Gaza conditions a ‘complete catastrophe,’ official warns as Israel prepares for imminent offensive
CNN
23-10-15 06:23
The situation in Gaza has been described by officials as a “complete catastrophe” as tens of thousands of Palestinians attempt to flee the ongoing airstrikes and the imminent threat of an Israeli ground offensive. Israel’s military has said that it is readying its forces for the next stages of the war, including “combined and coordinated strikes from the air, sea and land.” The conflict has escalated rapidly following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which controls the enclave and killed at least 1,300 people. There are growing concerns that the situation could spill over regionally, prompting the Pentagon to send a second carrier strike group and squadrons of fighter jets to the region as a deterrence to Iran. Tensions are also increasing with Lebanon, with fears that the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah group could be drawn into the conflict. The situation in Gaza is dire, with serious shortages of clean water and food and a lack of access to electricity and medical care. Civilians are fleeing south, but many are unable to evacuate, particularly the most vulnerable Gazans. Numerous nations, rights groups, and organizations are calling on Israel to respect international rules of war and protect the lives of civilians. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed, but there are difficulties in getting it into the Gaza Strip. The World Health Organization has condemned Israel’s orders to evacuate hospitals in Gaza, calling it a “death sentence for the sick and injured.” The IDF has said that a ground invasion is being prepared, with an emphasis on significant ground operations. There are also fears that the situation could spiral out of control and have far-reaching consequences. The Pentagon has ordered a second carrier strike group to the region as a deterrence to Iran and Iranian proxies.
Russia does not violate UN sanctions against North Korea - Russian diplomat
Yahoo US
23-10-15 06:19
Russia is not violating United Nations sanctions against North Korea but is firmly against any new restrictive measures, according to Oleg Burmistrov, Moscow's ambassador at large. The remarks come after the US said North Korea had recently shipped weapons to Russia. The US is concerned about the growing military relationship between the two countries. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 but the Security Council is deadlocked over whether to ease them.
Two civilians killed in Russian assaults on Avdiivka - Ukraine
Yahoo US
23-10-15 06:16
Two civilians have been killed in Russian attacks on the town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. The attacks, which have been taking place for the past five days, have been so fierce that emergency crews are unable to recover the dead from the destroyed buildings. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have reportedly repelled 15 Russian attacks, while Russian forces have launched heavy air strikes. Both sides deny targeting civilians.
Taliban official to attend China’s Belt and Road Forum, spokesman confirms
South China Morning Post
23-10-15 06:11
The Taliban will attend China’s Belt and Road Forum this week, a spokesman for the Islamic group ruling Afghanistan said. The move underscores Beijing’s growing official ties with the Afghan administration, despite its lack of formal recognition by any government. Taliban officials and ministers have at times travelled to regional meetings, mostly those focused on Afghanistan, but the Belt and Road Forum is among the highest-profile multilateral summits the group has been invited to attend. The two-day forum starting on Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious global infrastructure and energy initiative, billed as recreating the ancient Silk Road to boost global trade.
UPDATE 1-Blinken to meet Saudi Crown Price on Sunday in Riyadh, US official says
Yahoo US
23-10-15 04:49
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday. The meeting comes as Israel prepares to launch a ground assault in the Gaza Strip, which is currently controlled by Hamas. Blinken's trip to the Middle East aims to prevent the conflict between Israel and Hamas from escalating further and to secure the release of hostages held by the Islamist group. Blinken has already visited Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE, and is expected to travel to Egypt after his meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince.
Israel, Hezbollah exchange fire amid fears of regional escalation
Al Jazeera
23-10-15 11:49
Israel has declared its northern border with Lebanon a closed military zone after deadly clashes with Hezbollah as fears grow of the opening of another front amid an ongoing bombardment of Gaza Strip. Israel warned civilians not to come within about 4km (2.5 miles) of the Lebanese border or else they may be fired upon. Hezbollah attacks on Sunday morning were met with artillery fire from the Israeli side. Israel’s move on Sunday marks a major step in efforts to prepare for the possibility that Hezbollah may open a second front and come to the aid of Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip.
