On October 7, Israel marked the first anniversary of the Gaza war, which began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. More than 41,000 Palestinians have died since. On the anniversary, Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel remains in conflict with Hezbollah and prepares for potential retaliation against Iran.
Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani confirmed alive after death rumors
Iran’s Quds Force leader Esmail Qaani is in good health and performing his duties, said deputy commander Iraj Masjedi, dismissing rumors of Qaani’s death following last week’s attacks on Beirut. Media outlets, including Turkish, Israeli, and The New York Times, speculated about his death, but Iranian officials have not confirmed any such reports.
India’s EAM Jaishankar meets Maldives’ President Muizzu to mend ties
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in New Delhi for his first bilateral visit on October 6. Jaishankar praised Muizzu’s commitment to strengthening India-Maldives relations and expressed confidence that his talks with PM Modi would boost ties. Sharing photos, Jaishankar said he was pleased to meet Muizzu and appreciated his dedication to bilateral cooperation.
Mainland China can’t be our ‘motherland’, says Taiwan’s President Lai
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te stated it is “impossible” for China to be Taiwan’s motherland, as Taiwan has older political roots. Lai, labeled a “separatist” by Beijing, rejects China’s sovereignty claims, asserting Taiwan is a country called the Republic of China, which traces back to the 1911 revolution. The republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing to Mao’s communists.
