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Israeli strikes kill 17 Palestinians in Gaza, hospital ordered to evacuate

In a separate incident, medical personnel reported that eight people, including children, lost their lives at the Musa Bin Nusayr School, which was housing internally displaced persons.

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Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, including eight individuals killed at a school in Gaza City that served as a shelter for displaced families, according to medics.

In a separate incident, medical personnel reported that eight people, including children, lost their lives at the Musa Bin Nusayr School, which was housing internally displaced persons.

The Israeli military claimed that the strike targeted Hamas militants reportedly operating from a command center located within the school, alleging that these militants utilized the facility to plan and conduct attacks against Israeli forces. Additionally, in Gaza City, four Palestinians died when an airstrike struck a vehicle.

In two other airstrikes carried out in Rafah and Khan Younis in the southern part of the enclave, at least five more Palestinians were reported killed. In the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, where Israeli forces have been active since October, Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, stated that the military ordered the evacuation of the hospital, directing staff to relocate patients and injured individuals to a nearby medical facility. However, he noted that accomplishing this task was “next to impossible” due to a lack of ambulances available for patient transport.

Israeli operations have been ongoing in the towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, as well as the Jabalia refugee camp, for nearly three months. Palestinians have accused Israel of engaging in “ethnic cleansing” aimed at depopulating these areas to establish a buffer zone, an allegation that Israel denies. The Israeli government maintains that its military campaign is intended to combat Hamas militants and prevent their reorganization, asserting that hundreds of militants have been killed and military infrastructure dismantled since operations began.

Simultaneously, armed factions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad claim to have inflicted significant casualties on Israeli soldiers through ambushes during this period. Efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have yet to yield results. Sources close to the negotiations indicated that, while Qatar and Egypt have been able to mitigate some disputes between the involved parties, fundamental obstacles remain.

The escalation of violence began following an attack by Hamas-led fighters on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli fatalities and over 250 hostages being taken. Current Israeli estimates suggest around 100 hostages are still being held, though the status of many remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, authorities in Gaza report that Israel’s ongoing military campaign has led to the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians and the displacement of a substantial portion of the 2.3 million residents in the region, with significant portions of the coastal area now in ruins.

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India, Kuwait boost ties to strategic partnership following PM Modi’s talks with top Kuwaiti leadership

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, as noted by Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on social media.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday engaged in extensive discussions with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, aiming to revitalize India-Kuwait relations, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, and energy.

PM Modi’s visit to Kuwait marks a significant occasion as it is the first by an Indian prime minister in 43 years, having arrived for a two-day trip on Saturday. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah.

The discussions are expected to strengthen cooperation across various key sectors, including defence and trade, as indicated by officials prior to the meetings. During his stay, PM Modi addressed an event for the Indian community and visited a local labour camp, acknowledging the significance of the Indian diaspora, which constitutes the largest expatriate group in Kuwait.

Kuwait stands as one of India’s principal trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching an impressive $10.47 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, as noted by Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on social media.

This trip to Kuwait, at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, marks the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited this Gulf nation.

“It takes just four hours to fly from India to Kuwait, but it has taken four decades for an Indian Prime Minister to come here,” PM Modi remarked during his address to the Indian community.

Welcoming attendees ahead of a series of upcoming festivals, he noted, “You have all gathered here from various parts of India, and it truly feels like a mini India has come together.”

He praised the contributions of the Indian community, saying, “Every year, hundreds of Indians arrive in Kuwait; you have added an Indian essence to Kuwaiti society, filling its canvas with the colors of Indian skills, complemented by our rich traditions, technology, and talent.” He reiterated India’s readiness to support the development of ‘New Kuwait’ with its skilled workforce and advanced technology.

During an interview, PM Modi expressed India’s commitment to assisting in the restoration of peace in Gaza and Ukraine, emphasizing that solutions must be reached through dialogue rather than conflict.

He highlighted the necessity for sincere and constructive engagement among stakeholders to bridge differences and achieve negotiated resolutions. He also reaffirmed India’s backing for a two-state solution to create a sovereign and independent Palestine with recognized borders.

