October 12, 2024

*) New explosions hit UN peacekeepers' base in Lebanon The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, has suffered yet another attack, with new explosions hitting its headquarters. The incident has left two more peacekeepers injured, following yesterday’s assault on the same position by Israeli forces. UNIFIL's command centre in Naqoura has been targeted by Israeli military artillery for the third time in three days. *) 100+ UN states condemn Israel’s 'persona non grata' declaration on Guterres Meanwhile, a coalition of 104 UN member states, along with the African Union, has condemned Israel's decision to declare Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "persona non grata." The group voiced strong support for Guterres in a statement. The statement, signed by the countries, including Türkiye, criticised Israel’s decision and argued that labelling Guterres "unwelcome" undermines the UN's mandate *) Terrorists kill 20 coal miners in Pakistan's Balochistan Twenty coal miners have been shot dead in an overnight attack on their lodgings in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Police said that 35 to 40 plain-clothed, heavily armed men fired at coal miners for half an hour before escaping into the night. *) Hurricane Milton death toll rises to 16 The death toll from Hurricane Milton rose to at least 16, officials in Florida said, as residents began the painful process of piecing their lives and homes back together. Officials said nearly 2.5 million households and businesses were still without power, and some areas in the path cut through the Sunshine State by the monster storm from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean remained flooded. President Joe Biden on Sunday will visit areas in Florida impacted by Hurricane Milton. Biden said the estimated damage from the hurricane was about $50 billion. *) US atomic bomb survivors: Nihon Hidankyo group wins Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organisation of survivors of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for its activism against nuclear weapons. The chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said the award was made as the “taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.” He said the Nobel committee wishes to honour all survivors who have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace despite physical suffering and painful memories.