April 30, 2024

*) Israel kills 12 paramedics and civil defence volunteers in Lebanon Israel has killed 12 paramedics and civil defence volunteers and wounded three others in its strikes on several towns in the Tyre district in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry said warplanes targeted the town of Deir Qanoun in the Tyre district, killing six members of the Islamic Scouts — volunteers in emergency medical and civil defense operations — and a paramedic from the Islamic Health Association — a charity organisation. Strikes on Deir Qanoun also killed a civilian and wounded 12 others. *) Biden to meet Trump at White House ahead of historic return President Joe Biden will host President-elect Donald Trump for a traditional post election meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House said. Such a meeting is customary between the outgoing president and the incoming president, and is meant partly to mark the start of a peaceful transfer of power under America's democracy. In a speech Thursday, Biden said he had assured Trump "that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That's what the American people deserve." *) Floods in South Sudan affect 1.4 million, displace 379,000: UN Devastating flooding in South Sudan is affecting around 1.4 million people, with more than 379,000 displaced, according to a United Nations update that warned about an upsurge in malaria. Aid agencies have said that the world's youngest country, highly vulnerable to climate change, is in the grip of its worst flooding in decades, mainly in the north. A surge in malaria has been reported in several states, it said, "overwhelming the health system and exacerbating the situation and impact in flood-hit areas". *) French rail unions threaten to strike ahead of Christmas Trade unions at France's railway operator SNCF have called for an indefinite strike from next month that could disrupt train services during the upcoming Christmas holidays. The unions are demanding a moratorium on dismantling Fret SNCF, the freight division of the national rail operator, and protesting against the terms and conditions for opening up regional lines to competition. The union said the action would begin on December 11, reiterating their call for shorter strike action from November 20 to November 22. *) Türkiye’s first lady demands gender balance, fairness in tech sector Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdogan has emphasised the critical role of women in society and the need for a justice-centred approach to technology, at the 6th International Women and Justice Summit in Istanbul on Friday. Erdogan stressed that “women are not only half of a gender but half of humanity,” and expressed hope that the summit would open “new doors of hope” for women worldwide. The reception, organised by Türkiye's Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Women,” highlighted the impact of AI on various sectors, including healthcare, education, and business. Erdogan referred to research findings on how AI, developed without ethical oversight, can deepen social injustices, and underlined that women are particularly vulnerable to AI’s adverse effects.

*) Israel's genocidal war on besieged Gaza enters its 400th day Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 43,500 Palestinians, 70 percent of them women and children, and wounded over 102,700 others, according to local health authorities. Analysts say the estimate is conservative and the actual death toll could be around or beyond 200,000, as thousands of Palestinians remain missing or buried under the debris of bombed homes and shops. Another 10,000 have been abducted and jailed at Israeli torture sites. *) Stein and Trump gain surprising support among Muslim voters American Muslim voters overwhelmingly backed Green Party's candidate Jill Stein in the 2024 presidential election, with 53.2 percent casting ballots in her favour, according to a new survey. In Michigan, Stein received even stronger support, with 59 percent of 502 Muslim respondents backing her, compared to 22 percent for Trump and 14 percent for Harris, according to the poll. Frustration over the Biden administration's Gaza policy led to a "sharp drop" in Muslim support for Harris compared to Biden's 2020 Muslim voter base, according to CAIR's National Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. *) US, Canada groups urge leaders to condemn anti-Arab violence in Amsterdam Two prominent Muslim groups have criticised North American leaders and media for ignoring attacks and anti-Arab violence by Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans during a Europa League match. "It has been deeply distressing and disturbing to witness the violence that took place in Amsterdam around the Europa League match last night," The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) wrote on X, denouncing all forms of intimidation. The Muslim group urged Canadian leaders to address the incidents directly. "If Canadian leaders choose to weigh in on this issue, they must condemn the well-documented attacks on Arabs in Amsterdam," the statement says. *) 2024 to be the hottest year since industrial revolution Scientists say that 2024 might go down in history as the hottest since humans began burning fossil fuels. According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the global average temperature is expected to exceed the critical 1.5C threshold above pre-industrial levels. This would mark a historic milestone, underscoring the dramatic impact of greenhouse gas emissions and climate crisis. The C3S Monthly Climate Bulletin for October highlights that human activities have created an elevated temperature baseline. An El Nino event also played a role in this year’s heating but the climate’s complexity is influenced by multiple factors beyond greenhouse gases alone, such as solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, aerosols, and natural climate variability, according to the scientists. *) Turkish first lady attends event on Ottoman sufi poet, heritage in Hungary Türkiye's first lady has attended a special programme in Budapest promoting a book on a 14th-century Ottoman sufi poet and the empire's rich heritage in Hungary. Erdogan visited the tomb of Ottoman Dervish poet Gul Baba — also known as Jafer, or the "Father of Roses" in Hungary — which was restored in 2018 in a collaboration between the Hungarian government and TIKA, the Turkish state aid agency. "I am happy to gather around the legacy of Gul Baba, who came from Anatolia and was laid to rest in this land, on the 100th anniversary of the Türkiye-Hungary Friendship Treaty” she says. "It is truly exciting that six years after TIKA's restoration efforts and the establishment of the cultural centre at the Gul Baba Tomb, this spiritual heritage is now being crowned with a new book," Erdogan wrote in the guestbook at the Gul Baba Tomb.

