Daily News Brief

*) Israeli aggression in Gaza signals failure of army — Hamas The Palestinian group Hamas said that the madness directed against Palestinian civilians in Gaza reflects the failure of the Israeli army. Hamas leader Izzat al Rishq said in a statement, "The Nazism of the occupation army was revealed in some images at Al Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, where the worst massacre against the health sector in the world was committed'' and that "the Zionist madness against civilians signals the complete failure of the occupation army in front of the resistance and is a reflection of Zionist terror from larger developments.’' *) Türkiye-Iraq relations to shift positively after upcoming visit: Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasised that relations between Türkiye and Iraq will be grounded on a different basis ahead of his upcoming visit to Baghdad. Erdogan said "The Iraqi side attaches great importance to this visit," further highlighting the significance of enhancing relations with Iraq during the briefing held with press members in Ankara. The Turkish president underscored the water issue as a key agenda item, noting that Iraq has raised concerns and requests regarding water resources. *) Outrage as US university cancels Muslim valedictorian's commencement speech A top US university has cancelled its plans for a graduation speech by a meritorious Muslim student after pro-Israel groups criticised her selection and the varsity reportedly received threats by email, phone and letter. The decision announced by the University of Southern California is the latest controversy to roil American higher education since Israel's war on Gaza began in October last year. Asna Tabassum, who has been attacked online for being "anti-Zionist", had been selected as class valedictorian — an honorary role whose holder traditionally gives a speech in front of up to 65,000 people. *) Dubai airport diverts flights amid widespread flooding in UAE, Oman Dubai's major international airport diverted scores of incoming flights as heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding around the desert country. The world's busiest air hub for international passengers confirmed a halt to arrivals before announcing a "gradual resumption". And finally… *) X blocks India election posts after takedown orders Social media platform X blocked several posts in India containing political speech after authorities ordered their takedown ahead of the general election that starts Friday. X, formerly known as Twitter, said the posts would be withheld from Indian audiences until the election was over despite its disagreement with the order. The posts by elected politicians, political parties and candidates made unverified claims about the private lives of their opponents, which India's election commission said violated its code of conduct.

*) Mass grave found at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza Al Jazeera Arabic has reported that a mass grave at Al Shifa Hospital was discovered by the Palestinian Health Ministry and Civil Defence Forces in Gaza. The extracted bodies had not fully decomposed, suggesting that the 'executions' took place recently, possibly during Israel’s two-week military invasion. The Gaza Emergency Operations Centre Director Motasem Salah said the World Health Organization and OCHA are trying "to identify the decomposed bodies and the body parts that were crushed" from their wallets and documents. *) Israeli war cabinet divided over response to Iran attack Following Iran's retaliatory strike against Israel on Saturday, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that “There is consensus on the necessity of responding to the Iranian attack, but disagreements revolve around the scale and timing of the response.” The broadcaster noted that some in the war cabinet advocate for an immediate 'eye for an eye' approach, while others emphasise the importance of strategic planning for a robust response. *) What unfolded on Day 1 of Donald Trump's historic hush money trial Donald Trump has entered history as the first American president to stand trial on criminal charges. The Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming elections faces charges of falsifying business records to conceal "hush money" payments at the height of the 2016 presidential election. Trump is expected to be in court 4 days a week during the trial, which could last 6 to 8 weeks, including presentations by the parties and witness hearings. *) Crimes against Muslims in Germany have more than doubled in 2023 The German Press Agency DPA reported that the number of crimes against Muslims in Germany has more than doubled last year. According to the DPA, almost 1,500 Islamophobic crimes took place across Germany in 2023, compared to 610 hate crime incidents in 2022. The dramatic surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes could be linked to the Israeli war on Gaza, according to the report. *) Türkiye's tourism booms as millions of visitors flocking in early 2024 Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that over 4.3 million tourists visited the country in the first two months of 2024. According to entry/exit statistics, the number of foreign visitors to Türkiye in the first two months increased by 12 percent compared to the same period last year. Most foreign visitors came to Türkiye from Iran, Bulgaria, and Russia.

*) US rules out joining any Israeli attack against Iran The United States has said it will not join any Israeli attack on Iran, with US President Joe Biden warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "think carefully" about any escalation. The White House said Biden did not want a wider war after helping key ally Israel repel an aerial attack by Tehran — itself in retaliation for a presumed Israeli strike that killed an Iranian general in Damascus. *) Israeli war cabinet divided over response to Iran attack Disagreements have arisen among members of Israel’s war cabinet over the scale and timing of an attack on Iran. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that while there is consensus on the necessity of responding to the Iranian attack, the Israeli war cabinet differs on whether to strike Iran at a larger scale or to keep the attack confined to a small area. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the response to the Iranian attack “was canceled at the last minute” after a phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden. *) Russia aims to capture Chasiv Yar by May 9 Ukraine's top commander has said Russian forces aimed to capture the town of Chasiv Yar by May 9, setting the stage for an important battle for control of high ground in the east where Russia is focusing its assaults. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, who warned this weekend that the situation in the east had deteriorated, said Russia was focusing its efforts west of Bakhmut to try to capture Chasiv Yar before moving towards the city of Kramatorsk. Kiev's brigades were holding back the assaults in the Donetsk region for now and had been reinforced with ammunition, drones and electronic warfare devices, he said in a statement on the Telegram messenger. General Oleksandr Syrskiy said "the threat remains relevant, taking into account the fact that the higher Russian military leadership has set its troops the task of capturing Chasiv Yar by May 9". *) Britain’s 1st migrant deportation flights to Rwanda to take off 'within weeks' Britain’s health secretary said that the first flights carrying migrants to Rwanda will take off "within weeks" while not disclosing whether the government had found a carrier. Victoria Atkins said they want flights carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda from Britain to take off "as quickly as possible." Asked whether the government has found an airline to carry out the flights amid reports that Rwanda's airline would not do so, she replied: "The Home Office is working on this and is ready to go." *) Türkiye's Fenerbahce win back-to-back EuroLeague Women titles in basketball Turkish basketball club Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding defended their FIBA EuroLeague Women crown with a 106-73 win against French opponent Villeneuve d'Ascq LM on Sunday. US small forward Napheesa Collier scored 33 points for Fenerbahce’s women's team to be the highest scorer of the 2024 final held in Mersin, Türkiye. Collier, Emma Meesseman and Kayla McBride combined for 72 points for the Istanbul giants as Fenerbahce became the first Turkish club to win the EuroLeague Women title twice.

US curbs diplomats' movements in Israel over Iran ultimatum The United States has issued a security alert to its diplomats in Israel, asking them to cut down their daily outdoor activities. The American embassy in Jerusalem cited concerns of Iranian retaliation over an Israeli strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus earlier in April that left seven Iranian military officials dead. An embassy notice said, "Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel" outside the Tel Aviv, West Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice. No Security Council 'consensus' on Palestinian UN membership: presidency Members of the UN Security Council failed to reach a consensus on a bid by Palestinians for full UN membership. Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who holds the council's rotating presidency for April, confirmed that the deadlock continued during a closed-door meeting. Israelis protest against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv Protesters have again taken to the streets in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of dozens of captives held in Gaza. Demonstrators carried large photos of captives as well as signs with slogans, some in English and some in Hebrew. US House speaker negotiating Ukraine aid with White House House Speaker Mike Johnson is negotiating with the White House as he prepares for the treacherous task of advancing wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel through the House, a top House Republican said. House Republican Leader Steve Scalise told reporters that Johnson had been talking with White House officials about a package that would deviate from the Senate's $95 billion foreign security package and include several Republican demands. Japan calls for law-abiding fix to handling of frozen Russian assets Japan's finance minister Shunichi Suzuki said that any handling of frozen Russian assets must abide by international law. He added that the topic will likely be discussed at next week's meeting of his counterparts from G7 advanced economies. The EU and the Group of Seven nations (G7) froze some 300 billion euros of Russian central bank assets following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The EU and G7 have been debating if and how these funds can be used for over a year. China, Türkiye must dissuade Iran from retaliating against Israel — Blinken US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged his Turkish, Chinese and other counterparts to use their influence to dissuade Iran from striking Israel, the State Department said. Blinken spoke by telephone over the past day to his Chinese, Turkish, Saudi and European counterparts "to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Thursday. CNN report on Gaza 'Flour Massacre' reveals Israeli disinformation drive A CNN investigation has unveiled significant discrepancies in the Israeli military's account of a devastating incident on February 29 in Gaza, now widely referred to as the "Flour Massacre." The CNN report, substantiated by eyewitness testimonies and video evidence, raises serious questions about the transparency of Netanyahu's extremist government, casting doubt on their official narrative. US will defend Philippines from any attack in South China Sea — Biden US President Joe Biden has pledged to defend the Philippines from any attack in the South China Sea, as he hosted the first joint summit with Tokyo and Manila amid growing tensions with Beijing. "The United States' defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad," Biden said as he met Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.

*) Israel will invade Rafah and return to Khan Younis — minister Israel's war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has claimed without proof that Palestinian resistance group Hamas has been defeated militarily and the Israeli army will invade Rafah and reoccupy Khan Younis, a local media outlet reported. *) EU lawmakers approve major revamp of pact on migration and asylum European Union lawmakers have approved a major revamp of the bloc’s migration laws on how to manage the entry of thousands of people without authorisation. The members of the European Parliament voted on Wednesday on the "Pact on Migration and Asylum", regulations and policies meant to help address the issue of who should take responsibility for migrants and asylum seekers when they arrive. The proceedings were briefly interrupted by a group of demonstrators in the public gallery who wore shirts marked “this pact kills” and said “vote no!” The 27 EU member countries must now endorse the reform package, possibly in a vote in late April before it can enter force. *) South Korea's PM, top officials offer resignations over election defeat South Korea's prime minister and senior presidential officials have offered to resign en masse, media reports said, after their conservative ruling party suffered a crushing defeat in parliamentary elections. The results of Wednesday's election posed a huge political blow to President Yoon Suk-yeol, setting back his domestic agenda and leaving him facing an intensifying political offensive by his liberal opponents during his remaining three years in office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and top advisers to Yoon submitted their resignations on Thursday, South Korean media, including Yonhap news agency, reported. Yoon's office didn't immediately officially confirm the reports. In a separate news conference, ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon said he would step down as well to take responsibility for the election defeat. With most of the votes counted, the main opposition Democratic Party and its satellite party appear to have won a combined 175 seats in the 300-member National Assembly. Another small liberal opposition party was expected to win 12 seats under a proportional representation system, according to South Korean media tallies. Yoon's ruling People Power Party and its satellite party were projected to have obtained 109 seats. The final official results were expected later Thursday. *) Trump takes another dig at Jewish voters who back Biden Donald Trump has lashed out at Jewish voters who back President Joe Biden and framed this year's election as a referendum on the strength of Christianity in the US, part of his sharp-edged continuing appeal to evangelical conservatives who are a critical element of his political base. Speaking in Atlanta ahead of a fundraiser, the presumptive Republican nominee on Wednesday renewed his running criticism of Biden's reaction to Israel's brutal war on besieged Gaza. "Biden has totally lost control of the Israel situation," said Trump, whose rise in 2016 depended heavily on white Christian conservatives. "Any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined.” And finally… *) We have two years to save the planet: UN climate chief Governments, business leaders and development banks have two years to take action to avert a far worse climate crisis, the UN's climate chief has said in a speech that warned global warming is slipping down politicians' agendas. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change said on Wednesday that the next two years are "essential in saving our planet". "We still have a chance to make greenhouse gas emissions tumble, with a new generation of national climate plans. But we need these stronger plans, now," he said.

*) Israel blocks food three times more than other aid in Palestine's Gaza: UN Israel has been blocking far more convoys carrying food aid within Gaza, where famine is looming, than convoys carrying other kinds of aid, the UN said. On Tuesday, a spokesman for the United Nations' humanitarian agency pointed to statistics from March showing that it was much more difficult to get clearance for delivering food than other aid in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe six months into the start of Israeli bombardment. *) Australia considers recognising independent Palestinian state Australia has become the latest country to advocate formal recognition of a Palestinian state. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday that recognising a state of Palestine could restart the moribund Middle East peace process and undermine extremist forces in the Middle East. "Recognising a Palestinian state — one that can only exist side by side with a secure Israel — doesn't just offer the Palestinian people an opportunity to realise their aspirations", she told an audience in Canberra. "It also strengthens the forces for peace and undermines extremism. It undermines Hamas, Iran and Iran's other destructive proxies in the region." *) Palestine hails Turkish export restrictions on Israel amid Gaza onslaught Israel threatened to hit back at Türkiye over its decision to restrict exports of certain goods, saying they will “appeal to pro-Israel countries and organisations in the US to stop investments in Türkiye and prevent the import of products from Türkiye.” Israel will "contact countries and organisations in the US to stop investments in Türkiye and to prevent the import of products from Türkiye, and to our friends in the American Congress to examine a violation of the boycott laws and impose sanctions on Türkiye accordingly,” Israel Katz, Tel Aviv’s foreign minister, said on X on Tuesday. A statement by Katz’s office said he ordered the Foreign Ministry’s economic office to “draw up an extensive list of products that Israel will prevent Türkiye from exporting to Israel.” “Türkiye unilaterally violates the trade agreements with Israel, and Israel will take all necessary measures against it,” the statement said. *) Europe's top court condemns Switzerland in landmark climate ruling Europe's top rights court has said Switzerland was not doing enough to tackle the climate crisis in a historic decision that could force governments to adopt more ambitious climate policies. Hopes had been high for a legal turning point ahead of the rulings in the three cases, treated as a priority by the 17 judges of the court's Grand Chamber. The Swiss association of Elders for Climate Protection — 2,500 women aged 73 on average — had complained about the "failings of the Swiss authorities" in terms of climate protection that could "seriously harm" their health. The court ordered the Swiss state to pay the association almost $87,000 within three months. And finally… *) Nobel prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs dies at 94 Nobel prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, who proposed the existence of the so-called "God particle" that helped explain how matter formed after the Big Bang, has died at age 94, the University of Edinburgh said. The university, where Higgs was an emeritus professor, said he died on Monday following a short illness. Higgs' work helps scientists understand one of the most fundamental riddles of the universe: how the Big Bang created something out of nothing 13.8 billion years ago. Higgs won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work, alongside Francois Englert of Belgium, who independently came up with the same theory.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Tuesday April 9th. *) 'Pathetic': Nicaragua drags Germany to ICJ over Gaza aid, weapons to Israel Nicaragua has hauled Germany before the International Court of Justice to demand judges impose emergency measures to stop Berlin from providing Israel with weapons and other assistance. Lawyers for Nicaragua on Monday argued Germany was in breach of the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, set up in the wake of the Holocaust, by furnishing Israel with weapons. In 2023 some 30 percent of Israel's military equipment purchases came from Germany, totalling $326 million - a tenfold increase on 2022. Germany will respond fully in court on Tuesday but has hit back at the allegations. *) UNSC revives Palestine's bid for full UN membership The United Nations Security Council has said it would decide this month on Palestine's bid for full UN membership. As the Gaza war rages on into its seventh month, the council's decision on Monday was described as "historic" by Palestine, but angrily denounced by Israel. Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who holds the rotating presidency of the council, said that "the council has decided that this deliberation has to take place during the month of April." Any request to become a UN member state must first pass through the Security Council — where Israel's ally the United States wields a veto — and then be endorsed by the General Assembly. *) EU eyes offshoring refugees but avoids UK-style Rwanda plan The European Union is open to the idea of sending refugees and migrants to outside countries, even if it is not willing to go quite as far as following Britain and its plans to fly refugees to Rwanda. The concept of using third countries to host asylum-seekers who have reached Europe is seen in a deal Italy has recently struck with non-EU nation Albania. It is also foreshadowed in reform of EU migration and asylum laws that the European Parliament puts to a vote on Wednesday, and which contains a provision for sending asylum-seekers to a "safe" third country. *) Türkiye-Israel trade volume drops amid Gaza invasion — report Türkiye has restricted the export of certain products to Israel until it implements a ceasefire and allows “sufficient and uninterrupted flow" of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Turkish Trade Ministry said. The requirements of this decision will be immediately implemented. The annex listed several types of aluminium and steel products, paint, electric cables, construction materials, and other materials. The ministry also said that the decision will remain in effect until Israel, within the framework of its obligations arising from international law, declares an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allows a sufficient and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, adding that Türkiye “has not allowed the sale of any product or service that can be used for military purposes to Israel” since a long time. And finally… *) 'Spectacular' total eclipse leaves North Americans spellbound People across North America — from a Mexican seashore to breathtaking Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border — have followed the solar eclipse and cheered the celestial show and, in Arkansas, were getting married en masse. Where clear skies prevailed, observers along the direct path of the eclipse were treated to the rare spectacle of the Moon appearing as a dark orb creeping in front of the Sun, briefly blocking out all but a brilliant halo of light, or corona, around the Sun's outer edge on Monday. It was North America's first total eclipse since 2017. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, April 8th. *) ICJ to hear against Germany for ‘facilitating’ Israel’s genocide in Gaza Germany faces charges from Nicaragua at the top UN court that it is “facilitating” acts of genocide and breaches of international law in Israel’s war on Gaza. In a 43-page submission to the International Court of Justice, Nicaragua argues that Germany is in breach of the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, set up in the wake of the Holocaust. Nicaragua is demanding the judges impose emergency measures to stop Berlin providing Israel with weapons and other assistance. The Central American country will set out its case on Monday, with Germany due to respond the following day. *) Hamas ‘determined’ in Gaza truce, hostage swap deal with Israel Palestinian resistance group Hamas has reiterated its commitment to securing a deal that brings a cessation of hostilities. A delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo and met with Abbas Kamel, head of the General Intelligence Directorate of Egypt, the movement said in a statement. The statement emphasised Hamas’ demands for an agreement that ensures the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the repatriation of hostages. In addition, Egyptian media noted that truce discussions would extend for the next 48 hours. *) Diplomatic staff leaves Ecuador after embassy raid — Mexico Mexico’s diplomatic personnel have begun leaving Ecuador after the two countries severed ties. On Friday, Quito’s security forces stormed the Mexican embassy in a bid to arrest former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas, who was sheltering at the embassy. A day after the raid, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said that diplomatic personnel and their families would leave Ecuador. *) Ferry sinks, 90 people killed off Mozambique coast More than 90 people have died when an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, local authorities say. According to the officials, the converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province. Many children were among the victims, he added. Rescuers had found five survivors and were searching for more, but sea conditions were making the operation difficult. And finally… *) Green onion outcry: humble vegetable scandal shakes up South Korea vote Used widely in South Korean cooking, green onions are dominating discussions ahead of the April 10 vote after an apparent gaff by the president sparked online outcry. President Yoon Suk Yeol visited a grocery store in the capital Seoul and said green onions were at a “reasonable price”. But local media reported that the store he visited had specially discounted the vegetable ahead of the president’s visit. His comments sparked an avalanche of online memes, with the opposition claiming the politician was out of touch and people brandishing green onions at campaign rallies. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, April 5th *) Israel promises to open Gaza aid routes after US arm-twisting Israel has said it will allow ‘temporary’ aid deliveries across its fence with northern Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office announced after a tense warning phone call from US President Joe Biden. The announcement coincides with increased international scrutiny of Israel after it accepted responsibility for a strike that killed seven employees of the US-based charity World Central Kitchen. The statement from the prime minister’s office outlined that Israel will allow the temporary delivery of humanitarian aid through Asdood Port and Erez crossing, known as Beit Hanoun to Palestinians. *) Israel ramps up defence, fearing Iran’s retaliation The Israeli military is bolstering its defences following a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that reportedly killed 16 people, including seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members has led to threats of retaliation. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed the measures, which include suspending leave for combat units, blocking GPS signals in certain areas, and increasing manpower. *) Russia says destroyed over 40 airborne targets in Rostov-on-don The governor of Russia’s Rostov-on-Don region has said air defence units destroyed more than 40 aerial targets, although an electricity substation was damaged. Writing on the Telegram messaging app, Vasily Golubev said the drone strikes had focused on the Morozovsk district, north-east of Rostov-on-Don, which lies on Ukraine’s eastern border. *) Madagascar seeks removal of EU envoy who criticised law for child rapists Madagascar has demanded that the EU replace its ambassador to the island nation after she criticised a new law passed in February that allows child rapists to be chemically and surgically castrated. The request came after the EU’s ambassador, Isabelle Delattre Burger, denounced the law contrary to international norms and Madagascar’s constitution. The EU is evaluating the demand in consultation with the Malagasy government, with the regular rotation of ambassadors due in September. And finally… *) Missing dog found 2,000 miles from California home A dog that went missing in California has been found more than 3,000 kilometres away in suburban Detroit, leading to a dramatic reunion with her owners. Police picked up Mishka, a terrier mix who went missing last July, and took her to a shelter after a resident reported a stray dog near Harper Woods in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Staff at the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society found that she had a microchip that identified her owners live 3,771 kilometres away in San Diego — making it unclear how she had travelled so far. After being alerted, her owner Mehrad Houman and his family will fly back to California Mishka after being examined by a veterinarian. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

*) Palestine reignites its quest for full UN seat amid Israel's war Palestine has revived its bid for full UN membership, according to a letter from its UN envoy Riyad Mansour to the UN secretary-general. The application, submitted to the Security Council, seeks a new review in April 2024 and the move underscores Palestine's long-standing push for global recognition of its statehood. Observers note the challenges ahead, as Israel's ally the US, which holds veto power on the Security Council, could derail the recommendation. Nevertheless, Palestine's bid has been backed by various organisations, including the League of Arab States and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, underlining international support for Palestinian aspirations. *) Türkiye condemns Israeli attack on Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus Türkiye has strongly condemned Israel's attack on an Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus, describing it as a violation of international law and urged all parties to exercise restraint and adhere to international law. At least 11 people were killed in Monday's attack, including two Iranian Revolutionary Guard generals and several military advisers. This incident comes amidst Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza, raising fears of further escalation and the potential for a broader regional conflict. *) NATO mulls $107B 'Trump-proof' military fund for Ukraine NATO foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the establishment of long-term military assistance to Ukraine, including a proposed $107 billion fund. The initiative, proposed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, aims to give NATO a more direct role in coordinating arms deliveries to Ukraine, potentially replacing the US-led Ramstein Group. The move is seen as a measure to ensure continued assistance to Ukraine and guard against potential aid disruptions, especially if Donald Trump returns to the White House, diplomats said. *) Faye sworn in as Senegal's youngest president Senegal has sworn in Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Africa's youngest elected president at the age of 44, who previously worked as a tax inspector. Following his inauguration, Ousmane Sonko, a popular opposition figure central to Faye's victory, was appointed the country's new prime minister. Faye pledged to build a sovereign, just and prosperous Senegal, noting the need for systemic change. *) 'Strongest earthquake in 25 years' shakes Taiwan, causing tsunami A 7.5 magnitude earthquake kills at least four people in Taiwan during the morning rush hour, making it the strongest in 25 years and causing widespread damage. With its epicentre near Taroko National Park, the victims included three hikers killed by rockslides. Buildings across the island suffer damage, with schools evacuating students to sports fields equipped with safety gear. Train and subway services are suspended, and traffic halts along the East Coast due to landslides and falling debris, causing damage to vehicles and infrastructure.

*) Biden admin mulls whopping $18B arms package for Israel: report The Biden administration is currently considering an $18 billion arms package for Israel, including the sale of F-15 aircraft and ammunition, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The sale of 25 F-15s to Israel has been under consideration since the US received the formal request in January 2023. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant recently stressed the importance of maintaining Israel’s military edge, including its air capabilities, in talks with senior US officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. *) Israel targets Gaza aid group, killing multiple foreign staffers Five people, including four foreigners, working for an aid organisation were killed in an Israeli air strike on their vehicle in the central Gaza town of Deir al Balah, according to local officials. The victims, including nationals from the UK, Poland and Australia, were part of a team from World Central Kitchen, a US-based aid organisation founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The workers’ vehicle was hit by an Israeli missile shortly after delivering aid from a ship in northern Gaza, according to eyewitnesses and Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic Mahmoud Thabet. *) Palestine seeks vote on full UN membership at Security Council The Palestinian Authority intends to seek full membership of the United Nations this month, according to Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN envoy. Mansour revealed Palestinian plans for Israel’s brutal war on besieged Gaza and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The aim is to put the issue to a vote at a ministerial meeting on April 18, although no specific date has yet been set for the vote. The Palestinian application for full membership, submitted in 2011, remains pending as the Security Council has yet to take a formal decision on it. *) Russia and Ukraine trade drone claims over Black Sea Russia and Ukraine have reported shooting down each other’s drones over the Black Sea, indicating an escalation in their ongoing conflict and a growing focus on unmanned aerial vehicles. Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram that its air defence units had intercepted six Ukrainian drones attempting a “terrorist attack.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian air force spokesman Illya Yevlash announced on national television the downing of a Russian ‘Forpost’ drone, describing it as sophisticated and expensive. *) Google to delete billions of files containing Chrome-linked personal data Google has reached a settlement after a lawsuit alleged it tracked millions of US users in incognito mode, agreeing to delete a vast amount of search data if approved by a judge. The proposed settlement, filed in San Francisco federal court, mandates Google to “delete and/or remediate billions of data records” associated with users utilising Chrome browser’s incognito mode. The settlement, which excludes monetary damages and allows users to sue Google individually for damages, will be reviewed by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on July 30.

