July 19, 2024

*) Israelis march to Netanyahu's residence, urge him to strike deal with Hamas According to local media, hundreds of Israelis gathered in West Jerusalem and marched towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence to pressure the government into finalising a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. "Netanyahu is responsible for bringing them back alive," the demonstrators chanted, referring to the Israeli captives in Gaza. Families of the hostages and the Israeli public, along with the political system, blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal, citing additional conditions and obstacles he has imposed. *) Trump declares 'incredible victory', vows his return will restore democracy In his first speech since being shot at by a 20-year-old man, Donald Trump predicts an "incredible victory" while accepting the Republican presidential nomination. The attack, which wounded Trump's ear and killed a bystander, has left the party euphoric over his survival and buoyed by Joe Biden's struggling reelection campaign. "We will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country," Trump said at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. *) Protesters in Bangladesh torch headquarters of state broadcaster BTV Protesters set fire to the headquarters of Bangladesh's main state broadcaster BTV with "many people" trapped inside its offices. An official at the station says hundreds of protesters stormed the premises, setting ablaze at least 60 vehicles and an office building. This incident follows weeks-long student protests in the country, demanding reforms to civil service hiring rules. At least 32 people have been killed in the clashes between police and students this week. *) Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as EU Commission head for second term Members of the European Parliament elect Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission President for a second term after she pledges to create a continental "defence union" and continue Europe's green transition. The Parliament backed her bid with 401 votes in favour and 284 against in a secret ballot. In her address to Parliament, von der Leyen focused on prosperity and security, addressing the challenges of Russia’s war with Ukraine, global economic competition, and the climate crisis. With the opening ceremony just eight days away, Paris is transforming as it prepares to welcome nearly nine million Olympics ticketholders. Thousands of French security forces have locked down a six-kilometre stretch of central Paris ahead of the complex Olympics opening ceremony next week. The opening parade on July 26 will see athletes sail down the river Seine, leading to the closure of central water-side residential districts to most vehicles from 5:00 AM on Thursday.