*) Israel kills 48 in Gaza, including 11 cousins of journalist Israel continues its lethal invasion of Gaza. At least 48 Palestinians have been killed in the last 24 hours across Beit Lahia, Jabalia, Rafah, Nuseirat, and other residential areas. Among the victims, 14 displaced Palestinians sheltering in a former school were killed in Al-Shati camp. Local journalist Hossam Shabat said he has lost 11 family members. *) Biden pledges peaceful transition after Trump’s victory US outgoing President Joe Biden has pledged a peaceful transition on January 20 after Republican Donald Trump’s election victory. Biden urged unity, calling for Americans to “bring down the temperature” and trust in the integrity of the electoral system. In a heartfelt Rose Garden address, he defended the election's integrity, calling it “honest and transparent.” *) Russia calls for peace talks as it gains ground in Ukraine In the wake of Donald Trump’s election as US president, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu declared that the West must accept Russia’s progress in Ukraine and pursue peace talks. Shoigu accused the West of attempting to defeat Russia through Ukraine, urging negotiations as Moscow’s forces gain ground. Trump in his campaign said that he could bring peace to Ukraine within 24 hours. However, his exact strategy remains unclear. *) Erdogan criticises Türkiye’s EU delay, calls for security inclusion Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, has called for Türkiye’s full inclusion in EU defence efforts, stressing it as vital for European security. Criticising delays in Türkiye’s EU accession, he urged Europe for action against terrorism and condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza. Erdogan further pushed for diplomacy in the Ukraine crisis and met with key EU leaders. *) Big food companies sell less healthy products in poor countries A new report has revealed that major food and beverage companies are selling less nutritious products in low-income countries compared to wealthier nations. This trend, highlighted by the Access to Nutrition Initiative, raised concerns about rising obesity rates in developing countries. While some companies claim to be improving their offerings, the report suggests significant disparities in the quality of products sold to different markets.

*) Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become the 47th US president Former US president Donald Trump defeated his rival Kamala Harris and became the 47th president of the country. In his victory speech, he pledged to “heal” the country, promising secure borders, prosperity and a “golden age of America.” Speaking to ecstatic supporters, Trump, joined by Vice President nominee JD Vance, hailed GOP wins and vowed to fight for Americans. Separately, Republicans also secured the majority in the Senate. *) Vice President Harris commits to a peaceful transfer of power in speech Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a defiant concession speech, vowing a peaceful transition of power after Trump won the US presidential election. Harris told supporters in a speech in Washington to "not despair," urging them to "keep fighting" after her loss. Separately, US President Joe Biden will address the nation and pay tribute to Harris for her "courage" and "integrity." *) US stocks soar as Trump secures a second term in White House Wall Street surged to record highs as Donald Trump made a stunning return to the White House. The Dow Jones soared 1,250 points, with the S&P 500 nearing the 6,000 mark. Investors anticipate tax cuts and deregulation, while Treasury yields, bitcoin and the dollar also hit new highs. Market eyes now turn to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate discussion. *) Erdogan and Trump discuss cooperation on Türkiye-US ties, global issues Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory in a phone call. Erdogan expressed his hopes for strengthened cooperation between Türkiye and the United States in the coming term. Earlier in a message on X, Erdogan expressed hopes for progress on global issues like Palestine and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He stressed the importance of collaboration for fairer world order and peace, wishing prosperity for both nations and humanity. *) South Africa closes main border with Mozambique over election protest violence South Africa temporarily shuts its main border with Mozambique amid escalating protests over Mozambique's disputed election. At least 18 people have died as opposition supporters challenge Frelimo’s contested win. Security forces have responded with force, restricting internet access and threatening army deployment. Tensions rise as Mozambique's opposition plans a massive march on capital Maputo.