*) US, Israel to discuss Rafah invasion in virtual meeting: report The US and Israel will hold a virtual meeting to discuss alternative proposals from the Biden administration regarding a possible Israeli military invasion of Rafah, where more than 1.5 million Palestinians are taking refuge, Israeli and US officials confirmed to Axios. The meeting, originally scheduled for last week, was cancelled by Netanyahu in protest at a perceived lack of US involvement as tensions escalated after the US refrained from vetoing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. *) Israeli forces admit most Gaza killings are civilians The Israeli newspaper Haaretz collected testimony from Israeli officers and soldiers involved in the Gaza war who reportedly admitted that the majority of individuals classified by the army as “terrorists” were actually civilians. The Israeli army claimed that 9,000 terrorists were killed during the Gaza war. However, the officers and soldiers in the report testify to Haaretz that those killed were civilians, their only crime being crossing an invisible line drawn by the Israeli army. Another soldier also stated that they were explicitly instructed to shoot to kill any suspect who ran into a building, even if it resulted in serious civilian casualties. *) Azerbaijan warns Armenia against military ‘provocation’ along border Azerbaijan has warned Armenia against any military build-up on the border, saying any provocation would be dealt with firmly. In a statement on Sunday, Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry said intensive movements and military build-ups by the Armenian army had been observed recently. The ministry also added that there has been a further activation of revanchist forces threatening Azerbaijan with war and a concentration of manpower, armoured vehicles, and artillery installations in different directions of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border. *) Rockets target Libyan PM’s residence, no casualties reported The residence of Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah was targeted with rocket-propelled grenades in an attack that caused no casualties, a Libyan minister told the press. The minister, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the attack had caused some damage. The minister did not give further details. *) Erdogan declares local elections ‘turning point’ for Türkiye Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the results of the local elections marked a “turning point” for his Justice and Development Party. Regarding the outcome of the local elections, Erdogan vowed to “respect the decision of the nation.” Speaking from the party’s headquarters in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said his party had failed to achieve the expected results in Sunday’s local elections and that the party “would evaluate the results of the local elections with an open heart within the party and will engage in self-criticism.”

*) Israel must ensure urgent aid, food gets into Gaza without delay: ICJ The world's top court has ordered Israel to "ensure urgent humanitarian assistance" in Gaza without delay, saying "famine has set in". It also said, "Israel shall take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay the unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance," in Gaza And that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but famine is setting in". *) Israeli strikes in Syria's Aleppo kill 33 people — report Israel's air strikes on the Syrian countryside near Aleppo have killed and wounded at least 33 civilians and regime soldiers, according to several media reports and officials. Syrian regime news agency SANA said that "at approximately 1:45 am, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of Athriya, southeast of Aleppo", adding that "civilians and military personnel" had been killed and wounded in the strike on Friday. However, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the casualties consisted of military personnel, and the attack killed at least "36 Syrian soldiers" and targeted an area "near rockets depots belonging to Lebanese group Hezbollah". *) 'Evidence' links Ukraine to Moscow massacre — Russia Russia said it had evidence that the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside Moscow were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", a claim the United States called "nonsense". Despite a Daesh affiliate claiming responsibility, President Vladimir Putin and his security services continue to claim that Kiev and the West were somehow involved in the attack, which killed at least 143 people. The Russian Investigative Committee has also said they found evidence linking the detained terrorists with Ukrainian nationalists through analysis of seized technical devices and financial transactions. *) US seeks to stop exports to 600+ defence firms with Russia ties A US Commerce Department official said that they are asking American companies to voluntarily stop shipping goods to more than 600 foreign parties out of concern that the items could be diverted to Russia for use in its attack on Ukraine. He said that the Commerce Department had sent letters to at least 20 companies in recent weeks with the warning in its latest effort to stop Russia's war in Ukraine. The companies in question make and sell products found in missiles and drones found in Ukraine. *) China's Xiaomi to enter highly competitive EV market for first time Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is set to unveil its first EV at a press conference in Beijing, entering a fiercely competitive sector in the world's biggest car market. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said the SU7 EV will "stake its reputation" to challenge Chinese car giant BYD and Elon Musk's Tesla. Lei said the SU7, available in blue bay, olive green, or elegant grey, even includes "sound simulation" to recreate the thrill of driving a sports car.

*) Prepping for Rafah invasion, Israel orders 40,000 tents from China Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the purchase of 40,000 tents from China to be set up in besieged Gaza, Israeli media reported, in preparation for a ground invasion of Rafah. It comes as Netanyahu downplayed global fears of a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel launches a planned ground invasion into Gaza’s southernmost city, where more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians have taken refuge. Speaking to a US Congressional delegation visiting Israel, Netanyahu said people sheltering in Rafah will be able to move away from the fighting. *) Biden team official flags plausible genocide in Gaza, resigns in protest A US State Department official has resigned in protest of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza. Annelle Sheline, who worked as a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, accused Washington of “directly enabling” a plausible genocide in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Sheline wrote in an article for CNN that she was “unable to serve an administration that enables such atrocities,” and resigned. *) F-16s won’t change anything in Ukraine battlefield: Putin Russian news agencies quoted President Vladimir Putin as telling military pilots that if Western countries supply Ukraine with F-16 fighters, the aircraft will not alter the situation on the battlefield. Putin said the fighters can carry nuclear weapons and Moscow would have to take account of that in its military planning. Putin’s remarks followed comments by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that the F-16 aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the coming months. *) Colombia kicks out Argentine diplomats after Milei calls Petro ‘terrorist’ Colombia has ordered the expulsion of Argentine diplomats from their embassy in the Andean nation, Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said. It cited “denigrating” comments by Argentine President Javier Milei about Colombian President Gustavo Petro. In a recent interview with news channel CNN, which has not yet been aired in full, Milei called Petro a “terrorist”, “murderer” and “communist”. *) Vinicius Junior breaks down as he laments racism in Spanish football Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior broke down in tears at a news conference as he spoke about the racism he suffered in Spain. The 23-year-old forward said, “Playing football is important, but the fight against racism is very important.” Vinicius said that racism is a global problem and noted that football’s governing bodies could all “do more things.”

*) Isolated, US & Israel see UN states back report on Israeli genocide in Gaza The UN expert who concluded Israel was committing acts of genocide in besieged Gaza has received broad support at the United Nations, with countries speaking up to back her and her report. Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, told the UN Human Rights Council that countries should impose an arms embargo and sanctions on Israel. Albanese said Israel was characterising the entire Palestinian population in besieged Gaza as “targetable, killable and destroyable” and had ostentatiously laid bare its “genocidal intent” to “rid Palestine of Palestinians.” *) ‘He swam to get food for his children’: 12 drown as US drops aid off Gaza Palestinian resistance group Hamas has demanded a halt to aid airdrops after 18 people drowned while attempting to reach the dropped supplies. The group said Israel must lift its brutal siege and allow aid into Gaza via land crossings. Six people were killed in stampedes and 12 others drowned off the territory’s Mediterranean coast trying to salvage aid packages. *) Russia claims downing 18 airborne targets in Belgorod Russia has claimed that its air defence units downed 18 airborne targets over the southern region of Belgorod bordering Ukraine, the regional governor said. Writing on the Telegram messaging app, the governor of the Belgorod region said one person was injured and there was damage to private homes and cars. Ukraine has been staging air attacks for months on Belgorod and two nearby regions, Kursk and Voronezh. *) India court bans Muslim religious schools in UP state ahead of election A court in India has effectively banned Muslim religious schools in the country’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. The ruling last week scraps a 2004 law governing Muslim religious schools in Uttar Pradesh, saying it violates India’s constitutional secularism and ordering that students be moved to conventional schools. The Allahabad High Court order affects 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers in 25,000 religious schools across the state. *) Türkiye stands firm against false claims of defence ties with Israel Türkiye has rejected allegations of cooperation with Israel, particularly defence-based cooperation, saying the country will not do anything that will harm Palestinians and their cause. The country’s defence ministry said, “It is not possible for the Republic of Türkiye, which has always supported Palestine, to carry out or engage in any activity that would harm Palestinians.” The statement came after false claims by some media outlets that Türkiye continues to export gunpowder, weapons and ammunition to Israel.

*) UNSC finally demands Gaza ceasefire in Ramadan after US abstains vote The UN Security Council for the first time in 5 months since the Israeli war on Gaza started has demanded an immediate ceasefire after the United States, Tel Aviv’s ally which vetoed previous drafts, abstained. All 14 other members voted in favour of the resolution, which “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It also demanded the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs.” *) Blinken tells Gallant alternatives exist to Rafah invasion US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stressed that “alternatives exist to a ground invasion of Rafah” in a meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Speaking about Rafah, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller earlier highlighted that a “full-scale invasion would be a mistake and that Israel has not presented a coherent evacuation plan for Rafah.” But on top of that, Miller said, “This type of invasion would weaken Israel’s security and would make Israel less safe, not more safe. It would undermine its standing in the world.” *) Pakistan foils BLA terror attack on naval air station in Balochistan Pakistani security forces have foiled a late-night attack on a naval air station in southwestern Balochistan, according to officials. Four to six heavily armed militants tried to enter PNS Siddiq in Turbat district last night. However, security forces “neutralised all the attackers” and no loss to any “sensitive equipment or casualties of our own troops” has so far been reported, a senior military official told Anadolu Agency. There was no official statement from the military. *) Haiti delegates squabble over choosing leader as gang violence escalates Efforts to form a transitional government and fill a power vacuum in violence-torn Haiti have failed as delegates bickered over the choice of a leader and death threats prompted one member to quit over the weekend. After Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned, the body, supported by the United Nations and regional bloc CARICOM, among others, is still struggling to come into shape two weeks after Henry’s March 11 announcement. Meetings were held over the weekend and on Monday, with a virtual summit between the delegates and CARICOM scheduled, the members of the Council are expected to try to elect a leader. *) EU launches probe of Apple, Google, Meta compliance with new digital law The EU has hit Apple, Google parent Alphabet and Meta with the first-ever probes under a mammoth digital law, which could lead to big fines against the US giants. Among six firms named as market “gatekeepers” under the EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act — along with Amazon, TikTok owner ByteDance and Microsoft — the companies have been obliged to comply with the new law since March 7. Under the new rules, the commission can impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s total global turnover. This can rise to up to 20 percent for repeat offenders. In extreme circumstances, the EU can order the break up of companies.

*) UN agency for Palestinians barred from North Gaza aid deliveries The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees says that Israel had definitively barred it from making aid deliveries in northern Gaza, where the threat of famine is highest. The head of the agency Philippe Lazzarini said on X that “despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys to the north.” He called the decision “outrageous,” saying the decision makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a “man-made famine.” *) Israeli war to only end with Jews settling in northern Gaza: Knesset member The head of the Knesset’s National Security Committee Zvika Fogel has said “the Israeli war on Gaza will end with Jews settling in northern Gaza,” while speaking to Israeli public broadcaster KAN. He added that “Israel must end the war when Jews settle in the entire northern Gaza Strip.” Fogel called for encouraging the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians from Gaza saying, whoever wants to “voluntarily migrate” will receive a “grant” from him. *) Four suspects remanded in custody over Moscow concert attack Four men accused of involvement in the massacre at a Moscow concert hall that killed 137 people have been remanded in custody, as Russia observed a national day of mourning following the attack claimed by the Daesh terror group. President Vladimir Putin has vowed to punish those behind the “barbaric terrorist attack,” and said the four gunmen had been arrested while trying to flee to Ukraine. Kiev has strongly denied any connection to the attack. All four suspects have been charged with terrorism, according to Moscow’s Basmanny district court, and face life imprisonment. *) Senegal anti-establishment candidate leads in presidential poll Senegal’s anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye appeared to be closing in on a first-round victory in a presidential poll. Opposition figure Faye had promised voters “a profound change” and a presidential programme of left-wing pan-Africanism. Faye was well ahead of former ruling coalition Prime Minister Amadou Ba, according to preliminary results from individual polling stations published by local media and on social networks. *) Pro-Palestine protesters stage event at New York Metropolitan Art Museum Protesters covered the steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art with a large patchwork blanket displaying messages of solidarity with Palestine to draw attention to Israel’s war on Gaza. Many demonstrators gathered on the steps of the museum, also known as The Met as they chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “How many children did Israel kill today?” They also distributed brochures that highlighted the museum’s silence over Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinians and its support for its war in Gaza, advocating for a world where justice prevails.

*) Blinken to press Israel for 'immediate' truce in Gaza war US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Israel to press for a truce in Gaza, ahead of a key UN Security Council vote on a US draft resolution calling for an "immediate" ceasefire. Israel's main backer the United States announced it would submit for a vote on Friday a draft to the Security Council on the need for an "immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage deal", after repeatedly using its veto power to block other similarly worded resolutions. *) UK, Australia call for ‘immediate cessation of fighting’ in Gaza Britain and Australia declared the need for an "immediate cessation of fighting" in Gaza, as diplomatic pressure built on Israel to ditch a planned ground assault on the southern city of Rafah. After a meeting of Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers in Adelaide, Australia the allies stressed the "urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released". *) Trump faces backlash from US Jews over his remarks about Jewish voters Several members of the US Jewish community have expressed criticism towards former President Donald Trump following his recent comments, where he accused Jewish Democrats of being disloyal to their faith. Jonathan Sarna, an American Jewish history professor, highlighted that Trump's remarks are exacerbating tensions within the Jewish community. Sarna noted, "For people who hate Donald Trump in the Jewish community, certainly this statement will reinforce their sense that they don’t want to have anything to do with him." *) Russian missile strikes damage power supply in Ukraine's Kharkiv About 15 blasts were heard in Ukraine's Kharkiv, mayor Ihor Terekhov said, and Russian missile strikes appeared to be targeting the city's power supplies, causing partial blackouts. Terekhov did not report any casualties. He said some of the city's water pumps had stopped because of the attacks. In central Ukraine, Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said blasts were heard in the city, but provided no details. And finally… *) Oil prices decline amid potential Gaza ceasefire, dollar strength Oil prices slipped on the possibility of a nearing Gaza ceasefire that could ease geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, while a stronger dollar and faltering US gasoline demand also weighed on prices. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believed talks in Qatar could reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Brent crude futures fell by 0.5 percent to $85.36 a barrel, while US crude futures dropped 0.5 percent to $80.67/barrel. Both contracts are set to end the week little changed after rising more than 3 percent last week.

*) US submits UN resolution for 'immediate ceasefire' in Gaza The United States has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council, calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza linked to the release of hostages. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced it during his visit to Saudi Arabia, where discussions on the ongoing Israel's war on Gaza were held. The resolution is aimed at addressing the escalating situation and garnering international support for peace efforts in the region. *) Nearly 70 ex-US officials urge Biden to take hard line on Israel A group consisting of nearly 70 former US officials, diplomats, and military officers has issued an open letter urging President Joe Biden to warn Israel of serious consequences should it deny civil rights and basic necessities to Palestinians, as well as expand illegal Zionist settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. The letter calls for concrete action from the United States to oppose such practices, including potential restrictions on assistance to Israel consistent with US law and policy. The group highlighted Israel's invasion, citing "repeated violations" of international law prohibiting indiscriminate killing and the use of weapons that fail to discriminate between combatants and civilians. *) 'We have shown flexibility' to reach ceasefire deal in Gaza: Hamas Palestinian group Hamas has expressed flexibility in reaching a ceasefire deal with Israel in Gaza. Hamas leader Osama Hamdan stated during a press conference in Beirut that the resistance movement has demonstrated openness to an agreement, shifting the onus onto Israel to respond. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Doha, Qatar, aiming to establish a truce in Gaza. Hamdan outlined Hamas's vision for a comprehensive agreement, emphasising key priorities such as halting aggression, facilitating the return of displaced individuals, withdrawing occupation forces from Gaza, and enabling aid entry. *) UN warns Sudan among 'worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory' The United Nations has issued a dire warning regarding the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, describing it as one of the worst in recent history after nearly a year of conflict. Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), lamented the lack of action from the international community, labelling the situation a "humanitarian travesty." Speaking on behalf of UNOCHA head Martin Griffiths, Wosornu emphasised the urgent need for attention and action, highlighting the significant scale of humanitarian needs, displacement, and hunger facing Sudanese civilians. *) Musk's Neuralink unveils brain-chip patient playing online chess Elon Musk's brain-chip startup, Neuralink, has achieved a significant milestone by live-streaming its first patient using a chip implanted in his brain to play online chess. Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old who was paralysed below the shoulder following a diving accident, utilised the Neuralink device to control the cursor on his laptop while playing chess. The implant, designed to enable individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely through their thoughts, marks a remarkable advancement in neurotechnology. Arbaugh, who received the implant from Neuralink in January, previously demonstrated the ability to control a computer mouse using his thoughts, as confirmed by Musk last month.

*) Gaza hospital hit in intense Israeli raid for second day Explosions and shootings have once again rocked Gaza's largest hospital, Al Shifa, and its surrounding neighbourhoods as Israeli forces storm through the facility for a second day. This latest raid deals a devastating blow to the already-strained Al Shifa medical complex, which had only partially resumed operations after a destructive Israeli raid in November. Reports indicate that thousands of Palestinian patients, medical personnel, and displaced individuals are currently trapped within the sprawling hospital compound, with heavy fighting raging in the nearby districts. *) Canada to halt future arms exports to Israel — report A Canadian government source revealed that Canada is ceasing its arms shipments to Israel. The decision marks a significant shift as Ottawa has only exported "non-lethal" shipments such as communications equipment to Israel since its war on blockaded Gaza. According to the source, no arms exports have occurred since January. Israel has historically been a major recipient of Canadian arms, receiving over $15 million worth of military materials in 2022 and $19 million in 2021, as reported by Radio Canada. *) US, Israel defence chiefs to meet in Washington Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is scheduled to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin next week in Washington. This confirmation comes from a US defence official speaking anonymously to disclose details not yet public. The meeting's agenda is reported to include discussion of securing the release of hostages, humanitarian aid to Gaza and protecting those in Rafah. *) UN chief alarmed by killings of civilians in Myanmar United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over reports of continued military air strikes on villages in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Locals reported that more than 20 people were killed in these strikes on Monday alone. The clashes in Rakhine state have intensified since November, following an attack by the Arakan Army on security forces, effectively ending a ceasefire established after the military coup in 2021. And finally… *) Japan hikes rates for first time in 17 years Japan's central bank has scrapped its negative interest rate as it finally began unwinding one of the world's most aggressive monetary easing programmes. Implemented in 2013, the unconventional policy aimed to stimulate economic growth and inflation following Japan's prolonged period of economic stagnation, often referred to as the "lost decades." In a historic move, the Bank of Japan raised its short-term policy rate for the first time in 17 years from -0.1 percent to a range between zero and 0.1 percent.

*) MSF urges blocking Israel’s Rafah assault Doctors Without Borders chief Christopher Lockyear warns against Israeli war in southern Gaza's Rafah, citing a potential catastrophe that must not be allowed to happen. His concerns stem from a recent visit to the Palestinian enclave, where he witnessed the urgent humanitarian needs at the densely populated Rafah crossing. Lockyear urges diplomatic solutions to prevent further conflict escalation, emphasising the importance of stability. MSF stands prepared to offer aid amidst ongoing tensions in the region. *) Israel blocks UNRWA chief from entering besieged Gaza UN's relief agency for Palestinians or UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini expressed frustration as Israel barred his entry into Gaza, a territory facing a looming famine. During a press conference in Cairo, Lazzarini disclosed the denial, which disrupted his planned visit to Rafah. He accused Israeli authorities of the denial on social media and underlined that Palestinian children are dying of dehydration and hunger. *) US' Blinken travels to Saudi Arabia, Egypt for potential Gaza truce Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarks on a crucial trip this week, aiming to secure a ceasefire and boost humanitarian aid in Israel's Gaza war. His journey begins in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where talks with Saudi leaders in Jeddah are pivotal for regional stability. Following Saudi Arabia, Blinken will fly to Cairo on Thursday for talks with Egyptian authorities. *) 50 allies to meet as US funds for Ukraine's defence cease US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin aims to reassure European allies of President Joe Biden's commitment to support Ukraine amid concerns over funding challenges. Austin leads discussions at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group summit at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where approximately 50 allies convene to provide military assistance, emphasising collective efforts to bolster defence capabilities. Despite obstacles, Austin reaffirms US commitment to Ukraine's security, aiming to galvanise collective action and solidarity to address evolving challenges. *) Nvidia unveils powerful 'superchip' for AI Nvidia has unveiled its latest chip for powering artificial intelligence, known as Blackwell, as it seeks to consolidate its position as the major supplier to the AI frenzy. The new chip has 208 billion transistors, more than double the 80 billion on the company's previous chip. All of those transistors can access the memory attached to the chip at nearly the same time, improving productivity.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, March 18th. *) Aid arrives in north Gaza’s Jabalia for 1st time in four months The Israeli army has allowed nine trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter northern Gaza including Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. The aid, which consisted of flour, rice, canned food and sugar, arrived at the Jabalia refugee camp under the auspices of the security services of the Gaza government in cooperation with Palestinian tribes. It was placed in warehouses belonging to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees or UNRWA which carried out its first regular aid distribution on Sunday. *) International institutions ‘failed once again’ amid Gaza crisis: Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised international institutions and organisations over Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, saying that they have “failed once again”. He labelled it as “hypocrisy” that Western countries, which provide ammunition support to Israel, have turned Gaza into the world’s largest graveyard for children and women. Erdogan said that Türkiye stands by Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza with all its capabilities. *) Vladimir Putin wins Russian presidential elections again Russian President Vladimir Putin has cemented his grip on power in a landslide election victory. Putin said his imminent victory in the Russian presidential elections showed Russians trusted his leadership. Early Monday morning in a press conference at his campaign headquarters in Moscow, Putin expressed his gratitude to every citizen of the nation for their support and trust. *) Haiti situation nears chaos of ‘Mad Max’ The UN children’s agency UNICEF has painted a grim picture of Haiti, calling the situation “horrific.” Executive Director Catherine Russell compared it to the violent, lawless world of the “Mad Max” films. Gang control of major areas in the capital, Port-au-Prince and key roads is hindering vital aid deliveries. The lack of access to food is causing widespread hunger and malnutrition, with Russell stating it’s the worst the country has seen in decades. And finally… *) Thousand evacuated as wildfire rages on China’s southern province A wildfire burning in Sichuan Province, China continues to spread. Nearly 3,400 people have been evacuated to safety as of Sunday. The fire ignited last Friday in a rural area and remains uncontained due to strong winds hampering firefighting efforts. According to Chinese media reports, the blaze spread to mountainsides on Saturday afternoon. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

*) Abbas names adviser Mohammed Mustafa as Palestine's PM Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Mohammed Mustafa as the new prime minister following Mohammed Shtayyeh's resignation. Mustafa, a trusted economic adviser, faces the task of forming a new government amid Israel's war on Gaza. At 69 years old, he is tasked with governing the occupied West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza. Mustafa's extensive experience in economic affairs and governance, including roles at the World Bank and advisory positions for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is seen to shape his approach to addressing Palestinian Authority challenges. *) Twin Israeli attacks kill 29 besieged Palestinians awaiting aid in Gaza At least 29 Palestinians were killed in two separate attacks in Gaza while awaiting aid, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. In the first incident, eight Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution centre in Al Nuseirat camp. Later, at least 21 people were killed and over 155 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a northern Gaza roundabout. The Israeli military denied attacking aid centres, but residents reported ongoing aerial and ground bombardments, including in Rafah, where over a million displaced people are sheltering. *) Chuck Schumer seeks Netanyahu's ouster US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling him an "obstacle" to Middle East peace. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the US, criticised Netanyahu's alignment with far-right extremists and tolerance of civilian casualties in Gaza. He urged Israel to hold new elections amid a growing humanitarian crisis. The move reflects that the Biden administration is running out of patience with Netanyahu's government. *) Azerbaijan is closer to ‘peace’ with Armenia than ever before Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has declared the nation's triumph of "historical justice" through the liberation of the Karabakh region from decades-long occupation, stressing significant progress towards peace with Armenia. Speaking at a forum in Baku, Aliyev hailed the successes of the fall 2020 Karabakh war, asserting that the region is now closer to peace than ever before. He highlighted the conflict's impact, including counter-terrorism operations and the seizure of $6 billion worth of weapons supplied to Armenia. *) New climate commitments essential for global safety, prosperity: UN UN climate chief Simon Stiell has issued a critical call for action, urging countries to produce ambitious new emissions-cutting pledges within a year. Stressing the urgency, Stiell labelled these plans as crucial for ensuring global safety and prosperity, emphasising the need to prevent surpassing the 1.5°C warming limit. In an open letter to nearly 200 nations in UN climate negotiations, Stiell highlighted the pivotal role of these pledges in safeguarding economies, national budgets and population well-being from worsening climate impacts.