Modi emphasized the profound and historic ties between India and Kuwait, noting that the two countries are on the cusp of transforming their traditional buyer-seller relationship into a strategic partnership by exploring new opportunities throughout the oil and gas value chain. As Kuwait serves as India’s sixth-largest crude supplier and fourth-largest LPG supplier, he mentioned, “The potential for further collaboration is vast, especially as India becomes the third-largest global consumer of energy, oil, and LPG.” He highlighted that Kuwait holds about 6.5% of global oil reserves.

He identified the petrochemical sector as another area ripe for collaboration, projecting that India’s rapidly expanding petrochemical industry will reach $300 billion by 2025. Modi remarked that the energy partnership is not just a cornerstone of economic relations but also a catalyst for diversified and sustainable growth, paving the way for mutual prosperity.

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PM Modi, BJP MPs did not mention Indira Gandhi herself voted to remove many provisions of 42nd Amendment: Congress

Ramesh pointed out that while the 44th Amendment removed some provisions of the 42nd Amendment, many elements from it were retained over the years.

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The Congress on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his colleagues aggressively criticised Indira Gandhi regarding the 42nd Amendment, yet failed to acknowledge that she, along with other Congress MPs, supported the 44th Amendment, which eliminated several provisions from the 42nd Amendment.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the PM’s remarks overlooked the fact that many provisions from the 42nd Amendment have remained intact since its enactment nearly fifty years ago.

In his statement on X, Ramesh emphasised, “During the discussion on the Constitution, the PM and his colleagues mounted a furious attack on Indira Gandhi for the 42nd Amendment that was passed by Parliament in December 1976.” He added that Indira Gandhi participated in the passage of the 44th Amendment in December 1978 while Morarji Desai was Prime Minister.

Notably, the 42nd Amendment incorporated the words “socialist” and “secular” into the Preamble of the Constitution, transforming the description of India from a “sovereign, democratic republic” to a “sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.”

Ramesh pointed out that while the 44th Amendment removed some provisions of the 42nd Amendment, many elements from it were retained over the years.

He highlighted that the Supreme Court has recently affirmed that the terms “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble are fundamental to the Constitution’s structure. Ramesh specified retained provisions, including Article 39-A, which ensures equal justice and free legal aid, and Article 43-A, which promotes worker participation in industry management.

Further retained articles mentioned by Ramesh include Article 48-A, which safeguards the environment and wildlife, and Article 51-A, which enumerates the fundamental duties of citizens. Articles 323-A and 323-B provide frameworks for administrative and other tribunals. Additionally, the inclusion of education, population planning, environment, and forests in the Seventh Schedule, designated as the Concurrent list affecting both Union and State governments, has also been maintained.

Earlier this month, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha engaged in a two-day debate commemorating the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,” which witnessed intense exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties.

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Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer: PM Modi bestowed Kuwait’s highest honour

In November, he received top awards from Guyana and Dominica for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and for strengthening bilateral relations with those Caribbean countries.

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Kuwait on Sunday awarded its highest distinction, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his efforts to enhance the bilateral relations between India and Kuwait. The honour was presented by Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, at the Bayan Palace.

In a statement on X, Modi expressed, “I am honoured to be conferred the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait. I dedicate this honour to the people of India and to the strong friendship between India and Kuwait.”

The ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’ is a prestigious knighthood order in Kuwait. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal characterized the award as “a testament to the long-standing India-Kuwait friendship,” adding that Modi dedicated the honour to the ties between the two nations, the Indian community in Kuwait, and to the 1.4 billion people of India.

This award marks the 20th international honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi by a foreign country, according to officials. The order is traditionally bestowed upon Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families as a symbol of friendship. Previous recipients include notable leaders such as Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, and George Bush.

Modi’s visit to Kuwait, which began on Saturday, is notable as the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed with a ceremonial reception and a Guard of Honour at the Bayan Palace.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi has previously received accolades from other Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. In November, he received top awards from Guyana and Dominica for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and for strengthening bilateral relations with those Caribbean countries.

Furthermore, Nigeria honored him with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger for his statesmanship and significant contributions to fostering bilateral ties, making him the second foreign dignitary to receive that distinction.

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