August 30, 2024

*) Harris says 'No' to arms embargo on Israel US Vice President Kamala Harris has said in an interview that she would not change President Joe Biden's controversial policy on supplying Israel with weapons for its carnage in Gaza if elected in November. The Democratic nominee and vice president said ‘No’ when asked if she would change course and withhold weapons to Israel, while adding that it was time for a ceasefire and hostage deal and to "end this war." Washington rolls out $3.8 billion in annual military funding to its longtime ally Israel, and the administration has so far resisted calls to condition any arms transfers. *) UN slams Israeli ultimatums to Palestinians The UN has highlighted the "desperate" situation in Gaza as it raised concerns over the Israeli army’s continued ultimatums to Palestinians to flee the besieged enclave. While expressing "deep concern about the latest deterioration in the occupied West Bank, a UN official said that "the situation in Gaza is beyond desperate with harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction" that "raise very serious concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law." *) Over 1,000 died in recent Bangladesh protests The violence that erupted in Bangladesh during last month's anti-government protests killed more than 1,000 people, the country’s health ministry has said, It is marked as Bangladesh’s bloodiest period in its history since its 1971 independence. The violence erupted during a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, which later intensified into an uprising against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. *) China urges US to stabilise ties with Beijing Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the US to work together with China in the face of current global challenges and correct its approach to stabilising relations with Beijing. Speaking with visiting US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Beijing, President Xi said in the face of an international situation full of changes and chaos, both countries need to unite and cooperate, instead of split and confront. And finally…. *) Massive floods in Nigeria, death toll rises Officials in Nigeria have said that floods have killed at least 179 people and displaced around 200,000 more in parts of Nigeria after a "few weeks" of intense rain. Most of the serious flooding has been in the north of Nigeria so far.