*) Netanyahu prolonging Gaza war to stay in power Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the Gaza conflict to maintain power. Al Maliki criticised Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war, citing nearly 600,000 Palestinians on the brink of famine, and expressed disappointment with the international community's lack of action. Al Maliki emphasised the need for the international community to address the Palestinian cause, urging pressure on Netanyahu for a ceasefire. *) Israel 'lost the war' in Gaza even if it invades Rafah — Hezbollah Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared Israel's defeat in Gaza, stating that even an invasion of the southern city of Rafah would not change the outcome. Nasrallah emphasised Israel's failure to achieve any victories or objectives after six months of fighting, asserting that the Israeli army is exhausted on all fronts. According to Nasrallah, Israel's casualties are much higher than officially reported, and the army lacks sufficient troops to sustain the conflict. Official figures show Israel has killed over 31,270 Palestinians and wounded more than 73,020. *) UN to send aid to Haiti via 'airbridge' as 'Barbecue' vows to fight on United Nations aims to establish an "airbridge" between Haiti and the Dominican Republic to bolster aid delivery and facilitate personnel movement amid Haiti's ongoing crisis, according to the UN's Haiti mission. The initiative seeks to ensure seamless assistance and anticipates the arrival of additional crisis management personnel to address the dire situation. Efforts are underway to form a transitional governing body to replace the outgoing prime minister Ariel Henry. Meanwhile, Jimmy Cherizier, a prominent Haitian gang leader known as "Barbecue," has declared his coalition's intent to continue the fight for Haiti's liberation, despite the prime minister's resignation. *) Islamophobia 'an unacceptable form of racism' — Russia Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Islamophobia is "an unacceptable form of racism" during a news conference in Moscow. She emphasised Russia's solidarity with the stances of Muslim nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on this matter. Zakharova stressed the importance of combating discrimination and harassment against Muslims based on religious affiliation, advocating for religious freedoms that respect both the individual and collective rights of believers. Moreover, Zakharova announced Russia's support for a draft resolution proposed by Muslim countries at the UN General Assembly titled "Measures to Combat Islamophobia." This resolution is dedicated to the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed annually on March 15. And finally… *) Adidas reports first loss in over three decades Adidas faced its first loss in over three decades due to the fallout from ending its collaboration with Kanye West, now known as Ye. The German sportswear giant terminated its contract with the US rapper in late 2022 after he sparked controversy with anti-Semitic social media posts. The end of their partnership disrupted Adidas' revenue flow and left the company burdened with a surplus of unsold Yeezy trainers. The company reported a loss of $82 million in 2023, a sharp decline from the previous year's profit of $670 million.

*) Israel is using starvation as 'war arm' European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell addressed the UN Security Council, condemning Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war. He emphasised that the humanitarian crisis in the region is entirely man-made, with essential routes for aid being deliberately blocked. Borrell stressed the urgency of the situation and called on Israeli authorities to cease obstructing humanitarian access. Meanwhile, the EU is stepping up its humanitarian assistance efforts to address the escalating crisis. *) Israeli leaders must answer for the babies killed in Gaza Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasised the need for an independent Palestinian state as the only means to honour the memory of slain Palestinian children. President Erdogan condemned the violence against Palestinian children, saying in quotes, "They cannot stop us from referring to the murderer as a murderer." He called on Israeli leaders to acknowledge the truth of the situation in Gaza and be held accountable for the lives lost. *) Four US ships depart for mission to build temporary Gaza pier Four US Army vessels have set sail from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, bound for the Eastern Mediterranean to aid in humanitarian efforts in Gaza. According to Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder, the mission aims to construct a temporary port on Gaza's coast to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The temporary pier is anticipated to be operational within 60 days, with the capacity to distribute up to 2 million meals daily. *) 230,000 children, new mothers in Sudan at risk of starvation deaths Sudan is facing a devastating hunger crisis, with Save the Children warning nearly 230,000 children and new mothers could die without urgent action. The charity blames the war for causing widespread malnutrition, with over 2.9 million children acutely malnourished and 729,000 suffering from the most severe form. This dire situation puts Sudan among the countries with the worst nutrition in the world. And finally… *) Google limits chatbot Gemini's election comments Tech giant Google is expanding restrictions on its AI chatbot Gemini. Previously limited within the US, Gemini will no longer answer election-related questions globally due to concerns over misinformation. This decision comes as advancements in AI raise fears of "fake news" impacting elections. When asked about elections, Gemini now directs users to Google Search for information.

*) Children starving in Gaza, ceasefire needed to get aid in: CIA chief CIA Director William Burns has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid distribution, particularly for starving children amid Israeli attacks. Speaking at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Burns highlighted the challenge of effective humanitarian assistance without a ceasefire. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has reported that one in six children under two years old faces acute malnourishment in northern Gaza. *) Civilians in Israel, Palestine ‘cannot be abandoned’: UN official In a recent mission to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, the UN’s top official on sexual violence in conflict Pramila Patten emphasised the imperative of not abandoning civilians. Her visit aimed to gather, analyse and verify reports on sexual violence, providing a snapshot of her findings in a report to the UN Security Council. *) Haiti PM Ariel Henry resigns after Jamaica summit seeks transition Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned amidst a worsening civil war in the capital, driven by intensified activities of gang groups. Henry took office following the 2021 assassination of the previous president. Urgent discussions involving Caribbean leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jamaica preceded the resignation, focusing on finding a solution to Haiti’s escalating crisis. *) India moves ahead to enforce anti-Muslim citizenship law ahead of election India has announced rules to implement a 2019 citizenship law that critics call anti-Muslim, weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term. The Citizenship Amendment Act grants Indian nationality to certain people such as Hindus, Christians and Buddhists who fled to India from Muslim-majority countries before 2015. Muslim groups say the law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, can discriminate against India's 200 million Muslims. They fear the government might remove the citizenship of Muslims without documents in some border states. And finally… *) Xiaomi schedules late March start for EV deliveries — company China's Xiaomi will start deliveries of its first electric vehicle model SU7 this month, venturing into the world's largest auto market amid a brutal price war. The smartphone maker, China's fifth-largest, said in a post on social media it has 59 stores in 29 cities nationwide that will take orders. A launch event is scheduled for March 28 when the new EV's sticker tag is expected to be announced.

*) Ramadan's first night at Al Aqsa Mosque Muslims globally observed the Tarawih prayer on the first night of Ramadan, yet celebrations are overshadowed by sadness as Israel’s brutal war on Palestinians in Gaza persists.  In occupied East Jerusalem, at Al Aqsa Mosque Compound, the world's third-holiest site for Muslims, there were fewer worshipers amid access restrictions imposed by the Israeli police. Some Palestinians prayed outside in the streets of the Old City, as Israel's war on besieged Gaza has killed at least 31,045 people, mostly children and women. *)  Sudan army general rules out Ramadan truce unless RSF leaves civilian sites Meanwhile, in Sudan, the government says there would be no truce in the holy month of Ramadan unless the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group leaves the homes and sites of civilians. The statement follows an appeal by the United Nations Security Council for a truce during Ramadan.  For its part, the paramilitary RSF said it welcomed the ceasefire call but senior Sudanese armed forces General Yasser al Atta called for the withdrawal of RSF first. The fighting between Sudan's army and the RSF erupted in mid-April 2023 amid tensions over a plan for transition to civilian rule.  *) Pakistan's Zardari sworn in for second term as president Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari has taken the oath of office, becoming the first-ever civilian to serve a second term in the country's highest office. Zardari served as president from 2008 to 2013 under his own party's government. He took the oath of office during a ceremony at the Presidency in the capital Islamabad, attended by officials such as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the three armed services chiefs. *) Portugal shifts right in election amidst populist surge Also in election news, Portugal's main centre-right party has narrowly defeated the incumbent Socialists but fell well short of a majority in a general election.  Near-complete official results have shown that the centre-right Democratic Alliance captured 29.49 percent of the vote, just ahead of the Socialists, with 28.66 percent. The result marks another advance for the populist far right in Europe, where they already govern in countries such as Italy, Hungary and Slovakia, or are steadily gaining, as in France and Germany. And finally… *) Oppenheimer dominates 96th Academy Awards, winning 7 Oscars Oppenheimer has blown up the 2024 Academy Awards in Hollywood, taking home seven Oscars, including the grand prize for Best Picture. The film's star, Cillian Murphy, won Best Actor and Robert Downey Jr. claimed the award for Best Supporting Actor.  Christopher Nolan won the Oscar for Best Director and the movie also took home the hardware for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing.

*) Biden acknowledges 30,000+ Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza US President Joe Biden has acknowledged that Israel's war in Gaza has inflicted a severe toll on innocent civilians, surpassing the impact of all previous conflicts. Over the last 153 days, more than 30,000 Palestinians, including thousands of women and children, lost their lives. In response, Biden announced the establishment of a temporary US military port off Gaza to enhance humanitarian aid efforts. Despite ongoing aid airdrops, reports indicate that Washington has approved 100 military sales to Tel Aviv since October 7, adding complexity to the situation. *) Hamas delegation leaves Cairo but will continue ceasefire talks Hamas delegation has left Cairo but will persist with Gaza ceasefire talks until an agreement with Israel is reached. This is according to a statement from the Palestinian resistance group. The delegation is set to consult with the movement's leadership. Despite ongoing efforts, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri blames Israel for the lack of progress, accusing them of "thwarting" the four-day ceasefire deal negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Israel has rejected key Hamas demands, including ending the offensive, troop withdrawal, and ensuring freedom of entry for aid and the return of displaced individuals. *) UK draft pushes ceasefire in conflict-torn Sudan ceasefire during Ramadan Britain has presented a UN draft resolution, calling for an urgent end to hostilities in conflict-stricken Sudan, especially in Darfur, ahead of the approaching holy month of Ramadan. The draft voices grave concern over escalating violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis. As Ramadan nears, the council anticipates swift voting on the resolution, with a likely decision today. *) Massive protests target Colombian president, urging Petro to resign Thousands rallied across Colombian cities, expressing dissatisfaction with President Gustavo Petro's administration and the persisting violence in the country, despite his peace negotiation efforts with armed groups. The demonstrations occurred in Bogota, Cali, Medellin, and various other cities. Protesters voiced concerns not only about the ongoing violence but also criticised Petro's proposed reforms to pension and healthcare systems, aiming to reduce dependence on private funds. *) World marks International Women’s Day Today, the world observes International Women’s Day, a celebration rooted in the early 1909 US movement and officially recognised by the UN in 1977. Demonstrations are set to take place worldwide, from Tokyo to Mexico City, reflecting the ongoing global commitment to women's rights. The day serves as a collective call to action, urging societies to recognise and address the challenges women face while celebrating their achievements and contributions.

*) South Africa urges ICJ for new emergency measures against Israel South Africa has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to implement additional provisional measures against Israel and to amend the ICJ's interim ruling in the ongoing genocide case. The ICJ acknowledged South Africa's urgent request, citing in quotes "new facts and changes in the situation in Gaza, particularly the situation of widespread starvation." According to the statement issued by the ICJ, South Africa alleges that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, as well as violations of the provisional measures issued by the court in January. *) China supports 'full' UN membership of Palestinian state China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, has declared Beijing's support for granting full United Nations membership to the Palestinian state. He said in quotes, "The long-cherished wish of the Palestinian people to establish an independent country can no longer be evaded." Addressing the recent events in Gaza, Yi emphasised that the prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories can no longer be overlooked, pointing to the urgent need for international attention. *) US authorised more than 100 weapons sales to Israel, including thousands of bombs: report A new report has exposed that the US has discreetly approved more than 100 weapons sales to Israel since the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza in October. US officials confirmed that the sales encompassed a range of weaponry, including thousands of precision-guided munitions, small-diameter bombs, bunker busters, small arms, and other lethal aid. Notably, some transfers remained under the radar, escaping public scrutiny due to falling below specific dollar amounts that necessitate individual notifications to Congress. *) Senegal's Sall dissolves govt, announces new date for presidential election The Senegalese President Macky Sall has dissolved the government and appointed the previous Interior Minister as the new prime minister. The presidential election, originally slated for June 2, 2024, has now been rescheduled to March 24 of the same year. The government spokesman confirmed these developments in an official statement. The decision follows the rejection by Senegal's top constitutional body of a proposal to hold the presidential vote on June 2, emphasising the necessity of conducting the elections before President Sall's mandate expires on April 2. *) First Arab woman to graduate NASA training has her sights set on Moon Nora al Matrooshi, a 30-year-old Emirati woman, has etched her name in history as the first Arab woman to successfully complete NASA's demanding astronaut training program. Hailing from a mechanical engineering background and having worked in the oil industry, Al Matrooshi was selected by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency in 2021 as one of two astronaut candidates. It granted her access to NASA's comprehensive training programme, affirming her commitment to the exploration of outer space.

*) Hamas shows 'flexibility' for truce amid Israeli reluctance The Palestinian group Hamas has declared its commitment to ongoing negotiations through intermediaries until a ceasefire agreement is reached with Israel. Despite Hamas displaying flexibility for a comprehensive halt to aggression, the group accuses Israel of avoiding the terms of the proposed agreement. Currently, negotiators from Hamas, Qatar, and Egypt are in Cairo, aiming to secure a 40-day ceasefire before the start of Ramadan next week. US pushes UN to back temporary Gaza truce to free captives The United States has modified a draft UN Security Council resolution, supporting an immediate six-week ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. The revised text, proposed by the US two weeks ago, aligns with Vice President Kamala Harris's candid statements. The US emphasised that the Security Council’s backing of a ceasefire should be contingent upon the liberation of hostages in Gaza. *) Actions of Israeli 'settlers' biggest obstacles to solution — Erdogan During a press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Recep Tayyıp Erdogan condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, labelling them "barbarity of the last century." Accusing Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of "blatant genocide," Erdogan emphasised the Western powers' unwavering support for Tel Aviv. He underlined that those responsible for the bloodshed would face accountability within the bounds of the law and public conscience. *) Biden, Trump dominate Super Tuesday, cruise toward nomination and rematch In a decisive sweep across coast-to-coast contests on Super Tuesday, US President Joe Biden of the Democratic party and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump solidified their positions for a November rematch. Both candidates secured victories in similar states, including Texas, Alabama, Colorado and Oklahoma. Additionally, Trump claimed states like Virginia and Maine, which were expected to be favourable to his major rival, Nikki Haley, due to their substantial moderate voter populations, reminiscent of her previous primary support. *) Tesla's factory in Germany halts production after far-right arson attack The Tesla factory in Germany faces a production halt after an act of “sabotage” targeted high-voltage lines, set ablaze by a far-left group, according to authorities. Emergency services responded to the burning electricity pylon near Berlin, causing damage to the lines and a power outage for the Tesla plant and neighbouring villages. The situation is still under investigation, impacting the electric vehicle manufacturer's operations.

*) Israel killed 13,430 Palestinian children since October 7 — Gaza Israeli air strikes and ground invasion have killed 13,430 children since the start of Tel Aviv's carnage in the besieged Palestinian enclave, Gaza's Media Office said. It added that 8,900 women were killed over 150 days, and 7,000 people, 70 percent of whom are women and children, are still under the rubble or missing. The media office said that 364 health personnel and 132 journalists also were killed during the period. *) Dismantling UNRWA would sacrifice 'generation of children' The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is calling out threats to shut down the organisation. Philippe Lazzarini said cutting UNRWA loose would leave a generation of Palestinian children in the lurch, breeding anger and violence. He told the UN General Assembly that stopping UNRWA's work is a bad idea because it would hurt millions who depend on their help, especially at a time when things are already tough. UNRWA is facing funding freezes and pressure from Israel to close up. *) Thousands flee as attack blamed on M23 rebels claims 15 lives in DRC’s east The M23 militia fighters have launched sweeping attacks in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 15 people and leading thousands to flee, witnesses and government officials said. Testimony from locals, health workers and government officials on Monday pointed to attacks in the Rutshuru region of the eastern province of North Kivu. Access to the North Kivu capital Goma has been virtually severed. *) US top court reverses Colorado move to disqualify Trump from state ballot The US Supreme Court has handed Donald Trump a major victory as he campaigns to regain the presidency, barring states from disqualifying candidates for federal office under a constitutional provision involving insurrection and reversing a judicial decision that had excluded him from Colorado's ballot. The justices on Monday unanimously reversed a December 19 decision by Colorado's top court to kick Trump off the state's Republican primary ballot on Tuesday after finding that the US Constitution's 14th Amendment disqualified him from again holding public office. The Colorado court had found that Trump took part in an insurrection for inciting and supporting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. *) EU hits Apple with record $2B antitrust fine in Spotify case Brussels has fined Apple $2B for thwarting competition from music streaming rivals via restrictions on its App Store, the iPhone maker's first-ever penalty for breaching EU rules. A huge lump sum inflated a basic penalty of $43M included as a deterrent - a first for the European Union's antitrust authorities on Monday. The European Commission charged Apple last year with preventing Swedish streaming service Spotify and others from informing users of payment options outside its App Store, following a 2019 complaint by Spotify.

*) US Vice President Harris calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza The United States Vice President Kamala Harris has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and has described the situation there as “devastating.” She noted the necessity of an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, saying that it is "currently on the table." During her visit to Alabama, Harris said that the ceasefire would facilitate the release of hostages and the delivery of much-needed aid to Gaza. 150 days into Israel's war on Gaza, the human cost is staggering. At least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, while another 71,700 were injured. *) Six children among 14 killed in Israeli bombing of Rafah At least 14 Palestinians, including six children, were killed in an Israeli bombing that targeted a house in Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that an Israeli air strike targeted a three-story house "resulting in the killing of dozens of civilians, including six children". According to the agency, many civilians remain trapped under the rubble. The attack inflicted extensive damage on the surrounding area. *) Gaza truce talks set to resume in Cairo as heavy fighting rages Egypt is set to host the latest talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, amidst Israel’s ongoing bombardment on Gaza that has spanned nearly five months. According to a senior Hamas official, the Palestinian group's delegation will engage with mediators to discuss a proposed six-week truce. It comes after a US official suggested that Israel had "more or less accepted" the terms of the ceasefire. Envoys from the United States, Qatar, and Hamas have arrived in Cairo, as all sides have been scrambling to lock in a truce before Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month that will begin on March 10 or 11. *) Gang attack triggers massive prison break in Haiti Gang members in Haiti's capital launched a violent assault on the main prison, resulting in the deaths of at least a dozen people. Following the gang assault on Saturday night, only approximately 100 of the National Penitentiary's estimated 3,800 inmates remained inside the facility. The government declared a state of emergency and a nighttime curfew that would be effective from Sunday, March 3, to Wednesday, March 6. *) Officials call for UN reform, global peace at Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2024 The Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2024 has convened, drawing together prominent diplomats and officials to tackle pressing global issues. The Forum concluded with a consensus on the urgent need for reform within the United Nations to address the evolving challenges to global peace. Participants emphasised the significance of embracing innovative diplomatic approaches and redoubling efforts towards nuclear disarmament to foster a more peaceful world.

*) Israel forces shoot over a hundred Palestinians waiting in aid queue Israeli forces fatally shot 112 Palestinians as they surged towards aid trucks, marking one of the deadliest episodes in the nearly five-month war. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported over 750 individuals were injured during the incident. The tragedy unfolded amidst heightened concerns from aid agencies regarding Gaza's deteriorating humanitarian crisis, with famine looming, especially in the northern regions. *) Dozens of 112 Palestinians killed by Israel 'shot in head' Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour accused Israel of intentionally targeting a humanitarian convoy in northern Gaza. Trucks, carrying essential supplies such as flour and sugar for needy Palestinians, regularly travelled to the region, Mansour said, where many Palestinians were waiting in line. Mansour said, based on his information, among the 112 Palestinians killed, many were shot in the head. *) World reacts to Israel's carnage at Gaza aid site Israel's assault on an aid convoy killing 112 Palestinians and leaving 760 others wounded, drew widespread international condemnation. Türkiye labelled the attack as "another crime against humanity," joined by Iran, Qatar, and the OIC, who denounced it as a "heinous massacre." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed profound dismay, with his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, conveying his condemnation of the tragic toll. European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell echoed sentiments, branding the killings as "totally unacceptable." *) US falls short of condemning Israel's attack on Gaza aid queue Separately, the United States, the main supporter of Israel, has refrained from explicitly condemning Tel Aviv's attack on Palestinians. The White House acknowledged the severity of the incident, expressing concern and stating that they are investigating the reports of Israeli fire on Palestinians. A spokesperson from the White House National Security Council conveyed condolences for the lives lost, emphasising the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where innocent civilians are struggling to provide for their families. *) US defence chief admits Israel killed 25K Gaza women, children US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has acknowledged that Israeli forces have killed over 25,000 Palestinian women and children since October 7. Responding to a query by a lawmaker regarding potential military sales to Israel, Austin emphasised the importance of responsible use of munitions by allies. Later, a Pentagon spokesperson, clarified that the mentioned figure was an estimate from the Gaza Health Ministry, and while acknowledging thousands of casualties.

*) Six children die of malnutrition as Gaza death toll nears 30,000 Six children have succumbed to malnutrition in Israeli-blockaded Gaza, Palestinian officials have reported. The overall toll for Palestinians in the nearly five-month Israeli war has exceeded 30,000. Officials revealed that two children died at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City due to "dehydration and malnutrition," prompting urgent calls for international intervention. Separately, Kamal Adwan Hospital reported four infant deaths, with seven others in critical condition. *) Israeli police warn curbing access to Al Aqsa Mosque in Ramadan may fuel tensions Israeli police have issued a warning regarding potential tensions in occupied East Jerusalem if restrictions on Palestinian entry to Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan are imposed. The caution comes as Benjamin Netanyahu's extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocated limiting access to Islam’s third-holiest site, proposing a ban on occupied West Bank residents and allowing only Palestinian citizens of Israel aged 70 and above. Unnamed senior police officials, as reported by Israeli media, stated that the decision is anticipated in the upcoming weekend. *) Fuel shortage shuts down last functioning hospital in northern Gaza The only functioning hospital in northern Gaza has been forced to cease operations due to a critical shortage of fuel. The Gaza-based Health Ministry issued a statement, underscoring the gravity of the situation as the Kamal Adwan Hospital grapples with an inability to secure the necessary fuel to run its generators. This abrupt halt in services leaves the local population without access to essential healthcare, posing significant challenges to the well-being of the community in the affected region. *) Australia spy chief drops 'traitor' bombshell on unnamed politician Australia's spy chief Mike Burgess has made a sensational public accusation. Burgess alleged that a former Australian politician was recruited by a foreign spy agency and "sold out" the country to a foreign power. While Burgess did not disclose the identity of the politician or the foreign power involved, citing national security concerns, his statement has sparked outrage and demands for transparency from the government. However, the Australian government has so far remained tight-lipped on the matter. *) Apple drops electric car plans while Tesla aims to ship Roadsters next year Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans to build its own car. The decision comes after nearly a decade of work on the project, codenamed "Project Titan," which involved a team of nearly 2,000 employees. Project Titan initially aimed to develop a fully autonomous vehicle, highlighting Apple's ambitions in the self-driving car space. However, the project faced challenges and setbacks, and the company ultimately decided to shift its focus to other areas. While Apple exits the scene, Tesla remains a major player, with CEO Elon Musk recently announcing plans to begin deliveries of the company's Roadster electric sports car next year.

*) UN warns 576,000 people in Gaza are 'one step away' from famine A senior United Nations aid official revealed to the Security Council that approximately 576,000 people in Gaza, constituting a quarter of the population, are on the brink of famine. The World Food Programme (WFP) heightened concerns by declaring that famine is "imminent" in northern Gaza amidst Israel’s ongoing war on the besieged enclave. WFP's deputy executive director urgently addressed the UN Security Council, emphasising the critical need for intervention, while an official from the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, warned of the "almost inevitable" prospect of widespread starvation if the current conditions persist. *) No UN aid convoys reached northern Gaza since Jan 23 The United Nations (UN) highlighted that no humanitarian aid convoys have reached northern Gaza since January 23 as the humanitarian situation in the enclave worsens due to Israel's blockade. Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres revealed that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) currently has food supplies positioned at the Gaza border, capable of catering to the needs of up to 2.2 million people throughout the region. The spokesperson stated that approximately 1,000 trucks, loaded with 15,000 metric tonnes of food, are stationed in Egypt and ready for deployment. *) US says Israel has not presented plan to protect civilians in case of Rafah invasion The White House has confirmed that the United States has not received any Israeli proposal outlining plans to ensure the safety of civilians in Gaza in the event of a potential military invasion of Rafah. Speaking at a press briefing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that he "can't speak for the Israelis and to what degree their planning has progressed and what that looks like.” *) Ukraine intel committee warns of bid to overthrow Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's legitimacy may be questioned and a coup may be attempted in the spring, according to a high-ranking committee. The Intelligence Committee under the President of Ukraine said in a statement published on the Telegram channel of the Main Directorate of Intelligence under the Ukranian Ministry of Defense that Russia's "Maidan-3 special operation will reach its climax in March-May 2024.” According to the committee, in the coming weeks, there will be "attempts to foment conflicts both inside Ukraine and in other parts of the world," and Zelenskyy's legitimacy may be questioned after May 20. *) Texas wildfires force evacuations and shut down nuclear facility Wildfires spreading rapidly across the Texas Panhandle have triggered evacuations in small towns and forced the closure of a key US nuclear facility. Fueled by strong winds, dry conditions, and unseasonably warm temperatures, the blazes have become a major concern for the state. Governor Greg Abbott declared the wildfires a disaster for 60 counties, as the largest fire grew to nearly 1,040 square kilometres. The critical Pantex Plant, responsible for assembling and disassembling US nuclear weapons, also shut down its operations Tuesday night due to the proximity of the fires.

*) Red Cross warns of looming famine in Gaza The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued a stark warning about the dire situation in besieged Gaza. He emphasised the looming threat of severe food insecurity, with approximately 80 percent of the population facing critical food shortages. He further highlighted the plight of over a million children and elderly who are particularly vulnerable to health issues like dehydration, respiratory and skin diseases and anaemia due to the harsh conditions in shelters. *) Biden says Gaza truce imminent while Israel plans Rafah invasion US President Joe Biden said he hoped that a ceasefire in besieged Gaza could start by next Monday. When asked about the possibility, he stated that his national security adviser informed him that a deal was close but not yet finalised. *) Putin vows to boost Russian special forces' ability to strike Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to increase the mobility and striking potential of Russia's special operations forces, saying this is a key priority to making the country's army stronger. Putin said in a congratulatory video message issued ahead of the February 27 Special Operations Forces Day in Russia that Moscow "will continue to strengthen the Special Operations Forces, increase their mobility and striking potential, and arm them with new-generation weapons and equipment." Putin then added that "this is one of the key priorities for the long-term development of the army and navy." *) Hungarian parliament approves Sweden's NATO accession Hungary's parliament has approved a bill to allow Sweden to join NATO, finally clearing the way for the Nordic country to join the Western defence alliance as war rages in Ukraine. Hungary was the last among the 31 members of the alliance to ratify Sweden's membership after months of delay by the ruling party. *) Istanbul hosts 9th International Publishing Meetings The 9th International Istanbul Publishing Professional Meetings will be held at the Rami Library from the 5th to the 7th of March, aiming to establish Istanbul as a major copyright market. Organised by Türkiye's Press Publishing Profession Association, the event will bring together national and international publishers. Since 2021, the programme has offered participants a hybrid model for conducting business, allowing both physical and online B2B meetings.

