehashes Pulwama rant of Opposition to whitewash Hamas crimes, claims Israel killed its own people for political gain

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‘Journalist’ turned politician Prashant Kanojia rehashes Pulwama rant of Opposition to whitewash Hamas crimes, claims Israel killed its own people for political gain

A day after Hamas terrorists unleashed carnage in Israel, ‘journalist’ turned politician Prashant Kanojia claimed on Sunday (8th October) that the terror attack was orchestrated by the Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government for political mileage.

In a tweet, he alleged, “Elections in Israel are going to take place soon. The current Israeli Prime Minister is also a coward like the Prime Minister of another nation. He also wants to attack his own citizens and win elections.”

Kanojia, who was previously arrested for peddling fake news, further said, “This is just my speculation but anything and everything is possible in politics.” It must be mentioned that elections in Israel were conducted in November 2022 and the next elections are scheduled to take place in October 2026.

As such, his conspiracy theory is based on the lie of an upcoming election (which is meant to take place 3 years later). Kanojia made the outrageous claims in order to pacify his follower base of Hamas sympathisers, who have been leaving no stone unturned to downplay the terror attack on Israel.

The former ‘journalist’, who now works as the National Campaign Incharge of Rashtriya Lok DAL (RLD), also disseminated the conspiracy theory about the supposed involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.

Without taking names, he insinuated that the Indian government killed its own people and somehow the Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government is following suit to win elections. Following outrage on social media, Kanojia deleted his tweet without citing any apology.

Pulwama attack and the never-ending conspiracy theory of Opposition leaders

On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to Srinagar via National Highway 44 came under a suicide bombing attack.

A 22-year-old Adil Ahmad Dar, a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist from Kakapora in Jammu and Kashmir, rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a bus carrying the CRPF personnel. More than 40 of our jawans were martyred.

The terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), based in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. They also posted a video of the Islamic terrorist Adil Ahmad Dar, who had joined the outfit in 2018.

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Pakistan was responsible for assisting terrorist attacks and that JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar had been “given the freedom to target India.” Soon after, the opposition leaders tried to pin the blame on Narendra Modi instead and tried to spin conspiracy theories around the attack.

The anti-Modi sentiment and the fear of getting wiped out from the political spectrum ahead of the 2019 general elections were so deep-rooted in the opposition leaders that they went on to accuse Modi of executing this brutal attack for BJP’s political gains. Many of them also questioned the role of the armed forces during this attack. 

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who often expresses his love towards the terrorist state of Pakistan issued a shocking clean chit to Pakistan by claiming that ‘Terrorism has no country’ and indicated that Pakistan has no role in the Pulwama terrorist attack.

While condemning the heinous terrorist attack on the CRPF soldiers, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that terrorism has no country, giving a clean chit to Pakistan despite Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist group based in Pakistan and backed by the Pakistani establishment, taking the responsibility for the attack on CRPF soldiers at Pulwama.

Former Congress MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, Noor Bano, during an interaction with the media leveled charges against security forces and accused them of exercising negligence prior to Pulwama terrorist attack.

“What happened was unfortunate, and the incident affects all of us. We do not know how BJP will churn out benefits from this incident. They will exploit the incident. It is the responsibility of the armed forces, to protect people. I saw on television, that they had prior information, but then how they failed to avert the attack?” Congress leader Noor Bano was quoted by reports. 

Gujarat Congress leader from Junagadh, Vinu Amipara also parroted similar lines. He said, “Whenever there are elections, they(BJP) do something like this. Earlier, Godhra carnage was carried out (before the 2002 Gujarat elections) and today, the Pulwama attack is also suspicious. The soldiers are murdered. When Congress comes to power, then we will investigate this.”

Indian Air Force carried out an air strike at Balakot in Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack. Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh doubted the surgical strikes instantly while trying to downplay the Pulwama terror attack. He started with a disclaimer that we are proud of our armed forces and have complete faith in them.

He lauded the armed forces for the service they provide in protecting the nation. However, he added, following the ‘Pulwama accident’, reports in various foreign media regarding the “air strike” have created doubt in his mind. This apparently made him question the credibility of the Indian government as well.

