September 28, 2024

*) EU weighs suspension of political ties with Israel European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urges bold action, proposing a suspension of political dialogue with Israel and a ban on imports from illegal settlements. Citing Israel's disregard for international law in Gaza, Borrell calls for decisive measures, set for discussion at next week’s Foreign Affairs Council. Israel's war in Gaza — now in its 407th day — has killed at least 43,000 Palestinians and wounded over 103,000, with another 10,000 feared buried under debris. *) Muslim Trump supporters criticise his pro-Israel cabinet picks Muslim Trump supporters voice dismay over his pro-Israel cabinet, labelling it "Zionist overdrive." Picks like Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee and Elise Stefanik spark backlash among those who helped secure swing state victories. Leaders cite broken peace promises and a tilt toward neo-conservatism. Yet some defend Trump, emphasising his broader peace agenda amid Middle East turmoil. *) Zelenskyy believes Trump can end Russia-Ukraine War Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism that Donald Trump’s leadership could hasten the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump, reiterating his "America First" stance, pledged to broker peace, calling for an end to the conflict. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a just resolution, stressing Ukraine’s independence and firm stance in negotiations. *) North Korean leader orders 'mass production' of attack drones North Korea's Kim Jong-un has ordered the mass production of attack drones, escalating tensions in the region. These drones are designed to target both land and sea, raising concerns about potential attacks on South Korea and beyond. This move comes amid increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Experts believe that North Korea may have acquired drone technology from Russia, which could have implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. *) Brazil takes the lead in global alliance to combat hunger Brazil has taken the lead in forming a global alliance to combat hunger and poverty. The initiative, launched ahead of the G20 summit, aims to lift 500 million people out of poverty by 2030. The alliance brings together wealthy nations, NGOs, and financial institutions to provide financial aid and expertise to countries in need.

*) Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. A new report details massive forced displacements and the widespread destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure to permanently displace many Palestinians. Over 90 percent of Gaza’s population — which is about 1.9 million people — has fled amid Israel’s relentless attacks, with tens of thousands killed, mostly women and children. *) Democrats urge US sanctions on Israeli ministers Nearly 90 Democratic lawmakers urge US President Joe Biden to sanction Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, accusing them of inciting anti-Palestinian violence in the occupied West Bank. The letter, citing 1,270 recorded attacks, highlights concerns over settlement expansion and destabilisation of the Palestinian Authority. Lawmakers insist Biden send a strong message on humanitarian grounds and oppose Israeli annexation plans. *) UN mulls to boost Lebanon peacekeeping efforts The United Nations is preparing to bolster its peacekeeping force UNIFIL in Lebanon to support the Lebanese army after a ceasefire with Israel. Although not enforcing a truce, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix emphasised UNIFIL’s vital role. Diplomatic efforts hinge on UN resolution 1701, with hopes to end hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah near the Israel-Lebanon border. *) Indian court outlaws demolition without due process India’s Supreme Court declared it “totally unconstitutional” to demolish homes without due process, issuing a nationwide prohibition against so-called “bulldozer justice.” Opposition parties hailed the verdict, citing it as a critical step toward ending the ruling party BJP’s oppression of Muslim communities. Key leaders demanded compensation for victims and hoped this ruling would curb collective punishment against marginalised groups. *) EU fines Meta $840 million for antitrust violations The European Commission has slapped Meta with an $840 million fine, accusing the tech giant of antitrust violations by bundling Facebook with Facebook Marketplace to stifle competition. Facebook’s owner Meta plans to appeal but will comply and swiftly develop a solution. This move follows a two-year investigation into anti-competitive practices by Meta in the EU market.