*) Vote counting is underway to decide next US president Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are locked in a close battle for the White House, as polls gradually close and officials count votes across the United States. The magic number to win the presidency is 270 electoral votes. Observers expect the hotly contested race for the White House to come down to a handful of key battleground states. Projections from various outlets, citing counted votes, show Trump leading his rival, Kamala Harris. Voters are also deciding which party will control the House and Senate. *) Stay in line: Trump urges Republicans to hold ground Former President Donald Trump has urged Republican voters to "stay in line" in a 13-second clip posted across his social media platforms. “We’re doing really well,” Trump reassured, encouraging supporters to hold their ground at the polls. Separately, billionaire Elon Musk also shared a message on the social media platform X, implying a Republican win in the elections, saying, "Game, set, and match." *) Americans chose between democracy and illegal migration, survey shows In the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, voters' motivations reflect a deep national divide. An AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide, reveals Harris supporters prioritised the future of democracy, influenced by her messaging on Trump’s threats to democracy. Meanwhile, Trump voters focused on immigration and inflation, drawn to his promises of economic revival. *) Israel's Netanyahu fires Defence Minister Gallant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant due to disagreement over the Gaza invasion. Israel Katz steps in as the new Defence Minister, while Gideon Sa’ar takes over as Foreign Minister. Protests erupted in Tel Aviv, with hundreds rallying against Gallant’s ouster, expressing frustration with Netanyahu’s decisions. *) Boeing workers end seven-week strike, ratify new deal Striking Boeing workers have voted to accept the company’s latest contract, ending a seven-week walkout. The new deal includes a 38 percent wage hike, a $12,000 signing bonus, and increased tax benefits contributions. While some 33,000 workers will return, reactions remain mixed, with some disappointed by the absence of a restored pension plan.

*) Trump, Harris bid their final push as US election looms In the final sprint before election day, US Vice President Kamala Harris rallies Pennsylvania, while Donald Trump fires up crowds in multiple states. Harris has urged voters to recognise their power, wrapping up her day with star-studded support in Philadelphia. Trump lamented the election as "the most important political event" in US history, hoping for a historic comeback. Some 77 million have already cast early votes. *) Israel makes UNRWA ban official despite global protests Israel has notified the UN it is cancelling its agreement with UNRWA, sparking global condemnation. The decision follows an overwhelming Knesset vote to ban the agency’s activities in Palestinian territories. Western allies, including the United Kingdom and France, voiced concern, while the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of “devastating consequences” for Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. *) Countries urge UNSC to stop arms sales to Israel A coalition of 54 countries and organisations has urged the UN Security Council to take swift action to halt arms transfers to Israel amid its devastating Gaza invasion. The appeal cites concerns over violations of international law and references a recent UN resolution calling for restrictions on arms that could be used in occupied Palestinian territories. *) Canada, India condemn Brampton Temple clashes amid tense ties India and Canada have condemned violence at a Hindu temple in Brampton amid rising diplomatic tensions. Social media videos showed clashes involving flagpoles and punches. The fighting followed Canada's expulsion of Indian diplomats over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader. Both Prime Ministers, Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau, strongly denounced the violence, while local police continued their investigation. *) Women, children among 24 dead in Comoros boat tragedy At least 25 people drowned after traffickers capsized their boat near the Comoros Islands, the UN's migration agency confirmed on Monday. The tragedy, which left only five survivors, marks the third such disaster in recent months. The deadly route to the French territory of Mayotte has claimed thousands of lives since 2011, according to the International Organization of Migration.