Putin calls China’s belt and road plan a ‘desire for cooperation’
South China Morning Post
23-10-15 11:00
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described China's Belt and Road Initiative as a "perfect match" with Moscow's vision for regional development. Putin's comments came as he spoke to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV ahead of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Putin said he sees the initiative as a "desire for cooperation" and said Russia is willing to work with China to implement it. Putin is expected to attend the forum in Beijing this week.
TikTok details disinformation steps taken after EU demand
Yahoo US
23-10-15 10:57
TikTok has mobilised resources and personnel to counter hate and misinformation after the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. The short video app has taken a number of actions, including launching a command centre, enhancing its automated detection systems, adding more moderators who speak Arabic and Hebrew, and removing content that incites violence or mocks victims of violence. TikTok has declined to provide specific details on how it responded to the request from EU industry chief Thierry Breton to counter disinformation related to the Middle East conflict.
UPDATE 1-Poland holds high-stakes election amid rows over democratic rule
Yahoo US
23-10-15 10:19
Polish voters went to the polls on Sunday to vote in a parliamentary election. The Law and Justice (PiS) party hopes to win an unprecedented third term in power; however, the opposition has warned that this would put Poland on a path towards leaving the European Union. The PiS portrays the election as a choice between migration security and westernisation and claims that its opponents support the latter. Opinion polls suggest that the PiS will win the election but may lose its majority. PiS has been accused of undermining democratic checks and balances, politicising the courts, using publicly owned media to push its own propaganda, and stirring up homophobia.
Israel says Gazans can still evacuate south, clashes at Lebanon border
Nikkei Asia
23-10-15 10:16
The Israeli military has said it will continue to allow Gazans to evacuate south, as it prepares for a ground assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after its fighters carried out unprecedented attacks on Israeli towns, resulting in the deaths of 1,300 people. The violence has led to the most intense bombardment in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 2,300 people and the destruction of much of the enclave's infrastructure. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the region seeking to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas and prevent the war from spreading.
Heartbreaking videos of baby and four-year-old boy abducted by Hamas
The Independent
23-10-15 16:18
The cousin of two young Jewish brothers who were kidnapped by Hamas during the Israeli kibbutz massacre has shared home footage of the boys in an effort to raise awareness about their situation. The video shows the boys playing and celebrating their birthdays before they were taken. The cousin has expressed concern for the well-being of the children, as well as their parents and grandparents who were also taken. The United Nations has warned that Israel may be on the verge of a "mass ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack.
Prosecutors’ challenge in FTX trial: a scant paper trail left by SBF
Yahoo US
23-10-15 15:00
Prosecutors in the US trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried have been heavily reliant on testimonies from executives who claimed to have witnessed the crypto entrepreneur's alleged crimes. However, the prosecution has limited evidence from Bankman-Fried himself, who is accused of stealing funds which belonged to FTX customers and secretly lending them to his firm, Alameda Research. His defence team has claimed that the opposite is true and that Bankman-Fried did not intend to steal from anyone. To secure a conviction, jurors must be convinced beyond reasonable doubt of what was in Bankman-Fried's mind. The government has used Bankman-Fried's Twitter feed as evidence, suggesting that he tweeted that FTX was solvent when it had a $8bn shortfall in customer assets. The prosecution and defence disagree over whether Alameda could legally use FTX customer funds. Witnesses have testified that Bankman-Fried knew that Alameda had borrowed billions from FTX but would be unable to pay it back, while Bankman-Fried is said to have directed Alameda to use FTX customer funds in order to do so.
As Gaza death toll rises, bodies are stored in ice cream trucks
Yahoo US
23-10-15 14:26
Due to the increased number of deaths in Gaza, the hospitals have been forced to store the bodies of the deceased in freezer trucks, usually used to distribute ice cream. The hospitals cannot cope with the sheer number of bodies and the cemeteries do not have enough space. This comes after Israel unleashed a bombing campaign against Gaza in response to a deadly attack by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. The number of deaths is expected to rise even further as Israel has vowed to “annihilate” Hamas.