Downplaying terror attacks or absolving the actual terrorists and pinning the blame on someone he doesn’t agree with politically is not something new for Singh. In 2010, months after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Digvijaya Singh, along with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and others launched a book that claimed that the Mumbai terror attacks were an RSS conspiracy.

Just a week after the dastardly attack by the terrorist belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers, the Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala rubbed salt on their wounds by alleging that the terrorist was a ‘Home-grown so-called terrorist’. While addressing a presser, the Congress spokesperson insulted the sacrifice of the martyred soldiers by referring to the terrorist who killed them as a ‘so-called terrorist’. Surjewala also called into question the functioning of the Armed forces when he called the terrorist as ‘Home-grown’, providing an alibi to Pakistan.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal joined the bandwagon after the air strikes. He tweeted, “Modiji: Is international media: 1) New York Times 2) London based Jane’s Information Group 3) Washinton Post 4) Daily Telegraph 5) The Guardian 6) Reuters reporting no proof of militant losses at Balakot pro-Pakistan? You are guilty of politicizing terror?”

While addressing a press conference, Goa Congress leader Chellakumar alleged that the Pulwama attack was orchestrated by PM Modi. Chellakumar said, “People are not fools anymore. This man will go to any extent. Because, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah together… even recently video clipping has come out, even the Godhra incident was planned by BJP and stuff like that. Their own man has said that, not some Congress leader. I will not take the name but someone from the BJP circle has claimed that the Godhra incident was manipulated and orchestrated by the BJP. If it is so, why not this Pulwama incident also? They have identified all the jawan’s bodies. Where is the terrorist’s body? Till now they could not show to the people. So he is not a public representative. Not a public leader.”

The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, also attempted to justify the horrible atrocity committed by terrorist Ahmad Dar and pinned the blame on the government for its ‘muscular approach’ forcing gullible youths in the Valley to take up arms.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also questioned Balakot air strikes. He tweeted, “Is the army lying according to Amit Shah? The army has clearly said that whether someone died or not or how many died, cannot be said. Are Amit Shah and BJP telling lies to the army for their electoral gains? The country has faith in the army. Do Amit Shah and the BJP have no faith in the army?”

Sam Pitroda, one of the accused in the National Herald ‘cheating and breach of trust’ scam and one of the most trusted aides of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, demanded proof of the Balakot airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps in Pakistan.

He questioned, did we really kill 300 people? “I don’t know that. As a citizen, I am entitled to know. And if I ask, it is my duty to ask. That does not mean I am not a nationalist. That does not mean I am on this side or that side. We need to know the facts. If you say 300 people were killed, I need to know that. We all need to know that. The people of India need to know that. And then the global media says that nobody was killed. I look bad as an Indian citizen,” he said.

As the nation remembers the martyrs of the Pulwama terror attack, people should not forget that these leaders from the opposition parties accused Narendra Modi of this attack, questioned the role of the Indian army, peddled a narrative that the Indian army was responsible for the suicide bomber of Pulwama joining a terrorist outfit, and finally questioned the valor of the Indian Air Force after the Balakot air strike.

Appearing for Class 10, and 12 board exams twice a year is optional, not mandatory: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

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Appearing for Class 10, and 12 board exams twice a year is optional, not mandatory: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

On 8th October, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reassured students and parents that the new proposal allowing students of Class 10 and 12 to appear twice in a year has been done to alleviate their stress level arising out of fear of a single opportunity. In an interview with PTI, he asserted that appearing twice a year for the Class 10 and 12 board exams will now be an optional facility for students, instead of being a mandatory requirement. 

While speaking to PTI, the Education Minister covered many issues that stress students and their parents including the concerns around the mushrooming of ‘dummy schools’, student suicides in Kota, and the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE). 

Earlier in August, the Ministry of Education announced the New Curriculum Framework (NCF). As per the NCF, board examinations will be held twice a year so that students have enough time to prepare and retain the best scores.

Explaining this proposal further, Pradhan said, “The students will have the option of appearing for the exams twice a year, just like the engineering entrance exam JEE. They can choose the best score…but it will be completely optional, no compulsion.”

He added that the students often get stressed thinking they lost a year, their chance is gone or they could have performed better. He emphasised that the option is being introduced to reduce the stress caused by the fear of a single opportunity.

