Is enough being done to end the conflict in the DRC?
UN warns of dire humanitarian crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo. For years, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been trapped in a cycle of conflict, with devastating consequences for its people. The latest escalation in violence between the military and the M23 armed group has forced 7.4 million people from their homes in two years. The United Nations says more than 25 million people are in desperate need of aid. And it’s warned the latest M23 activity in the east carries the very real risk of provoking a wider regional conflict. What will it take to bring peace to the DRC? And is there a role its neighbours can play to prevent the violence from spreading? Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Emilie Katondolo – Peace activist who advocates for the rights of women Greg Ramm – DRC country director for Save the Children Crystal Orderson – Journalist for The Africa Report Adblock test (Why?)
Israeli attack on al-Mawasi kills at least 90 people: What we know so far
Israeli air strikes on the al-Mawasi camp in southern Gaza have killed at least 90 people and wounded 300 others, according to Palestinian health officials. The attack on Saturday on the Israeli-designated “safe zone”, located west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, involved fighter jets and drones, according to witnesses. Israeli officials have said the attack targeted two senior members of Hamas’s military wing, claiming they were hiding among civilians. Hamas has dismissed this claim as “false”, saying it is a way of covering up the “horrific massacre” at a location where displaced Palestinians were urged to seek shelter after receiving orders to evacuate their homes elsewhere in the Strip. Here’s everything you need to know about the attack and its aftermath: What’s the situation on the ground? The attack killed at least 90 civilians in a densely populated area sheltering about 80,000 people, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Israeli warplanes hit tents housing displaced Palestinians and a water distillation unit. Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said the area was hit by “five bombs and five missiles”. Displaced people sheltering in the area said their tents were torn down by the force of the strikes and have described bodies and body parts strewn on the ground. “I couldn’t even tell where I was or what was happening,” said Sheikh Youssef, a resident of Gaza City who is displaced in the al-Mawasi area. “I left the tent and looked around. All the tents were knocked down, body parts, bodies everywhere, elderly women thrown on the floor, young children in pieces,” he told the Reuters news agency. The injured were taken to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, which is severely understaffed and lacks critical equipment. Rescue workers say the Israeli army attacked crews who were on their way to help victims. An official at Nasser Hospital told Al Jazeera that medical teams did not have the capacity to receive any more wounded patients as civil defence teams continued to work on search and rescue operations at the site of the attack. Mohammad Subeh, an emergency doctor working at one of the field hospitals near al-Mawasi, told Al Jazeera that rescuers were “digging people out of the ground”. The al-Mawasi area has been repeatedly attacked by the Israeli military, with a strike in late May that hit tents housing displaced families killing at least 21 people. What are Israeli officials saying? The Israeli military claimed in a statement that it acted based on “precise intelligence” to hit an area where “two senior Hamas terrorists” and additional fighters hid among civilians. It described the location of the strike as “an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings, and sheds”. The figures targeted were Rafa’a Salameh, commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, and Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s military wing – both accused of masterminding the Hamas-led October 7 attack on southern Israel. Speaking at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “not absolutely certain” that the Hamas officials were killed in the attack but maintained that it had nonetheless been beneficial to Israel. “Just the attempt to assassinate Hamas commanders delivers a message to the world, a message that Hamas’s days are numbered,” he said. “And this is what I will be doing next week at the US Congress. I will deliver Israel’s message to the United States and the entire world.” Netanyahu said he approved the strike after receiving satisfactory information on collateral damage and the type of ammunition to be used. He added that the Israeli military would “one way or another” kill all Hamas leaders. Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman, Jordan, said Netanyahu’s directive to “target and kill Hamas officials wherever they are”, claiming that it was carrying out precise and targeted attacks, had repeatedly been used as a justification to strike civilians in densely populated Gaza. What are Palestinian leaders saying? Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s deputy head in Gaza, claimed that Netanyahu had wished to declare a “fake victory” and that claims about targeting the Hamas leaders were false. “Mohammad Deif is listening to you now and mocking your false, empty statements,” he told Al Jazeera Arabic. Hamas had earlier issued a statement on Telegram calling on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem to “mobilise” in response to the attack. “We call on all resistance brigades to mobilise for Gaza and in loyalty to the blood of the martyrs,” the statement read. The armed group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) said in a statement that Israel was “continuing the war of extermination against our people”. “This crime confirms that the occupation has disregarded all international norms and covenants,” the PIJ said. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa condemned Israel’s “genocidal crimes” in Gaza, saying that Palestinians were “going through a very difficult stage”. Mustafa said Israel’s actions were more broadly targeting the Palestinian project as a whole and included Israel’s goal of establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. Hanan Ashrawi, a scholar and activist, said the attack on al-Mawasi had “turned all of Gaza into one massive death zone”. “American bombs and shells rain down on Gaza while the Israeli government and thugs succeed in preventing any form of medical, food, or fuel supplies from reaching the devastated population,” she said in a post on X. Today’s horrific massacre & savage bombing of displaced Palestinians in Israeli designated “safe” zones of Muassi, Khan Younis is the latest in an escalation that has turned all of Gaza into one massive death zone. American bombs & shells rain down on Gaza while the Israeli… — Hanan Ashrawi (@DrHananAshrawi) July 13, 2024 What’s the situation under international law? Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, told Al Jazeera the attacks may have breached international law. “People in a safe area are protected under international law. If there
‘Everybody must condemn it’: Biden after Trump rally shooting
NewsFeed US President Joe Biden offered his first remarks after a shooting at a Donald Trump rally in the state of Pennsylvania. “The idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. And everybody, everybody must condemn it.” Published On 14 Jul 202414 Jul 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Weather update: IMD predicts light to moderate rain in Delhi-NCR, heavy rainfall in these states; check full forecast
The IMD said that Kerala will receive fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds during the next five days due to the influence of the cyclonic circulation over north Gujarat and another over west central Bay of Bengal.
Trump Jr. says father ‘in great spirits’ at hospital after shots fired during PA rally
Donald Trump Jr. revealed that his father, former President Trump, is in the hospital following shots being fired at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday evening, but is in “great spirits.” “I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits,” Trump Jr., told Fox News Digital in a statement. “He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him.” GOP PRAYS FOR TRUMP AFTER APPARENT SHOTS FIRED, FORMER PRESIDENT RUSHED OFF STAGE Trump was escorted off-stage after 6 p.m. at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after shots were fired. Blood was apparent on Trump’s right ear and face as he was tackled by the Secret Service and quickly moved from the stage. The former president said on Truth Social hours after the incident that “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured,” Trump wrote. WATCH: MOMENT YOU HEAR GUNFIRE RING OUT JUST BEFORE SECRET SERVICE SHIELDS TRUMP “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” he added. According to Trump, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” BIDEN SPEAKS AFTER TRUMP RALLY SHOOTING: ‘NO PLACE IN AMERICA FOR THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE’ Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, reacted to the incident as well on Saturday night. “Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania,” she wrote on X. “I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always,” Ivanka Trump said. The shooter has been confirmed dead per a law enforcement source, reported Fox News’ Jacqui Henrich. There are also two injured bystanders that were brought to a Pittsburgh hospital. A Secret Service source told Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson that an FBI fly team is on its way to Butler to begin an “assassination investigation.” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich and Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.