Tesla, Netflix, and banks highlight earnings rush: The week ahead
Yahoo US
23-10-15 14:00
Corporate earnings will be the centre of attention this week, following weeks of Fed speak and rising yields driving stock action. Earnings from Bank of America and Goldman Sachs will provide a look at how the financial sector is responding to the rising rate environment, while Tesla and Netflix will highlight the start of tech earnings. Recent economic data showed inflation cooling enough for the market to bet that the Fed won't raise interest rates at its November meeting. However, combined with a strong September jobs report, there isn't a broad consensus that the Fed is done hiking altogether. This earnings season will show if company results can end the recent slump in stocks. The Street projected flat earnings compared to the same period a year prior.
India reviewing floor price for basmati rice exports
Reuters
23-10-15 13:30
The Indian government is actively reviewing the floor price for basmati rice exports, despite continuing to curb overseas shipments. The minimum export price (MEP) of $1,200 per ton was imposed in August to stabilise local prices, but concerns have been raised by exporters who fear a drop in shipments. The government's decision to review the floor price comes after meeting with exporters who believe it is adversely affecting exports. The MEP is intended to ensure that non-basmati rice is not exported as basmati rice.
Ukrainians in eastern town of Avdiivka on edge as Russia intensifies offensive
The Globe and Mail
23-10-15 19:39
Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the town of Avdiivka has intensified, making it difficult for civilians to escape, says a Ukrainian official. The assault on Avdiivka, in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, has been going on for six days and is part of the largest Russian offensive against Ukraine in months. The Ukrainian forces have maintained that they are holding their ground, but civilians are suffering from the relentless Russian shelling. The city is also lacking gas, electricity and water. Two civilians have been killed so far in this latest offensive against Avdiivka.
France v South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 score and updates as Antoine Dupont makes stunning return
Yahoo US
23-10-15 19:07
France will play South Africa in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France in Paris. South Africa have won seven out of their last eight matches against France, with their only loss being in their most recent encounter in Marseille in November 2022. However, France have won 27 out of their last 28 home fixtures. The defending World Cup champions, South Africa, lost only one match in Pool B to Ireland. France captain Antoine Dupont will return to the side only two weeks after having surgery on his fractured cheekbone. Both teams have promised a physical encounter in Paris.
The biggest winner of the Israel-Gaza war may just be Vladimir Putin
ABC
23-10-15 18:41
Ukraine is losing support from the US Congress, as both Republicans and Democrats are becoming reluctant to provide further aid to the country. A recent poll showed that only 41% of Americans believe the US should provide weapons to Ukraine, compared to 46% in May. If the US withdraws its support, so will NATO. This comes at a time when Ukraine is fighting for its survival against Russia. The country still does not have the F-16 fighter jets it needs and cannot properly use all the NATO support it receives without air cover. Russia's Vladimir Putin will be pleased with this development, as it gives him the opportunity to expand his empire. Furthermore, the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza has taken the focus away from Ukraine, and it is likely that the situation in the Middle East will continue to overshadow the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
F1 schedule 2023: Dates and locations for all 23 races
Yahoo US
23-10-15 17:44
The Formula 1 2023 season will consist of 23 races, starting on March 5 in Bahrain and ending on November 26 in Abu Dhabi. The schedule includes three races in the United States, in Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin, Texas. Max Verstappen has already won the world drivers championship for the third consecutive year.
South Africa recalls U.N. peacekeepers accused of sexual misconduct in Congo
Reuters
23-10-15 17:39
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has recalled eight peacekeepers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following allegations of sexual misconduct. The soldiers were part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo, known as MONUSCO. The SANDF expressed disappointment that the allegations were first reported in the media, rather than being reported properly through official channels. The SANDF has sent national investigating officers to the deployment area to conduct a full investigation. The United Nations has no power to prosecute, but can investigate crimes and send peacekeepers home. The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo has around 17,000 personnel deployed in the east of the country, where various militias and rebel groups continue to fight.
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