July 16, 2024

*) Gaza sees over 320 casualties in past 2 days due to Israel's use of banned weapons: Officials Local authorities in Gaza report over 320 Palestinians admitted to hospitals with severe burns from internationally prohibited weapons used by the Israeli army in the past two days. Gaza's Government Media Office states that doctors believe third-degree burns on many patients, including those who died, were caused by these weapons. The arms, primarily US-made chemical or thermal weapons, "are internationally prohibited from being used against humans," according to the statement. *) Clashes over government job quota injure over 100 students in Bangladesh According to police and witnesses, more than 100 students are injured in Bangladesh, as those protesting to end a quota system for government jobs clash with ruling party supporters. These protests are the first major challenge for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since her fourth consecutive election win in January, boycotted by the main opposition. Thousands of anti-quota protesters and Awami League student wing members hurl rocks and fight with sticks and iron rods at universities nationwide, including in Dhaka. *) Kenyan suspect 'confesses' to murdering 42 women Kenyan police arrest a suspected serial killer who confessed to murdering 42 women, including his wife, and dumping their dismembered bodies in a Nairobi rubbish tip. Since Friday, authorities have pulled nine mutilated bodies, trussed up in plastic bags, from a garbage site in the Mukuru slum area in southern Nairobi, a gruesome discovery that has horrified the nation. *) Far-right seeks more power in EU parliament as lawmakers meet EU leaders' fate will be in lawmakers' hands starting today as the European Parliament convenes for the first time since the June elections. The bolstered far-right demands more influence in the assembly while tensions run high in Europe as the 720 lawmakers begin their five-year term. MEPs will vote on Tuesday for the parliament president based in Strasbourg, France. The current speaker, 45-year-old Maltese conservative Roberta Metsola, is expected to win another two-and-a-half-year mandate. But all eyes will be on Thursday's vote when lawmakers decide whether to give Von der Leyen another five years as commission chief. *) Türkiye’s first indigenous satellite completes third ignition into orbit Turksat 6A, Türkiye’s first homegrown communications satellite, completes the third ignition process on its journey to a stable orbit. "Today, we successfully completed the 3rd ignition process, which lasted 7 minutes. TURKSAT 6A continues its historic journey and progresses towards its orbit, "Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on X. According to the Industry and Technology Minister, the satellite will undergo its fourth ignition process on Tuesday.