Assuring that it is not mandatory, he said, “If any student feels that he is completely prepared and is satisfied with the score in the first set of exams, he can choose not to appear for the next exams. Nothing will be mandatory.” 

He stated that the proposal has received positive feedback from students and announced that the Ministry is trying that the board exams are conducted twice a year from 2024 itself.

Earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic, the board exams for classes 10 and 12 were split into two terms as a one-time measure. Consequently, the old format of the year-end examination resumed this year. 

Collective responsibility to alleviate Examination stress

The Education Minister highlighted PM Modi’s session with the young students advising them not to get stressed out about examinations. He said, “In a country where Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself counsels the students on how to remain stress-free during exams in his annual ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’, such an examination reform is necessary. He tells students not to be scared of exams but to defeat them, ‘pariksha ki pariskha lo’ (take the exam’s exam).” 

Speaking about the record number of student suicides reported in Rajasthan’s Kota this year, Pradhan reiterated that it is a very sensitive issue adding that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the students are stress-free. 

According to official figures, this year alone around 25 students have committed suicide which is the highest ever for the country’s coaching hub. 

He stressed concerns about the issue of ‘dummy schools’ emphasising that time has come to have a serious discussion about this issue. 

He said, “The issue cannot be ignored. Although the number of such students is not very high as compared to the total number of students… the time has come to have serious discussions and deliberations on the subject.”  

Notably, several competitive exam aspirants enroll themselves in schools in their home states while they attend coaching classes in Kota. Despite never attending full-time schools, they appear for board exams. 

Numerous experts have raised concerns about the existence of ‘dummy schools’. They maintain that students who do not attend school may face hindrances in their personal development, leading to feelings of isolation and stress.

Educational Institutions and Organisational structure

Responding to the query about why the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) hasn’t met in the last three years, Pradhan said, “CABE is being reconstituted”. 

He added, “The older version of CABE was very broad…demands of today’s education system are different. At a time when we are making a paradigm shift with the new National Education Policy, CABE also needs to be remodeled. At the end of the day, CABE will review what is being introduced now, be it a new curriculum, new credit framework, accreditation, or any other reform.”

The minister also noted that the establishment of offshore campuses for two IITs, namely Delhi and Madras, is currently in advanced stages, and discussions are underway with several other countries that have shown interest.

Regarding this, Pradhan said, “The Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating it and various kinds of options and combinations are being deliberated upon. (External Affairs) Minister (S) Jaishankar himself is looking into it. I am also with him.” 

He stated that the guidelines for foreign universities to establish campuses in India are currently being discussed and will be officially announced in the near future.

Further in the interview with PTI, the Minister was questioned about his stance on the choice made by specific states, such as Karnataka and West Bengal, to not implement the National Education Policy (NEP). 

Pradhan noted, “Their objections are not academic but political. I have still not been able to understand what their actual objection is about. West Bengal has taken out an alternative document. We have seen that and it is 99 percent similar to the NEP.” 

Pradhan, who also serves as the Minister of Skill Development, assured a strong collaboration between the ministries of education and skill development to create a work-ready generation.

He added, “To achieve this, we are creating synergy between education and skills to provide students with both academic and practical skills. Today, there are close to 1,000 skill hubs with one lakh candidates enrolled in them. Going forward, we plan to set up 5,000 such centres.” 

“F*** Israel, F*** Jews”: Hamas supporting mob hurls flares at Sydney Opera House amid chants of “Allah Hu Akbar”

OpIndia Staff
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“F*** Israel, F*** Jews”: Hamas supporting mob hurls flares at Sydney Opera House amid chants of “Allah Hu Akbar”

Supporters of the terrorist group Hamas gathered in hundreds in Sydney on October 9th (local time) to march to the Sydney Opera House after it was lit in blue and white in support of Israel. Islamic chants like “Allah Ho Akbar” echoed on the streets of Sydney celebrating the murder of hundreds of Israelis and other foreign nationals.

A Muslim preacher celebrating the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel and incites crowds of Muslims (Source: clowndownunder/Twitter)

In a video shared by the Australian Jewish Association on X, formerly Twitter, the mob appears to be attacking the Sydney Opera House with flares following the rally. Subsequently, the lighting up of the Opera House in Israeli flag colours was delayed by an hour.

