June 25, 2024

Netanyahu torpedoes Biden's truce deal, vows to continue war on Gaza https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/netanyahu-torpedoes-bidens-truce-deal-vows-to-continue-war-on-gaza-18176539 The US-backed proposal to end Israel's war on Gaza is in doubt after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only be willing to agree to a "partial" ceasefire deal that would not end the war. In an interview, Netanyahu stated he is open to a limited deal to free some of the hostages. However, he insisted the war would continue after a pause. Netanyahu's comments sharply contrast with the deal outlined by US President Joe Biden last month. *) Blinken tells Israel's Gallant to ease tensions with Hezbollah https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-blinken-tells-israels-gallant-to-ease-tensions-with-hezbollah-18176540 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to avoid escalation with Hezbollah amid Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. Blinken stressed protecting humanitarian workers in Gaza and seeking a diplomatic resolution to prevent further conflict. This comes as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu threatened a military invasion of Lebanon. *) Israel turns Greek Cypriots into its logistics base — Turkish FM https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/israel-turns-greek-cypriots-into-its-logistics-base-turkish-fm-18176532 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has raised alarms over escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on threats from Greek Cypriots. Fidan warned against using southern Cyprus as a base for operations against Gaza, stating it would not benefit the Greek Cypriot administration. He urged regional actors to recognise the seriousness of the situation and to prevent further militarisation in the region. *) Kenya troops leave Nairobi to start mission in gang-hit Haiti https://www.trtworld.com/content/article/kenya-troops-leave-nairobi-to-start-mission-in-gang-hit-haiti-18176551 A Kenyan force has left Nairobi to lead a multinational mission addressing gang violence in Haiti, according to Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki. About 400 police officers departed Nairobi on Monday night aboard Kenya Airways. The group comprises elite officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit, General Service Unit, Administration Police, and Kenya Police. And finally… *) NASA scraps planned spacewalk after astronaut suit malfunction A NASA spacewalk at the International Space Station (ISS) was abruptly ended when water began leaking from one of the astronauts' spacesuits inside the airlock. NASA called off the spacewalk on Monday after astronaut Tracy Dyson reported water squirting from her spacesuit's cooling system. The leak occurred as Dyson switched her suit to battery power before floating outside the station. Despite the incident, astronauts Mike Barratt and Tracy Dyson were reported safe and not in immediate danger, according to NASA. https://www.trtworld.com/science-and-tech/nasa-scraps-planned-spacewalk-after-astronaut-suit-malfunction-18176553