Morning Filter: Focus back on drilling through rubble of collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel

Uttarkashi tunnel rescue, Day 11 As the first visuals of the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel emerged Tuesday, officials said the focus of the multiple-agency rescue mission remains on digging horizontally through the debris of the collapsed stretch. However, rescue workers continued to prepare for other options – including drilling from above the tunnel to reach the workers trapped inside. Israel-Hamas war, Day 47 | Netanyahu, Hamas chief hint at deal on Gaza truce The leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Tuesday that a truce agreement with Israel was close, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped for good news soon about hostages, the most optimistic signals so far of a deal to pause fighting and free captives. Hamas officials were “close to reaching a truce agreement” with Israel, and the group has delivered its response to Qatari mediators, Haniyeh said in a statement. Mr. Netanyahu, according to remarks released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, said: “We are making progress. I don’t think it’s worth saying too much, not at even this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon.” The long-awaited agreement, which would see the first truce of the war and the first mass release of those held by both sides, was in its “final stages” and “closer than it has ever been”, said a source. This was echoed by a U.S. official who said it was the “closest we have been” to a hostage deal. India to host virtual G20 summit, discuss implementation of Delhi Declaration Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a virtual summit of G20 leaders today which would give them an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Delhi Declaration adopted in September and several new challenges that have emerged since then. Himachal Assembly Speaker to inaugurate International Shri Renuka Ji Fair Thousands of devotees will gather at Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur for the six-day International Shri Renuka Ji Fair beginning today to mark what they believe to be the arrival of Lord Parshuram at her mother’s abode. South Korea’s President gets royal welcome on U.K. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was greeted by Britain’s King Charles III and a military honour guard on Tuesday at the start of a state visit aimed at strengthening trade and defense ties between the two countries. Mr. Yoon also is scheduled to address Parliament and to hold talks today with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak focused on trade, technology, and defence. A defence agreement will see the two countries’ navies work together to curb smuggling and to enforce U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea to curb its nuclear weapons ambitions. Divya finishes 7th, Esha 13th in ISSF World Cup final; Sarabjot misses top eight narrowly Shotgunners Prithviraj Tondaiman and Ganemat Sekhon will also begin their qualification rounds in the men’s trap and women’s skeet, respectively, today. [logo] The Morning Filter 22 November 2023 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Morning Filter newsletter, your guide from The Hindu on the major news stories and events to follow today. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today Uttarkashi tunnel rescue, Day 11 [ Photo: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP/ The Hindu] As the first visuals of the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel emerged Tuesday, officials said the focus of the multiple-agency rescue mission remains on digging horizontally through the debris of the collapsed stretch. However, rescue workers continued to prepare for other options – including drilling from above the tunnel to reach the workers trapped inside. Israel-Hamas war, Day 47 | Netanyahu, Hamas chief hint at deal on Gaza truce The leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Tuesday that a truce agreement with Israel was close, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped for good news soon about hostages, the most optimistic signals so far of a deal to pause fighting and free captives. Hamas officials were “close to reaching a truce agreement” with Israel, and the group has delivered its response to Qatari mediators, Haniyeh said in a statement. Mr. Netanyahu, according to remarks released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, said: “We are making progress. I don’t think it’s worth saying too much, not at even this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon.” The long-awaited agreement, which would see the first truce of the war and the first mass release of those held by both sides, was in its “final stages” and “closer than it has ever been”, said a source. This was echoed by a U.S. official who said it was the “closest we have been” to a hostage deal. India to host virtual G20 summit, discuss implementation of Delhi Declaration Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a virtual summit of G20 leaders today which would give them an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Delhi Declaration adopted in September and several new challenges that have emerged since then. Himachal Assembly Speaker to inaugurate International Shri Renuka Ji Fair Thousands of devotees will gather at Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur for the six-day International Shri Renuka Ji Fair beginning today to mark what they believe to be the arrival of Lord Parshuram at her mother’s abode. South Korea’s President gets royal welcome on U.K. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was greeted by Britain’s King Charles III and a military honour guard on Tuesday at the start of a state visit aimed at strengthening trade and defense ties between the two countries. Mr. Yoon also is scheduled to address Parliament and to hold talks today with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak focused on trade, technology, and defence. A defence agreement will see the two countries’ navies work together to curb smuggling and to enforce U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea to curb its nuclear weapons ambitions. Divya finishes 7th, Esha 13th in ISSF World Cup final; Sarabjot misses top eight narrowly Shotgunners Prithviraj Tondaiman and Ganemat Sekhon will also begin their qualification rounds in the men’s trap and women’s skeet, respectively, today. 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