Trump says he was ‘shot with a bullet’ in assassination attempt at Pennsylvania rally
Former President Trump confirmed he was “shot with a bullet” that “pierced” the upper part of his right ear at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Gunfire broke out at the Trump rally shortly after the former president began speaking at the Butler Farm Show grounds. The attack on the former president is being investigated as an assassination attempt, according to Fox News sources. Trump put out a statement on his Truth Social account Saturday evening. “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump said. “Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.” Trump said, “Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.” “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” the former president said. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.” The former president added that “much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.” “GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he said. Trump was rushed from the stage by Secret Service agents after the bullet purportedly pierced his ear. As they led him away, with blood dripping down his cheek and his right ear, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee raised his arms defiantly. Trump was heard telling his security team, “let me get my shoes,” as they brought him to his feet and hustled him off-stage. Moments after Trump was rushed from the stage, Trump campaign communication director, Steven Cheung, said that the former president “is fine.” “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” Cheung told Fox News Digital. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.” The chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service, Anthony Gugliemi put out a statement Saturday evening. “During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” he said. “US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of investigation.” President Biden reacted Saturday evening, saying he had been briefed on the incident and is “praying for him and his family.” “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said. Biden added that there was “no place for this kind of violence in America.” “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety,” he said. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Biden leans on foreign policy to justify remaining Democrat nominee: Here’s what he’s done
President Biden this week heavily touted his foreign policy experience as justification to remain the Democratic nominee in November, but some have criticized that experience and the president’s efforts to pump up his achievements. “During the week of this summit, several head of states made it a point in their statements to thank the United States and to thank me personally for all that NATO has achieved,” Biden said Thursday at a press conference. “NATO is not only stronger. NATO is bigger because we led the charge to bring in Finland and Sweden into the Alliance, and it makes a gigantic difference.” Later, Biden responded to a question about why he changed his mind about serving as a “bridge” candidate for a generation of younger Democratic leaders. Biden claimed “the gravity of the situation I inherited in terms of economy, our foreign policy and domestic division” necessitated continuity. A Biden campaign official told Fox News Digital Biden’s performance during Thursday’s press conference was what the American people were looking for and praised the president’s insightful responses to questions that went into great detail on foreign policy, including the Russia-Ukraine War, China and other topics dealing with foreign affairs. WE’VE ALL SUFFERED FROM BIDEN’S PRESIDENCY AND CAPACITY TO LEAD: JOHN RATCLIFFE Here’s what Biden claimed versus what has happened during his administration. Biden faced his biggest and most immediate criticism on foreign policy when he chose to uphold Trump’s decision to fully withdraw the U.S. military presence from Afghanistan, which led to a Taliban insurgency, the collapse of the previous government and the deaths of 13 U.S. service members amid the evacuation. “I get — still get criticized for it, but I was totally opposed to the occupation and trying to unite Afghanistan,” Biden said. “Once we got … Bin Laden, we should have moved on because it was not in our – no one is ever going to unite it – united that country.” GEN. JACK KEANE RESPONDS TO QUESTION OF BIDEN’S FITNESS FOR JOB: ‘CAPACITY AND POLICIES MATTER’ Trump set out and negotiated the plan to withdraw the U.S. troops but set an aggressive deadline for May 2021, giving the military half a year to pull out of the country. Biden moved that deadline back to Sept. 11, 2021, but insisted on completing the deal. However, in 2023, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., revealed that a dissent cable sent through State Department channels showed nearly two dozen staffers and diplomats warned the plan as laid out by Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken would lead to exactly the kind of insurgency and collapse that occurred. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley testified just weeks after the drawdown that he and other generals had advised against a total drawdown and suggested leaving a force of around 2,500 troops in the country. Biden insisted that “no one said that to me that I can recall.” Biden has arguably scored his strongest foreign policy points on the handling of Russia and Ukraine, even as critics argue that Biden’s approach to relations with Russia invited the invasion and allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to believe he could succeed in taking Ukraine. “For those who thought NATO’s time had passed, they got a rude awakening when Putin invaded Ukraine,” Biden argued. “We collected intelligence that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine months before the invasion. I directed … a significant amount of intelligence to be declassified, so I could start building an international coalition to oppose the invasion.” PUTIN WILL ‘END UP A VESSEL OF CHINA’: POLAND’S RADOSLAWM SIKORSKI But at least one military official admitted Biden’s policy of deterrence was not effective