Category Archives: international

Israel ‘in days of critical decision’ Netanyahu says, marking two years since October 7

**Israel ‘In Days of Critical Decision,’ Netanyahu Says, Marking Two Years Since October 7**

President Isaac Herzog described the October 7 massacre as “the day Israel’s soul was torn apart,” reflecting on the profound impact of the tragic event.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the gravity of the current moment, stating that Israel is in “days of critical decision,” as the nation marks two years since the massacre.

In a related event, Prime Minister Netanyahu attended a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2025. The press conference was held with then-US President Donald Trump (not pictured).

*Photo credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST*

*By JERUSALEM POST STAFF*
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869699

Reporter’s Notebook: The landscape of the Gaza Border shifted two years after the Oct. 7 massacre

Reporter’s Notebook: The Landscape of the Gaza Border Two Years After the October 7 Massacre

On October 7, 2023, this road was strewn with burned vehicles, cars riddled with bullet holes, and lifeless bodies. The scene was a stark reminder of the brutal attack when Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the massacre of more than 1,200 people.

Fast forward to Tuesday, and all was quiet. A memorial ceremony was held at the Nova Festival to mark two years since that tragic day. The event served as a solemn remembrance of the lives lost and the resilience of those affected by the tragedy.

October 7, 2025.

Photo Credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90

By Seth J. Frantzman

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869693

Israel ‘in days of critical decision’ Netanyahu says, marking two years since October 7

Israel ‘In Days of Critical Decision,’ Netanyahu Says, Marking Two Years Since October 7

President Isaac Herzog reflected on the tragic events of October 7, describing the massacre as “the day Israel’s soul was torn apart.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the gravity of the current moment, stating that Israel is in “days of critical decision.”

Photo credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST

In a related event, Prime Minister Netanyahu attended a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2025.

— By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869699

This is Modi government’s stance on cryptocurrency in India

**Modi Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrency in India**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025, 04:24 PM*

**What’s the story?**
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently clarified the Indian government’s position on cryptocurrency. During his two-day visit to Doha aimed at boosting trade and investments between India and Qatar, Goyal stated that the government neither promotes nor discourages cryptocurrencies but focuses primarily on taxing them.

**Taxation Focus**
Goyal emphasized that the government intends to regulate cryptocurrencies through heavy taxation rather than imposing an outright ban. “As far as cryptocurrency, which is not backed by the Central Government, while there is no ban as such, we are taxing it very heavily,” he said. This approach is designed to protect people from getting trapped in unbacked cryptocurrencies that lack a support system.

**Digital Currency: India’s Sovereign Digital Rupee**
In addition to regulating existing cryptocurrencies, India is planning to introduce a sovereign digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to Goyal, the new digital rupee will possess features similar to stablecoins and will incorporate blockchain-based traceability to ensure transparency and compliance. “Our idea is that this will only make it easier to transact,” he added.

**Tax Regulations on Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs)**
India has established a clear tax framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies and NFTs, although it does not recognize them as legal tender. The Union Budget for 2022-23 introduced a 30% tax on income generated from the transfer of VDAs. This tax rate applies regardless of any profit or loss incurred in other transactions within the taxpayer’s portfolio. Additionally, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) was implemented on all crypto transactions exceeding ₹10,000 starting July 1, 2022.

This balanced stance reflects the Indian government’s cautious approach towards cryptocurrencies—regulating through taxation and planning its own sovereign digital currency, while avoiding an outright ban.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/we-are-not-encouraging-cryptocurrency-says-piyush-goyal/story

This is Modi government’s stance on cryptocurrency in India

**This is Modi Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrency in India**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025 | 04:24 PM*

**Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Clarifies Government Position**

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently clarified the Indian government’s stance on cryptocurrency during his two-day visit to Doha aimed at boosting trade and investments between India and Qatar.

Goyal emphasized that the government neither promotes nor discourages cryptocurrencies but imposes taxation on them. “We have not been encouraging cryptocurrency, which does not have sovereign backing or which is not backed by assets,” he stated.