*) Israel presents Rafah invasion plan to War Cabinet amid fears of civilian casualties Israel's military has proposed a plan for the invasion of Gaza's Rafah city, aligning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion of the necessity of a ground invasion in Rafah for what he calls a "total victory." Concerns persist about potential civilian casualties in Rafah, where 1.4 million forcibly displaced Palestinians are concentrated. The city is also a crucial entry point for aid brought in through neighbouring Egypt as the enclave faces famine. Talks in Doha involving Egyptian, Qatari, and US representatives, along with Israeli and Hamas officials, aim to secure a truce before the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. *) Jordan warns of conflict spread in region due to Israel's Gaza war Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has cautioned against the continuation of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza during Ramadan, stating that it poses a risk of escalating the conflict in the region. Speaking at a press conference in Amman with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, Safadi emphasised the potential for an explosive situation if the aggression persists during the Muslim fasting month. He urged a halt to the ongoing war, expressing concerns about the increasing risks and casualties associated with the prolonged conflict. *) Israeli vows continued attacks on Hezbollah despite Gaza Ceasefire Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has pledged to intensify strikes against Lebanon's Hezbollah, even if a ceasefire is achieved with Hamas in Gaza. While Hezbollah indicated a willingness to cease daily attacks on Israel with a Gaza ceasefire, Gallant dismissed the idea that the temporary truce would extend to the northern front. Emphasising an independent approach, he affirmed the goal of pushing Hezbollah away from the Israeli border, either through diplomatic means or by force. *) Demonstrations across Spain call for arms embargo on Israel Hundreds of thousands rally across Spain, denouncing Israel's actions in solidarity with Palestine. Protesters demand an immediate arms trade halt with Israel, led by Podemos leader Ione Belarra, who plans to present a parliamentary motion for an arms embargo, questioning the government's sincerity in its support for Palestine. *) Algeria unveils Africa's largest mosque with world's tallest minaret Algeria unveiled Africa's largest mosque on its Mediterranean coast, overcoming political delays and cost overruns. Constructed by a Chinese firm, the Great Mosque of Algiers boasts the world's tallest minaret at 869 feet. The third-largest mosque globally and the largest outside Islam's holiest cities, it can accommodate 120,000 worshippers with modernist features honouring Algerian tradition.

*) Gaza in ‘extreme peril’ as NGOs call on Israel to execute humanitarian law The leaders of a number of UN agencies and humanitarian organisations urged Israel to provide food and medical supplies to Gaza, warning that civilians there are in “extreme peril.” The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, the highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the UN system, called on Israel to fulfil its legal obligation, under international humanitarian and human rights law. The health system continues to be “systematically degraded with catastrophic consequences,” it said. *) Netanyahu proposes Gaza’s demilitarisation, UNRWA’s exit in post-war plan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a written plan aimed at demilitarising and reconstruction of Gaza. Netanyahu’s so-called “Post-Hamas Plan” was unveiled to his political and security cabinet in the dead of Thursday night, as reported by Israeli media. At the heart of the proposal lies a pivotal strategy: the establishment of a civilian entity tasked with overseeing Gaza’s demilitarisation while safeguarding the Israeli army’s operational autonomy in the blockaded enclave. *) Over 95 percent of Sudan’s population cannot afford a meal per day: WFP Ten months into the war has sent Sudan to the “verge of collapse,” with the vast majority of its people going hungry, the UN’s World Food Programme said. Eddie Rowe, the WFP’s Sudan country director, told reporters in Brussels that “at this point, less than five percent of Sudanese can afford a square meal a day.” Since last April, Sudan has been gripped by fighting between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has killed thousands and created what the UN calls “the world’s largest displacement crisis.” *) US to sanction over 500 targets involved in Russia’s ‘war machine’ The US has planned to impose sanctions on more than 500 targets involved in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The action to be rolled out on Friday will hit “Russia, its enablers and its war machine,” a Treasury spokesperson said. The official added that the sanctions will be imposed by both the Treasury and State Department. And finally… *) US achieves first Moon landing in 50 years with private spacecraft A private lander has touched down on the Moon but managed just a weak signal back, as flight controllers scrambled to gain better contact with the first US spacecraft to reach the lunar surface in more than 50 years. Despite the spotty communication, Intuitive Machines, the company that built and managed the craft, confirmed that it had landed. There was no immediate word from the company on the condition — or even the exact location — of the lander.

*) Israel’s war could kill nearly 86,000 more Palestinians in Gaza — study At least 85,750 more Palestinians could die from physical trauma and disease if Israel’s ongoing war against besieged Gaza further escalates in the next six months, according to a joint US-UK study. “The Crisis in Gaza: Scenario-Based Health Impact Projections”, a joint project from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Humanitarian Health tracks multiple scenarios, including a worst-case possibility in which the hostilities in Gaza raise the number of casualties to more than 115,000 Palestinians. *) LA protesters welcome Biden with ‘genocide supporter’ chants A group of pro-Palestine demonstrators welcomed US President Joe Biden to America’s second most populous city with chants ridiculing his hitherto unwavering support for Israel’s ongoing carnage in besieged Gaza. “Genocide supporter!” protesters yelled as Biden’s motorcade pulled up to the Culver City Julian Dixon Library in Los Angeles, where he delivered remarks touting his efforts to reduce US student debt. Protesters sought to interrupt the president as he concluded his remarks, but their words were not immediately discernible amid applause from the crowd. *) NZ mosque attacker radicalised ‘earlier than thought’, new research reveals Researchers have theorised that the white supremacist who murdered 51 people in the 2019 New Zealand mosque shootings was radicalised “earlier than previously thought,” based on violent posts written years before the atrocity. Brenton Tarrant had shot and killed 51 Muslim worshippers across two Christchurch mosques in March 2019, carrying out New Zealand’s deadliest modern-day mass shooting. New Zealand researchers have been pouring through Tarrant’s posts on notorious online message boards to understand what sparked the atrocity — and if it could have been prevented. *) Ukraine humanitarian appeal only 10% funded for 2024 — UN envoy The UN’s humanitarian appeal to meet needs in Ukraine is only 10 percent funded for 2024, out of $3.1 billion needed, according to the country’s resident coordinator. Denise Brown, the UN’s top representative in Ukraine, said an estimated 8.5 million Ukrainians living in dire conditions near combat zones risk going without basic humanitarian deliveries, including food and water. *) Türkiye’s first fighter jet KAAN conducts its maiden test flight Türkiye’s first domestic fighter jet KAAN, designed and manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries, has successfully conducted its maiden test flight. Temel Kotil, the head of Turkish Aerospace Industries, said on X that KAAN stayed in the air for 13 minutes and reached a speed of 230 knots at an altitude of 8,000 feet during the flight. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye has left behind another critical stage to produce its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

*) Gaza's Nasser Hospital ‘has become a place of death’ — UN An official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, expressed concern over the state of the Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the south of besieged Gaza. Jonathan Whittall, senior humanitarian affairs officer at OCHA in the occupied Palestinian territory, said: “The conditions are appalling. There are dead bodies in the corridors. Patients are in a desperate situation.” He also added that the hospital “has become a place of death, not a place of healing.” *) UN official says ‘there needs to be an explanation on how the veto is used’ Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the five countries that hold the veto power at the UN Security Council “have a great amount of responsibility, and there needs to be an explanation on how the veto is used.” The spokesperson’s comments came after the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution on a humanitarian ceasefire in besieged Gaza for the third time. *) Russia rejects US claims of nuclear space threat Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Moscow has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space and that his country has only developed space capabilities similar to those of the US. Putin’s statement followed the White House confirmation last week that Russia obtained a “troubling” anti-satellite weapon capability, although such a weapon is not operational yet. *) Pakistan parties reach power-sharing agreement, Khan loyalists left out Two Pakistan parties have reached a power-sharing agreement that will return Shehbaz Sharif to the premiership, leaving out politicians loyal to jailed former leader Imran Khan despite winning the most seats in this month’s vote. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party said they had settled days of negotiations on securing a majority to form a coalition government that will also include several smaller parties. Under the deal, the PML-N and PPP will put forward former leader Sharif as prime minister and Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, as president. And finally… *) Eagles’ iconic ‘Hotel California’ lyrics at centre of rare manuscript trial In the mid-1970s, the Eagles were working on a spooky, cryptic new song. On a lined yellow pad, Don Henley, with input from band co-founder Glenn Frey, jotted thoughts about “a dark desert highway” and “a lovely place” with a luxurious surface and ominous undertones. The song, “Hotel California”, became one of rock’s most indelible singles. And nearly a half-century later, those handwritten pages of lyrics-in-the-making have become the centre of an unusual criminal trial set to open on Wednesday.

*) Arab Group calls on UNSC to take action on besieged Gaza The Arab Group in New York has urged the UN Security Council to take immediate action on besieged Gaza. It said in a statement that “regrettably, the UN Security Council remains inert, unable to denounce the daily atrocities perpetrated by the occupying authorities.” The group, which is a coalition of Arab states promoting common interests at the UN, called on the Security Council to take immediate action. *) Israel declares Brazil’s Lula ‘persona non grata’ as Gaza row escalates Brazilian President Lula da Silva’s comparison of Israel’s war in besieged Gaza to the Holocaust has unleashed a diplomatic firestorm. Israel declared Lula “persona non grata” and Brazil recalled its ambassador in Tel Aviv. The row erupted the day before when Lula said the ongoing war on the blockaded enclave “isn’t a war, it’s a genocide,” and compared it to “when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” *) Ukraine faces ‘extremely difficult’ frontline battles: Zelenskyy Ukrainian troops, reeling from losing a key town, now faced “extremely difficult” conditions all along the frontline with Russia because of delayed foreign aid, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian military said it was critically short of ammunition and shells, worsened by the holdup of a $60 billion US aid package. After visiting frontline troops in the Kharkiv region, Zelenskyy said the situation was extremely difficult in several parts of the frontline, where “Russian troops have concentrated maximum reserves.” *) Julian Assange begins last-ditch effort to block US extradition WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange began what could be his last chance to stop his extradition from Britain to the United States. Assange has been battling the authorities in British courts for more than 13 years. US prosecutors seek to put Assange on trial on 18 counts relating to WikiLeaks’ high-profile release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables. And finally… *) India’s centuries-old heritage hit by Delhi ‘development’ demolitions For nine centuries, Indians prayed at the forest shrine of Baba Haji Rozbih, a revered Sufi master whose grave is one of the capital Delhi’s oldest Muslim sites. Then, in early February, the Delhi Development Authority reduced the site to rubble, the latest victim of a “demolition programme” it says has cleared “illegal religious structures” including a mosque, tombs, shrines and Hindu temples. The demolitions come at a sensitive time, as Hindu nationalists have been emboldened to claim ancient Muslim monuments for the country’s majority faith.

*) Israel insists on attacking Gaza to ‘impose displacement’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel insists on continuing its attacks on Gaza to “impose displacement,” especially on the city of Rafah. In a meeting of the Palestinian government held in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Abbas said the Israeli government and its army are continuing their attacks on various cities in Gaza, especially Rafah, with the aim of forcibly displacing citizens. He added that the situation in Rafah has become “extremely dangerous and difficult.” *) Israel to restrict Palestinian access to Al Aqsa Mosque in Ramadan Israel approved restricting the entry of Palestinians living in Israel and Jerusalem to the Al Aqsa Mosque during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, beginning in the second week of next month, local media claimed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his approval to the recommendations of far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu gave the approval despite the country’s security agency warning that restrictions on Palestinians’ access to the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan could add fuel to the fire. *) US strikes Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen: Military US forces in the Red Sea conducted “five self-defence strikes” to foil attacks by land and sea from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command said. It said it struck three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel and one unmanned surface vessel. Central Command said it had determined the missiles and vessels presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant ships in the area. *) Militia kills 15 in eastern DRC: local sources Militia fighters killed 15 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s troubled Ituri province, local sources said. This was the second such attack in less than a week. The sources said the CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) militia, which claims to defend the interests of the Lendu group, again targeted victims from the rival Hema tribe. And finally… *) Türkiye celebrates anniversary of joining NATO alliance The Turkish National Defence Ministry commemorated Türkiye’s 72nd anniversary of joining NATO. The commemoration underscored the nation’s steadfast commitment to its obligations and responsibilities within the alliance. A ministry posted on X said that “as the second-largest military force within the Alliance, Türkiye proudly occupies a pivotal position at its core.”

*) Israeli attacks in Gaza fuel 'catastrophic' medicine shortage The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has issued a warning this week regarding a scarcity of medicines and medical supplies. They highlight the inability to provide over 60 percent of essential primary healthcare drugs. Approximately 350,000 individuals in Gaza with chronic illnesses lack access to medication, raising concerns about severe health complications. In Rafah, more than half of Gaza's population, roughly 1.4 million Palestinians, endure harsh living conditions and are exposed to disease, states the United Nations. The Health Ministry emphasises the heightened risk of respiratory, skin, and infectious diseases due to overcrowding and cold weather, particularly hepatitis A. *) Prabowo leads Indonesia presidential race by a wide margin Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto is leading the country's presidential election by a significant margin, according to results from the election commission released on Friday. With 50 percent of the votes counted, the 72-year-old former general is poised to succeed the current popular leader, Joko Widodo. While the official outcome is anticipated in late March, early indications suggest Prabowo is set to win decisively. Currently, he holds 56.89 percent of the votes, more than double that of his closest competitor, ensuring a first-round majority, as per the election commission's website. *) South Africa says Israel not complying with world court's interim ruling As Israel prepares for a possible ground offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, South Africa has accused it of disregarding previous orders from the UN's top court to prevent genocide in Palestine. South Africa's Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, expressed horror at the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, particularly in Rafah on the Egyptian border. She stated that Israel's actions support their allegations of ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories, as presented to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). *) US warns Russia to 'stay out of our elections' after Putin remark The US issued a stern warning to Russia, instructing them to refrain from interfering in American elections, in response to President Putin's recent comments seemingly favouring President Biden's re-election. During a press briefing, White House National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby emphasised the administration's efforts to counter Russia's negative influence globally and within Ukraine. Kirby reiterated the US's readiness to push back against Russian actions, particularly in Ukraine, and urged Putin to respect American elections. And finally… *) Nepal pursues sacred statues of Hindu deities once smuggled abroad Several sacred statues of Hindu deities, previously stolen and smuggled abroad, are now being repatriated to Nepal as part of a global initiative to return such artefacts to their countries of origin. Last month, the United States returned four idols and masks of Hindu gods, including a 16th-century statue of Uma-Maheswora, an incarnation of Shiva and Parvati, stolen four decades ago. Devotees in Patan, near Kathmandu, joyously welcomed the return of these artefacts, with crowded alleys witnessing offerings of money and flowers. Traditional drummers and chanters in customary attire marked the occasion with celebratory prayers.

*) Israel attacks Nasser Hospital in Gaza At least one person was killed, and many others were wounded in an attack by Israeli forces on the Nasser Hospital in besieged Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis. The attack was carried out in the hospital’s orthopaedics section, according to a WAFA report. The Palestinian news agency said the hospital has been under a blockade by Israeli forces for the last 25 days. *) UN seeks immediate action to end ‘dangerous escalatory cycle’ in Yemen The UN’s special envoy for Yemen has called for immediate action to end the “dangerous escalatory cycle” in the war-stricken country. Hans Grundberg, the UN envoy, said he was engaging the Yemeni parties and relevant regional actors to support de-escalation in the Red Sea “to protect the mediation space in Yemen.” The UN envoy called for all regional parties to refrain from “military opportunism” and for progress towards a mediated agreement to be protected. *) Putin says he regrets not starting ‘operation’ in Ukraine sooner Russian President Vladimir Putin said the only thing he regrets is that the “special military operation” in Ukraine did not start earlier. Commenting on Western reactions to his interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson in a televised show, Putin said it was good that Western politicians watched the interview, but it was unfortunate that his words were being twisted. *) MIT suspends students over protests against Israel’s attacks on Gaza The president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology has suspended a student group that held demonstrations against the Israeli military’s possible ground invasion of Gaza’s Rafah. In a video statement, Sally Kornbluth said the group, Coalition Against Apartheid or CAA, held a demonstration without going through the university’s permission process required of all groups. *) Storms batter eastern Australia, knock out power to 174,000 homes Storms packing powerful winds have toppled trees, killed one person and knocked out power from 174,000 homes and businesses in eastern Australia. The wild weather hit large swathes of Victoria on Tuesday, dumping torrents of rain and unleashing gusts of more than 150 kilometres per hour, according to the state government and emergency services. The Australian Energy Market Operator said in an update that, at its peak, 530,000 homes and businesses lost power, and about 174,000 were still cut off on Wednesday afternoon.

*) South Africa requests ICJ to take action against Israel’s Rafah offensive South Africa has urged the UN top court to assess Israel's plan to extend the Gaza offensive into Rafah for potential emergency measures, citing grave concerns about large-scale harm to Palestinians. In January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent a genocide and help Palestinian civilians in Gaza, in a case initiated by South Africa. The court has yet to give a final ruling on the issue, but the far-right Benjamin Netanyahu administration stresses that it will continue with the Rafah invasion. *) UNRWA faces shutdown due to lack of funds in Gaza The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, has warned of an imminent closure in besieged Gaza if funding decisions aren't reversed within weeks. Director Marta Lorenzo stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid amid hunger and disease, citing the International Court of Justice's call for immediate action. She lamented UNRWA's limited time before operations cease, emphasising the potential exacerbation of humanitarian suffering. *) CIA, Mossad chiefs, Qatar PM meet Egyptians on Gaza truce US CIA Director William Burns, Israel's Mossad Chief David Barnea and Qatari PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in Cairo to discuss a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials. The quartet meeting responds to mounting international pressure against Israel's Gaza onslaught while Israeli intelligence assesses Hamas's response to a proposed deal amid its ongoing war that has claimed over 28,000 lives in Gaza. *) US House leader rejects Ukraine aid bill despite Biden's plea US House Speaker Mike Johnson threw a wrench into vital support for Ukraine, blocking a vote on the $95 billion aid package already approved by the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he has no intention even of allowing a vote on the bill. The move ignores President Joe Biden's calls and raises international concerns about the US's commitment to Kiev facing Russia's aggression. And finally… *) UN: Distressing to see nations prioritising weapons over food, climate UN Chief Antonio Guterres has criticised governments prioritising arms over global issues like the climate crisis and hunger and urges UN action to address the deadly nexus threatening international peace. Climate chief Simon Stiell underscores the devastating links, emphasising the need for enhanced action.

*) UNGA president warns another phase of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza ‘is at our doorstep’ The president of the UN General Assembly expressed grave concern over Israel’s assault on the city of Rafah in the southern besieged Gaza. Dennis Francis said on X that he was “deeply distressed by the escalating military operation into Rafah,” where over a million civilians were already sheltering in the most dire conditions. Francis said “another phase of this humanitarian catastrophe” was “at our doorstep” and that this was “not a path to sustainable peace.” *) Egypt hits back at Israeli minister Smotrich’s ‘disgraceful’ remarks The diplomatic tensions between Egypt and Israel escalated following controversial remarks made by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Egypt’s foreign ministry condemned as “disgraceful” and “irresponsible” comments by Smotrich who claimed Cairo has “considerable responsibility” for Hamas’s October 7 attack. In a statement, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said, “Egypt fully controls its territory, and does not allow any party to involve Egypt’s name in failed attempts to justify its own shortcomings.” *) Kremlin, Musk deny Russian army using Starlink Both the Kremlin and Elon Musk rejected Ukraine’s claims that Russian troops fighting on the frontline were using Starlink internet terminals. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Starlink could not be “officially supplied” in Russia and thus “it cannot be officially used here in any way.” Musk also rejected Kiev’s claims, saying his “companies have probably done more to undermine Russia than anything.” *) Qatar frees eight ex-Indian officers after dropping death sentences Qatar released eight Indian ex-naval officers after dropping their death sentences, India’s foreign ministry said. The men were charged with spying for Israel, according to sources, though India and Qatar did not confirm the charges. Their death sentence, handed down in October, was dropped in December. The Indian foreign ministry credited the Qatari emir for the decision more than 18 months after their arrest challenged diplomatic ties between the two countries. And finally… *) Biden joining TikTok causes stir over national security concerns US President Joe Biden’s debut on TikTok has caused a stir — not least because the Chinese-owned social media platform is still officially considered a security risk by Washington. Republicans criticised Biden for using an app that is banned on US federal government devices over fears it harvests data for Beijing. Even the White House admitted it still had concerns about TikTok.

*) More than 100 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah A series of Israeli air strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah has killed at least 100 Palestinians, according to health officials in the besieged enclave. The strikes hit over a dozen houses and several mosques in different parts of Rafah, authorities said. TRT World correspondent Mohammad al Kassim reported that at least 40 air strikes hit several locations in Rafah and that Israeli naval and artillery shelling took part in the violent attacks on early Monday. *) Trump’s remarks put allies at risk: NATO The head of NATO has warned that Donald Trump was putting the safety of US troops and their allies at risk. The Republican presidential front-runner said Russia should be able to do “whatever the hell they want” to NATO members who don’t meet their defence spending targets. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said “any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US.” *) Death toll in Senegal protests over delayed election rises to three The death toll amid protests in Senegal over the postponement of the presidential election until December has climbed to three. The announcement of the delay just three weeks ahead of the planned February 25 vote triggered violent clashes between protesters and police in Dakar and several other cities. President Macky Sall said the delay is necessary because electoral disputes threatened the credibility of the poll, but some opposition lawmakers have denounced the move as an “institutional coup.” *) Khan-backed independents dominate parliament in Pakistan ballot: commission Pakistan’s national election vote count concluded with independents, mostly backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, winning 101 of the 264 seats, the election commission’s website showed. The final tally was released more than 60 hours after voting ended on February 8 national elections, a delay that has raised questions about the process. The independents came in ahead of the party of another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, which won 75 seats, making it the largest single party in parliament as Khan’s independents ran as individuals. *) Scholar fired for criticising Israel slams German academic censorship Ghassan Hage, an internationally renowned scholar, has slammed German academic institutions for suppressing criticism of Israel, after he was abruptly fired over allegations of anti-Semitic social media posts. He said: “What to me is a fair, intellectual critique of Israel, for them is antisemitism.” The scholar said he finds “Germany’s pseudo philosemitism self-serving, and at times racist, instrumentalised to racialise the Palestinian and more generally the Arab and Muslim community in Germany.”

1) UN human rights chief says destruction in Gaza is a 'grave breach' of Geneva Convention The UN human rights chief Volker Turk said that the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza is a violation of the Geneva Convention and a war crime. "Extensive destruction of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, amounts to a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a war crime," he said. 2) Pakistan awaits election result as vote count continues Polls closed Thursday evening in Pakistan's pivotal general elections, with counting now in progress. Pakistan’s chief election commissioner said that the results of national and provincial elections are being compiled and will be announced as soon as possible. Contrary to predictions, national broadcasters reported that the PTI-backed candidates are ahead on dozens of seats nationwide. 3) Kremlin says Xi and Putin accuse US of 'interfering' in Russia and China's affairs. The Kremlin said Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have accused the United States of "interfering" in their countries' affairs. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Xi and Putin denounced the "US policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other states" during an hour-long telephone call. He said, "The leaders of the two countries realise that the US is practically implementing a policy of double containment, (toward) both Russia and China". 4) Biden calls Israel's Gaza war 'over the top' US President Joe Biden said Israel's military response to the October 7 attacks has been "over the top." Speaking at the White House, Biden said "I'm of the view…that the conduct of the response in Gaza has been over the top." "I've been pushing really hard, really hard to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza," he added. 5) Protesters utilise Picasso's Guernica to condemn Israel's brutality in Gaza A group called "Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against the State of Israel" organised a demonstration protest at Madrid's renowned Reina Sofia Museum to denounce Israel's continued attacks on Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at the Museum in front of the powerful Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" painting which is one of history's most evocative anti-war artworks. As visitors to the museum paused before the haunting masterpiece, they were invited to join in a moment of silence to honour those who died in the conflict. Demonstrators read a statement later published on social media saying, "Zionist Israel began systematically bombing the people of Gaza four months ago.” "Today, we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging the Spanish government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel while halting arms purchases and sales to the Zionist state."

*) Saudi Arabia says no normalisation with Israel without Palestinian state Saudi Arabia has told the US that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised as per the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Saudi foreign ministry in a statement called for a halt to “aggression” in besieged Gaza. Earlier, the White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby said the Biden administration received positive feedback that Saudi Arabia and Israel were willing to continue normalisation discussions. *) Yemen’s Houthis launch missiles on ships in Red Sea Yemen’s Houthi group launched six missiles toward two merchant ships, reportedly causing light damage to one of the vessels, the US military said. US Central Command said in a statement that “Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.” The missiles targeted Marshall Islands and Barbados flagged vessels owned and operated by Greece and the UK respectively. *) Opposing Ukraine aid bill is playing into Putin’s hands: Biden President Joe Biden has said that Congress will be doing the Kremlin’s bidding if it fails to renew funding for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The US president blamed Donald Trump for playing politics with US national security. Biden called out Trump for pressuring Republican lawmakers not to pass a $118 billion bill that would fund Ukraine’s military in return for strict US immigration curbs, a Republican demand. *) EU agrees on first law tackling violence against women EU member countries and lawmakers have reached an agreement on the bloc’s first rules to tackle violence against women, the European Parliament and officials said. The law seeks to protect women in the 27-nation European Union from gender-based violence, forced marriages, female genital mutilation and online harassment. The text criminalises cyberstalking, cyberharassment and cyber incitement to hatred or violence across the European Union. *) Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson says will interview Putin ‘soon’ Tucker Carlson, a firebrand American talk show host, has said he was in Moscow to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement makes Carlson the first American media personality to land a formal interview with Putin since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Carlson, known for conservative opinions that have garnered a vast right-wing following, did not specify when the interview would be broadcast but mentioned that it would be free to watch on his personal website.

