International News
UK Suspends British-Nigerian Minister Over Genocide Accusation Against Israel
British-Nigerian minister and Member of Parliament, Kate Osamor, has been suspended by the United Kingdom.
The suspension comes in the wake of Osamor’s controversial statement accusing Israel of genocide, made on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day.
Osamor ignited public outrage with her claim, published in her weekly newsletter, suggesting that Gaza should be recognized as part of the list of ‘recent genocides.’
The suspension followed her posting a photo on social media, depicting herself signing the Holocaust Education Trust’s commemoration book in Westminster.
In her statement, Osamor wrote, “Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza.”
Osamor however issued a public apology on social media after being suspended for accusing Israel of genocide on Holocaust Memorial Day.
In her apology on Friday night via X, she acknowledged the day is meant to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
She said “I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance.”
The Board of Deputies, the Jewish Labour Movement, and the Holocaust Educational Trust responded to the controversial remarks made by MP Kate Osamor.
A Labour source confirmed to MailOnline on Sunday evening that Chief Whip has suspended Osamor from the Parliamentary Labour Party, pending an investigation.
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism emphasized the International Definition of Antisemitism, adopted by the Labour Party, which includes comparing Israel to Nazis as an example of antisemitism.
“The International Definition of Antisemitism, adopted by the Labour Party, lists comparing Israel to Nazis as an example of antisemitism. That is what Kate Osamor effectively did.
“The Labour Party has acted correctly in taking swift action against Ms Osamor and we will be following the matter with interest.
“There are some who wish to drag the Party backwards to darker days when views like those expressed by Ms Osamor were common, and they must fail.”
A spokesperson from the Jewish Labour Movement strongly criticized Kate Osamor’s remarks, stating, “This is wholly inappropriate. This week, we have been commemorating the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust and those who perished in subsequent genocides, as listed by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
“Unilaterally co-opting the war in Gaza, despite the horrific suffering there, onto that list is wrong and offensive.”
The United Nations’s top court, the International Court of Justice, delivered an interim ruling in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, stating that Israel must take all measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza.
However, the ruling falls short of ordering an immediate halt to operations.In the context of the ongoing conflict, Israel’s retaliatory attacks in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, have resulted in the deaths of 25,900 people, primarily women and children.
The current conflict initiated after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, leading to approximately 1,300 casualties, mostly civilians, and the taking of 240 hostages, as reported by the BBC.
International News
US Diplomats In Israel For High-Stake-Talks On Lebanon Truce
Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.
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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.
Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.
In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.
Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”
Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.
Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.
In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.
However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.
Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”
This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.
As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.
Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”
Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.
International News
Deadly Super Typhoon Kong-rey Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan
Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.
Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.
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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.
Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.
Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath
Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.
Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.
In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.
First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.
The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.
Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.
A Country on High Alert
Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.
Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.
“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.
Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change
Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.
Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.
Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient
As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.
Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.
Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.
International News
Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem As New Secretary-General After Nasrallah’s Death
Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general, following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces last month.
The announcement was made by the group’s media office in a statement on Tuesday.
Hezbollah’s Senior Council stated that the selection of Qassem adhered to the group’s established leadership protocols.
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Known for his deep-rooted commitment to “Prophet Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and Hezbollah’s founding principles, Qassem brings decades of experience within the organization.
Qassem, who has long served as a prominent figure within Hezbollah, was a close associate of Nasrallah and previously held the position of deputy secretary-general.
The leadership change comes at a volatile time, with increased regional tensions and ongoing conflicts impacting Lebanon.
More to follow……….