enough to have prevented Putin’s plan to invade. U.S. Gen. Tod Wolters told the House Armed Services Committee in March 2022 that he “couldn’t argue” with the conclusion that “deterrence failed in Ukraine.” The Biden administration attempted to deter Putin with a series of sanctions throughout January and February as it warned Russia would invade, but Biden later claimed that “sanctions never deter.” However, Biden continued to supply Ukraine with the necessary weapons needed to defend against Russia in what has become known as the “porcupine strategy,” even though that strategy has come under scrutiny as the war lurches through its third year and many in the U.S. Congress question how long the U.S. and its allies can continue supporting Ukraine in a war without an end in sight. One of the most contentious arguments for Biden’s foreign policy remains his handling of Iran and its march for a nuclear weapon. The Biden administration has relied heavily on sanctions to deter Tehran despite Biden admitting that “sanctions never deter” when talking about Russia. But that, in turn, has seemingly driven Iran to develop strong ties with Russia and China to alleviate those pressures. NATO FORGES CLOSER TIES WITH ASIAN PARTNERS IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS OVER CHINA Biden addressed this new and evolving dynamic during his press conference, saying he had plans to try and “interrupt that impact” but could not talk about the details in public. He did warn that he could see many of his European allies “curtailing their investment in China as long as China continues to have indirect help to Russia” but did not directly address Iran. Biden spent significant time during the press conference discussing Israel and Gaza, which occurred the day before Biden announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed in principle to a framework to achieve a cease-fire agreement. “The question has been from the beginning: What’s the day after in Gaza?” Biden said, adding later he was “able to unite the Arab nations” and protect Israel from Iran’s ballistic missiles. FORMER ISRAELI GENERAL DISCUSSES GROWING THREAT OF WAR WITH HEZBOLLAH “Nothing got hurt,” he stressed. “It sent an incredible lesson to what was going on from the Middle East.” “There’s a lot of things that, in retrospect, I wish I had been able to convince the Israelis to do,
Biden briefed on Trump rally shooting: ‘I’m praying for him’
President Biden released a statement after a shooting at a rally for former President Trump on Saturday, after which Trump had blood on his face and was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents. “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a White House statement around 8 p.m. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden, who is facing Trump in the 2024 presidential election in November, added. PRESIDENT BIDEN RELEASES STATEMENT ABOUT TRUMP RALLY SHOOTING “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” the president said. Former President Obama released his own statement prior to Biden, saying, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.” “Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” he said. “Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.” WATCH: MOMENT YOU HEAR GUNFIRE RING OUT JUST BEFORE SECRET SERVICE SHIELDS TRUMP In a statement from the George W. Bush Presidential Center, former President Bush said, “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.” Fellow former President Clinton reacted on X, posting that “Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service,” Clinton said. Biden addressed the nation from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Saturday evening after the shooting, telling reporters, “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. … We cannot condone this.”
“Horrible and scary”: Texas leaders condemn shooting at Donald Trump rally
Former President Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania when a series of loud bangs were heard. He was whisked off stage.
Congressional Democrats condemn political violence after shots at Trump rally
Democratic leaders in Congress are condemning political violence after shots were reportedly fired at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on X. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote, “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.” President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were also briefed on the incident as it continues to unfold. TRUMP RETURNS TO PENNSYLVANIA FOR PRE-CONVENTION RALLY IN SWING STATE Trump was addressing a crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania just days before he’s set to be named as Republicans’ 2024 presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin. Eyewitnesses who were present reportedly said they heard multiple shots ring out at the rally before Trump appeared to grab his neck, ducked behind the podium and was surrounded by Secret Service. He was then escorted off-stage with a defiant first pump. The Secret Service said Trump is safe. “Political violence is unacceptable and un-American. Grateful that the former President is safe. Our thoughts are with him and everyone in attendance at the rally,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said, “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.” SOFTENED ABORTION LANGUAGE IN TRUMP-APPROVED GOP PLATFORM IRKS SOME SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., one of Trump’s loudest critics in Congress, also publicly expressed condemnation of the reported events. “Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt. There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery,” Schiff wrote on X. Several high-profile Democratic governors have also come out to condemn the reported violence. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he has been briefed on the incident and said in a statement, “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.” “Violence has no place in our politics or communities. I am grateful for the quick response by law enforcement today and hope former President Trump is not seriously injured,” wrote North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.