*) US military says it conducted strike against two Houthi drones The US military says that its forces conducted a strike against two Houthi drones in Yemen. The US Central Command said in a post on X that its forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. It added that the USVs presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. *) Biden’s Syria, Iraq strikes driven by US electoral agenda, Russia says Russia has accused US President Joe Biden of carrying out strikes in Iraq and Syria to boost his image as the presidential election campaign “is heating up” and not in retaliation for a deadly attack on US soldiers. The US began the airstrikes on Friday against dozens of targets linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and allied groups after three US soldiers were killed in Jordan in an attack that Washington blamed on Iranian-backed groups. Russia said there was no justification for the US action. *) Trump urges US Republicans to reject Ukraine aid deal Former US president Donald Trump has urged Republicans to reject a bill tying the toughest border security measures in a generation to $60 billion in Ukraine aid. Trump said they need a separate border and immigration bill. He added that “it should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape, or form.” *) Senegalese lawmakers vote to delay election until December Senegalese lawmakers have voted to delay a presidential election due to take place this month until December 15. The president of the National Assembly announced that lawmakers had passed the measure on Monday after several opposition deputies were forcibly removed from the chamber by police. Senegalese lawmakers have gotten physical as they debated the unprecedented move to delay this month’s presidential election, which also sparked clashes outside parliament and prompted international concern. *) Turkish President Erdogan vows to stand by victims of Feb. 6 earthquake Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to heal the wounds of the victims of the February 6, 2023 earthquakes that hit the southern part of the country. Erdogan said on X that “the pain of the lives lost in the Kahramanmaras-centred earthquakes that we experienced a year ago continues to burn our hearts as fresh as the first day.” Türkiye is marking the first anniversary of the powerful quakes that killed a total of 53,537 people and injured more than 107,000 others.

*) Hamas in consultation with factions on ceasefire: source Hamas has not informed mediators of its rejection of a proposal for a hostage swap deal and a ceasefire in Gaza, a well-informed Palestinian source said. The source, which requested anonymity, affirmed that the Palestinian resistance group’s consultations with other Palestinian factions on the proposals are “ongoing.” His remarks were in response to international media reports, some of which claimed that Hamas had rejected the proposals while others suggested that it intended to deliver its response on Sunday evening. *) US plans additional strikes on Iranian-linked targets: White House The United States will press on with its retaliation against Iran-aligned groups in Iraq and Syria, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. Sullivan declined to say if he ruled out strikes against Iran itself. The White House national security advisor said the US intended to take additional strikes and additional action to continue to send a clear message that it will respond when its forces are attacked. *) Israel demolishes ‘58 Palestinian structures’ in occupied West Bank in January The Israeli army has demolished 58 Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank in the month of January alone, according to a local organisation. “The demolished structures included 22 inhabited houses and 16 agricultural facilities,” the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said in a statement. It said most of the demolitions occurred in the cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, occupied East Jerusalem and Qalqilya. *) G7 eyes Russian assets as collateral to fund Ukraine The Group of Seven and the European Union have been discussing a plan to use more than $250 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets, Bloomberg News reported. The assets will be used as collateral to help fund the reconstruction of Ukraine, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. *) FIFA announces venue for 2026 men’s World Cup The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup will mark the first time that the world’s biggest men’s football event will take place in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the US. FIFA allocated the opener of the 39-day tournament to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and the third-place match will be at Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The final of the 2026 World Cup will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey in the US on July 19, FIFA has confirmed.

*) 'Everyone in Gaza is hungry' : UN chief appeals for heightened aid UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urgently called for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza because of severe hunger, mass displacement and a crumbling humanitarian system. "I call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded and sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza," Guterres wrote on X. "Everyone in Gaza is hungry. 1.7 million people have been displaced. The humanitarian system is collapsing," he said, highlighting the critical situation. *) Hamas receives truce proposal 'positively' — Qatar Hamas has given "initial positive confirmation" to a proposal for the cessation of fighting in Gaza and the release of hostages, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman has said. US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators met with Israeli intelligence officials in Paris on Sunday where they proposed a six-week pause in the Gaza war and a hostage swap for Hamas to review. "That proposal has been approved by the Israeli side and now we have an initial positive confirmation from the Hamas' side," Majed al Ansari told an audience at a Washington-based graduate school. Ansari emphasised that a challenging path lies ahead in the negotiations. *) $54B aid package to Ukraine sends 'strong message to Putin' — EU European Council President Charles Michel has announced that all 27 EU countries have sealed a deal on additional €50 billion or $54 billion aid to Ukraine. “We have a deal,” Michel said in a post on X. The announcement came despite staunch objections from Hungary in December and in the days leading up to Thursday's summit in Brussels. *) War between rival generals in Sudan displaces 8M people: UN The number of people uprooted by the war between rival generals in Sudan is around eight million, the United Nations has said. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who was later to visit Sudan, rallied international donors to open their wallets to fight the crisis, describing the situation as "serious" on Wednesday. "Since April 2023, so less than a year ago, eight million people have been displaced from their homes in Sudan," he said, adding that more than 1.5 million had fled to six neighbouring countries. *) Spain's Catalonia declares drought emergency for Barcelona Spain's northeastern Catalonia region has declared a drought emergency for Barcelona and the surrounding area, which will now face tighter water restrictions following three years without significant rain. The head of the regional government of Catalonia, Pere Aragones, announced on Thursday that the step after reservoirs in the Mediterranean region fell below 16 percent of their capacity. That level is the benchmark set by the authorities for the application of a new round of water-saving measures that will affect some six million people.

*) US says it downed Iranian drones, Houthi missile as Gaza war rages An American warship has shot down three Iranian drones and a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis, the US military has claimed. The US Central Command said in a statement that Iranian-backed Houthis fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from the group-controlled areas of Yemen towards the Gulf of Aden. It added that the missile was successfully shot by a US Navy destroyer. Less than an hour later, the US Navy destroyer engaged and shot down three Iranian UAVs in its vicinity, CENTCOM further said. *) Access to clean water in Gaza is ‘matter of life and death’: UN agency The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said that in besieged Gaza, access to clean water is a matter of life and death. In a post on X, UNRWA said, “In Gaza, every day is a struggle to find bread and water. Every day is a struggle to survive.” The UN agency pointed out that without safe water, many more people will die from deprivation and disease. *) ICJ rejects most of Ukraine’s terror case against Russia The top UN court has mostly rejected Ukraine’s claims that Russia was financing “terrorism” in eastern Ukraine, saying only that Moscow failed to investigate alleged breaches. Kiev had accused Moscow of being a “terrorist state” whose support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine was a harbinger of the full-fledged 2022 war. But the ICJ tossed out most of Ukraine’s pleas, ruling only that Russia was “failing to take measures to investigate facts... regarding persons who have allegedly committed an offence.” *) Indian court permits Hindus to pray inside disputed Gyanvapi mosque An Indian court has weighed in on one of the country’s most sensitive religious disputes by permitting Hindu worshippers to pray inside a mosque in the city of Varanasi. The court in Varanasi ruled that Hindu worshippers — who claim the Gyanvapi mosque replaced a destroyed temple to the deity Shiva — could pray in the building’s basement. The Gyanvapi mosque is one of several Muslim places of worship that Hindu activists, backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, have sought for decades to reclaim for their religion. *) Global air travel returns to pre-Covid levels Air travel has taken another major leap in 2023 rising to 94 percent of 2019 levels as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. The International Air Transport Association said that domestic travel in key markets such as China, India and the US had led the rebound but it expected a “normal” growth rate in 2024. Based on revenue passenger kilometres, travel in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone was 98.4 percent of where it was four years earlier, IATA said.

*) Netanyahu brags about killing 500 Palestinians in occupied West Bank Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his military forces have killed hundreds of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 7. Netanyahu vowed to continue the killing spree there. The Israeli prime minister told his army soldiers to pay attention to other fronts, especially the occupied West Bank, which he said was of “utmost importance.” *) Israel orders 88,000 displaced Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City: UN Israel has repeated new evacuation orders for neighbourhoods in western Gaza City where 88,000 Palestinians had been living in shelters, the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) has said. The area, which included the Ash Shati Refugee camp, was home to almost 300,000 Palestinians before October 7, OCHA added. The UN agency said the new order covered an area of 12.43 sq km, which amounted to 3.4 percent of the total area of Gaza. *) Report debunks Israel’s claim of tunnel beneath desecrated Gaza graveyard An investigation into a cemetery desecrated by the Israeli military in besieged Gaza has shown no evidence of a tunnel system that Israel claimed ran under the burial site, according to US broadcaster CNN. The military claimed there was a 65-foot-deep tunnel that was one-half-mile long beneath the graveyard, but CNN was denied access to the alleged tunnel when it asked. Instead, it gave CNN a tour of the site near the cemetery, which officials said led into the tunnel system and underground command centre, but there was no evidence that the tunnel below the cemetery existed. *) 100-mile bomb commissioned by Ukraine is reportedly ready After successful testing in the US, Ukraine will soon receive its first big batch of long-range missiles made by Boeing that promise to extend its range deep into Russian-held territory. They could arrive “on the battlefield” as soon as Wednesday, Politico reported. The glide bomb will allow Ukraine’s military to hit targets at twice the distance reachable by the rockets it now fires from the US-supplied HIMARS and could force Russia to move supplies even farther from the front lines. *) ‘Pandemic of snow’ in Anchorage, residents warned to clear roofs Even by Alaska standards, there’s a lot of snow this winter. So much snow has fallen — so far, more than 2.6 metres — that roofs on commercial buildings are collapsing around Anchorage and officials are urging residents to break out their shovels to avoid a similar fate at home. Over the weekend, there was nearly 16 more inches of snowfall, pushing Alaska’s largest city past the 100-inch mark earlier than at any other time in its history. The city is well on track to break its all-time record of 134.5 inches.

*) Israel kills 20 Palestinians in new Gaza massacre Israel has struck a family home in the Sabra neighbourhood of besieged Gaza, killing over a dozen Palestinians and wounding others, state-run WAFA news agency reported. WAFA said Israeli warplanes launched a strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Citing sources, WAFA added that the Israeli artillery also targeted the vicinity of a residential building in Khan Younis, in the south. *) UN chief to meet donor nations after refugee agency accusations United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will meet with key donors to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Guterres’ meeting comes in the wake of Israel accusing 12 members of the UN agency’s staff for their involvement in the October 7 surprise Hamas blitz. The UN secretary general’s spokesperson said Guterres’ message to donors — especially those who have suspended their contributions — will be to at least guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations. *) Blinken warns Ukraine gains in doubt if no US aid US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Ukraine’s gains over two years of fighting were all in doubt without new US funding. Tens of billions of dollars in US aid has been sent to Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022, but Republican lawmakers have grown reluctant to keep supporting Kiev. Blinken offered an increasingly dire picture of Ukraine’s prospects without US approval of the so-called supplemental funding. *) Canada drops arms export controls for Türkiye Canada has dropped export controls to Türkiye for certain types of weapons, including drone optical technology, according to a notice posted online. The notice said that from now on Canada would review all exports on a case-by-case basis. Monday’s announcement from Ottawa came after Canada had earlier suspended drone technology sales to Türkiye — a fellow member of NATO — in 2020. *) Neuralink implants brain chip in first human: Elon Musk Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink, has said in a post on social media platform X that the first human received an implant from the brain-chip startup and is recovering well. Musk said initial results showed promising neuron spike detection. The US Food and Drug Administration had given the company clearance last year to conduct its first trial to test its implant on humans.

*) Ceasefire talks between Israel, Hamas advance following Paris summit The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reports progress in negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding an exchange of hostages. This follows the conclusion of a summit in Paris with the participation of Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar. Talks centred on a two-month ceasefire would also release many Palestinian prisoners. However, the source noted there are still gaps in demands between the conflicting parties. *) Norway and Ireland stand firm in support of UNRWA amid controversy Norway has expressed support for the UN organisation in Palestine following allegations of some staff involvement in the October 7 attacks on Israel. Norway's Representative Office to Palestine said, "Norway continues our support for the Palestinian people through UNRWA. International support for Palestine is needed now more than ever." While Norway calls the UN agency the "most important humanitarian organisation" in the besieged enclave, Ireland confirmed they have no plans to suspend funding for the organisation’s vital Gaza work. *) Iran Executes Four Alleged Israeli Operatives according to state media Iranian state media reported that Iran executed four people on Monday, stating they were connected to an Israeli intelligence operation. The defendants were accused of illegally entering Iran from the Kurdish region of northern Iraq to conduct a bombing operation for Israel's Mossad at a Ministry of Defence factory. Israel neither confirms nor denies its involvement in operations in Iran. *) Türkiye Voices Concerns over UNRWA Funding Suspensions The Turkish Foreign Ministry says it is concerned over recent decisions by certain countries to suspend funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The ministry noted the significant risks faced by its personnel, with over 150 fatalities in Gaza, highlighting the organisation’s crucial role in supporting millions of Palestine refugees despite challenging circumstances. Türkiye said in a statement that "the suspension of funding to the organisation, following allegations against a few staff, will primarily harm the Palestinian people." It called for a collaborative resolution, urging reconsideration of funding suspensions. *) Western Nations Urge Kosovo to Reconsider Euro Adoption Five Western nations, including the US, France, Italy, Germany, and the UK have collectively urged Kosovo to replace the Serbian dinar with the euro, starting on February 1. The embassies of the five nations issued a joint statement expressing concerns about the impact of the new cash payment regulation due to worries about potential tensions with Belgrade.

*) World awaits ICJ verdict on Gaza genocide case against Israel The top UN court will hand down an initial decision in a case against Israel over what South Africa and many others say is a genocide in besieged Gaza, a landmark ruling closely watched in the Middle East and around the world. The International Court of Justice could order Israel to stop its war on Gaza or to facilitate humanitarian aid. The court will not, however, pass judgement on whether or not Israel is actually committing genocide in Gaza. *) US, Israel seal huge arms deal as Tel Aviv rains bombs on Gaza The US and Israel have concluded a massive arms deal that includes the supply of F-35 and F-15 fighter jets to Tel Aviv, Israeli Channel 12 reported. The channel cited officials from the Israeli Defence Ministry who participated in the deal as saying an agreement has been reached between the US and Israel in which the Israeli army will be supplied with drones and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the coming days. The officials said the deal is of an exceptional size as Israeli war continues in Gaza and fighting in the north with the Lebanese Hezbollah group escalates. *) Pakistan alleges Indian involvement in killing of two citizens on its soil Pakistan has accused neighbouring India’s intelligence agency of involvement in the extrajudicial killings of its citizens. Islamabad said it had “credible evidence” linking two Indian agents to the assassinations of two Pakistanis in Pakistan last year. Pakistan’s foreign office said the assassination of Pakistani nationals on Pakistani soil was a violation of the country’s sovereignty and a breach of the UN Charter. *) India razes Muslim shops in Mumbai after controversial temple opening Authorities in India’s financial capital Mumbai have torn down several Muslim-owned makeshift shopfronts after religious clashes sparked by a divisive temple that was opened this week by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minor clashes broke out Sunday in parts of Mumbai, including one incident where Hindus chanting religious slogans passed through a Muslim neighbourhood on the megacity's outskirts. No serious injuries were reported in the melee but by Tuesday, authorities had called in excavators to knock down more than a dozen shopfronts belonging to Muslims in that locality, according to local media reports. And finally… *) ‘Salt-tea’ suggestion kicks off a storm in a teacup and rocks US-UK ties The US Embassy in London has stepped in after an American professor made an “unthinkable” suggestion that “threatens the very foundation” of the US-UK “special relationship.” Michelle Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, authored a just-released book, “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea,” in which she suggested that adding a pinch of salt to tea could help reduce its bitterness. Her suggestions, however, are anathema to Britain’s tea culture. It prompted the US embassy to issue a statement, ensuring the “good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be.”

*) Israeli bombardment targets children in Gaza refugee camp The Israeli army has carried out an airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza which killed four children. The children’s bodies were found in the debris of houses, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. It added that the Israeli military continued its attacks from the air and ground on the Khan Younis region in southern Gaza. *) Israel shells two hospitals in Gaza's Khan Younis The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has accused the Israeli army of shelling two medical facilities of Nasser and al Amal hospitals in Khan Younis. A ministry spokesman said Israeli forces blocked roads to the two facilities and prevented ambulance dispatches there, leaving facilities “at severe risk." *) Zelenskyy says Russia 'playing' with lives of Ukraine POWs Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia was "playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners". This comes after Moscow accused Kiev of downing a military plane carrying dozens of its own captured soldiers. Ukraine did not deny the targeting of the plane. Moscow said 74 people — 65 of them Ukrainian prisoners of war — were killed when a military transport plane was shot down in the western Belgorod region. *) Mali gold mine collapse kills scores of workers More than 70 people have been killed after a tunnel collapsed at a Malian gold mining site, local sources say. Mali's Ministry of Mines in a statement on Tuesday had announced the death of several miners but did not give precise figures. Gold mining sites are regularly the scene of deadly landslides and authorities struggle to control artisanal mining of the precious metal. And finally… *) Largest NATO military exercise since Cold War kicks off The US Navy dock landing ship Gunston Hall has left the port to mark the first movement for the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, American officials say. Some 90,000 troops from the United States and fellow NATO allied nations are due to join. More than 50 ships from aircraft carriers to destroyers, more than 80 fighter jets, helicopters and drones and at least 1,100 combat vehicles will take part. The Steadfast Defender 2024 drills will run through May.

*) Israel suffers deadliest single-day loss since start of Gaza ground war Twenty-four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the biggest single-day losses since the start of its ground war in Gaza. Intense fighting has been raging in southern and central Gaza, where Israel says it has been attacking the remaining strongholds of Hamas and trying to clear areas near the border. It was in one of those border areas that 21 of the soldiers died when there was an explosion in a building and it collapsed. Israel's brutal war on Gaza — now in its 110th day — has killed at least 25,490 Palestinians and wounded 63,354, local authorities say. *) EU says Israel can't 'have veto' to block creation of Palestinian state EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has said that Israel cannot be allowed to unilaterally block the creation of a Palestinian state after the war. This comes after Borell chaired talks between the EU's 27 foreign ministers and top diplomats from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and key Arab states. Meanwhile, speaking at the UN Security Council meeting, the Palestinian foreign minister said Israel had denied Palestinians existence, rights and humanity. *) Ukraine war hits day 700 amid spike in Russian missile strikes The war in Ukraine has hit its 700th day amid a spike in Russian missile strikes. A wave of new Russian missiles hit Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, killing 18 people and wounding more than 100, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rescue workers in Kharkiv hauled survivors from smouldering piles of rubble as apartment blocks were toppled by the strikes. *) Türkiye slams international failure to stop bloodshed in Gaza Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has criticised the international community for its perceived failure to intervene and halt Israel's ongoing conflict with Palestine. Fidan said that the argument claiming the current war is primarily about ensuring Israel's security lacks credibility. He criticised the proponents of this viewpoint for neglecting to address the security concerns of Palestinians and Palestine's right to self-defence. And finally… *) Trump triumphs in New Hampshire primary, leaving Haley in shadows Donald Trump has won the New Hampshire's Republican primary, delivering a setback to rival Nikki Haley. Tuesday was his second straight victory in his quest for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. He won Iowa's leadoff caucuses by 30 percentage points. Allies of President Joe Biden, meanwhile, are hoping their write-in campaign on the Democratic side is successful.

*) Palestinians in Gaza flee Israeli attacks Israel has pounded the southern city of Khan Younis, pushing thousands of Palestinians in Gaza to flee even further south. Families made their way on foot down the coastal highway. Others loaded blankets and belongings into vehicles or donkey carts. The UN says Israel's war has displaced some 85 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, and one in four of them are starving. At least 25,295 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks and 63,000 wounded. *) Families of captives storm Israel's Knesset Dozens of family members of captives held in Gaza have stormed a committee meeting in Israel's parliament demanding a deal to win their loved ones' release. The family members of the captives held up signs and yelled, "You won't sit here while they are dying there!" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist to the Israeli public that pursuing the devastating aggression in Gaza is the only way to bring the captives home. At the same time, he has rejected the United States' proposal for a postwar resolution, saying he will never allow a Palestinian sovereignty. *) China 'races against time' to find survivors of devastating landslide Rescuers are racing to find dozens of people still trapped after a landslide struck a remote and mountainous part of southwestern China, killing 11. The pre-dawn landslide buried 18 homes and sparked the evacuation of more than 200 people when it struck Yunnan province. Local media said rescue workers are now in a "race against time" to find those missing after a night of sub-zero temperatures. *) Zelenskyy calls for unity as Russia rules out peace plan Russia's foreign minister has clashed with the United States and Ukraine's supporters at a UN meeting where Moscow ruled out peace plans backed by Kiev and the West. Sergey Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian forces have been "a complete failure" on the battlefield and are "incapable" of defeating or weakening Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Ukrainians to remain united and committed to a common goal of thwarting Russia's assault on their country. And finally… *) More than 75,000 march across France to condemn 'racist' immigration law Protests against France's contentious immigration law have taken place in various cities nationwide. A demonstration that kicked off in Paris saw the participation of trade unions and lawmakers from the far-left LFI or France Unbowed party. The protesters claimed the law is "racist" and targets immigrants and French citizens with dual nationality. They called for granting residence permits to everyone residing in the country.

*) Death toll of Palestinians in Gaza from Israeli strikes passes 25,000 The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza has passed 25,000, Health officials in the enclave said amid heavy Israeli strikes. Gaza's Health Ministry said in a statement that 178 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, one of the deadliest days so far of the war. A total of 25,105 Palestinians have been killed and 62,681 have been injured in Israeli strikes since October 7, the statement said. *) Ram Temple inauguration: religious ceremony or political rally for Modi? A grand temple to Hindu god Lord Ram is set to open on a site in India millions believe is his birthplace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the inauguration with a religious spectacle in Ayodhya, months before he seeks a rare third term in elections. The construction of the temple had been a political promise of Modi’s Hindu nationalist BJP but the site has been contested for decades, with both Hindus and Muslims laying claim to it. *) More than 13,000 people killed in Sudan conflict: UN More than 13,000 people have been killed and 26,000 others injured in the ongoing conflict in Sudan since last year, the United Nations said. Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has been ongoing since April 2023. Several ceasefire agreements brokered by Saudi and US mediators have failed to end the violence. *) Dozens killed in Ukrainian strike on Donetsk — Russia At least 25 people have been killed and 20 others injured due to shelling in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, which is currently under Russian control. The injuries also included two children, according to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-affiliated head of the region. He also claimed the artillery shells were fired from the settlements of Kurakhove and Krasnohorivka, which are under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on Pushilin's claim. And finally… *) Republican DeSantis suspends his presidential campaign, backs Trump Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nominee, throwing his support behind frontrunner Donald Trump. DeSantis said in a video on X that he could not “ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources” without “a clear path to victory.” His withdrawal from the race comes less than two days before the New Hampshire primary. Polls showed him far behind ex-president Trump and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley.

*) US says ‘no way’ to solve conflict without Palestinian state There is “no way” to solve Israel’s long-term security challenges in the region and the short-term challenges of rebuilding besieged Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. The comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference he had told Washington that he objected to any Palestinian statehood that did not guarantee Israel’s security. *) Israel’s war on Gaza to hit economies across Middle East: Qatar The war in Gaza will hit economies across the Middle East if it is not resolved and the conflict urgently needs a non-military solution, Qatar’s Finance Minister Ali al Kuwari said. He also noted that the solution is really to look for a permanent solution for the main issue in the Middle East which is the Palestinian problem. Al Kuwari added this cannot be fixed by military actions. *) North Korea says tested ‘underwater nuclear weapon system’ North Korea has tested an “underwater nuclear weapon system” in response to joint naval exercises by Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, which involved a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, state media said. The drills were “seriously threatening the security” of the North, so in response, Pyongyang “conducted an important test of its underwater nuclear weapon system in the East Sea of Korea,” according to the country's defence ministry. North Korea has been stepping up pressure on Seoul in recent weeks, declaring it the “principal enemy,” saying the North will never reunite with the South and vowing to enhance its military capabilities. *) Pakistan strikes show Iran not ‘well-liked’ in region: Biden US President Joe Biden has said air strikes by Pakistan and Iran on each other’s territory showed Tehran was not “well-liked,” as the White House warned against any escalation. The US president stressed that Washington was now trying to understand how the Iran-Pakistan situation would develop, adding: “Where that goes we’re working on now – I don’t know where that goes.” Tensions between Islamabad and Tehran have soared after Iran struck alleged militant targets in Pakistan and Pakistan responded in kind. And finally… *) Türkiye propels into space history with launch of country’s first astronaut Colonel Alper Gezeravci, a fighter pilot in the Turkish Air Force, has blasted off to space for a two-week mission in the International Space Station, putting Türkiye among the group of nations that have successfully sent astronauts into space. Colonel Gezeravci told TRT World in an exclusive interview that “it’s a very symbolic, important step. However, it’s not the last. It’s the beginning of a journey for our great country.” Gezeravci’s highly anticipated first remarks in space were an echo from the early years of the Turkish Republic, as he quoted the country’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: “İstikbal göklerdedir (meaning, the future is in the skies)!"

