August 5, 2024

NEWSREADER INTRO: This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, August 5th. *) Israel’s Netanyahu sets new demands on Gaza prisoner swap deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has added new conditions to a proposed hostage swap deal with Hamas, including exiling around 150 Palestinian prisoners from the country, according to local media. Among the conditions is the deportation of some Palestinian prisoners who will be released from Israeli prisons to foreign countries, Israel’s Channel 13 reported, citing unnamed sources. The US, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to broker a prisoner exchange and ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but efforts have stalled due to Netanyahu's refusal to meet Hamas's demands to stop the war. *) Sirens blare as missiles, UAVs fired from Lebanon target northern Israel Missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles were reportedly launched from Lebanese territory into northern Israel, an Israeli official said. An official spokesperson for the Israeli army confirmed to Anadolu news agency that projectiles originated from Lebanon and targeted northern regions of Israel. The spokesperson refrained from providing details regarding any casualties or injuries resulting from the attacks. *) New violence kills scores in Bangladesh, students seek Hasina’s resignation At least 93 people have been killed while hundreds of others injured across Bangladesh as students took to the streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, local media reported. The country’s Prothom Alo daily reported that the people were killed in more than 15 districts as governing party armed groups swooped on protesters and opened fire. Authorities declared a three-day public holiday as people were killed in clashes between protesters on one side and police and governing Awami League party supporters on the other side. *) North Korea unveils 250 missile launchers, boosts nuclear readiness North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the delivery of a new tactical ballistic missile system to troops, state media reported. Kim also gave a speech at the ceremonial event in Pyongyang where 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers were unveiled. The launchers have been described by state media as a powerful up-to-date tactical attack weapon “personally designed by Kim and ready to be transferred to KPA units”. And finally… *) UK far-right protesters target Birmingham asylum hotel with projectiles A hotel known to have sheltered asylum seekers was targeted near the central English city of Birmingham, police said, as violent anti-immigration rallies led by far-right protesters shake parts of Britain. “A large group of individuals” have been “throwing projectiles, smashing windows, starting fires and targeting police” at the hotel in the town of Tamworth, with one officer injured, Staffordshire Police said in a statement. Riots first flared in Southport following a frenzied knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in the northwest coastal city, before spreading up and down England.