August 13, 2024

*) South Africa welcomes Türkiye’s involvement in Gaza genocide case South Africa has welcomed Türkiye’s involvement in Gaza genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, saying it "will bring new perspective." Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s international relations and cooperation minister, said: "Türkiye's intervention will enable the top court to see it from a new perspective." Lamola told reporters in the capital Pretoria that Türkiye's joining in South Africa’s case against Israel "shows how solid the case is." *) China slams Israel for killing 100 Palestinians in Gaza school China has condemned the Israeli military's recent attack on a school sheltering displaced people in besieged Gaza that killed at least 100 Palestinians. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said in a statement that Beijing denounces any actions that harm civilians. Lin said that his country opposes any actions that violate international humanitarian law urging Israel to immediately stop its attacks on Gaza. *) Ukraine controls 1,000 square kilometres in Russia's Kursk — army commander Ukraine's top commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that Ukrainian forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russia's Kursk region. This is the first time Ukraine has publicly acknowledged this significant gain. In a video on President Zelenskyy's Telegram channel, Syrskyi reported that fighting continues along the front line and assured that the situation is under control. *) Thousands flee as wildfires bear down on Greek capital Thousands of people have fled their homes around Athens, including in the historical town of Marathon, as strong winds fanned a wall of wildfire flames closer to the Greek capital. Nearly 700 firefighters and over 30 aircraft battled the blazes that had advanced into the city's outer suburbs near Mount Pentelikon. And finally… *) 6th Intl Friendship Short Film Festival honours Palestinian stories The 6th International Friendship Short Film Festival organised in Istanbul by Balkon Film with the support of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Cinema is set to welcome film enthusiasts next October. This year's festival will be held in honour of Palestine. Turkish films and those focusing on the themes of the Israeli occupation and Palestinian independence, particularly in the "Humanitarian Perspective" section, will have their submission fees waived. The "Humanitarian Perspective" section will focus on films that highlight Palestinian solidarity or the various struggles faced by Palestinians such as occupation, the Nakba and resistance.