*) Gaza's internet outage enters sixth day, longest since war began A telecommunications blackout in besieged Gaza has entered its sixth day. This is the longest continuous outage since Israel began its attacks on the Palestinian enclave. Palestinian telecoms provider Jawwal blamed Israel's "heavy bombardment" of the territory for a previous blackout. Humanitarian leaders have said communications blackouts impeded deliveries of aid, as Israeli attacks have killed at least 24,448 Palestinians and wounded 61,504 so far. *) US fires wave of missiles on Yemen The US military has fired another wave of ship- and submarine-launch missile strikes against Houthi-run sites, US officials have said. This is the fourth time in days the US directly targeted the group in Yemen as violence ignited in the wake of Israel's war on Gaza continues to spill over in the Middle East. The strikes come after a one-way attack drone was launched from a Houthi-run area in Yemen and struck a US-owned and -operated vessel in the Gulf of Aden. *) Pakistan strikes 'seven locations' of BLA terror group inside Iran Pakistan has launched air strikes inside Iran against terror group Balochistan Liberation Army. Pakistan foreign ministry stated that the country had employed high precision to target militants inside Iran. It comes after Iran carried out strikes against what Tehran said were "terrorist targets" in Pakistan — an attack that Islamabad blamed Iran for killing two children and wounding three girls. *) UK lawmakers approve controversial bill to send refugees to Rwanda UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has won a crunch parliamentary vote on his contentious plan to send refugees and migrants to Rwanda. Right-wing Conservatives had threatened to kill the bill but they ultimately backed down, and the government won comfortably by 320 votes to 276. The bill is the British leader's answer to a UK Supreme Court ruling late last year that deporting refugees and migrants to Rwanda is illegal under international law. And finally… *) Hundreds of flights cancelled in Germany amid heavy snowfall Heavy snowfalls and freezing rain across Germany have led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains. At Frankfurt airport, Germany's biggest, more than 500 flights were cancelled, while in Munich over 250 arrivals and departures were cancelled. Freezing rain across western and southern Germany also led to countless crashes on icy roads and the weather service warned of an extreme risk of black ice.

*) Qatar announces humanitarian deal between Israel, Hamas Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas have reached an agreement that will enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to civilians in Gaza in exchange for the delivery of medicines to Israeli hostages. The agreement is a joint effort between Qatar and France, according to the Qatari Foreign Ministry. The ministry added that the humanitarian aid is scheduled to be dispatched to Egypt today before reaching Gaza. *) US Senate rejects measure to force human rights report on Israel Meanwhile, the US Senate has rejected a resolution that would have forced the State Department to examine whether Israel committed human rights violations in Palestine’s Gaza. As voting continued, 54 senators voted to set the resolution aside, thus meaning it cannot move ahead in the 100-member Senate. Israel's brutal war on Gaza — now in its 103rd day — has killed some 24,285 Palestinians and wounded 61,154, Palestinian authorities say. *) Russia calls Ukraine peace meetings 'pointless' In the Ukraine conflict, Russia has said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plan to resolve the nearly two-year war had no hope of succeeding. Putin dismissed meetings devoted to Zelenskyy's plan as "pointless and harmful". A statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website underlined that the meeting had exposed differences between participants and produced no increase in support for the proposals. *) Sudan accuses east African bloc of violating sovereignty, suspends ties Sudan's army-aligned government has frozen ties with the East African bloc of Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD. For nine months war has been raging between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and has now spread to the remains of the ancient Kush kingdom. IGAD extended an invitation to paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to a summit in Uganda, which he accepted. But the move prompted the foreign ministry, loyal to army chief and Sudan's leader Abdel Fattah al Burhan, to announce it was suspending its ties with the bloc. And finally… *) OpenAI braces AI for anti-disinformation tools for 2024 elections ChatGPT maker OpenAI has said it will introduce tools to combat disinformation ahead of the dozens of elections this year. With elections due in the US, India and UK, OpenAI said it will not allow its tech to be used for political campaigns. It is working on tools that would attach reliable attribution to text generated by ChatGPT, and also give users the ability to detect if an image was created using AI.

*) Israel kills 25 civilians in new Gaza carnage — Palestine Israel has killed 25 Palestinians and wounded dozens of others during new bombardment of different areas in besieged Gaza, Palestinian news agency WAFA has reported. One such Israeli bombardment targeted a house north of Rafah, killing 11 people, most of whom were children and women, and injuring many others. In addition, Israel also killed eight people and wounded dozens during a bombing of a site near the Civil Defence headquarters in Khan Younis City. This new carnage brings the total of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to some 24,100, while 60,834 others are wounded, according to Palestinian authorities. *) Russia declares state of emergency in Ukraine attacked region Meanwhile in the war in Ukraine, now in its 692nd day, the mayor of southern Russian city Voronezh has declared a state of emergency. Russian officials say a Ukraine-launched drone attack damaged several buildings and wounded a child. The Russian Defence Ministry said it had destroyed five drones and intercepted three others overnight over the region, which borders Ukraine. *) North Korea abolishes agencies seeking unification with South North Korea has formally abolished a handful of government agencies charged with promoting cooperation and unification with the South, according to state media. This comes just weeks after the nation's leader Kim Jong-un said that continuing to seek reconciliation with South Korea was a "mistake". He called for a constitutional amendment to change the status of South Korea to a separate state and said unification with the South is no longer possible. *) Iran says it bombed 'Mossad' and 'terrorist' sites in Iraq and Syria Iran's Revolutionary Guard has launched missile attacks as Tehran described them as the espionage headquarters of Israel's Mossad and terrorist groups in Iraq and neighbouring Syria, state media has reported. The headquarters have been the centre for developing espionage operations and planning terrorist actions in the region, according Iranian media. At least four civilians were killed and six wounded in the strikes on Erbil, the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq said in a statement, describing the attack as a "crime." And finally… *) Trump wins Republican race in frigid Iowa Donald Trump romped to a lightning-quick victory in Iowa's caucuses as the presumptive Republican standard-bearer to challenge President Joe Biden in November's election. Biden acknowledged that Donald Trump was the "clear frontrunner" to be the Republican candidate in the US election. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy, a multi-millionaire former biotech executive, ended his White House bid and endorsed Trump.

*) Israel kills almost 24,000 Palestinians as war hits 100-day mark Israeli attacks on Gaza have continued for over a 100 days since October 7th. During which, a total of 23,968 Palestinians have been killed and 60,582 injured by Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said. And the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor estimates at least 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, wounded or reported missing in the past 100 days. *) More Palestinians killed by Israeli army fire in occupied West Bank Meanwhile in the occupied West Bank, four more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire, including a 14-year-old boy. A statement by the Palestinian Health Ministry said the boy lost his life after Israeli forces opened fire in a refugee camp northwest of Jericho city. According to the state news agency Wafa, the boy was shot in the chest by Israeli forces. He was then transferred to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The ministry said another two Palestinians were killed near a town east of Al Halil, without providing any details. *) US downs missile fired from Yemen at American warship: military A US fighter aircraft has shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired at a US Navy destroyer from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. United States Central Command says there were no injuries or damage reported in the incident that took place in the southern Red Sea. Houthi media reported US and British strikes hit the port city of Hudaida, but a US defence official refuted the allegation. It marks the third consecutive day of reported strikes against the group over its attacks on Red Sea shipping. *) 83 countries hold Ukraine peace talks in Davos Meanwhile in the war in Ukraine, national security advisers from 83 countries have held talks seeking common ground on Ukraine's peace formula. The fourth round of discussions was based on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 10-point proposals for peace in Ukraine, nearly two years on from Russia's full-scale offensive. Brazil, India and South Africa participated in the talks – countries that sit alongside Russia in the BRICS group. And finally… *) IMF: Artificial intelligence to impact 60 percent of advanced economy jobs Artificial intelligence will impact 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said. A new International Monetary Fund report notes that half of the jobs impacted by AI will be negatively affected, while the rest may actually benefit from enhanced productivity gains. But this number decreases to 40 percent for emerging markets and 26 percent for low-income countries, the IMF report says.

*) Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, S Africa says at ICJ South Africa has told judges at the International Court of Justice that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and pleaded with the court to urgently order Israel to halt its war on Gaza. South African lawyers said the latest Gaza war is part of a decades-long oppression of the Palestinians by Israel. Genocides are “never declared in advance,” but ICJ has 13 weeks of evidence showing a “pattern of conduct that justifies the plausible claim of genocidal acts,” a top lawyer for South Africa told the UN’s top court. *) ICJ genocide hearings offer hope for Palestinians: Amnesty International Amnesty International has said that ongoing proceedings at the ICJ related to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel have the potential to safeguard Palestinian civilians. The rights watchdog said the case could lead to bringing an “end to the man-made humanitarian catastrophe” in besieged Gaza, and provide a glimmer of hope for international justice. As the US continues to use its veto power to block the UN Security Council from calling for a ceasefire, war crimes and crimes against humanity are rife, and the risk of genocide is real, Amnesty International further said. *) Israel to counter genocide accusations at World Court Israel will respond to strong accusations brought by South Africa at the UN’s top court that its brutal war in besieged Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign aimed at wiping out the Palestinian population. Israel has rejected the accusations of genocide as baseless and said South Africa was acting as a mouthpiece for Hamas resistance group. The 1948 Genocide Convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of Jews in the Nazi Holocaust, defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” *) Russia warns of risk of nuclear response if Ukraine hits missile launch sites A senior ally of President Vladimir Putin warned that any Ukrainian attacks on missile launch sites inside Russia with arms supplied by the US and its allies would risk a nuclear response from Moscow. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said that some Ukrainian military commanders were considering hitting missile launch sites inside Russia with Western-supplied long-range missiles. He did not name the commanders or disclose more details of the alleged plan and there was no immediate reaction from Ukraine to his threat. *) US and UK strike Yemen’s Houthis; rebels say counterstrikes under way The US and British militaries have bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Houthi positions in Yemen, in a massive strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, US officials have said. The military targets included logistical hubs, air defence systems and weapons storage locations, they said early on Friday. Houthi officials said they targeted American and British warships in the Red Sea in reaction to the strikes.

*) All eyes on ICJ as South Africa’s Gaza genocide case against Israel begins A legal battle over whether Israel’s war in Gaza amounts to genocide is set to open at the UN’s top court with preliminary hearings into South Africa’s call for judges to order an immediate suspension of Israel’s military invasion. Israel denies the genocide charge even as it has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly kids and women, wounded nearly 60,000, uprooted 85 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million population and flattened some 60 percent of the enclave’s infrastructure. The case that will begin on Thursday, and is likely to take years to resolve, strikes at the heart of Israel’s national identity as a state created by the Zionists in the aftermath of the Nazi genocide in the Holocaust. *) WHO cancels sixth aid mission to Gaza in two weeks over security concerns The World Health Organization has cancelled another planned medical aid mission to Gaza over security concerns. This was the sixth cancellation by the UN agency in just two weeks, as it sounded a fresh alarm over the spread of infectious diseases in the besieged Palestinian enclave. WHO said intense Israeli bombardment, restrictions on movement, fuel shortage and interrupted communications make it impossible for WHO and its partners to reach those in need. *) Netanyahu diverges from his key ministers on Gaza reoccupation Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has no plans to reoccupy Gaza or expel its Palestinian population. Netanyahu’s statement stood in contrast to extremist members of his far-right government who have repeatedly called for an ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu went further to claim that the Israeli military is doing its utmost “to minimise civilian casualties,” despite the Israeli army killing more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounding nearly 60,000 others. *) Looting, arson in Papua New Guinea cities leave 15 people dead At least 15 people were killed in widespread looting and arson across Papua New Guinea’s two largest cities, the country’s police commissioner said. A police and public sector protest on Wednesday over a pay cut that officials blamed on an administrative glitch descended into lawlessness over the day. TV footage showed thousands in the streets of Port Moresby, many carrying what appeared to be looted merchandise as black smoke billowed over the city. *) Musk’s X sheds over 1,000 staff from teams combating online hate — watchdog Elon Musk’s X has shed more than 1,000 staff globally from teams responsible for stopping abusive content online, according to new figures by Australia’s online watchdog. Australia’s eSafety Commission said these “deep cuts” and the reinstatement of thousands of banned accounts has created a “perfect storm” for the spread of harmful content. The regulator has in recent months zeroed in on X — formerly known as Twitter — previously saying Musk’s takeover coincided with a spike in “toxicity and hate” on the platform.

*) Israel tells hospitals to prepare for 'thousands' of injured Israel has ordered hospitals in the north of the country to prepare for the possibility of receiving "thousands of injured" people as tensions with Hezbollah increase. Israel's Health Ministry has asked medical centres to prepare for the possibility of going into "deserted island mode," that is being left without medical supplies, medicine and food for days. The ministry also asked hospitals to go into emergency mode within a few hours and requested that they maintain a 50 percent occupancy rate. *) Egypt refuses to let Israel monitor buffer zone with Gaza Egypt has rejected a proposal by Israel for greater Israeli oversight over the buffer zone on the Egypt-Gaza border. Egypt said it is prioritising efforts to broker a ceasefire before working on post-war arrangements. Egyptian sources said that during those talks Israel had approached Egypt about securing the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow buffer zone along the border, as part of Israeli plans to prevent future attacks. *) Dozens of rabbis protest at UN to demand Israel end its war on Gaza About three dozen rabbis and rabbinical students from US organisations have protested inside the UN Security Council chamber and later in front of the main UN building. They urged a ceasefire in Gaza and asked US President Joe Biden's administration to allow such resolutions to pass instead of vetoing them in the Security Council. The protests were organised by US Jewish groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, and Rabbis for Ceasefire. *) West slams Russia's use of North Korean missiles against Ukraine Nearly 50 countries joined the US in condemning North Korea's alleged transfer of missiles to Russia, demanding an immediate end to the cooperation. In a joint statement, they said the alleged missile shipment "flagrantly" violated sanctions on North Korea by the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member. "The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia's war of aggression, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime," said the statement. *) Secret tunnel discovered under synagogue in New York More than 10 Hasidic Jewish worshippers were arrested after clashes broke out at a historic Brooklyn synagogue in New York. The discovery of the tunnel at the Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in Crown Heights prompted an emergency structural inspection from the city. Motti Seligson, the spokesperson for Chabad Lubavitch, said that some time ago, "a group of extremist students" broke through a few walls in adjacent properties to the synagogue to provide them with "unauthorised access."

*) Blinken in Tel Aviv as Gaza sees another night of Israeli terror US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has touched down in Tel Aviv amidst escalating tensions in the region. It comes as Israel intensifies its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, sparking global concerns about the potential expansion of the conflict beyond Palestine. Despite expressing concern over the civilian casualties resulting from Israel's military actions, Washington, a key ally and arms supplier to Israel, has not called for a ceasefire in Gaza since October 7. The ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza has left over 23,000 Palestinians dead, nearly 59,000 wounded and has devastated 60 percent of the enclave's homes and businesses. *) Israel's top court blocks foreign media from independently entering Gaza Israel's Supreme Court denied international media organisations' request for independent access to report from besieged Gaza. The Foreign Press Association, representing many media outlets in Israel and Palestine, urged Israeli authorities last month to allow journalists into the conflict-ridden enclave. The court, recognizing press freedom but citing wartime conditions, justified maintaining restrictions. It argued that journalists inside Gaza could jeopardise Israeli soldiers by revealing troop positions. This decision heightens concerns about media challenges in covering Gaza, underscoring ongoing complexities in accessing information in conflict zones. *) Gangs kill 17 across three villages in Nigeria Armed gang members have killed at least 17 people in attacks in northwestern Nigeria's Kaduna state. The gang members carried out attacks on three villages in Kauru district, according to reports. At least 17 people lost their lives and 58 people were kidnapped. Nigeria is confronting attacks from armed gangs and terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, the West African branch of Daesh, in various parts of the country. *) Brazil’s Lula vows 'no pardon' for January 8 rioters President Lula da Silva has pledged no pardon for the supporters of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro involved in last year's riots, as Brazil observed the anniversary of the attacks. Speaking at the main entry hall of Congress in Brasilia, one of the buildings targeted by far-right rioters, Lula emphasised the need to safeguard Brazil's democracy. The rioters vandalised the premises and called for military intervention to remove Lula. *) Boeing shares dive as regulators unveil inspection plan for grounded MAX jets Boeing shares tumbled on Monday following a mid-flight aeroplane panel failure, casting doubt on the company's efforts to restore its reputation. Over six percent decline in Boeing stock affected the Dow index, coinciding with US aviation authorities issuing inspection protocols for planes with configurations similar to the 737 MAX 9 involved in Friday's incident. Alaska Flight 1282, departing from Portland International Airport on Friday, experienced a pressurisation issue while gaining altitude, prompting concerns about the safety of Boeing's aircraft.

*) Israeli attacks on Palestine’s Gaza to continue throughout 2024 Israel’s military chief has said that the war in Gaza will likely continue throughout the year. Israel’s Army Chief of General Staff spoke about his country’s attacks on Gaza during a visit to the occupied West Bank, according to a statement from the Israeli army. He said 2024 will be "tough” and that they will “fight in Gaza all year, for sure.” *) 6,000 critically injured Palestinians in Gaza need 'urgent treatment' abroad The government in Gaza has announced that 6,000 critically injured people urgently need to be transported out of the enclave for treatment. In a statement, the media office in Gaza shared details about the "catastrophic situation" that the health sector is in due to Israeli attacks since October 7th. It said 30 hospitals in the area are out of service as more than 58,000 people have been injured due to the attacks. *) Qatar's emir meets US' Blinken, calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Abu Dhabi for the latest leg of his Middle East tour. It comes as fears grow that Israel's war in Gaza may spill into the wider region, after one of Hamas’s senior leaders was killed in a bomb attack in Beirut last week. Blinken held talks with both Jordanian and Qatari representatives in Amman and Doha. For his part, Qatar’s emir called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the blockaded territory. *) Bangladesh’s Hasina secures fifth term amid opposition boycott Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won re-election for a fifth term, an Election Commission spokesman said in the early hours of Monday morning. The polls were boycotted by the country’s major opposition party and initial reports suggested the exercise had a meagre turnout of some 40 percent. Hasina has presided over breakneck economic growth in a country once beset by grinding poverty, but her government has been accused of rampant human rights abuses and a ruthless opposition crackdown. *) Hollywood stars attend 81st awards ceremony The 81st Golden Globe Awards has taken place in Los Angeles. It's been a huge year for cinema which saw Barbie and Oppenheimer dominate the box office. Oppenheimer also dominated the awards, winning best drama, best actor, as well as best director awards. Comedy film Poor Things also received two awards, including one for American actress Emma Stone.

*) S Korea: DPRK fired artillery shells near its islands, evacuation ordered North Korea fired more than 200 artillery shells near two South Korean islands, Seoul's defence ministry has said, with an evacuation order issued for residents. Yeonpyeong local officials said civilians had been asked to evacuate, describing the order as a "preventative measure." Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in decades, after Kim enshrined the country's status as a nuclear power into the constitution while test-firing several advanced ICBMs. *) Database exposes 500 instances of Israeli incitement to genocide in Gaza A non-profit human rights organisation Law for Palestine has revealed shocking evidence of over 500 instances of Israeli officials advocating for genocide against Palestinians in besieged Gaza. These reprehensible incitements have been categorised into significant thematic areas, including genocidal intent, forced displacement, and collective punishment. Some of those calls for genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians came from Israeli decision-makers, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other extremist ministers in the far-right government. *) Iran vows revenge after deadly twin blasts in Kerman region Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber vowed revenge for explosions that killed nearly 84 people at a ceremony to commemorate top commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone in 2020 in Iraq. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the "heinous and inhumane crime", and Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, also vowed revenge for the twin bombings. *) Israel is starving Gaza and ‘nothing is being done to stop it’ Those who have survived the bombings, repeated displacement and disease outbreaks in Gaza must now contend with another impending disaster of famine. Last month, a United Nations-backed body warned that famine could become a reality in Gaza, if food crisis levels of hunger continued. "Increased nutritional vulnerability of children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly is a particular source of concern," the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative report added. *) Biden's first 2024 ad warns of 'extremist' threat to democracy President Joe Biden's campaign has released its first television ad for the 2024 election, warning of an "extremist" threat to democracy over images of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. "There's something dangerous happening in America. There's an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs in our democracy," says the ad, released early on social media.

*) Israel dropped 65,000 tonnes of bombs in 'genocidal war' on Gaza The Israeli army bombarded Gaza with more than 45,000 missiles and bombs that weighed more than 65,000 tonnes, the Gaza Media Office has said. The office said about two-thirds of the bombs and missiles were unguided and imprecise, commonly known as dumb bombs. It pointed out that the use of such bombs indicates “the deliberate targeting of indiscriminate and unjustified killing by the occupation.” *) US imam shot outside New Jersey mosque dies, shooter at large An imam shot outside a Newark mosque in New Jersey state has succumbed to gunshot wounds, American authorities have said. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said the loss of Imam Hassan Sharif will be felt across the state and city, adding there’s no evidence indicating the shooting was motivated by an anti-Muslim bias. The Muslim cleric was in his vehicle when he was shot more than once near the mosque, Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens said at a news conference. *) Ukraine calls US weapons to Kiev ‘investment’ in NATO protection Ukraine is considering no alternative to securing stalled US military assistance for its war against Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kiev is confident the US Congress will give its approval to release the aid. Kuleba said that if Russia prevailed in the conflict, which is now more than 22 months old, “other leaders will be tempted to follow in Russia’s footprints.” *) More than 100 dead in blasts near grave of slain Iran general At least 103 people have been killed in Iran as two bombs in quick succession struck a crowd commemorating slain general Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his killing, state media reported. Wednesday’s blasts, which state television called a “terrorist attack,” came a day after a senior Hamas leader was assassinated in an Israeli drone attack in Beirut. Long seen as a deadly adversary by the US and its allies, Soleimani was one of the most important power brokers across the region, setting Iran’s political and military agenda in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. *) Over a dozen campaign staffers warn Biden could lose votes in re-election bid About seventeen of Biden’s re-election campaign staffers have issued a warning in an anonymous letter that Biden could lose voters over his handling of Israel’s war on Gaza. They urged the US president to call for a ceasefire. The staffers said the “Biden for President” campaign has seen volunteers quit in droves, and people who have voted blue for decades feel uncertain about doing so for the first time ever, because of this conflict.

*) Hamas says it 'will never be defeated' after Israel kills Arouri Hamas chief Ismail Haniya has said his Palestinian resistance group "will never be defeated" after the assassination of its deputy leader Saleh al Arouri in Lebanon by Israel. "A movement whose leaders and founders fall as martyrs for the dignity of our people and our nation will never be defeated," Haniya said in a televised address. He also said that the assassination of al Arouri is a "terrorist act," a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and an expansion of Israel's hostility against Palestinians. *) Russia hit Ukraine with '300 missiles, 200 drones' in 72 hours Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia used 300 missiles and 200 drones in attacks over three days. He said, “this is absolutely conscious terror. In just a few days Russia has already used almost 300 missiles and more than 200 drones against Ukraine.” Zelenskyy also warned that if Ukraine fails, "Russian terror" will further spread throughout Europe. *) Sudan's RSF open to talks on immediate ceasefire with army: official Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has said it was open to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire through talks with the Sudanese army. It signed a declaration with the Taqadum civilian coalition and invited the army to do the same. It also included commitments to return millions of displaced people to their homes, create safe passages and include civilians in peace talks. *) Türkiye detains 33 people suspected of spying for Israel's Mossad Turkish authorities have detained 33 people on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities on behalf of Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad, according to security sources. The arrests followed an investigation by the Istanbul Prosecutor Office's Terrorism and Organised Crimes Investigation Bureau, focusing on international espionage. The suspects are alleged to have been involved in activities such as reconnaissance, surveillance, assault and abduction on behalf of Mossad. *) Saudi Arabia formally joins BRICS bloc amid geo-political tensions Saudi state TV has said that the kingdom had officially joined the BRICS bloc of countries. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister had said in August the kingdom would study the details before the proposed January 1 joining date and take "the appropriate decision". The BRICS bloc is set to double with Saudi Arabia joining the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia as new members. Saudi Arabia's entry comes amid geo-political tensions between the US and China, and the expansion of China's influence within the kingdom.

*) Hamas urges ICRC action as Palestine says Israel killed prisoner Palestinian resistance group Hamas has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross to document human rights violations against Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. According to the latest figures, more than 7,800 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons, including 80 women. Earlier, Palestinian prisoner affairs groups accused Israel of assassinating an incarcerated Palestinian man in an Israeli jail. This comes on the 88th day of Israel's attacks on besieged Gaza, which has killed at least 21,978 Palestinians and wounded 56,697 others. *) Hit by 155 quakes, Japan 'racing against time' to rescue victims Japan is racing against time to save people after a series of powerful earthquakes hit western regions, leaving at least 30 people dead. The Japan Meteorological Office said the country was hit with 155 earthquakes on Monday. Out of these, the largest had a magnitude of 7.5 and struck Ishikawa prefecture, according to the US Geological Survey. The scale of the damage is still emerging, with news footage showing toppled buildings, charred homes and locals without power in freezing overnight temperatures. *) Explosions in Kiev as Ukraine battles 'Russian drone attack' Explosions have been heard in Ukraine's capital as the country’s air force battled a Russian drone attack, officials say. The mayor of Kiev reported explosions about an hour after the region's military administration said unmanned aerial vehicles or drones had been detected in the city's airspace. There were also air alerts in the regions of Chernigiv, Cherkasy, Mykolayiv and Kherson. *) South Korea opposition chief 'stabbed in neck' during Busan visit South Korea's opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung has been attacked during a visit to the southern port city of Busan. Lee was stabbed in the neck with a weapon by an unidentified man while touring the site of a proposed airport, local media said. The assailant was subdued and arrested at the scene. Meanwhile, Lee had been transported to a hospital. He is reportedly conscious but his exact condition is unknown. *) Thousands march in Istanbul, chanting 'killer Israel, get out of Palestine' Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered on Istanbul's iconic Galata Bridge to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The event involved the participation of 308 non-governmental organisations in Türkiye. The demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans in support of Palestinians under Israeli attacks in besieged Gaza. They also condemned a recent PKK terror attack that martyred 12 Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq.