*) Israeli strikes hit Gaza hospitals, many Palestinians killed Heavy bombardment from Israeli forces early Monday hit Gaza hard, killing many Palestinians and leaving countless others injured. The scene was devastating, with widespread destruction across several neighbourhoods. According to Wafa news agency, Israeli artillery strikes took a heavy toll — lives lost, people hurt, and some still trapped under rubble. Rescue teams are scrambling to find survivors, but no official numbers have been released yet. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia also came under fire — the nursery was damaged, and a child was injured. And at the Indonesian Hospital, a drone strike sent patients and staff into a panic, creating a chaotic and terrifying scene. *) Swiss intelligence exposes PKK's secret operations Switzerland’s intelligence service has dropped a bombshell — the PKK, a group labelled as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the US and the EU, has been running secret operations right under their noses. According to a fresh report from Switzerland’s Federal Intelligence Service, or FIS, the PKK has been using Swiss soil to raise money, spread its propaganda and even run terrorist training camps. The PKK has been in a violent campaign against Türkiye for 40 years, leading to over 40,000 deaths, including civilians. The FIS report makes it clear: the PKK is active within Switzerland, recruiting young Kurdish refugees and preparing them for actions against the Turkish military. *) UN warns of ‘dangerous escalation’ over potential N Korean troops in Russia UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is raising the alarm over reports that North Korean troops may have joined Russia, possibly heading toward the battlefields in Ukraine. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed his concern on Sunday, saying Guterres is “very concerned” about reports of North Korean forces potentially being deployed to Ukraine’s conflict zone. According to US intelligence, North Korean troops have shown up around Russia’s Kursk border region. Interestingly, neither North Korea nor Russia has denied these reports. *) Maia Sandu declares victory in Moldova’s presidential runoff election Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu declared a win on Sunday in the country’s tense presidential runoff, with almost all votes counted. She held a strong lead with 54 percent, defeating her pro-Russian rival, Alexandr Stoianoglo. Sandu, a former World Bank economist, declared in her victory speech that “Moldovans have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of history books”. Sandu’s win is being seen as a huge boost for Moldova’s pro-Western government and her vision of closer ties with Europe, steering Moldova one step closer to the EU. *) Chinese crew returns after 6-month mission on Tiangong space station After six months aboard China’s Tiangong space station, the Shenzhou 18 crew has made a safe return. The spacecraft’s return capsule touched down in northern China on Sunday, wrapping up an intense mission in space. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that its astronauts landed at the Dongfeng site in Inner Mongolia. Since their launch on April 25, they have been working and living aboard the Tiangong.

*) Hamas calls Gaza truce proposals with Israel a 'smokescreen' Palestinian resistance group Hamas has called Gaza ceasefire proposals a “smokescreen" as they do not include an end to the Israeli war or withdrawal from the enclave. Senior Hamas member Izzat al-Rishq said ceasefire proposals floated in recent days don’t include an end to the Israeli assault, withdrawal from Gaza, or the return of displaced Palestinians to their areas. He added that Hamas is positively engaged with any proposals and ideas that ensure the cessation of aggression and the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza. *) Israel kills 71 in Lebanon as death toll nears 3,000 Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the Health Ministry has said Israeli air strikes killed at least 71 people and wounded 169 others. The new fatalities brought the number of people killed in Israeli attacks in the country since October 2023 to 2,968, while 13,319 others were wounded. This week Israel intensified its strikes in the eastern Lebanese region of Baalbek and displaced thousands more. *) Israel hinders polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza The emergency polio vaccination campaign in Gaza entered its second phase though areas in northern Gaza, experiencing ongoing Israeli military offensives and a humanitarian crisis, were excluded from the campaign. The initial phase of the campaign began two months ago, however, offensives in the north delayed the rollout, leading to a partial implementation. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that northern Gaza could not proceed with the second phase due to the ongoing hostilities, and plans for the next round of vaccinations in the north remain postponed. *) Supporters of Bolivia's ex-leader Morales detain 200 soldiers Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales have taken at least 200 soldiers, hostage. Three military units in Chapare province were assaulted by irregular groups, The hostage situation marks a dramatic escalation in their standoff with the state after Morales blamed the current President for attempting to assassinate him earlier this week. The hostage situation comes nearly three weeks after backers of Morales the country's first Indigenous leader began blocking roads to prevent his arrest on what he calls trumped-up charges aimed at thwarting his political comeback. *) Hundreds of media members accuse BBC of biased Gaza coverage The BBC has been accused by more than 100 of its staffers of providing Israel favourable coverage in its reporting on the war against Gaza, calling on the broadcaster to "recommit to fairness, accuracy, and impartiality." The letter sent to BBC Director General Tim Davie was signed by more than 230 media industry members, including 101 anonymous BBC staff, journalists from other media organisations, historians, actors, academics and politicians. It criticised the news outlet for failing its editorial standards by lacking "consistently fair and accurate evidence-based journalism in its coverage of Gaza."