**Heavy Taxation Instead of a Ban**

Unlike some countries that have banned cryptocurrencies outright, India has chosen a different approach. Goyal explained that the government intends to regulate cryptocurrencies primarily through heavy taxation.

“As far as cryptocurrency, which is not backed by the Central Govt, while there is no ban as such, we are taxing it very heavily,” he said. This strategy aims to protect people from falling victim to unbacked cryptocurrencies lacking any formal support system.

**India’s Plan to Introduce a Sovereign Digital Currency**

In addition to regulating private cryptocurrencies, India plans to roll out a sovereign digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This new digital rupee will share characteristics similar to stablecoins and will feature blockchain-based traceability to ensure transparency and compliance.

“Our idea is that this will only make it easier to transact,” Goyal remarked regarding the upcoming digital currency.

**Clear Tax Framework for Virtual Digital Assets**

India has established a defined tax framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs), such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs, despite not granting them legal tender status.

In the Union Budget 2022-23, the government introduced a 30% tax on income earned from the transfer of VDAs. This tax rate applies regardless of any profit or loss from other transactions in the taxpayer’s portfolio. Additionally, from July 1, 2022, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is levied on all crypto transactions above ₹10,000.

**Summary**

To summarize, the Modi government’s approach to cryptocurrency emphasizes regulation through significant taxation rather than prohibition. While discouraging unbacked cryptocurrencies, the government is moving forward with its own digital currency initiative to facilitate easier and more transparent transactions in India’s financial ecosystem.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/we-are-not-encouraging-cryptocurrency-says-piyush-goyal/story

Many details to be worked out on Trump Gaza plan, Qatari official says

**Many Details to Be Worked Out on Trump Gaza Plan, Qatari Official Says**

A Qatari official has stated that many details still need to be worked out regarding the Trump administration’s Gaza plan. The proposed deal would see Israel receive the return of all 48 hostages after two years of captivity by Hamas.

US President Donald Trump has been involved in efforts to negotiate the release of these hostages amid ongoing tensions with Hamas.

*Photo credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters, Ramadan Abed/Reuters*
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869677

Trump says his intervention was ‘very effective’ in India-Pakistan conflict

US President Donald Trump on Monday described his use of tariffs as a measure to stop wars, calling them a vital tool for peacekeeping. He further asserted that his communication with India and Pakistan during their recent conflict was “very effective,” claiming his actions helped end the battle between the nuclear-armed neighbors through trade.

“Tariffs are very important for the United States. We are a peacekeeper because of tariffs. Not only do we make hundreds of billions of dollars, but we’re a peacekeeper because of tariffs,” Trump said during an Oval Office interview, according to reports by news agency PTI.

The US President emphasized that without the “power of tariffs,” multiple wars would still be ongoing. “I use tariffs to stop wars. If you look at India and Pakistan, they were ready to go at it. Seven planes were shot down. They were ready to go at it. And they are nuclear powers. And I don’t want to say exactly what I said, but what I said was very effective. They stopped. And that was based on tariffs. It was based on trade,” he added.

India, however, has consistently denied any third-party intervention in the conflict. The tensions escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

Following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict. India has maintained that this cessation of hostilities resulted from direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made it clear in Parliament that no foreign leader requested India to halt Operation Sindoor.

President Trump has claimed multiple times that he ended seven wars during the second term of his administration, including conflicts involving India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Congo and Rwanda, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Since May 10, when Trump announced via social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeatedly stated that he “helped settle” the conflict between the two countries.