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, January 1st. *) Israel to release some reservists as assault on Gaza grinds on Tel Aviv continues bombardment of cities, towns and refugee camps across besieged Gaza. The Israeli military said it will release some reservists who were called up to fight in Gaza, as the country prepares for a prolonged aggression on the tiny enclave. Now in its 87th day, Israel’s attacks have killed at least 21,822 Palestinians and wounded 56,451. *) Israel rings under barrage of rockets from Gaza Several rockets fired from Gaza have targeted Tel Aviv and southern Israel as the country rang in the New Year, according to journalists on the ground. Air-raid sirens sounded as Israeli missile defence systems intercept the rockets. People who had gathered on the streets to celebrate New Year’s Eve took shelter, while others continued to party. *) Five killed in attacks on Donetsk, Odessa: local authorities Meanwhile in Ukraine, five people were killed in attacks on the southern Odessa region and the eastern city of Donetsk, local authorities said. The Russian-affiliated head of Donetsk described the attack as “massive shelling from multiple launch rocket systems”. In Odessa, the local governor said one person died in a Russian drone attack and three others were wounded. *) Houthi rebels say US forces attacked three of their boats, killing 10 Houthi rebels have tried to board a Singapore-flagged cargo ship and attacked US Navy helicopters in the southern Red Sea. The Iranian-backed group have since renewed their calls for all countries to not participate in the US-led coalition against the group. They say American forces in the Red Sea are there to protect Israeli ships; but nothing will prevent them from supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza. And finally… *) Hundreds of protesters across world demand ceasefire in Gaza on NYE Hundreds of people in Jordan took to the streets, not to celebrate the New Year, but to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The demonstrators highlighted the urgent need for peace in the region, underscoring the ongoing tensions in the Middle East as the world enters 2024. A similar feeling echoed in Istanbul, Beirut and New York where thousands gathered to call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

*) Hamas says ending Israeli aggression on Gaza is priority The Palestinian resistance group Hamas' military wing has said that ending Israel's aggression on besieged Gaza is a priority, reiterating their rejection of any hostage exchange deal or negotiations without this condition being met. This was stated in a recorded speech by Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, which was broadcast on Al Jazeera satellite channel. Forty-five Palestinians have been killed in attacks on several parts of the enclave early Friday and over 21,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air and ground attacks on Gaza since October 7. *) Number of children killed in West Bank has reached unprecedented levels: UN The United Nations Children’s Fund has said that the number of children killed in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem has reached unprecedented levels. UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Adele Khodr noted that Israeli forces have killed 83 children in the past twelve weeks alone – more than double the number of children killed in all of 2022. Khodr added that the suffering of children in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, is part of the war on Gaza and must not fade into the background. *) Russia launches strikes across Ukrainian cities Russia has launched a wave of missile strikes across Ukrainian cities, including the capital, authorities said as they raised a nationwide air alert. The overnight attacks came days after Ukraine struck a Russian warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia. Explosions were reported in Kiev and missiles struck at least five other Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv in the northeast, Lviv in the country's west as well as Odessa in the south, the cities' mayors and police said. *) Iraq working to end US-led coalition’s presence in the country: Premier Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani has said that the government is working towards ending the US-led coalition against the presence of Daesh in the country. Following a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who was on a formal visit to Iraq, al Sudani said at a joint press conference that the leaders are working to conclude the US-led mission. Al Sudani added that the Iraqi government is in the process of “rearranging the relationship” between security advisers and forces under capable Iraqi forces. *) SpaceX launches secretive US military spacecraft on research mission SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket blasted back into space on Thursday night to ferry the US military's secretive X-37B drone to a research mission. After weeks of delays, the rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Pentagon has released little information about the space drone and its mission, only saying that the mission would entail "multiple cutting-edge experiments".

*) Russia calls for end to historic injustices endured by Palestine Russia has said the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East is a result of the longstanding failures of US foreign policy and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for de-escalation of the Middle East conflict, denouncing as "unacceptable" both acts of terror and "collective punishment". *) US proposes G7 explore ways to seize $300B in Russian assets The Financial Times has reported that the United States proposed that working groups from G7 countries explore ways to seize 300 billion dollars in frozen Russian assets. The US, backed by the UK, Japan and Canada, proposed moving forward with preparatory work so that options would be ready for G7 leaders to consider at a potential meeting around February 24. *) High-level talks between US and Mexico in effort to end migrant crisis A US delegation has met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss the unprecedented flow of irregular migration on the border between their two countries and to identify ways to address challenges to border security. Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Barcena welcomed the US top officials ahead of their meeting with Lopez-Obrador and the Mexican Security Cabinet. Barcena noted the US government did not request changes in the country's current immigration policy or strengthening security measures. *) Gas tanker blast in Liberia kills dozens, many injured At least 40 people have died following the explosion of a gas tanker in north-central Liberia, the West African country's chief medical officer, Francis Kateh has said. The fuel truck crashed late on Tuesday in Totota, Lower Bong County, and soon after exploded, killing and injuring many who had flocked to the scene. Dozens of people are still in hospital with serious burns, and the death toll could rise. *) New York Times sues OpenAI, Microsoft over chatbot training The New York Times struck back against the threat that artificial intelligence poses to the news industry, filing a federal lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft seeking to end the practice of using its stories to train chatbots. The Times says the companies are threatening its livelihood by effectively stealing billions of dollars worth of work by its journalists, in some cases spitting out Times' material verbatim to people who seek answers from generative AI like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

*) Israel army chief says Gaza assault will last 'many more months' Israel's army chief has warned its aggression in Gaza will last "many more months" as the military stepped up strikes, where nearly 21,000 people have already been reported killed. But Israel's leaders have repeatedly vowed to keep up their offensive until Palestinian resistance group Hamas is destroyed, and army chief Herzi Halevi signalled there would be no quick end to the war. *) EU said to be preparing $22B fund plan for Ukraine The European Union is preparing a back-up plan worth up to $22.08 billion for Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported. The debt-funded scheme would sidestep Hungary to release money for Kiev quickly, the report said. All 27 EU states except Hungary recently agreed to start accession talks with Ukraine despite the Russian attack, bypassing PM Viktor Orban's opposition by getting him to leave the room during the summit when the decision was made. Orban confirmed it was German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who suggested this solution. *) 'Exodus from poverty': Migrant caravan slogs on through southern Mexico Thousands of refugees and asylum seekers have moved slowly north across the southern Mexican state of Chiapas in a caravan hoping to reach the US border, one day before top US officials planned to visit Mexico to discuss migration. Refugees and asylum seekers transit through Mexico to the US to escape violence, economic distress and negative impacts of the climate crisis, according to the United Nations. The number crossing the perilous Darien Gap straddling Colombia and Central America has topped half a million this year, double last year's record. *) Trump shares poll showing voters link potential second term with 'revenge' In a December 25 Truth Social post, Trump shared the results of a poll commissioned by DailyMail.com, in which voters were asked to provide a word they most associate with Trump's plans for a second term. The results, presented in the form of a word cloud, indicated that "revenge" was the most popular choice. In the post, Trump directed his attacks toward those who disagreed with him politically, whom he called "thugs". "MAY THEY ROT IN HELL," Trump wrote in all caps. "AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!" And finally… *) South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun of Oscar-winning film 'Parasite' is found dead Lee Sun-kyun, a popular South Korean actor best known globally for his role in the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite," was found dead in a car in Seoul, authorities said. Police and emergency officers initially found Lee in what they believed was an unconscious state in the car parked on a street in northern Seoul. Emergency officers later confirmed he was dead, according to Seoul's Seongbuk police station.

*)Families of hostages boo Israel's Netanyahu during parliament address Families of hostages taken by Hamas booed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he addressed parliament, vowing to bring the captives home but saying "more time" was needed. "Now! Now!" the families chanted from the gallery when Netanyahu said Israeli forces first needed to increase military pressure on Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Netanyahu said he spoke to Israeli field commanders who said they needed "more time" to finish the mission. *) Nicaragua-bound plane carrying 300 'trafficked' Indians lands in Mumbai A plane that had been grounded in France for days over concerns its nearly 300 mostly Indian passengers were part of a human trafficking scheme has landed in Mumbai, flight tracking data showed. The Airbus A340 initially had been bound for Nicaragua when it was detained last Thursday at Vatry airport, east of Paris, where it had stopped for refuelling. It had arrived from Dubai, and there was an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking. Of the original 303 people on the passenger list, 276 were on the plane that took off just before 3:00 pm on Monday. Among the passengers staying behind were two people questioned by French police over suspected people trafficking, but a judicial source said police released them after establishing that the 303 passengers had boarded the plane of their own free will. *) Ukraine destroys Russian fleet ship in Crimea: air force Ukraine's air force said it had destroyed a Russian fleet ship off the Crimean peninsula suspected of carrying drones for use in Moscow's war against Kiev. "Around 2:30 am (0030 GMT) on December 26, tactical aviation of the Air Force attacked with cruise missiles the Novocherkassk large landing ship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation in the area of Feodosia," it said in a post on messaging platform Telegram. Feodosia is home to a major Russian naval base on the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula. *) Indian navy to deploy guided missile destroyer ships after strike off its coast India's navy will deploy guided missile destroyer ships in the Arabian Sea after an Israel-affiliated merchant vessel was struck off the Indian coast over the weekend. The Indian navy was investigating the nature of the attack on the vessel, MV Chem Pluto, which docked in Mumbai, and initial reports pointed to a drone attack, the statement said. A spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry on Monday called a US claim that Iran had attacked the ship near India "baseless". And finally… *)Archaeologists in Türkiye unearth remnants providing clues to religious beliefs of ancient Medes Archaeologists in northern Türkiye have unearthed structures and religious artefacts linked to the Medes, an ancient Iranian people, marking their first appearance in Anatolian archaeology. Excavations were unearthed in the previous years at Oluz Hoyuk in Amasya province, where pottery fragments and ceramics were identified as belonging to the Medes. This year’s findings from the region revealed altars and architectural structures which were also determined to belong to the Medes. The Medes were an ancient Iranian tribe from the Iron Age living mostly between today’s western and northern Iran.

*)Israeli 'massacre' on Christmas Eve at refugee camp kills 70 An Israeli air strike on Al Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza has killed at least 70 people, a spokesman for the health ministry in the enclave said. Ashraf Al Qudra said what was happening at the Maghazi camp was a "massacre" that was committed on a crowded residential block. He added that the death toll is likely to climb, given the large number of families residing there. *) Gunfire erupts at a Colorado mall on Christmas Eve. One man is dead and 3 people are hurt A man was fatally shot and three people were hurt as gunfire rang out at a shopping centre in Colorado on Christmas Eve, police said. A fight broke out between two groups of people on Sunday afternoon at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs and officers received a report of gunshots and responded, the Colorado Springs Police Department said. Colorado Springs is about 114 kilometres south of Denver. *) Serbian opposition supporters try to break into Belgrade assembly Hundreds of residents of Serbia’s capital tried to break into the Belgrade City Assembly building as they gathered to protest the results of snap general and local elections that took place last weekend. The protest rally was organised by the Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition, which said the elections were marred by irregularities. A police officer appeared at the entrance to the assembly and warned SPN leaders and the crowd that forced entry is a “criminal offence.” *) Maersk to resume operations in Red Sea Danish shipping giant Maersk announced that it will resume operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden after a multinational security initiative deployed its forces against Houthi attacks. Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has significantly stepped up its involvement in the war in Gaza. The group has warned that it will attack all Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea, one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments, in a bid to support Palestinians. The world's largest container companies suspended their operations in the region last week. And finally… *)Australia skipper Cummins backs Khawaja on Gaza views Australia captain Pat Cummins threw his support behind star opener Usman Khawaja Monday, saying his bid to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was "not offensive". Khawaja has been denied permission by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to have a sticker showing a black dove holding an olive branch on his bat and shoes during the second Test against Pakistan. The 36-year-old was stopped from wearing shoes emblazoned with the hand-written slogans "Freedom is a human right" and "All lives are equal" during the first Test in Perth. The ICC said they flouted its rules on messages that relate to politics, religion or race.

*) Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks hits 20,057 The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has soared to 20,057, according to the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave. The ministry added that at least 53,320 others have been injured in Israel’s attacks since October 7. “At least 390 people have been killed and 734 others have been injured in the last 48 hours in which communications were disrupted in the Gaza Strip," it said in a statement. *) UNSC to vote on new Gaza resolution The UN Security Council is expected to meet on Friday to vote on a draft resolution penned by the United Arab Emirates, which reportedly calls for "urgent steps" to allow the safe and unhindered delivery of aid to civilians in Gaza. Intense closed-door negotiations have been carried out all week by the Council to avoid a US veto. According to a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scale: "The entire population of Gaza – roughly 2.2 million people – are in crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity." The World Health Organization has said that northern Gaza has been left without a functional hospital due to a lack of fuel, staff and supplies. *) UN says up to 300,000 Sudanese fled their homes after a notorious group seized their safe haven Fighting between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has forced up to 300,000 people to flee their homes in a province that had once been a safe haven for displaced people, according to the UN. The fighting erupted in the city of Wad Medani, the provincial capital of Jazeera province, after the Rapid Support Forces attacked the city earlier this month. The RSF said that it took over Wad Medani earlier this week, and the military said that its troops withdrew from the city, and an investigation has been opened. *) Ukraine says downed 24 of 28 Russian drones overnight Ukraine says it had downed 24 out of 28 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia overnight as two Kiev residents were reported injured by a drone attack on a residential building. Air raid sirens were heard in Kiev late Thursday and residents heard loud explosions. City hall initially said air defences were in action, calling on people to stay in shelters. Russian missiles and drones frequently target the Ukrainian capital but are usually shot down by air defence systems. And finally… *) France to close its embassy in Niger for an 'indefinite period' France will close its diplomatic mission in Niger, according to a letter sent to embassy staff and seen by The Associated Press. The news that the embassy in the capital Niamey is to close comes as France prepares to withdraw its last remaining military forces from the Sahel state this month. Relations between France and Niger have been in crisis since the coup d’etat in July against democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, and Paris’ refusal to collaborate with the military junta ruling the country.

*) Israel's unlawful executions in Gaza may amount to 'war crime' — UN The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has said it has received alarming reports, accusing the Israeli army of summarily executing at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in the Al Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City. The incident, which unfolded in front of family members, has raised concerns “about the possible commission of a war crime" and the accusations follow earlier claims of Israeli forces deliberately targeting and killing civilians, the statement said. *) Exporters mull other ways to move goods as Houthi sway on Red Sea persists Exporters are scrambling to find alternative air, land and ocean routes as disarray ripples through freight supply chains around the world, during a wave of attacks in the Red Sea amid Israel's war on besieged Gaza. Houthi rebels in Yemen have stepped up attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since November 19 to show support for Palestine enduring more than two months of Israeli aggression and siege. The attacks have disrupted a key trade route linking Europe and North America with Asia via Egypt's Suez Canal. *) Russian troops said to have seized Ukraine stronghold in Donetsk Russian paratroopers have stormed a Ukrainian military stronghold northwest of Artyomovsk in Donetsk region, according to Moscow-based TASS news agency. The report said the paratroopers discovered the Ukrainian main fire weapons and control points during an aerial reconnaissance. Paratroopers reportedly suppressed and disrupted their control system before capturing the positions of the Ukrainian armed forces, after which they carried out a complete clearing of the stronghold. *) DRC extends voting after chaotic presidential, legislative elections The Democratic Republic of Congo's election authorities have said that voting would continue the following day in areas where voters could not cast ballots, after a general election marked by severe logistical problems and delays. There had long been fears that the four concurrent polls on Wednesday — to elect a president, national and regional lawmakers, as well as local councillors — would turn chaotic in the impoverished but mineral-rich central African nation. President Felix Tshisekedi, 60, is running for a second term in office, against a backdrop of years of economic growth but soaring inflation and conflict in eastern DRC where some 120 rebels groups including powerful M23 hold sway. *) Warner Brothers Discovery, Paramount Global in mega merger talks Warner Brothers Discovery shares slid more than 5 percent after reports emerged that the media and entertainment giant is exploring a merger with rival Paramount Global. Warner Brothers Discovery chief executive David Zaslav met with Paramount Global boss Bob Bakish for several hours to discuss the possibility of merging the companies, according to Axios. The talks were described as preliminary, with the outcome uncertain.

Hamas's armed wing in Lebanon claims responsibility for targeting Israel, and New York takes steps toward slavery reparations with new commission. This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Wednesday, December 20th. For more, head to trtworld.com

*) Israel faces Gaza ceasefire calls, US vows more arms Israel faced another round of global pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza with a new UN vote and fresh Western diplomatic efforts, although the United States vowed to continue arming its ally. The UN Security Council is set to convene today to weigh a call for a ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory, after a previous bid was vetoed by the United States. UK Foreign Minister David Cameron was also due to meet French and Italian leaders to push for a "sustainable ceasefire" in the conflict, his office said. *) Earthquake in northwestern China kills at least 111 At least 111 people were killed in a 6.2-magnitude earthquake in northwestern China, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The quake resulted in 100 deaths in Gansu province and 11 in Qinghai province while damaging water, electricity, transportation and communications infrastructure, said the report. In Gansu, 96 people were reported to have been injured and 124 in Qinghai. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all-out search and rescue efforts and proper arrangements for affected people to ensure the safety of people's lives and property, said the agency. *) Volcano erupts on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula A volcano began erupting on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said. "At 22:17 this evening, a volcanic eruption began north of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula," said the office in a release on Monday. "The eruption is located close to Sundhnúkagígar, about four kilometres northeast of Grindavik, and it can be seen on nearby web cameras," it said. The eruption began following an earthquake that started around an hour earlier. *) 2nd military plane carrying patients from Gaza arrives in Türkiye A second military plane carrying patients from Gaza and their attendants arrived in Türkiye for medical treatment. The C-130 aircraft, belonging to Türkiye's National Defense Ministry, touched down with 26 patients, 32 accompanying individuals and medical personnel whose passage from Gaza to Egypt was facilitated. It took off from Al Arish Airport in Egypt and landed at Etimesgut Military Airport in Ankara. Upon arriving at the airport, the patients were transferred to the city centre via waiting ambulances. The aircraft was carrying 1.2 tons of medicines and medical supplies along with nine healthcare personnel. And finally… *) Istanbul Airport voted world's best Istanbul Airport has been voted the “World's Best Airport" by readers of leading US travel magazine Global Traveler. The mega air hub has also been chosen as "Europe's Best Airport," further cementing its position as a leader in global aviation, according to a statement Monday. iGA Istanbul Airport also received awards for being the "Airport with the Best Food and Beverage Area," the "Best Airport Shopping Experience" and the "Airport Offering the Best Duty-Free Shopping Experience in Europe."

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, December 18th. *) Israel kills 90 in refugee camp as its attacks continue in Gaza The Israeli army has launched deadly attacks across Gaza, hitting a refugee camp in the north, a hospital in the south and killing a teenage girl who had lost her leg in an earlier strike, according to Palestinian officials, media and eyewitnesses. Israeli strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza killed 90 Palestinians, Gaza’s health ministry spokesman told Reuters. Another missile attack on a house belonging to the Shehab family killed 24 people, Hamas Aqsa radio said. “We believe the number of dead people under the rubble is huge but there is no way to remove the rubble and recover them because of the intensity of Israeli fire,” the spokesman said by telephone. *) Voters in Chile reject draft constitution, election officials say Chilean voters have rejected a proposed new constitution drafted by a conservative-led committee, election officials said, meaning the charter imposed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet will remain in force. With 99 percent of referendum ballots counted, the “against” option prevailed with 55.75 percent of the vote, compared to 44.25 percent in favour, according to electoral service Servel just hours after voting ended around 6:00 pm on Sunday (2100 GMT). The latest version of a new proposed constitution was overseen by the far-right opposition Republican Party after voters roundly rejected a progressive draft in September 2022 that attempted to enshrine environmental protections and the right to elective abortion. *) Iraqis vote in first provincial elections for a decade Iraqis vote to choose their provincial councils, the first such election in a decade. Ballots will be held in 15 of Iraq’s provinces but not in the other three which are Kurdish and operate under a separate autonomous system. The election is seen as a key test for the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani. He rose to power just over a year ago on the back of a parliamentary coalition and has focused on developing public services and infrastructure ravaged by decades of conflict. *) Serbia President Vucic says his party won parliamentary polls Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has said his party had won a commanding victory in parliamentary elections, extending the populist outfit’s rule in the Balkan country amid accusations of foul play by the opposition. Official results were set to be announced late on Monday but the president appeared certain of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)’s performance, just hours after the polls closed on Sunday. Even though Vucic was not personally on the ballot in Sunday’s parliamentary and local elections, the contest was largely seen as a referendum on his government. And finally… *) 14th TRT International Documentary Awards held in Istanbul The 14th TRT International Documentary Awards, organised by Türkiye’s national broadcaster TRT, took place in Istanbul between December 14-17 with screenings of national and international documentaries and the participation of expert guests in the field. Throughout the four-day event, documentaries competing in various categories and special selection films were shown to audiences, contributing to enriching the documentary climate in Türkiye. “The Lens of Democracy” received the Best Film Award in the International Category, while “Flaneur” was chosen as the Best Film in the National Professional Category. Speaking at the ceremony, TRT General Manager Mehmet Zahid Sobaci said the event is the largest documentary film festival in Türkiye. He pointed out that it is impossible to think independently about the history and adventure of documentaries and documentary making in Türkiye without TRT “because TRT, since its establishment, has become the school of documentary making.” And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

1) Israeli leaflets incite Gaza residents to spy on Hamas leaders The Israeli army has dropped leaflets over besieged Gaza, inciting displaced Palestinians to spy on Hamas leaders. Leaflets state that individuals offering information will be rewarded financially, with the amounts specified as follows: Yahya Sinwar at $400,000, Muhammed Sinwar at $300,000, Rafaa Salameh at $200,000, and Mohammed Deif at $100,000. 2) Türkiye condemns Israeli soldiers' provocation at a mosque in West Bank The Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli has slammed Israeli soldiers for performing Jewish rituals inside a mosque in the occupied West Bank. Keceli expressed strong condemnation on social media, urging that such attacks on Muslim holy places be halted immediately. He called for the severe punishment of those responsible for such provocations. Keceli concluded his remarks with, 'The region needs more peace, not more violence.' 3) Turkish President Erdogan says Washington's withdrawal of its support for Israel would ensure a quick ceasefire President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during a phone call with President Joe Biden on Thursday night. He suggested that a swift ceasefire could be achieved if the US withdraws its unconditional support for Israel. Erdogan emphasised the historical responsibility of the US to promptly achieve a lasting ceasefire in the region. *) Russia’s Putin says there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia achieves its goals Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the Russia-Ukraine war in a year-end news conference, declared that peace in Ukraine is contingent upon the realisation of the Kremlin's unchanged goals after nearly two years of conflict. He dismissed the idea of a second wave of reservist mobilisation, a widely unpopular proposal in Russia. Putin mentioned that approximately 617,000 Russian soldiers are currently deployed in Ukraine, with around 244,000 called up to support professional military forces. *) Pope Francis urges global treaty on AI ethics for a safer future Pope Francis, in a six-page message released ahead of the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace on January 1, has urged global leaders to adopt a treaty regulating the ethical use of artificial intelligence. The 86-year-old pontiff acknowledged the positive impact of technological advances but cautioned against the risks posed by AI. He also emphasised concerns related to disinformation, election interference, and the blurred responsibility in decision-making, ranging from social security payments to weapon targeting.

*) Israel targets northern and southern Gaza At least 27 Palestinians have been killed early Thursday morning in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The Israeli army carried out airstrikes on wide areas in northern and southern Gaza, particularly targeting the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah, the agency cited local sources as saying. The war, now in its third month, began after the October 7 attacks on Israel by Palestinian group Hamas that Israeli officials say killed 1,200 people. US President Joe Biden, whose government has provided Israel with billions of dollars of military aid, on Wednesday gave his sharpest rebuke of the war yet, saying Israel's "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza was weakening international support. *) Sudan suffering 'one of world's worst humanitarian crisis': UN Nearly 18 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger because of the ongoing war, an official from the UN food agency says. World Food Program spokeswoman in Sudan, Leni Kinzl said close to 5 million are in emergency levels of food insecurity. Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, head of the ruling Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. At least 12,260 victims have been killed and more than 33,000 injured in the conflict, according to UN figures. *) At least 1 killed, 11 injured in Russian airstrikes on Ukraine At least one person has been killed and 11 others injured in overnight Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's southwestern Odessa and southern Kherson regions. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram that a rocket attack on the Kherson region killed one person and drone attacks on Odessa injured 11 people and damaged residential buildings. In a separate statement, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed that Russia conducted airstrikes “from the temporarily occupied Kherson region in the direction of My-ko-laiv as well as Kherson regions. It further claimed that 41 of the 42 drones launched by Russia were downed by air defence systems, most of which were shot down over the Odessa region. *) Chad votes on new constitution ahead of promised end of military rule Chadians will vote on Sunday on a new constitution, in a key step towards elections promised by the ruling junta and seen as a test of legitimacy for the Deby dynasty's more than 30-year rule. Transitional President General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, whose junta has governed since 2021, had promised to hand power to civilians and hold elections this year before postponing them to 2024. The "yes" vote is expected to win the constitutional referendum after a well-financed campaign by the ruling junta against a divided opposition, which has faced arrest, intimidation and threats for more than a year. *) EU reaches deal to reform electricity market The European Union has reached an agreement to reform the bloc's electricity market in a bid to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and stabilise consumer prices. The EU's plans are aimed at making the market less vulnerable to volatility and were seen as a response to Russia's military offensive against Ukraine, which sent energy prices spiralling for consumers and businesses last year. The deal will have to be endorsed and adopted by both the Council and the Parliament.