*) Protests erupt in Paris over Zionist gala organised by far-right figures Protests erupted in Paris against a far-right gala supporting Israel, aimed at raising funds for the Israeli military and featuring Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The event, titled "Israel is Forever," instigated outrage amid heightened tensions from Israeli atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon. Demonstrations came ahead of a high-profile football match between France and Israel, prompting the deployment of over 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff. *) Death toll from Israeli strikes in Gaza 'safe zone' rises to 14 Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed at least 15 Palestinians, according to witnesses and medical sources. Eight people, including children, were killed when a house was hit in the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis. Another person was killed in a strike near a tent encampment that had been marked as a "safe zone" by Israel. Five more civilians were killed in an air strike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. *) Erdogan expresses hope for Türkiye-Syria relations amid regional concerns Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated hopes for reconciliation with Syria’s Bashar al Assad, expressing optimism about improving bilateral relations. Erdogan emphasised that normalising ties with Syria could promote peace and stability in the region. He also highlighted concerns over regional threats, particularly from Israel, and stressed Türkiye's commitment to Syria's territorial integrity. Erdogan reaffirmed that Syrian refugees do not threaten this integrity and underscored the importance of stabilising Syria to prevent regional instability. *) Demolition of private properties 'unconstitutional': India's top court India's top court ruled that demolishing private properties without following legal procedures is "unconstitutional." It condemned the use of bulldozers to raze homes merely because someone is accused or convicted, stating that such actions resemble lawlessness. The court emphasised that authorities must issue a show-cause notice before any demolition and warned that violations could lead to contempt proceedings. The decision reinforces the need for due process in property demolitions and prevents arbitrary actions by the executive. *) Tehran and Moscow link bank card systems to counter sanctions Iranian bank cards can now be used in Russia as both countries have connected their banking systems, state TV reported. This move aims to bypass Western sanctions, especially after Iran was cut off from the SWIFT system in 2018. The sanction came following the US exit from the 2015 nuclear deal. The Iranian TV channel showed footage of an Iranian bank card being used at an ATM in Russia.

*) New Israeli strikes kill at least seven Palestinians in southern Gaza In Gaza, at least seven Palestinians were killed, and several more were injured in recent air strikes by Israel. According to witnesses, the Israeli military targeted a roadside stall selling goods in Qizan Abu Rashwan, south of Khan Younis, leading to two fatalities and injuries to others. In a separate incident, a medical source reported that an air strike on a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza resulted in the killings of three Palestinians and injuries to ten others, most of them children. *) Trump picks pro-settlement Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Mike Huckabee as his pick for US ambassador to Israel, signalling strong support for the Israeli government from his incoming administration. In a statement, Trump praised Huckabee’s career in public service and faith leadership. He added that Huckabee’s long-standing support for Israel is mirrored by the admiration many in Israel hold for him. *) Germany sets February 23 for snap elections after Scholz coalition collapse Germany is gearing up for snap elections set for February 23, after an agreement between its major political parties. This decision follows the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition last week. Parliamentary leader Rolf Muetzenich of Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) shared that Scholz will seek a confidence vote on December 16, setting up a path toward the February election. The decision was part of a compromise worked out with the Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian allies, the CSU. *) Car ramming in southern China kills, injures dozens in rare violent incident In a rare and tragic incident, 35 people were killed and 43 injured when a car drove into a crowd around a sports centre in Zhuhai, southern China, while people were out exercising. Initial police reports only mentioned injuries, but details of the attack and videos were quickly removed from social media. By Tuesday, police announced that the incident was a “serious and vicious attack” and confirmed the death toll at 35. The injuries suffered by the 43 wounded are not currently life-threatening. *) Jury orders US contractor to pay $42M for torture of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib A federal jury has found CACI International, a US defence contractor, liable for its involvement in torture at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison in 2003-2004. The verdict, delivered Tuesday, holds the Virginia-based company accountable and orders it to pay $42 million in damages, awarding each of the three plaintiffs $14 million. This decision marks the first time a civilian contractor has been held legally responsible for torture at the notorious prison, where the three plaintiffs testified about being subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity and other forms of brutal treatment.