Trump added that out of the seven wars he ended, at least half were due to his “ability at trade and because of tariffs.” “If I didn’t have tariffs to throw around a little bit, you would have at least four wars raging right now, with thousands of people a day being killed,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/what-i-said-was-very-effective-they-stopped-donald-trump-on-india-pakistan-conflict-23597574

Century stands for South Africa vs New Zealand in WODIs

**Next Article: Century Stands for South Africa vs New Zealand in WODIs**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 07, 2025, 11:22 AM*

Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus led South Africa Women to a comfortable six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The match was played at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Brits scored a brilliant century, smashing 101 runs off 98 balls, while Luus remained unbeaten with 83 runs off 114 balls. The duo stitched together a match-winning second-wicket partnership of 159 runs.

Here, we decode the century stands by South African pairs against New Zealand in WODI history.

### #1 Lizelle Lee & Laura Wolvaardt – 163 runs in Auckland, 2020
Chasing a target of 260 in the 2020 Auckland encounter, South Africa got off to a flying start with openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt adding a brilliant 163 runs for the opening wicket. This remains South Africa’s highest WODI partnership against New Zealand for any wicket.

The partnership was finally broken when Lee was agonizingly dismissed for a run-a-ball 99. Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 91 off 124 balls as South Africa won by seven wickets.

### #2 Tazmin Brits & Sune Luus – 159 runs in Indore, 2025
Brits and Luus’s 159-run stand in the recent Indore game ranks second on this list. Chasing 232, South Africa lost opener and captain Laura Wolvaardt with just 26 runs on the board. Luus then joined Brits, and from there it was one-way traffic.

The New Zealand bowlers had no answers to Brits’ onslaught as she scored a fiery 101 off 98 balls. Luus remained unbeaten on 83 off 114 balls, guiding South Africa to a six-wicket victory.

### #3 Nadine de Klerk & Chloe Tryon – 124 runs in Potchefstroom, 2023
In the 2023 Potchefstroom match, chasing 236, South Africa found themselves struggling at 111/5. Nadine de Klerk joined Chloe Tryon in the middle, and together the duo put together a valiant 124-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Tryon played aggressively, smashing a sensational 71 runs off 58 balls before being dismissed. De Klerk remained unbeaten on 58 runs off 77 balls as the Proteas secured a four-wicket win.

### #4 Marizanne Kapp & Laura Wolvaardt – 116* runs in Pietermaritzburg, 2023
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp starred in South Africa’s win over New Zealand in the 2023 Pietermaritzburg WODI. Chasing 234, South Africa were at 141/3 when Kapp joined the well-set Wolvaardt.

The pair did not suffer any further casualties, recording an unbeaten 116-run partnership to take the hosts to victory. Wolvaardt impressed with a stunning 124 runs off 141 balls, while Kapp contributed a solid 45 off 49 balls.

These century stands highlight some of the most memorable batting partnerships between South Africa and New Zealand in Women’s ODIs, showcasing the strength and resilience of South African women’s cricket over the years.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/100-plus-stands-vs-sa-w-vs-nz-w-in-odis-any-wicket/story

5 Philippine biz leaders on Fortune’s list of ‘Most Powerful Women’ in Asia

MANILA, Philippines — Five women leaders in the Philippine corporate world have landed on Fortune Magazine’s list of Asia’s 100 Most Powerful Women for “leveraging regional and global volatility for business advantage.”

Among them, Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon is the top-ranking business leader from the Philippines, securing the 37th spot on the prestigious list.

Sazon is recognized for her outstanding leadership and strategic vision in steering her company through challenging times, positioning it for sustained growth and success.

https://business.inquirer.net/551151/5-philippine-biz-leaders-on-fortunes-list-of-most-powerful-women-in-asia

The ‘etrog’ wars: How the Ottoman Empire turned a sacred fruit into a global commodity

The Etrog Wars: How the Ottoman Empire Turned a Sacred Fruit into a Global Commodity

From the groves of Corfu and Cephalonia to the orchards of Tiberias and Jaffa, the saga of the etrog under Ottoman rule reveals how a fruit became entangled in struggles of faith and trade.

Etrogim on Display

The fruit’s distinctive bumpy skin and bright color made it both a ritual object and a coveted commodity across Jewish communities.

Photo Credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

By Alex Winston

https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-869505