According to a report by Daily Mail Australia, some of the vandals were masked and hurled lit flares at more than 100 cops who were lined up to prevent them from entering the Opera House.

The terrorist sympathisers could be heard chanting abusive, vulgar, and anti-semitic language. “F* Israel, F* Jews, F*** Albanese, Allah Hu Akbar,” the mob yelled while attempting to set the Israeli flag on fire before stomping it and ripping it to shreds.

Banners carrying messages like “Free Palestine” were waved by the mob. Moreover, New South Wales Greens MP Jenny Leong also took to X, formerly Twitter, supporting the pro-terrorist protest in her country.

At least three individuals reportedly attempting to raise the Israeli flag at the pro-Hamas protests in Sydney were detained by the police. The police had warned the Jewish people not to visit areas around the Sydney Opera House in view of the violent protests

A full-blown Muslim victimisation rally was organised by the Palestine Action Group Sydney, which assembled at Town Hall before marching to the Opera House. Many reportedly held signs including “stop persecuting Muslims” and “stand for the oppressed”.

Moreover, an indigenous community engagement officer at the University of Sydney likened the support to the terrorist cause of Palestine to the experience of the aboriginal people in Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged the terrorist sympathisers to abandon the rally. He also condemned them for supporting violence. More than 1,200 people have died in the Israel Hamas war sparked by the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas.

‘It’s excruciating when missiles strike our bunker, we’ve already lost 10 friends,’ 5 Nepalis stuck in war-torn Israel implore their govt to rescue them

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‘It’s excruciating when missiles strike our bunker, we’ve already lost 10 friends,’ 5 Nepalis stuck in war-torn Israel implore their govt to rescue them

The conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated to unforeseen levels on October 7 when Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group that controls the densely populated Gaza Strip along Israel’s border, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. While hundreds of innocent civilians, defence personnel and foreign nationals have been killed and injured in the attack, several others have been left stranded in the war-torn areas.

Five such Nepali students in Israel who fell victim to the Hamas strike made a heartfelt appeal to the government of Nepal for aid and prompt rescue. In a video message they have posted on social media, the students, who have been hiding in a bunker for the past three days, describe the dangerous predicament they are in and implore their government to rescue them.

One of them who identifies himself as Bipin Subedi said that they travelled to Israel to attend the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Sudurpaschim University. In the video, which they seemed to have recorded from the insecure bunker they have been hiding in, Bipin Subedi admitted that during their three days in the bunker, they endured continuous missile attacks. He pleaded with the Government of Nepal to hasten their rescue since they feared for their life due to the constant threat of assault.

“I am Bipin Subedi, and we are students from Sudurpaschim University’s Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. There are five of us here. Initially, I hesitated to make this video because it would cause distress to our families. However, as our country has not taken any action to help us, we are compelled to make this video,” the petrified student said.

Subedi, elaborating on how helpless and panic-stricken he and his friends are at the moment, added, “There are five of us here, and this is the bunker where we are currently residing. We have been confined to this bunker for approximately three days. We have been here since yesterday evening, wearing the same clothes, hoping that the embassy would rescue us.”

Further, describing their panic when missiles start falling on their bunker at night, the Nepali student lamented how they had already lost 10 of their friends to the attack. He added that the fear of meeting a similar fate as their 10 friends keeps them awake throughout the night.

“When night falls, it’s excruciating when the missiles strike our bunker. We have already lost ten friends, and we are terrified that we may meet the same fate. We remember the cries of those ten friends, their desperate calls to us—everything. We haven’t slept a wink all night.”

The Nepali student lambasted the Nepalese administration, saying it showed little concern for its people who were trapped in the war-torn country. He claimed that it appeared as though the Nepali leadership was taking things easy because they believed that they could withstand missile attacks in the bunker.

The student went on to criticize the Nepalese government by juxtaposing its apathy toward its citizens who were trapped in Israel with the Indian government’s rapid action in ensuring the safe evacuation of its citizens from the war-torn nation.

