Author name: yasir

Blinken to head to Egypt to discuss Gaza cease-fire, hostage deal

World /

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt this week to attend the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue and discuss ongoing efforts to reach a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal. Blinken will depart Tuesday for Egypt, where he will co-chair the opening of the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, aiming to “strengthen the bilateral relationship and deepen economic development,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. “In addition to co-chairing the strategic dialogue, the Secretary will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages, alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people, and helps establish broader regional security,” he added. The visit, Blinken’s 10th to the Middle East since Oct. 7 last year, comes as the US, along with Qatar and Egypt, are working to secure a cease-fire and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas. US President Joe Biden said on May 31 that Israel presented a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan includes a cease-fire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, the Israeli military’s withdrawal from Gaza, a surge in aid and a permanent end to hostilities. A bridging proposal put forward by the US, Egypt and Qatar on Aug. 16 aimed to bridge the gaps over the prisoner exchange. However, critics argue that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic border area between Gaza and Egypt, has complicated potential prisoner exchange deals with Hamas. Hamas continues to demand a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and the return of displaced Palestinians. While US officials say that 90% of the terms of a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal have been agreed upon, Netanyahu rejects their assessment that a deal is close. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack last year by the Palestinian group Hamas which killed 1,139 people and led to the taking of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 41,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and nearly 94,400 injured, according to Gaza health authorities.​​​​​​​ Israel currently holds at least 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, while it estimates that 101 Israeli hostages are being held in Gaza, an unknown number of whom are believed to have been killed while in captivity.

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Fitch upgrades Tunisia’s rating to ‘CCC+’

Business /

Fitch Ratings said Monday that it upgraded Tunisia’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to “CCC+” from “CCC-.” The rating agency said the upgrade reflects the country’s stronger external position and the government’s ability to meet its large fiscal financing needs. Those factors, however, are balanced against limited access to external financing, uncertainty over the ability and willingness of the banking sector to take on large volumes of domestic debt, and a budget that remains vulnerable to external shocks. Fitch said the Tunisian government requires 10% of GDP in long-term domestic financing this year and 10%-12% in 2025 and 2026. “We believe the domestic banking sector could help meet the sovereign’s financing needs, as deposit growth and weak credit demand support sector liquidity,” the rating agency said in a statement. “Nevertheless, this will increase banks’ exposure to the public sector, which already represents about 20% of the banking sector’s total assets, necessitating refinancing to local banks by the central bank,” it added.

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Meta bans Russian state media outlets

World /

 Facebook owner Meta said Monday that it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media networks from its platforms. “After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity,” it said in a statement. The move came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new sanctions Friday against the Russian state-backed media company RT, formerly known as Russia Today, claiming that it possessed cyber capabilities and engaged in “covert information influence operations and military procurement.” “Today, we’re exposing how Russia deploys similar tactics around the world,” Blinken said.  “Russian weaponization of disinformation to subvert and polarize free and open societies extends to every part of the world,” he added. Earlier this month, US authorities unsealed an indictment against two employees of Russian broadcaster RT and seized 32 internet domains on accusations of interference in the November presidential elections. Russia denied any attempts to interfere in the elections, dismissing the charges.

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Heavy rains devastate Cameroon’s Mayo Danay: 10 dead

Africa /

In recent weeks, relentless heavy rains have devastated Mayo Danay in Cameroon’s Far North region, with Yagoua experiencing the worst of the downpours. The damage is severe: at least ten people have died, entire neighborhoods are submerged, 185 primary schools and 13 high schools are flooded, and over 1,100 livestock have been lost. Residents face extreme hardships, with many struggling to find basic necessities like food and shelter. Litassou Daniel, a local affected by the floods, recounted the dire situation: “The rain hit us in the middle of the night. Our kitchen utensils and livestock are gone. Now, we are in the water, unable to even light a fire.” The humanitarian impact is profound. Over 200,000 people have been affected, and 8,000 homes have been destroyed. Displaced individuals are living in temporary camps outside the city, urgently needing more aid as they have lost everything. Boussate Lydie, a displaced resident, expressed frustration: “We face this flooding threat every year. Our situation never improves. The tents we get don’t last, and we’ve lost livestock and homes. We’re begging the authorities for more help.” Additionally, the floodwaters have destroyed a crucial bridge linking Maga to Yagoua, further isolating some neighborhoods. Cameroonian Minister of Urban Development, Célestine Ketcha Courtes, visited the site to assess the damage and promised immediate action: “The bridge is completely destroyed. We will mobilize companies by Monday to implement a temporary solution to reconnect Maga and ensure better movement for the population.” The government has pledged 350 million CFA francs in aid, though many locals feel this amount is inadequate given the scale of the disaster. For now, canoes are the primary means of transportation, and there are concerns the region could become completely cut off if urgent measures are not taken.

