January 22, 2024

*) Death toll of Palestinians in Gaza from Israeli strikes passes 25,000 The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza has passed 25,000, Health officials in the enclave said amid heavy Israeli strikes. Gaza's Health Ministry said in a statement that 178 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, one of the deadliest days so far of the war. A total of 25,105 Palestinians have been killed and 62,681 have been injured in Israeli strikes since October 7, the statement said. *) Ram Temple inauguration: religious ceremony or political rally for Modi? A grand temple to Hindu god Lord Ram is set to open on a site in India millions believe is his birthplace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the inauguration with a religious spectacle in Ayodhya, months before he seeks a rare third term in elections. The construction of the temple had been a political promise of Modi’s Hindu nationalist BJP but the site has been contested for decades, with both Hindus and Muslims laying claim to it. *) More than 13,000 people killed in Sudan conflict: UN More than 13,000 people have been killed and 26,000 others injured in the ongoing conflict in Sudan since last year, the United Nations said. Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has been ongoing since April 2023. Several ceasefire agreements brokered by Saudi and US mediators have failed to end the violence. *) Dozens killed in Ukrainian strike on Donetsk — Russia At least 25 people have been killed and 20 others injured due to shelling in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, which is currently under Russian control. The injuries also included two children, according to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-affiliated head of the region. He also claimed the artillery shells were fired from the settlements of Kurakhove and Krasnohorivka, which are under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on Pushilin's claim. And finally… *) Republican DeSantis suspends his presidential campaign, backs Trump Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nominee, throwing his support behind frontrunner Donald Trump. DeSantis said in a video on X that he could not “ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources” without “a clear path to victory.” His withdrawal from the race comes less than two days before the New Hampshire primary. Polls showed him far behind ex-president Trump and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley.