NATIONAL 
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will launch an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah regardless of truce talks with Hamas. He insisted that the war would continue until Israel had achieved all of its objectives in Rafah. Netanyahu’s statement came amid ongoing attempts to try to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and hostage releases. At a meeting of the hostages’ relatives, Mr Netanyahu said he would invade with or without a deal. His comments follow renewed warnings by the US against a Rafah invasion unless civilians were properly protected. Meanwhile, the West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that an invasion of Rafah would be the biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history. US President Joe Biden has described an invasion of Rafah as a red line. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an assault on Rafah would be an unbearable escalation. He also appealed all the influence to do everything to prevent it.

Islamabad: Pakistan's leading right-wing Islamic leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday came out in support of his erstwhile rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, saying the opposition party has the right to hold rallies and even form a government. Rehman, the chief of his faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), made a blistering speech in the National Assembly, slamming the powerful establishment for allegedly rigging the political system. "It is the right of the PTI to hold a rally," he said. "We also objected to the 2018 election and we object to this (February 8 polls) one too. If the 2018 poll was rigged, why is the current one not rigged?" he asked. PTI leader Asad Qaiser had demanded the party's right to organise a rally. "The demand of Asad Qaiser is correct and it is the right of PTI to hold a rally," Rehman said in his speech. Rehman urged the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party to allow the PTI to form the government if it enjoyed a majority in the parliament.   "Leave this power. Come and sit here [on the opposition benches], and if the PTI is indeed the larger group, then give them the government," he said. The cleric then expressed his dismay over the role of the establishment and bureaucracy in election and running the country. "The establishment and bureaucracy had no role in achieving this country," he said. He alleged that the elections held on Feb 8 were not fair but flawed. "What kind of election is this where the losers are not satisfied and the winners are upset?" he said. He drew parallels with neighbouring India. "Just compare India and ourselves... both countries got independence on the same day. But today they (India) are dreaming of becoming a superpower and we are begging to avoid bankruptcy," he said. He said that decisions are made by somebody else but politicians are blamed for the problems. Rehman also lamented the failure to implement recommendations from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), emphasising the importance of upholding Islamic principles. "We got the country in the name of Islam, but today we have become a secular state. Since 1973, not a single recommendation of the CII has been implemented. How can we be an Islamic country?" he said. The CCI is a constitutional body set up to help Islamize the laws. He also said that Pakistan was begging the International Monetary Fund to avoid bankruptcy. The JUI-F was the arch-rival of PTI and had spearheaded the move for the ouster of Imran Khan. After his downfall, JUI-F became part of the coalition government. However, he parted ways with the PML-N and PPP after the elections as he alleged that the polls were rigged to keep his party out of power. It is believed by many that by supporting the PTI, the cleric is putting pressure on the establishment and the government to cut a deal to get a bigger share in the spoils of politics than his potential.

Washington : The United States said Monday it opposed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into Israel's conduct in Gaza, amid reports that Israeli officials fear the Hague-based tribunal could soon issue arrest warrants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly raised the issue with US President Joe Biden in a call at the weekend. "We've been really clear about the ICC investigation, that we don't support it, we don't believe that they have the jurisdiction," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing. The New York Times quoted Israeli officials as saying that Netanyahu himself could be among those charged. The court was also weighing charges against leaders of Hamas, it said. Jean-Pierre would not confirm a report by news outlet Axios that Netanyahu had asked Biden in their call Sunday to prevent the court from sending out warrants for Israeli officials. "The primary focus of that call was obviously the hostage deal and getting to a ceasefire, getting humanitarian aid into Gaza," she added. The spokeswoman also declined to comment on reports that Washington had reached out to the ICC to warn that the issuing of any warrants could derail moves to reach the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The ICC has not commented on the reports. But a series of Israeli officials has in recent days said any attempt by the court to take any action against Israel would be "outrageous." "Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense," Netanyahu said on X on Friday. "While the ICC will not affect Israel's actions, it would set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting savage terrorism and wanton aggression." Foreign minister Israel Katz said his country would "not bow our heads or be deterred" by the legal threat. "If the warrants are issued, they will harm the commanders and soldiers of the IDF (Israeli army) and provide a morale boost to the terrorist organization Hamas and the axis of radical Islam led by Iran against which we are fighting," Katz said over the weekend. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC. But the ICC opened a probe in 2021 into Israel as well as Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups for possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has said the investigation now extends to hostilities since Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel. The ICC is the world's only independent court set up to probe the gravest offenses by individual suspects, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.  It has previously issued warrants for national leaders -- most recently Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi blamed the Central Government for price rise and unemployment in the country. Addressing a public rally in Sedam in Gulbarga Parliamentary constituency in Karnataka today, she said wrong GST and demonetisation have ended employment in small and medium Industries and enterprises. She charged that the farmers are suffering. She also termed electoral bonds as a scam. She assured that on forming the Government in Centre, the Congress will fill 30 lakh jobs in the Government, 5000 crore rupees will be allocated to finance small enterprises, the minimum wages will be fixed at 400 rupees per day, legal MSP guarantee will be assured to agri produce and GST on agriculture implements will be removed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today bowed to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji on the sacred occasion of his Parkash Purab. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, he is remembered by millions across the world as the embodiment of courage, compassion and selflessness. Prime Minister said, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s life serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path of righteousness and devotion. Mr Modi said, his unwavering commitment to justice and protecting the rights of all individuals stands as a testament to his greatness. PM said, in the face of tyranny and oppression, he fearlessly defended the principles of fairness and equality.