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Rescuers fail to locate 64 drowned in Nigeria boat capsize

Africa /

Rescue workers are unable to locate the bodies of 64 people who drowned after a boat capsized in Nigeria’s northwest Zamfara State, an official said on Sunday. Abubakar Umar, a spokesman for the Gummi Local Government in Zamfara State, told Anadolu that two bodies have been pulled from the river by rescue workers since the incident on Saturday morning. “So far, two dead bodies have been removed. We have yet to find the other victims in the water,” he said. A wooden boat carrying over 70 farmers across the Tsofo Kasuwa River to farmland in the Gummi district capsized. Local authorities confirmed that the captain of the boat and three others who could swim survived the accident. Police said they have yet to determine the number of farmers on the boat. “We are trying to compile the number of people on board the boat,” Yacid Abubakar, a police spokesman in Zamfara, told Anadolu over the phone. Boat accidents frequently occur in the area due to an increase in the water level following torrential rains. In May 2023, at least seven people were killed when a boat capsized on a river in the state.

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Man sets himself on fire in front of Israeli Consulate in Boston

World /

An American activist set himself on fire last week in front of the Israeli Consulate in Boston, Massachusetts to protest Israel’s “genocide in Gaza.” In a statement released to Anadolu, the Boston Police Department said the incident occurred on Sept. 11 around 8.10 p.m. local time. The man was seriously injured and taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, the statement said. Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) also reported that the self-immolator suffered serious burns. Police did not share details about the person’s identity or his motive for the action as an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in New York announced that they are investigating the incident. Local media reported that the incident took place in front of the Four Seasons Hotel on the same street as the Israeli Consulate in Boston and released surveillance footage showing the man setting himself on fire after walking in front of the hotel for a while.  People close to the scene are seen rushing to extinguish the fire. An eyewitness told NBC10 Boston that he and a friend rushed to the location after hearing screams and tried to put out the fire with backpacks, describing the situation as “a deeply upsetting scene.” One of the witnesses, Jeferson Zapata, told Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra news that the man had poured gasoline on himself before setting himself on fire. Zapata said he and others tried to pour water on the burning man. The lack of statements by US officials and the lack of coverage of the issue in the national media have drawn criticism. While the authorities have not shared information about the person’s identity on the grounds that the investigation is ongoing, social media users believe there is an attempt to cover up the incident. In a video posted on social media and apparently shared from Boston, a person identifying himself as Matt Nelson said: “I’m Matt Nelson, and I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest. We are all culpable in the ongoing (Israeli) genocide in Gaza.” “We call ourselves the greatest nation in history, yet we spend more on weapons of war than we do on educating our children, helping the homeless, ensuring all Americans have equal rights, and protecting the environment combined. We are slaves to capitalism and a military industrial complex. Most of us are too apathetic to care. “The protest I’m about to engage in is a call to our government to stop supplying Israel with the money and weapons it uses to imprison and murder innocent Palestinians, to pressure Israel to end the genocide in Gaza and to support the ICC (International Criminal Court) indictment of (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of the Israeli government. “I urge any of you who are of the same mind to call your senators and representatives and demand that they introduce and advance legislation to achieve these goals. If sitting lawmakers won’t, vote for those who will. “A democracy is supposed to serve the will of the people, not the interests of the wealthy. Take the power back. Free Palestine,” he added. Later, some local media outlets shared surveillance footage of a man setting himself on fire but did not provide any information about the identity of the person or why he committed the act. Despite Anadolu’s persistent inquiries, the Boston Police Department said the investigation was ongoing and that they would not share any further information for the time being. The Israel-based Jerusalem Post newspaper drew attention to the fact that the incident occurred on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. In February, 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, an active-duty member of the US Air Force, set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. in protest against Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

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Senegal’s president dissolves national assembly

