August 4, 2024

*) Israel’s Gaza mediators leave Egypt amid disputes with Netanyahu According to media reports, an Israeli negotiating team left Cairo and returned to Tel Aviv shortly after arriving Saturday to resume discussions on a hostage swap deal with Palestinian factions. A local newspaper has reported that the team returned to Tel Aviv due to disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli news website Walla said the delegation’s departure to Cairo was influenced by heavy American pressure on Israel and Egypt to continue negotiations on the hostage deal despite the recent assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh. *) Bangladesh students call for nationwide civil disobedience Student leaders in Bangladesh have called for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign as the government faces increasing backlash over a deadly police crackdown on protesters. Students Against Discrimination, the group behind the initial protests, has urged citizens to begin an all-out non-cooperation movement from Sunday. The students are demanding a public apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for last month’s violence and the dismissal of several of her ministers, along with reopening of schools and universities. *) 37 people killed by suicide bombing in Somali capital: police Raising the initial death toll from seven, police has said that at least 37 people have been killed and scores wounded following a suicide bombing and gun attack at a popular beach in the Somali capital. Eleven people are in intensive care units, a further 64 people remain in hospital with wounds, while 137 people with light injuries have been discharged after receiving treatment, Somali Health Minister Ali Haji Adam told journalists late Saturday. The Al Qaeda-linked terror group Al Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in the Horn of Africa country. *) UK gripped by far-right violence, police under attack Several police officers were injured in clashes between far-right protesters and anti-fascist demonstrators as rival protests erupted in several UK cities. Authorities have arrested several people following the clashes as they struggle to maintain order. According to local media,the situation has been particularly tense in Liverpool. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his support for law enforcement, urging them to take decisive action against those who “sow hate” and intimidate communities. *) Google pulls Gemini AI ad after backlash from Olympics viewers Google has confirmed it pulled an ad for its Gemini artificial intelligence after it received negative reactions from some Olympics viewers. The “Dear Sydney” ad showcased a dad describing how Gemini AI wrote his daughter a fan letter to US hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Social media posts across various platforms questioned whether the ad signalled a dystopian future where human creativity diminishes due to AI.