He added, “If terrorists find their way here and attack us as ruthlessly as they did our friends, we will meet the same fate. Please, we cannot wait any longer. We have heard in the news that India chartered an entire plane to bring back a TikTok star. Our Nepalese government informed us that we couldn’t do anything in the agricultural sector, yet we have lost ten out of thirty-nine students.

In a desperate cry for help, the student promised to serve the country once he and his friends were safely evacuated and taken back to Nepal. Yearning to be rescued at the earliest from the perilous situation in Israel, Subedi said that they don’t need false assurance but want the Nepal government to act promptly. “The time for the state to act decisively is now. Please consider this,” he bemoaned as he ended the video message.

10 Nepali students killed in Hamas attack in Israel

Meanwhile, on Sunday, October 8, the media quoted an official of the Nepal Embassy as confirming that at least 10 Nepali students had been killed in Saturday’s Hamas invasion of Israel.

“Around 10 Nepali students died in the ongoing situation in Israel,” news agency ANI quoted a Nepal Embassy in Israel official as saying.

Nepal govt decides to keep plane on stand-by to bring bodies of Nepali killed in Israel

Furthermore, it was also reported that the government in Nepal has decided to keep a plane in a ready position and establish coordination with the Israeli side to repatriate home the bodies of Nepali nationals killed in the ongoing conflict in Israel. Additionally, in the meeting that was held on Sunday, October 8, the committee headed by Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, also decided to find a way to relocate the Nepali citizens in Israel to safe areas.

‘Stand with Justice and fairness’: China refuses to explicitly condemn Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as it uses a diplomatic phrase

OpIndia Staff
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‘Stand with Justice and fairness’: China refuses to explicitly condemn Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as it uses a diplomatic phrase

On 9th October (Monday), the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that it wouldn’t condemn Palestine despite certain voices ‘pressurising’ it to do so following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel killing more than 700 Israeli citizens. Responding to queries over the Israel-Hamas war, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to explicitly call out Hamas terrorists or Islamist outfits in Gaza for launching a surprise attack on Israeli citizens in the early hours of 7th October.   

Chinese FM spokesperson Mao Ning downplayed the terrorist attacks and ground invasion by Hamas inside Israeli territories and claimed that China condemns any “behaviour” that is “harmful” to civilians. Stating that it is “highly concerned” about the Israel-Hamas war, Mao Ning added that China opposes the escalation of the situation.

Chinese FM Spokesperson Mao added that the way out of conflict is to resume peace talks, implement the two-state solution, and push for a political solution to the Palestine question. He also said that China is willing to work with the international community to find adequate solutions.

Further, Mao warned Chinese nationals adding that they should refrain from traveling to Palestine and Israel for the time being. 

Regarding the reports that the US is sending weapons and warships to Israel, the Chinese FM said that China believes dialogues and negotiations are the fundamental way out of conflicts. It urged all parties to reach a ceasefire to avoid an escalation of the situation.

On the issue of whether China would condemn Palestine or not after the terror attacks, the Chinese FM spokesperson said China always stands with “justice and fairness”. He added that China is a friend of both Palestine and Israel and sincerely wishes the two sides can co-exist peacefully.

Notably, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is on a visit to China, putting pressure on China to condemn the Hamas attacks on Israel. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry added, “China condemns all violence and attacks on civilians, we believe the most urgent task now is to reach a ceasefire and restore peace; we also hope the international community will jointly help calm down the tension.” 

It is important to note that despite the gory details of attacks, several countries have declined to unequivocally condemn terrorist acts giving it a larger geopolitical spin as it is believed that condemning Hamas could earn the ire of Islamic world. 

Meanwhile, the Israel-Hamas war has entered into its third day. Reports from Israeli local media suggest that around 700 people were killed across the country in the Hamas terror attack. The number continued to rise as more bodies were being recovered. Israel has officially declared war in the wake of the terror attacks. 

Startling details of the attack have come to the fore revealing that more than 260 civilians were killed in cold blood in one incident alone. 

Apparently, one of the first locations that the Hamas terrorists attacked was the Supernova music festival that was taking place close to the Gaza Strip. The survivors narrated the terrifying ordeal that included the rape of women, abduction, and merciless murders at the hands of Hamas terrorists. Reports say that over 260 dead bodies have already been recovered at the festival site. 

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