*) Israel 'not serious' about Gaza ceasefire — Hamas Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said that Israel does not take Gaza ceasefire negotiations seriously. A senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said Israel does not offer any genuine proposals and "is definitively not serious in the (ceasefire) negotiations." He added that Hamas would proceed without hesitation with any proposal that meets people's demands and ends their suffering, and completely halts the Israeli aggression, not temporarily *) Single surgeon for the only hospital in northern Gaza Meanwhile, the only Hospital in northern Gaza operates with limited capabilities and a single surgeon, in light of the deadly Israeli incursion for nearly one month. The al-Awda Hospital is the only hospital in northern Gaza that has a doctor specialising in general surgery. At times, many wounded people require urgent medical interventions amid low and limited medical capabilities. *) Buffer zone ordered around a Sikh place of worship in Canada A Vancouver judge has ordered a buffer zone around a Sikh temple over fears of violence. The safe zone was requested by Ross Street Gurdwara officials to keep apart Sikh separatists advocating for an independent state of Khalistan and visiting Indian officials. The court order follows Canadian police investigations that found the Indian government allegedly has been involved in extreme violence on Canadian soil, including the assassination of a Canadian Sikh in 2023. *) Ukraine needs to use long-range missiles against N.Korean troops: Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine needed permission from its allies to fire long-range missiles into Russia in the face of a North Korean troops deployment there. He said that at every site where Russia is amassing these North Korean soldiers on its territory Ukraine could strike preventively only if they had the capability. He accused Kiev's allies of "just waiting for the North Korean military to start striking at Ukrainians" instead of providing "the long-range capability that is so necessary". *) China uses Meta to develop military AI According to academic papers and analysts, top Chinese research institutions linked to the People's Liberation Army have used Meta's publicly available Llama model to develop an AI tool for potential military applications,. Academic papers have detailed how China had used an early version of Meta's Llama as a base for what it calls "ChatBIT". The researchers used an earlier Llama 2 13B large language model incorporating their parameters to construct a military-focused AI tool to gather and process intelligence and offer accurate and reliable information for operational decision-making.

*) Israel kills 26 Palestinians in air strikes across Gaza Israel continues with its deadly strikes on besieged Gaza. At least 26 Palestinians were killed and 47 wounded in Israeli air strikes on besieged Gaza. At least 16 Palestinians were killed and 30 wounded, including children, in strikes that targeted two houses north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Horrific and heart-wrenching experiences continue to haunt Palestinians in Gaza. In one such incident, a Palestinian ambulance worker made a horrific discovery when the corpse on the stretcher that he was carrying turned out to be his mother, killed by an Israeli air strike in central besieged Gaza. *) Arab League calls for UN resolution against Israel's UNRWA ban Meanwhile, the Arab League called for the passage of a UN resolution opposing Israel's move to ban the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in the country. The meeting demanded that the representatives of Arab countries in New York coordinate with the ambassadors and representatives of friendly countries and the UN Secretariat to request a special session of the UN General Assembly, as it is the body that issued the decision to establish UNRWA, to discuss the repercussions of this serious Israeli law and to issue a UN resolution rejecting this illegal Israeli measure. However, Israel continued with its defiance and demolished the office of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. *) North Korea launches a new ballistic missile North Korea has launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile in its first test in almost a year of a weapon designed to threaten the US mainland and occurring days ahead of the US election. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the missile test and was at the launch site calling the launch “an appropriate military action” to show North Korea’s ''resolve to respond to its enemies’ moves'' that have threatened the North’s safety. In response to this, South Korea announced new export controls on materials needed to produce solid-fuel missiles to restrict North Korea's ballistic missile development. *) Canada labels India as a cyber threat According to a report, a cyber defence agency charged with keeping foreign actors from infiltrating Canada’s computer networks identified India as a cyber threat for the first time. According to its National Cyber Threat Assessment report the Indian state-sponsored cyber threat actors are likely to conduct cyber threat activity against Government of Canada networks for espionage. The report also said that as a breakdown in Canada-India relations continues, India will step up its cyber threats after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked New Delhi to serious crimes against Sikh Canadians. *) EU slaps $502M fine on the world's largest generic drugmaker Teva The EU has slapped the world's largest generic drugmaker Teva with a $502 million fine for "abusing its dominant position" to impede competition for its blockbuster multiple sclerosis medicine. The Israeli company said it would appeal against the EU's fine. The European Commission said that it found Teva artificially extended the patent protection of its drug Copaxone and "systematically spread misleading information about a competing product to hinder its market entry and uptake.