August 8, 2024

*) Talks over Gaza truce, prisoner swap stalled — Israeli media The one thing that can stop Israel’s deadly and brutal war on Palestinians is the resolution of the thorny issue of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners that the two sides aim to exchange some time in future. But Israeli media reports suggest that process has come to a stop. KAN, the Israeli public broadcaster, reported that no new meetings are planned between Israeli, Qatari, Egyptian and American security agencies. Now don’t be surprised if reports soon come out that the talks have once again been scuttled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has blocked the process on several occasions to prolong his rule. *) Israel ‘admitted’ assassinating Haniyeh to US officials: Washington Post While everyone else seems to know that Israel was behind the July 31 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Tel Aviv has itself remained silent. That’s part of the Israeli modus operandi in such operations where the Zionist state never openly admits responsibility for violating the territorial rights of other countries. But according to the Washington Post, Israeli officials have admitted to their American counterpart that Israel was indeed behind the killing of Haniyeh. *) Thousands of anti-racism protesters converge in several UK cities In cities across the UK, thousands of anti-racism protesters came out in opposition of far-right groups which have attacked Muslims, immigrants and asylum seekers in recent days. In Walthamstow, north London, several thousand gathered to counter a far-right protest, with similar anti-racism rallies in Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool. Meanwhile, UK's deputy prime minister announced that police are prepared to respond to nearly 100 acts of violence planned by far-right extremists in London, emphasising that there will be “no excuse” for street violence. *) Over 30 people killed, hundreds displaced in Yemen flooding The poor Middle Eastern country of Yemen has faced devastation from years of war and is now dealing with US bombings against the Houthis. If that wasn’t enough, a flood has killed dozens. In Yemen’s southern city of Hudaida, more than 30 people have died, and hundreds have been displaced due to severe flooding after days of heavy rain. Hudaida Governor Muhammad Qahim reported that 500 homes were also affected, with five people still missing. The southwestern city of Taiz and the northwestern city of Hajjah were also severely impacted by the floods, which have devastated poorly built homes and infrastructure across the region. Authorities are struggling to reach the worst-hit areas, leaving many residents stranded without food and water. And finally… *) Microsoft employees demand halt to funding of illegal Israeli settlements Microsoft’s charitable giving platform has been criticised for featuring organisations operating in illegal Israeli settlements while removing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. An internal petition from employees says that donations to illegal Israeli settlements violate international law under the Geneva Conventions. The petition also accuses that Microsoft’s actions contradict its inclusive values and calls for the cessation of matching donations to these organisations. Microsoft has yet to comment on the matter.