For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio and Common Dreams, and to commentary from Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on the sources’ names and initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
– – –
UN chief says parties to Gaza war ‘trampling’ on international law. From Reuters. DAVOS, Switzerland — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today that parties to the conflict in Gaza were “trampling” on international law and urged them to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. “The world is standing by as civilians, mostly women and children . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Hostages and residents in Gaza are set to receive medicines as Israel-Hamas war rages on, by Jajib Jobain, Samy Magdy and Melanie Lidman | AP RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A shipment of medicine for dozens of hostages held by Hamas was en route to Gaza today after France and Qatar mediated the first agreement between Israel and the . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
NEWER France says accusing Israel of genocide ‘crosses moral threshold.’ From AFP. France does not back a case against Israel at the UN’s top court accusing the country of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said today. “The notion of genocide cannot be exploited for . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
The tiny Persian Gulf nation of Qatar occupies a big role on the world stage. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Mehran Kamrava, professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, about how Qatar has become a bridge between the West and its adversaries. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
The U.S has repeatedly fired missiles into Yemen. What does it hope to accomplish? Reported by Michel Martin and Greg Myre | NPR The U.S. is responding to Houthi rebels who’ve attacked ships in the Red Sea. The exchange is seen as a widening of the Mideast conflict because Houthis say they’re responding to the Israel-Hamas war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
Australian journalist fired after Israel lobby push, by Jake Johnson | Common Dreams / Consortium News Leaked text messages obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday show that the government-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation fired radio host Antoinette Lattouf last month following a pressure campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Lattouf, a Lebanese-Australian journalist who was working in a short-term contract position . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Senate kills Sanders resolution requiring Biden to report on Israeli human rights conduct in Gaza, by Brett Wilkins | Common Dreams The United States Senate on Tuesday evening voted overwhelmingly to table a resolution by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders that would have required the Biden administration to promptly report on Israel’s human rights practices during its war on Gaza, which is currently the subject of an International Criminal Court genocide case. Sanders (I-Vt.) had attempted to force a . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Technicality could sink genocide case v. Israel, by Joe Lauria | Consortium News In order for a claim to reach the International Court of Justice, there must be an established dispute between two states. Israel’s argument is that such a dispute was never established and thus the ICJ lacks jurisdiction to hear South Africa’s claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and must be stopped. READ MORE . . .