July 9, 2024

*) Just bury us alive and make this end': Israeli attack sparks Gaza exodus Civilians have been forced out of the majority of Gaza's largest city, where thousands of families had sought shelter from Israeli attacks elsewhere. Backed by fighter jets and drone strikes, Israeli tanks entered the city centre on Monday. An army spokesperson warned residents of the Sabra, Rimal, Tal Al-Hawa and Al-Daraj districts to flee to so-called "humanitarian zones". *) Brazil adopts free trade with Palestine in snub to occupier Israel Brazil has put into effect a free trade agreement with the Palestinian Authority that has been waiting for ratification for more than a decade. Brazil's Foreign Ministry said the agreement is a concrete contribution to an economically viable Palestinian state, which can live peacefully and harmoniously with its neighbours. Palestinian ambassador in Brasilia, Ibrahim Al Zeben, called Brazil's decision "courageous, supportive and timely." *) US reveals NATO summit plans to provide Ukraine with 'bridge to membership' A senior US official has said NATO allies will announce, at the Washington DC summit, new security pledges to Ukraine. This will include a new military command in Germany to help develop Ukraine's future force before joining the alliance. Ambassador Michael Carpenter revealed that the new NATO military command will coordinate training and equipping efforts to support Ukraine's military development. The United States is hosting the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, DC, from July 9 to 11. *) Boeing agrees to plead guilty to criminal fraud charge over 737 Max crashes Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from two crashes of 737 Max jetliners that killed 346 people, the Justice Department has said. Federal prosecutors gave Boeing the choice of pleading guilty and paying a new $243.6 million fine or facing trial for conspiracy to defraud the United States. Prosecutors accused the American aerospace giant of deceiving regulators who approved the aeroplane and pilot-training requirements for it. *) SpaceX launches Türkiye's first indigenous comms satellite into orbit Turksat 6A, Türkiye's first indigenous communications satellite has been successfully launched into orbit from SpaceX's Kennedy facility in Florida. The 4.25-tonne satellite will operate at the 42 degrees East orbital position and its service life will be 15 years in orbit. It will cover Türkiye, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia and will serve 4.5 billion people for TV, radio and emergency communications.