*) Israel strike kills 10 people in designated Gaza ‘safe zone’ In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, an Israeli air strike killed at least 10 Palestinians and left many others injured. The strike hit a rest area near tents where displaced families had gathered, thinking it was safe. This specific area, in the Al Mawasi neighbourhood, had actually been marked by the Israeli military as a “safe zone”. Many displaced families were using the “Happy Time” rest stop just outside the southern gate of the Asdaa Resort. According to witnesses, people frequently went there for a moment of respite and to access the internet — just trying to find some normalcy amid the war. *) Smotrich says 2025 is year Israel will impose ‘sovereignty’ on West Bank Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has now said that by 2025, Israel will fully assert its sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, effectively ruling out any chance of a Palestinian state — a stance that defies international law, which considers the West Bank to be occupied Palestinian land. During a Religious Zionism Party meeting, Smotrich also congratulated Donald Trump on his recent US presidential win. For Smotrich, Trump’s victory is an opportunity to move forward on Israeli interests. He recalled that in Trump’s previous term, he took bold steps: moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, affirming Israeli control over the Golan Heights, and legitimising settlements in the West Bank. *) Paris bans Palestinian flags at France-Israel football match French authorities have banned Palestinian flags at the upcoming France-Israel football match on Thursday, following unrest seen at a Netherlands match last week. Laurent Nunez, Paris’s prefect, said that “only French and Israeli flags will be allowed, along with messages cheering on the teams”. Security will be tight at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris. Fans can expect not one, but two security screenings and ID checks around the stadium. Anyone refusing to cooperate won’t be allowed in. *) Türkiye’s zero waste project will thrive through global cooperation: Altun Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project, a leading environmental initiative, will only succeed through strong international partnerships, according to Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye’s head of Communications. Speaking via video at the COP29 UN climate conference in Azerbaijan, Altun stressed that Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project is a key example of the country’s dedication to environmental leadership. He said that “Türkiye is at the forefront of climate diplomacy”. *) Philippines braces for fifth cyclone in under one month The Philippines is once again preparing for severe weather, with warnings issued for yet another storm — the fifth in under a month — now closing in on the islands. Tropical Storm Usagi is expected to hit the country’s northeast coast in just two days, according to the National Weather Agency. This comes right after Typhoon Toraji forced thousands to evacuate. In fact, the government has already evacuated over 32,000 people in the north as a precaution. This has been a devastating stretch for the Philippines, which has been battered by a relentless sequence of storms: Severe Tropical Storm Trami, Typhoon Yinxing, Super Typhoon Kong-rey, and now Usagi — all of which have collectively claimed at least 159 lives.

*) Israeli air strike on tent in Gaza kill two members of a family In Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, an Israeli air strike has killed a man and his wife and left two children injured, a medical source said. Witnesses told Anadolu news agency the air strike hit a tent in the Sawarha area of the camp, reducing it to rubble and damaging several nearby tents as well. Two children were also wounded in the air strikes, according to Al-Awda hospital. *) Israel’s Netanyahu claims responsibility for deadly pager blasts in Lebanon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now admitted he authorised a deadly September attack on communication devices in Lebanon, marking the first time Israel has openly claimed responsibility. Hezbollah had earlier pointed fingers at Israel for the blasts, which dealt a serious blow to the group and prompted vows of retaliation. The attacks involved small handheld devices, used by Hezbollah members, that exploded over two consecutive days in supermarkets, on streets and even at funerals in mid-September. The blasts killed nearly 40 people and injured close to 3,000, just before Israel ramped up its military campaign in Lebanon. *) Biden plans to urge Trump to keep supporting Ukraine US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said President Joe Biden’s top priority during his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump will be to emphasise the importance of a smooth transfer of power. But Biden also wants to talk about issues in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Sullivan told CBS News that President Biden will have a chance over the next 70 days to make his case to Congress and the incoming administration that the US cannot afford to abandon Ukraine. He added that leaving Ukraine now would mean more instability in Europe. Sullivan’s remarks come as Russia and Ukraine are engaging in record drone attacks, with around 200 drones exchanged between them. *) Ex-PM’s supporters in Bangladesh protest using Trump placards as ‘shields’ Supporters of Bangladesh's ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were arrested after following her orders to protest bearing placards of Donald Trump, police have said, accusing them of trying to undermine relations with Washington. Police arrested 10 protesters they described as “conspirators” and accused them of attempting to destabilise the South Asian country of around 170 million people. *) Dutch police crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstration, detain protesters In Amsterdam, Dutch police detained multiple pro-Palestine protesters after tensions flared up, reportedly due to provocations by Israeli hooligans. The demonstrators had gathered to push back against the media’s portrayal of recent events as “anti-Semitic” and to protest the criticism aimed at pro-Palestine supporters after the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv football match. Police broke up the crowd with batons, injuring several people in the process. Authorities in Amsterdam had previously put a three-day ban on public demonstrations starting from Friday.

*) 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.