Africa /

Senegal’s President Dissolves National Assembly Amid Political Tensions After weeks of escalating conflict between Senegal’s executive branch and the opposition-controlled Parliament, President Bassirou Diomaye has dissolved the National Assembly. This move, which aligns with the wishes of the president’s supporters, has ignited a heated debate among Senegalese citizens. Aïssatou Diallo, a local observer, views the dissolution as a strategic move: “The Assembly’s dissolution serves the president’s interests. However, the focus should be on giving the new government time to implement its programs for the people.” While Seydou Sow, a supporter of the decision, sees it as a legal and necessary step given the current political situation, the opposition views it as a tactical maneuver. They have expressed concerns about the rapid scheduling of elections and questioned the legality of bypassing the contentious sponsorship law. Opposition MP Moussa Diakhaté criticized the rushed timeline for elections: “They want elections in 60 days, but what about the sponsorship law and the Constitutional Council’s input? This seems like an attempt to manipulate and cheat in the upcoming elections.” As Senegal prepares for legislative elections on November 17, the stakes are high. The opposition aims to push for a power-sharing arrangement, but analysts warn that fragmented opposition lists might benefit the government in Senegal’s winner-takes-all system. André Bakhoum, a political expert, suggests that if the current majority persists after March 2024, the opposition will need to adapt its strategy. With both sides gearing up for a contentious electoral battle, the political future of Senegal remains uncertain.

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West African nations to launch common passport

Africa /

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc that was established last September by the military leaders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, announced Sunday that they will launch a common passport to enhance cooperation and security. AES Chair and Mali’s junta leader Col. Assimi Goita said in a TV address that the alliance would soon launch a common biometric passport that will also facilitate the mobility of citizens across the three nations. He made the statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the AES since its creation on Sept. 16 last year. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formed the AES and announced the creation of a joint military force to counter spiraling security challenges posed in their countries by terrorist groups. The three West African nations withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which had threatened to intervene militarily in Niger following a coup in that country in July last year. The three countries, with a combined population of 72 million, are affected by instability caused by militant groups. In July this year, the leaders of the three military regimes held their first joint summit in the Nigerien capital of Niamey, where they announced the confederation of three Sahel states. Highlighting joint “significant victories” against terrorist groups in the region, Goita said the AES was “open to discussion with international partners as well as sub-regional partners.” “This enhanced cooperation has helped to significantly weaken these (terror) groups, thus contributing to an improvement in security in the region, he added. Goita said the AES will also launch a common TV station.

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Comoros president slightly injured in knife attack at funeral

Africa /

The president of Comoros, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, sustained “slight injuries” in a knife attack during a religious leader’s funeral on Friday, according to his office. A bystander who tried to protect President Azali Assoumani was also injured. The president’s injuries were not severe, and he has since returned home. The attacker has been apprehended by security forces, though details about their identity and the circumstances of the attack remain undisclosed. The incident occurred in Salimani, near the capital city of Moroni. Government minister Aboubacar Said Anli reported that a civilian was injured while trying to shield the president, but there is no immediate information on the severity of these injuries. Assoumani, who was reelected in January amid allegations of election fraud, has faced political unrest, including a fatality linked to the post-election turmoil. The 65-year-old former military officer first seized power in a 1999 coup and has since served multiple terms. He recently extended his presidency into a fourth term by altering the constitution, removing term limits, and ending a rotational presidency system. His administration has been criticized for cracking down on dissent and banning peaceful protests. Comoros, an archipelago off Africa’s east coast, has experienced numerous coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975.

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Nearly 60% of Muslims students in New York bullied at school

Discover /

 A recent study on Friday revealed that nearly 60% of Muslim students in New York have experienced bullying at school by their peers, especially after Israel’s onslaught in the Gaza Strip. The survey “Feeling The Hate In Our Schools” was conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in New York, and revealed that “58.2% reported being bullied at school by another student because they were Muslim.” “Almost half (44.7%) of students who wear a hijab reported their hijab was tugged, pulled, or offensively touched by another student rarely, sometimes, often, or very often,” the findings said. The survey also revealed that “64% of students have witnessed a Muslim student at school being bullied by another student,” and nearly 65% of students have seen “their school make offensive comments or posts about Islam or Muslims online.” According to the survey, many students (43.6%) did not feel it was necessary to report them, believing it would not make a difference. The survey noted that “74.6% of students said that they did not report to an adult at their school about being bullied by another student for being Muslim.” The CAIR report also included a special note on Palestine, highlighting a surge in “anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment within the fabric of New York City” when the conflict in Gaza escalated in October 2023. “In 2023 alone, CAIR-NY received 555 requests for legal assistance, with 43% directly linked to Palestinian solidarity, highlighting the urgency of this issue,” it added. It further stated that 32% of students reported school silencing for voicing opinions on Palestine, while 13% faced unwanted attention from staff, 11% from authorities, 10% experienced online harassment or doxing, and 9.5% reported social isolation. The report was based on a survey of 500 Muslim students, 91.7% of whom attend public schools, 4.6% attend charter schools, and 3.8% attend non-Islamic private schools.

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