US President Joe Biden has hinted that one of the reasons behind Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel was the recent announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor that integrates the entire region with a network of rail, road and ports.

“I’m convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, and I have no proof of this, just my instinct tells me, is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel, and regional integration overall. We can’t leave that work behind,” Biden said.

The US President made the remarks during a joint press conference with Australian PM Anthony Albanese on Wednesday (US local time).

During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

The corridor will encourage and provide impetus to economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as per sources.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will consist of two separate corridors, the East corridor connecting India to West Asia/Middle East and the Northern corridor connecting West Asia/Middle East to Europe.

It will include a rail line, which upon completion, will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement the existing multi-modal transport routes enhancing transhipment of goods and services between South East Asia through India to West Asia/Middle East Europe.

Biden recently lauded the corridor and said the project will spur opportunities for investment across two continents.

He said that the rail port project is part of an effort to build a more sustainable, integrated Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Israel-Hamas war has entered its 20th day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that his goal against the Hamas war is “saving the nation” and promised that a ground incursion to destroy Hamas in Gaza will start soon, The Times of Israel reported on Wednesday.

He said Israel is getting ready for a ground operation, but will not share when or how. He says he will not share the range of considerations involved.

“We are preparing for a ground incursion. I won’t specify when, how, how many. I also won’t detail the range of considerations, most of which the public is not aware of. And that’s the way it is supposed to be. This is the way so that we protect our soldiers’ lives.”

In an address to the nation, PM Netanyahu said, “Israel is in the midst of a fight for our existence. The war’s two aims are “to eliminate Hamas by destroying its military and governance capabilities, and to do everything possible to get our hostages back.”

Mexican soldiers and rescue workers on Thursday scrambled to clear up the chaos and devastation wrought by Hurricane Otis in Acapulco as the government worked to bring relief to the battered southern beach resort.

Otis on Wednesday slammed into Acapulco in the state of Guerrero as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit Mexico’s Pacific coast, flooding streets, ripping roofs off homes and hotels, and severing communications, road and air access.

The number remains unclear: downed phone service and electricity lines have made it hard for officials to assess the extent of the damage, with no immediate reports of fatalities as of Wednesday evening.

Nearly 8,400 members of Mexico’s army, air force and national guard were deployed in and near Acapulco to assist in cleanup efforts, the defense ministry said.

Classes were canceled for students across the state for a second day, and Governor Evelyn Salgado said on social media that authorities were working to restore electricity and reactivate drinking water pumps in Acapulco.

“The full extent of the wind, storm surge and rainfall damage in Guerrero will emerge over the coming days,” Moody’s Risk Management Solutions said in a note.

Mexico’s state power utility CFE had over 1,300 employees working to restore power, it said on Wednesday evening, when some 300,000 people remained without electricity.

The main highway connecting Acapulco with Mexico City was expected to be fully open by midday, Deputy Transportation Minister Rogelio Jimenez Pons told reporters, noting the impact of mudslides.

The port city’s international airport was closed, after Otis wrecked the control tower, cut telecommunications, and left access roads blocked.

“Now a Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco takes us by surprise,” Jimenez Pons said. “It’s unprecedented.”

Trashing the allegations against his son Vaibhav Gehlot, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today laughed off a question on whether his son has links with Jaipur’s luxury hotel Fairmont. “I don’t know about Vaibhav’s hotel, he has never asked me to stay there. Why doesn’t Vaibhav offer me complimentary stay at Fairmont if it is his hotel?” he scoffed at an interaction with media.

Vaibhav Gehlot was today summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged violations of foreign exchange rules. He has been asked to appear before the agency in Jaipur or Delhi tomorrow.

The summons have been issued in connection with ED’s investigation against hospitality group Triton Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd., Vardha Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and its directors and promoters Shiv Shankar Sharma and Rattan Kant Sharma, among others. The ED had seized Rs 1.2 crore in cash during the searches last month. The Triton group, it is alleged, received investment from a Mauritius entity back in 2007-2008. 

The ED is likely to question Vaibhav Gehlot on his alleged links with Rattan Kant Sharma. It is worth pointing out here that under FEMA, the probe agency cannot make arrests; it can only impose penalties.  

Rejecting the allegations against his son, Mr Gehlot today said Vaibhav has no foreign exchange dealings. “Vaibhav Gehlot only has a taxi company. Rattan (Kant Sharma) was a partner, but they work separately now,” he said.

Mr Gehlot also hit out at the central agence for issuing a short notice summons. “Is this a joke?” he said.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister said central agency have lost their credibility due to the alleged misuse by BJP-led central government.

“Central agencies have no credibility now. It is a worrying situation. This is not about my son or the state Congress president. Aatank macha rakha hai desh mein (they have spread terror in the country),” he said.

The ED today also conducted searches on the premises of Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, and Congress MLA and candidate Omprakash Hudla in connection with the paper leak case.

Mr Gehlot said the ED’s actions come right after the Congress’ poll guarantees ahead of next month’s election.

“Date 25/10/23: Congress launches guarantees for women of Rajasthan. Date 26/10/23: ED raid on Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Ji Dotasra. Summon to my son Vaibhav Gehlot to appear before ED.”

“Now you can understand what I have been saying that ED’s raids are happening in Rajasthan because the BJP does not want women, farmers and the poor in Rajasthan to get the benefit of the guarantees given by the Congress,” he posted on X.