Today was the day for high-profile nominations in Uttar Pradesh. Senior BJP leaders and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and  Smriti Irani filed their nominations today. Rajnath Singh filed his nomination from Lucknow parliamentary constituency. He is contesting third time from this constituency. Senior BJP leader and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath accompanied him during the nomination. Prior to the nomination, Rajnath Singh held a mega road show in Lucknow. Another party leader Mrs. Irani filed her nomination from Amethi. Last time in 2019, Mrs. Irani defeated then Congress president Rahul Gandhi from this seat. Meanwhile,  campaigning has also intensified in the state for the next phase of election. Senior BJP leader and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav will address a rally in Firozabad district. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav will address rallies in Etah, Hathras and Agra districts today. Bahujan Samaj party supremo Mayawati will hold a rally in Badayun district.

Bengaluru recorded its second-highest temperature of 38.2 degrees yesterday. The met department has said that it was on April 25 of 2016 that Bengaluru had registered a record high temperature of 39.2 degrees in the last 50 years. The dry spell was above normal by 3.1 to 5.00 percent for nine days in this month itself. Akashvani Correspondent reports, the scorching heat conditions are above normal due to the El Nino effect and high pressure conditions. Bengaluru had recorded 342 mm heavy rainfall during March-April last year. This year the rains have eluded Bengaluru. According to the Met department there is no sign of rains in the city till May second week. The trough from eastern parts of Vidarbha to north Kerala runs across Marathwada, interior Karnataka and extends upto 1.5 kms above mean sea level and for the next seven days the dry spell will continue over the state.

The Indian Naval Hospital Ship Kalyani and Head Quarters Eastern Naval Command conducted developmental Screening Camp for children of Balwadi School, Naval Park at Visakhapatnam, yesterday. The Screening Camp was held to identify children of house help in the age group of 3-6 years with any developmental delays and provide timely interventions for their overall growth and well-being. Early identification and treatment enable children to recover and integrate into mainstream society. INHS Kalyani and Eastern Naval Command are committed to support the well-being of all children, including those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan has concluded a comprehensive visit to France. In a statement, Ministry said that the visit has reaffirmed the continued long-standing strategic partnership between India and France, and further reinforcing the bilateral Defence Cooperation between the two nations. The interactions of CDS with Director of Civil and Military Cabinet of the Minister of the French Armed Forces, Patrick Pailloux and Chief of Military Cabinet of the Minister of the Armed Forces Lt Gen Vincent Giraud have enabled exchange of views on areas of common interests and mutual security concerns. Defence Ministry said interactions with the top leadership of the French Defence industry, including Dassault, Safran and Naval Groups, and Thales Alenia Space, towards futuristic capacity building of the Indian Armed Forces, would provide an impetus to indigenisation. The India-France Strategic Partnership has gathered significant momentum over time and has now evolved into an even closer and multifaceted relationship that spans diverse areas of cooperation.

Taiwan was hit by a series of at least 10 earthquakes of varying magnitude in the early hours today, with the strongest reaching 6.1 magnitude. According to the island’s Central Weather Administration, the earthquakes occurred around 40 kilometers from Hualien City on the east coast, at a depth of 18.9 kilometers. Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said there were no immediate reports of damage. Media reports said, no tsunami warning reports followed the earthquakes, which triggered mobile phone alarms in capital Taipei, and came just several days after dozens of quakes shook the island. The government said they were aftershocks from a deadly 7.4 magnitude quake that hit the island more than two weeks ago, which Taiwan said was the strongest in 25 years. At least 17 people were killed after the quake triggered landslides that blocked roads and severely damaged buildings around the main Hualien city.

India Meteorological Department, IMD has issued a red alert for severe heatwave conditions in Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal for the next few days. The IMD said, heat wave conditions are expected in isolated pockets over Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Rayalaseema, Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, East Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe, Konkan, West Uttar Pradesh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam till the 30th of this month. Heatwave to severe heat wave conditions will prevail over Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and in isolated pockets over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the same period. The Weather department further forecast a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in adjoining Central India till tomorrow, plains of Northwest India till Sunday and Western Himalayan Region till the 29th of this month. On hot and humid weather, the IMD said, these conditions are very likely to prevail over Tripura, Kerala, Mahe, Coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Assam, Meghalaya, Konkan and Goa from till the 28th of April. Meanwhile, the IMD also said Delhi will witness a generally cloudy sky with light rain today. The maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to hover around 39 degrees Celsius for the next two days.

The Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that Sanskrit is the language of divinity and serves as a sacred bridge in our pursuit of spirituality and the quest to connect with the divine. Addressing the third convocation of National Sanskrit University in Tirupati on Friday, he described Sanskrit as a cultural anchor for human civilization in a storm. Stressing the role of institutions like National Sanskrit University in revival and propagation of Indic knowledge systems, Vice President called for developing innovative curricula and fostering interdisciplinary research, so that the gap between Sanskrit’s rich heritage and modern academic needs can be bridged.