January 23, 2024

*) Palestinians in Gaza flee Israeli attacks Israel has pounded the southern city of Khan Younis, pushing thousands of Palestinians in Gaza to flee even further south. Families made their way on foot down the coastal highway. Others loaded blankets and belongings into vehicles or donkey carts. The UN says Israel's war has displaced some 85 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, and one in four of them are starving. At least 25,295 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks and 63,000 wounded. *) Families of captives storm Israel's Knesset Dozens of family members of captives held in Gaza have stormed a committee meeting in Israel's parliament demanding a deal to win their loved ones' release. The family members of the captives held up signs and yelled, "You won't sit here while they are dying there!" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist to the Israeli public that pursuing the devastating aggression in Gaza is the only way to bring the captives home. At the same time, he has rejected the United States' proposal for a postwar resolution, saying he will never allow a Palestinian sovereignty. *) China 'races against time' to find survivors of devastating landslide Rescuers are racing to find dozens of people still trapped after a landslide struck a remote and mountainous part of southwestern China, killing 11. The pre-dawn landslide buried 18 homes and sparked the evacuation of more than 200 people when it struck Yunnan province. Local media said rescue workers are now in a "race against time" to find those missing after a night of sub-zero temperatures. *) Zelenskyy calls for unity as Russia rules out peace plan Russia's foreign minister has clashed with the United States and Ukraine's supporters at a UN meeting where Moscow ruled out peace plans backed by Kiev and the West. Sergey Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian forces have been "a complete failure" on the battlefield and are "incapable" of defeating or weakening Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Ukrainians to remain united and committed to a common goal of thwarting Russia's assault on their country. And finally… *) More than 75,000 march across France to condemn 'racist' immigration law Protests against France's contentious immigration law have taken place in various cities nationwide. A demonstration that kicked off in Paris saw the participation of trade unions and lawmakers from the far-left LFI or France Unbowed party. The protesters claimed the law is "racist" and targets immigrants and French citizens with dual nationality. They called for granting residence permits to everyone residing in the country.