*) Australia votes at UNGA for Gaza truce in rare split with US Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said the country had supported a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza out of concern for civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave, in a rare split with close ally the United States. After dire warnings by UN officials over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the 193-member UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries including Australia voting in favour and 23 abstaining. Ten countries voted against including the US and Israel and the rest five did not vote. Israel's current war on besieged Gaza — now in its 68th day — has left at least 18,412 Palestinians dead and wounded more than 50,100 others while thousands are feared dead under debris of bombed buildings. *) Israel cannot say no in the future to a Palestinian state: Biden US President Joe Biden has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his hardline government and that Israel cannot say no in the future to a Palestinian state, ramping up pressure on the Israelis. Biden’s remarks at a fundraising event for his 2024 re-election campaign came after the US sold 14,000 tank shells to Israel without Congress review and also scuttled a UNSC vote that would have called for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. Biden claimed that Israel had “most of the world supporting it,” despite global protests since October 7 and member states at the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly overwhelmingly demanding Israel end its brutal war in Gaza. *) Nearly a fifth of Gaza’s buildings destroyed or damaged: UN Nearly 40,000 buildings or about 18 percent of all pre-conflict structures have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza since the Israeli bombardment began, a UN assessment has shown. The latest estimate, based on a November 26 image, was produced by the United Nations Satellite Centre, where analysts examine very high resolution satellite images to find damaged buildings and publish maps that can guide relief work and rebuilding plans during natural disasters and conflicts. Estimates such as this based on high-resolution satellite images might still underestimate the scale of destruction since they do not show all building damage — for example, a collapsed building with an intact roof can look undamaged. *) Polls close in Egypt as Sisi cruises toward third win Polling has closed in Egypt after a three-day election widely expected to return sitting President Abdel Fattah el Sisi to power in the Arab world’s most populous country. Government newspaper Al Ahram reported that the National Elections Authority, which is responsible for organising the poll, recorded an “unprecedented” turnout. Polling stations closed their doors at 1900 GMT, and the results will be announced on Monday. *) COP28 proposed deal calls for ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels A new draft agreement unveiled in talks in Dubai has toughened language by calling for “transitioning away” from fossil fuels, although it does not use the term “phase-out.” The document recognised “the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions in line with 1.5C pathways” and called upon nations to take actions. Discussions during the 14 days of talks in Dubai had revolved around how far to go and whether to make a historic call to wind down oil, gas and coal — the main culprits in the planet’s rapid heating.

*) Hamas says fighters killed 40 Israeli soldiers in last 48 hours The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, killed 40 Israeli soldiers in the past 48 hours. In a statement posted on Telegram, Hamas said its fighters managed to completely or partially destroy 44 military vehicles “on all fronts of the fighting in Gaza.” The statement reported the use of booby traps to destroy buildings, targeting an Israeli field command centre, and using mortar shells and short-range rockets against areas where soldiers gathered. Israel has not yet issued a statement regarding the announcement. *) Qatar ‘continuing’ efforts to renew Gaza ceasefire despite Israeli attacks Mediation efforts have been continuing to secure a new Gaza ceasefire despite ongoing Israeli bombardment that is “narrowing the window” for a successful outcome, Qatar’s prime minister said. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the Doha Forum that Qatar is continuing to make efforts along with its partners for a ceasefire and that they are not going to give up. Qatar was a key mediator in negotiations that resulted in a seven-day truce, which saw Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian women and children, and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza. *) Guterres: UN Security Council’s authority, credibility severely undermined United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the credibility and authority of the UN Security Council suffered significant damage over the Gaza war. Speaking at the Doha Forum held in Qatar, Guterres criticised the UN Security Council’s “resounding silence” over Israel’s war in Gaza. Guterres underlined that “there is no effective protection of civilians in Gaza,” and called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged territory amid ongoing Israeli bombardment. *) Zelenskyy emphasises ‘fight for freedom’ during Argentina visit President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the leaders of Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay during a trip to Buenos Aires to attend the inauguration of President Javier Milei. Zelenskyy said the support and strong united voice of Latin American countries that stand with the people of Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy is very important for Ukrainians. The Ukrainian leader praised Uruguay’s participation in the third foreign advisors meeting on the implementation of Ukraine’s formula for peace, and invited Ecuador and Paraguay to join. *) Trump cancels plan to testify in NY fraud trial Donald Trump has changed his mind about testifying in his own defence in his New York fraud case, he said, announcing that he will not take the stand as expected because he has “nothing more to say.” The 77-year-old posted the surprise statement on Truth Social on Sunday, adding that he has “already testified to everything” in the ongoing trial against him, his eldest sons Don Jr and Eric, and other Trump Organization executives. Trump was questioned last month by the prosecution, which has accused him and the other defendants of exaggerating the value of their real estate assets by billions of dollars to obtain more favourable bank loans and insurance terms.

*) UN Security Council to consider urging Gaza ceasefire The UN Security Council is set to meet under acute pressure from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and will vote on urging an immediate ceasefire in besieged Gaza. The renewed push for a ceasefire was made by Arab states after Guterres made a rare move on Wednesday to formally warn the Security Council of a global threat from Israel's Gaza war. To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France or Britain. *) Palestinian Authority in collaboration with US on postwar plan for Gaza The Palestinian Authority is working with US officials on a plan to run Gaza after the war, Bloomberg News has reported, citing Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Shtayyeh said the preferred outcome of the conflict would be for Hamas to become a junior partner under the Palestinian Liberation Organization, helping to build a new independent state that includes the occupied West Bank, besieged Gaza and East Jerusalem. "If they (Hamas) are ready to come to an agreement and accept the political platform of the PLO, then there will be room for talk…” Shtayyeh said. He also underlined that Israel's aim to fully defeat Hamas is unrealistic. *) Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to take steps towards normalisation Armenia and Azerbaijan have said they would exchange prisoners of war and work towards normalising their relations after three decades of conflict over disputed territory. The Caucasus neighbours have long fought over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan reclaimed after an offensive against Armenian separatists in September. The two sides agreed in a joint statement to seize "a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region". Both countries have said a peace agreement could be signed by the end of the year. *) EU to give member states authority to halt Russian gas imports The European Union is poised to give its member states the power to halt gas imports from Russia and Belarus, according to a Financial Times report. Any member state will be able to block companies from Russia and Belarus from obtaining space in their gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals, FT cited a draft legal text proposed by Brussels. The EU member states could have the authority to "partially or, where justified, completely limit" access to infrastructure to gas operators from Russia and Belarus, in order to protect their vital security interests. *) After day of rest at climate summit, COP28 negotiators turn back to fossil fuels The United Nations climate conference begins its final week with negotiators expected to zoom in on the future of fossil fuels. Negotiators will work to finalise a key document called the Global Stocktake, which evaluates the world’s climate change progress since the 2015 Paris agreement and what needs to be done now to limit global warming. Professional negotiators will turn in a new draft to senior national officials, many at minister levels, who will have to make the political decisions.

*) Antonio Guterres invokes Article 99 of UN charter over Gaza crisis For the first time in his tenure, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN's charter over the crisis in besieged Gaza. The article states that "the Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security." Guterres wrote to the president of the Security Council that the humanitarian conditions amid Israel’s war on Gaza are "fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole." Israel has killed at least 16,248 Palestinians and wounded more than 43,616 others in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since October 7. *) Jewish groups plan to march to Al-Aqsa Mosque to ‘end its Islamic status’ Jewish groups have announced a plan to march to Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem to “end its Islamic status” and "establish full Jewish sovereignty" in Jerusalem. Various far-right Jewish groups said the march, which was greenlit by the Israeli police, would be held Thursday evening, coinciding with the first day of Hanukkah, a Jewish festival that lasts eight days. Located in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, Al Aqsa Mosque is under the authority of the Jerusalem Islamic Endowment, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Foundations, according to the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signed on October 26 1994. *) Turkiye's Erdogan in Athens in 'new chapter' bid Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to travel to Athens in a keenly watched visit billed as an attempted "new chapter" between the NATO allies and historic rivals after years of tension. In meetings with Greek Prime Minister KEER-E-AKOS- MIT-SO-TAKIS and President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (Sakellaropolu), Erdogan is expected to discuss trade, regional issues and the thorny issue of migration. In an interview with the Greek daily Kathimerini a day before his planned visit, Erdogan said he was seeking a "new chapter" in relations on the basis of "win-win" principles. *) EU tells China 'differences' must be addressed The leaders of China and the European Union have held the first in-person summit in over four years, focused on wide-ranging issues including disputes over trade and a deep divide on the war in Ukraine. On the agenda at the summit, the EU is calling on China to improve market access for products from its 27 member countries to address an annual trade imbalance of more than $200 billion between the two sides. The EU is also calling on China to use its influence with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. *) New lawsuit says Meta exposes children to exploitation The US state of New Mexico has filed a lawsuit accusing Facebook and Instagram of being a "breeding ground" for predators who target children. In total, more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. The lawsuit says children can easily evade Facebook and Instagram age constraints, exposing young people to inappropriate material.

*) Israel to keep control of Gaza’s security after war: Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Israeli army will retain control of besieged Gaza’s security after the war. Speaking at a news conference after a meeting with his war cabinet, Netanyahu said Gaza “must be demilitarised” after the war ends. Netanyahu said the Israeli army will take care of demilitarisation, adding that no international force can be responsible for this. *) ‘If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running’: Biden US President Joe Biden has told campaign donors that he wasn’t sure he’d be running for reelection if Donald Trump wasn’t also in the race. He said democracy is “more at risk in 2024” and that the former president and his allies are out to “destroy” democratic institutions. President Biden was using a trio of fundraisers to caution against what might happen should his predecessor again claim control of the White House. *) US could become responsible for Ukraine’s defeat: Yellen US Treasury’s Janet Yellen has said that the United States would “be responsible for Ukraine’s defeat” if the US Congress fails to approve the Biden administration’s latest multi-billion-dollar funding request for the war-stricken country. Yellen told reporters on a trip to Mexico City that the funding — particularly for Ukraine’s general government budget support — was “utterly essential” and a pre-condition to keep IMF support flowing to Ukraine. Yellen said the US can hold itself responsible for Ukraine’s defeat if it doesn’t manage to get this funding to Ukraine that’s needed. *) Negotiators at COP28 mull over fossil fuel phaseout A second draft of what could be the final agreement from the COP28 UN climate summit shows negotiators are considering calling for an “orderly and just” phase-out of fossil fuels. The draft text was published by the UN climate body and shows the possible outcomes for talks at the COP28 summit in Dubai. The negotiations are part of the “global stocktake” process, in which nearly 200 nations are trying to agree on plans to curb rising global temperatures. *) Crazy that West still ‘trying to cast Israelis as victims’: Roger Waters Pink Floyd’s co-founder Roger Waters has said that he finds it “crazy that the West is still trying to cast Israelis as victims.” In an exclusive interview to TRT World, Waters said it’s hard for anybody to put themselves in Palestinians’ position, especially those living in Gaza, who are facing bombardment by F-16s day and night. He said one cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like and that the assault being cheered on by the most powerful empire in the world is disgusting beyond all belief.

*) Israeli army carries out overnight airstrikes across Gaza, causing dozens of casualties The Israeli army has carried out a series of overnight bombings across Gaza, causing dozens of casualties among the Palestinian people. The Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported an Israeli airstrike on a residential building of the Al-Yazigi family in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City, which left an unspecified number of casualties, including women and children. Another Israeli airstrike on a home in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza caused several deaths and injuries. Israel resumed its attacks on Gaza on Friday after the end of a week-long humanitarian pause with the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. At least 15,899 Palestinians have been killed and more than 42,000 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Hamas’ October 7 surprise attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. *) Zelenskyy to address US senators by video as White House pushes Congress to support aid for Ukraine The Biden administration will urge Congress to approve a request of $106 billion of funding for the wars in Ukraine, Israel and other security needs during a classified briefing. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the administration invited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address the senators so they "could hear directly from him precisely what's at stake." In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned the US will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year. *) Niger ends EU defence, security partnerships Niger's military administration announced that it has ended two security and defence partnerships with the European Union as the country looks more towards Russia for defence cooperation. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said the state is withdrawing from the European Union Military Partnership Mission that was launched in February of this year, as well as from the 2012 EU civilian capacity-building mission established to strengthen the country’s internal security forces. The development came on the same day a Russian delegation met with Niger's military leaders in the capital Niamey, with the two countries sealing a deal to strengthen defence cooperation. *) At least 6 people have died as heavy rains from Tropical Cyclone Michaung hit India's coasts Torrential rains and strong winds lashing India's southern and eastern coasts have killed at least six people, as states brace for a powerful storm expected to make landfall later in the day. The southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, as well as Odisha in the east, experienced heavy downpours Monday as authorities issued warnings for Tropical Cyclone Michaung, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. India's weather department said parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh could see over 200 millimetres of rain as the storm approaches. *) Activists at COP28 summit ramp up pressure on cutting fossil fuels as talks turn to clean energy Activists have a series of events and actions lined up at the United Nations climate summit, seeking to amp up pressure on conference participants to agree to phase out coal, oil and gas. Negotiations are well underway on the so-called global stocktake — a framework for new national plans set for countries to adhere to capping warming to levels set in the Paris Agreement in 2015. A draft released Tuesday will be analysed by negotiators looking at how to stick to the goal. Over 100 countries have pledged to triple their renewable capacity and double energy efficiency by the end of the decade.

*) Israeli army to 'fight hard' in southern Gaza Israel's ground invasion has expanded to every part of Gaza, according to its military, as it ordered more evacuations, vowing to hit south Gaza with “no less strength” than it hit the north. Heavy bombardment followed the evacuation orders, and Palestinians in the sealed-off territory bordering Israel and Egypt say there was no place left to go. Nearly half of Gaza's 2.3 million people fled to the south after Israel ordered civilians to leave the north in the beginning of the war on the enclave. Israel’s war on Gaza was sparked by the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 Israelis. And over 15,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli bombardment. *) Turkish Red Crescent sends over $3.4M aid to Gaza amid ongoing war The Turkish Red Crescent has dispatched over $3.4 million worth of aid to Gaza amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the head of the relief group said. Addressing an event in Istanbul, Fatma Meric Yilmaz said the Red Crescent had gathered about $17.3 million in financial donations, with the $3.4 million dispatched as immediate assistance. Additionally, the organisation has sent in-kind aid carried from Türkiye on 11 aircraft and two ships. *) US Muslims launch anti-Biden campaign ahead of 2024 presidential election Muslims in the US have launched a campaign against President Joe Biden’s bid for re-election in 2024 over his support for Israel in its war on Gaza. A group of Muslim leaders from Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania gathered over the weekend in Dearborn, Michigan to launch the campaign. The campaign aims to encourage voters to withdraw their support for Biden due to his “unwillingness to call for a cease-fire and protect innocents in Palestine and Israel," it said in a statement. American news website Axios said that Arab American and Muslim American outrage could hurt Biden’s re-election prospects in most of the 2024 swing states he won in 2020. *) 11 hikers dead after Indonesia volcano erupts, dozen still missing Eleven hikers have been found dead and another 12 are missing after a volcano erupted in Indonesia, with rescuers racing to carry injured and burned survivors down the mountain on foot. Rescuers worked through the night to find dozens of hikers stranded on Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra after it spewed an ash tower of 3,000 metres into the sky on Sunday. Three hikers were found alive and 49 had safely descended from the crater, some with burns and fractures, according to a local rescue official. *) Bitcoin skyrockets, passes $40k amid optimism for US trading approval Bitcoin has risen past $40,000 for the first time since May last year, boosted by hopes that the United States will soon allow broader trading of the world's biggest cryptocurrency. The digital asset has skyrocketed this year, gaining nearly 150 percent, with expectations growing that US regulators will allow the creation of exchange-traded funds. These would track the price of bitcoin and allow the public to invest in the currency without directly purchasing it. Bitcoin was trading above $40,700 at around 0400 GMT Monday.

*) Israel-Hamas agree to extend truce for seventh day Israel and Palestinian group Hamas have agreed to extend the truce for a seventh day after another exchange of captives for Palestinians and humanitarian aid was delivered to besieged Gaza. Israel’s military said that a truce with Hamas will continue “in light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing hostages, and subject to the terms of the agreement.” Israel freed 30 more Palestinian women and minors early on Thursday as Hamas released 10 Israeli captives and four Thai nationals — who had arrived in Egypt on the same day. *) Henry Kissinger, US diplomat and controversial Nobel winner, dies at 100 Henry Kissinger, a controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner and diplomatic powerhouse has died at age 100. Kissinger Associates Inc said in a statement that he died at his home in Connecticut on Wednesday. Kissinger had been active past his centenary, attending meetings in the White House, publishing a book on leadership styles, and testifying before a Senate committee about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. *) India ‘intelligence’ official plotted to kill Sikh activist on US soil An Indian government official has directed a $100,000 plot to assassinate a prominent Sikh separatist leader in New York City, US authorities said. Last spring, US officials became aware of the plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is considered a terrorist by the Indian government. The US Drug Enforcement Administration stopped the plot when the foreign government employee recruited an international narcotics trafficker to commit the murder, the DEA administrator said. *) Russia claims capture of village in Ukraine's Donetsk region Russia said its armed forces had taken control of Khromove, a small village on the outskirts of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Moscow’s troops seized Bakhmut in May after one of the bloodiest battles of its 21-month military offensive. Russia’s defence ministry announced this in a daily briefing. *) Elon Musk uses F-word for advertisers who boycotted X over ‘anti-Semitism’ Billionaire Elon Musk has used the F-word for advertisers who fled his social media platform X over alleged anti-Semitic content in a fiery interview. His remarks followed a moment of contrition in a New York Times DealBook Summit interview, as he first said, “I’m sorry” for a tweet that agreed with an “anti-Jewish” post on X on November 15. Musk has faced a torrent of criticism since he agreed with a user who claimed Jewish people were stoking hatred against white people, saying the user who referenced the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory was speaking “the actual truth.”

*) US, Israeli spy chiefs discuss ‘next phase’ of Gaza truce deal in Doha US and Israeli intelligence chiefs have arrived in Doha to discuss the “next phase” of a deal between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, a source briefed on the visit said. The leaders of the US Central Intelligence Agency and Israel’s Mossad were scheduled to meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the source said, adding that Egyptian officials were also taking part. *) More people at risk of death from disease than bombardment in Gaza: WHO More people could die from disease than from Israeli bombings in Gaza if its health system was not repaired, World Health Organization spokesperson Margaret Harris has said at a UN briefing in Geneva. Palestinian health authorities in Gaza deemed reliable by the United Nations say more than 15,000 people have been confirmed killed in Israel’s bombardment, around 40 percent of them children, with many more dead feared to be lost under rubble. “(There are) no medicines, no vaccination activities, no access to safe water and hygiene and no food. We saw a very high number of cases of diarrhoea among infants,” the UN spokesperson said. *) Israel not letting enough fuel in Gaza, curbs harming aid delivery: EU Israeli restrictions on fuel supplies to Gaza are hampering aid deliveries and humanitarian access required under a UN resolution, an EU commissioner, Janez Lenarcic, has said. “We are calling for the increase of fuel supplies to Gaza,” Lenarcic told journalists in Brussels. “The humanitarian access should be based on the needs and not on some restrictions,” the EU commissioner said. *) Hijab can be banned in public service, top European court rules The top European Union court has ruled that public authorities in member states can prohibit employees from wearing signs of religious belief, such as a Muslim head scarf. The Court of Justice of the European Union said a policy of strict neutrality that was intended to establish a neutral administrative environment may be regarded as being objectively justified by a legitimate aim. It added that another public administration would also be justified if it decided to authorise, in a general and indiscriminate manner, the wearing of visible signs of belief. *) All 41 workers trapped in tunnel rescued after 17 days: Indian officials Indian workers have been greeted with wild cheers and flower garlands as rescuers safely brought out all 41 from the collapsed Himalayan road tunnel. With beaming smiles, the rescued men were welcomed as heroes after being hauled through 57 metres of steel pipe on stretchers specially fitted with wheels, where they were greeted by state officials before embracing their families. Crowds outside the tunnel cheered, as news spread that all had made it safely out of the under-construction tunnel in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where they had been trapped since a partial collapse on November 12.

*) Hamas seeks to extend humanitarian pause in Gaza Palestinian group Hamas has announced that it is seeking to extend the four-day humanitarian pause with Israel in Gaza. The group said in a statement that it is making serious efforts to secure the release of more Palestinians even after the pause ends. A Palestinian source who preferred to remain anonymous, as the person was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that Hamas informed mediators Qatar and Egypt that the resistance movements were willing to extend the current truce by two to four days. *) Israeli girl’s death brings army’s ‘Hannibal Protocol’ back into focus An Israeli eyewitness said that during Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, the army surrounded a house containing members of the Palestinian group and Israelis and later opened fire with tank rounds, killing all of them. It appeared to be the latest implementation of the ‘Hannibal Protocol’, which involves the killing of enemy-held captives to prevent Israeli civilians from being taken to Gaza as hostages. Reports in Israeli media about the high number of civilian casualties during Hamas’s cross-border assault and Israeli military helicopters shooting both Palestinian fighters and civilians at a music festival near Gaza have led to debates on whether the army applied the ‘Hannibal Protocol’. *) President Erdogan discusses Gaza with his Iranian counterpart Raisi In a recent phone conversation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi have discussed unlawful Israeli attacks on Palestine’s Gaza, humanitarian aid delivery for Palestinians, and potential steps to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the region. President Erdogan emphasised the importance of taking a common stance by particularly Türkiye and Iran, and Muslim world against Israeli atrocities and brutality in Palestinian lands. The leaders expressed their commitment to working together to turn the temporary ceasefire into a permanent one and achieving permanent peace in the region. *) Ukraine calls for more air defence systems to protect grain corridor Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country needs more air defence systems in order to protect the grain corridor that has been operational since Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. “We have a positive response when these systems start to protect that region. Because both the corridor and the people there are important,” Zelenskyy said at a press briefing following the ‘Grain From Ukraine’ summit in Kiev. Ukraine has an agreement with several states for the escort of vessels by Ukrainian boats, he said, adding that the country is already receiving naval boats specifically for this purpose. And finally… *) Irish writer Paul Lynch wins Booker Prize with novel ‘Prophet Song’ Irish writer Paul Lynch won the Booker Prize for fiction with what judges called a “soul-shattering” novel about a woman’s struggle to protect her family as Ireland collapses into totalitarianism and war. “Prophet Song”, set in a dystopian fictional version of Dublin, was awarded the 50,000-pound (about $63,000) literary prize at a ceremony in London. Canadian writer Esi Edugyan, who chaired the judging panel, said the book is “a triumph of emotional storytelling, bracing and brave” in which Lynch “pulls off feats of language that are stunning to witness”.

*) Gaza truce starts after intense Israeli bombing, prisoner swap to follow A four-day truce in Israel’s war on Gaza has started with hostages to be released in exchange for prisoners. It is the first major reprieve in seven weeks of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. After prolonged negotiations, deliberations and delay, the pause was due to begin at 7:00 am (0500 GMT), silencing guns that have raged since Hamas’s attack on Israeli towns near Gaza on October 7. The start of the truce is set to be followed by the release of the first group of 13 hostages being held in Gaza, and - an undefined number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, according to Qatari peace brokers. *) Egypt says 130,000 litres of diesel to be delivered daily to Gaza Egypt has said that 130,000 litres of diesel and four trucks of gas will be delivered daily to Gaza with a four-day truce. Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), also said in a statement that 200 trucks of aid would enter Gaza daily. *) Israeli military confirms Al Shifa Hospital chief held for questioning The Israeli military has confirmed that the director of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza had been held for questioning over allegations that the facility had been used as a command and control centre for Hamas. “In the hospital, under his management, there was extensive Hamas terrorist activity,” the Israeli ministry said in a statement, but offered no evidence. The Israeli army, which raided the hospital last week, has alleged that Hamas fighters used a tunnel complex beneath the facility in Gaza City to stage attacks. *) ECOWAS parliament seeks to lift sanctions on Niger The parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) appeals to the bloc’s heads of state to lift the sanction imposed on Niger after the July 26 military coup. It said the people of Niger desire relief from economic hardship and humanitarian challenges, triggered by a ban on trade relations - and a freezing of the country’s accounts in regional central banks. “This is an appeal to the ECOWAS Heads of State to consider the humanitarian situation and resolve the political impasse in Niger,” Nigeria’s Senate chief Ali Ndume said. *) China reports no unusual or novel pathogens in respiratory illnesses upsurge — WHO China has reported no “unusual or novel pathogens” in respiratory illnesses, spreading in the north of the country, the World Health Organization has said. The WHO said that Chinese authorities had responded, advising “that there has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations, including in Beijing and Liaoning.” It was a matter, the authorities said, of the “aforementioned general increase in respiratory illnesses due to multiple known pathogens.”